Government of Dauphiny She was willing to keep that of Normandy to her self and have it manag'd by a Lieutenant General But the Prince of Conti was to be satisfied who ask'd for one of his Brother's two Governments This seem'd very reasonable Conti having heretofore given up the Government of the Dauphinate to the Count. To give him and the Guises some satisfaction a Sister of whom the Prince had married it was caus'd to be propos'd to Charles of Valois Natural Son of King Charles IX whom we before call'd Count d' Auvergne and henceforth shall be stil'd Duke of Angoulesme to lay down the Government of Auvergne Henry IV. had put him into Prison for a Conspiracy and the Regent kept him there still The Marquiss de Coeuvres was ordered to speak to him for accommodating the Matter The Duke d' Angoulesme who long'd for his Liberty accepted the Proposition to obtain his Liberty and so the Prince of Conti was made Governour of Auvergne The Count de Soissons had vast Designs rolling in his Head when he died 'T was said that he had bound himself in a great Correspondence with Henry Prince of Wales Maurice Prince of Orange the Duke of Savoy and the Huguenot Party The Duke of Rohan perceiving him discontented with the Regent and her Ancestors sent to offer him his Services He did not ask for the Government of Quillebeuf but only to be in a Condition of giving Entrance to the Succours which he had projected should come from England and Holland His greatest Passion and Desire was to remove the Ministers and quell the Party of the Guises and of the Duke of Epernon He would have had the Joy of seeing his Wishes almost fulfill'd if Death had not taken him hence the first Day of November The Marquiss and Marchioness d'Ancre had so much prepossess'd the Queen against the Ministers of State and especially against Sileri that she began to keep them in the dark as to her Cabinet Affairs Galigai had the Insolence to say a thousand offensive things to the Chancellor in presence of the Queen and to upbraid him with the ill Administration of his Office Mary de Medicis suffer'd her She-Confident to speak all and poor Sileri dar'd not to answer a Word for himself He was afraid lest the Queen should second the Reproaches perhaps too true which were said against him The Marchioness d'Ancre being sure of her Mistress's Sentiments spoke confidently as she was able to put out of Countenance the boldest Man alive 'T is a Maxim amongst interested Courtiers not to be put off and repuls'd easily and not to quit the Game but at the last Extremity The Chancellor went into the Queen's Closet with other Ministers but there he was afresh mortified Her Majesty turn'd her Back to him affecting to speak with a deal-of trust to the President Jeannin A new Party was now set up at Court which having got the upper most dissipated all the rest The Prince of Condé headed it The Dukes of Nevers Maienne Longueville the Marshal Bouillon and the Marquess d' Ancre came into it The Guises Epernon Amville and their Friends found their Affairs retarded by these Means The Duke of Amville was Brother to the Constable Montmorenci in whose Absence being gone to his Government in Languedoc he joyn'd himself to the Guises whom he thought had got further into the Queen's Favour than others The Master of the Horse Bellegarde of the same Party was then at Bourgundy as Governour of it He receiv'd Orders to come presently to Court Bellegarde obey'd the more willingly for that the Duke of Guise had hasten'd him to come to their Relief As soon as he had reach'd Sens they gave him notice that the Queen had sent for him only to put him out of his Government Understanding this he went back to it with all speed The Marquess d' Ancre had laid an Intrigue for causing Bourgundy to be given to the Duke of Mayenne There were more open Contentions at the Sorbonne than at the Court The Jesuit Becanus his Book condemned The Jesuits let loose against the lawful Authority of Sovereigns publish'd new Books every Day upon this Subject to court and please the proud Borghese Becan a famous Author of the Society had printed one this Year Mercure Francois 1611. with this Title The Controversie of England touching the King and Pope's Authority When Doctor Filezac new Syndic of the Faculty at Paris had perus'd it he spoke of it to Cardinal Bonzi to know whether the Queen would think fit the Sorbonne should censure so pernicious a Book The Nuncio and the Jesuits strove alike to shake off the Blow Vbaldini saw that the Faculty would not fail to have a fling in its Censure at the pretended Authority of the Holy Chair The good Fathers feared lest a new Decree of the Faculty of Paris publish'd throughout all France might further confirm the common Opinion That the Society makes Profession to teach constantly a Doctrine which is contrary to the Authority of Kings and Security of their Persons But the Propositions of Becan were so loudly complain'd of as it was expedient to appease Mens Minds by some Condemnation of them Here 's the Expedient which the Pope's Counsel and the Jesuits resolv'd upon They told the Queen that it would be of greater efficacy to have these sorts 〈◊〉 Books condemned at Rome and that 〈◊〉 Censure coming forth from the Holy Chair would carry more Authority with it than one from the Faculty of Paris Mary de Medicis was easily drawn into the Snare they had laid for her She bid the Cardinal Bonzi tell the Syndic of the Faculty That her Majesty would not have the Sorbonne to determine any thing upon Becan's Book because the Queen had a design to have it condemn'd by the Pope the Court of Rome and the good Fathers to make for them this Evasion If the Sorbonne had left off making a noise the Examination of the Book had been stopt Whatever came on 't the Inquisition condemning a Book in general Terms without specifying any thing People could not exactly know upon what Point the Condemnation fell and thus the exorbitant Proposition concerning the Pope's Authority would have been not touch'd or meddled with It was supposed that the Inquisition never intended to condemn them One Paris having presented in the Sorbonne the first of December some Propositions extracted out of Becan's Book wherein the Assassination of Kings and Princes was permitted and many other things contain'd which were contrary to Divine and Humane Laws the Syndic made a Report of what Cardinal Bonzi had told him concerning the Queen's Intentions Dr. Paris's Mouth being stop'd with this Answer desir'd that what he had propos'd might be register'd and that a Copy of what the Faculty had concluded upon might be given him It was granted him The first Day of the Year following the Faculty of Paris deputed four Doctors to represent to the Chancellor that
and Predestination in the Vnited Provinces A new Contest in Holland about the manner of chusing Pastors The Differences in the Vnited Provinces encrease A Conference at Delft between the Remonstrants and Contra-remonstrants The Prejudice of James King of England against the Arminians is abated Sibrund a Frieseland Minister publishes a Libel on the States of Holland Grotius is ordered to reply An Edict of the States of Holland to compose the Differences about the Questions of Predestination and Grace BOOK V. A New Party form'd at Court by the Marechal of Bouillon Artifices of the Duke of Savoy to raise a Civil War in France Different Measures propos'd to the Council of Franco for dispersing the Prince of Conde's Faction The Regent's Circular Letter upon the Retreat of the Prince of Conde and some Lords of his Faction The Duke of Nevers seizes the Citadel of Mezieres in Champagne The Prince of Conde writes a Letter to the Regent in form of a Manifesto The Weakness of the Parlement of Paris on this Occasion Reflections on the Answer the Cardinal of Perron made the Prince of Conde The Reply of Mary de Medicis to the Prince of Conde Mary de Medicis raises Six Thousand Swisses Bassompierre is made Colonel General of the Swisses in the Duke of Rohan's Place The Conduct of the Reformed in France in the Prince of Conde's Business The Wisdom of Du Plessis The Prince of Conde solicits the Reformed The wise Reply of du Plessis Mornay to the Regent and the Prince of Conde The Duke of Rohan seems to hear the Prince of Conde's Propositions The Duke of Vendome's Evasion He writes into Britany The Death of the Constable of Montmorency The Duke of Savoy shuns meeting the Marquess de Coeuvres Ambassador from France into Italy The Jealousie of the Princes and States of Italy occasioned by the Correspondence of the Two Crowns about the Affairs of that Country The Spaniards secretly traverse the Treaty carried on by the Marquess de Coeuvres The Cardinal-Duke of Mantua accepts the Conditions proposed by the Marquiss de Coeuvres The Duke of Savoy seems likewise to accept them Troops are raised at Turin The Treaty of the Duke of Ventadour and the other Commissioners of the King with the Prince of Conde and those of his Party The Prince retires to Soissons and goes into Champagne A Division in the Regent's Council on the Demands which the Prince of Conde and the Malecontents make with respect to their private Interests Intrigues of the Marshal of Ancre to divert the Regent from making War on the Prince of Conde The Pope's Nuncio's reasoning on the Resolution taken to make Peace with the Prince of Conde An Examen of the Political Reflexion of a Venetian Author of the Treaty made with the Prince of Conde A Treaty concluded at St. Menehoud between the Regent and the Prince of Conde The Sentiments of the Parlement of Paris against a Book of Suarez the Jesuit Paul V. complains of the Proceedings of Parlement against Suarez's Book A Discourse of the Pope to the French Ambassador upon the Parlements Sentence The Conduct of the Court of France to satisfie the Pope The Jesuits stir to have the Parlement's Sentence burnt The King's Declaration in his Council concerning the Parlement's Sentence The Pope will not be satisfied with the King's Declaration The King at last is obliged to suspend the Execution of the Parlements Sentence Differences in the Court of France The Duke of Vendome refuses to accept the Treaty of Menehoud The Ability and Prudence of du Plessis Mornay Mary de Medicis sends the Marquiss de Coeuvres to the Duke of Vendome to dispose him to an Accommodation A new Disturbance of the Prince of Conde An Interview of the Prince of Conde and the Duke of Rohan The Prince of Conde thinks to make himself Master of Poitiers A great Tumult at Poitiers The Gates of the City are shut against the Prince He retreats to Chateouroux in Berry A Remonstrance of du Plessis Mornay to the Regent The King and Queen Mother go to Poitiers The Queen goes to Nants in Brettany to hold a Meeting of the States The Prince of Conti's Death New Differences between the Princes of Brandenburgh and Newburgh about the Administration of the Countries of Cleves and Juliers The Town of Aix la Chapelle is put under the Ban of the Empire The Marquess of Spinola reduces the Town of Aix la Chapelle and seizes divers Places in the Countries of Cleves and Juliers Maurice Prince of Orange takes divers Places in the same Country A Conference at Santheim about the Succession of Cleves and Juliers The Duke of Savoy is more embroyl'd with Spain than ever He seeks to gain the Venetians into his Interests The Marquiss of Rambouillet is sent Ambassador Extraordinary into Italy An open War between Spain and Savoy Several Things writ on both sides The Pope's Nuncio and French Ambassador labour for an Accommodation between them The Duke of Savoy accepts the Conditions proposed and Spain refuses them The King of Spain is not satisfied with the Governour of Milan's Conduct The Majority of Lewis XIII His first Act. Sits in his Seat of Justice Education of Lewis XIII THE HISTORY OF THE REIGN OF LEWIS XIII King of France and Navarre BOOK I. THE Reign whose History I am about to write The Plan of the Work abounds in Great Events Here is a Scene of Civil and Foreign Wars Bloody Battles Towns attack'd and defended with great Conduct and Courage The Protestants oppress'd in France and supported in Hungary Germany and the Vnited Provinces The Nobility Clergy Parlements and People reduced to Slavery A King unable to extricate himself from those Difficulties in which some were still busie to involve him leaves the Care of Affairs to his Favourites and Ministers Alike averse to his Mother his Wife his Brother he treats the one ill and obliges the rest to form Leagues at Home and Abroad and at last to throw themselves into the Hands of the ancient Enemies of France The Princes of the Blood and the Great Lords disgusted sometimes at the ill Administration of a Regent at other times with the excessive Power of a Favourite or Minister rise under the specious Pretence of a Concern for the Publick Good The Protestants driven to Extremity by the frequent Infractions of the most inviolable Edict that ever was at last take Arms to defend the Liberty of their Consciences and preserve those Securities which had been so justly granted them in the preceding Reign The Enterprizes of the House of Austria on the Princes of Italy force them to have recourse to the Protection of France and make an Alliance with her These Sovereigns jealous of their Repose and Liberty see without concern the Duke of Savoy give up to the King of France a Place which opens a way into Italy whenever he shall think fit to send any Aid thither A great Conqueror coming from the
they were sure of a speedy Convention of the States The well-meaning Men would have endeavoured at a Reformation of the Government if they had been better Seconded and the Prince of Conde had had more Wisdom and Sincerity A Treaty concluded at St. Menehoud between the Regent and the Prince of Conde He concluded at last his Treaty with the Regent at St. Menehoud in Champagne the 15th of May. The Duke de Ventadour and his Colleagues were there I will not recite all the Articles The Castle of Amboise was to be put into the Prince's hands until the meeting of the States The Duke de Nevers had St. Menehoud Mercure Francoise 1614. Memoires de Duc de Rohan de la Regence de Marie de Medicis say some Authors thô it is not mentioned in the Treaty These gave him besides a Sum of Money to satisfie him for pulling down his House to make way for the Fortifications of Mezieres which were part of them to be demolished Blavet and the other Places that were Fortified a little before in Bretagne by the Duke de Vendome being Dismantled He was restored to his Government and all his Places This was all that was agreed upon for Vendom He highly complained that the Prince oâ—… Conde had abandoned him in this Negociation As for the Mareschal de Bovillon it was easie to satisfie him The Money which the Regent Ordered to be paid him was thought by him a sufficient Recompence See said the Duke of Rohan who had more Integrity in him than all the rest that made such a noise see saith he how Mens private Interest make them forget the publick welfare of the Kingdom The Prince de Conde the Dukes de Nevers de Longueville de Maienne and the Mareschal de Bovillon who signed the Treaty very readily performed their Conditions Mary de Medicis was not less punctual of her Side The Dukes de Longueville and de Maienne were the first that return'd to Court Conde retired to his House of Vallery where Descures Governor of Amboise went to resign that Place into his hands His Highness came sometime after to pay his Devoirs to their Majesties That Restless Temper that was Natural to him would not suffer him to stay long at Court. Being vext that his late Design had lessened the Respect due to his high Quality instead of increasing it as he had flattered himself it would This Prince was again tempted to raise new Troubles before the meeting of the States But having taken no better Measures than he did before he was forced to let the Regent alone who was endeavouring to reduce the Duke de Vendom who refused to agree to the Treaty of St. Menehoud The Decree of the Parlement of Paris against a Book of Suarez the Jesuit Mercure Francoise 1614. It is a great while since we have had occasion to speak of the Jesuits But we shall now see them appear again upon the Stage upon the account of a Book published by Suarez a famous Divine of that Society in Spain The Book is Intituled The Defence of the Catholick and Apostolick Faith against the Errors of the English Hereticks There are always a certain sort of Men at Paris who narrowly observe all the Actions of these Good Fathers and will not forgive-them if they do amiss This new Book of Suarez being come to France Abstracts of it were presently made and brought to the King's Officers in the Parliament of Paris The Sollicitor General look'd upon it as a Book so dangerous that he thought it his Duty to desire the Condemnation of it The Parliament met upon the 26th of June and Condemn'd the Book to be burnt by the Hands of the Common Hangman as containing Seditious Principles tending to the Subversion of Kingdoms and to perswade the Subjects of Kings and Princes to attempt their Sacred Persons They ordered besides That certain former Decrees of the Faculty of Paris which condemn'd the Doctrine of Suarez should be Read every year on the 4th day of June not only in thâ—… Schools of Sorbonne but also in those in the Colledge of Clermont and of the Mendicant Friers The greatest mortification to the Society was this that the Parlement Decreed that the Fathers Armand the Rector of the Society Cotton the late King's Confessor Fronton le Duc and Sirmond two Persons very famous for their Learning should appear the next day before the Parlement When they came thither the first President told them in the Name of the Court that the Book of Suarez their Brother Jesuit was contrary to a Declaration they had made and to a Decree of their General in the Year 1610. They commanded them afterward to write to Rome for a Revival and Publication of that Decree and to get from thence an Order in Six Months to prevent the Members of that Society from writing any more in their Books such damnable and pernicious Doctrine and to Command them to Preach to the People Doctrines contrary to those of Suarez or else the Parlement would proceed against such Offenders as Guilty of High Treason and disturbers of the publick Peace Paul V. complains of the proceedings of the parlement against Suarez his Book The Court of France foresaw very well that the Proceedings of the Parlement of Paris against the Book of Suarez would make a great noise at Rome for indeed the Book was writ by Order of the Pope But the Regent to whom the Parlement had been very Serviceable in the Affair of the Prince of Conde would not oppose their Zeal which they expressed against these pernicious Opinions Siri Memo. recondite Tom. III. p. 256 257. 270. Her Majesty had more need than ever to keep fair with the Parlement by reason of the approaching Assembly of the States As soon as Paul V. had notice of the Decree of the Parlement against Suarez his Book he sent the Bishop of Foligni to the Marquiss of Trenel who succeeded Breves in his Embassy at Rome This Prelate had Orders to complain in the Name of the Pope of the proceedings of the Magistrates of Paris by which they Encroached on the Rights of the Holy See His Holiness said he to the Ambassadour is the more surpriz'd because he expected nothing less than a grateful acknowledgement of his kindness to the Queen of France Her Majesty cannot be Ignorant of that Affection that he has always shewed to her and the King her Son All the World is witness of that Zeal which his Holiness has discovered for the prosperity of France T is not long since he offered his good Offices to the Queen to appease the Troubles of the Kingdom And they are no sooner ended but the Parlement of Paris makes a Decree injurious to the Holy See If Suarezs Book contains any Positions contrary to the Sovereignty of the most Christian King her Majesty might have complained to the Pope He would have censur'd the Doctrine of the Author and
think they can bestow their time better in advancing themselves and their Families They will be sure not to give us an Exact and Faithful account of the Intrigues of the Cabinet and Court and discover to the World the true Motives of Wars Alliances and other Enterprizes Will they publish to the World their own Roguery and Villanies Will they speak sincerely of the Infamies and Criminal Passions of a Prince to whom they owe their Places and Preferments Will they tell the Artifices they used to flatter or incense them to ruin a Rival of more Merit than themselves or advance their own ill-deserving Creatures Statesmen and Ambassadors sometimes write Memoirs But these are not to be trusted to Without fearing to make a rash Judgment I will say these Writers of Quality are like certain Persons who publish'd the History of their own Actions in Cicero's time This Man the vainest that ever lived was even dead with longing to see his Consulat writ by some eminent and able Pen. Ad familiares Lib. V. Ep. 12. Displeased that he could not obtain what he so earnestly coveted he was tempted to do as others had done and to write himself the Wonders of that Consulat with which he had stunn'd the World in his Orations Books and Letters One thing restrained him For says he very Ingenuously there are two very great Inconveniences in being the Historian of a Man 's own Actions He must be too modest in his own Praises and dissemble his Faults to save his Honour See here the Condition of all Writers of Memoirs If Decency requires them not to speak too well of themselves their Partiality leads them to conceal or at least palliate what they have done amiss If an Historian ought to be a Statesman for the same Reason he ought to be skilful in the Art of War Without this how shall he describe an Incampment a Siege or a Battle If I may freely speak my Thoughts these Particulars are not very necessary in a General History This Caution belongs more to a particular Relation or the Memoirs of a Man who intends to give Instructions to those of his Profession Dr. Burnet Bishop of Salâ—…sbury I have heard an eminent Prelate who has a Noble Genius for writing History as well as for the Pulpit and Divinity say That the late Mr. de Schombergh Mareschal of France and after a Duke in England had advis'd him to forbear entring too far into Particulars in Matters of War None said that excellent General but the most able Men of the Trade can speak well of these things It is almost impossible to know exactly all the Circumstances of an Action The General gives Orders and after is ignorant of what passes The Inferiour Officers must give an Account of what they do themselves It is reasonable to believe the Memoirs Caesar has left to Posterity should have the utmost Exactness Yet there were some Men in his time who did not exceedingly rely on them Caesar said they Suetonius in Julio Caesare cap. 56. too lightly gave credit to what was reported to him of other Mens Actions and is not very faithful in what he relates of his own either because his Memory deceiv'd him or he would not sincerely speak the Truth Since it is difficult to learn all the Circumstances of a Battle where things on both sides are in great Confusion an Historian may be excused if he do not inform us of all Particulars He may describe more exactly a March an Incampment or a Siege But of what use is this at bottom Few have any Interest here except those of the Trade The Business of History is more to form a Gentleman than to instruct a Soldier or an Officer These Reasons have prevailed with me to think I may undertake to write the History of a Reign which contains a great number of Sieges and Battles though I understand nothing of the Military Art I have not more Experience in Affairs of State or Court Intrigues This is true But on the other Hand I do not relate the Actions of my own time I have chosen with all the Industry and Judgment I am Master of what is extant any where of all that passed in the Reign of Lewis XIII There are some who imagine a good History cannot be written unless the Author have secret and curious Mâ—â—â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 This is the way some late Wriâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 â—â—ken to raise and give a 〈…〉 Works Varillas at first 〈…〉 by publishing that 〈…〉 Histories from Extracts of 〈◊〉 in the King of France's Library and Memoirs preserved in the Cabinets of some of the chief Families of the Kingdom But when the World took the Pains to enquire into what this boasting Scribler bodly advances they soon discover'd his Books were only Romances wrote with something of Easiness And when they press'd him to name his Authorities he could only produce some exploded Writers Manuscripts so confus'd that no one could find out the Truth and Memoirs so secret that the Persons who own'd them would not be named For my part I will not dissemble I have not yet procured any of those rare and curious Memoirs After the Example of Titus Livy and Tacitus who compiled their Histories out of the Works of those who writ before them I have carefully collected the best Things I could find in the Country where I reside and have compos'd out of them a continued History of the Reign of Lewis XIII in the most useful and instructive manner I was able I have taken that part of the Annals of Tacitus which yet remains for my Model not for the Stile or that mysterious Air which he affects in every thing he speaks of but in the Design and Plan of the Work It is plain the principal End Tacitus had in view was to shew by what Means and Degrees Tyranny was entirely established in Rome after the Death of Augustus And my chief Aim is to shew the Practices after the Death of Henry IV. to destory the little remaining Liberty of France to oppress the Clergy the Nobility and People in short to lay the Foundations of an enormous Power which has struck a Terrour into all Europe in our Days Perhaps some will reproach me that if I want the Strength and the Sententious Stile of Tacitus at least I have imitated his Malignity Some charge him with giving an ill Turn to all the Actions of those he speaks of and finding no Virtue and Probity any where But not to say how small the number of the Good is when a Man is obliged to bring on the Stage ambitious Men who sacrifice all to their Rise and Fortunes Base and flattering Courtiers who make no Scruple of betraying their Religion and Country Can he give these Actors the Part of an honest Man All that can be reasonably required of an Historian is that Men being rarely entirely corrupt and wicked he should not conceal what is good and commendable where he
Regency of Mary de Medicis The Tryal and Execution of Ravillac The Condemnation of Mariana's Book and Doctrines The Funeral of Henry IV. The Good and Ill Qualities of that Prince The Regents Council resolve to send Aid to Juliers Edicts revoked to ease the People A Declaration in Favour of the Protestants The Prince of Conde's Return His Arrival at Paris Two Powerful Factions at Court The Prince of Conde Head of the one the Count of Soissons of the other The Mareschal de Bouillon attempts to unite the two Parties The Queen Traverses this Reunion The Rise of Conchini the new Marquess of Ancre The King of Spain's Prospect in renewing the Treaty of the double Marriage Differences between the Emperor Rodolphus and the Arch-Duke Matthias his Brother A Treaty of Peace between the two Brothers Matthias is Elected and Crowned King of Hungary The Discontent of the Protestants of Austria appeased Quarrels about Religion in Bohemia The Pacification of the Troubles in Bohemia The Diet of Prague in 1610. The Emperor gives the Elector of Saxony the Countries of Cleves and Juliers The Siege and taking of Juliers by Maurice Prince of Orange The Meeting at Cologne to determine the Affairs of Cleves and Juliers Reflections on the Coronation Oath The Oath that James I. King of England required of his Popish Subjects occasions a Dispute of the Independance of Sovereigns in Temporal Matters Paul V. forbids the English of his Communion to take the Oaths King James prints an Apology for his Oath without putting his Name to it He declares himself Author of the Apology He Addresses this to all the Princes and States of Christendom Coeffeteau writes against the Apology Cardinal Bellarmine addresses to the Emperor and all the Kings of the Papal Communion his Answer to the King of Englands Apology The Sentence of the Parlement of Paris against Cardinal Bellarmine's Discourse of the Authority of the Pope The King of Spain's Edict against the XI Volume of Cardinal Baronius his Ecclesiastical Annals Differences of the Marquess of Ancre with the Count of Soissons and the Duke of Epernon Their Reconciliation a Party made at Court against the Duke of Sully BOOK II. A Quarrel between Bellegarde and Conchini The Count of Soissons falls out with the Cardinal of Joyeuse and the Duke of Epernon A Difference of the Count of Soissons with the Prince of Conde his Brother The two Princes Reconciled Another great difference of the Count of Soissons and the Duke of Guise The Duke of Guise is Reconciled to the Count of Soissons The Duke of Sully's Disgrace The first President de Harlay lays down his Place A Cabal to hinder Mr. de Thou from succeeding him La d' Escouman charges the Marquess de Vernueil and the Duke of Epernon with being concerned in the Murther of Henry IV. She is Condemned Reflections on her Sentence The State of the House of Austria in Germany The Ambitious Designs of Leopold of Austria Bishop of Strasburgh and Passaw on the Kingdom of Bohemia The Troops of Leopold advance into Bohemia Matthias King of Hungary Marches to the Assistance of Bohemia He is Crowned King of Bohemia A Cabal at the Court of France against the Duke of Epernon The Cardinal of Joyeuse and the Duke of Epernon resolve to leave the Court. The Marquess of Ancre designs to Marry his Son to the Princess of Soissons The Count of Soissons accepts the Proposition The Duke of Epernon's Generosity The Cardinal of Joyeuse's Instructions upon his going to Rome The Regent justifies her self to Paul the V. upon what she did in Favour of the Protetestants Complaints of the Court of France against the Duke of Savoy The Perplexity of the Duke of Savoy upon the Death of Henry IV. The other Princes of Italy not less Embarassed than the Duke of Savoy The Prudent Conduct of the Senate of Venice The ill Designs of the Court of Spain against the Duke of Savoy Divers Treaties to oblige the King of Spain and the Duke of Savoy to Disarm in Italy The King of Spain demands the Duke of Savoy to make him Satisfaction by way of Preliminary France lays down her Arms in Dauphine She has some Jealousie of the Spaniards remaining in Arms in Italy The Voyage of Philibert Prince of Savoy into Spain The Form of the Satisfaction which the Prince of Savoy gave the King of Spain for his Father The Reconcilement of the Duke of Savoy to Spain Velasco Constable of Castile and Governor of Milan receives Order to lay down his Arms. Divers Projects of the Duke of Savoy The Duke of Savoy resolves to Attack Geneva and the Country of Vaux The Council of France resolves to protect them At length they force the Duke of Savoy to lay down his Arms. The Civil Meeting of the Protestants of France The Protestants preparation to hold a General Meeting The Mareschal of Bouillon suffers himself to be won by the Court The Meeting of the Reformed is Transferr'd from Chatelleraut to Saumur The Reconciliation of the Mareschal of Bouillon and the Duke of Sully The Protestants renew their Oath of Vnion The Duke of Sully's Affair proposed in the Meeting at Saumur The Duke of Sully's Remonstrance to the Assembly A Discourse between the Mareschal of Bouillon and the Duke of Rohan about the Duke of Sully's Affair The Assembly declares for the Duke of Sully The Court undertakes to break up the Meeting at Saumur A Division in the Meeting at Saumur The Wisdom of Du Plessis Mornay on that occasion The Book of Du Plessis Mornay against the Papacy The Book of Du Plessis Mornay is censured by the Faculty of Paris Reflections on this Censure The Troubles of Aix la Chapelle The Meeting of several Protestant Princes of Germany about the Affairs of Cleves and Juliers The Princes of the Protestant League meet at Rottenburgh in Bavaria The Death of the Elector of Saxony The Electoral Diet at Neurembergh The Elector's Requests to the Emperor The Emperor's Answer The Death of the Queen of Spain The Death of the Duke and Dutchess of Mayenne The Dutchess of Lorrain and the Cardinal of Gonzaga come to the Court of France The Count of Soissons discontented The Faculty of Paris Censures the three Panegyricks of Ignatius Loyola Reflections on the Miracles ascribed to Saint Ignatius and the Character given him Disturbances at Troies in Champagne about the Settlement of the Jesuits in that City The Process of the Vniversity of Paris against the Jesuits upon the opening their College there Disputes on the Questions of Grace and Predestination The Rise of Arminianism in Holland Vorstius is chosen to succeed Arminius James the I. King of England opposes the Election of Vorstius The King of England's Apology for his Conduct in the Business of Vorstius Revolutions in Sweden after the Death of Gustavus Ericson John King of Sweden Attempts to change the Religion Established by his Father Sigismund King of Sweden is chosen King of
Poland He succeeds to the Kingdom of Sweden Differences between King Sigismund and Charles Duke of Sudermannia The States of Sweden give the Regency of the Kingdom in the absence of King Sigismund to the Duke of Sudermannia The Duke of Sudermannia and the Senate of Sweden are divided King Sigismund Attempts in vain to reduce the Duke of Sudermannia by Force The States of Sweden depose King Sigismund Charles Duke of Sudermannia is chosen King of Sweden The King of Sweden sends the Challenge to the King of Denmark The Death of Charles King of Sweden BOOK III. THE State of France since the Regency of Mary de Medicis The Treaty of the double Marriage between France and Spain The double Marriage is concluded between the two Kings Intrigues in the Court of France when the Treaty of the double Marriage was known there The double Marriage at last passes in the Council of France The Popes Nuncio complains of the Sentence of Parlement on the Process of the Vniversity of Paris against the Jesuits The Nuncio's Invectives against the Advocate-General Servin The Nuncio's Advances to the Parlement to procure a Modification of the Sentence The Nuncio's Intrigues with the Clergy The Difficulties of the Jesuits to keep even in their Conduct to the Court of Rome and Parlement of Paris A Book of Doctor Richer Syndic of the Faculty of Paris makes a great Noise there The Cardinal du Perron and the Bishops of the Province of Sens assembled together to Condemn Richers Book Richer has the Syndicat of the Faculty of Paris taken from him Publick Rejoycings for the double Marriage New Disturbances in the Court of France The Duke of Mayenne is sent into Spain to demand the Infanta for the King Matthias King of Hungary and Bohemia is Elected Emperor after the Death of Rodolphus II. Antonio Memmi is chosen Doge of Venice after the Death of Leonard Donato The Embassy of the Mareschal of Bouillon into England The Discontent of the Mareschal Lesdiguieres Mary de Medicis depresses â—…e Factions of the Duke of Guise and Epernon The Count of Soissons undertakes to ruine the Ministers and engages outragiously to Attack the Chancellor de Sillery The Marquess de Coeuvres diverts the Count of Soissons from this Enterprize The Impostures of the Marquess of Ancres Some Persons suborned to accuse him of Magick The Affair of the Duke of Rohan at St. John of Angeli The Reconciliation of the French Protestant Lords The Protestation of the National Synod of Privas in the Name of all the Reformed Churches of France against the King's New Declaration The Entry of the Duke of Pastrane into Paris The Signing of the Marriage Articles between the Prince of Spain and the Eldest Daughter of France The Duke of Mayenne's Entry into Madrid The Signing the Marriage Articles between Lewis XIII and the Infanta of Spain A Conspiracy against the Duke of Parma A Discourse of Marrying Christina second Daughter of France to Henry Prince of Wales The Death of Henry Prince of Wales The Fortunes of Robert Carr in England The Death of the Count of Soissons A New Face of the Court of France The Condemnation of a Book of the Jesuit Becanus The Sentence of the Parlement of Paris against a Book of Schioppius Peace between the Crowns of Sweden and Denmark Revolutions in Muscovy A False Demetrius in Poland Demetrius enters Muscovy and causes himself to be Crowned there Demetrius and a great number of Poles are Massacred at Moscow Susky is made Czar of Muscovy and after lays down Ladislaus Prince of Poland is proclaimed Czar of Muscovy The Polanders are driven out of Muscovy and Michael Federovitz is elected Czar BOOK IV. THE Baron de Luz is killed by the Chevalier of Guise The Regents Anger against the Guises The Duke of Guise desires to combine with the Prince of Conde The Queen becomes jealous of the Prince of Conde The Violence and Mercenary Temper of the Duke of Guise The generous Sense of the Duke of Epernon The Regent is Reconciled to the Dukes of Guise and Epernon The Ancient Ministers are recalled The Confusion and Perplexity of the Prince of Conde The young Baron de Luz is killed again by the Chevalier of Guise The Death of Francis Duke of Mantua New Projects of the Duke of Savoy upon this occasion Artifices of the Duke of Savoy The Governor of Milan demands the Dutchess Dowager of Mantua and her Daughter The Regent of France opposes the Duke of Savoy's designs The Pope's Conduct in the Affair of Mantua The Republick of Venice supports the Cardinal of Mantua Ferdinand Cardinal de Gonzaga takes the Character of Duke of Mantua New Efforts of the Duke of Savoy to fetch away from Mantua the Princess Mary his Grand-daughter Ambitious Projects of the Duke of Savoy The Duke of Savoy carries Montserrat This Enterprize is the cause of New Metions in Italy Manifesto's of the Duke of Savoy and the Cardinal Duke of Mantua Artifices and Bravades of the Duke of Savoy His Intrigues at the Court of France are discovered The Marquess of Ancre being found Intriguing with the Duke of Savoy is exceedingly Embarassed The Ministers are reconciled to the Marquess of Ancre The Court resolves to send a powerful Aid to the House of Mantua The Queen is diverted from sending Aid so soon to the Cardinal Duke The King of Spain declares against the Duke of Savoy The Emperor requires the Duke of Savoy to desist from his Enterprize on Montferrat The Governor of Milan constrains the Duke of Savoy to submit to the King of Spain's pleasure A difference between the Duke of Nevers and the Governour of Milan The Marriage of the Elector Palatin to a Daughter of the King of England A Discourse concerning the Marriage of Charles Prince of Wales with Christina of France The Emperor Matthias comes to the Diet at Ratisbon The Catholicks and Protestants reciprocally complain of each other The ill success of the Diet at Ratisbon The Fortune of Bethlem Gabor Prince of Transilvania A difference between the Houses of Brandenburgh and Neuburgh about the Government of Cleves and Juliers Prince Wolfgang of Neuburgh Marries the Sister of the Duke of Bavaria and changes his Religion Difficulties to make the Peace concluded between the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua lasting The Governor of Milan presses the Duke of Savoy to Disarm The Dukes Evasion The Governor of Milan demands the Princess of Mantua on the King of Spains part The King of Spains Views in this demand The Republick of Venice traverses the King of Spain's Designs The Perplexity of Mary de Medicis in the Business of Mantua A Proposition made to the Council of France to cause Troops to march into Italy The Regent sends the Marquiss de Coeuvres into Italy to treat an Accommodation between the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua The vast Ambition of Conchini made a Mareschal of France and Galigai his Wife A Continuation of the Disputes about Grace
Blasphemies against the late King Henry III. and against the Persons and States of Kings and Soveraign Princes The Jesuits have ever had their Partisans and Adversaries The first were ready to excuse them and the latter rose up against them with great Zeal and Vehemence The Abbot Dubois preaching at St. Eustace in Paris undertook in one of his Sermons to refute the Opinions of Mariana By a figure of Rhetorick lively enough he addrest his Speech to the good Fathers and exhorted them strongly for the future to take care in the Books published in the name of their Body and with Approbation of their Superious to let nothing pass offensive to France unless the Jesuits would expose themselves to Dangers which all their Prudence strengthen'd by the Power of their Friends would not be able to avoid This Discourse made a great Impression on the Audience They went away enraged against the Society and the People appeared extreamly incensed against them Complaint was made to the Queen of this Sermon and she remitted the Affair to the Archbâ—…shop of Paris Dubois protested before that Prelate he meant no hurt to the Society My Love said he to Truth my Grief for the Death of the King and a just Dread of the fatal Effects that the Doctrine of Mariana may produce such Sentiments as these made me speak in that manner The Archbishop of Paris had nothing to reply and contented himself with exhorting the Preacher to live well with all the Servants of God and particularly with the Jesuits But it had been more to the purpose to perswade effectually those good Fathers to pardon the Abbot the injury which they thought they had received I do not know how it came to pass but Dubois had the Imprudence to go to Rome the next year and then they did not want colour to shut him up in a close Prison The Patience of Father Coton Confessour to the late King could not bear to hear the General Exclamation against his Brethren He resolved to justifie the Society against the Imputation on the account of Mariana's Book His Wise and discerning Friends advised Coton to say nothing for fear of any Misunderstanding in an Affair that must be so nicely handled Every one wonder'd that a Man who knew the World so well and wanted not Prudence should not take so good Advice He published a long Letter addressed to the Queen to perswade the World Mariana was a private Person disown'd by their Body who had true Notions of the Authority of Princes and the Obedience due to them The thing happened at the Friends of the Jesuits had foretold A thousand Pamphlets were instantly published against the Fathers Letter It is full say they of Ambiguous Expressions and Tricking They insulted him on his pretended disclaiming the Doctrine which was plainly forced to comply with present necessity It comes too late said some maliciously enough to the good Fathers but perhaps it will not be useless to the Children of him who is now in his Grave Indeed the defence of Coton was weak and ill put together What he said of the Complaints of the Provincial Congregation held at Paris some years before and the Answer of their General Aquaviva gave an Advantage to the Enemies of the Society The French Jesuits having desired their Superiour to stop the Liceace and Suppress the Books of some Authours who had written some things to the prejudice of France the Father gave them this Answer We approve the Judgment and Care of your Congregation And we are very sorry that this was not discover'd till after the Impression of those Books We have taken order they shall be corrected and we will have a care that nothing of the like nature shall happen for the future This is very cold and ambiguous for an Opinion which allows Attempts on the Lives of Soveraigns Here are some of the Prudential Managements of the Children of this World But there is no formal disavowing that execrable Dogm the Defenders of which deserve an Exemplary punishment We must be very simple to believe that the Superiours of the Society did not know what Mariana and others of the same stamp wrote till after the Publication of their Works do's not all the World know what are their Statutes relating to the Publication of their Books It is to little purpose that Coton cites several Authours of different Sentiments from Mariana If among so many able Men there was none to be found who maintain Homicide to be absolutely forbid by the Laws of God it would be a very extraordinary thing The permission of the Society to print Mariana's Book is ground enough to conclude they approve it or at least do not condemn it as ill These Writers pass for grave Authours but according to the Principles of Probability a Dogm which ows its Birth to or at least is adopted by the Society in all its Forms James Clement could on the Authority of Mariana Assassinate Henry III. And his Successour might be kill'd with a safe Conscience at least at a time when Sixtus V. and Gregory XIV darted all the Thunder of the Vatican against him The Jesuits bore the most violent Assaults of the Preachers of Paris The Funeral of Henry IV. at the time of Henry's Funerals The Ceremony was performed with the usual pomp The Heart was sent to the College of Jesuits which the King had founded at la Fleche in Anjou He had ordered it thus before his Death Coton made his Funeral Oration there The Body was first carried to the Cathedral Church of Paris and from thence conveyed to the ordinary Burying-place of the Kings of France The Bishop of Aire pronounced the Elogy of the Deceased King at Notre Dame and the Bishop of Anger 's at St. Denys Tho' Henry might deserve in the Eyes of the World the Title of Great his Vertues and Actions did not deserve the Church of Rome should interrupt her Holy Rites to make his Panegyrick in a Pulpit which ought to be Sacred to the Preaching of the Truth What can a good Christian say in praise of a Prince dead in several Criminal Habits on the point of putting all Europe in a Flame and causing a great Effusion of Blood to satisfie his Ambition to revenge himself of his Enemies who were not in a condition to hurt him to force away a Princess in the face of the World whose Husband took Refuge to defend himself from the Solicitations and Pursuits of a King whom love had deprived of all Senseand Reason His pretended Conversion was a fair Field for prophane Orators void of Religion to exercise their Eloquence Their Triumph in so Important a Conquest served to cover his ill Life and impenitent Death But were they ever assured Henry was sincerely a Catholick Let us leave that to the judgment of God If it be true this Princes Conscience was setled in matters of Faith it is certain his irregular Life did not do much honour to the
King is Master of the Body and the Goods of his Subjects The Courtiers who instil'd this Doctrine into Sovereigns this Judicious Divine without Ceremony calls Dogs and Court-Parasites To prevent the ill effects of the bad Politicks of the Cardinal Director of the Education of King Lewis the XIV they printed the same things during the Minority of that Prince Neither the Bookseller nor the Author did dare to set their Name to it This Book was writ by a Churchman Eminent for his Learning and Probity Mr. Jolli Chantre de Nôtre-Dame de Paris Maximes veritables impnrtantes pour l'institution du Roi. He since enjoyed one of the first Dignities of the Church of Paris but what was spoken freely to Henry the II. and what was published covertly about 50 years since the French would have now lost the Memory of if it were as easie to forget as it is to be silent to avoid Danger all Books of this kind are now burnt by the hands of the Hangman Can those unworthy Magistrates who order this believe that the flames by consuming of Paper will erase out of the Hearts of good Frenchmen those Sentitiments that right Reason hath deeply inscrib'd in them The Oath which James the 1. King of England requirâ—…d of his Pâ—…pish Subjects caus'd a Dispute concerning the Independance of Sovereignty in Temporal Matters The Parlement of Paris on the 26th day of November the same year made a Decree for the Suppression of the Treatises which Cardinal Bellarmin a Jesuit had published concerning the power of the Pope in Temporal Matters since this new Book was a Consequence of the Dispute of the Author with James the first King of Great Britain upon the occasion of the Oath which that Prince required of the Roman Catholicks of England I will in a few words Relate the beginning and Progress of the Controversie After the Horrible Gunpowder Plot King James thought for his own Safety it was necessary to require the English Papists to take a particular Oath of Allegiance to him The Form of this was so ordered that it might not offend the Conscience of those who without renouncing their Religion would pay that duty to their Sovereign they rightfully ow'd him In this they acknowledg'd the Pope had no right to Depose Kings or dispose of their Kingdoms or any Foreign Prince to Invade them or Absolve their Subjects of their Oath of Allegiance or Command them to take Arms against their Sovereign they promis'd farther to be faithful to the King and serve him notwithstanding all that the Pope should attempt against him or his Successors and to discover all Conspiracies which should come to their Knowledge They Abjured and Detested as Impious and Heretical the Doctrine of those who teach it is lawful to Depose and Assassinate Princes Excommunicated by the Pope and lastly they protested they believed that neither the Pope nor any other power could dispense with the keeping of their Oath and Renounced all Dispensations which the Pope might think fit to give The thing appear'd reasonable to the English Papists the Nobility Gentry Priests and all others swore in this Form George Blackwell nominated Arch-Priest of England by the Pope not content with taking the Oath himself wrote in Defence of it against all its Opposers Paul V. forbids the English of his Communion to take the Oath The Court of Rome made a quite different Judgment in the matter Thinking Men were not surpriz'd at it a Proposition which she makes one of the Fundamental Articles of her Religion was here Rejected as Impious and Heretical Whatever be said on this Subject those who approve the Oath reason inconsequently if they own the Pope for the Vicar of Jesus Christ Paul V. scared at these proceedings of the English Catholicks without his Knowledge and Consent sent a Brief immediately to forbid them to take an Oath Inconsistent as he said with the Catholick Faith and the Salvation of their Souls These Expressions are as moving and strong as if he designed to disswade these poor People from subscribing the most Impious Tenets against the Divinity of Jesus Christ This thundering Brief discompos'd them so much they thought they could not do better then regard it as Subreptitious or Spurious His Holiness not being well inform'd of the proceedings in England King James his Apology for his Oath without setting his Name to it They were not suffered long to remain in this voluntary Mistake Paul soon dispatch'd another Brief to confirm the first Cardinal Bellarmin was the greatest and most eminent Champion of the Pontifical Power since the Death of Cardinal Baronius which happened not long before Bellarmin I say wrote a well studied Letter to Blackwell to reduce him into the right way A more passionate Remonstrance could scarce have been made to one who had renounc'd the Gospel and embrac'd the Alchoran This made James loose all Patience he wrote himself to defend his Oath against the two Briefs of the Pope and the Letter of Bellarmin and now he did not set his Name to the Work Had not a King better forbore Writing at all and left this care to another This good Prince own'd himself publickly that it became a King more to Judge than Dispute A little Jesuit made a Cardinal by blotting of Paper was not an Adversary worthy of a great Monarch Borghese behav'd himself like a King and James acted the part of a Doctor one Commanded and the other Disputed Except a Prince then write as Julius Caesar or Marcus Aurelius he is in the wrong to become an Author Julian was pleas'd to take his Pen to defend his Philosophick Gravity and Religion and with all his Learning made himself Contemptible and Ridiculous The King of England declares himself Author of the Apology to the Princes and States of Christendom Bellarmin did not fail to reply to the King but under a borrowed Name A Learned Prelate of England undertook to refute the Cardinal he shewed that before Gregory the VII no Ecclesiastical Writer had attempted to maintain the Authority of the Pope over the Temporalities of Sovereigns The King of England caused another Edition of his Apology to be printed and declared himself the Author of it Shall I say he thought in this to do himself Honour by becoming a Champion for the common cause of all Sovereigns or had a mind to display a Learning not very common in Persons of his Rank The Work appeared with a very pompous Preface at the Head of it This was a Manifesto addressed to all the Kings Princes and other Republicks of Christendom to give an account of his Oath and his Conduct with regard to his Roman Catholick Subjects Rouse your selves it is high time said the King to them The Common Interest of all Sovereigns is concerned a Formidable and Obstinate Enemy is undermining the Foundations of your Power unless you act in Concert to put a stop to the Progress he makes every Day
to take his Advantage of this when he should be in that Neighbourhood The Duke of Epernon's going to his Governments of Limosin Angoumois and Xaintonge bordering on Guienne gave great Satisfaction The Queen gave him a thousand Caresses and recommended earnestly to him to observe Conde's steps This Precaution was not necessary the good Prince thought no harm he was too well satisfied with his feigned Greatness and acting the part of an Imaginary King on the Stage at Bourdeaux and elsewhere he was charmed to see himself received with so much Ceremony took his Place in the Parliament made his Progress thrô the several Towns and heard with great Gravity the Harangues and Complements of the Magistrates and Gascon Gentlemen The Marquess of Ancre designs to marry his Son to the Princess of Soissons The Count of Soissons was now the only Person who managed the Queen The Marquess of Ancre whose Favour encreased every day shew'd an extreme Devotion to him Soissons Transported with bringing so potent a Favourite into the interests of his House did him all the good Offices he could He Assisted him in obtaining the Government of the Town and Citadel of Amiens in Spight of the Opposition and Discontent which the Count of St. Paul shewed at it This Lord being a younger Brother of the House of Longueville pretended to this Employ But Soissons who had an entire Ascendent over him made him desist Farther he engaged St. Paul to return out of Picardy where he Commanded during the Minority of the Duke of Longueville Memoires de la regence de Marie de Medicis to prevent any Difference that might happen between him and the New Governour of Amiens if they should meet Conchini was now risen to such a height nothing seemed to be above him There was a Discourse of Marrying his Son to one of the Princesses of Soissons You have a mind to flatter me said the Favourite to a Gentleman who made the Offer but I confess this Flattery do's not displease me He did not long continue in this Modesty he affected at that time The Count of Soissons accepts the Proposition The Generosity of the Duke of Epernon Conchini had the boldness to say to the Marquess of Coeuvres a Confident of the Count of Soissons that the Marriage talked of must be concluded that a Prince of the Blood would find great Advantages in it that the Queen had already given her consent Soissons meanly complyed with this shameful Match He was punished for it as he deserved The Ministers laid before the Queen Consequences of a Marriage which would sooner or later draw on it the Indignation of the King the Princes of the Blood and all sensible Men. Vie du Duc d'Epernon L. VI. Thus the Count of Soissons by this Treaty only obtained the Scandal and Reproaches of consenting to prostitute his Daughter to a young Italian whose Father and Mother soon became the Horror of Mankind not so Wise and Generous as the Duke of Epernon inferior in Birth to a Prince of the Blood Conchini caused a Marriage to be proposed for his Daughter with the Marquess de la Valette second Son of the Duke Besides the Great Wealth he would have given with his Daughter he promised to obtain the Sword of Constable of France for Epernon as soon as the King should be a Major Far from hearing his Friends and Servants who advised him to accept this Proposition the Duke rejected it with a Noble Scorn Nay he was Angry with those who pressed him to make an Alliance which if rewarded by the first Dignity of the State would be still the more Scandalous The Cardinal of Joyeuse took for the pretence of his Journey the Obligation he had to go to Rome to perform the Functions of his Dignity of Protector of France a Pompous and Ridiculous Title which the Pride of the Court of Rome has invented and the mean Complaisance of Sovereigns has Authorised These like Monks have each their Cardinal Protector with the Pope A Subject who is Agent for his Prince becomes his Protector at Rome The Regent Diverted her self at that time at Fontainbleau There on the 12th of April she drew up a long Instruction for Joyeuse No one can read these Pieces without complaining of or to speak better contemning Crowned Heads who suffer such a strange Slavery to be imposed on them A King must give the Holy Father an account of what he do's at home Siri Memorie recondite Tom II. pag. 502 503 c. for the good of his Dominions and what Alliances he contracts abroad for their Security Has he done any thing which is not well relished at Rome then see him humbly making his Excuses and taking all ways imaginable to extenuate his Fault He is very Submissive he promises to do great and mighty wonders on some other Occasion for the Holy See What a Pother's here about the Instruction of the Cardinal of Joyeuse The Regent justifies to Paul V. what she had done in favour of the Protestants Mary de Medicis will have him to inform Paul V. exactly of what has been done since the beginning of the Regency without omitting the least Particular To justifie her confirming the Edict of Nantes he must represent to his Holiness this was extorted from her to prevent the Jealousies of the Protestants and disappoint some busie Turbulent Men. The Protestants having Permission granted them to meet for the Regulating other Civil Matters she pretended it was impossible to do otherwise in a Minority Endeavours are used to pacifie the Disquiet which that Assembly gave the Pope promising to allow the Hugonots nothing that could be dispensed with The Regent had given several Employs and bestowed her Favours on some Protestant Lords for fear the Court of Rome should be alarmed at this it was said this was to gain the Heads of the Party over Paul the V. took it ill that the Parlement of Paris had made a Decree for the Suppression of Cardinal Bellarmine's Book against Barclay Her Majesty is a little Embarassed upon this Article she is troubled the Defamatory and Scandalous Books of the Gardinal should give occasion to the Magistrates to concern themselves But the Queen in Recompence has interposed her Authority to hinder the Sorbonne from vigorous Censure which she intended against the Propositions of Bellarmine It was not thought fit to give the Hugonots so great Advantages what Baseness what Trickings are here but this is not all The Renewing the Alliances with the Protestant Princes and States were coloured with the common good of Christendom and the Example of the King of Spain was alledged who made a League with the Vnited Provinces all good Offices were promised with the Electors and Protestant Princes of Germany in favour of Matthias King of Hungary whom the Courts of Rome and Madrid wished to have Elected King of the Romans In the last place the Court would make the Old
him who has given this Advice and us and make him to see his Fault Gentlemen the Judgment of Solomon is before you Let us shew that we are the true Mother The Bowels of Jesus Christ are torn in a more cruel Manner because some among us will not see it These Men are not concerned to teach us what Obedience is due to the King we know one another well enough Whatever happens let us make our Nomination as the Queen Commands Our Churches will pardon us for not following their Instructions when they see into what danger the ill Advice of some Men has thrown us The Schism is ready to be formed This is enough for our Justification This Discourse full of Religion and Wisdom calmed their exasperated Minds They resolved to hear the Queens Letter read and obey her Majesty The Conclusion of the Meeting at Saumur Bullion goes the next day in the Morning to the Meeting presents the Regents Letter and demands the Kings Orders to be executed They shall be so replied Du Plessis Mornay since we have the Misfortune not to have our Remonstrances heard but we hope their Majesties will have regard to our Submission and those Just Requests we have made Do not take it ill Sir said he turning to the Commissioners if I frankly tell you those who have sowed Division amongst us have not done his Majesty good Service It was our Vnion which setled the late King upon the Throne of his Ancestors he knew so well the profit of it that it was renewed and sworn to in his Presence and in the midst of his Court at Mante Heaven grant a peaceable Minority to the King and a happy Regence to the Queen The more the Reformed are united amongst themselves the more they will be in a condition to serve their Prince usefully Three or four of the Court Faction would have stood up at the Instigation of the Commissary and have made a noise but the Prudence of the President and the Remonstrances of the rest stopt them The fifth of September the Assembly named the six Persons out of whom the Court might chuse two for Deputies General of the Reformed Churches of France After this the Answer made to the Paper of Complaints and Requests was read What the Court granted was so inconsiderable that the Persons who declared on that side were filled with Confusion and Rage We 'll sooner burst cry'd one than stop here The time of considering was over The Assembly was broke by the same Writ that permitted them to sit Let us break up says Du Plessis Let every Man leave his Animosities here It would be an Addition to our Misfortune to carry these along with us into our Countries Every one has fail'd every one has done well Let us endeavour to obtain by a Respectful Silence and a Christian Patience what we could not gain by our Petitions and Remonstrances This was the end of one of the most Famous Protestant Meetings after three Months Sitting It was composed of the most Eminent Men for their Birth Ability and Experience in Business They would have been more Successful in their Labours for the benefit of their Churches if they had not furnished the Court with means to make an Advantage of Divisions by the Ambition and Covetousness of some particular Members This Assembly had given the Regent some Disquiet and alarmed divers Towns who imagined the Reformed would now be more potent than ever When it was found they were broke up without gaining any advantage their Enemies insulted them on all sides and divers Libels against them were published In one of these the Anonymous Author divides the Meeters into three Classes the Malicious the Zealous and the Judicious Under the Name of Malicious were designed the Duke of Rohan and the rest who were of Opinion they should shew their Resolution to obtain a favourable Answer These Men said they only seek to Embroil the Nation and kindle a Civil War As for the Zealous they painted these as People whose love to their Religion made them Suspicious and Diffident Their ignorant Zeal said they their Prepossession that all endeavours are used to distress them made these comply with the former In the last place the Judicious were the Mareschal of Bouillon and those of his Party Their Obedience and Moderation was praised A Civil War was in their Opinion the worst of Evils They would suffer any thing rather than put the Nation into a Flame A Book of Du Plessis Mornay against the Papacy A New Book of Du Plessis Mornay enraged the Roman Catholicks strangely The Title of it was The Mystery of Iniquity or The History of the Papacy The Design of the Author was to shew against the Cardinals Baronius and Bellarmine by what degrees the Monarchy of the Pope was formed and the several Oppositions which Honest Men made to the Establishing a Power so contrary to the Spirit of the Gospel There was nothing very extraordinary in this the Roman Catholicks were accustomed to this Controversy It had been handled in an Infinity of Books the Cut in the Front of this Book gave greater Offence to them than all the rest Paul the V. was represented in it with the Flattering and Impious Inscriptions made for him on the other side of the Mountains Some Persons applied to him what the Holy Ghost says of Jesus Christ himself gave him the Title of the most Invincible Monarch of the Christian Common-wealth the most Ardent Defender of the Papal Omnipotence in short Vice God This was a word newly invented to his Honour Since Men who make a Profession of the Gospel have pushed Flattery to such an Extravagance can we admire that Pagans should place their Princes in the number of the Gods whom they adored Du Plessis made him ridiculous by a pleasant and lucky Remark By adding the value of the Numeral Letters of the Latin words which signifie Paul V. Vice God he found the number 666. which makes the Mysterious number of the Beast spoke of in St. John's Revelation The Reformed applauded this Discovery and their People being now perswaded that Paul V. was truly the Son of Perdition whom the Lord Jesus would destroy by the Breath of his Mouth and the Glory of his Coming they flattered themselves they should soon see the Fall of Babylon Du Plessis himself was so well pleased at the Success Vie du M. du Plessis L. III. that his Friends writing to him that his New Book was a great prejudice to his Fortune and that Villeroy and some other Ministers were cold to him whereas before they intended to have given him some considerable Employ He comforted himself without much difficulty on this Cross and shew'd he contemned the Threats which his Enemies exasperated against him made him on all sides The more enlightn'd Persons in the Church of Rome did only laugh at the Fancy of the Author This Sportive Wit seemed very seasonable to them to put to Confusion a
Holland and Westfriezland In this he desires that the Council of the Province might take Cognizance of his Affair His Adversaries on the contrary asserted that a Dispute which was purely Theological ought to be decided in an Assembly of Churchmen Arminius carried it Gomar and he were heard by the Magistrates These Gentlemen made their Report to the States That the Contest of the two Parties was only about certain subtil Meâ—…aphysical Questions concerning Grace and Predestination and that both Parties would do better to leave their Disputes and Animosity and support themselves mutually with Charity Gomar was not of this Mind How Preface before the Acts of the Synod of Dort The Dispute is of the last importance cryed he I would not appear before the Supreme Tribunal of God with the Sentiments of Arminius If the States do not find a speedy Remedy to the Evil which so pernicious a Doctrine is like to cause we shall soon see Altar against Altar Town against Town Province against Province All will be in Disorder and Confusion The States of Holland and Westfriezland always composed of wise and discerning Men are not so easily carried away with the Passions of Divines To give their hot heads times to cool they deferred as long as they could the holding of the ordinary Synod And when they were obliged to permit it to meet they ordered no one should speak there of the Controversies between the Arminians and the Gomarists In the mean time Arminius and his Party found themselves always prest by their warm zealous Enemies to communicate to the other Ministers their Remarks on the Confession of Faith and Catechism They threatned to proceed against them by way of Church-Censure if they persisted to refuse The States of Holland who desired to stifle this Difference if possible saw well that if Arminius published his Reasons this would only serve to make the Dispute hotter The Gomarisâ—… would have refuted them the Arminians would have replied the Synodâ—… would have Matter to make their Determinations on For this Reason the Stateâ—… ordered wisely the Arminian Ministeâ—… should send to them their Remarks in Writing and sealed to be kept till the first extraordinary Synod should meet to examin the Controversie All this did noâ—… content the Gomarists Nothing would serve but he must explain himself And now he desires again to be heard in a Meeting of the States of Holland being perswaded these Gentlement would have more Equity and Moderation than prejudiced and passionate Ministers Gomar and he appeared Arminius delivered his Thoughts on the Principal Articles of Religion and particularly on Predestination Grace the Liberty of Man's Will the certainty of Salvation and the Perseverance of the Regenerate He did not forget at the same time to shew his Adversaries Sentiments were repugnant to the Justice and Goodness of God That his System deprives Man of that Liberty which God has given him that it conduces to throw Sinners into Despair to harden 'em in Impenitence to extinguish the Love and Ardour of Prayer in Believers and makes the Preaching of the Gospel and the Remonstrances of their Pastors useless in a Word that it Subverts all Morality and Religion Arminius said nothing new in all this Several Persons and Learned Men in Gaul made the same Objections against the New Doctrine which S. Austin introduced in the West Gomar spoke next Convinced that the solid Proofs of Arminius ought to make a great Impression in the Minds of the States he thought to elude the Force of them by Reproaches which signified nothing at bottom Is it not a deplorable Thing said he that a Professor of our Vniversity should inspire into his Disciples the Opinions of the Jesuits and weaken the Proofs which our first Reformers brought to ruin the Reformation by strengthning the Arguments of the Papists against us These Declamations are only proper to move an ignorant Populace Can the Jesuits speak no Truth Calvin Beza and the rest are they Infallible Has the Reformation no solid Foundations but the Speculative Questions of Grace and Predestination The States did not give any great Attention to Gomar's Discourse His Party persuaded they should have more Advantage in an Assembly of Ministers persisted to demand that this Dispute should be decided in a Synod But the States had just reason to fear the Issue The Experience of several Ages teaches us that Councils rather increase than end Divisions The way of Conference appeared less dangerous to the States The two Professors of Leyden had order to come to the Hague This happened in 1610. Arminius took four Ministers with him and Gomar as many There in Presence of the States of Holland Arminius began to reduce the Controversie to five Principal Points which were after the five Famous Articles of the Arminians concerning Predestination the Death of Jesus Christ for all Men the necessity of Grace its Operation on us and Perseverance It was not Surprizing at the end of this Conference to see what ever happens on the like occasions The Heat was greater than before Arminius fell ill and died in a few days after His Friends and Disciples maintained what he had advanced They boldly preached their Thoughts and refuted the Gomarists with great Vigour and Courage Afterwards they United themselves more strictly and then they concerted a Remonstrance to present in a Body to the States of Holland they laid down their Sentiments and the Gomarists on the five Articles After this they most Humbly begg'd the Protection of the States against all Sentences with which the Synods would blast the Persons and Doctrines of the Arminians Since this Remonstrance they had the Name of Remonstrants given them Vorstius is chosen to succeed Arminius In the mean time it was necessary to Elect a Successor to Arminius in the Divinity Chair at Leyden Vorstius Professor and Minister at Steinfurt was chosen by the Interest of the Remonstrants This did them a great deal of Mischief Vorstius was suspected of Socinianism and not without some Ground He had published a Book in which he speaks of the Divine Nature in a very Absurd and Gross manner From that time the Gomarists charged their Adversaries with secretly favouring the Impious Doctrines of Socinus Their Complaints did not appear ill grounded to a great many Persons They procured such Disadvantagious Accounts of Vorstius that he was not permitted to enter upon the Functions of his Employment though he was called to it in a Legal manner and brought good Certificates with him In the year 1611. there was a more famous Conference at the Hague than before in the Presence of the States of Holland These Gentlemen had a mind to pacifie the Troubles without lying under a necessity of calling an Extraordinary Synod But Divines are not so easily stopt when their Heads are once hot There were six Gomarist Ministers on one side and six Remonstrants on the other The Learned Episcopius was one of these He has wondrously well
Dr. Duval at the Head of his Party promis'd to answer in case the Parlement press't them to it that the Faculty could do nothing without the Bishops or without an express Order from the Queen that the Articles in question had not only a Reference to Religion but to State Affairs also In the mean time the Jesuits were at a stand they long'd to open their College of Clermont To obtain this Permission The Jesuits puzl'd how they could content the Court of Rome and the Parlement at the same time they were to follow the Advice which the President Seguier their good Friend and some others gave to the Society which was to content the Parlement by a Promise to conform to the Doctrine generally received in the University of Paris But this exposed them too to the Indignation of the Holy Father and Court of Rome The Cardinal Perron the Bishop of Paris and many other Prelates Counsell'd them not to content the Parlement so far Vbaldini entreated them from it being persuaded that the Honour of the Holy Chair was concern'd in this Affair After great Consults the Provincial accompanied by five other Jesuits goes without giving notice to the Nuncio or Cardinals to make a Declaration in Writing before the Register of Parlement like to that which the Provincial had made in Parlement vivâ voce The good Fathers believed they should easily Extricate themselves in this Affair with the Court of Rome when the thing was done and should escape with only a chiding from the Nuncio and their General who would not be sorry for it at the bottom of his Heart As soon as the Nuncio had understood what the Jesuits had done he was in a furious Passion Father Coton was order'd to wait on him to Appease him The oily Tongu'd Jesuit represented to him to little purpose that his Provincial did not think to do any Mischief in signing what he had already said viz. That the Rules of the Society required it should conform to the Sentiments of the Universities where it had Colleges that their good Friends counsell'd them to prevent the Troubles which the Parlement would not fail to give them if the Society should obstinately refuse to obey the Edict Lastly that they had believ'd the Pope to have Reasons why he did not give them expresly Permission to submit to a Law which the Parlement would impose upon them but that they hop'd the Pope would not take it ill from them likewise to have contented the Parlement without the knowledge of the Court of Rome The Nuncio was not paid with these Reasons Doth it belong to you said he to Coton to guess the Intentions of his Holiness You should have consulted his Minister who knows them better than any one else And since you ought to conform to the Sentiments of Vniversities why have you not tarried till the Sorbonne explain'd clearly what it believes In stead of consulting your President Seguier and the Lawyers it might have been more expedient to have taken mine and the Prelates their Advice who have good Intentions and have expected Orders from your Father General Coton had nothing to reply but the business was over The Nuncio likewise could not further complain to the Queen of the violence the Parlement had done the Jesuits for one might have answer'd him that the good Fathers went of their own accord without any new Summons to promise to conform to the Sentiments of the University and Intentions of the Parlement As Equivocations Silence keeping and Mental Reservation are always the Society's great help the Jesuits of Paris made wonderful use of them in the Letters they wrote to the Pope and Cardinal Borghese his Nephew Can any one forbear laughing and see Coton speaking down right to his Holiness that by the Liberties of the Gallican Church they understood nothing but the Concordate made betwixt Leo X. and Francis I. A Book of Doctor Richer Sindic of the Doctors of Paris occasions there a great stir Vbaldini bestirr'd himself yet farther with the Clergy and Sorbonne to ruine Richer Doctor and Syndic of the Faculty at Paris At the beginning of the year two Books were put out one of which brought great trouble to the Author tho' his Name was not put to it The first was but a Collection of some Decrees of the Faculty at Paris upon the Authority of the Pope T' was intended to prove herein that the ancient Doctrine of Sorbonne is That Jesus Christ hath instituted an Aristocratical Government in his Church And because the Court of Rome accuseth all those of Huguenotism who oppose it's Usurpations the Author of this Collection was willing to prevent this Reproach against the Faculty in joyning to his Collection the Sorbonne Decrees against Luther and du Plessis Mornai The second Book unfolds the Hypothesis of the Aristocratical Government of the Church The Title of the Book is Of Ecclesiastical and Politick Power The Author pretended that Spiritual Jurisdiction belongs properly to the Church and that the Pope and Bishops are but the Instruments and Ministers whom she makes use of to exercise this Jurisdiction that Jesus Christ is the Essential Head of the Church of which the Pope is only Head Ministerial as they term it and that the Authority of the Pope extends only to particular Churches where he is to see that the Decrees and Canons publish't in General Councils be observ'd that the Church ought not to be govern'd by one Absolute Monarch but by the Canons that Infallibility is given to the Church in general that is to say to the Body of the chief Pastors every particular Bishop and Pope likewise being subject to Error that the frequent calling of General Councils is necessary that the Decrees of the Pope oblige no further than they are Conformable to the Canons Lastly that the Pope cannot impose any Obligation upon the Church against her will and without her consent to it As to politick Power the Author maintains that Jesus Christ hath given no Temporal Jurisdiction to the Church and that she hath not any power to use the Sword or Constraint that Censures and Excommunications are the Spiritual Arms of the Church and that they could not heretofore be employ'd without the Counsel of the Assembly which they call'd Presbyters that the King is the Defender and Protector of the Natural Divine and Canonical Law and that in this Quality he hath right to make Laws and use the Sword to maintain what God and the Councils have ordain'd that Christian Emperors have by Right call'd the first General Council That Appeals as Appeals from Abuse or Error are lawful and that Sovereigns ought to receive them in quality of being Protectors of the Canons that the Church hath an indirect Power over Temporal Matters by way of Persuasion and Excommunication but not by way of Constraint and Deposition of Sovereigns that the Decrees of Popes wherein Sovereigns who don 't Exterminate Hereticks are Excommunicated have no
more Authority than the Decrees of Boniface VIII and other Constitutions of Ambitious and Usurping Popes that the Examples of Emperors and Princes Excommunicated and Deposed by Popes are facts which can't prove a Right lawfully acquired And so this Work ended in submitting all these Propositions to the Judgment of the Church Richer's Testament at the end of the 2d Vol. of his Works Edmund Richer had composed this Book at the Entreaty of the chief President Verdun He put it into the Press after the Sentence made betwixt the University of Paris and the Jesuits As soon as this Book appear'd Duval and other Doctors of the Popes Faction excited by the Nuncio made a fearful noise they got at first too strong and numerous a Cabal for having the Work to be censur'd at Sorbonne Vbaldini's Auditor and Forgemont Mercure Francois 1612. went from Door to Door to Sollicite the Censure When the Parlement had cognisance of it they sent for Richer and Forgemont The first was Reprimanded for that he had publish't his Book without permission and any Precedent Examination according to the Statutes The other Doctor was much blam'd because he was in League with a Foreigner to procure by extraordinary ways an Assembly of the faculty at Paris which was to Deliberate upon a Work where the Author treated of many Important Questions touching the Rights and Liberties of the Gallican Church The Parlement put forth another Act to prohibit the Faculty from proceeding to the Examination of Richer's Book and to order that all the Copies should be carried to the Registry of Parlement The most Prudent and most Apprehensive Doctors declared themselves for Richer but Duval and some hot Spirited Men penn'd bloody Books against him The Cardinal Perron and the Bishops of the Province of Sens condemn Richer's Book in an Assembly The outcry was so furious as they threatned him with nothing less than Transportation to Rome and sending of him to the Inquisition to be burn't there afterwards The greatest and most dangerous Enemy of Richer was Cardinal Perron push't on by the Cardinal Gonzaga and the Nuncio Vbaldini Perron had the Malice to say in the Queen's Council that he had been a long time heretofore in the party of the League that he did not set the Council above the Pope but because he supposed that the States General are above Kings Lastly that he had it in his Eye to fling at the birth of the King and his State with the Children of Henry IV. and the Validity of the Marriage of the late King with the Queen Mother Richer ask't leave to defend himself against the Calumnies of the Cardinal but the Nuncio made so great a noise on his side as so just a Request could not be granted him Vbaldini even threatned to depart presently from Paris without taking his leave of the King The Cardinal de Bonzi declar'd one day to Richer from the Chancellor Sileri that he should be taken into Custody if he answer'd any of the Libels which his Adversaries publish't against him How said Bonzi The King and Queen his Mother know how to deal with the little Republick of Geneva And why will you say can't their Majesties as well keep the Pope in awe who is otherwise more powerful than the Seignory of Geneva Besides that his Spiritual Dominion extends over all the World he is Sovereign of many Provinces in Italy T' was thus that the Grandees imagined their Elevation gave them right to pay others with most extravagant Answers The Enemies of Richer seeing there was nothing to do in the Sorbonne by reason of the Parlement they sought some other Means to stain the Reputation of this good Man Cardinal du Perron was to hold an Assembly at Paris consisting of the Bishops of the Province of Sens of which he 's the Metropolitan for to depute at a General Assembly of the Clergy to be held in the Month of May and to Nominate an Agent of the Clergy An occasion was taken to present Richer's Book to this sort of Provincial Council The President fail'd not to have it condemn'd there as containing many false Propositions Erroneous Scandalous Schismatical and Heretical without touching however said they the Rights of the King and Crown of France or the Rights Immunities and Liberties of the Gallican Church Never was there a more Irregular Censure than this The Prelates had not power to Assemble but upon some certain Temporal Affairs of the Clergy of their Province The pretended Cardinal's Council was not therefore call'd according to the rightful Form Of eight Bishops who compos'd it five Signed the Condemnation without having been present at the Examination of the Book One might have been surpriz'd to find there the Name of Gabriel de l'Aubespine Bishop of Orleans well known by his Books wherein he endeavours to clear some curious Passages of Ecclesiastical Antiquity if one did not otherwise know that this Prelate was a Courtier who led a Disorderly Life The Bishop of Orleans they were won't to say in those days is writing for the Church when he hath no more Money to game withal The Parlement having taken in hand the Affair of Richer's Book the Bishops of the Province of Sens could not pronounce upon it without encroaching upon the King and Parlement's Authority They ought to send for the Author and hear his Defence At last the Cardinals condemn'd and absolv'd at the same time All the Propositions pretended to be erroneous and heretical in Richer's Book respected the Rights of the King and Liberties of the Gallican Church and this was the reason why the Fathers of the Council would not meddle 'T was expected from their Knowledge and Equity that they would have declared to the Publick Richer's Heresies which have no Relation to the Rights of the Crown and Privileges of the Gallican Church Gondi Bishop of Paris having caused to be publish't in all his Parishes the Decree of the Council where he was present Richer appealed as from an Abuse He presented a Relief of Appeal to be Sealed but they refused him the Letters he askt for without any regard to the good Reasons he alledg'd in offering to justifie himself The Cabal was so strong as the Parlement dared not receive the Petition which Richer had presented to demand from the Court that they would be pleased to order his Letters of Relief should be Sealed Perron was too subtile to suffer that the Decree of his Provincial Council should be examin'd in Parlement The Advocate General would not have fail'd to prove to the Cardinal that t' was himself who was downright ignorant or at least a Malicious Accuser and Cowardly Flatterer of the Pope Recher is devested of his Sindic or Headship of the Doctors of the faculty of Paris Injustice was push't to the utmost against poor Richer Some Months after Harlai de Chanvalon Abbot of St. Victor at Paris a Man who according to the Nature of his Family declared for
they desired to make a publick Testimony of their Stedfastness for the Service of the King by censuring Becan's Book and to make at least the Publick know that it was not their Fault if so dangerous a Book had not been condemn'd in Forms or formally They moreover said that they entreated leave to remonstrate to the Queen upon this as an Affair of the greatest Importance Sileri approved the Zeal of the Sorbonne He gloried that he had all his Learning in the University of Paris And so he promised the Doctors to introduce them into her Majesty's Presence Dr. Fayet who was the Spokesman told the Regent that the Faculty of Paris not being accustom'd to receive Orders from the King by the Mouth of any private Person or by Letters under the Privy-Seal but only by Letters sealed with the Great Seal they had obey'd as soon as it was reported to them what the Cardinal Bonzi had told the Syndic of ther Majesty's Intentions Nevertheless Madam said he the Faculty hath believed it was their duty to receive your Order from your own Mouth If you don't judge it convenient for us to deliberate upon Jesuit Becan's Book we most humbly entreat your Majesty to take care that our Silence upon this Occasion be not interpreted as a tacit Approbation of those pernicious Sentiments which deprives Kings of their lawful Authority and justifies their Assassination The Regent answer'd that she would speak of this Affair to her Council and that the chancellor should by the Faculty know her Intentions Dr. Fayet being come to the Chancellor some Days after The Queen said Sileri is inform'd that the wicked Book of Becan is become too common Her Majesty gives you leave to do what you judge convenient 'T is a great Mischief that the Sorbonne is divided for what concerns good Sentiments Will you never unite and agree again Fayet answer'd the Chancellor That the Faculty was willing to preserve its ancient Doctrine and that they had always taught the same Doctrine in the Sorbonne till some certain Persons had broach'd there some Foreign Oâ—…inions The Chancellor commended the Doctors for their Zeal and gave the Queen's leave to censure Becan's Book â—…ut the Nuncio Vbaldini cunningly turn'd he Blow aside He being persuaded that â—â—mething would be attempted in France â—…gainst the Jesuit's Work straitways solliâ—…ited a Decree from the Inquisition As â—…on as he receiv'd it he communicated it 〈◊〉 the Queen She being always submisâ—…ve to the Pope told the Faculty that it â—…as sufficient to read the Decree openly in â—…e Sorbonne The Affair thus rested One â—…ight be surprized to find Robert Bellarâ—…in's Name amongst those Cardinals â—…ho condemn'd the Author's Book who â—…llow'd Bellarmin's Principles if it was not known that the Cardinal promoted in the Society had in a readiness his Equivocations and Mental Restrictions to condemn with safety of Conscience in the Work of one of his own Fraternity the Doctrine which he maintain'd as the most Orthodox in the World An Edict of Palement against Scioppius's Book It was the Jesuits alone who courted Paul V. by writing against James I. King of England concerning the Authority of Sovereigns and the Holy Chair Gaspar Scioppius the most violent Enemy of that Society would enter the List likewise and shew some of his fine Latin in this notable Dispute His Book having been brought from Frankfort-Fair to Paris there was a Presentment made of it to the Parlement Scioppius discours'd herein of Henry IV. as if he was a Prince without any Religion He seem'd to approve of the infamous Action of Ravillac All Kings and Sovereigns who let Hereticks live in repose in their States were in his Opinion Hereticks themselves What do I say nay even Turks and Atheists The Parlement order'd that this extravagant and impious Book should be burnt by the Hands of the Common Executioner and that all the Copies should be suppress'd That it should be branded in England after the same manner Dictionaire Hist Critique de M.. Bayle is no wonder But I can't enough admire the King of Great Britain should suffer a Farce to be acted before him wherein Scioppius was represented and hang'd upon the Stage A Revenge alike unworthy of a Prince and an Author If his Majesty had look'd upon Scioppius's Work as the Libel of a contemptible Declamator should not the King have despis'd it or at the best contented himself to have left to the Magistrates the Execution of the Laws against defamatory and pernicious Libels But to take a Pleasure to be reveng'd of the Author after such a manner so little becoming a Crown'd Head was to shew the Publick that the Book had touch'd to the Quick the Person whom the Author had attack'd The Care which his Britannick Majesty took at that time to reconcile the King of Denmark with Gustavus Adolphus Peace betwixt the Crowns of Swedeland and Denmark the new King of Swedeland was a Work more worthy of a Prince Christian IV. endeavour'd this Year to push on his Conquests in Swedeland He accompanied with George Duke of Lunenbourg who had brought him Succour advanc'd as far as Jenkoping laying all the Country desolate where he went The young Gustavus gave now such clear Tokens of his Wisdom and Valour as that the Queen Christina his Mother left to him the Administration of the Realm though he was but yet in the eighteenth Year of his Age. He stopp'd the Enemies Progress and oblig'd him to retire into the Province of Schonen Gustavus follow'd him thither and after the way of using Reprisals he put all to Fire and Sword The Swedish Army had some disadvantage in their Retreat The King of Denmark made a new Irruption into West Gothia Being aboard the Fleet he try'd to get near to Stockholm Gustavus broke the Enemy's Design with an extraordinary Prudence and Courage At last the Hans Towns and the United Provinces troubled that the War betwixt the two Northern Crowns broke off all Commerce in the Baltick Sea engag'd the King of England to intermediate for a Peace Christian himself treated with four Swedish Senators After some Conferences held at the end of this Year the Treaty was concluded at the beginning of the next following Denmark gave up to the Swedes the City of Calmar and the Isle of Oeland but kept Eâ—…sbourgh for a time and till the Crown of Swedeland had paid a certain Sum of Money which Denmark pretended was due to him Revolvtions in Muscovy Gustavus very freely surrender'd something on that side to be in a Condition of marching towards Muscovia There was a strong Party who desir'd of him Prince Charles Philip his Brother whom these People intended to set upon the Throne of their Nation Altho' the Affair of Muscovy seem to have no Relation to those of France I think I ought to say something of the surprizing Revolutions which were seen there at the beginning of the XVII Century This may give us a
Gustavus King of Poland might have been able to have thwarted this Election if Gustavus had not lost the Opportunity by thinking rather to extend his own Dominion than endeavour his Brothers Establishment The Muscovites had time to reunite themselves Their New Czar having nothing more to fear at Home undertook to be revenged of the Poles He said Siege to Smolensko the following year and the City being but weakly defended was in a little time taken The Poles were then so divided as that they were not in a condition to hinder the Enemy from retaking all that Poland had taken away from him and making inroads further into Lithuania THE HISTORY OF THE REIGN OF LEWIS XIII King of France and Navarre BOOK IV. FRance was not much less troubled with Commotions than Poland 1613. The Baron de Luz Slain by the Chevalier de Guise If there was not yet Civil War in France the Number of Malecontents was so great and the Factions encreast after such a manner ev'ry day as all seem'd to be in a readiness for an open Rupture The Death of the Baron de Luz Knight of the King's Order and his Lieutenant General in Burgundy who was kill'd in the midst of Paris the 5th of January 1613. by the Chevalier de Guise gave the Queen new Disquiets Luz whilst he liv'd had made many Persons he had been in a League with different Parties and we find him in several Intrigues Under the Reign of the Deceased King he was one of the intimate Friends of the Mareschal Biron At the beginning of this he was Intrigu'd with the Guises but believing he shou'd settle himself better thro' the Marquess d'Ancre's favour he left them to be of Conchini's side He was suspected to serve this Italian in a design he had to undoe Bellegarde and take away from him the Government of Burgundy This provok't more against him the House of Guise Friend and Ally to Beuegarde This House sought but an occasion to be reveng'd and rid of a Man who not content to have left him in the Lurch was moreover Intrigu'd to mischief him as much as he could French Mercury 1613. Some of the Baron's indiscreet words seem'd to the Chevalier de Guise Siri Memorie recondite Tom. III. pag. 23 24. a sufficient reason to fight him The Baron had unwarily brag'd of his being at Blois with the Mareschal Brissac in the Chamber where King Henry the III. had taken a Resolution to cause the Duke of Guise to be Slain and to have hinder'd Brissac from Advertising the Duke of this evil Design against him This was reason enough to animate the Chevalier de Guise to be reveng'd of an Enemy of his House who boasted to have contributed to the Death of his Father by hindring Brissac from saving his Life The Chevalier then met the Baron in St. Honoré's Street makes him draw his Sword and at the second Pass he made at him kills him The Queen's Anger against the Guiseâ—… The Regent who made use of the Baron de Luz was extreamly provok't at this boldness She being perswaded that they thought rather to give her Trouble than revenge the Death of the Deceased Duke of Guise left her Dinner which she had just set down at as soon as she heard of the Baron's Death and throwing the Napkin upon the Table she retir'd with Tears in her Eyes into her Closet Her Majesty straitways calls for the Princes and Ministers to deliberate upon this Affair Memoires de Bassompierre which she extreamly took to Heart It was there resolv'd that the Parlement should take Informations and proceed immediately to prosecute the Murderer and send somebody in her Majesty's Name to Guise's House for to command the Nobility who were met there to be gone forthwith and forbid the Duke appearing at the Louvre till such time the Queen had sent for him T' was said that Guise was resolv'd to go to Court accompanied with a great number of Gentlemen Some scrupl'd to go out of Guise's House thô the Duke had pray'd the to obey the Regent's Order The Count de la Rochefoucault Master of the King's Wardrobe Signalized himself amongst all the rest He alone refus'd to go out and the Queen was angry at his Disobedience and commanded him to be gone presently from Court The Mind of Mary de Medicis was somewhat quieted when she heard that the Duke of Guise had made the Chevalier his Brother depart from his House and that he had order'd him to be gone into the Country Bassompierre a friend to the Guise's for the Princess of Conti's sake their Sister whom he lov'd and to whom his Person was not indifferent took an Opportunity to tell the Queen that the Duke humbly desires leave of her Majesty to justifie himself The Queen granted him this on condition he wou'd only come when it was almost Night and without any Company Bassompierre went and fetcht him immediately The Duke spoke in such Respectful and Submissive Terms as her Majesty seem'd to be appeas'd But the Dutchess Mother of the Guises spoilt all in a Visit she afterward made to the Queen The Dutchess spoke of the Matter so proud and lofty as her Majesty was more provok't against the Guises's than before The Duke was enrag'd against the Prince of Conde's Party Siri Memoire recondite To. III. pag. 24. which had opposed him He could not Digest that the Duke of Mayenne his Cousin was enter'd into it Guise if the Duke of Epernon had not stopt him in company of some of his Friends would have Assaulted Mayenne who likewise walk'd well Guarded insomuch that there might have been mach Blood spilt The Queen advertis'd of this New Accident order'd the Duke of Mayenne to be reconcil'd with the Head of his Family and to go and visit Guise at his House They had a long Discourse together and parted seemingly good Friends The Duke of Guise would joyn himself to the Prince of Conde's Party I don't know whether it was not Mayenne who persuaded the Duke of Guise incens't that the Queen deny'd him to call back the Count Rochefoucault to Court to unite with the Prince of Conde for removal of the Ministers already sunk in their Credit The Marquess d' Ancre had so great a desire of drawing into this new Confederacy the Dukes of Guise and Epernon which was so prevalent at Court as Guise having address't Conchini to get the Regent to give the Count de la Rochefoucault leave to return to Court this politick fer me a Reward I should look on it as an Affront done me What I can do for the Queen is already sufficiently paid I should be unworthy of the Name I bear and the Offices I am dignified withal and ought to be as despicably look'd upon as the most ungrateful of all Men if I should make my Master buy my Services Bassompierre averr'd that he never forgot what he heard the Duke of Epernon up-this Occasion The
it was fit that the Five Articles should be Considered in the Synode before they that maintained them should be Tolerated by Law To give leave to any said they in the same Church in the same Pulpit to Preach such contrary Doctrines is to expose the Province to great Destractions The Disputes Replied the others are about Speculative Doctrines which are of no Importance to Salvation What Inconvenience is there in giving every one the Liberty of Speaking their own Thoughts with Modesty The Emperors and Christian Princes have often without the Assistance of the Clergy made Laws to Regulate the Doctrine and Practice of the Church These Reasons did not then Convince the Deputies and Magistrates of several Cities of Holland They a long time denied their Consent to the publication of the Edict These of Amsterdam were more obstinate than the rest They Demanded that their Dissent should be Entred in the Register of the State And hence it came about that the Edict Projected in the Year 1613. was not published till the beginning of the Year 1614. The States of Holland Exhorted the Ministers when they Preachâ—… from those Texts where Predestination destination is mentioned to follow the Precept of St. Paul and to Preach that the Beginning Progress and End of Salvation was owing alone to the Grace of Jesus Christ and not to Works of those that are Called They were forbid to Preach that God made Men to damn them and that he puts them under a necessity of Sinning and that he invites those to Salvation whom he has resolved never to Save Lastly the States Ordered that they should not be molested who in explaining the Doctrine of Predestination suppose that Men are saved by the alone Grace of Jesus Christ in persevering in the Faith unto the End and that all those that believe not in Jesus Christ are damned As for all other Doctrines the States forbid them to Preach any that was not agreeable to the Doctrines commonly received in the Chuches of Holland So far was this Edict which was drawn up with such Care to satisfie all the World from Calming the Tempest which had some time continued that it encreased its Fury some Contra-Remonstrants Ministers wrote Books to persuade the People not to submit to the Edict They openly accus'd the States of favouring Popery and of introducing a bad Doctrine into the Vnited Provinces Vytenbogard wrote in Defence of the Edict of the States There came out every day some Book or other for and against the Edict One for Sibrand and another for Grotius This Division entred the Churches The Contra-Remonstrants being resolved to hold no more Communion with their Adversaries met by themselves in private Houses It was matter of great Dispute between them whether the Edict was approved of in England or no. Grotius received a Letter from Casaubon a Man equally sincere and accomplished with all polite Learning Casaubon assur'd his Friend that the King the Archbishop of Canterbury and several other Prelates of greatest Note had approved of the Edict The Strain in which it is Writ says Casaubon seems to the King and to the Rest equally distant from the Two opposite Extremes Manicheism and Pelagianism The necessity of Grace is there Establisht The Contra-Remonstrants produc'd of their Side Letters from England which Imported that neither his Brittannick Majesty nor the Prelates of the Church of England approv'd the Edict and the Conduct of the States of Holland But upon the whole the Testimonies of Casaubon who in Person spoke to the King and the Bishops seems preferâ—…able to any angry Mans Letters which the Contra-Remonstrants pretended to THE HISTORY OF THE REIGN OF LEWIS XIII King of France and Navarre BOOK V. THE Joy which Mary de Medicis had conceived to see her self delivered from a Rupture with Spain occasioned by the Affair of Mantua was of short Continuance The Retreat of the Prince de Conde and several other Discontented Lords who by Consent had left the Court in the beginning of the Year 1614. very much allarmed her Majesty The Mareschal de Bovillon had very cunningly Formed this new Party to serve his own Interests This subtle and ambitious Man taking it ill that he was not intrusted enough in the management of Affairs Memorie du Duc de Rohan Siri Memoire recondite To. III. p. 222. and that the Regent did not Reward him suitably to the great Services he imagined he had done her Majesty try'd to make himself necessary to the Queen and her Ministers by involving them in Troubles out of which he alone was able to deliver them Hereupon he persuades with all his might the Prince de Conde whom the Queen had disgusted by the denial she had given him of the Chà teau-trompette and by recalling the Old Ministers who he thought were utterly turned of as also by the hasty Rise of Conchini who had been drawn of from his Party publickly to make known his Discontent The Dukes de Nevers de Maìenne de Vendòme de Longueville de Piney-Luxembourg and several others being brought over by the Mareschal de Bovillon enter into New Engagements with the first Prince of the Blood They agree to retire all from Court almost at the same time and to meet in Champagne in order to Demand conjunctly Redress of the Disorders of the Government An Illusion with which the Princes and great Lords have too often blinded the Eyes of the People when they have a mind to make use of them to effect their own private Designs The People would have been Fool'd by them to this very day in France If having been less Covetous of the Preferments of the Court they had had at least the Wit to have kept them from utter Slavery and had not utterly incapacitated them to joyn with them upon occasion But the Princes and great Lords by Sacrificing the Interests of the People to their own avarice and ambition are now themselves undone without Remedy After having opprest those who might have stood by them It was an easie matter to reduce them to a most shameful Slavery The Party which was then form'd under the specious Pretence of the publick Welfare might have done good Service to the whole Kingdom if those who Listed themselves in it had done it with an honester Design and had taken better Measures Nevers Commanded in Champagne Maìenne in the Isle of France Vendòme in Bretagne Longueville in Picardie the Government of which the Comte de St. Pol his Uncle had Surrendred to him But the Mareschal de Bovillon upon whom they most depended by reason of his wisdom and his Sovereignty of Sedan had no mind to Unite a Party which he was not able to dissipate when he should find it for his advantage so to do The Prince of Conde Retired to Chateauroux an Estate which he had in Berri The Duke de Nevers went to Champagne Maìenne to Soissons the Dukes de Longueville and de Vendòme were shortly to follow But the latter
to obtain his consent The Advocate Montholon seeing what Confusion his Clients were in had a greater Presence of Mind than the good Father Provincial The Jesuits says he will readily follow the Laws of the Vniversity When these four Propositions shall be Signed by the Sorbonne the Jesuits will not make any scruple of subscribing them The dextrous Montholon knew there were so many Leaguers and Doctors in the Pope's Interest amongst the Sorbonists that they would never agree in these four Propositions And if the Faculty would have resolved to have Signed them the Court was so afraid of offending the Pope they would not have suffer'd them to do it So much Respect and Deference had Mary de Medicis for his Holiness The first President himself embarassed by the Advocates Reply would seem not to understand it being well pleas'd that the Jesuits had not handsomly explained themselves on what was proposed to them He pronounced a Decree forbidding any of that Society to teach the Youth at Paris or read any publick Lecture there The Members of the University Triumphed made a thousand Verses some good some bad in praise of their Judges and their Advocate The Jesuits obeyed the Decree They dismist their Scholars continued silent and did not write at all or at least did it under the borrowed Names of their Friends Here they comforted themselves on their Disgrace shewed the Imprudence of those who would renew Disputes out of Season which might create Differences between France and the Pope Every Man discoursed of the Decree of Parlement as his Fancy led him Some took part with the Jesuits others with the University The Pope's Nuncio complained of the Parlements having required such a Subscription of the Jesuits The Cardinal Gonzaga was then at Paris He was offended the good Fathers had been so ill spoken of Mercure Francois 1612. Montholon whose Voice was so low in his short pleading to the Audience printed a more ample Argument the following year This Discourse was divided into three Parts In the two first he justified the Conduct and Institution of the Jesuits The third answered the Objections made against the Doctrine of the Society and the Perverse Consequences which its Adversaries drew from it Disputes concerning Grace and Predestination The Zeal which the Jesuits shewed the latter end of the last and the beginning of this Age for the Doctrine opposite to that of St. Augustin and Thomas Aquinas in the Matter of Grace and Predestination drew still a greater number of Enemies on them the Advocate of the University Reproaching them with this in his Plea Not only the Order of Dominicans which is more Potent in Italy and Spain than in France where it is trampled on with the rest of the Mendicants had declared openly against the Jesuits But a great Number of the Doctors of Paris and Louvain bigotted to the Hypotheses of St. Augustin and Aquinas condemned too against the Society They decreed it as Pelagian At least said they she attempts to revive the Sentiments of Cassian and the old Priests who were called Semipelagians The Dispute began in Spain upon occasion of a Book of Molina a famous Jesuit This Author boasted of having found out a new System to reconcile the Certainty of God's Fore-Knowledge and the Operation of Grace with the Liberty of Man The Invention pleased the Society and she adopted it This was a Deviation from the first Laws of the Founder who ordered she should follow the Doctrine of Thomas Aquinas When the Jesuits reproached their Adversaries with maintaining the Sentiments of Luther and Calvin condemned in the Council of Trent they recriminated instantly Your Hypothesis said they to the good Fathers is the same with that of the ancient Enemies of St. Austin in Gaul The Dispute was so warm in Spain that the Matter was remitted to Rome Clement VIII resolved to determine this Controversie It is reported that he not only made Preparations for this by a serious Examen of all the Questions for which he setled a famons Congregation of Divines and Cardinals but farther had recourse to Prayer Fasting and extraordinary Mortifications The Holy Father believed that the Holy Ghost had inspired him to condemn the Sentiments of the Jesuits The Bull was ready But to speak after the manner of the People beyond the Mountains God did not permit Clement to pass on the Church his private Illusions for Divine Oracles The Pope died very luâ—…kily for the Jesuits Paul V. pleased with the Zeal the good Fathers had shewn for the Interests of the Holy See in the Difference between the Pontif and the Republick of Venice suppressed his Predecessors Bull. He imposed silence on the Dominicans and Jesuits Few except these two Orders had engaged publickly in this first Dispute The Universities of Doway and Louvain declared too against the Jesuits and their Doctrine of Grace was condemned there After this the Book of Jansenius Bishop of Ipres caused a long and famons Contest in the Faculty of Paris and all the Gallican Church At the same time that Paul V. endeavoured to stifle in his Church the Disputes concerning Grace and Predestination the Protestants of Holland were divided on the same Questions Luther and the first Reformers had at first embraced the Hypothesis of St. Austin either because they were prepossessed or because it seemed most proper to combat the Dogms of the Roman Church and settle those of the Reformation However Luther himself or at least his first Disciples soon saw the Inconveniences and ill Consequences of the Augustinian System That of the Greek Fathers appeared both more Ancient and Reasonable Melancthon took to this and his moderate Sentiments prevailed with those of the Ausburgh Confession Calvin Zanchy Beza and the greatest number of the Reformed adhered strongly to the Opinions of St. Austin Some strain'd them higher and used harder Expressions The rigid Thomists did the same in the Roman Church Towards the beginning of this Age divers of the Reformed Divines opened their Eyes after the Example of the Lutherans Upon examining the Scripture more attentively the Sense of St. Chrysostom and the ancient Greeks appeared preferrable to that of the Bishop of Hippo who did not certainly very well understand the Old or New Testament The Rise of Arianism in Holland As the Books of Erasmus Melancthon and Bulllinger were much esteemed in Holland where these Works had much conduced to give a Relish to the Reformation so the most knowing of the Magistrates and Laiety were inclined to the mild and moderate Sentiments of these Divines on Predestination and Grace rather than the rigid Hypothesis of the first Reformers They thought at least they were very tolerable and compatible with the Reformation which that Province had embraced But the greatest part of the Ministers on the contrary who had only studied Religion Grotius Apolog eorum qui Hollandiae praefueâ—…unt in the Books of Calvin and Beza stifly maintained the Opinions of
their Masters This occasioned a great difference in Religion between the Churchmen and the Magistrates The one and the other formed a different Idea of what they call'd the Reformation or the Reformed Doctrine The Ministers meant by these Words the Opinions in Divinity explained by their great Authors and inserted into the Confessions of Faith which the first Reformers had drawn up These Servants of God meant well But they did not consider that by aiming in their Formularies of Faith and Catechisms to compile a compleat and regular Body of Divinity they inserted their own Speculations as certain and essential Truths The Magistrates and wise Laity of Holland urged that the Reformation being only a purer Worship and more free from vain Superstitions than the Church of Rome with a greater Latitude of Opinions in things not plainly revealed in the Holy Writings it could not be said the Reformation stood on what some Persons thought the most crabbed and difficult Questions of School Divinity The Ministers always warm for their Opinions and Prejudiced often cried the Magistrates wanted Zeal for the true Doctrine And these in their turn complained that the other were stubborn and inflexible and would force all the World to be of their Mind When the Churchmen fir'd with Zeal brought befor the Magistrates those who opposed the Hypothesis of Calvin and Beza about Predestination and Grace as Men who subverted the Foundations of the Reformation the more wise and discerning asked these new Inquisitors if it were impossible to be a true Reformed Christian without embracing the Opinions of St. Austin and his Disciples From the first Reformation in Holland the contrary Sentiments had always prevailed in the City of Tergow The States of Holland too had not solemnly approved the Confession of Faith received in the Belgick Churches Is not this a Proof that those wife Magistrates thought there were Articles put in this Formulary which were not absolutely necessary which ought to be expressed in a more soft manner and less offensive to those of a different Persuasion from the first Reformers This appears very probable since we read in History that the States of Holland in other respects very averse to the Convocation of a General Synod of the Seven United Provinces consented in the Year 1597. to the holding such an Assembly where the Confession of the Faith should be exactly revised and amended in a Spirit of Charity and Peace For my own part when I consider the Disputes which have caused such a fatal Division in Holland I am in pain to comprehend how Men of Sense can be perswaded that the Opinions of St. Austin concerning Predestination and Grace are essential to a Reformation of Christianity How many Holy Men were there in the Times of the greatest Purity of the Church of Rome whose Thoughts were differenâ—… from the Fathers Cannot we renounce the monstrous and ridiculous Dogm oâ—… Transubstantiation the Religious Worship of Saints and Images the Fable oâ—… Purgatory Indulgences the false Traditions of the Church of Rome the Tyranny of the Pope without believing absolute Predestination and irresistiblâ—… Grace Did all those honest Men who convinced of the Absurdity and Falsity oâ—… the Things which I mentioned embraceâ—… the Reformation think of the Hypothesâ—… of the Bishop of Hippo Were they anxious to know if it were true or false 〈◊〉 These abstract and difficult Questions only employed some Doctors who were projecting to make a compleat System of Divinity Among these who took this pains there were some who preferred the moderate Sense of the ancient Greek Fathers Calvin himself was not perswaded thaâ—… his Thoughts of Grace and Predestination were essential to Religion He took the pains to translate the Common Places oâ—… Melancthon into French whose Thoughts of these Matters were quite different from his own In his preface he gives all imaginable Praises to Melancthon Could he in Conscience have done this if he had been perswaded the Opinions of his Author undermined the Foundations of the Reformation Able Divines of the Reformed Churches have publickly maintained that â—…e Opinons of Universal Grace of the â—…ower of resisting its Operation and â—…onditional Predestination are of the numâ—…er of those Articles which every one may â—…elieve without renouncing the Principles â—…f his Religion Several learned Hollanders had highly â—…efended this Doctrine before Arminius â—…ad preach'd it at Amsterdam and taught 〈◊〉 at Leyden before Gomar rose up against â—…im These Books are still extant It is â—…ue certain warm Ministers made a stir 〈◊〉 blast those Works and ruin their Auâ—…ors But the States of Holland always â—…op'd this impetuous Zeal The Professors â—â—d an entire Liberty to teach according to â—…e Sense of Melancthon And when Arâ—…inius was called into that University â—…one were ignorant of his Opinions He â—…ad declared them in the Church of Amâ—…erdam which gave an advantageous â—…estimony of them Gomar himself and â—…vers more of the same Mind with him â—…tring into a Conference with Arminius â—…ade no Scruple to say their Differences â—â—d not concern the Grounds of Reformaâ—â—on It is true Gomar did not long live 〈◊〉 a good Understanding with Arminius his â—…ew Collegue either because his Reputaâ—â—on gave him Umbrage or the Enemies â—…f Arminius kindled his Choler by some â—…sinuation and then he vigorously oppoâ—…d a Man whom he look'd on as Orthoâ—…x but a little before The two Professors had soon their Disciples and Party The Division was so great in the University of Leyden that the Affair was brought before the Synod held at Rotterdam Gomar's Party was the strongest there The Assembly ordered that all the Pastors should subscribe the Confession of Faith and the Catechism Arminius and his Party refused to obey There are some things to be amended in both of them said they They ought to be considered in a National Synod We hope to see one meet in a little time The manner in which Questions should be treated and determined in this Synod caused new Difficulties One side required certain Conditions others rejected all In the meantime the ordinary Synods press'd Arminius and his Party to declare publickly what Exceptions they had against the Confession oâ—… Faith and the Catechism in order to have the Matter duly determined Arminius perswaded his greatest Enemieâ—… would be Judges in such an Assembly declined the Jurisdiction of a Synod as much as possibly he could Vtenbogard a Minister of great Reputation in the Hague his Friend and of the same Opinion with himself did him considerable Service with several of the chief Persons of the Government Never did Synod in its first Steps and perhaps thro' the whole Course of it more follow the Council of Trent than the Synod of Dort except that there were more able Divines at Dort than at Trent This is not in any manner surprizing almost all Councils are alike The same Interests give occasion to them and the same Passions reign in them Arminius presented a Petition to the States of
punished him severely he would have made him left out what was of ill tendency in the Book Since the death of Henry IV. many French Authors have published several satyrical Libels against the Holy See and the Person of the Pope They have endeavoured to Ruine his Authority at that time when he employed it for the Interest of the King and for the Prosperity of France The Bishop of Folìgni charged the Ambassador to inform the Regent that the Pope complained of the violent Proceedings of the Parlement and to desire her Majesty to get the Decree revok'd The Discourse between the Pope and the F. Ambassador about the Parlements Decree The Marquiss de Trenel having an Audience of the Pope sometime after he represented to his Holiness how impossible it was to obtain what he desired of the Queen who in the present juncture of Affairs could not fall out with the Parlement of Paris Her Majesty said the Ambassador to the Pope will always retain a remembrance of those kindnesses which you have done her but she will be concerned to understand that your Holiness gives protection to a Book the Author of which is so far from incouraging Subjects to Obey their Sovereigns as be is obliged by his Profession to do that he laies down Maxims to stir them up to Rebellion and make an attempt on the Lives of their Princes France still bewails the Bloody death of Henry IV. Her Parlements will never fail to oppose those Authors whose pernicious Doctrine Struck the Knife in the Breast of so good a King The Magistrates will never cease to employ their utmost Care for the preservation of the Person of his Son without being defective in that Respect that they owe to your Holiness and the Apostolick See Accordingly the Parlement of Paris hath taken all possible Care that their Decree might not violate the Lawful Authority of the Successors of St. Peter These Remonstrances did not at all affect a proud and angry Pope If the King of France replied he will not revoke the Decree of Parlement as to those Points which concern the Rights of the Holy See I will follow the light and dictates of my Conscience You must not imagine that the fear of a Rupture will be any restraint upon me in this matter In case Her Majesty refuses to give me the satisfaction that I desire I 'le endeavour to do my self justice and follow the examples of my Predecessors Must I maintain â—…a Nuncio at Paris to be there the Spectator of the outrages that are done me and the Indignity with which they there trample under their Feet the Authority of the Holy See Is it so hard a matter to stop the proceedings of the Parlement I know the Chancellor well enough Maxims of Politicks are more pleasing to him than truths of Religion The Ambassador was not at all dismaied He desired the Pope to reflect upon the reasons which the Parlement had to Condemn Suarez his Book I have heard say added he like a Gentleman that Divinity is a holy Science It is therefore inconsistent with an Opinion which allows the murder of Kings The Parlemenâ—… is indispensably obliged to take care of the preservation of good Divinity in the Kingdom of the Authority and Person of the King They have a Book brought before them which maintains that in some cases a particular Person may attempt with a safe Conscience the Life of his Prince Caâ—… any one desire that the Magistrate should be Silent when Two Kings have been successively murdered by Fanaticks who have imbibeâ—… this damnable Divinity Paul replied that the matter in dispute was not about the killing of declared Tyrants I have forbid my self said he the teaching such Doctrines and I do not know but that I have complied too much in that matter Many approved Authors in the Church are of the Opinion But I complain of the Condemnation of certain passages recited in thâ—â— Decree which speak only of the Prerogativeâ—â— of the Holy See And what were these They were those where Suarez affirms that the Pope may depose Princes when they become Tyrants That which Paul Vâ—â— acknowledges deserves to be remarkâ—… He pretends to be very favourable to Kings in forbidding any to teach that iâ—… was lawful to kill them with a safe Conscience in any Case what ever But with a moderation altogether worthy of the Successor of St. Peter he reserves to himself the Right of Deposing them when ever he should judge that their Government is degenerated into Tyranny Trenel replied very aptly that Princes were not so much obliged to him and that it was his Holiness's own Interest that such a Doctrine should be banished all Christian Communions For says he the Protestants hold that the Popes are Hereticks Tyrants and Antichrist and if the Opinion which allows the attempting the Lives of Tyrants be once Established among Christians It is not impossible but a Fanatick Hugonot may take a fancy to do a brave Action and kill the Pope Paul V. was enraged instead of being pacified He said again with a threatning and angry Air that nothing should hinder him from defending the Rights of the Holy See if the King would not revoke the Decree of Parlement I wish your Holiness replied the Ambassador in a submissive manner would have the goodness to offer some Expedient that you would write to your Nuntio and would send Orders â—…o the Cardinals which are in France to consult with him about some means of accommodation the Queen will agree to any thing that she can do with Honour As for Revoking of the Decree it is not a thing possible to be done at present Trenel's design was only to hold him in play that so the hot and haughty Old Gentleman might have time to grow cool and reflect upon the Consequences of his Threatnings After some farther discourse he took a resolution to write to the Nuncio and to send to the Cardinals de Joieuse du Perron and de la Rochefoucault to enjoin them to confer with the Nuncio about the Satisfaction which his Holiness should Demand in the present posture of affairs in France In reciting these particulars Two things seem equally Surprising to me The arrogance of the pretended Vicar of Jesus Christ who will not endure that Crowned Heads should make use of their Authority to support their Sovereign and Independant Power or to preserve their Lives from Assasins They must humbly desire of the Pope the Condemnation of a Jesnit who allows attempts upon their Lives They must be content with his publishing throughout their Dominions that the Pope hath a Right to examine their Conduct and to Depose them when he thinks they Tyrancically abuse their Power The other thing which does not less amazâ—… me is the mean and low-spirited Superstition of the Princes of the popish Communion What good Reason did he alledge to oblige them blindly to submit to the arrogance and pride of the Bishop of Rome which grosily