it where they might hear Buttolphs belongs unto Queens Colledge and is usually supplied by one of that House there he is willing to make a tryal how it would take and resolves the next Lords day to preach at three of the clock after Saint Maries Sermons should be ended which though but very little known occasioned such a throng and crowd as was incredible Men were not cloyed with preaching then nor waxed wanton There dwelt then in the Parish one Doctor Newcombe a Civilian and Commissary to the Chancellour of Ely who being in the Church and seeing the crowd commanded that evening Prayer only should be read but no Sermon the Minister intreated that for that time Master Preston might be allowed to preach so did the Earl of Lincolne and others in the Church but he was resolute and because he would not be further importuned went home with all his Family and left them to determine at their perill what they would do so upon advice it was concluded that the Sermon should go on and Master Preston preached a very favoury and holy Sermon upon 2 Pet. 3.17 18. There was so much time spent in debates about it and messages before the Commissary left the Congregation that it was too late to do both and therefore they adventured for that time to forbear Common-Prayer that so the Scholars might depart and be at Colledge-Prayers But this instructed Doctor Newcomb in his complaint The Court was then near hand that is at New-market thither the Commissary goes the next day and having the Bishop of Ely there and many other Clergy men assures them that Master Preston was in heart and would quickly be in practice a Non-conformist and was so followed and adored in the University that unlesse some speedy course were taken with him they might cast their caps at all Conformity and see their power troden underfoot and told them gentlenesse was not the way for he was cunning and would recover all if he were not seriously and throughly dealt with There was no Advocate for Master Preston but the Doctor being first in his own cause seemed just Prov. 18.17 And spake to those that were willing to believe The Puritans began to be considerable and they doubted he might come in time to head them It 's a great security to a man to be despised Contempto nullus diligenter nocet A Fellow that hath nothing in him nor is not owned may be exorbitant as he of one in his time Contemptu jam liber erat But David that hath a Party following him must have an Army to attend him And therefore he did wisely to professe himself to be a dead dog or a flea 1 Sam. 24.14 The King was made acquainted with this complaint and assured that Master Preston had as strong an influence into the Puritants as the principal of the Jesuites which was Aqua Viva had upon them and therefore it behoved him to consider what to do A word was enough to a wise and jealous King who did not love to play an after Game and therefore hears himself the Doctors information enquires whether the Bishops and Chancellors Jurisdiction extended unto Members of a Colledge and finally concludes to proceed against him by the power of the University A Letter is framed unto Doctor Scot Master of Clare-hall Vice-Chancellour at that time and to the Heads to call before them Master Preston to give a strict account of that notorious disobedience unto the Commissary he answers mildly that he was not guilty refers himself unto the Auditory that evening Prayer was omitted because the Scholars might depart in due time seeing the time alloted for it was spent in treating with the Commissary not out of any disrespect unto the service which he himself did usually attend at other times When the Wolf complained that the Lamb had fouled the water that he was to drink The Lamb answered that if he had defiled it yet that could not prejudice the Wolf who was above and the mud would certainly be carried downward but this answer did not fill the hungry belly of the Wolf Master Prestons innocency did aggravate his crime which was his popularity and therefore they told him they were engaged to support by all just meanes the Bishops Jurisdiction that the King had honoured him in leaving that affront to be examined by his proper Judges and that except he could take off the Court they must and would proceed to a very round and serious censure Musa mihi causas memora quo numine laeso Quidvè dolens regina deûm tot volvere casus Insignem pietate virum tot adire labores Impulerit tantaene animis coelestibus irae That a Fellow of a Colledge for preaching of an innocent and honest Sermon in a Church belonging to the Colledge by the consent and in the hearing of the Incumbent should be thus vigorously undertaken Among many other Gentlemen of quality that were Pupils unto Master Preston at this time there was one Sir Capel Bedels an Orphan of a very fair estate in Huntingtonshire a Daughters Sonne of old Sir Arthur Capel who being Guardian to his Grand-child had recommended him as he had done many of his own Sons unto his Government It was a great trust and Master Prestons care was answerable And because plus vident oculi he had his spies that gave him notice of all their carriages and correspondencies by one of these he was informed that Sir Capel haunted Doctor Newcombs house and was familiar with his Daughter Mistress Jane Newcomb a very proper well-bred Gentlewoman his Tutor asked if they were contracted he answered no but would be very shortly as he was told for he was resolved to have her Master Preston charged him to keep all secret that Sir Capel might not think he was acguainted with it and immediately appoints a journey unto Saffron-walden to take the aire and see that stately pyle at Audley-end and takes divers of his Fellow-Commoners along as he used to do at other times and among others this Sir Capel Bedels When they had dined and viewed the house it was propounded by one of them that they might go that night to Haddam and visit old Sir Arthur Capel seeing they were thus far on their way and it was late Master Preston seemed to be indifferent and so the Proposition took and with none more then with Sir Capel who knew his Grandfather would fill his pockets and that would sweeten his Newcomb Mistress next embraces and make him welcome to her The old Knight was glad to entertain such welcome guests and that night there was no discourse but of the stately Rooms and goodly Gallery at Audley-end and so the young men went to bed pleased that the Colledge-bell next morning would not awaken them but Master Preston slept not in utramque aurem but awakened betimes and acquaints Sir Arthur with all the businesse adviseth him by no means to permit the Gentlemans return unto the Colledge for
to go along unknown to Master Preston that should observe and give intelligence weekly of all that passed Integer vitae scelerisque purus non eget Jaculis nec arcu A breast-plate of righteousnesse is a better guard then a shirt or coat of male It was Davids uprightnesse that did preserve him Psal. 25.21 so was it Master Prestons for he knew nothing of this attendance till after his return but gave out in the Colledge and among his Pupils that he would go the next Vacation into Kent to visit Sir Richard Sands and drink if he saw cause the Tunbridge waters concludes to take one of his Pupils with him a Yorkshire Gentleman Sir Henry Slingsbys Sonne and Heir and did accordingly acquaint his Father and make Provision for it long before The time came and he goes into Kent and is received in the passage boat for Rotterdam in the garb and notion of a Gentleman with his skarlet cloak and gold hatband and all things answerable and so goes over all the Provinces both Protestant and Popish where there was any thing observable and encounters frequently with divers Priests and Jesuites professing himself a Protestant Gentleman that was willing to find out the truth and try all Tenents and accordingly was courted by them very much and solicited to be a Papist and they gave him very many popish Books and so he came back into Kent and to the Colledge at the time appointed unknown to any in the Colledge but only one of his Pupils from whom he seldome concealed any thing He was no sooner setled in the Colledge but a rumour flies abroad that Master Preston had been beyond the Seas he shewed them that it was incredible and wonders at their sillinesse that they would beleeve so unlikely a relation the matter was not great now all was past and so it rested doubtfull and undetermined He had a long time been successefull in the way of Pupils but Doctor Davenants leaving of the Colledge troubled him A great Tutor hath much occasion to use the Masters influence for accommodation and advancement of his Pupils which now he saw he could not promise unto himself and it fell out much about this time that Doctor Dunn Preacher at Lincolns-Inne died and some in that society proposed that Master Preston might be tried whether he were willing to accept that place for Tearm time He was himself neither carelesse nor cracking of his good name Famae nec incuriosus nec venditator But it was much grown by reason of his successe in the conflicts and encounters he had at Court It was some refreshing unto honest men that Master Preston so resolute and constant in the waies of God was yet the Prince his Chaplin and helped forward the desire of these men it suted with him to have an opportunity to exercise his Ministry in a considerable and intelligent Congregation where he was assured many Parliament men and others of his best acquaintance would be his hearers and where in Tearm time he should be well accommodated so he consented and undertook the place the Chappel then was very little and at the first the numbers that attended on his Ministry besides their own society were few but when the Chappel was new built as now it is the numbers were exceeding great that were his constant hearers and foundations laid that will not easily be ruined This was some ease unto his grieved mind for Doctor Davenants leaving of the Colledge and University but filled not his great capacity and large desire of doing good the Colledge he gave over in his thoughts but not the University where his Preaching was much resented and made great impressions and though at Lincolns-Inne he had Gown-men to be his Hearers yet they were not like to propagate and spread it A Preacher in the University doth generare patres beget begetters and transmit unto posterity what God is pleased to reveal to him In a word doth what the Apostle doth enjoyn 2 Tim. 2.2 and he of all men thirsted after opportunities of doing service and might well say with the Spouse that he was sick of love Cant. 2.5 Some of the Fellows of Emanuel Colledge were very eminent for parts and learning yet clouded and obscured as they thought by an opinion that lay upon the Colledge that they were Puritans that is not only Godly and Religious for so they were and were content to be esteemed but non-conformists and averse to Government for which cause there had been lately some alteration made both in their Chappel and manner of their diet they thought therefore if they could prevail with Doctor Chaderton their present Master to resign who was establisht in it by the Founder and named in the Statute but was grown very old and had out-lived many of those great relations which he had before they might perhaps procure that Master Preston might succeed him and bring the Colledge into reputation being a good man and yet a Courtier the Prince his Chaplin and very gracious with the Duke of Buckingham But this was sooner said then done the old Doctor was exceeding wary and jealous not only of his own disparagement but especially of the good and welfare of that brave foundation that had grown and flourished under his Government so long for if it were but known that he were out there were divers lay in wait to get a Mandate and come in against their minds a fresh example whereof they had lately seen in their next neighbours Christs Colledge where after Master Pemberton was chosen Doctor Carew Dean of Exeter was forced on them and did all he could to mould a new and alter the constitution and genius of the Colledge But the Fellows answered that this might be better hindered and prevented whilest he was alive then at his death for his resignation might be carried privately but his death could not and if all the Fellows were content the Election might be past before the resignation were discovered and so they promised to found and try the judgment of the other Fellows and then repair again unto him There were two things in the Colledge that in their Opinions greatly pinched them The one was the Statute for attendance and continuance whilst they were Fellows so that they had not opportunity to live in Noble-mens Houses or take Lectures to exercise their Ministry and make themselves known unto such as had it in their power to prefer them Another was the Statute of departing at such a standing whether they were provided or not provided and there was then a fresh example in Doctor Traverse a man of great worth yet forced to sojourn as a Fellow-Commoner in Christs Colledge untill he could be better accommodated the Fellows therefore were easily induced to affect this change for they thought Master Preston might be an instrument by reason of his great acquaintance either to get some mitigation of the Statute or procure more livings to be annexed to the Colledge
gives this Testimony That it hath been of singular good use to many poor souls for their preparation to that Ordinance And in very deed saith he those questions and answers do more fully furnish a Christian to that whole spiritual duty then any other in any language that I know in so small a compass Master Cotton also mentioneth in the foresaid Epistle a Letter of Master Hildersams to a Gentlewoman against separation which without his consent a Separatist Master Francis Johnson printed and refuted Which saith Master Cotton hath so strongly and clearly convinced the iniquity of that way that I could not but acknowledge in it both the wisedome of God and the weaknesse of the Separatist His wisdome in bringing to light such a beam of the light of his truth by the hand of an adversary against the Authors mind and the weakness of the other to advance the hand of his adversary to give himself and his cause such a deadly wound in open view as neither himself nor all his associates can be able to zeal His judgment and testimony of the Author and his Lectures on John 4. you may read in that Epistle In a private Letter of his from Boston February 3. 1629. to him he mentioneth a Letter he received from a Dutch Minister in London one Timotheus Van Ul-eren who telleth him he had sent sundry of the Books on Iohn 4. to Ministers beyond the Seas who do read them with such great satisfaction that the said Dutch Minister did in the name of many others intreat Master Cotton to beseech Master Hildersam to put forth his Sermons on Psal. 51. and other his lucubrations And accordingly Master Cotton in that Letter writeth thus Since the Sermons already on part of the Psalm do arise to a just and full volume be intreated to hearken to the desires of so many at home and abroad and give them leave to be doing good whilest the rest are preparing You have cause to love the Lord your God with all your might and therefore since those Sermons might be shewing your love to God in working his work before their fellows do not hold back any part of their service to the Church for the present time This his request he renewed in another Letter of Iuly 23. 1629. Having mentioned the testimony and judgment of the Reverend Master Cotton concerning Master Hildersam and his labours whom in his Reply to Master Roger Williams answer of his Letter p. 117. he stileth A man of a thousand I shall insert another testimony of a man deservedly famous in the Church Doctor Preston then Fellow of Queens Colledge in Cambridge concerning the formentioned Lectures on Iohn 4. He having long desired at length obtained of Master Hildersam the Copy of them which he kept a long time and perused and being desired to deliver his opinion of them in his Letter to the Author November 28. 1615. speaketh thus I will say to you faithfully and ingenuously what I think without adding a word more then mine own heart is perswaded of First in general for putting them to the Presse I do not only think that they are worthy of it but so far as any intreaty of mine might prevail I should presse you to it as depriving Gods Church of a very great Benefit if you should refuse In particular besides the profitablenesse of the matter these two things I observe in the reading of it First throughout the whole carriage there appeareth a continued strength that I may so call it without any failing or deficiency without any inequality unevennesse of deformity of some parts with the rest Secondly it is presse and succinst though large the things choice and pertinent and throughly depending each on other In brief so it is there is nothing that need be added and nihil quod amputem So that when I went about to take out some things for mine own use briefly I could not almost tell what to leave out To say all in a word Sir I do think it is such as will answer to your name and such as men would look for from you There are very few writings but wherein we commonly see some failings in these two particulars which I mentioned Besides the method I much like as very judicious which hath not ruled you but you it in a seasonable changing it as your matter lyeth so casting the frame of it that it extorteth not more then is necessary from you nor cutteth off any thing that you would deliver which one precise uniform method strictly kept often doth I hope it will be a good help to Ministers when they read it and bring the metod of Doctrine and Uses into more credit These are Doctor Prestons own words in his Letter Unto this ample and laudable testimony given by these two Worthies this may be added that his most grave and authoritative manner of preaching did give an edge and excellency unto his Ministry Though Master Hildersam in the judgment of these eminent Divines at home and abroad and most others that knew him were a man of such worth and ability and whose labours were so usefull in the Church yet was he for a long time by the then prevailing power in the Church cast aside like a broken vessel After his censure in the High-Commission Court he lived privately a long time sometimes in the City sometimes in the Countrey He was alwaies whether silent or having a liberty to preach a constant student when he was in the Countrey and had conveniency of place and weather he used to walk alone every morning near an hour to meditate In the morning he read constantly a Chapter whence he gathered some observations and wrote them in a Book with the reference to some common-place in the margent which he referred to his Common-place Book by numbers The like he did out of many Books that he read in others which he read he referred the most observable things in them to his Common-place Book by the pages in them As he was much in secret Prayer so was he fervent therein yea frequent in holy ejaculations audibly expressed as was observed by some godly friends whose occasions brought them often near to the place where he studied He was alwaies a diligent frequenter of the publique Assemblies whether he were in the City or Countrey he used often even in his old age to write Sermons in the Church He so highly prized the Ministry of the Word that he would often say He never heard any godly Minister preach though but of weak parts but he got some Benefit by him He sojourned in many Families and alwaies by his godly and amiable carriage got love and esteem of all in the house In all places where he did reside or whether he came occasionally he was alwaies helpfull in Family-Prayers in expounding the Scriptures read and in the repetition of the Sermons preached in the publique Congregation being also willing by private conference to
home and abroad so was he particular in minding his special Friends before the Lord and the spirituall welfare of his children was so much upon his heart that he daily desired to lodge them in Gods bosome yea he seldome gave thanks either before or after meat especially towards the end of his life without some touch of tendency towards his children in reference unto whom this was one constant Petition That they might never seek great things for themselves in this world And his own practice from his youth proved the sincerity of his heart in this suit because he never looked after nor would entertain any motion of removing for wealth or worldly promotion though his charge was great and his eminency both in ministerial and scholastical gifts with the power of godlinesse which did shine in his whole conversation gained him many Friends and rendred him in their account a man more meet for a place of publique note and resort then the village where he dwelt When the Prelatical opposition against the Non-conformists was hot and high he spake thus unto a Neighbour-Brother Be confident that although all who are now known Non-conformists were dead and gone yet God would rather raise some out of our ashes to protest against Episcopacy and the Ceremonies then suffer that cause to fall unto the ground He would say The Fathers wanted some of our light but we want more of their heat He was exemplarily carefull to preserve Gods Ordinances from pollution and contempt and therefore did alwaies take great pains with his people to prepare them for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper In his Sermons he was wont to tell his Auditours that their persecuting impoverishing imprisoning and thrusting daggers into their Ministers bodies would not be more grievous then their unworthy communicating at the Lords Table and their unanswerable walking unto the Ordinances of grace dispenced amongst them And when Parents presented their children in the Congregation to be baptized he would very affectionately lay open their duty pressing Sacramental ingagements home to their hearts with strong Arguments and authority ministerial Though no man was known by his Friends who more dis-relished the corruptions in Church-Government and in administrations of holy worship yet he hath sufficiently published unto the world his great dislike of the way of separation from our Church-Assemblies upon such pretences Thus he spake unto a Friend who had moved him to maintain our Church-communion against the Separatists How little am I beholding unto you who drew me from more profitable studies to peruse those sapless speculations He much lamented in his Prayers before God the first breakin gs out of Independency in England both in respect of the present offence and the wofull consequences thereof whereof he was much afraid yea he did very often tell his Friends both in the time of his health and last sicknesse that if God should give opportunity and hopes of Church-reformation that we might be eased of our present grievances the Brethren of the new separation would be found the greatest obstructers thereof His remembrance of the History of former Separations with which he was fully acquainted and his prudential fore-sight of the diducts which would necessarily follow from their Principles viz. Anabaptisme c. together with his wise insight into the dispositions of some persons who then appeared therein these were the grounds of his foretelling the confusions the spreading of pernicious errours and hinderances of Reformation which we since have sadly suffered under These Reasons of his Prediction which is noised abroad are expressed lest any should imagine him to have inclined to regard injections and impulsions of spirit which some cry up as prophetical His distaste whereof may be evidenced by this one instance viz. Being asked by one who much pretended unto immediate inspirations besides Scripture whether he at any time had experience thereof in his own heart His answer was this No I blesse God and if I should ever have such phantasies I hope God would give me grace to resist them When there was discourse concerning the new or rather the renewed errours which were broached he would ordinarily say A good Treatise of the sufficiency of the Scriptures would put an end unto these matters His exceeding love to study and his great modesty caused unwillingnesse to go far from home or to appear publique in any kind And if the extraordinary importunity of some much esteemed Friends had not conquered this aversnesse he would in probability never have printed any thing in his own name or have come into the company of persons of chief place and quality yea God was pleased in both these waies to make him serviceable For besides the profit which many have received from his printed Books he was happily instrumentall by conference to preserve some men of chief esteem in regard of their Piety Parts and places of command in the Countries where they lived from warping towards the waies of new separation upon the sollicitation of such who were busie sticklers therein Upon the calling of the Parliament in the year 1640. some hopes being conceived that he might be an instrument of publique benefit to the Church by dealing with some Parliament-men that if further Reformation of things wofully out of order could not be procured men unconformable to the Ceremonies might not be thrust out and kept out of the Ministry in that regard He thereupon took a journey into London with his neighbour and endeared Brother Master Langley but receiving small encouragement to his hopes and endeavours in that kind he returned home with sorrow upon his heart complaining of the many symptomes of Gods displeasure which he saw ready to break out against poor England and resolved to do what service he could in any other way And being convinced that his labours might be profitable to the Church both in the present and succeeding ages he was resolved to lay forth himself for publique service in any kind as his good Friends should advise and in pursuance hereof he designed these three works viz. 1. A Treatise of the Church 2. An Exposition of obscure Scriptures out of all the original Languages 3. A more full Systeme of Divinity by the enlarging of his Catechism For all which he had much good Provision under hand when the Lord saw cause to put an end to his labours And here all those must silence their hearts who knowing him may be apt to judge his removall at this time to be unseasonable with these words which were much in his mouth when God checked hopes by crosse Providences The Lord is wisest God is most wise Many conflicts he had with men of greatest strength as was imagined to maintain the new pathes into which divers had stepped aside But the truth is never was any of them able to stand up under his Arguments Though God was pleased to take him away whom some in scorn called
meeting of the godly where there was a Sermon and the Sacrament to be administred after Sermon he requested those that were present that they would not be offended at his weaknesse but that they would pray to the Lord for him and then requested the Minister that he would a little more explain himself about the Sacrament which he willingly did and having by sundry texts of Scripture shewed that Christ is received only Spiritually and Sacramentally therein he concluded with that of St. Augustine Manducare cibum qui non perit sed permanent ad vitam est credere in Christum Et Quid paras dentem ventrem crede manducasti Item Nolite parare fauces sed cor Christ is to be fed upon not with our mouths but with our faith c. Our Admirall being much satisfied with this discourse gave thanks first to God then to that Minister and Congregation and shortly after was himself partaker of that holy Sacrament the same whereof when it was once spread abroad in France it cannot be believed what joy and consolation it brought to the Churches of Christ for though till that time the true worshippers of God had many Laws made against them by the Kings and Parliaments though they were daily dragged to prisons torments and death so that they were forced to hold all their meetings in secret yet was true Religion after a wonderfull manner dispersed through all the Provinces of France and the Popish party found by experience that the more they sought to suppresse and extinguish the light of Gods Word and the Professors of it the more it daily encreased Not long after fell out the tumult at Amboise and the conspiracy of the Nobility against the Guises whose pride and insolency the Princes of France could no longer bear with Of this number was the Prince of Conde and the King of Navarre his Brother Whereupon the Guises procured an Edict from the King whereby a meeting of the Nobility was appointed at Fontainbleau especially to treat about matters of Religion and when the day came which was Aug. 24. 1560. the King requested those that were present to deliver their opinions Whereupon the Admirall rising out of his seat humbly presented the King with two Supplications under this title The humble Supplications of those who in severall parts of your Majesties Kingdom do truly and purely serve God These Supplications were delivered to Albespine the Kings Secretary who publiquely read them This bold fact of the Admirall was much wondered at considering the Kings bitter enmity against that Religion and the great power of the Guises The summe of those Petitions was this They which purely and sincerely serve God taking this fit opportunity do humbly beseech your Majesty that of your clemency you will be pleased to pity a great number of our Subjects who unto this day are miserably afflicted tormented and wasted for the cause of Religion in all your Provinces We humbly beg of you that you will not be grieved to take cognisance of our cause and to appoint that the Scripture may be the judge in these great controversies whereby it will easily appear how much we do abhor heresie which hitherto hath been laid to our charge as also how falsly we have been charged with sedition when we never used force or arms to defend our selves but ever thought it our duty in our greatest extremities only to have recourse to your Majesties clemency Our humble request therefore to your Majesty is that you would be pleased to restrain our persecutors by whose means there is no part of your Majesties Kingdom which in these late years hath not been defiled with the blood of your innocent Subjects Our case hath been miserable when we have been forced to plead our cause before the Popes Clients and Pensioners rather then before equall and indifferent Judges Our humble request therefore is that you would be pleased favourably to look upon so many Families who have alwaies acknowledged you for our gracious Lord and King and according to Gods command have honoured and obeyed you and shall be ready if occasion be offered to spend our lives for your dignity and service and therefore we think it but equal that our lives and welfare should be protected against the rage of our cruel and bloody adversaries We further pray that some publique places may be allowed us where our Ministers may Preach the Word of God sincerely and Administer the Sacraments truly that our Religion being no longer concealed we may be freed from those false calumnies which our adversaries have hitherto cast upon us And we shall ever pray c. After these Supplications were read there were great debates but little about Religion great complaints being made of the Kings debts and consideration had how the same might be discharged Hereupon our Admirall spake freely and boldly against the Forces raised by the Guises under the pretence of a guard for the King as if he needed such a guard in the heart of his own Kingdom whereas the Authority of the Kings name in France is so sacred and powerfull that thereby the meanest Constable is able to suppresse any tumult whatsoever This free speech of his extreamly vexed the Guises who hated him so much the more for it Some others propounded that there might be a publique Convention of the States called as the only means to cure the distempers of France which though some had laboured to discredit and so had caused an intermission of it for eighty seven years yet it had alwaies been exceeding advantagious to the Kingdom as the Parliaments in England consisting of three States had alwaies been there whereby the English Kings had been enabled to make such powerfull Invasions of France Shortly after King Francis the second dying his younger Brother Charles the ninth succeeded and thereupon the former request was renewed for calling a Convention of all the States At this time Catherine of Medice was the Queen Mother a Florentine by birth to whom the education of the young King and the care of his person was committed according to the ancient custom of France but she was not suffered to have any thing to do with the Government of the Kingdom and hereupon the Guises who for a long time had been powerfull at Court intruded themselves into that Office And at that time many of the Nobility proceeded cruelly to torment and afflict those of the Religion whereupon there was great fear lest some new Commotions should be raised in the Kingdom But the Queen Mother pretended favour towards them for which cause our Admirall endeavoured and at last effected that she should be joyned in Commission with Anthony King of Navarr who was made Protector during the Kings Minority This many wise men disliked and opposed saying that in the stories of former times it did appear that the Government was never committed to the Queen Mother especially
of Spain which the King made such use of that the Admirall thence collected arguments of his greater good will towards him That they must use such artifices whilst they expected an opportunity to effect what was resolved on That the King of Spain was throughly acquainted with all these proceedings that so he might suspect nothing by reason of those great preparations which were made for Warre for he was assured that this was done upon good grounds as subservient to the principal end That therefore he desired the Cardinall that whatsoever he had heard or should hear hereafter yet he should assure himself that the King would never depart from his first purpose and that whatsoever he did did but conduce to hasten the end of their Counsels and that both the King Queen-Mother and the Duke of Anjou were all very solicitous for this thing and that as soon as ever the businesse should be effected they would instantly send away Messengers to acquaint Lorraine with it And as for the businesse of the Prince of Navarrs marriage they hoped that it would quickly be effected for this was ro begin all their future designs c. He that sent these Letters to the Admirall hoped that he would have been warned by them to look to himself and his affairs but he had such a strong confidence of the Kings love and good will towards him which also was daily nourished in him by his Son-in-law Teligni that he which was most provident and sharp-sighted in all others businesses was fatally blind in this In the beginning of May 1571. the King desired the Queen of Navarr to go to Paris to provide all things necessary for the marriage where she arrived the fifteenth day of the same moneth and the fourth day of June she fell sick of a feavour whereof she died five daies after to the extream grief and sorrow of all her Servants and Friends Two daies before her death being in perfect memory she made a most Christian Testament and last Will finishing her course with singular piety and joy in God She was a Princesse of great experience by reason of her manifold adversities in all which she shewed an invincible constancy and heroicall greatnesse of courage most affectionate to her Religion very carefull of the education of her children training them up in the fear of God In her words most grave and full of motherly affections to them She had a ready and well advised wit was pitifull and easie to be intreated constantly maintained that which she judged to be good and agreeable to the will and good pleasure of God She had a great vivacity of spirit whereby she was able to comprehend all her affairs and had a lively grace in representing them either by word or writing She died June 9. 1572. and of her age 44. It was believed that she was poysoned by the smell of certain perfumes the Doctors and Chyrurgions which opened her were commanded not to open her brain where the mischief lay and therefore could not determine about the cause of her death The Admirrll in this time was at his house aa Castallion where he received many Letters and Messages from the King to come to him and because he stirred not the King sent Cavagnes and Briquemaud to fetch him that they might come to a conclusion about the Warres in Flanders and special commandment was given to the Provost of Merchants and other chief men that at the Admirals coming to Paris there should be no affronts done him About the same time the Admirall had many advertisements from his Friends both within and without the Realm that though he could not conceive any sinister opinion of the King his Mother or Brother that yet at least he would consider into what place he was about to thrust himself amongst so many implacable enemies But he resting upon the testimony of a good conscience and the providence of God rejected all those counsels as proceeding from mens covetousnesse or desire of new troubles which he abhorred worse then death and therefore taking a small train with him he went to Paris and was very honourably intertained by the King Queen-Mother the Kings Brethren and others to the great astonishment of the whole City At the Admirals coming to Paris amongst other Letters that were brought to him there was one that gave him these warnings Remember the Popish Maxime confirmed by the Authority of Councils That faith is not to be kept with Hereticks in which number the Protestants are accounted Remember the implacable spirits of the Papists at this time irritated by the last Warres There is no doubt but it is the fixed purpose of the Queen-Mother to destroy the Protestants by any means whatsoever Consider that she is an Italian of a most crafty wit born of the Progeny of Popes who contrives all extream things against her enemies Remember in what School the King hath been brought up from his childhood how he hath been taught to swear and forswear To pollute himself with whoredomes and adulteries To compose his countenance To counterfeit Faith and Religion How he hath been accustomed to cruelty and bloodshed How he hath been taught not to suffer above one Religion in his Kingdom How it hath been whispered into his ears That the Protestants seek to dispoil him of his life and Kingdom That he is not bound to keep Covenants made with armed Subjects That he is taught the Mysteries of State Policy Remember that Commodus caused Julianus to be slain whom he pretended to honour and imbrace as a Father That Antoninus Caracalla under the pretence of a Muster caused all the chief youths of the City to be slain That Lysander under the pretence of friendship commanded the throats of four hundred Milesians to be cut That lately Atonius Spinola invited all the chief men of Corsica to a Banquet where they were all slain That Christian King of Denmark used the same art to commit that horrid massacre at Stockholme c. That the Kings speech to his Mother at Blois was no secret when swearing fearfully he asked her whether he had not carried himself well at the coming of the Queen of Navarr To whom she answered That he had begun well but that would profit little unlesse he went on But I quoth he swearing often will bring them all into the net Wherefore if you be wise haste both out of the Court and City with all speed as out of a most impure sink The Admirall having read this Letter though he were offended yet lest he should seem to neglect the prayers and warnings of his Friends he returned this answer That there was no place left any longer for these suspitions That he was verily perswaded that so great perfidiousnesse could not enter into the heart of so good a King That indeed the Duke of Anjou was more estranged from the Protestants but that hatred would by degrees cease by
Letters prevailing nothing the Warre went on and in the Battell of Bassac the Protestants were worsted and the Prince of Conde slain which news being carried to Rochel the Queen of Navarr posted to the Protestant Army where before a great Assembly of Nobles and Souldiers she made an Oration to confirm their mindes praising the vertue and constancy of the Prince of Conde who had employed his faithfull endeavours even unto death in defence of so just a Cause and thereupon she exhorted the rest to imitate his example and to persevere in maintaining the truth of Christ and the Liberty of their Countrey For saith she the good Cause is not dead with the Prince of Conde neither ought godly men to give way to despondency in such cases God having so provided for his Cause that he gave Conde companions whilst he lived that may succeed him now he is dead I have brought with me mine only Son Henry and Conde's own Son who as he is Heir of his name so is he of his vertues These with other Nobles besides I trust will never be wanting to so good a Cause And having thus spoken to the Nobles and Army and many things privately to her Son whetting his youthfull spirit she returned again to Rochel to provide new succours In the mean time a Commission was granted to Terride Governour of Quercie to summon the Queen of Navarr and the Prince her Son to leave the party of the Protestants and in case of refusal to invade the Countreys of Bearne Foix and Navarr in which he so prevailed that he reduced all to the Kings obedience but only Navaren which he besieged as the only strong place that remained to the Queen Hereupon the Queen and the Princes sent the Earl of Montgomery to encounter him who with a small Army of five hundred Horse and four thousand Foot forced Terride to raise his siege and retire himself to Ortheze His men were dispersed and to prevent his gathering them together again the Earl besieged him forced the Town and to beat Terride with his own weapons he turned his Cannons which ht found in the Town against the Castle whereupon it was surrendred to him after which all other places were suddainly reduced to the obedience of the Queen and the Earl having garrisoned the Towns of his new conquest speedily returned to the Princes Not long after Peace being concluded betwixt the King and the Protestants the King published an Edict wherein amongst other things he hath this passage Let it be lawfull for the Queen of Navarr the Kings Aunt besides the benefit which is common to all those which have the highest jurisdiction to enjoy the free exercise of her Religion in the Dukedom of Albert in the Earldoms of Armigniac Foix and Bigorre in one place of all those Dominions which she holdeth in her own possession or which may be consigned to her by the King so that all that will come to that place though she her self be absent may enjoy it without danger Moreover lest any doubt should arise concerning the right meaning of the Queen of Navarr the Kings Aunt as also of the Princes of Conde both Father and Son the King doth declare That he acknowledgeth them all for his faithfull Cosens and Subjects and that they and all that have managed the Warres under them shall be free and not bound to render an account for monies received or taken c. The Peace being concluded the malice of the Popish party was no whit abated whereupon they sought by Policy to effect that which they could not by power and for this end Biron was sent to Rochel in the Kings name to treat with the Queen of Navarr about the marriage between her Son Henry and the Kings Sister the Lady Margaret for which end he invited them to come to the Court where businesses might be fully debated and concluded He added also that hereby a fair occasion was offered from God to settle their affairs in peace c. The Queen of Navarr having returned thanks in a set Oration answered that the matter was of that importance that she would take time to her self in deliberating of it and albeit she did professe and acknowledge that that affinity would be a great ornament and profit to her yet she was for the present doubtfull what to do in regard of the near kindred betwixt her Son and the Lady and the difference in their Religions Wherefore saith she I will consult with my Divines and what I shall find to make for Gods glory and the good of the Kingdom and that may stand with a good conscience that I will readily and willingly imbrace being desirous in all that I may to satisfie the pleasure of the King and Queen to whom I owe all due observance Yet there remained two scruples which troubled the King and the Queen of Navarr in respect of the place and manner of celebrating the marriage For the Queen would not have it done at Paris which City being extreamly addicted to the Popish Religion she feared was long since an enemy to the Family of Navarr and therefore she judged it not safe to have it celebrated there The King on the contrary said That it would make for a certain sign of sure Peace to have the celebrity of the marriage seen in the Metropolis of the Kingdom as it were on a publique Theater The other doubt was about the manner of the celebration For the Queen of Navarr being most addicted to the reformed Religion would never endure that it should be contracted after the Popish manner nor the Queen-Mother after the fashion of the Protestants But the King prayed the Queen of Navarr to pardon him in that matter for that it would tend to his great dishonour if he should suffer the marriage of his Sister to be solemnized in any other form then according to that ancient Religion which he had received from his fore-fathers therefore to resolve this doubt there was time taken on both sides In the mean time the Queen of Navarr consulted with the Ministers of the Reformed Religion what might be done in this matter Some of them insisting upon the simplicity of Gods Word said that it was utterly unlawfull for such marriages to be contracted especially by illustrious Personages in whom it is more dangerous because of more publique concernment Others judging that this marriage would be a sure and as it were an everlasting foundation of a most happy Peace assented to it The Queen of Navarr and the Protestant Nobles striving to find out remedies both for the Kingdom which was grievously afflicted and for their own bruised estates liked these mens judgments best and so the businesse proceeded and the conditions of marriage were agreed upon between the parties The King was to give his Sister for her Dowry three hundred thousand Crowns each Crown being valued at four and fifty Shillings About this time the