his gifts at Battersey bringing glory to God but the devil again raised up persecution against him One Master King Church-warden of the place was offended at him because he freely reproved sinne and boldly spake against the corruptions that were then in the Church by this man he was presented into the Commissaries Court and by his means cited to appear to answer certain Articles This was about the latter end of Queen Elizabeths reign not long before the coming in of King James Upon this citation he resolved to appear and came to London and being at the door of the Commissaries house Master Egerton his faithfull and Reverend Friend by Providence passing by came to him and having saluted him told him he had heard of the opposition made against him at Battersey and asked him if he would accept of a Call to go beyond the Seas his answer was having returned thanks for his kindnesse that he could not as yet resolve him forasmuch as he stood accused at present and was resolved what ever came of it to defend those Truths that he had publiquely delivered but yet professing a willingnesse to follow Providence whithersoever the Lord should call him Appearing before the Commissary he met with courteous usage and was friendly dismissed for at this time those men feared a change to be brought in by King James Not long after this he was called by the Merchant-adventurers to be Minister to their company beyond Sea whither breaking through all discouragements he went During his abode beyond the Sea at Stoade and Hamborough which was about the space of eleven years and an half he by the advice of the godly learned erected and established Discipline in that Church God did greatly blesse his Ministry and he begat among that little company many Sons and Daughters unto God He had Communion with the Netherland-Dutch Church at Stoade and at Altenon near Hamborough and with the godly that came out of England admitting them being desirous to come to the Lords Table In his Ministry he was very searching many coming and confessing those things which he had never heard of till it came out of their own mouthes In his carriage he was affable and courteous yet grave and awfull so that many durst not for fear do those things that otherwise they were disposed to The Merchants here found the benefit by the orderly carriage of their Factors there Yet here the Devil was not quiet for one of the prime Merchants taking exceptions against his impartiall dealing in his Ministry and the order in the Church threatned by such a day naming it to have him over into England but before that day came himself was summoned by death to another place He was very charitable himself allowing something yearly towards the maintenance of the suspended Ministers here and greatly furthered charity in others By his direction and encouragement Master Jones a rich Batchelour and one of the Elders of his Church bequeathed many thousands of pounds to pious uses which to this day speaks his praise He was eminent in self-denial for being made Executour by the said Master Jones of his last Will and Testament whereby he might have gained much to himself he never rested till he had caused him to alter his Will and to place others in his room Upon the dissolving of that company of Merchants he came over into England and being disappointed of a place in London intended for him by Master Jones he went to Monmouth in Wales and for some time held the Lecture setled there Afterward a Chappel being erected at Wapping he was called to that place and became the first Minister there Here he abode to his death being holy and exemplary in his life and conversation and aboundant in labours preaching constantly thrice a week and catechizing on the Lords day besides The tendernesse of his fatherly care and love of this people he expressed all the time of his living with them but especially in the time of the great sicknesse when remaining with them he preached constantly every Lords day and the Fast dayes notwithstanding all the danger that he was in the infection in that place being much spread and very violent The Providence of God over him at that time was very remarkable For although all the Families round about him were infected and his house adjoyned to the place of Burial yet neither himself nor any of his Family were any waies smitten with it Many were his labours in private being much sought unto both for counsell and for comfort What successe God gave unto his Ministry was evident by the many souls won and built up by him He was very studious and wrote much yet was alwaies averse from publishing any thing though often requested saying that the many Books that were daily set forth hindred the study and reading of the Holy Scriptures Once he committed to the Presse a Catechism fitted for his own Congregation and before his death had finished a large Tractate of the body of Divinity which still lies by He sought the good of all and was a precious savour unto some in whose hearts to this day his memory flourishes He foresaw the ensuing distractions with a grieved heart and raised himself up to comfort by contemplating the approaching time wherein Christ and his truth and his waies shall have the preheminence His judgement concerning some hath proved true asserting often that their principles would not if they continued in them suffer them to sit down on this side Anabaptism He was a Friend of truth and peace and an Instrument of refreshing the bowels of the poor many strangers for his sake giving in largely towards their relief Having finished his course being spent with labours he quietly and comfortably ended his daies and according to his last words went unto his God Anno Christi 1643. and of his age 69. having continued his Ministry at Wapping six and twenty years The Life of Master Julines Herring who died Anno Christi 1644. IUlines Herring was born in Flamber-mayre Parish in Mountgomery-shire 1582. His Father within three years after returned with his Wife and Family into Coventry where his Ancestors had been chief officers of the City in their course almost for the space of two hundred years and where he himself also was Sheriff and Maior living and dying in good estimation there This Julines his Son having had his first education in Shropshire with Master Perkin Minister at More-Chappel his Mothers near Kinsman where he learned the Principles of Religion was brought home unto Coventry where he was trained up in Learning under Reverend Master Tovey who then was Head Schoolmaster there While he was a school-boy he was noted for his diligence in reading the holy Scriptures delighting in those Chapters especially which treat of Faith in Christ and of repentance from sin to God And even then in
alwaies very studious of the Reformed Religion of an admirable courage and constancy in bearing the manifold afflictions which befell both her self and Husband and amongst her other excellent qualities and vertues she was alwaies very pitifull towards poor people and sick persons to whom she was very liberall in relieving and assisting of them and whereas many sick and wounded Souldiers were daily sent from the Camp to Orleance she frequently visited them so that the Physicians judged her disease to proceed from the stench of them Peace being proclaimed as is before specified in many places by the Kings Trumpeters the Admirall had scarce been three daies at his own house before Letters and Messengers came to him from many of his Friends signifying that instead of peace his enemies made great preparations for a more dangerous Warre for they observed that in every place such provision of War was made that if the Prince of Conde himself and the other associates did not timely prevent it they would be circumvented by their cruel enemies before they were aware and this they gathered from the Garrisons put into Orleance Altissiodore Blesa and other Cities surrendred to them as also by the Adversaries possessing themselves of all the Bridges and Passes over the Rivers keeping the Horse together in the heart of France and continuing two Regiments neer Paris under a pretence of a guard for the King Our Admirall finding these things to be true thought it most for his safety to retire into Tanlian to his Brother Andelot and from thence he shortly after removed to Nuceria a strong City under the Prince of Conde's Government whither formerly upon the like occasion he had carried his Wife and Family In his passage thither there fell out this memorable accident Near to the Town of Molinius there is a great Lake in the passage to Altissiodore when our Admirall came near it there was in his company an old man called Gripperius that had been a great traveller by sea and one that loved the Admirall very dearly this man observing a black cloud coming towards them carried with a violent wind he called to the Admirall desiring him to gallop to the next Town so fast as he could lest he should be oppressed with the violence of the storm approaching the Admirall hearkening to his counsell spurred on his Horse but before he had passed the narrow passages of the Lake there suddainly came such a violent tempest accompanied with a Whirlwind that many Horses and men were quite overthrown many were wounded with the great hailstones and almost quite slain The wind took off the Admirals hat which afterwards could never be found and one of his followers lent him his hat but herein the great mercy of God did appear that the Admirall scaped unhurt by the hail only one hailstone hit and hurt him about the ankle and had this storm taken him and his company a little sooner whilst they were upon the Lakes bank in all probability it had made an utter end of them The tempest being over our Admirall comforted his attendants and lifting up his eyes to Heaven he said O Almighty God I thank thee from whom I know this storm proceeds to warn us of the tempest of danger that is approaching by which we shall be sorely pressed but not oppressed When they were met together at Nuceria they sent divers Messengers with Letters to the King signifying that they had daily intelligence of the snares that were laid for their lives and therefore they beseeched his Majesty to pity his Kingdom wasted already with two Civil Warres and that he would not ruine his Kingdom but rather by his clemency and wisdom quench that fire that is kindled by the Guises Our Admirall also wrote to Margaret Daughter of King Francis and new Dutchesse of Savoy whom he believed to have great power with the Queen Mother intreating her to improve all her Authority and interest for the diverting of the storm that was approaching to the ruine of her Native Countrey But when he perceived that no arguments nor intreaty could prevail for peace and understood that Tavannius who was a little after made Marshall of the Kingdom was secretly drawing his Forces towards Nuceria there to compasse them in he advised the Prince of Conde that they should presently depart from thence and make all the hast that possibly they could to Rochel which by reason of their ancient priviledges had never hitherto admitted of any Garrison By the way they were to passe over the River Liger and in the train there was the Prince of Conde's Wife and six little Children whereof one was but a year old and two daies after followed the Admirall and Monsieur Andelots Children whom the Admirall had sent for to come to them At which time this strange Providence fell out When the Prince of Conde thought to transport his company in two or three little Ships privately over the River neer unto Sancerra it pleased God that a Foard was found whereby fifty Horsemen that were of the Princes train rode over and in the mean time the Ladies Women and Children were ferried over in Boats and no sooner were they gotten all over but though the day was fair the River suddainly rose so high that the Inhabitants of Sancerra took notice of the wonderfull Providence of God praying heartily for the safety and welfare of those little ones who had escaped such a danger The King hearing of this their going to Rochel by the advice of his Courtiers presently commanded all his Horse especially those that were in the Countries of Xantone and Poicters to hasten to Rochel He sent also his Brother Henry the Duke of Anjou to raise all the Forces he could and presently to march thitherwards In the mean time those of the Religion who relying upon the Kings promise and Proclamation of peace staied in their own Cities were every where basely murthered About this time Joane Queen of Navarr who in the former troubles had kept here own house abhorring such abominable treachery and perfidiousnesse after peace so often renewed getting what Forces she could together advanced with them to Rochel carrying with her her Son Henry who after her death was King of Navarr and her only Daughter These things being thus setled the Admirall drew some great Guns out of Rochel intending to besiege Niort and within a few daies had it surrendred to him Then he led his Forces to Engolisme which stands upon an high and steep hill having only one passage to it and therefore the enemies had a little before strongly fortified it but the Admirall planting his Ordinance on that side where it was saultable within a few daies space had it surrendred to him Presently after the Van of each Army met at Jasenullius and fought together the Admirall commanded that of the Protestants who charged the enemy so gallantly that they were presently broken
Queen of Navarr being zealously carefull to propagate the Protestant Religion in Cantabria a Province of the Jurisdiction of Navarr she sent Pastors who had learned the Countrey language which is understood by almost none of the neighbours and was before believed that it could not be written She took care also that the New Testament the Catechism and the Prayers used in the Church of Geneva should be translated into the Gascoine or Cantabrian tongue which she caused to be printed at Rochel in a most fine letter and sent to them And so upon the earnest solicitation of the King she went the March following Anno Christi 1572. from Rochel to the Court which was then at Blois with great attendance where it is incredible to think what welcome she had on all sides especially from the King and his Brethren who yet when all was done could boastingly say to his Mother Now Madam have not I quit my self well Let me alone and I will bring them all into the net In April following were the Articles concluded concerning the marriage of the Prince of Navarr with the Kings Sister And in the beginning of May the King woed the Queen of Navarr again to come to Paris for preparing things fitting for the Marriage which she at last consented to and so May the 6. she took her journey from Blois and came to Paris May the 15. After which she went from place to place in the City into sundry houses and shops to find out such things as might tend to the adorning of the day of so great a solemnity The Queen-Mother in the mean time who could not endure this good Queen and yet not finding with what colour she could dispatch her with the rest though she feared the greatnesse of her spirit in case she should survive them and judged it impossible to work upon the flexibility of the young Prince her Son whilst she lived She therefore consulted with one Rene an Italian whose practice was to impoyson things by whose devilish help she brought her accursed purpose to passe This Rene sold the Queen of Navarr certain Perfumes whereby he found out the way to poyson her therewith and afterwards he was heard to make his brags of it saying also that he had the like in store for two or three more who suspected no such matter By this means June the 4. this good Queen fell sick of a continued Feavor and though others sleighted it yet she perceiving by the strength of her disease that she should not long continue prepared her self to receive from the hand of God her mercifull Father that which he had appointed concerning her And calling her Son Henry she commanded him above all things carefully to serve God according to the confession of Faith wherein he had been educated and not to suffer himself to be plucked or diverted from the same by the smoaky pleasures and delights of the world and other incentives unto vices and that he should take care that the Constitutions concerning the same which she had published in the Principality of Berne and the lower Navarr be inviolably kept That he should throughly purge his Family and cause all bad Counsellors to be gone from thence which thought ill concerning God As also all flatterers the abusers of Princes and all other vicious Persons That he should retain with him all good men as Bellovarius Francutius and Betulus who were men of an unblameable life That he should have a special care of his Sister Katherine using her gently and lovingly without bitternesse causing her to be brought up in the Town of Berne in the same School of godlinesse which himself had been trained up in and when she should grow marriagable that he should marry her to a Prince of equall dignity professing the same Religion That he should love Henry Bourbon his Cosen German as his Brother and also Francis Marquesse of Contium taking care that as great concord as may be be cherished betwixt them and the Admirall Coligni for the advancement and propagation of Gods glory Lastly she makes her Son her Heir intreating the King the Queen-Mother the Duke of Anjou and the Duke of Alenson the Kings Brethren to undertake the Protection of the Prince her Son and of Katherine his Sister and to permit them the free exercise of their Religion Then she requested that she might have such nigh about her as might comfort her in her sicknesse out of the Word of God as also to pray with her and for her according to that of Saint James Is any sick amongst you let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him knowing that the Prayers of a righteous man prevail much with God According to her desire a Minister resorted to her shewing out of the Scriptures that Christians ought in all things to submit to the will of God as to the Father of spirits that they may live and albeit by reason of the severity of his chastisements sometimes it may seem to our flesh as if they were sent for no other end but for our destruction yet ought we to consider that the just God can do nothing but justly and being withall a mercifull Father he cannot but therein seek the welfare of his afflicted Children To this she replied I take all this as sent from the hand of God my most mercifull Father Nor have I during this extremity feared to die much lesse murmured against God for inflicting this chastisement upon me knowing that whatsoever he doth he doth so order the same as that in the end it shall turn to my everlasting good Then said the Minister The causes of sicknesses and diseases must be sought beyond the course of Physick which alwaies looks to the corruption of the humours or of the distemper to the more noble parts of the body And though it be not amisse to have respect to these things as to secondary causes yet ought we to ascend higher namely to the first even to God himself who disposeth of all his creatures even as best pleaseth him He it is that makes the wound and heals that kils and makes alive Deut. 32.39 and therefore to him we ought to direct our Prayers for our comfort in all our griefs and sufferings and in the end to expect full deliverance seeing it's easie with him to restore our health if it stand with his his good pleasure To this she answered That she depended wholly upon Gods Providence knowing that all things are wisely disposed by him and therefore she besought him to furnish her with all such graces as he saw to be necessary for her salvation As for this life said she I am in a good measure weaned from it in regard of the afflictions which have followed me from my youth hitherto but especially because I cannot live without offending my good God with whom I desire to be with all my heart Then said the
were checked and threatned that suffered it upon his non-appearance he proceeded so far as to send out an Excommunication against him which he for the mistake before-mentioned little regarded only by advice for some time kept out of the way untill the Bishops translation or evection rather unto the lofty pitch of his Primacy which shortly after did ensue During his stay in these parts looking down to Chatham he there consummated that businesse which hitherto had been delayed And in regard that Master Redich with his Wife and retinue were by reason of his urgent affairs in divers kinds likely to continue for a longer space of time in the City then at first was expected Master Bradshaw having brought up his Wife with him from Chatham did for a while board her with a sister of hers before married and seated in the City and afterward took part of a tenement for himself and her who being a woman that affected employment for their better support taught there a few Scholers Much about this time by occasion of that formall conference acted and transacted at Hampton-Court wherein some of our chief Prelates endeavoured to possesse the Kings Majesty with a prejudice against those that made suit for a Reformation of things amisse in Church-affairs his disaffection to whom he had himself also in some writing of his partly discovered already and to perswade him that for Ecclesiastical affairs all things were so well setled that no Reformation needed but some strict injunction only of a precise conformity unto and constant observation of things already established which began thereupon in many places with much vigor to be pressed It came to passe that many Books came abroad being privately printed wherein divers godly Ministers who were of a contrary judgment declared their grievances laid down their exceptions set forth their grounds of dissent and returned answer to the Arguments produced and urged against them to induce them to Conformity For Books of this nature search was made in the City for one more especially among the rest that had it seems given our great Clergy-Masters most offence and Master Bradshaw being known to abide then in the City a man in much suspition with them two Pursuivants accompanied with Master Norton the Kings Printer were sent with Commission to search his house both for it and him Whither accordingly repairing but not finding him at home they enforced his Wife to open his Closet or Study the Chests Trunks Boxes and Presses to make search for such Books but found nothing For the truth is and there was a good Providence of God in it after that Master Bradshaw was that morning gone out not above half an hour before that this business fell out his Wife looking into his Study and seeing some of those Books there to prevent future danger which yet she then little deemed or dreamed to be so near at hand as it proved to be afterward had taken them out from thence and cast them into a hole between two Chimneys where being covered over with old besomes they remained undiscovered But howsoever they could meet with nothing of that which they looked for yet on his Wife they seized who would rather have had him her they took and led unto Doctors Commons where having presented her before Doctor Stanhop Doctor White and a third party whom she knew not a number sufficient to make up a compleat High Commission Court they examined her yet without oath first Where her Husband was whereunto she answered she knew not then What meanes of Maintenance she had and from whom to which she made answer that she gat her living by her work and teaching of a few young Children after that What Children she had she told them none yet but one she hoped in her belly being then great with Child which was her first-born Sonne now a Minister of the Gospel afterward born in that House they then dwelt in in Thred-needle-street and baptized in the Church near thereto adjoyning where the Minister of the place somewhat thick of hearing by a mistake instead of Jonathan naming him John which name therefore he bare afterward and doth to this day But after divers such questions to little purpose propounded and answered in conclusion they told her that they knew well enough that the Book they then searched for was none of her Husbands making though he might have a hand in the venting of it and withall that if they had been disposed they could have had him for all his keeping in a Lancashire Gentlemans house So they termed Master Redich because his own Lands of Inheritance lay in those parts Thus hauing parlied with her they dismissed her not suffering those greedy Harpyes the Pursuivants who were eager upon her for their fees to exact ought from her only binding her at a daies warning to appear again before them Thus through Gods goodness and watchfull eye over his Servant too regardlesse in some sort of his own safety having escaped the snare that was set for him he returned after some space of time Master Rediches main businesses being now dispatched together with him and his unto their former place of abode at Newhall taking his Wife and little one together also along with him Being there arrived the Gentleman both enlarged his maintenance and assigned him and his Wife certain Chambers in his own House conveniently furnished as also herbage in the Park for a certain number of Kine and of Swine and some Poultry together with a convenient room for a Dary wherein she might exercise her huswifery which she very well could do and accordingly did Now while they thus lived together in Master Rediches House Master Bradshaw went on cheerfully in his wonted course both of private exercises for the instruction of the Family and of publick employment on the Lords day for the benefit of others also abroad But the old Lady Ferrers Mistresse Rediches Mother a woman of a great spirit and a resolute Papist though not an absolute professed Recusant could by no means brook Master Bradshaw and the lesse now because married and for that he had brought his Wife also to live with him in House with them yea she had conceived such an extream hatred against him professing to hate him above any man in the world that she had made a vow that she would never set her feet in the house where he was and it was therefore feared not without some just ground of suspition that the Family might from her fare the worse for him But the hearts of all men and women also are in Gods hand and he can wind and turn them which way he will and when a mans waies do please the Lord he can if he see it good yea doth oft when he seeth it will be for the good of his make of his utter foes his Friends And even so fell it out here For the Lady notwithstanding this her extream disaffection so deeply
these tossings to and fro he should thus light upon his feet yet would not meddle for the present but wait occasions Those that were well-affected were glad he was engaged against the Court and Bishops and did presage he might be instrumental to their downfall and every body laboured to ingage him more and more against them The Spanish match was then the common talk and great unwillingnesse appeared in the people generally and Doctor Willet had presumed to offer Arguments unto the King against matching with Idolaters The King was greatly vext at this adventure and took great paines to perswade the Doctor that a Papist was not an Idolater Sed non persuadebat etiamsi persuaserat The people were unsatisfied and there being then a Parliament a very Honourable and able Member of the House of Lords prevailed with Master Preston to write some Arguments against it And though there were severe Edicts and Proclamations against scandalous Papers and intermedling with Mysteries of State yet he promised it should be scattered and divulged unto fit persons and none should know from whence or from whom it came accordingly when it was finished and written fair one gave it to a Porter whom he met in Holborne and bad him leave it according to the direction The next day a great Lord comes unto him that had perswaded Master Preston unto the service and tels him that he had met with such a piece against the Spanish match as he never saw and protested he was convinced that he must speak against it in the House what ever came of it The other asked him who made it and where he had it he assured him he knew not but it was left at his lodging by he knew not whom The Lord desired he might see it and so it was copied out and spread among those of the Parliament they thought fit but the Authour of it never known King James had something alwayes in his Writings and Speeches against the Puritans which was ill taken for that it was apparent those meant thereby were godly conscientious persons The House of Commons was the only mote in King James his eye the Remora as he conceived unto his absolute dominion for he knew not how for to engaged them as he did the Lawyers and Divines but if he stopped one mouth with preferment this Parliament there would be others open the next against him There were some now that adventured to apologize for Puritans and to say in Parliament that honest men were wounded under that name and to propose that godly Ministers might not be silenced and thrown out of their Free-holds for trifles and Ceremonies But King James would none of that stuff breaks up the Parliament and sets out Proclamations Sed quid prodest totius regionis silentium si affectus fremant People love not to be enforced unto duty Homines duci volunt non cogi The Chaplains that attended monethly at the Court were not ambitious of preaching over-often and so a Combination was agreed on for Preachers before the King when ever he should lie within twelve miles of Cambridge The King did not despair of making Scholars his and therefore used all endeavours to oblige them especially Cambridge men where a seed of Puritans had been a long time and though the Plains about Royston and New-market afforded better Winter-game then elsewhere yet Scholars he conceived might be catcht sometimes as well as Hares and so was willing they should preach before him Young men he knew would preach themselves Omnis oratio docet aut rem aut animum dicentis He should learn either things or persons By this means it came to Master Prestons turn to preach before the King at Royston he was so muffled at Court in Doctor Newcombs businesse that he knew not what to do could not decline it altogether for that would have exposed him unto too much observation and yet he greatly feared what might befall him in the doing of it therefore he changed his course with one that was to preach a little after and did it very privately that if his enemies should have designes they might be disappointed and so it was not much known When he was to preach it fell out that his course came upon a Tuesday when the King did lie at Finching brook the Court was very thin and the Prince and Duke of Buckingham were both abroad and the King himself was for an hunting match that day and gave order that the Sermon should begin at eight of the clock Master Preston had some at the Court that were solicitous as well as he and they told him it would give very great content if he would take some occasion in the Sermon to shew his judgment as he had done before about Seâ— Formes Doctor Young Deane of Winchester of whom we spake before did then attend and when the King came in and sate down in the chair he told him who it was that preached and said he hoped he would give content I pray God he do said the King The Sermon is in print upon John 1.16 which he so clearly opened and applied that the King sate all the while as quiet as could be and never stirred nor spake to any body but by his looks discovered he was pleased when all was done he came unto him as the manner was to kisse his hand and the King asked him of what Preston he was descended he answered of that in Lancashire Then said the King you have many of your name and kindred very eminent and Preston the Priest although a Papist is a very learned man Great haste was made to bring in dinner and the King was very pleasant all the time had his eye continually upon Master Preston and spake of divers passages in the Sermon with much content especially that of the Arminians putting God into the same extreamity that Darius was put in Dan. 6. when he would have saved Daniel but could not but as soon as ever he was retired the Marquesse Hamilton kneeled down and besought him that he might commend the Preacher to him for his Chaplain protested he did not so much as know him but that he was moved by the weight and strength of that he had delivered told him he spake no pen and ink-horn language but as one that comprehended what he said and that he could not but have substance and matter in him The King acknowledged all but said it was too early remembred New-market businesse and was reserved Sir Ralph Freeman one of the Masters of Requests had married a Kinswoman of the Duke of Buckhinghams and was a Kinsman unto Master Preston he makes relation of the businesse unto the Duke and told him if now he would appear in favour of his Cousin Preston he might oblige the Puritans and lay a ground-work for his own security if tempests should arise assured him that Master Preston was ingenuous and might be made that the King and all the Court were taken
Bishoprick he would resolve on and told at Royston by the Duke of Buckingham that the Bishoprick of Glocester was then void contends with Master Middlethwite to be Lecturer at Trinity-Church for a stipend of fourscore pounds per annum as the upshot of all his hopes and fruit of all his great atchievments at the Court and the contention was so great on all sides that it could not be concluded by any mediation but was referred to an hearing at Royston before King James who was really against the Doctors preaching in the University the consequence whereof he well saw and was informed fully of I confesse I often wondered why Master Middlethwite an eminent Scholar and like enough to get preferment as afterwards it 's known he did should stickle for so small an opportunity to preach against the inclination and disposition of the Townsmen untill I understood that he was set on by the Prelatical Heads who told him that it was a service acceptable to the King and he should be rewarded for it At the time appointed it came unto an hearing and an Argument was urged against the Doctor namely that it was a Lecture maintained by six-pences a thing unseemly for a Master of a Colledge and the Prince his Chaplain but the Duke had taken care that nothing should be ordered and concluded against the Doctors mind for the Duke resolved not to lose him so the meeting was dissolved and nothing done but that night Sir Edward Contvey then Secretary invited Doctor Preston to supper and after supper told him that the King had ordered him to tell him that if he would give over his pursuance of that Lecture and let the Heads dispose of it he should make his choice of any other preferment that was more honourable and profitable for him but the Doctors end was to do good not to get good the Kings to make him uselesse and divide him from the Puritans The Duke was more indifferent who laboured in him to win and gratifie the Puritans whose power in Parliament was now grown very formidable therefore when nothing else would content him he was confirmed Lecturer at Trinity-Church the last preferment he ever had where he preached after all his time and did much good The Duke had now obliged Doctor Preston in the judgment and opinion of all the honest Party and much displeased the Prelatical and he saw apparently that King James approved not his siding with him yet he was more expresse then ever in his affections to him and freenesse with him He had indeed a very happy and rare composure of sweetnesse and solidity would play and dally with the King as if he were a woman and yet enquire and apprehend and argue counsels and debates of State as if a Burleigh or a Walsingham saw clearly the affections of the King were fading which the Puritans though never so much his Friends could not repair and therefore eyed and adored the rising Sun who now was grown and fit for marriage but no Preparatives to find a Consort for him He knew the Spanish match was but a colour and a Treaty dandled between Bristol and King James to fool the Prince off and shut his eares against the French proposals This he discovers to the Prince tels him Kings did not love an Heir apparent how near soever that the daughter of Spain was designed to a Monastery and kept for a reserve unto the house of Austria that in France there was a Lady much before her that if he pleased he would wait upon him into Spain in a disguise and take the French Court in their way and see that Lady and so discover Bristols and his fathers jugling the Prince resents and hugs this overture They tell King James the Earl of Bristol and the Spanish Ministers abused him that it was time to bring that Treaty to some Conclusion desire they might go into Spain and play the game out The King saw who had ploughed with his Heifer feared as he was apt to do a check-mate yet for the present urgeth only his affections to them both and asketh them how he should subsist so long without their companies But they persisting signes a Warrant with his own hand for Jack Smith and Tom Smith with each of them a servant and their horses to go beyond-Sea The Duke even now was not unmindfull of Doctor Preston but leaves order with the Dutchesse and Countesse of Denbigh to be carefull for him and Sir Ralph Freeman having a child to baptize Doctor Preston is intreated for to preach and the Dutchesse and Countesse were both Gossips who shewed to the Doctor very great respect and gave him hopes of doing good and some he did for he procured by their means Master Hildershams liberty and restitution to his place at Ashby de la zouch and gave great hopes unto good Ministers of fairer times then had been formerly only he would relate with much regret that he often found Doctor Laud then Bishop of Saint Davids with them and therefore doubted of the issue and event The Doctor saw by the debates about the Lecture that he had enemies as well as friends at Court that the Duke was mutable as well as mortal knew that the King abhorred that journey into Spain and would remember it if able Dulcis inexperto cultura potentis amici expertus metuit And therefore though now he were setled and assured in the University yet would not leave his Lecture at Lincolns-Inne but being still in London in the Tearm-time about the Colledge-businesse continued Preacher at Lincolns-Inne and thought it might be a good reserve in case the naughty Heads or Factions in the Court should fall upon him and it was well he did for the Prince and Duke returned the next October highly offended with the Spanish gravity and both they and all their train did nothing but tell stories of the Spanish basenesse so a Parliament was called and the Duke cryed up by all the godly Party in the Kingdome The Spanish Agent at the Court had order from his Master out of Spain for to defie him and protest against him at the Counsel-Table but seriously he could not have done him a greater courtesie for the people universally did hate the Spaniard and now the Duke became the peoples Martyr I have seen Verses made in his defence and commendation and Agents presently dispatched in France to treat of that Match King James liked not this stuff but the Prince was able now to go alone and especially when he had the Duke for one of his Supporters all things are fairly carried for Religion and the Duke of Buckhingham the Princes and peoples Favourite The people seemed now to have the better and the Court-affairs for to decline and droop Doctor Preston like another Mordecai was very great the Prince his Master and the Duke his Friend and the Courtiers eyes upon him because they saw he came not thither for preferment as all men else Pisoni in
imperium adoptato nihil in vultu mutatum quasi magis imperare posset quam vellet His honours altered nothing in him but gave encouragement to all the godly Party and his Sermons at Lincolns-Inne much wrought upon the Parliament so that a bold Petition was contrived and presented to the King at Whitehall from both Houses of Parliament April 23. 1624. against the spreading and increase of Popery and the Indulgence given unto Priests and Jesuites King James was in the evening of his glory his Party in the Court under a cloud another Sun almost in view and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or day-star already risen and accordingly he answered warily to their Petition bewails his want of information as the reall ground of this their trouble which otherwise he had prevented acknowledged that whilest the Treaties lasted with Spain and Austria he was obliged to comply but now both being broken off he would be rigid and severe against the Priests and Jesuites bids them find out a way for to restrain the growth of Popery and he would second them but resolves to pay the Duke of Buckingham for all this and gives order to the Earl of Bristol to prepare an information for that end but the Match with France and other intervenient accidents obstruct it for the present The Duke having told tales out of School and broken off the Match with Spain was much obliged to further and promote the French which he did seriously excuse to Doctor Preston upon this ground that there was not any Protestant for to be had and for to marry with a subject had alwaies been unlucky and fatal to the Kings of England that the French would not be ridged in religious observations but the Doctor constantly opposed only acknowledged this difference that Spanish Popery was an absolute ingredient to their intended Western Monarchy but French was not so and so this was lesse evil But the French found out this obligation and were untractable unlesse the Duke would aid the King of France against the Rochellers This was a hard chapter for one so much obliged unto the Puritans and Doctor Preston and he therefore declined all he could but nothing else would serve and he knew King James lay ready to take advantages so in Conclusion eight Ships were granted to oppose the Rochel-fleet and many colours sought to cloude it and hide it from the world but from that time Doctor Preston doubted of the Saint-ship of the Duke of Buckingham whom otherwise he honoured and loved very much But it was high time for the Duke to look about him King James was not to learn now how for to play his Game he was an old but not a foolish King Eccl. 4.13 and therefore failed not to make Provision and lay rods in pisse that he might use upon occasion Kings use for to account an ague in the Spring their Physick yet Physick till March be past is not good but this ague antidates the moneths and comes in February The King was then at Theobalds and the Ague was made but small account of He feared death but was the most impatient and disordered of any living what rules soever the Physicians gave he would observe none which intemperance might very well occasion the growing strength and vigour of the disease which howsoever more and more increased and at last began to be considerable then he began to take advice and to submit to rules but now it was too late for March 27. 1625. on the Lords day in the morning about ten of the clock at Theobalds the King dies Doctor Preston then attended in his moneth and was sometimes hastened to the Prince to comfort him and sometimes to the Duke and indeed it was a very mournfull morning Death is a serious thing and knocks alike at Pallaces as at the meanest Cottage King James was very much beloved of all his servants some of the Huntsmen could not be gotten from him the Prince and Duke were both of them retired and wept exceedingly But Sir Edward Conwey and some of the Lords drew up a Wiring and proclaimed Charles Steward King with all his Titles and hast was made to pack away to London The Prince and Duke and Doctor Preston in Coaches shut down hasten to White-hall and there he is proclaimed again with more formalities and the Lord Maior and the City sent to where it was done with much solemnity and great rejoycing of the people for the Prince had that exceeding happinesse to come upon the stage unprejudiced For he had never interposed nor acted but in the Spanish businesse and that succeeded to his great advantage so that if he listed he might have been as popular as ever any were This fall occasions many alterations in the Court the Bishops generally and Doctor Prestons enemies and all that had contended with the Duke were Crest-fallen King James was like enough to have out-lived the Duke of Buckingham who had been very sick since his return from Spain but all is altered and the Duke does all But he had many things to do the affronts received in Madrid and at the Counsel-table by the Agent were to be sent back by a puissant and mighty Navy and Provisions made accordingly King James to be interr'd a Parliament to be summoned the French Lady to be sent for and brought into England which the Duke especially intended and spake to all the Gallants of his Retinue to attend him and to many other of the Gentry and Nobility throughout the Kingdome But he found it hard thus in the morning of the Kings affairs to be abroad there being then a Parliament and the sicknesse much encreasing in the City so he was constrained to employ the Earl of Holland and attend himself at home All were not gratified in this great revolution and mutation of affairs and the discontented Party murmured and let flie at the Duke and the sicknesse much encreasing began to make a mutiny and it was much desired that the Parliament might be prorogued till some other more healthfull and lesse dangerous time But the Navy against the Spaniards and the pressing wants of all sorts that depended on the Court would not permit so it was only adjourned to Oxford yet there the sicknesse was as soon as they and some of their Members smarted for it but hast was made to gratifie the new King and the Provisions for the Navy went forward many men ingaged and the King resolved to attend that businesse as admitting no delay There was one thing that invited Doctor Preston to a journey that year and that was a strong suspition that the plague was in the town in which case there is a liberty to dissolve the Colledge without any detriment unto the Officers and Members of it He was not willing to omit the opportunity because he had many invitations into the West The Bishop of Salisbury he desired to consult withall about a Book of Master Montagues that was commended to him by
adde unto it eternal apprehensions and make them feel the fiercenesse of his anger Psal. 88.6 7. without any hope of being eased and after this can restrain and withhold them as he did Abimelech Gen. 20.6 For if one cease to be a Sonne because he commits a sinne that doth deserve eternal death then every sinne a child of Gods commits rends his relation or sonship off for every sinne deserves eternal death Rom. 6.23 and because in many things we offend all Jam. 3.2 we should be alwaies out of sonship and have neither certainty nor comfort in our estate unlesse he could give some ground out of Scripture to assure what sinnes put us out and what did not The Duke had sent to Doctor Preston to decline this clashing conference and assured him he was as much his Friend as ever and would have stopt it if he could but the Bishops had over-ruled it which the Doctor at the first believed and so was backward But when he saw the confidence of Doctor White and his Companion he doubted the sincerity of that assurance and was afterward informed that there had been a meeting at the Countesse of Denbies and the Duke had promised to leave him this gave him resolution and encouragement against the second conference which was managed in a manner by him alone against Master Mountague and Doctor White For when the Doctor saw the Duke begun to double with him he was less fearfull to offend him though the Duke still carried it with all the fairnesse that he could and appeared not in person When the time came for the second Conference the Doctor readily appeared and the first thing he charged Master Mountague withall was about his doctrine of Traditions which he affirmed he had delievered as grosly and erroneously as any Papist Gag pag. 38 39 40. For he justfied that place in Bazil where he saies The doctrine retained in the Church was delievered partly by written instructions partly by unwritten traditions having both a like force unto Piety which was so unlike to Bazil and the opinions of those times that it was generally believed to be put in by the Papists of later times Master Mountague confessed it was suspected by some of the preciser cut but Doctor Preston told him Bishop Bilson was none of them yet he did judge it supposititious and it must be so or Bazil acknowledged to be erroneous For he instanceth in praying towards the East and use of Chrisme or Oyl in Baptisme both which being rejected by the Church of England argues they held that place of Bazil not Canonical Master Mountague answered that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there used by Saint Bazil might signifie a thing that seemed so and so the sense might be that some things that seemed true of lesse esteem and consequence might be delivered by tradition as long as matters more substantial were taken from the Scriptures But Doctor Preston shewed that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signified oftentimes doctrine and was used here by Bazil for those Heads of doctrine that were more principal and lesse exposed comparing them unto those places in the Temple whereunto the people had not accesse Master Mountague answered farther that his assertion was hypothetical that if a doctrine came from the same author it was no great matter whether it were by writing or word of mouth for either had the same authority But Doctor Preston told him Bazil was positive and spake directly and him he justified and therefore could not be hypothetical as he pretended It is a great step unto victory for to divide Paul sets the Pharisees against the Sadduces Act. 23.6 7 8. that he might save himself The Jesuites are so good at it that though they have but one to be their adversary they will endeavour to divide him from himself by moving passion or compassion or some affection of his own against him Doctor White had openly in the Commencement house maintained that Election is not ex praevisis operibus and therefore Doctor Preston resolved to pinch Master Mountague in that particular that he might bereave him of his animating Champion Doctor White There were four several places that Doctor Preston had observed to make good this charge the first which he produced was Gag pag. 179. Some Protestants hold that Peter was saved because God would have it so without respect unto his faith and obedience and Judas damned because God would have it so without respect unto his sin And added this is not the doctrine of the Protestants this is not the doctrine of the Church the Church of England hath not taught it doth not believe it hath opposed it Now Doctor White was very fierce and eager to engage told him it was no doctrine of the Church of England but a private fancy of some that Judas was condemned without respect unto his sin for the wages of sin is death Rom. 6.23 The soul that sinneth shall die Ezek. 18.4 But Doctor Preston answered he did not charge that upon Master Mountague but the former part of the assertion that Peter was not saved without respect unto his believing and obedience and so Election should not be absolute but grounded upon faith and works foreseen Then saith Dr. White I have nothing against that but leave Master Mountague to answer for himself Dr. Preston was glad that he was eased of Dr. White and yet resolved to make advantage of it and therefore told Dr. White if he thought Election was not ex fide Praevisâ he desired to know whether saving grace were an effect and fruit of Election or no Dr. White acknowledged readily it was then said Dr. Preston Whosoever hath saving grace is Elected Now you know than an Elect person can never finally miscarry or fall away therefore whoever hath true grace can never fall away The old man saw the snare and would have avoided it by denying the consequence But the Dr. urged that wheresoever the Effect is there must be the Cause but Saving Grace is an Effect of Election This Dr. White would have denyed but the hearers murmured that the Effect could not be without the Cause as the day is not without the presence of the Sun Then Dr. White answered that Saving Grace was an Effect indeed but a common Effect But Dr. Preston urged that it was not more common then Election for all the Elect had Saving Grace and none but they and therefore they could never fall away But this said he is by the way I will now apply my self to Mr. Mountague But when Mr. Mountague perceived that his great Goliah Dr. White forsook him he was greatly troubled and cavilled at the words a while but the book adjudging it for Dr. Preston he said The Church of England had not declared any thing against it Dr. Preston alledged the seventeenth Article but told Master Mountague that he affirmed the Church of England did oppose it and he desired to know where But after one of the Lords had
whispered with Mr. Mountague he confessed that for Arminius he had never read him and that he had written some things negligently in that book which he never thought should thus be scanned among friends and therefore promised to write another book in Butter and Honey and therein more exactly for to acquit himself Some of the good Lords proposed that in stead of this Book which Mr. Mountague had promised to write the Synod of Dort might be received and established as the doctrine of the Church of England seeing there was nothing there determined but what our Delegates approved But Dr. White opposed this mainly for said he the Church of England in her Catechism teacheth to believe in God the Sonne who redeemed me and all mankind which that Synod did deny Dr. Preston answered That by Redemption there was only meant the freeing of mankind from that inevitable ruine the sin of Adam had involved them in and making of them savable upon conditions of another Covenant Joh. 3.16 17. so as now salvation was not impossible as it was before the death of Christ but might be offered unto any man according to the tenor of that Commission Mark 16.15 16. Which could not be unto the devils for they were left in that forelorn condition whereinto their sin and disobedience put them Heb. 2.16 2 Pet. 2.4 that the Jaylor was a boisterous bloody fellow Act. 6.24 27. yet Paul makes no doubt for to tell him vers 31. That if he believed on the Lord Jesus he should be saved with his house But Dr. White in no sort received this but affirmed earnestly that Christ died for all alike in Gods intention and Decree for Cain as well as Abel for Saul as much as David for Judas as much as Peter for the reprobate and damned in hell as well as for the Elect and Saints in heaven But Dr. Preston answered That there was a speciall salvation afforded to Believers 1 Tim. 4.10 That Christ was indeed a ransome for all 1 Tim. 2.6 but the Saviour only of his body Eph. 5.23 that he redeemed all but called and justified and glorified whom he knew before and had predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Sonne Rom. 8.29.30 that to whom in this sense Christ was given to them were given also all things appertaining unto life and godlinesse 2 Pet. 1.3 as faith 2 Pet. 1. â— Phil. 1.29 Eph. 2.8 Repentance Act. 11.18 2 Tim. 2.25 A new heart Ezek 36.26 His Spirit Gal. 4.5 6. So that nothing can be charged on them but Jesus Christ hath undertaken and is engaged to discharge them Rom. 8.31 32 33 34. So that they can never perish nor be taken out of Christs hand Joh. 10.28 29 30. but as they are begotten again unto a lively hope 1 Pet. 1.3 so they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation vers 5. whereas Judas was lost Joh. 17.12 and is gone to his own place Act. 1.25 and there are many nations and people of the world that have no outward offer made unto them in the Gospel Psal 147.19 20. Act. 16.6 7. and those that have it have not hearts given them to understand it and believe it Deut. 29.2 3 4. Esa. 6.9 10. Mat. 13.13 14 15. and therefore they are lost 2 Cor. 4.3 4. and are damned 2 Thes. 2.10 11 12. For he shewed that in Adam all men were lost Rom. 5.12 and none recovered but by Christ therefore such as had not Christs intercession could not recover but Christ prayed not for some Joh. 17.9 and therefore such could not be saved Heb. 7.25 Dr. White acknowledged there was a difference for though all had so much as by good improvement might serve their turn yet the Elect had more for God abounded towards them Eph. 1.8 9. Rom. 5.15 17 20. As all the Troop have horses but the Officers have better Both Travellers have staves to leap over the ditch but the one a better and stronger then the other The worst had grace enough to keep corruption and the renitency of their natures down but the Elect such as would do it easily for Christ had tasted death for every man Heb. 2.9 and died for those which yet might perish 1 Cor. 8.11 and bought those that yet brought upon themselves swift damnation 2 Pet. 2.1 because they did not husband and improve the favour offered to them Dr. Preston answered That Christ was in himself sufficient to save all and might be said to be provided for that end and use as a medicine is to cure infected persons though it cure none actually but those that drink it as Prosper Habet in se quod omnibus prosit sed si non bibitur non medetur As 1 Joh. 5.11 12. but many did not thus apply Christ because they had him not so offered and exhibited as others had Mat. 11.21 Luk. 10.13 for God gave some faith and repentance as we have shewed as the Serpent Moses was commanded for to make was in it self sufficient to cure those that were bitten Numb 21.8 9. yet cured none but only those that looked on it So as Moses lift up the Serpent in the wilderness shall the Son of man be lift up that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have life everlasting Joh. 3.14 15. But Dr. White urged that place Esa. 5.4 that God had done all he could but they neglected and rejected the counsel of God against themselves Luk. 7.30 Dr. Preston answered That God had done all that they could challenge of him for he had given them in Adam power Eccl. 7.29 and proposed another way of mercy in a Mediatour and therefore he appeals to any one that was indifferent Esa. 5.3 but this was unto Israel he dealt not so with other nations Psal. 149.20 Beside he had done what he could without reversing and rescinding his Decree Joh. 12.38 39 40. for otherwise he could have given them the same spirit of faith 2 Cor. 4.13 the like gift that he did unto others who believed on the Lord Jesus Act. 11.17 could have wrought in them both to will and to do according to his good pleasure Phil. 2.13 could have healed them as he promised Esa. 57.18 and as he did persecuting Saul 1 Tim. 1.6 but God had other ends Rom. 9.17 and attributes Rom. 9.22 which he was willing to discover Prov. 16.4 But Dr. White asked how then he could require faith and repentance Mark 1.15 Act. 17.30 which was all one as if he should require one to give his judgment and opinion of a colour that had his eyes shut and then shut his eyes as fast as he could Dr. Preston answered That he might do it to shew and discover our impotency as we bid our little children rise that by their own fault fell that we may let them know their inability and be the more beholding unto us to help them up as Mark. 9.23 24. and because the call and command of Christ is the Vehiculum
taking great affection to him for his wit and disposition was very carefull of him and taught him not only that humane learning that was fitting for his years but the grounds of the Protestant Religion This his School-master was the first blessed Instrument that God was pleased to make use of to work in him a liking and relish of the Reformed Religion He continued with him till he was fit for the University which was not long For when he was but about thirteen years of age he was placed by his Father the good hand of God still over-ruling him with a very godly and Religious Tutor in Christs Colledge in Cambridge where he concontinued till after he was Master of Arts where he gained much love and esteem for his Piety Learning Ingenuity affability and harmlesse inoffensive witty Converse Mr ARTHVR HILDERSAM Being in this dejected and forlorn condition God that comforteth those that are cast down comforted him by meeting with Mr. John Ireton then Fellow of Christs Colledge after Rector of Kegworth in Leicestershire a man famous for Piety and Learning in London who at their meeting said unto him Arthur why art thou so long from thy Book and losest so much time Alas Sir said he I shall go no more to Cambridge and thereupon told him his condition and the occasion of it Be not discouraged saith Master Ireton thou hast a Noble Kinsman whom I will acquaint with thy case and I doubt not but he will provide for thee Accordingly Master Ireton soon after went to the Right Honourable Henry Earl of Huntingdon Lord President of the North whose Mother and Master Hildersams Mother were Brothers Children and representeth to him the sad condition of his poor Kinsman The Noble Earl gladly embraced this opportunity of doing good and sent for him encouraged him promised him maintenance and gave order to Master Ireton to send him back to Cambridge and to place him with a good Tutor For said he I suppose his Father did place him with a Papist But when Master Ireton assured him the contrary he gave order he should go to his former Tutor of whose love to him and care of him Master Hildersam was wont often to speak When Master Hildersam was Master of Arts he was soon after to Common-place a Colledge-exercise in Divinity not different from a Sermon but in length he being loth to adventure upon that Exercise intreated one of the Fellows his special Friend to supply his place the first time but he out of love refused to gratifie him in that and wished him to remember one Master Sidney Zouch Master of Arts of that Colledge who getting one to supply his place the first time and hearing afterwards some of his own year perform that Exercise so well that he despaired of doing the like could never after be perswaded either to Common-place or preach though he were a very able Scholar The first time he was to Common-place he was much afraid but observing that there sate a very godly man his Friend on th' other side of the Chappel he thought that that man prayed for him which much encouraged him He was of so good repute for his Piety and Learning that by the major part of the Fellows he was chosen Fellow of that Colledge but Dr. Barwell the Master making use of his negative voice stopped him and the matter came to the Visitors two of which viz. Doctor Perne and Doctor Goad favouring his Competitor Master Willet who was afterwards Doctor Willet made him Fellow Not long after he was chosen Divine of Trinity-hall in the said University where he continued till Septemb. the 14 1587. at which time by the foresaid Right Honourable Earl he was called to be and placed Preacher at Ashby de la zauce in Leicestershire The impropriate Tithes of the same Parish being setled upon him for his life by the said Earl and continued to him by the favour of the two succeeding Earls George and Henry untill his death He hath given publique notice to the world of his duty and thankfulnesse to that noble house in his Dedicatory Epistle to his Lectures on Joh. 4. January 5. 1590. He married Mistresse Anne Barfoot Daughter to Master Barfoot of Lamborn-hall in Essex who was a very loving and carefull Wife of him and the like Mother of his Children she survived him about eight years He was silenced in June 1590. and restored again in January 1591. He was instituted and inducted into the Vicaridge of Ashby Octob. 4. 1593. He preached at the Assiises at Leicester in the time of a great dearth July 20. 1596. a godly learned zealous plain and powerfull Sermon upon those words 1 King 18.17 18. And it came to passe when Ahab saw Elijah that Ahab said unto him Art thou he that troubleth Israel And he answered I have not troubled Israel but thou and thy fathers house in that ye have forsaken the Commandements of the Lord and thou hast followed Baalim In the handling of which Text he so offended Judge Aderson that he manifested his anger and displeasure both by his countenance and gesture arising to go away But Master Hildersam speaking some words unto him with ministerial authority he stayed till the Sermon was done After Sermon the Judge would have had the Grand-Jury to have indited him but in those daies it would have been hard to have found a Grand-Jury in Leicestershire that would have done that Some further and greater danger Master Hildersam was in by reason of that Judges displeasure for that Sermon but God in mercy prevented it In the year 1598. there was an attachment sent out of the High-Commission for his apprehension In the beginning of King James his reign when many petitioned for Reformation which Petitions were very modest and moderate subscribed by above seven hundred and fifty godly able Preachers in but twenty five Counties which Petition was directed to the Parliament and other Petitions to his Majesty and the Lords of the Council and to the Bishops he with some few others of his Brethren were chosen and chiefly intrusted to mannage that important businesse to prosecute the Petitions to solicite the cause and if required to dispute it And whereas there were some appointed to deal for those that desired Reformation in the Conference at Hampton Court he with Master Stephen Egerton of London and Master Edward Fleetwood of Lancashire delivered to them some ten demands and requests made by thirty Reverend Ministers in the name of themselves and many others which they intreated them to solicite his Majesty for in the behalf of the Church He was deprived and silenced by William Chaderton then Bishop of Lincolne April 24. 1605. for refusall of subscription and conformity yet after some time by the connivance and favour of William Overton then Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield he preached sometimes in that Diocesse specially at those two famous
that part of the City was filled with his armed enemies against whom whilest he opposed himself he was invironed by his adversaries and taken Prisoner who presently carried him away to Antwerp Whilst he was Prisoner there he fell dangerously sick and lay fourty daies tormented with a Fever and as soon as he began to recover he called for a Bible by reading whereof he much eased and refreshed his mind and body and by the diligent study thereof he began to embrace the reformed Religion and to have a tast of true Piety and the right manner of calling upon God Not long after he payed his Ransome which was fifty thousand Crowns and so returned home and being weary of the Factions and Affairs at Court and seriously thinking of his change of Religion he gat leave of the King to turn over his Regiment of Foot to his Brother Andelot and his Government of the Isle of France to his Brother-in law Marshall Monmorancy and shortly after he sent one of his intimate Friends to the King humbly to signifie to him that he intended also to lay down his Government of Picardy and therefore desired him to think of one to succeed him therein The King answered that he wondred at his resolution and scarce thought him wise to divest himself so suddainly of so many places of honour and profit and from that time he began generally to be suspected of his change in Religion shewing a minde so free from ambition and desire of rule Monsieur Andelot also discovering his resolution in Religion the Cardinall of Lorraine who hated the Family of Coligni with a deadly hatred as the greatest enemies to the greatnesse of his Family watched his opportunity and suggested to the King that all men took notice that many great men of France were infected with the poison of Calvinisme which they scattered amongst the inferiour sort of people and in particular that Monsieur Andelot had blabbed out many things to the dishonour of the solemn sacrifice of the Masse c. The King being incensed hereby commanded the Cardinall of Chattillion his Brother and Monmorancy his Cosen to send for Andelot and to admonish him to answer modestly to the questions which should be proposed to him When he came before the King he professed his great good will towarde him and spake many things of his great merits and then told him that he was sorry to hear that which was reported viz. that he thought ill of Religion and therefore he required him to tell him what he thought of the Mass which the Calvinists spake so much against Andelot being a man of great courage answered confidently according to the truth which the King being offended at exhorted him to look to himself and to prevent the danger before it were too late Whereunto Andelot with greater courage answered that he had hitherto shewed himself obedient in all things to his Majesty whom he had found alwaies bountifull to himself and his Family but in the cause of Religion he could neither daub nor dissemble with God That his Body Wealth and Dignity were in the Kings power of which he might dispose as he pleased but his Soul was subject to God only that gave it to whom therefore in this cause he must needs be obedient as to his greater Lord. At this the King was so inraged that snatching up a dish he therewith hurt his Son the Dolphin that sat next him and then he commanded one of his privy-chamber to carry Andelot to the City of Meaux where he remained a Prisoner in the Bishops house till he was removed to the Castle of Melodune Not long after King Henry the second dying his Son Francis succeeded him who was married to Mary Queen of Scotland the Daughter of the Duke of Guises Sister by which means the Guises ruled all at Court and they also boasted often of the Kingdom of England to which this Mary was Heir apparent as they said The Admirall knowing their cruel barbarous and bloody dispositions who would never be free from turbulent Counsels and especially from pesecuting those of the Religion he was now without further delay resolved to lay down his Government of Picardy and for that end acquainted Lewis of Bourbon Prince of Conde concerning his intention wishing him to beg that place of the King which accordingly he obtained Our Admirall being thus eased of these publique Burthens and the troubles of them which withdrew his mind from Religion he kept at home in his own Castle and the rather because of his Wife Carola Lavollia born of an Illustrious and Ancient Family which was wonderfully given to the study of Religion exhorting her Husband also that casting off the remainders of Idolatry and Superstition he should wholly betake himself to the true service of Christ. The Admirall having often heard her presse this upon him dealt seriously with her telling her that he never knew any either in France or Germany which embraced in truth this reformed Religion but that they were overwhelmed with manifold afflictions under which they almost perished He told her also that by the Laws of France which were confirmed by all the Parliaments Whosoever made profession of this Religion was to be burnt alive and all his estate to be forfeited to the King Yet saith he if you be so prepared with Faith and courage that you can be content to undergo the same lott with others you shall see that I will not be wanting to do my duty To this she answered That the condition of the Church at this day was no other then what it had been in former ages even from the beginning and she perswaded her self that it would be the same to the end of the world And thus each of them incouraging other the Admirall began to instruct his Family in the true knowledge and worship of God and gave them Bibles and other good Books to read for their furthtr edification Withall he stoutly forbad them those oaths and blasphemies which were common in France especially in the Court He provided also godly Governours and Schoolmasters for his Children so that in a short time there was a wonderfull change in his Family yea by his example his two Brethren Odet the Cardinall and Andelot were exceedingly stirred up to the study of Religion The Admirall from his childhood had been bred in the Court which did in those daies exceedingly abound with luxury and other vices from which he was not altogether free but so soon as he imbraced the true Religion there was such a strange alteration in his life and deportment that the powerfull work of Gods Spirit did wonderfully appear therein Before he durst come to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper he conferred with divers Godly Ministers both about Transubstantiation and Consubstantiation for the setling of his judgment in the truth and once being present in the Town of Vatevill at a private
Christ 1566. the King passed this sentence That having heard both parties and consulted with his Nobles and Counsellours who were all unanimously agreed in the same sentence he pronounced the Admirall clear and innocent from the murther of the Duke of Guise and therefore absolved him from that crime commanding his Proctor and all others that they should never dare hereafter accuse him for the same He commanded also that neither his present accusers nor any other of his Subjects should dare hereafter to make any mention of it Nor that any of his Judges or Parliaments should ever admit any plea against him for it He declared also that seeing both parties had freely referred themselves to him his will was that they should live lovingly and peaceably together never contriving any thing against each other and that if any of them their Friends Kindred of Partakers should violate this Decree that they should be held contemners of the Kings Majesty as guilty of Treason as disturbers of the publique peace and lastly that this his definitive sentence should be recorded in all the Parliaments of his Kingdom But to return to something that hapned before this the Admirall had in his Family one Hambervilleries born of a Noble house whom he made use of in his most weighty and honest affairs and it pleased God that some Letters of his being intercepted came to the Admirals hands wherein he wrote to some great Courtiers that he was ready to obey their commands in giving the Admirall a Soporiferous Potion Our Admirall having read these Letters called the man to him commanding him to write some verses in a paper that lay by which when he had done comparing both the writings together he asked him whether he would acknowledge his hand in those Letters which he looking upon being stricken with guilt for his wickednesse he presently fell upon the ground and begged his Masters pardon The Admirall told him that he was willing to pardon him but upon condition that he should presently depart out of his house nor should ever come into his sight again Not long after the aforementioned Edict of Peace was published the Queen Mother took counsell to go to Baion to meet her Son-in-law the King of Spain and to take her Children with her This afterwards proved the cause of many tragicall events though for the present things were kept very secret and first she ordered her journey to Lyons which hitherto had been in possession of those of the Religion because of the great number of them there and as soon as she came thither she presently set her Italian Artificers to work to build a Citadell upon a neighbouring hill which commanded all the City A little before this the plague began to be very hot and now it had seized upon the Court it self yet could not the Queen Mother be perswaded to remove her self and children from the danger till she had seen the foundations of the Castle laid At last making Lossius Governour of that City a cruel and barbarous man and and an implacable enemy to those of the Religion and adjoyning to him some insolent Souldiers that might daily vex the godly inhabitants she departed But this is very remarkable that whithersoever she removed the Court in Cities Towns Castles c. the plague still followed her so that for three moneths together the King was in continuall danger and was still forced to remove from place to place by reason of the infection At last they came to Baion where the Queen Mother met her Daughter the Q. of Spain and Embassadors from the King with whom she communicated her counsels In the mean time the Marshall Monmorancy whom the King had made Governour of Paris in his absence had certain intelligence brought him that the Guises had imployed their Agents to the common people of Paris to stir them up against those of the Religion in that City he heard also that the Cardinall of Lorraine intended suddainly to be there with a great number of armed attendants though the King by several Edicts had commanded that none in their journeys should carry Harquebushes or Pistols about them Therefore so soon as Monsieur Monmorancy heard that the Cardinall was entred Paris with his followers thus armed he presently taking his guard went to them commanding them to deliver up their Arms This the Cardinall and his Nephew the young Duke of Guise took as an intollerable affront to them and were often heard to say that that fact should cost Monmorancy his life The Cardinall was very potent in this City and could easily have raised sixty thousand armed men to have slain the Governour whereupon he resolved to call in some of his Friends to his aid and in the first place he wrote to the Admirall to hasten to him who accompanied with three hundred Horse entred Paris Jan. 22. which did so terrifie the multitude especially the Priests Monks and Canons of the great Church that they began to think of flying thence The day after Monsieur Monmorancy sent for the Presidents of the Parliament and the chief Magistrates of the City to come to his house to whom he complained before the Admirall of the audaciousnesse and factious counsels of the Cardinall of Lorrain as also of the seditious speeches cast abroad in the City as if the Admirall taking advantage of the Kings absence at so great a distance consulted about plundering that rich City and therefore he thought fit to call the Admirall before them that so he might clear himself from that aspersion Then said the Admirall I have long since found out what my malicious and implacable adversaries have aspersed me withall as if I intended to seize upon this City which is the Bullwark and Eye of France But such counsels as these are fit for those that claim an interest I know not how it comes in in the succession of the Kingdom and contend to have certain Dukedomes and Countries restored to them For my own part I neither challenge any right to the Kingdom nor to any part of it which yet if I should do I think there hath not been a Noble man in France these five hundred years which had the like opportunity to disturb the publique Peace as I. Ye remember after the Duke of Guise was slain that I had the Constable Prisoner in Orleans and what a great occasion I had thereby of doing greater things if I would have embraced it But on the contrary I was never more earnest with the King and Queen Mother for peace then at that time when our affairs prospered best Who can be ignorant how sollicitous and importunate I was for peace at that very time when many potent and flourishing Cities had delivered up themselves into my hands and divers other great Cities both of Normandy and Brittany sought my favour and protection Who knows not that after Peace was concluded instead of begging Honours and
Offices ambitiously of the King which happily I might have obtained I retired my self to my own house and there even to this time have lived a quiet and private life But omitting these things and speaking to the present occasion Being sent for by Monmorancy I am come hither not to disturb the peace of the City or to innovate any thing but rather to preserve peace against the audaciousnesse of some that would disturb it It is not unknown unto you how much confidence those of the Religion do put in me These being stirred up with new rumours and terrified with the counsels and factions of the Guises do daily flock to me bring me intercepted Letters of the meetings of certain Captains who command their old Souldiers to be ready in arms that when they have occasion to use them they may be at hand What needs more words Letters are intercepted written into Normandy the originall whereof is sent to the Queen Mother and I will shew you a copy of them wherein amongst others there is this passage There is no readier means of restoring the Crown of France to those to whom it doth belong of old then by rooting out the house of Valois and by massacring all the Hugonots which are the chief upholders of it for this end their woods are to be sold that with the price thereof we may arm our selves and get money and if the Hugonots sue for them the businesse being once adjudged against them they will never move for their charges of the suit Now also what should I speak of the daily plunderings and murthers It 's sufficiently known that after the peace was published more then five hundred of those of the Religion were basely murthered in severall places and yet not one of the murtherers were ever punished by the Magistrates and they which have complained of these things to the King or Queen Mother have carried away either only words or some empty paper or parchment instead of satisfaction Who knows not that in the City of Turon lately and openly many of the Religion were cruelly massacred even under the Ensign and by the Souldiers of him who was sent thither by the Duke of Monpensier to settle the peace These things being so yet I hear that there are many of your Priests who are so terrified by my coming hither that they consult about leaving the City and yet there is no place in all France no City Town or Castle where the Priests live and attend their services with more freedom and safety then in my Town of Castelon The Admirall having ended his speech the company was dismissed and two daies after there came to Monmorancy about thirty Delegates from the Parisian Merchants and with them the Bishop and divers Priests to all whom the Admirall spake very Friendly bidding them be of good cheer and fear nothing and within few daies after going to the Court of Parliament he made a speech to them and told them That nothing was more desirable to him then the Peace and welfare of the City neither did he come to them with any other mind then to advance it and therefore he exhorted them that they also would do their endeavours that the Citizens might behave themselves peaceably and quietly and so shortly after he returned home At his return he was informed that there was one Maius who lived not far from him a famous thief that was hired by the Duke of Aumale the Brother of Guise to lie in wait for him when he should ride forth on hunting for which end he had given him an hundred pieces of gold and an excellent Horse many also complained to the Admirall against him for his thefts and robberies whereupon having gotten sufficient witnesses he complained of him to the Parliament at Paris and a few daies after having apprehended him he caused him to be carried to Paris but when he came before the Parliament this villain accused the Admirall as if he had dealt with him about killing the Queen Mother and had promised him a great reward for the same The Parliament after examination finding this to be but a Calumny and proving him guilty of many thefts condemned him to be broken upon the wheel which accordingly was effected Shortly after the Prince of Conde had a Sonne born to whom the King would be Godfather but because he could not himself be present by reason of his Religion he substituted the Admirall to supply his room which businesse was celebrated with very great pomp for at the Feast a Table was prepared as if it had been for the King himself at which the Admirall sat alone and was attended like a Viceroy which every one interpreted as a pledge of the Kings singular love and favour to him Not many daies after news was brought that the Duke de Alva had by the command of the King of Spain brought a great Army into the Low-Countries to suppresse and root out the Protestants and this Army being to passe by the borders of France the Admirall moved in the Kings Councel that Burgundy might be looked to and lest any tumults might arise about the difference in Religion he advised that a guard might rather be appointed of the Swissers then of the French men and it was commonly reported that six thousand Swissers should be ready to oppose the Duke de Alva in case he attempted any thing against Burgundy But a few daies after the Prince of Rupisurias of the royoll blood wrote to the Admirall to send him some trusty Person to whom he might communicate a secret which would much conduce to his safety he also being a Friend to the Prince of Conde by reason of their propinquity in blood told him that there was secret counsell taken at Baion for the utter extirpation of the Protestant Religion and all the Professors of it and for that end those six thousand Swissers were hired and brought into France under pretence of opposing the Duke de Alva the Admirall also was informed of the same by many Letters and Messengers from severall of his Friends These things coming forth first the Prince of Conde and presently after him the Admirall went to the Court and told the King the Queen Mother and all the Councel that they saw no sufficient reason why so many Swissers should be brought into France except it were to oppresse them and many other honest Families which embraced the Reformed Religion But they should find more that had devoted themselves to that Religion then commonly was thought of an experience whereof they had in the late Wars They told them also that if their adversaries attempted any innovations they would not be wanting to themselves nor like sheep would suffer their throats to be cut by murtherers They therefore earnestly intreat and beseech the Kings Majesty that he would be moved to pity so many honest Families and the afflicted condition of his Countrey and of the common people
reverence of the affinity contracted with the King of Navarr That the King had entred into a league with the Queen of England and endeavoured to do the same with the Protestant Princes in Germany which sufficiently shews how he stands affected to the Protestants Moreover that Faith was given to the Prince of Orenge and to the E. of Nassaw his Brother to aid them against the Spaniards That the Kings Ambassadours did daily search into the Counsels of the Duke de Alva and acquainted the King therewith as the King daily informed him That the Navy under Strossius at Broag is rigged for no other end but to disturb the Spansh Fleet and to assist the Prince of Orenge That for himself they need not fear the King having made Friendship betwixt the Guises and him faith being mutually given that neither should injure other To conclude That the King doth all he can to have Peace at home and Warre abroad and to translate it into the Low Countries against the Spaniards wherefore he prayeth his Friends not to trouble his mind any more with suspitions which is now busied with weightier matters and to joyn with him in prayer to God that he would bring those things to a good issue which are well begun for his glory and the good both of Church and Kingdom A little before Count Lodwick with some others had Commissions from the King to surprize some Frontier Town in Flanders On the other side the Duke de Alva had intelligence of every step that Count Lodwick took yet such was his diligence that he surpriz'd Monts in Henault wherewith the Duke de Alva was so netled that he said The Queen-Mother had sent him the flowers of Florence but he would for them return her Spanish thistles but upon further intelligence he was soon pacified Many Lords and Gentlemen of the Religion accompanied the King of Navarr and Prince of Conde to Paris and the King drew many more of them thither who otherwise would have kept their houses under pretence of his Warres in Flanders Count Lodwick was presently besieged in Monts by de Alva whereupon the King gave Commission to Monsieur Jenlis to raise Horse and Foot for his succour but de Alva being acquainted with all his proceedings surprized him which the King seemed to be much grieved at and presently wrote to his Ambassadours in the Low Countries to procure the deliverance of the prisoners He also encouraged the Admirall to send all the help he could to the Rutters whom the Prince of Orenge had levied for the relief of his Brother causing monies to be delivered to him for their pay The Ambassadours of Spain also seemed to be very male-content because the King began Warre in Flanders and the Kings Mother played her part in this Tragedy pretending that she knew nothing of the Kings proceedings and now she did know them she would leave the Court. These juglings were carried so handsomly that the Admirall Teligni his Son-in-law and other Lords were confidently perswaded that the King was wholly guided by the Admirals advice July the last The Rochelers wrote to the Admirall that the Kings Army approached near them that from Xantone and Gascoine it daily wasted the Countrey about them using terrible threatnings against their Town and menacing to plunder it whereupon they intreated his advice especially about receiving eight hundred men which they sought to put as a Garrison into the Town The Admirall made them an honourable answer Aug. 7. assuring them of the care he had over them adding that he found the King so well disposed for Peace that all men had cause to commend him Yet the Rochelers neglected not to look to themselves and to fortifie their Town In other Towns many were the threats of the Papists against the Protestants which much terrified some others relied upon the Admirals presence and favour at Court and to such as suggested doubts to him he said that the King had reconciled the differences betwixt the Guises and him causing both Parties to swear friendship That the King gave his Sister in marriage not so much to the King of Navarr as to the whole Church of the Protestants to joyn with them thereby in an inviolable union and therefore he besought all them that either by writing or words advised him of the hatred of the King Queen-Mother the Duke of Anjou or the house of Guise no more to trouble him with those things but rather to commend all in their daily prayers to God and to give him thanks who of his infinite mercy had brought things to so good an end August 17. Henry King of Navarr and the Lady Margaret of France Sister to the King in the evening were conducted to the Louure and the next day were married by the Cardinall of Bourbon in the sight of all the people upon a great Scaffold made before the gate of the great Church in Paris which day was passed over in Banquets Dances and Masks and that very day the Admirall wrote a Letter to his Wife great with child in this tenour Most dear and desired Wife This day was celebrated the Marriage between the King of Navarr and the Kings Sister and these three or four ensuing daies will be spent in Feastings Maskings and Dancings The King hath promised me that after a few daies he will set time apart to hear the complaints which are brought from several parts of the Kingdom for violating the Edict of Peace for the prosecution whereof it 's very necessary that I should improve all my interest with the King For though I have an earnest desire to see thee yet it would be grievous to me and I suppose to thee also if I should be any waies deficient in a business of so great concernment neither will my stay here about it be such but that I hope to come to thee this next week If I should only respect my own content it would be much more pleasing to me to be with thee then to stay any longer at Court for sundry reasons which I may hereafter impart to thee but I must have more respect to the publique good then either to my own pleasure or profit I have some other things to impart to thee so soon as God shall bring us together which I much long for both day and night All that I have for the present to write to thee is only thus much at four a clock this afternoon was celebrated the Masse for the Marriage during which time the King of Navarr walked without the Church with some other Noble-men of our Religion Some other matters of smaller concernment I shall reserve till we have an opportunity to speak together in the mean time most dear and loving Wife I pray for thee that God will protect and keep thee Farewell Paris Aug. 18. 1572. Three daies since I was much tormented with the Stone and Cholick but through Gods mercy they held me not above eight
or ten hours and now by the same mercy I am wholly freed from them I promise thee that in these great Feasts and Pastimes I will trouble none Once again Farewell Thy most loving Husband Chattillion About the same time their Counsels for the Massacre being not yet ripened the King with the greatest demonstrations of good will that might be thus accosts the Admirall My Father Remember what you have undertaken to me that you will be injurious to none of the Guises whilst you are in the Court they also have interchangeably given their faith that they will carry themselves honourably and modestly towards you And truly I put as great trust as may be in your words but I have not the same confidence in their promises For besides that I know that the Guises seek occasion of revenge I know their disposition to be bold and haughty and with what great favour and affection the people of Paris do follow them It would be a great grief to me if they who have brought into the City many men of Warre notably furnished with arms under colour of coming to the marriage solemnity should go about any thing for your destruction which would extreamly reflect upon me and therefore I think it fit if you be of the same minde to bring a Regiment of Praetorian Souldiers into the City under the command of such men meaning some that were least suspected who may not only be ready for the publique securiry but upon all emergencies if turbulent spirits should attempt any thing against you This friendly speech so prevailed with the Admirall that he gave his consent and so a Regiment was brought in without the suspition of the Protestants which afterwards helped to cut their throats Five daies after as the Admirall came from the Court where he had been all that morning accompanied with twelve or fifteen Gentlemen being on foot about a hundred paces from the Louure walking softly and reading a Petition just over-against the house of one Villemure a Canon and Tutor to the young Duke of Guise one shot with an Harquebush at him through a lattice window the Gun was laden with three brasse bullets one whereof brake his forefinger of his right hand the other two pierced his left arm He that shot it had a horse ready at the back door whereon being mounted he escaped through St. Anthonies gate where finding a Spanish Jennet held ready for him he posted away to the place appointed for his retreat The door of the house being burst open the Harquebush was found with a Lacquey and another servant who belonged to Challey Steward of the Kings house and a great dealer in the Duke of Guises affairs who also the day before had brought this Harquibushier to that house desiring that he might be well intertained the Lacquey also was sent that morning by this Harquebushier whose name was Maurevel to the Duke of Guises Groom of his Stable requiring that the Horse should be ready that was promised him The Admirall being brought to his lodging shewed singular piety and patience Chyrurgions were sent for and amongst the rest Ambrose Pareus the Kings Chyrurgion who began first with his finger which he cut off but his pincers not being keen he opened and pressed them three times before he could cut it off Then he lanced both those places in his arm which the bullets had pierced all which the Admirall bore not only with a couragious heart but with a constant countenance insomuch as seeing his Friends to weep which held his arm whilst the incisions were made he said unto them My Friends why do you weep I judge my self happy that bear these wounds for the cause of my God And withall looking upon Monsieur Merlin his Minister he said These wounds my Friends are Gods blessings the smart indeed of them is troublesome but I acknowledge the will of my Lord God therein and I bless his Majesty who hath been pleased thus to honour me and to lay any pain upon me for his holy name sake let us beg of him that he will enable me to presevere unto the end And seeing Monsieur Merlin to weep and lament he said to him My Merlin you should rather comfort me To whom he answered Indeed there can be no greater comfort then to think upon the honour which God hath done you in judging you worthy for his Name and Religions sake to suffer these pains My Merlin answered the Admirall if God should have dealt with me aâ—cording to my deserts or have used his power over me he must have deâ—â— far more severely with me but blessed be his Name who hath dealt so mildly and lovingly with me his unworthy Servant Then said another that stood by Go on with this your piety foâ— God ought to be praised by you who hath left the greatest part saâ— and untouched for which cause you have greater reason to admire hâ—â— mercy in these wounds then to complain of his justice especialâ—â— considering that neither your head nor your mind are wounded Thâ—â— said Merlin You do very well Sir that you turn your thoughts froâ— these murtherers to God for truly it was his hand that inflicted theiâ— wounds neither ought you at all to think upon the blâ—ody-mindednesse of your adversaries Truly said the Admirall I freely and from my heart forgive both him that shot at me and those also that set him on for I know assuredly that it is not in their power to hurt me no though they should kill me for my death is a most certain passage to eternal life Thâ— same words he shortly after spake to Marshall Danvill when he came to visit him And whereas Monsieur Merlin told him that the afflictions and calamities which happen to Gods Children use to quicken theâ— more in Prayer The Admirall thereupon with an audible voice and fervent soul poured out this Prayer unto God O Lord God and my heavenly Father have mercy upon me for thy tender mercies sake Remember not against me my former iniquities neither charge me with the sins of my youth If thou Lord shouldst strictly mark what is done amiss or shouldst impute to us our breach of Covenant what flesh could stand before thee or endure thine anger As for me disclaiming all false gods and worship I only call upon thee the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and worship thee alone for Christ his sake I beseech thee to bestow thy holy Spirit upon me and give me the grace of patience I only trust in thy mercies all my hope and confidence is placed on that alone whether thou pleasest to inflict present death upon me or to spare my life to do thee further service Behold Lord I am prepared to submit to thy will in either nothing doubting but if thou pleasest to inflict death upon me thou wilt presently admit me into thine everlasting Kingdom But if Lord thou sufferest me to live longer here grant O
most heavenly Father that I may spend all the remainder of my daies in advancing thy glory and in observing and sticking close to thy true Religion Amen His Prayer being ended Monsieur Merlin asked him if he pleased that they also should go to Prayer with him Yea said he with all my heart and whilst Merlin was praying the Admirall with his eyes fixed upon heaven joyned with very great devotion And after Prayer when Merlin minded him of the examples of the ancient Martyrs telling him that there was never any man from the beginning of the world that laid out all his labour and interest for God and his true Religion but that he met with manifold afflictions the Admirall interrupted him saying I am refreshed and confirmed with this speech and the examples of the holy Fathers and Martyrs do much comfort me and mitigate my pain Presently after the two Marshals of the Kingdom Monsieur de Cosse and Danvill came to visit him telling him that they were extreamly grieved for his mishap and that nothing could have happened more bitter to them yet withall say they we judge it equal and agreeable to your former valour to recollect and shew your self a man for your vertue hath given you far more then this ill chance can take from you Then the Admirall turning to de Cosse said Do you not remember Sir what I told you of late Truly so much attends you also But said Danvill My Admirall I purpose neither to comfort you nor to exhort you to courage and constancy for your self is the man from whom such Consolations and Exhortations use to proceed only I request you to consider wherein I may be serviceable unto you I wonder from whence this mischief did proceed Then said the Admirall Truly I can suspect none but the Duke of Guise yet dare I not affirm that it was he However through Gods mercy I have learned neither to fear mine enemies nor death it self which I am sure can do me no hurt but may forward my eternal peace and happinesse For I know that my God in whom I have put all my confidence can neither deceive nor lye unto me Only herein I am sorrowfull for that by this accident I am disabled to shew the King how much I would have done for his service meaning in the Warre of Flanders Would to God I had an opportunity to speak with his Majesty for I have some things to impart ro him which much concern his interest and I believe there is none that dare tell it him but my self In the mean time the King of Navarr and the Prince of Conde complained grievously of this vile and treacherous fact to the King To whom the King cursing and swearing grievously called God to witnesse that he would so severely punish this wickednesse towards the Admirall that he would leave the example to all future ages to take heed of such villany and thereupon the Lacquy and Woman that were found in the house were apprehended and cast into prison At two a clock in the afternoon the King hearing of the Admirals desire to speak with him went to him accompanied with the Queen-Mother his two Brethren the Duke of Monpensier the Cardinall of Bourbon Marshall Danvill Tavenes de Cosse c. When the King came first into the Admirals chamber he caused all his servants to go forth except Monsieur Teligni his Wife and Merlin then going to the beds side the Admirall said to him I humbly thank you Sir that you have been pleased to put your self to so much trouble for my sake Then did the King with flattering words congratulate his valiant mind and bid him be of good courage and hope well of the issue To whom the Admirall replied Sir There are three things wherewith I was desirous to acquaint your Majesty First To professe my fidelity and observance to your Majesty and I pray God so to be mercifull unto me before whose Throne I may be brought shortly to appear by these my wounds as I was alwaies studious and carefull of your honour and dignity Neither yet am I ignorant how often mine adversaries have calumniated me to your Majesty and accused me for a disturber of the publique Peace but through Gods mercy though I should hold my peace yet my actions will sufficiently clear me from this charge Indeed this hath been the fountain of all these calamities because I resisted their fury and impudency and because I asserted the authority of your Edicts against their turbulent and violent proceedings neither could I endure to suffer them so often to violate the faith confirmed by your oathes to your Subjects God is witnesse of the sincerity of my mind herein who also fully knows the difference between me and my adversaries and will righteously judge the same Furthermore also considering the great Honours and Offices conferred upon me by your Father and Grandfather and confirmed by your self I should be ungratefull and unfaithfull if I should not humbly request your Majesty to provide a remedy against all those maladies and perturbations which already disturb the peace of your Kingdom And now to proceed to the businesse of Flanders Never any of your Predecessors had the like opportunity of getting Honour as your self You know that many Cities in the Low Countries desire your favour and to throw themselves into your protection This occasion I perceive is in your Court laugh't and scoff't at and through the default of some few men the opportunity is like to be overslipt Those Forces which were lately led by Genlisse thitherward were circumvented and destroyed by de Alva you know what a great number of Catholicks were in that Army Of what Religion then I pray you are those who make a jest at the slaughter of so many of their Countrey-men and of their own Religion There is scarce any secret word spoken in your Privy-Councell but presently the Duke de Alva knows of it I pray you Sir What good can we expect when those that sit in your Privy-Councell and should assist your Majesty and your Brethren do betray your most secret counsels to your publique and professed enemies I beseech you Sir that you take care of a businesse of such concernment as this is yea again and again I intreat it of you And lastly I beg with the like earnestnesse that you will not suffer your Edict of Pacification to be so ordinarily broken You know how often you have sworn to keep it You know that forreign Nations and all your neighbour Princes have taken notice of it What an unworthy thing is it Sir that an Oath so solemnly sworn should be so much slighted and neglected Do you think that forreign Princes will hereafter make any account of your Oath But the other day in Champaigne as the Nurse carried a child home from Baptism and from a Sermon which was held in a place allowed by your authority certain seditious persons lying in wait by
being certified that many things were done tumultuously in the City and that weapons were brought together in many places they thought fit that counsell should be taken betimes for that no good could be expected from those proceedings Hereupon one was sent to the King to certifie him of the commontion of the people and of their carrying of Arms and therefore to request him to charge certain of his guard to stand before the Admirals door for his better security The King seeming to be moved with this news began to demand of the Messenger who had told it him and whether the Admirall knew of it and withall he sent for the Queen-Mother who was scarce entred when the King with a disquiet mind as he seemed said What a mischief What is the matter He tels me that the common people are in a tumult and take Arms. She answered They are not in any tumult neither do they take Arms but you know that early in the morning you commanded that all should contain themselves in their own quarters lest any tumult might arise That is true said the King but I forbad them to take Arms. Then the Messenger again requested that he would send some of his Guard to the Admirals lodging The Duke of Anjou being by said Take Cossen to you with fifty Harquibushiers The other answered We desire only six of the Kings Guard for their Authority will more prevail with the people then many armed men Yea quoth the King and the Duke of Anjou take Cossens to you for you cannot have a fitter man which words were pronounced very imperiously The Messenger knowing Cossen to be a great enemy to the Admirall yet held his peace and not far from the Kings Chamber he met with Monsieur Thoree Brother to Marshall Monmorency who whispering in his ear said No greater enemy could be given us for our Keeper to whom the other answered Did you not observe how Imperiously the King decreed it but pray you remember what I answered to the King when he first commanded it A few hours after came Cossen with his fifty Harquibushiers to the Admirals house and chose two shops by to place his Guard in A little after Rambulet the Kings Camp-master followed who by the advice of the Duke of Anjou commanded all the Popish Nobility that lodged in that street to remove their quarters elsewhere that he might dispose of their lodgings to the friends and familiars of the Admirall then which no more crafty counsell could be devised for those matters which afterwards fell out Towards evening this hapned which gave to many no small occasion of suspition A Boy by the command of Teligni brought two hunting poles to the Admirals house but Cossen put him back and would not suffer them to be carried in This being told to the King of Navarr who was now with the Admirall he went down and asked Cossen upon what confidence he did it Cossen answered that he had done it at the command of the King but said he since you will have it so let them be brought in That day the King sent to all the Admirals familiar friends admonishing them to go near to the Admirals house and take up all those quarters But upon the former occurrences another Councel was called under the Admirals lodging wherein the Vidam of Chartres again urged his former opinion that the Admirall should presently be carried out of Paris and that his friends should go along with him That every hour they observed many things that justly increased their suspition But most were of the contrary opinion viz. That they were only to require justice of the King and to desire that the Guises and their Faction might be commanded out of the City as being too powerfull with the people of Paris and of this opinion was the King of Navarr the Prince of Conde and many others and the rather because Teligni urged that it would be a great injury to the King if any should call his faith and sincerity into question and that it would be sufficient if justice were meekly required of him At this debate there was one Bucavannius a Picard who never spake word he was a professor indeed of the true Religion but very gracious with the Queen-Mother and very frequent with her familiars which probably betraied all to her About three a clock in the night there fell out another thing which increased the suspition for one carrying to the Admirals house the Coats of Male of Teligni and Guercius Cossen turned him back again which man complaining to Guercius who was a stout and gallant man he went to Cossen and sharply taxed him for it so that they had well near fallen to blows but Teligni who was of a meek and quiet spirit with gentle words pacified them himself being so deluded with the fair and flattering words of the King that he never thought that he spake enough in his commendation In the mean time a Councell was held at Court where were present the King Queen-Mother Duke of Anjou Duke of Nevers the Bastard of Angolisme Birage Tavannius and Radesianus and it was concluded That seeing by the death of one the mischief diffused amongst so many could not be extinguished therefore all should be destroyed And that the wrath which God would not have fulfilled with the blood of Coligni alone should be poured out against all the Sectaries therefore say they the bridle is to be let loose to the common people who are stirred up enough of themselves and when the businesse is accomplished reasons will not be wanting whereby the deed may be excused the blame being laid upon the Guises who will willingly undergo the same So they all concluded that all the Protestants were to be destroyed even every Mothers child of them Concerning the King of Navarr and the Prince of Conde it was debated Whether they were to be exempted from the number of the rest and it was alleadged that the King of Navarr was to be spared because of his royall Dignity and his affinity newly contracted for it would be without all excuse if so great a Prince next to the King in blood conjoyned in fresh affinity should be slain in the Kings Castle between the arms as it were of the King his Brother-in-law and his Wives imbraces Concerning the Prince of Conde the contention was greater he was much envied for his Fathers sake yet the dignity of his person and the authority of the Duke of Nevers who became surety for him prevailed that he should be spared After this the King calling the King of Navarr told him that by reason of the violence and boldnesse of the Guises and the common people inclining to them he would advise him to command those of his houshold whom he knew most faithfull to him to come to him to the Louure to be at hand upon all occasions This the King of Navarr took in very good part sending for
those that were stout of hand to lodge about him Now it was observed that armed men rambled up and down in the City every where and about the Louure also that the common people grumbled and gave forth threatning speeches The Admirall being informed of these things sent one to the King to tell him of it The King answered that there was no cause why Coligni should be affraid for that these things were done by his command to represse the motions of the people who were stirred up by the Guises and therefore bad him to rest assured It was also told Teligni that Porters were seen carrying Arms into the Louure but he slighted it saying that these were unnecessary suspitions the Arms being carried in for the winning of a Castle in the Louure that was built for sport Presently the Duke of Guise to whom the charge was chiefly committed to see the businesse executed calling together the Captains of the Popish Swissers and the Tribunes of the French bands late in the night he discovered to them what the will of the King was that the hour was come wherein by the Kings commandement punishments should be inflicted on the head and by consequence upon the whole faction of the Rebels that the beast was caught and entangled in the net and therefore they must do their endeavoer that he might not escape Be not therefore said he wanting to so fit an occasion of carrying home a most glorious triumph over the enemies of the Kingdom the victory is easie the spoils will be rich and great which you may obtain as the rewards of your good service without shedding your own blood Then were the Swissers placed about the Louure unto whom certain bands of French men were added and charge was given them that they should suffer none of the King of Navarrs nor of the Prince of Conde's men to come forth Cossen also was charged with his Harquibushiers to suffer none to come out of the Admirals house That evening Guercius with some others had profered Teligni to keep guard in the Admirals house suspecting danger but he told them that there was no need for them so to trouble themselves and so with gracious words dismissed them by which means it came to passe that none lodged in the Admirals house but Cornaton Labonnius Yolett the Master of his Horse Merlin his Chaplain Paraeus the Kings Chyrurgeon and some four or five Servants Teligni was gone to the next house where he lay with his Wife In the Admirals Court were the five Swissers whom the King of Navarr had sent him Then did the Duke of Guise send for John Caronius lately made Provost of Merchants whom he commanded to signifie to the Aldermen that they should bid those in their severall Wards to appear in Arms at the Town-house about midnight to understand the Kings pleasure He commanded also Macellus who was very gracious with the people to signifie to them that liberty was given them from the King to take arms to destroy Coligni and all the other Rebels that therefore they should see diligently that they spared none nor suffered them any where to be concealed That order should be taken to do the like in all other Cities of the Kingdom who would follow the example of Paris That the sign for the beginning the assualt should be the ringing of the little Bell in the Palace That the sign whereby they should know one another should be a white handkerchief about their left arm or a white crosse in their hats That therefore they should come armed in good numbers and with good courages taking care to have candles lighted in their windows that no tumult might arise before the sign was given And thus the Duke of Guise and the bastard of Engolisme did all they could that things might be effected according to the agreement At midnight the Queen-Mother fearing the Kings wavering who was somewhat startled at the horridnesse of the fact reproved him for it saying that by his delaies he would overslip so fair an occasion offered by God for the utter vanquishing of his enemies The King being netled with this which seemed to charge him with cowardlinesse commanded the matter to be put in execution which word the Queen-Mother speedily taking hold of caused the little Bell to be rung in St. Germanes Church about an hour before day Aug. 24. being St. Bartholmews day and on a Sabbath Presently the Duke of Guise with Engolisme and d' Aumal went to the Admirals house where Cossen watched and a noise being raised the Admirall was awakned with it and heard of a sedition yet rested secure relying upon the Kings word and favour But the tumult growing greater when he perceived a Gun to be discharged in his Court he then conjectured though too late that which was the truth and so rising out of his bed and putting on his night-gown he stood and prayed against the wall Then came a servant to Labonnius and told him that there was one at the door who by the command of the King desired to be brought to the Admirall Labonnius therefore taking the keys ran down and opened the door then did Cossen catch at him and stabbed him with his dagger and so with his Harquebushiers he set upon the rest killing some and chasing away others Thus all things were filled with noise and another door at the stair foot was easily broken open and one of the five Swissers sent by the King of Navarr was slain yet were the stairs so barricado'd with chests that he could not presently enter In the mean time Monsieur Merlin went to prayer with the Admirall and the rest and at the end thereof a servant coming in said to the Admirall Master It is God who calleth us to himself they have broken into the house neither is there any ability to resist Then said the Admirall I have prepared my self for death a good while ago shift you for yourselves if possibly you can for your endeavour to help me would be in vain I commend my soul into Gods hand It was observed that the Admirals countenance was no more troubled then if no danger were at hand Thuanus relates his words thus I perceive what is in doing I was never afraid of death and I am ready to undergo it patiently for which I have long since prepared my self I bless God that I shall die in the Lord through whose grace I am elected to an hope of everlasting life I now need no longer any help of man You therefore my Friends get ye hence so soon as ye can lest ye be involved in my calamity and your Wives hereafter say that I was the cause of your destruction The presence of God to whose goodness I commend my soul which will presently fly out of my body is aboundantly sufficient for me Then all his company gat up into an upper room and crept out at a window upon the tiles and by the
The Traytor executed The young Prince of Conde born The Admirall honoured New designs against the Protestants * Roch-sur-yon The Prince of Conde and Admirall complain to the King They are answered with scorns The second Civil War Paris blocked up by the Prince A Battell The Admirall wonderfully preserved The Royalists routed They joyn with the Germans The Admirals prudence Caen besieged by the Prince Peace concluded The Admirals Wife dieth His counsell to his Children His charge to Grelleus His Wives character Popish treachery A remarkable Providence A Prediction They send to the King The third Civil War A special providence The Protestants basely murthered The Queen of Navarr assists them Niort taken Engolisme besieged A Battell The Royalists beaten A special providence The Admirals danger His valour Prince of Conde basely slain His character The Prince of Navarr in his room The Admirals piety His Authority to take up Arms. Andelot's death The Admirals Letter to his Sons and Nephews His Faith The Germans aid the Protestants The Royalists beaten The Admirall sends to the King for Peace Lusiniac surrendred Poictiers besieged The Admirals sicknesse Treachery against the Admirall The Traitor executed The Royalists beaten The Admirall forced to fight His policy A special providence He is wounded His Army overthrown His courage He is condemned by the Parliament of Paris His house plundered His contentation His justice His Letter to his Sons and Nephews They send to the King for Peace A Tyrannical speech The Admirall falls sick Ambassadours from the King The great esteem of the Admirall The Treaty goes on Peace concluded The Admirals second marriage He marries his Daughter to Teligni Coligni's death in England His character Popish cruelties The Kings dissimulation The Kings dissimulation with the Admirall Royal dissimulation The Admirals entertainment at Court The malice of the Duke of Guise The Kings dissembling Letter The King dissembles with C. Lodwick Intercepted Letters which shewed the dissimulations The Admirals security The Queen of Navarr's death Her character The King sends for the Admirall His friends advertisements His security He went to Paris Warnings to the Admirall His confident answer Royal treachery The Protestants flock to Paris Deep dissimulation Rochel blocked up The Admirall deluded The King of Navarr married The Admirals Letter to his Wife The Kings dissimulation The Admirall wounded His admirable patience and Christian courage His charity His Prayer His comfort His Faith The Kings prophane dissimulation The King visits the Admirall His speech to the King The Kings answer Deep dissimulation The Bullet viwed Psal. 32.1 A Councel held by the Protestants Presages of the Massacre Monluc's advice The Kings dissimulation Deep dissimulation An ill omen Popish subtilty Counsell that the Protestants should leave Paris A Judas The Massacre projected The Kings dissimulation with the King of Navarr The Duke of Guise excites to the Massacre Fatall security The Queen-Mothers mischievous mind The sign of the Massacre The Admirals house assaulted The Admirals speech The Admirall slain His body basely abused His Head sent to Rome Yet buried His character His piety and zeal Examples prevalent His manner of preparing for the Lords Supper His care for education of children His contempt of the world Brotherly love His age His abstinence His daily exercise Teligni murthered and his young Son Her Parentage Her marriage Popish policy King of Navarr turns Papist The Queens constancy Popish policy The King of Navarr slain Treason against the Queen Gods providence over her Her going to Rochel Her Letters to the King c. Prince of Conde slain She encourageth the Army Her Countrey surprized And regained The Kings Edict Popish subtilty The match propounded Her pious care about it Ministers dissent about it Her zeal to propogate the Gospel She goes to the Court. The Kings dissimulation She goes to Paris She is poysoned Her sicknesse and religious carriage therein Her charge to her Son James 5.14 Her conference with the Minister Long life a blessing 1 Cor. 15.55 Her Prayer A Prayer Her patience The Minister Absolves her The Admirall came to her Her death