THE FRENCH HERAULD SENT TO THE PRINCES OF CHRISTENDOM. Printed according to the French Copy. 1622. THE FRENCH HERAULD SENT TO THE PRINCES OF CHRISTENDOM. MY people are fools (saith the Lord) and shall perish for want of counsel. Alas who seethe not this prophecy fulfilled; who beholdeth not Christendom running headlong into her own destruction, in the mean while, that the enemies thereof subsist by means of their humane wisdom, and the Lord upholding them, who shall give counsel, shall it be the Lord? that is grieved and offended for the wicked life of man. Shall the Pope do i●? he is one of the contrary parties, shall we expect it at the hands of wise politicians? are not the greatest part of them, for their own interests, engaged to the one or other side? but there is inequaletie amongst them, (It is true,) but such as is between the wolf and the sheep, one seeks only for his own preservation, the other for nothing else but to devour all. Here I lament the bad success of them both, of the wolf, because God doth not send a Lion out against him to tear him in pieces, of the sheep, that they do not kill and eat him up at unawares. To give advise unto them both were a work of charity, and thou christianetie the common mother of us all, open thy bowels, to dispose them unto peace, hold Esau from killing of his brother, and send jacob among his kinsmen, that thou mayst not be deprived of them both in one day, what wouldst thou do then, poor widow, being bereft of thy children: Think upon (I advice thee) the mischief which is the cause of this. There are three, that is, manners of life, and conversation, religion and state. The devil author of sin at the beginning, in every nation hath endued some to drunkenness, which hath drowned all offices of charity, and abandoned all endeavour and exercise of piety. Others, he hath made so ambitious, that they seek all the means they can to maintain their dignity, sparing neither God, his saints, nor his service, but employeth them to uphold him: Sodom and Gomorrah justify the manners & behaviours of diverse of them. The covetousness of others, makes them to forget God, to hide their dealings from men. The wrath of others, moves them to make religion a step to their profane greatness: for you are profane, that have a great deal of godliness in your mouths, but deny God in your hearts. Your balam's intent is, to make you fall in love with strange women, and so to draw the wrath and punishments of God upon you. Christian religion hath brought forth 3 sisters, whereof the two last are twins, but by men they are called Catholics, Lutherians, and calvenists. The poor and small number of calvenists, think on nothing else but to descend herself against the blows that men seek to give her, to keep in the house, where she is assigned to be, she is esteemed and held to be a criminal like Mephibezeth, she is arrested in jerusalem, and there is neither bands of nature, meekness of Spirit, nor law, required of her servitures, that permits her to come out of her house of humility and servitude, to take place in honourable thrones, to be employed in good offices, to participate with greatness (the benefit of our common father,) she dares not speak to her mother but secretly, pray unto God but in the fields, baptise her children but out of the towns, to maintain herself in this deplorable state, what then must she do? she must not cry out against her sisters, she must suffer herself to be beaten by Kings and Princes, to have her riches and jewels taken from her. the (gauges of her master's word) and she must not speak one word, for if she do, her tongue shall be cut out, alas poor desolate woman. The Lutherian extendeth her bounds further abroad, she loveth not the Caluenist; she hate h the Catholic, the one having first beaten her, the other because she cannot endure to see her prosperity, she is well grounded in the one, & hath nothing but envy of the other, for her foundation she would gadly see them both fair buried, to effect this, sometimes she agreeth with the one, and then again with the other, to watch them both, attending the occasion to shake off the yoke of the great one, and to give the lesser a blow on the ear, useing the cloak of state to cover her maxim of religion; Oh most dangerous deceit: but her mask being once pulled off, it will cause lesabel to be thrown out of the window, by him whom thou most honourest. The Catholic, hath other designs, she will stretch her wings abroad in all places, she will have no companion, much less a controller, she must drive away the Lutherians for having injured her, calling her wife and spouse of Antechrist, and she must punish the Caluenist for calling her an Idolater, and as there is but one pastor, so there is but one flock of sheep, whereof the Pope is avouched to bethe head and guide. To effect the same he holdeth the good sheep tied fast to his greatness, by Saint Peter's chain, those that are scabby, by the fear of the whip of excommunication, the most sensible by the golden calf, and all in general by auricular confession, greatness of revenues, and support of houses. We must bring the others unto us, they say and therefore ask the Lutherian, what communion will you have, with a sister, that is of so different a humour from you. The Samaritans and the jews, are some what a kin one unto the other, come let's us together build up Jerusalem, let us agree together against this presumptuous wench, that will believe nothing but her own reasons, we promise you to let you go to worship in this mountain, to go to the Temple of Garezin, trust our word●, we observe it well to the jews, our common enemies, and why not to you that are our friends, but death is in the kettle, the flesh is made ready for the banquet, we will not make the birds wild before they are in the cage, when we have taken their arms and legs from them, we will bind them like Samson, and put out their eyes. Sister the advantage that thou shalt have, is, that they will eat thee in the desert, but keep thee until the end. To the calvenists? give not a good word, we must beat her and break her ribs, and look on her again to see if she be through dead, if she flies into Bohemia, we must cut her in pieces by the sword of the state, if she retireth into Germany, we must persuade her that she blasphemed God, and the King, and with Naboth she must be stoned to death by the principalle●t of the country, by jesabels' commandment. If she flieth into Swytzerland, we must make her believe that she hath carried our gods away, ravished the rights of our house, and then they must make her return again, and suffer her to be beaten. Shall she hide herself in the mountains, shall she cover herself with the height of the Alps, shall she allege her long sojourning, her nest built by her ancestors, we must send a bird to murder her with a blow of his bill, and for want thereof come and lodge in the fields. If she goeth into France, under the safeguard of that great Monarch, it is an easy matter to tell him of his oath, and to prophesy unto him his damnation, if he should favour so wicked a woman, to threaten him with Saint Peter's sword, if he doth not use Saint bartholmew's sword. If that fish chanceth to swim into the little world of England, we will send a knife, out against that nourishing Father, if he will not have our key to open his house, we will send the Friar's Minors, that know how to bring it to pass, to conclude, little dove, they will have thee to pour out thy blood upon the Altar, and to take the wings of the wind to fly into the North. David, do thou withdraw thyself amongst the Philistians, out of the house of the eternal, or else thou shalt never have rest in Israel. The State encloseth all, it is the flying Eagle through all the corners of this house, and visiting all the family, saith, that there is but one God, and that we must have but one religion, and one King, my house is of long continuance, It hath upholden the Empire, it hath possessed the most Noble Kingdoms in the world, which beareth the title of Catholic, and shall it not take the effect? what hindereth it? The Germans, Ltalians, Frenchmen, Englishmen, and their adherents, than we must take away all these obstacles, that the prophecy may be fulfilled. Who is heat this day that is so ignorant of the affairs of the world, that knoweth not, that the King of Spain only pretendeth to make himself sole Monarch of the world, that it is the project whereupon (all the enterprises that are made from day to day throughout the world) are grounded, he believeth that he hath his right, by the long possession of the Empire, by the force of his house, the greatness of his estates, the subtlety of his counsel, the fidelity of his people, and his great abundance of treasures, he thinks no man to be a lawful King but himself. The Germans, Netherlands, and Switzers, withdrew themselves from the Empire by the cowardice of some Emperors. The Common wealths have abused their bounty and freedom, having a respect to other designs. The Frenchmen are to presumptuous. The Englishmen by order of decency ought to do homage unto him. The Savoiard ought to blush for shame, for measuring his sword with the Spaniards sword. The Italian Princes should be to rash, if they proceed with their designs to pravaile of his blessing, the right of commanding all men belongeth unto him. If they do it, every one of them shall peaceably feed under his own fig tree, he is no Tyrant, he asketh no tribute, he is content that his titles of honour may be increased, by adding thereunto Emperor of Germany, King of France, England, Denmark, Swethland, Bohemia, and Hongaria, he quiteth the kingdom of juitot, the States, the Common wealths, the Princes, and the Barons shall have their privileges, doing homage unto him. He is the the most mild Prince, his estate most just and upright, and people most accomplished that are in all Christendom. But the diffacultie consisteth in bringing the same to pass, but thus it must be done. The Emperor is the greatest Potentate in all Christendom, he is of his house, he must put down the Kings of Bohemia and Hongaria, those two arms which he had bound. Bohemia shallbe easily won by money, that shallbe sown in that avaricious Country, and the honour that shallbe promised to the principal persons of the land, the people will follow their train between both, the rebels shallbe punished, their goods confiscate, wherewith we will pay that which we corruptly promised. Germany is full of free Princes and Common wealths, how shall we bridle them, we must offer the whip to the calvenists Princes, to the Lutherians the purse, to the Catholic the Popes Bull, so than they are ours, if any of them be stiff and will not bow, examples, discourses, and the sword, are puissant arguments to dispute withal. The Switzers are united in league together, so they are, against others, to mock the Frenchmen, laugh at the Savoyans, and jest with all their neighbours, but if we say unto the small Cantons, we will let you live in your States, exalt your condition, give you the spoil of your fellow Citizens, assist you against their forces, and Dagon will bless you, to what thing will they not be drawn, they will falsify their faith alliances being cast into the fire, they will run unto the prey, as young Eagles run to carrien. The States have a strong bulwark, and in a manner impregnable, we must not begin that way, we had need of as many Stratagems, as there are grains in a Pomegranate, against this Orange and his adherents? The Country is like the land of Canaan, there is some divine protection, that seems to impeach the course of our Empire, all that is nothing, for a knife will cut his throat, a fig will pierce his entrails, a Mule laden with gold will win tongues in the Country to speak, hands to strike, and feet to run. Italy is ours, if that begin once to stir, we will have recourse to our necessity, we will lessen the money thereof by borrowing, we will require men never to send them again, we will employ the holy Pantofle, to blow a spirit of obedience into their hearts. The Union between our two crowns agrees like the Sun and the Moon, we will yield unto him to have light in the lantern, let him cause us to find out the Monarchy, after that we will reckon together; and she as the strongest, shall bear the blows of our arms. The Duke of Savoye, will put himself into the balance to serve to make weight, he depends upon the infernal gods, he lifteth up his hand against us, but it is but in jest, we will impose silence unto him, upon hope to be our companion in the benefit. Money shall rain into his purse, by the passage of our Soldiers, his officers shall be faithful unto us, we will give him the town that long time hath been a thorn in his finger, of Prince of Piedmont, we will make him Bishop and Prince of Geneva, Religiously for the sword and the mass, cannot live together without Scandal. The great and puissant King of France, seemeth to merit some thing in our house, his person and ours are equal, we will never remove our Father's bounds, our alliances bind us together, every one shall participate in the cake, I will part it take all to myself, and give nothing to others, I will let him deal with the Huguenots, treat of places of security, and say that they thought not to keep them, to offend him, if they refuse him, than he shall be troubled to take them, either by force or fraud. If they yield them unto him, it is as much as to take the dogs that were the guardians of the sheep, from them. The necessity of great affairs constrains the King to employ the impressed money otherwise then for the maintenance of ministers, there needs but the fourth part, for the principalest amongst them, to keep them from barking, the rest dare not blow: we will not touch the liberty of conscience, we will preserve the obedient child under the benefit of the edicts, we will cause the rebels to feel the force of the French arms, and the conclusion shall be, that will make them agree, to their own damage. The Englishman withdraws himself out of the world, can he well escape our hands: let him not be persuaded that it is now as it was in the time of Queen Elizabeth, her people loved her, her subjects feared her, her courage made her redoubtable, her neighbours received great blows for seeking to offend her. This trusteth in our promises, believeth our words, gives ear unto our Ambassadors, which maketh his estate capable of our dominion. Thus we have attained the degree of our intent, and are come to the end of our enterprise, long since projected: where unto the aid of the most puissant God, and our wisdom, without doubt will bring us, rejoice you that are our subjects for the greatness which we prepare for you, every gentleman shall be a prince, in that happy day. You that are under other men's Dominons, stretch out your arms unto us, we will place you in an April, where you shall no more fear the heat of the Sun of wars, in a sure haven without fear of Tempests, every one that will not bow under this yoke, shall be rooted out, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. You hear this Thundering voice of Spain, this Roman Trumpet, harken likewise unto me all you people and Nations, that I may freely give you my advice. Would you have the devil to be your master, all of you will say, no, then fly from, and shun the causes that may make you his slaves: forsake drunkenness, ambition, covetousness, lust, profanation, and Atheism, which make your lives abominable, and filthy, and your conversation in famous before the just Lots, that converse amongst you as ●n Sodom. Yovi Princes observe you godliness, and you that are subjects submit yourselves unto them, and the great King of Kings will shortly tread Satan's head under his feet. And you Churches, would you lose your Sancttuarie, and make your candlestick to be taken out of the place, and your lamp to be put out for ever? by no means. Then thou Catholic, content thyself with thy wide and spacious Sea, stir not the sand because it is small, it is given thee for a Herald sent by the Sovereign God, & a bridle to thy choler, learn and know that the Apostles and thy ancestors planted the faith of Christ, by the sword of the Gospel, and not by the King of Spain's sword, that by good life and conversation they converted the jews and Pagans, and did not by fire and sword take away the lives of so many Innocents', which cry for vengeance before the heavenly throne, whose blood shall be required at thy hands. You Lutherians, have you lost your wits and understandings, to hold with those, that observe for a maxim, that they must not keep faith nor troth with Heretics, are you ignorant of that which they have done to your Predecessors, are you not informed of the treaty made in France, in 1572. Among the grisons the last year, and in Languedoc not long since, do you not know, that they seek to persuade you, like as Dalila did when she betray Samson. Have you forgotten, that we are your brethren, and yourselves like Doeg to be sent against the anointed of the Lord. Shall you be in the land, will they there pardon you, shall not you be dealt withal, as we are, when you shall no more have our support, which should make you consider, save yourselves and your Religion, will you cast yourselves into the fire, to shun the smoke? Do you love them better that seek to bring you into, and make you drink of the cup of Babylon, then us, that entreat you by the bowels of our mother, open your eyes, pluck up your hearts, and with us weep and bewail the miseries of jerusalem, let us unite our courages, to preserve the throne of jesus Christ, against the invasions of his enemies, let us love together by good correspondence, whereby we may clear our doubts, let us end our differences, and establish a good foundation of our faith, we have all the principles Common, let not opinion and stubbornness draw and carry us away, to refuse that, which concerneth the salvation of us all. And thou Caluennists, it is thou that hast most to do, as having the greatest number of enemies, but yet thou must labour. Thou hast but two humane means, the one, that thou observe distrust for a maxim, and believe nothing (further than thou seest) that shall be propounded unto thee, suffer not thy spirit to be seized, with the fear of evil, no more then with security, when there is none, if any man kiss thee, look in his face, to see if he be not a ludas. If any man speaketh peaceably unto thee, look if the sword be not in loabs hand. If thy friends persuade thee to yield unto the course of the water, look well about thee to see whether the way be not paved with false money, examine the prepositions, sound the persons that propound them, mark the natures of those that bring them, weigh the shaking of that which is past, with the gauges of present promises, hold thyself within the bounds of the Common Law, and demoure not, for fear, lest one undermine thee, either at the bottom, or on the top of the wall. The other hold fast, let the mother live with her young ones, spare not men's writings, and all sorts of arguments, interpose the authority of the God of Israel, his sacred word, the bands of promises, to join those pieces together that are furthest asunder, if any one be rotten, to heal him, cast not thyself headlong into death, to spare him, expose not the rest into danger. If there be any that will say, but what shall we do Elias? What a number of enemies are there, let us yield to save ourselves, let us preserve our brethren that are under the Wolves paws: cry out and say, alas, I would gladly save both the mother and the child, but I see them both in danger, if I seek not to save the one. They promise to spare the feeble, because that without pain they may send them to dine with the dead one morning or other, they will have nothing to do but with the samon's one of their heads ways more than fifty others. If God be with us, who shall be against us, will they not stretch out their arms unto us in this need? Above all things let us not wake the sleeping dog, but in the caves, let us resist those that pursue us, as David did King Saul, and let us fight for our souls, God will preserve them, or give them us again in the happy resurrection without being seized upon by the wicked Spirit. These are great projects, but all the world knows, that they are subtle devices, there is no politician, that hath not long since proved them, but what remedy to withstand them? It can no more be done then the prosperity of Alexander, or the good success of the Romans' could ever be hindered? here conscience and courage march equally together. If the counsel be of God, it cannot be avoided, and let us beware, that thinking to resist against men, we do not resist against the ordinance of him, that transfereth kingdoms to whom he will. If it be of men, it shall be overthrown, and we or some others shall by the arm of the Lord. To take the Nimrod by the neck. If it be of God let us go and meet him, to submit our necks under the yoke of Babylon, let us not only turn back without opposing our arms against those of leroboam, the usurper of the Kingdom: but let us yield unto the Romans, and by their authority preserve both our lives and our altars, Israel was led into captivity, lerusalem was destroyed, the Temple was broken down, her ceremonies left off, and the Ark taken. Let not this pretended German Union seduce us: trust not in your houses and treasure, your heretical Nations, believe not those that measure their courages by the else of the bulwarks of the Gospel, trust not in that nation, (although it be warlike) which loveth itself, but like the Gebeonites prevent losuaes sword, for he is not come, but with commission from the Eternal, that said unto him, go, and thou shalt conquer kingdoms. Oh God, if we had a leremie, who would not go unto him to know, whether the mouth of the Lord hath said it? If we had a Samuel, who would not go to that Oracle, to say, Lord, I will do all that which thou sayest. The Eternal is King, and we are his people, we will obey, whom he hath chosen. But we never read of any prophecies which threaten us, with a fift Monarchy, we have no prophecy that the Spaniard shall raise the fourth up again, and swallow up the Roman, hath not God shown the contrary, wherein short time the Spiritual and Temporal heads, have been prevented in the greatest points of their hopes. He will preserve nothing but the arms and the hands to hold the rod of his fury, not to subject us unto them, but to receive the punishment that we have deserved, our fathers never taught us to lose the liberty, that we may have from God, but to possess it with a good conscience, If strength and force fail us, God is strong enough for his Israel, if he doth punish us for a time because of our sins, by that Antiachus, at the last he will be appeased with his people, how many times was Israel subject to the Philistians, and how many times did God restore them to their liberty again? he sold them for their sins, and brought them again to his compassions. Then knowing not the particular will of our Master, let us follow the general with David, let us leave the Ark with the Tabernacle, that it be not lost, and let us pray, weep, and cry out and say, Lord weaken the counsel of Achitophel, let us with jacob fight valiantly, and God will do all that pleaseth him, with jehosaphat we will cry out, Lord, we know not what to do, but our eyes are lifted up unto the Lord, with Hester, let us fast, let us go to the king, if in doing so we perish, we will perish, as Zonobie said to the Emperor Aurelian, thou and I may begin war, but God giveth the victory, If I overcome thee, it will be no honour. Therefore let every man in his calling indeanor puisantly to resist Tyrannous proceed. Great Princes, you would not for any thing in the world lose your liberties, and yet you take the course to do it, either for want of courage or counsel. Prince of Spain, thou that hast extended thy limits even unto the place, where God hath said unto thee, that thou shalt not go no further, go not against the anointed of the Lord: for he hath not sent thee, thou shalt not prosper, the land belongs unto the Eternal, and he hath disposed of kingdoms at his pleasure. The fourth Monarchy hath but his bounds, build not upon the walls of lerico, where thy sons shall pay the forfeiture. Germany Princes, are you bewiched with the respect of the image of an Eagle, do you doubt his claws, are you afraid of his bill? D oe you not know that all of you are brethren, and that if you suffer one member of your body torn, all the rest will feel it, and at last you shall all die in Slavonia, prevent petfidrous Treasons and disloyakies, whereof you are accused, take away envy and cowardliness wherewithal men blame you, call baeke your blood, bid your bones join together to you, and you to them, can your consciences judge of the equity of the cause by the first success? stay till the end, and you shall know, that the hand of the Lord is for his anointed: then be not the last to bring back the king, will your wisdoms permit you to bury this essential distinction, it is another thing to be king of Bohemia, and Emperor, for the quarrel is not with him, in other quality, than the first, Will your courages permit, that after so notable promises, you should turn your backs in the day of battle? Doth not your native country move you at all; will not his alliances fare extended prick you forward? Be all well united, for the interest of your consciences, your honour, and your duties, hold fast together, for your common liberty. Will you suffer the Turk, to take part with you upon necessity, or to eat you because of your cruelty? will not God ask an account of you, for the blood which he shall spill? For the Churches which he shall overthrew, and for the Mosques which he shall erect. Your eyes shall see it, but he will not permit you to enjoy it, his Cimiterre will destroy you in a moment. This Attila the scourge of Christians, will make us dear pay for the peace obtained, at the price of your consciences and remembrances. You Zwitzer Bulls, you were feared, Princes and Kings made much of you, you are in danger now to be bitten by them, if you seek not to drive away from you all seeds of division, tie the apple of discord to your Cabinet, and bind this maxim as a chain unto you, we are all brethren, let us resist against our common enemy, You States, whom God hath favoured with so much good success, that he hath raised you up a valorous Danid, to lead forth your battles: that great God hath put those Towns, and Countries into your hands, which he hath taken from the King of Canaan, abhor the remembrance of his bloody battles, that you may not put any trust in deceavers, establish persons of good qualeties with the purity of doctrine, banish those little conceits of Hispaniolesed love. The double ducats will make you have double hearts, but join prudence with your invincible courages, unite your hearts together, have respect to your assemblies, and make account of the puissant arm of war for your preservation. Italy, how happy art thou to be alone to thyself, thou art undone if thou dost not join better with thy neighbours, and apprehend the greatness of him, that hateth thee, and so long time hath warred against thee, hold on the side, that the balance may not fall one the one side, and thou on the other side of thy dceay. Savoye, thou art a valiant Prince, his house, his courage, his alliances, the good will of his people, deserve not to suffer thyself to be muffled like a beast, thou art feared more than loved, thy friends flatter thee, and thine enemies tell thee most thereof, fear not fools, neither hearken to the wicked any more, but follow the counsel of thy predecessors, seek peace with thy neighbours, and make war upon him that seekth to give a blow with his foot against thy throne. Geneva, thou that hast so great a part in these public mischiefs, not for thy greatness, but for that of thy enemies, I will place thee in this raneke, they have a great spite against thee, and reserve thee for a break all for the great bird, thou needest not fear him, I, he will be ashamed to think thereon, unless it be to give thee to one of his vassaules, but to prevent it, I will tell thee how thou must fear the enemies, live in continual cistrust, lest they make thee rise before it be day: employ thy friends, and good neighbours, fortesie and fill thyself with good munition, and above all things live in unity together, harken unto all those that give thee good advice, and use it wisely, have an eye to some of thy inhabitants, fearing lest that upon some occasion they should seek to win the favours of their Lord, by the loss of your heads. Great King Monarch of France, if you will shun the means that your sceptre may not become subject to him that is your enemy, and be of so good a house as your Wife, hearken not to deceitful words, you must exterminate your rebellious subjects, for those are the vailaines, that stir you up against David, and not the Lord, It is the double ducats of Spain that speak, and not the good Counsellors of the late King you Father, think upon making puissant war against your enemies, that unjustly with hold your goods, and not against your Children, that daily pray unto God, for the maintenance of your Crown, who is it, that with holdeth the Ravilliac knife, and the Spanish sword, but the prayers made to God, which those poor Huguenots, and their good friends the faithful French Catholics pour out before the Throne of him that disposeth of Kingdoms. King of England, you that have long hands, cut out the tongues of those flatterers, that exalt you as a god, and only praise your wisdom, and tell you not the truth, do you not see that Egypt perisheth, because you save us not, will you be lost? Wake out of your slumber, giva your servant the pen, and take the sword in hand, to that end you are called of God, make your name to be feared, deface the blame that is laid upon you (whether it be true or not, I will not speak it) for not helping and maintaining your own blood, fear the force of the ancient enemy of your Country, and take heed that for want of exercise abroad, you have not some thing to do at home, deny not (for want of action) that most reverend name of Protector of the Church, which you ascribe unto your self, and not to become subject unto Spain, show yourself to be King of England. Christians excuse the boldness of an old man, his grey hears bereave him of the fear of death, he hath not sought to offend God, despise signeuries, much less to cause blood to be shed, but rather to prevent the storm which he seethe coming, and feareth that which is to come, by that which is past. I beseech him that was before all beginnings, to look down from heaven upon his poor desolate people, to hearken to their prayers, to cleanse their tears, to draw his hand out of his bosom to aid his servants, to maintain peace in his Church, to preserve the States in their just right, to abate the pride of those, that seek to encroach upon other men's inheritance, and to give grace to us all, to acknowledge the Sceptre of his Son, to fight under his banner against Satan his enemy, and after the victory to make us perticipants in the Crown of Glory. FINIS.