A Declaration and Catholic exhortation to all Christian Princes to secure the Church of God and Realm of France.  
Written by Peter Erondelle, native of Normandy.  
Faithfully translated out of the French.   

¶ To all true lovers of the pure Gospel and holy doctrine of jesus Christ, and to all those that desire the preservation of the Realm of France, Peter Erondelle wisheth health in the Lord.  
I Doubt not but do steadfastly perceive, that whosoever shall consider of my calling will disdain to look upon this brief Treatise, as proceeding from a person unworthy such a work, yea and will marvel from whence I should gather such boldness, sith I am not adorned or furnished with any humane wisdom wherewith to beautify or rather paint out the same. But what answer shall I make them? For it is not I that have wrought this work, but even GOD himself through the virtue and power of the holy Ghost working in me, who word by word hath showed and instructed me in all that is herein set down, as using me a poor and miserable sinner to endure and persuade or rather command all those that have the fear of God and doctrine of jesus Christ before their eyes, to secure his afflicted people who are on every side oppressed, but principally in our France by some tyrants, unto whom I present not this brief discourse, for I am sufficiently persuaded that this kind of people do but seek occasion to subvert & set at va●●●…nce such a Commonwealth as before remained in peace and unity: But unto you my brethren, do I direct the same, desiring you not to disdain the sight thereof, but in equity and without all passion (other than reason) to read it, notwithstanding therein you find some fault: Neither would I herein seek to flatter or conceal the authors of these present troubles: namely the house of Guyze, who are the chief Captains and conductors thereof, as also I should get nothing by concealing them, as being a matter which every man knoweth better than I can tell them how it standeth. Besides I will not delay the time in beautifying this discourse with any painted speech to adorn it withal, as some do when they seek and go about to persuade lies in stead of truth under the colour of a pleasant phrase and painted speech which is sufficient to lead the Readers thereunto, and lulling them on sleep procureth them, as afore is said, to admit lies in lieu of truth, even as the Mermaid who by her pleasant song overcometh the Sailors, and when they be at rest devoureth them all. I would not therefore imitate them, but only speak plainly according to all the words that have fallen into my mouth whereby God hath helped me to bring the same to pass. To him therefore are we to yield thanks, and withal to pray him to direct all our works to the glory of his name and excellency of his justice, as also that through the blood of his well-beloved son jesus Christ, he will vouchsafe us remission of all our sins. Amen.  

A Prayer.  
O Lord God almighty who knowest the hearts and thoughts of all men, so as we do not so son● imagine what to say but thou knowest better than ourselves what our tongue should pronounce, & that there is nothing upon the earth or under the same how secret soever, but is manifest unto thee. We beseech thee O Lord in the name of thy well-beloved son jesus Christ, that it may please thee to open and reveal whatsoever the wicked purposes of the perverse, whereby they may have no means left to persecute thy faithful. Nevertheless if it please thee O Lord yet to continue the afflictions of thy Church, like as we know thee to be a just and true judge, we do notwithstanding beseech thee not to punish us in thy wrath or according to our deserts, who deserve only everlasting damnation, but thy will be done, for so it is most expedient. We confess that we have grievously provoked thee against us and are greatly endangered to thy most just judgement, howbeit we beseech thee O Lord, enter not thereinto with us, for our sins in thy sight are innumerable even as the sand of the Sea or drops of water of the same, it may please thee therefore O Lord, not to call them to thy remembrance, but through the death and passion of thy well-beloved son jesus Christ to wipe them away. We beseech thee also that it may please thee to preserve those Kings & Princes that are endued with the knowledge of thy Gospel, and do daily fight for the same, thereby under the shadow of their wings preserving many faithful poor persons: vouchsafe them the increase of thy grace. Touch also the minds of such Kings and Princes as do vex thy poor servants, and suffer not their hearts to be hardened like as was the heart of Pharaoh King of Egypt against thy people of Israel, and especially O Lord vouchsafe to bring them into the bosom of thy Church, so to enjoy the clear light thereof, which is, to see and know the truth. And this do we most humbly beseech thee in the name and favour of thy dearly beloved son our Lord jesus Christ as himself hath taught us saying. Our Father which art in heaven, etc.  
FINIS.    

¶ A Declaration and exhortation to Princes, etc.  
LOng time have we seen our France thus tormented & afflicted with wars, miseries and calamities, under colour of religion, and yet even to this day, do we behold how it doth daily waste and decay more and more, which causeth me to think, that unless God do speedily set to his hand, we shall in short time behold the destruction and dissipation of the most flourishing Realm in Christendom, at the appetite of certain particular parsons, who upon a desire and unsatiable thirst to reign, do seek no other but the loss, or rather usurpation thereof, as seeming to them that God is blind, and seethe not the torments which they inflict upon his people, in banishing some, and defrauding them of their goods, and in putting other some most cruelly to death. They might surely think, that if the Religion which they term new, were not good, it would soon waste, and be in a moment swallowed up, but that contrariwise, if it be according to God and Christ jesus, all the weapons and power of the world are not able to destroy it, no not so much as any whit to diminish the same, and therefore they ought rather to follow the counsel of the Pharisaical Doctor of the jewish law Gamaliel, who being in the Counsel house when they sought to put the Apostles to death, said, that if their Religion were of Man, the remembrance thereof would soon perish, but if it were of God, they should never be able to destroy it. How many bloody battles have we seen? How much Innocent blood shed, not only in our France, but even throughout all Christiandome for this only point, and yet do we see this holy doctrine flourish and augment all over the world. Besides it was never seen, neither in the time of the holy patriarchs or Primitive Church that Religion was decided, confirmed or disputed upon by force of Arms, but only by the Sword of godliness, & the pure word of God contained in the Bible. How many errors did spring up in the Primitive Church, and yet there needed no other weapon than the holy scripture, neither did we ever know false doctrine but the same immediately vanished through the power of Christ jesus. We may therefore easily presume, that the authors of these civil wars, covering themselves under the vizerd of religion, do seek no other but the utter ruin of this Realm, whereof they were to make their profit and commodity. We know, that before the decease of the late Lord Duke of Anieow and Alencon the kings only brother there was nothing spoken of, But they will now say that the Crown belongeth to them, than should they greatly deceive themselves, for in lieu of benefiting the Realm, they consume all the substance thereof in the charges of the War. If any man ask who be these goodly authors of these present civil Wars, I will answer that it is the house of Guise, which saith that in case it should so come to pass, that the King should die without issue, the Crown can not belong to the King of Navarre, because he is a Heretic: But truly any man endued with the fear of GOD, which will judge uprightly, may well know that Popish Religion is mere error, besides that in the Primitive Church the shepherds and Bishops lived not in so great pride and superfluity as do the Popes: for since that Christian Emperors, Kings and Princes permitted them liberty to rule, they have not only abandoned the true Church of Christ jesus, but also have embraced falsehood in stead of truth, and lived over loosely and dissolutely. Neither is it the office of a Bishop to seek the dominion of a whole climate of the earth, but rather only to instruct his flock according to the holy scriptures, and the true doctrine of jesus Christ. Let us consider whether Saint Peter (whose successer the Pope challengeth himself to be) or the other Apostles sought to rule monarch. No, no, but contrariwise Christ himself said, that no man could serve God and Mammon. But let us return to our purpose, for I am not to meddle in matters which so many learned Parsons have debated upon, in presenting to the view and palpably feeling of the Popish errors, neither is it the mark that I level at, who do pretend only to show unto you what just occasions we have to take arms for our necessary defence. For it is extreme cruelty and mere tyranny to banish the poor, and usurp their goods, as in these doyes they do in our France. I do therefore most humbly beseech all true lovers of the Gospel, and such as desire the preservation of this crown, not to suffer, for want of taking arms, and succouring of us, so flourishing a Realm, as ours to be lost: for all men may see, and it is most evident, that the authors of this war do seek the only decay thereof. Have we not seen all Germany, England, Scotland, and the most part of Europe troubled for this only cause of Religion? and yet now we find, that at this day they do enjoy most blessed peace through such agreements and order as on either part have been taken. These men cannot excuse themselves of seeking the utter destruction of this country: for we have had so many pieces and agreements in time past, that now it is a most manifest matter, that the only point of Religion is no cause of present troubles, but rather an envious desire to usurp. They minister cause never to repose confidence in whatsoever promise or peace, which properly be termed a children's pastime, who may say and unsay, and all with one breath, what soever they ●…st. How many holy and just edicts have we had, and especially the Edict of january made in the year of grace. 1561. under King Charles the ninth, which was both good and lawfully made, to the benefit as well of the one as other religion. Was not the same sufficient, whereby we might enjoy an assured peace, as do other the bordering realms our neighbours? But what? It was of over great importance to the enemies of peace. What shall I say more? have we not since that had many other edicts? & by the last, was not the French Nation assured to enjoy a blessed peace, though to the great prejudice of our reformed religion, and very beneficial to the contrary, as wanting more than half the liberty of that of january, which notwithstanding, the wicked could not continue in that Peace. This sufficiently showeth their perverse and mischievous minds, as also that they have no other desire, but to destroy or usurp this Crown of the Flowerdeluce: But what need I so largely describe a matter which all the world knoweth better than myself? Wots we not that this house of Guise and their associates, are the chief Captains and Conductors of all this alteration? See we not that they seek to deliver and abandon, as it were in pray, this poor kingdom, to the Spanish nation? Moreover, have we not already found how they have endeavoured, and still do go about to bring all Christiandome into confusion. And how? In scotland have they not sought to drown the Realm in troubles and Civil wars, so as we have seen the Nobility and Commons so sore bend one against another, that no peace could be obtained without most grievous and horrible bloodshed? Yea, had it not been by means of the most sacred of GOD, the Queen's Majesty of England, the troubles had yet continued, and all through the Guizes. Undoubtedly we can not think but that after so many mischiefs God will power out his just judgement upon that Family, notwithstanding many times we see the perturbers of public peace and enemies to the truth prosper more than the good, neither are we to marvel, when we see the wicked exalted before our faces, for God will sometimes use such instruments to try the patience of his elect. Now have I sufficiently showed you the just causes that we have to defend ourselves, there resteth no more but to open unto you the end whereto I do pretend, which is, to desire all true lovers of the Gospel not to suffer the tyrannising of the faithful flock of jesus Christ, who saith that his shallbe known by the brotherly love that they shall bear one to another: but what amity is it to see his brother or neighbour die truly before his eyes? undoubtedly if we would consider what charity and brotherly love to our neighbour is, we should feel our consciences wonderfully oppressed. I we see a thief or robber take a poorman's purse in the wood, and do not our endeavours to delivor him from the said oppression, shall not we be guilty of the trespass? If I demand of you who is the better or who is most worthy punishment, the thief or the receiver▪ you will answer they are alike guilty the one one as the other: who then is the better, he that committeth the tyranny, or he that being by goeth not about to let it: In this case you will say, he is not guilty of the deed because he furthereth it not, neither helpeth to do it, whereto, I may well reply, that no more doth the receiver steal, and yet is he not free from punishment, for if there were no receiver, there would be no thief: even so if every one would endeavour to withstand the perturbers of common peace, we should not have so many cruel wars and tyrannies, as at this day are in force: We may therefore well think, that those that look upon the executing of such tyrannies, and do not oppose themselves against them, are in as great or rather greater fault than those that commit them: A man disposed to do evil, if he find any l●t, will not go forward therein, and so shall not his offence be so heinous in the sight of men, as if he had done it, notwithstanding I will not quite excuse him, or say that he ought to be exempt of punishment, sith God saith that will is reputed for the deed: but he that seethe the wickedness committed, and to his power letteth it not, is worthy double punishment, for both himself offendeth, and his winking is cause that the other proceedeth in his bad purpose, which he would not have done if he had been letted: He therefore is guilty both of his own fault & that others also, and so such persons can not eschew the just vengeance of God either in this world, or in the world to come, unless his great mercy deliver them. For God saith, love God above all things, and thy neighbour as thyself: if then we love our neighbour as ourself, we can not before our faces see him oppressed with tyranny, but we must needs afford him some help and comfort, and therefore we are herein guilty both to God and our neighbour: But was there ever greater tyranny practised then the same that the Guizards do now use in France? They be thieves, murderers and perturbers of public peace. For can there be any greater thievery, then to banish an infinite number of poor people, and to usurp their goods, Lands, Lordships and inheritances? But now we see some that are willing to withstand them, but do fear to be over weak: Let us not fear my friends, but consider for what we fight. We fight for our peace, our country, our lives, and the restitution of our goods: for the delivery of our brethren, for the obtaining of peace and quietness, and to be brief, for all most just and lawful causes: Contrariwise our enemies fight only for the maintenance of their tyrannies and ransoming of the poor people, yea only of a greedy desire to reign and usurp. If we would consider all these things, we should conceine a greater courage to defend ourselves, than the others have to assail, besides that we see our great captain jesus Christ, who taketh our cause in hand, as being most just and righteous. Let us not quail though we see our enemies to be three times more than ourselves: For if they fortify themselves it is only for fear of us, as also the force of man is nothing in respect of the power of God, who nameth himself the God of Arms and battles: who granteth victory to whom he please, who also will reveal his might in us in breaking the greatest Army that may be levied through even one small handful of men: Let us couragionsly go to the Combat, and steadfastly beleene that our good God and Lord jesus Christ will grass us the victory, so as we crave it at his-hands in faith: for of him we obtain whatsoever we faithfully do crave: But first let us also see that our army consist not of wicked parsons, but let every one enter into his own conscience, for God neither is called, neither willbe leader of perverse and wicked people, so no doubt we shall obtain a perfect and full victory: Let us so march as the boulder may be an example of virtue to the rest. Again I beseech all Kings, Princes and Lords, both strangers and others, that have any means to secure us, or that do bear any goodwill or favour to France, not to suffer so flourishing a realm to be lost for want thereof, at the appetite of a family which seeketh no other but the usurping of the same under shadow of religion, so shall ye accomplish the works of charity, and fulfil the Commandment of GOD, which is, love thy neighbour as thyself. And in as much as we all are brethren and neighbours, let us one help another in our necessity, for so shall the noble hearts and virtuous parsons be known. I know some may reply and say, that foreign Kings and Princes are not to enterprise upon the Dominions of other Princes their neighbours, for sometimes under such a cloak of Godliness they do extend their own limits with the loss of their neighbours, and therefore it is not their parts to set foot into other men's Lordships: For answer I would feign ask them whether we do not all agree that there is one only universal Church whereof jesus Christ is the head and the members are so united and confoyned that the least of them can not be grieved but the rest must feel some smart, according as we see that the holy Scripture doth testify. See we not many times the whole body perish through some wound, not only in the Arm or Thigh, but also some times through some small inconvenience happened to the little finger? Mark the Serpent or any other venomous beast, when it stingeth any body, it seeketh not the head or any other principal member of the body, but only or for the most part, the foot, and yet ye see the parson so hurt die of such a stinging. And what? would you make any account of such a Physician as hath respect only to some one part of his patiented? no, no, he must look upon & visit all the whole body, even from the foot to the head, to see whether any other me●●●●… be infected. Even so do we compare the Church to this body which hath divers members, some in one place, some in another▪ Now as this Church is only and universal, so is it not committed to the charged of one only King, but generally to all christian Princes, and particularly to every one, because it were danngerous to leave the custody to one only, and yet the unity thereof is such, as can by no means be separated, notwithstanding it be universally dispersed over the whole fate of the earth. The Church of England and the Church of France are not two Churches, but all are members of one. God hath committed it wholly to every one particularly, and all the parts thereof to all in general, to the end not only to preserve it whole and sound, but also more and more to increase it, so that if one prince careth but for part of the Church, as of that of Germany or Scotland, and the whiles contemneth and abandoneth an other part that is oppressed, and it lieth in him to secure, he hath abandoned the Church, for Christ jesus hath but one only Spouse dispersed throughout the whole world, whom every prince ought so to defend and keep, that she may not be any where defiled, if possibly he may, neither is it to any purpose to excuse himself by such usurpation as a Prince might take hold of in an others country: for who so is led by a will proceeding from the spirit of jesus Christ, can not under such a false title expel his neighbour out of his patrimony: as being a matter far repugnant to God's commandment, which is, that he shall not covet any thing that is his neighbours. Such superfluous allegations are not therefore to be feared, for whatsoever is guided by the holy ghost, can yield nothing but what proceedeth from the same: and sith the holy ghost proceedeth from the wholly perfect goodness, namely God, who is contained in the three parsons, the Father, the son, and the holy ghost, who proceedeth from the two, we must needs believe, that who so is guided by God, can do nothing contrary to his will. I say therefore, and it is most certain, that God willeth Christian Princes to take arms in defence of his afflicted people which are of the Church, examples whereof we find in sundry places of the holy scripture. We see that in the time of Ezechias King of juda, the kingdom of Israel had long continued in subjection to the Assyrians, therefore if only the Church of juda, and not the universal Church had been committed to the charge of Ezechias, also, that if in the preservation of the Church, he ought to have kept like measure as in the division of the land, no doubt Ezechias would have contained himself within his own bonds, when the Assyrians ruled over the rest, but he sent Posts throughout all Israel to summon them to the observation of the passover. Do we not read also of good K. josias, that he put out Idolatry, not only forth of his realm, but also out of the kingdom of Israel, & that justly? for when the kingdom of Christ is in question, there is neither bounds nor limits that should stay the zeal of Christian Princes. These examples of such and so good princes might stand for a Law, but let us also look what God himself pronounceth by the mouths of his holy Prophets against those that make no account of his Church: beside we do road, that the Gadites, Rubenites, and the half tribe of Manasses, required Moses to allot them their portion on this side of jordan, which Moses did grant to conditionally, that they should not only help their other brethren the Israelites to conquer the Land of Canaan, but also should march foremost & make the vanguard. Have we not testimonies enough to prove the duty of Princes to secure the Church? surely if we would allege all other the examples that might be found in the word of God, we might have enough to make a very large volume, but because I mean to write only a short declaration, I would make no further mention thereof, as also this is enough, and therefore we want only goodwill. Alas, I fear God will one day reprove us of unprofitableness in this world. And what? you Kings and Princes do you not fear that God will ask account of you for your governments? & wherefore it is that he hath made you his ministers and preservers of his Spouse? Is this the oath that you make at your admissions, when you take the sword into your hand, and look both East, West, South and North, as if you would infer, that there shall be no corner in the world, but you will endeavour therein to maintain and increase this Spouse? This Church of Christ is it comprehended within your dominions, and is it not universal over the whole face of the earth? No, no, we can have no lawful excuse, & truly I doubt the reproach of the Prophetess Deborah against the Rubenites, will fall upon us as also the judgement: for we profess ourselves to be Christians, and yet charity dwelleth not in us, when we suffer our brethren, who also are members of Christ's Church, to be thus tyrannised. I beseech you let us eschew the just judgement of God that is ready to fall upon our heads: let us give over all excuses, for we have none sufficient. Let us leave all amities for the Church of Christ jesus, for it is he only that can save us: let us imitate the good Princes josias and Ezechias, also that virtuous Prince Constantine, who with open War assailed Licinius even in his own country, because he prosecuted the Christians: But as saith the common proverb, It booteth not to preach to him that careth not for well doing, neither is it to any purpose for me to allege examples, sith they will not be followed: We term ourselves Christians, and know the duty of Christians, and yet do not the works of Christians. Christ jesus teacheth us that he is more worthy of punishment that knoweth his masters will and doth it not, than he that not knowing it doth it not. Having therefore attained to my principal purpose, which is, to desire all Christian. Kings and Princes, that do profess the pure doctrine to Christ jesus to grant succour to his people in France afflicted by tyrants and mere bloodsuckers, who draw forth man's blood to glut therewith a foreign family: and having showed as well by God's word, as by good & holy testimonies taken out of the same, how by all law, as well of God as man they be bound to do the same, I have no more to do, but to require the Readers to read and consider of this discourse with reason, and thoroughly to way the matters therein contained without any passion, and to judge according to equity: so shall they perceive that it proceedeth not of myself, but of God, and therefore not to have any respect to my age or calling: for any man knowing me, may well judge, that of myself I am utterly uncapable of such a deed. Take it therefore as proceeding from God, who for the most p●rt revealeth himself to the ignorant and doultes, and hideth himself from the wise of the world. Consider Saint Peter, who was a simple Fisherman, also the rest of the Apostles, who were but of mean calling. For likewise God hath used me in this work, whom I do beseech to open the hearts of Kings and Princes, and to deliver them from blindness which stoppeth their sights, and to make them partakers of his clear light which is the knowledge of his will. So be it.