the saide instructions nor to reforme the ecclesiasticall order according to the same When his maiestie was aduertised therof and well perceiuing the harmes that might growe thereby he gaue commaundement to his Ambassadores to protest agaynst the sayd Counsell and after their protestation made to come home from thence and so they did accordingly And albeit great suite and intreatie was made vnto them by the Pope and the sayd Cardinales and the deceased Cardinall of Loraine to returne to the said counsell and stay there tyll the ende of the same yet they would neuer yéeld so to doo So that the same counsell was continued ended and concluded without them without their signet according to the custome of all times Wherby also it came to passe that for any instant pursuit that was made for the receyuing and publishyng of the same counsell in the Court of Parliament at Paris the said Court the Chambers being assembled hath alwaies withstoode it and that in the yeere thréescore and twelue after Bartholmeweday when the same séemed greatly to fauour their suite Therfore the said King of Nauarre thinketh that men of vpright iudgement cannot accompt him either an heretique or an obstinate person considering the matter is yet vndiscided and in respect he submitteth him selfe to the triall of a counsell neither can they iudge him contentious or vmust that will yéelde to the decrée of a Parliament whatsoeuer the aduocate or counseller â—vn the one partie can cauill to the contrarie ne yet déeme him for a schismatique or stubbourne offender seeing he yéeldeth this obedience and reuerence to the assemblie of the estates to be redy to make his appearaunce there both to yéelde a reason of his oppinion there and likewise to learne there yea and to chaunge to better when better shall be taught him On the contrary side he complayneth that hitherto for the space of manie yéeres he hath séene these zealous persons assembled to destroy him but not to instruct him He complayneth of a processe begynning with execution of a teaching begunne with excommunication without any kind of formalitie that eyther is requisit or may be allowed to procéede Protesting before al Princes and estates and aboue all others before the King his Soueraigne Lorde to whom he maketh his recourse for iustice before the estate of this kingdom vnto whom he intendeth to represent his actions against the aucthors and fauters of this league of so manyfest violence precipitation and iniustice The said King of Nauarre also affirmeth that the name blame of a relaps or a backslider cannot rightly be applied vnto him by vertue whereof though by a counsell he shoulde yeelde to chaunge his opinion theyr pretence is to depriue him from the succession of the Crowne whereon God graunt they thinke as litle as he And therby he referreth the cause to all mens vpright consideration to thinke with what charitie his aduersaries procéede herein And whereunto their deuise may tend to cut from him asmuch as lieth in their power the desire to procure his instruction in a counfell without entring into the depth that might ouerthrowe it both by Cannons and examples In their language they call them Relapses or backsliders that haue been heretiques and abiured there heresies and yet neuertheles after wards fall into the same againe Therefore forasmuch as the King of Nauarre as here aboue appeareth hath not by the Cannons been an heretique it is most cléere that he cannot be a relaps He further affirmeth that though he had been or shoulde be an heretique yet could he not be a relaps considering he was neuer conuerted froÌ„ the pretended heresie and considering also that no one euer thought to take any payne or seeke meanes howe to perswade or conuert him but these zealous fellowes haue shot at no other marke with all their driftes and endeuours then to ouerthrowe and destroy him They alledge here that the said Lord the King of Nauarre after Bartholmewe day sent to the Pope and yéelded to goe to masse Setting age asid euery man knoweth what kinde of conuersion this was and whether he had iust cause of scare or not lenger refutation would be friuolous The truth is if by all lawes our actions are accompted of no force when they procéede through feare or force it is most certaine that neuer had action lesse will neither euer had any action more force The truth is also that he had not so soone recouered his will but he caused she same to appeare by publique profession what it was and that in the middest of the Catholiques which were in his cempanie and seemed to possesse him at that time without either dissimulation or subtillie whereby his errour might appeare to be altogether farre from hippocrfle The saide Lord the King of Nauarre most humbly beséecheth the King his Lord that it would please him to take in good parte his modest answere also to that blame whiche they lay to his charge that he is a persecuter of the Catholique Church And touching this poynte he citeth the consciences of his greatest enimies to answere before God whether this title in any respecte can appertaine vnto him Let euery man here consider that the ciuill warres sel in the tender yéeres of the said King of Nauarre and whether there be any likelyhood that he enterprised warre with a ioyfull hart persecute the Catholikes euery man knowing their number aucthoritie and force in this kingdome to be wholy without and frée from persecution Who vnder the kinges onely name were in safetie in regard of the sayde King of Nauarre and of all that dependeth on him from all attemptes enterprises and iniuries whatsoeuer Verily there haue ben rigours and persecutions heard and spoken of in Fraunce within the space of certaine yéeres passed But no man at any time interpreted them other wise then passiuelie in regard of them of the religion and aniuely in regard of others And to vse any woord to the contrary would be so vnantly spoken that no man would vnderstand it It pleased King Charles to cause the said King of Nauarre repayre to his Coart and to honour him with Marriage of his sister He came thither in the religion wherein he was brought vp â—ut that which followed may better be shaddowed with silence then to be now againe fresh repeated When he departed from thence he went backe into his owne Countries When peace was made with my Lorde that is deceased the said King of Nauarre vsed not so muche as one woord by way of request for any thing concerning him selfe neither is there any one article to be redde therein that toucheth him And yet without doubt he had greater occasion then any other either to beare some stomacke for matters passed or to be as it were recompenced for the losses he suffered Howâ—eit the saide King of Nauarre woulde not for his owne particular occasion hinder the peace and tranquilitie of this Realme and the succour and comfort of the
the execution of the edict of the paciâ—â—ing of old grudges which were promised to be broughte to passe within the tyms In the meane whyle the 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 persons 〈…〉 to be yéelded vp for that the 〈…〉 on the 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 of the refoâ—…ed 〈…〉 the causes still to continue to wit the â—…ons of â—…strust and old 〈◊〉 reâ—…ued by the troubles made some 〈◊〉 therat most humbly 〈◊〉 his Mâ—… not so much to regarde the time perâ—…ed as the harme and inconuenience happened in the meane space and rather to haue consideration of the effect that was promised during the fire yéeres and at the expâ—…tion of the same to witte during thâ—… yéeres the execution and continuaunce of peace and withal the burying of distruste grudges consequentlye at the endâ— of the sixe yéeres the yéelding up of the places which for the matter stoode then in such harde case as is afore specified was not agréeable to that grace and equity of his Maiesty from whence the graunt of the places first procéeded forasmuch as the condition by him expected take no such effect as within that time 〈◊〉 hoped for His Maiestie therfore not so much 〈◊〉 of the observation of the 〈◊〉 as to heale the fore and reunite 〈…〉 thought it expedient not 〈…〉 them of the religion with 〈…〉 the king of Nauarre had 〈◊〉 vnto his Maiestie that his sayd subiects of the religion had great 〈◊〉 to be exhibited to hys grace concerning the execution of the edictes which if they were hearde and satissyed then 〈◊〉 the yéelding vppe of the sayd 〈…〉 the more easily attained vnto The sayde Lorde the King by the mouth of Mounsit de Belieure one of the chéefest of hys counsayle of estate at the request of the sayd Lorde the king of Nauarre consented vnto the assembly of Montanban consisting of the Princes Lordes Gentlement and men of good calling of the sayde religion And during all the tyme of the continuaunce of that assembly the sayde Mounsir de Belioure was present in the Kinges name in the â—â—wne of Montanban whom the said Lord the King of Nauarre requireth to â—eare witnes of his actions and desireth to be heards and â—ited in all that be knoweth concerning the says assembly So then this assembly of Montanban was not like vnto theyrâ— of the league 〈…〉 without the knowledge and 〈…〉 of the King but by the consent and 〈◊〉 â—â—ment of hys Maiestie which assembly of 〈…〉 after ryper deliveratiâ—â—â— had vpon the same he 〈◊〉 to bee pro 〈…〉 for the 〈◊〉 and tranquillity of hys estate In this assembly there was made a 〈…〉 of all the breaches and executions of the 〈◊〉 of pears which was presented to the King at S. Germaine in Lay by Mounfie the Countie of Laual and other Mepâ—ties with 〈◊〉 humble requestes for remedy of the 〈◊〉 of his sayd 〈◊〉 of the religion Therin also allâ—eâ—â— promised for any particular attempt 〈◊〉 against th◠〈◊〉 to séeke their reâ—urpence by like iniurious attempts least the temerity of some particular persons might cast thys â—ealme in to trouble as sometime before was supposed to 〈◊〉 béene 〈◊〉 but to make theyr 〈◊〉 to the King of Nauarre who would cause 〈…〉 to beâ— gyuâ—n therof to the Kyng who according to hys â—ation suffyciently perceyâ—â—◠〈◊〉 the tranquillity of hys subjects knewe best howe to apply conuenient remidyes to the 〈◊〉 And lykewyse the Kying of Nauarre promised to embrace theyr cause towarde hys Maiestys and carefullye to present the same vnto hym when néede should requyre as hée hadde alwayes doone in tymes paste to the 〈◊〉 that they 〈◊〉 hym take they re cause in 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 myght the better bee retayned within the 〈◊〉 of reason 〈…〉 imagyning any suche extraordynarye meaâ—…s as they hadâ—… attempted in former tyme for lacke of recourse 〈◊〉 supporte els where Héere is all that 〈◊〉 bee founde to haue 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 assembly of Montanban and no mods then thys The fyâ—… purpose 〈…〉 is moste euident to bee for the staying of pryuate attemptes from râ—… to a publique mischéefe and hurts that might trouble the péere of thys Realme lyke to the conference of Nerac â—…lden wyth the Quéene Mother of the King where there was an expresse Article in that behalfe And whatsoeuer the â—…ies disperse more then is héere expressed is no truer then theyr allegatioÌ„s touching the pretended concorde of Magden bourgh where the Jesuits had forgot 〈◊〉 that they had caused I 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 monethes 〈◊〉 〈…〉 they cause to 〈◊〉 forth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the King who 〈…〉 〈◊〉 of all that 〈…〉 〈…〉 fourth shair 〈◊〉 〈…〉 that of his 〈…〉 〈…〉 them 〈…〉 〈…〉 his 〈◊〉 was not so well 〈◊〉 〈…〉 thought 〈…〉 〈…〉 of the 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 of the 〈…〉 〈…〉 the King 〈…〉 〈…〉 the Kings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the King of Nauarre 〈◊〉 eth that 〈…〉 will call to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what hath 〈◊〉 within 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 withâ— the 〈…〉 〈…〉 wil 〈◊〉 thinke 〈◊〉 that 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 〈…〉 that request 〈…〉 〈…〉 when the 〈◊〉 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 then 〈…〉 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 not 〈◊〉 that these securities might haue further continuance for a certayne time 〈◊〉 because 〈◊〉 danger was 〈◊〉 taken from 〈◊〉 Protestants and for that the edâ—â—t of peace wheron their life and tranquillity peâ—◠〈◊〉 was not thâ—â— sâ—â—ne to be in 〈…〉 estate Neuerthelesse the 〈…〉 of Nauarre 〈◊〉 most fréely confesse thâ—â— the principal 〈◊〉 wherefore 〈…〉 〈◊〉 necessity of the professors of the refâ—rmed religâ—on he had a perticular desire to make 〈…〉 petition to his 〈◊〉 to leaue the said to 〈◊〉 stil for 〈…〉 the consâ—â—â—â—â—te of these confederates the effect whereof 〈◊〉 â—tinually 〈…〉 the which the 〈…〉 resounded religion whose deathes were coÌ„spired by the said confederates had great 〈◊〉 of places of refuge till God should graunt them such â—â—â—e as that the King might haue perfect intelligence of their intentions and verily the granteâ—◠〈◊〉 of them whiche during the peace attempted vpon the said townes of sureties whom the King alwaies dissauowed 〈◊〉 at this pay sufficieÌ„tly open vnto 〈◊〉 by whose 〈◊〉 and allowance then durst 〈…〉 to trouble the peace and enterprise vppâ—n the sâ—â—â—s places and others of the religion For 〈◊〉 they had taken armes in the seruice of the 〈◊〉 Nowe the said King of Nauarre most humbly beséecheth the King to call to his remembrance the aduerti◠〈◊〉 which he gaue to his Mâ—â—estie by the 〈◊〉 of a moneth before the sayâ—◠〈◊〉 of Montanban which were veâ—y sufficient 〈◊〉 cause his Maiestie at that 〈◊〉 to haue regard to hys affayres and in default thereof earnestly to admonish him to sâ—â—ke or retayne out some place of surety for hys person against whome they manifestly pretended some mischiefs If the enemies shall now alledge that they haue taken Armes and seased hys Maiestiâ—â— Townes to the intent to haue townes 〈◊〉 security also according to the example of them of the Contrary relâ— on as some of them
receiued at his handes 〈◊〉 he more readie to forget those offences which they had committed agaynst him then others by whom he had béen offended were to cease from renewing their euil demeanour toward him Whether he haue not alwaies yéelded honour and respecte to the Soueraigne Courtes and the officers of the same and also to all others that beare the marke of Justice And whether he did euer either forcibly coÌ„mit any violence to iustice for els deny ed necessary strength to iustice if it were in his power to aybe her And as touching all other parties of this estate he that to euery of them hath not shewed any thing sauing honour frendship and good will neither euer displeasured or desired otherwise then to pleasure them cannot easily be beléeued nor iudged for an enimie of this estate Concerning the estate ingenerall he will not denye but that the Ciuill warres haue brought into this kingdome great confusion in all thinges pouertie to the people decaye to the nobilitie Ruine to the Cleargie Contempt to iustice men addicted to warre and aboue all the rest ciuill warre which he be waileth in his hart and woulde remedie if possibly he could yea with his owne proper blood But God is witnesse his conscience witnesseth Fraunce her selfe witnesseth hauing bryght eyes and verye freshe memorie by reason she saws and well remembreth all the course of that time whether he entred into arms except it were through the counsel of extreame necessitie though long aforehande he might haue foreséene and preuented her by reason The assembly of Bloys is witnesse stirred vp by this present league where he was declared to be banished out of this realms with all the professors of his religion except they chaunged their religion very quickely Which to him paraduenture were no hard chaunge if he had as litle religion in him as the aduersaries haue whether also he euer delayed the receiuing of peace for any particuler occasion whatsoeuer albeit his degrée is suche as that which to him is particular might rightly be iudged for publique when his conscience might be satisfied and could see that the professors of the same religion which he professeth might serue God according to their fayth in tranquilitie and quietnes Whether he euer demaunded any thing gaynefull to him selfe encrease of aucthoritie encrease of pencions or encrease of offices Whether contrariwise he hath not rather chosen to see him selfe as he is without aucthoritie in his gouernemeÌ„t which by the peace ought to be al yéelded into his handes then to prolong the war neuer so little then by the space of so much as an houre to delaye the comfort and succour of the people by the peace or to trouble the peace after it was made for default of enioying that which was promised in his regarde The articles of the last peace may be for witnesses and the conference of Flex wherein he might fitly haue serued his owne turne to inlarge his conditions by reason of the great desire which Mounsir that is deceassed had to passe into the Low Countries whether he was called by a generall Ambassage of the estates of the countrye who most instantly required and sollicited him to come thyther Yet the King of Nauarre at that time rather yéelded away his owne intrrest to the aduauncement of this kingdome then he would neuer so little differ or stande to make merchandise of a benefite as might thereby come to his partie Therefore he made peace and accepted it with suche conditions as pleased his maiestie to graunte to the intent too further the conquest of those countries and to transport him selfe thither in person yf it might so stande with his maiesties fanour and good liking These good Frenchmen the heades of the league to empeach the ioyning of Flaunders to Fraunce when the Ambassadoures of the Low Countryes offered it to the King with such conditions as that they were readie to receyue lawe from his Maiestie and admytte into their townes suche Garrisons and gouernours as pleased hym To the intent to let and hinder his maiesty there from doth vexe and trouble his kingdome cause his people to rise into mutinies and in time of full peace begyn to make warres What pacience the King of Nauarre hath vsed in all that time notwithstanding the discontentment that he might conceiue by the dealing which at the suggestion of such as be like to the aduersaries vsed toward hym I leaue it to the consideration of all the worlde beyng seperated from the King without aucthoritie in his gouernement not payed of that whiche was due vnto him and much lesse respected in his affayres then the least Captayne of the kingdome Be it spoken without reproche And to vtter the plaine truthe of his demeanours If he had béen no more touched with the féelyng and consideration of the griefe and detryment of the people and of all Fraunce then they of the league bee at thys day béeing that partye which hee is both people and Country myght haue fallen into vtter destruction But hee is a Frenchman and a French Prince a number of Fraunce and féeleth her gréeses and woundes Diminishing of authority want of fauour particular interest hadde neuer the power to make hym rage and spight agayust hymselfe whyth is a thing proper to the Leaguers who are but lightly grasted in Fraunce and are lyke to wodden legges and tymber Armes that féele nothing when the body is burned To which kinde of men may bee easily gyuen the outward parte but not the inwarde affection neyther the moouing or féeling of a true and naturall Frenchman Touching these broyles and commotions whych they declare and protest to bee directly against him bending themselues agayust hys person his lyse hys honour hys conscience séeing them armed and and taking Townes in the myddest of hys Gouernment béeing on euery side compassed and encombred by them his pacience incessantly styrred and moued â—f he had not respected the King more then his owne pryuate daunger if he had not earnestly desired the welfare of this Realme with hope of a publique peace if he may haue any peace at these mens handes yea and that more then his owne preseruation is there any likelyhoode or was there any reason he shoulde holde hym selfe content as he hath done But all is well so the people be at quiet he lyketh all well so the estate remayne in peace the King obeyed the King honoured as he ought to be yea though it were to his owne euident peryll with his losse vnrecouerable Here is the whole somme of al things whereby the Kyng of Nauarre canne be blamed with these fayre tyrles of heretique Relaps persecutor of the Church enemie of the Catholiques and disturber of this estate As touching the conclusion which they drawe from thence whereby they declare him vncapable to succéede in the kingdome and haue caused my Lorde the Cardinall of Bourbon his Vnckle to take vpon him the name of the first Prince of the blood and
people so much as the space of one onely day Yet it is well knowen that if he had been so minded it lay in his handes at that time to haue serued his owne turne with the armie of the Rutters who euery houre were readie for default of their pay at the Kinges handes according to the articles of the peace to enter into a mutinie and turne their heads towardes Paris Contrariwise then was the time wherein the heades and maisters of this league abusing his clemencie and goodnes deuised this pretended holy league agaynst the kinges edict then newly proclaymed whereby in expresse woordes they swoore the vtter destruction of them of the religion without any exception or acception of persons and without respect or regard of alliance affinitie consanguinitie kinred or brotherhood Such as entred thereinto without looking into the depth of the matter drewe themselues out as soone as they knewe it And a◠concerning the saide King of Nauarre then wore the instructions discouered which as this day are put in execution concluding his death also the death of my Lord the prince his Cozin and all their blood Note of Dauid the aduocate for the preparing of a more easie waye to the aduersaries as is expressely set downe to the inuasion of this kingdome Heere let all men indge who at that time was the agent or pacient the persecuter or the persecuted Thence issued the ciuill wars of the yéere one M. flue hundred seauēty seanen whē they had induced the assēblie of Bloys to the execution of their deuise it had béene altogether against nature if the sayde King of Nauarre or they that are of his profession had not made resistaunce against the same For thereby a snare was layde for his person and life his conscience and honor were layd for by the same and the kingdome or royall estate as nowe manifestlie appeareth was in daunger The great inconuenience and perrill which the king perceiued not did then but begin to bud foorth insomuch that his maiestie could not imagine anie such thing toward them who helde all their prosperity of him But the King of Nauarre wel foresawe it yea contrariwise the defaulte of resisting the same woulde haue béene the betraying of himselfe the destruction of this estate and the submission of himselfe to their desires in stéede of setting himselfe against the same In the meane space though the cruell clauses of the conspiracie were very suffcient immediatly to turne his patience into fury and the naturall mildnes and mercy of them that issue of his house into reuenge although also he saw the professors of his religion to runne to him from all partes béeing rigorously persecuted or put to theyr choyse to depart the Realme or recant theyr religion Yet neuerthelesse the sayde Lord the King of Nauarre in the Townes vnder his power would not vse the like maner of dealing toward the Catholiques nor against the Monkes and Clergiemen which indéede might be suspected and disfauoure the execution of his affayres On the contrary side they of Agen well know which example he alleageth for that there was the place of his resident hauing a byshopricke in it and being a towne of some fame that the Catholikes there suffered no hard dealing in theyr persons or goodes nor discontinuaunce in the matter of their religion That the Clergie applyed their accustomed seruices That the Monkes preached freely in the greatest heate of the sayd troubles That be was content the professors of his religion should make theyr sermons in priuate and borrowed houses to the ende the professors of the Romish religion shoulds not in any wise be troubled That for the furnishing of necessaries for his defence he tooke not aboue the tenthes which the King was wont to leuie vpon the clergie At what time all his patrimony was seasd and taken out of his handes in all places whereof my Lorde the Duke of Montpencido may be witnes a prince most affectioned to the Romish religion as all men very well knowe And also Mounsier the Marshall of Biron my L. the Archbishop of Vienna Mounsir de Villeroy secretary of estate to his Maiestie and many others that were beholders of it vpon the places can giue testimony of the same As soone as liberty of conscience was granted albeit with very great restraint in comparison of the former edict he vnarmde him selfe without delay though as hys Maiestie best of all others knoweth hee coulde haue continued the warres with greater power and meanes by reason of the notable ayde which hee had procured from the Princes of hys religion béeing so farre forwarde that a strong Armye of straungers was at the poynt of entring into this kingdome thinking himselfe happy to haue dispatched the same away in sort that the poore people by occasion thereof might suffer no farther inconuenience choosing rather by succouring them to impayre his owne condition then to better it with theyr hinderaunce Wherefore the sayd Lorde the King of Nauarre prayeth all men freely to speake theyr mindes whether hee hath in any respect by his demencures descrued the name of a persecutor which his enimies attribute vnto him that would not take this resolution to suffer them goe forwarde with the execution of theyr barbarous persecutions and bloudie deuises against him at the first shewe but consequently against the Kinges Maiesty and his royall estate In those Countries where the saide King of Nauarre by the grace of God hath soucraigne power and authority he thinketh also to haue as little deserued this blame in the iudgement of them that haue well knowne the nature of matters and the order of his procéedinges And in all that remaineth to him of the kingdome of Nauarre where at his comming to hys dignity he founde the exercise of the Catholique Romish religion it is most certeyne that he hath neither altered nor innouated any thing therein in so much that the seruice of the same is there stil vsed at this day without any exercise of the reformed religion sauing in two places onely And as touching his countrie of Bearne which is no great land the Quéene his mother in a generall assemblie of the estates did there establish the said religion whereof her selfe made profession and no complaynt of the chaung of religion followed thereuppon to the said estates in the space of many yéeres after it had continued in the same estate as he hath alredie fréely declared hauing alwaies been of this opiniō that a discréet and well counseiled Prince without great necessitie or euident profit ought not to bring any chaunge into his estate And though commoditie or necessitie shoulde require the same yet it were expedient that it shoulde be accomplished by the like waye whereby the constitution was before made Nowe he had well pérceiued that after Bartholmew day when him selfe by force and violence had yéelded in the cause of religion and sent Monsir de Mieussent for gouernour and Liuetenant generall into
his sayde Countrie of Bearne whom all men knowe to be a Catholique with expresse commission there to set up agayne the Catholique Romishe religion Yet notwithstanding the great dispayre that then was of the affayres of religioÌ„ in Fraunce notwithstanding the contrary profession of him selfe which might serue for an example to his subiectes and notwithstanding the aucthoritie of a gouernour by him expressly sent they did all resolue to perseuer in their religion and maintaine the forme of their estate without receiuing the said alteration in religion Wherefore the sayde King of Nauarre thought and let al men indge whether without good reason or not that it was a firme and well grounded resolution of his estats forasmuch as necessity yea that such necessitie as giueth law to al laws was not in any wise able to remoue them from it Also it is most true that in the assemblies of the estaes which are from yéere too yéere holden in his said countrie of Bearne there neuer appeared any man that required this change of religion though as it is well knowen there is suche libertie vsed in those assemblies that the least griefe pretended to haue béen rereiued from the Prince may be propounded with request of reformation and recompence whereby it appeareth to be afore any practise of the enufers of the tranquilitie of his subiectes and not an in warde desire of them And yet for all that the sayde Lord the king of Nauarre hath not ceased to make continual payment of the pentions of the Prelats and other Ecclesiastical persons of his said countrie for proofe wherof he will bring foorth no other witnesses but them selues and that most often with his owne proper money as the bishops of Acques and Oleron and others well knowe And that more is of his owne mâ—ere motion for the contentation of suchâ— of his subiectes as might continue in the Catholique Romishe religion he moderated touching the cause of Religion the ordenaunces of the Quéene his mother â—â—ceased which were but very small amercenâ—entes in monie So far of was it euer in those parties from such procéeding against the Catholiques by banishment corporall â—â—nishment death burnings torments searching sifting as they that in these bayes call themselues the protectors of the Catholique Romish religion haue counsailed practised and brought in against the professors of the contrary religion And héereof the Catholiques of Bearne are witnesses who there liue in all peace and tranquillity Of whome many doo exercise notable offices either in the same Countrey or néere about the person of the sayd King of Nauarre and and hath the chéefest charge in his gards and bee Captaynes of his best houses which it is not likely that he wold euer allow or consent vnto if he had vsed any euill dealing toward them or if he kept any grudge in his heart to bee executed against them héereafter By the premisses it is sufficiently answered to theyr affirmation whereby they pretende him to be the sworne enemie of the Catholiques Yet neuertheles the sayde Lorde the King of Nauarre desirous to open his hart to al the world wil not sticke to lay open vnto them his affections and actions Wherefore the sayde King of Nauarre declareth that heâ— acknowledgeth and beléeueth and hath alwayes beléeued and acknowleged that in case the foundation of a good conscience be layde thereon the diuersity of religion is no empechement to a good Prince to drawe very good seruice indifferently from his subiects nor any hinderaunce to the subiects to yéelde theyr allegeance and bounden duties in all maner of respects as well to theyr superiours as to their Princes forasmuch as it is euident that both the religions equally according to the word of God doo recommend the duetie of the subiecte towarde his Prince and of the inferiour toward his superior And therefore the sayd Lord the King of Nauarre hath alwayes noted thys that he hath béene as faithfully serued by the one as the other As for example in the destribution of the offices of his house all men knowe well enough he hath indifferently furnished them with both sortes of men Also the sayd Lord the King of Nauarre knoweth himselfe to be well beloued and faithfully serued by Catholique Gentlemen and other persons of all degrees wheme hée hath accepted into his seruice as on their behalfes they wil all volutarily acknowledge themselues to bee loued by him without acception of religion and that according to the proportion of his ability he hath bestowed goods and honours vppon them as largely and more abundantly yea in the very tyme of warres then he did to the professors of his owne religion And further it is not vnknown to the Lords Gentlemen and all other Catholiques that during the time of the troubles he spared them as much as hee coulde in theyr goods and houses neuer suffering anie rigour of warre to be vsed to them no not so much as against hys owne Vassalles that rose in Armes against hym and were present at the destroying of his proper houses who notwithstanding after the warres were ended making their repayre vnto hym were all welcome to his presence and neuer receyued for theyr disloyall doings so much as an euill word or angry countenaunce at his handes So farre of hath he béene from practising against theÌ„ directly or indirectly according to the sundry meanes which the Lord hath ouer his Vassall any kinde of stomacke or reuengement Thus much also dare the King of Nauarre promise of his actions that so many of the Catholiques as vouchsafed to approche to him departed againe with good contentation without obseruing any thing in him whereby they coulde presnnre other wise then that hee bare a naturall affection to embrace all the Kings subiects and seruants of what soeuer religion they bee promising in like sort on theyr behalfe the like good wyll that they haue alwayes shewed towardes his The sayve King of Nauarre thinketh that the effects aboue specified which he hath hyther to continued are of sufficient weight to confute the allegations proclaimed against him by his enemies Yet neuertheles haue they affirmed that the sayd Lord the King of Nauarre hath sent into Englande and Germany to conclude a league to the destruction and confusion of the Catholiques for that as they allevge he foresawe the Kinges death and meant whensoeuer the same should happen to be in a readinesse to chaunge religion c. to inuade the possessions of the Clergie and confiscate them of the Novititie which woulde not ioyne themselues as adherents to his inâ—ention Vppon the which matter they haue dispersed in all places yea and caused to bee read in Sermons in the open Pulpitte a certaine concorde or agréement of the yeere a thousand syue hundred and eighty foure pretending the same to beare date the fourteenth of December as resulting of an assembly holden as they alledge at the instance of the said king of Nauarre at Magdebourgh that like wise