A DECLARATION OF HENRY MARC DE Gouffier Marquis of Bonivet, Lord of Crevecoeur, etc.  
Made in the Consistory of Rochel, in the presence of the Pastors and Elders of the said Town; as also of Monsieur de la VIOLET and THEVENOT, Pastors of the Churches of Marans and Benet, on Wednesday being the third of August, 1616. The which very same protestation likewise hath been made by the said Lord Marquis in the presence of the whole Church of ROCHEL, on Sunday being the seventh of the said month, after the morning Sermon in the great Church.  
At ROCHEL, Printed for H. HAULTIN, by CORNELIS HERTMAN. 1616.  
LONDON, Printed by Edward Griffin for Nathaniel Butter, dwelling near S. Austin's gate, at the sign of the Pidebull. 1616.   

The French Printer to the Reader.  
BEcause that otherwise this page had been left empty, I have thought good to set in it the Epitaph of the late Lord of BONIVET, Admitall of France, as I have found it in Du-Bellay.  

LA France & le Piedmont, & les Cieux, & les arts,  
Les Solduts, & le Monde ont faict come six parts  
De ce grand Bonivet: Car une si grand choose  
Dedans un seul tombeau ne po●uoit estre enclose.   

La France en a le corps qu'elle avoit essene,  
Le Piedmont a le coeur qu'il avoit espro●●e,  
Les Cieux en out l'esprit, & les Arts la memoire,  
Les Soldats le regret, & le Monde la Gloire.   
The English whereof is the very same which we find to be the Epitaph made upon the death of our Countryman the noble and thrice-worthy Knight Sir Philip Sidney: and therefore I have thought good to leave it as it was (mutatis mutandis) the names only altered.  

FRANCE and PIEDMONT, the Heavens, and the Arts,  
The Soldiers, and the World, have made six parts  
Of noble BONIVET, for none will suppose  
That a small heap of stones can BONIVET enclose.   

His body FRANCE hath had, for she it fed;  
And PIEDMONT his blood in her defence shed:  
The Heavens have his soul, the Arts have his fame,  
All Soldiers the grief, the World his good name.    

THE TRANSLATOR to the READER.  
COurteous Reader, I have made bold after this former Treatise yet a while to trouble (or rather to delight) you with this ensuing shorter, yet no less zealous, discourse. The nearness of both their arguments may in some sort challenge a nearness of place, and I hope shall obtain at your hands a like acceptation. I will say no more: only give me leave to add this observation of God's continual watchfulness over his Church. We have seen of late what troubles, what broils, what fears of a general devastation have been (and it is to be feared are scarce yet ended) in that our neighbour Country. Many small Treatises and Pamphlets (that were daily thronged as it were to the Press) do give hereof a sufficient testimony: so that we might in a manner say (as it is in the first chapter of job 
job 1.  often repeated) Whiles he was yet speaking, another came, and said, etc. While one book of bad news was yet a printing, another came and brought us worse news. Whilst the matters of their Commonwealth stand thus, see how God on the other side provides for his Church, and daily adds to it such as shall be saved. Not many 
Act. 2. 47.  months since we have heard of the happy conversion of the Duke de Candale, one of the Peers of France, and with him of a many likewise that were of his retinue. This news was scarce down, but behold this other Treatise coming forth, declaring the conversion of a Gentleman, though not equal to the former in birth, yet (if we may believe the Romanists) as far above him in regeneration, as they esteem a spiritual vocation to exceed the temporal. And whiles he was yet speaking, another came, I mean, whilst this book (at least the translation thereof) was yet in the Press, another came, namely this present Declaration of Marquis Bonivet, etc. So that we have cause still to bless God for his goodness, who though (with those builders in Nehemiah) he hath for a while had his sword girded 
Neh. 4. 18.  on his loins, for to strike by way of punishment his people, yet at the same time he kept in the other hand the hammer and chisel for to square and fit these living stones to the building of his spiritual Temple. But what do I? I must conclude, lest mine observation should prove to be longer than the text itself. In the mean time accept of that which is done for you, and be thankful to God for that which he hath done for his Church: and in particular cease not to pray continually for the peace of the distressed jerusalem which he hath in France. Farewell. London, this last of August, 1616.  
Yours, E. M.   

A DECLARATION OF HENRY MARC DE GOUFFIER, Marquis of Bonivet, Lord of Crevecoeur, etc.  
IF so be that piety and the knowledge of God were things hereditary, and of that nature that they could descend from the parents to the children, as well as do the goods and possessions of this world; then should not I need at this time to declare what I am, what is my belief, and what God hath put into me: for my baptism, mine education and bringing up would testify it; I having been descended from such persons, whereof some have had the feeling of God's truth within them, and others the very confidence of professing it openly. But the public calamities, which for so many years have afflicted this estate, have brought to me in particular for my part this loss, (more to be lamented then any other) that I could never have a taste of that good affection which parents are wont to bear toward their children; and that those, from whose care I might have looked for a faithful instruction in matters of salvation, having been taken out of the miseries of this world, as soon almost as I came unto it, there was left unto me no other light then for the body, and my soul still continued in darkness and the shadow of death, and that in such manner, that accordingly as I grew in age, so I daily proceeded in error, and straying from jesus Christ and his Gospel, I strayed likewise from mine own happiness, and had been likely miserably to continue in that lamentable and deplorable estate even unto this day, and so forwards, if God, who knoweth who are his, and whose names he hath written in his book of life, had not had pity of me: and if the goodness of him, who showeth mercy to whom he showeth mercy, had not prevented me, and formally opposed itself to the mischief which was pleasing unto me, and to that curse, which being to me the greatest of all, yet above all others was hugged and liked of by my soul. And if the kindness of God towards me hath been eminent in regard of the thing itself, in that he hath vouchsafed to deliver me from the power of darkness, for to translate me to the kingdom of his well-beloved son; the means also which it hath pleased him to use for to bring to pass this happy effect, are no less worth the considering, in that God of the means of my total perdition (at least as they might seem likely to be) hath made as many means of my conversion to him, according as he is wont to draw sweetness out of bitter things for his children, and generally to make all things to turn to the 
Rom. 8.  best for those who are called according to his determined purpose.  
It is now twelve years ago when I was at Rome: (I will say no more) there mine eyes saw wonders, but such as were quite of another nature than those which heretofore the Apostles (being directed and animated by the holy Spirit) brought forth for to authorize and confirm the doctrine of grace. And how carefully and industriously soever I was nurtured in ignorance, and brought up in the hatred of the Religion, and the love of Idolatry, yet I could never be hindered from perceiving that there was a great disproportion between the state of those, who at this day do domineer over the Church, and the condition of them, who formerly did feed the flock of Christ that was committed unto them. Yet that was scarce any more, then if I should have beheld the darkness of the night, without being able to discern the brightness of the day: or if I did begin to take notice, it was in that manner as men begin to see at the break of day. That beginning, how small soever it was then, did not continue unprofitable: the rising of the Sun drew nigh, the light increased, and was strengthened in mine understanding; the abuses of Popery appeared unto me both grosser and more; God left not in me his work unperfect, he did put me in mind of enquiring a little further, and to be informed truly by himself in his own word, whether of the two Religions that are received in this Kingdom might have the upper hand in regard of the truth, or had more conformity unto this word. This inquiry did make me to resolve about some three years since, to forsake the service which I find condemned in the Scripture, and to embrace that which I find therein commanded, and to come forthwith out of Babylon, for fear that partaking longer of her known crimes, I should bring myself into a manifest danger of partaking of her unknown plagues. Whilst I had this resolution, which came to me from God, behold on the contrary many considerations, which came from elsewhere: on the one side were presented to mine eyes the lustre, the pomp, the dignities, the greatness, the hopes of the earth, and with all this ostentation of the glories of the world, as it were a certain voice well-near like to that which said sometimes to our Lord, I will give thee all these things, if thou fall down and worship me: on the other side, the poverty, the miseries, the ruins of houses, the hatred, the contempt, and all what is most able to cause a distaste, which should be mine assured lot in case of change. These two temptations, the one on the right, and the other on the left hand, did make me suspend the effect of that will which the spirit of God had insinuated into my spirit; I looked behind me a good while, I withheld the truth in unrighteousness. I made my 
Rom. 1. 18.  self believe that by doing much evil I should have good done unto me; I fled from the presence of God, but God did make me at length feel that he deceives himself, which thinks to scape by swiftness from before him: he prepared for me a Whale for to swallow me, but yet not for to destroy me; I was chastened by his hand, and that through the same things in the which I had sinned: he took away out of mine hands both that which I had, and that which I had not. And now my hopes were cut off even at the root, now many things by me possessed were lost for me, now my liberty (more precious than all the rest) was taken from me: but God be praised, who having taken from me so many things, yet hath given me so many, that if he hath sent me any evil, it was only for to send me some good; if he hath made me poorer, it was for to make me richer than ever I was before, and that in better riches, in those namely that are the only true ones: if he hath made my body to be cast into prison, it was for to make my soul to come out of thrall: if he hath suffered me to fall into the hands of such men as hated me, it was for fear that I should fall into his hands, yea into his hands as he is a rigorous judge, and yet to the end that I might fall into his hands, as he is a kind and merciful Father, and that I might learn to my cost (being I could not do it by the example of others) to fear him, to reverence him, to give him the glory, and to consecrate to him whatsoever belongs to me, without any reservation, as I acknowledge myself truly and after an infinite number of sorts to be bound to do, and acknowledge likewise, that it was the pure mercy of God that I was not consumed, because that his compassions did not fail me. And seeing that God hath done me that favour, that his word doth serve me at this day in stead of a lamp for my feet, and of a light for my steps, to this word and to this Scripture, divinely inspired, I purpose to keep me, without ever any more repairing to the traditions of men, seeing that God hath given jesus Christ for to be the head to his Church (of the which I am a member) for to be the only Mediator between him and men, and our Advocate towards his Father; for to be the only Priest for ever, for to have an everlasting Priesthood, and for to offer (as he hath offered) one only sacrifice for sins, for to be the Lamb of God, whose blood doth cleanse us from all sin, for to sit for ever at the right hand of God, and to be held in the heaven until the time of the re-establishing of all things, and until that he shall come from thence for to judge the quick and the dead: I acknowledge from henceforth no more (to the prejudice of him) any ministerial head of the Church on the earth, nor Advocate, taken from among either men or Angels, nor any Priest sacrificing his body, nor Mass serving for a propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of the living and the dead, nor Purgatory after this life, nor real presence of the body and blood of jesus Christ in the Sacrament under the kinds of bread and wine. And because that the Spirit of God doth teach me, that no flesh is justified by the works of the Law, but only by faith in jesus Christ, I will no longer forge unto myself any merit of good works, and much less of supererogation; and I will account the good works of the faithful to have been prepared by God, to the end that we may walk therein, and will esteem them to be the way to the Kingdom of heaven, and not the cause of reigning. And it is in this truth, and in the profession thereof, that I desire, and that I promise here before God, his Angels, and his Church, to be willing to live and to die, detesting with all mine heart all Idolatries, superstitions and errors, which are contrary to the confession of faith of the Churches of this Kingdom, and protesting to submit myself wholly to that which concerns the order and discipline of the Church. Thus signed, Bonivet.  
FINIS.   

THE COPY OF A LETTER, SENT from PARIS by an English Gentleman to his friend in England, Wherein are briefly touched those occurrences which lately fell out in Paris, about the Prince of CONDE, on the 22. of August, this present year, 1616.  
Laus Deo, August, 22. 1616.  
I Have with the first conveniency sent over unto you, the newest, and (here) most known news, dated, as before; having received no letters from you since the tenth of the same. And whereas, not only in many before, but especially in your last, you seriously importuned me (knowing what winds blew here) to give you intelligence of French present occurrences, as they shall happen; I have done so, rather to satisfy your mind, desirous of novelties, than to please myself in setting down the troubles of others, that have too many of mine own. France (as you know) is to me nothing, in regard I am an Englishman and a stranger to her factions. She is as one of her Vineyards, robbed by Frenchmen in my sight, which stealth is no loss to me. I stand safe on the shore, and behold her sides beating upon a rock, the wrack I feel not; yet am I bound, in common humanity, to compassionate my neighbour's sorrow, seeing his house burning about his ears: And do therefore protest to you, that I suffer as much, as if I were a natural Frenchman borne, in being present within so goodly a City as Paris is, when she is full (at least looking hourly to be so) of turmoils, uproars, and civil combustion: and to see so many thousands of the French (I mean the parisians) walk up and down with such amazed, wild, and distracted faces; that if ten be in a troop together, not three of them can safely swear, that a fourth man is his friend. In every street, yea at every corner, the people flock in heaps, muttering and murmuring, and whispering one to another; and nothing is more expected, (nay more desired by some) than that a sword may be drawn, to the end that pell-mell they may fall to cutting of throats. The Towns of France are rich, and spoils would now taste sweetly, especially to the Peasant, who wisheth to build upon his country's ruins, and to set an edge upon his fury, this occasion gave advantage. For upon the twenty two of August, now present, (even this day, in which I writ unto you) the Prince of Conde being in Paris, well accompanied, came to the Court, where he had not been long, but he was surprised and carried prisoner to the Lowre, why he came, and whether of himself or sent for, is not in my knowledge, and if I should set down all which I hear touching the causes of this surprisal (of whose true notice I desire not to be guilty) you might think me, either very idle, to call every shadow a substance, or else very busy to be so inquisitive in the affairs of a kingdom, when mine own are altogether private. I had rather walk up and down the streets of Paris (albeit with some fear of danger) than thrust my head into their Council chambers, and to meddle with Prince's matters, which no whit concern me. And therefore do I sparingly deliver you these uproars, not searching into the ground and reaches of them, as hearing various and inconstant reports: I give ear to many, but credit few, and dare not (albeit I might) utter my own opinion, because I am as loath to wrong you by this of mine, as that you should do the like to your friends in England, by a second relation. The Prince of Conde being taken, the Duke of Vandosme escaped. Others likewise fearing the same danger, met with the same happy means of safety: For the Duke of Bovillon, with Tremoville, & many other personages of note being at a sermon, having notice given, as they came from Church, fled; and to make their side the stronger, the Duke Du Maine is joined with them. How these Noblemen came to the knowledge of the Prince of Condees surprisal, is (even here) doubtful. Some say by a French Page, who saw him carried away, & that he was demanded to deliver up his sword, which he refused to do: others otherwise: But howsoever it happened, it seemed a good and miraculons deliverance of the rest, (who hold with him) if at least they turn not that preservation of themselves, to the confusion of others. Which the rather is to be feared, for that having (to avoid the blow) turned their backs for safety, they now (as it is thought) arm their hands with weapons, assembling themselves, and friends with all their forces at Soissons, to make their party (for defence) as strong as they can. Now, whether in love to the Prince of Conde, or in hate for any private respect they bear the marquess d' Anchors; a man famous enough in England and else where for exceeding favours, done him by the Queen mother in France; or whether (as often it so happeneth) a desire of doing something (though never so ill) set the common people's fingers on itching, I know not: But presently upon surprisal of the Prince (it being noysd through Paris, that he was sent prisoner to the Lowre) they ran in heaps and height of fury to the Marquis' house, assaulted, entered, and rifled it; making spoil of all that was in it, and when no other prey could feed them, they spent their malice on the insensible walls (tearing and beating the building down) which (if he could have been gotten) they swore to execute upon himself. In this wavering estate the Kingdom still stands. What the event of these troubles will be, lies in the hands of God only: the occurrences whereof (as hereafter time shall deliver) I will (as these) send unto you, expecting a return (by way of exchange) from you of some news out of England. And so with wishes of your health, I bid you farewell, from Paris, the 22. of August, 1616.  
Resting yours most assured, R. M.   

THE EXTRACT of another Letter bearing date the 26. of August: Written from PARIS.  
SIR, the broils of France go on: The Prince still in the Lowre, removed to a more inaccessible room of the King's Pavilion. Proclamations are come forth here very strict, both for driving away all the Dukes and Princes servants from the City on pain of death, and restraint of tongues. There are rumours of preparations of both sides: The Duke of Guise is joined with the Dukes, and they say his brother Cardinal, turned now military, shall be Precedent of their Counsel, and himself General of the Field. Look not to know all by Letters: these times allow it not safe.  
Yours assured, R. M.