to be The like words also he hath in his 112. Epistle Also in 37. cha of his second booke against Crescon In like maner S. Cyprian sayth VVe must not haue regarde what this or that man doth before vs but what Christe Iesus hath done who is before all Like vnto this is the rule whiche S. Augustine gaue to Hierome And in an other place also when hée disputeth againste those which woulde vse the Councell of Ariminum Neyther will I saith he alleage the Councell of Nice against you nor shall you alleage the Councell of Ariminum againste me By the authoritie of Scripture lette vs weye matter with matter cause with cause and reason with reason Chrysostome was of the same opynion as may appeare in his 49. Homely vpon Mathew For the Church is founded vpon the foundation of the Prophetes Apostles Therefore to conclude this matter we embrace the holy Scripture for the fâ—…l and perfect declaration of al things which appertayne to our saluation But as touching that which appertaineth to generall councels and to the bookes of the fathers we meane to vse them and we forbid not you to vse them so farre foorth as that which ye shall bring from them be not disagreeing with the worde of god But for Gods sake bring not in their bare authoritie vntill al thinges are examined by the Scriptures For we saye with S. Augustine in his seconde booke De doctrina Christiana the. 6. chapter If there bee any difficultie in the interpretation of Scriptures the holy Ghoste hath so tempered the Scriptures that what soeuer in one place is obscurely spoken in another place is more playnely and euidently reuealed And thus far concerning that Article the whiche I haue prosecuted the more largely to the endâ—… all men maye knowe that we are enimies neither to generall Councels nor yet to the auncienâ—… Fathers There remayne yet to speake of two articles namely concerning the Sacraments and Ecclesiasticall discipline The first truely deserueth a copious and long tractation by reason of the often and great controuersies euen at this day concerning the same but bycause it is not our purpose to dispute but onely to declare the speciaâ—…l pointes of our confession it seemeth enough to me to eâ—…plicate the summe of our faithe We agree as I thinke in the description of the name of the Sacrament namely that Sacramenteâ—… are visible signes by the meanes and helpe whereof the coniunction which we haue with our Lord Iesus Chryst is not only simply signified or figured but is also truely offered vnto God and is confirmed sealed and as it were grauen by the power of the holy Ghost in their mynds which with a true faith apprehend that which is so signified and offered vnto them I vse this word Signified not to weaken or abolishe the Sacramentes but to the ende I might distinguishe the signe from the thing signified Herevpon we confesse that it is alwayes necessarie in Sacramentes that there be a heauenly and supernaturall change for we say not that the water in Baptisme is simply water but a true Sacrament of our regeneration and of the washing of our soules by the bloude of Christe Neither do we say that the breade in the holy Supper of our Lorde Iesus Christe is simply breade but a Sacramente of the precious body of Christe Iesus whiche was giuen for vs and that the wine is not simply wine but a Sacrament of his precious bloud which he hath shed for vs Neuerthelesse we deny that there is any change made in substance of the signes but in the ende and vse for the which they are instituted We denie also that the same mutation is made by the efficacie of certaine wordes pronounced neyther by the intention of him that pronounceth them but by his wil only which hath ordeined this heaueÌ„ly and diuine action the institution also wherof ought euidently and playnly to be expounded in the vulgar tongue that all men might vnderstand and receiue the same Thus muche concerning externall signes Nowe to come to that which is shewed and exhibited by those signes We say not that which many do who not well vnderstaÌ„ding our myndes haue supposed that we haue taught namely that in the Lords supper ther is only a coÌ„memoration of the death of our Lord Iesus Christe Neither do we say that we are partakers of the frutes of his death passion onely in that thing but do ioyne the ground it self with the frutes whiche do come fro him to vs affirming with S. Paul â–ª The bread which we breake according to the Lords instiâ—…tion is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say the participatioÌ„ of the bodie of Christ which was crucified for vs The cup which we drinke is the participation of his very bloud which was shed for vs yea â—…ueÌ„ in the verie same substance which he toke in the wombe of the virgin which he caried vp into heauen Behold I pray you can ye fynd any thing in this Sacrament which we séeke find not But me thinks I heare some body make answer For many wold haue vs to confesse the the bread the wine are changed not into the sacraments of the body bloud of our Sauior Iesus Christ but into the very bodie bloud of our lord Other some peradueÌ„ture wil not so vrge vs but wil haue vs coÌ„fesse that the body bloud is really corporally in with or vnder the bread wine But here my Lordes I pray you heare me paciently a little for a time suspend your iudgements If either of these opinions shall be proued vnto vs out of the worde of God to be true we are redy to imbrace it and wholly to reteine it But it séemeth vnto vs according to the measure of oure faith that this Transubstantiation cannot be reuoked or brought to the analogie substance of faith and to sounde doctrine bicause it is wholly repugnant to the nature of Sacramentes in which it is necessarie that there remaine substaÌ„tial signes that they may be true signes of the body blod of Iesu Christ. Furthermore it doth euert and confound the veritie of the humane nature in Christ of his ascentioÌ„ And as my opinioÌ„ is of TraÌ„substantiatioÌ„ eueÌ„ so is it also of ConsubstaÌ„tiatioÌ„ which hath no grouÌ„d in the words of Christe neither is it necessary to this that we be partakers of the Sacraments But if any man demaund of vs if we make Christ to be absent froÌ„ the supper we answer that we do not separate him from the supper But if we haue respect vnto the distaÌ„ce of places as we must of necessitie wheÌ„ we speake of his corporal presence of his humanitie distinctly considered wee affirme that his body is so far absent from the bread wine as the heauen is absent from the earth fâ—…r so much as we the sacraments are in earth but he is so glorified in heaueÌ„
thus Trâ—…aeus hauing no hope to preuaile by wars against these meÌ„ certified the Duke what a hard matter he had taken in hand Afterward the men of the valleys were called to parley with whom these couenantes were made namely That they shoulde vse their accustomed exerciâ—…es of Religion that they should by no maner of meanes be accused or called to account for this warre that they shoulde haue free libertie and intercourse to bie and sell through all parts of the Dukes dominion that they shuld render vnto the Duke all dutie and obedience belonging vnto him that they also should liâ—…e without offence There were diuers other particular matters which because they serue not for our purpose we omit While these things were thus handled Philip King of Spaine on the other side left nothing vndone to punishe vex with all maner of torments so many as imbraced the Gospel in any part of his dominioÌ„s but specially in Spaine Belgio the murdering inquisitioÌ„ in euery place most cruelly was executed the houses in the which the faithfull came together were burned they which were taken were spedilye put to death some being burned some drowned some tormentes with new kinds of death yea there was no respect of persoÌ„s had were he poore or rich gentlemaÌ„ or noble maÌ„ he was not frée froÌ„ these torments The king being greatly inflamed pricked forward herevnto by the Cardinall Granuellan who a little before was made Cardinall in Belgio at the creation of new bishops Neuerthelesse the faithful of the pâ—…rsecuted churches offer their confessioÌ„ to the king of Spaine and publish the same euery where abrode by publique writing open their cause to the magistrates shew how iniurious a thing it is to condemne a man before his cause be heard beséech that they might haue libertie to be heard that their confessioÌ„ might be read which would manifestly declare that they were vniustly condemned these troubles say they do arise of two sorts of men The first are such as are led by rashe vndiscrete zeale to defend their errors which haue long time continued in the Romish Church The second are such as are afeard to haue the Gospell preuaile bicause they know that the doctrine therof reproueth their wicked doings affections It is great arrogancie to condemne those that leane to the worde of God to prefer the inuentions of meÌ„ before the same Wherfore they desire that before they be coÌ„deÌ„ned they might be coÌ„uinced by the word of God that the disputatioÌ„ might not be with fire and sword for say they the word of God is the vndoubted certaine rule of truth But this was the sum of their confession We beleue in one true God which by his glorious names titles may be discerned froÌ„ false counterfeite Gods which may also be knowne by that most mighty worke of the whole world but specially by his word we also imâ—…race receiue the only word of God by faith not so much bicause the Church receiueth the same but bicause it is sealed in the hartes of the faithful by the holy ghost We beleue that one God in esseÌ„ce is distinguished into thrée persons which are the father the sonne the holy Ghost reseruing notwithstanding to euery persoÌ„ his special propertie We beleue that God which hath created the worlde doth gouerne preserue the same by his prouidence We beleue that he created man after his owne image liknesse that is to say holy good perfect that he fell by his owne faulte hath wrapped his prosteritie in y same giltinesse of sinne corruptioÌ„ that he him selfe was in We beleue that Iesus Christ both God and man in one person is a true mediator the onely meane way to saluation We beleue that he beyng promysed long before vnto the Fathers and represented and shadowed vnder the Ceremonyes and fygures of the lawe came in his time and fulfilled all things that pertayned to oure saluation and that withoute greate sacrilege and robbing him of his honor no other meane can be taken also that the faithful are partakers of these benefites which are the Church of God which is gouerned by the holy ghost and not tyed to places or perfons We beléeue that the pure and sincere preaching of Gods worde the pure Ministration of the sacraments and the discipline by the which the Churche is gouerned according to the rule of Gods worde are notes and markes of the visible Churche We beléeue that the Sacraments were ordained to confirme our faith and doe then profite when they are ioyned to the power of the holy Ghost We beléeue that there doe belong onely two sacraments to the Church namely Baptisme which is a seale of remission of sinnes and of our regeneration and therefore a testimonie of our entrance into the Churche And the Lords supper which signifieth that we are truely made partakers of the body of Christ and of all his graces and benefites that is to saye that oure soules are nourished to euerlasting life by his fleshe and bloude euen as our bodyes are nourished with breade and wine but we muste bring faith to receiue the truth of that Sacrament that is to say Christ therefore we beléeue that the Lords Supper doth only profite the faithfull bringeth to the vnworthie that is to the vnbeléeuing condemnation We beléeue that God to defende and preserue the societie of men hath ordayned lawes and pollitique gouernement which al men ought to obey that tributes custome and other taxes ought to be payed to Magistrates who ought to be reuerenced and for whome we ought to pray vnto God. We beleeue also that Christ shall come againe with al power maiestie and glory in the latter day to iudge the quicke and the dead Thus much concerning their persecution But now to returne to our selues againe When the Duke of Guise had bene at no small variance with the Prince of Conde he purposed with himselfe partlye by his owne mind in hope of profite partly by the Counsel of his friends to come into his fauour and friendship again the Quéene and the Constable exhorting him ther vnto and helping him to haue hys purpose Therefore the King when he had called the Prime Councell together and all the Princes beyng present he called both of them before hym and when the matter was opened he commaunded the Duke of Guise to declare the whole matter to the Prince of Conde The which the Duke of Guise did protesting that he neuer caused nor counselled the King which was departed to apprehend the Prince of Conde To which the Prince of Conde answered that he did counte him a wicked and naughtie person which wente aboute to worke him that mischiefe what so euer he was The Duke of Guise sayde that hée thoughte him in lyke manner to be no lesse but he coulde not helpe it At the length by the Kings
churches any diuisions for this matter Then Beza proceeding with his former purpose sayd Beza Concerning the seconde we doe not saye that the mâ—…rites of the death and passion of Christ are onely signified by the outward signes of bread and wine but also that the verie bodie of Christe which was cruâ—…ified for vs his bloud which was shed for vs is by them represented Also that Iesus Christ very God and perfect man is offered vnto vs by visible signes that our myndes being lifted vp by faith to heauen wher Christ now is may spiritually behold him receiue enioy all his graces to euerlasting life and that so certainly and truely as we sée and receyue and eate and drinke the corporall and visible signes To this the Cardinall of Loraine agreed affirming that he was glad to heare those wordes for so muche as he perceiued that the doctrine of the Faithfull was otherwise than he thought it to bée Beza Concerning the thirde there is greate difference betwéene common water and that with the which we are washed in baptisme betwéene the bread and wine whiche we dayly vse and that whiche is vsed in the Supper For the water of Baptisme the breade and wyne of the Supper are Sacramentes that is to saye visible sygnes and Testimonies of the bodie and bloud of the Lorde But we denie saith he that there is any such mutatioÌ„ in the substaÌ„ce of the Elements but we affirme that the change is in this that they are applyed to an other vse than that which is naturall bycause they seruing of themselues by their owne nature for the nutriment of the body being Sacraments they signifie that thing whiche doth feede our seules Furthermore we doe not assigne the cause of this mutation to the words or to the mynd and purpose of him that pronouÌ„ceth them but to the vertue and power of God whose will is reuealed in his word Therfore bycause the thing signified is offred vnto vs and so truly giuen vnto vs as the signe it selfe we muste also acknowledge by the same reason the coniunction of signes with the thing signifyed And by this meanes the body and bloude of Iesus Chryste in that they are truely giuen vnto vs are in the administration of the Supper and not with vnder or in the breade or in any other place than in heauen where as he is â—…an he is contained vntill he shall come to iudge both the quicke and dead The Cardinal also agréed to the same and affirmed that he did not allow Transubstantiation but thought rather that Chryste shoulde be sought in heauen Notwithstanding as one in dout he added other sayings of certayne Germanes to the end he might therby séeme not to haue greatly trauelled in this matter excusing himselfe to be let from the same by other businesse Then sayde Beza I graunte that we and certaine Germanes doe disagrée in this thyrde Article but in this notwithstanding we agree that we altogyther ioyntly with one consent denie your Transubstantiation Card. Lor. Doe ye confesse that we are truely and substancially partakers of the body and bloud of Chryst Beza This is the fourthe principall poynt whiche before I noted and resteth to be declared In suÌ„me therefore we do affirme that the visible signes whiche are naturally eaten and dronken are touched with the handes that the matter of the Sacrament that is to say the body bloud of Chryst Iesus is offered truely and without deceyte to all men that the same is receyued by faythe and not by naturall reason but yet that the same is so truely giuen vnto vs by faythe as if we were naturally ioyned with Chryst. Then the Cardinall affirmed that Beza hadde satisfyed him in this poynte and very friendly and louingly desired Bâ—…za that he might haue conference with him Notwithstanding it was reported that the Cardinall had confuted Bâ—…za by these firste small tryalles and assayes And so they fully persuaded themselues to haue the victorie But when they which were the chosen meÌ„ of the Churches to dispute lawe that new delayes were founde out day by day they vrged that their petitions whereof we spake before might be graunted vnto them and they desired also to vnderstande the Kings mynde in writing At the length they receyued this answere of the Queene that the Prelates shoulde not be their Iudges but that there shoulde be graunted vnto them certayne of the Kings Secretaries that the matter should be ruled wholy by the word of God and that the King with the Princes his kinsmen woulde be at the disputation And herewith she admonished them to behaue themselues modestly and to seeke onely the glorie of GOD whiche she thought she sayde they greatly desired But to graunt them any thing in writing she thought it not expedient séeing their wordes might serue well inough When the chosen men of the Churches hadde receyued this answere and were departed there came strayght way vnto the Queene certaine Papistes beseeching hir that she woulde not heare these men of the newe religion and if she were mynded to heare them that she would at the least beware and sée that the yong king came not to their disputations bycause it was daungerous least hée in his yong and tender yeares shoulde be taken and snared therewith For say they it is not meete that they shoulde be hearde which not long agoe were conuicted of heresie To whome the Quéene onely answered that she woulde doe nothing without due Counsell and aduise and that they shoulde well vnderstande that the matter shoulde not be handled after the wil and pleasure of those men of the new doctrine as they termed them The next daye after which was the ninth day of September was the time appoynted to begin the disputation Therefore the King and the Quéene his mother the Duke Aurelian the Kings brother Margareâ—… his Sister the King and Queene of Nauarre the Prince of Conde with the reste of the Princes the Kings kinsmeÌ„ and the Priuie Counsel and a greate number also of Noble men and Gentlemen were assembled together in a verye large hall which men commonlye call the Hâ—…ll of the holye Virgins of Posiac Hyther came also the Popes chiefe Prelates the Cardinals the Archebyshoppes and Bishoppes to the number of fiftie beside a great many substitutes and deputies in the places of those that were absent a great many diuines and men of learning counted standing about them In the highest place sat the King and harde beside him according to custome the Princes his kinsmen the Bishops sitting all a long on both sides the hall vpon gréeces one aboue another Then were brought in the chosen men for disputation of the reformed Churches which were twelue Ministers and twentie others which were sent also of the same Churches whom the Kings Gard at the commaundement of the king had brought from Sangerman thyther least there should be some tumult raised against them When euery man
neyther that he coulde so be proued by any meanes This one thing he cōfessed to be true that he went about to resist the tyrannie of the Guises with a great number of the Nobilitie of Fraunce if this were to offende the Kings maiestie sayde he they must be called Kings before I and they can iustly be condemned of treason And séeing they might not haue libertie to appeale to mortall Iudges he sayde that he appealed to the celestiall Iudge for so vniust iudgement giuen vpon him the which ere it be long will take vengeance on innocent bloude so vniustly shed The like also many others affirming and committing their innocencie to God caused manye to lament their state with teares And among the rest one whose name was Villemongius bathing his handes in the bloude of his fellowes which were newlye slayne lifted vp his handes imbrued with bloude to heauen crying Lord this is the bloud of thy seruants thou shalt take vengeance Nowe therefore these horrible slaughters a man woulde thinke had bene sufficient to make Renaudius forsake his former purpose but he notwithstanding continued in the same Wherefore he went about to gather togither againe his men which were dispersed as you haue heard euē now the which while he assayed he met with a horseman of hys enimies side who shot of at Renaudius his dag but missing him was at the last by Renaudius slayne But Renaudius by a souldiour standing by being the seruaunt of the horseman that was slaine was also wounded to death with the shot of a Dagge whome notwithstanding before he died Renaudius also manfully slue But streight after by the grieuousnesse of the wounde he dyed Whose deade carcas being brought to Ambaxia was hanged vp with this title RENAVDIVS captaine of Rebels and Author of Sedition After this it was deuided or quartered into foure partes and set vp in diuers places and his heade set vpon a forke A wonderfull and straunge thing it was that so many men should come togither from all parts of the Realme and yet be séene of none But this was not the ende of this tumult The Guises against whome this conspiracie was made made great search and inquiry for those that were suspected to be guiltie of this conspiracie Moreouer the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde in this contention tooke part against the Guises as hereafter shall be declared The Constable at the commaundement of the King went to the Senate of Paris and there opened the whole matter concerning the tumulte of Ambaxia commending the great diligence of the Guises in pacifying of the same But bicause he sayde that this conspiracie was made against those that were in chiefe authoritie about the King the Guises tooke the same in very euil part who would haue had all men perswaded that it was made for the destruction of the King and the whole Realme that all good order being taken away euery man might rule and gouerne as him lysted At this time Oliuarius the Kinges high Chauncelour who had condemned those that were taken in the tumult of Ambaxia was grieuously taken with sickenesse and being very extréemely handled therewith sayde that he had iustly deserued the same for that those whome he had condemned had great iniurie done vnto them Moreouer hée made exclamation against the cardinal of Loraine who hearing of his extreme sicknesse came to sée him saying Thou O Cardinall art he that bringeth destruction to vs all And so fetching déepe sighes grieuous grones be ended his life Nowe there came forth a newe Edict very cruell against those which followed the newe Religion as they termed it Notwithstanding the late conspiracie being founde to come through the cruell punishmentes layde vpon men whereat they boldly repined brought to passe that the Guises being afrayde thought it best to temper and mittigate those punishments Therefore there were sent abrode letters of pardon in the which the King declared that he would not in the first yere of his reigne begin with the miserable slaughter of his subiects although they had deserued the same but wold rather folow the example of our heauenly father to retain his seruāts by his lenitie mercie than by seueritie and punishments Therfore he sayd he sorgaue all offences concerning religion and gaue generall pardon notwithstanding vpon that condition that they which enioyed the benefite therof should liue catholikely as others did Moreouer the same that came by the conspiracie troubled also the Cardinall of Loraine being a man by nature verye fearefull and wauering insomuch that now after a sort he shewed himselfe very gentle toward the fauourers of the Gospell yea and hearde willingly many of the Ministers of Gods worde which were not afearde to talke with him concerning the chiefe pointes of the Religion nowe in controuersie affirming also that he himselfe did agrée with them in many points But the Quéene to the ende she might vnderstande the true causes of the tumult of Ambaxian and might sée also what remedies might be had for those troubles which were nowe readie to come vpon the kingdome sent for one called Planchaeus bicause he was sayde to be a man that had by long vse great experience who being come and brought into hir priuie chamber she declared that she had sent for him to this ende that she might vnderstande by him what were the causes of the troubles nowe at hande and also what remedies might be prouided for the same Of which she sayde no man coulde better satisfie hir than he Who when he coulde by no excuse shift off or denie this request at the last affirmed that for his obedience sake he woulde take this thing vpon him and so farre as he coulde satisfie hir request First therefore he began thus saying there are two sortes of them who hauing their names altered were no more called Lutheranes but Huguenotes I saye of these there are two factions the one of religious persons the other of Ciuile or politike persons Of the whiche two factions the first for their afflicted Religion the other for that the gouernement of the Realme was put into the handes of the Guises the Princes the Kings neare kinsemen beyng defrauded of the same were greatlye displeased These were the verye causes of these troubles to remedie the which there is no waye but to satisfie both their wylles The first namely the religious persons may easilye be perswaded if so be godly and learned men were gathered togither and disputation made of those articles nowe in controuersie But the others which were of the Temporaltie can not be so easilye pacified bicause they thinke that they haue iust occasion to put themselues in armour and to resist This therefore is the onely remedie if the Princes the Kings neare kinsemen be kept and set in their owne proper degrée and dignitye and the Guises by some faire and gentle meanes remooued from gouerning the Kingdome For the Nobilitie will not suffer the Princes
Germanie concerning the Lords Supper the whiche he sayde was sent by them to him out of Germanie But herein he played the craftie Foxe to the ende that if they had openly denyed this thing he mighte haue set them and the Ministers of Germanie togither by the eares but if they had imbraced the same that then hee mighte tryumphe ouer them as if they had gotten the victory Beza to auoid this Dilemma and subtill traine answered That he and his fellowes came thyther to defende the confession of their owne Churches whiche they were onelye by them inioyned to doe So that he desired that the order of the disputation might be framed vpon the forme of their confession to the end that they might gather thereby bothe the greater fruit and also come into a more perfect concord For the order of nature doth require that firste of all those things which are more easie shoulde be handled and we must first of all dispute of doctrine bycause the Sacramentes doe depende of Doctrine Notwithstanding the Cardinall did with no lesse vehemencie still vrge the matter Therefore the chosen men of the Churches fearing least by this meanes occasion mighte be taken to breake off the conference and that the blame thereof shoulde be layde vpon them they desired to haue leaue to vewe and consider that writing whereto the Prelates wente aboute to make them to subscribe and so they woulde deliberate together what they were best to doe Then was broughte for the a fourme of the article concerning the Lords Supper written as the Cardinall said oute of the Augustane confession thus VVe doe Confesse that the very body and bloud of Christ Iesus is truely really and Sacramentally in the Supper of the Lorde and is so giuen and receiued of those that doe communicate There were also broughte forthe manye opinions of the Saxone Ministers concerning this matter written in the yeare of oure Lorde 1559. And thus was the assembly dismist vntill another day In the meane time newes was broughte that the writing exhibited by the Cardinall of Loraine was by the industrie of one Frances Balduine sente with letters whiche signifyed that he woulde come verie shortly and bring certaine ministers with him out of Germanie which shoulde dispute and contend with Beza and with the rest of the challengers of the reformed Churches Balduine therfore came to Poossiac in the time of the conference leauing notwithstandyng behynde him those ministers of Germanie making the more haste to the intent he mighte offer vp a certayne Latine booke intituled The office of a godly man among the controuersies of Religion perswading himselfe by this meanes that he shoulde please all men specially the Byshoppes And this Booke he highlye commended and bragged of as a certaine singular meane and waye to worke peace and vnitie the author of the which booke the miserable ambitious man partlye affyrming and partlye denying hymselfe to be by vayne dissimulation the name of Cassander beyng suppressed and quite taken awaye whiche had patched the same together would that all men should haue counted hym to bée the authour thereof perswading hymselfe hereby to wyn greate fame But his expectation for all this was deceyued for he was called of neyther part into the conference for that all men feared his inconstancie and lighte rashenesse whiche he had all his lyfe time shewed by manyfest proofe and shewe of his subtill and false minde But his hatred for this matter was wholly kindled against the Ministers of the reformed Churches whom he thought to be the cause that he was not called to the conference Afterwardes he inueyed againste Caluine and Beza who by theyr answere agayne declared by euident argumentes that he was giltie of a lye of falsehoode and of impietie That is to saye Balduine not long agoe â—…ayned to loue the Gospell and declared the same also by setting forthe of bookes and was conuersaunt in the refourmed Churches whereby among good men he had gotten a good reporte notwithstanding chaunging oftentymes his Religion one while he séemed to imbrace the doctrine of the Gospell going to those places in the whiche the same was publiquely preached another whyle he wente to the Papistes seeming to lyke of their seruice whereby at the last all men iustly Iudged hym to bée of a wycked and vnconstant mind Therefore after he hadde experience and proofe of diuers Religions shyfting oftentymes from one to another the subtill fellowe thought that he had at the last founde oute a certayne vndoubted fourme of Religion and reported abroade that he knewe a sure meane or waye to appease all controuersies for Religion And beyng broughte vnto the King of Nauarre by the practise of the Cardinall of Lorayne hée made hym to haue a wonderfull opinion of him And whilest the King of Nauarre was greatly disturbed with the fayre promyses of the Pope of the whiche wée wyll speake anon thys fellowe dayly called vpon him who also bringing forthe argumentes oute of certayne auncient notes and abbreuiations whiche he sayde hee hadde founde by chaunce he put the Kyng of Nauarre in suche hope to get the Kingdome of Nauarre that his loue and zeale towardes the Gospell waxing colde by little and lyttle at the laste he vtterlye renounced and forsoke the Gospell to the greate detrimente and hurte of the reformed Churches and of the whole Realme of Fraunce in furtheryng whereof before tyme he had notwithstandyng béene very diligent Balduine for brynging these things to passe receiued for his reward a great summe of money and had also committed vnto him the charge to bryng vp the kyng of Nauarres bastard for which he receiued a stipend But nowe againe they come to the Conference so that when they were all assembled togyther and leaue giuen to the Ministers to speake Beza pronounced this Oration before the Quéene We declared of late before your Maiestie noble Quéene according to our skil our opinion concerning the Article propounded vnto vs of the Church and of the markes and authoritie of the same in opening of the which things we haue so followed the word of God that we trust no man hath had iust occasion to complaine of vs But for so muche as those things which haue bene opened by vs ought either to be approued or else to be reprehended by the worde of God it was euen nowe demaunded of vs by what authoritie wée would preach the worde of God and minister the holy Sacramentes in the which demaunde to make our cause to be hated there was lefte nothing vndone We knowe not to what end these things haue bene propouÌ„ded For first of all we came not hyther eyther to preach the word or to minister the Sacraments So that it séemeth superfluous to demaund of vs by what authoritie we would doe this thing If answere be made vnto vs that this was therfore demauÌ„ded that we might giue account of those thinges whiche we haue done afore time it was to be coÌ„sidered that this
with good will and by due and holesome counsel for the benefite of the whole Realme and standeth not in néede of a Monkes aduise Concerning the Lords Supper â–ª you haue so vâ—…reuerently spoken of the same that you make a playe of it in the which Christ shoulde be the speciall person the which is to childishe ridiculous and prophane And so Beza tournyng hym selfe to Espensius sayde Ye vrge the consente of the Euangelistes in the fourme of woordes in that they haue all sayde Thys is my bodye but remember that the Euangelystes haue also sayde This is my bloud of the newe Testamente And also This Cup is the newe Testamente in my bloud the whiche cannot be vnderstoode without a figure as I haue alreadie shewed that it is a sacramentall kinde of speache as Saint Austine expoundeth it in his Epistle to Bonifacius If Sacrament â–ª sayth he should haue no agreement with those things whereof they are Sacramentes then were they no Sacramentes for this similitude they oftentimes receiue the name of those things which onely they represent As therefore the Sacrament of the body of Christ in some respect is the bodie of Christ and the Sacrament of the bloud of Christ is the bloude of Christe euen so the Sacramente of fayth is sayth â–ª neither can there be a Sacramente withoute the figure Then saide Espensius if the case be so that oure Sacramentes are not withoute the figure they differ not muche from the Sacramentes of the olde Testament which were fâ—…guratiue For they were figures and shadowes of the truth which is now made manifest and fulfilled in Christ Otherwise we must say that they are figures of figures The Ministers denyed this consequence affirming that the Legall Ceremonies which were appointed by God had respect to the truth whereof also the ancient Fathers were partakers before the comming of Christ and we after his comming in which time we are not vnder ceremonies but yet notwithstanding we néede visible signes and sacramentes so long as we shall be in this world and yet for al that it doth not followe that we haue the lesse vnderstanding of the truth although we haue externall Sacramentes After this a certaine Sorbonist demanded of the ministers what the 〈◊〉 This in these wordes This is my bodie signified The Ministers answered That it shewed the bread and signified the body of Christ that it might be vnderstande that the breade was a signe of the bodye which they confirmed by the testimonies of the fathers On the contrarie parte the Popishe Doctors replyed that the Grammer rules would not suffer this woord This to be referred to the bread But the ministers sayd that this was repugnant to the nature of Sacramentes in the which it â—…ught not to be denied but that the signe is ioyned with the thing signified Thus these Rabbines and Sorbonistes making exclamations in all things and a confused noyse spent the day And one among the rest shaking his finger at Beza sayd if we had thée in oure schole At the laste the assembly was dismissed and the conference after this was no more kept in the same order and forme the Cardinall fearing as it was reported least by their disputation in the vulgar and knowne tong the matter might the more plainely appéere to the Princes and nobles that were there Therefore from that day forward the maner of the conference was altered fiue out of eyther part that is to saye fiue of the Prelates and fiue of the Ministers being chosen and appointed for this conference by whome all matters mighte be reasoned and disputed of peaceably and quietly The fiue that were chosen from among the Prelates were these Ianus Monlucius â–ª Bishop of Valentia Vallius Bishop of Seâ—…n Bottillerius an abbot Espensius a Sorbonist The fiue that were appointed out of the reformed Churches were these Peter Martyr Theodore Beza Nicolaus Gallasius Augustine Marlorate and Espensius Then they agréed concerning the order of the disputation the place the time and concerning the Notaries whiche shoulde note receiue the disputation And although it séemed méete and conuenient to all men that the confession of the reformed Churches shoulde by order be handled firste yet notwithstanding they began the disputation concerning the supper bycause they had before propounded the same in that article which concerneth the Lordes presence in the Supper and the matter being diuersely canuassed and handled betwéene them at the length both partes agréed vpon thys article following Forsomuche as Faith maketh things that are promised to be present and doth truely receiue the body and bloud of our Lorde Iesu Christe by the power of the holy Ghoste wee confesse the presence of his body and bloud in the Supper in the which he offereth gyueth and truely exhibiteth â—…nto vs the Substaunce of his bodie and bloud by the operation of the holy Ghoste in whome wee receiue and eate spiritually and by Faith the same body whiche was offered for vs that wee maye bee bone of his bones and fleshe of hys fleshe and maye bee quickened by him and maye also perceyue and vnderstande what so euer doth appartayne to our saluation The fiue disputers for the Prelates shewed this article vnto their fellowes which they wholly mislyked Therfore the daye following another Article was exhibited vnto the Ministers in their name in the which there was somewhat altered for that which the first article attributed vnto faith the seconde attributed to the worde This article for the ambiguitie therof the ministers would not receiue least it should be the cause of greater errors But least the contention myght seme to stand in words they al agréed with one coÌ„sent on both sides to put down the article in this form VVe confesse that Iesus Christ in the Supper offereth gyueth and truely exhibiteth vnto vs the substance of bis body and bloud by the operation of the holy Ghost that we do receiue and eate spiritually by faith the same body which dyed for vs that we might be bone of his bone and fleshe of his fleshe to the ende also we might be quickened by him and may vnderstand al things that appertaine to our saluatioÌ„ And bicause Faith beyng grounded vpon the worde of God maketh things that are promised and of vs vnderstode to be present by this faith we truly and effectually receiue the true and naturall body of Christ Iesus by the power of the holy Ghost In this respecte we confesse the presence of his body and bloud in the Supper These things thus determined the chosen men on both sides went to shewe the matter vnto their fellowes that both partes mighte freely shewe their opinion and iudgement At the first sight therefore many of the Prelates receiued this article But when the matter was communicated and declared to the Sorbonistes they did afterwardes with one consent reiect the same And layde vnto the charge of their chosen men that disputed for them and which continued
in the same opinion in the whiche they concluded with the Ministers of the reformed Churches that they had made a compacte and agréemente with the Ministers and therefore they were not suffered to conferre or dispute any more after that Therfore the ministers hauing occasion offered sente this explication of that article vnto the chosen men that disputed for the Prelates VVe affirme that no distance of places can let the communicating which wee haue with the body and bloud of Christ bycause the Supper of the Lorde is a heauenly thing And althoughe we receiue in earthe with oure mouthe the breade and wine beyng true signes of his body and bloud yet notwithstanding by faithe and by the operation of the holye Ghost our myndes of which this is oure speciall meate being lyfted vp to heauen doe receine there his bodye and bloude And in this respecte wee saye that the bodye doth truely ioyne it selfe to the breade and the bloude to the wyne and yet notwithstanding no otherwyse than after a Sacramentall manner that is to saye neyther locally nor naturally but bycause they effectually signifie and declare that God doth giue them faithfully and without all doubt to the communicants who do truly and certainely receiue them by faith This therefore is the plaine opinion and iudgement of the reformed Churches concerning the presence of the bodie and bloud of Christ Iesus in the sacrament of the Supper But there were nowe come certaine ministers oute of Germanie by the meanes of Baâ—…duinus as we sayde before But they bewraying the councell and purpose of the Cardinall of Loraine by whose practise these things were spedely brought to passe returned home again with losse of their labour and their expectation being deceiued The purpose and practise of the Cardinall was to bring these ministers and the other into one disputation and contention and so contending and striuing together he might cause the conference to cease and make them to be a laughing stocke to all men The Prelates doubting of the fayth and trust of their men which they had chosen to dispute for them as we said before woulde haue no conference after this with the ministers wherevpon the conference brake vp the â–ª xxv day of Nouember And this was the ende of the Conference of Possiac manye being gathered together for the same the space of thrée monethes â—…fter the whiche there ensued not onely no profyte but also great trouble and motions of warres Thus the conference being ended withoute fruite there was no waye founde for peace and concorde but rather the mindes of both parts beyng exasperated there insued great quarels and discentiens So that great discorde rose dayly betwéene the Papists and the Protestants more and more some complayning and finding fault with the Prelates for their disordered departing from the conference the which in deede sufficiently declared the weakenesse of their cause and other some misliking of the authoritie of the Generall Councell shortly alter to come and of the Churche of Rome Neither were these dissentiâ—…ns onely among the common people but also among the Peeres Nobles of the realme mens mindes being distracted and drawne into manifest factions whiche foreshewed not onely bare contentions of wordes but also greate and mortall warres at hande For the compactes and manifest practises of the Guises of the Constable and of the Marshall of Santandra were well ynough sene Yet notwithstanding their purpose and indeuour was very muche let and hindered at that time by the authoritie of the King of Nauarre whome they thought good to assay by all meanes possible to the entent they myghte drawe him from taking part with the Protestantes In the which matter the Cardinal of Ferrer of whom we spake before being the Popes Legate in Fraunce take verye muche paines promising vnto the king of Nauarre in the Popes name the full possession of the kingdome of Nauarre affyrming that the Pope should easily obtaine this thing of king Phillip for that he already promised to doe the same for the Catholique Churches sake Moreouer the Cardinall of Towers the Bishop of Ansseren and Escarsius also certaine of his houshoulde confirmed him in this matter and vsed dayly persuasions being wicked men and set on for money by the Cardinall of Loraine Among whom also was that Frances Balduine of whome mention was made before as diligent and busie as the best to bring the matter about whereby he thought he shoulde reape no small gaine This man forging a new Gospell caused the king of Nauarre to hate both the doctrine and also the men of the reformed Churches So that now he began to hang betwene diuers opinions to forsake the loue of Religion openlye to shew himselfe an enimie to the reformed Churches to bée more coâ—…uersant and familiar with the Guises to giue him selfe to lightnesse filthy pleasure also to go to the Masse and to the Popishe Churches When the Duke of Guise had deliberated and consulted of the matter with the Constable and the Marshall of Santandre and willing them to gathered vnto them forthwith so great power as they could he departed from them leauing them in Fraunce and came to Imuilla in the moneth of Nouember and after he had taryed there certayne dayes he wente to the Cittie Tabernas whiche bordereâ—…h vpon Germanie to prouide for his businesse and to consult with many of the Princes of Germanie about this matter Notwithstanding the number of the faythfull dayly more and more encreased and was wonderfully confyrmed a great part of the Nobles comming to the reformed Churches Therefore there were assemblies and congregations in great number almost in all the noble Cities of the Realme in the whiche the worde of God was openly preached and the Sacramentes ministred notwithstanding the Edict of Iuly of whiche we spake before Wherevpon notwithstanding there arose oftentymes greate discâ—…ntions and of those seditions ensued great perils For they whiche were grieued and offended at these assemblies of the faythfull made exclamation that Edictes were broken and did so prepare themselues to trouble the faythfull that there séemed to be present occasions of great mischief whiche brake foorthe in many places but specially at Paris For the faithful being gathered togither the. 26. day of December to heare the word of God in Paris in the suburbes of Sanmarcellus a place specially appointed vnto them by the King for the same purpose the Priestes of the Temple of Sanmedardus hard by in the time of the Sermon caused such a noyse to be made with ringing of bels that the voyce of the Preacher coulde by no meanes be vnderstoode Whervpon two of the Congregation men vnarmed and without weapon came to these Popishe Priestes and beséeched them that they woulde not make suche a dynne with ringing their Belles that so greate a companie of menne shoulde be lette from hearing the woorde of God. The Priestes hauing with them diuers other men began to abuse them and
by manye of the nobles was not altogether hidden but euidently ynonghe appeared to all men that woulde sée the same FINIS The translator to the Reader THus gentle Reader endeth the firste part of these CoÌ„mentaries faithfully collected and gathered by that singular learned man Petrus Ramus of Fraunce who himselfe bycause he was a zealous professor of the Gospell and an enimie to Antichrist was slaine in this last horrible butcherly murther in the yeare of our Lorde God. 1572. The speciall cause that moued the sayde Petrus Ramus to spende his trauaile in penning these Commentaries in the Latine toung was as you maye perceyue by hys preface in the beginning of this Booke that all Christian Realmes might be certifyed of the true originall and cause of all the warres troubles and sheding of Innocente bloude that haue beene from the yeare of our Lorde God. 1557. vntill this present daye To the ende therefore that his desire might be the better satisfyed when I had considered the worthinesse of his trauaile and what great fruite woulde spring of the same to al that will vouchsafe to spende sometime in reading of this worke for that all men vnderstande not the Latine toung I thought good to translate the same into Englishe that none of our Countreymen might be stayed from the taste of such fruite as will growe thereof And as I haue spente sometime in translating this firste parte so I meane God willing to goe forwarde with the other two partes the seconde beeing nowe in hande and shall bee printed if God permitte against the nexte Terme In the meane tyme I beseech thee right Christian Reader contente thy selfe with this accept my labor and requite my good will with diligent reading of the same Before the which I shall desire thee to correct with thy pen suche faults as I haue here caused to be noted In so doing no one sentence I trust shal seeme obscure vnto thee Faultes escaped in Printing Line 2. Page 9 For it reade he Li. 19. pa. 12. for might defende reade might séeme to defend Line 18. pag. 17. reade acknowledging of the truth Line 16. pag. 40 for other wile reade otherwise Line 22. pag. 43. reade as though it had bene Line 5. pag. 73. read we will not deny Line 8. pag. 73. reade name of the Church Line 4. pag. 76. for is sodaine reade is so highe Line 31. pag. 112. for there reade Then. Line 3. pag. 124. reade must not therefore Line 25. pag. 125. in these words and if that leaue out if Line 23. pag. 164. bring in these words might be solde from them Line 32. pag. 194. for Prophetes reade properties Line 5. pag. 167. for although reade as though Line 1. pag. 239. for only thee reade only thrée Line 18. pag. 235. for they shall reade shall they Line 20. pag. 235. for doth reade doth not NOte here good Reader that these faultes escaped in Printing are not so escaped in al the Bookes of this impression but in some Least therefore they to whome those should happen might be troubled in the reading with obscure sense I thought good to make a generall note of all THE INDEX A. Affliction of the Churche after the death of King Henrie 47. Affliction rysing of false reportes 50 Affliction somewhat ceaseth 61. Agronia assaulted 161. Ambaxian Tumult 2. Andelot put in pryson 23. Andelot answereth 23. Andelot escapeth pryson 110. Andelot in fauour againe 24. Annas Burgeus defendeth the gospell in the Parliament house 26. Annas Burgeus caryed to pryson by Mongomerie 27. Annas Burgeus examined 32. Annas Burgeus condemned 33. 39. Annas Burgeus disgraded 35. Annas Burgeus confession 36. Annas Burgeus taketh his iudgement thankfully 39. Annas Burgeus Oration 4. Annas Burgeus burned 43. Annas Burgeus bringing vp 44. Angell speaker for the Comminaltie 121 Apologie for the faythfull Captiues 9. Arrogant threatnings of the Constable 11. Augusta a cittie in Germanie 131. Authoritie of Godâ—… worde 199. Authoritie of the Church 227. B. Baptisme 75. Beza his prayer 189. Bishoppe of Nauntes author of the Tumult 17. Bishoppes of Rome sowers of discorde 82. Bookes of sclaunder 100. Brosaeus Generall of the Armie that went into Scotlande 61. C. Cardinall of Loraine an enemie to Burgeus 39. Cardinall Poole 95. Cardinall of Loraine seeketh to get fame by keeping Lybelles of reproch 104. Cardinall Ferrer sent from Rome to hinder the Nationall Councell 166. Calabria persecuted 63. Christ our righteousnesse 68. Christ God and Man. 68. Christ hath two natures 69. Christ dyed for sinne 69. Christ our Aduocate 71. Church what it is 72. 217. Churches denyed to them of the reformed Religion 124. Commendation of the protestantes 25 Communion with Christ and the Fathers vnder the law 18â—… Comparison betwene the doctrine of the Gospel and papistrie 37. CoÌ„fession of the french church 63 Confession of Annas Burgaeê° 36. Confession of the church of Flanders offered to king Philip. 166. Confirmation 204. Constable proudly threatneth 11. Constable drawne away from the Prince of Conde 140. Constable misseliketh of the profession oft he Admirall ibidem Controuersie betwene Charles the fifth and Pope Clement 91. Contention betwene the Queene and the king of Nauarre 136. Consubstantiation 203 Couetousnesse the beast of Babylon 93. Couetousnesse of Priestes 122. D. Democharis the inquisitour sitteth vpon Burgaeus 32. Democharis a slanderous inquisitour 50. Denises to abolishe the Gospell 1. Discipline of the Church 73. Disputation at Posiat 179. Doctrine of the lawe 71. Duke Arscotus a Brabantine 8. Duke of Guise an enimie to the Andelot 23. E. Earle Villarius an enemie to the Admirall 141. Ecclesiasticall Disciplne 72 Edict of Castellobrian 24. and. 12. Edict of Iuly 150. Election diuine 67. Election of Ministers 74. Example of two false brethren very notable â–ª 48. Excommunication 74. F. Factious names 118. Faith and good vvorkes 167 Faith coÌ„meth by the holy Ghost 70. Faith attaineth righteousnesse 70. Faithfull sclaundered 7. Figures of the Lawe 71. Forewarnings of desolation 92. Fruites of Popishe Sermons 22. G. Geneua a Sanctuarie for the Godly 4. Generall Councell not looked for 90. Generall Councell a vayne remedie 187. Georgius Gluchus Ambassadour out of Denmarke 139. God omnipotent 65. Gospell hath diuers professors 85. Good workes 71. Guises rule the Realme 50. Guises persecutors of the Gospel 51. Guises no Princes 60. Guises make claime to the crowne of England 62. H. Huguenotes a name giuen to the faithfull 59. I. Iacobes slaughter at Paris 1. Iacobus Sillius speaker for the Nobilitie 122. Ianus Contachus moueth controuersies 45. Ignorance of Priestes 122. Iniuries done to the faithfull 17. Innocencie of the Prince of Conde 147. Inquisitors of Fraunce called Flies 50. Intercession of Saintes 71. K. King Hentie the second set against the Protestantes 26. King Henrie threatneth Burgaeus 27. King Henrie slayne 34. Kinges duetie 100. King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde sent for to the King. 107. King Fraunces dyeth 112. King of Nauar yeldeth his authoritie to the Queene
the siege that the Guise had begon Notwithstanding the army being herewith much discouraged ▪ and the Queene and the Prince of Conde geuing commaundement that truce might be taken on both partes they raysed their siéege and departed Then a peace was intreated the Constable faithfully as it might séeme promising the same to the men of Orleans Therefore there was oftentymes mutuall conference betwéene both partes frée communication had also euen among the common Souldiers In the meane time the Admirall prospered very well and had good successe in Normandy and hauing wonne Cane a noble Citie in Normandy and hauing great store and aboundance of money had no doubt brought greater things to passe within a short tyme if the peace had not bin a stay vnto him Therefore the peace was now in question betwéene the Quéene and the Prince of Conde the Constable earnestly soliciting the same by his letters The Quéene although she sawe her parte to be in worst cace two of her principall Captaines being destroyed and the third taken and on the contrary part although the Prince of Conde were taken yet that the rest of the Captaines florished and preuayled although I saye she sawe these things yet notwithstanding she dissembling with a double hart made the Prince of Conde beleue and hope for greate matters and made him bende vnto her will so much as she could Therfore certain cōditions of peace were propounded to the Prince of Conde but not indifferent in the which conditions many thinges were discided concerning the Edict of Ianuary by which Edicte the Prince of Conde would haue had the peace formed and framed Then the Quene the Prince of Conde the Constable and the Andelot came togyther to Parley in a certaine Ileland called Boum neare to Orleans the Admirall which at that tyme was in Normandy being aduertised of the same And after much communication to and fro the peace was at the last concluded the xiii day of March in manner and forme following ALL men see and knowe with what troubles seditions and tumultes this our kingdome for certayne yeres by the iust iudgement of God hath ben tormoyled and tossed our subiectes being the occasion and cause therof through the diuersitie of opinions concerning religion To prouide a remedie for the which there haue ben hytherto had many conuocations of the most singular and wyse men of the whole realme by whose aduise and coun saile many Edictes and decrees haue ben made as the necessity of the tyme required meaninge thereby to preuent a mischief and stop greater inconueniences like to ensue Neuerthelesse the iniquitie of tyme by little and little hath so preuayled and the Lorde by his secrete and iust iudgement prouoked by our sinnes and wickednes hath not restrayned but suffered those outragiouse trou bles to haue their course and that so far forth that an infinite sorte of murders bloudshed rapine spoyle and destruction of Cities haue come thereof beside the violating of temples the ioyning of battayles and an infinite number of mischeeues mo in diuers places In so muche that if this mischief proceed any further seeing there are so many straungers in our Realme and more dayly lyke to come we may playnly see and beholde the ineuitable ruyne and destruction of the whole Realme beside the great losse of so many Princes and noble men and valeaunt Captaynes already made by the authours of these troubles which Noble men vnder the mighty hande of God are the onely strength and true defence and protection of this our Crowne The which things we haue diligently considered and deuised alwaies and remedies to helpe in time yet notwithstanding seeing we see that all the inconueniences whiche come of this warre doe redownde to the diminution and detriment of this our realm and haue felt by experience to our great hurt and losse that this remedy is not sufficient for this purpose we haue thought that there can be no better way thā first of all for vs to flee vnto the infinite grace and goodnesse of our Lord God by his help to seeke for peaceable quiet remedies to cure the soarenesse of this great and mischeuous disease in the eyes of man almost incurable to bring the willes of our subiects to vnitie and concord and to the acknowledging of that obedience and duety which belongeth vnto vs being speedy remedies to kepe our subiectes in peace trusting that the frute of a generall or nationall Counsell will bring suche assured peace and certayne tranquillity to the honor and glory of God that wee shall haue all great cause to ioye in the same In the which matter we wil haue the good and wholesome Counsayle of the Queene our most louing and reuerend mother of our most louing Cosynes the Cardinall of Borbon of the Prince of Conde of the Duke of Monpensier and of the Prince Rochsuryon of the Princes that are of the Kings bloud of our beloued Cosines also the Cardinall Guise Duke de Aumall Momorencius the Constable of the Duke Estamp of the Marishalls Brissac and Burdillon of the Lords the Andelots and of other peeres of the Realme and men of the Kings counsail All the which with one consent and mynde haue thought meete and necessary that these thinges following should bee ordayned and decreed for the common wealth and profit of our realme the which wee will and commaund to abyde firme and immutable that is to say THAT all noble men hereafter hauing the rule and go uernement of Prouinces may peaceably and with the libertye of their consciences liue in those houses in the which they shall dwell with their families and seruaunts and enioy the vse of the reformed religion so called with out any impediment or trouble And it shal be lawefull for all noble men and their families what iurisdiction soeuer they haue to vse the same religion at home and in their houses so that they dwell not in those villages and townes that are subiect to the greater Iurisdiction In which places they cannot haue the vse of the Religion without the leaue and licence of the higher powers VVe appoint to euery Office Senate or Court whose first appeale belongeth vnto the higher courts a citie at the peti ciō of the mē of reformed religion to the which citie the men of those offices and Courtes may come and haue the vse of the reformed religion and no otherwyse nor any where else Notwithstanding all men may liue euery where peaceably at home without any perill or harme for the vse of religion and their cōscience Furthermore all men in those cities in the which that religion was exercised the vii day of this moneth of March beside those cities which shal be specially appointed to euery Court shall haue leaue to vse the administration of that religion still in one or two Cities which shal be appointed vnto them Notwithstanding it shall not be lawfull for the men of the reformed religion to occupie the churches
and make shift for themselues and to take no more care for him for he sayde that he was readie with most willing heart to reÌ„der into the handes of God now calling for it againe the spirit that he had lent him to vse for a time and sayde that this violent crueltie was prepared not so much for his destruction as for the dishonoring of Christe and the tormenting of so many Churches the defence of which Churches he had at the petition of all godly men with his many daungers and calamities sustained In the meane time there came vp the staires into the hier part of the house on Benuese a Germaine brought vp in the house of the Duke of Guise and to whome it is sayde that the Cardinall of Loraine had giuen one of his bastard daughters in mariage and with him came Cossin the Gascoine Attin a Picarde a retainer and familiar of the Duke d'Aumal one that a fewe yeres before sought to murder d'Andelot by treason and also one Hamfort an Auernois all weaponed with swordes and targets and armed with shirts of maile When they were broken into the Admiralles chamber Benuese came to him and bending his drawne sworde vpon him said Art not thou the Admirall he with a quiet and constant countenance as we haue since vnderstode by theÌ„selues answered I am so called And then seeing the sworde drawne vpon him he sayde yong man consider my age and the weake case that I am now in But the fellowe after blaspheming God fyrste thrust his sworde into the Admiralles breste and then also stroke him vpoÌ„ the head and Attin shot him through the brest with a pistol WheÌ„ thâ—… Admiral was with this wound not yet throughly deade Benuese gaue him the thirde wounde vpon the thygh and so he fell down for deade When the duke of Guise which stayed in the courte with the other noblemen heard this he cried out alowde hast thou done Benuese he answered I haue done Then said the Duke of Guise our Cheuelier meaning King Henries bastard abouesaide vnlesse he sée it with his eyes will not beléeue it throw him down at the window Then Benuese with the helpe of his fellowes toke vp the Admirals body and threwe it downe through the windowe When by reason of the wound in his head and his face couered with bloud they could not well discerne him the Duke of Guise knéeled down on the ground and wiped him with a napkin and sayde now I know him it is he And therewithal going out at the gate with the rest of the Lordes he cryed out to the multitude in armour saying my companions we haue had a good lucky beginning now let vs go forward to the rest for it is the Kings commaundement which words he did ofte repeat aloud saying Thus the King coÌ„maundeth This is the Kings wil this is his pleasure And then he coÌ„maunded the tokeÌ„ to be giuen by ringing tocksein with the great bel of the palace alarme to be raysed and he caused it to be published that the conspiratours wers in armour and about to kill the king Then a certaine Italian of Gonzagues band cut off the Admirals head sent it preserued with spices to Rome to the Pope and the Cardinall of Loreine Other cut off his hands and other his secrete partes Then the common laborers and rascalles thrée days togither dragged the deade bodie thus mangled and berayed with bloude and filth through the streates and afterward drewe it out of the towne to the common gallowes and hanged it vp with a rope by the féete In the meane time those of the noblemens bands brake into all the Chambers of the Admiralles house and such as they found either in their beds or hidden they mangled them with many wounds and so slaughtered them Of that number were two yong children Pages of honorable birth Ther was also the Count Rochfoucault which for the excellent pleasantnesse of his wit and for his valiantnesse was hiely beloued of Kyng Henry and so séemed for the same cause also to be beloued of the king Him was de Nance abouesaide commaunded to kyll but he refusing it for their olde acquaintance and familiaritie one Laberge an Auernois offred himselfe to the King to do it but with this condition that the King shoulde giue him the Captainship of horssemen which Count Rochfoucault had There was also slayne Theligny the Admirals sonne in lawe a yong man of singular towardnesse both of wit and courage to whoÌ„ the King these many yeres had both in words countenance made shew of so gret good wil as that no maÌ„ was thought to be more highly in his fauor He crying out that it was now grieuous to him to liue for that he had euer commended to his father in law the faithfulnesse of the King refused not the death offered him And many other most flourishing yong noblemen and Gentlemen were euery where butcherly murthered in that streat Then the noblemens bandes and Cossins soulders wente ransacking from house to house and the Admiralles house and all the other houses were all sacked and spoyled eueÌ„ in like manner as is vsed to be done by souldiers gréedy of pray in a towne taken by assault and many by this robberie were of beggers sodeinly become rich men For the Duke of Guise the duke of Monpensier the Cheualier king Henries bastard Gonzague Tauaignes the other great Lords did with the reward of the spoyle bootie encourage the multitude to the slaughter and cryed out aloude that this was the Kings will. So al the rest of the day from morning to euening the rascall multitude encouraged by spoyle and robberie ran with their bloudie swordes raging throughout all the towne they spared not the aged nor women nor the verie babes In ioye and tryumph they threw the slaine bodies out at the windowes so as there was not in manner any one streate or lane that séemed not strawed with murthered carcases While these things were thus a doing in the towne the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde whome the King had lodged in his owne Castle of the Louure were by the Kings coÌ„maundement sent for and conueyed vnto him But their company their seruitours of their Chambers their friendes retaining to them their scholemasters and those that had the bringing vp of them crying out aloude to the Kings fidelitie for succour were thrust out of the Chambers and by the Kyngs guarde of Switzers hewed in pieces and slaughtered in the Kings owne sight But of that number of persons slayne no mans case was so much lamented of many as Monsieur de Pilles in whome it is harde to expresse whether there were more godly zeale in Religion or prowesse in warre Whereby hauing in the late yeres specially in the defence of the towne of S. Iohn d'Angeli whiche the King then besieged gotten great honour of Cheualrie he was thought very well beloued and highly estéemed of the king Him and Leranne the