haue your will now shall you do your worst Now shal ye haue out guiltles blood for which ye loÌ„g did thirst We feare not of this death we know that al must die Yea happie are those sillie soules whoÌ„ thus the Lord doth trie O welcome ioifull daie ô welcome happie paine A crowne immortall with this flesh we shall receiue againe Now hath the Lord here brought and placte vs in this death Not for because he hates his truth but for to trie our faith The counsell of the Lord hath sent what we receaue And you to vs shal doo no more than God shall giue you leaue And you that are our foes beware the deadlie signe Which showes you none of Gods elect while thus ye doo repine Against his knowen truth for which we vndertake To spend our blood in his defence and suffer for his sake The blood of Abel cride for vengeance to the Lord Which fell on Cain al his seed whoÌ„ men earth abhord From which the Lord defend both you and eke our land O Lord reuenge not this our wrong but stay thy furioâ—s hand And giue them yet some space for to repent this thing And for our death we doo forgiue both them eke our King Whose life the Lord preserue in health and perfect peace And graÌ„t that vnder him the truth may haue some ioiful ease And though you haue some power this flesh for to destroy Yet cannot vs your rage deuide from Christs immortal ioy And though our breakfast seeme to flesh and blood some paine Yet shall we sup with Iesus Christ and ease receaue againe Into thy blessed hands ô Lord our soules receaue For of this earth and earthlie trash ô Lord we take our leaue Thus on the Lord they cride which was their onelie trust Till that the flame had staid their voice bodie burnt to dust Now we that doo remaine our parts are yet to plaie But when ô Lord our time shall come grant vs like happy daie And when our triall drawes no matter where nor when That God will giue like constant faith let vs crie all Amen The iudgements of the Lord shewed vpon these bloodie persecuters in this first outrage by the example of manie the like out of the Scriptures BVt let vs heere behold Gods iudgements iust and true Which neuer faile to follow them which doo his truth pursue As wicked Caine did long poore Abels blood to haue So did the Lord marke him to be a vile and vagrant slaue When Esau did intend his brother for to kill The Lord did blesse good Iacob so he could not haue his will When Pharao followed fast Gods people to haue slaine Amiddes the flouds then iustlie fell both he and all his traine As Miriam grudgde against the truth which she did know So did her fault soone finde her out a leaper white as snow When Korath and his mates good Moses did depraue The earth did gape and they went all aliue into the graue And whil'st at Bephidim Gods people did remaine The Amalecks of Esaus brood poore Iacob would haue slaine But God did not forget this foule and filthie thing Which after smote with fatall sword both them and eke their King Though Saul did persecute Gods chosen Prophet long Yet did the Lord at length reuenge poore Dauid his wrong For now the hand that itcht this Dauids blood to spill Was it that framde the deadlie blade his master for to kill That Nabal which refusde his helpe to Dauid send Was striken so that there he made a short and wofull end And Shimei that reuilde King Dauid to his face It was not long but that he died in poore and wofull case And as Achitephel great mischiefe did intend So did the Lord from traitors all his chosen still defend Whose counsell being quasht for so the Lord assignde He got him home hangd himselfe to case his careful minde So Ierebeam felt Gods iudgements sharpe and colde WheÌ„ he thrust out his wicked hand his Prophet for to hold So Iezabel which did Elias once pursue VVhen Iehu came to Iezrael her faithfull seruant threw Her carcasse headlong downe from window high to streate VVhere traÌ„pled down the greedy dogs her cursed flesh did eat Gainst Christ the Pilate which wrong iudgement erst did giue Did kill himselfe as one that was not worthie for to liue And when against the truth proud Herodes hand was bent He killed Iames and Peter was in prison closelie pent The Angel of the Lord of pride did show the price That in a while his cursed corpes was eaten all with lice As Iudas was content his master to betraie So guiltie conscience did consent to worke his owne decaie Like as in former age to rebels stout and strong Gods iustice hath been plainlie seene in lieu of cursed wrong So all this faithlesse troope which leudlie did conspire This murder in S. Iames his streete haue likewise felt his ire For first the Praetor which Munerius had to name For iust desert in publike view receiued open shame And yet besides all this they straightlie did proclaime That he should voide his natiue soyle not returne againe But whil'st he was in holde his conscience did confesse This plague was iust for that he sought Gods chosen to oppres A Iudge that sentence gaue against his knowen faith An angel strake him from the Lord with sharp sodain death Another Iudge that was now sicke and like to die Cride out I see my iudgement iust for that vile caitiffe I By mallice haue been faine Gods people for to kill Who praie and liue most godlie bent according to his will Two others being cheefe in murder that was past By sodaine death in view of all like vengeance now doo tast And other two which now of blood had dronke their fill As they came from this murther they did one other kill Now let vs learne by this Gods truth for to imbrace That we feele not by due desart his anger in like case The notable famous and constant Martirdome of Annas Burgeus which being one of the Kings Counsell was burnt for the Gospel of Iesus Christ ABout this verie time by force of sodaine iarre Betweene the Kings of Spaine and France was likelie to be warre But Herode to agree with Pilate was content And for to murder Iesus Christ they both doo ioyne consent So now there was a league where both did giue their word To roote and rase Gods sowen truth by fagot fire and sword The graffe that Sathan greeues did yet begin to spring The tree of life some ioyfull frute as now did seeme to bring Whose bud enameld greene and blossome sweete to see Inraged Sathans fierie moode with mallice so that he In furie headlong runnes he
the hazard of his death The oath that he hath sworne so oft to keepe the peace No Christian conscience can assent at all for to release His mother gaue her faith his brothers sware likewise The publique recordes of the Land doo witnesse this deuise What band may surer be what more may you desire What can we farther wish And yet if more you doo require The Queene of England is a witnes of the same The Prince of Aurendge the States that from the Germaines came This Royal match likewise my hart doth wel assure That such a seale of perfect loue for euer will indure Which marriage latelie made with counsell graue and good The King will not permit to be so soone defilde with blood For what would strangers saie if such things should befall But such things Lord be farre from vs Lord preserue vs all What would the future age of impes as yet vnborne What would all Nations thinke if we by trust should be forlorne The stout and constant minde honor of the King Will neuer giue consent I know to doo so leaud a thing Thus whilest among the rest the case he did debate His trustie keeper Cossin came and knocked at his gate Who was no sooner come within the outward dore But that there came in after him of armed men great store Then after went the Lords the Nobles and the rest For to dispatch this noble man whom they did most detest And those whom Cossin found within to lie or stand He slew them with a Partisan which he had in his hand Which wofull newes when as the Admirall perceiude Wo worth the time quoth he that I by trust haue been deceiude Wel now the time is come I may no longer doubt Come lend your help my frends I pray frō bed to lift me out To Christ my onelie hope my soule I doo betake And in this place from off my couch this life I will forsake Then stāding on his feet his night gown on his back Shift for your selues my frends quoth he that you goe not to wrack And haue no care for me for I am well content This life to yeeld vnto the Lord which he to me hath lent It greeues me not to die Gods will is alwaie best From future feares I know with Christ my soule shalbe in rest This plot is not preparde alone to murder me But for the rasing of that truth which they are loath to see The godlie for to spoile which haue receaude the word These tyrants seeke with cruel hate by falshood and by sword Which word vnto my power I alwaies did defend The mallice of which godly course hath broght me to my end Which doth reioyce my heart soule exceedinglie That for his truth the Lord hath thought me worthy for to die For though our sinnes doo cause these troubles in our land Yet shall these tyrants not escape the Lords reuenging hand And though our God doo seeme from vs to hide his face And armes our foes with cruell death his people to disgrace Yet if we be content his mercie will retire Haue mercie Lord vpon thy Church ô Christ I thee desire And you ô traitors vilde that laide this trothlesse traine Against the Lord haue lifted vp your wicked harts in vaine For you are puffed vp with hope that is not sure For these our paines you shal receaue the pains that shal indure And you that dare to lift your hands against the Lord Before your death most iustlie shall of all men be abhord Though yet you doo not feele the sentence that is due To this your bloodie traitors act yet know that you shall rue Your breach of plighted faith your deepe dissembling hart There is a God will iudge vs all that will reuenge our smart The paine that we receaue doth breed eternall ioy But for the wrōg that you haue done the Lord wil you destory O Lord confirme my faith which now must here be tride Reach me thy hand ô Christ that I from thee may neuer slide My fearfull flesh is weake my heart and will is prest Forsake me not my God but now receaue me to thy rest Let not this irksome shade this darke and dolefull night Keepe from my heart in this assault thy sweete plesant light For though the worldlie Sunne mine eie shall see no more Thy blessed Sonne let me enioy whom I by faith adore And whereas I dispaire no more to see the day In steed of that thy louing face shew me my God I praie Loe then a blessed chance and happie change for me That from this vale of wretched life with Christ in ioy shalbe Now let these traitors come the feare of death is past And fainting flesh that did rebell hath yee ◠ded at the last Now doth my soule reioice my heart most gladlie saie Thou Sonne of God my Sauiour come my Christ now come thy waie For here againe to thee my soule I do commend And to thy poore afflicted Church ô Lord thy mercie send So shall they be at rest so shall they praise thy name Let not these tyrants longer Lord thy seruants put to shame Least they doo proudlie bragge and saie within their heart Vvher is the God whō they do serue that now shuld take their part Come quicklie Lord therefore make no more delay To ende these fierce and bloodie broiles Amen Amen I saie By this came vp the staires ere ended were his words One Benuise two other mates with targets with swords The chamber broken vp this Benuise swearing came Vvith sword drawn to the Admirall asking for his name Art thou the Admirall the man not much appalde Vvith quiet minde gaue answere thus Indeed so am I calde Then seeing Benuise bend his naked sword to slaie My frend quoth he that bloodie blade I pray thee for to staie And haue respect vnto my age and weake estate To which by treason wrought by trust I haue bin drawn of late But beastlie Benuise would to this no answere giue But swearing to this Noble man his pointed sword let driue And thrust him to the heart but yet not fullie dead With force he laid a mightie blow strake him on the head With that came Attin in with Pistoll in his hand And shot him in the wounded breast yet did he stoutlie stand Till Benuise came againe with third repeated wound And slasht him on the thigh which done he fel vnto the groūd Where he gaue vp the ghost The bloodie Guise that staid This while within the lower court with lifted voice now said Hoe Benuise hast thou done who straightwaie did replie Yea sir this happie deed is done and that most perfectlie Then said the Duke of Guise Come throw him down to me That where it be the same or not we here may quicklie see For now our Cheualier will thinke it but a lie Except at window throwen out he see him with his eie
â—â—wfullie reâ—â—iue it c 2. â—im 6. 11. d 〈◊〉 Cren 15. 1 16. 8. e 〈◊〉 2. Kinges 22 8. f Iudg. 6. 11 37. g Numb 22 23. 28. h â—…rem 20. 9 i â—…sal 42 1 â—… 119 â—… 5. â—… 13. 21. k â—… Kinges 18. 31. 2. King 1. 10. Numb 16. 15 l Psalm 19. 5 9. Ierem. 20. 9 m Esa 55 1. Psal 42 1. 119. â—05 n 1 Pet. 2 22. Exod 13. 21. o Hoshea the King and al Israel were carried captiue to Babylon by the King of the Assyrian for dispising the Woord and Commandements of the Lord 2. Kinges 17. 4 5 6. 1. Kinges 18. 31. 2. King 1. 10. Numb 16. 15. a Reue. 10. 2â— b Heb. 4. 16 c Luk. 24. 3â— d 45 e Apo. 3. 2â— f Luk 14. 1 〈◊〉 19. 7. 18. 2. 〈◊〉 9. 3 4. 〈◊〉 3. 12. 〈◊〉 4. 33 40 â—atth 16. 18. 〈◊〉 21. 15. 〈◊〉 6. 10. â—â—ue 18. 2. 〈◊〉 4 30. â—â—al 50. 11 Pet. 1. 10 â—ill 1. 29 〈◊〉 8. 15. Cor. 13. 8 Rom. 1. 18. 28. 1. Ki. 21. 20 Exod. 7. 11. 12. Iannes IaÌ„bres 2 Tim 3. 8. 9 Prou. 1. 26 The King answere vâ— to Burgeâ—â— wherein 〈◊〉 shewes his deadlie anger and mallice against the Truâ—â— â—urgeus sent 〈◊〉 Prison The Bishop of â—â—aris Deâ—â—echaris a Burgaeus protestatioâ— concerning Poperie Popish ceremonies b Christ ou 〈◊〉 onelie Purgatorie Heb. 1. 3. c Burgaeus appealed often from this vniust sentence but seeing his appealations could not bee admitted he lastlie appealed to Iesus Christ a Burgaeus 〈◊〉 his â—…eceaâ—…taine 〈◊〉 Orâ—… b â—…speaâ—… Burâ—… his â—…ding c 〈◊〉 sentence 〈◊〉 aâ—… Annas 〈◊〉 proâ—…d by the â—…ris the 〈◊〉 9. a The speaches and behauiour of Burgaeus at the receauing of his sentence b Burgaeus praieth for his persecutors forgiueth theÌ„ c The Pathet call speaches of Burgaeus to the Senate of Paris at his condemnation a Burâ—â—us â—seth but this short speach tâ— the People for so he had promised before wherevpon the vse of his tongue was permitted vnto him which to others was deutâ—â— a 〈◊〉 last 〈◊〉 of Anâ—…geus â—…ied to â—…ke b â—…clusion of â—…ench pilâ—… with a â—…tion of 〈◊〉 and liâ—…f Burâ—… 1. Sam. 2. 30. Cron. 25. 16. 2 Iere. 36. 23. Iere. 20. 2. 〈◊〉 32. 3. 38 〈◊〉 9 5. 〈◊〉 6. 〈◊〉 7. 〈◊〉 seâ—◠〈…〉 it 〈◊〉 is â—â—he Carâ—â—f Loâ—â— King Henry died the 10â— August anâ— 1559. 〈◊〉 Coâ—â—rall 〈…〉 〈◊〉 anâ—â— roâ—â—â—tine â—â—terie 〈…〉 〈◊〉 The King doâ—â— presentlie put in practise Sathans counsell Kinges 〈◊〉 and â—â—ing â—â—â—ssage 〈◊〉 Adâ—l The faine words of the King to the Admirall This King was a horrible blasphemer and vsed this and such other like filthie othes The secret speaches betweene the Admirall the king after the Admirall was wounded The Queene Mother leddâ— out the King the Duke of Aniow â—onzagâ—â— Tanâ—gues the CouÌ„ de Rets calleâ— Goudin into her gardes câ—â—led Tegliers a The Oraâ—…ion of the Queene mother vnto the King â—…nd other of 〈◊〉 bloodie â—…unsaile b The queen other was good schoâ—… of that â—…uel of Floâ—…nce Maâ—…iuel of â—…bom she â—…rned maâ—… bad lesâ—…s as this c That a â—…ince must â—…t care to 〈◊〉 acompâ—… cruel so â—…at anie â—…ir came â—…at 8. The Politico d 〈◊〉 Lesson 〈◊〉 Prince 〈…〉 of a Foxe and a Lion a Foxe to allure and deceiue a Lion to deuour without 〈…〉 occasion is offered e 3. Lesson That a Prince may not doubt to forsweare to deceiue â—emble That a â—â—ince must 〈◊〉 care to Accompâ—d cruel so at anie â—â—sit come â—it 8. The 〈◊〉 Politico f This is a wholsome scholemistres for a yong King g 4 Less That a prudent Prince is 〈◊〉 to keep faith where anie ill may grow by it 〈◊〉 Lesson Prince 〈…〉 the natures of a Foxe and a Lion a Foxe to allure and deceiue a Lion to deuour without 〈…〉 ben occasion is offered h These be the pillars this the fruite of Popish religioÌ„ 5. Lesson That it is a simple thing to thinke that newe benefits can make olde miuries to be forgottâ— a It was of â—…ost thought â—…st partlie â—…r age partlie â—…r affinitie â—…ake that the King of Naâ—…arre should be â—…ued And for â—…e Prince of â—…ondee the oâ—…nion of â—…onâ—…ague tooke â—…ace that he â—…ould with â—…are of death 〈◊〉 drawen froÌ„â—…eligion b It was deâ—…eed that this â—…urder should â—…egin about â—…idnight of â—…e night next â—…llowing This Carronâ— was made neâ— Prouost of tâ— Marchants CarroÌ„s blâ—â— die cratiâ— to the Citâ—â—zens of Pâ—â—â—ris The Queâ—â— mother 〈◊〉 the chiefe deuiser of this blood stratagenâ— â—cckâ—seinâ—â—â—as the â—reat bell of â—he Pallaice â—hich was â—ccustomed â—o be rong â—â—elie for â—reat causes This Cheuaâ—ier was the â—astard sonne â—f K. Henrie of France * The Duke of Guise and the â—…heualier come â—…o the Amirals â—…ouse The Admiral aduertised of this â—tir comforâ—eth himself his copaâ—y with the â—â—meÌ„brance of the kings â—oue his â—aths often â—iuen for keepâ—ng the peace The marriage of the Kings sister was solemnâ—… sed but sixe daies beforeâ—… The Admiralâ—â— perceiuing the treason that was in tended against him prepareth himselfe with coÌ„fort to receaue his death and patientlie commeÌ„deth his soule to God whilest his enemies were a breaking open the dores vpon him â—â—e Admiâ—â—l inuaâ—â—â— against 〈◊〉 wicked â—ason of 〈◊〉 Queene â—ther the â—â—ng and 〈◊〉 Duke Guise Three wicked varlets brake into the Admâ—â—rals chamber whose names were Benuiâ— a Germaine Cossin a Gascoine Attin a Picard The Admiraâ— last words The cruell and â—â—wardly murâ—er of the Adâ—â—irall â—e wicked â—eches of â—e bloodie â—â—ise after â—e murder â—he Adâ—â—rall The right picture of bloodie Tyrant Gonzagues a Italian cut of the Admiral head sent it to the Pope The Cardin. of Lorraine a Mounsier De Nance Captaine of the gard refuseth to kill the Countie Rouchfoucault b His speeches vsed both priuatelie to his frends and also to the King vpon the refusall c Reu. 6. 10. d Rom. 13. 1 1. Pet. 2. 13 Tit. 3. 1. e 2. Sam. 11 16. f 1. King 21 11. g 1. Sam. 22 18. His speeches to the king â— Sam. 22. 17. WheÌ„ De NaÌ„ce â—ad refused to â—â—l the Countie Rouchfeucault â—ne Laberg an duernois offe â—ed to do it if the K. would giue him his of â—ice which was to be Captaine of the horsmen The death of Theligni sonne in lawe to the Admirall The wordes of Theligni vttered before his deth The Admirall at first doubting some policie and il meaning staide a while durst not trust the King but at length euercome with the perswasions of Theligni his sonne in law other his frends that there could be no hurt ment they all being deceiued with the Kings curtesies he yeelded and came in vpon trust * Beware of the guilfull promises of the Papists â—he King of â—auarre and 〈◊〉 Prince of â—â—ondeâ— were 〈◊〉 to the king â—hese Princes 〈◊〉 frends 〈◊〉 with all
this thing Yes sir you doo refuse with vs to Baal your offrings bring O mercie now good Lord what wicked times are these How long shal these vngodlie men keep these vngodlie waies How long wilt thou forbeare to bridle this their lust And when shall all their fleshlie pride be raked in the dust Why doost thou winke so long whie dost thou so delaie Why dost thou not cut off those Impes that stir this fierie fray But if it be thy will that they should longer raigne And if thou thinke it best for vs that they should yet remaine Restraine them yet good Lord least they doo go too farre For they against thy godlie Saints intend a cruell warre And till thy pleasure be for to destroie them quite Withhold their cruell iawes ô Lord with thy most mightie Bitt Haue mercie still on vs ô louing Father deere Maintaine vs in defending thee from danger fals and feare And make them Lord to know that they those Rebels are That froÌ„ the simple which do seek the light truth debarre And while that I haue breath I will declare the same That Sathan may not with his lies thy blessed truth defame Is this a Rebels part when men to Princes giue Their bodies goods and al things els without repine griefe Is this a traitors pranke vnto the Lord to praie That he will keepe both Prince Land from troble decaie And that he will vouchsafe to take from them the myste Which keeps theÌ„ from the knowledge of their sauior their Christ Or rather is not this a most rebellious part To seeke by all rebellious meanes Gods glorie to subuart To giue the honor due vnto the Lord alone To Saints that you haue made or els to senseles stock stone To vse blasphemous oathes to suffer common stewes To iustifie your owne deuice and such like filthie vse Your Conscience shall be iudge to you I doo appeale Hath God deliuered you the sword against his truth to deale If not beware betime and marke what I shall saie This mallice which you beare to Christ will be your own decaie And what are you so blinde that you perceaue not this How in this sentence you pronounce that you are none of his Recount within your selues and call to minde at large Where anie sinne or wickednesse be laid vnto our charge If not then iudge againe and tell me if you can VVhich is the best to serue the Lord or follow sinfull man Now if you loue your goods your credite and your life If you preferre before your God your houshold child or wife Then know you are not fit with Christ to haue a part But feare least for your sinne in hell you finde a lasting smart But if you doo not feare the iudgements of the Lord Yet know your deeds in forreine lands to straÌ„gers are abhord How manie sinfull actes and deedes deuoyd of wit That ruddie purpled Phalaris hath made you to commit Who for his cursed gaine hath set about the King Such as wil Prince and Commons all to deadlie ruine bring And when that Beast doth bid you runne at euerie call You racke teare Gods knowen truth not caring what befall To please him you doo yeeld the godlie to torment With such outrage as you are forc't the same for to lament But what me thinkes I see the teares tril downe your cheeke What haue I spoken that which now your conscience doth misllike Well then beware betime for yet the time is wel But if you shun this profered grace beware the paines of hell Your conscience must be knowen your deeds must al appeere Then call for grace and so repent while yet you tarrie heere But if you quake in rest as Felix did before And if you feare without remorse your paine wilbe the more You see how they reioice whom you condemne to die No terror can assaile the heart on Christ that doth relie We waie not all your force your mallice and your strife We doo accompt this cruell death to vs a happie life Why should it grieue my heart for Christ to hang or burne For little paine I know the Lord great pleasâ—re will returne But they vnhappie are and cursed from aboue Which from theÌ„selues others seek the truth for to remoue But this I know from Christ nothing shall me depart And from assured hope in him none shall remoue my heart For though you teare my flesh and heart to pouder grinde Yet this shall neuer so preuaile as once to change my minde And when that you haue done the worst you can deuise Vve know that in the latter day with Christ we shall arise This death therefore to vs we recken little paine For we beleeue assuredlie that we shall liue againe Now hap what maie befall to hang to burne to frie I haue professed Christ and so a Christian I will die Vvhy therefore doo we staie Come hangman doo thy part Thy fact in this loe heere I doo forgiue with all my heart And this he did repeate Come hangman doo the deed Till that the stoutest heart that heard for griefe began to bleed Put out put out said he your franticke fierie brands That Christ may onlie rule reign set to your helping hands Repent your wicked thoughts forsake your filthie waies And if you hope to haue release then vse no more delaies But why doo I so long draw this forsaken breath Farewell my mates for now behold I goe vnto my death Thus hauing said his minde and readie to depart The hangman takes and ties his hands and laies him on a cart In which he was conuaid vnto a place fast by Where chained to a stake it was ordainde that he should die The streetes of Paris towne were kept with watch and ward There went with him of armed meÌ„ foure huÌ„dred for his gard The waies on euerie side that lead vnto the place Were stopped vp as if they had foreseen some doubtful case And where we plainlie see these tyrants all afraid The godlie man for all this broile was not a whit dismaid For when he was vnbound there was in him no feare He put his clothing off himselfe with bold and constant chear Where standing naked then and stript vnto his skin With cheerefull voyce he did at last this heauie speach begin The cause why I am come good people to this death Is not for murder theft or wrong But for a liuelie faith Which said he held his peace and kneeling on the ground VVith sighes he praid til to the stake by hangmaÌ„ he was bouÌ„d VVhere he did oft repeate O Lord forsake not me Least by the frailenesse of my flesh I hap to slide from thee O Lord receaue my soule into thy blessed rest Giue me thy strength while I doo liue O Lord I thee request Thus with a quiet minde and heart deuoide of strife For Christ amidst the fierie flame he yeelded vp his life BVt what a ioy is
Then Benuise with his mates to put them out of doubt Tooke vp this bloodie corse so from window cast him out Where from his wounded head sprang out so fresh a flood That vizard-like his face was all imbrued with goarie blood Whereby they could not well at first discerne his face Till that the Duke of Guise himselfe first kneeling in the place Had with his napkin wipte the clotted blood awaie And searching viewed euerie part he rose without delay And crying to his crue deuoide of feare and shame It's he my frends I know him well trust me it is the same The Duke descending then from out the stately gates With bloodie hart and cursed mouth he cride vnto his mates O happie lucke that we so good beginnings haue Lo Fortune frames her willing hand to giue that we do craue And sith it pleasde the fates at first such hap to send It giues me cause of future hope to see some happie end Come on my valiant hearts so place your warlike bands That marching forward to the rest not one may scape our hāds This is the Kings decree this hath he giuen out We do no more than he commands to put you out of doubt Let pitie take no place till Rebels all be rid Thus saith the king feare not therfore to do what he doth bid Let nothing now preuaile to dant your hardie minde No though with teares they pitie craue let thē no mercie find Haue no remorse vnto the yong ne yet the olde Without regard to anie one to kill them all be bolde Now sanctifie your swords and bath them in the blood Of these religious Rebels which do meane the King no good So shall we quicklie finde a path to perfect peace So shall we see assured meanes at length to liue at ease For if we can recount the troubles that are past Then happie time wherein we may dispatch them all at last Vvhich said he bad in hast the Tockesein for to ring Vvich sounding bell appointed was the fatall newes to bring Vvhen as this raging rout this murder should begin Vvhich they performde as though they had no men but monsters bin And therewithall deuise a larum for to raise Pretending with some solemne lie the people for to please So now the trumpets sound this lie and shamefull thing That certaine traitors were in armes about to kill the King Heere one among the rest from Rome that latelie came Desirous by some valiant act perhaps to get a name Cut off the bleeding head imbrude with reaking blood Of that most worthie Admirall in hope to doo some good And sent it straight to Rome as Lorraine had requirde A present welcome to the Pope which he had long desirde His hands cut off by some by some his secrete parts Declares what hate to shining light lies hid in blinded harts His hackt and mangled corpes by space of certaine daies Vvas dragde by rascals all along the streetes and filthie waies At length this rusticke rage as furie thought it meete At common gallowes of the towne did hang him by the feete Thus came this Noble man to this vnworthie death Thus doo the Papists learn to break the vow of plighted faith The Admirall being slaine they likewise murdred most cruellie not onelie all such frends Phisitians Preachers and al other that were found hidden in the Admirals lodging but also as manie as were suspected to be of that religion within the towne or anie where els were lamentablie put to the sword as here folowing we may plainlie see THese furies frying thus yet thus were not content But in the house from place to place like greedie hounds they went To search the chambers all and corners of receipt That from the wolfe the sheep might saue his throate by no deceipt And such as sleeping were found naked in their bed Or gone to hide or saue themselues they first cut of their head And after fiercelie pierst with wounds both great and deepe Vvhich being done like cruell currs they throw thē on a heap Among which wofull troope two Noble youths there were And Pages of most worthie birth which likewise died there Vvith these among the rest a man of noble fame The Countie Rouchfoucault was forst at length to tast the same Vvhom for his pleasant wit the King did seeme to loue Yet in this furie nothing might the King to mercie moue But now in hast must be to death vntimelie sent To yeeld againe vnto the Lord the life that he had lent So him at first De Nance commanded was to kill But he most stoutlie did refuse this guiltlesse blood to spill Shall I said he consent to doo this fearfull thing To shed this blood because I am commanded by the King No God forbid I know I haue a soule to saue So bloodie spot to saue my life my name shall neuer haue I know there is a day a day that Saints desire When of our deeds the king aboue a reckoning will require Obaie the King that's true in things that honest be When I obey in wicked hests wo worth the time to me For Ioab did not well King Dauid to obay When wickedlie the King him bad Vriah for to slay Those Elders did offend which shewde themselues too prone Those wicked letters to obey poore Naboth for to stone And cursed Doeg which obaide a wicked will Shall cursed stand for that he did the Lords annointed kill A murder to be done the King doth now request My God cōmands the contrary now which to chuse wer best The King doth threaten death and God doth threaten hell If for the King I should forsake my God should I doo well Vvhat others see ô King I cannot well diuine To kill the vncondemned man it is no charge of mine To slaie my deadlie foe except there were some cause I would not yeeld much lesse my frēd against our sacred laws What enuie doth report ô King I cannot saie But this my frend a faithfull man to me hath been alwaie Therefore I praie your Grace your rigor to asswage Or bid some other whom you list to execute your rage In matters that be good if that you list to vse My seruice you shall see that I no perill will refuse Therefore I praie your Grace this answere for to take Which vnto Saule his Soldiers once were not afraid to make De Nance to kill his frend no wight shall euer see Though for refusall he were sure beheaded for to be Take heed ô noble King what sprite you follow now Let no man force you doo the thing that God doth disallow While good king Dauid was by whoredome brought a sleep He did the thing which being wakt did force his hart to weep While Saule in mallice was against good Dauid bent He ranne to that which afterward with teares he did lament And whilest that Iezabel great mischiefe did intend
strong therefore my Sonnes refuse not profred death Which from the Lord is sent to be a triall of our faith But how should we be strong when flesh doth dailie fall O Lord increase our faith that we maie come when thou dost call And from the Lord I know this butchring axe is sent Who Sathans sword hath losed now no doubt for some inteÌ„t This is no new deuise which Sathan puts in vre For they that will imbrace the truth of this shall still be sure For vnto Truth belongs both fier sword and racke And naked Truth hath alwaies tied a whip vnto her backe The ages that are past doo yet declare the same Whose constant death for Christ depaints the glorie of their name For as the sillie sheepe betweene the Lions iawes And like the meek wailing doue in goshauks greedie pawes So is the present state of Christs afflicted flocke Who are content with Christ to lay their head vnto the block Feare not therefore to tast this cup of ioyfull paine That with the Lord in lasting ioy we all may meete againe Let nothing force your faith from Christ to goe astraie For I your Father as your guide will lead you first the waie One house hath helde vs all one Christ hath been our ioy This sweete and noble vnion let Sathan not destroy And let vs ioyne in one this death for to imbrace So ioynd with Christ we shalbe sure with him to haue a place I was not he that gaue your vse of liuelie breath I am not he that sets the time and order of your death It is the Lord alone which will restore againe A better life if for his law by death we suffer paine Come let vs gladlie giue our throate vnto the knife And for our Christ let vs reioyce to leaue this wretched life And saie you all with me ô Lord from these our bands Receaue we praie our sinfull soules into thy blessed hands And lend vs Lord thy grace and mercie to the end Thy blessed helpe to come to thee ô Lord of mercie send And this repeating oft the butchers with their blade Their bodies then with deadlie wouÌ„ds a bloody present made Then ioyning on the ground they clasped all in one Where groueling lay in folded armes the father with the sonn Which sodaine heauie chance such wofull sight did giue That iust remorse of causeles death a flinty hart would grieue Thus hath this blessed man receaud a happie place The Lord grant vs that be behinde like portion of his grace Amen A cruell cowardlie and traitrous murder committed in Angiers in France vpon one Masson de Riuers a famous and godlie preacher by a wicked enemie called Monsorrell who was sent by the King to Angiers in post to commit the like murder there as was in Paris NOw Lions fare thou well to Angiers will I goe Wherein also the godlie flocke lackt not a deadlie foe For there was dwelling then a famous learned man Vvho for his paines and godlie life a worthie credite wan He was the first that dar'de the Gospell for to preach In Paris towne where first the same to manie he did teach Masson De Riuers was this godlie preachers name Vvho had the Sorbons manie times by learning put to shame Now when in Paris towne the murder was at most The bloodie Curre Monsorrell was to Angiers sent in post Vvho was no sooner come within that wofull towne And that from off his barbed house he was descended downe But that he did inquire where Masson then did dwell For that he had vnto the man some secrete thing to tell And comming to the house before the entrie dore He met with Massons wife to whom he vsed then great store Of filed words as though he meant nothing amisse And like a Courtier courteouslie salutes her with a kisse And where is now I praie your husband to be had To see the good man ere I went I would be verie glad For that with him I haue a word or two talke In yonder garden sir quoth she my husband now doth walk And so she did direct the traitor to the place Where comming he most courteouslie good Masson did imbrace And canst thou tell quoth he whie I am â—ether come It is to doo the Princes will whereof this is the summe The King commanded hath that now without delaie Within this place I should not misse thy life to take awaie And that thou maist be sure the King hath thus decreed Lo here are letters from his grace which letters thou shalt read With that he plucked forth a Pistoll readie bent Full charged and to Massons heart now readie to be sent My friend said Masson staie on me some pitie take And to my God ere that I die let me my praiers make I meruaile whie the King this murder should intend I know not anie thing wherein his lawes I did offend It doth become a King a Princelie heart to haue And not vniustlie for to kill the people he should saue And what are you that can the vncondemned kill And what are you that seeke my life which neuer ment you il And why should you desire to suck my guiltlesse blood Which in the Lord vnto my power haue soght to do ye good But staie I know the cause you hate the shining light Of Gods eternal Truth which now you thinke doth shine too bright But frend take heed how that thou welter in the dark Take heed of Gods eternall plague Cayns accursed marke The men that meate refuse with famine shalbe pinde To satisfie their hungrie soules they shall no comfort finde And they that knowen Truth doo wilfullie reiect Shalbe deceiude by lying sprites their follies to correct I weigh not for to die sith death the Lord hath sent But more to view thy wretched state it maketh me lament For after death with me I know it shall be well But for this murder thou maist feare least thou be sent to hell There is a fearfull lawe let it be rightlie scand The Lord himself hath trulie said that blood pollutes the land The Land from bloodie guilt shall not be cleansde or quit But by his blood which wrong fullie the murder did commit Take heed therefore good frend and yet beware in time Pollute not this so famous place with this so bloodie crime But yet if thou obey a Princes wicked word Know in the end that thou likewise shalt perish by the sword Now if my hoarie haires no mercie can procure Yet let the safetie of thy soule to pitie thee allure And if the wailing teares of this my wofull wife Can not by anie meanes preuaile with thee to saue my life Yet see these sillie babes and weigh their wofull mone Which fatherlesse before their time should now be left alone If nothing yet but blood can quench thy hot desire Then in the ende be sure to tast the Lords reuenging ire Haue mercie Lord on me
whom Sathan would destroie Thy godlie flocke he seekes to quell thy Truth for to annoie Let them not longer Lord exalt their pridie crowne Let thē not scape that dailie seek to throw thy kingdom down Thy promise is my hope thy word is all my staie My comfort is the liuing Lord which shields me from decaie While Christ is on my side by faith that makes me free By death or life I little feare what man can doo to me To thee my liuing God for mercie now I call So in this place my promisd vowes shalbe performed all O Lord receaue my soule the force of death destroie That presentlie before thy face I may appeare with ioy O Christ thy pitie send with mercie come to me For from my youth tender yeres my hope hath bin in thee My heart is fixed Lord my heart is surelie set To saue my soule my God let not my sinnes be anie let Now to thy blessed hands whether I die or liue My sinfull soule receiue it Lord I gladlie here doo giue And thou that hether camest to plaie this bloodie part Loe this thy wicked deed I doo forgiue with all my hart Desiring God that this my blood now set at large Vvhen he doth come maie not at all be laid vnto thy charge Come staie no longer now if God shall giue thee power To take my life thē welcom thrice this sweet happy hower His wife he kissing bade her sorow to repell Vvith her his babes he did imbrace and bade them al farewel But Lord what rolling teares what shrikes and piteous cries Betweene the wife and louing babes were sent to airie Skies But this could not perswade the traitor to depart Vvho framde his readie dagg to strike pore Masson to the hart Then Masson kneeling downe content his life to leaue The bullet meeklie to his breast from Pistoll did receaue Vvhere falling to the ground his blessed life did yeeld Vnto the Lord with quiet heart as meeke as anie childe Vve see what worthie men the Papists haue destroid God grant vs grace that doo remaine their treasons to auoide Amen The Iudgement of the Lorde against this bloodie and periured King of France Charles the 9. Dilated by the sentence of God in the lawe against murder by examples both out of the Scriptures other Authors concerning the horrible end that hath fallen vpon wilfull murderers and lastlie the bloodie death of this blood-sucking King himselfe NOw let vs see the ende of this periured King And let vs weigh in future time what fearfull fruite did spring From falsed faith And first I brieflie will repeate The sentence of the mightie God gainst murder and deceate Then shall we plainlie see how that in euerie land The Lord according to his law with iust reuenging hand The bloodie tyrants strikes with all their faithlesse crue As by examples we maie see of such as shall ensue Vvho so saith God shall shed the blood of man in vaine Shall with the shedding of his blood requite the same againe And he that by deceite his neighbour shall betraie Or shall with guile presumptuouslie his brother seeke to slaie He shall not scape although he to the altare flie But drawen foorth he iustlie shall without all pitie die Such cursed bloodie men Gods plague doth follow still For wicked King Abimelech who was content to kill His seuentie brothers all the kingdome for to haue From iust reuenge he could not long his cursed carkasse saue For from a womans hand a milstone downe was sent Frō off a wall which with the weight his brain pan al to rent And after by his Page was thrust vnto the heart With sword lest that a womās stroke his glory shuld subuert As Triphon did intrap with face of frendlie cheere Good Ionathan to whom he did a faithfull frend appeare So did he quicklie feele the weight of falsed word Who shortlie was by Simon slaine and iustlie put to sword I read also of one Aristobolus by name Who hath for murder left behinde a blacke bloodie fame For first he did consent with famine for to pine His mother for because she would the kingdome not resigne And also was content by death to make away Antigonus his brother deere which was his owne decaie For when the deed was done he felt a present griefe In conscience for so cruell act which then without reliefe Did dailie so torment his sore afflicted hart That fresh remorse did often giue new cause of greater smart At length from grislie corse his blood by peacemeale came For brothers blood frō earth did call his blood to quit the same And thus in fearfull wise he yeelded vp his breath So was his fierce wicked life repaide with worthie death Our Charles like vnto this from Gods reuenging hand By bloodie death repaies the blood he shed within his land From eares from nose frō mouth from hart that was so stout Frō euery part his blood was seen wher blood might issue out The man that would not yeeld when men did mercie craue For mercie cries vnto the Lord but mercie none can haue For he that will not help the poore when they dooth call Shall call himselfe when he hath need not be heard at all The heart that was so proud now feeles the bitter paine Whereat he iested when he saw his faithfull subiects slaine The eares that would not heare the poore afflicted crie But greedelie to sucke their blood would credit euerie lie With blood are stopped vp that they shall heare no more Such heauy plagues for wicked men the Lord hath stil in store The mouth that would not speake to doo his brother good Insteed of words doth vomit out the clotts of filthie blood The nose that did detest of Truth the pleasant smell From filthie heart doth willinglie the stinking blood expell So that we plainlie see that blood for blood doth craue And he shall not escape that seekes his brothers blood to haue Then cursed be the mouth and man that did perswade This wretched King that he was in a good and godlie trade In that he did by guile the godlie so allure And afterwards by treason did their wished death procure Much like said he you be to Lewes which heretofore Said in the Latine that he knew one sentence no more Which was That he which Truth in words will alwaies bring And not dissemble knoweth not the skill to be a King Naie this was rather like the red and cruell raigne Of Mithridates who did cause of Romanes to be slain A hundred fiftie thousand once by message that was sent Whē outwardlie there did appear nothing but frendship mēt The King of Arragon like mate of cursed crue By like deceit in Sicill once eight thousand Frenchmen slew To Philip once it was his ruine and his death In that he often brake his oath and vow of
infants for to kill These godlie men saie they that seeme to shine so cleere Now vnder show of godlie life most filthie doo appeere The Monkes as Legates leaud of Plutoes bloodie minde Do sweate some to blaze abroad this stinking hellish wind As men that were most fit to spread this lying same Which in their liues as dooth appeare do dailie vse the same But they in open place these matters so dilate That in the mindes of blinded fooles they raise a deadlie hate Against these seelie soules which neuer meant this ill That eke the common sort did long these godlie men to kill And not the common sort are now deceiud alone But this assailes the Noble men and strikes the Princes throne Which lie no sooner came before the Princes face But stood in hope by Sathans meanes to finde assured grace Whose minde by light beleefe in furie so was bent That to destroy these hurtles men he plants his whoâ—â— intent So now he giues in charge to haue their dealings triâ—â— And chosen men he did appoint the same for to decide These men in office put no time could idle spend But hard against these seely sheepe their woluish wits do bend This poore afflicted flocke that now in prison laie In godlie ioy but worldlie greefe did passe the time away And they that were in faith more stronger than the rest To coÌ„fort those that were but weak their will was euer prest And those that were at large did trudge from place to place To ease the outward greefe of such as saw this heauie case Declaring by the word that this came not by chance But God was he for some intent which lead this woful dance Perchance to shew his will perchance to trie their faith Perchance to plant his hidden truth by their most happy death Perchance to be a meanes their foes for to confound As once amids the flouds he strake proud Pharao to the grouÌ„d Perchance amidst our mirth our God we did forget And youthly bent to vain delights perchance our mind did set So God in mercie now to call vs home againe And see our selues hath thought it good to let vs feele some paine Yet still amids the flame let this be all our rest That all things done to Gods elect are alwaies for the best Thus did they still remaine to God they did commend Themselues their case content to beare what euer God should send And now with solemne fasts praier put in vre And eke by writing they assaie some fauor to procure The King they doo request that truth might trie their deedes That Iustice cicle might deuide the Roses from the weedes That fickle flying tales from credit might be bard Till that by iust and equall proofe both parties haue ben heard And if it were his will that they might now dispute They doubted not by written word the Sorbons to confute Yet this could not preuaile for all this good deuice For some stood by that told the king their writings al were lies The godlie greeued thus as reason did them binde By other letters trie to change the Kings affected minde In which they warne his Grace to looke vnto himselfe Not to preferre before his God this wicked worldlie pelfe And therewithall to view the state of that his Land How all things prospered well which he did take in hand So long as to the truth he bent a willing eare And to the godlie Christian flocke a faithfull heart did beare But since he brake his faith he gaue the Germaine band And to that greasie Priest of Rome againe did giue his hand How all things since haue gone a cleane contrarie waie And nothing prospered well sith he the truth did so betraie And now ô Prince quoth they except thou do repent Assure thy selfe to plague this sinne the Lord is fullie bent And he that now hath lent to thee this happie Raigne Will for thy sinne most surelie turne thy pleasure into paine The Constable of France a looking glasse may be In whoÌ„ the end of swelling pride your Grace may plainly see Who proudlie swearing said If he returned sound He would not cease till he had quasht Geneua to the ground But God that sits aboue his follie did deride And at Sanquintines did confound his purpose and his pride So he that latelie swore against the Lord to fight Was taken captiue by the foe his armie put to flight Of wicked wilfull wits this is the wofull end When fancie rulde by witles will their strength will striue to bend Against the Lord. But now ô King we do not care For whatsoeuer God shall send we willing are to beare But yet of this be sure the blood that thou doost wring From vs vniustlie is the seed whereby the Church doth spring And though our bodies be consumed in the flame Yet of our ashes God will raise that shall defend the same To shade the shining light no wit can well preuaile So vaine to striue to staie the truth which God doth nowe reueale Thus while the Godlie worke their causes to defend The wicked impes of Sathan lurke to bring them to their end But one aboue the rest their death did dailie craue Munerius that bloodie wretch that false and periurde knaue Who hauing now of late by falshood crackt his fame Did hope by hate of Gods elect againe to winne the same And hauing now attaind the Princes bill assignd In Paris towne before the States he shewes the Princes minde Which was that presentlie all businesse set aside The King would haue the prisners calde their dealings to be tride And that they should proceed to iudge eke beleue According to the euidence Munerius then should geue These letters being read the Senate all agree Not to receiue Munerius nor anie thing that he Should laie against the life of those that faithfull were For that himselfe had falst his faith which latelie did forswere And yet they did proclaime that they would not refuse If anie other would step forth the faithfull to accuse So willing to performe the Kings intended minde Their cankred mallice plant the plot to haue the daie assignde When these afflicted soules from prison to their dome Before the whelpes of Pilates brood to iudgement now should come The daie is come and they that were before ordaind To shew the glorie of the Lord could not be now constraind By all their braue deuice the truth for to denie But for the same amidst the flame they willing were to die The bloodie sentence past which was the Kings desire The valiant troope of godlie men were drawne vnto the fire And chained to their stakes all naked as they stood Vnto the Lord their crie was heard from out amids the wood But to the wicked troope which longd to see that daie They knowing sure their causes good this or the like did say NOw shall you