continuall instance of the Cardinals and other of the Cleargie about the King who besides would make him selfe appeare most Christian throughout all Europe especially for the reasons aboue mencioned the Court was so pressed that all the articles of the Edict were there in publique audience read the 3. of September 1551. in the Chamber called Doree Of all which Pierre Seguier the Kings Aduocate demaunding the ingrossing of the behalfe of the Proctor generall saide that it was well knowne how the Kinges of Fraunce had bene alwaies zealous protectors of christianitie of the faith and vnion of the Church for which they worthily deserued the name of most Christian that there was no doubt but zeale of Religion was one of the principall causes for which it pleased God to maintaine the estate of that Realme in that greatnes it was vntill that day that historyes did witnes among all the misfortunes and vnhappines which fell out betweene the Romaine Kings the raigne of Numa Pompilius to haue beene found most long happie and peaceable because hee was most zealous in Religion And Titus Liuius and Plutarch write Quod Numa Primus condidit templum fidei primus fidei solemne instituit And albeit that the Religion of Numa was not ruled after the worde of God yet hauing had so great an increase of good fortune in his Heathenishe Religion it may verye well cause vs to thinke that the care and zeale which the Kings of Fraunce haue had for Christian religion hath greatlye auailed and helped towards the maintenance and enlarging of the Monarchie of Fraunce Contrarywise negligence of Religion the leauing and apostacie of faith and the scismes and diuisions in the Church are the beginning and spring of all mischiefes and the forewarning of desolation and ruine to a Common-wealth The examples are verye common De neglecta Religione both in Valerius and other our owne Histories as the Bookes of Moses doe testifie that the children of Israel while they helde themselues vnited in the faith of God and precepts of Moses prospered and ouercame all aduersities but when they withdrew themselues from religion they fell into great ruine The most Christian King considering and well vnderstanding these things hath studiously diligently searched by all possible meanes how the error of the Pseudo-christians might bee extermined and cleane rooted out of this Realme and to this end hath commaunded these letters now read to be approued in this Courte and further said that he could not omit to yeelde due thankes vnto the King for his most gracious royall and most Christian will moste humblye beseeching God that it would please him to preserue the King in this charitie deuotion and zeale many yeares and hereupon concluded and required the publication and approuing of the letters enioyning the Prelates and Cleargy in what appertained to their charge to obey the contents thereof Then the Presidente after the counsellers had deliuered their opinions gaue this sentence The Court in obeying of the Kings will ordaineth that vpon the plight of the said letters shalbe set downe Lecta publicata Registrata audito requirente procuratore generale Regis and that the Iudges Presidiaux and such as assist them in iudgement of criminall enditementes shall vpon sight thereof cause the prisoners to be brought before them and heare them speake in person and such iudgements as shall be so giuen by the Presidiaux and their assistantes shall not be helde and reputed for sufficiently concluded and awarded except it passe the consent of two at the least according to the ordinance And gaue in charge to the Court of the said Iudges that after iudgement giuen vpon the said criminall enditements they should make them safely to be kept by such Greffiers as the court should appoint to haue diligent care of the same to the end they might both deliuer answere the same whatsoeuer they should be called vpon Moreouer he warned exhorted the Court the Archbishops and Prelates that resorted thereunto enioyning them to keepe and fulfill the contentes of the saide letters in whatsoeuer might concerne them the 3. of September 1551. Now let vs handle againe the imperials practises against the French you shal belowe see in place fitter for it the second meanes which the King had to iustifie himselfe for his actions in the occurrence of Parma If the Emperor were angry knowing of the Kings resolution in fauour of the Farnezes Pope Iulye made no lesse shew thereof and thereupon the 11. of Aprill hee bitterly accused Octauian by a writing published to that end When said he he receiued Parma at my hands and the estate of Supreame Gouernour hee promised me vpon his faith that he would neuer serue other Prince nor put any Garrison of Strangers into Parma without my leaue and assoone as any apparance was of any change I oftentimes very louingly admonished him by men expressely and by his own brother the Cardinall Alexander that he should remember his dutie But because he answered very strangely I threatned him by letters vnder great paines if hee should forget himselfe hoping in time to haue wonne him But since being aduertised how farre he swarueth from the accord I haue great cause to be extreamelye angrye that one whom I had enriched and aduanced to honor should offer me such an iniurye Now then though it were lawfull for me to pronounce iudgement in so apparante and cleare a matter yet to the end to make him know my curtesie I charge him to appeare at Rome within 30. daies to answere to his accusations and to put in good security for his comming if hereof he make no accompt I condemne and holde him for guilty of treason disloyaltie and other crimes willing and meaning that all his goods shalbe confiscat for which I require aide of th'emperour that he will holde a strong hand to helpe me to punish the same forbidding all in generall to yeelde him any releefe or succour The King of Fraunce in the meane time to appease the Pope and his Cardinals declared by his Embassador Paul de Termes of purpose sent vnto Rome that he was no whit at all to blame for receiuing of Octauian into his protection considering it a matter proper to the office of Kings to succour the afflicted Besides sayth hee he sought no particular profit to himselfe but all for the benefit of the Church of Rome according to the example of his progenitors which had inriched the same more than all other and oftentimes defended it with the sword for considering that Parma was of the patrimonie of the Church he would especially seeke to preuent that it might not fall into the handes of anie stranger which was the verie reason that hee was at so great ordinarie an expence Therfore he earnestly besought him to take it in good part and not to remaine in that harde opinion hee had conceiued of him a matter which should bring great profite to the commonwealth
HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE THE HISTORIE OF FRANCE THE FOVRE First Bookes LONDON Printed by Iohn Windet 1595. TO THE RIGHT EXCELENT and vertuous Lady the Lady Anne Countesse of Warwicke and to the right Noble and worthie Ladie my Ladie and Mistrisse Katherine Barones Howard of Essingham and to the rest of the illustrious Ladies of her sacred Maiesties most Honourable priuie Chamber IF in this Epistle Excellent Ladies I containe not my stile within the bounds of breuitie let the large scope which the fielde of your vertues proffereth bee a sufficient excuse to my imputed blame if in the course of the worke which this Epistle presenteth to your Patronage multitude of errors haue beene ouerslipped yet I humbly beseech it bee so much graced by your beautie as what is good may bee acceptable vnto you and my infirmities which are most may with all other who bee they neuer so great are or haue beene seruantes to some in your place for your sake lye couered my weaknesse beeing the more augmented in that my pen is so meere a straunger to my profession entertayning it onelye and that rarelye to ouercome that Idlenes of time which to my selfe is ouer familiar rather in wast and void papers exercising the fame then fit for any ende or purpose Among which a few parcells haue â—â—ne Translated by me some yeeres since vnseene or vnthought of and had stil so continued had J not Noble Countesse beene by those which had full power ouer me otherwise enioyned Wherein I haue sooner chosen to eternise my own insufficiencie the render their perfections any waies vnsatisfied And therfore haue made choice to publish these fower first Bookes by an vnknowne without name but a most iust and faithful Author at the first digested in a forren tongue wherein J must needes yeelde to adde so much more to my owne vnperfectnesse as shall come within the view of your eyes or ponder of your iudgement as then receiuing most blemish when you shall vouchsafe the Author in his owne and proper language Who cannot in himselfe but much satisfie such is his stile iudgement truth and varietie of matter wherein the minde of man most delighting doth vndoubtedly couet Historie before all other writinges and if Historie what more pleasing then is in him contained So many euents and alterations disclosed secret disseins and intentions of mightie Princes reuealed Emperours not enduring equalitie Kings disdained swelling warres treacherous truces Popes practisers and triumphing in periuries generall Councels disauowed Empires voluntarily resigned princes murthered Crownes vsurped Popes deposed Rome beseaged his holines and Cardinals in danger to be hunger starued descriptions of Citties Townes Castles and fortes representations of Royall armies Inundations Plagues Earthquakes famines and other Gods wrathfull iudgementes Sects and Scismes in hollie Churches hot persecutions Religion made a Couerture to faction and ambition the selfe same Kings at one instant prosecuting in their owne Realmes what in person they assisted and protected in the Empire with the true cause roote foundation of al the miseries which the state of Christendome at this day and since fiftie yeares hath endured vnder the discourse of the French estate ouerrunning al worthie occurents of Europe Turkie and America A Historie though modern familier to many now liuing Actors therein yet yeelding precedence for matter methode knowledge and iudgment to none but thee triumphant Tacitus sacred Emperors lying subiect to thy pen and the mightiest Monarchy of the earth to thy censure As my poore trauailes which most of all kept me from being willing to diuulge the same obscured by thy stately Sauile Exquisite Sauile honour to thy Vniuersitie though in thy vertue an enemy to me ouerdropping and shadowing my endeuours as the high broade Oke doth young and tender sproutes wrong not thy selfe and country with longer silence of thy pen proude in thy Author proude in thy Sainte and not least proude in the commender of thy worke thy A. B. thy secret and haughtie Mecaenas disguised in the two first letters the whole Alphabet not being enough to set foorth his worthe but he may not so escape in a shaddowe his eloquence discouereth his Arte his iudgement his experience and his experience in hauing assaulted the dreadfullst Monarch of our world to the verie gates of his chiefest Cittie hath confirmed his valour to his neuer dying glorie But how much the more naked I stande frustrate of countenance subiect to errors so thorough error to reprofe as whatsoeuer is mine can be no other worth so much more high and worthie Countesse doth the power of your patronage in my protection extend it selfe and the grace of your fauor in vouchsafing the reading of this worke vnworthie only by my owne vnablenesse to set it forth vnto you like it selfe The subiect whereof though loftie in mannaging the glorious actions of anointed Soueraignes and representing the fierce exploits of vnmercifull and bloudy warres can no waies yet be strange or dissonant to your eares daughter to so great an Earle of Bedford graue Councellor commander and gouernour sometimes of that Royall towne and Garrison which bordereth on the Scottish soyle and deare wife to that redoubted Ambrose Earle of Warwicke expert and faithfull Councellor Sonne to so puissant and Magnanimious a Duke his name his fame his valor resounding in foraine Regions while he had the honour to bee commaunder and Lieutenant generall ouer a Royall English armie by your birth and Marriage seeming to be chosen and consecrated to Mars himselfe happie in father more happie in husband but most happie in your Soueraignes grace ornament of her Courte true patterne of pietie deuotion charitie and vertue And you Excellent Mistrisse to whome as well for your honour bountie and fauours my fruites and Labours are most due as hauing first vndertaken the same eating of your bread vouchsafe your Patronage disdaine not my Authors English weede who presenteth his attendance vpon your Person at such time as wearied with other occasions you are accustomed to retire your selfe to your Bookes and Muses Verified is that in you that neuer Les alone then when most alone for the more part spending your vacation of time either in Meditation of holie letter or conference and reading of some notable and famous Historie which whether it treate of peace pollicie war or martiall exploits can hardly discouer ought new or strange vnto your wisedome the one by your high place long seruices and Courtelie conuersation made familiar vnto you the other by nothing more then the signall acts and heroicall prowes of Magnanimious and victorious Charles your Lo. and husband true patriot carefull Councellor vigilant commaunder rightlie and iustly deere to his Soueraigne and Countrie dreadfull to the enemie terror to traytors and scourge of Spanish Monarchie which the defeate of that inuincible army for so in Print theÌ„seues published can best testifie the glorie whereof can not but stirre vp those two young Jmpes of
contented himselfe to send certaine of the cheefest which galloped euen to their Campe and tooke some which they brought away with them among whome they tooke Langue du Keste The next morrow aduancing forward with the Infanterie 200. men at armes arriued at the straites of the mountaines which about 800. of the Emperours souldiers kept with two fielde peeces but they quickly seuered them so as they being put to flight sufficiently astonished those which were nere vnto Rute the rather for that the Princes following them foote by foote in such sort set vpon the rest that they defeated them in killing about one thousand and sundrie other as well taken as drowned within the Riuer of Lech with an Ensigne there lefte behinde The next morrowe they battered the forte of Ereberge with so good hap as they tooke the fortresse seated on the top of the Castle thereby rendring themselues masters of the Causie and of the great Cannons which they found there which done they clambred vp the mountaine strong and painefull euen to the Castle albeit the bullets fell among them like hailestones notwithstanding which it was for all that rendred vp vnto them by 13. Ensignes of foote whereof nine were taken and foure saued themselues and among them three were of Germanes and three of Italians about two thousand prisoners were led away with some losse of the other this done and as Maurice would haue gained the Causey the souldiers ouer whome Rifeberg had charge refused to goe on any further except they might receaue extraordinary wages by reason of the taking of Ereberg whereupon hauing caused one of the seditious persons which cryed out highest to be taken the rest did not onelye bende their Pikes against him but many in like sorte shot a number of bullets at him out of Harquebuses in such sorte as he hardly saued himselfe in the end notwithstanding the Chiefetaines appeased all and the 21. of May two regimentes were sent by the Alpes to Enipont which was but two dayes iourney thence the Cauallerie remayning with a regiment of Fantassins about Fiesse and Rute to keepe the passage then Maurice and the Princes allied followed the next morrowe and ioyned with the Infanterie neere Ziole distant from Enipont two leagues an occasion why the Emperour hauing receiued newes of the winning of Ereberge departed from Enipont in the night in great haste and much trouble with his brother Ferdinand who was come thither but a little before to perswade a peace as hath beene tolde you so as by keeping the way of the mountaines on the lefte hand which leadeth to Trent he retired himselfe to Villac a towne of Cornia vpon the Diane he likewise had set at libertie a little before that Iohn Frederic Duke of Saxe whome hee had caused to be shutte vp in prison fiue whole yeares together and now released him for feare least the enemy should arrogate the same to his glorie which likewise the captiue was not himselfe desirous of being at liberty he notwithstanding accompanied the Emperour whether soeuer he went Maurice being arriued at Enipont whatsoeuer was found lefte of the Emperours stuffe or appertaining to any of the Spaniards or to the Cardinall of Ausbourg was pilled but no harme was offred to the goods of Ferdinand nor of the Citizens And for so much as there rested then but three dayes of the truce which had beene accorded in respect of the future treatie Maurice wēt from thence to Passau but the princes his companions returned backe the same way they came and rendred thēselues at Fiesse the 20. of May and afterwardes published letters at Ausbourg as well in their owne name as in Maurices in these tearmes The confederate Princes letters against the Emperour for religion and the liberty of Germany WHereas in our former wrightings we haue affirmed that our entrance into armes was for the defence of religion and the liberty of Germany the matter it self our bound dutie doth require that we ordaine sufficient Doctors for the Churches and instruction of youth for it is most cleare and hath not any need of more ample proofe how the enemies of the truth haue euer employed all their force to destroy the good Doctors thereby to establishe their Popish Idol and cause youth to encrease therein being nourished in these errours and false doctrines for euen at that instant when they durst not publickly speak their mindes of religion they then studied by all meanes to roote out at the very bottome all true doctrine and not onely haue they imprisonned the good doctors but likewise in this very towne vnlooked for and with great inhumanity haue they constrained them by oath to departe out of the whole teritorie of the Empire and albeit that this oath be most wicked and not grounded vpon any right or equitie yet to take away all occasion of detraction we haue reuoked the selfe same Ministers and Schoolmasters which our aduersaries had chaced hence wherefore we declare all those absolued which haue beene cast out by meanes of the band wherewith they stood bound through their oath we restore them to their full libertie with commaundement that not onely in this cittie but also in all other places they preach the word of God purely and according to that confession which hath bene heere at other times presented and teach their youth rightly and holesomelye in good learning relying vpon our succour and protection We forbid in like sorte that none taunt thē with any iniurious worde as if they had done ought against their faith and oath considering that without any deserte but meerely for confession of the truth that they haue already liued many moneths in exile we make no doubt but good men wil greatly pittie them and esteeme them worthy of being succoured and releeued with all fauour And for so much as those which in the absence of the other haue taught in this Cittie be men suspected and vnconstant so as by reason of their diuers fashion of teaching they may not be commodiously with those which we haue called home We require the Senate to take from them the chaire and to carry themselues in such sorte as this our present Edict may remaine in force After that the Princes had published these letters the 7. of Iune fiue dayes after they installed againe the Protestant Ministers in their places and gaue them againe a great charge to preach to the wonderfull reioycing and pleasure of the people Maurice went his way in the meane time to Passau to entreat of peace where the first of Iune all that had beene handled at Lincy was repeated and the whole matter set downe and explaned at large by Maurice There were present the Emperors embassadours King Ferdinand Albert D. of Bauiere the Bishops of Salisbourg and Deistet and the Embassadours of all the Princes Electors of Cleues and of Witemberg Maurice greatly complained how the common wealth of the Empire which ought
batterie was not begun for that the artillerie came not time enough but onely all the rest of the day many Cannons playde to begin to breake downe the defences and certaine Gabions as well vpon the portaile as at a little round Tower aboue the Towne which greatly annoyed them so as all that night was employed in making with al diligence the aproches and trenches but not without great danger for the numerable shot of artillerie Harquebuses a croc which played from the Castle without any murther for all that or losse of any person other then miserable pyoners The next morning this Castle was saluted with thertie great peeces of artillerie fiftene on the D. side and as many on the Kinges on the other side of the riuer which gaue all along the hollow and euen within the verie Castle so as a wall of Bricke which was the highest was perced thorough by day they battered likewise in flancke a great round Tower at the corner of a core of lodging which looked towardes the North. On the Dukes side was battered a great round Tower seated at the end of the same lodging cleauing to the bulwarke of the portall and this thundering continued without ceasing day and night vntill Tuesday about three of the clocke in the afternone that these two Towers were raysed and battered downe and a breach made at the ende aboue this lodging about tenne pace long notwithstanding it was verie vneasie to clyme for that the Cannon could not fasten vpon the foote of the wall being amaine Rocke Ioynte that they must be faine to creepe a Pikes length and the ascent was very slipperie and vnsure vnder the souldiers feete by reason of the earth and cement which continually fell vpon it But for all this it was resolued at the instant to giue the assault And the Admirall led such companies of French as were ordained thereto vnto the foote of the breach praying and exhorting them with many faire and gracious remonstrances to remember the immortall renowne which the French had achieued for feates of armes thorough out the whole world and of their dutie where with they stoode bounde for the faith and assurance which the K. reposed in them this speech being ended some Capitanes followed with their valianttest souldiers marched on and with an assured gate aduanced forward to clime vp the Capitane Maugeron being one of the first so as they within esteeming him to be followed hard and that the French would of them selues stoupe and creepe in set fire of a trayne which they had prepared which beeing quenched if the souldiers pursuing their enterprise had but assaied to enter the enemies could neuer haue held out longer the walls hauing beene alreadie so shaken broken with the artillerie that it was vnpossible for them anie longer to endure But if some of the French performed their part well there were other which bee haued themselues so coldly that they haue left a very bad opinion of them The Capitane Saragose being ensigne colonel went to it verie brauelie and was sore hurt so did the Capitanes Gourdes La Mole and Le Forte whose ensigne bearer called Le Basque was there slaine and flong downe from top to the bottome and his ensigne thrice taken vp they still being cast downe which tooke it vp so as at last it remained in the hands of a Gascon souldier named Fougasset The Admirall Colonel of al the French fanterie seeing his souldiers thus to waxe coole excusing themselues by the narrownes and euill accesse to the breach to giue them hart began a little more seuerely to exhort them shewing vnto them that if in the K. presence they would make no better proofe of their hardines the good reputation which they had heretofore gotten would turne them to a farre greater reproch and a perpetuall infamie The which he had no sooner finished but the further to set them in a heate hee began first himselfe and after him the more to encourage them Monpesat albeit he had no charge at all in their bands seased vpon one of their ensignes and brauely before them all carried it vp to the top where he couered himselfe behinde certaine quarters and ruines of the wall which was fallen downe calling them and making signe with the ensigne that they should follow him It was impossible for all that to make them take any further courage vnto them whereby some Captaines before well esteemed of were very ill thought of euer after of whome some were disgraded cast from their charge declared villanes and vnable to beare armes in the face of the whole armie which witnessed their fault As the night came on so was the retreate sounded That day they of the Towne of Disnan yeelded themselues at the mercy of the K. into the handes of the D. of Neuers who forgetting their foolish and rash wordes receiued them and assured them of their liues and that their Towne should not be burned to that ende the Capitaines Duras and Boisse were sent with their companies of French fanterie but albeit that these companies were lodged there for their assurance and safetie yet could they not warrant them from the sacke for the Almanes of the new leauie imagining that these companies had bene gotten in only to haue the sacke among them ranne thither vpon a huddle and broke open the gates with hatches crowes and great beames the rest which had not the patience to tarrie crept vp and scalled the walles leaping in in a number of places where they made a maruellous peece of worke and not content with this vnderstanding how they had caused all the woemen and young children to retire with certaine Cittizens into the great Church they gathered together in troupes before it And after that they had by violence beaten downe the gates and porches of the temple notwithstanding any resistance made to them by the French which were within they rauished and trayned out the men women maidens and young children so as for that cause was raysed a crueell medly betweene them and the French which would haue put them out The which endured all that night and vntill the next morrow in the morning vntill the King sent expressely to appease this mutinie And afterwards it was proclaimed thoroughout the whole armie that euery man vpon paine of death should deliuer vp the women of Disnan which he caused to be nourished vntill their departure with his own prouision albeit that the souldiers themselues were in great necessitie After that the French were retired from the assault the artillerie began on fresh to batter the Castle to make the breach greater more easie continuing the batterie all that night while that they sought other meanes to haue it by the fallings of the wall right against the breach making it more easie to clime Notwithstanding the 13. of Iuly about seuen of the clocke in the morning they offred to parlie and being admitted thereunto there came out first de Floyon gouernour
and safe In such and like reencounters and skirmishes there passed 8. daies in great necessitie of victuals and maruelous discommodities of the ayre before Mariembourg vntill that almost all the waggons and carriages were entred in Then they retired themselues to the garrisons neere at hand as also the Prince of Orenge to Bruxels to the Emperor hauing sufficiently prouided for Philippeuille and Charlemont To enter againe into the estate of Almane Ferdinande K. of Bohemia assigned in that time in the name of the Emperour a diet at Ausbourg of the estates of Almane to accorde about the point of Religion and prouide as well for the necessities of the Empire as the particular of each one the yeare 1555. The Protestant Princes sent thither their Embassadors shewing that they held with the confession of Ausbourg according to which if they would giue them suretie they would contribute to all reasonable charges Hereupon August Duke of Saxe and elector by the decease of his Brother the D. Maurice whom the Pistoll shot which hee receaued the daye of the battaile against the Marquesse Albert caused to dye as elsewhere I haue tolde you and Touachin Marquesse of Brandebourg electors the Sonnes of Iean Frederic the Lantgraue and some other Princes neighbours about assembled at Numbourg vpon the Riuer Solo and there renewed the alliance which is hereditaire betweene the houses of Saxe and Hesse And vpon that they concluded constantly to stick to the confession of Ausbourg But fearing least some suspition might growe of any new and secret enterprise the fift day of their assemblie they wrote the cause therof vnto the Emperor insisting vpon the article of the treatie of Passau where the peace was concluded as I haue shewed vnto you and protesting that in all thinges they sought the repose of Almanie they proposed the confession of Ausbourg exhorting euery one to a generall quiet and beseeching that hee would not beleeue any which perhaps sought to trouble the tranquility of the Empire The K. Ferdinande had proposed vpon the fifth day of February such matters as were to be entreated of but for that many came so slackely thither they began not vntill the 7. of March Then the Deputies of the Princes Electors consulted of the byls and against the aduise of many they all consented in the end to begin with the point of religion The like was concluded in the councel of the Princes and townes After a long debate it was agreede that they should leaue religion in peace but they differed in that the associates of the confession of Ausbourg would haue it to be indifferently permitted to all kinde of men to follow their doctrine and that they might likewise be partakers of the benefit of the peace The other side stronglye withstoode that alleadging that that ought not to be permitted to any Townes which since seauen yeares had receaued the decree made at Ausbourg touching religion nor to any ecclesiasticall person And in case that a Bishop or Abbot should change his religion they would haue him depriued of his place and another put into his roome They of the confession of Ausbourg alleadged that the diuine promises as wel of the olde as new Testament in which our saluation is contained appertained to all men in generall by meanes whereof it was not lawfull for them to curtall or straighten them for feare of shutting both themselues and others out of the kingdome of heauen There was neither Iewe nor Turk were he neuer so little affectionate to his religion but would wish to drawe the whole worlde vnto it how much more ought we to be thus encouraged seeing we haue an expresse commandement from God for the fame it must needs be then that all remaine in their libertie Notwithstanding to gain peace they permitted vnto them that they should keepe their fashions and ceremonies vse and enioy all their goods possessions customes rightes and priuiledges vntil the different of religion should be determined But they would not allow the same condition to be prescribed vnto Bishops for thereby it might growe that they should be bound to make warre against their allies of the same religion and with great dishonour condemne their own cause for it were as much as to confesse said they that our doctrine and religion were not worthy of ecclesiasticall goods and that vntill this day such goods had bene vniustly bestowed vpon our Churches Ministers Moreouer we should confesse the Papists doctrine to be holy and their ministerye grounded vpon the word of God and that their goods were iustly deuoted to their order life statutes and ceremonies and what a scandall would it growe if we should defend their cause and goods which serue to no end in the Church and contrariwise we should betray them whome we ought to holde in singular recommendation by reason of the same religion The Catholiques alleadged other reasons that if it shuld be lawfull for ecclesiasticall persons to change religion within a while Bishops and like chapitres would be prophaned and being cut of from the Churches would fall into the Princes hands and so remaine vnto them as an heritage to which they answered that there was neuer any such matter meant but that their entent was to reduce things to their first institution and appropriate them to their true vsages annexing the goods for euer vnto the Churches and to take away all doubt they promised to giue caution that no goods of Bishops or chaptres should be aliened in case their religion should be changed prouided that after the decease or resignation of the Bishop or superiour the election and administration should be left free to them of the Colledge Now after many differents of the one part and other as well by wrighting as by speeche there was in the end agreede and enacted the fiue twentith of September and read in publicque audience according to the custome such decree as followeth the which being well obserued hath maintained the Empire and the Almanes in good peace vntill this present The decree of Ausbourg THat Emperour the K. Ferdinande and the rest of the Princes and estates should doe no wrong to any of the Empire in case whatsoeuer in respect of the doctrine of the confession of Ausbourg concerning the point of Religion and faith receiued nor hereafter compel by their commaundements or other meanes those which were confederate in the saide confession to abandon their religion ceremonies and lawes instituted by them within their territories or to be instituted hereafter especially that they haue not their religion in contempt but leaue them free with their goods enheritances customes possessions and all other rightes so as they may peaceably holde them That the different of religion be no otherwise determined but by holye amiable and peaceable meanes They of the confession of Ausbourg shall in like sort behaue themselues towardes the Emperour the K. Ferdinande and the rest of the Princes and estates addicted to the ancient religion
be giuen of such as shall be appelants that therin they take some of your Ecclesiasticall Councellors such as shall be chosen or for default of them some other notable and sufficient personages In regard of the inquisition that it be obserued to haue the Popes inquisitor deputed vnder him thoroughout all prouinces to be men of good renowne and of entire life And that the Bishop be at the charge and not the accused vpon condition notwithstanding that the processe being ended the charges be recouered of those to whom it appertaineth These things are proper to bound in and enclose such processe within certaine limits Moreouer for that it appeareth that by the punishments of Heretiques how necessarie soeuer they be they haue not amended them vntill this present but onely it hath beene shewed thereby how detestable the thing is and further for that it is farre better to preuent a sickenesse then to giue it leasure to grow and afterwardes apply a remedie you must herein most gracious Prince follow the customes and pathes of the primitiue and auncient Church for shee was not established either by sword or fire but the diligence of Bishoppes hath alwaies resisted against Heretiques because that they alwaies insisted to preach the word of God shew good example in their life Considering then how the Church was by this meanes confirmed there is no doubt but shee would still be able to maintaine and countergarde her selfe if you woulde therein vse your power causing Bishops and Pastors in their owne persons to gouerne their Churches and likewise all inferiour ministers That they liue holily and teach the word of God or cause it to be taught by persons sit And that hereafter the charge of Churches be not giuen but to men able of themselues to teach without substituting Vicars in their roomes This is the roote whereunto the hand must be put this is the foundation vpon which the building must be framed for by this meanes there is hope that heresies will by little and little vanish away But if no account be made of following this course there is danger that heresies will encrease more and more what Edict soeuer can be made or remedies vsed to the contrarie In summe few of the Lordes of the priuie Councell remaining there which would any waies contrarie the same the Edict which I will speake of else where was engrossed in the end coÌ„cluded and after published thoroughout the whole Realm to the contentment of some and displeasure of many other In this same time Charles of Austria Emperour of the Romanes tyred with the enterprise of humane actions no lesse then pressed with his particular inconueniences resolued to put end thereunto So that as well to appease the violence of his Goutes feeblenes of stomacke megromes headach and an infinite of other diseases which day by day diminished his naturall strength as to see the inconstancie of mundane accidents and small assurance in the fairest desseins of man good fortune the compagnion of manie his actions hauing bene often times enterlaced by the encounter of some Signal desastre Iointe the presages of Vesalins his Phisition and other vpon the breuitie of his daies he determined to exchange a publique life vntill then reasonable well gouerned with a particular and solitarie which rather carryed a Religious deuotion then any mundane managing Therefore hauing from the moneth of September caused his sonne Phillip King of England to come vnto him to whome for sixe weakes together he communicated his most important affaires and the meanes which he ought to holde in the gouerment of his estates hee caused the generall estates of all his low Countries to bee assembled at Bruxelles where hee declared the indisposition of his person the good they had receiued from himselfe and the fauour which they might receiue from his sonne whome as then rising out of his chayre and kneeling barehead before and ouer against the Emperour putting his hand vpon his head he inuested in all his patrimoniall goodes hauing recommended vnto him Religion Iustice he gaue him his blessing Then the Prince rysen vp and due reuerence made vnto his Father and Queene Mary his Aunt in the ende turning vnto the people thanked God for his present aduantages besought him to assist him in all his actions to come rendred thanks vnto the Emperour for the care he had of his person from his first age vntill that day vnto the people for the acceptaunce they had made of him assuring them of so good a gouernement as they should not haue cause to repent themselues of this happe and consent Afterwardes Queene Marye dowager of Hungarie Gouernesse of the Lowe countries seeing the teares trickle downe the graye bearde of the Emperour his pale and earthly face rose vp to declare vnto the people that for thirteene yeeres together while her charge endured which shee had receyued from the Ceasareal and she had employed all the meanes which God had lente vnto her to acquitte her selfe of her duetie that if any faulte happened it was vnwitting and not of any her malice for which shee besought all them to pardon her assuring her selfe that her brother the Emperour rested contente This done the Emperour publiquely acquited all his Subiectes of their oathes made vnto him and rising out of his Throane caused his Sonne to sitte therein who presently receyued the homages and oathes of all his Vassalles Afterwardes all the first Seales of Charles were broken in pieces and in their place King Philips were brought wherewith there were presentlye sealed certayne pardons and other dispatches Thus did hee disseaze himselfe of all his goodes and estates to leade a peaceable life in a house of pleasure which hee had builded in Castilia called Iust reseruing onely to himselfe the vsufruite of Castilia and the superintendaunce of all the commaundaries Afterwardes by his gratious Letters to the Electours and Princes of Germanie he besought them to reconcile themselues together vnfoulding vnto them the small occasion which they had to quarrell one with another aduertising them of his purpose to passe into Spayne and howe he had resigned the Empire into their handes counselling and beseeching them to chuse his brother the King of the Romanes whome they knewe to bee of desarte and age Fearing least if some younge Emperour shoulde bee chosen hee woulde encrease the warres among the Christians a fitte onuerture to the Turkes to empayre Christendome especially vpon his nearest neyghbours In the ende hee recommended vnto them his Sonne beseeching them that if euer hee had done any matter of woorth for them and their Countrey they woulde acknowledge it in the behalfe of his Sonne who beeyng charged with great affayres had neede of his friendes assistaunce At the least that they woulde not bee contrary vnto him though some particularities might turne them from ayding of him Hee sent likewise Sâ—uler a doctour to his brother Ferdinando to yeelde ouer vnto him on his parte