Bishoprick he would resolve on and told at Royston by the Duke of Buckingham that the Bishoprick of Glocester was then void contends with Master Middlethwite to be Lecturer at Trinity-Church for a stipend of fourscore pounds per annum as the upshot of all his hopes and fruit of all his great atchievments at the Court and the contention was so great on all sides that it could not be concluded by any mediation but was referred to an hearing at Royston before King James who was really against the Doctors preaching in the University the consequence whereof he well saw and was informed fully of I confesse I often wondered why Master Middlethwite an eminent Scholar and like enough to get preferment as afterwards it 's known he did should stickle for so small an opportunity to preach against the inclination and disposition of the Townsmen untill I understood that he was set on by the Prelatical Heads who told him that it was a service acceptable to the King and he should be rewarded for it At the time appointed it came unto an hearing and an Argument was urged against the Doctor namely that it was a Lecture maintained by six-pences a thing unseemly for a Master of a Colledge and the Prince his Chaplain but the Duke had taken care that nothing should be ordered and concluded against the Doctors mind for the Duke resolved not to lose him so the meeting was dissolved and nothing done but that night Sir Edward Contvey then Secretary invited Doctor Preston to supper and after supper told him that the King had ordered him to tell him that if he would give over his pursuance of that Lecture and let the Heads dispose of it he should make his choice of any other preferment that was more honourable and profitable for him but the Doctors end was to do good not to get good the Kings to make him uselesse and divide him from the Puritans The Duke was more indifferent who laboured in him to win and gratifie the Puritans whose power in Parliament was now grown very formidable therefore when nothing else would content him he was confirmed Lecturer at Trinity-Church the last preferment he ever had where he preached after all his time and did much good The Duke had now obliged Doctor Preston in the judgment and opinion of all the honest Party and much displeased the Prelatical and he saw apparently that King James approved not his siding with him yet he was more expresse then ever in his affections to him and freenesse with him He had indeed a very happy and rare composure of sweetnesse and solidity would play and dally with the King as if he were a woman and yet enquire and apprehend and argue counsels and debates of State as if a Burleigh or a Walsingham saw clearly the affections of the King were fading which the Puritans though never so much his Friends could not repair and therefore eyed and adored the rising Sun who now was grown and fit for marriage but no Preparatives to find a Consort for him He knew the Spanish match was but a colour and a Treaty dandled between Bristol and King James to fool the Prince off and shut his eares against the French proposals This he discovers to the Prince tels him Kings did not love an Heir apparent how near soever that the daughter of Spain was designed to a Monastery and kept for a reserve unto the house of Austria that in France there was a Lady much before her that if he pleased he would wait upon him into Spain in a disguise and take the French Court in their way and see that Lady and so discover Bristols and his fathers jugling the Prince resents and hugs this overture They tell King James the Earl of Bristol and the Spanish Ministers abused him that it was time to bring that Treaty to some Conclusion desire they might go into Spain and play the game out The King saw who had ploughed with his Heifer feared as he was apt to do a check-mate yet for the present urgeth only his affections to them both and asketh them how he should subsist so long without their companies But they persisting signes a Warrant with his own hand for Jack Smith and Tom Smith with each of them a servant and their horses to go beyond-Sea The Duke even now was not unmindfull of Doctor Preston but leaves order with the Dutchesse and Countesse of Denbigh to be carefull for him and Sir Ralph Freeman having a child to baptize Doctor Preston is intreated for to preach and the Dutchesse and Countesse were both Gossips who shewed to the Doctor very great respect and gave him hopes of doing good and some he did for he procured by their means Master Hildershams liberty and restitution to his place at Ashby de la zouch and gave great hopes unto good Ministers of fairer times then had been formerly only he would relate with much regret that he often found Doctor Laud then Bishop of Saint Davids with them and therefore doubted of the issue and event The Doctor saw by the debates about the Lecture that he had enemies as well as friends at Court that the Duke was mutable as well as mortal knew that the King abhorred that journey into Spain and would remember it if able Dulcis inexperto cultura potentis amici expertus metuit And therefore though now he were setled and assured in the University yet would not leave his Lecture at Lincolns-Inne but being still in London in the Tearm-time about the Colledge-businesse continued Preacher at Lincolns-Inne and thought it might be a good reserve in case the naughty Heads or Factions in the Court should fall upon him and it was well he did for the Prince and Duke returned the next October highly offended with the Spanish gravity and both they and all their train did nothing but tell stories of the Spanish basenesse so a Parliament was called and the Duke cryed up by all the godly Party in the Kingdome The Spanish Agent at the Court had order from his Master out of Spain for to defie him and protest against him at the Counsel-Table but seriously he could not have done him a greater courtesie for the people universally did hate the Spaniard and now the Duke became the peoples Martyr I have seen Verses made in his defence and commendation and Agents presently dispatched in France to treat of that Match King James liked not this stuff but the Prince was able now to go alone and especially when he had the Duke for one of his Supporters all things are fairly carried for Religion and the Duke of Buckhingham the Princes and peoples Favourite The people seemed now to have the better and the Court-affairs for to decline and droop Doctor Preston like another Mordecai was very great the Prince his Master and the Duke his Friend and the Courtiers eyes upon him because they saw he came not thither for preferment as all men else Pisoni in
imperium adoptato nihil in vultu mutatum quasi magis imperare posset quam vellet His honours altered nothing in him but gave encouragement to all the godly Party and his Sermons at Lincolns-Inne much wrought upon the Parliament so that a bold Petition was contrived and presented to the King at Whitehall from both Houses of Parliament April 23. 1624. against the spreading and increase of Popery and the Indulgence given unto Priests and Jesuites King James was in the evening of his glory his Party in the Court under a cloud another Sun almost in view and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or day-star already risen and accordingly he answered warily to their Petition bewails his want of information as the reall ground of this their trouble which otherwise he had prevented acknowledged that whilest the Treaties lasted with Spain and Austria he was obliged to comply but now both being broken off he would be rigid and severe against the Priests and Jesuites bids them find out a way for to restrain the growth of Popery and he would second them but resolves to pay the Duke of Buckingham for all this and gives order to the Earl of Bristol to prepare an information for that end but the Match with France and other intervenient accidents obstruct it for the present The Duke having told tales out of School and broken off the Match with Spain was much obliged to further and promote the French which he did seriously excuse to Doctor Preston upon this ground that there was not any Protestant for to be had and for to marry with a subject had alwaies been unlucky and fatal to the Kings of England that the French would not be ridged in religious observations but the Doctor constantly opposed only acknowledged this difference that Spanish Popery was an absolute ingredient to their intended Western Monarchy but French was not so and so this was lesse evil But the French found out this obligation and were untractable unlesse the Duke would aid the King of France against the Rochellers This was a hard chapter for one so much obliged unto the Puritans and Doctor Preston and he therefore declined all he could but nothing else would serve and he knew King James lay ready to take advantages so in Conclusion eight Ships were granted to oppose the Rochel-fleet and many colours sought to cloude it and hide it from the world but from that time Doctor Preston doubted of the Saint-ship of the Duke of Buckingham whom otherwise he honoured and loved very much But it was high time for the Duke to look about him King James was not to learn now how for to play his Game he was an old but not a foolish King Eccl. 4.13 and therefore failed not to make Provision and lay rods in pisse that he might use upon occasion Kings use for to account an ague in the Spring their Physick yet Physick till March be past is not good but this ague antidates the moneths and comes in February The King was then at Theobalds and the Ague was made but small account of He feared death but was the most impatient and disordered of any living what rules soever the Physicians gave he would observe none which intemperance might very well occasion the growing strength and vigour of the disease which howsoever more and more increased and at last began to be considerable then he began to take advice and to submit to rules but now it was too late for March 27. 1625. on the Lords day in the morning about ten of the clock at Theobalds the King dies Doctor Preston then attended in his moneth and was sometimes hastened to the Prince to comfort him and sometimes to the Duke and indeed it was a very mournfull morning Death is a serious thing and knocks alike at Pallaces as at the meanest Cottage King James was very much beloved of all his servants some of the Huntsmen could not be gotten from him the Prince and Duke were both of them retired and wept exceedingly But Sir Edward Conwey and some of the Lords drew up a Wiring and proclaimed Charles Steward King with all his Titles and hast was made to pack away to London The Prince and Duke and Doctor Preston in Coaches shut down hasten to White-hall and there he is proclaimed again with more formalities and the Lord Maior and the City sent to where it was done with much solemnity and great rejoycing of the people for the Prince had that exceeding happinesse to come upon the stage unprejudiced For he had never interposed nor acted but in the Spanish businesse and that succeeded to his great advantage so that if he listed he might have been as popular as ever any were This fall occasions many alterations in the Court the Bishops generally and Doctor Prestons enemies and all that had contended with the Duke were Crest-fallen King James was like enough to have out-lived the Duke of Buckingham who had been very sick since his return from Spain but all is altered and the Duke does all But he had many things to do the affronts received in Madrid and at the Counsel-table by the Agent were to be sent back by a puissant and mighty Navy and Provisions made accordingly King James to be interr'd a Parliament to be summoned the French Lady to be sent for and brought into England which the Duke especially intended and spake to all the Gallants of his Retinue to attend him and to many other of the Gentry and Nobility throughout the Kingdome But he found it hard thus in the morning of the Kings affairs to be abroad there being then a Parliament and the sicknesse much encreasing in the City so he was constrained to employ the Earl of Holland and attend himself at home All were not gratified in this great revolution and mutation of affairs and the discontented Party murmured and let flie at the Duke and the sicknesse much encreasing began to make a mutiny and it was much desired that the Parliament might be prorogued till some other more healthfull and lesse dangerous time But the Navy against the Spaniards and the pressing wants of all sorts that depended on the Court would not permit so it was only adjourned to Oxford yet there the sicknesse was as soon as they and some of their Members smarted for it but hast was made to gratifie the new King and the Provisions for the Navy went forward many men ingaged and the King resolved to attend that businesse as admitting no delay There was one thing that invited Doctor Preston to a journey that year and that was a strong suspition that the plague was in the town in which case there is a liberty to dissolve the Colledge without any detriment unto the Officers and Members of it He was not willing to omit the opportunity because he had many invitations into the West The Bishop of Salisbury he desired to consult withall about a Book of Master Montagues that was commended to him by
if she were a stranger but it redounded to the great hurt of France and was the cause of many Civil broils When the day of the publique Convention of the States came he which made the Speech in the behalf of the Nobility about the end of his Oration presented the King with a Supplication that they of the Reformed Religion might have publique places allowed them for the exercise of the service of God in To this one Quintin a Doctor of the Civil Law and Professor of Paris opposed himself and made a long Oration in the name of the Clergy which he rather read then pronounced by heart wherein he took the boldnesse to affirm That all they that moved for publique places for those of the Religion were guilty of Treason against the King and Kingdom the authors of sedition and bringers in of a new Religion and therefore ought severely to be punished Of which when the Admirall in the Kings Councel afterwards complained Quintin to excuse himself professed that he had spoken nothing of his own head but only had pronounced that Oration which was penned and put into his hand by the Clergy and that he was ready again in the Convention of States before the King and all the company to avow that in all that he had said he had no thoughts of hurt to the Admirall In conclusion there was an Edict sent forth in the Kings Name commanding and requiring all the Judges and Magistrates through France to release all those of the Religion that were in prison and it was forbidden them upon great penalties hereafter to meddle with or to trouble any for their Religion sake As for the businesse of allowing them publique places for worship that was put off to the next Generall meeting of the States which was appointed but held not to be at Ponthoise in Piccardy January following there was a meeting of all the Princes and Nobles of France appointed to be held at St. Germans whither also repaired the Deputies from all the Parliaments and there it was decreed that Churches should be allowed to the Protestants in the Suburbs belonging to each City Upon the publishing of which Edict the Peace of the Kingdom seemed to be setled and in the Suburbs of all the greater Cities yea of Paris it self those of the Religion met publiquely and had Sermons preached without the least disturbance But presently after was news brought that the D. of Guise in Campania had basely murthered about two hundred persons who were met together at Vassiac to hear a Sermon according to the power given them by the Kings Edict in a barn and it was conceived that the D. of Guise took this boldnesse relying upon the friendship of the K. of Navarr whose weak mind he had bowed and bound to himself by promising him the Kingdom of Sardinia and other favours and upon this confidence adjoyning his other Brethren to him with a great Army he went to the Court and there seized upon King and Queen Mother who seemed with many tears to bewail the violence profered to to them and carried them away to Paris Hereupon the Queen Mother sent divers messengers to the Admirall and writ with her own hand to the Prince of Conde requesting them to help her and to deliver the King out of this captivity This caused the Prince of Conde with many of the Nobility upon deliberation to resolve to raise an Army for the rescue of the King and to curb the insolency of the Guises often saying that he ought not to be deterred with reports as if he intended to propagate his Religion by arms or to offer violence to the Person of the young King For said he After such a publique Decree made by the King and all the States in favour of those of the Religion What had the D. of Guise who is a Lorrainer by extraction to do in France Or by what confidence doth he exercise such cruelty against the Kings faithfull Subjects And therefore he saw that there was no way left but to repell force with force and that he was not the author of the War but by War defended those that were unjustly oppressed by War There was also a publique report that the D. of Nemours had endeavoured by flatteries to perswade the young Prince Henry the Kings Brother who was afterwards chosen King of Poland to go with him out of the bounds of France which the young youth had declared to his Mother There was much speech also of the Massacre at Vassiac and of their leading the King and Queen Mother as their captives to Paris where they had a powerfull faction They had also sent to the German Princes desiring to be admitted into the league of the Protestants The Cardinall of Lorraine had also sent to Christopher Duke of Wirtzberge a prudent and valiant Prince pretending that both he and his Brethren would embrace the Protestant Religion and desired to be enrolled in the number of the Protestant Princes These things being publiquely divulged the resolution of the Prince of Conde to take Arms was generally approved of and in a few daies many Cities sided with and assisted him as Orleans Biturg Roan Lions Vienna Valentia Mont-alban c. And whereas by the common consent of all the Protestants in France the Prince of Conde was chosen Generall he prevailed so far with them that the managing of the War was conferred upon our Admirall to whom he also delegated his own power and interest for the opinion which he had of his excellent justice gravity and prudence This being generally taken notice of the Queen Mother interposeth as a Mediatrix for peace and sends for the Prince of Conde to come to their tents intreating him that for the convenient situation of it he would deliver up into their hands for a few daies as the fittest place for the Treaty the City of Boience where there is a bridge that passeth over the River Loir which bridge she affirmed to be the fittest of all other places for the Parlee The Prince of Conde upon the perswasions of his Brother the King of Navarr and of the Queen Mother and upon their faithfull promise that the Town should be delivered back to him again and that his person should be in safety during the Treaty without taking any further pledges delivers up Boience to them only desiring that whilst the Treaty lasted the Constable Guise and Saint Andrew who were called the Triumvirate for the ruine of France might be commanded to withdraw from the Camp When these things were done the Queen Mother and the Guises put a garrison into the Town of Bogener fortifie it strongly and keep the Prince of Conde prisoner The Admirall being justly incensed by this perfidiousnesse and resolving not to be wanting in his aid to the Prince of Conde he presently with all his Cavalry sets upon the enemies Camp which brought such a terrour amongst them
Offices ambitiously of the King which happily I might have obtained I retired my self to my own house and there even to this time have lived a quiet and private life But omitting these things and speaking to the present occasion Being sent for by Monmorancy I am come hither not to disturb the peace of the City or to innovate any thing but rather to preserve peace against the audaciousnesse of some that would disturb it It is not unknown unto you how much confidence those of the Religion do put in me These being stirred up with new rumours and terrified with the counsels and factions of the Guises do daily flock to me bring me intercepted Letters of the meetings of certain Captains who command their old Souldiers to be ready in arms that when they have occasion to use them they may be at hand What needs more words Letters are intercepted written into Normandy the originall whereof is sent to the Queen Mother and I will shew you a copy of them wherein amongst others there is this passage There is no readier means of restoring the Crown of France to those to whom it doth belong of old then by rooting out the house of Valois and by massacring all the Hugonots which are the chief upholders of it for this end their woods are to be sold that with the price thereof we may arm our selves and get money and if the Hugonots sue for them the businesse being once adjudged against them they will never move for their charges of the suit Now also what should I speak of the daily plunderings and murthers It 's sufficiently known that after the peace was published more then five hundred of those of the Religion were basely murthered in severall places and yet not one of the murtherers were ever punished by the Magistrates and they which have complained of these things to the King or Queen Mother have carried away either only words or some empty paper or parchment instead of satisfaction Who knows not that in the City of Turon lately and openly many of the Religion were cruelly massacred even under the Ensign and by the Souldiers of him who was sent thither by the Duke of Monpensier to settle the peace These things being so yet I hear that there are many of your Priests who are so terrified by my coming hither that they consult about leaving the City and yet there is no place in all France no City Town or Castle where the Priests live and attend their services with more freedom and safety then in my Town of Castelon The Admirall having ended his speech the company was dismissed and two daies after there came to Monmorancy about thirty Delegates from the Parisian Merchants and with them the Bishop and divers Priests to all whom the Admirall spake very Friendly bidding them be of good cheer and fear nothing and within few daies after going to the Court of Parliament he made a speech to them and told them That nothing was more desirable to him then the Peace and welfare of the City neither did he come to them with any other mind then to advance it and therefore he exhorted them that they also would do their endeavours that the Citizens might behave themselves peaceably and quietly and so shortly after he returned home At his return he was informed that there was one Maius who lived not far from him a famous thief that was hired by the Duke of Aumale the Brother of Guise to lie in wait for him when he should ride forth on hunting for which end he had given him an hundred pieces of gold and an excellent Horse many also complained to the Admirall against him for his thefts and robberies whereupon having gotten sufficient witnesses he complained of him to the Parliament at Paris and a few daies after having apprehended him he caused him to be carried to Paris but when he came before the Parliament this villain accused the Admirall as if he had dealt with him about killing the Queen Mother and had promised him a great reward for the same The Parliament after examination finding this to be but a Calumny and proving him guilty of many thefts condemned him to be broken upon the wheel which accordingly was effected Shortly after the Prince of Conde had a Sonne born to whom the King would be Godfather but because he could not himself be present by reason of his Religion he substituted the Admirall to supply his room which businesse was celebrated with very great pomp for at the Feast a Table was prepared as if it had been for the King himself at which the Admirall sat alone and was attended like a Viceroy which every one interpreted as a pledge of the Kings singular love and favour to him Not many daies after news was brought that the Duke de Alva had by the command of the King of Spain brought a great Army into the Low-Countries to suppresse and root out the Protestants and this Army being to passe by the borders of France the Admirall moved in the Kings Councel that Burgundy might be looked to and lest any tumults might arise about the difference in Religion he advised that a guard might rather be appointed of the Swissers then of the French men and it was commonly reported that six thousand Swissers should be ready to oppose the Duke de Alva in case he attempted any thing against Burgundy But a few daies after the Prince of Rupisurias of the royoll blood wrote to the Admirall to send him some trusty Person to whom he might communicate a secret which would much conduce to his safety he also being a Friend to the Prince of Conde by reason of their propinquity in blood told him that there was secret counsell taken at Baion for the utter extirpation of the Protestant Religion and all the Professors of it and for that end those six thousand Swissers were hired and brought into France under pretence of opposing the Duke de Alva the Admirall also was informed of the same by many Letters and Messengers from severall of his Friends These things coming forth first the Prince of Conde and presently after him the Admirall went to the Court and told the King the Queen Mother and all the Councel that they saw no sufficient reason why so many Swissers should be brought into France except it were to oppresse them and many other honest Families which embraced the Reformed Religion But they should find more that had devoted themselves to that Religion then commonly was thought of an experience whereof they had in the late Wars They told them also that if their adversaries attempted any innovations they would not be wanting to themselves nor like sheep would suffer their throats to be cut by murtherers They therefore earnestly intreat and beseech the Kings Majesty that he would be moved to pity so many honest Families and the afflicted condition of his Countrey and of the common people
of Spain which the King made such use of that the Admirall thence collected arguments of his greater good will towards him That they must use such artifices whilst they expected an opportunity to effect what was resolved on That the King of Spain was throughly acquainted with all these proceedings that so he might suspect nothing by reason of those great preparations which were made for Warre for he was assured that this was done upon good grounds as subservient to the principal end That therefore he desired the Cardinall that whatsoever he had heard or should hear hereafter yet he should assure himself that the King would never depart from his first purpose and that whatsoever he did did but conduce to hasten the end of their Counsels and that both the King Queen-Mother and the Duke of Anjou were all very solicitous for this thing and that as soon as ever the businesse should be effected they would instantly send away Messengers to acquaint Lorraine with it And as for the businesse of the Prince of Navarrs marriage they hoped that it would quickly be effected for this was ro begin all their future designs c. He that sent these Letters to the Admirall hoped that he would have been warned by them to look to himself and his affairs but he had such a strong confidence of the Kings love and good will towards him which also was daily nourished in him by his Son-in-law Teligni that he which was most provident and sharp-sighted in all others businesses was fatally blind in this In the beginning of May 1571. the King desired the Queen of Navarr to go to Paris to provide all things necessary for the marriage where she arrived the fifteenth day of the same moneth and the fourth day of June she fell sick of a feavour whereof she died five daies after to the extream grief and sorrow of all her Servants and Friends Two daies before her death being in perfect memory she made a most Christian Testament and last Will finishing her course with singular piety and joy in God She was a Princesse of great experience by reason of her manifold adversities in all which she shewed an invincible constancy and heroicall greatnesse of courage most affectionate to her Religion very carefull of the education of her children training them up in the fear of God In her words most grave and full of motherly affections to them She had a ready and well advised wit was pitifull and easie to be intreated constantly maintained that which she judged to be good and agreeable to the will and good pleasure of God She had a great vivacity of spirit whereby she was able to comprehend all her affairs and had a lively grace in representing them either by word or writing She died June 9. 1572. and of her age 44. It was believed that she was poysoned by the smell of certain perfumes the Doctors and Chyrurgions which opened her were commanded not to open her brain where the mischief lay and therefore could not determine about the cause of her death The Admirrll in this time was at his house aa Castallion where he received many Letters and Messages from the King to come to him and because he stirred not the King sent Cavagnes and Briquemaud to fetch him that they might come to a conclusion about the Warres in Flanders and special commandment was given to the Provost of Merchants and other chief men that at the Admirals coming to Paris there should be no affronts done him About the same time the Admirall had many advertisements from his Friends both within and without the Realm that though he could not conceive any sinister opinion of the King his Mother or Brother that yet at least he would consider into what place he was about to thrust himself amongst so many implacable enemies But he resting upon the testimony of a good conscience and the providence of God rejected all those counsels as proceeding from mens covetousnesse or desire of new troubles which he abhorred worse then death and therefore taking a small train with him he went to Paris and was very honourably intertained by the King Queen-Mother the Kings Brethren and others to the great astonishment of the whole City At the Admirals coming to Paris amongst other Letters that were brought to him there was one that gave him these warnings Remember the Popish Maxime confirmed by the Authority of Councils That faith is not to be kept with Hereticks in which number the Protestants are accounted Remember the implacable spirits of the Papists at this time irritated by the last Warres There is no doubt but it is the fixed purpose of the Queen-Mother to destroy the Protestants by any means whatsoever Consider that she is an Italian of a most crafty wit born of the Progeny of Popes who contrives all extream things against her enemies Remember in what School the King hath been brought up from his childhood how he hath been taught to swear and forswear To pollute himself with whoredomes and adulteries To compose his countenance To counterfeit Faith and Religion How he hath been accustomed to cruelty and bloodshed How he hath been taught not to suffer above one Religion in his Kingdom How it hath been whispered into his ears That the Protestants seek to dispoil him of his life and Kingdom That he is not bound to keep Covenants made with armed Subjects That he is taught the Mysteries of State Policy Remember that Commodus caused Julianus to be slain whom he pretended to honour and imbrace as a Father That Antoninus Caracalla under the pretence of a Muster caused all the chief youths of the City to be slain That Lysander under the pretence of friendship commanded the throats of four hundred Milesians to be cut That lately Atonius Spinola invited all the chief men of Corsica to a Banquet where they were all slain That Christian King of Denmark used the same art to commit that horrid massacre at Stockholme c. That the Kings speech to his Mother at Blois was no secret when swearing fearfully he asked her whether he had not carried himself well at the coming of the Queen of Navarr To whom she answered That he had begun well but that would profit little unlesse he went on But I quoth he swearing often will bring them all into the net Wherefore if you be wise haste both out of the Court and City with all speed as out of a most impure sink The Admirall having read this Letter though he were offended yet lest he should seem to neglect the prayers and warnings of his Friends he returned this answer That there was no place left any longer for these suspitions That he was verily perswaded that so great perfidiousnesse could not enter into the heart of so good a King That indeed the Duke of Anjou was more estranged from the Protestants but that hatred would by degrees cease by
reverence of the affinity contracted with the King of Navarr That the King had entred into a league with the Queen of England and endeavoured to do the same with the Protestant Princes in Germany which sufficiently shews how he stands affected to the Protestants Moreover that Faith was given to the Prince of Orenge and to the E. of Nassaw his Brother to aid them against the Spaniards That the Kings Ambassadours did daily search into the Counsels of the Duke de Alva and acquainted the King therewith as the King daily informed him That the Navy under Strossius at Broag is rigged for no other end but to disturb the Spansh Fleet and to assist the Prince of Orenge That for himself they need not fear the King having made Friendship betwixt the Guises and him faith being mutually given that neither should injure other To conclude That the King doth all he can to have Peace at home and Warre abroad and to translate it into the Low Countries against the Spaniards wherefore he prayeth his Friends not to trouble his mind any more with suspitions which is now busied with weightier matters and to joyn with him in prayer to God that he would bring those things to a good issue which are well begun for his glory and the good both of Church and Kingdom A little before Count Lodwick with some others had Commissions from the King to surprize some Frontier Town in Flanders On the other side the Duke de Alva had intelligence of every step that Count Lodwick took yet such was his diligence that he surpriz'd Monts in Henault wherewith the Duke de Alva was so netled that he said The Queen-Mother had sent him the flowers of Florence but he would for them return her Spanish thistles but upon further intelligence he was soon pacified Many Lords and Gentlemen of the Religion accompanied the King of Navarr and Prince of Conde to Paris and the King drew many more of them thither who otherwise would have kept their houses under pretence of his Warres in Flanders Count Lodwick was presently besieged in Monts by de Alva whereupon the King gave Commission to Monsieur Jenlis to raise Horse and Foot for his succour but de Alva being acquainted with all his proceedings surprized him which the King seemed to be much grieved at and presently wrote to his Ambassadours in the Low Countries to procure the deliverance of the prisoners He also encouraged the Admirall to send all the help he could to the Rutters whom the Prince of Orenge had levied for the relief of his Brother causing monies to be delivered to him for their pay The Ambassadours of Spain also seemed to be very male-content because the King began Warre in Flanders and the Kings Mother played her part in this Tragedy pretending that she knew nothing of the Kings proceedings and now she did know them she would leave the Court. These juglings were carried so handsomly that the Admirall Teligni his Son-in-law and other Lords were confidently perswaded that the King was wholly guided by the Admirals advice July the last The Rochelers wrote to the Admirall that the Kings Army approached near them that from Xantone and Gascoine it daily wasted the Countrey about them using terrible threatnings against their Town and menacing to plunder it whereupon they intreated his advice especially about receiving eight hundred men which they sought to put as a Garrison into the Town The Admirall made them an honourable answer Aug. 7. assuring them of the care he had over them adding that he found the King so well disposed for Peace that all men had cause to commend him Yet the Rochelers neglected not to look to themselves and to fortifie their Town In other Towns many were the threats of the Papists against the Protestants which much terrified some others relied upon the Admirals presence and favour at Court and to such as suggested doubts to him he said that the King had reconciled the differences betwixt the Guises and him causing both Parties to swear friendship That the King gave his Sister in marriage not so much to the King of Navarr as to the whole Church of the Protestants to joyn with them thereby in an inviolable union and therefore he besought all them that either by writing or words advised him of the hatred of the King Queen-Mother the Duke of Anjou or the house of Guise no more to trouble him with those things but rather to commend all in their daily prayers to God and to give him thanks who of his infinite mercy had brought things to so good an end August 17. Henry King of Navarr and the Lady Margaret of France Sister to the King in the evening were conducted to the Louure and the next day were married by the Cardinall of Bourbon in the sight of all the people upon a great Scaffold made before the gate of the great Church in Paris which day was passed over in Banquets Dances and Masks and that very day the Admirall wrote a Letter to his Wife great with child in this tenour Most dear and desired Wife This day was celebrated the Marriage between the King of Navarr and the Kings Sister and these three or four ensuing daies will be spent in Feastings Maskings and Dancings The King hath promised me that after a few daies he will set time apart to hear the complaints which are brought from several parts of the Kingdom for violating the Edict of Peace for the prosecution whereof it 's very necessary that I should improve all my interest with the King For though I have an earnest desire to see thee yet it would be grievous to me and I suppose to thee also if I should be any waies deficient in a business of so great concernment neither will my stay here about it be such but that I hope to come to thee this next week If I should only respect my own content it would be much more pleasing to me to be with thee then to stay any longer at Court for sundry reasons which I may hereafter impart to thee but I must have more respect to the publique good then either to my own pleasure or profit I have some other things to impart to thee so soon as God shall bring us together which I much long for both day and night All that I have for the present to write to thee is only thus much at four a clock this afternoon was celebrated the Masse for the Marriage during which time the King of Navarr walked without the Church with some other Noble-men of our Religion Some other matters of smaller concernment I shall reserve till we have an opportunity to speak together in the mean time most dear and loving Wife I pray for thee that God will protect and keep thee Farewell Paris Aug. 18. 1572. Three daies since I was much tormented with the Stone and Cholick but through Gods mercy they held me not above eight
his Pancrestum or Physick for all diseases which greatly comforted his heart in all his afflictions By his first Wife he had five Children He left alive Lewis his eldest Daughter married to Monsieur Teligni who was murthered the same night with his Father-in-law then Francis Odet and Charles the two elder survived that furious Massacre the third being not eight years old in whom he took much delight for his prettinesse was taken by his enemies and taught to bear the Crosse of Christ in his tender years He left his second Wife great with child who was brought to bed four moneths after of a girl and returning to her native Countrey in the borders of Savoy was not long after committed to prison by the command of P. Philibert D. of Savoy for marrying against his consent The Life of Joane Queen of Navarr who was poisoned at Paris a few daies before the bloody Massacre Anno Christi 1572. IOane of Albert was daughter to Henry the second King of Navarr and to Margueret of Orleance Sister to Francis the first of that name King of France and by her Parents was carefully trained up in the Protestant Religion from her childhood which she constantly adhered to all the daies of her life She was married to Anthony of Bourbon Son to Charles Duke of Vendosme by whom she had Henry the fourth of that name King of France by his Fathers right and the second of that name King of Navarr by his Mothers This Anthony King of Navarr in the minority of Charles the ninth being the first Prince of the blood was to be his Protector but the Queen-Mother and the Guises seeking to draw all the power and management of affairs into their own hands laboured by all means to withdraw the King of Navarr from the Protestants that so by weakening them thereby they might rule the rost as they listed For which end they employed the Ambassadour of Spain the Cardinall of Tournon Escars and some other houshold flatterers to him who perswaded him that carrying himself a Neuter and causing the Prince his Son to go once to the Masse the King of Spain would give him the Realm of Sardinia in recompence for that of Navarr which he had lately taken from him The Pope likewise confirms him in this hope which indeed was but to take from him all means of recovering his Kingdom of Navarr when he should attempt it Yet he being drawn by those Spanish and Lorrain practises estrangeth himself by little and little from the Protestants sollicited the Queen his Wife to return into the bosome of the Romish Church and to draw her children thereunto But she being better grounded in the truth then so easily to forsake it refuseth whereupon a breach grew betwixt them and the King her Husband falls in love with one of the Queen-Mothers Maids The forenamed Guisian instruments seeing this perswade him that Heresie is a sufficient cause of dissolving marriage and that therefore he might be divorced from Joane Albert his Wife as being infected with the poison of Heresie They tell him also that notwithstanding his divorce he should retain to himself the possession of and interest in all the Dominions and Kingdoms belonging to her of which she should be deprived as unworthy of them by reason of her Heresie And instead of her he should marry Mary Queen of Scots whose Dowry say they is the Kingdom of England and as soon as the marriage is contracted the Pope would strip Elizabeth of it as unworthy thereof for the same cause and settle it upon them c. But the King of Navarr abhorring to be divorced from his Wife it remained that he should accept the conditions about the Kingdom of Sardinia for the effecting whereof they left no means unassaied and at last prevailed so far that they gulled the King of Navarr and set him at odds with his Brother the Prince of Conde Coligni the Admirall and the other Protestants The Queen his Wife distasting his change of Religion and adhering to the Popish party retired into Podium in the Countrey of Bearne where she kept her Court But it pleased God that shortly after in the siege of Orleance the King of Navarr was shot into the shoulder whereof he died about three weeks after The next design was to seize upon the Queen together with her Son Henry and her Daughter Katherine and to bring them before the judgment seat of the Inquisition of Spain and the Conspirators doubted not but that Philip King of Spain would more willingly hearken to this counsell for that this exploit would make for the advantage of his Religion the rescuer whereof he proudly boasted himself to be As also the businesse about the Kingdom of Navarr which he unjustly detained would be hereby dispatched by the taking away of the unlawfull heirs thereof They conceived also that the businesse might easily be effected by the means of the King of Spain's Souldiers that lay at Bacinona ready to be transported into Africk who by the waies of the mountains might come upon and surprize the Queen of Navarr and her Children at Podium before they were aware One Dominik a Captain born in the territories of Bearne was singled out to go to the Court of Spain to communicate these counsels with the King and to receive further instructions from him But it pleased God that this Dominik falling sick by the way Annas Hespius an honest man that tended on him smelt out the occasion of his journey and by giving timely notice prevented the effecting of it by which deliverance God shewed his watchfull providence over his handmaid this Religious Queen of Navarr Not long after in the time of the third Civil Warre for Religion this Queen having raised great Troops led them to Rochel together with her Son Henry and her Daughter Katherine from whence she wrote Letters to the King the Queen-Mother the Duke of Anjou and the Cardinall of Bourbon To the King she wrote That in the common Cause of Religion in regard of the duty which she owed to the King and the necessity of blood whereby she was joyned to the Prince of Conde she could not be wanting to him upon such an occasion having alwaies rejected the bloody counsels of the Guisian faction and especially the Ambition of the Cardinall of Lorrain from whose friendship she earnestly dehorted the Duke of Anjou beseeching him that he would not yield up himself a minister of his wicked will in cutting up the Royal stock by the roots In her Letter to the Cardinall of Bourbon she sharply chideth him for not being warned by his former danger For how long saith she will you be the Suffragan of the Cardinall of Lorrain Have you forgotten the treacherous plots that were laid by him for your Head and are you so credulous as to believe his oaths when he sweareth that he minded no treachery c. But these
Queen of Navarr being zealously carefull to propagate the Protestant Religion in Cantabria a Province of the Jurisdiction of Navarr she sent Pastors who had learned the Countrey language which is understood by almost none of the neighbours and was before believed that it could not be written She took care also that the New Testament the Catechism and the Prayers used in the Church of Geneva should be translated into the Gascoine or Cantabrian tongue which she caused to be printed at Rochel in a most fine letter and sent to them And so upon the earnest solicitation of the King she went the March following Anno Christi 1572. from Rochel to the Court which was then at Blois with great attendance where it is incredible to think what welcome she had on all sides especially from the King and his Brethren who yet when all was done could boastingly say to his Mother Now Madam have not I quit my self well Let me alone and I will bring them all into the net In April following were the Articles concluded concerning the marriage of the Prince of Navarr with the Kings Sister And in the beginning of May the King woed the Queen of Navarr again to come to Paris for preparing things fitting for the Marriage which she at last consented to and so May the 6. she took her journey from Blois and came to Paris May the 15. After which she went from place to place in the City into sundry houses and shops to find out such things as might tend to the adorning of the day of so great a solemnity The Queen-Mother in the mean time who could not endure this good Queen and yet not finding with what colour she could dispatch her with the rest though she feared the greatnesse of her spirit in case she should survive them and judged it impossible to work upon the flexibility of the young Prince her Son whilst she lived She therefore consulted with one Rene an Italian whose practice was to impoyson things by whose devilish help she brought her accursed purpose to passe This Rene sold the Queen of Navarr certain Perfumes whereby he found out the way to poyson her therewith and afterwards he was heard to make his brags of it saying also that he had the like in store for two or three more who suspected no such matter By this means June the 4. this good Queen fell sick of a continued Feavor and though others sleighted it yet she perceiving by the strength of her disease that she should not long continue prepared her self to receive from the hand of God her mercifull Father that which he had appointed concerning her And calling her Son Henry she commanded him above all things carefully to serve God according to the confession of Faith wherein he had been educated and not to suffer himself to be plucked or diverted from the same by the smoaky pleasures and delights of the world and other incentives unto vices and that he should take care that the Constitutions concerning the same which she had published in the Principality of Berne and the lower Navarr be inviolably kept That he should throughly purge his Family and cause all bad Counsellors to be gone from thence which thought ill concerning God As also all flatterers the abusers of Princes and all other vicious Persons That he should retain with him all good men as Bellovarius Francutius and Betulus who were men of an unblameable life That he should have a special care of his Sister Katherine using her gently and lovingly without bitternesse causing her to be brought up in the Town of Berne in the same School of godlinesse which himself had been trained up in and when she should grow marriagable that he should marry her to a Prince of equall dignity professing the same Religion That he should love Henry Bourbon his Cosen German as his Brother and also Francis Marquesse of Contium taking care that as great concord as may be be cherished betwixt them and the Admirall Coligni for the advancement and propagation of Gods glory Lastly she makes her Son her Heir intreating the King the Queen-Mother the Duke of Anjou and the Duke of Alenson the Kings Brethren to undertake the Protection of the Prince her Son and of Katherine his Sister and to permit them the free exercise of their Religion Then she requested that she might have such nigh about her as might comfort her in her sicknesse out of the Word of God as also to pray with her and for her according to that of Saint James Is any sick amongst you let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him knowing that the Prayers of a righteous man prevail much with God According to her desire a Minister resorted to her shewing out of the Scriptures that Christians ought in all things to submit to the will of God as to the Father of spirits that they may live and albeit by reason of the severity of his chastisements sometimes it may seem to our flesh as if they were sent for no other end but for our destruction yet ought we to consider that the just God can do nothing but justly and being withall a mercifull Father he cannot but therein seek the welfare of his afflicted Children To this she replied I take all this as sent from the hand of God my most mercifull Father Nor have I during this extremity feared to die much lesse murmured against God for inflicting this chastisement upon me knowing that whatsoever he doth he doth so order the same as that in the end it shall turn to my everlasting good Then said the Minister The causes of sicknesses and diseases must be sought beyond the course of Physick which alwaies looks to the corruption of the humours or of the distemper to the more noble parts of the body And though it be not amisse to have respect to these things as to secondary causes yet ought we to ascend higher namely to the first even to God himself who disposeth of all his creatures even as best pleaseth him He it is that makes the wound and heals that kils and makes alive Deut. 32.39 and therefore to him we ought to direct our Prayers for our comfort in all our griefs and sufferings and in the end to expect full deliverance seeing it's easie with him to restore our health if it stand with his his good pleasure To this she answered That she depended wholly upon Gods Providence knowing that all things are wisely disposed by him and therefore she besought him to furnish her with all such graces as he saw to be necessary for her salvation As for this life said she I am in a good measure weaned from it in regard of the afflictions which have followed me from my youth hitherto but especially because I cannot live without offending my good God with whom I desire to be with all my heart Then said the
special Providence His humility His death His Birth His education His love of the Scriptures His remove to Cambridge His call to Cawk The education of her children His call to Shrewsbury Satans malice His suspension His judgment against separation His studiousnesse His painfulnesse His humility and charity His servent Prayers His remove to Wrenbury A character of Mr. Nicholls Mr. Herrings character His call to Amsterdam The reason of his remove His Letter martyrdome The Lady Bromleys love to Christs Ministers His arrival in Holland His entertainment there His first Sermon Return of prayers His fear of Independency His death His birth and education His first going to Cambridge His conversion His disputation at the Commencement Note He preached a Lecture at Ely His removall to Hanwel His great pains there His frequency in fasting and prayer His hospitality His second marriage The great successe of his Ministry His deprivation His preaching at Fenni-Compton His removall to Cannons-Ashby He is again silenced He had an excellent gift in conference His comforting of afflicted consciences Joy unspeakable Note He is placed at Fausley His hospitality His charity The benefit of afflictions Troubles to be expected His frequency in Fasting and Prayer His diseases His desire of death The reasons of his desire His taking occasions to do good How he prevented swearing His delight in the Law of God His mercifulnesse His love and charity Dr. Prestons love to him He comforts Mr. Throgmorton His weanednesse from the world What wicked men are like Note Afflictions Gods potions The power of his Ministry His excellency for similitudes Benefits of death Benefit of Prayer Benefit of Faith We should not be weary of hearing Sinfull recreations Promises great riches His humility Love better then Law The benefit of turning to God betimes A special Providence His Faith How afflictions may be lessened Meeknesse Comfort in dangers His Faith Cavaliers cruelty His patience Death not feared Passionate rebukes unprofitable What contention should be amongst married persons His manner of preaching The Scope of his Prayers His exposition of Scripture His custom in preaching What preaching is unprofitable True humiliation His preaching by signes Christians should be cheerfull His indefatigablenesse The benefit of plain preach-king His holy life His peace-maing His acutenesse His humility His modesty What Wise should be chosen How we may alwaies have comfort What will make us willing to suffer Assurance to be laboured foâ— Thankfulness in afflictions Prayer His tentation and victory His faith and patience His death His call to Stoke The great successe of his Ministry His flight to Warder Castle Special providences His remove to Sarum He is condemned to be hanged His courage and constancy A special Providence His remove to Winchester He is urged to recant His remove to Oxford His Release He is sent for by the Earl of Essex His going to Barwick A special Providence Possession Satan Balsom Satan Balsom Satan Balsom Satan Balsom Satan Balsom Satan Balsom Satan Balsom A special Providence The great successe of his Ministry His death His Parentage His birth and education He was sanctified from the Womb. His frequent reading of the Scriptures His natural endowments His skill in the French His industry His observance of his Parents Despisers of Parents usually punished by God His admission into the University He is made Fellow of Queens Colledge His care over his Pupils He is ordained Minister His call to Canterbury The occasion of it Friendship His self-denial He was a burning and shining light His opposition to innovations His humility He doth good abroad He is opposed by Sectaries and Cathedralists His Lecture put down He is again restored Tentations prevented His remove to Ashwel His great pains His humility and sincerity His prudence His diligent catechizing His prudent charity His Cathechism His manner of reforming disorders His Family-Government His care for sanctifying the Sabbath His secret duties His Fasting and Prayer His frequency in reading the Scriptures His holy and exact walking He is made University-Preacher He is made a Member of the Assembly His conscientiousnesse therein His fitnesse for it His care for Ashwel in his absence His choice to Dukes-place His self-denial His great pains The success of his Ministry His call to the new Church His temperance The reasons of his removall His great pains A faithfull Pastor His amiable and affable disposition His care about the Lords Supper He is made Master of Queens Colledge His Government of the Colledge His care to promote Religion there His care to advance learning His charity His prudence A true Nathaniel His zeal His courage and faithfulnesse His vindication of the Sabbath A special Providence His faithfulnesse His judgment about the King His temperance and sobriety His liberality and charity His last sicknesse His Prayer before death His death His Parentage His Fathers death His Mothers death Popes Policy His Birth His education His valour He is wounded His advancement His military discipline His military service He is made Admirall He is made Generall He makes Peace with the Emperour His distast of perjury The cause of the feud betwixt him and the Guises His courage St Quintan besieged His fidelity to his Countrey His industry The French Army routed The City battered St Quintan taken The Admirall taken His sicknesse a means of health to his soul. He devests himself of his Offices His temperance Andelot questioned for Religion His stout Answer His imprisonment The cause why he left his Offices His godly wife encourages him Persecution attends the Gospel He instructs and reforms the Family The power of Religion His prudent humility How Christ is received in the Sacrament He partakes of the Sacrament to the great joy of the Churches Persecution the bellows of the Gospel A meeting of the Nobility His zeal and courage The Protestants Petition His boldnesse A Parliament desired The Protestants persecuted The Admirals oversight A general convention of the States A petition for the Protestants The malice of the Clergy The Protestants freed from persecution Churches allowed them A massacre by the Duke of Guise The King seized on by the D. of Guise Why the Protestants first took arms Prince of Conde made Generall The Admirall made Lieutenant Generall P. of Condees facility The Q Mothers perfidiousnesse P. of Conde prisoner The Admirall releases him His eldest Son dieth The Guises call in forraign help And so do the Protestants The Admirall taketh their ammunition A Battell Conde taken prisoner The Admirals valour John Poltrot slew the Duke of Guise A wicked brag A peace concluded The Admirall accused He clears himself The controversie determined by the King The Admirall cleared Treachery against the Admirall He forgives the Traitor The Q. Mothers mischievous counsels Her subtilty God follows her with the plague The Guises attempts against the Protestants frustrated by the Admirall Lies raised of him His speech to the Parisians His speech to the Parliament New treachery against him
explain himself more fully to them which afterwards he did accordingly And so after long communication and great promises of favour the King gently dismissed him with these words Let every man have his Doctor as himself best liketh this shall be my Doctor His adversaries seeing and hearing this dust never after that time molest him any further He did many excellent works of Piety and Charity and amongst the rest he erected that famous foundation of Pauls School London where one hundred fifty three poor mens sons should be taught freely and for this end he built a very convenient dwelling house for the Schoolmaster He assigned also a large annual stipend both for the Head-Master and Usher whom he willed rather to be chosen out of the number of married men then of single Priests with their suspected chastity He left sundry rents and houses for the payment of those stipends which he committed to the oversight of the Worshipfull company of Mercers in London He caused to be ingraven upon the School in Latine Schola Catechisationis puerorum in Christi Opt. Max. fide bonis literis Anno Christi M.D.X. The first Moderator of this School was Mr William Lilly a man no lesse eminent for his Learning then Dr Collet was for this Foundation he made the Latine Grammer which ever since by authority hath been used in all Schools Dr Collet was very expert in the Scriptures especially in Pauls Epistles which he hath illustrated by his Commentaries He held Justification freely by the merits of Christs and not by our own works He was an enemy to the idle and unchast life of the Popish Clergy He abhorred those that persecuted the Professors of the truth He died Anno Christi 1519. and was buried in Pauls Church upon whose Tomb Mr Lilly engraved this Motto Disce mori mundo vivere disce Deo The Life of Miles Coverdale sometimes Bishop of Exester who died Anno Christi 1568. MIles Coverdale was born in the North of England and from his childhood was much given to learning and by his diligence and industry profited exceedingly therein so that in the reign of King Henry the eighth he was one of the first that professed the Gospel in England He was very well skilled in the Hebrew and translated the Bible into English and wrote sundry Books upon the Scriptures which Doctrine being new and strange in those daies he was much hated and persecuted for it especially by the Bishops whereupon he was forced to fly into the Low-Countries There he printed the Bibles of his Translation and by sending them over and selling them in England he maintained himself But John Stokesly Bishop of London hearing thereof and minding to prevent their dispersing in England enquired diligently where they were to be sold and bought them all up supposing that by this means no Bibles would be had but contrary to his expectation it fell out otherwise for the same money which the Bishop gave for these Books the Merchant sent over to Miles Coverdale by which means he was enabled to Print as many more which he also sent into England This caused the Bishops to pursue him with such eagerness that he was forced to remove himself out of Flanders into Germany and to settle himself under the Palsgrave of the Rheine where he found much favour At first he taught children for his subsistence but having learned the Dutch language the Prince Elector Palatine gave him a Benefice at a place called Burghsaber where he did much good by his Ministry and holy life maintaining himself partly by his Living and partly by the liberality of Thomas Lord Cromwell who was his good Lord and relieved him very much At length when by the happy coming in of King Edward the sixth Religion was altered in England and the Gospel had a free passage he returned into his native Countrey where he did very much good by Preaching At the time of the commotion in Devonshire for Religion he was appointed to go down as Chaplain with the Lord Russell who was sent to suppresse the same and after the work was over for his excellent learning and godly life he was made Bishop of Exester being consecrated thereunto at Lambeth by Tho. Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury Anno Christi 1550. He most worthily performed that Office that was committed to him He preached constantly every Sabbath and Holy day and most commonly twice in the week he read a Divinity Lecture in one Church or other within the City of Exester Considering his Means he was a great lover of Hospitality and kept a very good house He was sober and temperate in his diet holy and blamelesse in his life friendly to the godly liberall to the poor courteous to all men void of pride full of humility abhorring covetousnesse and an enemy to all wickednesse and wicked men whose society he shunned and whom he would in no wise intertain or keep in his house or company His Wife was a most sober chast and godly Matron His houshold another Church in which was exercised all godlinesse and Vertue He suffered no one person to abide in his house who could not give an account of his faith and Religion and who lived not accordingly And as he was very carefull to promote Religion in his Diocess so was he as ready to give direction for good Government in all Ecclesiasticall affairs And because himself was not skillfull therein neither would be hindred from his godly studies nor encumbred with worldly matters and yet judging it meet that the Government should be carried on with all uprightnesse Justice and Equity he sent to Oxford for a learned man to be his Chancellour and by the assistance of his Friends he obtained Mr Robert Weston Doctor of the Civil Law and afterwards Lord Chancellour in Ireland unto whose fidelity he committed his Consistory and the whole charge of his Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction allowing him not only all the Fees belonging thereto but also lodged and found him his Wife and Family horse and man within his own House and gave him a pension of 40lb lb per annum besides which was a very great matter in those daies so liberall was this good Bishop in the allowance which he made to this good Chancellor And surely the Bishop was no more godly and carefull in performing his Office of preaching then his Chancellor was diligent strict and just in doing of his Office without the reproach of partiality or bribery Yet notwithstanding that this godly Bishop lived most holily painfully and virtuously the common people whose old bottels were not capable of new wine could not brook nor digest him and when they could find no other cause this was judged a crime sufficient that he was a Preacher of the Gospel an enemy to Papistry and an honest married man Hereupon many devises were set on foot for his disgrace and removing him out of his
the matter meant requiring them to wait upon him to the Schools according to their duty which they did and Dr. Sands took the Chair Mr. Mitch and a rable of unlearned Papists seeing this withdrew and conspired amongst themselves to pull him out of the Chair In the mean time Dr. Sands began his Oration expostulating with the University about their dealings and charging them with great ingratitude towards him affirming that he had said nothing in his Sermon but what he was ready to justifie and that if he were faulty they were as deeply guilty in concealing and consenting to that which he had spoken In the midst of his speech in came Mitch with his associates some laid hands on him to pull him out of the Chair telling him it was not his place others called him traytor c. Dr. Sands seeing that they used violence being of a great courage felt for his dagger to have dispatched some of them as Gods enemies but Dr. Bell and Dr. Blith prayed him for Gods sake to hold his hands and patiently to bear that great wrong to which he assented and so the tumult ending he went on and finished his Oration and having some money of the Universities in his hand he delivered it up together with all other things belonging to the University and then resigned his Office praying to God to substitute a better in his room and to give them better and more thankfull hearts and so he repaired to his own Colledge On the morrow came to him Mr. Germingham and Mr. Tho. Mildmay Mr. Germingham told him that it was the Queens pleasure that by two of the guard he should be conveyed to the Tower together with the Duke Mr. Mildmay told him that he wondered that so learned a man as he should speak so unadvisedly against so good a Prince Dr. Sands answered I shall not be ashamed of bonds but if I could do as Mr. Mildmay can I need not to fear them for you came down in armes against the Queen and now you are in arms for her I cannot thus blow hot and cold with one mouth Presently Dr. Sands his stable was robbed of four excellent Geldings and an Inventory was taken of all his goods and he was set upon a lame jade that halted to the ground whereupon a friend of his desired that he might lend him a Nagg to ride upon As he went out at the end of the Town some Papists assembled to jeer and some of his Friends to mourn for him He was carried through London in scorn and as he entred in at Bishops-gate a base woman threw a stone at him and hit him so full on the breast that he was near falling from his Horse To whom he mildly said Woman I pray God forgive thee As he went through Tower street a woman in her door said to him Fie on thee thou Knave thou Knave thou Traytor thou Heretick At this he smiled whereupon she said Look the desperate Heretick laughs at it Another woman on the other side of the street said Fie neighbour thou art not worthy to be called a woman railing thus upon this Gentleman whom thou knowest not nor yet the cause why he is thus used and turning to the Doctor she said Good Gentleman God be thy comfort and give thee strength to stand in Gods cause even to the death and thus he was carried Prisoner to the Tower where the Yeoman of the Guard took from him his borrowed Nagg and whatsoever else he had and whereas his man brought some linen after him that also was taken from him The first three weeks he was in a very bad prison at the end whereof he was removed to another where was put to him Mr. John Bradford On the day of the Queens Coronation his prison door was left open and there came to him one Mr. Mitchell a special friend of his and said Dr. Sands there is such a stir in the Tower that neither gates doors nor Prisoners are looked after this day therefore take my cloak hat and rapier and get you gon save your self and let me do as I may The Doctor refused his offer saying I know no just cause of my imprisonment and if I should do this I should make my self guilty I will expect Gods good will yet am I much bound to you for your love Mr. Mitchell not prevailing departed Dr. Sands and Mr. Bradford continued in prison twenty nine weeks one Bowler a perverse Papist being their Keeper yet by their affable and loving carriage and converse he began to mislike Popery and to favour the Gospel yea he was so far at last wrought upon that on a Sabbath when others went to Masse he carried up to them a Service-Book a manchet and some wine at which time Dr. Sands administred the Sacrament to Mr. Bradford and him and so Bowler became their son begotten in their bonds When Wyat was up in Arms that room might be made for him and his in the Tower Dr. Cranmer Dr. Ridley and Mr. Bradford were put into one prison and Dr. Sands with nine other godly Ministers were removed to the Marshalsey As they went the people every where prayed God to comfort them and to strengthen them in his truth whereupon the Keeper of the Marshalsey said to Dr. Sands I perceive that the vain people would set you forward to the fire but I hope you will not prefer your own knowledg before the judgment of so many worthy and learned Prelates if so you shall find me as strait a Keeper as one that utterly mislikes your Religion Dr. Sands answered I know my self young and my learning small it s enough to know Christ crucified and he hath learned nothing that sees not the great blasphemy that is in Popery I have read in Scripture of some godly and courteous Keepers God may make you one if not I trust he will give me strength and patience to bear your hard dealing with me The Keeper replied Do you then minde to stand to your Religion Yea said the Doctor by Gods grace I do Truly said the Keeper I love you the better for it I did but try you before and what favour I can shew you you shall be sure of it and I shall think my self happy if I may die at the stake with you and ever after he shewed the Doctor much favour suffering him to walk into the fields alone where sometimes he met with Mr. Bradford who being removed to the Kings Bench found the like favour with his Keeper He also lodged him in the best Chamber and would not suffer irons to be put on him as other Prisoners had and suffered his Wife a beautifull Gentlewoman both in body and soul to resort to him He lodged also Mr. Sanders with him To these two holy men there was much resort and much Money was profered to them but they would receive none Three or four times they celebrated the Sacrament and
with the Sermon and did approve it The Duke of Buckingham was a wise man and apprehensive of what Sir Ralph suggested seasonably saw those they called Puritans were growing and in the Parliament were thought considerable knew that the Kings affections might cool and he might need friends and took Sir Ralphs discourse into his most serious thoughts An honest man one Master Packer was then his Secretary and he set on what Sir Ralph Freeman had suggested and so it came unto a resolution that Master Preston should be owned and the Duke commanded Sir Ralph Freeman to go to Master Preston from him and acquaint him with his good opinion of him and desire to see him and indeed there was such a concurrence and concentring of opinions and desires among the Courtiers that it was assured Master Preston he might be Chaplain unto whom he would and that was now the deliberation which of these offers he should accept and whom he would acknowledge his Patron and Protector for the time to come There was not so few Clergy men at Court at any time and so no kind of opposition yet the King himself hung back and would do nothing hastily he was not reconcileable unto the Puritans and so desired not in that respect for to ingage him but he desired to deprive them of Master Preston and to divide him from them and would do any thing that might drive that on and considering how many he had wonne that Master Preston was a young man and might be drawn on he would not hinder nor oppose so it was the joynt opinion of all his friends that the best preferment was to be the Princes Chaplain who then was grown and had an houshold This therefore was represented unto Sir Ralph Freeman and his opinion required who quickly yielded and proposed it unto the Duke both Prince and Duke had been abroad and neither of them heard the Sermon when therefore Master Preston was brought unto the Duke he very seriously received him told him it was the Prince his unhappinesse and his to be absent when he did preach and therefore desired him that he would vouchsafe a Copy of his Sermon to him and believe that he would be ready to the best and utmost of his power to serve him There were many other Courtiers that desired Copies of the Sermon and the Court not staying there Master Preston came home to furnish Copies He never penned Sermon word for word but wrote what came into his mind and as it came and that in no good hand and so it was a businesse to provide these Copies which yet he seriously attended till they were written fair and then to Court he goes where the Duke presents him to the Prince and so he was made and admitted Chaplain to the Prince in Ordinary for as then the Prince had not compleated the number he intended which was six who were accordingly to wait two moneths by the year and preach unto the houshold upon the Lords daies and perform such duties as were required of them But God was making other work for Master Preston for Doctor Tolson Bishop of Salisbury dies and leaves a Wife and many Children unprovided for for he had been Bishop but a little while This Wife of his was Doctor Davenants Sister in pity therefore and commiseration of her case it was proposed to the King by those that were his Friends that Doctor Davenant a single man and well-deserving might succeed his Brother in the Bishoprick and so make some provision for his Children The King thought very well of Doctor Davenant not only for his singular abilities and labours in the University but for his pains also and service in the Synod of Dort against Arminius and it was looked on as a deed of charity and so believed he would carry it and be the man But this created Master Prestons cares Doctor Davenant had been his constant and faithfull Friend and given countenance upon all occasions to him and all his Pupils But now who should succeed and where should Master Preston find another shelter The Fellows for the most part were not his Friends envied his numbers and great relations and there was no man like so to befriend him Besides the Margaret-Professors place would be void also by this remove and many able stirring Batchelors in Divinity proposed unto him that place and assured him the Election would be easily carried for him The truth is he had no great hope to do any great good in the Election of the Master of the Colledge and one Doctor Mansel being named a very moderate good-natured man he let that care fall and was more anxious about the Professors place for though sound doctrine in the University was of much use yet English preaching was like to work more and win more souls to God He alwaies highly valued and frequently consulted with Master Dod and he perswaded English preaching as that wherein God was more immediately served and said there were others that might supply the University in the Professors place that either could not or would not labour mens Conversion And indeed the Master of Sidney-Colledge Doctor Ward a vast Scholar was then in view and nomination for the Professors place yet Master Preston was so solicited by honest men that he knew not what to do Two things he thought he wanted to enable him The one was a Latine tongue the other a Latine style in both which by reason of desuetude he was unready For his style therefore he resolves upon an exact and logical Analysis of all the Epistles which would actuate and exercise his style and acquaint him with the Scripture-phrase and language and if he were called to be Professour might serve for Lectures in the Schooles which work he immediately applied himself unto and very happily compleated a work of great pains unto him and in it self of great worth but being Latine and written only with his own ill hand was not thought popular enough to come abroad but lieth in the dark For the exercising of his Latine tongue he resolves a journey into the Netherlands where he should have much occasion of speaking Latine and see those Colledges and Universities but there was no travelling beyond Sea without a License under the hands of Privy-Counsellors this he procures among his Friends with all the secrecy that could be and a great while before he meant to use it that he might conceale it from the Colledge and University but this his secrecy begat suspition that there was some plot Velle putant quodcunque potest It is not safe for men to have abilities It was resented so much the more because no Clergy man was made acquainted with it and the opinion was that something was brewing against Episcopacy This they were sure of that Amsterdam was in the Netherlands and ever had been fatal to the Hierarchy The Lord Keeper then was Bishop Williams he sees this plague afar off Prov. 22.3 and provides a Messenger
alios sed prius ipse facis The rest of that Society rejoyced that their Lecturer was Master of Emanuel and took occasion to expresse it according to their several dispositions and relations when he came to them in the Tearm which shortly followed There was one thing in the Colledge-Statutes that greatly troubled him and that was that the Masters absence from the Colledge was confined to a moneth in every quarter and he saw not how he could attend at Court and preach at Lincolns-Inne in Tearm time but he should transgresse but the Fellows soon consented to an interpretation that absolved him from the rigid sense there being in the Statute a double liberty first that in case of violent detention it should not hold they resolved that not only a natural but also a moral violence was to be understood The other was that in case of Colledge-businesse he should not be esteemed absent Now the Colledge was at that time in suit for a Living in the West of good value with one Master Ewins a Gentleman in the Parish who had bred up a younger Sonne to be a Scholar in relation to that Living and therefore contended for it as it had been his own Inheritance and when he was worsted at Common-Law prefers a Bill in Chancery and thought by mony to carry it against the Colledge-right Bishop Williams the Lord-Keeper then was his great Friend and when after many delayes it came at last to hearing would not allow the Counsell for the Colledge to speak Master Preston being present craved leave to speak in the cause himself but was not only silenced but severely reprehended for it it was Trinity-Tearm and the plague was very hot in London so that Michaelmas Tearm was wholly adjourned and the next Tearm was proclaimed at Redding and the Records removed thither but before that the Lord-Keeper was removed from his Throne and Sir Thomas Coventry one of the Colledge-Council that were not permitted before to speak succeeded him by whose integrity and justice the Colledge was restored to their right which ever since they have enjoyed and so his following the Colledge businesse excused his absence all his time Being therefore now established and greatly minding the good thereof he observed that the Scholars kept Acts but seldome and accordingly when they came unto it performed it but meanly he therefore advised with the Fellows in it and after many consultations it was resolved that the number of Acts should be in a manner doubled of those under Masters of Art which was a great advancement to learning of all sorts in the Colledge About this time Sir Arthur Chichester afterward an Irish Baron was chosen to go Embassadour into Germany about the Palatinate affairs and Master Preston was by the Duke of Buckingham and other Friends designed to go along with him he did not greatly fancy the employment but would not contradict only it was considered that though he was the Prince his Chaplain and Master of a Colledge yet he was not Doctor which they thought might sound ill abroad and reflect upon his Master and there was not time to go unto it in the ordinary way of Acts and Exercises therefore a Mandate was addressed to the Vice-Chancellour and Heads that forasmuch as Master Preston was to wait upon my Lord Ambassadour and could not in so short a time perform his Acts he should be forthwith admitted Doctor in Divinity that he might be ready to attend the service which was done accordingly with all alacrity Being therefore thus engaged and not knowing what might befall him in the voyage he resolved to settle his temporal estate before he went He was not willing to be accounted rich would often say Manifestus thesaurus citò expenditur And therefore though he had great Incomes from his Pupils and was not Prodigal yet he was not Master of his money for he had been advised to adventure in the East-India Company then newly set up and because estates there were invisible he was the willinger but by that means wanted money for there was paying for many years but no returns yet there was hope it might at last come in and so it did without diminution of the principal but not in his life-time Therefore he thought it needfull to make a legall disposition of his estate by Will and so he did and named a very Honourable person his Executor who lived to enjoy that money as well as other by vertue of it But the voyage came to nothing for Sir Arthur did not go as he intended yet this was his last Will and according to it all was enjoyed though he made additions by way of request or direction which were accordingly performed It was ever his ambition not to be mercenary in his Ministry but at liberty to preach where he might do most good without relation or respect unto the wages and he considered that the Master of Emanuel could have no Living that had cure of souls annexed and therefore was willing to give ear unto the sollicitations of the Townsmen who greatly prest him to be their Lecturer at Trinity-Church for they had applied themselves to Doctor Andrews Bishop of Ely and propounded to him Master Jeffries one of the Fellows of Pembroke-Hall and he had given way and Master Jeffries did preach at Trinity some years but was desirous of a more setled condition and had desired Doctor Preston to procure him to be Chaplain unto some Noble-man that was like to help him to a Living which was a very easie thing for him to do having so much interest in many great ones so he pitched upon Marquesse Hamilton who presently admitted Master Jeffries Chaplain to him and shewed him much respect as well for Doctor Prestons sake as for his own and long it was not before a Living fell namely the Rectory of Dun-mow in Eessex which the Marquesse procured and bestowed upon his Chaplain Master Jeffries for he had not then commenced Doctor and by that means the Lecture at Trinity was shortly to be void The Townsmen made account that now they had what they desired namely an opportunity to settle Doctor Preston in the Lecture at Trinity and great care was taken to increase the stipend from fourty or fifty pounds per annuum unto fourscore that the Doctor might have twenty pounds a quarter paid him for they thought the former inconsiderable not knowing what principles the Doctor lived by and when they had effected that they employed some of the chief to propose the matter to the Doctor very solemnly who was easily perswaded to accept their offer without relation to the stipend but there was one of the Fellows of Sidney-Colledge Master Middlethwite that put in for it and though few or none of the Contributors or Townsmen sided with him yet he procured Letters from the Bishop of Ely and ingaged all his friends both in the Court and University that it came unto a very great contest Doctor Preston who was offered any
him sweetly unfolded as may appear by those Sermons now in Print And therefore saith a Reverend Divine the noted humility of the Author I lesse wonder at finding how often his thoughts dwelt upon the humiliation of Christ. As for his Sermons upon Cant. 5. Reverend and holy Mr. Dod upon the perusall of the Manuscript was so taken with them that he professed that he found them so full of heavenly Treasure and containing such lively expressions of the unvaluable riches of the love of Christ towards all his poor servants that sue and seek unto him for it that by his great importunity he prevailed with Dr. Sibs otherwise much undervaluing his own meditations to commit the same to the Presse to which Mr. Dod gave this attestation I saith he judge it altogether unmeet that such precious matter should be concealed from the publick use I judge these Sermons a very profitable and excellent help both to the understanding of that dark and most Divine Scripture as also to kindle in the heart all heavenly affections towards Jesus Christ the whole frame whereof is carried with such Wisdom Gravity Piety Judgment and Experience that it commends it self to all that are godly wise and I doubt not but they shall find their temptations answered their fainting spirits revived their understandings enlightened and their graces confirmed so that they shall have cause to praise God for the worthy Authors godly and painfull labours Indeed he was throughly studied in the holy Scriptures which made him a man of God perfect throughly furnished unto every good work and as became a faithfull Steward of the manifold graces of God he endeavoured to teach to others the whole counsel of God and to store them with the knowledge of Gods will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding He was a man that enjoyed much communion with God walking in all the Laws of God blamelesse and like John the Baptist was a burning and shining light wasting and spending himself to enlighten others He was upon all occasions very charitable drawing forth not only his Purse in relieving but his very bowels in commiserating the wants and necessities of the poor Members of Christ. He used sometimes in the summer-time to go abroad to the houses of some worthy Personages where he was an Instrument of much good not only by his private labours but by his prudent counsell and advice that upon every occasion he was ready to minister unto them And thus having done his work on earth he went to receive his wages in heaven peaceably and comfortably resigning up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1631. and of his age 58. The Life of Doctor Chaderton who died Anno Christi 1640. LAurence Chaderton was born of an ancient Family at Chatterton in Lancashire about the year 1546. and his Parents being both Papists they trained him up in that Religion yet bred him to learning and when he came to some maturity of years his Father sent him to the Inns of Court But he being not pleased with that kind of life through the motion of Gods holy Spirit who had a work for him to do in another Calling and place left the Inns of Court and went to Cambridge about the twentieth year of his age and the sixth year of Queen Elizabeth And getting some acquaintance in Christs Colledge it pleased God that the Master and Fellows took such a liking to him for his ingenuity and industry that they admitted him into a poor Scholars place Then did he write to his Father to acquaint him with his present condition and to request some means of maintenance from him But his Father disliking his change of place and studies but especially of Religion sent him a Poke with a groat in it to go a beggâ— withall further signifying to him that he was resolved to disinhâ—â—â—â— him which he also did Yet did the Lord support his spirit to preferre an heavenly before an earthly Inheritance and seeing that he had nothing else to trust to he fell close to his studies and through Gods blessing upon the same he so eminently profited in all sorts of Learning that Anno Christi 1567. being but yet Batchelour of Arts he was chosen Fellow of Christs Colledge Anno Christi 1578. he commenced Batchelour of Divinity and the same year October the 26. he preached a Sermon at Pauls Crosse which he also Printed He was chosen Lecturer at St. Clements Church in Cambridge which place he supplied about the space of sixteen years and by his Holy Learned and judicious Sermons did very much good and was succeeded therein by Mr. Michael Bentley Fellow of Christs Colledge a godly plain and profitable Preacher He was a man famous for Gravity Learning and Religion so that when Sir Walter Mildmay Counsellor of State to Queen Elizabeth Chancellor and under-Treasurer of the Exchequer Founded Emanuel Colledge Anno Christi 1584. he made choice of this man for the first Master and when Master Chaderton shewed himself not willing to undertake that great charge Sir Walter replied saying If you will not be the Master I will not be the Founder of it In the beginning of King James his reign he was one of the four Divines for the Conference at Hampton Court chosen by the Ministers that desired a Reformation in the Church Government and for his Learning and sufficiency was the same year chosen to be one of the Translators of the Bible Anno Christi 1612. when the Prince Elector Palatine came to visit Cambridge he would needs have Mr. Chaderton commence Doctor of Divinity which accordingly he did He deserved very well of Emanuel Colledge for whereas the Founder gave allowance for the maintenance of three Fellows only together with the Advouson of Stranground Rectory in Huntingtonshire near Peterburrough Dr. Chaderton procured by his friends and acquaintance allowance for twelve Fellows and above fourty Scholars of the House besides the Advousons of Auler and Northcudberry Rectories as also of the Vicaridge of Dulverton in Summersetshire Piddle-Hinton in Dorcetshire and Loughburrough in Leicestershire of the Noble Henry Hastings Earl of Huntington which Noble man was a great friend to godly Ministers After he was Master of Emanuel his manner was not to suffer any young Scholars to go into the Countrey to Preach till he had heard them first in the Colledge Chappel All his younger daies he used to expound a portion of Scripture twice a week in his Family He was married fifty three years and yet in all that time he never kept any of his Servants from Church to dresse his meat saying that he desired as much to have his servants know God as himself If at any time he had a Servant upon triall though they could do as much work as three others yet if they were given to lying or any other vice he would by no means suffer them to dwell in his house Towards his
that thereupon the Queen Mother commanded the Prince of Conde to be set at liberty And a few daies after the Admirall assaulted Boience and at last took the Town though with some losse of his men About this very time the Admirals eldest Son called Gaspar being a youth of nine years old but of admirable towardnesse fell sick and died at Orleance which was an exceeding great grief to his Father In the mean time the Guises perceiving that they were forsaken by the greatest part of France which now adheared to and assisted Conde they resolved to call in forraign helps and thereupon sending much Money into Swisserland and Germany they hired from the former Foot and from the latter Horse to come in to their aid which the Admirall used often to say was a plain demonstration of their treacherous and hostile minds against France and therefore that he might not be wanting to himself and Friends who had committed so great a trust to him he resolved to oppose Forraign by Forraign forces And for this end he sent his Brother Andelot to the Protestant Princes in Germany of whose good will to the French Churches he had good assurance requesting aid from them who accordingly within three moneths space sent him three thousand Horse and six thousand Foot into France Whilst these things were transacting intelligence was given to the Admirall that some Cannons and a great quantity of Gunpowder was carrying to the Duke of Guise who now besieged Biturg guarded with six Troops of Horse and some Foot Hereupon the Admirall taking some Horse with him by long journeys hastened to meet the Convoy and coming up to them they scarce stood the first shock but throwing away their Arms fled and left the Booty to the Admirall who wanting Horses to draw them away by over-charging the Guns brake them and blew up the Gunpowder and so returned to his Camp Andelot returning out of Germany brought with him three thousand Horse and six thousand Foot so that the Prince of Conde having a good Army of French and Germans hasted to Paris which the Guises hearing of intended to meet him having gotten a Regiment of Swissers in whom they put most confidence and so the two Armies meeting a Battell was fought but with a doubtfull event for on the one side the Constable was taken prisoner by one Will. Steward a valiant Scots man and on the other side the Prince of Conde was taken prisoner which made many of his Foot to throw away their Arms and fly But the Admirall rallying the Horse and encouraging them to prefer their Religion Country and honour befor their lives he valiantly charged the Guisians in which medly he slew Marshall St. Andrew a potent man at Court and Prossaeus Collonel to the Duke of Guise and divers other Noble men The fight being ended the Admirall carried the Constable to Orleance where he made his abode for a while But shortly after came the Duke of Guise to besiege the City whereupon the Admirall leaving his Brother Andelot for the defence of it flies into Normandy and there besieged the Castle of Cadonius where the Marquesse of Elboeve one of the D. of Lorrains Brothers was and within a few daies had it with all the Arms and Ammunition surrendred to him About this time there was one John Poltrot a young man of a Noble Family in the Army of the Duke of Guise who having embraced the Reformed Religion and served for some moneths under the Prince of Conde took up privately with himself a resolution to kill the D. of Guise as a publique enemy to his Countrey and a cause of all the present calamities And said he If I had been bound to him by any oaths I must not have been perfidious but being free why should I not venture as Scaevola did for my Countries safety With this resolution he went to the Duke of Guises Camp and watching his opportunity shot him into the shoulder of which wound he died within a few daies after The very same day in the morning the Duke of Guise being ready to give an assault to Orleance wrote to the Queen Mother that within twenty four hours he would send her word of the taking of that City and that he would make the day very memorable by sparing neither sex nor age and that after he had kept his Shrovetide there he would extinguish the memory of the Town by utter subverting of it But man knows not his destiny nor what shall happen to him for that the same evening he was slain as you heard before Presently after which a Peace was concluded and the Edict renued for the free exercise of the Reformed Religion through all France as formerly Not many moneths after the Admirall being sent for to Court by the Queen Mother the Widow of the Duke of Guise comes in and falls down at the Kings feet crying out with many tears for revenge for her Husbands death charging the Admirall as the contriver and author of it The Admirall apprehending that this was but the device of others which set her on to seek his destruction by fraud which they could not effect by War before the King and all the Councel he clears himself shewing that Poltrot had at his death professed that he was set on by none but God neither did he doubt but that he had done God good service in it and freed his Countrey from a Tyrant that raged and thirsted after Christian blood and therefore he was not sorry for what he had done c. He also desired that if they questioned the death of the Duke of Guise he might have leave also to put in a Charge against him for that he doubted not but that he could easily prove the Duke of Guise guilty of murthering wickedly the Kings Subjects and of violating all the sacred Laws and Decrees of the King of taking up arms of his own head without Authority and thereby making himself guilty of Treason and of kindling those flames in France which had continued about thirteen moneths Notwithstanding this resolute speech of the Admirall his enemies ceased not for some years still to call upon the King for justice against him whereupon the King at last appointed a Convention of all the Peers of the Kingdom at the City of Molincum whither also he called his chiefest Senators and Counsellours commanding the Cardinall of Lorraine and the Widow of the Duke of Guise to produce what proofs they could and the Admirall to defend himself against them When both parties had pleaded their Cause the King told them that he had referred the judgment to his Counsellors and therefore asked them if they had any exceptions against any of them they answered No. Then he asked them if they would refer the determination of their Cause to him and would stand to his judgment They answered that they would willingly so do Whereupon Jan. 29. Anno
and scattered flying to Lusinian for safety leaving all their bag and baggage behind them so that the booty which the Admirall gat was estimated to be more worth then fifty thousand Crowns Two daies after they intercepted Letters from Fizius the Kings Secretary to the Queen-Mother much bewailing that losse Presently after the Admirall going to the Town of Jarnac fell into great danger and without a speciall providence had become a prey to his enemies For the enemy understanding that he purposed to transport his Forces over the River in that place by a bridge of boats they secretly laid an ambush on the other side and observing the Admirall where he was they let fly all their Harquebushes at him and others endeavoured to break the bridge of the Admirals side there was one Harquibushier that had often shot at the enemies and at last was by a bullet slain whereupon twelve more ran to his aid so that a tumult arising the Admirall ran with his naked Sword not having time to put on his arms and endeavoured to cut in sunder the cords wherewith the boats were fastened all which time the enemies ceased not continually to shoot at him yet God wonderfully preserved him and from that time forwards he resolved never to be without a Lifeguard for his assistance in such suddain accidents Two daies after the enemies having passed over the River Charenton the Prince of Conde feared lest they would compasse him about having lately joyned to them three thousand German horse and six thousand Swissers yet being of a very resolute and couragious mind he resolved to stop their course yet withall if possible to avoid a set Battell In the mean time word was brought to the Admirall that some of his Forces which were quartered in a neighbour village were circumvented by their enemies and yet valiantly defended themselves our Admirall hastened therefore upon the spur to their succour with some horse whom as soon as the enemies espied they compassed round about which being told to the Prince of Conde being more valiant then advised he brake into the midst of them where being oppressed with the multitude and his horse killed under him which also fell upon him he lifting up his beavour rendred himself to some of the Kings Captains who gave him their faith for his safety but presently after came Montisquius Captain of the Duke of Guise his guard not without the secret command of his Master as it was believed and setting upon Conde behinde his back as he was talking with the Captains dispatched him with a dagg shot into his neck He was a Prince inferiour to none that lived in that age for courage and courtesie he was eloquent in speech liberall affable to all and a most excellent Commander in Warre After his death his body was basely abused and at last in scorn laid upon a Shee-Asse and carried to Jarnac The Admirall being exceedingly grieved with this great losse and suspecting the issue made a retreat together with his Brother Andelot into the Town of St. Jan de Angeli and whereas he might have revenged the indignities done to the body of the Prince by shewing the like to the bodies of many of his great adversaries whom he had slain yet he would not do it but afforded them decent buriall which thing he also did during all the time of the Warres The Queen of Navarr being at Rochell and hearing of this great losse hastened to the Camp comforted the Captains and exhorted all the Souldiers not to be disheartned nor to forget their former valour telling them that she had brought her only Son Henry that was to succeed her in the Kingdom to be their Generall professing that she preferred the safety of the Army before the life of her Son To him was also Henry Prince of Conde Brother to Lewis that was lately slain adjoyned in this honour but the whole care for managing the Warre by the joynt consent of all the Commanders and Officers was wholly divolved upon the Admirall none having the like credit or authority amongst those of the Religion as he For it was well known that besides his singular skill in military affairs his justice and temperance there was none amongst all the Peers of France that had so openly embraced and professed the Religion as he He was the first that reformed his Family according to the Rule of Gods Word He was the man that presumed to prefer their Petition to King Francis the second that was nearly allied to the Guises by affinity He gave the first example to the Nobility of France of Piety who were grown extream loose by reason of the dissolutenesse of the Court and after he had once embraced the Reformed Religion he never gave the least occasion of scandall to the Churches And whereas many Delegates repaired often to him from the Churches he alwaies gave them wholsome and prudent counsell He first took up arms not to fight against the King as some misreported but at the request and Prayers of the Queen Mother Neither yet did he it either by his own private counsell or of the Queen Mother but by the Authority of the Parliament of Orleance the King being not yet twelve years old As also after the Kings Edict for Peace established and promulgated by the advice and consent of all the States of France because it was so notoriously violated by the Guises to the utter undoing of many honest Families and almost the ruine of many flourishing Cities and to the losse of the lives of many famous Captains to the great prejudice of the whole Kingdom and to the oppression of many flourishing Churches dispersed almost in every Town of France By all which that poor Kingdom was laid open to be a prey to any forreign Prince that should invade it After these things a grievous affliction befell the Admirall by the death of his Brother Andelot who in the City of Xantone died of a violent disease suddainly not without suspition of poison and the rather because it was a usuall saying of Biraguus shortly after made Chancellour That the War was not to be finished with so much hazard by armed men but rather by Cooks and Kitchin boyes Upon this occasion the Admirall wrote a Letter to his own and his Brother Andelot's sons who were with their Tutor at Rochel for comforting of them the tenour whereof was this Although I believe that the death of my Brother Andelot is very grievous unto you yet I thought fit to admonish you that you have great cause to rejoyce that you had so good a Father and Uncle of whom I dare affirm that he was truly Religious and eminent for his valour and skill in military affairs the remembrance of which vertues ought to be dear unto you that as much as may be you may be imitators of them yea I believe I may boldly affirm this of him that there is none in all
The Traytor executed The young Prince of Conde born The Admirall honoured New designs against the Protestants * Roch-sur-yon The Prince of Conde and Admirall complain to the King They are answered with scorns The second Civil War Paris blocked up by the Prince A Battell The Admirall wonderfully preserved The Royalists routed They joyn with the Germans The Admirals prudence Caen besieged by the Prince Peace concluded The Admirals Wife dieth His counsell to his Children His charge to Grelleus His Wives character Popish treachery A remarkable Providence A Prediction They send to the King The third Civil War A special providence The Protestants basely murthered The Queen of Navarr assists them Niort taken Engolisme besieged A Battell The Royalists beaten A special providence The Admirals danger His valour Prince of Conde basely slain His character The Prince of Navarr in his room The Admirals piety His Authority to take up Arms. Andelot's death The Admirals Letter to his Sons and Nephews His Faith The Germans aid the Protestants The Royalists beaten The Admirall sends to the King for Peace Lusiniac surrendred Poictiers besieged The Admirals sicknesse Treachery against the Admirall The Traitor executed The Royalists beaten The Admirall forced to fight His policy A special providence He is wounded His Army overthrown His courage He is condemned by the Parliament of Paris His house plundered His contentation His justice His Letter to his Sons and Nephews They send to the King for Peace A Tyrannical speech The Admirall falls sick Ambassadours from the King The great esteem of the Admirall The Treaty goes on Peace concluded The Admirals second marriage He marries his Daughter to Teligni Coligni's death in England His character Popish cruelties The Kings dissimulation The Kings dissimulation with the Admirall Royal dissimulation The Admirals entertainment at Court The malice of the Duke of Guise The Kings dissembling Letter The King dissembles with C. Lodwick Intercepted Letters which shewed the dissimulations The Admirals security The Queen of Navarr's death Her character The King sends for the Admirall His friends advertisements His security He went to Paris Warnings to the Admirall His confident answer Royal treachery The Protestants flock to Paris Deep dissimulation Rochel blocked up The Admirall deluded The King of Navarr married The Admirals Letter to his Wife The Kings dissimulation The Admirall wounded His admirable patience and Christian courage His charity His Prayer His comfort His Faith The Kings prophane dissimulation The King visits the Admirall His speech to the King The Kings answer Deep dissimulation The Bullet viwed Psal. 32.1 A Councel held by the Protestants Presages of the Massacre Monluc's advice The Kings dissimulation Deep dissimulation An ill omen Popish subtilty Counsell that the Protestants should leave Paris A Judas The Massacre projected The Kings dissimulation with the King of Navarr The Duke of Guise excites to the Massacre Fatall security The Queen-Mothers mischievous mind The sign of the Massacre The Admirals house assaulted The Admirals speech The Admirall slain His body basely abused His Head sent to Rome Yet buried His character His piety and zeal Examples prevalent His manner of preparing for the Lords Supper His care for education of children His contempt of the world Brotherly love His age His abstinence His daily exercise Teligni murthered and his young Son Her Parentage Her marriage Popish policy King of Navarr turns Papist The Queens constancy Popish policy The King of Navarr slain Treason against the Queen Gods providence over her Her going to Rochel Her Letters to the King c. Prince of Conde slain She encourageth the Army Her Countrey surprized And regained The Kings Edict Popish subtilty The match propounded Her pious care about it Ministers dissent about it Her zeal to propogate the Gospel She goes to the Court. The Kings dissimulation She goes to Paris She is poysoned Her sicknesse and religious carriage therein Her charge to her Son James 5.14 Her conference with the Minister Long life a blessing 1 Cor. 15.55 Her Prayer A Prayer Her patience The Minister Absolves her The Admirall came to her Her death