haue your will now shall you do your worst Now shal ye haue out guiltles blood for which ye loÌ„g did thirst We feare not of this death we know that al must die Yea happie are those sillie soules whoÌ„ thus the Lord doth trie O welcome ioifull daie ô welcome happie paine A crowne immortall with this flesh we shall receiue againe Now hath the Lord here brought and placte vs in this death Not for because he hates his truth but for to trie our faith The counsell of the Lord hath sent what we receaue And you to vs shal doo no more than God shall giue you leaue And you that are our foes beware the deadlie signe Which showes you none of Gods elect while thus ye doo repine Against his knowen truth for which we vndertake To spend our blood in his defence and suffer for his sake The blood of Abel cride for vengeance to the Lord Which fell on Cain al his seed whoÌ„ men earth abhord From which the Lord defend both you and eke our land O Lord reuenge not this our wrong but stay thy furioâ—s hand And giue them yet some space for to repent this thing And for our death we doo forgiue both them eke our King Whose life the Lord preserue in health and perfect peace And graÌ„t that vnder him the truth may haue some ioiful ease And though you haue some power this flesh for to destroy Yet cannot vs your rage deuide from Christs immortal ioy And though our breakfast seeme to flesh and blood some paine Yet shall we sup with Iesus Christ and ease receaue againe Into thy blessed hands ô Lord our soules receaue For of this earth and earthlie trash ô Lord we take our leaue Thus on the Lord they cride which was their onelie trust Till that the flame had staid their voice bodie burnt to dust Now we that doo remaine our parts are yet to plaie But when ô Lord our time shall come grant vs like happy daie And when our triall drawes no matter where nor when That God will giue like constant faith let vs crie all Amen The iudgements of the Lord shewed vpon these bloodie persecuters in this first outrage by the example of manie the like out of the Scriptures BVt let vs heere behold Gods iudgements iust and true Which neuer faile to follow them which doo his truth pursue As wicked Caine did long poore Abels blood to haue So did the Lord marke him to be a vile and vagrant slaue When Esau did intend his brother for to kill The Lord did blesse good Iacob so he could not haue his will When Pharao followed fast Gods people to haue slaine Amiddes the flouds then iustlie fell both he and all his traine As Miriam grudgde against the truth which she did know So did her fault soone finde her out a leaper white as snow When Korath and his mates good Moses did depraue The earth did gape and they went all aliue into the graue And whil'st at Bephidim Gods people did remaine The Amalecks of Esaus brood poore Iacob would haue slaine But God did not forget this foule and filthie thing Which after smote with fatall sword both them and eke their King Though Saul did persecute Gods chosen Prophet long Yet did the Lord at length reuenge poore Dauid his wrong For now the hand that itcht this Dauids blood to spill Was it that framde the deadlie blade his master for to kill That Nabal which refusde his helpe to Dauid send Was striken so that there he made a short and wofull end And Shimei that reuilde King Dauid to his face It was not long but that he died in poore and wofull case And as Achitephel great mischiefe did intend So did the Lord from traitors all his chosen still defend Whose counsell being quasht for so the Lord assignde He got him home hangd himselfe to case his careful minde So Ierebeam felt Gods iudgements sharpe and colde WheÌ„ he thrust out his wicked hand his Prophet for to hold So Iezabel which did Elias once pursue VVhen Iehu came to Iezrael her faithfull seruant threw Her carcasse headlong downe from window high to streate VVhere traÌ„pled down the greedy dogs her cursed flesh did eat Gainst Christ the Pilate which wrong iudgement erst did giue Did kill himselfe as one that was not worthie for to liue And when against the truth proud Herodes hand was bent He killed Iames and Peter was in prison closelie pent The Angel of the Lord of pride did show the price That in a while his cursed corpes was eaten all with lice As Iudas was content his master to betraie So guiltie conscience did consent to worke his owne decaie Like as in former age to rebels stout and strong Gods iustice hath been plainlie seene in lieu of cursed wrong So all this faithlesse troope which leudlie did conspire This murder in S. Iames his streete haue likewise felt his ire For first the Praetor which Munerius had to name For iust desert in publike view receiued open shame And yet besides all this they straightlie did proclaime That he should voide his natiue soyle not returne againe But whil'st he was in holde his conscience did confesse This plague was iust for that he sought Gods chosen to oppres A Iudge that sentence gaue against his knowen faith An angel strake him from the Lord with sharp sodain death Another Iudge that was now sicke and like to die Cride out I see my iudgement iust for that vile caitiffe I By mallice haue been faine Gods people for to kill Who praie and liue most godlie bent according to his will Two others being cheefe in murder that was past By sodaine death in view of all like vengeance now doo tast And other two which now of blood had dronke their fill As they came from this murther they did one other kill Now let vs learne by this Gods truth for to imbrace That we feele not by due desart his anger in like case The notable famous and constant Martirdome of Annas Burgeus which being one of the Kings Counsell was burnt for the Gospel of Iesus Christ ABout this verie time by force of sodaine iarre Betweene the Kings of Spaine and France was likelie to be warre But Herode to agree with Pilate was content And for to murder Iesus Christ they both doo ioyne consent So now there was a league where both did giue their word To roote and rase Gods sowen truth by fagot fire and sword The graffe that Sathan greeues did yet begin to spring The tree of life some ioyfull frute as now did seeme to bring Whose bud enameld greene and blossome sweete to see Inraged Sathans fierie moode with mallice so that he In furie headlong runnes he
strong therefore my Sonnes refuse not profred death Which from the Lord is sent to be a triall of our faith But how should we be strong when flesh doth dailie fall O Lord increase our faith that we maie come when thou dost call And from the Lord I know this butchring axe is sent Who Sathans sword hath losed now no doubt for some inteÌ„t This is no new deuise which Sathan puts in vre For they that will imbrace the truth of this shall still be sure For vnto Truth belongs both fier sword and racke And naked Truth hath alwaies tied a whip vnto her backe The ages that are past doo yet declare the same Whose constant death for Christ depaints the glorie of their name For as the sillie sheepe betweene the Lions iawes And like the meek wailing doue in goshauks greedie pawes So is the present state of Christs afflicted flocke Who are content with Christ to lay their head vnto the block Feare not therefore to tast this cup of ioyfull paine That with the Lord in lasting ioy we all may meete againe Let nothing force your faith from Christ to goe astraie For I your Father as your guide will lead you first the waie One house hath helde vs all one Christ hath been our ioy This sweete and noble vnion let Sathan not destroy And let vs ioyne in one this death for to imbrace So ioynd with Christ we shalbe sure with him to haue a place I was not he that gaue your vse of liuelie breath I am not he that sets the time and order of your death It is the Lord alone which will restore againe A better life if for his law by death we suffer paine Come let vs gladlie giue our throate vnto the knife And for our Christ let vs reioyce to leaue this wretched life And saie you all with me ô Lord from these our bands Receaue we praie our sinfull soules into thy blessed hands And lend vs Lord thy grace and mercie to the end Thy blessed helpe to come to thee ô Lord of mercie send And this repeating oft the butchers with their blade Their bodies then with deadlie wouÌ„ds a bloody present made Then ioyning on the ground they clasped all in one Where groueling lay in folded armes the father with the sonn Which sodaine heauie chance such wofull sight did giue That iust remorse of causeles death a flinty hart would grieue Thus hath this blessed man receaud a happie place The Lord grant vs that be behinde like portion of his grace Amen A cruell cowardlie and traitrous murder committed in Angiers in France vpon one Masson de Riuers a famous and godlie preacher by a wicked enemie called Monsorrell who was sent by the King to Angiers in post to commit the like murder there as was in Paris NOw Lions fare thou well to Angiers will I goe Wherein also the godlie flocke lackt not a deadlie foe For there was dwelling then a famous learned man Vvho for his paines and godlie life a worthie credite wan He was the first that dar'de the Gospell for to preach In Paris towne where first the same to manie he did teach Masson De Riuers was this godlie preachers name Vvho had the Sorbons manie times by learning put to shame Now when in Paris towne the murder was at most The bloodie Curre Monsorrell was to Angiers sent in post Vvho was no sooner come within that wofull towne And that from off his barbed house he was descended downe But that he did inquire where Masson then did dwell For that he had vnto the man some secrete thing to tell And comming to the house before the entrie dore He met with Massons wife to whom he vsed then great store Of filed words as though he meant nothing amisse And like a Courtier courteouslie salutes her with a kisse And where is now I praie your husband to be had To see the good man ere I went I would be verie glad For that with him I haue a word or two talke In yonder garden sir quoth she my husband now doth walk And so she did direct the traitor to the place Where comming he most courteouslie good Masson did imbrace And canst thou tell quoth he whie I am â—ether come It is to doo the Princes will whereof this is the summe The King commanded hath that now without delaie Within this place I should not misse thy life to take awaie And that thou maist be sure the King hath thus decreed Lo here are letters from his grace which letters thou shalt read With that he plucked forth a Pistoll readie bent Full charged and to Massons heart now readie to be sent My friend said Masson staie on me some pitie take And to my God ere that I die let me my praiers make I meruaile whie the King this murder should intend I know not anie thing wherein his lawes I did offend It doth become a King a Princelie heart to haue And not vniustlie for to kill the people he should saue And what are you that can the vncondemned kill And what are you that seeke my life which neuer ment you il And why should you desire to suck my guiltlesse blood Which in the Lord vnto my power haue soght to do ye good But staie I know the cause you hate the shining light Of Gods eternal Truth which now you thinke doth shine too bright But frend take heed how that thou welter in the dark Take heed of Gods eternall plague Cayns accursed marke The men that meate refuse with famine shalbe pinde To satisfie their hungrie soules they shall no comfort finde And they that knowen Truth doo wilfullie reiect Shalbe deceiude by lying sprites their follies to correct I weigh not for to die sith death the Lord hath sent But more to view thy wretched state it maketh me lament For after death with me I know it shall be well But for this murder thou maist feare least thou be sent to hell There is a fearfull lawe let it be rightlie scand The Lord himself hath trulie said that blood pollutes the land The Land from bloodie guilt shall not be cleansde or quit But by his blood which wrong fullie the murder did commit Take heed therefore good frend and yet beware in time Pollute not this so famous place with this so bloodie crime But yet if thou obey a Princes wicked word Know in the end that thou likewise shalt perish by the sword Now if my hoarie haires no mercie can procure Yet let the safetie of thy soule to pitie thee allure And if the wailing teares of this my wofull wife Can not by anie meanes preuaile with thee to saue my life Yet see these sillie babes and weigh their wofull mone Which fatherlesse before their time should now be left alone If nothing yet but blood can quench thy hot desire Then in the ende be sure to tast the Lords reuenging ire Haue mercie Lord on me
the hazard of his death The oath that he hath sworne so oft to keepe the peace No Christian conscience can assent at all for to release His mother gaue her faith his brothers sware likewise The publique recordes of the Land doo witnesse this deuise What band may surer be what more may you desire What can we farther wish And yet if more you doo require The Queene of England is a witnes of the same The Prince of Aurendge the States that from the Germaines came This Royal match likewise my hart doth wel assure That such a seale of perfect loue for euer will indure Which marriage latelie made with counsell graue and good The King will not permit to be so soone defilde with blood For what would strangers saie if such things should befall But such things Lord be farre from vs Lord preserue vs all What would the future age of impes as yet vnborne What would all Nations thinke if we by trust should be forlorne The stout and constant minde honor of the King Will neuer giue consent I know to doo so leaud a thing Thus whilest among the rest the case he did debate His trustie keeper Cossin came and knocked at his gate Who was no sooner come within the outward dore But that there came in after him of armed men great store Then after went the Lords the Nobles and the rest For to dispatch this noble man whom they did most detest And those whom Cossin found within to lie or stand He slew them with a Partisan which he had in his hand Which wofull newes when as the Admirall perceiude Wo worth the time quoth he that I by trust haue been deceiude Wel now the time is come I may no longer doubt Come lend your help my frends I pray frō bed to lift me out To Christ my onelie hope my soule I doo betake And in this place from off my couch this life I will forsake Then stāding on his feet his night gown on his back Shift for your selues my frends quoth he that you goe not to wrack And haue no care for me for I am well content This life to yeeld vnto the Lord which he to me hath lent It greeues me not to die Gods will is alwaie best From future feares I know with Christ my soule shalbe in rest This plot is not preparde alone to murder me But for the rasing of that truth which they are loath to see The godlie for to spoile which haue receaude the word These tyrants seeke with cruel hate by falshood and by sword Which word vnto my power I alwaies did defend The mallice of which godly course hath broght me to my end Which doth reioyce my heart soule exceedinglie That for his truth the Lord hath thought me worthy for to die For though our sinnes doo cause these troubles in our land Yet shall these tyrants not escape the Lords reuenging hand And though our God doo seeme from vs to hide his face And armes our foes with cruell death his people to disgrace Yet if we be content his mercie will retire Haue mercie Lord vpon thy Church ô Christ I thee desire And you ô traitors vilde that laide this trothlesse traine Against the Lord haue lifted vp your wicked harts in vaine For you are puffed vp with hope that is not sure For these our paines you shal receaue the pains that shal indure And you that dare to lift your hands against the Lord Before your death most iustlie shall of all men be abhord Though yet you doo not feele the sentence that is due To this your bloodie traitors act yet know that you shall rue Your breach of plighted faith your deepe dissembling hart There is a God will iudge vs all that will reuenge our smart The paine that we receaue doth breed eternall ioy But for the wrōg that you haue done the Lord wil you destory O Lord confirme my faith which now must here be tride Reach me thy hand ô Christ that I from thee may neuer slide My fearfull flesh is weake my heart and will is prest Forsake me not my God but now receaue me to thy rest Let not this irksome shade this darke and dolefull night Keepe from my heart in this assault thy sweete plesant light For though the worldlie Sunne mine eie shall see no more Thy blessed Sonne let me enioy whom I by faith adore And whereas I dispaire no more to see the day In steed of that thy louing face shew me my God I praie Loe then a blessed chance and happie change for me That from this vale of wretched life with Christ in ioy shalbe Now let these traitors come the feare of death is past And fainting flesh that did rebell hath yee ◠ded at the last Now doth my soule reioice my heart most gladlie saie Thou Sonne of God my Sauiour come my Christ now come thy waie For here againe to thee my soule I do commend And to thy poore afflicted Church ô Lord thy mercie send So shall they be at rest so shall they praise thy name Let not these tyrants longer Lord thy seruants put to shame Least they doo proudlie bragge and saie within their heart Vvher is the God whō they do serue that now shuld take their part Come quicklie Lord therefore make no more delay To ende these fierce and bloodie broiles Amen Amen I saie By this came vp the staires ere ended were his words One Benuise two other mates with targets with swords The chamber broken vp this Benuise swearing came Vvith sword drawn to the Admirall asking for his name Art thou the Admirall the man not much appalde Vvith quiet minde gaue answere thus Indeed so am I calde Then seeing Benuise bend his naked sword to slaie My frend quoth he that bloodie blade I pray thee for to staie And haue respect vnto my age and weake estate To which by treason wrought by trust I haue bin drawn of late But beastlie Benuise would to this no answere giue But swearing to this Noble man his pointed sword let driue And thrust him to the heart but yet not fullie dead With force he laid a mightie blow strake him on the head With that came Attin in with Pistoll in his hand And shot him in the wounded breast yet did he stoutlie stand Till Benuise came againe with third repeated wound And slasht him on the thigh which done he fel vnto the groūd Where he gaue vp the ghost The bloodie Guise that staid This while within the lower court with lifted voice now said Hoe Benuise hast thou done who straightwaie did replie Yea sir this happie deed is done and that most perfectlie Then said the Duke of Guise Come throw him down to me That where it be the same or not we here may quicklie see For now our Cheualier will thinke it but a lie Except at window throwen out he see him with his eie
whom Sathan would destroie Thy godlie flocke he seekes to quell thy Truth for to annoie Let them not longer Lord exalt their pridie crowne Let thē not scape that dailie seek to throw thy kingdom down Thy promise is my hope thy word is all my staie My comfort is the liuing Lord which shields me from decaie While Christ is on my side by faith that makes me free By death or life I little feare what man can doo to me To thee my liuing God for mercie now I call So in this place my promisd vowes shalbe performed all O Lord receaue my soule the force of death destroie That presentlie before thy face I may appeare with ioy O Christ thy pitie send with mercie come to me For from my youth tender yeres my hope hath bin in thee My heart is fixed Lord my heart is surelie set To saue my soule my God let not my sinnes be anie let Now to thy blessed hands whether I die or liue My sinfull soule receiue it Lord I gladlie here doo giue And thou that hether camest to plaie this bloodie part Loe this thy wicked deed I doo forgiue with all my hart Desiring God that this my blood now set at large Vvhen he doth come maie not at all be laid vnto thy charge Come staie no longer now if God shall giue thee power To take my life thē welcom thrice this sweet happy hower His wife he kissing bade her sorow to repell Vvith her his babes he did imbrace and bade them al farewel But Lord what rolling teares what shrikes and piteous cries Betweene the wife and louing babes were sent to airie Skies But this could not perswade the traitor to depart Vvho framde his readie dagg to strike pore Masson to the hart Then Masson kneeling downe content his life to leaue The bullet meeklie to his breast from Pistoll did receaue Vvhere falling to the ground his blessed life did yeeld Vnto the Lord with quiet heart as meeke as anie childe Vve see what worthie men the Papists haue destroid God grant vs grace that doo remaine their treasons to auoide Amen The Iudgement of the Lorde against this bloodie and periured King of France Charles the 9. Dilated by the sentence of God in the lawe against murder by examples both out of the Scriptures other Authors concerning the horrible end that hath fallen vpon wilfull murderers and lastlie the bloodie death of this blood-sucking King himselfe NOw let vs see the ende of this periured King And let vs weigh in future time what fearfull fruite did spring From falsed faith And first I brieflie will repeate The sentence of the mightie God gainst murder and deceate Then shall we plainlie see how that in euerie land The Lord according to his law with iust reuenging hand The bloodie tyrants strikes with all their faithlesse crue As by examples we maie see of such as shall ensue Vvho so saith God shall shed the blood of man in vaine Shall with the shedding of his blood requite the same againe And he that by deceite his neighbour shall betraie Or shall with guile presumptuouslie his brother seeke to slaie He shall not scape although he to the altare flie But drawen foorth he iustlie shall without all pitie die Such cursed bloodie men Gods plague doth follow still For wicked King Abimelech who was content to kill His seuentie brothers all the kingdome for to haue From iust reuenge he could not long his cursed carkasse saue For from a womans hand a milstone downe was sent Frō off a wall which with the weight his brain pan al to rent And after by his Page was thrust vnto the heart With sword lest that a womās stroke his glory shuld subuert As Triphon did intrap with face of frendlie cheere Good Ionathan to whom he did a faithfull frend appeare So did he quicklie feele the weight of falsed word Who shortlie was by Simon slaine and iustlie put to sword I read also of one Aristobolus by name Who hath for murder left behinde a blacke bloodie fame For first he did consent with famine for to pine His mother for because she would the kingdome not resigne And also was content by death to make away Antigonus his brother deere which was his owne decaie For when the deed was done he felt a present griefe In conscience for so cruell act which then without reliefe Did dailie so torment his sore afflicted hart That fresh remorse did often giue new cause of greater smart At length from grislie corse his blood by peacemeale came For brothers blood frō earth did call his blood to quit the same And thus in fearfull wise he yeelded vp his breath So was his fierce wicked life repaide with worthie death Our Charles like vnto this from Gods reuenging hand By bloodie death repaies the blood he shed within his land From eares from nose frō mouth from hart that was so stout Frō euery part his blood was seen wher blood might issue out The man that would not yeeld when men did mercie craue For mercie cries vnto the Lord but mercie none can haue For he that will not help the poore when they dooth call Shall call himselfe when he hath need not be heard at all The heart that was so proud now feeles the bitter paine Whereat he iested when he saw his faithfull subiects slaine The eares that would not heare the poore afflicted crie But greedelie to sucke their blood would credit euerie lie With blood are stopped vp that they shall heare no more Such heauy plagues for wicked men the Lord hath stil in store The mouth that would not speake to doo his brother good Insteed of words doth vomit out the clotts of filthie blood The nose that did detest of Truth the pleasant smell From filthie heart doth willinglie the stinking blood expell So that we plainlie see that blood for blood doth craue And he shall not escape that seekes his brothers blood to haue Then cursed be the mouth and man that did perswade This wretched King that he was in a good and godlie trade In that he did by guile the godlie so allure And afterwards by treason did their wished death procure Much like said he you be to Lewes which heretofore Said in the Latine that he knew one sentence no more Which was That he which Truth in words will alwaies bring And not dissemble knoweth not the skill to be a King Naie this was rather like the red and cruell raigne Of Mithridates who did cause of Romanes to be slain A hundred fiftie thousand once by message that was sent Whē outwardlie there did appear nothing but frendship mēt The King of Arragon like mate of cursed crue By like deceit in Sicill once eight thousand Frenchmen slew To Philip once it was his ruine and his death In that he often brake his oath and vow of
THE French Historie That is A lamentable Discourse of three of the chiefe and most famous bloodie broiles that haue happened in France for the Gospell of Iesus Christ Namelie 1 The outrage called The winning of S. Iames his Streete 1557. 2 The constant Martirdome of Annas Burgaeus one of the K. Councell 1559. 3 The bloodie Marriage of Margaret Sister to Charles the 9. Anno 1572. Published by A. D. All that will liue godlie in Iesus Christ shall suffer persecution 1. Tim. 3. 2. Imprinted at London by Thomas Orwin for William Russell dwelling at Exeter 1589. To the right worshipfull her louing Bro-Master Pearse Edgecombe of Mount Edgecombe in Deuon Esquier mercie and peace from Iesus Christ RIght worshipfull and my louing Brother I haue heard it often truelie reported That Lawes maie be broken but Nature cannot be forgotten I finde the force of this in my selfe if I finde not the like in you I blame not your nature but the contrarie crossings of those politique affections that hinder the working of it VVhen I had ended this present Pamphlet I saw that the simplicitie of it required a Patron the often remembrance of your former curtesies inforced me to make bolde with you Consider not therefore the worthinesse of the worke but rather the will of the worker for though the one maie iustlie be condemned yet the other deserues to be accepted This Booke which proceedes vnder your protection if you consider the matter I assure you it is most excellent and well worth the reading but if you weigh the manner I confesse it is base scarce worth the seeing This is therefore my desire that the simple attire of this outward forme maie not discourage you from seeking the cōfortable tast of the inward substance You shall find here manie things for comfort worthie the considering and for policie the obseruing This hath beene my ordinarie exercise for recreation at times of leasure for a long space togeather If I were sure that you would but take halfe so much pleasure in reading it as I haue in collecting and disposing it I should not neede anie farther to commend it If you finde anie thing that fits not your liking remember I pray that it is a womans doing The thing it selfe will sufficientlie prooue this to be true Thus committing the patronage of this my recreation vnto your protection and you withmy good sister in law your wife all your children to the Lords tuition I cease to troble you Honiton the 25. day of Iulie 1589. Your louing Sister Anne Dowriche PEARSE EDGECOMBE The sharpest EDGE will soonest PEARSE and COME vnto AN end Yet DOWT not but be RICHE in hope and take that I doo send A. D. P PVt not your trust in fading earth puft vp with fainting staies Possesse the Lord so shall you still persist in godlie waies E Exalt your eies from common shapes esteeme not of this pelfe Expresse in deeds what faith you haue examine wel your selfe A As windes disperse the wau'ring chaffe and tosse it quite away All worldlie pompe shall so consume and passe without delay R Repleated oft with wandring change recount your life to be Remember wel no blessed fruite remaines on cursed tree S So shal you trace the perfect path saluation to attaine So shal you see this glittering glose set out to be but vaine E EXtinguish then the carnal course exempted from aboue Expell the qualmes of fond delights excell in godlie loue D Depart not from the liuing Lord delight to read his word Delaie no time for he doth still defend vs with the sword G Giue to your God your soule life good gain insues thereby Grieue not the Spirit that warneth you great dangers for to flie C Cast all your care on him alone care for no other praie Considering he your greatest griefes can quicklie take awaie O Of all things lent vnto this life one thing accompt the best Onelie the truth feare of God on which our souls must rest M Make no accompt of trustles trash molesting misers minde Mark how these maskers oftētimes much care sorow finde B Beware betimes of had I wist be not these pleasures vaine Beleeue in Christ and so you shall be sure to liue againe To the Reader AMongst manie excellent precepts which Saint Paul gaue vnto the Church this is to be considered Let al things be done vnto edifying If this had been of all men well considered manie things which now flie abroad might well haue been spared That my onelie purpose in collecting framing this worke was to edifie comfort and stirre vp the godlie mindes vnto care watchfulnesse Zeale feruentnesse in the cause of Gods truth you shall easilie perceiue by the chusing and ordering of these singular examples which hereafter insue In which these speciall circumstances are to be considered First The great furie and rage of Sathan likelie to bee displaced from his Kingdome of error and blindnes the franticke madnes of the ignorant possessed people delighting in darkenesse and striuing to vpholde the Kingdome of their Master and the prompt facilitie and readines of Sathans ministers to put in execution anie kinde of wickednesse al which is to be seene both in the first example of The winning of Saint Iames his Streete in all the rest of the booke Secondlie The power maiestie dignitie of the Diuell possessing the chiefest States of the earth seeming to the outward appearance to weild the Truth vnto his obedience in suppressing the strongest that dared openly to withstand him in the Storie of Annas Burgaeus Thirdlie The policie and crafte of Sathan and his members in deuising by subtiltie to circumuent the godlie vnder the shadow of trust to exercise tyrannie vnder the colour of courtesie to practise crueltie and vnder the vaile of a sacred oath to couer most shamefull villanie This is to be seene in the third example of the miserable Massacre at the bloodie marriage We had need therefore to be watchfull strong and wise watchful in praier that we be not taken sleeping strong in faith that we be not ouerthrowen by Sathans might wise as serpents that we be not deceaued by the diuels allurements We are to learn also what trust we ought to repose in the promises and oaths of professed Papists what shewe so euer they make of loue and frendship Here as in a glasse you shall plainlie see the picture of all the morall vertues most liuelie described in the strange patience the godlie perseuerance the comfortable orations sweete speeches and the constant and famous endings of these sacred Martires Wheresoeuer thou shalt finde the Diuel brought in Poëticallie to make any oration to the King and States of France as in manie places he is then vnderstand that vnder those speeches are expressed all the subtilties villanies cruelties and policies that were deuised and by diuelish meanes put in practise against the godly more liuely to set them down in their colors
as if it came from the diuels owne mouth as no doubt it came from his spirite Againe in all the orations of the Martirs of the King the Queene the Guise and all other that haue speaches in this booke marke that of purpose the nature both of the person that speaks and also of the matter that is spoken are liuely set downe so that here are not bare examples of vertue and vice but also the nature and qualities of those vertues or villanies are manifestly depainted to them that will seeke for it The noble Martirs of England are knowen sufficientlie almost to all these excellent French Histories were seene but of few being in worthinesse nothing inferior vnto the other The causes why I haue described it in verse are 3. First for mine owne exercise being a learner in that facultie Secondlie to restore againe some credit if I can vnto Poëtrie hauing been defaced of late so many waies by wanton vanities Thirdlie for the more noueltie of the thing and apt facilitie in disposing the matter framed to the better liking of some mēs fantasies because the same Storie in effect is alreadie translated into English prose Many of these orations that are here fully amplie expressed were in the French Commentaries but onely in substance lightly touched and the summe set downe without amplifying the circumstance and yet heere is no more set downe than there is signified I haue also for the more terror vnto the wicked diligentlie collected the great plagues and iust iudgements of God shewed against the persecutors in euery seuerall History haue set them downe so in order and amplified them by the like iudgments against sinners out of the word and other histories that euerie proud persecutor may plainly see what punishment remaineth due vnto their wicked tyrannie To speake trulie without vaine glorie I thinke assuredlie that there is not in this forme anie thing extant which is more forceable to procure comfort to the afflicted strength to the weake courage to the faint hearted and patience vnto them that are persecuted than this little worke if it be diligentlie read and well considered So wishing that all the excellent and rare wits that now flourish in England and shew them selues manie times in vaine deuises would all learne to consecrate their singular giftes to the glorie of God the edifying of his Church and the saluation of the soules of Gods chosen Then would the Lord still blesse their labours and giue their names a perpetuall memorie So I commit thee to Gods protection and commend this my pleasant exercise to thy good liking which if I perceiue to be accepted thou shalt incourage mee to proceede to make thee acquainted with more excellent actions Honiton in Deuon this xxv of Iuly 1589. A Dowriche To the Reader that is frendlie to Poetrie VVhat so thou be that readst my Booke Let wit so weigh my will That due regard maie here supplie The want of learned Skill A D THE FRENCH Historie AS walking on a daie the woods and forrests nie In shrilling voyce and mournfull tunes me thought I heard one crie Which sodaine feare so dasht my blood and senses all That as one in a traunce I staid to see what would befall A thousand thoughts opprest my fearfull wauering braine In musing what amid the woods that fearful voice shuld mean I feard least theeues had robd and cast some man aside Because it was the common waie where men did vse to ride Among the sauage beasts that in these woods remaine I doubted least some trauler stood in danger to be slaine But casting feare apart I ranne toward the place To see the wight that did lament and waile his wofull case Alone no perill nigh within a bushie dale A stranger sate I got aside to heare his dolefull tale O noble France quod he that bor'st sometime the bell And for thy pleasure and thy wealth all Nations didst excell How art thou now of late with mischiefe so possest That al the Realmes of Christendome thy falshoods do detest Where is thy vernant hiew thy fresh and flowring fame What fell vnluckie spot is this that so dooth stain thy name Where is thy mirth become where is thy smiling cheere Wher is thy ioiful peace that erst did make thee shine so cleer Where are thy youthlie troopes the Nobles of thy Land Where is thy faith without the which no realm can euer stād Where is the mutuall loue that Prince and people had Where is the noble vnion that makes the Countrie glad Where is the due regard that Princes ought to haue From all the bands of tyrannie their people for to saue Where is thy pitie gone where is thy mercie fled That Lion-like in euerie place such Christian blood is shed But these of late to thee ô France haue bid adieu That rigor reignes in mercies seate alas it is too true For hauing no remorse to heare thy childrens grone Like as a widow comfortlesse thou shalt be left alone For they that feare the Lord and haue for him a care Haue learnd too late the costlie wit thy treasons to beware Therefore thy children haue their natiue Coasts resignde With better hope in forrein Lands more mercie for to finde And that which is the worst I see thou dost not waie The Spiders spite that long hath woue the web of thy decaie Therefore if thou wilt know the cause of all thy woe Then mark the iudgements of the Lord from which thou cāst not goe If Iuda now saith he should aske the causes why Their Land was like a wildernesse that no man passed by He makes no long delaie but bids the Prophet show This plague doth alwaies follow them that do despise his law For they that Idols serue and from the Lord doo shrinke They shal be fed with bitter gall wormwood water drinke And why at sundrie times was Egipt plagued so But for because he would not yeeld to let Gods people goe Why was the Lord with Saul so wroth and full of ire In sparing Agag and the beasts the people did desire For he had now accurst both Agag and his Land Commanding Saule without remorse to kil them out of hand Because this Amalek would not at all vouchsaue Within his Land Gods chosen locke a passage for to haue But falslie did conspire to worke their open shame To snare their feete they laie in waite from Egipt as they came And thou Ierusalem what sinne did file thy fall When Titus and Vaspasian did tumble downe thy wall Why did the Lord depart from thee that wast so braue And to thy foes made thee a pray a iest a seruile slaue Because amiddes thy mirth thy God thou didst forget And wouldst not haue his prophets liue but didst thē il intreat O France therefore be wise learne ere it be too late By these examples to begin these bloodie sinnes to hate For thou with Iuda land hast done thy God
frets he fumes he raues And of the King some speedie helpe in present danger craues The fate that files my fall ô King faith he is this Your Senate fauours truth too much your Iudges too remisse They are not sharpe inough to shred appearing ill They suffer impes of Luthers sect too much to haue their will The King not well content prouideth out of hand Some new assemblie to be had to haue this matter scand The Senate being set the Kings Attorney first Doth grauely shew vnto them al how that the K. doth thirst To haue them all agree in matters touching faith And to consent that Luthers brood should all be put to death For that some strife of late there was betweene them found Cōcerning this But to their shames this iarring would redoūd Because for Heretikes some first would haue them tride And some would haue them banished some would haue thē fride And therefore wisheth all with him to giue consent That death might end this strife which thing the king hath alwaie ment This was a subtill slight the godlie to betray That such as spake against the same their cōscience should bewray But yet amōg the rest some freely spake their minde That reason for so cruell act as yet they could not finde The King would haue saie they but Heretikes to die And what are they but such as dare the Scriptures to denie If anie such be found let them be wroong to death Because the word is all our staie and Author of our faith But if for Heretikes the godlie should be slaine God would reuenge their blood and we by this should reap no gain And those which you do think the truth do now denie Their reasons deeds faith we see wherein they stoutlie die Therefore if from the Lord this counsell doo proceede To striue against the same it were a vaine and sinfull deede Thus did the better sort their godlie thoughts bewraie Which being crost with coūter cranks was cause of their decaie For Satan fearing least their sentence would preuaile Sent two in post vnto the King these dealings to reueale The limbes of Pluto which this bloodie message went Egidius and Minardus were fit hounds for such a sent Who comming to the King most falselie did declare That in the Senate such were found which stoutly now did Religion to deride and speeches let to fall dare That for his Lawes and Edictes past they made no count at al. Now therefore is the time your Grace must looke about That springing showes of future ill your wisedome may roote out For if you should permit these rebels thus to thriue Great perill is least of your crowne your Grace they would depriue The King inflamed thus doth make no long delaie But to the Senate where they sate he takes his readie waie Where placed in his throne and hauing pausde a while Thus spake in presence of them all in high and princelie stile THe Lord that lendeth all and weeldes the golden spheare Hath sent vs now a wished peace deuoid of forreine feare Which peace is aye confirmde by bande of solemne vowe And plighted faith of solemn match which none can disalow Yet one thing there remaines to perfect this my State That in Religion one consent might banish all debate Which is the onelie cause that moues my pensiue heart In this your meeting for to ioyne and beare a carefull part This is therefore in few our craue and eke request That euerie man doo shew his minde as he shall thinke it best Here some that had before in words been verie rife Began to staie and doubted much the danger of their life Yet there were some which now a noble courage take Annas Burgeus as the chiefe this doubtfull silence brake Who lifting vp his hands in heart began to praie With thankes to God that he did liue to see that happie daie Wherein the Lord had wrought such care within his grace That he would bēd his willing eare to iudge so weightie case The cause saith he is Christs which we haue now in hand For which the Lord wil surely blesse both you eke your lād This is the blessed Arke that came to Edomes hall For which the Lord hath blessing sent on him his house al. This is the dustie booke which good Hilkiah found Which read before the King did giue a sweet siluer sound This is the Angel which to Gedeon did appeare This is the deaw vpon the fleece which set him void of feare This is the sword that made blinde Balaams Asse to speake This is the flame the Prophet forst his silence for to breake This is the liuelie spring which cooles the thirstie heate This is the shining lanterne which giues light vnto our feete This is the flame that earst by night did shew the way This is the blessed cloud that led Gods chosen in the day This is Elgathes flake that made his offering fume And this the blast which frō the Lord great rebels did cōsume This is the mightie voyce that makes the mountaines shake This makes the Liban cedars stoop fearful hindes to quake And this the pleasant wine to weake that comfort giues And this the wholsom milk wherby the sucking Infant liues Now as the Lord doth blesse the land that loues the same So for contemners of his truth he still prouides a shame For why came Ashur vp Gods chosen to molest And led the King with Commons all in Babel for to rest But for because they all their God did often grieue Which hated truth were content their faith to idols giue And if he doo not spare a King ô King take heed If people all to thraldome goe this land ô Lord had neede To weigh the cursed cause of this their finall fall Least for the like the like consume our King and Cōmons all Now is the Angell come with open booke in hand Which long ere this was sealed close from vs eke our land Now must the godlie craue of this to eate their fill So God with plentie will not faile to loue and feed them still Now see this Angel which to vs doth offer grace Is Iesus Christ which by his death our sins doth quite deface If we by liuelie faith of him can take good hold Then voide of feare before the Lord to come we may be bold It's he that shewes the way the truth to intertaine It's he that cleares the blinded eyes it's he that parteth plaine The truth from popish lies the sonne from mystie shades It's he that cals our straying steppes from Sathans sinfull trades O well is he that can this booke this truth imbrace O ill is he that shall refuse when Christ doth offer grace And though this booke at first be sweete vnto our tast Yet Sathans rages makes the
this thing Yes sir you doo refuse with vs to Baal your offrings bring O mercie now good Lord what wicked times are these How long shal these vngodlie men keep these vngodlie waies How long wilt thou forbeare to bridle this their lust And when shall all their fleshlie pride be raked in the dust Why doost thou winke so long whie dost thou so delaie Why dost thou not cut off those Impes that stir this fierie fray But if it be thy will that they should longer raigne And if thou thinke it best for vs that they should yet remaine Restraine them yet good Lord least they doo go too farre For they against thy godlie Saints intend a cruell warre And till thy pleasure be for to destroie them quite Withhold their cruell iawes ô Lord with thy most mightie Bitt Haue mercie still on vs ô louing Father deere Maintaine vs in defending thee from danger fals and feare And make them Lord to know that they those Rebels are That froÌ„ the simple which do seek the light truth debarre And while that I haue breath I will declare the same That Sathan may not with his lies thy blessed truth defame Is this a Rebels part when men to Princes giue Their bodies goods and al things els without repine griefe Is this a traitors pranke vnto the Lord to praie That he will keepe both Prince Land from troble decaie And that he will vouchsafe to take from them the myste Which keeps theÌ„ from the knowledge of their sauior their Christ Or rather is not this a most rebellious part To seeke by all rebellious meanes Gods glorie to subuart To giue the honor due vnto the Lord alone To Saints that you haue made or els to senseles stock stone To vse blasphemous oathes to suffer common stewes To iustifie your owne deuice and such like filthie vse Your Conscience shall be iudge to you I doo appeale Hath God deliuered you the sword against his truth to deale If not beware betime and marke what I shall saie This mallice which you beare to Christ will be your own decaie And what are you so blinde that you perceaue not this How in this sentence you pronounce that you are none of his Recount within your selues and call to minde at large Where anie sinne or wickednesse be laid vnto our charge If not then iudge againe and tell me if you can VVhich is the best to serue the Lord or follow sinfull man Now if you loue your goods your credite and your life If you preferre before your God your houshold child or wife Then know you are not fit with Christ to haue a part But feare least for your sinne in hell you finde a lasting smart But if you doo not feare the iudgements of the Lord Yet know your deeds in forreine lands to straÌ„gers are abhord How manie sinfull actes and deedes deuoyd of wit That ruddie purpled Phalaris hath made you to commit Who for his cursed gaine hath set about the King Such as wil Prince and Commons all to deadlie ruine bring And when that Beast doth bid you runne at euerie call You racke teare Gods knowen truth not caring what befall To please him you doo yeeld the godlie to torment With such outrage as you are forc't the same for to lament But what me thinkes I see the teares tril downe your cheeke What haue I spoken that which now your conscience doth misllike Well then beware betime for yet the time is wel But if you shun this profered grace beware the paines of hell Your conscience must be knowen your deeds must al appeere Then call for grace and so repent while yet you tarrie heere But if you quake in rest as Felix did before And if you feare without remorse your paine wilbe the more You see how they reioice whom you condemne to die No terror can assaile the heart on Christ that doth relie We waie not all your force your mallice and your strife We doo accompt this cruell death to vs a happie life Why should it grieue my heart for Christ to hang or burne For little paine I know the Lord great pleasâ—re will returne But they vnhappie are and cursed from aboue Which from theÌ„selues others seek the truth for to remoue But this I know from Christ nothing shall me depart And from assured hope in him none shall remoue my heart For though you teare my flesh and heart to pouder grinde Yet this shall neuer so preuaile as once to change my minde And when that you haue done the worst you can deuise Vve know that in the latter day with Christ we shall arise This death therefore to vs we recken little paine For we beleeue assuredlie that we shall liue againe Now hap what maie befall to hang to burne to frie I haue professed Christ and so a Christian I will die Vvhy therefore doo we staie Come hangman doo thy part Thy fact in this loe heere I doo forgiue with all my heart And this he did repeate Come hangman doo the deed Till that the stoutest heart that heard for griefe began to bleed Put out put out said he your franticke fierie brands That Christ may onlie rule reign set to your helping hands Repent your wicked thoughts forsake your filthie waies And if you hope to haue release then vse no more delaies But why doo I so long draw this forsaken breath Farewell my mates for now behold I goe vnto my death Thus hauing said his minde and readie to depart The hangman takes and ties his hands and laies him on a cart In which he was conuaid vnto a place fast by Where chained to a stake it was ordainde that he should die The streetes of Paris towne were kept with watch and ward There went with him of armed meÌ„ foure huÌ„dred for his gard The waies on euerie side that lead vnto the place Were stopped vp as if they had foreseen some doubtful case And where we plainlie see these tyrants all afraid The godlie man for all this broile was not a whit dismaid For when he was vnbound there was in him no feare He put his clothing off himselfe with bold and constant chear Where standing naked then and stript vnto his skin With cheerefull voyce he did at last this heauie speach begin The cause why I am come good people to this death Is not for murder theft or wrong But for a liuelie faith Which said he held his peace and kneeling on the ground VVith sighes he praid til to the stake by hangmaÌ„ he was bouÌ„d VVhere he did oft repeate O Lord forsake not me Least by the frailenesse of my flesh I hap to slide from thee O Lord receaue my soule into thy blessed rest Giue me thy strength while I doo liue O Lord I thee request Thus with a quiet minde and heart deuoide of strife For Christ amidst the fierie flame he yeelded vp his life BVt what a ioy is
this to vs that doo remaine That God dooth giue to his elect such strength to conquere paine This is the godlie end that blessed man did make VVhom life honor could not beÌ„d his Christ for to forsake He liude with good report his death deserueth fame And he hath left vnto his foes a leaud and filthie shame A rare and passing signe no doubt the Lord did giue To see that noble constancie in him while he did liue VVhose constant death in France and blood did sow the seede VVherby the church did much increase godly yet do feed He came of honest house in learning spent his youth And beeing plac'te in high degree he sought to learn the truth VVhereof when he had felt the sweete and pleasant tast He ioinde himselfe vnto the Church sticks to them at last VVell he is gone before and we that are behinde Lord grant to vs in Iesus Christ like faith and constant minde Amen The iudgements of the Lord which fell vpon King Henrie the second after he had caused Burgaeus to be imprisoned Anno 15â—9 Dilated by the examples of Ahab Amaziah and Zedechiah wicked Kings which vsed the like crueltie against the word THe Lord on Elies sonnes and sinnes this sentence gaue They that doo loue and honor me great honor still shall haue But they that doo despise my word my law and will They shall be sure of euerie man to be abhored still Which sentence of the Lord for euer shall be true As by examples we may see of such as doo insue For when as Ahab was in fond and foolish rage To Ramoth Gilead stoutlie bent vniustlie warres to wage A Prophet from the Lord did tell him verie plaine That if this warre he took in hand King Ahab should be slain But to the prison straight this Prophet then was led The king gaue charge that he shuld be with bread water fed Till he returned safe from Gilead home againe But what befell It came to passe the King indeed was slaine So Amaziah which by idolls did offend Vnto the Prophet would not yeeld his willing eare to bend But did with bitter scoffes and scornes reproue the word For which he was by Iehu spoild and taken by the sword So Zedekiah proud from sinne would not returne But Rebel-like the word of God he did with fire burne And Ieremie by him was oft in prison pent Because he said the King and all to Babel should be sent But let vs see his ende the King of Babel came Who toke him captiue with his men put them al to shame And he that was content Gods Prophet to disgrace Was forc'te to see the murder of his sonnes before his face His eies that would not see Gods truth and shining light The King of Babel put them out as they deserude of right So Henrie King of France which all his force did bend Against the truth did from the Lord receaue a fearfull end For now amidst the ruffe of all their mirth and ioy When euerie man deuised how the godlie to destroie The time appointed came for marriage of the King Which to the Court Courtiers did great mirth pleasure bring And for the greater pompe of all this princely traine A solemne Iust the youthlie King by Crier did proclaime In which he meant to shew his manhood and his might And being horst with limber speare in armor shining bright He chose among the rest the challenge now begun Mongomerie Captaine of his gard against him for to runne Which he did oft refuse and wiselie did withstand Till that the King the fatall speare put in his Captaines hand Where charging with their spears forcing might main A splinter pierst the Princes eie and ranne vnto his braine The King with sodaine wound and bleeding much dismaid Within the next adioyning house to bed he was conuaide Where plungd with grieuous pain his conscience did lament The wrong which he had done to those whoÌ„ he to prison sent I greatlie feare said he least I haue done some ill Against Burgaeus and the rest whose blood I sought to spill But Elimas the witch doth spend his cursed winde From such remorse to keep in thral the Kings afflicted minde It is said he thy foe that doth assault thy faith In which take heed that thou remain stil constant to thy death This heauie hap befell as manie men haue tolde Nere to the place wherein as then Burgaeus was in hold And manie did obserue that he did kill the King Which was commanded to the Iaile Burgaeus for to bring The King did often brag those eies of his should see Burgaeus burnt but loe the Lord did alter that decree For ere Burgeus was vnto the fire led Mongemerie had those eies of his thrust cleane out of his head Now here we plainlie see the life and heauie end Of theÌ„ which persecute the truth which God doth often send And let vs warning take by this most fearfull fate For to returne and loath our sinne before it be too late Amen The bloodie marriage or butcherlie murder of the Admirall of France and diuers other noble and excellent men at the marriage of Margaret the Kinges owne sister vnto Prince Henrie sonne to the Queene of Nauarre committed the 24. of August in the Citie of Paris Anno 1572. NOw haue you heard before of faggot fire and sword Inhaunst by Sathan for to quell Gods truth and blessed word But now I must begin such treason to vnfold As former times for crueltie And ages new and olde Haue neuer seene the like in Christendome till now When sacred faith by flatterie and oath of Princelie vow By treason did contriue to shed the guiltlesse blood Of theÌ„ which now by peace did seek to do their couÌ„trie good For when the Lord did send his truth into the land He raised vp some Noble men to take this cause in hand Among the which as chiefe and souereigne of the field There was Prince Henrie of Nauarre with such as would not yeeld Vnto the Guisian race the Prince of Condee next The Admirall and D' Andelot with others that were vext By bloodie Guises band who daily did inuent How to oppresse the word of truth which Christ had thether sent But when as Sathan saw by words and dealings plaine That manie Princes were in armes this truth for to maintaine It galde him to the heart that where he did deuise To choake the word that euen there the more it did arise He summons all his mates these matters to debate How they might choak this springing seed before it were too late Where all within a round they come without delaie To whom this bloody captaine then these words began to say There is a subtill veyne that feedes this cankred sore For now the deeper it is launcte it riseth still the more Vve see that fire and sword cannot at all
Against poore Naboth she at last came to a fearfull ende Looke well therefore ô King before you leap too farre Least in the end this testie scab do breed a lasting scarre Well I can saie no more but God preserue your Grace And graunt your soule when breath is gone with him a resting place But this could not preuaile this noble man to saue For bloodie Doeg did attend his office for to haue For which an Auernois a man of cused fame Made offer there before the King that he would do the same The King was well content this office for to giue To him so that this Noble man of life he would bereaue We see how Sathan doth by glorie mixt with gaine Worke to procure this worthy wight the sooner to be slaine There fell in this assault for mallice to the truth Theligni famous for his wit a rare and passing youth Who for his manlie heart and courage did excell For which the King in outward shewe did seeme to loue him wel Now when the time was come that martird he shuld be With courage bold he smiling said O welcome death to me It grieues me for to liue since faith from Princelie seate Abandonde is and in her place raignes falshood and deceite It grieues me for to see this sad and irksome daie Wherein so great and famous King a traitors part shuld play It grieues me for to heare poore soules deceiued crie Too late for that they did too much on Princes oath relie Woe worth my harmlesse heart too soone that did beleeue And to the kings dissembling words too soone did credit giue Woe worth the wicked time when first I did begin To worke the meanes for to perswade my father to come in Woe worth my lying tongue which first assaid to bring My fearfull Father in the minde that he should trust the King How oft did I commend the Kings assured loue How did I thinke that nothing might vs frō the same remoue How oft did I recount the Kings repeated oath How many frendly signes were seene of force to bind vs both How often did I vrge there was no cause of feare Because for this we saw the King most willing for to sweare But sith it is too late this error to lament My trusting hath deserued death and therefore am content Sith I am not the first whom trust hath thus betraid To suffer death for no offence I am the lesse dismaide And since my greatest hope hath wrought me most despite What shall I saie I saie no more but Lord receaue my sprite Thus came this noble impe vntimelie to his graue For that he to a Papists oath too great afliance gaue And thus fell manie moe of Nobles here and there Whose names valiant acts were now to lōg for to declare Thus did those lawlesse bands go raging vp and downe From house to house they sought to spoyl the welthiest of the town So they that beggers were when first this stirre began At last with rich and flowing welth the chiefest credit wan This while the Duke of Guise these words repeated still With crying voice Kill kill the knaues this is the princes wil. And least the souldiers should waxe faint with bloodie toile Now rid thē al my frēds quoth he you shal haue the spoile Thus did they all a day from morning vnto night With bloodie swords runne vp and down no doubt a heauie sight They spared none they knew no sex could pitie finde The rufull crie of tender babes could not asswage their minde In great triumphing ioye of this their warlike feate The bodies slain frō windowes hie they throw into the streat So that there was no way no lane or passage by Vvhere murdred men you might not see in heaps together lie Now whilst within the towne these things a dooing were The King of Nauarre and the Prince of Condee did appeere Before the King For so before it was agreed To saue these youths to farther hope the counsell had decreed For they their lodging had within the Castle wall Vvhich for defence is alway thought the surest place of all These Princes being gone and onelie had awaie The rest were left vnto the sword to die without delaie Their seruants their frends their tutors with the rest Could not preuaile to saue their liues by sute ne yet request But thrust without the dores and kneeling in the place The gard of Switzers slew them all before the Princes face And still betweene the stroke they cried all amaine Vpon the Kings fidelitie but faith was calde in vaine Yet none amongst them all so much lamented was As Mounsieur de Pilles that he should come vnto so hard a passe Because among the rest he past them all so farre For godlie zeale in truth and eke for prowesse in the warre Vvho lying in his bed somwhat before the day And hearing noise of armed men leapt out to see the fray And marking well the voyce in place and time of truce Of cries and killings euerie where it made him much to muse Vvhich dump De Nance did break who did this message bring That straight to void the place he was cōmanded by the king And that he should depart his weapons left behinde From out the Court and Castle gate ful sore against his minde Vvhich was no sooner said but Pilles was forced out Among the bloodie weapons of that rude vnrulie rout To hope for longer life he saw it was but vaine He saw such cruell rage and eke the bodies that were slaine Vvhere lifting vp his voice so that the King might heare These words he spake before them al deuoid of fainting feare O false vnworthie King ô whelpe of sauage kinde O traitrous heart in kinglie breast ô base polluted minde Is this a Princelie part by treason to procure The murder of thy chiefest frends Is this thy Popish lure To traine vs in by trust to thrust vs thus to death Is this thy solemne Kinglie oath is this a Princes faith Is this thy frendlie cheere Is this thy fawning face Is this the fruite of Romish faith ô false dissembling race And doost thou honor so thy sisters spousall daie And couldst thou finde no other time thy treasons to bewraie Is this the trust that is in mother sonne and kinn Let France thē curse the man that did first bring this kinred in How are thy wits bewitcht what furie doth inrage Thy tigers heart that nothing can thy thirst but blood asswage And wast thou not afraid to giue thy leaud consent To murder them which to beleeue thy promise were content Vvhere are thy frendlie words where is thy feined loue Vvhat hath thy flintie heart forgot there is a God aboue And thinkst that thou shalt shed our guiltlesse blood in vaine Shall not the Lord ô wretch of thee require the same againe How darest thou to behold the creatures of the Lord Vvhen for thy
â—â—eir retâ—nue 〈◊〉 most cruâ—â—lie slaine â—he lamenta 〈◊〉 murder of â—onsieur Deâ—uilles The vehement word of Monsieur De Pilles vppon the Kings traitrous infidelitie Psal 19. 12 〈◊〉 Sam. 3. 27 20. 10. 〈◊〉 Ki. 2. 34. 〈◊〉 Sam. 13 28. Sam 18. 9 â—onsieur De â—lies propheâ—eth the kings â—rrible death which shortlie â—fter came inâ—ed so to passe Monsieur De â—illes murdred 〈◊〉 one of the â—ard with a Partisan 〈◊〉 Hundreth â—â—ouses in Paris â—â—icked The king commanded al Câ—â—â—es in his land to follow the example of Paris in murdring as manie as professed the reformed religion The butcherlie murder committed vpon the professors of the Gospel at Liâ—ns in France Mandâ—lot Gouernor at 〈◊〉 The coÌ„mâ—n hangman of Lions had more grace hâ—nestie thâ—â— Mandelot the Gouernor The garrison souldiers also refuse to commit this vilde â—â—urther The butchers more cruell â—loodie than â—ither hangmaÌ„â—r souldiers obey this wicked Tyrant in committing this horrible murder a The blood was seene to runne warme smoking through the streetes of the towne into the riuer of Some b The valiant constant death of Francis Collute marchaÌ„t of caps with 2. yong men his sons c The godlie zealous oration of Francis Collute to his 2 sonnes lying with them vpon the ground readie to be sacrificed He was the first that laid the foundation of the Church at Paris A Iudas kisse * An honest louing wife mâ—strusting no hurt betraieaâ—â— her husbaÌ„d to a flattring murderer The speechâ—â— of Monâ—rrel to Masson The speechâ—â— of MassoÌ„ 〈◊〉 Riuers â—â—ttered beâ—re his deth Numb 35. 23 God is so mindful of blood wroÌ„g fullie shed that he maketh dumb creatures dem tund vengeance thereof Gen. 9 6. a Exod. 21. 14 Numb 35. 20. The blood of man is of so great price with the Lord that he wil not onelie require it of men but also of the very dumbe creatures Gen. 9. b Ioab the wiâ—â—full murderer was taken froÌ„ the altar by Salomon slaine 1. King 2. 31. c Abimelech slew 70. of his brethren raâ—gned 〈◊〉 king Iud 9 5 at last he perished by the iust iudgement of God a â—dg 9. 53. 54. a Triphon beeâ—…g Tutor and 〈◊〉 counsellor â—â—to yong king â—â—tiochus and â—uing deutsed â—â—th himself a 〈◊〉 of conspira 〈◊〉 to kill his 〈◊〉 after thoght â—at Ionathan â—ing hie priest the Iewes â—â—uld be a hin â—â—rance vnto is attempt â—â—ing a frend â—â—to Antioâ—â—us Therfore â—â—iphon feinâ—â—g great freÌ„dâ—â—p vnto Ionaan with flat â—â—ing words so â—â—ained him by â—â—ust that hee â—â—â—rswaded him 40 thousand 〈◊〉 which Ioâ—â—â— than broght â—â—th him that should sende paie all saâ—â—ng one thousand with which small companie when he was entered into the Citie Ptolemais vnder trust of assured promise to haue the Citie deliuered vnto him by Triphon and being come within the gates hee 〈◊〉 by Triphon taken prisoner and all his men slaine 1. Maccab. 12. 41. Iosephus Antiquit Iud lib. cap. 10. b But Triphon inioyed not this trecherie long for he was still cruellie pursued by Simon 〈◊〉 brother of Ionathan at last in Apania was taken put to the sword Whose trecherie was â—â—ight picture of K. Charles his villanie c Aristobolus after he had put his mother brother to â—â—ath greeued in conscience fell into such horrible extremitie that blood came from him both by voâ—â— otherwise til it brought him to his end d The Image of K Charles his iudgment e Charles 〈◊〉 9 by the iust stroke of Gods reuenge died of bleeding at al parts of his bodie where was anie issue a Christopher Thaune President of the Parliament with a wicked Oration commended the K. for that he had by treason and flattery now ouercome them whom by arms he could not vanquish b Lewes the 11 was wont to say Qui nescit dissimluare nescit regnare he that cannot dissemble knoweth not howe to raâ—gne c The riht iudgment of the godlie concerning this bloodie act d Mithridates caused with one letter 150000. Romanes to be slaine e Peter of ArragoÌ„ slew 8000. FrenchmeÌ„ f Philip of Macedon suffred miserie by breaking often his oath The Conclusion of the French Pilgrime vnto the English man The Englishman to the French Pilgrime