A DECLARATION SET FORTH BY THE Protestants in France; showing the lamentable distress and calamities that they of Bearn in France are fallen into, by means of the oppression and wrong done unto them, in regard of their profession of the reformed Religion.  
With all the troubles which happened unto them since the beginning of the Edicts sent out against them by the French King until this time.  
Together with the rest of their proceed, until this present month of july. 1621.  
Printed at Rochel 1621.   

A Declaration, set forth by the Protestants in France.  
TO have and endure calamities, and not to feel them, is a mortal infirmity, seeing that feeling is an affection of Life. To feel adversities, and dare not complain, is a cruel respect, & an enemy to nature, seeing that grief & sorrow is eased by tears, and assuaged by complaints; we endure calamities at this present, and yet have not hearts of Brass or Steel to feel our own miseries, nor yet so soft nor faint, that we dare not complain: Seeing than that all other remedies at this present are taken from us, let us fill our eyes with tears, the Air with our sighs, and this Paper with the true recital of the miseries that we endure; And so at the least we shall reap that contentment to make our grief known to our brethren, & letting them understand our troubles, we shall move them to compassion with us, it being a just thing, that as we are united together by lemma yourself Religion, and hated for one cause, we should be touched with lemma yourself and the like feeling.  
It is plain and manifest to all the Realm of France, that there was a Sentence given, & judgement sent forth upon the same, for the attachment of the spiritual Land in the country of Bearn (so much spoken of) which Sentence and Decree was given, without hearing or permitting those of the reformed Churches of this Sovereignty, against all order of justice, to be heard speak in their onwe cause: And there are but few men, to whom it is not known, that for the space of 51. years, our Ministers (the College and Garrison of Naverreux) had their maintenance and entertainment only, out of the same. No man likewise is ignorant of the just Complaints that our Churches have made, not only against that Decree and Edict made thereupon, but also against an other Edict called the Supply; whereby we were sent out of the Country, to seek that entertainment. All those that have understood our cause, may easily judge of the equity of our Complaints, seeing that the sovereign Court of Bearn, by two Decrees made at the presentation of those Edicts (and of a Commission) had declared, That there was no cause to justify the said Edicts, which ought to be acknowledged for just, seeing that the general Assembly of the Churches of the Religion in France, holden at Loudun with so great affection & zeal, craved and pursued the revocation of that Arrest and Edicts: The said complaints & pursuits likewise were just, for that the King (by the advice of his Counsel) granted the said Assembly seven months' time, to begin, from the seaventh of April last, wherein the Churches of Bearn should be heard, and might make their complaints & declarations unto his Majesty, touching the said Decree and Edicts. And let us add hereunto, for the better Instruction & satisfaction of those that know it not, That the general Deputies of the reformed Churches in France, during that time, seeking and soliciting the said revocation, Answer was given them by the King's Counsel, that they must stay the coming of the Churches of Bearn, And his Majesty himself being at Bourdeaux, wrote unto the judges of the Parliament of Pau, that he did not dislike, that the said Churches should have the advantage of the said months, in their savour granted unto the said general Assembly, The Tenor of which Letter followeth in this Discourse: To distrust the Royal word of a King, no man could do it without offending his Majesty: to conceive, that during the time granted, his Majesty would command the verification of his Edicts, had been a crime meriting great punishment; nevertheless, behold we beseech you, what happened unto us during the said time.  
The King having appeased the troubles that began to arise in the State of France, resolved to divert his victorious Arms into Guyenne, and being at Bourdeaux, nothing was spoken of in the Court but of Bearn: Bearn was the only subject of the discourses, and the object of the animosity of those, that long time had practised and sought our ruin and overthrow. The Romish Prelates kindled those coals, to cause a great fire to burst forth, using all the means they could to inflame the King's wrath against us, specially employing those means that are most ordinary with them, that is, slanders & evil words, describing us to be Rebels and I disobedient, publicly saying, that all the Country was in Arms, and that we spoke not of the King's sacred person, but injuriously and with great despite. These impostures being continually hanged at the ears of the Ministers of the State, more and more increasing the hatred of the Religion, and the desire utterly to extirp it. And knowing that the execution of the Edict of seizing upon the Ecclesiastical Lands, would be a means to disgrace and dishonour the Churches of this Country, & to cast them into a piteous & lamentable estate; and to the contrary raise the Romish Church to a prodigious greatness, and the height of riches; did most industriously employ all the artificial means & practices that they could device, to effect their designs, and thereby with them to make a hole in the treasure of worldly dignities, and to play fast and lose with them that drew no other breath then that of the earth. The King's Counsel composed of Cardinals, Bishops, and jesuites, that were sure not to stop their ears against their solicitations, but rather had an instrest in their demands, persuaded the King that it was a means to diminish his authorities, and that the cause was his and not the Bishops.  
Upon the report that the King came into Guyenne the Parliament of Pau appointed two Deputies to go to the King wheresover he was, and to assure his Majesty of their most humble and obedient service, which the said Deputies with great diligence speedily performed, finding the King at Bourdeaux, where nothing was said unto them, but only touching the verification of the Edict of the censure of the spiritual Laws, whereby the King had fully resolved to content the Pope, and to further and advance the Romish Church. And to that end his Majesty had already commanded Monsieur dela Force Governor & Lieutenant General of these Countries, and Monsieur de Casaux chief Precedent in the said Parliament, to repair to him at Bourdeaux; who being come to the Court; they kneeled down before the King, not only in their own names, but also in all the names of those of the Country, to renew the assurances of their subjection, obedience and most humble fidelity, who after audience had, he commanded them to return to Bearn again, thererin to procure the execution of his will and pleasure, and to cause the Edict for the seizing upon the Ecclesiastical lands, made in favour of the Bishop of Rome, and that of the supply made in favour of our Churches to be verified. After them, about the beginning of October, he sent a second commission into Bearn by Mounsieur de la Chesnay, to solicit the judges, and to make them capable of the impressions, which the King counsel intended to give them: he threatened them with the coming of the King; assuring them, if they refuse the same, he had resolved to turn his forces against them.  
The Parliament knew not what to resolve: on the one side being abashed by his menaces; and a fear to draw upon the Country a total and an inevitable ruin, knowing that the wrath of a King is death: On the other side, considering the King's Edict, finding it to be contrary to so many other Edicts, Proclamations and Declarations, made aswell by his Majesty (now reigning) as by the Kings his predecessors, contrary to the grant of the aforesaid terms of seven months, made to our Churches, contrary to the peace and assurance of the state, and which is worst of all: The ruin of the said Churches, as bereaving them of the land that were allotted unto them for the maintenance of their Ministers, and making them tributants to the Pope's officers. What should they do, should they break, and annihilate so many Edicts, to justify, and allow one? Should they be constrained to disobey the King, to yield obedience unto him? He that in all things ought to procure the good of the state and to be a tutor to the people; shall he do a thing that is contrary to the good of the state; and disturb the people's peace? He that make profession of the true religion, shall he be cause of the loss of his religion? He that was borne in the Church, fed & nourished in her bosom, shall he be constrained (Oh hard and heavy condition) for saving of his own body to pierce his mother the Church's Breast?  
At last, having long weighed this case in the balance of uncertainty, he determined to use an indifferent course between two extremities, & thereupon ordained, seeing it had pleased his Majesty, by the intercession of those of the assembly general holden in Loudum, to grant his subjects of Bearn, making profession of the reformed religion the space of seven months, to present their most humble supplications and declarations, seeing also that not long before his Majesty had vouchsafed to write to the Parliament, that his intent was that the Churches of Bearn should have the advantage of the said time, which as then was not expired, he ordained (I say) that humble supplication should be made unto the King to beseech him to hear & give audience unto the said Churches within a month, whom he commanded by decree to go thither, within the time that yet rested unexpired, to prostrate themselves at his feet, to present their humble supplications and requests unto his Majesty, and in default thereof, the Parliament would bind itself, to verify the Edict without moderation or reservation, according to his Majesty's commandment. To bear this decree to the King, and to inform him of the equity thereof; two Counsellors of the said Court of Parliament were deputed. But all they could do, they could not obtain the effect of this so just a demand: And who would ever have thought that the King would have refused to hear the most humble supplications of his faithful Subjects, desiring to prostrate themselves at his feet in all humility, seeing also that he had so solemnly promised by his answers given to the motions made by those of the assembly at Loundun, Is not the King as able to will, as puissant to hold his word & to accomplish his promises? Shall we complain, surely not of the King's bounty (so just and courteous a Prince) but of the malice of this world and the evil dispositions of the spirits of the Court, espiteful against us, and resolute to seek our destruction.  
The King having heard the Tenor of this Deeree, roughly sent the Deputies away, and thereupon determined and fully resolved to go into Bearne: whereupon, the Parliament being advertised of his design, to appease the King's wrath, and to divert the effect of his severe threatenings, determined to verify his Edict, without moderation or restraint whatsoever: What should it have done, should it have resisted a King that came with a wrathful spirit, accompanied with a puissant & fearful Army, to abate, cast down & break in pieces, all those that should resist and withstand? The Edict being justified, the King's Attorney general had charge to bear the verification of the same to the King, as a testimony of our obedience and submission: who found the King all ready on his journey to Bearn, & showing himself before him as he was on the way, he presented the verification of the Edict unto him, which was according to his pleasure: But he being resolutely determined to make the Bernois feel the effect and rigour of his wrath, stayed not therefore, but went forward. Most puissant Prince, will not your grace be pleased, in some measure to moderate your wrath? will you not at this present show yourself as gracious and gentle unto your Subjects, as you are terrible and redoubted of your enemies? shall that Country that hath had the glory to have borne, nourished in her bosom, and finally given France that great Herculee, the terror of the world: Henry the great your Father, sooner feel the arrows of your indignation, than the effects of your favour and being presence?  
The nearer that the King approached to Bearne, the Court of Parliament attended and expected nothing but threatenings against this poor Country: it was already ordained to the pillage, and those of the religion to the slaughter, as an offering to be made to appease the King's wrath. The papistical Edict of the Town of Morla'as (presented some dangerous accidents against us) who to defend themselves from the cross, marked their houses with a cross; It was against the Pastors particularly that their malice extended, and specially against those, who being employed showed some rigour in maintaining the Church's cause, all their names were known at the Court; they were noted and marked by their faces: on all sides they were counselled to fly into Rocks and holes in mountains and Caves. In the mean time the King entered into the Country; accompanied with terror and fear. The Soldiers took, peeled, ransacked, and hardly used their Hosts, with immeasurable insolency, their hands were employed about nothing but extortion and violence: Their mouths never opened, but to blaspheme and curse God, and to threaten injurious bloody perseeutions, against those of the Religion; whom they called rebels, traitors, bougers, old sorcerers, and an accursed race; speaking of nothing but fire, gibbits, and gallows. They entered forcibly into the Churches, and being therein, brake and cast down the Pulpits and seats. In the mean time the Papists in the Country triumphed and audaciously bragged, whose laughters and insolent behaviours, were, as many arrows that pierced into the hearts of those of the Religion, so much astonished for the present evils, and the fear of future perils, that it seemed, that all things conspired and contributed with envy to persuade them, that they had met with another St. Bartholomewes'.  
The King coming to Pau, would accept of no triumph, nor joyful welcome or receiving into the Town; he would show himself to be armed with wrath and displeasure; and like a blazing Star, which foreshoweth the death of some great Prince, and the ruin of an Estate. Nevertheless the Consuls of the Town went in their Liveries out into the suburbs to receive him; presenting the keys of the Town, together with the testimony of the obedience and fidelity of all the inhabitants unto his Majesty. The judge and others of the Court of Parliament, in scarlet robes, fell down at his feet to yield unto him the assurance of subjection and fidelity: but the King looked on them with a countenance full of indignation, and sent them away with this answer in few words, which entering into their ears, pierced their hearts: Saying, (when you serve me better, I will be a good Prince unto you) and in the mean time while they kneeled at his feet, presenting their affections and lives in quality of most humble, most faithful, and most obedient Subjects & servants, some spoke aloud and saith, that they were worthy to be hanged up, as traitors & rebels.  
The Church for her part, and the consergerie of Pau also did their duties, and went to the King being in his chamber, where kneeling down before him, & speaking by the mouth of Monsieur Pefarre one of their Ministers, they presented unto his Majesty the fidelity of their hearts, consecrated to his most humble service, as his most faithful servants and subjects, protesting, that what slanders and calumniations soever were imposed upon us, by our evil willers, our Religion commanded us, to serve, honour, obey and respect his Majesty as our King; not only for fear, but specially for Conscience sake. The King made him answer and said, Serve me well and I will love you. This contentment was a comfort unto us, against all the calumniations, and insolent speeches used against us, that it was reported unto us, that by the mouths of the Cardinals and Bishops that then were present, and by the general consent of all that heard us, being no small number: The Church received this testimony, that our Minister had spoken worthily and most Christianlike.  
While his Majesty stayad in Pau, who is able to rehearse all the excesses committed against those of the Religion? If a Minister spoke, he was pointed at with their singers; he was reviled, and laden with injuries: how many of them received disgrace, were beaten, and hardly used openly in the streets, for making open confession that they professed the reformed Religion; how many for fear of blows, were constrained to make the sign of the cross? how many upon the general day of Procession were forced with blows of staffs, to kneel down on the ground to adore the host, which with so great pomp was carried under a Canopy to blind the common people's eyes? But what shall I say, touching the profanations committed in Paul's Church? The King contrary to that which he had ordained by his answers, to the assemblies of the Bishops, gave the Church of those of the Religion to the Papists, and caused Mass to be said therein before he went from Pau: Those that first entered into it, polluted that place by so many abominable blasphemies, that it is mavaile, that the earth did not tremble, & the roof of the Church fell not down to destroy them. But what other thing could they do, to witness, that from that place they banished the purity of God's service, and the invocation of his name, then by casting forth such execrable blasphemies against the holy and venerable name of God? being not content therewith, they went up into the Pulpit, and there sung impudent and villainous songs, and after that filthily eased their bodies therein, casting the Bible that they found in the Church four times on the ground: and tore and pulled in pieces the table of God's Commandments that hung on the walls, to witness that they drove the truth of the word of God, and the observations of his commandments out of the Church.  
But this is not all; for I must tell you of a most abominable act which deserveth to be punished with a thousand Torments, and yet the Cardinals and Bishops that heard thereof, laughed at it, and the discourse made thereof, served in the Court for a matter of sport and pastime. One of those abominable rascals, who in that matter handled the sacred Commandments of God, having therein read, Harken Israel, with horrible blasphemies cried out and said, that Israel was some devil whom those Buggers the Hagonites adored: and so reiterating both that name and those blasphemous words, furiously fell upon the table of those divine Commandments; and thereupon took occasion to tear them in many pieces. What saidst thou blasphemous villain, That Israel is the name of a Devil? Oh little flock (in the Scriptures called the Israel of God) is it possible that thy enemies should give thee the name of Belial? Oh holy Angel of God, hast thou permitted that good Patriarch jacob, to hate the name of Satan, for the price and reward of his holy and constant wrestling, but rather oh thou the most faithful watchman over Israel, that never sleepest; be thou jealous of the honour of thy name: thou hast heard this blasphemous word, and hast seen this profane villain, and heard his execrable speeches, that are made a jest and laughter to the world. Oh God of vengeance, suffer them not long to go unpunished, lest they should say, where is their God?  
To report all the indignities done and offered to those of the Religion, during the time of the Kings being in this Country, were a matter that requireth a long subject and great leisure; some other will shortly undertake to declare them severally: it shall suffice for this present time to show, that in the same time, they fully witnessed and make known what hatred against Religion, and what choler against those that make profession thereof, they have conceived; for their is no word that issueth from their mouths, nor action nor motion of their bodies, which tendeth not thereunto, so fare, that Monsieur de Paulo Precedent of the Court of Parliament in Thoulouse; speaking to the Earl de Chambrot, touching the strange alterations that had been made in Bearne, eapable, as he said, to trouble the peace and tranquillity of France, and to reduce matters to extremities, he made answer with a loud voice (whereby many men of good quality heard him, saying) you deceive yourself Sir: The Hugonites have the quartern ague; They have been sick a great time, you shall see other things within these few days, for the King is resolved to take all their places from them, either by force or willingly: take, and boldly take our Fortresses from us, pull down the walls of our Towns, beat down our defences, but yet you cannot bereave us of that heavenly retract, and most impugnable fortress of the power of God, which appeareth and showeth itself in the conservation and defence of his Church.  
All these, most insupportable things, have been followed and had their course with many prejudicial alterations aswell in the Church, as in the common Wealth: which might sufficiently exaggerate the loss of the Ecclesiastical possessions of the Church's lands, possessed and enjoyed by them for the space of 51. years. by good and available Titles, as Edicts, letters Patents, and Decrees of Kings: and now what a pitiful thing it is, that two Bishops, that live idly, in delights & pleasures of the world, should swallow up and encroach upon all the possessions of the Church, and that our Ministers who incessantly labour in the Ministry of the word of God, to teach the people to fear God, and to obey the King, should be constrained, to seek for their maintenance else where? what grief of heart is it, that those that never are in rest, but when they labour and strive against us, should draw & receive a recompense and reward from us? that they that make war against us, should be paid by us? That wolves should clothe themselves with the wool, and nourish their bodies with the milk of the flock? a piteous and lamentable condition; we shall see two Bishops abounding in riches, elevated in Honours & Dignities, and filled with delights, march in Royal manner; but what say I, that we shall see them? yea, and that we shall be constrained to contribute the Tenths of our revenues to entertain these flashes of lightning, and this worldly pomp and magnificence? a hard servitude: we shall be compelled to give our bracelets, our earrings, to be melted, to make an Image, and shall have no means to contribute any thing towards the building, and preparing of the Tabernacle: and to employ our goods, for on ornament and beautifying of Babylon, while jerusalem remaineth desolate, and her gates burnt down by fire: can we endure to see Idolatry get the upper hand, and seize upon our Churches, while for the pure service of God, and for the Preaching of his word, we have no other coverture than the Skies, nor receptacle but the mountains? In our Churches where long time, so many good and sacred Psalms have been sung, we shall hear a strange and barbarous sound, and a company of babbling Priests, exclaim against us, and make our miseries the subject of their pleasures?  
The state ought to serve for a support and protection of the Church, and those that are advanced to be Officers in the State, aught to use their authority of the conservation & maintenance thereof, our ill willers jealous of the peace and quietness of the same, and impatient to see it flourish and prosper, know that well, and therefore have effected so much, that the Offices and authorities of those of the Religion are taken away from them, and given unto Papists; to the end, that the Church holding no more by any branch, may by the least shake be borne down to the ground. The government of Navarreux, having been 51. years in the hands of Monsieur de Sales a Gentleman, on whom the eyes of envy or hatred never so sharply piercing, could never note nor perceive the least shadow what soever of infidelity towards his Prince, who perceiving himself to be very old, and without Children, certain years past, obtained the reversion of his government for Monsieur de Laur his Cousin, who in all his actions showeth the footsteps and degrees of a rare & singular piety, and in his body beareth the marks of his courage, having (in the King's presence at the siege of Amiens) received a shot with a Musket in his right shoulder, which hath bereft him of the free use of his Arme.  
Monsieur de Sales sent him to Bourdeaux, with Monsieur de la Force, to assure his Majesty of the continuation of his sidelity, who being at the Court, he found that the enemies of the Religion had dispersed some report abroad that tended to the prejudice of the sincerity of his affections, which had pierced even unto the cares, and almost into the thought of his Majesty, but coming into the King's presence, he dispersed those shadows, and made the King plainly to see and perceive, that his actions were able to endure the trial: Whereupon the King, showeth him the honour to assure him, that he was persuaded of his innocence, exhorting him, to persist in serving him faithfully, and withal commanded him to assure Monsieur de Sales of his favour and good will. The King approaching to the Frontiers of this Country; Monsieur de Laur presented himself once again unto him, to reiterate the protestations of his most humble and most faithful service; not only in his own, but also in the name of Monsieur de Sales, most humbly beseeching his Majesty to bear with his great age, that would not permit him to present his body laden with years at his grace's feet. The King receiving those words of obedience and fidelity from Monsieur de Laur, commanded him to continue and go forward in employing his time for the benefit of his service. Wherewith he returned well contented in mind, but upon the report that was spread abroad, of the King's intent to see Navarreuz, he went again to speak with him at Pau, where Monsieur de Luines told him, and the King confirmed it with his own mouth, that he had no other intent nor meaning but to see Navarreuz, and that he should assure Monsieur de Sales, that nothing should be altered nor changed in the state of that place. Monsieur de Laur assuring himself upon that promise, which he thought to be inviolable, contented himself, and sought to settle and assure Monsieur de Sales mind and conceit to the contrary, being moved thereunto by diverse advices given him from all places, that his government would be taken from him.  
The King coming to Navarreux, at his entry into the Town, Monsieur de Sales presented the keys thereof, and speaking unto him, said: Sir, it is now above fifty years that I have had the honour to be governor of this place; God hath given me the grace always to have kept it well, not only in the reign of the King your Father deceased, but also in yours: and I am assured, that if in your Court there be any of the King your Father's old servants; they will witness that his Majesty was well contented with my service, and assured himself of my fidelity, I never had a better desire to serve, than I have at this present: if your Majesty will accept thereof, as I most humbly beseech you, and in sign of my obedience here are the keys of the Town, which I present unto you. The King made him answer, that he always was assured, and still did assure himself more and more of his good service, willing him to continue and profit in serving him well, and he would be his good Master, and acknowledge his service in time and place when occasion fell out, commanding him to give the keys of the Town to Monsieur le Marquis de la Force Captain of his guards, and so he did.  
Those pleasing and agreeable words of the King rejoiced and comforted Monsieur de Sales, and with the same he began to be somewhat comforted: but an hour after the King entered into the Town, he sent him word, that he would have no more of his service, and gave the government to Monsieur de Puyane a Papist, and a Stranger, contrary to the laws of the Country, whereby Strangers are excluded from those charges; presently thereupon all the inhabitants were disarmed, all the Garrison was discharged, that is 120. Soldiers: Their Lieutenant and Ensigne beard, six Captains, the Commissary, the Controller, the Keeper of the Munition: The Doctor and the apothecary all of the religion, and four Companies of the Regiment of Picardy were brought in until Monsieur de Ruyane had gathered his composed of 300. men, Strangers and Papists.  
A most pitiful and lamentable desolation! how could they deal roughlier with that venerable old Gentleman, whom the most impudent calumniation durst not accuse them after 50. years and upwards of his service, shamefully to displace him of his government, and thereby laid his grey and weak age, with so sensible an affliction: What pity is it, that he who all his life time had lived in honour and authority, he that by the length and fidelity of his services, persuaded himself that he had settled that charge in his own house, now in his later days, should see himself laden with shame, and from so eminent a place, reduced to a private state, while a stranger laid hold on his spoils, and walked like a peacock upon the rampires and walls of Navarreux, which his father and he at other times courageously defended, against the invasion of strangers. It is certain that the hatred against religion is excessive great, seeing that neither the long service, of that ancient Knight, his fidelity without reproach; nor his tears could mollify the hearts of those that had induced and incited the King, to such a severe resolution.  
How hard and troublesome it was to Monsieur de Laur that had the reversion of that his Uncle's government, was received therein, and had taken his oath accordingly, that had served the King commanding with honour above 25. years over a company of the regiment of Navarre, lamed in the King's service, & one that could not be accused of infidelity or disobedience, and for a recompense of all his services to see himself in the face of all the Court put from his charge, and made the subject and matter of the scoffings, works and jests of our enemies. What griping grief must it needs be, unto a genenerous heart, sensible of the force of honour: poor and desolate inhabitants of the town, that are all of the religion, unless it be one Apostate? what comfort and consolation can mitigate your grief in this feeling of so hot in affliction, but with what words, and mourning weeds, can or may we set forth and show that the deplorable state and miserable condition of six score Soldiers, most of them inhabitants of the Town; having wives and children, and such as for the most part succeeded their fathers, whose fidelity was manifest in the defence of the Town assiged by the King's enemies? What grief is it, at this day to see them, (without any offence by them committed) dispossessed of their places, and disarmed, and thereby with their wives & children, brought into shameful poverty? What burning words might their hearts feel, on the one side, to see strangers in their houses brag and brave it out in their arms, & on the other to hear the sighs and continual complaints of their wives & children, ready to famish? But by what counsel was it done, that our ill willers seek (by making us lose this place) to give us so great a subject complaint? have not we defended the same with the price of our blood, against the audacious enterprise of the Papists, that had driven Queen joane out of the Country, and by treason, rebellion, and revolting, had gotten all the rest of this state into their hands? Is it not we, who in recompense of our fidelity, have possessed the same 60. years under the King's service? These Titles only were sufficient and authentic seeing they were grounded upon so long a possession, signed and sealed with the fidelity and blood of our fathers: and yet this is not all. By the Edict of Nantes it was agreed, that all the places and Garrisons, which were in possession of those of the Religion, and not in time to come to be taken from them, and at the same time more were given them, which after that by many Edicts and Declarations, hath been confirmed, after that our Churches by the King's permission, were united with those of France, as all the world knoweth; this grant made by the Edict of Nantes in favour of the Churches of France, was enlarged in our savour by the express Declaration made by his Majesty to the supplication presented by the last general assembly held in Rochel; who then would be so obstinate to doubt whether Navarreux so long time holden by us, in the time of peace, and many years before, should not still be kept by us? What manner of malice is this? who would maintain and affirm that it could be taken away from us, without overthrowing of so many Edicts, and declarations, which ought to be firm and inviolable?  
But now again see how fare they proceed to the supreme degree of stubbornness and malice, and yet after all that, the most bitterrest persons must hold their tongues, and make no answer. The King and his Counsel, knowing that out of the Ecclesiastical lands of the Churches or Ministers College and Garrison of Navarreux and other charges were maintained & upholden, ordained by his Decree, that another means should be assigned unto us, for the supplying thereof, and namely for the entertainment of the Garrison of Navarreux, which afterward was more expressly declared in the Edict of supply; verified in the Parliament of Pau. What more formal proceeding could be desired then this Edict, which was made in our favour: then this Edict I say, which was only a means for our assurance? his Majesty there assigned a means for the Garrison of Navarreux; was not that a witness confirmable to so many other Edicts and declaritions, to show that this place ought not to be taken away from us? Puissant King, is it possible that within 4. days after the verification of this Edict, against so many other reasons, and so many other Edicts, that aught to assure this place unto us: you would take it away from us? Alas, we have said it, and are again constrained to reiterate the same; pardon us noble Prince, it is not against your royal Majesty, that our clamours and complaints are made, but against the rage and malice of our enemies, which have done you that wrong, not to permit your promises to be inviolable. Having taken Navarreux from us, they began to turn the State upside down, and therein to make alterations prejudicial to the Religion: Garrisons were put into all the Towns, to oppress the liberty of the Country, besides the 4. Companies that are in Navarreux, in Orthes they put 6. Companies of the regiment of Picardy: in Sanueterre 4. Companies of the regiment of Champagne: as many in Oloron of the same regiment: and a company of light Horsemen in Nay. Who can sufficiently declare the great excesses and disorders which those people undertake in a Country, where they are as it were animated by the hope of pillage? Who can without horror tell and speak of the horrible blasphemies that they belch forth against God, and the jests and scornful bravadoes which they vomit out of their mouths against those of the Religion? what a servitude it is to live like slaves at home in our own houses, and as strangers in the Town? to see our streets full of Corcelets, Pikes and Musketeers; our means, and our lives, in the power of the enemies of our Religion; ready, if God did not restrain their impetuosity by his providence: assail us, and to put their tyrannous intents in execution.  
All the Country concerning Martial government is divided into 6. parts, which are called Parsans: every Parsan always had a Captain that commanded over the Soldiers under the King's Lieutenant, most ancient Officers; and as it were ordained at the first beginning of the State: all those 6. Captains were of the Religion, but what fell out? Envy could not endure that, that remnant of authority should continue in the hands of those of the religion; but rather to weaken them all together, and only to let them go and scape away with their lives, the said 6. Captains were discharged, without any crime or offence imposed upon them, and in their places, there was a new Officer made in the Country, that is, a Provost Martial with certain Archers to attend him; and that Office given to a Papist: What an alteration of affairs is this, To suppress the ancient Officers, and to make new, only to advance the Papists, and to raise them to a formal greatness, and to imbace those of the religion, and reduce them to a pitiful and lamentable condition?  
And further, Monsieur de Bernac the chief Baron of Bearn, (whose ancestors have made themselves famous, in respect of their sincere affection, and loyalty to the King's service, and the conservation of the Country's liberty,) had a grant in possession, from father to son of the chief Precedence in the State: But envy could not endure that a most affectioned family to the religion, should be in possession of that dignity, and therefore sought to dispossess him thereof, to invest the Bishops with the same; and the better to bring their desiring to effect, a bruit was spread abroad in the Court, that it was not good for Monsieur de Bernac to stay in Pau, and that if he presented himself, he should serve for an offering to redeem and recompense the disobedience of Bearn: advice was given him from all places, by men of greatest quality in the Court, that he was appointed to be an example, and an abashment to the rebels: he choosing rather to lose his estate, than his head in Court, resolved to keep himself secretly in one of his houses, and in his absence, the Bishops were instabled, without any contradiction, in the Precedence of the States, and by that means, they had places in the Counsel or Parliament next to the Precedents, and free voices therein to judge of all affairs, specially of those of the religion, although one of the Bishops had a Cousin that sat in the same Parliament, and that by the law of the Country, the Uncle and the Cousin cannot be judges in one cause and company. But when there is any thing to be done that may disadvantage those of the religion, there is no law which they will not violate, nor custom which they care not to break.  
But this is not all, Bearn is united unto France, and by this Union the whole estare thereof is turned upside downward: We have two kinds of laws, the one is the law of the Sovereign, which may be altered, changed or disannulled as occasions fall out: the other is the Laws of the Sovereignty, whereby the Prince is advanced to the Sovereign estate, and are as it were the Articles and causes of the contract made between the Sovereign and the Country. Those are inviolable, and cannot be changed, unless the state be changed, as being the props whereupon it holy stayeth and dependeth. The principallest of those laws being that which bindeth the Sovereign to maintain the state in the Title of Sovereignty, and to defend the same from allienaton, and transportation else where. Now by incorporating Bearn with France, the Title of Sovereignty is taken from it, and carried else where, seeing that the King endoweth the Crown of France therewith, and by consequent overthroweth the estate, by the which intrusion an infinite number of mischiefs are introduced. By the same means Navarre is joined to Bearn, making the Chancery of Navarre and the Counsel of Pau one Parliament, by that conjunction to introduce a great number of Papists into the body thereof, and so much the more to weaken those of the religion, Monsieur de Lescun the Kings Councillor, would never consent unto the verification of the King's Edict touching the Spiritull liuings, but still in the Country, in the Court, and in the general assembly did maintain God's cause, and the Churches right with an invincible and impenecable vigure and constancy, he was hated in the Court, and diligently sought for, and being not found, he was summoned to appear within twice 24. hours, and failing therein, he was prohibited from executing his charges Most brave and generous wrestler, receive, I pray thee, this prohibition for an honourable reputation, and a glorious mark of thy incomparable zeal for the conservation of the Church, and in the mean time expect most green Garlands of Laurel, and immortal Crown from him, whose cause thou hast defended with so great constancy.  
And you poor and desolate Churches, which in times past were like to the land of Goshen; only light, while all the Country about it was obscure and dark, and which at this present perceive and behold darkness to get the upperhand and to prevail against you, to extinguish our light, you that have seen the purity of God's service planted & reestablished in enery place, and Idolatry wholly banished out of the Country; and now behold it to be spread abroad in all the quarters thereof, to overwhelm both the Towns and fields, and to build her nest in your Churches, & already behold squadrons of worms and grasshoppers rise out of the bottomless pit of hell, to gather your grapes and mow your fields, in danger of prohibition not to enter into the house of God: rejoice and comfort yourselves, God at this time calleth you to endure persecutions, why are you abashed and astonished thereat? it is your condition, it is the livery of your head and commander, whose head being Crowned with Thorns, why should the Church dream of dignities, & earthly Crowns? you see the world rise up against you: Why should you be dismayed? it is the ordinary course thereof, it is the enemy of the truth of the Gospel, which is not of this world but of heaven: an enemy of the Church, which hath withdrawn itself from the world, to be transported & planted in an other Territory and place of abode: your places of defence are taken from you, and are not you lodged in the closet of the Sovereign God, and under the shadow of the wings of the most Mighty? and who can pull you out from thence? is that Fortress to be battered? is it to be taken by men? The living destined and appointed for your Ministers are taken from you. And he that in times past commanded the Crows to be Puruoirs and victuallers for the Prophet Elias, he that commanded the oil in the pitcher not to waste; and the oil in the glass not to decay or wax nought, is not he at this day the same God? should his arm be shortened that he cannot, or the bowels of his mercy shut up, that he will not, have a care of his Church, and provide food for his Ministers? you have the honour to suffer persecution for righteousness sake, although your enemies seek to imblemish the same with the Title of rebellion and disobedience: but where do the effects, much less the proofs of this rebellion appear? can they object, that you did ever at any time conspire against the King's sacred person, or attempted any thing against his State? that the murderers of Kings, (infernal furies of hell) were found or came out from you? that your Ministers did ever go up into their pulpits, to proclaim war, to kindle a revolt, or to sow sedition in your hearts? can you be reproached, that you are bound by oath of fidelity and obedience to any other, but unto the King your Sovereign? that you acknowledge any superior power in the world, that can put down or transport his Crown to any other? have your Ministers books been condemned to be burnt, as free of falsehood, and detestable propositions, tending to the subversion of Sovereign powers, and the rising up of Subjects against their Princes, as the books of those that defame and slander you by injuries, and violently pursue you, have been? then where is the rebellion and disobedience, that is improprietated unto you? It is, (say they) because you did withstand the verification of the King's Edict, and thereupon they exclaim, and cry out, saying, what audaciousness is this, what an attempt worthy of death is this? What consolation and comfort have you, when you see and perceive that they can not accuse you, but only by changing the names of things, and by calling that rebellion, which is nothing but obedience.  
The King having given the Ecclesiastical liuings to the Bishops, you could never obtain that favour to be heard by the King's Counsel, it being instantly sought for and desired; answer was made, that you should be fully heard before the judges, to whom the King would send his Edict or Commissions: You presented yourselves before those judges, with respect and humility, you desired to be maintained in your possession of 51. years, grounded upon Edicts, Decrees, and letters Patents of the King your Sovereign. Is it called rebellion with honour to solicit your cause to the judges appointed by the King, and to whom he sent you to be heard? rebellion to ask and demand the observation of the King's Edicts, and execution of his promises? What Title will they give to Rebellion and disobedience, if respective and humble requests and solicitations are qualified with the name of disobedience and rebellion? An ingenious age, wherein the names of things are changed, thereby afterward to have the means to change and pervert all things.  
And you Brethren, that by oneself same band of Faith, and Religion are united, and strictly bound unto us: Behold in this sorrowful spectacle what hath been done, and what more they will do unto you: Consider our calamities therein, and seeing you are members of the same body, behold your own therein: Make yourselves sensible of our miseries, help us to find some remedies, either by your most humble prayers unto God, that he will be pleased to appease his just wrath and indignation inflamed against us, because of our sins, and unthankfulness, or else by your supplications to our good King, to be admitted and restored to our first estate, or by your good assistance against those, that do nothing else but labour utterly to root out and destroy us, by these chollerous alterations.  
In the mean time, God grant that these strange alterations, be not the causes of other as dangerous, and ominous alterations. God grant, that so often, striking against the hardness of our patience, they do not make some sparkles fly out, and that of those sparkles some great side should chance to burst forth: But before all things, God grant that our good and debonarie King may be lively touched with the pure zeal of his house, to the end that thinking upon the greatness of the mischiefs, that he hath been counselled to do unto us, he will show himself to be our restorer, and the nourisher of our Churches: And for our parts, attending that time, and happy motion, of changing, rechanging, and of turning all things upside downward, we are fully resolved never to change, our affections unto God, as Christians, nor to the wills nor desires, not to honour the King as his faithful Subjects: But rather as we pray unto God, to strengthen our patience, that it may not break under the burden of so many calamities, that are procured unto us, so we beseech him to prosper the King, and to give him long and many days, a flourishing Empire, and faithful Subjects.   

BY THE KING, Sovereign Lord of Bearn.  
Loving friends and our trusty servants, we are certified that you have sent unto us for your Deputies, Messieurs de Gillot, and de Lendresse to make your duties known, and to certify us of your fidelities without any further charge committed unto them, although Monsieur de Causaus' chief Precedent, gave you to understand, that it was our pleasure that you should send some of your Deputies to speak with us about our Edict touching the Spiritual revenues, to receive our commandments, and to yield us an account of things past, grounding this doubt upon this, that by the said Monsieur de Casaus letter it seemed that your deputation was referred unto that with those of the religion. P. R. of our Sovereignty are to make. And although you have nothing at all to do with them, and that it is free for them, to take that occasion, which the time that we have granted yields unto them; and for that it tendeth to the good of our affairs and service, the quietness of the Country, that our intents and pleasure should forthwith be made known unto you: for these causes, we will, and command you, that forthwith, and without any delay, you nominate and send some of your company unto us, to receive those orders touching the Spiritual liuings, that we will give unto them, without depending upon the deputation of the said Messieurs de Gillot and de Lendresse, your duties to observe our Commandments bind you thereunto, fail not therein, for such is our pleasure. Given in Bordeaux, the 21. of February. 1621.  
Signed, LOVIS. And somewhat lower, DELOMENIS.  
And below to our loving friends and faithful servants of our Counsel in the Sovereign Courts of Bearn.  
This letter being received by the Parliament of Pau: The Decree following, word for word translated into French, was thereupon made.   

THE Counsel Chambers assembled-together, having seen the requests of the reformed Churches of this Country, and the King's letter sent to the Counsel, bearing date the 22. of November, last passed; importing, that it is free for those of the reformed religion to take advantage of the time, that was given them, agreeing with that which before had been granted to the assembly in Loudun. It is decreed, That before all things his Majesty shall most humbly be entreated, to give audience unto the most humble supplications and declarations of the said Churches, willing the said Churches, to present themselves unto his Majesty, before the said time be expired, which being expired, and for not doing it, we will proceed to the registering and publishing of the Edict, according to the contents of the Commission, bearing date the 10. of September last. And to that end Messieurs du Four and de Marca are appointed Deputies presently to go to Bourdeaux or any other place, where the King shall be.  
Given in Pau, the last of january. 1621.