that ever I read or heard of The K. sends to desire a peace to take it in all it's circumstances After many battels and much loss of treasure and blood a treaty was begun by the King and Q. Mother who sends messengers to the Princes and Admirall signifying how desirous they were of a firm and inviolable peace The Admiral yields to a treaty The admirall being so often deceived with fair pretences of peace could not be so ill an observer but to learn somthing by transactions past therefore was so afraid and jealous that he knew not well how to advise seeing all their fair pretexts of peace since he could remember was but a shorter cut to their invitable ruin so that the burnt child dreads the fire yet being desirous of a peace on good grounds which proved as a Quagmire to swallow up all their hopes he yeelded to embrace a treaty Now the King that he might better colour and varnish over his treachery sends messengers to the Admiral to signifie in his Majesties name that the King himself had now found out a sure way for a lasting peace which way his Majesty thought so safe as none could doubt of his integrity therein which indeed was a subtile piece of policie as follows The subtle and treacherous design of the K. propounding a war against the K. of Spain as a means to a peace one with another That now both Armies which had so long fought against one another in the feirce flames of a Civill War might now unanimoufly joyn against the Duke of Alva as a forein enemie and one that had been too great an instrument of the late combustions in France And that it might appear no French Romance in regard of the suddeness and the ayd lately received by his Majesty from the Duke of Alva against the Protestants as also supplies from the King of Spain his Master therefore he further signified that his Majesty the King of France had high cause prompting him to a War with the King of Spain and among many this was not the smallest the Kings pretended reasons of war against the King of Spain viz that the King of Spain had by violence taken from his Majesty the King of France the Island Florida in new-found-land suddenly slaying all the French Soldiers as also the Marquesdome of Finall the Inhabitants whereof had lately surrendred themselves under the command of the King of France And therefore he desired in his Majesties behalf that the ground of this war might not be misinterpreted but taken in a good sense and that his Majesties ends of propounding both Armies to joyne against the Duke of Alva in the Low-countries might be looked upon as a designe of his Majestie to unite all former discords in a firm bond of union and concord by cleaving together against a common enemie And to set off this business the better he further propounds that it was now a fit opportunity to imploy Count Lodovick of Nassaw Brother to the Prince of Orange for management of the business that he might easily by the assistance of his Commanders and Soldiers suddenly surprise certain Cities which mighe be of great advantage to the future hopes of success the Admiral reasons the case could hardly be brought to believe this war real and oh that he had never believed it Now this penetrated the more into the Admiralls heart in regard this Count of Nassaw was one that had been under his command for two years who behaved himself with an exceeding courage and approved valour and fidelity in a great proof to the Admiralls knowledge and there needed no spur to the Count being a man banished out of his own Country for Religion by the Duke of Alva and was a man of much resolution and courage The Admirall receiving this message was wonderfully put to understand what to do or say for although he seemed not to suspect the Kings fidelity yet he saw strong reasons to look about him for though he valewed not his own life yet he drew along with him the wellfare of all Protestants therefore he considered thus with himself The great power of the Cardinall and Guisans in the Kings Court and was also too well known to be no less greatly in favour with the King and Court of Spain against whom this war should be and therefore could not conceive how this war with Spain could really be caried on when these men were the prime managers of the affairs of France having also severall pensions from the King of Spain therefore could not but increase and confirme his jealousie to suspect treason and deceit when he considered that these men were dependents of Spain who were of the King of France his Cabinet Councell and yet for them to wage war against the King of Spain Oh! Treachery The Admirall could not but take notice that at the same time the Embassadour of the King of Spain was admitted into the Privie Councell of France which to forein nations seemed utterly incredible and that also one Brirragio a Lumbard reported a traitor to his own Country being ignorant of the Law was for his subtil wit hoysted to the honourable office of Chancellour in the room of Michael Hospitall displaced a man well known to be a true Patriot to his own Country and also so learned and able as the like could never be found in France Thus the Admiral on whom did hang all the weight of affaires doubted what to do in this great strait The Admirall in a strait what to resolve on he therefore considered on the contrary side what his adversaries would say against him that they would hereby take occasion to report him backward to Peace as one delighting to live in the fuell and fire of blood and civill wars not knowing how to live but in troubled waters not able to endure the sweet relish of a quiet peace these reasons amongst others did perplex his wavering mind Now the Kings Messenger in behalf and for defence of his Majesty The Kings Messengers reply to the Admiralls Objections did anâ—wer to all the Objections of the Admiral and said That the suddenness of the King of France his resolutions to war with the King of Spain was That he and his Mother the Queen had been informed by one Albery come lately from Spain That for certain King Philip a little before had poisoned his Queen the French Kings Sister and had basely given out through all Spain that he had such things against her as for the credit of many persons of honor were not fit to be published The Admiral perswaded by Count Lodowick to the war with Spain Now all this being said moved not the Admiral so much as the free and chearful resolutions of the Count of Nassaw whose indefagitable earnestness was boundless and perswasions to the Admiral endless till effected The Admiral hereby perswaded laies aside all dishonorable thoughts that might stain the Kings loyalty
Army and thereupon immediately fled to the Kings Camp Others said it was Bondot an Archer of the Kings Guard Now when this confession of the Woman of the house aforesaid was brought to the King he commanded Monsieur de Nance Captain of his Guard to apprehend and bring Chally before him but Chally as soon as he heard the stroke of the piece fled into the Kings Castle of the Loure hiding himself in the Duke of Guises chamber but as soon as he heard of the Kings command he fled Now De Nance Captain of the Kings guard being informed of his escape and no doubt was himself the Informer answered that Chally was a Gentleman of good repute and no doubt but on notice given of the Kings mind would appear before his Majesty or the Magistrates The man that shot the Admiral had commission from the K. to do it Ob horrible The Admiral in danger of death desires the K. visit But not to hold the Reader longer I find it recorded by the most exact Narration that it was Manrevel one whom the Duke of Guise had at his request to the King and by his Commission procured to kill the Admiral which at large is fully related in the Civil wars of France The Admiral now wounded and under the Chirurgians hands dressing his wounds commanded his Son Teligny to go to the King and humbly to beseech his Majesty in behalf of his Father to vouchsafe him a visit for that the wounds lately received were likely to terminate his life and put a short period to his daies desiring therefore to see his Majesty and deliver something to his care that might greatly concern his Majesties safety The K. Q. Mother many other visit the Admiral To which the King in his wonted strain of courtesie answered He would perform his request and so in the afternoon the King goes to visit the Admiral taking along with him the Queen Mother the Duke of Anjou the Duke of Monpenseir a most affectionate Servant to the Church of Rome the Count de Retz a great familiar of the Queen Mothers with Chavigny and Entragny both chief Ringleaders in the bloody Butchery following the King no sooner arrives at the Admirals lodging but he lovingly saluted the Admiral demanding kindly and courteously some few questions concerning the state and health of his body to which the Admiral answered with such a Christian mild and sweetly-quieted countenance with Gods dealing as all that stood by admired at his patience The King hereupon seemed to be so much moved that he uttered these words The hurt my Admiral is done to thee but the dishonour to me and swearing a great Oath saies The K. by a deep oath protests to revenge the Admiralls Hurt I swear I will so sharply and severely revenge both this hurt and dishonour that justice shall have no cause to complain nor the World left without example of my integrity to your deserts And so made many Oaths and Protestations of the Resolutions to punish the Offender as also of his great care he had to preserve the Protestants and the Admirals life against all his Enemies but oh these pretences of friendship will at last prove a smiling harlot that whilest she kisses is like Judas to betray The King further demanded of the Admiral how he did approve of the Judges who had Commission by his appointment to examine the business who answered that he could not dislike of his Majesties care and choise yet humbly intreated his Majesty to let it stand with his good pleasure that Cavagnes might be in Council with them but the wrong he told his Majestie he had committed to God yet desired his Majestie would give order for a strict search and narrow scrutinie into the fact which the King again with his usual Protestations vowed to do and to revenge his wrong as much as his own The K. and Admiral being alone the Admiral declares much faithfulness to the King The Queen Mother and her two Sons withdrew and left the Admiral and King alone the Admiral began to advise the King to remember that he had often told his Majesty of the danger that hovered over his head by some persons neer to him and although he was the mark was shot at yet there was no less hanging over his Majesties head and that long ago there was treason plotted against his Life which his Majesty might please to take notice of as friendly advice and to beware betimes And further declared that now God was pleased to give large symptoms of the decay of his earthly tabernacle and he doubted that his good name would be hoysted up to the pinacle of envious slander by his Enemies and that he often told his Majestie the real Authors of all the late distractions of the Civil War faithfully opening the causes thereof and that he took God to be his witness of his faithful and cordial heart to the King and Kingdome and he never yet knew what was in this world dearer than his Countrey and publick safety all which Discourse the Admirall before his death declared to be spoken betwixt him and his Majesty The King desires the Admiral to lodge in the Loure for his security but was indeed in policy to secure his life and level it to his bloody will To all which the King after such answer as he thought fit with a high voice desired the Admiral to take protection in his own Castle of the Loure wherein his security should be equally envell oped with his own and this he wished might be embraced for fear some sudden commotion might happen from the rabble of that mad and tumultuous people which was a speech preparatory for the plot and yet so much were these poor Protestants blinded in their strange belief of the Kings protestations and not suspecting what followed that they never understood the treacherous intent of these prepared Pills of Hellish Dissimulation The Admiral refused his gilded pretexts of love and care for his ruin A great token of of treason The Admiral most heartily thanked his Majesty and excusing his non-acceptance at present till advice had with his Physicians which when he received it was by them all concluded to be not safe in regard the least motion would increase his pain and so it was resolved not to stir The Count de Retz turned to some of the Admirals Friends in the Chamber saying it were to be wished the Admiral would follow the Kings loving invitation to lodge in the Loure for it was to be feared that some sudden tumult might arise that the King might not be able to appease which was no sooner spoken but it deeply penetrated the Admiral and all his Friends and though they had no proof of reason to fear yet the Admiral desired the King to grant him the favor of a Guard The King grants the Admiral a Guard and flatters damnably To which the King lovingly answered He should
and though he knew death would ensue yet he to keep his Oath and promise turned back and many others that came with him though much intreated by wife Parents and children yet returned with him to their Enemies according to their Oath though thay were sure of death Now it hapned that two of these returned not and kept not their promises but they were branded with such infamy that at last they slew themselves Darius Junior accounted nothing more sacred than keeping his Oaths and Covenants Fabius Maximus Fabius Maximus having contracted with Hannibal for Redemption of the Roman Captives sent to Rome for the monies which the Senate refused yet Fabius rather than break his promise sold his Estate and discharged his Covenant Lovangus King of China Lovangu King of China being besieged in the City of Hangcheu by the Tartarian Army he kneeled on the Walls and desired that his life might satisfy for theirs of the City in these words Spare not me for I will willingly be my Subjects victime Oh rare Love of a King to his Subjects there wanted Brave Alexander or Caesar to crown this illustrious testimony of Love to a people by saving his willing offer of life which the Tartars spared not I shall only lay down remarkable judgments of God from Scripture and Examples Historical upon perjury breach of promise and covenants which are odious before God good men and Heathens Philip of Macedon It is left to posterity on record that Philip of Macedon left such infamy behind him through the light esteem and low reverence of a Solemn Oath and his faith given in Leagues that his posterity suffered great and heavy Judgements from God as a just reward of such a great sin himself at the age of forty six years was slain and his family quite rooted out his Son was killed by his Wife Olympias another Son which he had by Cleopatra was tormented to death in a brazen Bull the rest of his Sons died the like death and his great son Alexander died miserably and suspected to be poisoned In the 34. chap. of Jeremiah there is a lively instance of Gods Just Judgement threatened for breach of promise read from the tenth verse to the end of the Chapter God will not be mocked In the 17. of Ezckiel ver 18 19 20. and 21. are these words Seeing he despised the Oath by breaking the Covenant when lo he had given his hand and hath done all these things he shall not escape Therefore thus saith the Lord God as I live surely mine Oath that he hath broken even it will I recompence upon his own head c. In the 2. of Samuel 21. ver 1 2. there is Gods Judgments also against Covenant-breakers a famine year after year for three years together and why but because Saul had shed the blood of the Gibeonites against Gods Commandement and his own Engagement and Gods wrath could not be appeased till seaven of Sauls Sons were hanged Oh! the Just and heavy Judgements of the Lord against this sin t is a scarful thing to fall into the hands of the living God for God is a consuming fire and with God is terrible Majesty Many are the Judgements of the Lord against this Sin both in Princes and people I shall only give a few more from History and proceed to the latter part of this Tragical Massacre King of Sparta Lisander King of Sparta used to say Boys were deceived with dice and Cockles but men with Oaths for he made no conscience of them But God punished him accordingly for he was slain at the Walls of the Thebans and this was him that first said If force will not prevail wee 'l piece it with the Foxes Tail King of Jerusalem Almerick King of Jerusalem making a League with the Calyph of Egypt did by Oath bind himself to the performance but contrary to his promise warring against them was miserably wasted and as miserably ended his dayes The Egyptians punished Perjury by death Valdislaus King if Hungaria Valdislaus King of Hungaria concluded and confirmed a Peace by Solemn Oath with the great Turk Amurath but the King of Hungaria by the Popes perswasion breaks his Solemn Oath and wars against the Emperour of the Turks and proceeding to Battel the whole day was carried dubious on both sides But presently the great Turk Amurath takes out of his bosome the Articles agreed on and covenanted too by Oaths and holding up in his hand lifting up his eyes to Heaven uttered these words Oh Jesus Christ If thou art a God as these Christians say Revenge this wrong done to thy name and me and punish these Covenant-Breakers which words were hardly spoken but God shewed his powerful Judgements on the King of Hungaria and his whole Army For presently the King Valdislaus amidst his Enemies was slain and his whole Army routed few escaping Agesilaus General of the Spartan Army marching in Asia Minor made Truce with Tissaphernes Lieutenant to the King of Persia till he had sent to the King his Master to know his Pleasure but instead of sending to the King for ayd in advise and Counsel he contrary to his Oath sends for a Great Army to surprize the General of the Spartan Army But Gods Judgements followed at the Heels of this perjury for the Army was quite overthrown according to the prophesie of the Spartan General who said the Gods were angry and no doubt would be revenged on his perjury The Romans in antient times highly reverenced faith and Oaths in case of publick affairs between Prince and People or between King and King and to that purpose they had a Temple erected and dedicated where constantly they used to repair and there solemnly promise and swear to all the conditions of peace and Truces and so cursed those that went about to break them first and therfore for greater and more strict confirmation thereof they offered Sacrifices to the Image of Faith for the greater Testimony of the Intentions and love to keep their Oaths most solemnly made How will our King Charls the Ninth be ashamed by these poor Heathens The Psalmist sayes A man ought not to break covenant but stand to it though to his great hurt yet such a bold wickedness hath possessed several Popes that they undertake to discharge any that shall break their oaths with Hereticks as they say This audacious and impious practice of confronting Gods command calls for vengeance from Heaven That any man should be so boldly blasphemous as to say they will pardon this sin which God has denounced such fearful Judgements against There was in antient time a people in Italy called Aequi their Memory only now remaining These people made League with the Romans and give Oath to keep it but not long after they raised an Army and spoiled the Romans falling on them contrary to Covenant the Romans send three Ambassadours to complain but their Captain General slighted them and bid them
in large volumes now it is reduced and fitted to the time and purses of those that had no occasion and less abilities to accomplish the perusal or purchasing of large Folio's which I think was the grand reason of stifling the knowledge hereof to many of this age Reader thou art here presented with the most horrid Rapes Murthers Perjury and Treacherous Cruelty of a Prince and Court that ever landed on European shore for in few daies all the Protestant Nobility and Gentry with Ladies and innocent Gentlewomen and children to the number of fourty thousand were inhumanely butchered and cut off by the Kings special Commandment Here thou mayest see a Prince besmearing himself with the Goar blood of his own Subjects and at last wallowing in his own we shall here see Religious Vows and Promises no stronger ties to the King and Court than a Rope of sand to a wild beast being gone so far in perjury that the Kings faith was accounted like the Greeks whose unfaithfulness to their promises is become Proverbial that when one would express perjury they termed it Greca fides for though a Creditor had ten bonds and as many Sureties and Seals yet will he find it extreme hard to accomplish his debt so when a Jew is to deal with a Genoa he puts his finger in his eye fearing his Treachery They resolve to have no other virtue rampant than perjury and cruelty Abandoning that part of Religion which ties to a strict observance of Duty Omnia Religiosa nunc ridentur they will wade no further in Religion than may serve their cruel ends insomuch that in one Town which the Protestants kept they engraved on the gate this Motto Roy sans foy ville sans peur the King had no faith nor they no fear And as the Roman Emperor Caligula said of Seneca's Works they were Arena sine calce sand without lime having no connexion so was the King of France his Solemn Oaths and Promises It is a Christian accomplishment in Princes to govern non per timorem sed per amorem as it is said of Octavus Augustus And when any judgment befalls this Nation let them remember that as they made it an Acheldema or Field of Blood so will God the place of his Plagues for who knowes not that the Blood of so many thousand souls crys to heaven for vengeance upon the third and fourth Generation and I could wish that all Protestant Princes would beware how they shake hands with such faithless People Now the right use of these sad and sudden murthers should be to learn us the necessity of being ready prepared for such violent deaths and that prosperity is as diet to us Adversity as Physick reducing to a right tast of these mortal enjoyments How happy will the Torments of cruelty be when our cyes are fixed by faith on an Eternal inheritance linking our selves in that golden Chain of Salvation which extends from Eternity to Eternity Death comes not unexpected when a soul is interessed in Christ our Saviour how necessary is it for us to live ready to dy He that too closely hugs transitories makes a rent in his constancy and a greater in his soul How can a Christians Judgement but be at nonage when he values not the true worth of Celestials but puts them in the ballance with Terrene things He indeed hath found the Philosophers stone that can turn all events into a Subjection to Gods Will. It was the gratious words of Holy Greenham having food and rayment let us take the rest as an overplus these poor Souls had no other warning peice to dy than sudden and violent deaths that like the flying fish reported to be in great hazzard by the Shark and Dolphin in the Sea yet when advanced into the air to escape he is by Birds of prey in no less danger so were these poor Saints of God in War hazardous in Peace undone What shall we say of that Religion which perjury cruelty blood and the greatest cruelties are reckoned as virtuous Jewels in the Crown of their Government they are sweet when seasonable and parallel to their murtherous Hearts and it must needs presage ruin to that Nation that stands on no other Pillars for their foundation than bloody and infamous Plots and Treachery who will not conclude that Nation lies level to justice and I wish the large field of Liberty allowed the Papists in England to walk in may not insensably grow our inavoidable and swift ruin since it is well known by all how they wait for our destruction But to contract let me intrea◠〈…〉 my sincere and publick intentions which is all I adopt to be mine and that ex abundanti amoris out of the surplusage of Love thou wilt waft my Endeavours to the Haven of thy kind embraces where I cast Anchor and rest Reader these Books following are printed for and are to be sold by Richard Tomlins at the Sun and Bible neer Py-Corner THe General Practice of Physick Folio Drummonds Hist of 5. Kings of Scotl. fol. The Fortune Book in fol. English Pleasant Notes upon Don Quixot Fol. Mr Collings Cordials 1st 2d 3d. part quarto His Vindiciae Ministerii quarto His answer to Mr Sheppard quarto His answer to Fisher and Hammond quarto His answer to Boatman Prin Humfries qua Dr Holdsworths one and twenty Sermons quar Euclides Elements in quarto Eng. History of seven Champions quarro Packet of Letters quarto Cupids Messengers quarto The birth of Mankind or Womens book quar The perfect Pharisee under Monkish holines qu. The false Jew quarto Mr Collings 5 lessons for a Christian to learn 8. His Faith and Experience octavo Mr Wincolls Poems octava Excellency of Christ octavo Erasmus Colloquies octavo Wings and Libourns Urania Practica octavo Velitationes Polemicae octavo Janua Linguarum octavo Brinsley's Cordelius octavo Mr Sidenham's Mystery of Godliness octavo Mr Sidenham's hypocrisie discoved octavo Paul Hobson's last book of Queries octavo Watson's untaught Bridegroom twelves Place this fol i Men quartered Aliue Roasted on a spit Rauishing woomen Burning men Aliue Beating mens Braines out Ripping vp woomen w th Child Cutting Throats 300 protestants Murthered in a Church Stabbing with daggers Men Cutt in peeces The Civil Wars of France CHAP. I. The Contents THe Reign of Charls the ninth A Parliament called the Government committed to the Queen Mother during the Kings minority the names of Hugonet and Papist forbid on pain of death Prince of Conde and King of Navar in discontent departs the Court the King of Nevar made Lieutenant General and joyntly interessed in the Government with the Queen Mother the Princes desire a Toleration of Religion for the Protestants which is privately granted the Protestants multiply and the Princes protect them demanding the Queens promise for Toleration the Protestants that were in Prison for Religion freed by a Decree of the Council the Duke of Guise surrenders the Keys of the Palaces
reformed and that it should be executed according to the tenure of the Edict notwithstanding all Restrictions and Interpretations to the contrary And thus this second war was peaceably ended by the Protestants and no less treacherously intended by the Catholicks The peace begins and ends in treason by the papists Now I shall shew you the Treachery therof and the sad effects for alas it is not to be imagined what treason is hid under this fair vizzard of Peace To see what a foul sin they make of such a fair virtue they pretend nothing more then a firm and durable peace and intend nothing less But ah poor Protestants that you had foreseen this Foxes Snare this storm of bloody cruelty intended but truly their laying wait for innocent blood could not be descerned nor penetrated into unless by the deep wisdom and narrow search of a divine eye so dark and so deeply laid was there hellish Treason for a few daies discovered their intentions to be full of deceitful treachery and that they put onely the name of peace on their most horrid and bloody designs taking Gods holy name in vain by all their promises void of performances But the poor Protestants saw not their intentions The protestants dismiss their Armies no sooner deliver up their Holds to the K. but they are filled So that the Princes and Admiral dismisse their Armies and the Strangers are safely conducted into Lorrain and all the Towns that the Protestants did deliver up to the King were presently by his command possessed and strengthened with Garrison Souldiers Rochel only excepted which place enjoyed the benefit of an antient condition granted two hundred years before between the King and them viz. Never to have a Garrison put into the Town against their desires The Protestants had also by the Edict of peace these three under their command Mentaubon Cognac and La Charite to be held full two years and no more in the Prince of Conde's name The King not trusting to his Court counsel picks a choice crew fit for his purpose and calls them a Cabinet Council Now the King and Queen Mother not trusting to their present Council some whereof being supposed to have too tender consciences to swallow the bloody plot intended therefore erect a choice Council pickt on purpose which his Majesty calls a Cabinet Council consisting of such as would contrive and carrie on any bloâ—dy design whatsoever Insomuch that those which by their Birth and place might challenge a room in the most privy Councils were now utterly excluded and exempted as men not fit to impart unto the secrets of the Kings and Q. Mothers Intentions A Hellish plot by the Cabinet Council And now let us see a little what this Brave Cabinet Council will act what a brat of bloudy resolutions they can creat out of their hellish Breasts They at last conclude that force of arms is not the direct road to travel in for subduing of their Enemies but Macbevil must be called to Council and his politicks put in practice resolved they are to try what plots the attendants of the Devils Councils and the Legitimate son of Hellish production will do so at last they conclude and vote it to be enacted as that which must be put in practice viz. the death of the Prince of Conde and Admiral and so to cut off all future fears of their attempts as also hopes from the Protestants so that no troubles for Religion might after arise But the fear of God is not before their eyes they run swiftly to shed bloud not considering that Gods vengeance can persue them more swiftly This design they commit rather to secrecie than strength and therefore that they might have one fit for their designs they chuse one Cavagnes to whom they impart the business who being a man fit for bloud and cruelty was ordered to take the charge upon him as one that could drink deep draughts of innocent bloud without any regret and with full delight who could be full of cruelty without the least pitty now all was thought so sure that if the Prince and Admiral did not escape they should inevitably fall into the cruelty of their adversaries The plot discovered to the Prince and Admirall Thus the plot being laid they forgot that God could see and as the Psalmist saies He shall redeem their souls from deceit and violence and precious shall their blood be in his sight And so it pleased the Lord of his good grace mercy to discover their deceit intentions of Bloud for it was no sooner contrived in dark but discovered in light by one that speedily posted to the Prince and Admiral and revealed the Plot yet the Kings Army was so quick that ere the Prince and Admiral removed from their quarters They are surrounded yet by Gods mercy escape with their families to Rochel they were by orders of the King Queen Mother and the rest of the Cabinet Council surrounded in Noyers a Town situated on the confines of Burgundy which they had so cunningly ordered to avoid suspition that lifting and removing under pretence of fresh quarters they came at last to quarter at a small distance from them and doubtless they had been taken and destroyed if GOD had not surrounded them in mercy from the purposes of the Kings treachery The Prince and Admiral knowing the scope and drift of their Serpentine windings and turnings speedily advance towards Rochel with wives children Servants and two hundred Horses where at last they safely through many dangers arrive and were joyfully entertained by the Rochelois The Queen of Navar also comes to this Rendezvous at Rochel Q. of Navar joins with the protestants accompanied with a considerable number of horse and foot The Cardinal of Chastillon who lived at Beauvois far remote from Rochel did with great hazard travel in a Seamans habit to the Sea-coast The Cardinall of Chastillon escapes to England and so by Gods good Providence embarqued and safely arrived in England where in Queen Elizabeths Court he was freely welcome and there he did faithfully negotiate with the Queen in behalf of his fellow Protestants in France The Prince and Admirall with the chief protestants publish a Manifesto to all Christian Princes The Prince and Admiral seeing their past danger and present safety solved now to defend themselves and secure their Religion Lives and liberty by Power which could not be allowed nor obtained by peace To which purpose they publish a Manifesto to all Christian Princes in the world wherein they briefly declare That in the integrity of their hearts and cleer witnesses of their consciences they had many waies peaceably endeavoured to enjoy their libertie and lives under a loyal obedience and subjection to the Kings commands and that the world could not but take notice how little conditions of peace was observed by the King that in the midst of Peace it was not to be recounted what
work labouring to bring this bloudy brat to the Birth To which purpose the King and Queen Mother calls to Council the Duke of Anjou the Cardinal of Lorrain the Duke of Guise and Alberti Conde Count de Retz and speedily resolve them of their secret intentions if by any means it could be effected they therefore desire their best aid and assistance together with their approbation which needed not be doubted for they were men ready enough at all times to act the Kings pleasure The King therefore begins sending out strict orders to all the Provinces of his Kingdome Now the King begins to dissemble strictly commanding an observation of the Edict which he intends not should be observed The King outwardly carried it harshly to the Catholicks to more to work the Protestants to their lure to have a high esteem and regard to the late Edict in behalf of his good Subjects the Protestants and that it was his Majesties express command to have it strictly observed and to make their Hearts understand what they heard by the ear the King gives Order to have this message proclaimed at Rochel the Seat of the Princes and Admiral assuring them in particular of the Kings favourable intentions to what he had confirmed with his Royall Hand which should be kept inviolable from all attempts of the strongest perswasion And yet to penetrate more deep to make one act of dissimulation out-vy another to let the world see he was a good proficient in the Art of Treachery and Bloodshed he carries himself outwardly very harsh to the Catholicks telling the Commissioners that the Power of the Duke of Guise and Cardinal of Lorrain was not to be feared for that the Government now rested in himself and had no dependency on any of their commands and therefore though they live at Court yet needed not the Princes of the Blood or Admiral fear them as Adversaries for they lived as Subjects not as Masters and that ere long he hoped all acts of forformer hostility and enmity should be by his means buried in eternal forgetfulness and that both parties should be reconciled to the Kings desire and their own good All which did not only peirce the hearts of the common people but wonderfully wrought upon the hearts of the Princes and Admiral with the chief of the Protestants who now begun to believe the Kings intentions real and that being now weary of the bloudy Civil Wars and Distractions and beginning now to govern by himself and not by his Council might at last sincerely desire a firm peace But alas they are too short sighted to espy and too sincere to doubt that such unparalleled deceit should lodge in the hearts of devils much less in a King a Christian King not so much as in his thoughts much less in his intentions and practice but it is the less wonder seeing it is so that not only in publick actions of great men but also in our common intercourse with things of smaller moment we all experience that the greatest hatred and malice is covered with the greatest love and friendship and that there is no greater knavery then that which borrows a cloak of Religion to cover it with some men again make use of friendship as a stepping stone to their own ends as the For being environed with a high Wall and hotly persued by his Enemies was put to great straits for his liberty for he could not leap over the Wall at last espying one by the Wall side stooping for a stone to throw at him he suddenly leaps on the mans back and by that step of advantage leaps over Little did the poor Princes and Admiral with the Queen of Navar and Nobles and Gentlemen of the Religion think their Noble blood to be so neer spilling by such base and unheard-of cruelties covered under so much love who would not pitty to read that so much valor as was in these brave Commanders should be murthered and laid in the bloody grave of a Treacherous death which shortly we shall sadly peruse The first thing the Admiral embraced by these perswasions was the War against the King of Spain which made the way easier to the rest that followed and yet he often said to his Son-in-Law Teligny that he suspected the rowling wit of the Queen Mother whom he was afraid would lead them on in this enterprize and leave them in the midst The Prince of Orange and Count Lodowick his Brother profer their service to the King in the war of the Low Countrys The Count of Nassaw advising with his Brother the Prince of Orange sends word to the King That if it were his Majesties pleasure to War against the King of Spain in the Low Countries they would so order themselves under his commands as that by their service therein his Majesty should find them faithful and useful and perceive their affections to him and the cause in hand to this the King replies in loving Letters commending their resolutions and gave them hearty thanks for their loving Message which tended highly to a free manifestation of their affections to his Service The Emperour mediates between the Prince of Orange and the K. of Spain The King of France encourages the Prince of Orange against the perswasions of the Emperour Now Maximillian the Emperour pretending to pitty the Estate of the Prince of Orange had obtained by Embassadours to the King of Spain that the Prince should have his goods restored conditionally that he should not settle his habitation in the Low Countryes but in some other place and yet nevertheless should enjoy freely all his Revenues As soon as the French King hears hereof and doubting it might be a hindrance to his present design he speedily posts Messengers to the Prince of Orange to perswade him that what the Emperour had done was nothing but to hinder their progress in so good and advantagious a cause and being only a devise to break up his leavies that he had begun in Germany letting him further understand that if he will please to give him credit he should not want assistance sufficient to regain his Estate from the King of Spain These perswasions of the King being not suspected to come from dissimulation and hypocrifie by the Prince of Orange so did he firmly believe all to be real insomuch as he proceeded in his Musters resolving a while to bear the charges thereof whilst all things else fitting for the war were in readiness though the charge at that time was very heavy Count Lodowick disgrised goes to Court and treats with the King and agrees about the War Now Count Lodowick his Brother being of a resolute disposition essayed his own fortunes and by encouragement from the King he secretly journies from Rochel taking with him onely two companions giving out he was going for the Prince of Orange his Brother but in a disguised habit he privately departs and that night arrives at the Court which then was kept at
forced to hold a Rapier in her hands and one thrusting her arms made her kill her own husband they send about a Drum to sell Prisoners and none coming to buy they there murthered them 120 burnt there was six score burnt to ashes A godly Christian stoned and burned These cruel Papists and bloody Brats of Fury took a godly Christian one Janetta Calvin and carrying her to the City of Brignole they shamefully stripped her and then whipt her cruelly they crown her with thorns then they stone her and afterwards burned her Cruelty at S. Martins At St. Martins in Castillon they took the wife of one Andrew Renand stript her naked and attempted the violating of her chastity which she resisting was with great cruelty whipt and wounded with their Swords at last they shot her to death Some there heads cut off others buried alive In Moni de Marsan six of the chief men of the Town had their heads cut off and others after divers waies were executed one was buried alive a young virgin persued by some villains to ravish her leapt out of a window and so dyed Murthers at Carcasson At Carcasson the Protestants were hearing a sermon out of the Town they return suspecting nothing they find the gates shut upon them the Papists in Town shot divers times at them afterwards come out of the Gates and persue them slew many hurt others they beat one down to the ground and then cut off his Nose and pulled out his eyes others they hanged Many cruelties one they beheaded one they took and made his face hands and feet black then said he had a Devil then hanged him and at last threw his body to the Dogs Some have arms and legs cut off and then beheaded Protestants burned in Churches In Foix no sooner was the Town taken by the Lord of Pailles but the Protestants were cast into prison some having their arms and legs cut off and then beheaded some burnt others hanged others put to the Galleys In Aurenge they destroy without taking notice of Sex Age or Quality some they stabb'd some they threw up with their Halberds some hanged others burnt in churches off some they cut their Privy members sparing neither old nor bed-rid nor the poor diseased in hospitals women and maids are killed others hanged out at their windows and shot with Harquebusseirs sucking children massacred at their Mothers breasts Virgins of six years old ravisht 90. killed after promise of life virgins of five or six years old ravished and spoyled the wounds of the dead were filled with leaves torn out of Bibles those in the Castle yielding upon oath and promise of safety were all stabbed or thrown over the walls to the number of ninety Protestants At Grenoble At Grenoble they slew many throwing them over the bridge into the River At Beaun At Beaun the exercise of their Religion was taken from them all their godly Ministers put into prison eight hundred forced out of the Town the Souldiers spoil their houses and all they find in them are slain Their madness and horrid cruelty to a faithful Minister of Christ In Mascon the blood-thirsty villains having seized on a learned and Godly Minister called Bonnet Bor whose Godly conversation the more enraged these wicked blood-hounds of Hell this Godly Soul had been Minister twenty years and in these daies of murther and cruelties had been ransomed three times him they carried through the Town with many jears and abusive scoffs beating him with their fists then profanely they made a Proclamation That whosoever would hear this holy man preach they might come to the slaughter-bouse At which place again they mocked him and beat him for two hours together he intreated the favour of them that he might pray to God before his death then one stept out and cut off half his nose and one of his ears saying Now pray as long as thou wilt and then we will send thee to all the Devils whereupon the godly soul kneeled and so fervently poured out his soul to God that his Enemies sighed and after prayer directing his Speech to him that cut off his Nose said Friend I am now ready to suffer what thou hast ready to inflict upon me but I intreat thee and thy companions to remember the outrages committed by you upon this poor City for there is a God in heaven at whose Tribunal you must shortly give account of these your cruelties In which mean while a Captain going by cryed send that wretched man to the Devil which one of them hearing took him by the hand pretending to have him to the River to wash his blood of but when he came thither he threw him into the River and cast stones at him till he was drowned the Murthers at Revel At Revel hearing of the confusion and sad slaughters and of their merciless cruelties at Tholouse many saved themselves flying to Castres and elsewhere but left their families and goods to the mercy of these hell-hounds some Protestants being apprehended by virtue of a Commission from the Parliament were carried to Tholouse and imprisoned some condemned to the Gallies some fined and others banished At Montdelleir In Montpeleir they yielded on terms of life but were slain as they came out At Millan about thirty Protestants going under the condduct of one Peigre to relieve a Protestant Village called Cooper they were all taken by one Vessin and were presently cut in pieces and their Conductor Peigre was led to Tholouse A Captain quartered alive Breach of promise and 100. killed and at the command of the Cardinal Armagnac he was quartered alive At the Castle of Granes one Savignac delivered up the Castle on terms of life to all within it yet they were so base as in their usual way of keeping covenant they break promise and kill about one hundred Protestants being all in the Castle except six or seaven Horrible breach of faith March Castle a Castle belonging to the Signeur of Peyre a Protestant was in the beginning of February besieged by Coffart who having taken it by Treason he kept his Faith as if he had no faith at all for he murdered all in cold blood after promise of life A special providencâ— The Baron of La Fare trying all means to have a maid of excellent beauty at his wretched pleasure besieged Florac the place where she was but was forced from it so as the Gentlewomans virginity and Citizens blood were both saved At Cisteron the Protestants being fled the Papists fell bloodily upon the poor innocent women and children VVomen with childe ripped and buried alive and slew of them to the number of three or four hundred some women with child were ript up many buried alive some their throats cut like sheep and others drawn through the streets and beaten to death with clubs These and many more Christian Reader were cruelly committed on the poor
Protestants in France during this Civil War they are so sad they need no comment An unparralled murther but indeed that which follows is not to be paralleld for perfidious treachery Breach of the faith of a King and Court and for hellish and unheard-of cruelties sad murthers in cold blood upon Lords Gentlemen poor Ladies Rivers swimming with bodies and died with blood Indeed the most sad Tragedie that ever was yet acted upon the theatre of the world by Turks Heathens or Christians CHAP. IV. The Contents THE King and Queen Mother lay siege to Haver de grace which surrendered on Henourable tearms The King is declared out of his minority and swears to observe the Edict of Pacification but keeps not his oath nor promise The Council of Trent meet a League is made between the King of France and King of Spain called the Holy League the Cardinal of Lorain posts to Rome to desire the Pope to cause the French to observe the decrees of the Council of Trent Great heart-burnings arise The Protestants dayly complain to the King of their injuries desiring him to keep to his covenant but to no purpose The King and Queen Mother in progress rides through the Nation and secretly confer with the Popes Messenger and the King of Spain They come to Lyons and forbid the exercise of the Protestant Religion Many Protestants cruelly and inhumanly murthered by the Catholicks in several places The King and Queen Mother treacherously leavie six thousand Switzers to destroy the Protestants Letters are intercepted which discover a bloody plot against the Prince of Conde the Admiral and all the Protestants The Prince Admiral and Principal Protestants seize on Troys Lyons and Tholouse The King and Queen Mother forced to ret reat to Paris Thâ—â— beginning of the second war the King sends an Herauld to the Prince of Conde and Admiral Their answer The Principal of both Parties treat but to no purpose The Prince and Admirals answer to their Demands The Protestants never embrace a more sure ruin then a peace with the King The Armies meet and engage the success The Prince of Conde and Admiral march to join with Prince Casimir who had raised twelve thousand men for their aid The Duke of Lorrain made General of the Kings Army Prince Casimirs Noble Declaration in defence of the Protestants The Prince of Conde's Gallant speech to the Army A gallaut Resolution in a free Contribution through the Princes Army Prince of Conde and Admiral join with Prince Casimirs Army The Prince of Conde besieges Chartres The Queen Mothers treachery and speech a peace concluded but full of Treason Guile and hypocrisie The Protestants no sooner dismiss their Armies and deliver up their Garrisons but are speedily filled with Souldiers of the Kings A bloody Cabinet Council erected by the King They plot to cut off the Protestants but are discovered The Kings Army suddenly begirts the chief of the Protestants but they escape with their families to Rochel The Queen of Navar comes to Rochel with horse and foot Cardinall Castillon flies to England disguised The Prince of Conde and Admiral publish a manifesto to all Christian Princes the Queen of Navar declares for the Protestants A bloody Edict is published by the King that none should profess any other Religion but the Romish the King of France strangely declares to all the world That he meant not what he said WE concluded the latter part of the second chapter with a Peace concluded at Orleans whereupon was publickly proclamed a free liberty for the Protestants according to the Edict of Pacification Now the King and Queen Mother endeavour to reduce Haverdegrace to their obedience which the Protestant party had delivered up to the Queen of England as aforesaid The Kings Army besieges Haverdegrace To which purpose they lay siege the Town holds out a good while till at last being sore streightned and no hopes left of relief they come to conditions of surrenders but before Hostages were delivered and English Fleet of sixty brave Ships appears under sayl fleering directly to the Port but the Earl of VVarwick like a true hearted Englishman scorning to dishonour his Nation with such perfidious treachery as most of the French acted he sends word to the Admiral of the Fleet Honourably surrendred that the Town was to be surrendred that day being the seventeenth day of July and so performed his Contract to his great Honour I cannot compare this noble act to any but that brave Roman Consuls who being taken by the Carthaginians in Africa had liberty given to return to Rome to effect the release of some Prisoners and in them his own in exchange promising to return prisoner if he could not Now when he came to the Senate he perswades them not â—o accept of the conditions and so according to his promise returned and was miserably tormented to death Oh that it might be said so of our Charls the Ninth that he had but been regardful of his Oaths and covenants then had not we been partakers of such a sad spectacle of cruelty by reading this bloody Tragedie The Catholicks now after this peace at Orleans feared the greatest visible power rested in the Prince of Conde So the Queen Mother treads in her old paths of deceit intending by her cunning subtilty to cut off all pretences of right to the Government by the Princes of the blood The King declared out of his minority and swears in the presence of God to olserve the Edict of Pacification to which purpose she causes the King now but fourteen years old to be declared King and past his Minority She carries his Majestie to Roan and there the fifteenth day of December 1563. they went Solemnly with all the Lords of the Court and Officers of the Crown to the Parliament Where in the presence of the Counsellours he received the usual Ceremonies used in France at the Coronation the Parliament publishing the Declaration of his Majority the King there publickly protested and swore in the presence of Almighty God That be would for ever after duly observe the Edict of Pacification threatning all opposers for such was his express will and pleasure Thus all things seem in a peaceable way one would now think so much blood expences of treasure and a consumption of his subjects would weary any nation and make any King rejoice For a peace is the more sweetned by the effects of a Civil war already felt for two extreams illustrate each other The peace not kept But alas this peace succeeds not the hopefull expectation of his peaceable subjects in many places it was not observed The Council of Trent meets The King of Spain and France make a league and call it the Holy league And now assembles that Council known by the name of the Council of Trent who meet for the maintainance of the Catholick Religion Now the Cardinal of Lorrain being an active Agent to forward any design