❧ A letter written by the King of Navarr, to the three estates of France: Containing a most lively description of the discommodities and dangers of civil war: and a very forcible persuasion to obedience, unity, and peace.  
Together with a brief declaration upon the matters happened in France since the 23. day of December. 1588.  
Translated out of French, by G. R.  
AT LONDON Printed by Thomas Purfoote, and are to be sold at his shop over against S. Sepulchres Church without Newgate. 1589.   

¶ A Letter written by the King of Navarr to the three estates of France, containing a declaration of the said King, upon the matters happened in France sithence the 23. of December 1588.  
MY Lords and Masters, when I call to mind that this four years space I have been the argument of the tragedies of France, the common talk of my neighbours, the subject of civil arms, & by reason of these arms, of a world of miseries: when I do consider that upon a casualty to come, separated as far from the thoughts of Frenchmen as from my desire, some men have caused this realm to feel the presence of infinite calamities, and that upon the vain & imaginary fear of my succession to this estate, they have framed and in a manner erected an usurpation: when with these eyes, which God hath principally given me to have them always open for the good of my country, beholding these continual mischiefs, I am constrained to see my country on fire, her principal pillars burnt, her best towns consumed to ashes, and that in steed of bringing water to quench these flames, to endeavour to save that which yet remaineth sound (as I desire, and willingly would have done, in such sort that it might never burst forth again) they do enforce me, in spite of my teeth, to cast myself into the fire, and to make my defence almost as odious as the violences which those men use that persecute me: either I should be of all sencelesle men the most void of sense that ever was, or else it must needs be, that upon consideration of the public estate my soul be tormented a thousand times a day with vexations and griefs, such as no hell is able to afford the like: especially seeing I know that of all these misfortunes the malicious make me the author, the ignorant the cause, and I myself (though I may be very well forborn and pardoned in this case) do term myself the occasion. But as touching my particular estate, since it is my hap to be born in such an age) when I lay before me that which God hath done for me in the beginning, middle, and continuance of these last troubles: how many witnesses he hath afforded me of the justice of my cause and mine innocency, not only in France, but also in foreign nations, not within the hearts of my friends, but even within the mouths of those which are none of my well-willers: not within the opinion of vulgar conceits, but (God knoweth) within the soul and conscience of my king: how by many effects he hath caused it to appear that he hath care of me, having miraculously defended, saved, & assured me from the forces against which there was no likelihood that I should be able to make head: surely if I were of an other spirit than I am, I should have as much reason to please myself with the particular of my condition, as the public is grievous unto me: My lords and masters, I cannot do it, I will never account basely of my country, I will always prefer the welfare thereof before mine own: and they shall always see that my mishaps, my hindrances, and mine afflictions, shall run before those of my country. But nevertheless I cannot conceal the contentment which I receive, in that by all the occasions which have been offered, I have caused it to be made manifest both by my actions, by my words, and by my writings, how it grieves me at the very heart to see the miseries wherein we go about to embark ourselves: were it not that the examples passed did make us somewhat more circumspect for that which is to come. This you know to be true, and I believe there is no man at this present so passionate, which can deny me this witness which comforts me not a little, being fully persuaded, that beside the uprightness of my cause, nothing hath more assuaged the wrath of God towards me, nothing hath moved him more to defend me, than this. But if it had pleased God to have put into the hearts of the King my sovereign, and of you my Lords, that I might have been called to the assembly, which some of your deputies held at Bloyes (as truly me seemeth I ought to have been) and that I had been permitted freely to have propounded that which I take to be for the profit of this estate, I had caused it plainly to appear, how I had not the desire only in my heart, the words in my mouth, but the effects and deeds ready in my hands, how I seek no starting holes to shroud myself in, nor propositions coloured with fair words, to the which by no means I mean to tie myself. And to the contrary, that I have a good resolution, and earnest affection to the greatness of the King and realm, as much as may be, yea though it were with the loss of mine own, and that when all the rest shall be disposed, he shall not need to treat nor to capitulate with me: my conscience assuring me that nothing hath ever made me to stand aloof, but the consideration of him, and regard of mine honour. But seeing this is not done which might very well have been performed (and that France may count it for one of her oversights, that she hath had no better physicians than those which delight to continue her sickness) I mean to give you to understand by this discourse, both that which I think to be my duty, as also that which I esteem necessary for the service of God, and the King my liege, and for the good of this realm: to the end that all the subjects of this crown may be instructed therein, and that all men may know for my discharge my intent and innocency.  
First I will represent unto you mine estate: not for to glorify myself (for let me make never so great reckoning of myself, God may abase me) nor for to tell you that I speak a cockhorse and at much ease (the same God knoweth, wherein resteth my contentment, wherein I trust, and whereupon I principally rely) but to the end I may manifest unto you two things: the one, The condition of these miserable wars, the advantage that mine enemies have had against me, how mightily they have assailed me, how greatly they have been furthered thereby: that at least you may be forced to judge without passion, that God hath not preserved me against such huge forces without a miracle: and that this miracle should not have been, if innocency and good right of justice had not been on my side. The other that I may make you judges, whether that which I now say, I speak of fear, whether I have occasion to use flattering words for dread of a more severe chastisement, then that which I have already felt, whether it be the doubt of mine own ruin that makes me complain: or to the contrary whether it be the true sense and feeling of the miseries of my country, the love of peace, and greatness of France, which wresteth from me this manner of speech. I should play the soldier, if I should tell you in order what armies within these four years have pursued me, that would cause you to think that I went about to recount unto you my valour; No, that is not my intent, I would to God I had never been a captain, seeing that my first training up in arms must be learned with so great loss. I should do far better to demand of you what chieftains are left in France, beside those which have been sent against me. I have seen in four years ten armies▪ ten lieutenants of the King, having attending them at their heels the 〈◊〉 & strength of the goodliest kingdom of all Christendom. You take this for no glory: it is so far from me to go about to withdraw you from this opinion, that myself do tell you that of these ten armies, I have had to do in effect but with one, which I have beaten and discomfited. And in this God did particularly use my means for their ruin: but in all the other I have not been put to any labour at all: they have been utterly consumed before they have seen me: and I have assoon had intelligence of their dispersing, as of their levying. The Angel the scourge of God hath taken from them the power and means to annoy me. It is not to me to whom the glory hereof appertaineth: I have showed you almost nothing of mine own: but in effect, you may understand of your deputies, which are in those provinces, where they of the religion have had some places of retreat, what success their exploits have had. Consider the estate wherein they stood before the war, and that wherein they are at this hour: and judge advisedly, to what end hath served this four years space the loss of the lives of a million of men, the expenses of a mine of gold, the ruin of the people of France: insomuch as they had made a better market, and more easy to be compassed, if they had attempted the discomfiture of the Ottomanes, or to join all the realms of Christendom to our crown?  
It is impossible but that these things should move you, and that you should note hereby that this is an extraordinary work and effect. Moreover I say this unto you, that as this aught wholly to cause you to lift your eyes and hands to heaven, acknowledging that if you fight against God, you fight in vain: in like sort ought I to power forth my prayers before him, that he will keep me from being puffed up with these prosperities, and to attribute the glory hereof to him alone: being most assured, that if I do otherwise, he will turn his loving countenance from me, and will in two months give more advantage to my enemies against me, than I have in four year found favour at his hands.  
I hope by his grace not to behave myself otherwise then dutifully. And therefore my meaning is that this discourse shall proclaim throughout all the world in my name: That today I am as ready to request of the King my Lord, peace, the quiet of his realm, and mine own rest, as ever I was heretofore. I had at the beginning of these wars, regard of my conscience and honour, which I always have, & yet do beseech his Majesty to lean to me entire. The wars have diminished nothing therefrom, neither have they added any thing, that may make me unwilling to give care to a motion of peace I do therefore most humbly beseech it. and as touching you my lords & masters, I think if you had loved the king, if you had loved his estate, if you had diserned these evils and their remedies, you should have commanded your deputies which were at this assembly to have begun & finished their conclusions for the obtaining thereof. I entreat & admonish you to further it as much as you may.  
I know very well that in their pamphlets they have inserted this general maxim, That there ought to be but one religion in one realm, and that the foundation of an estate is piety which cannot be in that place, where God is diversly and by consequence badly served I affirm it is so: I see many people complain thereof, few that will seek to redress it. But I have always submitted myself to reason, and yet do offer, that if they will try the usual and accustomed way in these cases, and if there be any extraordinary ways that they will labour to search them out: both I and all they of the religion will always conform ourselves to that which a free general counsel shall determine; this is the true way, this is the only way, which hath in all ages been put in practice by this way we will suffer, and with patience endure to be condemned. But to believe that by dint of sword this may be obtained of us: I think (before God) that it is a thing altogether impossible, and in truth the success and event doth show no less.  
It were but superfluous to discourse at large of this matter, being already sufficiently argued and disputed. They have often summoned me to change my religion: but after what manner? with the dagger at my throne. If I had had no respect unto my conscience, yet the regard of mine honour would have withheld me from consenting in that sort. Was there ever any of that opinion, that a man might kill a Turk, a natural Pagan, kill him (I say) for his religion, before he hath assared to convert him? yet I suppose that my greatest enemies, do not think me to be more estranged from the fear and knowledge of GOD, than a Turk, and notwithstanding they are more cruel against me, then against this infidel.  
What would the most affectionate unto the Catholic religion report of me, if having lived this thirty year after one sort, they should suddenly see me change my religion, in hope of a kingdom? What would they report of me, that have seen and tried my courage, if shamefully I should abandon for fear, the manner wherein I have served God from the very day of my nativity? These be reasons which touch the honour of this world. But to come to the main point; What conscience having been nourished, instructed, and trained up in a profession of faith, would unadvisedly without any speech or reasoning thereof, in a moment betake himself to the contrary side? No (my lords and masters) that shall never be the king of Navarr, were there thirty kingdoms to be gained thereby: so far is it from him to go against his conscience for the hope of one alone. Teach me better, I am not selfe wild; take some course to instruct me, you shall profit thereby at length; for if you show me any other truth, then that which I now believe, I will submit myself, and do more than that; for I am sure there is not any one of my party, which will not likewise yield himself together with me. You shall make a goodly gain to GOD, and notable conquest of consciences, in vanquishing me alone. But to feed us with words without reason, and to go about to induce us to be persuaded by the only countenance of some; judge (my Lords and Masters) if this be reasonable.  
But to let this pass; if you simply desire my welfare, I thank you, if you do not long for my conversion, for fear lest one day I should by violence constrain you to alter your religion: you do me wrong to judge so, seeing I have always misliked such kind of proceed: the manner of my living and behaviour, both with my friends and with mine enemies, at home and in the field, may give sufficient proof of my disposition: the towns where I now am, and which of late I won, can bear me record thereof. Neither is it likely that a handful of people of my religion, can enforce an infinite number of catholics to that pass, whereto this infinite number hath not been able to reduce this handful. And if I have with so small forces fought and sustained this quarrel so long time: what may they then do who with such and so great means may oppose themselves most forcibly against my constraint, consisting of so small ability? It were no wisdom for me to take that course. That matter is not at this time in question: I am not as yet in degree, (God be thanked) to do you either good or evil, neither shall I ever (if he please) be brought to that trial, nor you to that hazard. We have all one King, who no doubt will leave good order for the succession, whensoever the extremity of age shall end his days. In the mean season let us not trouble ourselves so much with a thing so long to come, that we forget the present estate wherein consisteth our special welfare.  
God hath caused this day the depth of their designments and endeavours which troubled this estate, to be discovered: he hath also laid open my intents. None of you, none of France is ignorant hereof. Is it not a miserable thing that there is not one from the least to the greatest in this realm, who seethe not this mischief, who exclaimeth not against these broils, who termeth them not the continual and mortal fever of this estate, and yet none openeth his mouth to find remedy therefore: That in all this assembly of Bloyes, none dare pronounce this sacred word, Peace, that word, in whose effect consisteth the good of this realm? Believe me (my Lords and masters) this wonderful security, and fatal amazedness, is one of the greatest presages and forewarnings that God hath sent a declining estate unto this realm.  
Our estate is extreme sick, every one seethe it: by all signs and appearances it is judged, that the cause of this evil is the civil war; a malady almost incurable, of which no estate did ever yet recover: or if it hath been relieved, if this apoplexy hath not spread over all, it hath at least been converted into a palsy, to the ytter spoil of half of the body. What remedy then? no other than peace: which affourdeth comfort to the heart of this realm: which by orderly diet expelleth the rebellious and noisome humours, purgeth corruptions, and replenisheth the body with pure blood, good humours, and sound minds, which in sum, causeth it to flourish and live. This is the operation which peace worketh, which ought to be craved at God's hands for the only remedy, for the only means of health: who so seeketh other ways in steed of curing will poison this realm.  
I then conjure you all by this writing, aswell Catholics servitors of the King my Lord, as those which are not so: I appeal unto you as Frenchmen, I summon you to take pity of this estate: to take pity of yourselves, whose steps are undermined in such sort, that if you do not look to yourselves betimes, ruin and destruction will overtake you: to take pity of me, whom you constrain perforce to behold, to suffer, and to do those things, which were it not in the midst of these arms, I had rather die a thousand deaths then to behold, suffer, or do. I conjure you to disperse and abandon all at once, the miserable humours and effects of violence and wars, which do rent and dismember this renowned estate, which do withdraw us, some by force, others overwillingly from the obedience of our King: which causes us to imbrue ourselves with the blood one of another: & which hath already so often made us the laughingstock of strangers, and in the end will make us to be their conquest. I conjure you (I say) to acquit us of all these bitter grievances, to restore to us the pleasant calm of peace and unity, to incertain again obedient and orderly minds, and to possess yourselves with the spirit of concord: whereby the smallest estates have become mighty Empires, and ours hath along time flourished the most renowned kingdom of all Christendom.  
Although I have a thousand and a thousand occasions, particularly to complain of those of the house of Guise, of them (say I) for my kindred, and kindred so near, that beside those of my name, I have none nearer. And although that in general, France hath more occasion than I: yet God knoweth what a grief it was to me, to see them take that course which my heart always gave me, would never sort unto their honour. God is my witness I took them to be commodious and profitable for the King's service: and (I may say) avadeable also for myself, seeing they had the honour to be of my kindred, & that my degree was above & before theirs. I was always, and should have been very glad to have seen them employ those means that God and nature had afforded them, for the good and faithful service of them, whom they ought dutifully to have served: in steed whereof, when their wicked counsels did enforce them to a contrary kind of dealing, there were in the world (though not myself) that did laugh at their misfortune, and would have been full well paid to have seen the displeasure, declarations, & arms of the king my Lord converted against them.  
Let us not wax proud, neither the one side nor the other: as for my part although I have received more favour of God in this war, then in all the former: and that whereas the other two factions (what hard hap is it that I am forced to term them so?) have we akened themselves: mine in appearance is strengthened: yet I know very well that presently, and as often as I shall set aside my duty: God will leave to bless me any longer: and I should wholly neglect it, if without reason; and of a jollity of heart, I should oppose myself against my king, and trouble the quiet of his country.  
As touching them, who during these four last years have loved arms better than peace: who have first renewed the war in this estate, & have erected the third faction, unworthy the fidelity of France and (to go a little further) unworthy the loyalty of their Grandfathers. Seeing God hath showed them by his judgements, that their dealings are not agreeable to his will: seeing natheless that he hath touched the heart of our King, to receive them to his accustomed mildness and clemency (as himself hath declared) let them yet at the last hold themselves contented & quiet. We have all of us offered and endured harms enough, we have been this four year together continually besotted, outrageous, & almost starkemad. Is not this enough, trow you? hath not God sufficiently beaten and corrected us, both the one part & the other, to cause us to awake from our careless security, to make us wise in the end, and to suppress our furies?  
But if after this it be lawful that as a most humble & loyal subject of the King my Lord, I may give some good advise to those which may counsel him▪ who hath ever heard it spoken, that that state can endure, where there are two factions within it, always up in arms, and ready the one to assail the other? what shall then become of ours, where there are three? how may a man persuade the king to raise civil war, and that against two parties all at one instant? There is no precedent, no history▪ no reason that can assure him a good issue▪ and event hereof. It behoveth him therefore to make a peace, and that a general peace withal his subjects, as well of the one side as of the other, as well of the one as of the other religion▪ or at least that he reconcile, & reunite those unto him which are least estranged from his obedience. And to that purpose let every man judge of mine intent: behold how I entreat for a common good: how I do not labour to animate the King against his subjects, which have been of this goodly league▪ and yet you may know (my Lords) that if I would undertake to do it & 〈◊〉 his necessity to afford him my service (as I will do▪ if he command me thereto) in outward appearance I am like to cross many of their designments and easily to curb and keep them short in their enterprises.  
I appeal at this time to all thereof of our estates, who have remained beholders of our follies, I appeal to our nobility, to our clergy, to our towns, to our people, these be they to whom I speak, that they will consider what will become of France, if we run on headlong as we have begun: what countenance this estate will carry, if this mischief continue: what the nobility shall do, if our government be altered, as it will be undoubtedly (being already in a fair way towards it) if the towns for fear of the partakers against them, shall be constrained to settle and fortify themselves within their gates, not to suffer any man to command over them, and to cantoune themselves after the manner of the Zwit●●●. I assure myself, there is none of that mind as yet: but the war in process of time may force them to it. And to my great grief, I see already such beginnings springing amongst them, which out wardly make semblance of so sweet and pleasant show, that the best and most loyal burgesses of the world will easily suffer themselves to be carried away there withal.  
What shall become of the towns, when under a vain likelihood of liberty they have turned topsy-turvy the order of their worthy estate? when they shall have the nobility they enemies; the country round about repining at them, and desirous again and again, to sack and spoil them, imagining that within their coffers and shops, they have treasure and richesse without content or number?  
What shall the principal inhabitants do, which hold the offices of the Monarchy, of the Exchequer, of justice, of civil policy, or of arms? Let every one recount in the midst of their domestical fortune, that the assurance of their estate is clean gone, if the monarchy be overthrown. Who shall allow them the free excercise and trade of Merchandise? Who shall warrant them possessions in the field? who shall▪ suppose the authority of their justice? what decrees shall they establish? who shall command over their armies? to be brief, what shall be theen order▪ even miserable abuses. This 〈◊〉 may endure for a month or two in the same sort, as it is said that the sever nourisheth the sick body▪ but to think that upon the foundations of wrath & vengeance, an assured intelligence, and durable form of government may be established: that can never be. It hath never been either seen or read, that an estate hath been changed, without the ruin of her towns, which are always the principal props and pillars thereof.  
And thou people, when the nobility and towns shall be divided, what rest shalt thou enjoy? people, the garner and storehouse of a realm: the fertile fields of this estate, whose travail nourisheth Princes, whose sweat doth water them, whose occupations do maintain them, whose industry doth afforded them delicacies for rear banquets: to whom shalt thou have recourse, when the nobility shall oppress thee: when the towns shall exact and levy contributions of thee? For the King? he shall not be able to command over the one or the other side: for the officers of his justice? where shall they be found? for his Lieutenants? What power shall they retain? for the Mayor of a town? what authority shall he have over the nobility? for the chief of the nobility? what order will there be amongst them? lamentable confusion, disorder, and misery over all, And thus behold the effects of war.  
It proceeds not of forgetfulness, that I speak nothing of the clergy. Neither would I speak of them at all, misdoubting that they will not take it in good part, because they esteem me their enemy more than I am; but that in truth I have more cause to find myself aggrieved with their order, then with both the other orders of France. I way it not: there be some good men amongst them. As touching their profession and religion, in some things I am contrary to them: in nothing their enemy: in other things we are of one mind, save where they concern the conservation of the privileges of the Church of France against the Pope. Howsoever it be, though I were so highly in their books that they would afford me all the commendations in the world▪ yet would I tread▪ their praises under my feet at this present, being carried by a more vehement consideration, to wit, of the service I own to my King, and duty to this estate▪ In the mean season, what hope they? to make war, and pay their tenths in those countries where they have the greatest credit, (for as for those places where my authority stretches, I possess in a manner all they ought to have, neither may I remedy it, but in process of time) all the country being overgrown with dissension, how shall they come by any thing?  
Let them regard what course our towns, our people▪ our nobility do take. Let them consider (who have or aught▪ to have godliness in great account) if there be any thing so contrary thereto, as vice and disorder: if there be any thing that brings men so far out of square, as the licentious liberty of civil war. Let them judge at last, if they, which have not been enriched nor increased but by peace, by order, by obedience to our Kings, and by devotion, shall not hereafter go to decay by war, by confusion, by impiety, and by mutinous disobedience.  
Having spoken to all men in particular, I will yet say this in general. Be it that God bless the purposes of our King, and that he reduce all the mutinies of his realm to an end: it were a lamentable case that he should cause all those to be punished which do deserve it. What? shall he take revenge of a great part of his towns, of a great part of his subjects? that were to much, that were a mischief, that were a madness, sent by God into this realm for the punishment of our transgressions. He must bear no more displeasure to our people, & to our towns, then to a frantic fellow when he fighteth, or to a mad man when he runneth about stark naked.  
Be it to the contrary that those of the league shall strengthen themselves in such sort, that they shall be able to resist him (as surely there is some likelihood, & I fear me that his pacilence is their principal force: if God will he may exercise his judgements upon us, and we know not whether we or they shall feel it first.) What will be said of Frenchmen?  
What shame will it be to us, that we have chased away our Kings? a stain that never spotted the garments of our fathers, and the only advantage that we have of all the subjects of Christendom.  
In the mean season is not this a great inconvenience for me that I am constrained to remain idle? They have thrust arms into my hands perforce; against whom shall I employ them at this time? against my King? God hath touched his heart, he hath taken upon him the quarrel in my behalf against those of the league. Wherefore should I, which publish and persuade peace in France, aggravate the King against them: and by bringing my forces into the field, seem to endeavour to take away from him his gentle forbearance, and from them all hope of reconciliation. Behold the strait whereinto I am driven: for if I continue quiet, either they shall make an agreement to my cost (as I have seen it already twice or thrice to happen) or else they shall so weaken the King, and make themselves so strong▪ that after his ruin, I shall have no more force or ability to impeach mine own overthrow.  
My Lords, and masters, I speak also to you, whom I know to my unspeakable sorrow, not to be composed all of one humour. The declarations of the King my Lord, and especially his last, do sufficiently manifest, that there are some of your deputies, and almost the greatest part at the devotion of other, then of the King.  
If you have never so small judgement, you cannot but believe with me, that I am in great hazard, that the King is so, that the third party is so, that yourselves in general and each one in particular are so. We are all within one house which is now a falling; we are all within one ship which is ready to 〈◊〉 and there is no remedy, that can be imagined but only peace, let them search for other as long as they list.  
In conclusion then, having better (as I may say) and more interest in this then all you, I demand peace of the king my Lord in the name of all: I demand it for myself, for those of the league, for all Frenchmen, for France itself▪ Who so demands it otherwise doth not well. I protest to yield myself more tractable then at any time heretofore. If I have at any time been hard to be dealt withal, I will serve at this present for an example to others by obedience, which I will show to my King. But having so often and sundry times protested and uttered that which is my duty, and that which is for our common profit: I will now declare, first to those which are of the King my Sovereign his side, that if they do not order themselves with me, if they do not accord to this sacred deliberation, not to make war against the league, or those of Lorraine, not against Paris, Orleans, or Tholouse: but against those which hinder peace, & the obedience due to this Crown: that then they alone shall be guilty of the mischiefs which shall betide the King and this realm: and that I on the contrary shall be blameless, having discharged my fidelity to my Prince, whose hurt as much as in me lies, I do and will withstand, yea though himself were careless thereof.  
And as touching those which still retain the name and party of the league, I conjure them as Frenchmen hereunto: I would willingly command them, yet as those which have the honour to be of my kindred; whose Fathers (I am assured) would have taken such a commandment for a very great favour. But if this be not done after this sort, I myself (as the chief Prince and greatest▪ Magistrate next the King in France) will bring to pass, that they shall have enough to do to look unto themselves: and rest content with their own private loss for a public benefit: that they shall tame and bridle their passions, their quarrels, their revenge, and their ambition, for the good of France their ●●●ther for the service of their King, and for their own quiet and ours. Beside this, if they do otherwise, I hope that God will not altogether abandon the King, that he will not execute his wrath upon him, nor make him loath to call his servants about him, as myself 〈◊〉 first, who do desire no other title. And they which shall come for this purpose, shall have power enough, and assured right for to aid and assist him, to abolish the memory of these men out of the world, and out of their native country of France.  
finally having done my duty in this so solemn protestation, which I have made, if I perceive both the one and the other so hardened, or so badly affected, that none of them are moved hereby: I will call God to witness of my actions passed, and to my aid for those; e to come. And you true servants of my King: you true Frenchmen, worthy of as much honour as I enjoy, to be the chief▪ Princes of this realm▪ though all the world had conspired his ruin, I protest before God and men, that to the hazard of a thousand lives, I will assay all alone to uphold it.  
I call to my assistance all those which have this goldy desire, of what condition or quality▪ soever they be▪ hoping▪ that if God bless my indevores so much courage as I show in interprising hereof, so much fidelity and constancy shall I have in achieving the end, rendering to my King my obedience, to my country my devoir, to myself my rest and contentment, together with the liberty of all good men.  
And in the mean while till it shall please God to give leisure unto the King my Lord to take order for the affairs of his estate, establishing peace, which is so necessary, I do affirm (as he that hath the honour to hold the chiefest place of account under his obedience) that if I cannot serve him so well in his absence, as to cause his authority throughout all his realm to be received▪ I will at least in part bring to pass that in those places where my power and ability extendeth, they shall acknowledge it. And for that intent I receive into 〈…〉 of what quality, religion, or condition that they be, aswell of the nobility, of the clergy▪ of the towns, as of the people, that will link and unite themselves to me in this good and honourable resolution: not permitting that their bodies or goods shall be touched in any manner or sort, otherwise then in time of perfect peace, and when the laws of the realm have accustomed to deal with them.  
And although that more than any other I grieve to see the difference of religion, & that more than any other I wish it remedied: nevertheless, acknowledging that this must come from God alone, (whose succour herein we must needs attend) and not to enforce it by arms or by violence: I protest before God, and in this protestation do pawn my faith and honour (which by his grace I have hitherto kept undefiled) that in the same manner as I have not endured, that they should enforce mine own conscience: in like sort I will never suffer nor permit, that the catholics shall by constraint be drawn from theirs, nor from the exercise of their religion. Declaring further, that in those towns which together with me shall persist in this mind, and shall subject themselves under the obedience of the King my Lord, and my authority▪ I will not endure that any thing shall be innovated, either in the politic estate, or in the church, except in as much as it shall concern every man's liberty. Taking again aswell the persons as the goods of the Catholics, and especially of the ecclesiastical sort under my protection & safeguard. Having learned long a go, that the true and only means to reunite the people, to reduce them to the service of God▪ and to establish piety in any estate, are mildness, peace▪ and good examples: not war, nor discord: and that by the disorder of war, vices and all manner of wickedness do grow up in the world. Given at Chattelleraut, the 4. of March. 1589.  
FINIS.