THE ORATION AND DECLARATION OF THE FRENCH KING, HENRY the fourth of that name, and by the grace of God King of Navarre.  
Uttered out of his own mouth, to the Lords and Gentlemen of his Army, before the City of Paris, the eight day of this present month of August 1590.  
LONDON Printed by Richard Field for john B. and are to be sold by Humphrey Lownes at the West door of Paul's. 1590.   

THE ORATION AND DECLAration of the French king, Henry the fourth of that name, and by the grace of God, King of Navarre.  
Uttered out of his own mouth to the Lords and Gentlemen of his army, before the City of Paris the 8. day of this present month of August. 1590.  
MY Lords, I do not doubt, but the most part of you do well remember the precepts and solemn oaths which my L. the late king deceased (my predecessor) caused me to make in the presence of you all, for the tranquillity and peace of this Realm, that day wherein he was hurt, seeing himself near his end. If you be remembered, among many other matters, he chiefly charged me with this one principal point, that I should maintain all my subjects in free liberty to use their conscience in both religions: that is to say, the reformed religion, and the Romish religion, until that by a general, or national Council a better resolution might be made thereupon. Insomuch as his Majesty saw there was no other means to pacify the troubles & dissensions of this Realm, but that if God had granted him the grace to have reigned longer, he would have used this ready and singular remedy aforesaid. Thus I tell you my Lords, and also I pray you to believe that I have nothing in so great care as to keep all my oaths and vows, which I have already done and shall do hereafter: and specially this same, for that it is of great importance.  
Now I am informed that some of the Nobility of this army do spread abroad that they cannot do me service, unless I make profession of the Romish Religion: and thereupon they will forsake mine army. Meaning thereby to try whether I should be so impudent as to give over and recant that which is dearest unto me in this world, that is to say, my religion and mine oath.  
Therefore (my Lords) at this present I have caused you to be assembled, to the end I might declare in your presence that I am resolved (and I pray unto God, rather to take me out of this world, than it should be otherwise) not to vary nor change in any wise my religion, neither do any thing contrary unto mine oath, before I be instructed by a holy Council, the which I will hearty yield unto, and vow to follow the same: wishing nothing more than that such men should departed from mine army, choosing rather to have one hundred of faithful Frenchmen on my side, than two hundred of such feigned friends: because I am sure that God is always with them that be godly.  
Two causes there be (as I belevee) that move these men to sow this Darnell: the one is the oath which they have made long since unto the enemies of this realm: the other is the small virtue and assurance which do appear in places of valour and honour. Therefore let not such men be afraid to demand our licence to departed: for I openly declare unto them that they are not so ready to request it, as I am willing to grant it unto them. Notwithstanding I am very sorry, that they be no better Frenchmen only for their own profit, and for no other cause. For although generally at should forsake me (which thing I cannot believe) I have friends enough at my commandment for to maintain me to their shame in mine authority. And if all those means should fail me, yet God is my sure strength and shield: who hath accompanied me with his holy & miraculous blessings from my birth to this present: whereof all ye are witness. For David never came better into his kingdom of Israel without all hope and force of men, nor with more labour and peril, than I am come into this same my kingdom, in such a sort that I confess in very deed that God hath miraculously brought me into it, and established me therein. Moreover if all man's help should fail me, for to maintain me therein, yet I know, that the almighty God will never fail me: assuring myself that he hath not begun such a miraculous work for to leave it unperfect, and not only for my sake, but also for his holy name, and for so many persons that are afflicted in divers sorts in this mine own kingdom, who cry for mercy: whom also I desire to secure: and I do promise as a king to perform it as soon as God will give me leave.  
Let then this company of evil speakers cease, and let them truly believe that neither this Crown, nor the Empire of all the whole earth were able to make me change the Religion wherein I have been brought up and instructed from my mother's paps, and the which I uphold to be true: and also that I acknowledge nothing but the only word of God to be my guide and to reform me to a holy council as I have said heretofore.  
All ye, my Lords, do know, that I am a true and natural Frenchman: and I am such a one as men need not to doubt of me. For my actions in time past may testify how I have used myself in the behaviour of that which I have done within these sixteen or seventeen years that I have reigned in my kingdom of Navarre, being a country under mine obedience. It is easy to be judged what I am, though I have great occasion to feel myself offended for the wrong done unto me of the enemies of this crown.  
Moreover, my Lords, I leave you to think how hard it is for me, being your king, and leaving yond in liberty for the exercise of your religion, to forbear, that there should be some among you, yea of the base sort, who would endeavour themselves to rule me according to their vain opinion. For this cause I pray all good men of this assembly and others of this realm to be judges thereupon. And forasmuch as none can be perfect, I pray you all my Lords, if I have forgotten any thing concerning my duty, to pray with me unto the Lord God continually to conduct and assist me hereafter with his holy spirit, for the increasing of the kingdom of his son jesus Christ, and for the entertainment of mine estate, and also for the comfort of mine own subjects.  
FINIS.   

Imprinted at London by Richard Field, for I.B. and are to be sold by Humphrey Lownes at the West door of Paul's.