Extremities of the North to defend those of his Religion in Germany overthrows the ambitious Projects of the Courts of Vienna and Madrid The Emperor trembles and fears to lose his Hereditary Countries and France by the help of a League opportunely made with Sweden forces from the House of Austria part of her ancient Patrimony The Success of the Spanish Arms in Picardy strikes a Terrour into Paris it self The King of France comes out of his Capital to repulse the Enemy and cannot refrain from Tears to see the Fire advanced so near the Gates of his own Palaces The Revolutions on the other side the Pyrences change the Face of Affairs Catalonia surrenders to Lewis XIII and Portugal drives out the Spaniards and replaces the Duke of Bâ—…aganza on the Throne of his Ancestors Philip the IV. in a Consternation leaves Madrid to secure the Country of Arragon and reduce the Catalonians But no soonâ—…r does he begin this Expedition but he receives the unwelcome News that France had seized the Town of Perpigan and the County of Rousillon In this Variety of Events there may be â—…und many eminent Instances of Virtue â—…nd Vice Treachery richly rewarded â—…e highest Posts of Honour obtained by â—…e most infamous Crimes some few beâ—…owed on Merit great Preferments reâ—…cted with Contempt from Motives of â—…eligion and Probity Some great Lords â—…eanly ransom their Lives and Estates by coming Slaves to an Ambitious and Revengeful Cardinal Others threatned to be made a Sacrifice to his Passions and Interest with a Noble Haughtiness continue faithful to their Friends and suffer Death with an Heroick Courage This Fragment of the Modern History of France which I design to illustrate is so curious and full of Variety it would soon tempt a Man who would employ his Time in writing something Diverting and Instructive However the boldness of the Attempt has often awed me and perhaps it is above my Abilities If I praise the principal Actors who appear upon the Stage I am in danger of being censured for Flattery and if I speak too freely I am sure to be charged with Detraction Constant Panegyrick disgusts and incenses most Readers They love to have the Vices and secret Passions of Men laid open This Air of Freedom pleases and diverts them But if I should indulge this natural Inclination we have to heaâ—… others condemned will not the World too say I am making a Satyr and not wriâ—…ting a History I shall endeavour then to avoid theâ—… two Extremes with all possible Care have no Inducement to praise or blaâ—â— Persons who were almost all dead befoâ—â— I came into the World What particular Reason can I have to love or hate them The difference of Opinion in Matters Religion and Government shall not hind the from doing Justice to Merit or conmending what is worthy of Praise I am thanks to God in a Country where every one enjoys a Happiness which is so rare in this World to speak their reasonable Thoughts with freedom If I am not in a Capacity to do my Country Service I have the Liberty to deplore its Misfortunes The State of Europe and of France at the end of the Reign of Henry IV. Before I enter upon the Matter I shall promise some few Things of Henry the Fourth and the End of his Life It s necessary to know the Posture of Affairs in Europe and France when this latter lost one of the greatest Monarchs she ever had He employ'd the first Years of his Reign in reducing by force of Arms or gaining by Treaties all who had formed a potent League against him under Colour of Religion and in carrying on a War against Philip II. King of Spain This Ambitious Monarch had supported the League with a mighty Assistance of Men and Money out of a Design to place a Prince of his House on the Throne of France or at least to dismember that Monarchy whose Power was an invincible Obstacle to the vast Projects he had conceived But finding himself worn out with Infirmities of Body and seeing his Country quite exhausted by the Immense Sums he expended and the great number of Soldiers and Ships which he lost in his Wars against the Vnited Provinces of the Low Countries England and France Philip I say after so many Men and so much Treasure consumed in vain was glad to make Peace with Henry on such Conditions as the State of France not less exhausted than Spain could not give them leave to hope for Elizabeth Queen of England and the States of the Vnited Provinces made loud Complaints that the King abandoned his good and faithful Allies in preâ—…sing â—…o cagerly the Conclusion of the Treaty with Philip. Tâ—â—â— say they is a sure way to lose the favourable Opportunity of taking those Advantages against Spain which its low and declining Condition must have put in our Hands Henry excused this Proceeding of his as well as he could alledging the Incapacity of his Kingdom to support a Foreign War after it had been so miserably harass'd by a Domestick one which had lasted so many Years and was not yet well extinguished The Reason was specious But the King seemed impatient to give himself up to his Pleasures and with ease to enjoy so fair a Succession which he had purchased with so much Hazard and Trouble It must be own'd Henry had good Reason to distrust his Strength for the future The Duke of Mercoeur penned up in Britany would not have made his Peace if he had not believ'd that of Spain entirely resolv'd on Besides the Protestants of France who had served a King bred up amongst them with so much Courage and Constancy took Umbrage and Jealousie His changing his Religion and the Favours with which he purchased the friendship of the Great Men who had been Leagued against him began to Alarm them and his New Engagements to the Court of Rome their crael and implacable Enemy had like to have cool'd them Henry prudently confirmed his best Subjects by the Edict of Nantes which was concerted with great Industry and Deliberation Happy had they been if the Successors of this good Prince had left them peaceably to enjoy what he so justly granted them No sooner was Peace setled at home and abroad but Henry strove to win the Hearts of his Subjects by publishing he would labour incessantly to make them live in Ease and Plenty Several Manufactures were set up and some certain Duties taken off It is probable the great Debts he contracted and the engagement of a great part of his Revenue would not give him leave to take away divers others very burthensom and made him give ear to all Projects for bringing Money into his own Coffers But in all this he had the Address to prevent and stifle all Murmurs by making the French Nation since for a long time accustomed to patience believe his greatest desire was to make them happy The King flattered himself he should check the turbulent humour of divers great
their Masters This occasioned a great difference in Religion between the Churchmen and the Magistrates The one and the other formed a different Idea of what they call'd the Reformation or the Reformed Doctrine The Ministers meant by these Words the Opinions in Divinity explained by their great Authors and inserted into the Confessions of Faith which the first Reformers had drawn up These Servants of God meant well But they did not consider that by aiming in their Formularies of Faith and Catechisms to compile a compleat and regular Body of Divinity they inserted their own Speculations as certain and essential Truths The Magistrates and wise Laity of Holland urged that the Reformation being only a purer Worship and more free from vain Superstitions than the Church of Rome with a greater Latitude of Opinions in things not plainly revealed in the Holy Writings it could not be said the Reformation stood on what some Persons thought the most crabbed and difficult Questions of School Divinity The Ministers always warm for their Opinions and Prejudiced often cried the Magistrates wanted Zeal for the true Doctrine And these in their turn complained that the other were stubborn and inflexible and would force all the World to be of their Mind When the Churchmen fir'd with Zeal brought befor the Magistrates those who opposed the Hypothesis of Calvin and Beza about Predestination and Grace as Men who subverted the Foundations of the Reformation the more wise and discerning asked these new Inquisitors if it were impossible to be a true Reformed Christian without embracing the Opinions of St. Austin and his Disciples From the first Reformation in Holland the contrary Sentiments had always prevailed in the City of Tergow The States of Holland too had not solemnly approved the Confession of Faith received in the Belgick Churches Is not this a Proof that those wife Magistrates thought there were Articles put in this Formulary which were not absolutely necessary which ought to be expressed in a more soft manner and less offensive to those of a different Persuasion from the first Reformers This appears very probable since we read in History that the States of Holland in other respects very averse to the Convocation of a General Synod of the Seven United Provinces consented in the Year 1597. to the holding such an Assembly where the Confession of the Faith should be exactly revised and amended in a Spirit of Charity and Peace For my own part when I consider the Disputes which have caused such a fatal Division in Holland I am in pain to comprehend how Men of Sense can be perswaded that the Opinions of St. Austin concerning Predestination and Grace are essential to a Reformation of Christianity How many Holy Men were there in the Times of the greatest Purity of the Church of Rome whose Thoughts were differenâ—… from the Fathers Cannot we renounce the monstrous and ridiculous Dogm oâ—… Transubstantiation the Religious Worship of Saints and Images the Fable oâ—… Purgatory Indulgences the false Traditions of the Church of Rome the Tyranny of the Pope without believing absolute Predestination and irresistiblâ—… Grace Did all those honest Men who convinced of the Absurdity and Falsity oâ—… the Things which I mentioned embraceâ—… the Reformation think of the Hypothesâ—… of the Bishop of Hippo Were they anxious to know if it were true or false 〈◊〉 These abstract and difficult Questions only employed some Doctors who were projecting to make a compleat System of Divinity Among these who took this pains there were some who preferred the moderate Sense of the ancient Greek Fathers Calvin himself was not perswaded thaâ—… his Thoughts of Grace and Predestination were essential to Religion He took the pains to translate the Common Places oâ—… Melancthon into French whose Thoughts of these Matters were quite different from his own In his preface he gives all imaginable Praises to Melancthon Could he in Conscience have done this if he had been perswaded the Opinions of his Author undermined the Foundations of the Reformation Able Divines of the Reformed Churches have publickly maintained that â—…e Opinons of Universal Grace of the â—…ower of resisting its Operation and â—…onditional Predestination are of the numâ—…er of those Articles which every one may â—…elieve without renouncing the Principles â—…f his Religion Several learned Hollanders had highly â—…efended this Doctrine before Arminius â—…ad preach'd it at Amsterdam and taught 〈◊〉 at Leyden before Gomar rose up against â—…im These Books are still extant It is â—…ue certain warm Ministers made a stir 〈◊〉 blast those Works and ruin their Auâ—…ors But the States of Holland always â—…op'd this impetuous Zeal The Professors â—â—d an entire Liberty to teach according to â—…e Sense of Melancthon And when Arâ—…inius was called into that University â—…one were ignorant of his Opinions He â—…ad declared them in the Church of Amâ—…erdam which gave an advantageous â—…estimony of them Gomar himself and â—…vers more of the same Mind with him â—…tring into a Conference with Arminius â—…ade no Scruple to say their Differences â—â—d not concern the Grounds of Reformaâ—â—on It is true Gomar did not long live 〈◊〉 a good Understanding with Arminius his â—…ew Collegue either because his Reputaâ—â—on gave him Umbrage or the Enemies â—…f Arminius kindled his Choler by some â—…sinuation and then he vigorously oppoâ—…d a Man whom he look'd on as Orthoâ—…x but a little before The two Professors had soon their Disciples and Party The Division was so great in the University of Leyden that the Affair was brought before the Synod held at Rotterdam Gomar's Party was the strongest there The Assembly ordered that all the Pastors should subscribe the Confession of Faith and the Catechism Arminius and his Party refused to obey There are some things to be amended in both of them said they They ought to be considered in a National Synod We hope to see one meet in a little time The manner in which Questions should be treated and determined in this Synod caused new Difficulties One side required certain Conditions others rejected all In the meantime the ordinary Synods press'd Arminius and his Party to declare publickly what Exceptions they had against the Confession oâ—… Faith and the Catechism in order to have the Matter duly determined Arminius perswaded his greatest Enemieâ—… would be Judges in such an Assembly declined the Jurisdiction of a Synod as much as possibly he could Vtenbogard a Minister of great Reputation in the Hague his Friend and of the same Opinion with himself did him considerable Service with several of the chief Persons of the Government Never did Synod in its first Steps and perhaps thro' the whole Course of it more follow the Council of Trent than the Synod of Dort except that there were more able Divines at Dort than at Trent This is not in any manner surprizing almost all Councils are alike The same Interests give occasion to them and the same Passions reign in them Arminius presented a Petition to the States of
Brandenbourg and Vewbourg about the Government of Cleves and Juliers Whilst the Regent was making present Reflections upon the good Success of her Journey into Poitou and Bretagne the Spaniards wifely made their Advantage of the private Agreement which they had made with Mary de Medicis to Assist her to maintain her Authority in France on Condition she would not Support or at least not openly oppose their Designs in Germany and Italy These false Politicks of a Regent who was Ridiculously persuaded that the Support of the Pope and the King of Spain was necessary for the maintaining her Authority has already made her take a great many false Steps contrary to the true Interest of her Son Interests of Princes by Mr. de Rohan part II. Disco V. And we shall take notice of Two more She should never have suffered the Archdukes of the Catholick Low-Countries to send the Marquiss de Spinola with a powerful Army to Execute the Proclamation which the Emperor had Published against Aix Mercure Francois 1614. and under this pretence to seize many Important Towns in the Countries of Cleves and Juliers Since the Marriage of the Prince of Newbourg with Madeleine of Bavaria there was a more open difference than ever between him and the Duke of Brandenbourg They were Employed in strengthening themselves one against the other both abroad and at home Two Passions very blind but extremely active in the heart of a young Prince Ambition and resentment of an Affront offered him in the face of the World had inclined Newbourg to join with the Emperor the King of Spain and the Arch-Dukes of the Catholick Low-Countries He hoped that the House of Austria and the Catholick League of Germany of which the Duke of Bavaria was the head would assist him to recover those Countries which were in Dispute as soon as he should Embrace the Communion of the Pope This way of Revenging which the Elector of Brandenburg had given him seemed to Newbourg the most Advantageous and Glorious He declared himself a Roman Catholick the 15th of May at Dusseldorp There is reason to think that the Prince deferred his publick Abjuration of the Confession of Augsbourg in hopes that passing some time longer under the Name of a Protestant he should the more easily effect his Design of making himself sole Master of some of the Principal Towns in Dispute 'T was not without Design that being in Juliers in the Month of March he desired Pitham the Governor of the Castle to give him and his Retinue Entrance The Officer being a greater Friend to the House of Brandenbourg than to that of Newbourg refufed to admit him although he would enter alone Pitham relied upon an Article of the Transaction which passed between the Two Houses that the Governors of Castles and Fortified Places should not give Entrance to one of the Princes in Possession unless the other were present The Governor remaining firm to his Resolution Newbourg went towards Leige He went to make a visit to the Elector of Cologne his New Ally The Prince of Brandenburg attempted a little while after to surprize Dusseldorp but he likewise mist his aim as well as the other The States of the vnited-Vnited-Provinces the Electors and Princes of the Empire as they were Friends to both Houses Exhorted them to a Peace but in vain The Jealousie of each other encreast every day especially after Newbourg had chang'd his Religion The States of the Vnited-Provinces Sided at that time with the Prince of Brandenbourg 'T was for their Interest to hinder that the whole Succession of Cleves and Juliers should not fall to a Prince devoted to the House of Austria and Engag'd in the Catholick League of Germany Brandenbourg agreed to them that they should be Possest of the City and Castle of Juliers which they should hold by way of Sequestration This undertaking had its Success by means of Pitham who was gained over He suffered the Soldiers to enter therein with the Officers which the Prince of Orange had sent Newbourg on his Side had the Policy to make himself Master of Dusseldorp where he Fortified himself the best he could These Enterprises of Brandenbourg and Newbourg seem'd to be the Preliminaries of an open War which began quickly after There was talk of an Accommodation at a Conference held at Wesel but the Prince of Newbourg not being willing to dismiss the Troops he had raised unless the City and Castle of Juliers were put into the same Condition they were before the Holland Garrison enter'd they separated without coming to any Conclusion Each one thought of nothing more than maintaining taining his Right by open Violence and the Succours of his Allyes The Affair hapen'd otherwise than the Two Princes imagin'd The Spaniards and the States of the Vnited-Provinces these under the pretence of Relieving the House of Newbourg the other that of Brandenbourg divided betwixt them almost all the Succession which was in Controversie The Emperor Rodolph had put the City of Aix-la-Chapelle under Interdiction of the Empire by reason of the Change the Protestant Party had made in the Magistracy The City of Aix la-Chapelle under Interdiction in the Year 1611. But being dead before that the Archduke Albert his Brother and Ernest of Bavaria then Elector of Cologne dared to execute the Commission his Imperial Majesty had directed to them for the reducing the Inhabitants of Aix the Duke of Deux-Ponts Administrator of the Electorate Palatine and Vicar of the Empire during the Interregnum made all the procedures void and what ever Rodolph Ordained against the City of Aix-la-Chapelle After Matthias his Brother had succeeded him Complaint was made to the Imperial Court of the Duke of Deux-Ponts's Undertaking and the Catholicks press'd forward the Execution of the Ban publisht by the deceas'd Emperour His Majesty easily granted what the Pope and the Spaniards maintain'd in his Council However it appear'd to him That the D. of Deux Ponts had gone beyond his Authority and Enchrocht upon the Emperor by annulling what Rodolph had in his life time Ordered Wherefore the City of Aix-la-Chapelle was again put under the Ban of the Empire the 20th of February in this Year The Arch-Duke Albert and Ferdinand of Bavaria Successor to Ernest in the Electorate of Cologne had Commission to put the new Order in Execution Albert straight after rais'd great Forces in the Low Countries under his Dominions The States of the Vnited Provinces watchful of the Spaniards motions so near to them put themselves on their Side in Arms and posture of Desence Good Policy required no less than that they should stand upon their Guards and oppose what the House of Austria should attempt against the States of Cleves and Juliers which they found to lie conveniently for them 'T was not necessary to raise such great Forces to bring the City of Aix-la-Chapelle into Submission for every one well knew that the Spaniard kept close another Design which was
take to a contrary Interest possibly underhand countenanced the discontented Party and the Papists in England formed that Horrible Attempt which has since been call'd the Gunpowder Plot. Since that time James ever dreaded the Spaniards And they were so Skillful to improve this weakness of his and Avarice of his Ministers that far from opposing the Enterprizes of the House of Austria you will find he will patiently suffer her to dispossess the Elector Palatine who married a Daughter of England Henry IV. prepares for War In this posture were the Affairs of Europe when Henry Troops and bring them to to raise Troops and bring them to the Frontiers of Champagne John William Duke of Cleves Bergh and Juliers dying without Children lest a contended Succession His four Sisters or their Children had each different Pretenstions some Imperial Constitutions contrary to each other embroil'd the Affair more Some of these determined the Fees of the Contested Countries to be the right of the Heirs Male and others supposed Daughters capable of the Succession Among all the Princes who were pretenders the Right of John Sigismund Elector of Brandenburgh and that of Philip Lewis Palatin of Newburgh were the most plausible The first had married the Daughter of the Eldest Sister of the last Duke and the other was Husband of the second Sister who maintained that the Succession was devolved on her to the prejudice of the Children of her Eldest Sister Deceased before Duke John William These two Princes each took possession of a part of those Estates they pretended did entirely belong to them But it was to be feared a third stronger than both of them would make himself Master of the best places while they made War to drive each other out Therefore the Landgrave of Hess their common Friend made them consent to a Provisional Treaty In this they promised to terminate their Differences Amicably and by Arbitration and to joyn their Forces against any who should Attempt to usurp the Countries of Cleves and Juliers Till this should be decided it was agreed they should govern Individually and in common and without prejudice to the right of the Emperor or the other Princes pretenders The States of the Country Assembled at Dusseldorp took this Affair into their Cognizance at the Intreaty of the King of France who already declared for the two Princes They were both Protestants and the Vnited Provinces supported them as far as they were able This gave Umbrage to the Arch-Dukes of the low Countries whose Estates bordered on one side on those of Juliers A certain Prince of their House in Germany would have been glad to have made his Advantage in this Litigious Title The pretence of Religion is never wanting upon occasion and here it would have been very seasonable The Governour of Juliers then is won over and Leopold of Austria Bishop of Strasbourg and Passaw passes secretly into the place He brought with him a Commission from the Emperour who pretended to be the Natural and Soveraign Judge of a Difference arising about the Fiefs of the Empire and in the mean time he gave to his Cousin Leopold the Administration of the contested places This Sequestration seem'd to tend to an Usurpation By the Addition of the Dutchies of Cleves and Juliers to its other Hereditary Countries the House of Austria was in a condition to oppress the German Liberties with more ease The Neighbourhood of the low Countries gave the King of Spain an opportunity to send his best Troops to the Assistance of his Kinsmen This Enterprize ought to have alarmed equally all the Princes of Germany but the Jealousie caused by difference of Religion made the Duke of Bavaria the Electours of Mentz Triers and some others fear the Protestant Party would be too strong if the disputed Countries should fall to a Prince of that Religion See then the Catholicks assemble at Wirtsbourg and form there a League of which the Duke of Bavaria was Chief and send a Deputation to Rome and Madrid to demand Aid of Pope Paul the V. and Philip King of Spain On the other hand the Protestants come in great numbers to Hall in Swabia The Electour and Princes of Saxony do not appear there Those of the branch of Weymar and Koburg had their particular Pretensions to the Dutchies of Cleves and Juliers and hoped the House of Austria would espouse their right sooner than that of other Princes more jealous of her growing Greatness The Elector of Saxony contented himself to send to Hall in conjunction with the King of Denmark to exhort all the Pretenders to put their Interests into the Emperours hand The Resolutions taken in that Assembly were kept private The Prince of Anhalt whom those of Brandenburgh and Newburg had desired to go on a Negotiation to the Court of France returned to Hall accompanied with Boissise Ambassadour from the King This Minister declared publickly his Master would Assist them with all his Strength and would march himself at the Head of a powerful Army to oppose the Designs of the House of Austria The Vnited Provinces too promised to joyn their Troops with those of Henry The Neighbourhood of the Contested Countries made it unsafe for them to suffer them to fall into the hands of a Kinsman or Friend of Spain The mortal Displeasure the King of France had to see the Arch-Dukes of the low Countries and the King of Spain receive the Prince of Conde with open Arms who had secretly withdrawn himself to Brussels with the Princess his Wife and promise him all sort of Assistance against the Injustice done him by Henry This Accident I say hapning at the same time with the Affair of Cleves and Julieâ—…s urged him more to a War than the Noble desire to assist his Allies Being Resolved to revenge the many Affronts he had received from Philip the II. and his Son and to have the Princess of Conde back what ever it cost him Henry again sent Troops towards the Alps. Lesdiguieres who from a mean Birth and Fortune had raised himself by degrees during the Wars in Dauphiny and Provence and had obtained the staff of Mareschal of France This Man was sent to conduct to the Duke of Savoy the Troops designed against Italy and to Attack the Milanese in Conjunction with him Vast Preparations were made These at first were covered with the ordinary pretence of the Publick Safety the preserving the Râ—…pose of Europe and the maintaining the Kings Allies in their rightful Possession but a Vile and Criminal Passion made them to encrease and march with the greatest Expedition Henry it was said had reason to fear that his ancient Enemies abusing the easiness and resentment of the first Prince of the Blood should excite an Ambition in him and put it into his Head to contest the Validity of the Marriage of the King with Mary de Medicis after a Divorce founded on very frivolous Reasons and the I egitimacy of his Children by this second Wife
to take his Advantage of this when he should be in that Neighbourhood The Duke of Epernon's going to his Governments of Limosin Angoumois and Xaintonge bordering on Guienne gave great Satisfaction The Queen gave him a thousand Caresses and recommended earnestly to him to observe Conde's steps This Precaution was not necessary the good Prince thought no harm he was too well satisfied with his feigned Greatness and acting the part of an Imaginary King on the Stage at Bourdeaux and elsewhere he was charmed to see himself received with so much Ceremony took his Place in the Parliament made his Progress thrô the several Towns and heard with great Gravity the Harangues and Complements of the Magistrates and Gascon Gentlemen The Marquess of Ancre designs to marry his Son to the Princess of Soissons The Count of Soissons was now the only Person who managed the Queen The Marquess of Ancre whose Favour encreased every day shew'd an extreme Devotion to him Soissons Transported with bringing so potent a Favourite into the interests of his House did him all the good Offices he could He Assisted him in obtaining the Government of the Town and Citadel of Amiens in Spight of the Opposition and Discontent which the Count of St. Paul shewed at it This Lord being a younger Brother of the House of Longueville pretended to this Employ But Soissons who had an entire Ascendent over him made him desist Farther he engaged St. Paul to return out of Picardy where he Commanded during the Minority of the Duke of Longueville Memoires de la regence de Marie de Medicis to prevent any Difference that might happen between him and the New Governour of Amiens if they should meet Conchini was now risen to such a height nothing seemed to be above him There was a Discourse of Marrying his Son to one of the Princesses of Soissons You have a mind to flatter me said the Favourite to a Gentleman who made the Offer but I confess this Flattery do's not displease me He did not long continue in this Modesty he affected at that time The Count of Soissons accepts the Proposition The Generosity of the Duke of Epernon Conchini had the boldness to say to the Marquess of Coeuvres a Confident of the Count of Soissons that the Marriage talked of must be concluded that a Prince of the Blood would find great Advantages in it that the Queen had already given her consent Soissons meanly complyed with this shameful Match He was punished for it as he deserved The Ministers laid before the Queen Consequences of a Marriage which would sooner or later draw on it the Indignation of the King the Princes of the Blood and all sensible Men. Vie du Duc d'Epernon L. VI. Thus the Count of Soissons by this Treaty only obtained the Scandal and Reproaches of consenting to prostitute his Daughter to a young Italian whose Father and Mother soon became the Horror of Mankind not so Wise and Generous as the Duke of Epernon inferior in Birth to a Prince of the Blood Conchini caused a Marriage to be proposed for his Daughter with the Marquess de la Valette second Son of the Duke Besides the Great Wealth he would have given with his Daughter he promised to obtain the Sword of Constable of France for Epernon as soon as the King should be a Major Far from hearing his Friends and Servants who advised him to accept this Proposition the Duke rejected it with a Noble Scorn Nay he was Angry with those who pressed him to make an Alliance which if rewarded by the first Dignity of the State would be still the more Scandalous The Cardinal of Joyeuse took for the pretence of his Journey the Obligation he had to go to Rome to perform the Functions of his Dignity of Protector of France a Pompous and Ridiculous Title which the Pride of the Court of Rome has invented and the mean Complaisance of Sovereigns has Authorised These like Monks have each their Cardinal Protector with the Pope A Subject who is Agent for his Prince becomes his Protector at Rome The Regent Diverted her self at that time at Fontainbleau There on the 12th of April she drew up a long Instruction for Joyeuse No one can read these Pieces without complaining of or to speak better contemning Crowned Heads who suffer such a strange Slavery to be imposed on them A King must give the Holy Father an account of what he do's at home Siri Memorie recondite Tom II. pag. 502 503 c. for the good of his Dominions and what Alliances he contracts abroad for their Security Has he done any thing which is not well relished at Rome then see him humbly making his Excuses and taking all ways imaginable to extenuate his Fault He is very Submissive he promises to do great and mighty wonders on some other Occasion for the Holy See What a Pother's here about the Instruction of the Cardinal of Joyeuse The Regent justifies to Paul V. what she had done in favour of the Protestants Mary de Medicis will have him to inform Paul V. exactly of what has been done since the beginning of the Regency without omitting the least Particular To justifie her confirming the Edict of Nantes he must represent to his Holiness this was extorted from her to prevent the Jealousies of the Protestants and disappoint some busie Turbulent Men. The Protestants having Permission granted them to meet for the Regulating other Civil Matters she pretended it was impossible to do otherwise in a Minority Endeavours are used to pacifie the Disquiet which that Assembly gave the Pope promising to allow the Hugonots nothing that could be dispensed with The Regent had given several Employs and bestowed her Favours on some Protestant Lords for fear the Court of Rome should be alarmed at this it was said this was to gain the Heads of the Party over Paul the V. took it ill that the Parlement of Paris had made a Decree for the Suppression of Cardinal Bellarmine's Book against Barclay Her Majesty is a little Embarassed upon this Article she is troubled the Defamatory and Scandalous Books of the Gardinal should give occasion to the Magistrates to concern themselves But the Queen in Recompence has interposed her Authority to hinder the Sorbonne from vigorous Censure which she intended against the Propositions of Bellarmine It was not thought fit to give the Hugonots so great Advantages what Baseness what Trickings are here but this is not all The Renewing the Alliances with the Protestant Princes and States were coloured with the common good of Christendom and the Example of the King of Spain was alledged who made a League with the Vnited Provinces all good Offices were promised with the Electors and Protestant Princes of Germany in favour of Matthias King of Hungary whom the Courts of Rome and Madrid wished to have Elected King of the Romans In the last place the Court would make the Old
death of his Son whose Court having for some time been fuller than his made him Jealous This was clear enough from a word that fell from him What will they bury me alive An expression which the World reflected on when the Prince of Wales came to die a little while after The occasion of so many Diversions and Festival Solemnities in England was the Marriage of the Princes Elizabeth the Kings Daughter with Frederick Count Palatine of the Rhine This Alliance pleased the English extreamly and all the Protestants Mercure Francois 1613. The House of Austria took a great deal of pains to Traverse it And the Queen whom the Court of Madrid had took Care to make their Friend did her best to dissuade the King from it But he concluded it notwithstanding the Intrigues of the Spanish Faction James conferred the Honour of the Order of the Garter upon the Elector before the Solemnity of the Wedding The Illustrious Prince Maurice of Orange was Received into the same Noble and Ancient Society at the same time with his Nephew The Chapter of the Order was Convened at Windsor Castle the 14th of February this Year The Ceremony was performed with all the Solemnity imaginable The Elector Palatine who was himself in England to Negotiate his Marriage Received the Order in Person and Maurice being absent Received it by Count William of Nassau his Proxy Ten days after Frederick was publickly Married to the Princess Elizabeth Before and after their Wedding day the King Entertained the People with Plays and magnificent Spectacles Holland also was well pleased and joyful for a great while Prince Maurice Received in the Presence of the States General of the United Provinces the Garter which the Herald of the Order had brought thither and there was nothing omitted which might contribute to the Glory of the Ceremony The wise Barnavelt Pensionary of the Province of Holland Returned thanks in the Name of the States General to the English Ambassador who had presented the Garter in the Name of the King his Master to Prince Maurice The New Electoress having past from England into Holland in the Month of May following to go to Heydelberg she was Received almost in every City of the Province and particularly at Amsterdam with a Magnificence answerable to their Wealth and the Memory which they retained of the great assistances which their Infant-Republick had received formerly from the Crown of England The Protestants were in hopes that the Marriage of the Elector Palatine with the Princess of Great Britain would be very advantageous to their Religion But there was yet one thing which they wisht for And that was that King James would abondon his Design of Marrying his Heir to a Princess of the Popish Communion A Marriage talkt of between Charles Pr. of Wales Christiana of France But althô his Majesty did not stick publickly to say that the Pope was Antichrist yet he never had a sincere and fervent Zeal for the Establishment of the Reformation As soon as Prince Henry was in his Grave James proposed the Marriage of Charles his Second Son now Prince of Wales with Christina Siri Memoire recondite To. III. p. 44.45 c. Second Daughter of France The Regent frankly received the Memoires which the Ambassador of England delivered touching this Affair to Villeroy Secretary of State She hoped that the Protestants of France and elsewhere allarmed with the double Marriage concluded with Spain would be calmed when they saw that nevertheless the Crown of France was not set at such a distance from an Alliance with Protestants but that it still designed a strict Union with them in giving the younger Sister of the King to the Heir of the most powerful Prince of their Communion Althô the Conduct of Maria de Medicis in this Negociation was full of Artifice and Dissimulation the Court of Rome was Jealous and the Pope used all his Power to dissuade the Regent from listening to the offers of his Brittannick Majesty The Pope plainly told Breves the King 's Ambassador that he took it ill that there should be any design of mingling the Blood Royal oâ—… France with that of an Heretick Princeâ—… Breves took the liberty to represent to the Pope that the welfare of the Kingdom and of Religion it self required that the Proposals of the King of England should not be rejected The Old Man being devoted to Spain did not regard him He insisted to conjure the Regent not to enter into a Negociation so disadvantageous to the Church which is really as much as to say so little conducible to the Interests of the Court of Rome The Nuncio Vbaldini very much bestirred himself in France Ibid. p. 50.51 c. he tired the Queen with his Remonstrances he exhausted himself in finding out the most pressing motives of Piety and Religion at length he heated the Cabals of Devotees which are always numerous and powerful in an ignorant and superstitious Court. Said this Italian Prelate to the Queen Is it possible Madam that your Majesty should be so little sensible of the particular kindness of God to you 'T is to distrust his Providence to have recourse to the Alliance of Hereticks as a thing necessary for the Repose and Conservation of the Dominions of the King your Son Your Ministers think it convenient that you should hear the Proposals of an Heretick Prince Your Majesty agrees with them but that is not sufficient to clear you before God and all those who detest this sort of Politicks You should rather listen to the Voice of your Conscience and the good Advice of the Pope than the vain speculations of a Council that govern themselves by the maxims of the wisdom of the Children of this World rather than by those of Religion This Prelate advanced at that time a Principle of his particular Gospel which deserves to be related He declares that these pretended good People whom he would make the Queen afraid of entertain this piece of corrupted Morality that the Princes of their Communion are not obliged to observe Treaties made with those whom they are pleased to call Hereticks if the Terms appear to them to be never so little contrary to their Religion that is to the Court of Rome This Nuncio said moreover It is true Madam that promises made against the interest of God don't in any wise oblige and that we ought not to keep them But consider that your Majesty will hereafter find it more difficult to break your promise with the King of England than it is now to reject his Proposals Your Affairs are thanks be to God in a better Posture than they have been since the death of the King your Husband The Kingdom is in a peaceful State without the assistance of such an Alliance The time of your Administration will shortly Expire What a comfort will it be to you to deliver up to the King your Son France in a better Condition than you
Germany it made them greater and more incurable The Fortune of Bethlem Gabor Pr. of Transilvania Since Bethlem Gabor must often appear upon the Stage in this History I think it necessary to say something of his Fortune and Elevation He was one of the most dangerous Enemies the House of Austria had in this Age. I will look a pretty way backwards upon things that so the Reader may the better understand the Ancient pretenions of the Emperor upon Transilvania The brave Stephen Battori was the first who was declared Prince of Transilvania under the Protection of the Ottomans After his Elevation to the Crown of Poland by his means Christopher his Brother was Elected to the Principality of Transilvania Sigismond his Son and Successor steered another Course by the persuasion of the Emissaries of the House of Austria which he had about him This Prince who did not want Courage was persuaded that it was more advantageous and more honourable for him to quit the Alliance of the Sultan and unite with the Emperor But to the shame of Christianity Sigismond found that which has happened to a great many more I mean he met with less Justice and Fidelity among those of his own Religion than his Uncle and his Father had found among Infidels That he might be more firmly united with the Emperor Rodolphus he Married a Princess of the House of Austria but this marriage was the cause of the misfortunes of his Life They made him give up his Right to Transilvania for a certain Dutchie which they gave him At length repenting of the bad Market which he had made he retracted the Cession which he had made to the Emperor and gave his Principality to Cardinal Battori his Brother who was chosen by the States of the Country under the Protection of the Grand Seignior The new Prince had a terrible War to maintain against the Emperor and in it lost his Life Botskay his Kinsman Elected afterwards by the Transilvanians Mercure Francois 1606 1607 1608 c. defended himself with a great deal of Courage and Success insomuch that he took a great many Places from the Emperor in upper Hungary The House of Austria was forc'd to make a Peace with him One Article of the Treaty Imported that if Bortskay died withot Male-Issue Transilvania should Devolve upon the Emperor The Sultan Ratified this Treaty in another which he afterwads made with Rodolphus The House of Austria not long before it Demanded Transilvania by Virtue of this Agreement Borskai being poisoned immediately after by his Chancellor The States of the Country did not fail to choose Sigismond Ragotski for their Prince There were then so great Divisions in the House of Austria and such Commotions in Hungary and Bohemia that neither Rodolphus nor Matthias his Brother were in a Condition to press the Execution of the Treaty made with Botskay The New Prince did not long enjoy Transilvania but Generously gave it up to Gabriel Batori Heir of that Family whom the Turks publickly Supported Mercure Francois 1613. He being rendred odious by his Cruelties Bethlehem Gabar a Transilvanian Gentleman of boundless Ambition took care to gain the Favour and Protection of the Ottoman Court This is the Man which formed a powerful Party against Batori and which made War against him The Assistance of the House of Austria was of no use to Batori who was presently Reduc'd to the lowest Despair so that he begged of his own Friends to kill him His Enemies Soldiers did him that kindness which they refused Three days after his death Bethlem was declared Prince of Transilvania by the General of the Turkish Army who invaded Hungary The States of the Country assembled at Claussembourg afterwards chose him upon Condition that he should ask the Authentick Confirmation of the Sultan When Bethlem was in Possession of his New Principality he wrote a Letter to the Palatine of Hungary to desire the Favour of the Emperor But his Imperial Majesty intended to make the best of his Pretensions to Transilvania by Virtue of his Treaty made with Botskai which the Sultan Confirm'd Matthias declared this publickly in the Diet of Ratisbonne and it was principally for this End that he desired Assistance of the States of the Empire With this Prospect the House of Austria kept up the Party of Batori who refused to acknowledge the New Prince Bethlem Protected by the Turks whose Favour he had cunningly gained not only maintained himself in Transilvania but was upon the Point of taking away Hungary from them that would oppose him The Protestant and Catholick Leagues were Formed in Germany upon the occaâ—…ion of the Quarrel that arose about the Succession to the States of Cleves and Juâ—…iers The Division between the Houses of Brandenburg and Newbourg concerning the Government of the States of Cleves and Juliers Interests de Princes per M. de Rohan Part 1. Disc 4. the Princes of Brandenbourg and Newbourg Governed these Dutchies in Common Peaceably for many Years under the Favour of the Protestant League The strong Places were guarded by equal Garrisons The Two Princes Resided in the same Palace and did all by Concert But how difficult is it that a Country should be long governed after this manner without Divisions Princes of a different Family and different Religion have not the same Interest and Designs These began to fall out about Ecclesiastical Affairs Mercure Francoise 1613. Brandenburg would have ordered something without the consent of his Colleague and Newbourg opposed him The King of great Britain and the States of the United Provinces Mediated for a Reconciliation they were afraid their Division would give opportunity to the House of Austria to Seize upon a Contested Succession which would have been so convenient for it to prevent the Increase of their misunderstanding their Friends proposed a Marriage between the Two Families That of Newburg was free to it Prince Volfgang goes to the Elector of Brandenburg and desires his Daughter in Marriage But this step made by the wholesome Advice of those who designed nothing but to Establish a good Correspondence between the Two Houses was the occasion of an inplacable hatred between them and of the Distraction of those fine Dutchies which they might have divided between them I cannâ—…t tell how it came to pass but in the heat of Wine and at a Feast The Prince of Newburg said something at the Table of the Elector which displeased him Brandenburg was so enraged at it that he gave a Box in the Ear to him who desired his Alliance This unhappy accident might have been redrest if the Elector would have made a suitable Satisfaction but he obstinately refused to do it Volfgang being provokt with such an Affront returns to the Country of Cleves being resolved to be Reveng'd on him what ever it cost him From that time Brandenburg and Newburg did nothing by Concert in the Government of the States of Cleves and Juliers they Cavild at every
to their Ambassadors at Rome Siri Memo. recondite Tom. III. p. 133 134 137. Vienna and at Paris to Treat zealously with the Pope the Emperor and the Queen of France in Ferdinand's favour The Ministers of the most Christian King and the Republick of Venice represented to Paul V. that his Title of universal Father indispensably obliged him to prevent the ill Consequences of the Enterprize of the Spaniard but the Pope was unconcerned and acted not in this matter being resolv'd peaceably to enjoy all the rest of his days the advantages of the Popedom he would have seen all the Princes of Italy Ruin'd without any Concern so that they let him alone and suffered his Nephews to grow Rich at their ease Breves Ambassador of France affronted at this natural or affected Negligence writ to Mary de Medicis that the Pope was but a lump of Flesh which grew Fat in Laziness a Man without Courage and without Experience who took no other Care but of making his advantage of the highest Place in the Church which Fortune had given him thô he did not see Merit in himself to pretend to it So that there were not hopes that his Holiness would give the least assistance to the House of Mantua All that Paul V. could do was to whisper in the Ear of the Cardinal Duke that he should obstinately refuse to part with his Niece and to Marry Margarite his Sister-in-Law to which the King of Spain perswaded him so much afraid was this timerous Old Man to offend the Court of Madrid Might it not be thus also that the Pope being well informed of the peaceable Temper of Philip III. and of the Weakness of the Spanish Monarchy did rightly Judge that all this Bustle was but an Intrigue of the Catholick King 's Ministers and that when their Master should see himself â—…hreatned with a War with France â—…e would put a stop to the forwardness of his Ministers and hear Reasons As to the Emperor there was less to be hop'd for from him than from the Pope Mary de Medicis perplext about the Affairs of Mantua-Siri Memo. recondite Matthias neither was in a Condition nor in an Humour to send Troops to Italy and besides he was afraid too openly to offend the Court of Madrid His Imperial Majesty confirm'd to the Cardinal Duke the Guardianship of his Neice But he writ immediately to King Philip to excuse himself and tell him that he could not fairly refuse that favour to Ferdinand And to satisfie the Spaniards yet more Matthias advised Ferdinand to deliver up the Princess Mary into the hands of his Catholick Majesty The House of Mantua had no other Refuge but the Protection of France The Kindred and Friends which it had there Solicited for it with all its might The Ambassadors of the Republick of Venice and of some other States did still Treat in its favour Mary aâ—… Medicis was well pleased with the Reasons which they alledged to her to exhort her to take her Nephews under the Protection of her Son Interest of Blood was united together with Reasons of State But the Timerous Regent could not come to a Resolution Being fond of the double Marriage with Spain which she had managed with a great deal of application and which she lookt upon as the strongest support of his Authority her Majesty was afraid least the Affairs of Mantua should produce a Rupture between the two Crowns and all her Projects should be unravel'd She suspected the Importunities of the King of Great-Brittain Ibid. p. 174. the Republick of Venice the States of the United Provinces the Prince of Conde and the great Men of the Party us'd with her to send Troops into Italy Her skill went so far as to discover that all these endeavoured only to Engage France openly to oppose the Designs of the Court of Madrid to declare War against the King of Spain and consequently to break the Treaty of the double Marriage which did not so well suit with their Interests In this perplexity Mary de Medicis did her endeavour at the Court of Madrid that the Affair of Mantua might be soon amicably Concluded But the Spaniards which knew her Temper did amuse her with fine Words whilst they heartily endeavoured to effect their Enterprise not being concern'd about the Negociations against their Master in France and Italy Nani Historia Veneta Lib. 1.1613 the Ministers of Philip declared plainly that he expected that he should have the Princess of Mantua committed to his Care and that the Cardinal Duke should Marry Margarita of Savoy his Sister-in-Law in order to compose the differences of the two Houses That Charles Emanuel and Ferdinand should immediately lay down their Arms and that the other contested Points should be referr'd to the Judgment of the Pope the Emperor and his Catholick Majesty 1615. These Conditions were agreeable to the Demands which Charles Emanuel had made And hence it appeared that the Prince of Piedmont who had at last obtained leave to go to Madrid had not ill managed the Affairs of his Father In the mean time the Duke of Savoy was enraged to find himself always curb'd and over-rul'd But Ferdinand was more agriev'd than he They were not content to take away his Niece but would also force him to Marry against his Will his Sister-in-Law whom he did not Love The hatred which he bore to Charles Emanuel very much Estranged him from the Daughter of a declared Enemy of the House of Gonzague He lik'd better the Sister of Cosmo Great Duke of Tuscany she would be a considerable Fortune The Venetians his particular Friends advis'd him this Match And Cosmo was inclin'd to Conclude it as soon as the Quarrel between the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua should be made up It is proposed in the Council of France to send Troops to Italy The Spaniards spoiled their Business by speaking too proudly It was earnestly represented to the Queen Regent that it was a Shame and a Dishonour to suffer the King of Spain to Domineer over Princes Allied to that Crown and that he should endeavour to hinder the King of France from concerning himself about the most important Affairs of Italy Mary de Medicis hard put to it on every Side began to give some signs of Life She declared roundly to the Ambassador of Spain that the King her Son should not see the House of Mantua Opprest Siri Memo. recondite Tom. III. p. 141 142. c. and that he should employ his Arms to assist his Kindred and Allies They talkt of nothing in France but a Rupture between the Two Crowns And the Nobles who breath'd nothing but War althô it be the Instrument of their Ruin and by consequence of their Slavery were in readiness to get a Horsback They held a great many Councils at Court about the Affair of Mantua every one advis'd according to their own particular Interest Villeroy and the Ministers who were best pleas'd with
Peace Represented that before they were Engaged in a War which â—…ight be a long and Bloody one it was fit to try if the Quarrel could not â—…e adjusted by way of Negociation The Princes and Great Men who thought that War would tend most to their Adâ—…ancement and Reputation did not utterly reject the Experiment of a Negociation but to make this Negociation â—…ow Effectual that they should have an â—…rmy ready to March in case the Duk of Savoy and King of Spain should refuse reasonable Terms When the latter had learnt by his Ambassador in France that they spoke in earnest of sending Troops into Italy his Majesty and the Duke of Lerma his Favourite who had no mind to go to War The Q. Regent sends the Marquis de Coeuvres into Italy for to negociate an Agreement between the D. of Savoy and Mantua began to speak with more humility They declar'd themselves inclin'd to terminate the Affair of Mantua by way of Negociation Philip coldly desires the Prince of Piedmont to write to Turin that his Majesty would not fall out with France and that he would not give occasion to others to break with Spain for the Duke of Savoy's Fancy's who had every day new Chimaera's in his Head Siri Memo. recondite p 165.172.173.175 Let your Father added the King think of nothing but lying still unless he find himself able to Cope alone with the Two Crowns and all Italy A certain Author relates upon this occasion a Circumstance which if True Hist du Connetable de Lesdiguieres Liv. VIII Ch. 6. proves Charles Emanuel to be the most fantastical Man in the World at least Villeroy told it for certain to the Nuncio Vbaldini The Cardinal Aldobrandin an Enemy to the Borgheses being at Turin perswaded the Duke of Savoy to become a Cardinal It would be very easie for you afterwards said Aldobrandin to be Elected Pope in the first Conclave I will undertake for all my Vncles Creatures In the mean time we will stick to one another and make the Pope and Court of Rome do what we please The Count de Verue a Confident of Savoy approv'd of this Project and thought it one of the finest in the World Let us return now to see what became of the Affair of Mantua His Catholick Majesty sent Orders again to his Ambassador in France to Declare that he would withdraw his Troops from Monferrat provided the Cardinal Duke would grant an Amnesty to his Subjects which had Sided with the Duke of Savoy and desist from demanding reparation of Damages The Marriage of Ferdinand with his Brother's Widow was proposed at the same time And as for the young Princess of Mantua Philip consented that she should be disposed of in a Third hand by the Agreement of the Two Crowns These Offers were tendr'd in the most Civil Language imaginable All this seem'd to give an opportunity to the Cardinal Duke to Extricate himself with Honour The Court of France was intent upon the Method of Negociaton and sent one for that purpose into Italy in Quality of Ambassador Extraordinary The unreasonable Ambition of Conchini now Mareschal of France and of Galigai his Wife The Marquiss de Coeuvres who was fixed upon for this Imploy set out from Paris at the End of this Year took the Road of Turin that he might Confer with the Duke of Savoy in the first place Coeuvres informs us himself that he had secret Orders to Treat with the Cardinal Duke about surrendring his Cap to Galigai the Mareschalless of Anchre's Brother These People set no Bounds to their Ambition Conchini obtained the Staff of Mareschal of France in the room of Fervacques lately dead And now Galigai not being content that her Husband was raised to the Second Military Honour in France Memoires de la Regence de Maria de Medics Siri Memo. recondite Tom. III. p. 36.160 proposes to obtain for her Brother the Second Dignity in the Church of Rome This Creature so far forgot her self that she did not observe the Rules of Decency with the Princesses of the Blood A little while before she had spoke in the Queen's Closet to the Princess of Conde in such a Proud and Imperious manner that her Highness was extremely Affronted All the World was offended at the Insolence of Conchini's Wife whofe behaviour did not a little provoke the Princes and Great Men against her Husband whose new Dignity of Mareschall of France did yet more expose him to the jealousie and hatred of the Courtiers Continuation of the Disputes about Questions concerning Grace and Praedestination in the United-Provinces There was not less Confusion in the Vnited Provinces about Questions concerning Grace and Predestination than in Italy about the Interests of the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua James King of Great-Britain interpos'd in the Disputes of the Divines of Holland with as much Heat and Zeal as the Kings of France and Spain did in the Quarrel occasioned by the Pretensions of Charles Emanuel upon Monferrat Winwood the English Ambassador to the States General of the Vnited Provinces was very much in the Interest of the Divines which adhered to Gomarus They did say that it was a Point of great Concern to the Crown of of the King his Master Nevertheless Prèface dee actes du Synode de Dordrecht Brand. Hist de la Rèformation Liv. XX XXI Grotius Apologeticus eorum qui Hollandiae praefuerunt Cap. VI. alibi passim the Question was only to know whether Vorstius should be excluded the Universiâ—…y of Leiden which had Invited him thither â—…r at most to determine whether the Five Articles of Arminians were contrary to the Fundamental Doctrines of the Reformed Churches The Ambassador pubâ—…ickly Declared that Barnevelt Pentionaâ—…y of Holland was Govern'd by Vytenboâ—…ard Minister of the Church of the Hague and that the States of Holland led by Barnavelt did all that he Suggested to them The Gomarists which now began to be call'd Contra-Remonstrants by Reason of the Contra-Remonstrances which they oppos'd to the Requests and Writings of the Arminians their adversaries the Gomarists I say did continually offer new Memorials to their Winwood someâ—…imes against Vorstius sometimes against the States of Holland whom they accus'd as â—…oo favourable to the Remonstrants and Socinians themselves The Ambassador Communicated every thing to the King or to the Archbishop of Canterbury and publickly disallowed Vorstius and the Arminians The Support which the Contra-Remonstrants Received from his Majesty did strangely perplex the States of Holland They tryed all possible ways to stifle these Disputes which might have unhappy Consequences And the Contra-Remonstrants which always reckon'd upon the Protection of King James would not be at Rest After the famous Conference held at the Hague in 1611. the States of Holland Ordered the Divines of each Side to draw up their Thoughts in Writing concerning the Five Articles in Controversie And to give their Opinion concerning the Means which
it was fit that the Five Articles should be Considered in the Synode before they that maintained them should be Tolerated by Law To give leave to any said they in the same Church in the same Pulpit to Preach such contrary Doctrines is to expose the Province to great Destractions The Disputes Replied the others are about Speculative Doctrines which are of no Importance to Salvation What Inconvenience is there in giving every one the Liberty of Speaking their own Thoughts with Modesty The Emperors and Christian Princes have often without the Assistance of the Clergy made Laws to Regulate the Doctrine and Practice of the Church These Reasons did not then Convince the Deputies and Magistrates of several Cities of Holland They a long time denied their Consent to the publication of the Edict These of Amsterdam were more obstinate than the rest They Demanded that their Dissent should be Entred in the Register of the State And hence it came about that the Edict Projected in the Year 1613. was not published till the beginning of the Year 1614. The States of Holland Exhorted the Ministers when they Preachâ—… from those Texts where Predestination destination is mentioned to follow the Precept of St. Paul and to Preach that the Beginning Progress and End of Salvation was owing alone to the Grace of Jesus Christ and not to Works of those that are Called They were forbid to Preach that God made Men to damn them and that he puts them under a necessity of Sinning and that he invites those to Salvation whom he has resolved never to Save Lastly the States Ordered that they should not be molested who in explaining the Doctrine of Predestination suppose that Men are saved by the alone Grace of Jesus Christ in persevering in the Faith unto the End and that all those that believe not in Jesus Christ are damned As for all other Doctrines the States forbid them to Preach any that was not agreeable to the Doctrines commonly received in the Chuches of Holland So far was this Edict which was drawn up with such Care to satisfie all the World from Calming the Tempest which had some time continued that it encreased its Fury some Contra-Remonstrants Ministers wrote Books to persuade the People not to submit to the Edict They openly accus'd the States of favouring Popery and of introducing a bad Doctrine into the Vnited Provinces Vytenbogard wrote in Defence of the Edict of the States There came out every day some Book or other for and against the Edict One for Sibrand and another for Grotius This Division entred the Churches The Contra-Remonstrants being resolved to hold no more Communion with their Adversaries met by themselves in private Houses It was matter of great Dispute between them whether the Edict was approved of in England or no. Grotius received a Letter from Casaubon a Man equally sincere and accomplished with all polite Learning Casaubon assur'd his Friend that the King the Archbishop of Canterbury and several other Prelates of greatest Note had approved of the Edict The Strain in which it is Writ says Casaubon seems to the King and to the Rest equally distant from the Two opposite Extremes Manicheism and Pelagianism The necessity of Grace is there Establisht The Contra-Remonstrants produc'd of their Side Letters from England which Imported that neither his Brittannick Majesty nor the Prelates of the Church of England approv'd the Edict and the Conduct of the States of Holland But upon the whole the Testimonies of Casaubon who in Person spoke to the King and the Bishops seems preferâ—…able to any angry Mans Letters which the Contra-Remonstrants pretended to THE HISTORY OF THE REIGN OF LEWIS XIII King of France and Navarre BOOK V. THE Joy which Mary de Medicis had conceived to see her self delivered from a Rupture with Spain occasioned by the Affair of Mantua was of short Continuance The Retreat of the Prince de Conde and several other Discontented Lords who by Consent had left the Court in the beginning of the Year 1614. very much allarmed her Majesty The Mareschal de Bovillon had very cunningly Formed this new Party to serve his own Interests This subtle and ambitious Man taking it ill that he was not intrusted enough in the management of Affairs Memorie du Duc de Rohan Siri Memoire recondite To. III. p. 222. and that the Regent did not Reward him suitably to the great Services he imagined he had done her Majesty try'd to make himself necessary to the Queen and her Ministers by involving them in Troubles out of which he alone was able to deliver them Hereupon he persuades with all his might the Prince de Conde whom the Queen had disgusted by the denial she had given him of the Chà teau-trompette and by recalling the Old Ministers who he thought were utterly turned of as also by the hasty Rise of Conchini who had been drawn of from his Party publickly to make known his Discontent The Dukes de Nevers de Maìenne de Vendòme de Longueville de Piney-Luxembourg and several others being brought over by the Mareschal de Bovillon enter into New Engagements with the first Prince of the Blood They agree to retire all from Court almost at the same time and to meet in Champagne in order to Demand conjunctly Redress of the Disorders of the Government An Illusion with which the Princes and great Lords have too often blinded the Eyes of the People when they have a mind to make use of them to effect their own private Designs The People would have been Fool'd by them to this very day in France If having been less Covetous of the Preferments of the Court they had had at least the Wit to have kept them from utter Slavery and had not utterly incapacitated them to joyn with them upon occasion But the Princes and great Lords by Sacrificing the Interests of the People to their own avarice and ambition are now themselves undone without Remedy After having opprest those who might have stood by them It was an easie matter to reduce them to a most shameful Slavery The Party which was then form'd under the specious Pretence of the publick Welfare might have done good Service to the whole Kingdom if those who Listed themselves in it had done it with an honester Design and had taken better Measures Nevers Commanded in Champagne Maìenne in the Isle of France Vendòme in Bretagne Longueville in Picardie the Government of which the Comte de St. Pol his Uncle had Surrendred to him But the Mareschal de Bovillon upon whom they most depended by reason of his wisdom and his Sovereignty of Sedan had no mind to Unite a Party which he was not able to dissipate when he should find it for his advantage so to do The Prince of Conde Retired to Chateauroux an Estate which he had in Berri The Duke de Nevers went to Champagne Maìenne to Soissons the Dukes de Longueville and de Vendòme were shortly to follow But the latter
where there have been some Princes of the House of Austria have thought their Conscience and Religion allowed them to stir up People to defend the Liberty of their Countrey and march at the Head of an Army against their own Brothers As soon as the Emperour found the Designs of the Archduke he convened the States of Bohemia raised Troops writ to the Elector and Princes of the Empire to demand Aid of them There was in Bohemia at that time two powerful Parties of a contrary Religion the Catholicks and the Gospellers Under the name of Gospellers were comprehended the ancient Hussites those of the Confession of Ausburg and the Reformed The States of Bohemia were composed of Persons of both one and the other Party They presented to the Emperour divers Articles for the Regulation of Policy and Justice The Gospellers in particular required That the Clergy should not meddle in Civil Affairs That they should not determine Disputes concerning Marriage That they should not acquire Estates in Land without the consent of the States of the Kingdom That all Persons should be admitted to places of Judicature without distinction of Religion Rodolphus consented to what the States demanded The Concerns of Religion were remitted to the next Assembly which was appointed the end of September following And the States in conclusion swore to employ their Lives and Fortunes in the Emperour's Service Matthias was already at the Gates of Prague with his Army A Treaty of Peace between the two Brothers After some Negotiations the two Brothers agreed to name Deputies on both sides to confer together in a Neighbouring Village The Peace was concluded on certain Conditions I will relate the principal ones That the Emperor should quit the Kingdom of Hungary the States of the Country should chuse no other King than Archduke Matthias that Rodolphus should give him and his Heirs Male the Archdutchy of Austria without reserving to himself any Right That he should succeed to the Kingdom of Bohemia in case the Emperor died without Issue Male That the States of Bohemia should ratifie this Article That the Archduke should promise to maintain their Privileges if the Kingdom came to him That Matthias and his Heirs should have the Administration of Moravia with the Title of Marquess That in the Assemblies of the Countries yielded up by Rodolphus the Archduke should take care to have a certain Annual Contribution paid to the Emperor When the Treaty had been ratified on both sides Matthias goes to take Possession of the Arch-dutchy of Austria The Catholicks swear Fidelity to him but the Protestants refuse to do it and take Arms. By the Perswasion of Leopold of Austria Bishop of Strasburg of Mellini Cardinal and Nuncio of the Pope and Forgatsi Bishop of Vienna and Cardinal the new Soveraign published an Edict to forbid all his Subjects of Austria the exercise of the Protestant Religion Matthias is Elected and Crowned King of Hungary From Vienna Matthias passes into Hungary Before they proceeded to Crown the new King the Lords of the Country presented divers Articles to him which they required him to swear to observe viz. That the Protestants should have free exercise of their Religion in all Cities not excepting that in which the King resided That a Palatin should be erected who should in Conjunction with the Senators have the Administration of Affairs in case the King did not reside in Hungary That the Jesuits should not be tolerated and the Licentious Lives of the Clergy be reformed On these Conditions Matthias was proclaimed King and Crowned at Presburgh in the year 1608. The Discontent of the Protestants in Austria abated The Protestants in Austria sent a Deputation to those in Hungary intreating them to interceed with Matthias in favour of their Brethren and desiring their Assistance by virtue of a League Offensive and Defensive still in being between the States of Hungary and Austria in case Matthias persisted to refuse them the free exercise of their Religion He replyed to the Instances the Protestant Lords of Hungary made to him That he would leave all things in the same State they were put in by the Regulation of the Emperor Maximilian his Father The Consideration said he I am obliged to have for the Pope and the Catholick King will not allow me to grant the Protestants the exercise of their Religion in the Towns of Austria Let them lay down their Arms and I will grant it them abroad In the mean time those of both Religions shall be indifferently promoted to places of Judicature The Hungarian Lords thought this reasonable and advised the Protestants to accept the Terms rather than make War It is hard to come to a Resolution on a sudden After some Movements the matter was determined in the year 1609. At the Intreaty of thaâ—… States of Moravia and by the care of the Archduke Maximilian Brother of the Emperor and King of Hungary Matthias consented That the Lords and Protestant Gentlemen of Austria should have the free exercise of their Religion in their Castles Villages and their private Houses for their Family only when they should be in Town That they should have Publick exercise of it in three Cities specified in the Treaty where the Churches should be equally divided between the Catholicks and Protestants That all places should be indifferently given to capable Persons of both Communions The Protestants upon this submitted and took an Oath of Fidelity to the new King Differences about Religion in Bohemia The Emperor had longer and more difficult Contests with the Gospellers in Bohemia The Assembly of the States appointed at the end of September 1608. was put off till January following The Roman Catholicks did all they could to exasperate Rodolphus against the Gospellers and perswaded him that they enjoyed the exercise of their Religion only by a simple Toleration The Oath of Subjects is relative to that of a Prince said the Gospellers with Indignation to Rodolphus hearken to the ill Advice given him by certain Persons If the Emperor will not keep the Oath he has made to us we think our selves discharged from that we have taken to him Rodolphus remitted the hearing of their Complaints to the chief Officers of Bohemia who were all Catholicks These interessed Judges contemning what the Gospellers alledged in their Defence they protested in a full Assembly against all the proceedings of the States and demanded time to give notice to the rest of their Brethren in the Kingdom of what passed and to inform his Imperial Majesty The Gospellers instantly sent a Deputation to the King of Hungary and the Electors and Princes of the Empire intreating them to intercede with Rodolphus The Emperor resolved the States should continue to sit and regulate all Matters of Religion The Term of their Sessions being expired the Emperour dismist them and forbid the Gospellers to meet in the Court of the New Prague or debate of their Affairs there In vain did they Petition his Majesty
Fate of one Battle would decide the Quarrel Sigismond was so overseen that his Camp was surprised at Linkoping Part of his Army was kill'd and some drown'd To save the remainder he sued to his Uncle for a Peace Charles agreed to it on condition that the five Swedish Senators that were with the King might be delivered up to him he charged them to be principal Authors of all these Distractions and that they should be brought to their Tryal for it at the next Sitting of the States The two Princes concluded a Treaty Charles renewed his Oath of Allegiance to the King And Sigismond ingaged that for his part he would govern the Realm henceforward according to the Constitution of the Country and his Coronation Oath He further promis'd to call a Parliament in four Months time and that all Matters in Controversy should be there decided in presence of such Commissioners as the Emperor the Confederate Kings and Electors should appoint on Application made to 'em for it There were other Stipulations made for the Mutual security of both Princes and for the Disbanding of their Forces on each side Care was taken to add this farther Article That in case King Sigismond performed not this Treaty his Subjects of Swedeland should be discharged of their Oath of Fidelity to him The States of Swedeland depose King Sigismond The King and Duke had frequent Meetings and all things seem'd dispos'd toward a lasting Peace Charles seemed sincerely inclined to observe the Treaty on his part But Sigismond vext to the Heart to see himself forced to submit to his Uncle's Terms retired secretly into Poland instead of going to Stokholm as he had promised He was no sooner arrived at Dantsick but that he publisht in all Courts of Europe that his Uncle was a Traytor and a Rebel and therefore pretended that he himself was in no ways bound to the Treaty concluded at Linkoping Was it possible for him to do any thing that could more contribute to the promoting of Charles his Designs who knew accordingly to turn all this to the best Advantage He therefore so managed the point that the States met at Linkoping where Sigismond was cited and summoned to make good his Promises at the last Treaty of Accommodation That he would embrace the Protestant Religion that he would come to make his Residence in Swedeland or that at least he would send his Son Prince Ladislaus to be brought up under his Uncle's Tuition in case that he himself did chuse rather to tarry in Poland It was at the same time Enacted by the States that in case the King refused to accept these Terms that he and his Issue should forfeit all their Right to the Crown of Swedeland which would be bestowed on a Person capable to govern this Realm after the Fundamental Laws of the Land Whilst Sigismond dallyed to return an Answer the Duke of Sudermania was desired to take the Government upon him and to maintain the Protestant Religion The States since held at Stokholm declared That they were no longer bound to the Oath of Allegiance they had taken to Sigismond because he had contravened his Grandfather's last Will and Testament had not performed the Office of a good King refused to observe the Treaty concluded with him at Linkoping and slighted all Remonstrances made to him Yet after all this they made an offer of the Crown to Prince Ladislaus in case that in a years time he came to reside in Swedeland and would be instructed in the Protestant Religion But that if Sigismond and his Son refused to agree to such reasonable Demands as these they Solemnly protested that neither himself nor his Issue should be ever capable of pretending to the Crown of Swedeland Charles Duke of Sudermnia chosen King of Swedeland Nothing in the World could be more favourable to Charles his Designs than such a Conjuncture of Affairs as this was King Sigismond took a fancy to maintain the Claim of the pretended Demetrius in Muscovia He had afterwards several wrangling Contests with the higher Nobility of Poland so that whilst he was thus taken up all he could do in some of the Remotest Provinces of Swedeland proved to be very weak and unsuccessful Then the Duke become Master of the Heart of the Country and of the best Garrisons summon'd the States to meet at Norkoping in March following in the stear 1607. To make the World believe that he had no hand in perverting the Loyalty of Sigismond's Subjects nor of Usurping of his place on the Throne he offer'd to lay down the Regency committed to him and even proposed to accomodate Matters with Sigismond or to place John the King's Brother on the Throne The States would have no further mention of either Sigismond or of his Son As for Prince John whether it was that he more loved his Ease than Ambition or whether he rightly guess'd at his Uncle's Real Sentiments in the bottom who made such Proposals but for a shew but truly coveted the Government for himself John I say did very generously refuse it in outward appearance declaring at the same time That he was content with his Dutchy of East Gothia and would always approve himself a faithful Subject if any Person that was better able to govern the Realm than himself in such Troublesom times as these Charles therefore after so many shews of declining the Crown which were never thought to be sincere accepted it at last It was ever setled on his Heirs Male and not to devolve to John but for want of such Issue Male of the Body of Charles The States being moreover sensible that Queen Catherine Jagellon was the chief Promotress of the Troubles and Difficulties that King John her Husband and her Son Sigismond had brought the Protestant Religion under decreed that their King might be only Marry'd to a Protestant The New King without any more adoe writ to Sigismond Mercure Francois 1607 1608. and to the Common-wealth of Poland to give them notice of his Accession to the Crown and to make them an offer of renewing former Alliances betwixt both Kingdoms The States of Swedeland writ to the same purpose to the Senate of Poland in particular Charles was presently after Crown'd at Vpsal together with Christina his Wife overjoyed to see her self now above Sigismond's disdain The King of Poland did not vouchsafe to make any Answer to his Uncle's Letter looking on him to be no better than an Usurper The Senate writ only to the States of Swedeland The Polanders took upon 'em to tax the Swedes after an insultting way with Disloyalty towards Sigismond they protested they would own no other as lawful King of Poland saving him They inveighed bitterly against the cunning Tricks made use of as they pretended by Charles to strip his Nephew of the Crown The States of Swedeland replied to this Letter by a Manifesto directed to the Senate of Poland wherein they did justifie their own Conduct all
more particular Light into the State of Euâ—â—pe in Levis XIII his time The Czar John Basilovits fam'd for his Cruelties and the War which the brave Stephen Battori King of Poland wag'd against him with so much Glory and Advantage French Mercury 1605. as the Muscovite was oblig'd to have recourse to the Pope's Intercession for obtaining a Peace Basilovitz I say had left but two small Children behind him of seven Wives which he had Theodorus and Demetrius The eldest stupid and heartless succeeded him Whilst he diverted himself in ringing of Church-Bells Boris Frederovits a Muscovite Lord who had married his Sister govern'd the State This wicked Ambitious Man caus'd young Demetrius to be slain who dwelt with his Mother in a Castle remote from Mosco And the better to conceal his Crime he procured him to be assassinated whom he made use of to commit this Villany The Czar Theodore died in a little time after 'T was though Boris had poyson'd him The Masculine Line of the ancient Czars being thus at an end it was not hard for Boris Brother-in-Law to this last Prince to mount up into the Throne Being as crafty as he was cruel he had taken care to gain the Love of the People and to remove far from him under specious Pretences the Lords who were in capacity to oppose his Ambition He was crown'd at Mosco in all Forms and Ceremonies His bloody and suspicious Nature render'd him quickly odious to the Muscovites A Nation accustomed to Slavery doth not so patiently suffer the Tyranny of a Prince newly rais'd up to the Throne as that which is establisht in a long Succession of one and the same Family A Counterfeit Demetrius in Poland About the year 1604. Boris receiv'd News from Poland which put him to strange Difficulties A Russian Monk had carried thither a young Man who much resembled in Stature and Countenance the Prince Demetrius whom Boris had caus'd to be put to Death The Monk first puts this youth into the Service of Vietsnovisky a Polish Lord who had Marryed the Palatin's Daughter of Sendomir from whence he got into the Palatines Wine-House When the Monk thought he had prepared Men well enough he told the Palatine as a Secret that this young Man was Demetrius lawful Heir of the Empire of Russia who had been privately and happily convey'd away from the Cruelty of Boris by putting another Child in the Prince's room whom the Tyrant intended to cause to be slain This adventure was related with such probable Circumstances as the Palatine believ'd all that was told him He presently discover'd the Secret to Sigismond King of Poland who was willing to be fully acquainted with the pretended Demetrius The Youth who neither wanted Wiâ—â— or Education Rehearseth the Misfortunes of his Life in the presence of the King with much Craftiness and a good Grace he shew'd certain natural Marks on his Face and upon one of his Hands which he pretended to be undeniable Proofs of the truth of his Birth and then addressing himself to Sigismond he thus proceeded I am Sir very happy to have fallen into the hands of a King who having been himself unfortunate and persecuted during his Infancy by his Vncle must have the greater Compassion for my hard Fortune You was born in the Prison where the Cruel Erric had put your Majesties Father and Mother The Polanders have made choice of you before all the Princes in Europe This distinction Sir ought to render you the more respected by the Swedes your Natural Subjects Another Ambitious Vncle raiseth 'em against you he endeavours to snatch forcibly away your Patrimony Thanks be to God your Majesty is still powerful enough to help me to be Restor'd to mine As soon as you shall put me into a condition to be thankful for so great a Favour the Polanders and Muscovites united together shall quickly reduce the Swedish Rebel May Heaven grant that after this Happy Expedition we may joyntly set upon the common Enemy of the Christians If King Sigismond did not believe what was told him he hop'd however that the Story whether true or false might stand him in some stead against the Muscovites T' was resolv'd upon to Assist the pretended Demetrius and to send him first into Lithu mia that from thence to write to the Pope he might be nearer Muscovy He askt of him to do him all the good turns he cou'd in Poland The Court of Rome always attentive to what is capable of extending her usurpt Domination willingly gave an ear to the Person who made her hope to Reduce the Russians to the Obedience of the Holy Chair Demetrius enters into Muscovy and there Crown'd A private Rumor presently run aboroad at Mosco that the Prince Demetrius having scap'd the fury of the Tyrant Boris shew'd himself near to the Frontiers The Malecontents and they who lov'd Novelty confirm'd for truth what others had said The People easily drawn to believe extraordinary Contingencies and who flatter themselves with finding a milder and more supportable Government seem'd to wait with impatience Demetrius's coming Boris inform'd of what had pass't at Poland and of the practices begun at Mosco did not know which side to take whether he should despise this Story as if it was but a ridiculous Story the noise of which in a little time vanisheth or if he should downright prepare himself to press and quell a Party which seem'd to fortifie it self ev'ry day both at home and abroad Persuaded at last that nothing was to be neglected he caus'd it to be spread abroad on his side that the pretended Demetrius was a known Mag cian and after Orders for the safety of the Frontiers he sent Ambassadors to the Diet at Warsaw They were to complain to the King and Republick of Poland for that they had Transgress'd the Conditions of Peace made betwixt the two States by shewing their willingness to uphold the Impostures of the miserable Son of a Priest and to demand the delivery of him up to 'em alive or dead In case the Ambassador cou'd not obtain of 'em a favourable Answer Boris had order'd 'em to Negotiate with some Popish Lords for to engage them to oppose a design which the King might have against him Sigismond answer'd the Muscovites in general Terms and in the mean time prepared himself underhand to assist him who averr'd himself to be the rightful Heir of the ancient Czars Demetrius enter'd into Moscovy at the Head of an Army consisting of Ten thousand Poles and Cossacks which the Palatine of Sendomir commanded under him Demetrius and he not having known the advantage they had of so good an occasion to rout the Muscovite Army were themselves defeated in the beginning of the year 1605. Demetrius too weak to keep the Field any longer shut himself up in a Town which he had before taken he hop'd to receive new Succors from Poland before the Enemy could retake the places which had been taken from
Lieutenacy-General of Provence and the Queen caus'd all Processes to cease which were commenc'd against him The Princess of Conti obtain'd the Reversion of the Abbey of St. Germain At last Bassompierre was promis'd the Office of Chief Gentleman of the King's Bed-Chamber Confusion and Troubles of the Prince of Conde The Prince of Conde went next Morning to Court But what was his Amazement when he found the Queen shut up in her Closet with the Ministers of State without suffering any one to open the Door to him After a great many Reflections upon this sudden Accident the crafty Bassompierre insinuated That the Marshal dâ—… Bouillon might have put a Trick upon his Highness in this Occasion and have made his Peace with the Queen and the Ministers of State leaving the Prince in the Lurch This Suspicion seem'd likely enough to poor Condé who went strait away to the Marquiss d' Ancres for to consider together upon this Conjuncture and found him no less cast down than himself was at the good Understanding that waâ—… between the Queen and her Ministers oâ—… State and the new Favour of the Duke oâ—… Guise and d' Epernon The Death of the young Baron de Luzâ—… slain in a Duel by the Chevalier de Guise did not make a less noise in the World though the Court did not so much bestir it self about it The young Baron de Luz kill'd in a Duel by the Chevalier de Guise as about the Murder of his Father The Guises were at that time in Favour with the Regent Luz the Son of him whom I but now spoke of instructed in the false Maxims of the French Nobility thought himself to be bound in Honour to require Satisfaction for his Father's Death A Month after he sent a Challenge to the Chevalier de Guise by a Gentleman named du Riol Sir Mercure Francois 1613. imported the Challenge you ought to be the only and trusty Witness of my just Grief Pardon then I pray you if I require you by this Note to see you with Sword in Hand for to have an Account from you of my Father's Death The good Opinion I have of your Bravery and Courage makes me hope you will make no use of your Quality for an Excuse to grant me a Request which Honour exacts from you This Gentleman will shew you the Place where I shall be with a good Horse I have Two Swords you shall have the choice of them If you won't come hither I 'll go where-e'er you shall command me The Chevalier de Guise was in Bed when du Riol gave him the Challenge He quickly dress'd himself and taking the Chevalier Grignan to be his Second they went all Three to the Place where the young Baron expected them After the usual Formalities in premeditated Duels the Four fought with their Swords on Horseback Guise was wounded at the first Pass but at the third he run Luz quite through who fell from his Horse in a little time after Grignan could not make his Part so good with du Riol who had given him Two great Thrusts with his Rapier The Chevalier de Guise ran speedily to help him and du Riol seeing Luz at Death's Door made the best of his Way 'T was said that the Court Bravo's went to congratulate the Chevalier de Guise upon this Atchievement which in the Sense of all reasonable Men he ought to be rather ashamed of He had barbarously kill'd the Father to rid his House of a Man who was a Thorn in their side Though the Rule of false Honour did not allow him to deny the Son the Satisfaction he required yet this second Homicide was not less Criminal than the former before God and Men who have a right and sound Apprehension of things One should be so far from applauding this wretched Murtherer as he ought to be look'd upon with Horror who after having unjustly kill'd the Father was drawn on into the unfortunate Necessity of killing the Son blinded by his just Resentment and hurried on by the Evil Custom of the Times That which is more astonishing is that Mary de Medicis sent to visit the Chevalier de Guise after this second Duel and ask how he did after his Wound Memoires de Bassompierre she who but few Weeks before had commanded the Parlement to prosecute him in less than eight Days for the first Duel Behold how this weak and imprudent Queen executed the Declarations publish'd by her Son and under her Directions at the beginning of the Year against Duels The precedent Kings had tried to abolish this pernicious and abominable Custom without ever being able to compass their Design Lewis XIII was more vigorous in the matter in the last Years of his Reign Let us not deny his Son the just Praise he deserves in this Case His Severity has almost compleated what his Predecessors undertook but could never bring about This is the best and perhaps the only good Action he has done in fifty six Years of his Reign If the Justice of Men let the Chevalier de Guise go unpunished Mercure Francois 1514. yet this false Brave can't escape God's Judgment The following Year being at the Castle de Baux five Leagues from Arles in Provence he would needs himself fire a Cannon which burst asunder He receiv'd such a Wound from a Splinter of it as he died in two Hours after Time God wot short enough for Preparation to appear before the terrible Revenger of Blood unjustly spilt His Name was Francis Paris d e Lorraine The Death of the Duke of Mantua New Designs of the Duke of Savoy upon this Accident Affairs abroad disquieted the Regent as well as the Commotions at home Francis Duke of Mantua her Nephew died the latter end of the precedent Year He left behind him by Margaret his Wife of the House of Savoy and Daughter of Charles Emanuel but one Daughter about four Years of Age. Ferdinand Cardinal de Gonzagua Brother to Francis succeeded without any Contest to the Dutchy of Mantua But Montferrat not being a Fief Male it was to descend to the young Princess of Mantua This Marquisate formerly given by the Emperor Otho to a Saxon Lord had fallen since into the Possession of two different Houses The Paleologues first got into it by the Marriage of Yoland an Heiress of the Line of Saxony with Andronicus Paleologus Emperor of Constantinople Theodorus their second Son having had Montferrat for his Share his Issue Male were in Possession of this Fee of the Western Empire till for want of such Heirs the House of Gonzagua came to inherit it by Vertue of a Marriage of Margaret Poleologus with Frederick Duke of Mantua The Duke of Savoy disputed the Succession with the Family of the Gonzagua's There is said they an ancient Agreement made between Theodorus Paleologus and Edmund Comte de Savoy That when the Line Male of the Paleologues should be at an end the Issue Male of
might be most proper to compose the Disturbance which their Dispute had occasioned in several of the Vnited Provinces The Remonstrants declar'd that their way of Toleration seem'd the safest and most convenient so that every one should have the Liberty to Teach and Preach his Opinion concerning the Five Articles in Dispute The Contra-Remonstrants propos'd a Convocation of the National Synode which should Examine and Determine which of the Two Opinions was most agreeable to the Word of God and to the Doctrine commonly received in the Reformed Churches When the States of Holland were consulting about this matter in their Assembly they found themselves divided into Two Parties the one approv'd the Advice given by the Remonstrants and the other was for a National Synod The First carried it Without declaring for one or the other the States of Holland publish'd an Edict in which it enjoined both the Remonstrants and Contra-Remonstrants Charitably to bear with one another not to disturb the Peace of the Churches not to say which had got the better of the other to speak with a great deal of Wariness and Consideration concerning the controverted Points in their Sermons to take more care to inculcate upon the People the duties of the Christian Life and the necessity of preserving Peace in the Church and in the Common-wealth then to explain to their Auditory abstracted and difficult Points in Divinity and whereas the Contra-Remonstrants complain'd that their Adversaries entertain'd Opinions contrary to the Doctrine of the Reformed Churches not only concerning Grace and Predestination but also about original Sin the Satisfaction of Jesus Christ and other important Articles of Religion The States of Holland forbid them to Preach in their publick Lectures and their Sermons any thing contrary to what the Reformed Churches had always Professed to be concerning Original Sin the Satisfaction of Jesus Christ and other Articles specified in the Edict of the States This is sufficient to refute the Calumny of certain zealous Contra-Remonstrants who had the Impudence publickly to accuse the States of Holland of a design to introduce into their Province the Impieties of Paulus Samosatenus which Servetus and Socinus had reviv'd in the last Ageâ—… They which compos'd this Illustious Assembly always detested the Enemys oâ—… the Divinity of Jesus Christ If severaâ—… Deputies to the States of Holland did noâ—… think themselves oblig'd to declare againsâ—… Vorstius his being call'd to the University of Leiden the Reason was because Vorstius publickly disavow'd the Opinions oâ—… Socinus The States desired him to Prinâ—â— the Declaration that he had made both in Latin and in Dutch and to send it to the King of England They Commanded him also particularly to answer all thâ—… Accusations which he had been charged with in Print and to stay at Tergow tilâ—… they were better inform'd of his reaâ—… Opinions Grotius so renown'd for his Works was then Fiscal Advocate of Holland he had a great share in what the States did with relation to these disputes This Learned Man did so abhor Socinianism Epistola Grotii 13. ad Walaeum 1611. that he declar'd that the Followers of Socinus did not deserve the Name of Christians and that he saw but little difference between a Socinian and a Mahometan Grotius afterwards did not seem to have quite so bad an Opinion of the Disciples of Socinus but yet he never espoused their Sentiments This might be clearly prov'd by abundance of Passages in his Letters and in his Works Whatsoever â—â—ey might say to stain his Reputation he â—…ill always have the Glory of having â—…etter refuted the deceitful subtilties of â—â—cinus against the Satisfaction of Jesus â—…hrist than any who have writ before â—â—m New Contests in Holland about choosing their Pastors The Wiser and more moderate Diâ—â—nes easily submitted to the Edict â—…ublish'd in 1611. Those of the Walloon Churches signaliz'd themselves upon this â—…ccasion they promis'd in their Synods 〈◊〉 1612 and 1613. to Respect as Breâ—â—ren those which maintain'd the Five â—…rticles in Dispute But the far greater â—…art of the Dutch Ministers were not so â—…ractable They had almost all took â—â—e Side or other in this Quarrel they â—…hich were for the Contra-Remonstrants â—â—claim'd against the Edict they acâ—â—s'd the States of Holland of a base Conâ—…escention to Men whose Doctrine tendâ—â— to re-establish Popery Grotius Oratione habità in Senatu Amstelodamensi Epist 18. ad Uytenbogardum 1613. or at least to â—â—troduce Socinianism into the Reformed â—…hurches In the Year 1612. there aâ—â—se a business which occasion'd a new â—…ontest the Remonstrants complained â—â—at their Adversaries were more numeâ—â—us in their Synods and certain Assemâ—â—ies which are called Classes in the Vniâ—â—d Provinces and which the Reformed 〈◊〉 France call Colloques they complain'd â—â—at it often happen'd that they refused 〈◊〉 admit to the Ministry those which â—…eclar'd for the Doctrine of the Five Articles upon this and some other considerations Barnevelt proposed in the Assembly of the States of Holland the Revival of a Law made in the Year 1591. concerning the manner of choosing the Pastors of the Church It seems that at the beginning of the Reformation in Holland Grotius Apologeticus eorum qui Hollandia praefuerunt Cap. VII William Prince of Orange and the States of Holland had a design to make a Law that the Election of the Ministers should belong to the Magistrates of the Places but the Clergy had Wit enough to baffle this Project A National Synod Convened at the Hague in 1586. Ordered that the Pastors should be chosen by the Consistory that they would do the Magistrates the Honour of giving them notice of the Election and of asking them whether they found any fault with the Manners or the Doctrine of the Person chosen The Decree of the Synod overturn'd the Right of Patronage Established in Holland a long time before the Reformation which the States and Gentlemen of that Country endeavour'd to retain as well as many other Reformed Provinces Far from approving this Order the States of Holland published an Edict the same Year by which they declar'd that their Intention was to reserve to themselves and to the Gentlemen the Right of Patronage upon Condition that they who are Named by the Patrons should not be received into the Ministry but after an exact Information of their good Manners and of their sound Doctrine Neither did the States of Zealand observe this Canon of the National Synod at the Hague In the Year 1591. They Convene'd a particular Synod of their own Province 'T was there Decreed that the Consistory should desire the Magistrates of the respective Places to Name certain Persons from amongst themselves who should proceed Jointly with the Consistory in the Election of their Ministers In Holland there almost every day arose some dispute when there was a Vacant Church to be provided for the Consistory maintain'd that this priviledge belonged solely to them The Magistrates and the Gentlemen endeavour'd to
maintain their Right of Patronage But to remedy the disorders which frequent disputes about this Point occasioned they endeavoured in the Year 1591. in the Assembly of the States of this Province to make a New Regulation concerning the manner of choosing Pastors According to this Project the Magistrates and the Consistory were to Name each Four Persons of their own Body to Elect Jointly The Act of Election was to be carried afterwards to the Body of the Magistrates who should have power to Accept or Reject the chosen Minister And in this last Case they were to proceed to a new Election This Law was agreeable enough to the Civil Law Establish'd by the new Constitutions of the Emperor Justinian touching the Election of Ecclesiastical Ministers And because it was convenient to Reserve some Priviledges to particular Persons who had the Patronage of Churches it was added in the same Law that if there were a Pastor to be chosen to a Church of which a particular Person was the Patron then this Person was to depute Four others to Elect in Conjunction with the Four Named by the Consistory So that a Gentleman had the same priviledge with respect to the Church of which he was Patron as the Magistrates had reserved with respect to the Churches of Towns and Cities A Regulation so well Contrived for the Satisfaction of all the World met with so much opposition in the Assembly of the States of Holland in the Year 1591. from several considerable Cities that it was not possible to pass it into a Law In the Year 1612. the Pensionary Barnevelt propos'd a second time to the States of the Province as more necessary than ever by reason of the Quarrels that arose about the Five Articles Besides that the Synod and Classes did not dare to make use of the pretended Heresie 〈◊〉 Remonstrants to Interdict those which haâ—… been chosen after this manner by thâ—… Consent of the Consistory's and Magistrates and Patrons this Project had a considerable Advantage in the present Posture of the Churches of Holland It allow'd the Magistrates to choose none but wise and moderate Pastors and such as should be acceptable to all the World and well inclined to Peace When Barnevelt spoke in the Assembly of the States of the Province of the Revival of the Law propos'd in 1591. Their Opinions were then decided Some thought it fit that they should publish it others thought that it was more convenient first to have the consent of the Synode These latter were apparently afraid that this Law should more provoke the Ministers of the Contra-Remonstrant Party who grumbled very much that the States pretended singly to decide matters belonging to Religion and the Government of the Church Barnevelt in this Affair in which he was so heartily engaged so managed those that were concern'd that he brought them all over to his own Opinion The States of Holland at last resolv'd that the Laws which had been Projected concerning Ecclesiastical affairs in the Year 1591 should be from that time observ'd but they found great difficulty in the Execution of them There arose immediately great Disputes both by word of Mouth and by Writing concerning this Deliberation of the States The Contra-Remonstrants said that the States had gone beyond the Bounds of their Lawful Authority and that it was not fit for them to put their hand to the Censor in Regulating the Doctrines of Faith and the Government of the Church The Remonstrants side with the States By this means they had opportunity to curry favour with the Government and likewise found their account in the Enacting of this Law The Armenians maintain'd and not without Reason that the States of Holland being Sovereigns in their Province had power to Establish any thing that was not contrary to the Law of God and to regulate the Government of the Church to make Laws for the Security of it's Peace according to the Example of Christian Emperors and Princes which have done so before them without any Contradiction from the primitive Church So that for the future we shall find there were disputes in the Vnited Provinces not only about the Five Articles of the Remonstrants but also about the Right of Patronage and the Lawful Power of Sovereigns in matters of Faith and Discipline of the Church This was the occasion of an excellent Treatise which Grotius published to the World This Learned Man does in that Book defend at large that which he had before advanc'd in an Apology for the States oâ—… Holland Grotius De Imperio summarum potestatum circa Sacra touching the Authority of thâ—… Sovereign Power in Ecclesiastical Affairs But before we speak of this Apology publish'd by Grotius It is fit to say something concerning this Quarrel which intreas'd every day in the Vnited Provinces The divisions increased in the United Provinces Before this time there had been Synod â—…gainst Synod that of Vtrecht in 1612. â—…eclare that the Five Articles of the Reâ—…onstrants were Tolerable That of the â—…rovince of Guelderland maintains that â—â—l the Doctrine contain'd in the Confesâ—â—on of Faith and in the Catechism of â—â—e Belgick Churches was agreeable to â—â—e Word of God Preface des Actes du Sinode de Dordrecht The Synod Solemnâ—â—â— Engage themselves to maintain and deâ—â—nd it In Some Cities they Suspend and â—…epose the Remonstrant Ministers as Hereâ—â—ks in others they drive out the Contra-â—â—monstrant as Violent and Seditious â—â—e People being devoted to their Old â—â—nisters would not acknowledge those â—â—t were put in their Room So that there â—â—s a Schism in one and the same Church Brand Hist de la Reformation Liv. XX. XXI â—â—e part of the People assembled with 〈◊〉 Depos'd Minister in spite of the Maâ—â—rates Another part stuck to the new â—â—e One Geselius gave a great deal of â—â—ble to the magistrates of Rotterdam â—â—ey Depose him he sets up Conventiâ—â— they Banish him and he refuses to â—â—ey them The Magistrates publish'd Manifesto giving an account of their â—â—duct to the People Geselius answers 〈◊〉 his own Justification In one Word â—â—e were not greater Divisions in the Church in the time of Arianism Circular Letters flew about to Exhort to forsake the Communion of those who embrac'd the Five disputed Articles The Contra-Remonstrants call'd themselves the unjustly persecuted Church They had a private Meeting in a Barn at Rotterdam The Magistrates ordered it to be shut up the Contra Remonstrants open'd it again Could they have had more Zeal and more Heat about the Fundamentals of the Christian Religion During these Confusions Gomar quitted the Chair of Divinity-Professor at Leyden and retir'd to Middleburg in Zealand Polyander a great Stickler for the same Opinion was put in his Place The Remonstrants comforted themselves under this disappointment with Episcopius being call'd to the same University He had obtained a great Reputation in the Party by his strong Defence of the Five Articles at the Conference in the Hague in 1611.
their Adversaries that Support which they flattered themselves of receiving from King James the I. Winwood his Ambassador at the Hague had prejudic'd him against the Remonstrants and the Archbishop of Canterbury the declared Enemy of the Opinions of Vorstius gave the King a bad Character of them In short this Prelate imagin'd that all the Remonstrants Ministers and the Magistrates their Protectors had an Inclination to Socinianism with which he thought Vorstius was infected Grotius Apologeticus eorum qui Hollandiae praefuerunt Cap. VI. in Epistolis 1613. Vytenbogard and the Rest thought good to oppose to the Archbishop several Doctors and Prelates of the greatest Note and Meritin England and especially the learned Casaubon whom his Majesty had a particular Value for His Majesty owing his Entertainment of the Sentiments of Calvin concerning Predestination more to the prejudices of his Education than Reason or Study Casaubon and others easily perswaded him to listen to what they had to Offer in favour of the Remonstrants in Holland These took the advantage of this favourable Conjuncture They sent to Caron the Dutch Ambassador at London a Memorial in which the Questions in Debate were fairly and clearly Stated This Memorial was read to the King and gave him Satisfaction His Majesty writ a Letter to the States of Holland and to â—…ell them it was his Opinion that they should Tolerate the Remonstrants and that the Magistrates should use their Authority to suppress their Disputes and to forbid them to Preach such difficult and abstruse Doctrines The King's Letter extreamly vext the Contra-Remonstrants but it did quite dicourage them They sent privately into England a Memorial to perswade the King that they had impos'd upon him The Conduct of the States of Holland and those who had the greatest share of the Government was there rail'd at in so outrageous a manner that his Majesty sent a Coppy of it in a Letter which he wrote to the States of Holland Grotius was sent into England about this time to adjust some Affairs for the East-India Company I am apâ—… to think there was something else in the Bottom of this Commission The States of Holland were very glad that so able a Man undertook to undeceive the King of Great-Britain and that he Conferr'd upon the Five Articles with the Bishops and chief Divines of England Grotius found that the Bishop of Ely the Dean of St. Paul's of London Casaubon and several others were very nigh of the same Opinion with the Arminians in the Points of Grace and Predestination They all gave him a favourable hearing except the Archbishop of Canterbury who was always deeply prejujudic'd against the Remonstrants and consequently against Grotius who Strenuously defended them He had many Audiences of the King who frankly told him that the Opinions of Calvin and Beza seemed to him too Rigid and that according to their Nypothesis God would be the Author of Sin But his Majesty persisted always to Condemn the ill Opinions which he had observed in Vorstius's his Writings To gain his Favour it was necessary to Reject whatsoever savour'd of the Impious paradoxes of Socinus concerning the Divivinity and Person of Jesus Christ If you have a mind that I should entertain a better Opinion of Uytenbogard and the Remonstrants said the King to Grotius you must perswade me that these Men don't favour Socinianism Grotius informed Vytenbogard his Friend of his Majesty's Opinion concerning him and the rest of his Party Hereupon Vytenbogard by the advice of Grotius writ a Letter to Casaubon that he might shew it the King He plainly saw that Vytenbogard had too great an Esteem for Vorstius Sibrand Minister of Frizeland publishes a Libel reflecting on the States of Holland Grotius is orderd to answer it The Contra-Remonstrants did all they could to hinder the success of the Negociations of Grotius in England A Professor of the University of Franneker in Frizeland by Name Sybrand wrote against Vorstius whom he accused of maintaining an Hundred Heresies The Book was Dedicated to the Archbishop of Canterbury Under pretence of praising the King of Great-Britain for the Zeal which his Majesty had discovered against Vorstius Sibrand in his Epistle Dedicatory accuses the Curators of the University of Leyden and the States of the Province of a design to introduce Socinianism into Holland He endeavoured to render the Conduct of the States suspected because they would not Consent to the calling a National Synode he pretended that the Civil Power went beyond the bounds of their Authority in taking Cognizance of Religious Controversies which ought not to be Treated of but in an Ecclesiastical Assembly He declaimed against the Revival of the Law made in 1591. in short he maintained that the Magistrates had nothing to do with the calling of Pastors and the Government of the Church The States of Holland were highly affronted at the Sauciness and Insolence of this Frizeland Minister He might have Refuted the Errors of Vorstius and they would have had nothing to say against him Ordinum Hollandiae ac West fri siae pietas Was it pardonable for a private Person to publish such vile Calumnies against the Governors of a Province Allied to his own and to speak Reproachfully of Laws which they had Right to publish Grotius was ordered to make an Apology for the States of Holland He acquitted himself wonderfully well of so Honourable a Charge His Book is Wrote very Elegantly full of lively Strokes against his Adversary and is altogether a learned Composure worthy of its incomparable Author He there fully Justifies the Conduct of the States of Holland in the Affair of Arminianism Grotius there Treats by the by of the Authority and necessity of Councils and Solidly and Frirmly Establishes the Power of Sovereigns in matters of Religion and the Government of the Church Sibrand endeavour'd to answer Grotius But he was not a Match for him It Cost Grotius only Three or Four Sheets to shew that the Professor of Franeker was an unfair Man and that he understood not the things that he pretended to talk of Bâ—…na fides Sibrandi Lubberti Edit des Etats de Hollande pour assoupir le diâ—â—â—râ—…nd sus les Questions de la Prèdestination de la Grace Mercure Francois 1614. Uytenbâ—…gard Historie Rèformation Dordrecht Ecclesiae Part. IV. 1614. Brand Historie de la Livre XXI Preface des Actes du Sinode de Grtotii Epistolae 1614. The States of Holland were very well pleased with the Advice of the King of England that they should Employ their Authority to suppress these Disputes and Command the Divines of both Sides Charitably to bear with one another not to disturb any longer the Peace of the Church with abstruse Questions of no Importance to Salvation Grotius now Pensionary of the City Rotterdam had Orders to prepare an Edict which they should propose to the Assembly of the States of Holland Here occurred great Difficulties One Side said that
de Coeuvres was informed before his departure from Italy that the Prince of Conde and the Regent were upon the point of Agreement This News unravelled the Designs of the Duke of Savoy He flatterr'd himself he should have time to make good his pretensions to Monferrat in spight of the King of Spain whilst his Catholick Majesty should be busied in Supporting the Authority of Mary de Medicis shaken by a Civil War rais'd by the Prince of Conde in France The Treaty which the Regent was about to Conclude at St. Meneboud in Champagne Memoires de la Regence de Marie de Medicis with the Malecontents was not so Binding but that the Prince de Conde held still a great Correspondence with Savoy Mercure Francois 1614. and there was still great Confusions in France These Considerations gave Charles Emanuel some hopes of being in a Condition to make the Governor of Milan know that his Catholick Majesty was not powerful enough to be absolute Master of all the Affairs in Italy Before we relate this new Quarrel which the Duke of Savoy had with the Marquiss of Inojosa or rather with the Court of Madrid it is necessary to look back on the Course of the Affairs in France and to give an account of the Negociation of the Duke of Ventadour and the other Commissioners of the King of France with the Prince of Conde and the Lords of his Party at the Conference of Soissons The latter came thither attended by Six or Seven hundred Horse and Four thousand Foot The Duke de Mayenne Governor of the Isle of France had put a strong Garrison into Soissons for the Security of the Prince and the Lords that came with him The 14th April they assembled in the Castle of Soissons After the Prince of Conde and the Malecontented Lords had protested that they had no other Design but to Serve his Majesty and to secure the Peace of France they desired Three things of the Regent that the States of the Kingdom should be Conven'd as soon as possible that the double Marriage with Spain should be Superseded and that both Sides should lay down their Arms. Hitherto things went very smoothly they pretended to design nothing but the publick Good But they reserv'd a Power to Treat not only concerning the Liberty and Security of the Assembly of the States of the Kingdom but also concerning the particular Interests of each of the Lords The Convocation of the States were granted without any difficulty The Regent had offered that in her Answer to the Prince de Conde's Manifesto There was a dispute about the Second Article They demanded a Suspention of the double Marriage till the End of the Assembly of the States The Commissioners of the Court had only Orders to grant it till the Majority of the King And to save the Authority of the Regent in an Affair which she had Negociated and solemnly Concluded with Spain the Court would not allow that this Article should be inserted in the publick Treaty They offered a particular Letter of the Regent to the Prince in which her Majesty would engage her self to defer the double Marriage till the Majority of the King The thing was accepted of with this modification There was only a formality wanting The day appointed for the opening of the Assembly of the States falling out before the Majority the double Marriage could not be Celebrated before the end thereof The Prince de Conde retires from Soissons and goes into Champagne The proposals which the Prince de Conde and the Lords of his Party made with Relation to their particular Interests raised great disputes in the Council of Mary de Medicis under a pretence of providing for their own Security The Prince and the other Malecontents demanded that they would put some important Place into their Hands and grant them several things for their own convenience 'T was necessary to send Couriers to Court Memoirs de Bassompierre Mercure Francois 1614. and to receive Instructions concerning these Affairs Thus the King's Army gained time to reinforce it self considerably Galati brought Six thousand Swisses which he had Commission to Levy Memoires de la Regence de Marie de Medicis Bassompierre their New Collonel General went to receive them at Troies in Champagne from thence he Conducted them to Vitri where Praslain was gathering together the King's Army These motions made the Prince de Conde Jealous who immediately left Soissons He had written to the Queen before to thank her for the Three Articles which she had consented too and to Advertise her Majesty that the Duke de Maierne and the Mareschal de Bovillon remained at Soissons with full power to Treat of those other Conditions which his Highness and the Lords of the Party had demanded Conde had a mind to seize Vitri with his little Army which he led towards Sedan But the Kings Troops prevented him He made amends for this by assisting the Duke of Nevers to make himself Master of St. Menehoud When the particular Demands of the Prince and the Malecontented Lords were proposed in the Queen's Council their Opinions were divided The Dukes de Guise d' Epernon de Bellegarde The Regents Council divided about the demands which the P. of Conde the Malecontents make with relation to their particular Interests the Cardinal de Joieuse and Villeroi Secretary of State cried out upon them as unworthy Conditions which the Queen could not grant with Honour and without parting with too much of her Authority Guise and Epernon said boldly that if the Regent granted Places of Security to their Enemies they likewise would demand the same and that they would look for Assistance out of the Kingdom This was plainly to threaten Siri Meme recondite Tom. III. p. 238 239 c. that they would join themselves with the Crown of Spain This appeared so much the more a contriv'd Design because the Ministers of Philip declar'd that the King their Master would not send the Infanta his Daughter into France as long as the Enemies of the House of Austria were there the Strongest Mary de Medicis began to be shaken by their Reasons who were of Opinion that she should suppress the Prince of Conde by Force The Parliaments the greater part of the military Officers in a word almost the whole Kingdom were at her Majesties disposal The Hugonots did not Rise only the Duke of Rohan was perhaps tempted to join with the Prince of Conde But Rohan did not eare to embark himself without having a prospect what was like to be the Success However 't was easie to stop him by giving some Satisfaction to the Reformed Churches concerning the Edicts of Pacification and above all in not accepting the assistance which the King of Spain offer'd and of which the Regent had no need Her Majesty did not want Money she had a good Army Conde and the Lords of his Party lying in the extreame parts of
would willingly have excused himself but he was forc'd to obey He was afraid that his Enemies procur'd him this troublesome Commission that so he might fall out with the Queen and the Duke Memoires de Mary de Medicis whose near Kinsman he was by the Side of the famous Gabriel d' Etrees The Marquiss at first made no Impression on him only brought some Complaints of the Dukes de Vendome Retz who thought that the Treaty of St. Menehoud was injurious to him Mary de Medicis ordered him to Return and to tell the Duke de Vendome that her Majesty would not Demolish the new Fortifications of Blevet provided he would let the Garrison March out and suffer Swisses to be sent in their Room Mercure Francois 1614. Vendome Subscrib'd this and some other Conditions which were offered him The King and the Queen his Mother advanc'd towards Orleans with a design to pass the Loire and to go into Poìtou and Bretagne The Marquiss de Coeuvres made a Third Journey into Britagne He Garrisoned Blevet with the Swisse And the Duke de Vendome having laid down his Arms was re-established in his Government by Letters Patents from her Majesty dated at O leans the 14th July New Discontents of the Prince of Conde The Prince of Conde was come to take Possession of his new Government of Amboise He there observed that the Court had not granted him any thing considerable and that he should reap no great advantage from that Place of Security which he had Demanded with so much Earnestness Discontent seizes him he seeks for new Occasions for falling out Vie de Mr. du Plessis Liv III. he endeavours to render himself formidable to the Regent Accordingly he goes to find out du Plessis Mornay at Saumur and has a meeting with the Duke of Rohan at Roche des Aubiers in Anjou He thought if he could have at his Devotion those Two Men who had the greatest Reputation in the Reformed Churches in France that all the Huguenot Party would Declare for him upon the first oportunity The Prince affected to discover a great Confidence in du Plessis Mornai He endeavoured to justifie his Retreat from Court and his Enterprise against the Regent he told him his pretended Designs in desiring a Convocation of the States of the Kingdom and how it was the likeliest way to promote the Reformation of Abuses he desired du Plessis Mornai to give him his Advice freely This experinc'd Gentleman knew very well what Conde was able to do He exhorted him only in general Terms to preserve the Peace of the Kingdom to take those measures which were most agreeable to the welfare thereof whose present Condition could not bear violent Remedies to manage Affairs in concert with the Queen lest a misunderstanding between them should hinder that good success of the next Assembly of the States lastly to listen to the Advice of the most wise and understanding Persons with relation to the rectifying such Abuses which the present posture of Affairs would admit of When Conde saw that du Plessis was not so easily to be perswaded he pretended to take in good part the Counsels which he gave him He desired du Plessis to prepare a Memorial of those things which were necessary to be done in the Assembly of the States But his Highness who did not care for such wise Remonstrances and so contrary to his Inclinations went immediately to la Roche des Aubiers where Rohan and Soubize expected him The Prince made great Complaints of the Mareschal de Bovillon 'T is he The Interview of the P. de Conde and D. de Rohan said he who hath drawn off the principal Men from my Party He hath endeavoured to make his advantage of every thing If the â—…est had testified as good an Affection for me as the Duke de Nevers I should not have been forc'd to so suddain an Accommodation with the Court I know very well that you have the same reason to Complain that I would have Engaged you in the Treaty when it was almost Concluded 't was none of my design to be so hasty But how could I help it The Mareschal de Bovillon deceived me Thanks be to God there is yet some Remedy left us I shall have a powerful and numerous Party in the Assembly of the States The great Men of the Kingdom in Conjunction with my self will be able to oblige the Queen to change her Conduct It will be easie to set Bounds to her Authority and to make Considerable Alterations in the Administration of Affairs If the Queen absolutely refuses to grant our desires we shall have a fair pretence to Arms. We are never without Malecontents in France There is a great number of Gentlemen and Soldiers ready to Declare themselves Althô the Duke de Rohan had other Principles than du Plessis Mornai and his displeasure against the Court inclined him to a violent Resolution yet he had the Prudence not to Engage himself with the Prince de Conde He only remonstrated to his Highness that he ought not to depend so much on the States of the Kingdom The Queen will have more Authority there than you added he Those which you reckon upon at present will leave you instead of Supporting you Fear and Hope are the Two great Springs which move the Members of these Assemblies You are not in a Condition to promise them great matters nor to fright them by Menaces The Queen has Preferments and Places to dispose of she can do a great deal of mischief to those that oppose her Will. Who is there that will Declare openly for you against her Majesty Believe it Sir the States General will oppose your Designs Conde seeing that this Interview did not at all incourage his new Projects he was afraid that his Discourses with the Duke of Rohan should raise some Jealousie in the Regent He writ immediately to the President Jeannin to tell him that his Discourse with the Duke of Rohan only tended to hinder him from joining with the Duke de Vendome What meanness what shameful Artifices are these for Men of high Birth Was it necessary that Conde to excuse himself to the Court should render the Duke of Rohan suspected that he held Intelligence with the Duke of Vendome The Prince knew that Rohan had advised Vendome to consent to the Treaty at St. Menehoud Rohan told Conde this who appear'd very well pleas'd that he had given this Advice to a young Man who was like to Ruine himself The Prince of Conde designs to make himself Master of Poitiers The Prince de Conde had yet another Design in his head He thought to make himself Master of Poitiers The Duke de Roannez Governor of the City favoured his Design and the Marquiss de Bonnivet was to assemble the Gentlemen to serve this purpose The time for choosing the Mayor was at hand there were a great many Factions in the Town Roannez and some other
motion but this was so slowly as Prince Thomas Son of Charles Emmanuel had time to prevent the Spaniards and enter himself into the Milanese Country The City of Candia was taken at this time and put to Fire and Sword The Savoyard's Army return'd loaded with considerable Booty The Mediators complained of this Action But the Duke of Savoy disclaim'd his Son's proceedings 'T was endeavoured to excuse him by saying that the Prince knew nothing of what was done The Spaniards afterwards repair'd their loss by taking some small Places in Piedmont Charles Emmanuel a little time after intercepted a Letter from the King of Spain to the Governor of Milan 'T was there seen that some certain Persons had done some ill Offices to Inojosa with his Majesty He seem'd much dissatisfied with Inojosa's Conduct He was order'd to cause his Army to take their Winter Quarters in Piedmont and not to agree to any accommodation with the Duke of Savoy unless he did before hand submit to every thing his Majesty had prescribed before his last motions Charles Emmanuel did not fail to make this Letter publick And he found thereby a double convenience one in mortifying Inojosa's Arrogance whom this Letter had strongly censured the other in making it appear to the Princes who interceded for a Peace that Philip intended as absolute a Command over the Princes of Italy as he had over his Grandees of Spain Lewis XIII his Majority In the time that the Marquiss of Rambovillet began his Negociation in Italy Lewis XIII enter'd into the Fourteenth year of his Age. Mercure Francois 1614. Here then you may see him in his Majority Conformable to the Edict of Charles V. made at Vincennes in the Year 1374. and Registred in the Parlement at Paris with great Solemnity the following Year One might think it strange that he of all the Kings of France who was Surnamed the Wise Recherches de Paschier Lib. II. Chap. 18. should judge that a Prince could be capable to Govern of himself so young Historians relate that Charles believed it was very important for the Minority of Kings to be as short as possibly could be Mezerai dans la Vie de Charles V. for fear the Regent of the Realm should grow so powerful as to Dethrone his Pupil or at least carry away from him a great part of his Estate and Authority The good King thought more of his Family upon this occasion than any else He had not his health so well and his Two Sons in all appearance would be left Minors Of Three Brothers whom Charles had Two of them did not want for Boldness or Ambition Having now a Power to declare sooner For to secure the Crown to his Children it behov'd the King to forward their Majority The Uncles had less time to undertake any thing against the young King sooner than he would Govern of himself Of the Princes who might be mistrusted that Person might be turn'd aside from governing Affairs by other who were better minded under the plausible pretension of the King 's being at Age. That which is singular in this new Law is that he in favour of whom the Father made it had need of a Tutor and Regent the greatest part of his Life He was out of his Wits became crack-brain'd and infirm in Body And this sad Accident caus'd in France all the great Evils which Charles V. had a design to prevent This very Edict proves to us that 't is a long time since the Council of France set themselves on work to set out piteous Prefaces at the beginning of their most solemn Ordinances Charles V. saith in his That the Sons of France have such excellent Masters so good Governours to inform them as they become capable of managing themselves and administring Affairs much sooner than other Children We have seen Two Princes under Age in the Two last Reigns Have the Regents had the care to give their Sons any extraodinary Education Was France so unprovided of Men of Merit that Souvre and Villeroy should be judg'd the most capable of instructing the young King Charles V. besides brought another Reason which is no better than this God said he who gives Sovereign Power to Kings never fails to enrich them the soonest as may be with necessary Qualities to make use of it Alas Let 's behold now how God doth Miracles to enlighten young Princes Understandings and make them more Prudent than other Children These Gentlemen seduc'd early by Flattery hurried away by their Passions which find no great stop in their way usually begin later than others to become reasonable and oftentimes by a just Judgment of God upon a People whom he punisheth a King never knows the First Principles of Reason and good Sense According to Charles the Fifth's Edict a King ought not to be Inaugurated and Crowned till after the time of his Minority But this Formality was past over in favour of his Son who had publisht this Law Charles VI. was a Minor when his Father died and his Uncles contended amongst themselves for the Regency Lewis Duke of Anjou pretended to it as being the Eldest of the Brothers to the deceased King The Dukes of Berry and Bourgundy would have a share in it The Duke of Bourbon Uncle to young Charles by the Mother's Side maintained for his part that he ought to be call'd to the Administration of the Government as well as the Paternal Uncles Some Lords chosen for one Party and t'other were Arbitrators of the Difference 'T was determined That Charles VI. notwithstanding his Father's Law might be Inaugurated and Crowned Affairs dispatcht in his Name and under his Seal the Dukes of Berry Bourgundy and Bourbon might take care of the King's Education and of Lewis Duke of Orleans his Brother the Duke of Anjon might have the Name and Honours of Regent but should do nothing but in Concert with the Three other Princes From that time it hath been a Custom to Crown Kings during their Minority and dispatch Affairs in their Names and under their Seals The first Act in the King's Majority The First thing they made young Lewis Enact in his Majority appeared to be an Act of Religion and Justice I don't know whether Policy and Dissimulation were not the secret Motives to this Performance They were willing to impose upon the People Mercure Francoise 1614. who easily believe what they wish for with all Fervency His Majesty held a Council the First day of October The Declaration which he would have to be Registred next day was there dispatcht and Sealed Lewis at first promised to study every thing that was Expedient for a most Christian King who was Zealous of God's Glory a lover of Peace and the Tranquility of his Subjects to watch the Execution of the good Laws publisht by his Predecessors and make new ones as he should be advised in the approaching Assembly of the States General of the Realm The Edict of Nantes
the Kingdom without hope of Foreign Succour were not furnished with any necessaries to maintain a War The Intrigue of the Marschal de Ancre to dissuade the Regent from going to War with the P. de Conde Mary de Medicis would have followed this Advice the most advantageous to her Reputation and her Authority if the Mareschal d' Ancre and the Chancellor de Silleri had not dissuaded her Not content to alledge their Reasons in the Council that it was the best way to grant the Prince of Conde and those of his Party Siri Memo. recondite Tom. III. p. 241. almost all their Pretensions they Intrigued in the Parlement they excited the People of Paris earnestly to demand the conclusion of the Peace They engage likewise the Deputies General of the reformed Churches to say That if the Regent gave the Command of the Army to the avowed Enemies of their Religion they should think they had very good reason to take care of their own preservation by uniting with the Prince of Conde The Mareschal de Lesdiguieres represented that the War would be lookt upon as a revival of the Ancient Quarrels between the Guises and the Bourbons In this diversity of Opinions the Queen thought that to save her self from the Reproaches which might be hereafter thrown upon her 't was necessary to assemble an extraordinary Council and to Summon thither the Presidents of the Parliament and the chief Magistrates of Paris All these Gentlemen of the Robe being prepossess'd by the Chancellor favoured a Peace The Cardinal de Joieuse seeing that their Advice would not carry it went out of the Assembly Guise Epernon Villeroy and some others who had spoke for the War were afraid to oppose the Torrent therefore they approv'd the continuation of the Treaty begun at Soissons Viguier was dispatch'd by the Regent to the Prince of Conde who was retired to St. Menehoud This new Agent had Orders to persuade his Highness to agree that the Duke de Maienne and the Mareschal de Bovillon should conclude the Treaty with the King's Commissioners who remained at Soissons notwithstanding the Retreat of the Prince with some other Lords Conde having answerd by Viguier that things would sooner come to an Issue if the Duke de Ventadour and his Collegues would advance as far as Rhetel to Treat with himself her Majesty sent an express Commission to her Deputies to make an end of the Negociation The Regent sent likewise a particular Letter to the Prince She there promis'd a Suspension of the double Marriage till the Majority of the King her Son The reasons of the Pope's Nuncio about the resolution taken to make a Peace with the P. of Conde The Pope's Nuncio was troubled at the Resolutions which Mary de Medicis had taken to come to an agreement with the Prince of Conde upon Terms so disadvantageous to her Royal Authority he was afraid that this Treaty would make the First Prince of the Blood too powerful and put him into a capacity of pushing his attempts much farther Conde said this Minister of the Pope hath a design to break the double Marriage How must he Effect it 'T is necessary then that he Support the Hugonot Party that he favour the continual Vsurpations of the Parliaments upon the Jurisdiction of the Church that he make Creatures in the Sorbonne by fomenting the Richeriste Party who endeavour to Ruine the Authority of the Holy See in France and if the Pope hath not Power to dispense with Canons as he thinks fit how can the Divorce of the late King from Marguerite his first Wise stand good This Prince of Conde hath but one Step more to make to Ascend the Throne The Italian Politicians Siri Memo. recondite Tom. III. p. 241. oftentimes carry their Reasonings beyond all Bounds The Author which relates these Speculations of the Nuncio adds that the fear of this Minister would have been very well grounded in any other Country besides France The Genius of the Nation is so changeable they take different measures every day The examination of a politick reflection of a Venetian Author concerning the Treaty with the Prince of Conde so contrary one to the other that one can moke no certain Conjectures about the several Commotions there The Reflection is not amiss and indeed we must agree with him But this Author should have added that Conde was a Man of so faint a Temper so little capable of any Resolution that he would never have done the Regent much mischief thô she had granted him Conditions yet more advantageous A Noble Venetian speaking of the same Affair in the History of his own Republick says that France did Recompense those Actions Nani Historia Veneta Lib. I. 1614. which elsewhere they Punish by the hands of the Hangman I approve no more than he that which hath often happenned in France in these Leagues which the Princes and great Lords have often made under the Honourable pretence of the publick good they more design'd their own Interest than those of the People But why does this Senator affirm so boldly that the Prince of Conde and the Lords of his Party ought to have their heads cut off for this Enterprize This is done in other Places I grant it in those Countrys where the Government is Tyrannical One would be surprized to hear a Republican speak at this rate if we did not know that the Government of Venice is rather an absolute Domination of a small number of Noblemen than a free Administration of publick Affairs by a well-compos'd Senate This Decemvirate which is always standing is as good an Invention to maintain Tyranny as ever was It keeps both the People and Nobility equally in awe They study and pursue the Maxims of Matchiavel in Venice as much as in any part of Italy The undertaking of the Prince of Conde was neither Honest nor Prudent enough But in what was it so Criminal This Man must be well seasoned in the Tyrannical principles of his Matchiavel to maintain that a first Prince of the Blood and the Lords of the first Rank in a Kingdom who Demand the Re-establishment of good Laws the general Assembly of the States of the Kingdom the Suspension of a marriage concluded during the Minority of the King against the true Interest of his Crown to maintain I say that these who only make use of that Priviledge which their Birth and Dignity gives them and which desire some Security for their Persons against a Regent and suspected Ministers deserve to die upon a Scaffold The Prince of Conde is not to be blamed for Combining with some other Lords to Demand those things of which he speaks in his Manifesto But he did not take the Right way to do any good His Designs did not appear Sincere nor Disinterested The Parlement and the Magistrates of Paris were very Wise in advising a Peace A Civil War might have been fatal to France and in making a Peace
they were sure of a speedy Convention of the States The well-meaning Men would have endeavoured at a Reformation of the Government if they had been better Seconded and the Prince of Conde had had more Wisdom and Sincerity A Treaty concluded at St. Menehoud between the Regent and the Prince of Conde He concluded at last his Treaty with the Regent at St. Menehoud in Champagne the 15th of May. The Duke de Ventadour and his Colleagues were there I will not recite all the Articles The Castle of Amboise was to be put into the Prince's hands until the meeting of the States The Duke de Nevers had St. Menehoud Mercure Francoise 1614. Memoires de Duc de Rohan de la Regence de Marie de Medicis say some Authors thô it is not mentioned in the Treaty These gave him besides a Sum of Money to satisfie him for pulling down his House to make way for the Fortifications of Mezieres which were part of them to be demolished Blavet and the other Places that were Fortified a little before in Bretagne by the Duke de Vendome being Dismantled He was restored to his Government and all his Places This was all that was agreed upon for Vendom He highly complained that the Prince oâ—… Conde had abandoned him in this Negociation As for the Mareschal de Bovillon it was easie to satisfie him The Money which the Regent Ordered to be paid him was thought by him a sufficient Recompence See said the Duke of Rohan who had more Integrity in him than all the rest that made such a noise see saith he how Mens private Interest make them forget the publick welfare of the Kingdom The Prince de Conde the Dukes de Nevers de Longueville de Maienne and the Mareschal de Bovillon who signed the Treaty very readily performed their Conditions Mary de Medicis was not less punctual of her Side The Dukes de Longueville and de Maienne were the first that return'd to Court Conde retired to his House of Vallery where Descures Governor of Amboise went to resign that Place into his hands His Highness came sometime after to pay his Devoirs to their Majesties That Restless Temper that was Natural to him would not suffer him to stay long at Court. Being vext that his late Design had lessened the Respect due to his high Quality instead of increasing it as he had flattered himself it would This Prince was again tempted to raise new Troubles before the meeting of the States But having taken no better Measures than he did before he was forced to let the Regent alone who was endeavouring to reduce the Duke de Vendom who refused to agree to the Treaty of St. Menehoud The Decree of the Parlement of Paris against a Book of Suarez the Jesuit Mercure Francoise 1614. It is a great while since we have had occasion to speak of the Jesuits But we shall now see them appear again upon the Stage upon the account of a Book published by Suarez a famous Divine of that Society in Spain The Book is Intituled The Defence of the Catholick and Apostolick Faith against the Errors of the English Hereticks There are always a certain sort of Men at Paris who narrowly observe all the Actions of these Good Fathers and will not forgive-them if they do amiss This new Book of Suarez being come to France Abstracts of it were presently made and brought to the King's Officers in the Parliament of Paris The Sollicitor General look'd upon it as a Book so dangerous that he thought it his Duty to desire the Condemnation of it The Parliament met upon the 26th of June and Condemn'd the Book to be burnt by the Hands of the Common Hangman as containing Seditious Principles tending to the Subversion of Kingdoms and to perswade the Subjects of Kings and Princes to attempt their Sacred Persons They ordered besides That certain former Decrees of the Faculty of Paris which condemn'd the Doctrine of Suarez should be Read every year on the 4th day of June not only in thâ—… Schools of Sorbonne but also in those in the Colledge of Clermont and of the Mendicant Friers The greatest mortification to the Society was this that the Parlement Decreed that the Fathers Armand the Rector of the Society Cotton the late King's Confessor Fronton le Duc and Sirmond two Persons very famous for their Learning should appear the next day before the Parlement When they came thither the first President told them in the Name of the Court that the Book of Suarez their Brother Jesuit was contrary to a Declaration they had made and to a Decree of their General in the Year 1610. They commanded them afterward to write to Rome for a Revival and Publication of that Decree and to get from thence an Order in Six Months to prevent the Members of that Society from writing any more in their Books such damnable and pernicious Doctrine and to Command them to Preach to the People Doctrines contrary to those of Suarez or else the Parlement would proceed against such Offenders as Guilty of High Treason and disturbers of the publick Peace Paul V. complains of the proceedings of the parlement against Suarez his Book The Court of France foresaw very well that the Proceedings of the Parlement of Paris against the Book of Suarez would make a great noise at Rome for indeed the Book was writ by Order of the Pope But the Regent to whom the Parlement had been very Serviceable in the Affair of the Prince of Conde would not oppose their Zeal which they expressed against these pernicious Opinions Siri Memo. recondite Tom. III. p. 256 257. 270. Her Majesty had more need than ever to keep fair with the Parlement by reason of the approaching Assembly of the States As soon as Paul V. had notice of the Decree of the Parlement against Suarez his Book he sent the Bishop of Foligni to the Marquiss of Trenel who succeeded Breves in his Embassy at Rome This Prelate had Orders to complain in the Name of the Pope of the proceedings of the Magistrates of Paris by which they Encroached on the Rights of the Holy See His Holiness said he to the Ambassadour is the more surpriz'd because he expected nothing less than a grateful acknowledgement of his kindness to the Queen of France Her Majesty cannot be Ignorant of that Affection that he has always shewed to her and the King her Son All the World is witness of that Zeal which his Holiness has discovered for the prosperity of France T is not long since he offered his good Offices to the Queen to appease the Troubles of the Kingdom And they are no sooner ended but the Parlement of Paris makes a Decree injurious to the Holy See If Suarezs Book contains any Positions contrary to the Sovereignty of the most Christian King her Majesty might have complained to the Pope He would have censur'd the Doctrine of the Author and