done and ministred to our Subjects without partiality hatred or favour which is one of the principal means to keep peace and concord among them we have and do ordain that a Chamber shall be establish'd in our Court of Parliament of Paris consisting of a President and 16 Councellors of the said Parliament the which shall be called and entitled The Chamber of the Edict which shall not only judge the Causes and Processes of those of the said pretended Reform'd Religion within the Jurisdiction of the said Court but also those of the Jurisdiction of the Parliaments of Normandy and Britany according to the Jurisdiction hereafter conferr'd upon it by this present Edict and that until a Chamber be establish'd in each of the said Parliaments to minister Justice upon the place We also ordain that the four Offices of Councellors in our said Parliament of Paris remaining of the last election by us made shall be forthwith bestowed on four of those of the said pretended Reform'd Religion fitly qualify'd and capable to serve in the said Parliament who shall be distributed viz. The first shall be receiv'd into the Chamber of the Edict and the other three in order as they shall be receiv'd into three of the Chambers of the Inquests Moreover the two first Offices of * Laiz Councellors that shall become vacant by Death shall also be given to two of those of the said pretended Reform'd Religion and the persons thus receiv'd shall be distributed into the two other Chambers of Inquests XXXI Besides the Chamber heretofore establish'd at Castres for the Jurisdiction of our Court of Parliament of Thoulouse which shall be continu'd in the state it now stands we have for the same considerations ordain'd and do ordain that in each of our Courts of Parliament of Grenoble and Bourdeaux shall also be establish'd a Chamber consisting of two Presidents the one Catholick and the other of the said pretended Reform'd Religion and of twelve Councellors six of which shall be Catholicks and the other six of the said Religion which Catholick Presidents and Councellors shall be by us selected and chosen out of the body of our said Courts And as to those of the said Religion a new Creation shall be made of a President and six Councellors for the Parliament of Bourdeaux and of a President and three Councellors for that of Grenoble the which with the three Councellors of the said Religion that are at present of the said Parliament shall be employ'd in the said Chamber of Dauphine And the said Offices of new creation shall be allow'd the same Salleries Honours Authorities and Preheminencies as the others of the said Courts And the said Sessions of the said Chamber of Bourdeaux shall be held at Bourdeaux or at Nerac and that of Dauphine at Grenoble XXXII The said Chamber of Dauphine shall determine the Causes of those of the said pretended Reform'd Religion of the Jurisdiction of our Parliament of Provence without being oblig'd to take Letters of Summons or other Citations any where but in our Chancery of Dauphine Neither shall those of the said Religion of Normandy or Britany be oblig'd to take out Summons or other Citations any where but in our Chancery of Paris XXXIII Our Subjects of the said Religion of the Parliament of Burgundy shall have the choice and election to plead in the Chamber ordain'd in the Parliament of Paris or in that of Dauphine neither shall they be oblig'd to take out Letters of Summons or any other Citations but in the said Chanceries of Paris and of Dauphine according to their own choice XXXIV All the said Chambers compos'd as abovesaid shall determine and judge in sovereignty by Sentence Definitive by Decrees excluding all others of Suits and Differences mov'd and to be mov'd in which those of the said pretended Reform'd Religion are concern'd as Principals or Warranties either as Plaintiffs or Defendants in all matters as well Civil as Criminal whether the said Processes be by Writ or Verbal Appeal if the said Parties like it so and one of them requires it before any Plea in the Cause in relation to Suits to be mov'd always excepting all matters of Benefices and the Possessors of Tythes not enfeoff'd Ecclesiastical Patronages and Causes wherein the Demean of the Church shall be concern'd which shall all be try'd and judg'd in the Courts of Parliament and the said Chambers of the Edict shall not be allow'd to take cognizance of the same It is also our Will and Pleasure that in order to judge and decide Criminal Causes that shall happen among the said Ecclesiasticks and those of the said pretended Reform'd Religion if the Ecclesistick is Defendant the Judgment of the Criminal Cause shall belong to our Sovereign Courts exclusively to the said Chambers and the Ecclesiastick being Plaintiff and he of the said Religion Defendant the Cognizance and Judgment of the Criminal Cause shall belong by Appeal and in last reference to the said Establish'd Chambers The said Chambers also in Vacation-times shall determine of Matters referr'd by the Edicts and Ordinances to the Chambers establish'd in times of Vacation each one in their Jurisdiction XXXV The Chambers of Grenoble shall from this present be united and incorporated to the Body of the said Court of Parliament and the Presidents and Councillors of the said pretended Reform'd Religion entitled Presidents and Councellors of the said Court and held in the number and rank of them To this end they shall be first dispos'd of in the other Chambers and then call'd and drawn out of them to be employ'd and to serve in that which we institute a-new yet they shall assist and have a Voice and Session in all the Deliberations that shall be made when the Chambers are assembled and shall enjoy the same Sallaries Authorities and Preheminencies as the othe Presidents and Councellors do XXXVI It is also our Will and Pleasure that the said Chambers of Castres and Bourdeaux shall be reunited and incorporated into the said Parliaments in the same manner as the others when it shall be needful and the Causes that have mov'd us to establish them shall cease and subsist no longer among our Subjects And therefore the Presidents and Councellors of the said Chambers being of the same Religion shall be call'd and held for Presidents and Counsellors of the said Courts XXXVII There shall be also newly created and erected in the Chamber ordain'd for the Parliament of Bourdeaux two Substitutes of our Attorney and Advocate General of which the Attorney's Substitutes shall be a Catholick and the other of the said Religion who shall be invested with the said Offices with competent Pensions XXXVIII All the said Substitutes shall take no other quality than that of Substitutes and when the Chambers ordain'd for the Parliaments of Bourdeaux and Thoulouse shall be united and incorporated into the said Parliaments the said Substitutes shall be provided with Councellors Places in the same XXXIX The Expeditions of the
and 12 Councellors of which eight shall be Catholicks and the other four of the said Religion Which Catholick Presidents and Councellors shall be by us selected and nominated out of the number of the Presidents and Councellors of the said Courts And as to those of the said Religion such shall be employ'd as shall be found at this very time in possession of the said Offices in the said Courts And in such places where their number shall not be sufficient we shall erect other Offices as much as shall be necessary to accomplish the aforesaid number with the same Salleries Honours Authorities and Prerogatives as the others of our said Courts for persons of the said Religion XXIII A Chamber shall also be establish'd for the Jurisdiction of our Court of Parliament of Thoulouse compos'd as the others of two Presidents the one a Catholick and the other of the said Religion and of twelve Councellors eight Catholicks and the other four of the said Religion Which Catholicks shall be by us chosen out of our other Courts of Parliament and out of the Great Council And as for those of the said Religion such shall be employ'd there as shall be found still at this present time provided with Offices in the said Parliament of Thoulouse besides which a sufficient number shall be created to supply the said Chamber as is above said for the others Which Chamber being thus compos'd shall by us be sent into the City of And as for that of Dauphine it shall sit six Months in our City of Grenoble and the other six Months in such another City as we shall hereafter order XXIV The said Chambers compos'd as abovesaid and establish'd in all our said Parliaments shall take cognisance and judge sovereignly and definitively by Decree exclusively to all others of Suits and Differences mov'd or to be mov'd In which Suits those of the said pretended Reform'd Religion and others that have been ingag'd in their Party shall be Principals or Warrantees either Plaintiffs or Defendants in all Causes Civil or Criminal whether the said Processes be by Writ or Verbal Appeals in case the said Parties like it so and one of them requires it before any Plea in the Cause in respect to Suits to be commenc'd XXV It is also our Pleasure by way of Care and Circumspection until we have otherwise ordain'd it that in all Processes mov'd or to be mov'd in which those of the said Religion shall stand as Plaintiffs or Defendants Principals or Warrantees in Civil Causes in which our Officers of Presidial Seats have power to judge Sovereignly and definitively they shall be allow'd to demand that two of those of the Chamber where the said Cause is to be try'd shall abstain from the Judgment of the same Who without alledging any cause shall be oblig'd to abstain in this case Notwithstanding the Ordinance by which the Judges cannot be excepted against without a just cause besides their still retaining the Refusals of Right against the others And in Criminal matters in which they also judge Sovereignly the accus'd of the said Religion shall be allow'd to demand that three of the Judges may abstain from the Judgment of their process without shewing cause And the Provosts of the Marshals of France Vice-Bailiffs Vice-Seneschals Lieutenants of the Short Robe and other Officers of the like Quality shall judge according to the Ordinances and Rules heretofore given in respect to Vagabonds And as for Housholders charg'd and accus'd of Provostal or Criminal cases if they be of the said Religion they shall be allow'd to demand that three of the Presidial Judges before whom the said Cases are to be try'd by the Statutes may abstain from the Judgment of their Process And they shall be oblig'd to abstain from the same without shewing cause except when in the Chamber of the said Presidial Seats where the said Processes are to be judg'd there be to the number of Two in Civil Cases and Three in Criminal matters of the said Religion In which Case it shall not be allow'd to refuse without shewing cause But yet we do not mean that the said Presidial Tribunals Provosts Marshals Vice-Bailiffs and Vice-Seneschals by vertue hereof should take cognisance of the Troubles past XXVI It is farther our Will and Pleasure that our most Dearly Beloved Brother the King of Navar our most Dearly Beloved Cousin the Prince of Conde as well as all other Lords Knights Gentlemen and others of what Quality and Condition soever of the said Religion and others that have been ingag'd in their Party shall be restor'd and effectually preserv'd in the possession of their Governments Places Estates and Royal Offices which they enjoy'd before the 24th of August 1572. the said to hold and to use in the said form and manner as other Governors and Officers of this our same Kingdom without being oblig'd to take new Letters Patents all Decrees and Judgments given against them and Letters Patent obtain'd by others for the said Employments notwithstanding As also that they shall re-enter inpossession of all and singular their Estates Rights Names Dues and Actions all Judgments and Sentences given upon the account of the said Troubles notwithstanding The which Decrees Judgments Letters Patent and all that may have follow'd we have to that end declar'd and do declare null and of no effect and value XXVII Not intending however that those of the said Religion and others that have been ingag'd in their Party who have resign'd their Employments and Offices by vertue of our Letters Patent or of the Late King our most honour'd Lord and Brother whom God absolve should recover the same and re-enter into the possession thereof reserving to them however all Actions against the Possessors and Titularies of the said Offices for the payment of the price agreed on between them upon the account of the said Resignations And as for those who have been constrain'd by particular persons by Fact and Force to resign their said Employments and Offices we do permit them and their Heirs to sue for the same by Law in a civil manner both against those that have us'd the said Force and against their Heirs and Successors XXVIII And as for those of the said Religion and others who have been ingag'd in their Party and had the grant of the said Offices before the 24th of August 1572. and were not yet receiv'd into the same It is our will and pleasure that they be receiv'd into the said Employments and that all necessary Patents be expedited them to that End XXIX It is also our will and pleasure That in case any Commanderships of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem belonging to those of the said pretended Reform'd Religion and others who have been ingag'd in their Party shall be found seiz'd by Authority of Justice or otherwise barely upon the account and pretence of the Troubles and they any wise dispossess'd of the same they shall be immediately restor'd to the said Commanders
least expected and surprises them when their deliberations were already very far advanced and after he had patiently heard them till they came to a conclusion he ordered several of them to be seised Du Bourg and Du Faur were taken in their Houses and search was made after others which could not be found The Prisoners were Tryed by special Commissioners but tho they drove on the business with all the hast they could to satisfy the K's impatience yet he had not the pleasure to see the end of it for Death prevented him and when he thought of nothing but Joy and Divertisement he was kill'd by Mongomery whom he would needs force to break a Lance with him A little before the renewing of those severities the Deputies of the Churches already form'd in the Provinces held in the Suburbs of St. Germain at Paris their first National Synod and drew up that confession of Faith which they retain to this day and the first articles of the Discipline which has since been observ'd in all the Churches of the Kingdom That Synod lasted four days in the midst of the Fires and Gibbets which were prepared in all quarters of the Town and it was held with so exact a secrecy that the Assembly was neither discovered nor disturbed After the Death of Henry II. all things changed at Court except Vices which having taken root there during his Luxurious Reign assumed still a greater Empire under those of his Children The Interests there were very different and the Intrigues much divided The Q. Katharine being Ambitious Voluptuous Cruel Vindicative Perfidious and of a humour to sacrifice every thing to her Passions had a mind to retain the Authority in her own hands The K. of Navar was of an unequal Temper wavering in his Religion weak-spirited timorous devoted to his Pleasure and easy to be govern'd by any that knew how to take him at their advantage and bore a greater Figure than sway at Court The Prince his Brother was Bold Valiant Active firm in his Resolutions and fixed in the Reformed Religion by motives mixed with Ambition and Conscience but most extremely poor for a person of his high Quality Mompensier and la Roche-sur yon had more zeal than knowledg in matters of Religion The Guises were animated with a violent Ambition and besides were all-powerful at Court as well by the consideration of the great Merits of the Duke of that Name and because they were Uncles of the young Queen Wife to Francis II. who being a very beautiful Princess was in power by vertue of that charming Prerogative to assume a great Empire over the K. who was of an easy disposition and even confining upon down right simplicity And besides she was able the more powerfully to second her Uncles Ambition because she was a very apt Scholar in Politicks and knew to a hair how to imitate all the Maximes of her mother in Law as by the Sequel of her Life sufficiently appeared The Constable was a little wedded to his Interest but otherwise superstitious and not very knowing in Religion The Title of the first Christian Baron and the Cry of War used by those of his House founded upon the same Fable from which his Ancestors had drawn that Elogy was to him a decisive argument in all controversies The Coligni's were puissant brave and persons of Great Honour and if their Uncle had not abandoned them they might easily have made Head against the Lorain Princes But he supposed to find his account better in joyning with the Guises as likewise did Mompensier and La Roche-sur yon which obliged his Nephews to joyn with the Prince of Conde whose Constancy and exact fidelity to his Word gave them sufficient assurance he would never sacrifice them to his Fortune All which Combinations were in their first Original nothing but pure Court-Intrigues and Religion was taken into them only by accident the Guises making use of it as a pretence to clear the Court of all those that gave them any jealousie and the others were obliged for their better defence against such powerful Enemies to unite themselves in interest with those which were already united with them in Religion Philip II. then K. of Spain follow'd the Maxims of his great Grandfather Ferdinand and like him in all things he did improved the pretence of Religion to the utmost advantage He had signalized himself by the persecution of the Protestants in all his Dominions to that degree of Rigour that he spared not the Memory of his own Father and therefore was far from neglecting so fair an occasion as the same pretence of Religion then gave him to divide France by exciting one of these Parties to ruin the other All this joyned to the extream corruption of the Court in which debauchery and impiety were made soon after the most powerful Tools of Policy were the Cause why the Condition of the Protestants was rendred not a whit better than before There were erected in the Parliaments certain Courts of Justice called Burning Chambers which burn'd a sufficient number of those who past for Hereticks to deserve the Title given them The President de St. Andre signalized himself by his Cruelties in the Jurisdiction of the Parliament of Paris being vigorously seconded by Le Moine Inquisitor de Mouchi so named from the Village where he was born from whence likewise those that served him for Spies or Informers to discover the Protestant meetings took the Name of Mouchards which has since remain'd to all those that have follow'd the same Employments That bloody Hangman afterwards changed his Name and assumed the barbarous appellation of Demochares under which he is known in History And those Spies or some like them who were almost all of them Apostates from the Reformation were the men that published those Calumnies against the Protestants I have before recited A little while after the people the better to discover those that were season'd with Protestant principles being mov'd thereto either by their own Superstition or by the Zealots took a Freak to set up Images at the corners of streets and to force all passers by to salute them and they that refused it were accounted to have good luck if they escaped only with a basting because such a Refusal was reckon'd a mark of Heresy It 's true indeed many of those Objects of Superstition were taken from the people but instead of being abolisht they were placed in the Churches And since that their Passion for Images has increased so prodigiously that there is not a Town in which they have not erected new ones and where the people are not used to paint them to dress them up to light Lamps and Wax Candles before them to meet and kneel down before them in the middle of the streets at certain Hours and sing Hymns and Litanies all which Extravagancies are at this Day committed more than ever in the open view of those very same Guides
brand them with disgrace But to return from this digression and re-continue the Series of Events I shall remark That attempts were made about that time to establish the Inquisition in France and that the Chancellor who would fain have hindered that pernicious Institution unwillingly consented that Causes of Heresie should be once more turned over to the Bishops of whom there were some not very ill-inclin'd to the Protestants For Marillac Archbishop of Vienna and Monluc Bp. of Valence spoke favourably for them in an Assembly held at Fountain-Bleau where the Admiral presented a Petition in the Name of the persecuted party for whom he begg'd Liberty of Conscience The Court seem'd dispos'd to moderation and accordingly talkt of calling a National Council prohibited all provocations on either side and put a stop to any further Executions so that during that shadow of peace the Protestants began to hold publick Meetings in several Provinces But yet when they least expected it the P. of Conde was made Prisoner his Enemies having gain'd time in that deceitful Calm with which they had purposely amused the World to take the surer measures against him and pretended a discovery of his being engag'd in new designs upon which he was prosecuted with such extraordinary diligence that the Sentence of Condemnation was already signed by all his Judges except only the Chancellor who held off as long as he could and he had certainly lost his Life if the K's sudden death had not deliver'd him from that tragical end which hap'ned so patly for his advantage that it gave occasion to their Adversaries to impute it to the Protestants to insinuate as if they had shortned that Princes days by the hands of his Surgeon who was of their Religion But sincere Historians have discharged them of that reproachful Calumny by informing the World That Francis II. had some natural Infirmities that brought on him that fate that his Brain had no vent at all to purge it self by the ordinary Conduits made for that use as in other men that about a year before his Death there appeared upon his Face some pimples that were taken for signs of some extraordinary Distemper which 't is reported his Physicians went about to cure by a yet more extraordinary Remedy From which it may easily be judged how much his Blood was tainted and how extreme full his Body was of corrupt humours The Estates who were in great haste Assembled towards the end of the year gave the Protestants some hopes that the Q. Mother would be no longer so much against them because the Chancellor her Creature was so bold there as openly to censure all violent proceedings upon the account of Religion the Guises were fallen from their former Credit as not having the same Ascendant over Charles IX who succeeded his Brother as they had had over the deceased K. who had Married their Niece the Admiral having been offensively treated in the Speech made by the Deputy of the Clergy at the opening of the Assembly reparation was made him for the Indignity The Prince of Conde was acquitted and the Bishops of Seez and Valens having Preached at the Court something very like the Doctrin of those called Hereticks were by the Q. protected against the clamours of the Zealots nay she writ to the Pope himself in their favour and seconded their demands for the Restitution of the Cup to the Laity and for the celebration of Divine service in the vulgar Tongue and granted them the first Edict for Poleration that ever was vouchsafed them but she not being a Woman that could long forbear shewing her self in her true Colours she her self stir'd up the Constable to Murmur at it and the more effectually to hinder the Parliaments from obeying it she slily ordered it to be directed contrary to custom to the Presidial Courts and accordingly the Parliaments fail'd not to complain of such an Irregularity and to oppose it by contrary Decrees And the Court fell again into the same irresolution they had often been in before whom to declare the most competent Judges of Causes of Heresy and by an Edict of the Month of July divided a new that Jurisdiction between the Presidial and Bishops Courts authorising the one to judg of the unlawfulness of Assemblies and the other of the Doctrin Preached in them the Clergy having well Bribed them for that favour for taking a hot Alarm at some proceedings of the Estates who were removed to Pontoise that tended to favour the Protestants they politickly ransomed themselves from that fear by consenting to a subsidy of four tenths of six years But the best thing done in the Edict of the Protestants was That it moderated the punishment of Heresies which before was Death to Banishment only In that year was the first rise of the Triumvirate that is to say of the threefold League between the D. of Guise the Constable and the Marshal de St. Andre the last of which engaged in it to exempt himself from giving an account of immense sums of Money he had embezel'd And the Constable did the same for fear of being obliged to pay back a sum of 100000 Crowns And tho Religion was one of the pretences of the Vnion by which they did a World of Mischief to the Protestants yet it was to those other sordid interests that the Roman Religion was chiefly obliged to for its preservation But there was nothing more remarkable in the whole course of that year than the Colloquy or Conference of Poissy which held all Europe for some time in suspence There never was any Assembly that ever made so much noise nor yet any that produced so little effect excepting only that they gave some Alarm to Rome The beginnings of it were pompous and stately for all the Court was present at it as well as several Cardinals and Bishops it began on both sides with very solid and grave Orations but one word which Beza unluckily let fall in his Discourse served for a pretence to the Cardinal de Tournon and others of his party to make a noise and to dissuade the K. from continuing to honour those Disputes any longer with his Presence And so that publick Conference dwindled into private Disputations and the Bps. either disdaining or being afraid to confer with the Ministers the whole business was committed only to some private Doctors and at last the Conferences were quite broken off after which instances being made in vain to Renew them The Protestant Deputies grew weary of being shamm'd off with so many delays and went away when they found they were amused only with vain hopes They spent some Months in reconciling the differences about some controverted Articles but when the persons commissionated to treat of them had agreed upon any point it was always travers'd by some zealous Drs. who made Oppositions and Protestations against such Accomodations which particularly hapned about the matter of Image-Worship For the
Roman Doctrine and the very next day abjured at St. Denis the Reformed Religion It 's true he never would promise to ruine the Hereticks of his Kingdom which the Clergy would have him Swear to Whether he acted thus only through a sincere Affection for the Peace of his Subjects or that it was a premeditated Denial to take away the Fears his Change might give the Reformed Neither would he by any means sign a Formular which had been prepared for him by which he was to Swear one after another to all the Articles of the Romish Faith and in like manner to abjure all the pretended Heresies of the Reformed They were forc'd to draw up one on purpose where Roni interven'd and where without an express Profession or Abjuration of any Article he in sum submitted himself to the whole Doctrine of the Catholicks But as there was a necessity of satisfying the Pope the first Formular was sent him in the King's Name which was counterfeited by Lomenie Secretary of State who had us'd to Sign for him and who imitated his Writing pretty well The King agreed to this Writing which could neither set his Conscience at rest nor please the Court of Rome where the Craft could not be long kept hidden nor make the Reformed believe that he kept their Religion in his Heart tho' he had these different Prospects in this Artifice The End of the Second Book THE HISTORY OF THE Edict of Nantes BOOK III. The CONTENTS of the Third Book Mistrusts produced by this Change Boldness of the Leaguers Renewing of the Vnion-Oath Conspiracy of Barriere Pretence of the Rebels that the King's Conversion is not sincere That he must have the Popes Blessing Deputies from the Reformed on their March The King's Precautions against their Reproaches A Letter upon the King's Change The Insults of the Catholicks Artifices to keep the Deputies from seeing him and to hinder him from giving them satisfaction Project of an Edict A Precaution against the Order of the Holy Ghost and Coronation The Reformed not very well contented with the Project neither accept nor refuse it Assemblies permitted Vnion renew'd with the King's Approbation Artifices for to corrupt the Ministers A Design of a Re-union The Duke of Nevers obtains nothing at Rome The Fears that the King 's and Pope's Reconciliation give the Reformed A Truce prejudicial to the King The Reducing Meaux and other Towns Clauses in the Treaties that are to the prejudice of the Reformed The Coronation Oath The power of the Jesuits Injustices done to the Reformed The Characters of the Chief of the Reformed A Synod at Montaubon Orders Prayers for the King's Prosperity and for his returning to his Religion Disclaims the Province of the Isle of France in several points Assembly at St. Foy Propositions and Regulations for the General Council and for those of the Provinces Secret Articles Sedition of the Croquans Deputies amused at Court Pretensions of the Duke of Mercoeur Overtures of Reconciliation with the Pope The King wounded by Chatel Jesuits banished Pyramid Testimony that d' Ossat renders the Reformed The Courts Thoughts upon the Vnion of the Reformed The King's Thoughts upon this Subject Causes for which it is resolv'd to declare the Reformed capable of Employs The Prince of Conde drawn from under their hands Methods for to succeed in it The Article of the enabling the Reformed to be in Places passes with much ado The Attorney General 's ill-grounded Wrangling and the reason of new Mistrusts Assembly at Saumur at first displeases the King who at at last authorizes it Reasons for the permitting it Necessity of importuning the King The Assembly demands a new Edict and Securities The King 's desired Absolution His Reasons for yielding the first Commissaries chosen for to treat about it Du Perron and d' Ossat The Popes high Pretensions Precise Instructions to the Attorneys for the contrary Testimony rendred to the present and past Services of the Reformed Prevarications of the Attorneys in the Words and thing it self Articles of Penitence Complaints of the Reformed The Excuses of the Attorneys Punishment of two Protestants at Rome Secret Articles believed to be promised to the Pope THis Conduct of the King changed once more the Countenance of Affairs The Reformed Religion which the Death of Henry III. had put upon the Throne was on a suddain removed far from it and the Heads of that Party began to fear That seeing it had been possible to make the King by so many Artifices quit his Religion he should by little and little be dispos'd to destroy them Which was so much the more probable that it being impossible for the King to be ignorant of the mortal Grief they had for his Change he was likewise to consider them as Men who perhaps for the future would consult only Despair and who at least would live with him in continual Diffidence Thence he on the other hand must take occasions of Suspicions and Jealousies and perhaps according to the natural Inclination of Man who never fails to hate those of whom â—e no more deserves to be belov'd to pass from the fear of their Resentments to the resolution of ruining them Men look upon the Presence of those that have rendred them too good Services â—nd whom they for a Recompense have manifestly injur'd as a perpetual upbraiding of whom they think to rid themselves by â—estroying these troublesom Accusers And the Reformed seemed to be in a case of excepting no other Usage seeing the sight of them could not but trouble the King's Conscience by continually upbraiding him with their Services their Misery and his Change They saw moreover that a Negotiation with Spain was on foot which ought to make them fear that the Alliance should be made â—ut at their Cost La Varenne a Man of Fortune who notwithâ—tanding had a share in the King's Confidence because he was one of the Ministers of his Love-tricks took a Journey into Spain â—nder certain Pretences but in effect to propose a Peace and the Marriage of Henry IV. with the Infanta for to see that Princess in the King's Name for to bring him her Picture and to promise to send a Lord of Note if the King of Spain would â—earken to it It is not known whether the King's Intention â—as really so or if he endeavour'd by the Overture of that Proposition to make Spain abandon the Interests of the League But â—is Voyage alarm'd the Protestants both at home and abroad â—o ' England and the Vnited Provinces had been included in the â—roject of this Peace because they feared lest at one time or anoâ—â—er their Ruine to be the fruit of that Alliance But in Franceâ—â—e â—â—e Reformed changed not their Conduct They were content to â—â—rug their Shoulders through Astonishment to exhale their Grief â— bitter Complaints and to expect the Issue of their Deputation whose Members were on their way to wait on the King who had given them fine Promises for
another place And his vivacious and couragious manner of supporting the Hereticks afterwards render'd him still more suspected The King hated him because he thought himself despis'd by him tho' he had done him great Services And if he let fall any Word at any time that carried with it the least Aire of a Threat it was always taken in ill part because they thought him capable of doing more then threaten These two Lords communicated their Mistrusts one to another and laid before each other the King's Easiness the Tricks and Artifices of Rome the Hatred of the Reconciled Leaguers who sufficiently shewed by the Articles of their Treaties their eager desires to reduce all France to one Religion There were also a great number of Lords Governours of Places Captains and Persons in Authority who lay under the same Terrors among whom there were some who having seen the times wherein Massacre and Treachery were so rise made no question but there was a design to destroy the Reformation as soon as they could meet with a favourable opportunity The Catholicks did those who were thus Character'd the Honour to call 'em Brouillons Troublesom Restless Disturbers of the Publick Peace As if People with whom they had so often broke their Words were to blame in distrusting those whose Violation of Faith they had so often experienc'd and securing themselves against their wicked Intentions Du Plessis who made a Conscience of Religion was one of the most zealous for the Establishment of it and a great part of the Affairs that tended that way were manag'd by his Counsels But in regard he was a Person of known Probity the King still put a Confidence in him and follow'd his Advice in many things because his Enemies themselves acknowledg'd 'em to be both prudent and sincere tho' they were often utter'd with great Boldness and Liberty He it was that reunited those who were like to be divided by their own Jealousies who appeas'd those who were over-hot and furious who put a stop to those that ran too fast and found out all Expedients proper to procure the Good of the Churches yet never fail'd in his Obedience There was no body that labour'd so much as he to keep the Reformed within the Bounds of due Patience during Negotiations for Four years together at what time their Fidelity was put upon cruel Trials through the Severity Delays and Artifices of the Court before they could obtain but tolerable Conditions These various Inclinations appear'd in all the National Assemblies both Temporal and Ecclesiastical which were held for naming of Deputies and to draw up Memoirs that were to be sent to the General Assembly which was to meet at St. Foy There were some of those particular Assemblies wherein it was debated whether a Protector should be chosen within or without the Kingdom or whether there should be a Form of Government erected to stand upon their own Legs without Protection But the whole was referr'd to the General Assembly to be there consulted Those Proposals came from the Duke of Bouillon who was for conferring the Title of Protector upon the Palatine Elector or some other Prince of his House and naming under him Four or Five Lieutenants within the Kingdom setting aside the Princes of the Blood whose Interests were such that the Common Cause would suffer too much prejudice by ' em He was in hopes by this means that the Chief Authority would rest in his hands that others would permit him to exercise it with less Jealousie under a Superiour then if he enjoy'd it in his own Name But the Reformed more especially they who were call'd Consistorials were weary of Personal Protection and the Authority pretended by Protectors had caus'd 'em to murmur a long time ago against that which they called Protectoral Tyranny There could be no National Synods assembl'd since the Year 1583. But that which was held in the Month of June at Montauban a City far remote from the Court and passionately zealous for Religion and the Common Cause made amends for that long Interval of lost Time and handl'd Affairs of great Importance The first of all their Cares was to order Publick Prayers for the King's Prosperity to the end it might appear that his changing his Religion had not disingag'd 'em either from obeying or serving him And this tended yet farther to make the Passion of certain Orders of Monks more evidently strange who refus'd to pray for the King tho' he were a Catholick and Crown'd with the usual Ceremonies This Diametrical Opposition of Duty in the one and Contumaciousness in the other plainly made it apparent on which side the Law and Spirit of Peace was to be found And prudent Men might easily know where the good Subjects were when they heard those whose Religion the Prince had relinquish'd pray to God according to the usual Custom for the Success of his Arms while they whose Doctrine he had embrac'd refus'd to name him in their Supplications to Heaven But least this Mark of the Synod's Affection to the King's Prosperity should be taken for a tacit Approbation or Dissimulation of the change of his Religion the same Assembly order'd that Prayers should be said at the same time that God would vouchsafe to bring him back to the Religion which he had quitted that the Ministers who were sent to the Court should lay before him his Duty in that Particular to God and that Letters should be written to those that were usually about his Person to make him some Remonstrances After this the Synod fell for a short time upon Political Affairs the occasion being given by the Province of the Island of France The Neighbourhood of the Court had wasted a good part of that Province and either by kindness or by Favours done 'em the Reformed in those Quarters had been oblig'd to be content with the Edict of 1577. the Verification of which they afterwards most importunately su'd for This Proceeding was disown'd by the Synod as being contrary to the Resolutions taken at Mantes where they had obtain'd a Promise of a new Regulation which should enlarge that Edict and the Society gave in charge that their Complaints should be carry'd to the General Assembly at St. Foy which was conven'd the Month following The Reasons why they were not contented with that Edict were because the Force of it was eluded by so many Frauds that they could no longer be assur'd of having any Advantage by it that something was â—…ar'd off every day by the Treaties granted to the Cities of the League That the Reformed since that time having perform'd many faithful and important Services it was but just that in stead of cutting off any thing from their Priviledges they should grant â—…em new ones in recompence for their loss of Blood and Hardship â—ndergone That in short that Edict was granted at a time when they had for their Leader and Chieftane the first Prince of the Blood who was
had set up this new Order among themselves they were forc'd to make use of all their Dexterity Vigour and Patience before they could procure any firm Peace to themselves it may be rationally conjectur'd that they had never obtain'd it had they taken any other Course This Regulation reduc'd the Number of the Provinces to Ten every one of which was to send a Deputy to the Assembly It was decreed that there should be a Distinction of States among the Deputies according to the Model of the States General of the Kingdom since they were desirous that the Deputies should be chosen some out of the Body of the Nobility some out of the Body of the Ministers and some out of the Third Estate But the Ministers were not allow'd the same number as the other two Estates whether it were for fear that if they had as equal a Voice as the other two they would get all the Power into their own Hands or whether it were that they thought that the Deputies from the Nobility or from the Third Estate being in a Capacity to be also Elders of some Church tho' they were not Deputies under that Title the Consistorials would be always strong enough in the Assemblies So that in the number of chosen Deputies there were to be Four Gentlemen Four of the Third Estate and but only Two Ministers The Provinces were to send Persons of these distinct Qualities every one according as they were in degree and for the better regulating of what Estate the Deputy of every Province should be for the first Assembly that should be held they had recourse to Lots 'T was also agreed that the Deputies should be chang'd every Year So that every Six Months the Five Seniors quitted the Service and gave way to Five others It was likewise agreed that Dukes Lieutenant Generals or other qualify'd Persons should have Voices in the Assemblies tho' they were no Deputies provided they were such as might be confided in By the same Regulation Provincial Councils were erected composed of Five or Seven Persons of the Three Estates and of which one Minister at least was to be a Member and one Governour of a Town in a Province These Councils were to answer the General Assembly and to have the same Authority in their several Jurisdictions as the Council General had over the whole Kingdom and particularly to collect digest communicate Opinions and Memoirs maintain Concord among the Grand ones and appease their Quarrels make the Distributions of Money that was to be rais'd for the Common Cause to have a watchful Eye upon the Garrisons and to take care of the Fortifications and Stores of the Strong Towns And there was also a Regulation of the Time that every Deputy was to continue in Service of the manner of electing Presidents and Secretaries in all Assemblies General and Particular and of the Signing of Acts and Dispatches All the Deputies were oblig'd to take an Oath and all the Reformed to have a venerable Respect for the Persons thus employ'd and they resolv'd before the end of September that there should be a Council of this Nature set up in every Province Measures were also taken there for preserving the Places of Strength whether the Court went about to take 'em away from the Reformed Governours or whether the Governours happen'd to die when the Lord Lieutenant chanc'd to be a Catholick It was order'd that none should be receiv'd into those Towns but Soldiers whose Religion was attested by sufficient Testimonies and to provide for their Maintenance according to the Model of the last Settlement in case that any thing were retrench'd from the Strength of the Garrisons Others advis'd the stopping of the Money call'd the Deniers du Tablier and the Money arising from the Impositions and Tax for the Gensdarmes to the value of the Sum sufficient for the payment of the Garrisons if they could not be paid otherwise and if there happen'd any Prosecutions upon these Proceedings the Churches were to join together to save harmless those that should be put to Trouble upon that account They likewise settl'd a Fund of Five and Forty Thousand Crowns for General Affairs of which every Province to the South of the Loire was to pay Five Thousand and the rest Two Thousand Five Hundred This Sum was to be rais'd partly upon the Garrisons detaining one of Fifteen Pay's partly upon the Benefices possess'd by the Nobility of the Revenues of which they were to take the Sixth or Seventh Penny partly by voluntary Contributions to which the Ministers were to exhort the richer sort This Sum was different from those that were set aside for the payment of the Deputies that were to attend the Councils and the way to raise those Sums was left to the particular Provinces Some Regulations were made as to those that were willing to advance any Money or to bestow any thing of Free Gift The particular Councils were permitted to look after the laying out of that same Sum of Five and Forty Thousand Crowns reserving to the Assembly General to take Cognizance of the Expence and to dispose of the Interest as they should see most beneficial for the good of the Churches There was also Order taken about the manner of communicating Intelligence which was to be imparted to every particular Flock Particular Councils were oblig'd to be assisting to each other for their mutual Defence and they referr'd back to the first Assembly which was order'd to sit at Saumur certain Affairs which that at St. Foy had not determin'd particularly concerning the Maintenance of Pastors Scholars and Colledges To these were added eight other Private Articles the first of which imported the Administration of Justice in order to which they demanded Chambers half one half t' other Catholicks and Reformed in all the Parliaments but that of Grenoble where the Reformed who did what they pleas'd under Les Diguieres were well enough contented with their Condition And if they could not obtain those Chambers they took a Resolution to appeal from all Parliaments Presidial Courts and all other Royal Judges in Affairs of which they have the Power to determine without Appeal And that they would set forth the Causes of Appeal from all those Courts The Second was That they would apply themselves to the Mediation of the Queen of England and the States of the Vnited Provinces because they found the Affairs of the Churches in a deplorable Condition The Third That the Grandees should be written to and exhorted to Piety and Union The Fourth gave Liberty for that one time to double the number of Deputies that every Province was to send to the next Assembly by reason of the Importance of the Affairs which were there to be handl'd The fifth order'd That the Exercise of the Reformed Religion should be forborn in such places where it had been introduc'd by Surprize provided it might be done without Tumult or Sedition and that Mass should be re-establish'd in such
to the Royal Authority and with a Boldness of Rebels who wou'd make the King to understand that they staid there to take new Resolutions if they were not contented with the Answer he shou'd give their Deputy Passionate Historians make every thing on this side as odious as they can altho' the intention of the Assembly was much more innocent The Deputies were accustomed after having put up their Requests and named those which shou'd carry them to the King to return again and expect the effect of their Solicitations and contenting themselves with meeting together if affairs required it but this were an endless trouble There were already two Years past since the Assembly of Saint Foy had been going backwards and forwards and yet had obtain'd nothing and when those which were sent to the Court received any Answer there was so much time lost in communicating it to the Churches to the Councils of Provinces and in naming Deputies for a General Assembly that it was impossible to avoid tediousness Therefore to bring things to a more speedy issue the Assembly of Loudun resolv'd not to depart until they saw some conclusion of the Affairs for which they had met together and what they had order'd Vulson to tell the King was only a simple Declaration of the resolution they had taken And indeed this might confound the Council who found matters went more according to their minds in the preceeding Conduct because the Year was run out before another Assembly cou'd deliberate upon their Answers and this method served to gain them time and to defer them to a Conjuncture wherein the King might bring Affairs to such a pass as he might treat with the Reformed more at his pleasure whereas now they perceived that the Assembly were resolved not to part until they had brought things unto some certain conclusion and this without doubt hastened things more than ordinary and also hindred the ill-minded Courtiers from an opportunity of finding out new Illusions to amuse them But the King having taken the thing according to the sense his Council had represented to him was resolved to answer this Declaration of the Assembly by a Mark of absolute Authority and therefore commanded the Assembly to break up and to depart every one to his own home assuring the People of the good-will of the King whereof nevertheless they carried no other Testimonies than general Promises Such a Command made with a sort of a menacing Air rendred all these fine words suspected The Protestants doubted not but the secret design of this separation was to deliver the Court from these importunate Solicitors who too strongly demanded the effect of those Promises which they had no mind to perform and it is not to be wondred at if this Answer displeased the Assembly since some of the Council who was not so very severe had no hand in it and even Lomanie writing upon this Subject to Du Plessis confessed to him that he knew not why the Secretary of State had conceived it in such terms and he did not doubt but that he himself was offended and that he had some secret reservation The Assembly therefore was very much offended with this Answer and believing they ought to defer their breaking up until they had consulted together what was necessary to be done in this unfortunate Conjuncture they concluded they were no longer to expect any assistance from the Court but henceforth to seek it in their own strength The Deputies were authorised by the Provinces to do whatsoever shou'd be judged useful for the common Cause so that the Assembly was ready to depart having resolved to put the Reformed again into the same condition they were before the Truce with the two Kings But Du Plessis who feared the Consequences of these desperate Resolutions and the Effects of the Resentments that the Deputies might stir up in the Provinces did an act worthy his Wisdom and the Fidelity he ow'd to the King He went to the Assembly and was so far from advising them to break up that he proposed the fortifying themselves with a great number of considerable Persons and to enter into a Mutual Promise not to separate any more till they had obtain'd an Edict with sufficient security This they agreed to and invited such persons to them as were fitly qualified to strengthen their Assembly by their presence All that were in the neighbouring Provinces came to them La Trimouille who had never assisted before appeared there with the rest But the Courage of many Persons failed when they came to sign the Union that Du Plessis had proposed because they expected no relief from the Court therefore he signed first upon which all the rest resolved to follow his Example Thus Wisdom prevailed with them and altho' their Patience was tired yet it was not quite spent they gave Du Plessis time to write to the King and to represent to him the disorders that might proceed from a separation of the Assembly He plainly told him what the Deputies had reason to complain of the Rigours of the Parliaments the Injustices of the Officers which forbad paying the Garrisons of the places their Fears Distrusts and Suspicions and the Proposition of bringing themselves again into the same condition they were in before the Truce And to appease all these Disturbances he again renewed his Advice to the King of sending a Commissioner on his account to treat with the Deputies he nominated the President of Thou because he lookt upon him to be a lover of Peace He applied his Advice to the Example of Henry the Third who sent Bellieveure to Montauban in 1584. to treat with the Reform'd and he begged the King not to believe the affair of small importance because every person amongst them was resolved to see what was to be expected for their security Hesperian who carried the Letter with more particular Instructions upon the Subject in which was contained the Reasons the Reformed had to be afraid with an Account of their Complaints and the Motives that ought to oblige the King to yield to the desires of these alarmed persons As the King's coldness was caused by the displeasure the Catholic Zealots had made him conceive against the Proceedings of the Reformed so it was not very difficult to change his thoughts when they gave him better Reasons for it therefore whether he was touchâ— with the Remonstrances of his faithful Servant or that the effect of his harshness had convinced him that his Counsellors had made him take wrong Measures he gave pressing Orders that the Assembly shou'd not break up He promised to send somebody to treat with them and fixed a time when he wou'd send him and strongly enjoyn'd the staying the Deputies until the arrival of his Commissioner Thus the Mischief that the zealous Catholicks had done was very near repaired by the wise Advice even of those whom they had offended and the Reformed by this Expedient were hindred from any ill
4th Demand The Possession of Estates and the Rights of Successions 5th Demand Vnsuspected Judges Chambers Mipartie or of the Edict 6th Demand To be admitted to all Offices the extent of this Concession Illusion upon that Demand 7th Demand Securities Reasons for demanding them The Election of Governours for the places of security How they were serviceable to the King The paying of Garrisons Private Gifts Debates upon the Form of Concessions which doth vary according to the nature of the thing The distinction of Places The form of Payment The Conclusion AS in the Sequel of the Negotiation of the Edict there was little Alterations made in what had been agreed upon between the King's Commissioners and the Deputies of the Assembly it might be well said that the Treatise ended with the Month of August of the present Year and that the end of the same was in a manner the Epocha or Date of all the Grants peculiar to the Edict of Nants Thitherto the substance of things had been the main Business whereas afterwards the rest of the Difficulties and Debates was for the most part only about the Form and Circumstances But before we come to the Conclusion of this Important Affair it behoveth us for the better clearing thereof to take notice of a Book which came out this Year after the taking of Amiens under the Title of Complaints of the Reformed Churches of France about the Violences they suffered in many places of the Kingdom for which they have with all humility applied themselves at several times to his Majesty and the Lords of his Council The Manuscript of this Book had been handed about last Year and contained in substance the same Complaints that were set forth in a Petition presented to the King during the Siege of la Fere but it was publickly printed this Year with some new matters of fact which the Reformed had occasion to add to it besides some alteration in the form It can hardly be imagined with what cunning the generality of Historians do extenuate or lay aside those Complaints though they are indeed as a Manifesto which gives the reason of the Conduct of the Reformed and makes an Apology for their innocence It is true that amongst them there were some who disapproved the Impression of the Book but we shall not wonder at it if we consider that they had their Politicians and Courtiers who were always of a contrary opinion and whom the Court used as so many Tools to divide the Minds or elude the vigorous Proceedings of the Assembly Besides that part of the Reformed who lived within the reach of the Court in the neighbourhood of Paris being frighted at the sight of their small number were apt enough to be dazled with fair Words and Promises and highly commending that complaisant Behaviour did always speak the Court language either out of weakness or interest We shall see in the Sequel of this History the sad effects of that timorous Policy even after the expedition of the Edict and when it was about to be verified in Parliament But the disowning of a small number doth not hinder the Cause of those Complaints to be most real and all the Matters of Fact mentioned therein to have been the Subject of so many Petitions presented to the King and the Occasion that made the Assembly keep firm to their Demands The Piece is very Eloquent for those Times it moves the Passions well but especially Compassion and Indignation are so lively excited there that it is not easie to read the Work without pitying those who complain of so many Evils and without being angry with them who refused to remedy them There you may see above two hundred particular Instances of Injustices or Violences committed against the Reformed with all the Circumstances of Persons Actions and Time which so exact particularizing of Matters of Fact evidently sheweth that they had unquestionable Proofs in hand and feared not to be misrepresented since they made so publick Complaints and gave such Particulars thereof as made the thing easie to be inquired into Since therefore the Wrongs and Cruelties the Reformed complained of in that Book were the Causes of all those pretended rebellious Proceedings their Enemies have since upbraided them with it will be no great digression from the History of the Edict nor tedious to the Readers to give them a View of those Complaints as short as things of that nature can bear it First The Reformed began with vindicating the Liberty they took to complain which in a Kingdom so free as France was ought not to be blamed in those from whom the quality of Subjects and Frenchmen could not be taken away who had been sufferers so long and who had been so serviceable to the State They declar'd nevertheless that they complained with regret and were forced to discover the shame of their Country by the fury of their Enemies which they exaggerated with all the Expressions and Figures the Hearts of Men are apt to be affected by Afterwards they addressed their Discourse to the King and the better to move him with pity they most submissively shew'd that they were neither Spaniards nor Leaguers and there they made a rehearsal of their great Services done to the State and to himself from his very Cradle against those two sorts of Enemies and of the great Efforts they had made under his valiant and wise Conduct to defend that Crown which he wore on his Head adding that these Truths which were clear and known to all the World had put them in hopes that though they were asleep the King himself and all the good Frenchmen that were left would have thought in their stead of not suffering such a necessary and servicable part of the Nation to be ruined and lost That yet during these eight Years they had seen no diminution in the Catholicks hatred nor any abatement in their Miseries That their Enemies had now if not more Malice at least more means to annoy them because the Reformed did so frankly throw themselves into the King 's Arms. That the Catholicks had even been emboldened against them from their Loyal Affection and Patience as being assured they would never be revenged of any Outrage done them for fear of raising new Troubles in so dangerous a Conjuncture That the Truce which their Enemies would fain have pass for a Peace which ought to content them if as 't was said they could be contented with any thing was infinitely more prejudicial to them than the open War during which they were aware of their known Foes and blessed be God with sufficient means to take from them either the desire or the power of hurting them That a great part of their Enemies had taken up Arms against the Crown for much less even upon account of Fears without ground whereas now the Reformed remained peaceable though spurred by real and present Evils and attacked on all sides with such a cruel animosity
the King could not be admitted before taking an Oath that they would be Catholicks being moreover forced to declare their charge vacant ipso facto if they should ever happen to break their Oath In some places they were sent back without so much as hearing their Complaints in others they were turned out even after they had been admitted and suffered to execute their Places or else they were forced to dispose of them in favour of the Catholicks The Parliament of Bourdeaux had opposed during three Years the re establishing a Presidial Court at Bergerac where it had been setled before and the Debate about it was still depending in the Grand Council at the time of these Complaints In several Provinces Gentlemen were forbid to appoint Protestant Judges in their Fiefs on pain of forfeiting the same nay the Parliament of Paris when yet sitting at Tours inserted in their Decree for verifying the Edict which revoked those of the League that upon the presentation of Letters Patents to the Court an Inquiry into the Behaviour Manner and Religion of the Presenters should be always ordered and that they could not be admitted without giving a sufficient Testimony of their being Catholicks save only in the City of Rochel and other such Towns as were held by the Reformed at the time of the Edicts of the League as I have related in the Second Book of this History in the Year 1591. About the same time the Deputies of the Reformed were told even in the King's Council that they were under a great mistake if they thought they should ever be admitted to Offices whatever Edicts Orders from the Court and Decrees of Parliaments they might obtain whereof they gave instances in all sorts of Offices of Judges in Parliaments and Presidial-Courts of Sollicitors General of Publick Notaries of Attorneys and Sergeants The Parliament of Grenoble though formerly rescued out of the hands of the Duke of Savoy by the Arms of the Reformed was now still refusing to admit Vulson who had obtained a Patent for a Judges place in the same Court and had already been tired with five Years vain pursuits One of the Reformed having obtained a Patent for the Place of one Colas Vice Seneschal of Montelimar an obstinate Rebel who would never be reconciled with the King whom he forced to besiege him in La Fere whereof he stiled himself Count that Reformed I say could never get his Patent allow'd by the Parliament of Grenoble but after he had to facilitate the matter treated with Colas for the Place and bought it of him then the Parliament admitted him to the Proof of his good Behaviour and Manners and kept him eighteen Months about it being even yet uncertain of the issue of this business at the time of these Complaints The same Parliament had taken away the Precedency from some Judges who were ancienter than their Catholick Brethren and had been admitted even during the League which put them to the charge of obtaining new Edicts new Orders and peremptory Decrees from the Council All this was followed with Complaints about many Seditious Expressions uttered against them and connived at in Parliaments and other Seats of Judicature where in full Court they had been call'd Dogs Turks Hereticks Heteroclites of the new Opinion a People who deserved to be destroy'd with Fire and Sword and expelled out of the Kingdom Their being Hereticks added they had been allowed in several Courts as a sufficient cause of exception as if the Laws of the Emperours against the Manichees had been made against them Seguier one of the King's Sollicitors-General in the Parliament of Paris speaking in the Cause of Roche Chalais a very considerable Gentleman amongst the Reformed had said that they were unworthy of the King's Edicts that the benefit of the Laws belonged only to the Catholicks and that if the Court should give a Verdict in favour of this Gentleman to restore him to his Estate the King's Council would oppose and take it away from him as from an unworthy Heretick They related thereupon several Instances of Justice denied to the Reformed of Murders left unpunished of unjust Condemnations without a legal Process of false Witnesses tolerated though convicted A famous Highway-man being thought to be of the Reformed Religion was sentenced at Bourdeaux to be quartered alive and fined five hundred Crowns two hundred whereof accrued to the King and the rest was appliable as the Court should think fit but the Criminal having declared to a Jesuit that he had been a Catholick for two Years past the Punishment was changed into beheading and the Fine applied to the repairing of the Jesuits Colledge The extraordinary Assizes of the Parliament of Paris being held at Lyon such of the Reformed as went thither to demand Justice against the Catholicks of Saint Stephen of Furant were called Seditious Persons who troubled the Judges with their Complaints They added That the Writs obtained by the Reformed for bringing Causes from a suspected Parliament before another were eluded by denying them Letters of Pareatis or Hereof fail not which they were forced to sue for sometimes whole six Months together but that at Bourdeaux they would do worse for there they judged the cause definitively and then granted Letters of Pareatis Whereupon it was observed that the Parliaments did the Reformed more harm by their ill will than the King was by his good will able to redress Whereupon they inlarged upon the great difference between the verification of the Edicts granted to the League and those granted to the Reformed in order to grant them a Peace the former being allowed without alteration or reservation and with a great deal of Pomp and Solemnity as Edicts the Syllables Letters and the very Accents whereof were looked upon as so many Props of the State whereas the latter were either thrown off with a thousand shifts delays and tricks or allow'd with so many limitations and exceptions that they were made altogether useless And here they brought in very pat the great Abuses formerly offered to Parliaments by the League the Massacre of Duranti at Thoulouse and the shameful Death of Brisson at Paris There they shew'd also how little satisfied the Reformed were with the Edict of 1577. which in their judgment was not fit for the present time for it put them in a worse condition than the War had left them in which reflected on them a thousand ways therefore they had not demanded but constantly refused it Whereupon they observed with what difficulty the Edict which re-established the same had passed in the Parliament of Paris they did not forget the shiftings and tricks of the Attorney-General and the several reasons urged to hinder the verifying of it insomuch that it was carried in the affirmative only by three voices They named here the Parliaments which would not verifie it but above all they observ'd the severity of that of Dijon which likewise refused it tho' the King going through
we may enjoy what is common to all your Subjects that is much less than what you have granted to your furious Enemies your rebel Leaguers An Edict which may not constrain you to dispose of your Dominions but as you please which may not force you to exhaust your Treasure or to burthen your People with Taxes It is neither Ambition nor Avarice moves us but the Glory of God the Liberty of our Consciences the Tranquility of the State the Security of our Lives and Fortunes these are the heighth of our Desires and the only aim of all our Petitions Altho' the reformed Courtiers in a manner disowned these Complaints as I observed before yet it is certain that they could not deny the truth of the several Facts contained therein nor that there was a necessity to put a stop to so many Injustices and Violences but they imbraced the Opinion of the Court which was much offended at the Form of those Complaints and would fain have had the Reformed to wait for another time to publish them but upon the whole the generality of the Reformed spoke their Minds in that Book and it cannot be doubted but it had been viewed by the ablest Men of the Party nay it may be easily perceived by the Style that the greatest amongst them had notice of it and even given to the Subject a great part of its Form What most vexed the Court in the printing of it was their being now and then upbraided in it with bitter Reproaches of past Services which were so much the more insupportable because they were just and well-grounded that the warm Strain of this little Piece made them sensible they had to do with Men who took the thing to Heart and whose Courage was not yet lost and that in fine such a long Series of Injustices Outrages and Violences made them ashamed of their so long delaying to satisfie those who deserved at their hands a more favourable usage insomuch that the Court's dissatisfaction served only to make them resolve to handle this Affair more seriously and put an end to such an important Negotiation But before we proceed any farther it behoves us to make at least slightly some Reflections upon this Abridgment of their Complaints First They make it appear That this Business of the Reformed was no trifling Matter and that their Fears and Jealousies were but too well grounded which is the more observable that in complaints of this nature as every body knows commonly no other Facts are related but such as are most notorious and important and that a great deal more are buried in oblivion either because the Complaints thereof have not been made by the Parties concerned or that they appeared less clear or of a less moment in their circumstances Secondly These Complaints do well answer the Reproaches made to the Reformed That they followed the King too close when he was in his greatest Perplexities But this must not be wondred at since 't was at that very time they were used worst and that the Facts here mentioned except perhaps thirty were all recent and had happened either in this or the foregoing Year giving therefore just causes of Fears and Jealousies to the Reformed who were from day to day by so much the greater sufferers as the Peace and Re-union of the Catholicks was more forwarded by the reduction of the Leaguers In fine Those Complaints may serve to shew the Injustice of those Tricks used to elude the Edict in these last Years since that the Edict having been granted upon Complaints made by the Reformed of such-like Vexations it was impossible to renew them without acting directly against the intention of that irrevocable Law In the mean while the Year was spun out with tedious Delays as I observed before and though the Reformed had with a wonderful patience overcome their grief occasioned by them the minds on both sides were nevertheless grown sour and much exasperated the King himself expressed sometimes his resentment nay he would now and then let out some menacing words very pat to the purpose and he had once written to his Commissioners that it would grieve him to the very heart to come to Extremities with the Reformed whom he loved more than they loved themselves This new Language the King had been taught of late since the retaking of Amiens had a much worse effect than it was thought at Court and the Reformed who found it so different from that which was used with them when the King stood in need of their assistance and when he invited them to shed the rest of their Blood at the Siege of that place they drew I say very sad Consequences from that change which seemed to them to imply as much as if they were told that their Tranquility could never agree with the Prosperity of the State since they were cajoled only when the King's Affairs were embroiled but that when the same began to clear up they were told they must surrender at discretion that when the success of the King's Enterprises was dubious fair Promises Prayers tender and pathetick Intreaties were used to them but that when the Court was puffed up with some advantagious Success then their most just Petitions were answered with Shiftings and Menaces from whence they concluded that since new Causes of Mistrust were given them they ought also to take new Precautions against the ill Designs of their Enemies The Dukes of Bouillon and La Trimouille were the most exasperated of all because they were sensible that the Court's Threatnings chiefly aimed at them being looked upon there as the Authors of those Motions made in the Assembly contrary to what the Catholicks called the Publick Good and the King's Service but what the Reformed called the Artifices of the Council and the Oppression of their Consciences Therefore the Assembly was no less importunate than before They had sent new Deputies to Court with full Instructions which were altered as new Difficulties arose besides they seriously examined the Answers sent them by the King's Commissioners and as they had sent some Gentlemen to England and to the Vnited Provinces in order to beg the Intercession of those faithful Allies of the Crown they also expresly charged their Deputies to wait upon the Protestant Embassadors now at the Court of France and represent to them how necessary it was to satisfie the Reformed that the King might be able to give the Spaniards or the Duke of Mercoeur some considerable Blow to make them sensible that the Affairs of Religion instead of being forwarded were delay'd at Court insomuch that they knew not when the end of such a tedious Negotiation might be hoped for and to engage them by the general Interest of the Protestants to see it brought to a happy conclusion The Points left still undecided were not so little important but that they well deserved this warm pursuit The Council started new Difficulties about the Right of Exercise in respect to
and others left undecided for Reasons of State The fifth Demand was for obtaining an equal number of Judges of both Religions in all Parliaments and was grounded upon the ill-will of these Courts who daily did notorious pieces of Injustice to the Reformed and started a World of Difficulties and Scruples in the verifying of the Edicts granted for their Security Which they had made out with so many Instances in the Book of their Complaints that the Court was not able to deny it and thought it very insignificant to allow them only some Protestant Judges in each Court since it was certain that where-ever the Number of Catholicks were greater the Reformed should be infallibly cast But the Parliaments had such an Interest to prevent the multiplying of Offices in their Bodies and the dismembring of their Jurisdictions that this Affair met with many Difficulties and Obstacles The King nevertheless granted one miparted Chamber in the Parliaments of Thoulouse Bordeaux and Grenoble where all the Causes of the Reformed should respectively be brought There was already one at Castres and some reformed Judges had been establish'd in the Parliament of Grenoble and it seem'd that the Reformed of Dauphine where Lesdiguieres had a full Power had nothing common in several Affairs with those of the same Religion in the other Province three Judges were then added to the former to make up a miparted Chamber which at the very Time of its Creation was incorporated with the Parliament insomuch that its Members were call'd in when ever any thing was to be debated in a full House Moreover the King promised to erect a Chamber at Paris consisting of ten Catholick Judges and six reformed and those Protestants who lived within the respective Jurisdictions of the Parliaments of Rouen Rennes and Dijon had their choice either to bring their Causes before that of their own Province or before any of the Chambers granted in the nearest of them The King's Promise made to the Reformed in respect of the Parliament of Paris was not executed but it seems he made them amends for it by creating some new Offices of Judges in that of Normandy and a Chamber of the Edict upon the Model of that which was establish'd at Paris They had not the same Favour in the Parliament of Britany either because the Judges of that Court which were some of the most furious against the Reformed would not consent to it for that it was not judged necessary in that Province where the Number of Protestants was very inconsiderable or in fine that all the Members of that Parliament were so partial and passionate that a sufficient number of equitable Men could not be found among them to make it up Nothing was changed in what had been agreed upon concerning the Parliament of Dijon That of Rouen being a great Enemy to the Reformed they had therefore obtained the Choice I spoke of just now But this bringing up of Causes from one Court to another had brought to the Parliament of Paris all the Causes of Normandy where the Reformed were very numerous and the Catholicks themselves stuck not sometimes to beg their Intervention in their own Causes when they were jealous of their Judges insomuch that this Parliament losing much by that means chose rather to agree to the creation of a Chamber like that of Paris than to see almost all the Law Suits of its Jurisdiction brought to another The Reformed found also some Advantage therein because they were no longer obliged to travel out of their Province and so far from their Friends because also the Customs of Paris and Normandy were very different and that the Charges and Delays were more troublesome at Paris than at Rouen Besides they were Gainers in that Bargain by the three Offices of Judges created by the King in their behalf But for all this that Parliament was not reconcil'd to the Reformation and as it was the most corrupted and venal Court in all France so there was none where the Reformed were expos'd to greater Vexations and Injustice However this Establishment was made but 15 or 16 Months after the Edict Because it was long doubted whether the Clause concerning Offices inserted in the Edict granted to the Marquess of Villars permitted the Protestants to be sharers therein But upon the whole matter it was concluded That the King had not by this Clause deprived himself of his Right and the Interest of the Parliament oblig'd him to declare that it was but provisional The sixth Demand was For a free Admittance to all Offices of State War Justice Policy Treasury and to all Commissions Employments Professions Arts and Trades without Danger of being excluded upon the account of Religion It was directly against the Canon-Law which debars from all these Rights such as are not obedient to the Roman Church and who are for that Reason call'd Hereticks and it had been the Original of all the Oppositions made to the Reformed during so many Years together but it was of such great Consequence to them that they would never desist from that Article because besides the Honour and Credit of Offices which they would not have their Families to be depriv'd of they saw well that if that honourable Door was shut to the Protestants such as had more Ambition than Piety would soon bid adieu to their naked and barren Religion and thereby bring the Reformation to a declining State The greatest Opposition came from the Parliaments who refused to admit them to the Places of the Law But at last they obtain'd their Desire and the King declared them capable of holding all sorts of Offices whereby they thought they had gain'd a considerable Point because that Honour being refused to Hereticks by the Canons their being admitted to them was a Discharge from that odious and hateful Name This Pretension extended much farther than the former by which they only desired a certain Number of impartial Judges but the latter aim'd at no less than to be made capable of diverse Offices which were supream in Cities and Towns of Shrievalties Mayoralties Consulats Tabellionages of Places of Attorney of Recorder of Bailiff of Places in the Marshalsea Admiralty in the Table of Marble of those of the Chamber of Accounts of the Court of Aids of the Courts of Elections of those of Judge or Judge-Assistant in the inferior Jurisdictions of Judge in chief in the Court leets of the Lords They were also admitted by the same to the Places of Master of Requests two whereof had been promised them gratis and to those of Secretary to the King which are none of the least importance in respect of their Priviledges They were already possess'd of some Governments and military Dignities and several among them were even Counsellors of State The same Article had also a very great extent in the Profession of Mechanick or Liberal Arts and in a Word tended to a levelling of the Catholicks with the Reformed by making
Publick State and the rest was set down in the other which was called the little State In respect to the first they followed the accustomed Order for the Payment of the Garrisons furnishing of Rolls of Acquittances c. and they were paid by the extraordinary Treasurer of War but the other was paid with less upon simple Orders obtained from the respective provincial Exchequers Thus ended the long Civil War whereof Religion was made the Pretence The Reformed began to take Breath and the Minds of the People to be a little settled again La Trimouille by his inflexibility incurr'd the Hatred of the King but gained the Esteem and Confidence of his own Party The Court endeavoured all ways possible to draw him from the common Cause but nothing could work upon him to that end the President de Thou offered him incredible Advantages but he answered very generously Whatsoever they could do for him would avail nothing whilst the Requests of the Reformed were unanswered but if they would grant them the Security of their Consciences and Lives they might hang him up at the Gate of the Assembly and that no Disturbance would come upon it They also endeavoured to stir him up with Emulation and Jealousy when the Duke de Bouillon came to the Assembly where La Trimouille being youngest gave him the first Place that he had held for two Years together But he was not concerned for this Point of Honour which would have shaken a Soul less Noble than his He gave way without any regret and maintained himself unto the end with an equal Courage There were many other great Men which seconded him the Minister Chamier was one of the most undaunted and because of that he became as odious to the Court as he was considerable to the Churches There are some Authors among the Reformed who affirm That the King's Avarice was the Reason why the Division was less in the Assembly than it might have been if the King had been willing to buy its Members at as dear a rate as he had bought the Leaguers But that many continued firm to the Common Cause because there was no Advantage in abandoning it Indeed Aubigny one of these Authors might speak by Experience he was not rich and he was very willing to make his Fortune but they did not love him at Court because he was too free and satyrical in his Discourses and disturbed them with the Reproaches of his Services Tho' it was not really so much from the King's Avarice as his Wisdom and good Intentions for the Preservation of the Reformed he chose rather to grant Favours to them in general whom he had some reason to love than to raise the Fortune of some private Persons which he thought he might have cause to complain of The End of the Fifth Book THE HISTORY OF THE Edict of NANTS BOOK VI. The Contents of the 6th Book THE Sentiment of the Reformed in the Provinces upon the Edict Artifices to gain them at a Synod at Mompellier The Number and Condition of the Churches What it is that Forms a Church Uniting of many Churches into one Reasons why they are contented with the Edict obtain'd Projects of Re-union The Religion of Lesdiguiers A Treatise of the Eucharist The Consequences of its Publication Three Important Negotiations with the Pope 1. A Dissolution of the King's Marriage 2. The Re-establishment of the Jesuits their Confidence and their Credit the Passion of the Monks against the King The Persecution in Piedmont and in the Marquisate of Saluces the Kings Reasons for favouring the Jesuits Opposition Marriage of Madam her Constancy the Unkindness of the King unto her The difficulties on the Popes side and their Reasons The King goes on without staying for a Dispensation The Pope is Offended thereat and persists in his Refusal the Consequence of this Negotiation until the Death of the Princess The Advantages the Reformed drew from her Perseverance Difficulties upon the Examination of the Edict An Assembly of the Clergy their Propositions upon the Edict The Disgust of some Prelates The Moderation of the Nuncio Contradictions of the Parliament The Equity of the Duke of Mayenne The Resolution of the King The withdrawing of the Reformed from the Court upon many Articles Prejudices of the Clergy The Chambre of the Edict at Rouën The Mipartie Chambre in Guienne The Examination of the Edict after which the Pope makes great Complaints to stop the Mouth of the Spaniards The Answers of Cardinal de Joyeuse and Cardinal D'Ossat agreeable to the Inclination of the Pope An Edict for the Principality of Bearn which is Received Complaints of the Alterations made in the Edict Article concerning Burials Particular demands Precedency pretended by the Catholick Officers who compos'd the Chambres Miparties over the Reformed Verbal demand upon Occasion of the Chappels in Gentlemens Houses Answers to those Papers Article concerning Church-Yards Precedency preserv'd to the Ancient President Martha Brosier counterfeiting her self to be Possess'd The Consequence of that Comedy both within and out of the Kingdom The Kings Marriage dissolv'd The Decree of the Parliament of Bretagne upon the Oath referr'd by one of the Reformed to a Catholick La Trimouille made a Peer of France the Pope grumbles and d'Ossat appeases him He takes little Notice of Roni's Advancement Commissioners to put the Edict in Execution and their Power General Observations upon the Edict Reproaches of the Catholicks cast upon the Reformed Answer'd THE Edict being then at length Decreed in this manner nevertheless did not all of a sudden allay the general Murmurings And when the News was carry'd into the Provinces several people of Nice and Difficult Palates found that there were many things altogether omitted others ill-explain'd others inconvenient and with which the Reformed had less Reason to be contented then the Catholics The delay of the Verification put 'em to a great deal of trouble and the Reputation of the Duke of Beuillon who had taken upon him to engage 'em to Patience in this particular was not sufficient to stop the Mouths of all the World But the Court had then recourse to little Artifices to mollifie their minds by gentle means and bring 'em to that submission which she desir'd She had her Confidents in all places who according to the Genius of those people with whom they discours'd knew how to vary their Arguments and their Remonstrances Sometimes they put a Value upon the King 's private Promises who durst go no farther for fear of Offending the Catholics and returning their Arms into the Hands of the Leaguers but who had giv'n his Word to do so many things for the Reformed for the future which was that which far exceeded all they had demanded and which was contain'd most favourable in the Edict Sometimes the Prince himself was represented as altogether of the Reformed Religion in his Heart Weeping when he spoke of the Churches and causing his usual Prayers to be
Conspiracy of Marshal du Biron And indeed the Duke Transported by his Discontents was engag'd a little too forward in those Intrigues Tho his design was not to give the King any disturbance but he would have remov'd Roni from the management of Affairs where he had got too great an Authority This Favorite finding himself held up by his Master abus'd and injur'd all the World without Fear and Wit under pretence of his Husbandry which flatter'd the inclinations of the King he made all those uneasie who would fain have had to do with a more liberal Prince The Duke had let the King know that Roni's Credit was the pretence of the Male-contents Neither had Roni fail'd to do the like by the Duke which forc'd him to fly the Kingdom after the Death of Biron left like him he might have lost his Head upon a Scaffold The King would fain have had him left himself to his Discretion and he gave great assurances of shewing him favour provided he would freely confess his Fault But the Duke would never trust him Whether his Conscience made him fearful of his safety or that he fear'd Roni whom he knew able to do any thing when he could conceal a Crime under pretence of serving the State or that both these Reasons together augmented his distrust But that his Innocence might be clear'd of the Accusations that were form'd against him he presented himself voluntarily before the Chamber of Castres under whose Jurisdiction he pretended to be because of his Territory of Turenne And he writ to the Court to demand his dismission In which he derogated from the Privilege of Dukes and Peers whose Causes are of Course referr'd to the Parlament of Paris The Chamber gave him an Authentic Act of his Submission but because the King's Counsel took no Notice of it he found himself no longer safe in the Kingdom and therefore passing through Geneva he retir'd into Germany where he staid some years before his Peace was made During his absence almost all the Protestants Writ in his behalf He gave 'em to understand that Religion was the principal occasion of his Persecution and he alledg'd Reasons which might perswade it There were many others said he that had a greater share in the Conspiracies then they pretended he had Nevertheless they chose to draw up an Impeachment against him tho he strongly deny'd to have been concern'd in it and that they had no charge against him Which could not proceed but from the difference that Religion put between him and the rest to whom they said nothing But neither his Reasons nor all the Credit he had in France could make his Case pass there for a Case of Religion And the Reformed kept themselves within the bounds of Intercession only Foreigners that wrote in his behalf did the same and only pray'd that their Zeal for Religion might not over-rule their Justice in this Case Queen Elizabeth who had a great esteem for this Lord was the only person that pleaded for him in another Tone She excus'd him by her Letters as much as she could and cast all the accusations that were rais'd against him upon the hatred of his Religion The King dissembl'd the discontent that these Letters gave him But he appear'd incens'd at the Synod and the Polic Assemblies for concerning themselves in the Affairs of the Duke And he shew'd openly that he took in ill part the Protection which it seem'd The Chamber Miparti had given him receiving his Petitions and retaining his Cause At the end he continu'd inflexible to all the Entreaties that were made him at home or from abroad But if this Affair occasion'd no more Tumult the King's severity to the City of Rochelle produc'd no Effect that much more extraordinary An Assembly held at Rochelle like a kind of Petty State had establish'd a certain Right which was call'd the Pancarte This Right was to be suppress'd at the term of some years But the King's Farmers continuing to raise it after the time expir'd it caus'd divers disturbances in the Provinces Many great Towns oppos'd this exaction by open force and Rochelle among the rest committed some violences but was forc'd like the rest to submit it self to the King's pleasure She receiv'd Roni himself accompany'd with twelve hundred Horse within her Walls and all the Interest she had in the party could not hinder but that the rest of the Reformed remain'd in their Obedience There was nevertheless among 'em particular persons full of suspicion and mistrust who fear'd that the King had some hidden designs against 'em And others that foresaw by the Attempts that were made that the Public Liberty was in danger of being oppress'd La Trimouille Free and Bold spoke on this occasion in such a manner as made him be look'd upon as very obnoxious at Court Marshal de Bouillon was formidable by means of his Intrigues altho he was absent and du Plessia incens'd by the Injury which he pretended to have receiv'd from the King at Fontainbleau was as much suspected as the rest They were afraid so much the more in that 't was well known that their distrusts were not without some Grounds There was at the Court and in the Council it self a Cabal intirely Spanish who were enliven'd by the Intrigues of the Council of Spain and by those of the Court of Rome This Cabal mov'd all sorts of Engines to engage the King to destroy the Reformed And after having us'd the direct means they took indirect and remote to bring the King to it of which he was not aware For that Reason it was that they vigorously press'd the Repeal of the Jesuits that they had already form'd Projects of an Alliance between France and Spain that they caus'd it to be loudly spread abroad that at the same time that there was a Dauphin born in France there was an Infanta born to the Catholic King as if this occasion had been a stroke of Providence to oblige these two Crowns to Unite themselves by the Marriage of these two Children for the Destruction of Heresie Taxis Embassador of Spain press'd the King incessantly to extirpate the Heretics of this Kingdom and to give that as an evident Sign of the sincerity of his Conversion to the Church of Rome They say likewise that this Embassador having spoken to him one day in Terms that offended him this Prince Answer'd him that he wonder'd that they should go about to force him to destroy a people who had done him good Service and who tho they held Errors which the Church Condemn'd yet at least Ador'd Jesus Christ and believ'd him the Son of God while His Catholic Majesty tolerated in his Territories the Mahometan Sects whose Religion was nothing but a Complication of Blasphemies against Christianity The King made this Answer in such Terms as by his pronouncing 'em seem'd to imply a necessity of doing that in France against the Reformed which the King of Spain
whereupon they beseech'd his Majesty That whenever he should allow such Gatherings an express Clause might be inserted in the Grant declaring the Reform'd exempt of such Taxes the which might impower the Chambers of the Edict to take Cognizance of the Infractions thereof That the Reform'd might be allow'd the peaceable Possession of the Employments they had upon which several Examples were alledg'd of the Oppositions they had met with That they might be receiv'd into the Offices of Receivers of the Tythes That the Six Reform'd Counsellors or at least Three of them might serve commonly at Paris in the Chamber of the Edict to the end that there might be People enough to have an eye upon the observation of the Edicts and that in case of Absence or Recusation some body might constantly remain there to take care of it That it might not be in the Power of Parliaments to judge the Affairs of the Reform'd unless they pleaded voluntary before them and that the Counsellors of the Reform'd Religion who should be accus'd of Misdemeanours in their Offices might only be summon'd before the Chambers they were Members of That no removal might be allow'd from one Court to another without a just Cause That in such a Case the Neighbouring Chamber might judge according to the Formalities Use and Customs of the Places where the Suits were depending without obliging the Parties to appear Personally unless at the Charge of those that summon'd them there That the Registers of the Parliaments of Burgundy Provence and others might be oblig'd to send to the Register's Office of the Courts where the Affairs of the Reform'd of their Jurisdiction were referr'd the Original of the Criminal Informations that lay before them by reason that in several cases the Extracts were not sufficient That the Reform'd might not be oblig'd to appear in person to demand a removal nor to surrender themselves Prisoners unless to the Courts where the Removal should be desir'd There were several others some refus'd or not answer'd and others of less consequence The King's Answer to all these Articles was as favourable and as just as could be expected from an Equitable Prince who desir'd the welfare of his Subjects His Majesty order'd all the Modifications of the Edict to be cut out That it should be Registred in such Places where it had not been done yet That the Bailiffs and Seneschals or their Deputies should execute the Edict at the first requiring and take a Catholick or Reform'd Assistant according to the Religion they should be of themselves That the Reform'd should continue the Exercise of their Religion in such places as were allow'd them by the Edict of 1577. belonging to the Ecclesiasticks but that the Lands belonging to the Order of Maltha should have the same Priviledge for the performing of the Exercises granted by the new Edict as the other Lands belonging to the Clergy That the Poor should participate without distinction to the benefit of Hospitals and Alms That Places should be provided for the Burying of the Reform'd and that no Prosecutions should be made against them for the Burials they had hitherto made in Catholick Church-yards That his Majesties Officers should prevent Popular Commotions and Injuries by Words or Fact That they should not be allow'd to disturb the Reform'd in their Conferences and Synods or to sit among them in the same and that the Reform'd should admit none but Ministers and Elders there and should treat about nothing but the Affairs relating to their Discipline in the same but that it should be free for them to hold other Assemblies by the King's leave to Nominate Deputies-General to reside near him That the fourth of the particular Articles touching Liberty to assist the Sick and Condemn'd should be observ'd That the second should also be observ'd which exempts from contributing towards Fraternities That the Clause of Exemption should be put in favour of the Reform'd in the Letters the King should grant to make Collections applicable to the use of the Roman Church and that the Infractions should only be Try'd in the Chambers of the Edict or Party Courts That according to the 27th Article of the Edict a stop should be put to all the Obstacles that were rais'd against the Reform'd who were provided with Imploys That no alteration should be made to the Order establish'd for the Chamber of the Edict of Paris but that in case of illness recusation or absence of the Person who was to serve in the Chamber the Elder of the other five should serve in his room while those Causes should be depending That the Decrees of Parliament should only be put in execution against such as should plead voluntarily before them and that such Reform'd Officers as should be accus'd of Misdemeanors should be summon'd for the same only in the Chambers of the Edict That no transferring of Causes should be allow'd to the prejudice of the Edict That the Registers who had Informations against the Reform'd should send the Originals to the Chambers unless some Catholicks were guilty of the same Crime or concern'd in the Dependencies thereof and already Appeach'd by Catholick Judges who should have order'd the entring of the Informations in their own Offices in which case the Extract or Copies of the same should only be sent to the Register's Offices of the said Chambers Finally that the Reform'd should be receiv'd to desire the Parliaments to grant them a removal by Attorney without being oblig'd to appear there in Person At the very beginning of the following year the Jesuits undertook a thing which in any but themselves would have beer judg'd worthy of a severe punishment whereby it is apparent that as they fear'd nothing they had found the way to make themselves fear'd Seguiran one of the boldest of that Order being favour'd by Varenne their Protector obtain'd Letters from two Secretaries of State without the King's knowledge tho' in his Name to those of Rochel commanding them to allow him to Preach in their City The Jesuit presented himself at the Gates and boldly told his Name his Profession his Design and his pretended Power from the King The Rochellois refus'd to let him enter into their City answering That they were very well satisfy'd that Jesus had no Companion nor he any Letters from the King The Jesuit made a great deal of noise about their refusal and the King out of Policy not to discredit the Letters subsign'd by the Secretaries of State or not to offend so daring a Society seem'd to be very angry at it He gave Seguiran other Letters and oblig'd Rochel to receive him for form sake after which he order'd him to retire quietly The King at the very time he seem'd to be angry whisper'd to his Confidents that the Rochelois were not in the wrong There were also Catholicks who did not use the Jesuits better than the Rochelois had done Poitiers refus'd to allow them to establish a Colledge there and
in going to the said Assemblies or elsewhere or any other prohibited or forbidden Weapons excepting only Swords and Daggers for Gentlemen which are the Arms they commonly wear VI. Moreover forbidding the Ministers and Chiefs of those of the said Religion to receive any Persons in their said Assemblies without being first inform'd of their Qualities Lives and Conversations to the end that in case they should be condemn'd for non-appearance or Contempt upon the account of Crimes deserving punishment they should deliver them into the hands of our Officers to receive a condign Punishment ¶ That whenever our said Officers shall be willing to go into the said Assemblies to assist at their Predications and to hear what Doctrines they teach there they shall be receiv'd and respected according to the dignity of their Places and Offices And in case it be to take or apprehend any Malefactor that they shall obey favour and assist them in the same as need shall require VII That they shall make no Synods or Consistories unless with leave and in presence of one of our said Officers nor likewise any creation of Magistrates among themselves Laws Statutes and Ordinances that belonging to us only But that in case they shall think it necessary to constitute some Regulations among them for the exercise of their said Religion they shall show them to our said Officers to have their approbation provided they be things they ought and can reasonably do otherwise to give us notice of the same to obtain our leave or to know our Intentions therein VIII That they shall list no men either to fortifie and assist one another or to offend others nor make any Impositions Gatherings and Raisings of Money among themselves ¶ And that as to their Charities and Alms they shall neither be made by Assesments or Impositions but voluntarily IX Those of the said New Religion shall be oblig'd to keep our Political Laws even those that are receiv'd in our Catholick Church as to Holydays Days of rest and Marriage for degrees of Consanguinity and Affinity in order to avoid all Debates and Law-Suits that might insue to the ruin of several of the best Families of our Kingdom and the dissolving of the Bonds of Friendship which are acquir'd by Marriage and Alliances among our Subjects X. The Ministers shall be oblig'd to repair before our Officers to swear the observance of these Presents and to promise to preach no Doctrine contrary to the pure Word of God according as it is contain'd in the Nicene Creed and in the Canonical Books of the Old and New-Testament lest they should fill our Subjects with new Heresies Forbidding them most expresly and on the Penalties above mention'd not to use reproachful or scoffing Expressions in their Sermons against the Mass and Ceremonies receiv'd and kept in our said Catholick Church or to go from place to place there to preach by force against the will and consent of the Lords Curates Vicars and Church-Wardens of Parishes XI In the same manner forbidding all Preachers to use in their Sermons or Predications injurious or reproachful Expressions against the said Ministers or their Sectators by reason that such proceedings have hitherto contributed much more to excite the people to Sedition than to provoke them to Devotion XII And all Persons of what Estate Quality and Condition soever from receiving concealing or harbouring in their Houses any person accus'd prosecuted or condemned for Sedition under the penalty of 1000 Crowns applicable to the Poor And in case of not being solvable on pain of being wipt and banish'd XIII Furthermore it is our Will and Pleasure that all Printers Dispersers and such as sell Defamatory Libels and Satyrs shall be Whipt for the first fault of that kind and lose their lives for the second XIV And whereas all the effect and observance of this present Ordinance which is made for the preservation of the general and universal quiet of our Kingdom and to prevent all Troubles and Seditions depends on the duty care and diligence of our Officers We have ordain'd and do ordain that the Edicts by us made about Residence shall be inviolably observ'd and the Offices of such as shall be wanting therein vacant and forfeited and that they shall neither be restor'd or kept in the same either by Letters Patents or otherwise XV. That all Bayliffs Seneschals Provosts and other our Magistrates and Officers shall be oblig'd without bidding or requiring to repair forthwith to the Place where they shall be inform'd that any Misdemeanor has been committed in order to inform or cause to be inform'd against Delinquents and Malefactors and to secure their persons in order to their Tryal on pain of forfeiting their Places without hopes of restitution and of all cost and damages towards the Parties And in the case of Sedition shall punish the Seditious without deferring to an Appeal according calling to their assistance such a number of our other Officers or famous Advocats as it is order'd by our Edict of July and in the same manner as if it were by a Decree from one of our Sovereign Courts XVI Forbidding our dearly belov'd and trusty Chancellor and our belov'd and trusty the Masters of Request quest in Ordinary of our Palace keeping the Seals of our Chanceries to grant any Relief of Appeal and our Courts of Parliament to relieve them or otherwise to hinder our said Inferior Officers from taking cognizance of the same in case of Sedition By reason of the dangerous consequence thereof and that it is necessary to proceed with speed against the same by exemplary Punishment Therefore we will and require by these Presents our Beloved and Trusty the Persons holding our said Courts of Parliament Bailiffs Seneschals Provosts or their Lieutenants and all our other Justicers and Officers and every one of them as unto them shall appertain To cause our present Ordinances Will and Intention to be read publish'd and register'd kept preserv'd and inviolably observ'd without any infringement and to constrain and cause to be constrain'd this to do and suffer all such to whom it shall belong and shall want to be constrain'd for the same And to proceed against the Transgressors in the manner aforesaid And that the said Bailiffs Seneschals Provosts and other our Officers shall give us notice within a Month after the Publication of these Presents of their proceeding in the execution and observation thereof For such is our Pleasure All Edicts Ordinances Commands or Prohibitions thereunto contrary notwithstanding To which we have in respect to the Contents of these Presents and without prejudice to them in others derogated and do derogate In witness whereof we have caus'd our Seal to be affix'd to these Presents Given at St. Germain en Layc the 17th Day of January in the Year of our Lord 1561 and of our Reign the Second Thus sign'd by the King being in his Council Bourdin and seal'd upon a double Label with Yellow Wax The King's Declaration and
do declare All Sentences Judgments Decrees and Proceedings Seisures Sales and Statutes made and given against the said of the pretended Reform'd Religion as well dead as alive since the Death of our said most honoured Lord and Father King Henry on the account of the said Religion Tumults and Troubles happen'd since together with the Execution of the said Judgments and Orders from this moment Void Revok'd and Annull'd and therefore order the same to be raz'd and taken out of the Registers of our Courts both Sovereign and Inferior as also all Marks Tracts and Monuments of the said Executions defamatory Books and Acts against their Persons Memories and Posterities and order the whole to be raz'd out And the Places that have been demolish'd and raz'd on that account restor'd to the owners thereof to be us'd and dispos'd of according to their pleasure XXXIII And as for the Procedures made Judgments and Decrees given against those of the said Religion upon other accounts than the said Religion and Troubles together with Prescriptions and Feodal Seizures accruing during the present last and precedent Troubles beginning the Year 1567. they shall be void as never having been made given nor happen'd neither shall the Parties derive any advantages by them but shall be put again into the same condition in which they were before the same XXXIV We also ordain That those of the said Religion shall keep to the Political Laws of our Kingdom in observing Festivals neither shall they labour or sell in open Shops on the said days nor yet open their Shambles to sell meat on such days in which the use of meat is prohibited by the Roman-Catholick Church XXXV And to the end that Justice may be render'd and ministred to all our Subjects without Partiality Hatred or Favour we have and do Ordain Will and it is our Pleasure That Suits and Differences mov'd or to be commenc'd among Parties being of contrary Religion as well in being Plaintiffs as Defendants in any Civil or Criminal Causes whatever shall be heard in the first place before the Bailiffs Seneschals and other our ordinary Judges according to our Ordinances And where Appeals shall lye in any of our Courts of Parliament in relation to that of Paris which is compos'd of Seven Chambers The great Chamber La Tournelle and five Chambers of the Inquests it shall be lawful for those of the pretended Reform'd Religion if they please in the Causes they shall have depending in each of the said Chambers to demand that four either Presidents or Counsellors may abstain from the Judgment of their Processes who without alledging any Cause shall be bound in this case to abstain notwithstanding the Ordinance by which the Presidents and Counsellors cannot be excepted against without just Cause And besides that all Refusals of Right shall be allowed them against all others Presidents and Counsellors according to the Ordinances or Statutes XXXVI As for the Suits they shall have depending in the Parliament of Thoulouse if the Parties cannot agree about another Parliament they shall be return'd before the Masters of Request of our Hostel in their Court in the Palace at Paris who shall judg their Suits Impartially and Sovereignly without Appeal as if they had been judg'd in our said Parliaments XXXVII And as to what relates to those of Roan Dijon Provence Bretagne and Grenoble they shall be allowed to challenge Six Presidents or Counsellors to abstain from the Judgment of their Suits that is three out of each Chamber And in that of Bourdeaux four out of every Chamber XXXVIII The Catholicks shall also be allow'd to challenge if they think fit all such Members of the said Courts as have been discharg'd of their Offices upon the account of Religion by the said Parliaments â—o abstain from the Judgment of their Suits also peremptorily and they shall be oblig'd to abstain from the same They shall also be allow'd all usual Recusations against all other Presidents and Counsellors according as they are of Right allow'd by the Statutes XXXâ—X And whereas several persons have receiv'd and suffer such Injuries and Damages in their Estates and Persons that it will be difficult for them to lose the remembrance thereof so soon as it should be requisite for the execution of our Intention being desirous to avoid all Inconveniences that might arise from peoples being disturb'd in their Houses until all Grudges and Animosities are allay'd we have given in keeping to those of the said Religion the Cities of Rochel Montauban Coignac and La Charité in which all such as shall be unwilling to repair so soon to their own Houses shall be free to retire and to inhabit And for the surety of the same our said Brother and Cousin the Princes of Navar and Condé together with Twenty Gentlemen of the said Religion who shall be by us nominated shall swear and promise one and for the whole for themselves and for those of their said Religion to preserve the said Cities for us and at the end of two years to deliver them again into the hands of such a one as we shall think fit to depute in the same condition they now are in without innovating or altering any thing in the same and that without any delay or difficulty upon any account or occasion whatever At the expiration of which term the exercise of the said Religion shall be continued there as while they held them It being nevertheless our Will and Pleasure that in the same all Ecclesiasticks shall freely re-enter and perform Divine Service in all Liberty and enjoy their Estates as well as all the Catholick Inhabitants of the said Cities which said Ecclesiasticks and other Inhabitants shall be taken into the Protection and Safeguard of our said Brother and Cousin and other Lords to the end that they may not be hindred from performing the said Divine Service molested nor disturb'd in their Persons or in the enjoyment of their Estates but on the contrary restored and reintegrated into the full possession of the same Willing moreover that in the said four Cities our Judges shall be re-establish'd and the exercise of Justice restor'd as it us'd to be before the Troubles XL. It is also our Will and Pleasure That immediately after the Publication of this Edict made in the Two Camps Arms shall strait be laid down every where the which shall only remain in our hands and those of our most Dear and most Beloved Brother the Duke of Anjou XLI A Free Commerce and Passage shall be re-established through all Cities Towns Villages Bridges and Passages of our said Kingdom in the same condition as they were before the present and last Troubles XLII And in order to avoid the Violences and Transgressions that might be committed in several of our Cities those who shall be by us appointed for the Execution of the present Edict in the absence of one another shall make the chief Inhabitants of the said Cities of both Religions whom they
shall chuse swear to keep and observe our said Edict shall make them guard each other charging them respectively and by publick Act to answer for the Transgressions that shall be made to the said Edict in the said City by the Inhabitants thereof respectively or else to secure and deliver up the said Transgressors into the hands of Justice XLIII And to the end that our Justices and Officers as well as all other our Subjects may be clearly and with all certainty inform'd of our Will and Intention and to remove all Doubts and Ambiguities and Cavillings that might be made in relation to the precedent Edicts We have and do declare all other Edicts Letters Declarations Modifications Restrictions and Interpretations Decrees and Registers as well secret as all other Deliberations heretofore made in our Courts of Parliament and others that might hereafter be made to the prejudice of our said present Edict concerning the case of Religion and the Troubles occasion'd in this our Kingdom to be void and of no effect To all which and the Derogatories therein contained we have by this our Edict derogated and do derogate and from this very time as for then do cancel revoke and annul them Declaring expresly That it is our Pleasure that this our said Edict should be sure firm and inviolable kept and observed by our said Justices Officers and Subjects without respecting or having the least regard to whatever might be contrary and derogating to this XLIV And for the greater assurance of the maintenance and observation we desire of this it is our Will Command and Pleasure That all Governors of our Provinces our Lieutenant-Generals Bailiffs Seneschals and other ordinary Judges of the Cities of this our Kingdom immediately upon receit of this our said Edict shall swear The same to keep and observe cause to be kept and observ'd and maintain'd every one in their Precinct as also the Mayors Sheriffs Capitouls and other Officers Annual or Temporal as well the present after the reception of the said Edict as their Successors in taking the Oath they are used to take when they are admitted into the said Places and Offices of which Oaths publick Acts shall be expedited to all such as shall require it We also require our Trusty and Well-beloved the Persons holding our Courts of Parliament immediately upon receit of this present Edict to cease all their Proceedings and on pain of Nullity of the Acts they should pass otherwise to take the like Oath and to cause our said Edict to be Published and Registred in our said Courts according to the Form and Tenor thereof purely and plainly without any Modifications Restrictions Declaration or secret Register and without expecting any Mandamus or Order from us And our Attornies-General to require and pursue the immediate Publication thereof without any delay the which we will have perform'd in the Two Camps and Armies within six Days after the said Publication made in our Court of Parliament of Paris in order to send back the Strangers forthwith Injoyning likewise our Lieutenants-General and Governors speedily to Publish and to cause this our said Edict to be published by the Bailiffs Seneschals Mayors Sheriffs Capitouls and other ordinary Judges of the Cities of their said Government where-ever it will be necessary As also the same to keep observe and maintain every one in his Precinct in order to put a speedy stop to all Acts of Hostility and to all Impositions made or to be made upon the account of the said Troubles after the Publication of our present Edict Which from the Moment of the said Publication we declare liable to Punishment and Reparation viz. against such as shall use Arms Force and Violence in the Transgression and Infraction of this our present Edict hindering the Effect Execution or Injoyment thereof with Death without hope of Pardon or Remission And as for the other Infractions that shall not be made by way of Arms Force or Violence they shall be punish'd by other Corporal Inflictions as Banishments Amende Honourable and other Pecuniary Punishments according to the Nature and Exigency of the Offences at the Will and Pleasure of the Judges to whom we have assign'd the Cognizance thereof Ingaging their Honours and Consciences to proceed therein with all the Justice and Equality the Cause shall require without respect or exception of Persons or Religion Therefore we command the said Persons holding our Courts of Parliament Chambers of our Accounts Courts of Aids Bailifs Seneschals Provosts and other our Justices and Officers whom it may concern or their Lieutenants this our present Edict and Ordinance to cause to be Read Publish'd and Register'd in their Courts and Jurisdictions and the same to maintain keep and observe in all Points and all whom it may concern the same fully and peaceably to use and to enjoy ceasing and causing all Troubles and Hinderances thereunto contrary to cease For such is our pleasure In witness whereof we have sign'd these presents with our own hand and to the same to the end that it may be firm and lasting for ever we have caus'd our Seal to be affix'd Given at St. Germain en Lays in the Month of August in the Year of our Lord 1570. and of our Reign the Tenth Sign'd Charles And beneath it by the King being in his Council Sign'd De Neufville And on the side Visa and Seal'd with the great Seal with green Wax upon Knots of red and green Silk Read Publish'd and Registred at the request and desire of the King's Attorney-General at Paris in Parliament on the 11th of August 1570. Sign'd Tu Tillet Edict of Pacification made by King Henry the 3d in order to put an end to the Troubles of his Kingdom and to make all his Subjects thenceforward live in Peace and Quietness Vnion and Concord under his Obedience Read and Publish'd in the Court of Parliament the 8th of October 1577. HEnry by the Grace of God King of France and Poland to all present and to come Greeting God who is the Searcher of the hearts of Men and sees the bottom of their thoughts shall always be Judge for us that our Intention has never been other than to Reign according to his Holy Commandments and to govern our Subjects in all uprightness and Justice approving our self a Common Father to all who has no other end but their welfare and quiet In order thereunto we have always us'd our utmost endeavours to do whatever we judg'd most proper according to the occasions and times even with a design to establish a certain Peace in this our Kingdom and to provide against the Disorders and Abuses that have crept in to the same through the License of such long Troubles and to restore it to its Pristine Dignity and Splendor To which end we did convene our Estates General in our City of Blois where several things were treated of and particularly upon matter of Religion it being propos'd by some that one of the best Remedies
during the said Troubles shall be remov'd XLIX All Places Cities and Provinces of our said Kingdom Territories Lands and Lordships under our Obedience shall use and enjoy the same Priviledges Immunities Liberties Franchises Fairs Markets Jurisdictions and Seats of Justice as they did before the present and precedent Troubles all Letters to the contrary and the removing of any of the said Tribunals notwithstanding provided those things have only been done upon the account of the Troubles the which Tribunals shall be restor'd and re establish'd into the Cities and Places where they were before L. In such Cities as have been dismantled during the pass'd and present Troubles it shall be lawful for the Inhabitants to rebuild and repair the Ruins and Dismantlings of the same with our leave at their own cost and charges LI. Such of the said pretended Reform'd Religion and others who have been ingag'd in their Party which had taken to Farm before the present Troubles any Registries or other Demean and Rights to us belonging which they have not been able to enjoy by reason of the said Troubles shall remain discharg'd as we do hereby discharge them of what they have not receiv'd of the said Farms since the 24th of August 1572. as also of what they have paid without fraud in places not belonging to the Receipt of our Revenues all Obligations pass'd by them upon the same notwithstanding LII And to the end that no body may doubt of the good Intention of our said Brother the King of Navar and of our said Cousin the Prince of Conde We have said and declar'd do say and declare that we hold and repute them our good Kinsmen faithful Subjects and Servants LIII As also all the Lords Knights Gentlemen Officers and other Inhabitants of Cities Corporations Villages and other places of our said Kingdom and Countries under our command who have follow'd succour'd and favour'd them in any part whatever for our good and loyal Subjects declaring all Decrees Informations and proceedings made and given against them upon the account of the said Troubles void and of no effect as things never done nor happen'd willing the same to be raz'd out of the Registers of the Chief Clerk's Offices both of our Courts of Parliament and other Jurisdictions where they have been recorded LIV. We also declare that we hold and repute our Cousin Duke John Cazimir for our good Neighbour Kinsman and Friend LV. We do also acquit and discharge our said Brother and Cousin the King of Navar and Prince of Conde as well as all the Lords Knights Gentlemen Officers Corporations of Cities and Communities and all others that have abetted and succour'd them their Heirs and Successors for all Sums taken and rais'd by them or their Orders out of our Offices of Receipt and Revenues to whatever sum or sums they may amount as well as out of Cities Corporations and from particular persons Rents Revenues Plate Sales of Estates Goods both Ecclesiastical and others Forests belonging to us or others Fines Booties Ransoms or other Sums taken by them upon the account of the present and precedent Troubles and that neither they nor any that have been employ'd by them for the raising of the said Sums or that have given and furnish'd them by their Ordinances shall any wise be liable to be call'd to an account for the same either at present or for the future And that both they and their Clerks shall remain acquitted for all the management and Administration of the said Sums only producing for a full Discharge within four Months after the publication of our present Edict given in our Court of Parliament at Paris acquittances duly expedited by our said Brother and Cousin the King of Navar and Prince of Conde or by such as shall have been by them committed for the audit and closing of their Accounts or from the Corporations of the Cities that have been employ'd and intrusted during the said Troubles They shall also remain acquitted and discharg'd for all Acts of Hostility Levies and marching of Soldiers Coining and Rating of Species made according to the order of the said Chiefs Casting and taking of Artillery and Stores both out of our Magazine and from particular persons making of Powder and Saltpeter taking fortifying dismantling and demolishing of Cities Castles Towns Enterprises upon the same Burning and demolishing of Churches and Houses establishing of Courts of Justice Judgments and Executions of the same either in Civil or Criminal Causes Civil Government and Regulations made among themselves Voyages Intelligences Negotiations Treaties and Contracts made with all Foreign Princes and Communities introducing of the said Strangers into the Cities and other parts of this our Kingdom and generally for all that has been done manag'd and negotiated during the present or past troubles since the Death of our late Lord and Father by those of the pretended Reform'd Religion and others that have been engag'd in their Party although it be not particularly express'd and specifi'd LVI And those of the said Religion and others that have adhered to them shall give over and desist from this time forward from all Practices Leagues and Intelligences they hold out of our said Kingdom as also all other our Subjects that might have held any And all Leagues Associations Fellowships contracted or to be contracted under any pretence whatever to the prejudice of our present Edict shall be cancell'd and annul'd as we do cancel and annul them forbidding our Subjects most expresly to make any Assessments or raise Money without our leave Fortifications listing of men Congregations and Assemblies other than such as are allow'd them by our said present Edict and without Arms Which we do prohibit and forbid them on pain of severe punishment as contemners and infracters of our Commands and Orders LVII All Prizes taken both by Sea and Land by vertue of the Licenses and Warrants given which have been judg'd by the Judges of the Admiralty and other Commissioners deputed to that end by those of the said Religion shall remain dormant under the benefit of our present Edict for which no prosecution shall be made neither shall the Captains their Securities and the said Judges Officers and others be call'd to an account for the same nor molested in any kind whatever All Letters of Mark and Seisures depending and not judg'd notwithstanding of which we will have them absolutely discharg'd and releas'd LVIII It is also our will and pleasure That the Children of such as have retir'd out of our said Kingdom since the Death of the late King Henry our most honour'd Lord and Father upon the account of Religion and the Troubles altho the said Children are born out of our said Kingdom shall be acknowledg'd as true Natives of France and actual Inhabitants thereof and such we have and do declare them to be without their being oblig'd to take any Letters of Naturalization or other provisions from us besides the present Edict All Ordinances thereunto
Attorney-Generals and other Officers His Majesty declaring however that the Children proceeding from the said Marriages shall only succeed to the Movables Acquisitions and Purchas'd Estates of their Fathers and Mothers not willing that the said Profess'd Religious Persons should be capable of a direct or collateral Succession Neither will his Majesty allow that those of the said Religion having heretofore contracted Marriages in the third or fourth degree should be molested for the same or the Validity thereof call'd to question nor likewise the Succession taken from or disputed against the Children born or to be born descending from the said Marriages And in order to judge of the Validity of the said Marriages made and contracted by those of the said Religion and to decide whether they are lawful or not if the person of the said Religion is Defendant in that case the Judges Royal shall take cognizance of the Fact of the said Marriage and he being Plaintiff and the Defendant a Catholick the Cognizance thereof shall belong to the Official and Ecclesiastical Judge for which Letters-Patent shall be granted by his said Majesty to be verified in his Courts of Parliament IX And as to Marriages already treated of either of second or others among those of the said Religion those that shall have contracted Marriages in such a degree in that kind applying themselves to his Majesty such Letters-Patent shall be granted them as shall be necessary to hinder them or their Children from being prosecuted or molested for the same X. Upon what has been granted by the General Articles That in each of the Parliaments of Paris Roaâ— Dijon and Rennes a Chamber shall be establish'd compos'd of a President and a certain number of Counsellors taken and chosen out of the said Courts it has been thought fit and agreed upon in order to remove all cause of Jealousy from those of the said Religion and therein to gratifie the most humble Petition they have made to his Majesty about it That the Presidents and Counsellors shall be chosen by his said Majesty upon the Register of the Officers of the said Parliaments among the most equitable most peaceable and most moderate the List whereof shall be communicated to the Deputies of the said King of Navarre and to those of the said Religion who shall be near his Majesty before their being ordain'd to serve in the said Chambers and that in case they shall suspect any of them it shall be lawful for them to acquaint his Majesty therewith who shall chuse others in their stead XI The same shall be observ'd in the Election of the Catholick Officers that are to serve in the Chambers that shall be establish'd in the Countries of Guienne Languedoc Dauphine and Provence XII As to what relates to the Election of those of the said Religion for the Offices of Presidents and Counsellors that shall be erected by the said Edict to serve in the said Chambers it has been agreed That it shall be made by his Majesty upon the Attestation of the said King of Navarre for the first time and without taking any Money for the same and that upon any Vacation his said Majesty shall provide other capable persons in their room being of the said Religion XIII And whereas those of the said Religion have alledg'd several reasons for which they suspect those of the Court of Parliament of Roan which made them very solicitous to have a Chamber establish'd there as in the Parliaments of Bourdeaux Thoulouse and Dauphine in order not to make that Parliament differ from those of Paris Dijon and Rennes it has been granted to those of the said Religion having any Suits depending in the said Parliament in case they will not receive those of the Chamber that shall be erected there for Judges to apply themselves to his said Majesty and Letters of Transferation shall be allow'd them by him in the Chamber of the Parliament of Paris ordain'd for the Administration of Justice to those of the said Religion or to the Great Council for Processes mov'd or to be mov'd before any Plea in the Cause bringing good and due Attestations along with them of their being of the said pretended Reform'd Religion XIV His said Majesty also wills and means That the said Chambers compos'd and establish'd in the said Parliaments for the distribution of Justice to those of the said Religion shall be reunited and incorporated in the said Parliaments when need shall require and when the Causes which have mov'd his said Majesty to establish them shall cease and shall no longer subsist among his subjects XV. To those ends the Presidents and Counsellors who shall be invested with the Offices newly created into the said Chambers shall be nam'd Presidents and Counsellors of the Courts of Parliament each in that into which they shall be establish'd and reckon'd in the number of the Presidents and Counsellors of the said Courts and shall enjoy the same Salaries Authorities Prerogatives as the Presidents and Counsellors of the other Courts XVI The Examination of which Presidents and Counsellors newly chosen shall be made by his Majesty's Privy Council or by the said Chambers each one within its Precinct when there shall be a sufficient Number of them and yet the accustom'd Oath shall be taken by them in the Courts where the said Chambers shall be establish'd except those of the said Chamber of Languedoc who shall take it before the Lord Chancellor or in the said Chamber when it shall be establish'd XVII In the said Chamber of Languedoc there shall be two Substitutes of his Majesties Attorny and Advocate The Attorney's shall be a Catholick and the other of the aforesaid Religion who shall have sufficient Salaries from his said Majesty XVIII There shall also be two Committees of the Parliament of Thoulouse the one Civil the other Criminal which the Registers shall be responsible for XIX Moreover some Messengers shall be appointed who shall be taken out of the said Court or elsewhere according to the King's pleasure as many as shall be necessary for the Service of the said Chamber XX. The Session of which shall be appointed by his Majesty and remov'd to such Cities and Parts of the said Country of Languedoc as his said Majesty shall think fit for the convenience of his Subjects XXI Whereas those of the said Religion have made complaints that from the Publication of the Edict made in the year 1572. to the day of the Publication of this that shall be now there have been several Prescriptions Nonsuits or Judgments given against those of the said Religion in places where the Suits have neither been heard nor defended and that tho they have desired a removal to the Party-Chambers it has been denied them It is granted them that in case they can give sufficient proof of the same they shall be receiv'd in their first Condition again XXII Likewise upon the Remonstrances that have been made by the King of Navar and the Prince
our selves to what may concern the Glory of his Holy Name and Service and in procuring his being ador'd and pray'd unto by all our Subjects And that since it is not his pleasure as yet to grant that it may be done in one and the same Form of Religion it may be done at least with one and the same Intention and with such Rules that it may occasion no Troubles or Tumults among them And that both we and all this Kingdom may always deserve the Glorious Title of Most Christian which has been so long and so deservedly acquir'd And by the same means to remove the Cause of the Grievances and Troubles which might arise hereafter upon the point of Religion which has always been the most prevailing and most dangerous of all others Therefore observing that this Affair is of very great Importance and worthy of weighty Consideration after a resolving of all the Petitions and Complaints of our Catholick Subjects and having also permitted our said Subjects of the said pretended Reform'd Religion to Assemble by Deputies to draw theirs and to put all their Remonstrances together and having conferr'd several times with them upon this Subject and review'd the precedent Edicts We have thought fit at this time upon the whole to give our said Subjects a Universal Clear Intelligible and Absolute Law by which they shall be limited and govern'd in all differences that have heretofore happen'd among them upon that Subject or that may hereafter happen whereby both Parties may remain satisfi'd according as the nature of the time can allow it We being entred into this Deliberation for no other end but the Zeal we have for the Service of God in order that henceforward it may be perform'd by all our said Subjects and to establish a firm and perpetual Peace among them Wherein we implore and expect from his Divine Goodness the same Protection and Favour which he has ever visibly conferr'd upon this Kingdom from the first Erection thereof and during the many Ages it has continued and that he would bestow the Grace upon our said Subjects truly to apprehend that in the Observation of this our Ordinance next to their Duty towards God and towards all Men consists the main foundation of their Union Concord Tranquility and Quiet and the Restauration of this State to its Pristine Splendor Wealth and Power As we on our part do promise to have it exactly perform'd without permitting it to be any wise transgress'd For these reasons having by the Advice of the Princes of our Blood other Princes and Officers of our Crown and other Great and Notable Persons of our Council of State about us maturely and diligently weigh'd and consider'd the whole business We have by this Edict perpetual and irrevocable denounc'd declar'd and ordain'd and do denounce declare and ordain I. First That the Remembrance of all things pass'd on both sides from the beginning of March 1585. until our coming to the Crown and during the other precedent Troubles or upon the account thereof shall remain extinguish'd and ras'd out as matters that never had happen'd And it shall not be lawful for our Attorneys-General or other Persons whatever publick or private at any time or upon any occasion soever to make mention of or to Commence any Process or Suit thereupon in any Courts or Jurisdictions whatsoever II. We forbid all our Subjects of what Estate or Quality soever theybe To renew the Remembrance thereof To assail urge injure or provoke one another by way of Reproach of what is past upon any cause or pretence whatever To Dispute Contest Quarrel or Outrage or Offend each other about it by Word or Deed but to contain themselves and live peaceably together as Brethren Friends and Fellow-Citizens on pain for the Delinquents of being punish'd as Infractors of the Peace and Disturbers of the publick Quiet III. We ordain That the Catholick Apostolick Roman Religion shall be re-establish'd and restor'd in all Places and Parts of this our Kingdom and Countries under our Obedience where the Exercise thereof has been interrupted there to be peaceably and freely put in practice without any hinderance or disturbance Forbidding most expresly all Persons of what Estate Quality or Condition soever on the Penalties abovemention'd To trouble molest or disturb the Ecclesiasticks in the Celebration of Divine Service the injoying and taking of Tythes the Fruits and Revenues of their Benefices with all other Rights and Immunities appertaining unto them and that all those who during the Troubles have seiz'd the Churches Houses Goods and Revenues belonging to the said Ecclesiasticks detain and possess them shall surrender unto them the intire Possession and peaceable Injoyment thereof with such Titles Liberties and Security as they injoy'd before their being dispossess'd of the same Also expresly forbidding those of the said Pretended Reform'd Religion to Preach or perform any other Exercise of the said Religion in the Churches Houses and Habitations of the said Ecclesiasticks IV. It shall remain at the choice of the said Ecclesiasticks to buy the Houses and Buildings erected in prophane Places whereof they were dispossess'd during the Troubles or else to constrain the Possessors of the said Buildings to buy the Ground the whole according to the Estimation that shall be made thereof by experienc'd Men agreed upon by the Parties and in case they should not agree the Judges of the Place shall appoint some reserving ever to the said Possessors their recourse against whomsoever it shall belong And where the said Ecclesiasticks shall constrain the Possessors to purchase the Ground the Money it shall be valued at shall not be put into their hands but shall remain in the hands of the said Possessors to be improv'd at the rate of 5 per Cent. until it be employ'd for the benefit of the Church which shall be done within the space of a year And the said Term being pass'd in case the Purchaser will no longer continue the said Rent he shall be discharg'd thereof consigning the said Money into the hands of salvable Persons by Authority and Order of Justice And as for Sacred Places Information thereof shall be given by the Commissaries who shall be ordain'd for the Execution of the present Edict in order to our taking a course for the same V. Nevertheless no Grounds and Places imploy'd for the Reparations and Fortifications of Cities and other Places within our Kingdom or the materials therein us'd shall be claim'd or recover'd by the said Ecclesiasticks or other Persons publick or private until the said Reparations and Fortifications are demolish'd by our Ordinances VI. And to remove all occasions of Contention and Trouble from among our Subjects we have and do permit those of the said Pretended Reform'd Religion to live and reside in all the Cities and Places within this our Kingdom and Countries under our Obedience without being examin'd molested troubled or constrain'd to do any thing in matter of Religion against their Conscience or examin'd in
Chancery of the Chamber of Bourdeaux shall be perform'd in the presence of two Councellors of the said Chamber of which the one shall be a Catholick and the other of the said pretended Reform'd Religion in the absence of one of the Masters of Request of our Hôtell or Houshold And one of the Notaries and Secretaries of the said Court of Parliament of Bourdeaux shall reside in the place where the said Chamber shall be establish'd or else one of the Secretaries in ordinary of the Chancery to sign the Expeditions of the said Chancery XL. We will and command That in the said Chamber of Bourdeaux there be two Committees of the Register of the said Parliament the one Civil the other Criminal who shall officiate by our Commissions and shall be call'd Committees of the Registry Civil and Criminal and therefore shall neither be displac'd nor revok'd by the said Registers or chief Clerks of Parliament yet they shall be oblig'd to yield the Profit of the said Registries to the said Register the whâ—h Committees shall receive Salaries from the said Registers according as it shall be thought â—t and order'd by the said Chamber Moreover Catholick Messengers shall be appointed there who shall be taken out of the said Court or elsewhere according to our Pleasure besides which two new ones shall be erected being of the said Religion without their paying any Fees All the said Messengers shall be govern'd by the said Chamber both as to the execution and precinct of their Office as well as the Fees they shall receive A Commission shall also be dispatch'd for a Pay-master of Salaries and a Receiver of the Fines levy'd by the Chamber who shall be chosen by us in case the said Chamber be establish'd in any place but the said City and the Commission heretofore granted to the Pay-master of the Salaries of the Chamber of Castres shall remain in full force and the Commission of Receiver of the Fines levy'd by the said Chamber shall be annex'd to the said Office XLI Sufficient Assignations shall be provided for the Pensions or Sallaries of the Officers of the Chambers ordain'd by this Edict XLII The Presidents Counsellors and other Catholick Officers of the said Chambers shall be continu'd as long as possible may be and as we shall find it most expedient for our Service and the good of our Subjects And in dismissing some others shall be appointed in their room before their departure and they shall not during the time of their waiting absent themselves or depart from the said Chambers without their leave which shall be judg'd by the Proceedings of the Ordinance XLIII The said Chambers shall be establish'd within six Months during which if the Establishment continue so long a setling the Suits mov'd or to be mov'd in which those of the said Religion shall be Parties within the Jurisdiction of our Parliaments of Paris Roan Dijon and Rennes shall be remov'd or summon'd to the Chamber at present establish'd at Paris by vertue of the Edict of the Year 1577. or else to the great Council at the Election and Choice of those of the said Religion if they require it Those that are of the Parliament of Bourdeaux into the Chamber of Castres or to the said Great Council at their choice And those that are of Provence to the Parliament of Grenoble And in case the said Chambers be not establish'd within three months after the Presentation there made of this our present Edict such of our Parliaments as shall have made refusal thereof shall be prohibited to take cognizance or judge the Causes of those of the said Religion XLIV Suits not yet determin'd depending in the said Courts of Parliament and Grand Council of the nature abovesaid shall be return'd in what state soever they stand into the said Chambers each Cause to its Court of Reference in case one of the Parties of the said Religion requires it within four months after the establishment thereof and as for such as shall be discontinu'd and are not in a state to come to trial the abovemention'd of the said Religion shall be oblig'd to make a Declaration at the first intimation and signification they shall receive of the pursuit and the said Term being expir'd they shall no longer be receiv'd to demand the said Returns XLV The said Chambers of Grenoble and Bourdeaux as well as that of Chartres shall observe the Stile and Forms of the Parliaments within the Jurisdictions of which they shall be establish'd and shall judge in equal numbers both of the one and other Religion unless the Parties agree to the contrary XLVI All the Judges to whom the Executions Decrees Commissions of the said Chambers and Letters obtain'd out of their Chanceries shall be directed as also all Messengers and Serjeants shall be bound to put them in execution and the Messengers and Serjeants shall also be oblig'd to serve all their Warrants in all parts of the Kingdom without demanding Placet Visa nor Pareatis on pein of suspension of their Places and paying the Damages Charges and Interests of the Parties the Censure whereof shall belong to the said Chambers XLVII No removal of Causes shall be allow'd the tryal of which is referr'd to the said Chambers unless in the case of the Ordinances the return whereof shall be made to the nearest Chamber establish'd according to our Edict And the Issues of Suits of the said Chambers shall be try'd in the next Chamber observing the proportion and Forms of the said Chamber from whence the Processes shall proceed except for the Chambers of the Edict in our Parliament of Paris where the said Party Suits shall be dispos'd of in the said Chamber by Judges that shall be by us nominated by our particular Letters to this end unless the Parties had rather attend the Renovation of the said Chamber And if it should happen that one and the same Suit should pass through all the Party Chambers the issue thereof shall be return'd to the said Chamber of Paris XLVIII Refusals propos'd against the Presidents and Counsellors of the Party-Chambers shall be allow'd to the number of six to which number the Parties shall be restrain'd otherwise they shall go forward without any regard to the said Refusals XLIX The Examination of Presidents and Counsellors newly erected in the said Party Cambers shall be perform'd by our Privy Council or by the said Chambers each one within its Precinct when their number shall be sufficient Nevertheless the usual Oath shall by them be taken in the Courts where the said Chamber shall be establish'd and upon their refusal in our Privy Council except those of the Chamber of Languedoc who shall take their Oath before our Chancellor or in the said Chamber L. We will and ordain That the reception of our Officers of the said Religion shall be judg'd in the said Party Chambers by the plurality of Voices as it is usual in other Judgments it not being requisite that the Voices
send Deputies to obtain his favour Threatning while they Intreat Arming while they Implore his Mercy amidst a thousand Terrors by submissions and intreaties executing while they hesitate and are deliberating taking of Places the keeping of which is still allow'd them for some years turning out their Governours violating his own Briefs while they to avoid the reproach of taking Arms with too much precipitation differ to put themselves in a posture of Defence which in a word ruins them half before the War is declar'd against them If to all this you add a world of infidelities committed by the Council of that Prince the constant practice of the Roman Church in what relates to Treaties made with Hereticks Henry the 3d's Declaration the Maxims of which had been inspir'd to that King by the Jesuits who had had the care of his Education that surprisiing Declaration by which Henry the 3d. had acquainted the World that the Reform'd ought never to trust to his Word when ever he made a Peace with them because he would never do it unless it were in order to take his time better and to renew the War again with advantage If I say we add all this and several other considerations that may be drawn out of History it will appear clearly that the Reform'd were more than convinc'd that their Enemies design'd to exterminate them That they kept barely upon the defensive That they were forc'd to take Arms but too late for their preservation That they tarry'd untill the Catholicks proceeded from craft to threatnings and from threatnings to effects before they lost their patience That a Peace was only granted to deceive them That they did not break it neither the first or second time whatever their Enemies say and in a word that they only defended themselves weakly and as it were in going back against a manifest Aggression Their King had at that time evidently renounced the Title of common Father of his Country as well as Henry the 3d. and by enâ—ndeavouring to destroy a numerous and very potent part of his Subjects he had given them a Just occasion to defend themselves The Chatholicks would never have had so much Patience had they foreseen at as great a distance that a Prince design'd I will not say to destroy their Religion and their main Privileges but only to retrench one of their most useless Ceremonies and as I may say to extinguish one of the Tapers of their Alters I will not insist on the secret design of the Court of France to deprive the People in General and without distinction of Religion of the remainder of their Liberty The Potent Cities of their Revenues Privileges Exemptions and Franchises The Nobility of their Lustre and Credit The Parliaments of their Power and Majesty This design was cover'd with the pretence of Religion while the Reform'd had Citys in their Power However the Court express'd it self so clearly about the Case of Rochel that no body could pretend to be Ignorant of the reasons they had to declare a War That City was under Subjection without being a Slave It was in France partly what the Imperial City's are in Germany The King Commanded in it but the Authority of that command was limited by Laws The King had been perswaded not to content himself with that limited Power What they desir'd of the Rochilois was only to renounce acquir'd advantages which had been confirm'd and as it were consecrated by Treaties by Services by Edicts by all that is most holy and most inviolable in humane Right Therefore that City was ruin'd only because they were unwilling to submit to slavery So that the War that was wag'd against it tho useful according to a certain Policy which allows everything Just that succeeds was nevertheless at the bottom the most manifest oppression that ever was heard of as well as that of the Principality of Bearn But I should be too Prolix if I should urge all that could be said to prove that the resistance of that Place and of all the Reform'd was not unlawful As for the third degree in which this History represents the Reform'd I have no long remarks to make upon it The Decay of their Religion appears in it in a thousand wayes Their Enemies begin to quarel with them upon the least Trifles Annexes Synods Books Projects of reunion the Rights of Temples and several other Articles become continual occasions of Debates and Disputes Offices and Trades the exemption of Ministers the Rights of professing their Religion the Liberty of abiding in all parts of the Kingdom become the subject of a thousand Contestations The Respect â—â—e to the misteries of the Roman Religion according to their pretentions expose the Reform'd to a thousand Troubles To all the enterprises of the Clergy to the violence of their Harangues and of their Petitions and to the progress of their designs against them whereby it is easie to judge that their Ruin was Sworn â—he Death of the Cardinal soon after follow'd by the â—ing by a Minority by a weak and wavering Regency by reason of the Ministry of a Stranger not well settled yet prov'd the true reason of their being allow'd some years Respite THE HISTORY OF THE Edict of Nantes VOL. II. BOOK I. A Summary of the Contents of the First Book The Court is surpris'd at the Death of the King Precautions us'd to prevent Disorder The Regency is given to the Queen The condition of the Reform'd who are dieaded and are afraid themselves False measures taken by the Duke of Sully He is advis'd to look to himself He is kindly entertaind at Court The Marshal Duke of Bouillon serves the Queen The Edicts confirm'd by a Declaration Remarkable Expressions The free Exercise of Religion confirm'd at Charenton The Reform'd deceiv'd by those Artifices think themselves secure New reasons of Diffidence which awaken them The Vengeance of the King's Death is neglected Impudence of Aubigni and Cotton the Jesuits The Court avoids penetrating into the Causes of the King's Death Prisoners releas'd Suspicions of the most speculative The double Alliance with Spain is resolv'd upon The Marshal of Bouillon endeavours to gain the Prince of Conde to side with the Reform'd again but in vaâ—n * Cahiers answer'd Disgrace of the Duke of Sully who is remov'd from the Treasury and from the Government of the Bastille He writes to the Queen A General Assembly allow'd for Chatelleraud but put of to Saumur by a new Brief The Marshal de Bouillon gain'd by the Queen Instructions for Provincial Assemblies Excuse of the demands that seem'd to be new Farther Instructions The Assembly of Saumur and the quality of their Deputies In what manner those of Bearn assisted at it Defective Deputations tollerated The Marshal of Bouillons inconstancy about the Presidentship of which the reasons are unknown Du Plessis is Elected President and excuses himself in vain Discontent of the Marshall Duke who reconciles himself in outward appearence with the Duke
Marquisat of Saluces who had been constrain'd to remove from thence upon the account of Religion leave to go and come there to receive the fruits of the Estates they had left behind them or to dispose of them as they should think fit And whereas the Reform'd complain'd that the Estates of Dauphine made them contribute towards the Gifts they made to Monks and Nuns either by way of Pension or to Build or repair their Convents or Churches and that they refus'd even to receive or Register the oppositions of the Reform'd the King setting aside what was past forbid the Estates to Comprehend the Reform'd for the future in the like Impositions and to make them amends for not ordering the Restitution of the Sums they had been oblig'd to pay till then he granted 1800 Livers which should be rais'd upon such Lands of the said Country as were Lyable to Contributions towards the charges of the Journey the Deputys of that Province had sent to Court to sollicit that affair But the most Important Affair of the Year was the disgrace of the Duke of Sully who lost his Super Intendency of the Finances and the Government of the Bastille Never did people argue more upon the Causes of an Event than they did upon this fall and the Reform'd themselves look'd upon it as a specimen of the Evil that was design'd to them The Court of Rome had murmer'd so long to see the Finances in the Power of a Protestant that it is very likely that Religion had a share in the reasons for which they were taken from them But on the other hand it was as clear as Day that the ancient discontents of the Queen of Conchini of his Wife and of some others were the principal Motives of it His Zeal for reducing the House of Austria had made him Odious to all Passionate Catholicks or to those that enter'd into the Intreagues of Spain His unsociable humour had created him Enemys among all degrees of People and even during the time of his Favour a letter had been written to him without a Name but yet pretty well Pen'd to exhort him to be more Complaisant and more Liberal The Count of Soissons hated him for the ill Services he had often done him by taking the King's part against him The Prince of Conde was disgusted by him and upon that account had followed the advice of the Marshal de Bouillon his Enemy Sillery Villeroy and Jeannin who were the three Heads of the Council that govern'd all the rest had conceiv'd of old a hatred of Ambition against him because he had a greater share than all of them both in Affairs and in the Kings favour Moreover he depriv'd them of the Pleasure to which Men of their Quality are most sencible not allowing them the least Authority in the management of the Finances which he had the Sole disposal of without imparting it to any body so that they could neither inrich themselves nor their Creatures Being thus assail'd on all sides and seconded by none it was impossible for him to defend himself against the Revenge Ambition and Avidity of so many Enemies Nothing spoke in favour of him at Court but his Fidelity his Labours and Long Services but those are but little regarded there unless one has better Recommendations and that Merit be seconded with Flattery and Complaisance Therefore after having maintain'd himself in his Places for the space of six Months he receiv'd an order from the Queen to resign the Finances and the Government of the Bastille But that which prov'd most offensive to him was that they were taken from him in an insulting manner persuading him that he had desir'd to be discharg'd of them and to receive a Recompence instead thereof The Pretence on which the Court gave this Turn to his Disgrace was that when he offer'd his Services to the Queen he at the same time offer'd his Person and Places to her in terms that were very positive and full of exageration But tho it was only meant as a Compliment the Queen took it in the Verbal Sense and seem'd to have understood that in Earnest which Sully had only said to express his Devotion the better to that Princess So that the Command he receiv'd to resign his Places was pen'd in such a manner that it seem'd to be a favour he had desir'd the remainder of his Employments were confirm'd to him and he was allow'd a recompence of 300000 Livers for those that were taken from him This was accompanied with Expressions and Testimonies of his Majesties being very well satisfied with his Services The Queen writ every where to give an Account of this Removal and of the Reasons that had induc'd her to it so that she prepossess'd peoples minds which so bold an attempt at the beginning of a Regency might have been capable to shake had Sully spoken first The Duke seeing himself depriv'd of the high Credit he had possess'd at Court during the Life of his good Master and dreading perhaps that this first stroke was but a specimen of what they design'd against him resolv'd no longer to appear in a Place where he had so many Enemies and in which he could make but a very melancholly Figure for the future Therefore he remov'd to Sully within a Weeks time and from thence in order to be reveng'd of those that had injur'd him Persons who little valued that Vengeance or rather to acquaint all Europe with the injustice that had been done to him he writ an Apology in the form of a Letter to the Queen It was very strong and bold He disown'd the pretences that were us'd to divest him and constantly refus'd the profer'd Recompences He declar'd that he would have been less offended if the morossness and untractableness of his Humour had been alledg'd as the cause of his disgrace instead of a pretence which turn'd him into Ridicule and which under the appearance of an Approbation of his Services depriv'd him of his Employments as if he had been unworthy or incapable of them He express'd his Services in it in Terms that look'd somewhat like a Reproach and demonstrated that he had sav'd upwards of two Millions by his management It is certain at least that he had acquitted the King'sdebts clear'd his Demesne and Revenues and put his Exchequer in a better condition than ever it had been So that he might speak the more boldly because he had no Enemys that could be so impudent as to deny it Some Replys were dispers'd against him but at the bottom those who had thrown him down thought they might content themselves with his fall and so left him the Consolation of not disputing with him about the truth of his Services Nevertheless that affair was canvas'd again in a General Assembly which the Reform'd held that year at Saumur and had not their Divisions hindred them from taking good Resolutions or from putting those in Execution which they
Kings illness which stopt him by the way going from Paris to give orders about the defence of the Coasts of his Kingdom against the Descent threatned by the English prov'd exactly according to the Prediction of the said Astrologer and that of another fit of Sickness which the said Prince had at Lyons some years after it prov'd no less exact So that the Queen had as much Faith in his Predictions as if they had been so many Oracles This Credulity ruin'd all her affairs and the same thing happen'd to her which commonly happens to all those who are Govern'd by the like Maxims that is she could neither obtain the advantages that were promis'd to her by the Stars nor avoid the misfortues she was threatned with At least we may find by the comparing of the Lives of those two Queens that the one was much happier than the other Catherin who had so often expos'd the State within an Inch or two of Ruin to retain the pleasure of Commanding nevertheless maintain'd â—…er Credit almost to the last moment of her Life But Mary soon lost her Authority and received a Cruel Punishment for her Intreagues towards the latter end of her Days The first found all her Council in her own head and wanted no body to guide or direct her The last was too much govern'd by her Passions and her Confidents Nevertheless the Author I am speaking of enlarg'd very much upon her praise and represented her as a Princess that had never had an equal That was the Stile of those daies and sordid flatteries became so much in vogue that even those who banish'd her from the Government rais'd her up to the Skies by their Elogy's She had wherewithal to comfort her self even in her Exile if she took any delight â—â— Panegyricks the only good her Enemies allow'd her The Author concluded with upbraiding the Reform'd for â—…e haughtiness he found in their behaviour He accus'd â—…em of demanding favours in the same tone as Spaniardsâ—…sk â—…sk for Alms That is with a drawn Sword and haugâ—…y Air as if they had requir'd the payment of a just â—…ebt and he would persuade them that they had no just â—…retence either of fear or jealousy It would have been easie to have made a more judicious distribution of the Reform'd by dividing them into three viz. The Lords of eminent Quality who made use of the others for their particular ends The Persons of Integrity who were sencible that no good could be expected from a Council govern'd by the Jesuits and who for that reason endeavour'd by all lawful means to secure themselves against Perfidious Implacable Enemies and the Timerous who were either naturally weak and indifferent or softned and made tractable by the Artifices of the Court The first and last occasion'd all the Evil Those made use of the Zeal of the second to make themselves considerable at Court and these abandon'd the others as soon as the Court offer'd them a shaddow of quiet I will observe in this place before I proceed any farther the Cause of those Writings against the Assembly No means were omitted to oreate jealousies in the Catholicks about it as soon as the Reform'd had obtain'd leave to hold it It was reported that they design'd to make excessive demands and to take up Arms to compel the Court to grant them The Memoirs sent into the Provinces to serve as a project for the Instructions of the Deputies which the particular Assemblies did send into the General of which the Court had an account by their Pensionaries did not a little contribute towards the confirmation of those common reports The demands which some of the Provincial Assemblies added to those of the said Memoirs likewise contributed considerably towards it Those who had seen the Assembly of Milhau recall'd it to mind upon this They said that of five things that had been propos'd in it there only remain'd two unobtain'd viz. Two Places of surety in every Province in which the Reform'd had none and that the Tithes of the Reform'd might be imploy'd for the payment of their Ministers They magnified the Consequences of the Union the Assembly was to swear saying that thereby the Reform'd would oblige themselves to maintain each other in all the Governments and in all the Offices the late King had given them even in all the Places they held besides those that were set down in the Breef of the Places of Surety And whereas it was not likely that the Court would comply with all those things they concluded that the Reform'd were going to take measures in order to make a War But that which is most to be wonder'd at is that there were some among the Reform'd who seconded those extravagant reports The Marshal of Bouillon was one of them and some accus'd him of having told some Catholick Citizens and others at his going from Saumur the Assembly being broke up that they had a Peace at last but that it had been obtain'd with a great deal of pain and trouble Nevertheless all the rest of the Assembly protested that they had never mention'd the least thing tending to a War during the whole Session This reproach was made to the said Lord with a great deal of sharpness by the Dukes of Rohan and of â—ully who fell out publickly with him It is very likely that he had no other design in spreading this report but to perâ—…ade the Queen that he had done her great Services and that he was of great use to her to keep the Reform'd within the bounds of their duty However this made deep impressions upon the People and notwithstanding the â—rotestation of Sixty Persons who affirm'd that the Assembly had not had the least thoughts of War the Court at that â—…ery time alledg'd the said pretended design of a Civil War as a Crime against the Reform'd and did since renew â—…e said accusation against them as if it had been plainly â—…erify'd The ancient Enemies of the Reform'd who did at that â—…ery time take all their measures in order to destroy them â—…conded that report as much as in them lay and they made â—eople take such extraordinary Precautions in divers plaâ—…es against this Chimerical War that they created real susâ—…icions in the Reform'd who could not imagine the reason of those panick fears Whether the Court really enter'd into those fears or whether they seem'd to credit them out of policy in order to remove Persons from thence which were troublesome to them they took that pretence to send the Duke d' Epernon to his Governments and the Prince of Conde into Guyenne Moreover they cunningly caus'd it to be reported that the Prinee would go through St. John d' Angeli in order to bury the Prince his Father who by reason of the Law-Suits in which his Widdow had been involv'd upon the account of his Death had not as yet receiv'd the last Duties That City was one of the most considerable of those
Assembly an account of their Journey and deliver'd the Letters they had receiv'd The substance of them answer'd the Verbal answer the Deputies had receiv'd They mention'd the King's having receiv'd the Cahier as a great Instance of kindness considering the reasons he had not to receive it Those Reasons were that the Custom was to receive them from the Deputies General after the dissolution of the Assembly whereas the King had been pleas'd to receive this from particular Deputies while the Assembly was in being and even before their having nomnaited their Deputies General The same Letters press'd the Assembly since they had nothing more to do to proceed to the Nomination of six Persons and to break up immediately Ferrier whom his Collegues pitch'd upon to be their Speaker making his report of their Negociation to the Assembly did it in such a way as gave great suspicions of Treachery and they were sufficiently confirm'd since by the sequel of his Life In the mean time the Assembly was unwilling to Nominate the six Persons out of which the Court was to chuse two before they had heard what Bullion had to say They were in hopes of waving that Nomination as being contrary to the first Liberty of General Assemblies as being introduc'd into the Assembly of â—hatelleraud for private Reasons relating to the Marshal of â—ouillon who was out of favour at Court at that time â—hose Confidents and Creatures the King would not adâ—it to reside near him as being afterwards made at â—ergeau out of complaisance to the King who would have 〈…〉 so But they were of opinion that those two singular â—xamples ought not to serve as Presidents Moreover â—â—l the Provinces had Instructions which requir'd the reâ—â—oring of the Election of the Deputies General upon the â—ormer Foot and that the Assembly should only Noâ—inate two which the King should be intreated to apâ—rove of Bullion being come insisted upon the same things that were contain'd in the King's Letters which the Deputies â—…ad remonstrated He alledg'd the Examples of Chatelleâ—aud and Gergeau He added that he had the Cahier with â—he answers that they ought to content themselves with what they should find upon the said Cahier and that the Court having done whatever they could do would grant â—othing more The Assembly being sencible that this proâ—eeding was not barely upon the account of formality â—…s Bullion endeavour'd to persuade them refus'd â—o acquiess without deliberation And after having taken â—he Votes by Provinces they remain'd in the resolution to â—ollow the Instructions which the Deputies had receiv'd â—ot to name above two Deputies General and not to â—reak up without having first receiv'd satisfaction and â—o make most humble remonstrancies to the Queen upon â—he whole They acquainted Bullion with this Resolution by express Deputies and soon after they deliver'd their Remonstrances into his hands and desir'd him to send them to the Queen He promis'd to do it and did but this show of good will was only a Cloak to cover other designs When he was sent back to Saumur he was order'd to take the Marshal Bouillon's advice in all things and to submit to it either because they were already sure of him or because they design'd to bring him quite over to them by this shaddow of Confidence Bullion's chief endeavouâ— were to persuade that the Cahier was answered in such a manner as would satisfie the most difficult and he sworâ— it in terms little suitable to his Age and Quality He sometimes declar'd that if what he said was not true he would be Damn'd Eternally The Reason which oblig'd him to make those horrible Oaths was that the secret of the Answers made to the Cahier had been ill kept Several Persons were inform'd by very good hands that they were limited to a very inconsiderable matter But whereas those extraordinary expressions did not blind every body they set another Machine at work which prov'd more effectual La Varenne who had made his Fortune under the late King by his Capacity in the Intreagues of Debauches had been sent to Saumur without a Character but with a secret Commission to Corrupt as many Persons as he could in order to incline them to follow the Sentiments of the Court This Man who knew how to promise and how to give and who had learn'd among Women not to give over at the first Denial and to overcome the first shame that hinder'd them from yielding to his promises imploy'd his Time and his Pains effectually here He barter'd for Votes almost publickly and went from Door to Door to display the means of Corruption he was intrusted with He prevail'd with some he shook others and the Oaths of Bullion coming to the assistance of the Presents and Promises of La Varenne a small number of Deputies devoted themselves to the Court. Men must sometimes have a fit Reason to tell when People wonder at their behaviour altho it be not the Reason which moves them They must have a plausible Motive to conceal the real Motive they are asham'd of People would blush to confess that they do Act for Money but those never fear reproaches who only fail through an excess of Credulity The execrable Oaths of a Considerable Man are a fair pretence to suffer â—…es self to be deceiv'd in order to deceive others There so were others who tho incencible to bribes suffer'd themâ—…ves to be deluded into the Snares of those powerful â—…ffirmations and condemn'd the Constancy of the Majoriâ—… who would see the Answers before they would proceed 〈…〉 any thing else Nevertheless all this could not amount 〈…〉 high as to make so strong a party as the Court desir'd â—…he Number of the Obstinate surpass'd that of the Comâ—…aisant above one half Insomuch that all things being decided in those Assemblies by the Plurality of Votes the â—ourt was certain to lose her Cause The Marshal de Bouillon found an Expedient for it at â—…ast it is imputed to him and the effects show'd it clearâ—… enough It was to send for another Letter from the â—ourt more positive than the preceeding to order the â—ssembly expressly to Nominate six Persons to the King 〈…〉 accept the Answers given to the Cahier and to break â—… which declaring such to be Rebels who should reâ—…se to obey without reply should Authorise the inferiour â—umber to remain at Saumur to make the said Nomination â—…d to accept the Articles The substance of that Letter was drawn at the Marshal Bouillon's House who â—…ad made his boast for some days that 30 of the Deâ—uties would obey the Order of the Court and who in â—…se the others should retire being unwilling to have a â—…are in that Complaisance were resolv'd to remain to oâ—…ey the Queen in all things The said Letter was sent to the Court by Bellujon who tarry'd two days after the Courier to whom Bullion had given the Remonstrances of 〈…〉 Assembly They thought thereby to
observ'd â—t only to put them in force again in those where they â—â—re not observ'd The King also granted that the Reform'dâ—ould â—ould not be lyable to be Sequestrators of the Ecclesiastiâ— Estates seiz'd upon for the Tithes but it was his pleasure that incase they should accept it voluntarily they â—ould be subject to the ordinary jurisdiction and should â—t pretend a removal to the Chambers The third which related to the Affairs of Dauphine which were commonly treated of apart was also answer'd the same day and among several other Articles the King particularly granted these That the Grounds given to serve for Church-yards should be freed from paying of Tailles and Rents due to the King or that incase they should Lay in the Royalty of any other Lord they should have the same discharge the said Lords being indemnifi'd at the charge of the Communities injoyning the exemption That the number of the Judges allow'd of requir'd to judge according to the Ordinances not being found in the Chamber of Grenoble the Parties might of Right and without having recourse to the King or to the great Council apply themselves to the next Chamber as it was already allow'd in Case the Judges were divided in their Opinions That the Reform'd Associate who should be taken by the Catholick Judge to assist at the Information of Criminal Causes should also be taken for Assessor with a deliberative Voice in the Judgment That the Parliament should not be allow'd to give a Pareatis nor to give a Decree in Causes depending in the Chamber against persons who publickly profess'd the Reform'd Religion That the King should create a Reform'd Secretary and a Messenger to be officiated by such persons 〈◊〉 should be nominated by the Churches of the Province with the same Sallarys and Prerogatives as others who had the same Offices That the Parties who had reason to complaâ—… of the Ordinances made by the Commissioners which thâ—… late King had deputed for the Verification of the Country Debts might appeal from their Judgment in three Months time to the Party-Chamber It appears by those Cahiers that the Chambers had daily new disputes with the Parliaments concerning their Jurisdiction and Power So that those Judges allow'd to the Reform'd to exempt them from putting their Affairs and Lives into the hands of other suspected or partial Judges for the most part only serv'd to engage them into disputes of Jurisdiction which almost distracted them The Parliaments could not accustom themselves to that dismembring of their own Jurisdiction which depriv'd them of the major part of Afâ—…rs Therefore upon the least ground they retain'd the â—…uses of the Reform'd and refus'd their appeals At Paris man pretending to have a right of sight upon a certain â—…ace the Possessors opposs'd it and after the appeal of â—…e Sentence of the first Judge the Defendants resolv'd â—…t to submit the Cause to the Chamber of the Edict The â—…use was Civil if ever any was so since the thing debate was only a little Right pretended upon the â—…ound of a Community but whereas the owners of the â—…d Ground were Monks the Parliament retain'd the Cause â—…etending that it was an Ecclesiastical Cause Another â—…an being condemn'd for some pretended Irreverence by the Inferior Judge to keep and be at the charge of a burnâ—…g Lamp in a Church was like wise refus'd the removal he desir'd under pretence that it was a Cause that was excepâ—…d So that it was sufficient in order to deprive a Reform'dâ—…f â—…f the Privilege of a removal granted by the Edict for â—…e Subaltern Judge to condemn'd him to any thing in which the Church of Rome was concern'd by this Wile â—…ey gave the Parliaments a pretence to retain the Causes of Appeal In other places the Parliaments oblig'd the Messengers who were to execute any Decrees made by the â—…hamber establish'd within their Precinct to take Letters of â—…junction as not acknowledging that the said Chambers â—…ad an Authority to cause their Judgments to be observ'd independantly from the Parliaments This was the reason for which the Chamber of Grenoble desir'd the aforesaid â—…ettlement Nevertheless the Chambers of the Edict still retain'd â—…me notwithstanding these pretences and then they were â—…s severe in their Judgments as the Parliaments The Chamber of Paris gave one that year in the Month of April upon a very singular Case A Curate in resigning â—…is Cure had retain'd a Pension upon his Revenue and in order not to be liable to the Consequences of such Agreements when sufficient precautions have not been taken to Authorise them he had caus'd his contract to be approv'd of at the Court of Rome His said Pension was constantly paid him while he was a Catholick but as soon as he had embrac'd the Reform'd Religion the Assignee would no longer pay it The said Cause was brought before the Chamber of the Edict I know not why since it was at least as much Ecclesiastical as the others I have mention'd And they declar'd the Pensionary incapable of injoying the said Revenue by reason of his change of Religion The Proselite really acted contrary to the Disipline of the Reform'd which oblig'd all those of his Character when they embrac'd the Reform'd Religion to renounce their Benefices to preserve none of the Revenues of the same directly or indirectly But the Chamber of the Edict did not judge according to the said Discipline they only consider'd the Religion of the Parties As I have heretofore observ'd that the Reform'd complain'd that the Commissioners sent into the Provinces had made their condition worse than it was in some places it will not be amiss to give another proof of it The Commisioners who had the District of Burgundy and who made the alterations I have already mention'd in the Country of Gex did a thing in the Parish of Chalemant a dependency of the Diocess of Nevers which the Reform'd were very much concern'd at by reason of the Consequence of it A Reform'd Gentleman whose Family pretended to have a right of Burial in the Parochial Church had been bury'd there The Bishop complain'd to the Commissioners about it as of a great attempt and desir'd the Corps to be remov'd in order to reconcile the Church which was profan'd by the Burial of an Heretick Genicourt Master of Requests the Catholick Commisioner caus'd the said Corps to be taken out of the Ground and to be transported to the place which was allow'd to the Reform'd for their Burials The Reform'd Commissioner was absent at that time whither it were that he had no mind to have a hand in that extraordinary proceeding or whither being one of those complaisant persons nominated by the Duke Bouillon he absented himself on purpose not to be obâ—…d to do an Act of Courage by opposing that novelty â—…l this was done with a great deal of Ceremony and great â—…rmality which only serv'd to make the more noise and give a greater lusture
made all his deâ—…miscary None but the Reform'd were still able to do something for him but they were slow to declare themselves Their Assembly had been open'd at Grenoble on the 15th of July and Lesdiguieres having refus'd the Presidentship which was offer'd to him by all the Deputies they had Elected De Blet Deputy for the Nobility of the Province of Anjou for their President and Durand Minister of Paris and Deputy for the Isle of France for his Associate and Boisseuil and Maniald for Secretaries The Prince of Conde sent a Gentleman thither to invite them to joyn with him in order to procure a good Reformation of the State in which he promis'd to make the Reform'd find all the Sureties they could reasonably expect A considerable part of the Assembly inclin'd towards that Union and the Pretences the Prince us'd were so plausible and so Noble that they could hardly fail of making an Impression upon many People To pass the Independence of the Crown into an Act of the State to secure the King's Person against Assassinations Excommunications and Depositions to revenge the too long neglected Murther of the late King to hinder the Publication of a Council against which a great King had Protested and which was very prejudicial to France to reduce Taxes and Impositions at reasonable Rates to remove the excessive Authority of Foreigners and to call them to an Account for the Abuses introduc'd during their being in Favour to settle the Edicts of Pacification beyond Reach All these were great designs which appear'd so Just so Lawful and so necessary that no body question'd but they would be attended with the Blessing of God and that all true Frenchmen would unanimously favour them But others were of Opinion that the Assembly ought to leave the management of the Political part of those Projects wholly to the Prince of Conde and to apply themselves solely to take measures for the safety of the Reform'd Religion They did not question but the Prince had a Right by his Birth to endeavour to purge the Government of all the Abuses that were slipt into it but they did not think it proper for the Reform'd to ingage in it otherwise than by Prayers to God and most humble Remonstrances to the King Some Provinces had given their Deputies Instructions to that Effect The diversity of Opinions manag'd by Lesdiguieres for the Interest of the Court having appear'd at the overture of the Assembly satisfy'd the Queen that the Reform'd would not be ready so soon but that she might have time to put her designs in Execution before the Prince and they could be in a Posture to oppose them She had given great Causes of Complaint to the Duke of Rohan whom she was Jealous of upon that Account Therefore being desirous to oblige him by some Favour to forget what was past she took the occasion of a difference between the Houses of Rohan and de la Trimouille about the Presidentship of the Estates of Britany to which they both aspir'd with such Equal Rights that it was impossible to decide the question otherwise than by adjudging the said Privilege to both to injoy it Alternately The Duke de la Trimouille who was lately return'd from Travelling design'd to appear in the Estates and so did the Duke of Rohan They refus'd to yield to each other which concurrence could not fail of being attended with ill Consequences The Queen being desirous to pleasure the Duke of Rohan by seeming to declare her self in favour of him either to imploy him elsewhere while she perform'd her Progress or to oblige him in an Affair of Precedence and Honour sent him an Order to repair to the Estates to preside there and at the same time sent a contrary Order to the Duke de la Trimouille whose displeasure she did not Value by Reason that he was very young not much known and far from that degree of Credit and Power in which the World had seen the late Duke his Father This avail'd the Queen but little by Reason that her Refusal of the Governmént of Poitou to the Duke of Rohan to whom she had formerly Granted the Survivorship thereof made a deeper Impression upon him than her pretended Favour about the Presidentship He made no use of the Order he had receiv'd from the Court and Presided that time by consent of the Duke de la Trimouille by Virtue of an Accommodation procur'd by their mutual Friends to hinder those two Potent Families that liv'd in Friendship at that time from coming to a Breach Nevertheless the Queen being so well satisfy'd with the then State of Affairs as to assure her self of success resolv'd to improve it and to do her Business before the Prince could have time to oppose it Therefore all of a sudden while the Negotiation of Peace seem'd to draw towards a happy Conclusion she sent an Order to him from the King to repair to his Majesty with all speed to accompany him in his Progress in Order to the Accomplishing of his Marriage And lest he might plead Ignorance she acquainted him with the very day he had pitch'd upon for his departure The Prince complain'd highly at this Precipitation and took occasion from thence to take up Arms but with so small a Number of Men and so little prospect of Relief that he was like to sink under it In the mean time the King set forward and continu'd his Progress slowly tho' some of the most Judicious and best skill'd in Affairs of State were of Opinion that it was a Rash Resolution by Reason that the King removing from the Center of the Kingdom left a kindl'd Fire in it which would have time and opportunity to do a great deal of mischief while the Court remain'd at one of the Extremities of the Kingdom the most distant from the Conflagration The Assembly of Grenoble which after all the delays occasion'd by the diversity of Opinions had at last determin'd to try what they could obtain from the Court before the taking any other measures had deputed three Persons to the King to present their * Cahiers to him and had charg'd them expresly humbly to beseech his Majesty to consider the Prince of Conde's Remonstrances Those Deputies were Champeaux Des Bordes Mercier and Maillâ—ray Champeaux had the greatest share of Honour in that Deputation by Reason that he was the Head and speaker of it But Desbordes had more Credit because he was a Man of better Parts besides his being ingag'd in the Prince of Conde's Interest to which the Marshal de Bouillon had drawn him as I have already said by very fair promises The King was gone before the Deputies reach'd Paris and could not overtake him till they came to Amboise from whence the King having heard them adjourn'd them to Poitiers for an Answer This delay was ill resented by the Deputies who lookt upon it as an instance of the little regard that would be had to
would of necessity follow his Inspirations and Orders and would serve for Spies to give him a faithful Account of all Transactions there Moreover in Order to put the Assembly in a place where they might have no more Liberty than they had at Grenoble the Court Resolv'd to remove them from Nimes and Order'd Frere to transfer them to Montpellier This seem'd to be done for the Interest and Honour of the King to the End that the Assembly which was only Lawful by his Permission might seem to receive from him the appointment of the place where they might continue their Deliberations But the secret Motive of the Council was that Montpellier was at the disposal of a Lord from whom the Court expected as great services as from Lesdiguieres It was Chatillon Grand Son to the Famous Admiral That Consideration and his own Merit had acquir'd him a great deal of Credit among the Reform'd He was of a Mild Temper and was an Enemy to Troubles and Confusion but he had not the Zeal of his Grand-Father for the Reform'd Religion in which his only Son was so ill Educated that he did not â—arry for his Father's Death to turn Catholic Moreover he was Ambitious and the Court knowing his Foible on that side flatter'd him with the hopes of a Marshal's Staff which was given him some years after as a Recompence for his having abandon'd the Affairs of the Reform'd So that he was a Man like Lesdiguieres in two Respects First in holding a great Rank among the Reform'd and Secondly in being accessible to Hopes and Rewards The Reform'd still confided in him as they made it appear several years after it by Intrusting him with their Affairs in the Circle of the Lower Languedoc There had been an Example not long before how much he was lik'd on both sides The Government of Aiguemortes having been taken from Rambures the Reform'd had made great Complaints about it and the Court not being inclin'd to restore it to him whatever Promises they had made about it by Reason that they were desirous to maintain Berticheres in that Post whom the Churches were not pleas'd with they were oblig'd to agree upon a third Person to keep the Place until the Case were decided Chatillon was propos'd The Court accepted of him and the Reform'd agreed to it But soon after that in Order to put a stop to the Jealousies which the Enterprises of the Court upon divers places belonging to the Reform'd might Create in them Rambures gain'd his Cause and was Restor'd The Assembly had not as yet laid aside the Confidence the Reform'd had repos'd in Chatillon till then but they had already a general diffidence of the Fidelity of those Eminent Persons who only know how to Obey Sovereigns and who never joyn with their Inferiors unless it be to Command them who never unite the Interests of their Party to those of their Fortunes and who look upon the Services of the People and the Recompences of Kings as things that are equally due to them They had Learnt at Saumur that the Reform'd Lords were capable of promoting their private Interest at the Cost of others and that the common Cause may become the sport of their Ambition and of their Intrigues Those diffidencies were increas'd at Grenohle from whence the Assembly departed very much dissatisfy'd at the Behaviour of Lesdiguieres Therefore they refus'd to put themselves in the Power of another who might put them to the same hardships and so remain'd at Nimes pretending that they were afraid of displeasing Lesdiguieres by putting themselves at the Discretion of Chatillon as if they design'd to show that they confided more in the one than in the other However those two Lords us'd all their endeavours to hinder the Assembly from joyning with the Prince of Conde And as they had Creatures among them they delay'd the Conclusion of the Treaty a long while The Prince of Conde tempted them both to joyn with him and sent some Gentlemen to them with Reasons and Offers to perswade them But it was to no purpose because they expected greater and more speedy advantages from the Court than they could possibly expect in following the Prince who had not manag'd his Affairs well and who seem'd almost reduc'd to the necessity of submitting to the Mercy of the Court. But an unexpected Accident broke all their Measures and made them lose the Fruit of their Intrigues and Pains in the Assembly The Duke of Candale Eldest Son to the Duke d'Espernon being dissatisfy'd with his Father from whom he had endeavour'd to take the City and Castle of Angouleme threw himself into the Party of the Reform'd and Embrac'd their Religion publickly at Rochel They receiv'd him with great Demonstrations of Joy and of greater hopes for the future They gain'd one of the most considerable Houses in France by it The Example of it might prove Fortunate and invite other Persons of Quality to do the same So that they omitted nothing to express their Respect and Esteem for him The Assembly of Nimes paid him great Honour and made him General of the Cevennes and gave him so great an Authority over them at the very first that he broke through all the Oppositions of Chatillon and Lesdiguieres and made them Resolve to declare themselves in favour of the Prince But that was all the Good or Ill he did while he was Reform'd The Duke his Father was not Tractable in point of Religion He had begun to hate the Reform'd from the time of his being in favour with Henry the III. It seem'd to be one of the Proprieties of their Religion to be expos'd to the hatred of Favourites perhaps because they were not so willing as others to bend their Knees before those Idols which the Gapricio of Princes or of Fortune Rais'd above them and that they complain'd highly of the profusions that Ruin'd the State to Inrich those Objects of an unruly Favour I will say nothing in this place of the Cardinal de Tournon under Francis the I. Of the Constable of Montmorency under Henry the II. and under his Children of the Duke of Guise Father and Son under the same Kings and under Henry the III. But at least the Dukes of Joyeuse and of Epernon Favourites to that last King had ever express'd an invincible Aversion towards them And under Lewis the XIII the Marshal d'Ancre and the Constable de Luines show'd the same Passion to destroy them But besides this General Reason of Hatred against the Reform'd he had another which was Personal because they suspected his having had a Hand iu the Death of Henry the IV. Some look'd upon him as an Accomplice to the Conspiracy which succeeded so fatally against the Person of that Prince And those who spoke with most Modesty about it made no scruple of saying that sitting next to the King he might easily have warded the second Stab that was given him had be been so pleas'd
capable of by the Edict So that Berger's place could not be taken from them without injustice since it was one of the Six allow'd them by the Edict nor yet that of Villemereau which he had not render'd himself incapable of according to the Edict by turning to their Religion This Article decided the thing in their behalf which was the most considerable point in favour of them in the Treaty thereby gaining a New Office in the Parliament and another in the Chamber of Accounts which is one of the most considerable Courts of the Long Robe The Fifth confirm'd the Exemption of the Tailles which had been Granted to Ministers by a Declaration of the 15 of December 1612. which had not been Verify'd The Seventh abolish'd the Remembrance of the Sedition of Milhau and put the Catholicks under the Protection of the Reform'd for their Safety The Eighth did the same about the Affair of Belestat and put the Reform'd under the Protection of the Catholicks The Tenth restor'd the place of Master of the Ordinance to its former extent in favour of the Duke of Sully from whom they had retrench'd something of it to Vex him The other Articles contain'd some favours Granted to some particular Persons Moreover the Reform'd also obtain'd a Brief for an augmentation of 30000 Crowns for the keeping of their Garrisons and for the Sallaries of their Ministers besides what the King had already allow'd them more than his Father The Verification of that Edict was not delay'd long The Court of Aids pass'd it on the 8th of June but with several Modifications Principally upon the 14 of the General Articles and the 15 of the Private ones The Parliament did not do it until the 13 after reiterated Remonstrances They Modify'd the 14th Article and the following which they declar'd should be no President for the Future That which stopt these two Courts in the 14th Article was not the Confirmation of the Edicts which they had so often Verify'd But the Briefs that were mention'd in it which being unknown to them gave Cause to suspect that the King promis'd immense Sums in it to the Reform'd They oppos'd it so much the more Vigorously by reason that they were not Ignorant that Kings often make such Gifts in hopes that they will have no Effect It costs them nothing to make such Grants by reason that they are sensible that they will not pass in the Courts in which the Letters of it are to be Verify'd But in this occasion the Queen was willing the thing should pass by reason that she was desirous to expect a more favourable Conjuncture to retract her promise This was an Edict like to those in which nothing is refus'd which they are resolv'd to keep no longer than while they may revoke them with safety In the mean time the Parliament and the Court of Aids refus'd to pass those Briefs without examining the Contents or Use of the Sums which might be mention'd in them The Parliament made great Oppositions to the Article which related to Villemereau and the Reform'd were never fully satisfy'd upon that Subject because a War was declar'd against them before it was determin'd The Chamber of Accounts did not Verify the Edict until the 28th of the Month and as to the Article about le Maitre they said that before he should be allow'd to injoy the Benefit of that Article he should clear himself of some things he was accus'd of as it had been ordain'd by the Chamber by a Decree of the 23d of March Thus an End was put to the War and the State beheld the Renovation of a Peace of which the Sweets prov'd as Short as Flattering The End of the Fourth Part. THE HISTORY OF THE Edict of NANTES VOL. II. BOOK V. The Summary of the Contents of the Fifth BOOK A Declaration upon the Coronation Oath The Prince Authorizeâ— himself at Court The Queen puts him into Prison which occasions great Disturbances The Reform'd make themselves Masters of Sancerre A Declaration upon the Edict of Peace The Duke d Epernon makes War against Rochel Privileges of that City Pretences of the Duke Rochel has recourse to the King and makes an Ill Defence The Duke retires after reiterared Orders Importance of his Enterprise The Circle Assembles at Rochel and summons a General Assembly Which is not approv'd of by every Body The Deputies of the Circle are ill receiv'd at Court Reasons to prove that the Assembly is necessary Extremities to which the Male-contents are reduc'd The King's Temper The Original of the Fortune of Honoré Albert de Luines Some question'd whither he was Nobly Born Character of his Confidents Death of the Marshâ—â— d' Ancre Alteration of Affairs and confirmation of tâ—â— Ediâ—â—s Luines Marries into the House of Rohan The Assembly of Rochel deputes to the King and receives an order to break up They obey and resolve to protect the Churches of Bearn Their Cahiers National Synod of Vitré Deputation to the King Letters to the General Assembly and their Answer The Churches of Bearn and of Auvergnâ—â—â—â— disturb'd The Count of Sancerre commits Hostâ—… the City The Churches of the Province of the Country â—â— Foix and those of Provence ill us'd Leave given to Ministers to assist at Political Assemblies Places of Bailywicks establish'd but not exactly Rogueries committed by the converted Moors The Bishop of Lucon retires from the Queen The Jesuit Cotton out of favour Arnoux succeeds in his place A Sermon Preach'd at Court by him The Answer of the Ministers of Charenton to an Information exhibited against them Writings on both sides The Bishop of Lucon Writes against the Ministers Assembly of the Clergy The Bishop of Macon's Speech The Jacobins turn'd out of Mompellier They refuse to admit a Jesuit Preacher there The State of Bearn ill represented The Effect of this Speech A Decree Authorising the Jesuits to Preach at Mompellier A Decree of restauration of the Ecclesiastical Lands in Bearn Re-union of that Country to the Crown which is oppos'd â—…e Estates La Force and Lescun Deceit of the Coâ—â—t A Dissertation upon this matter Discontinuation of Hommage Inconveniencies of the Dis-union and Advantages of the ReVnion By whom the Vnion is pursued Motives of the Opponents and their answer to the Dissertation Publication of the Edict of Re-union The Clergy obtains the Decree of restauration of Church Lands which declares That the Deputies have been heard and the Writings seen Subtilty of the Clergy A Violent Speech The Bearnois endeavour to ward the Blow Remonstrances of Lescun Libels The State of Religion in Bearn Lescun obtains only Words Those of Bearn pâ—rsist in their oppositions Writings in favour of them Why the Clergy refus'd to take the reimplacement themselves An Answer to the Writing of the Bearnois The Sequel of the Answer Injustices against the Reform'd throughout the whole Kingdom Enterprizes upon the Cities of Surety The free Exercise of Religion hinder'd in sundry places Injustices of the
made none but only express'd his Astonishing by some Words when Vitri acquainted him that he was his Prisoner But this Action of Vitri was justify'd and that Service made him a Marshal of France The State of Affairs was quite Alter'd by that Death The Queen being penetrated with Grief was depriv'd of all Authority Her Creatures lost their Places those she had remov'd from Court were recall'd The Male-contents submitted themselves and the King Granted them a General Pardon in the Month of May in which acknowledging that they had only taken Arms for their safety against the Insolent Violent and Pernicious designs of the Marshal d'Ancre who imploy'd the King's Forces contrary to his Intention to ruin them that after his Death they return'd immediately to their Allegiance and that they had implor'd his Pardon very submissively he revok'd the Declaration that had been given against them Abolish'd the remembrance of what was pass'd confirm'd the Treaty of Loudun and the Edict of Blois and Order'd that all his Subjects as well Catholics as Reform'd should live in Peace under the Benefit and Authority of his Edicts After which the favour of the New Favourite was exerted against the Miserable Remains of the Marshal's Family even to Inhumanity His Lady was Executed for pretended Crimes of which she was found Guilty more upon the Account of the hatred of the Public than by any solid Proofs Luines was Adorn'd with his Spoils and saw himself so great-all of a suddain that he was Astonish'd at his own Fortune He made use of his Authority in a manner yet more Odious than the Marshal d'Ancre whom to say the Truth he neither surpass'd in Birth or Merit His Favour was only for himself he injoy'd it amidst Seditions and Civil Wars and he ingag'd himself into Foreign Cabals to the great detriment of his Country I must also add that in order to maintain his Credit he Marry'd the Daughter of the Duke de Mombazon of the House of Rohan This perswaded the Duke of that Name that he would be consider'd by that Favorite who was Honour'd by his Alliance But the Duke being come back to Court after the Treaty of Loudun had reconcil'd himself sincerely to the Queen who had receiv'd the Excuses â—â— made to her about his taking Arms very favourably All that he had obtain'd by the Treaty was the assurance of the Government of Poitou provided he could obtain the Duke of Sully's Demission because there was an Article in the Edict which promis'd expresly that the King would Grant no more Survivorships When he had obtain'd the Demission he was oblig'd to come to Court in Person to obtain his Letters Patent for the same He did it boldly enough tho he thereby expos'd himself to the Mercy of Persons of which some hated him Mortally and the others were very Faithful Nevertheless it prov'd to his Advantage and the Queen gave him his Patents which the change of Affairs hinder'd him from injoying Yet notwithstanding he apply'd himself to the Service of that Princess with so much Fidelity that he made an End of Ruining himself at Court and that far from drawing an advantage by the Alliance of that New Favorite he created an irreconcileable hatred between them It will be necessary to know the particulars which were the Motives or occasions of the following Wars During these Transactions the Deputies of the Provinces that were Invited to Rochel were got thither for the most part and that Assembly created equal Jealousies on all sides by reason that the State being divided into several Parties â—â— body knew which they would joyn with But the Marshal's Death and the Queen's Exile having appeas'd the Troubles the most specious Reasons of the Assembly were remov'd They sent Deputies to the King upon this unexpected alteration to Congratulate the recovering of his Authority Those Deputies did not see the King who refus'd to treat them as Deputies from a Lawful Assembly But after that the Answer â—…e sent them was not disobliging The King refer'd to hear them when the Assembly should be Dissolv'd they were desir'd to behave themselves as good Subjects ought to do when they have something to desire of their King to draw their 〈◊〉 Cahiers To separate forthwith and to retire into their Respective Provinces That upon that Account the King would favour them in all things that were reasonable and â—…st Therefore they broke up at the return of their Deputies according to the Advice of the Wisest who remonstrated to them with a great deal of Vigor That it behov'd them to â—how by that mark of Obedience that they did only Assemble when they had just reasons to fear but that they dissolv'd of themselves as soon as ever those fears were dissipated They â—â—serted an Article in their Cahiers which related to the Churches of Bearn desiring that no Innovations might be â—ade in that Principality either in Church or State But they show'd yet better how much they concern'd themselves â—â— the Affairs of that Province by an Act they made which oblig'd all the Churches to assist those of that Province in â—…ase of Oppression and Necessity by some Alteration of the State â—…ither in the Ecclesiastick or Politick part if those Churches â—…plor'd the assistance of those of France They order'd the Provinces of the Upper Languedoc and of the lower Guyenne to Assemble by their Deputies with those of that Soveraignty of necessary to endeavour to prevent their being oppress'd They writ to the great Lords to Intercede for the Reform'd of Bearn and they exhorted all the Councils of the Provinces to recommend them to the Deputies General The Affection they express'd for those threatned Churches prov'd useless And the King 's very Answer to the Article which spoke in their behalf destroy'd by one word which was Inserted in it on purpose all the hopes of their being favourably us'd The King promis'd to preserve all his Subjects of the Country of Bearn both Catholicks and Reform'd in the Possession of their Ancient Privileges and to maintain Peace and Union there as among the other Subjects of his Realm The Equivocation of the word Ancient was a plain Argument that the Council design'd to look upon the present State of Bearn as a Novelty And to restore the Catholicks there to all the Advantages they had lost by the attempt they had made against their Lawful Queen The Assembly Inserted in their * Cahiers some other important Articles viz. Concerning the Exemption of the Ministers and the Declaration given upon that Subject which the Court of Aids still refus'd to verifie the Necessity of Reform'd Associates for the Instruction of Criminal Causes the discharge of certain Offices which were impos'd upon the Reform'd tho they thought they could not Officiate them without wounding their Consciences concerning the Privilege of Reform'd Magistrates and Officers not having discharg'd their Trust in their Offices to be prosecuted in the Chambers of
Enemy to the Reform'd maintain'd himself in a Fortify'd Castle of which the Reform'd had order'd the Demoâ—…tion by a Decree of the Council It is true that for fear he should obey they had given another which remov'd the Affair before the Commissioners and still left Desportes in Possession which occasion'd great Troubles in the Cevenes and the Gevaudan Antraguers against whom they made divers complaints kept his Governments in spight of them The free exercise of the Reform'd Religion was hinder'd in â—…ivers places particularly at Ruffec in Saintonge where it â—…ight to have been allowed according to all Rules The Marâ—…ioness de Ruffec alledg'd for her reason that it was done without her Consent As if that Consent had been necessary for â—…ose Places in which there was an evident Possession in the â—…rms of the Edicts The Duke de Vendome having taken Possession of the Castle of the City of his Name by an Agreement he had made with the Governor did not fail to demoâ—…sh the Temple the Reform'd had built at the foot of the said â—…lace He caus'd that Violence to be committed by his own â—…ivery Men without keeping the least measures of Honesty 〈◊〉 Formalities of Justice The Church of the said Place made complaints to him about it which were the better groundâ—… by reason that he had promis'd to leave all things in the â—…me Condition he had found them He seem'd to be inclin'd to make some reparation for that Enterprize though he reâ—…ly did not design it He declar'd that he could not suffer in 〈◊〉 place which he pretended to make part of his Basse-court the free exercise of a Religion contrary to his Besides he had 〈◊〉 mind to take the advantage of the Reform'd of Vendome who having been in possession of that Place from the very time of Queen Jane thought that no body would dispute a Right acquir'd by so long a Prescription For which reason they had forgot to take other Sureties from the late King besides the â—dict They were oblig'd to apply themselves to the King in order to obtain the restauration of their Temple Commissioners were sent on purpose to examine that Affair upon the very spot but they could not determine it without great difficulties The Catholicks were often ready to proceed to the utmost Violences and the Reform'd were not much wiâ—…er Finally the business was made up these being oblig'd to relinquish part of their Right to secure the rest the Exercise of their Religion was remov'd out of the City near one of the Gates by a solemn Ordinance and the King was at the Charge of building the Temple and of the price of the Ground on which it was built Nevertheless this show'd the Reform'd that the Court had no mind to favour them since that in doing them Justice even in the most reasonable things they still abated something of their Right The Parliament of Bourdeaux refus'd to remove Criminal Causes in which the Reform'd were concern'd to the Chamber of Nerac And in order to have a pretence to retain them they had the boldness to say that all the Crimes the Reform'd were accus'd of were so many Crimes of Treason by reason that they were of a Religion contrary to the State They were prosecuted in divers places for Crimes abolish'd by the Edicts and particularly by that of Blois The Jesuits increas'd in credit more and more and had not only obtain'd a Decree on the 15th of February which allow'd them to keep an open College at Paris for all sorts of Sciences without regard to the Decrees to the contrary made by the Parliament nor to the oppositions of the University But also caus'd a Decree of the Accademi'soâ—… Theology and Arts to be revers'd which declar'd that they would admit none to the Degrees or Privileges of Schollarship but such as had study'd in their Colleges or in those of the Accademies that were in Confederacy with them They endeavour'd also to slip into the Places of Surety Regoâ—rd being sent to Leitoure by the Bishop in the quality of a Preacher The King took it ill that the Consuls had given him a Summons to depart from thence alledging the quality of the place He wrote to the Inhabitants to order them to suffer the Jesuit to remain and to Preach there telling them that he hop'd that he would keep within the bounds of the Edicts A thousand Disputes were made about the Burial of the Reform'd The Countess de Roussi being Buried in the Quire near the Altar of the Parochial Church the Attorney General took the thing in hand for the Curate and declaring that the Church was Polluted by the Burial obtain'd a Decree of the Parliament at Paris which ordain'd an Information to be made against the said Contravention and that the Church should be reconcil'd if it had not been done already Which implies the removal of the Corps by which the said Church had been profan'd All these Complaints and many more being inserted in a long Cahier a Council was held on purpose at the Chancellors on the ninth of July in which 33 of these well express'd Articles were examin'd But instead of any effectual satisfaction they only obtain'd removals to the Chambers and ineffectual Letters to the Governors and Judges of the said places The Cahiers presented at the beginning of the Year had been answer'd in the same manner and were not dispatch'd until the 21th of February The Answers tho' favourable in appearance were only Evasions to free the Council of the Importunities of the Deputies General It is easie to judge of it by that which was written on the side of the 13th Article in which the Reform'd complain'd that the Ecclesiasticks of Languedoc su'd them for the Demolishing of Churches and Convents during the Troubles and Indicted them before the Parliament of Thoulouse where the said Causes were retain'd without any regard to the Removals desir'd by the Reform'd This was one of the Crimes that are always abolish'd by the Edicts of Peace and which are look'd upon as unavoidable Consequences of War the Necessities of which neither respect Palaces or Churches when they are places the Enemies may improve to their advantage The King's Answer was that he would not suffer any prosecution to be made upon the account of the Materials of the said Demolishments imploy'd to other uses during the Troubles and he revers'd all Decrees to the contrary This seem'd to be to the purpose nevertheless it did not put a stop to the Prosecutions and they were oblig'd to renew their Complaints The truth is that the form of the late King's Answers was partly the same But there was this essential difference between his and his Sons that the Fathers only serv'd as it were for Memoirs of the Commands he was to send into the Provinces to the Governors and other Officers of Justice Insomuch that the Answer had the force of a Law by an express order to
fierce and so cruel would undoubtedly reduce them in the sequel to the most dismal Extremities of Slavery Therefore those who had the management of that Affair resolv'd to improve the Determination of the Assembly of Rochel and to summon the Deputies of the Councils of the three Neighbouring Provinces to Implore their Advice and Assistance to secure themselves In order whereunto after having celebrated a Fast in all the Churches of Bearn to beg of Almighty God a happy success in that Enterprise they Conven'd an Assembly of the three Provinces at Castel-jaloux But the thing being done publickly by Persons who had no private ends and who did not look upon that proceeding to be Unlawful the King had timely notice of it and sent orders to the Consuls of the place before the Deputies arriv'd there He also writ to the Parliament of Bourdeaux and to the Chamber of Nerac to impeach all such as should be concern'd in the said Assembly and to use them as Infractors of the Edicts and Perturbators of the Publick Peace which the Parliament did not fail to effect with their usual Passion Whereupon the Governor and the Consuls of Castel-jaloux refus'd to admit the Deputies within their Gates being unwilling to displease the Court. Tonneins whither the Deputies repair'd from thence treated them in the same manner This made them fearful that they would meet the same treatment throughout Guyenne and that while they lost their time in seeking a safe and convenient place the Court would oblige the Bearnois to do that by force which the â—â—â—oviâ—â—e was not in a condition to hinder They also conâ—â—â—ded that it would not be proper to hold their Assembly in a pâ—â—â—â— â—oo far distant from that which might stand in need of their â—ssistance Therefore they repaired to Orthez in Bearn where they were certain of a kind Reception The Court could not preâ—ent the effect of that Resolution by reason that it was held â—ecret until the very moment in which it was put in Executiâ—n As soon as the Assembly was form'd they writ to the â—ing who would neither receive their Letters as coming from an Unlawful Assembly nor yet give a hearing to the Deputies General On the contrary he put out a very severe Declaration on the 21st of May against the Authors and Members of the said Assembly In the mean time the Court expected to hear the Effect of the Journey of Renard Master â—f Requests chosen by the Clergy who had been sent into Bearn to put the King's Orders in Execution and to get the Decree of Restauration Registred in the Sovereign Council â—he Edict of Reimplacement and the Decrees of Verification â—t Thoulouse and at Bourdeaux and that of the Council given â—n consequence thereof which order'd the Council of the Province to do the like The said Commissioner was very ill â—eceiv'd at Pau where the Common People and all the Schoâ—â—â—rs stir'd a great Sedition against him The Wisest had not Authority enough to hinder it The Assembly of Orthez and the Council of the Academy endeavour'd it in vain So that Renard was oblig'd to retire But he did it like a Man who was willing to aggravate Matters For which reason he refus'd some Honours that were offer'd him as to a Commissioner from the King He refus'd to Communicate his Commission he only distributed some Letters among those the Court was sore of by which they were commanded to assist him He would not accept the Sureties that were offer'd him to come to Pau to acquaint the Sovereign Council with his Instructions Moreover he went away very abruptly after having sent a Verbal and very Violent Report to Court charging La Force and the Soveraign Council with all the Disorder He joyn'd the Decree that Council had lately made to it by which upon the pursuit of the Clergy and upon the opposition of the Estates and of the Churches they declar'd That they could not make the Inrollment and that the King should be humbly Entreated to leave things in the Condition in which they were and that every body should return home and live in Peace The Bishops had excepted against Lescun pretending that he was a Party against them as if it had been a private Process But their Recusation was not allow'd of by reason that Lescun had done nothing without Authority The said Decree was made about the end of June During these Transactions the People ever curious of Presages and of Prodigies did not fail to make great Reflexions upon some Earthquakes which were observ'd in some parts of Bearn the very next day after the Departure of the King's Commissioner And whereas those Signs are generally equivocal and only signifie what People desire or dread every body drew Consequences from it conformable to their Temper Nevertheless as People are most inclin'd to dread when they reflect on Accidents of which the Causes are unknown to them most look'd upon them as an advice from Heaven which denoted to them that the Affairs of the State were threatned with a great alteration and that both the Churches and the Country were going to suffer ruinous shakings For that reason the usual Devotions on such occasions were renewed in Bearn and a publick Fast was celebrated there on the 9th of July The Court being inform'd with the ill Success of Renard Commission nevertheless made an advantagious use of his Journey And by an Italian Policy they pretended that the Cause of the Bearnois having been defended at large in the Council of Pau was a sufficient reason to refuse an Audience to the Churches which desir'd that it might be pleaded before the King This Evasion would have been plausible supposing what is seldom true that Princes were inform'd with the particulars of the Affairs that are reported to them And then they might without Injustice to the Bearnois have freed the King of the Fatigue of several tedious Audiences by acquainting him with what had been said in the presence or with the Participation of his Commissioners who was to give him an account of it But the Favourites and the Ministers were unwilling to use the King to take so much Cognisance of Affairs They knew he was easie but withal capable to understand reason and they were afraid that should the Question he well explain'd before him it would deprive them of the fruit of all their Craft They satisfy'd him with Reflexions upon Soveraign Authority which seems to be incroach'd upon by the Liberty Subjects take to come to plead in the very Council of their Princes against the Laws which they have made This was the Character of Luine's Government counâ—ii'd by Spain and by the Clergy He and his Creatures onâ—â— preach'd absolute Power to the King which Doctrine he swallow'd as greedily as if others had not exerted it in his â—â—ead The Clergy has follow'd the same Maxim at all times â—eing perswaded that it would be more easie for
of the Prince of Conde's Advice march'd with speed into Normandy with such Forces as were ready near his Person and while the Remainder of his Forces were assembling he Subdu'd that Province without any Resistance Prudent Governor of the Castle of Caer was the only Person who seem'd to have a mind to defend himself but he did it only to be intreated and in few days he deliver'd bp the Place to the King As soon as all things were quieted on that side the King's Forces march'd towards Anger 's where the Queen found her self on a sudden as it were Invested unprovided and surpriz'd not knowing what to resolve upon Therefore a Peace was propos'd every body endeavouring by that Negotiation to gain time and to find Means to deceive the contrary Party But the King's Forces having accidentally and perhaps unwillingly defeated the Queen's at Pont de Cé the Treaty was broke off and that Princess was oblig'd to accept such Conditions as were offer'd her that is to submit at the Discretion of an Enemy who was not near so Powerful as herself her Friends were forc'd to lay down their Arms and all she could obtain for them was a General Pardon The King finding himself Arm'd thus without any Enemies to oppose him and having moreover gather'd the remains of the Forces the Queen's Friends had been oblig'd to disband in Guyenne he resolv'd all of a sudden to make use of them in order to force Bearn to obey which was not ready to oppose him He march'd towards Bourdeaux with speed without declaring his Design The Reform'd either not being jealous of it or wanting a Pretence to take up Arms by reason that the six Months in which the Court had promis'd to satisfie them were not as yet expir'd did nothing to put a stop to that Expedition La Force being surpriz'd by that unexpected Journey and having made no use of his Time could neither put himself in a Posture of Presence nor get any Assistance out of the adjacent Provinces which were astonish'd at the Sight of a Royal Army Therefore he came to the King at Bourdeaux to persuade him to after his Resolutions by Remonstrances He added Promises to oblige the Bearnois to obey provided no Violence were us'd But whether the Court did not trust him or whether the Clergy expected more from the King's Presence than from the Good-Will of the People the King continu'd his March La Force met him again at Grenade and brought him formal Proofs of the Obedience of the Estates He renew'd his Remonstrances he represented to the King what Dangers he was going to expose his Person to in a Country in which the Roads are very dangerous and Troublesome where there is nothing but Heath and Mountains and where Torrents and Floods are continually met with and where the Passages being difficult at all times were much more difficult yet at the beginning of Winter But all prov'd ineffectual The King refus'd their Submissions and his Reasons could not move him Therefore he was forc'd to go back without having obtain'd any thing The Memoirs of that Time accuse him of having neither known how to obey nor yet to defend himself and it is most certain that in all that Affair the Reform'd did nothing but by halves they dreaded the Rreproach of being Aggressors so much and of renewing the Civil Wars without a Lawful Cause that since the time the Catholicks had begun to trouble them by a thousand Disputes they had not been able to fix upon a certain Resolution ever ready to satisfie themselves with Words when the Court gave them good ones and to feed themselves with Hopes whenever they were flatter'd with the specious Name of Royal Faith Several among them were sensible that the Court had form'd the Design to destroy them and that they only troubled them by a thousand small Vexations sometimes harder to bear than great Injustices in order to incline them to a Rising which having no apparent Cause might give them a reasonable Pretence to oppress them But that very Consideration prevail'd with them not to take Arms in order to frustrate the Designs of their Enemies by their Patience So that this Disposition of Honest Men afforded those who were Corrupted by Pension or Promises from the Court a fair Field to make them neglect the Expedients and loose the Opportunities to defend themselves For which reason their very Enemies have reproach'd them that considering they were People who had acquir'd the Reputation of great Politicians by the Success of their Affairs during several years notwithstanding all the Forces and Artifices that had been oppos'd against them they did not know how to improve their Advantages and that they suffer'd with too much Blindness and without seeking out a Remedy the Preparations of their Ruin which were making before their Eyes The King continu'd his March as far as Preignac and there receiv'd the Remonstrances which du Faur and de Marca Councellors at Pau came to make to him in the Name of the Soveraign Council to obtain an Audience for the Churches according as he had been pleas'd to prescribe it himself But it prov'd ineffectual and he answer'd them that since they had not been able to oblige the Bearn is to obey him he was going to do it himself He perform'd it accordingly and he made his Entry at Pau on the 15th of October Two days after it he came to Navarreins a strong Place which might have sustain'd a long Siege had the Governor been pleas'd to defend it But de Salles who was a very ancient Gentleman being desirous to obey caus'd the Garison to march out to receive the King with more Respect and the Inhabitants following his Example repair'd to their Arms only to give a greater Air of Triumph to the Entry of their Soveraign The only Reward de Salle receiv'd for that Submission was the Loss of his Government without any Recompence for it and that he saw the Survivorship thereof taken away from a Nephew of his to whom it had been granted and the Baron de Poyane a Catholick was put in his Room with a Garison of the same Religion The King came back to Pau after it where he had summon'd the Estates of the Country and as if his Council had design'd to Instruct him how to make a Jest of his Faith and Word they allow'd him to take the usual Oath to the Estates before he receiv'd that of his Subjects but he began to violate it the same day It is remarkable that during the Course of that Expedition the King only advis'd with three Persons viz. the Duke de Luines du Vair Lord Keeper of the Great Seal and the Jesuit Arnoux his Confessor The very same day on which he swore to observe the Laws of the Country grounded upon the Consent of his Predecessors and of the Estates he gave the Presidentship of that Assembly to the Bishops and Abbots
Dissembling Ambitious and Bold was capable of doing to much with an easie Prince who repos'd some Confidence in him to be agreeable to Persons who had neither Wit nor Experience enough to oppose him Therefore the Duke took a pretence to send him to Lesdiguieres to remove him from the Court and in Order to keep him at Grenoble a Place of first President of the Chamber of Accounts was bought for him in that City under pretence that it would hinder people from penetrating into the real Motives of his abode in that Province Altho Deagean was very sensible for what reason he was confin'd in Dauphine yet he accepted the Commission that was given him relying perhaps more on the Gratitude of Lesdiguieres than he had reason to trust to the Duke de Luines And flattering himself that he wou'd promote his own Fortune the better by opposing the Protection of a Constable against the Jealousies of a Favourite The success can never be unhappy when matters are well dispos'd Deagean easily persuaded Lesdiguieres to change a Religion which he little matter'd But in Order to render his Sollicitations the more Powerful he made use of the Wiles they us'd to practice There still remain'd a Scruple of Honour in Lesdiguieres which persuaded him that it was a shame for a Man of his Age to change his Religion But he remov'd it by private Conferrences by reason that Publick ones made too much Noise and that Deagean had no mind to make any He got Ministers whom he had gain'd to meet him at Lesdiguieres as if it were accidentally and whom he seem'd not to know that the meeting might seem undesign'd Those Traytors after some feign'd resistance never fail'd to yield to Deagean's Reasons and to give him a fair pretence to press Lesdiguieres to overcome those little Scruples Le Visconte Professor at the College of Dâ— who was an Italian and who had been a Fryar was one of them He suffer'd himself to be vanquish'd in a Conference after which he confess'd Ridiculously that it was impossible to Answer Deagean's Arguments That Comedy was Acted so grosly that it was impossible for Lesdiguieres not to perceive it It was pleasant to see Deagean who had pass'd the best part of his Life in the Dignity of Clerk of the Finances to become a Champion in a dispute of Religion and without using any other Arguments but certain Vulgar Sophisms repeated over and over to reduce all of a sudden Persons of some Reputation and better Vers'd than himself in matters of Controversie to confess that his Reasons were convincing Nevertheless those Artifices acquir'd Deagean so great an Empire over Lesdiguieres that he Govern'd him as he pleas'd and that when the General Assembly offer'd to create him General of the Churches to maintain him an Army of 20000 Men and to pay him 100000 Crowns a Month and to give him sufficient security for the payment of it in any Protestant City he should be pleas'd to chuse the said Deagean dissuaded him from accepting of the said Offers and even dictated the Answer he made upon that Subject He did the same with all the Letters Lesdiguieres writ to the Assembly This great Credit of Deagean had like to have broken the measures of the Duke de Luines who intrusted the second Commission I have mention'd to the Marquess de Bressieux which tended to cross the Negotiation of Deagean and to persuade Lesdiguieres to yield the Dignity of Constable to that Favourite upon which Condition he was allow'd not to turn Catholick This New Deputy was order'd by an Article of his Instructions to obtain a promise from Lesdiguieres before he did reveal his Commission to him that he would conceal it all from Deagean But he could never prevail with him to do it and for fear of worse he was oblig'd to stick to the Terms of the first Commission and to content himself with pressing Lesdiguieres to turn Catholick But the Duke de Luines imputing to the Marquess who perhaps was not inclin'd to pursue so great a Cheat the ill success of his design imploy'd Bullion in the same Intrigue who prevail'd so far upon Lesdiguieres as to perswade him to come to Paris to renounce the Constableship and to yield that Dignity to the Duke of Luines to advise the King whom he said he would oblige to Raise his Favourite to that high Place and finally to serve against the Churches still professing the Reform'd Religion Lesdiguieres resisted a little at first but finally he was so good as to consent to all and was not asham'd to serve in the Quality of Marshal General under a Constable who was hardly any thing of a Souldier The Duke d'Epernon more resolute and more haughty than he refus'd to Obey either and whereas he had the art to keept the Court in awe of him the Court was oblig'd in order not to lose him to give him the Command of a small Body without receiving Orders from any Body Such Low and such abusive Wiles were practis'd to obtain this consent from Lesdiguieres that had not his Mind and Heart been weaken'd by Age it is not to be believ'd that he would ever have submitted to such unworthy proceedings The best friends he had among the Reform'd being acquainted with what pass'd by reason that the Duke de Luines had had the cunning to Publish it to raise difficulties upon that Affair omitted no means to raise his Courage again and to make him sensible how shameful it was for him to Sacrifice his Religion and his Honour towards the Ambition of the Duke de Luines But those who possess'd his Reason made him pass over all those considerations and he only seign'd to persevere in the Reform'd Religion to deceive those that had still some confidence in him The Catholick Zeal will undoubtedly appear very tractable in this Affair But at the same time it cannot be deny'd that the Roman Church alone knows to what degree treachery and Hypocrisie may be carry'd innocently and within what bounds they are to be kept to make them part of the service of God What Deagean did to remove the Scruples of Lesdiguieres about Religion is so singular upon that Subject that it deserves a Place in History Among the Ministers he had brib'd there was one of the Lower Languedoc in whom Lesdiguieres repos'd a great deal of Confidence who had been his Chaplain and who had secretly abjur'd the Reform'd Religion He acquainted Deagean with all his Masters secrets and told him the Reason for which Lesdiguieres express'd in a certain Conjuncture a little more repugnancy to pleasure the Court than he was wont to do The cause of that little disgust was a certain Suspicion which was given him of some designs form'd against the Reform'd in Dauphine in which he was to be involv'd When Deagean had Learn'd that secret it was easie for him to destroy the Suspicions of Lesdiguieres whose mind he turn'd as he
to Paris But things were so imbroil'd before he could come away that he durst not follow his Inclination for fear of making himself Criminal by Communicating with a prohibited Assembly His Prudence in this point avail'd him nothing the Court would have him guilty Right or Wrong He receiv'd notice at Lions by a Letter from Drelincourt his Colleague that he would be taken up as soon as he came to Paris This News oblig'd him to take a by way to go home where he tarry'd but one Night and went from thence to Sedan where the Duke de Bouillon gave him the place of Professor in Theology and of Minister in Ordinary Tilenus his Enemy did not fail to Write Violently against that retreat which he endeavour'd to represent as a Mercenary flight The pretence the Court had to seize upon him was that the English Ambassador had desir'd Du Moulin to Write to the King his Master to exhort him to assist the Elector Palatin his Son-in-Law That Prince having too soon taken the Name of King of Bohemia which had been offer'd him by the People lost a Battle near Prague and his New Kingdom together with his Ancient Patrimony which the Emperor diveâ—ted him of as a Rebel France suffer'd it calmly by â—eason that the Policy of Spain and of Rome prevail'd in their Council and represented that War as a War of Religion Jeannin himself remember'd that he had been a Member of the League and Writ a Pamphlet to hinder â—…he King from succoring the Bohemians in which he urg'd so many Reasons to prove that all the Advantage of that War would remain to the Protestants and all the damage â—…o the Catholicks that France lost that opportunity of ruinâ—…ng the House of Austria in Germany and that they look'd â—…pon the Ruin of an Ancient Aâ—ly of France as a Triumph of the Catholick Church The King meddled no farther with this War than by a Solemn Embassy at the Head of which he plac'd the Count d'Auvergne And that serv'd â—â—ly to render the Catholick League the stronger and the Emperor more formidable But the Coldness of the King of England Scandalized even those that profited by his Weakâ—…ers He did not relish certain Maxims of Honour which he was continually put in mind of and he thought it a â—…iece of Policy not to assist Subjects against their Soveraigns â—…ven in the Case of a manifest oppression He apply'd that â—…e Policy which no other Prince ever bethought himself â—…f to the Affairs of his Son-in-Law And his Ambassador who was sensible that he was despis'd every where for that false Prudence had a mind to draw him out of that Error He look'd upon Du Moulin as a Man capable to revive the Courage of that Prince by whom he was very much respected Du Moulin writ after having excus'd it a while and his Letter was given to the Courier the Ambassador sent into England But it was soon after put into the hands of the Ministers of the Cabinet Council whither it were â—…one designedly by the Courier or by the Ambassador or whither it were intercepted by some Wile or finally whither King James himself who had particular Ingagements with the King of France had Communicated it to the Ministers of that Prince The said Letter was look'd upon as being very Criminal by Reason that the Condition of the Churches of France was set out in it and their approaching Ruine alledg'd as a proper Reason to excite the King of England to assist his Son-in-Law whose Prosperity was a Refuge to the Reform'd as his Ruine was a Presage of Decay for them The Jesuits whose Bane Du Moulin was were glad of that Opportunity to ruine him and having neither been able to Corrupt him by fair Offers nor to destroy him by divers Conspiracies against his Life they imagin'd that he could never scape them that time But they were deceiv'd and he scap'd that Snare by the Diligence of his Retreat It was from Sedan he writ to the Assembly of Rochel It is uncertain whether he did it of his own accord or by the Order of the Mareschal de Bouillon who was of the same Opinion with all the Grandees of the same Religon or whether his Friends perceiving that his Enemies had a mind to represent him as a Seditious Person who inclin'd People to Rebellion by his Advice advis'd him to disprove them by such a Letter But it is certain that it was written with great Vigor and that he declar'd in it that the Assembly would be answerable for the Ruine of the Churches in case their refusing to break up should occasion it The Effect of that Letter was That it increas'd the Divisions to the utmost Extremity Some Members of the Assembly withdrew and never could be prevail'd upon to come again Others acquainted Du Moulin that his Letter had been read but not approv'd of and begg'd of him not to communicate it to any body lest it should serve as a Pretence for those who had a mind to withdraw out of the Union It were to be wish'd that the Assembly had follow'd that Advice only to try what the Court would have done after their Separation in order to render the Cause of the Churches the clearer by removing the Pretence of Disunion from those who had too much Faith and Credulity The Event show'd that if those Members of the Assembly who would not break up without Security were not the most prudent yet they were the best inform'd and those who hinder'd them from taking such Measures for their Safety had cause to repent at leisure their being too Credulous Two things â—…opt the Negotiation The one was that the Assembly â—…ould not resolve to beg Pardon for meeting at Rochel by reason that they pretended that they might lawfully do it after â—…o positive a Promise as they had receiv'd for so doing at London from the King That Confession of having done ill was of greater consequence than it seem'd to be at first since 〈◊〉 imply'd a tacit Acknowledgment that the things promis'd had been perform'd The Consequence of which was that 〈◊〉 would stop their Mouths for the future upon the Business of the two Councellors of Leitoure and of Favasâ—…sisted â—…sisted upon those Considerations with great Vehemency The other was that they were willing to see at least something done upon their Complaints before their Breaking up for fear of being shortly oblig'd to begin all things a new as it had happen'd more than once Moreover the Decay of the Reform'd Religion in the Kingdom of Bohemia which those who were for the Dissolution of the Assembly made use of to make them dread the Events of War was taken in another Sence by many who look'd upon it as a good Reason to take Precautions against the Oppression of which the Affairs of Germany gave a Presage Nevertheless the Assembly not being able to withstand the Advice of all the Grandees from whom they
while before he was â—…s'd as a Rebel This Peace prov'd very honourable for the Duke of Rohan who notwithstanding that the Reformed had lost about fourscore Towns was yet in a condition to gain a General Peace which the King had refus'd at the Siege of Montauban but the Priâ—ate Articles were still more to his advantage then the General The remaining Places were left in the hands of the Reformed not under the Title of Security Marriage or Hostage but by way of free Gift and voluntary Concession which did â—ut only alter the name not the thing 'T is true that the King would no longer tye himself to pay the Garisons nor what was due for the time past as the Sums promis'd either by himself or his Father for the Salaries of the Ministers Yet he gave 'em some hopes that he would pay 'em for the future But that Article was ill observ'd as well as the rest By a particular Brevet the King promis'd that he would neither keep any Garison nor erect any Citadel at Mompellier that the City should remain in the Custody of the Consuls and that there should be no Innovation other then the demolishing of the new Fortifications which Breif was deliver'd to the Duke of Rohan who lodg'd it in the Consul's hands By other Breifs permission was given that Rochel and Montauban should preserve their Fortifications in the same condition as theâ—… stood and that the Works about Nimes Castres Vsez and Milhau should be but half demolish'd But when that Article about the demolishing of the Fortifications came to â—â— put in execution notice was giv'n to the Parlament of Tholouse that the Reformed went to work after such a manner that by dismantling their Cities they made 'em better and stronger then before so that upon the 14th of December there came forth a Decree which forbid those counterfeit dismantlings which was the reason that that same Article of the Edict was laid aside and the places left in the same condition as the Peace found ' em Nor did the Parlament verify the Edict of Peace but with several Qualifications The Parlament of Paris instead of the words Cities of the pretended Reformed Religion put in Cities 〈◊〉 by those of the pretended Reformed Religion and in the room of thâ— words Ecclesiastical Affairs they alter'd 'em into Affairs concerning the Regulations of the said pretended Reformed Religion These petty Niceties however display'd no signs of Embitterment But the Parlament of Bourdeaux laid about 'em with the same passionate Fury as they had shewn during the Frenziâ—â— of the League They verifi'd the Edict without approving any other then the Catholic Religion or admitting the words Ecclesiastical Affairs They ordain'd that the dismantling of their Towns should be continu'd till it were thoroughly finish'd that such Judgments as were in favour of the Catholics should stand good but that those which were advantageous to the Reformed should be revokable upon a bare Petition and thâ—â— no Foreigners should be capable of being Ministers in the Kingdom These affected Severities in the Verification of an Edict â—ight well be lookt upon as a Presage that the Repose which it contributed to the Kingdom would not be of long contiâ—â—ance Nevertheless all the Cities which had join'd together in the â—â—mmon Cause accepted of the Peace though there were â—â—me that were afraid of the Consequence Privas and Brison who had held it out notwithstanding the Conquests which Chaâ—lloâ— had suffer'd the Duke of Mommorency to make in the Neighbouring parts came in upon the general Conditions Montauban proud of having held out a Siege where the King was in person and of preserving her Fortifications as a Troâ—…y of her Victory accepted the Conditions also Rochel prest 〈◊〉 Sea and Land and fearing to be assailed by the whole strength of the Kingdom if she refus'd the Conditions propos'd submitted to the Count of Soissons who commanded the King's Forces that attacqu'd her However the Duke of Guise â—…ough well inform'd that the Peace was concluded adventur'd 〈◊〉 engage the Fleet of that City and because he could not â—â—â—d out a way to excuse that Action which cost a great deal 〈◊〉 Blood on both sides 't was given out that Rochel knew it as well as he and that she would not have accepted the Peace â—â—d she got the better To say truth her loss was not so great â—â—t that she was still in a condition to appear formidable And 〈◊〉 may be said that her damage consisted in this that the least â—…es of a City that has no other assistance to trust to but her â—wn are always considerable rather then in her receiving any great harm by the King 's Fleet. But after the tidings of the â—eace all Acts of Hostility ceas'd and the City thought herself deliver'd from all her fears of a long Siege Vsez Nimes Milhau all the rest of the Cities obey'd and flatter'd themselves with seeing the Edicts better observ'd for the future then hitherto â—â—ey had bin But Catholic Zeal had not yet alter'd her Characters nor was it lawful for the Council to make a Peace of that nature â—â—t with a resolution to violate it One of the first effects of â—â—e Infidelity of the Court was her defrauding the most part of the Deserters of the common Cause and denying 'em the Recompences which had bin promis'd em for the performance 〈…〉 which Promises they never had bin urgent The King thought that the Peace which he had granted to all the Reformed haâ—… disingag'd him from the Promises which he had made to particular men meerly to retain 'em in their obedience Nor would many People have murmur'd at this piece of Infidelity had thâ—… stopp'd there and it was agreed on all sides that they who haâ— sold for ready money the Towns that were the security of their Religion and their Consciences deserv'd no better usage bâ—… the Court-Designs soon after broke out into Frauds of highâ—… importance For they had promis'd the Rochelois to demoliâ—… the Fort which the Count of Soissons had built to curb and aâ—… noy the City But they were so far from observing that Article that the Fort was not finish'd till after the Peace was made nor could all the Complaints of the Rochellois obtain aâ—… other then feigned Commands to demolish it of which they to whom they were sent had private Orders to take 〈…〉 notice Among the secret Conditions which were granted to the City of Mompelier there was a Promise made to the Inhabitants that the King should not enter with above four Colours of Fooâ—… which should march out back again with him To elude which Promise the whole Regiment of Guards was order'd to enter iâ—… under no more then four Colours unworthily abusing the aâ—… biguous signification of the word though as time has made it out the word Colours or Ensign signifies much more usually in common speech a Company of Soldiers marching under 〈…〉 Ensign then
and accus'd 'em of the King's death and several other Assassinations Tilenus answer'd this Discourse by a Writing wherein excepting the Portraicture which he gives of Milletiere which is natural enough it may be said that he had neither sincerity nor judgment And a man may judge of it by the ridiculous Answer which he gives to the Example of the Maccabees and which he thought to evade by saying that the History that relates it was held at Geneva for Apocriphal as if neither Examples or Reasons avail'd any thing in point of Policy or Right if the Books out of which they were taken were not Canonical Moreover he makes an Apology for the Jesuits which justifies the Assassination of Kings and with he audaciousness of a Missionary he revives the reproach of having suborn'd Simon de Mâ—â— hang'd at Paris for other Crimes to attempt the murder of Katherine de Medicis Nor did he forget Poltrot who assassinated the Duke of Guise and fain would have one Philip de â—â—lombault Sieur de Varcieux executed at Paris in the Court of the Palace without any noise and without expressing the cause to be a Russian of the same stamp grounding his Conjecture upon the privacy observâ—d in his execution He also spends a great deal of time to prove that Kings are not bound to observe the Laws Nor do she spare for Testimonies and Examples and diâ—â—nâ—angles himself from the Testimonies on the other side by saying That a Prince is bound to go according to the Laws but if he breaks 'em it is not lawful to resist him which is as much as to say in a word that nothing obliges Sovereigns to the observance of the most â—acred Laws seeing there is no lawful means to defend the Laws in opposition to their violence when they break ' em Whence it follows that every man who submits himself to a King plainly renounces his own safety since he only grounds it upon Equity and Probity for which it may so happen many times that neither the Prince nor Counsellors have any regard 'T is for the People to consider whether such Politics as these are convenient for ' em Above all things Tilenus advances the Authority of the Kings of France to the highest degree The Emperor's Authority in his Opinion was much more limited Nevertheless all that the most powerful of Kings have ever aim'd at has bin to be Emperors in their own Dominions and those Lawyers who attribute the highest power to 'em say nothing more of it But that which might beyond all this encline the Court to protect the Arminian Theology was the Imposture supported against the Synod of Dort For they made France believe that the secret Design of that Assembly was to form a Protestant League â—o destroy the Church of Rome Tilenus also reveal'd this important Mystery in his writing and from thence concludes That the King did very well not to permit the Ministers of his Kingdom to go thither as if such a great Affair could not have bin â—esolv'd upon for want of French Ministers It may be judg'd by these little Remarks what kind of Answer Tilenus's was â—nd at the same time why the Court of France seem'd so averse â—o the Doctrine of that Synod But I return to that of Charenton They resolv'd upon a â—unctual Obedience in reference to the two Articles of which their Commissioners made their Report reserving to themselves â—he liberty of addressing to the King for his permission when they had a desire to send for any Foreign Minister As for the doctrine decided in the Synod of Dort they order'd it to be â—orn to under the name of the Doctrine of the Synod of Alets without any appearance in the wording of the Oath that it â—ad any relation to the Assembly of Dort And the Articles of â—â—at Doctrine were printed together with the Doctrine of the â—ynod and they were cri'd publicly upon Pont Neuf But they â—ho were not pleas'd with those decisions endeavour'd to disâ—arage 'em by a thousand Observations wherein Calumny was 〈…〉 Argument that carri'd the greatest stroke The Commissioners had in charge to demand the resettlement 〈…〉 Assignations which had bin given and which were due for â—…e preceding years for those which the Churches had obtain'd 〈…〉 the year 1621 were allotted to other uses nor had there â—…n any for the year 1622. and at first they had order'd bad ones â—…r the present year But Candal refusing to accept 'em they order'd better Nevertheless because they lay far remote they remanded such as were nearer at hand and of which they might have a quicker benefit At length the Commissioners obtain'd â—orty thousand Livres in ready money for which they had Bills upon the Exchequer They had also fair Promises for the future but were put quite out of hopes for what was past During the sitting of the Synod the King wrote a Letter to â—he Commissioner dated September 25. and containing three â—hâ—ngs to be propos'd to the Synod The first was That the â—ing would not give leave that either Primrose or Cameron whom the Catholics could not pardon the Affair of Bourdeâ—â—â— should exercise the Function of the Ministry or profess Divinity in the Kingdom He said That that Exclusion was not grounded upon their being Foreigners but upon Reasons that concern'd his service The second was That when the King permitted Politic Assemblies it was his pleasure that no Ministers should be deputed He alledg'd That they were taken off from their proper Duties and he added that he could have wish'd they had prevented his Commands But if they did not obey he should by an express Declaration give farther Order about it or else in the Brevets of Leave which he should grant 'em for holding their Assemblies Nevertheless he did not extend the Exclusion to the Pastors of the place who had his permission to be present The third was That this Declaration of his Intentions should be inserted among the Acts of the Synod The second Article was past because they saw well that it would be in vain to oppose it and for that other Synods had already taken a Resolution conformable to it which nevertheless had never bin observ'd The third Article pass'd in the same manner But they sent a new Deputation to the King upon the former to beseech him that he would remit something of his Severity in favour of Primrose and Cameron And that Affair made 'em also bethink themselves of Moulin whom the Court would not permit to return into France The King made Answer That he did not think they would have repli'd after he had both writ and said what he had done That he had good Reasons which the Synod would readily allow if they understood what they were nevertheless that he gave all the three Ministers leave to stay in the Kingdom upon condition that for the present they forbore all manner of Exercise of their Functions adding that time
great freedom I my self have seen several printed Sermons some of which enlarg'd themselves very far to shew that the Design 〈…〉 the French was to extinguish the Reformed Religion and â—…thâ—â—s added after a Prophetical manner that as the Provincesâ—…nâ— â—…nâ— their Ships and Men to the Reformed of France the time â—ould one day come that the Reformed would revenge themâ—…lves upon the Provinces and bear Arms under their King to â—…stroy their Religion and Liberty But Preachers Reasons â—…r agree with those of Politicians besides that the Vnited 〈…〉 were not in a condition to slight or disgust the Alliâ—… of France Toward the end of July Buckingham appear'd not far from 〈◊〉 with a Fleet considerable enough to have done great â—…ings had the Chieftain had as much Courage as Pride or 〈…〉 much Wit as Presumption He presently made himself Maâ—…er of the Isle of Ré but he lost himself miserably before Fort â—… Martin where Toiras with a few men and less Provision â—…ld out a Siege of above two Months which if any other then Buckingham had manag'd it could not have stopt him three â—…ys Rochel was a long time also before she wou'd declare whether it were because the Mayor and the Court were agreed â—â—gether or whether it were that she was willing to avoid new â—…etences of making war upon her Insomuch that at first â—…e would not so much as hearken to Buckingham's Propositions or admit the Commissioners which he sent to her So that â—…bise who had shelter'd himself in England ever since his last â—efeat but had embarkt himself in the English Fleet was conâ—…ain'd to go alone to the Gate of the City with Beaker sent by â—…e Duke to desire leave to speak to the Inhabitants But the Citizens refus'd to open the Gate to him and had not his Moâ—…her come her self to take him by the hand and bring him into he Town he must have return'd as he came The respect which the Rochelois had for that Lady made 'em forget their â—esolutions So that they let Soubise pass and Beaker follow'd him After which they gave him Audience in the Council â—here he set forth at large the Reasons which oblig'd the King â—f England to take Arms And he endeavour'd to make 'em â—elieve that it was only upon the score of Religion He excus'd the small Assistance which he had hitherto given the Reformed and declar'd that the King of England found himself too much engag'd by his Conscience by his Honour and his Word to assist 'em more powerfully more especially because it was through his Intercession that they had accepted a disadvantageous Peace This Speech produc'd nothing at first Nay the Rochellois offer'd Comminges to fight the English provided Fort Lewis might be put as a Pledge into the Hands of la Force Chatillon or Trimouille One would have thought that Offer should not have bin acceptable to the Court seeing that both la Force and Chatillon were brought off from the Common Cause and that Trimoville was treating about his returning to the Roman Religion at least he embrac'd the Communion of that Church within a year after and renounc'd the Reformed Religion in the presence of the Cardinal before the taking of Rochel In recompence whereof he had the Command of the Light Horse and serv'd some years in that Employment during the Warâ— of Italy where he receiv'd a wound in the Knee so that hâ— lost the use of the Joint Some years after being disgusted by the Court he retir'd to his Palace of Thouars became a Bigoâ— and a great dealer in Controversies and at length dy'd in the Roman Profession after he had liv'd to a very old Age but very ill maintain'd the Reputation of his Father In the mean time the Court which had other Designs gave no other answer to the Proposal but a company of Fair words with which the Rochellois suffer'd themselves to be amus'd for some time However they intercepted a Pacquet of Letters from the Court directed to the Duke of Angoulesme who had obtain'd Orders to raise Forces to oppose the English and who had actually block'd up Rochel as close as it could be at a time when the Design of besieging it was kept secret One of those Letters are an express Approbation of what had bin done in order to the blocking up of the City and gave the Duke advice about several things and among others about the Passports which he gave to all those who had a mind to leave the Town because said the Letter it was best to let out as many as they could that so none but the most Mutinous might be left behind There was also a Letter for Marshal de Marillac which handl'd very nice matter The Question was Whether the Huguenots were to be suffer'd in the King's Army The Answer was â—hat the thing was very doubtful because that if there were me persons of worth and no way to be suspected there might 〈…〉 others whose chiefest business it was to be Spies 'T was â—…ded That the Public Affairs requir'd that it should be made â—…t by Effect and Demonstration that the War was a War of are and not of Religion and then it might be lawful to adâ—…it Huguenots that would enter into service 'T was said That without excluding 'em out of the Army there might be a watchâ—… eye upon 'em and then 't was but confiding in those that â—…ere honest amusing others and keeping the main Resolutions â—…cret especially those which concern'd Rochel or else if such Toleration seem'd dangerous 't was advis'd that they should 〈…〉 dismiss'd under some fair Pretence And these were the â—…tters which discovering the secret Intentions of the Court â—…etermin'd the Rochellois to join with the English But this Conâ—…nction was so ill order'd and so scurvily manag'd that if we â—…y judge by the event no body could believe it resolv'd upon 〈…〉 any other end then to furnish the Court both with a pretence â—…nd with the means to facilitate the destruction of that unfortunate City For Buckingham after he had drain'd her of all her â—rovision of Corn some of which he was constrain'd to burn â—…ter his defeat left the rest which should have reliev'd the City 〈…〉 relieve the Victor that expell'd him out of the Island and â—unning away with ignominy from a handful of men made the condition of the City far worse then it was before In the mean time Rochel publish'd a large Manifesto whereâ—… resuming things for a good way backward she endeavour'd â—o justify her Conduct to display the Frauds and Artifices of the Court but chiefly to make good her Pretensions and Priviledges The Duke of Rohan also betook himself to Arms â—nd set forth another Manifesto little different in the main from that of Rochel only that the City insisted more closely upon â—…er own proper Affairs and the Duke spoke more at large of things in general The Answers to these Writings
and Both together obtain'd two Decrees of Council one of the 3d of October against the Minister of Dieulefit the other dated the 11th of the same month forbidding 'em to preach in any other then the place of their Residence Nothing could be more vexatious in the Consequences of it to the Provinces wherein there were many Churches more especially since the King had taken away the money granted by the King his Father in recompence of the Tithes It appear'd by these Examples of the Persecution that the Reformed had not now those Forces which caus'd the Catholics to spare 'em before but that in despite of the Act of Grace they would be brangl'd every day out of the remainder of their Priviledges In a word within less then two years they had so many unjust Injuries done 'em as are hardly to be imagin'd But two things hinder'd that they did not hasten their destruction The first was because the Court itself was intangl'd in most desperate Quarrels and Confusions Providence permitted for the justification of the Reformed who had bin all along accus'd of being the sole Causes of the Troubles of the Kingdom that after the Ruin of their Affairs the Catholics should have their turn should enter into Treaties Leagues and Conspiracies renew the Civil Wars and keep the Kingdom till the death of the King in continual Combustions The original of which Troubles was the Queenmother's discontent who could not brook the high credit to which the Cardinal had attain'd by the success of his Enterprises That Princess ambitious and jealous of her Honour was affronted that the Cardinal whom she had introduc'd into Court should be so powerful as to slight â—…her and that on the other side she should have so far lost â—…her former Reputation that she could not as well contemn her Competitor She saw herself despis'd since the taking of Rochel and in truth since that Enterprize had succeeded the Cardinal had chang'd his Behaviour with all the world nor did he carry himself in any thing so cautiously as before because â—…e thought he stood in need of no body's protection Nay he could not forbear jesting a little too satyrically upon the Queen and in regard the Favour he was in had created him many Enemies there were some that took delight officiously to repeat his Jests and to season 'em with some dashes of particular malice So that the Queen display'd all her Fury against him and notwithstanding all the care which the King himself Cardinal Bagni and other persons of the highest quality took to reconcile 'em she would never pardon him The Duke of Orleans took his Mother's part and several other considerable Lords did the same As for the Cardinal he was too much employ'd in dissipating all these terrible Storms to think of the Reformed and his Enemies had too much business on the other side to mind these miserable Remainders of a Party that made no longer any Figure in the Kingdom But the Cardinal had the good luck or else the cunning to vanquish all these difficulties and to reduce the Queen his Mistress to retire into Flanders since she could not stay neither with safety nor honour in a Kingdom where she had so long exercis'd the Supreme Authority The Duke of Orleans also departed France soon after but return'd with his Arms in his hand The second thing which afforded some relaxation to the Reformed was that the Cardinal was desirous to uphold the King's Alliances with the Foreign Protestants that he had renew'd the League with the Foreign Protestants and for that he had renew'd an Alliance with Gustavus King of Sueden a brave Prince Ambitious one that had acquir'd the Reputation of a great Captain and who but a little before had made an Incursion into Pomerania where he made it evident that it was not a thing impossible to bring down the Puissance of the Emperor This Prince enter'd Germany at the Cardinal's sollicitation and made those surprizing Progresses which are hardly to be believ'd upon the credit of Relations They were afraid he would have gone too far so that after two years of continu'd triumph he was slain at Lutzen no body being as yet able to discover wâ—â—ther the mortal Stroke proceeded from the hand of his Friends or his Enemies There was also great care taken in treating with him to prevent his Conquests from doing any prejudice to the Catholic Religion and that Prince was very complaisant with the Cardinal upon that Subject So that whether he would not offend a Confederate attended every where by Terror and Conquest or whether it were that it was thought but Justice to spare the Protestants for the sake of a Prince so favourable to the Catholics it was not lookt upon as a seasonable time to overwhelm the Protestants of France But what they were unwilling to do openly they attempted by means more closely conceal'd and dangerous With this design it was that they set afoot agen the Projects of Reunion which were always as it were Forerunners of a Tempest that was insensibly gathering together Two sorts of People were caught in this Snare People that were sincere and upright who believ'd in the sincerity of their hearts that a reasonable composition might be drawn from the Catholics at least in reference to the most gross and palpable Abuses and that after they should be agreed upon Expedients to secure the Conscience they might unite in an outward Communion that Schism lookt upon by both sides as a great mischief would surcease by this Accommodation and together with Schism all Discord and Hatred Persecution of the weaker by the stronger which are the inevitable Consequences of it that being return'd to the Bosom of the Roman Church People that were expert might the better labour in the Cure of her Distempers because they would be no longer suspected and for that being arm'd with Truth they would in time by the light of it dispel the darkness and mists of Prejudice and Error There have bin at all times some People flatter'd with this pleasing Vision and who never will be taught that the mischiefs of the Roman Church are incurable because she refuses all manner of Cure â—rroâ—s purely speculative and which arise from the false Idea's 〈◊〉 which the mind is prepossess'd may sometimes surrender 〈◊〉 the evidence of a Truth well made out by Demonstration 〈◊〉 Errors of Interest are proof against all the most evident â—…nstrations in regard they derive their Original from the â—…ption of the heart and for that Maladâ—es of that nature 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 always to be assâ—ag'd by Remedies that convince the 〈◊〉 Other People of a quite different Character either 〈◊〉 by Promises or push'd forward by Ambition or else â—…ited of their own parts and aspiring to the Honour of haâ—…ng put an end to these fatal Contests which for above a hunâ—…er'd years together had occasion'd such Convulsions over all 〈◊〉 desperately threw themselves into the
which the Catholic Armies had ruin'd and the third deriv'd itself from the Decrees which the Bishop of Valence had procur'd upon occasion of the Annexes For beside those which he had obtain'd the year before he had caus'd another to be issu'd forth of the second of May wherein to obviate the Reason why the Reformed pretended to fix themselves in the possession of their Annexes by alledging that they were places permitted the right of which being grounded upon the Articles of the Edict had extended the prohibition of one Minister to preach in several places to places permitted For these several Reasons without naming the places where their Exercise had been obstructed in other Provinces they set down Fourscore and twelve in Cevennes Vivarets the Vpper and Lower Languedoc and in the Islands of Ré and Oleron The fifth requir'd the Revocation of the Decrees granted to the Bishop of Valence The sixth complain d of the Prosecutions of some Ministers accus'd to have utter'd words both disrespectful and undutiful tho they had only preach'd their own Doctrine with moderation The next set forth the delays of the Governors in the nomination of Commissioners that were to be present at the Synods which had reduc'd some Provinces to be without Assemblies of that nature The eighth and ninth insisted upon Foreign Ministers The tenth desir'd that the Prohibitions of Beraud Bagnage and Bâ—teroue to sit in the Synod might be taken off The ' leventh concern'd the grand Article of the Edict which declares the Reformed capable of all manner of Employments and complain'd that it was so ill observ'd that the Reformed were not admitted into the meanest and lowest Offices that they were refus'd the Degree of Doctors of Physic and the Title of Aggregated where Accumulation was customary and that they were refus'd their Freedoms in the meanest Trades The twelfth demanded the Release of such as had bin condemn'd to the Gallies according to the Edict of Peace of which number there were above Two hunder'd The thirteenth demanded restitution of the municipal Tolls which had bin promis'd in 1628. as also by the Paper answer'd at Montauban the next year which had not prevented the Revocation of the Assignations allow'd for the year 1627. nor their failing to allow any for the three next years so that there was due for the time past the Sum of Six hunder'd thousand Livres The Compensation promis'd the Bernois after so solemn a manner had bin as faithlesly observ'd as the rest of the Edicts The one moiety of it was of a sudden defalk'd so that the fourteenth Article requir'd that care might be taken about it We might add to the same Article the hard Usage of the Ministers of the Bailliage of Gex who had bin depriv'd for a long time of the King's Relief-money which had bin granted 'em in recompence for the Ecclesiastic Estates Not that either Bearn or the Countrey of Gex had any share in the last Civil Wars but only in testimony of a more perfect good-will to the Reformed they that liv'd peaceably and that they were call'd Rebels were treated both alike Lastly the fifteenth Article contain'd an humble Request That the Court would command the Advocate General of Bourdeaux to surcease prosecuting a Minister and his Son whose Cause was nevertheless depending in the Chamber of Guyenne which was then at Agen whither it had bin remov'd The Deputies that carri'd this Paper and the Letters from the Synod to the King and the Cardinal were Amyrant and â—â—llars The King gave 'em leave to make their Speech to him at Monceaux and testifi'd by his Answer that he was well satisfi'd with them and the Synod They were likewise well receiv'd by the Cardinal who assur'd 'em that the King would maintain and protect 'em according to his Edicts that he gave Beraud and Basnage leave to sit in the Synod but that before he granted the same Favour to Bouteroue 't was fit the King should be more amply inform'd of the Crime that was laid to his charge that the King would give a very favourable Answer to their Paper so soon as the Synod brake up To the end said he that he might treat with his Subjects in a manner more suitable to his Sovereign Dignity and the Sacred Authority of his Word But the more edifying and solid part of his Answer was a Gift of Sixteen thousand Livres in ready money to defray the Expences of the Synod All which the Commissioner imparted to the Synod before the return of the Deputies Beraud resum'd his Seat in the Assembly soon after Basnage took his again and at length Bouteroue had leave to sit there as well as the rest For five years together there had not bin any alteration of the General Deputies and during that time Bazin who was one of those that were employ'd happen'd to die The Synod therefore had Orders to supply his place but they were not left to their accustom'd liberty of Nomination 'T was the King's pleasure till then that six Persons should be nominated for him to chuse two out of that number and the circumstances of the Permission giv'n the Synod to name 'em pointed so exactly to the Persons which it behov'd 'em to nominate that it was to little purpose to make choice of any other The Synod well observ'd this Innovation but because it was the King's pleasure they obey'd The Marquis of Clermont was continu'd and the Commissioner's Son was put into Bazin's room These were order'd to carry the Nomination made by the Synod accompani'd with Letters full of Duty and Respect To which the King made known his Answer by the Commissioner which consisted of a testimony that he was more and more satisfi d with the Proceeding of the Assembly and the Nomination they had made that he would accept of 'em after the Synod was broken up that he would give a Gracious Answer to their Paper and he would allow the Synod three days longer to sit They were so accustom'd at Court to be afraid of the Reformed that they seldom slept in quiet while they were assembl'd and their very Synods gave 'em terrible Alarumâ— This which was only compos'd of People still consternated at the taking of Rochel and the reducing of all the rest of their Towns and Cities disquieted their rest for all that and the Catholics dreaded by the Progresses which Gustavus made in Germany fanci'd him already in France and restoring by main Force the Reformed to their pristine Splendor which was the Reason that the King as earnestly prest the separation of the Synod as if it had bin the Politic Assembly of Loâ—dun or that of Rochel Nevertheless before they broke up the Synod ordain'd three things which gave the Missionaries and Politicians fair Pretences to make loud Outcries The first was a Regulation against the Accommodations of Religion which referr'd to an Act of the same nature that pass'd in the National Synod of Mompelier 1598. where
Parlaments whereas formerly they were restrain'd to ten To which end all Patents requisite shall be dispatch'd XXI That at the request of the Chamber of Castres which is compos'd of a President and Eight Catholick Counsellors and as many of the Religion it would please his Majesty to create de novo two Offices of Counsellors to serve in the Chamber of Nerac where there are but six Counsellors of the same Religion Which is the Cause that by reason of present Refusals there is not a sufficient Number of Judges in the said Chamber And for the said two Offices to provide two Persons gratis at the Nomination of the Churches The XXXI Article of the Edict shall be observ'd But nothing can be changed in the last Establishment of the said Chambers And as to the Election and Nomination of those that are to serve his Majesty will provide with such Consideration that they shall have no occasion to complain XXII And considering the great Animosities of the Parlament of Tholouse and Bourdeaux which have chiefly appear'd since the fatal Accident of the Death of the King deceas'd by the great Number of Divisions of Voices that happen in the Chambers of Castres and Nerac which proceeds from hence that the said Courts send to his Majesty the Nomination of the Catholick Counsellors which are to serve in the said Chambers and Employ the most passionate in the said Courts 't is desired that each of the said Chambers may supply the Number of the Counsellors of the Grand Council and the Surplusage of the said Courts of Parlaments of Tholouse and Bourdeaux who may be chosen by your Majesty upon the Register of the said Courts as was practis'd upon the first establishment of the Chamber of Justice in Languedoc in 1579. and not upon the Nomination which is made by the said Parlaments Satisfaction has been given to the Contents of this Article by the Answer to the IV. of the Articles presented by those of the Religion in the Dauphirate in August last and because the Parlament of Grenoble has refus'd to obey it Letters of command shall be sent to cause 'em to verifie it XXIII That in Conformity to what has been granted to the Chambers of the Edict in the Parlaments of Paris Tholouse and Bourdeaux it would please his Majesty to create de novo an Office of Substitute to the Advocate General of the Parliament of Grenoble to serve in the Chamber and take his Conclusions as well at the Hearing as in Process by writing and to provide one of the Religion Gratis at the Nomination of the Churches under the Jurisdiction of the said Chamber The Deceas'd King being engag'd â—â— Promise not to make any new Creation even in the said Province â—â—ere is no Reason for granting the present Article XXIV And that all the Officers of the said Miparty Chamber may be according to the Intention of the Edict and practice of the other Chambers may it please his Majesty to create de novo two Offices of Secretaries and an Usher in the said Parlament of Grenoble to serve in the said Chamber and to provide Persons of the said Religion Gratis at the Nomination of the said Churches Such course shall be taken that there shall be no occasion for Complaint XXV For the same Reason in regard the two Commissioners of the Registry of the Chamber of Castres are Catholicks that upon the Death or Resignation of one of the said Officers one of the said Religion may supply his Room The XLVI Article of the Edict shall be observ'd and the Vshers and Serjeants shall be enjoin'd to execute all Decrees Commissions and Orders issu'd out of the said Chambers of the Edict and of Grenoble in all places where need shall require upon Pain of being suspended from their Employments and forc'd to pay the Expences Dammages and Interest of the Plaintiffs in the Suits XXVI And for as much as to the prejudice of the LXVII Article of Particulars and the Provision made in consequence of it by Answers to several Writings the Courts of Parlament in Provence Burgundy and Britany make daily Decrees against the Ushers who within their Jurisdictions execute the Decrees of the Chambers of the Edict of Paris and Grenoble so that for that Reason the Royal Serjeants settled in the said Provinces refuse to put the said Decrees in Execution therefore may his Majesty be pleas'd to create de novo two Offices of Serjeants Royal in every Bailiwick and Seneschalship within the Jurisdiction of the said Provinces to be suppli'd by Persons of the said Religion The Catholicks and those of the Religion shall be indifferently receiv'd into the said Offices and as to those places where there are none at present command shall be sent to those that Officiate to receive all Contracts Wills and other Acts which they shall be requir'd to do by those of the said Religion XXVII And for Remedy of the Inconvenience which they of the Religion daily suffer both at Paris and other Places where there are no Royal Notaries to receive Contracts Wills and other Voluntary Acts may it please his Majesty to create de novo in every City two Offices of Royal Notaries and to supply the Places with those of the said Religion The Regulation made at Blois in 1599. shall be observ'd XXVIII That Attestations sent by the Ministers and Elders to justifie themselves in the Chambers of the Edict shall not be oppos'd nor rejected unless it be upon a challenge or exception against the Signing tho' the said Attestations are not made before a Publick Notary and Judges Royal. T is for the King in his Council to appoint Judges Nevertheless his Majesty Grants that in Case of Division of Voices the Chamber where the Process was divided shall Order the Parties to repair to the next Chamber without Addressing to his Majesty But his Pleasure is that in other Things the Orders be observ'd XXIX And to obviate long and troublesom Suits which the Parties are constrain'd to undergo through the Regulations of the Judges of his Majesties Council in the Business of Parentage Recusations and things of the like Nature that the Chambers of the Edict might send to the next Court or where both Parties shall agree the Processes wherein the Presidents or Counsellours in the Causes or their Kindred within the Degree and Number of the Ordinance are either Principal Parties or Garanties as also the Division of Voices happening in the said Chambers which ought to be referr'd to the next Chamber according to the XLVII of the Particular Articles Granted for the time to come and necessary Declarations shall be expedited for that Purpose XXX That in the Explanation of the LIX Article of the Edict the Chamber of the Edict of Normandy be enjoyn'd to set forth by way of long Prescription the Time elaps'd from July 1585. till the Month of February 1599. as is practis'd in other Chambers of the Kingdom The Regulation as to Six Months
made by some of our Subjects have proceeded rather from Suspitions and Distrusts too slightly listen'd to then from any want of Affection Fidelity or Allegiance which they have all along made apparent upon all occasions that have offer'd themselves Hoping also that for the Time to come they will keep themselves within the bounds of Duty under the Observation of the Edicts and Ordinances therefore we Will and it is our Meaning and our Pleasure that all Decrees Procedures Acts and other Letters that have been granted and set forth against 'em as well in general as particular upon any occasion whatever shall be null and void as if they had never been extant so that upon occasion and in pursuance thereof they shall not either in general or particular inour any Blame danger or dammage nor be disturb'd or prosecuted for the Future And to this purpose we impose Silence upon all our Advocates General their Substitutes and all others as we also expresly forbid all our said Subjects in Conformity to the 77. and 82. Articles of the Edict to hold any Communications of Assemblies to settle or hold Provicinal Councils or to make any Levies Provisions of Arms or Musters of Souldiers or to commit any other Acts directly or indirectly contrary to our Edicts and Declarations upon pain of Disobedience and of being punish'd as disturbers of the Publick Peace To this purpose we command our Beloved and Faithful Counsellours holding our Court of Parlament and Chambers of the Edict settl'd within the Kingdom that the abovemention'd Edict the Edict of Pacification Secret Articles Brevets Declarations and other Letters Patents to them sent in pursuance of the same be â—orâ—nwith read and publish'd in the usual Places and that the Contents thereof be inviolably fulfill'd and observ'd ceasing and causing to surcease all Troubles and Impeachments to the contrary We further enjoyn our said Atturney Generals to be aiding and assisting thereto and if any Infringements happen after this to prosecute the Authors with Severity to the end that Examples of Punishment may deterr others For such is our Will and Pleasure In Witness whereof we have caus'd our Seal to be affixed to these Presents Given at Paris December 15. 1612. and the thirteenth of our Reign Sign'd Lewis And upon the Folding of the Paper By the King being in Council the Queen Regent his Mother present De Lomenie Extract out of the Registers of Parlament This day the Court the Grand-Chambers the Parlamental Court of Criminal Causes having seen the Letters Patents in form of Charters of the 15th of December last concerning the Observation of the Edict of Names and other Letters and Articles in pursuance of it the Conclusions of the Advocate General and the Matter brought into debate have Decreed that the said Letters be Read and Publish'd upon the Hearing and Motion of the Kings Advocate General and Copies sent to the Bailiwicks and Seneschalships to be there Read and Publish'd Done in Parlament January 2. 1613. Sign'd Guyet A Declaration of the Kings Majority containing a Confirmation of the Edicts of Pacification and Prohibitions of Duels Dated at Paris October 1. 1614. Verifi'd the second of the said Month and Year LEWIS by the Grace of God King of France and Navarr To all c. It having pleas'd God to bless our Reign with so many Favours and Successes and to bring the course of our Years to the Age of Majority to which we have now attain'd as we have at all times all the Reason in the World to commend and be thankful for the happy Adminstration of our Kingdom during our Minority under the Regency and Prudent Conduct of the Queen our thrice Honour'd Lady and Mother we are willing to seek all ways possible and agreeable to the Duty of a most Christian Prince jealous of Gods Glory and who desires to maintain the Publick Peace and Tranquility for the welfare repose and ease of his Subjects whether in causing an exact Observation of the Good and Holy Laws made by the Kings our Predecessors of most praise worthy Memory or by new Laws which we shall deem proper to make as occasion offers and upon such Advice as may be given in the next Assembly of the States General of our Kingdom which we shall cause to be summon'd for the attaining of which and to the end that all our Subjects may live in Peace Union and Right Understanding in the fear of God Obedience of his Commands and Observation of our Ordinances so that the publick repose and tranquility which we desire to preserve among 'em may not be interrupted or violated We have with the Advice and Counsel of our thrice Honour'd Lady and Mother the Princes of our Blood other Princes and Lords principal Officers of our Crown and most remarkable Persons of our Council said declar'd and ordain'd and we say declare and ordain and it is our Will and Pleasure in Conformity to what we have already formerly ordain'd That the Edict of the Deceased King our thrice Honoured Lord and Father given at Nantes in April 1598. in favour of those of the pretended Reformed Religion in all the Heads and Articles of it together with all the other Articles to them granted and Regulations made Decrees given either by way of Explanation or for the Execution of the said Edict or in pursuance of it may be fulfill'd and inviolably kept and observ'd as has been ordain'd and perform'd by our said Deceased Lord and Father and that the Infringers may be severely punish'd as disturbers of the Publick Repose And the more to secure the Publick Peace and Tranquility under our Authority and Obedience we prohibit all our said Subjects from holding any particular and private Intelligences Leagues or Associations as well within as without our Kingdom nor without our Permission to send to any Forreign Princes whether Friends or Enemies upon any occasion whatever And we enjoin all our Officers to look carefully after it and to be assisting as need shall require upon pain of being responsible and of being punish'd for their Negligence with the same Severity as the Disobedience of the Offenders We also forbid all our said Subjects of what Estate Condition or Quality soever who receive Estates Pay or Pensions from us not to take accept or receive any Estate Pay or Pension from any Prince or Lord whatever nor to follow be present with or accompany any other then our selves upon pain of being depriv'd of the said Salaries Estates and Pensions And for as much as for want of due Execution of the Edict made by the Deceased King our Lord and Father concerning Duels Combats and Encounters and afterwards by our selves and for that they have not been obey'd by several of our Subjects in Contempt of our Authority great Disorders and Confusions have from thence arose which greatly offend God and may provoke him to send the Scourges of his Wrath among us and upon our Kingdom if we should not provide against so
same Command which we had enjoyn'd their said Envoys to carry to 'em in our Names which was to proceed forthwith to the Nomination of the Deputies that were to reside near our Person and then to break up in fifteen Days after and return home into their Provinces Which was pronounc'd the 10th of January last To which they made no other Answer only that they would depute Commissioners to us to reiterate their humble Supplications to us as they did in sending to us afterwards some others of their Society who repeated the same Instances which others before had done That is to say that we would be pleas'd to agree to the Sitting of the Assembly till their Papers were answer'd and that they saw the performance of those things that should be promis'd 'em upon which not having any thing else to Answer but what already we had given 'em to understand and considering of what Importance it was that they should rely upon the Assurances which we had given 'em of our good Intentions to do what should be to their Content and that the usual methods in such Cases should be follow'd and observ'd Considering also that they had sat near five Months which might breed both Suspition and Jealousie in our other Subjects We order'd 'em once more to obey what we had given 'em to understand to be our Will and Pleasure To which we order'd 'em after that to be particularly exhorted by several Persons well qualifi'd and well inform'd of our Sentiments of these Affairs who assur'd 'em of our good Intentions to give 'em content Having also sent 'em word in our Name that tho' they had exceeded above a Month of the Time wherein we prefix'd 'em to separate yet we granted 'em eight Days more for their Return to Loudun and eight Days after to Name their Deputies and then retire In which if they fail'd to give us Satisfaction we should take care so to provide as should be most for the good of our Service But finding that instead of obeying our commands they still continu'd together covering their Disobedience with the Pretences of new Envoys which they sent to us to reiterate their Importunities and Supplications Yet being well inform'd that there are several persons in the said Assembly ill affected to the Good of our Service and the Peace of this Kingdom who labour to inveagle others into their wicked Designs Therefore being no longer able to suffer this contempt of our Authority without testifying our Resentment toward those that are Guilty and letting every one know what our Will and Pleasure is upon this Subject We declare that we have had this Matter debated in Council where were present some Princes of the Blood other Princes c. With whose advice and of our certain knowledge full Power and Royal Authority we have said declar'd and ordain'd as follows that is to say That to testify our good Inclinations in their behalf to our said Subjects of the said Pretended Reformed Religion we have again order'd our said Deputies assembl'd at Loudun a Respit of three weeks after notice shall be given 'em by these presents to break up the said Assembly and to go home to their Houses During which time they may also Nominate their Deputies according to the Number and Method accustom'd for two to be made Choice of by us to reside near our Person and upon their neglect to break up and Retire after that time expir'd We have from hence forward as then declar'd the said Assembly unlawful and opposite to our Service and Authority And all those who shall stay to continue it either in the City of Loudun or in any other Place guilty of High Treason and as such excluded from the Benefit of our Edicts and other Favours by us granted to those of the Pretended Reformed Religion as also of the Appeals which they may pretend to to our Chambers of the Edict We likewise will and it is our Pleasure that they be proceeded against with the utmost Rigor of our Laws and Ordinances as well by our Ordinary Judges as our Parlaments as disobedient Subjects Rebels and disturbers of the Publick Peace as also all such as shall side with 'em in their Practices Negotiations and Correspodencies And as for those among 'em who shall obey our present command and withdraw from the said Assembly within the time above mention'd as also all others of the Pretended Reformed Religion who shall continue in their Obedience and Duty toward us our Will and Pleasure is that they live with all freedom under our Protection and enjoy the Benefit of our Edicts Declarations and other Favours by us granted in their behalf And if they of the Assembly who shall obey our present Commands whatever their Nunber be before they quit it nominate the Deputies that are to reside in our Train our Intention is to admit their said Nomination and to permit those whom we shall make choice of to do the Duty of their Functions near our persons as is usual So we command our beloved and Faithful Counsellours holding our Courts of Parlament and Chambers of the Edict our Bayliffs c. We also enjoyn all our Advocate Generals and their Substitutes c. And to the end the said Assembly may have sufficient Notice of our present Command and may have no cause to pretend Ignorance our Pleasure is that our Advocate General or his Substitutes give speedy notice thereof to the said City of Loudun or other Places where such Assemblies shall be held by the chief of our Ushers or Serjeants We also command our Governours and Lieutenant Generals in our Provinces to be aiding and assisting in the Execution of such Decrees and Judgments as shall be given against the Violators of these Presents For this is our Will and Pleasure In Testimony whereof c. Given at Paris Feb. 26. 1620. in the Tenth of our Reign Sign'd Lewis And below By the King Phelippeaux Register'd upon the Motion of the Kings Atturney General and sent to all Bayliwicks and Seneschalships to be there Register'd c. At Paris in Parlament February 27. 1620. Sign'd De Tillet A Declaration of the King in Favour of his Subjects of the Pretended Reformed Religion who shall remain in their Duty and Obedience Dated at Fontain-bleau April 24. 1621. Register'd the 27th LEwis by the Grace of God King of France and Navarr To all c. Since we took in hand to govern the Affairs of our Kingdom We have found that one of the most necessary Things to keep our Subjects in Peace and Tranquility is carefully to observe the Edicts of Pacification and Declarations made in favour of our Subjects who prosess the Pretended Reformed Religion for which Reason we have all along labour'd it as much as it was possible and also to the end they might have so much the more Reason to contain themselves in their Duty and to rejoice in our goodness We have often dissembl'd and laid asleep their Disobedience
but also by those of 1610. and 1612. and more especially by your last Declaration Besides which Right the approach of your Castle of Plessis usually granted to the People of Tours would be a Security to ' em The Commissioners sent into Bress shall take care of this Article so far as shall be agreeable to Reason XII The same Supplication is made to your Majesty for the Repair of the Church of Burgh upon the Ruins and Place where those of the Religion possess'd it by the Sentence and Decrees of the Commissioners in the enjoyment of which they are now disturb'd To the XIII XIV XV. Articles the Commissioners are enjoin'd to take care of the Petitioners demands according to the Tenour of the Edicts and the said Declaration XIII It is remonstrated to your Majesty that the Inhabitants professing the Religion in the City of Villemur are molested in the Liberty of their Consciences depriv'd of all Exercises of Piety refus'd Publick Employments and very much overburthen'd by the Garrison Those of Fontenai Le Comte expell'd interdicted Preaching and Prayers their Pastor not being permitted to re-enter nor can they have their Church restor'd 'em thô almost ruin'd not so much as for the Burial of their dead suff'ring on the other side all Excesses of Charges and Free Quarters upon the complaints sent to your Council Therefore Sir may it please Ye to deliver 'em from their Oppressions and by permitting 'em to enjoy the Fruits of the Peace to order the Re-establishment of their Religion their Churches and Ministers the Security of their Burials and whatever Relief your Justice can afford their Grievances  XIV That you would likewise be pleas'd to order the Restoration of their Exercise at Lusson where it is deni'd to those of the said Religion contrary to the Publication of your Declaration thô they carri'd themselves obediently and that the said Exercise has been continu'd there for these fifty Years together even during all the time of the late Wars and Government of des Roches Baritault XV. Those of the Religion are likewise hinder'd their said Exercise at Talmont the Canon having been levell'd against 'em while assembl'd to hear the Word of God As also at Surgeres the Lady of the Place forbidding any Preaching there tho' it had been allow'd 'em during all the late Troubles Also at Baignols at St. Giles's in Languedoc at Figeac in Quercy Puymirols and at Vic in Armagnac from whence Mr. Testas the Minister is fled not daring to return nor being able to abide in safety in the Place Whereby your Declaration being violated may it please your Majesty to command the Restoration of the said Places and the said Testas As also for the Church of Quilleboeuf and the Pastour of it pursuant to the Re-establishment of it a long time since The XVI Article shall be communicated to the Maior and Sheriffs of Poitiers to be by them heard and taken care of XVI And for as much as the Catholicks of your City of Poitiers have impos'd upon those of the Religion the Summ of 1200. Livres for the Guard that had been maintain'd during these Troubles into which they would not admit any of those of the Reformed Religion may it please your Majesty that they may be discharg'd from it as from an unreasonable Imposition The King will carefully accomplish and observe what has been granted â—â— those of the Pretended Reformed Religion of Bearn by the said Bnief â—â— October the last XVII They likewise supplicate your Majesty that the Edict of Compensation touching the Churches of your Royalty of Bearn may be punctually effected as you were pleas'd to grant by your Brevet given at Mompelier And that the Exercise of the Religion and the Minister may be restor'd in your City of Navarreins That in Consideration of the Resignation of other Churches they of the Religion may be maintain'd in the Possession of the Churches Bells and Church-yards which were granted 'em by the Commissioners or by the Parlament upon their Report And that the Colledges and Academies may be restor'd and payment made of the Salaries that belong to ' em His Majesty intends that the Chamber of the Edict of Languedoc which remains only to be resettl'd shall speedily be restor'd to Castres according to the said Declaration XVIII And because Justice is that which most imports your Authority and the Preservation of the Peace may it please your Majesty to Order a speedy Restoration of the Party Chambers in Places and Cities where they were wont to be And in the mean time may the Courts of Parlament be forbid to take Cognizance and Judge of the Causes of those of the said Religion and that the Appeals by them brought before the Judges Prothonotaries or the Commissioners executing Decrees and Sentences may have the same Effect as if they were remov'd by Letters Royal according to the XLIII Article of the Edict and VI. of the Conference of Nerac Granted XIX By the sixth Article of the Edict and II. of Particulars and other Answers made to our Papers they of the Religion find themselves justly discharg'd from Contributing toward the Repairing and Building of Churches and their Dependencies as things contrary to their Conscience Nevertheless the Catholick Inhabitants of Arnai le Duc solicit in your Council a Permission to impose in general upon the Corporation and as well upon themselves as upon those of the Religion the Summ of six thousand Livres to build a Church for the Capuchins which would neither be reasonable nor conformable to the Edicts Therefore may it please your Majesty to declare Acquit and Exempted all your Subjects of the Religion from Payments and Contributions of the like Nature and that the abovenamed II. Article of Particulars may be put in Execution The said Deputed Commissioners in the said Places are enjoin'd to take care of the Contents of this Article XX. 'T is notorious that during these last Troubles they of the Religion have suffer'd many Violences through the Insolence of the People their Adversaries As in the City of Romorantin where they twice burnt the Meeting-House wherein they perform'd their Exercise in the Suburbs of the said City But what is more strange that since the Peace which it has pleas'd your Majesty to grant your said Subjects the Church which was long since built in your City of Gergeau has been quite thrown to the Ground and the Ruins of it remov'd by which means they of the Religion have been depriv'd of their Exercise Wherefore they most humbly beseech your Majesty that amends may be made for this Notorious Breach of your Edicts and Declarations and to order that the said Church may be rebuilt and the Exercise resettl'd at Gergeau as also that of Romorantin His Majesty will write to the Duke of Espernon Governour and Lieutenant General of Guyenne to see that the Inhabitants of the said Cities of Bergerac and St. Foy be eas'd and favourably us'd upon all occasions
Ibid. At Clay 536. Forbid in several Places 301. Exorcisms the ridiculous â—ssâ—cls of 'em 505. F. FAvas's Interest 365. Favourites new Intreignes against 'em 337. Fenouilles Bishop of violent against the Reformed 335. Remarks upon his Speech 337. Beholding for his Preferment to the Duke of Sully yet a bitter Persecutor of the Reformed 152. Ferrand the Minister flatters the King 410. Ferrier retires 67. Heavy Accusations against him 102. Quits the Ministry and is receiv'd a Counsellour at Nimes 146. More of him 148 c. His end 150. Flatteries excessive 362. Foix Desolation of the Church there 338. Fontrailles put out of Leitoure 364. La Force corrupted by the King leaves the Reformed 333. La Force Governour of Bearn 279. His unequal temper and the effects of it 292. France Plays foul play with the Confederates 416. Makes a League with Queen Christina 497. Her Pretensions to all Europe set forth by a Sorbon Doctor 502. G. GAland Augustus a Commissioner 371. Admitted into the Synod 372. His Intreigue against the Duke of Rohan 442. In vain opposes the Vnion of the Churches of Bearn 483. Gex the Bailliage how us'd 534. Commissioners sent thither 93. Great Alterations there in the State of Religion 107. Governours of the Towns of Security basely self-interested 423. Grand Assizes several of their Decrees against the Reformed 512. Grievances a large Memoir of 'em 430. Gustavus King of Sweden his Death 497. H. HArdy put in Marrialds Room 427. House of Charity forbid at Paris 536. House of the Propagation of Faith and a remarkable piece of Injustice 537. Huguenots whether to be admitted in the Kings Army 441. Hust the Original of the Word 349. I. JAcobins turn'd out of Mompellier 275. James I. of England his Compliance for the Catholick Religion 390 391. His coldness as to the Affairs of the Palatinate 391. Jeannin his remarkable writing 330. His Answer to the Duke of Bouillon 181. Jesuits receive a great Mortification 93. Impudence of the Jesuits Aubigni and Cotton 13. Inclinations of the Great Men 314. Independency of Kings from the Pope maintain'd 169. Rejected by the Court and Clergy and why 170. Injustice extraordinary against the Reformed 435. Instructions of the Commissioners 421. Answer'd by Chauve the Moderator 422. For the Provincial Assembly 23. Continuations of the Instructions 26. Invectives against the Synod of Aletz 357. Joseph a Capuchin his draught of the Reunion 474. K. KIng of England in what sence Garrantee for the Protestants 413. Offers his Mediation for a Peace 234. Refus'd by the Council of France Ibid. Knight of Malta Marry'd 432. L. LAnguedoc Lower in Confusion 328. Continue unquiet 234. The Circle of it Assembles at Limel 376. League powerful against Spain 410. Legacies perverted 432. Lescun Counsellour in the Soveraign Council of Bearn 279. His Remonstrance 290. Lesdiguieres pretends to the Constables Sword and intercedes for Peace with the Protestants 334. He endeavours to hinder the removal of the Assembly of Grenoble to Nimes 212. Engag'd in the Interest of the Court 214. He falls out with the Assembly of Rochel 381. His small Affection for Religion Ibid. c. Will not hearken to his Friends 386. He remains at Court 388. Lessius put to Death 354. Letter Satyrical dividing the Reformed into three Orders 29. A Letter from Court Authorizing the Inferiour number against the greater 56. Letter suppos'd to be written in the Duke of Montbazons Name 366. Lewis XIII Marches into Guyenne 314. Returns to Paris 330. Leaves Paris 332. His success in Poitou Ibid. And Guyenne where he treats with La Force 333. He suspects the Duke of Tremoville and seizes Tulleburg Ibid. Hastens into Languedoc 334. He forbids the Reformed to quit their Habitations 339. He makes use of Forraign Catholick Souldiers 342. He puts his Kingdom under the Protection of the Virgin Mary 413. Returns to Paris 358. His particular Insidelity to the Rochellers 363. His Death 452. His Letter to the Queen about the Peace 463. The Court surpriz'd at the Kings Death 1. The Penetrating into the Causes of his Death avoided 14. His Temper 260. His unexpected Journey to Bearn 343. He arrives at Pau and takes in Navarreins returns to Pau and takes the Oath to the States 345. He goes unexpectedly from Paris and removes the Offices of the Receits 401. Lewis XIII born 419. Lion an unfortunate accideent there 326. A new Sedition there 451. Loudun Assembly there justified 301. which produc'd several Complaints and Apologies 302. Answer'd by the King 303. The Place appointed for the Conference which procures Peace 235. Luson Bishop of made a Cardinal 360. His Character Ibid. His Speech to the King 173. He withdraws from the Queen 272. He writes against the Ministers 274. His ill Counsel 341 c. M. MAcon the Bishop of his Speech to the King 274. Proves ineffectual 277. Remarks upon it 317. Mage the Judge 422. Maine Duke of his Death 322. Mandamus Final to the Soveraign Council of Bearn 311. Attended by Decrees of Council 312. Maniald dies 427. Mansfield Count treats with the Reformed 340. Gain'd by the Court 341. Contrary to the Bishop of Alberstads Inclinations Ibid. Marans Count of his Hostilities against Sancerre 268. Marets Minister of Alets put to Death 494. Marriage of Converted Priests 431. Masuyer's false dealing 423. His Character 373. He writes to the King 374. More of him Ibid. c. Mediation of the Dukes of Rohan and Trimoville ruin'd by Favas 389. Metz the Reformed forbid to erect a Colledge there 517. Milletiere a writing of his 373. His Project about Re-union of the Protestants and Papists 477. Refuted by Daille 478. Turns Catholick through Necessity Ibid. Ministers Forraign a Declaration against 'em 436. Decrees against 'em 503. Ministers Pensioners 121. Allow'd to assist at Political Assemblies 270. Ministers of Charentons Answer 273. The Treachery of some punish'd 354. Miron President his Character 172. Missions and Missionaries 467. Mombazon Duke of his care of the Reformed 324 325. Mompellier besieg'd 344. Holds out stoutly 352. The Kings Infidelity to Her 358. A Cittadel built there contrary to the Treaty 377. The building of it oppos'd by Maniald Ibid. Innovations there 436. The Foundation of it by whom Ibid. Monks converted their Rogueries 271. Monsanglard Minister his Process 532. Montauban defended by La Force 318. The Siege rais'd 319. Reduc'd 463. Moulin in danger of being secur'd 390. His Letter to James I. of England miscarries 391. From which the Jesuits seek an opportunity to ruin him 392. Muce Marquiss of condemn'd by the Parlament of Rennes 355. N. NErac a Presidial Court erected there 416. Negrepelisse taken by Assault and great Cruelties there exercis'd 334. Nomination of General Deputies permitted 426. The Synod desires to be exempted from it Ibid. O. OAth of Vnion 377. Renew'd by the Assembly of Tonneins 165. Offices 441. The Catholicks combine to exclude the Reformed from 'em Ibid. 448. Talon's manner of Pleading 510. His Distinction between the Right of
Catholick Lords The dispersion of the Army The fight of Arques Effects of the King's promiseâ— in some Provinces What the Keformed understood by Protector Protection reciprocal between the K. of Navir and the Refoâ—med The Protestants jealousies and their grounds The King offended at the proposition of taking another Protectour And the Wiser Protestants find â—t both unjust and unseasonable 1589. A Letter written by the King 's own hand upon that Subject The state of the Forces â—â—th of the Leaguers and of the King'â— party The divisions reigning in each party The 〈…〉 â—nâ— aâ—spâ—sâ—â—â—oâ—s of the Catholick Royalists â—â— a Peace in Religion The disposition of the Protestants in regard to same matter Writings about the point of taking up of Arms. for Religion 1589. 1590. The battel of Yvri 1590. The Siege of Paris A new project of peace for the Protestants The reasonableness of their demands And the passion of the Catholicks 1590. The project is at first approved And afterward rejected Remonstrances about it 1590. 1591. The effect of these Remonstrances Gregory the 14th's Bull. 1591. â—â—â— Edict of Mantes 1591. Cavils raised about its Verification * Whereof the Reformed complain The 3d. party and its designs 1521. 1591. Propositions of the Clergy that fâ—lâ—â—â—ed the King A Foreign Army Viscount of Turene marries the Heiress of Sedan And is made Marshal of France 1591. 1592. The Catholicks Artifices to gain the King Fruitless Conferences between du Plessis and Villeroy Their different prospects upon the King's instruction â—… Rigors on their Burying 1593. Continuation of the artifices to shake the King's Conscience Political Interests that tended to the same end Mutual Policy of the Catholicks and the Reformed The King â—… Preparations for his change Preparations for his Charge â—… The King's Conversion A Formular that the King refuses 1593. Mistrusts proceeded from this change Boldness of the Leaguers A renewing of the Oath of Union Barriere's Conspiracy The Rebels Pretence The Deputies of the Reformed on their march The King's Precautions against their reproaches Insults of the Catholicks Artifices to hinder the Deputies from seeing him Project of an Edict And to hinder him from satisfying them Precautions against the Oaths of the Order of the H. Ghost and the Coronation The Reformed dissatisfied of the Project neither accept nor refuse them Assemblies permisted Union renew'd with the King ' approbation Artifies to corrupt the Ministers A design of re-uniting The Duke of Nevers obtains nothing at Rome The fears that the King and Popes reconciliation gave the Reformed Truce to the King's prejudice Reduction of Meaux and other Towns Clauses in the Treaties that prejudice the Reformed * The Circuit of a League from any Town being within the Precinct or Jurisdiction of it Oath of the Consecration The Jesuits Answer Injustices done to the Reformed 1594. 1593. 1594. Synod at Montauban Orders and Prayers for the King's Prosperity And to bring him back to the Reformed Religion Disowns the Province of the Island of France in several particulars Proposals and Regulations for the General Council Provincial Councils Sedition of the Croakers Deputies amus'd at Court Pretensions of the D. of Mercoeur Overtures of Reconciliation with the Pope 1595. Testimony which d' Ossat gave the Reformed Sentimentâ— of the Court touching the Union of the Reformed Sentiments of the King upon the Assemblies Causes why they would not declare the Reformed capable of Offices The Prince of Conde taken out of their hands Ways to bring it to pass The Article about Offices passes with some trouble The Proctor-General's Cavil ill taken Cause of new Distrusts He at last permits it Reasons for his so doing Necessity of importuning the King The Assembly demands a new Edict and Securities Absolution desir'd by the King His reasons for yielding first Commissioners elected to treat D'Ossat and Perron High Pretensions of the Pope The Proctors Instructions quite contrary A Testimony given of the pâ—st and present Services of the Reformed Provocations of the Proctors in the terms and matter Articles of Penitence Complaints of the Reformed Excuses of the Proctors Secret Articles thought to be promis'd to the Pope Massacre aâ— Chastaigneray Excepted by the Patents out of the Acts which should be compriz'd in the Amnesties Artifices to perswade the Reformed to deliver up the Prince of Conde Interests of the Prince of Conti and Count of Soissons Trimouille suspected by the King Pisani carries her away with the Prince her Son Precautions taken for the Prince's Religion ill observ'd The Deputies of the Assembly at Saumur attend the King Paid with general Proâ—ises War declared against Spain League with the Queen of England who would have an Article inserted in the Treaty in favour of the Reformed The Duke of Bouillon oppos'd it Discontents of the Reformed and their effects Whence the King's colaness proceeded Suggestions of the Catholicks The Popes Address His wishes 1695. Reports of the Reformed being quite out of favour and the Sources of it 1596. The Assembly Edict of Travercy An Edict in favour of the Duke of Mayenne The Estate of the Kingdom The Project of dividing The Assembly meet at Loudun with permission New suspicions and subject of complaint * Which was a Court for the benefit of Protestants one half Roman Catholicks and the other half of the Reformed Vulson sent to Court An Effect of this Rigour A wise Expedient of Du Plessis to reunite the Assembly Is approved of the King who revokes the Order of dispersing and promises a Commissioner The Patience of the Reformed A continuation of their Requests A Legat in France renews their fears Jealousies of Roni A Synod at Saumur Their Resolutions Their Letters to the King Commissioners appointed Complaints of the King The Firmness of the Assembly which removeth to Vendome They desist about a general Exercise A second place of Exercise granted in each Balliwick and their right acquired by Possession in the year 1596. confirmed The Edict of 1577. verified at Rouen doth not content them The Pope complaineth of it D' Ossat appeaseth him 1597. The Assembly is discountenanced at the return of the Commissioners Mistrusts and Jealousies on both sides Divisions in the Assembly They return to Saumur Amiens surprised Confusion in the Affairs A Motion for War in the Assembly The Motives of the Dukes of Bouillon and Trimouille The King's perplexity His different manner of writing to the Assembly before and after the taking of Amiens The Answers of the Assembly Which is removed to Chatelleraud more numerous than before The Reasons which may excuse the firmness of the Assembly in their Demands about the Article of Security Their Conduct in respect of the Siege of Amiens Difference in Opinions The Reformed serve the King before Amiens The Actions of the Dukes of Bouillon and la Trimouille The Commissioners changed The Treaty continueth and they slacken on both sides A new Possession acquired in 1597. Articles granted by Count Schomberg with submission to the King's
Rochel and its Refutation * Thuanus An Inheritance held immediately and in Capite of the King * Use and Profit * A heavy Tax upon such as are not Gentle men * Germain Horse In French Grâ—ffe * An Inheritance held directly in Capite of the King * The word signifies Legacies * A heavy Imposition Câ—hirs Petition or Remonstrances * Petition 1610. The Court is surprised at the death of the King Precautions us'd to prevent disorder The Regency is given to the Queen The Condition of the Reformed Who are dreaded and yet are afraid False Measures taken by the Duke of Sully He is advised to look to himself He is well received at Court A Declaration which confirms the Edict Remarkable Expressions The free exercise of Religion confirm'd at Charenton The Reform'd being deceiv'd by those Artifices fall into a sâ—nd Opinion of safety New Reasons of diffidence which awaken them 1610. Impudence of the Jesuit Aubigni And of Cotton They avoyd penetrating into the Causes of the Kings Death Prisoners releas'd Suspicions of the most Speculative The double Alliance with Spain resolv'd upon The Marshal de Bouillon endeavours to gain the Prince of Condc * Petitions Answer'd †Chambre Mipartie in wâ—tch the Iudges were part Catholicks and part Protestants Disgrace of the Duke of Sully Who is removed from the Exchequer and from the Government of the Bastille 1611. He writes to the Queen General Assembly allowed for Chastelleraud * Petitions or Addresses Remov'd â—â— Saumur by a new Brief The Marshal de Bouillon is gain'd by the Queen * Petitions or Addresses Instâ—uctions for the Provincial Assembly Excuses of the demands that seemed to be new Continuation of the Instructions Assembly of Saumur and the Quality of the Deputies How those of Bearn assist at it * Petition or Address Toleration for defective Deputations Inconstancy of the Marshal de Bouillon about Presidentship Of which the reasons are unknown Du Plessis is elected President He excuses himself in vain Discontent of the Marshal Duke Who seems to be reconcil'd to the Duke of Sully And Interresses himself for Senevieres The Assembly do's the same The Court evades and the Marshal falls of The Oath of Vnion Another Oath against under hard dealing both ill kept * Petitions They examine the Affair of the Duke of Sully who makes a long discourse to explain it The Assembly is of opinion that this Affair concerns their Religion Anonymous Answer to the Duke's discourse The like Writings in Vogue during the Sessions of the Assembly A Satyical Letter which divides the Reform'd into three Orders Malicious Zealous Judicious Character of the Queen 〈◊〉 Character of the Reform'd From whence the reports proceeded that the Assembly design'd to make War * Cities Towns or Forts c. Artiffices of the ancient Enemies of the Reformâ—d Several Catholick Citys take up Arms. Du Plessis Fortifies the Garrison of Saumur after having asked the King's leave for it Commissioners from the King to the Assembly * Petition or Address The Assembly sends Deputies to the Court. * Petition or Address And makes Five Cahiers The Court will have the Country of Bearn to Treat seperately * Petition Apparent Vnion in the Assembly * Petitions or Addresses In which discâ—rd breaks out at last * The Commons The Power of the Deputies that carry the Cahier is limited The Deputies are well received at Court where they are flatter'd * Petition Address Demand c. And afterwards deceiv'd And proceed to Threats The Court gives them Letters and Commands them to retire The Assembly tarrys for the return of the Kings Commissioners And gives Reasons not to chuse six Deputies In which they persist after having heard Bullion * Petition written in one Column and the Answer in the other * Petition written in one Column and the Answer in the other Artiâ—â—ces â—â— undermine the steadiness of the Assembly Of which some Members suffer themselves to be Corrupted Dangerous Councelimputed to the Marshal of Bouillon Bellujon is censur'd by the Assembly A Letter from the Court Authorising the inferior number against the greater Bullion seems to accept of a Tempâ—r But he retracts all of a sudden by a strange advice of the Marshal Duke Wise Council of Du Plessis Who wards the blow The Assembly Nominates Commissioners Vexation of the Marshal at the success of his enterprise Nomination of the Deputies General The Answers to the Cahier satifies no body Nevertheless they resolve to break up Tho' nothing had been done worthy of the Assembly Artifices to disgust Chamier Ferrier retires Why the Court was unwilling to appear the Cause of those Divisions Regulations drawn by the Assembly * Commons Provincial Councils Their Functions Regulations of Vnion The Marshal de Bouillon will not allow the Ministers to make a separate order or Body in those Councils * Ministers and Elders c. †Petitions and Addresses Substance of the General Cahier and of the answer made to it Cahiers answer'd * A Land Tax c. Cahirs answered Cahiers answered * Yielding up a Title or Right to a Creditor c. * By whom the Cause ought to be tryed †Criminal Cases * Courts of Justice Cahiers answer'd Cahiers answer'd * Cities or Towns annex'd to others * Towns Castles c. Cahiers Answer'd Articles in favour of Bearn Mutual reproaches of the Members of the Assembly * Petitions or Addresses Books which make a noise Niceness of the Doctrine concrning the Authority of Kings Books of Du Plessis Number of 666. Paulo 5 Vice-deo V. 5. L. 50 V. 5. V. 5. I. 1. C. 100. D. 500. 666 Justness of the Calculation Sedition at Paris Return of the Deputies into their Provinces Commissioners in diverâ— places where they are not received Synod at Blois which the Commissioners are allarm'd at They writ to Court about it Assembly at Castel-Jaloux which causes a kind of League of the Catholicks Mortifications receiv'd by the Jesuits Commissioners in the Country of Gex The Reformed in a quarrel take the part of the House of Guise 1612. Death of the Lord de Vatan They allow him a Minister to prepare him to Dye but they hinder him from singing Psalms Deputies of the Provinces at Paris Sent back Outragiousty Decleration of the 24th of April The Deputies General oppose the Inrolement Which is notwithstanding perform'd National Synod of Privas Censures about the Divisions of Saumur Vnion Signed and Sworn Private Divisions Grave accusations against him in the Synod Which censures him grievously Nimes deputes to preserve him And the Synod aggravates Complaints of the Synod of Blois Cares of the Synods for the reconciliation of the Grandees Brief of augmentation of the Sums allow'd to the Reform'd Alterations made to the state of the Reform'd in the County of Gex The Synod endeavours to prevent the abuse that is made of the said augmentation Andrenews the demands of the Assembly of Saumur Reasons of the Repugnancy so often express'd against the
by the Commissioners to perform that Exercise fell by Succession or otherwise into the hands of Catholics of which they alledg'd an Example in Baujolâ—is where the Propriet of a Barn that was design'd 'em for their Assemblies was upon the point of being sold They made likewise Complaints of the Seditious Terms that the Catholic Preachers made use of in their Sermons as they had done all the Lent long at Blois at Orleans at Angiers and elsewhere at Chalons upon Sacne at Mortagne at Chartres the Judges to whom the Complaints were made never using their endeavours to repress ' em They spoke also of the attempts of some Judges that wou'd take upon themselves the Authority of proportioning upon the Reformed the Sums of which they had occasion for the Maintenance of their Ministers The Kings Answers were all favourable however they were forc'd to come again more then once to desire the Abolishing of those Monuments which preserv'd the Memory of the Civil Wars Very near the same time the Inhabitants of the Country of Gex sollicited the Confirmation of the Regulations which they had obtain'd in the Matters of Religion since their Country came under the power of the King I have already observ'd that they had there follow'd the Methods of the Edict as in all the rest of the Kingdom whether for the Restoration of the Exercise of the Roman Religion or for maintaining the Reformed in the possession where the King had found ' em But to have a stronger Title then those Regulations made upon particular Accidents they desir'd something more Authentic that they might make 'em effectual and they obtain'd it in the Month of June by a Declaration for that purpose In the mean time they prepar'd themselves to hold a General Assembly and indeed the following Year they held it at Chatelleraud The King was much afrad lest some things shou'd pass there against his Interest because it was said that this Assembly wou'd Grant their Protection to the Marshal de Bouillon The Marshal made his Affair pass over all Europe for an Affair of Religion and when he writ to the King after his disgrace he spoke more in the Style of an Accuser that threaten'd then of a Criminal that humbl'd himself It was dangerous in the Example that that shou'd be taken for a Cause of Religion in an Assembly of Subjects which was held a Crime of State in the Council of a Soveraign Moreover the place was suspected because it was at Chatelleraud from whence la Trimouille and du Plessis were not far distant For in regard the Duke had a great passion for Liberty and Sentiments on that Subject becoming a Hero if he had not been Born under a Monarchy 't was fear'd that he wou'd have endeavour'd to make of the Reformed Party a kind of Common-wealth of which the Marshal de Bouillon was accus'd to have laid the Project This likewise gave so much the more occasion to the Kings Council to think that they had perhaps already some prospects of oppressing the Public Liberty by an Absolute Power 'T is certain at least that the suggestions which came from Italy or Spain tended that way and little Papers ran among the people that taught how to rise to the highest degree of Despotic Authority The Reformed did not Palate these Designs of a Power without Bounds because they knew well what they ought to expect from a Catholic Council if once they went about to set themselves above Promises and Laws 'T was therefore that there were many amongst 'em that were desirous to take measures to avoid Civil Servitude because they saw it wou'd be easie to fall into the Servitude of Conscience if the first were once Establish'd But the Death of the Duke of Trimouille deliver'd the King of that pain It happen'd so seasonably that it might be said to have been procur'd His Distemper began with Convulsions which terminated in a Languishment wherein he lingred some months and when there seem'd some likelihood of his Cure his Convulsions seiz'd him again and carry'd him off He had bin invited by Roni a little before his Distemper began and I knew some of his Domestic Servants that were strongly perswaded that his Death was not Natural This Death was taken by the King for a Fortunate Hit because the Duke's Genius gave him a great deal of trouble 'T is a difficult matter for a Man to behave himself before Kings if he be Fear'd he is Hated if he be Peaceable he is Despis'd and when some part of their favour is obtain'd 't is not agreeable to a Man who has a Soul to be more oblig'd to blind Compliance or a servile Dependance then to his Merit There was this Year an Affair that made a great Noise which was judg'd at the Chamber of the Edict The Cardinal de Chatillon had been Marry'd ever since the year 1564. yet for all that had neither quitted his Habit nor his Dignity His Death happening some years after his Widow agreed for his Inheritance with the Admiral and after that having been carry'd away by a Man who Robb'd her of all that she had got it came into her mind when the Edict of Nants was publish'd to demand a Review of the Contracts which she had made and to dispute with the Heirs of the Admiral the Inheritance of her Husband She grounded her Suit upon the Edict which by the Nine and Thirtieth Article of Particulars order'd a Toleration of Marriages such as Hers. But on the other side the Quality of the Person was a great Obstacle to her pretensions She might have succeeded better if the Dispute had been about any other then a Prelate but the affront had been too heinous for the Pope to bear had the Marriage of a Cardinal been confirm'd Bishop and Peer of France who had presum'd to retain after this Marriage his Revenues and his Purple Besides the Cardinal was the Elder Brother of the Admiral and of d'Andelot and his Marriage 't is like cou'd not be confirm'd without the Ruin of two Families which descended from these Lords one of which was half Catholic to wit that of d'Andelot whose Son had embrac'd both the Roman Religion and the League Servin Advocate-General made a long Speech in this Cause He spoke not of this Marriage of the Cardinal but as of an unlawful Conjunction and wou'd never grant that there had been any Solemnization of this Marriage even in the Forms accustom'd among the Reformed As Servin inclin'd very much to their Doctrine it may be judg'd that all his discourse was made on purpose to be sent to Rome where he was necessary to make it appear that such a Marriage had not been approv'd of His Evidences took from the Cardinals Wise the Quality of his Widow depriv'd her of all that she cou'd pretend to in that Quality and did not so much as order any Provision for support of her Children The Court order'd the Advocates
to put off the Cause to be heard before the Council for other Reasons then those that appear'd in the Decree That is to say That nothing might be pronounc'd in an Affair of this Nature and to give place for an Accommodation A very passionate Author who has inserted Servin's Pleading in his Work says That the Decree was agreeable to the Evidence but he does not relate the Terms of the Decree whereas the Advocate General Talon relates 'em in his Reports such as I have said In a word this Affair was one of the principal Reasons of making the Nine and Thirtieth Article of Particulars so as it is and the opposite Interests of the Widow and the Defendants gave room for greater Contests since the year 1600. The Cause of a Carthusian who had lest his Cloyster before the Edict and who demanded a share with his Brothers and in 1605. that of a Capuchin whose Case was the same were Judg'd according to the Tenor of the Article If they deviated a little in this Widows Cause 't is easie to see that there was more regard had to the Quality of the Persons concern'd then to the Nature of the business The Duke of Rohan this year likewise receiv'd a Check at the Court He was not willing to live unprofitable to the World and with a design to advance himself therein he made some steps which did not please the King But that was calm'd by the submission of the Duke who referr'd himself to the Discretion of his Master But the following year the Reformed and all good Frenchmen with no small disgust beheld the Pyramid thrown down which was rear'd to Eternize in a Plate of Brass the Decree of the Banishment of the Jesuits after the wicked attempt of Chatel Those Assassins who had the Credit to Re-establish themselves in spite of the Decree had yet a greater Reputation to demolish that Monument of what they were capable to do nor could the Parlament who were troubl'd beyond imagination to see the noblest mark of their Zeal for the good of France destroy'd prevent it either by Oppositions or Remonstrances All that they obtain'd was That they were not constrain'd themselves to undo their own Work and that it was Demolish'd without Formality of Justice Discourses Writings and Verses were on this Subject but the Jesuits who had what they desir'd took little notice of these slight storms well knowing it to be a Liberty of no consequence which may be Granted for his Consolation to an Enemy that can do no more mischief then only evaporate his Anger in Satyrs and Pasquills After this nothing but Favours were granted to this Society nothing but Benefices united to the Colledges but Houses built to Lodge their Novices more at their Ease In the mean time the Kingdom was full of Alarms and the King received from all parts Advice of the great designs that the Spaniards had upon several places Several Parties of the Male-contents got together of which the one had for pretence the Publick Good others design'd to raise up the Nobility again which had bin too much humbled others to pull down Roni whose Fortune they compared to that which Sejanus had done under Tiberius and wish'd that his end might be like to the downfal of that Favourite as there had been a resemblance in the advancement of the one and of the other and in the abuse which as they pretended the one in imitation of the other made of his Masters favour Others pretended to Revenge the Death of Biron whose Relations they were or else his Creatures The greatest part of these Intrigues were Spun by the Marshal de Bouillon who thought to render himself formidable in hopes perhaps to be recall'd and who had every where such great Intelligences that he seem'd capable of putting all Europe in Combustion He Labour'd above all things to engage the Reformed in some League by insinuating a dread in 'em from the King 's having promis'd the Legate to Ruin them And he caused Propositions to be made them for Establishing fixed Councels in all the Provinces to Treat of the Affairs of the Common Cause to exclude the Kings Officers of all the Politick Debates of their Assemblies to draw up Models for Raising Men and Money and to make Alliances with Strangers for their Common Defence But I know not how they could impute to him any other Projects Inconsistant with these as to design to change the Religion to conspire the Dismembring of the Kingdom to desire the Dauphinate for his share to disturb the Succession of the Dauphin to make a League with the Spaniards to make Peace between them and the Vnited Provinces It is impossible to join these Designs with the other for his part he deny'd constantly ever to have had such thoughts and it was so much the more easie for him to justifie himself in that it was not possible to find the least Proof against him in Writing Some body deposed that Money brought from Spain was distributed by the Orders of the Marshal to some private Gentlemen of Querci Guyenne and Languedoc and that they were promis'd at the same time that they should be assisted with greater Succours but the Sum which did not exceed Ten or Twelve Thousand Crowns was so little that it could not be thought to come from Spain which would never have confin'd her Profusions to so small a Matter It was believed that the Marshal had drawn this Sum out of his own Purse to keep his Friends in hope of a more considerable Profit Nevertheless every thing caus'd a Jealousie in a Kingdom where the Remains of so many old Factions gave occasion to fear that new ones were forming and the Assembly of Chattelleraud being come unlook'd for in this state of Affairs redoubled the perplexity of the Suspicious they well knew at Court that great matters were there to be Debated They were to consult which way to preserve their places of Security of which they knew that the Council would all at once take two Thirds away from them by distinguishing those which belong'd to particular Lords from those which were the Kings only The Revolt of Gentlemen of which already many Examples had been seen made the consequence to be feared in regard that if one Person of Estate happen'd to change his Religion all his Places would be lost from the Party Moreover the King talk'd openly of making War against the Marshal de Bouillon and of seizing his strong Holds and nothing could divert him from it but the Consideration of his Breeves which allow'd the Reform'd the keeping of the Places or Garisons for a time which was not yet expir'd But the difficulty was remov'd in case the Places belonging to particular Persons were not included with those they call'd Places of Surety from whence it follow'd that when ever the King should think fit he might dispossess the Reform'd of all those Places one after another and the Breach being
him entitl'd La Chemise â—aâ—glante de Henri IV. or The Bloody Shirt of Henry IV. which reflected upon the King's Honour so that d' Aistres was degraded and excommunicated by the Synod But Galand was not satisfi'd with this Ecclesiastical Punishment and therefore he caus'd the Book to be condemn'd to the Flames by the Party Chamber then sitting at Beziers That Chamber had bin remov'd from Castres during the Troubles and that City having a great desire to have it restor'd to her again compli'd with all Galand's Projects whose Testimony she was in hopes would be favourable to her at Court. Upon these Considerations it was that she gave him a Writing wherein she disown'd the Negotiations in Spain and join'd with him to hinder the Duke of Rohan's Deputies which he sent to the Synod from being admitted as also to be a means that his Conduct was there censur'd In a word the thing was carri'd so far that Marmet the Dukes Minister being come to Castres about particular business was not permitted to be in the Town above twenty four Hours though he protested that he had neither any Letters nor any Commission from his Master But the Duke having rightly foreseen what he was to expect from Galand had taken his Measures quite another way For he gave his Letteres to the Synod to Bearfort a Deputy from Cevennes and a kind of Manifesto which he had writ in his own Justification to another Minister So that they who held Intelligence with Galand finding their Designs prevented durst not attempt any thing farther In the mean time Blandel and Bauterne were deputed to carry to the King the Nomination of the General Deputies and the Synod after they had sate seven weeks brake up The Deputies made a very submissive Speech to the King Which done the King out of the six Persons nominated made choice of the Marquess of Clermont Calerande and Bazin to reside near his Person These New Deputies were charg'd with large Memoirs of Grievances that were sent 'em from all parts Paulet Minister of Verzenobres had been driven from his Church by violence The Marquis of Varennes Governor of Aiguemortes had as badly us'd Bancillon Minister of the Place Censtans Minister of Pons had been a long time Prisoner at Bourdeaux where he was still detain'd and Billot Minister of la Roche Chalais had been treated after the same manner though they ought both to have bin releast by the Edict of Peace The Cardinal of Sourdis and the Bishop of Maillezais persecuted the Church of Monravel where they attaqu'd in general the Right of Exercise and in particular several Members of it by Processes and other Acts of Violence The Church of Motte had labour'd very near under the same Extremities That of Serveriettes had bin also turmoil'd and harrass'd and several Churches of Guyenne and Languedoc had bin so absolutely ruin'd during the War that the Synod was constrain'd to recommend 'em to the Charity of others The Parlament of Pau had given out Decrees which forbid Consistories to censure Fathers Mothers or Guardians that sent their Children to Catholic Schools nay to the very Colledges of the Jesuits The Parlament of Tholouse had given out several Warrants to arrest the Bodies of several Inhabitants of Briteste for a Fact that was pardon'd by the General Amnesty Berard Advocate of the Court of Judicature at Soumieres had been imprison'd for no other Crime but for abjuring the Catholic Religion And the Reformed were still disturb'd upon the score of their Burials The Advocate-General James Talon caus'd several Decrees to be issu'd forth in one year upon this occasion of which the most favourable ordain'd no more then that before the Bodies were digg'd up information should be given whether it could be done Conveniently And what was singular in the Advocate-General's Reasons was this That to deprive a Gentleman of a purchas'd Right he had recourse to the pre-possess'd Fancy of the Catholics who sought to be buried in Churches that they might have a share in the benefit of Suffrages and Prayers Which being refus'd by the Reformed that they ought not to enjoy that advantage which they never minded themselves As if the Controversy between the Catholics and the Reformed about the benefit or unprofitableness of Prayer for the Dead had had any Relation to the Rights of a Lord of a Soile whose Ancestors had purchas'd the Priviledge of being buried in the Church which they had both founded and endow'd Upon which it may be observ'd that the Burial of the Dead in Churches was an effect of Superstition as the Advocate-General expresly acknowledg'd and set forth at large the degrees of the progress of it This Honour said he having been at first conferr'd upon Martyrs not because they were buried in Churches but because Churches were built over their Tombs it was also afterwards allow'd the Priest to holy Persons to those that enrich'd the Church by their Donations to Founders and lastly to those that were able to pay for it So that to speak properly there was only the Founders Right which had any other foundation then that of Superstition since he might pretend to it as a perpetual Evidence and Monument of his Liberality Neverthelesss James Talon could find in his heart to prefer a Right acquir'd by the Superstition of the People and the Covetousness of the Priests before a Priviledge which deriv'd it's original from the Bounty of a Founder The same James Talon caus'd a Legacy of a Reformed bequeath'd to the Poor to the Treasurer of the Hospital of the City of Chartres For which the Pretence was That according to the Edict the Poor of both Religions were to be reliev'd which if that reason had bin good had bin sufficient to have destroy'd the XLII Article of Particulars but this Decree was made the 7th of January There was another made in March after two Hearings which annull'd the Marriage of la Ferte Imbault and forbid him to keep company with the woman whom he had marry'd and the reason for it was because he was a Knight of Maltha and for that it was contrary to his Vow As if his Profession of a contrary Religion could not unty him from such a superstitious Engagement A man may judge by these trials of a Parlament where Justice was not altogether unknown how the Reformed were handl'd in others who lookt upon it as a meritorious Act to load 'em with Vexations and unjust Sentences The King himself also set forth some Declarations by which the Edict was considerably violated Upon the 12th of January came forth one which exempted the Ecclesiastics from pleading for the possession of their Benefices and Goods which were thereunto annex'd in Courts where any of the Reformed sate and which referr'd 'em to the next Catholic Judge The 10th of December appear'd another which ordain'd that Processes should be adjudg'd at Pau by all the Judges that should be found upon the Bench without
distinction of Religion and in case of removal the Cause should not be remov'd to the Party Chambers but to the next Parlament And the foundation of this Law which laid the Reformed at the mercy of the Catholics when they were most numerous upon the Bench was this That the Edict of Nantes was granted neither in favour of Bearn nor Navarre And thus the Clergy of that Countrey which formerly never aspir'd to more then to enjoy the Priviledges of that Edict had already carri'd their exterminating Zeal so high that they would not leave the Reformed any longer the enjoyment of that advantage So that those unfortunate People having seen the particular Edict which Henry IV. granted 'em violated in all the points of it cannot have the consolation to live under the prosection of the same Laws with the rest of the Churches of the same Communion In the mean time the Cardinal summon'd an Assembly of the Men of Note call'd Assemblée de Notables at Paris where he made a Harangue himself In this Assembly most worthy Proposals were made and the most profitable Resolutions in the World were taken for the Peace and Tranquility of the King but they were not taken to be put in execution They had only a mind to amuse the People who are easily dazl'd with great expectations and to accustom 'em to the Ministry of the Cardinal who promis'd 'em those mighty things There was only one Declaration which spoke of reuniting all the King's Subjects to the Roman Church by ways of Sweetness Love Patience and good Examples of maintaining the Reformed in the Privileges that had bin granted 'em by the Edicts of re-establishing good Discipline and vertuous Manners of advancing the Nobility of causing Justice to flourish of reforing Trade and easing the People But of all these Articles they remember'd none but the first For they procur'd the re-union of several private persons to the Church of Rome by the strong Arguments of Interest or by Vexations and Acts of Iniustice In pursuance of which they vaunted about this time of having converted in Bearn above 800 persons and because the care of these Conquests was committed to some zealous Missionary who manag'd these glorious Enterprizes by his counsels and advice they fail'd not to attribute the success to his Doctrine his Conversation and his Piety tho it were more justly due to the utmost rigors of Violence and Injustice The same means which the Church of Rome has always call'd ways of Sweetness wrought the same effect this year at Aubenas Where the Marquis of Ornano under pretence of the War of which I shall suddenly have an occasion to speak exercis'd most extravagant Violences upon the Reformed of that City Two Regents of that place coming to kiss his hands iâ— the body of the Town as their Lord he took from 'em their Hoods which is the mark of their Dignity and having call'd a Council he would not permit the Reformed who had bâ—â— elected Councellors to take their Seats he disarm'd all thâ— Reformed and put the Regency into the hands of Catholics and committed the Guard of the City to them at the chargâ— of the Reformed and being constrain'd to reinforce his Partâ— with some additional Troops because the Catholics were noâ— so numerous as the other he quarter'd the whole Garison upoâ— the Reformed only and this Garison committed Violences â—â— less barbarous then those in our days from which those miserable People could not redeem themselves but by changing their Religion So that in three weeks there were no less then 25â— Families that turn'd Catholics if the Converters do not augment their number And to add Insulting Domineering â—â— Violence they forc'd those poor Creatures to sign a Writing wherein they declar'd that they embrac'd the Roman Religioâ— willingly These extorted Declarations which they shew'd â—â— the King persuaded him that there were hardly any of thâ— Reformed who had not the same Inclinations and that they were only restrain'd by a Cabal of Ministers and the power â—â— the Party That there needed no more then the taking of Rochel and some other Cities which held up the Party and theâ— thousands of People would declare for the Catholic Religion Iâ— the mean time encourag'd by the example of what had happen'd at Aubena's they follow'd their Blows into other places For the Archbishop of Bourges and the Governor of St. Amand a little Town in Berri made a profitable use of this Pattern to bring back the Reformed to the Catholic Religion so that the fear into which they put the Inhabitants of quartering 200 meâ— upon 'em upon the same Conditions as the Garison was quarter'd at Aubenas made above 60 Families abjure the Reformed Faith And thus it was that the Edict publish'd upon the Remonstrances of the Assembly of the men of Note was put in execution But besides these they gave other marks of their slender Inclinations to observe the Edicts for there were above Forty Curches depriv'd of their spiritual comfort either through â—urbance of their Exercises or Imprisonment and Banishment their Ministers They had taken from the Reformed in seâ—al places both their Churches and their Church-yards withâ— any Form of Law ever since the Peace concluded The â—rdinal of Sourdis Archbishop of Bourdeaux whose Example â—s follow'd by some Gentlemen of the Countrey exercis'd a â—â—usand brutish Cruelties upon Bodies that were buri'd in such â—ces as carry'd any marks of Consecration according to the â—tom of the Catholics They refus'd to suffer Veilleux a â—nister call'd by the Reformed to Rouen to attend their service â—d the only reason for their refusal was because he was a Forâ—gner Letters of Reprisal were granted against the Reâ—med for things that were fully forgiven by the Edict of Peace â—veral persons were also put to death for Facts that had bin â—mmitted during the War with allowance of the Generals â—â—ich was expresly comprehended in the Amnesty granted by â—â— last Edict And there were reckon'd up above 10000 Warâ—â—ts given out in Languedoc for arresting of People upon the â—e Pretences The Council also divided the Consulship by â—ecrees given upon a Petition in places where according to â—â— Edicts which promis'd that nothing should be innovated in â—wns that were held by the Reformed that Office was to â—â—e bin let alone entire The particular Deputies that were â—t to carry the Complaints of these Acts of Injustice were 〈…〉 us'd Some were sent back unheard and laught at for their â—ins others were answer'd with nothing but Bravado's and â—enaces If any qualifi'd person took upon him this Deputaâ—n and that they were to treat him with more Civility they â—deavour'd to seduce him by Promises by Applauses or any â—her way not sparing any Artifices to find out on which side 〈…〉 was most subject to their Batteries and after all they sent â—â—m back agen as he came They refus'd to receive from the â—eneral Deputies the Papers drawn