AN ADVERTISEMENT from a French Gentleman, touching the intention and meaning which those of the house of Guise haue in their late levying of forces and arms in the realm of France:  
Written as an answer to a certain Declaration published in the name of the Cardinal of bourbon.  
Anno 1585. june.   

❧ An advertisement of a certain French Gentleman, touching the meaning and intention, which those of the house of Guise haue in their late levying of arms in the realm of france. 1585.  
NEVER was there wanting unto evil subiectes pretence to take arms against their princes, and never also was there wanting to Princes means to bee revenged of such subiects: For God that maketh Princes, and appointeth them over peoples and nations, taketh their cause into his hands, and findeth himself offended and hurt in their persons. God which seeth the hearts, knoweth all colours and pretences, and hath skill to distinguish and sort them out from true causes. Nothing provoketh him more, then the abuse of his name alleged in vain,& without warrant: he punisheth nothing more then hypocrisy, treason,& confusion disguised and cloaked with the faire names of faith, religion and iustice.  
At this present, when as we see these troubles and alterations arising in this realm, it behoveth every subject of this realm of France to be circumspectly and to take heed, that they be not lead to any evil by any colour or apparance whatsoever which may bee cast before them. Let us therefore call to mind things which are past, and thereunto compare and apply things present: so shall we see whence these troubles proceed, we shall also foresee whereunto they tend, and so shall we easily judge what issue wee may expect of them in time to come.  
It is a thing notoriously known in this realm, that those of the house of Guise give out and pretend that they be descended of the race of charlemagne, and by this title pretend that the kingdom appertaineth unto thē. The pedigrees which they haue not long since falsified, the declarations which they haue dispersed from hand to hand, and many other their like practices do witness this sufficiently: But especially, not to look too far back, this appeareth by the volume which they caused to be printed at Paris four or five yeeres since, written by one De Rosiers, Archdeacon of Thowl. In which, by allegations vntruely suggested, counterfeited and drawn beyond and against the true sense, the said De Rosiers laboureth to prove that those of this house are descended from Pharamond, and from line to line continued to those which are now living, intending thereby to insinuate that this crown pertained unto thē, before Capet, Charles, and Meroue were ever called thereunto. This book was then commonly sold at Paris, and so through all France:& coming to the kings knowledge, Monsieur Brulart now President of the Inquests, was sent to Thowl with Commission to proceed against the author, which he did according to lawe: but by the kings mercy he obtained pardon, nevertheless was adiudged to make a solemn submission and amendes in open presence, to confess himself guilty of treason, and to retract by some contrary writing that which he had done.  
It was always well known to those of this house, that as long as this realm remained united and in peace, it would be very hard for them to attain unto their purpose, and therefore haue they sought to continue it in troubles. And so long as they could win this point, what miseries soever the war did bring vpon the poor people, or confusion into the state, they never seemed at all thereat to bee moved, nor gave any sign or semblance to be touched or grieved therewith. And the reason was, because the blood of France was by this means  shed& spent, and they minded to make their profit of this weakness, being at that time the chief instruments of the misery of the people,& making account that the more the same did grow vpon the people, the better occasion they should one day haue to use it for a means of their innovations, having withall gotten both the forces and authority into their hands, wherewith they might gain credit and power amongst men: and in this maner by degrees haue they laid the foundation of their greatness vpon our ruins, whilst the war by little and little proceeded on, corrupting the mindes of men, and supplanting their allegiance, acquaintyng them with following of partialities and factions, and so making them fitter for any alterations and changes, against the time that should seem best for their purpose.  
The pretence of religion served them for an occasion to entertain these civil warres, and no heed was taken at the first, how under this goodly title they abused the devotion of our princes, and the zeal of our nation to their purposes, and how this was but a pretence& not a true cause: who so ever knew the Cardinal of Lorraine uncle to these that now are, will make small doubt thereof. For whilst he kindled fire at the four corners of this realm, putting all in combustion under a colour of fervency of this pretended zeal of religion, he doubted not to declare to the princes of Germany that he was of their confession, and that his meaning was to bring it into france: and, to gratify them, caused his nephews to bee brought up and instructed in the confession of Ausburge,& then let speeches fall amongst his familiar friends, that if those of the reformed religion had not accounted and made those of his house as enemies and parties, there had been good means to haue made some friendly composition and agreement concerning the difference which was for religion.  
In the end it was found by the wisdom of our Princes, after all extremities had been assayed, that religion would not be planted nor taught by arms: that force might in deed breed hypocrites, but not Christians: that the warres, as mothers of all corruption, in stead of driving out a contrary religion, did bring in atheism:& especially, that these persons which so earnestly gave counsel to make war for religion, were no more religious then others, but that they were like cunning Barbers, which took a course to keep the wound green, and to draw the cure in length for their own profit, and that there was apparent danger, least in time they should verify the prophecy of king Francis the great, uttered in these words, That those of the house of Guise, would strip his children into their doublets, and his poor people to their shirts. And in deed it was observed by certain catholics, that on S. Bartholomews day of the Massacre in Paris, after they had induced the late king Charles to destroy those of the Religion, they were content under this shadow to dispatch the particular enemies of their house, and to reuenge their private quarrels: yea, they shewed themselves mild and pitiful in all the places of their governments, and so every way made their profit of the rigour and severity of that Prince, who by the sharpness of his wit could right well find it out at length.  
It is known also, that the king that now reigneth, employed his young yeeres with all the prosperous and fortunate success that could be wished, to suppress those of the contrary religion, and afterwards coming to the crown, for a while continued all the former rigorous manners of proceeding, till he found that it lay not in forces to subdue and quiet the consciences of men,& that in seeking to roote out one part of his people, he did overthrow and bring to ruin his whole realm and state. he resolved therefore after the example of many great princes and states his neighbours round about him which he had seen, to end the troubles of his realm by a good peace, permitting every man to live according to his conscience, until such time as by a good and general Council some order might be taken therein. In the mean while, he determined to travell to reduce the clergy to their ancient order, to bestow the places and dignities of the Church vpon persons sufficient and careful in their charges as much as he might, and knowing of what force the example of a Prince is in all things, he endeavoured to frame himself as a pattern of devotion to his Court, his Princes and nobility, esteeming this to be the onely true& lawful means, ordained of God, and practised by the wisest princes for the reuniting of the Church, and reducing of mens consciences.  
But scarcely had his majesty made the peace which was concluded about the end of the year 1577, and shewed some desire in himself to continue it, and no more unprofitably to bend his forces against the forces of his subiectes, but these men seeing thereby their means cut from them to advance their authority by war and arms, bethought themselves of new attempts, and made it appear that the civil warres were to them a commodity and vantage, that is to say, that our pulling down was their building: And therefore, when as religion served not their turn, they advised to trouble the state under another pretence.  
Then they did find means to solicit sundry provinces of this realm to rebellion by certain men of their faction, setting before them the oppression of the clergy, but not telling them that the warres which they had kindled and nourished were the cause thereof, and that the late Cardinal of Lorraine their uncle was he that first had propounded& procured the increase of the accustomend tenths, and the sale and alienation of part of the Temporalties of the Spiritualtie: whereupon he got at Rome the name of the scourge of the French Church. They alleged the decay and disgrace of the nobility, not telling them that those of their house, during the time they were in authority, had kept down and discountenanced as much as in them lay, even the Princes of the blood, presuming themselves to be called the chief persons of all the nobility: And the decay of the nobility can not or ought to be ascribed but to the authors of the civil warres, and so likewise the embasing of all places, offices and dignities belonging to that calling, for as much as he that bringeth in civil war into a state, bringeth in by the same gate confusion into all rooms& callings, which it is not possible afterwards suddenly to redress and reduce at once: They propounded the raising of taxes and inventions of new exactions and impositions vpon the poor people, but added not that the war always causeth new charges to Princes and to the people consequently, and that the only means to relieve them, was to suffer the peace to continue. For the people could not yet haue any feeling of the goodness of their Prince, because when he was but newly gotten forth of one war, he entred into new trouble,& so hoping to haue ease at their Princes hand, it was found that the remedy grew worse then the first sore: yea, on the contrary side, this did take from the Prince the means to disburden his people, considering especially that ten yeeres of impositions are not so chargeable unto the people as one yeeres war, and ten yeeres of war well ordered do them not that damage as one year of civil sedition, such as they thought to stir up under this pretence.  
Then, in their advertisements sent abroad, they made no mention of Religion. This zeal of theirs, under which they shrouded themselves before and since, came not then in sight: but contrariwise, they treated with those of the contrary Religion( as all men know) to win them to take their partes: they assured them of their exercises according to the Edicts, and more then the Edicts if need were: They negotiated in Germany, by name, with Duke Casimire, aswell to make him enter into this association, as also by him to induce those of the contrary Religion, and to become unto them as a surety of their faith and promise which they gave to do nothing to their prejudice: yea, and they further offered him towns in their governments for counterpledges of the faith which they used, and gave unto him in their own name. And perhaps, things at that time had passed further on, if those of the Religion would haue harkened thereunto.  
The King also by his wisdom could well diuerte and put back this desseigne: he saw wherein they were grieved, and being unwilling to suffer that their particular discontentments should hurt the people, yielded unto them so far, as to assay to content them. Then called he them near unto him, did them honour, gave them occasion to hope well at his hands, yea, and bestowed rewards vpon them, and appointed assignations of so much as was due, which they demanded and accepted vpon certain edicts and ordinances of new impositions which were then established: so that the same winds which had assembled and gathered the cloud of their discontentments, blewe the same over and dispersed it. easily then they forgot the clergy, the nobility, and the People. And when the Deputies of the provinces which before they would haue stirred to rebellion, came to the Court, hardly would they seem to look on them or know them: yea, they were privy& assisted in council at the making and publishing of many Edicts, which the King sithe hath disannulled and abolished, vpon informations made unto him what great charge they brought vpon the people: And never was it heard that they ever spake one word to the King, either privately or in council, or other open assembly, for the ease and vnburthening of his subiects. Whereupon it came to pass, that they of best iudgement in the said provinces, found that it was not the ill government( if any were) wherewith they of the house of Guise were in troth offended, but onely that they had not such parte and interest in the estates as they thought appertained unto them, being readier without doubt to abuse the same, whensoever they should get it into their hands, then those against whom they pretended to form such complaints under the name of the people.  
That which since hath chiefly grieved their mind, is that they haue seen the peace to continue, that they haue seen the King bent to establish it more and more, and by means thereof to reform the abuses which be crept into the offices of the Church, to restore the nobility to their ancient places and reputation, and to ease his poor people of such impositions and taxes, which had undone them, and were evils for the most part brought in by the continuance of warres, and consequently, not to be remedied but by the continuance of peace.  
now, after it had pleased God to call out of this world Monsteur the Kings brother, they thought that the season was come wherein they ought to assay to put in practise their former old devises: And so accordingly they began by and by to set on foot again their practices, as well within as without the realm, with such neighbours especially as always haue been most suspected and dangerous to this crown: Complotting together that it was necessary for them at this time to bee in arms whatsoever came of it, to the end to make a way and preparative for that change which they seek to bring into this State. And this and none other is the cause, for which wee see that now they haue put themselves in field, whatsoever faire pretence they haue made to entangle men of all sorts in the same crime: for it is neither charitable nor reasonable to suspect that they haue the same meaning and drift as they of the house of Guise haue.  
And will you see a plain proof that they know not well howe to cover this their enterprise against the State? They haue made certain protestations vpon their first taking of arms, the vntrothes whereof may appear by the contradictions contained in the same. In one of them they haue sworn to the extirpation of the contrary Religion: in some other they speak nothing of it. If zeal move them, howe is this zeal so soon forgotten? In one they will that the King name a successor to his crown and kingdom: In another they leave this Article clean out. If they haue such care of the catholic Church, if they fear so much that any inconvenience will happen unto it after the death of the King, howe chance they kept this out of their pen? In another they make themselves protectors of the Church and of the people, and use other pretexts: Wherefore who seeth not in these diversities, that they cannot tell on what ground to stand? In these uncertainties of these protestations there cannot be but an uncertainty of conscience. Surely they be but speeches of men that cannot tell wherewith to give colour to their ill intention, which think to cover one vntrothe with two,& two with three, and all put together, serve but to make them liars, and to bewray themselves to besuch as in deed they are.  
But they will that there shalbe but one Religion in France: It is the desire which is commonly made by all good men and Christians of the realm. And what course is holden to bring this to pass? If force be the means, the great Emperour Charles the fifth did well find the weakness and insufficiency thereof in matters of conscience. The King of spain( as catholic as he will seem to be) after he had reduced his subiects of Holland and Zelande to great extremities by means of his forces, was yet constrained in the year 1576. to come unto a peace, and in that peace to leave unto them their Religion as it was, not somuch as restoring the catholic and roman Religion in the said Countries, nor repossessing the ecclesiastical persons of their goods: yea, and about two yeeres since he offered them like conditions by the Duke of Terra noua, not for those Countreys alone, but for others also. Our Kings more then all they, haue burnt, haue drowned, haue overcome in many battles, haue surprised in diuers sorts, haue made sundry attempts for the space of fifty yeeres, haue spared no means to make an end of those of the Religion in this realm. That which was accounted christian in Charles the fift, that which is reputed catholic in the King of spain, in the one to save his subiects rather appertaining unto him by election then naturally born, in the other to keep such Countreys which are in a maner nothing to him, in comparison of other great Estates over which he reigneth: why should it not so be in like sort unto our king, to spare those which nature hath put in his protection, to preserve his whole state from an overthrow inevitable, especially seeing his state lately so flourishing, was by this course which they would recontinue, brought unto that extremity in which we now behold it? If they say that the warres haue not been well manned and conducted, where can they lay the fault, and who are to bee blamed for it but themselves? Haue not they and their fathers commanded in them for the most part? Haue they not been arbitrators both of peace and war? Haue they not sounded( as seemed best unto them, and as their conceit and humour lead them) sometime the charge, and sometime the retreat? And if they will bind the king by oath to a perpetual war, that is to say, to the ruin of his poor estate,& this poor people which hath been wearied so many yeres, to a final destruction, and continual misery: certainly, this is a lawe intolerable for the subject to lay vpon his prince: assuredly, it is a manifest token that they bear a great devotion to see our overthrow, that by devotion seek to compel us thereunto: yea, and to say more, undoubtedly it is an argument most certain, that these men will be in arms at their pleasure, that they will not be disarmed, that they will bury the king either in the midst of their arms, or perhaps by their arms if they can. And oh how miserable are we to live under such an insolency? how unhappy are we( if their enterprises take place) which shall survive our Prince and his blood, and behold the calamities of our desolate country, and overthrow of the laws of this Estate?  
But it will be said, that it were pity to see this realm after the Kings death, in the hands of an heretic. They are( no doubt) good Tutors: but let us see the order which they take for it. Our King is young, and( thankes be to God) in health: they will haue him to name a successor, nay, they name one to his hand: For they set up in arms the Cardinal of Bourbon, a good Prince of himself, who perceiveth not the tragedy that they play, causing him to take vpon him the quality of the principal prince of the blood, and heir apparent to the crown. But what kind of monstrous conceit is this? If this bee a matter of so great importance,& so much to be feared for the maintenance of the catholic church: to whom ought they rather to address themselves, then to our King, a Prince most Christian, a Prince most devout, a Prince( if any bee in the world) zealous in his religion? On whom ought they less to cast their eye, if they meant that which they pretend, then vpon the Cardinal of Bourbon, a Prince strike in yeres, a Prince impotent and declining to his grave, I may say further, a Prince that by course of nature they cannot once think to be likely to ouerliue the King, if so be they haue not limited the term of his life, or if they haue not set down and concluded the time of his death? Shall they that haue al their life time made sport of religion, show unto our king the way of conscience? Shall they of Lorraine teach Frenchmen the zeal and love of their country? Shall Princes strangers interpret our laws, order and rule our debates? Shall they be arbitrators or iudges over the princes of the blood royal touching the degrees& proximitie of blood? Who seeth not here( the Lord open the eyes of the said Cardinal) that they onely pretend to haue hired or borrowed him to play the king vpon a stage, it may be some half year, till their party shal be sufficiently provided for? who seeth not that they mind not him, although they speak of him, but intend themselves? When as they name unto a king of thirty three yeeres of age, a successor past three score: when as they will supply the default of heires which they allege against our King, by a manliness and habilitie of the cardinal, who hath already passed the dangerous year of threescore and three: and for the naming of a successor unto the King, to levy arms, and as it were to set their feet vpon his throat, to seize his places and holds, and to abuse the authority they haue from him against him, and( which is more) to receive and distribute the money of the king of spain, to call and bring in the Spanish forces into this realm: Surely I say( let my lord the cardinal pardon me in that I speak it) if he seeth not this yet, he is to bee accounted stark blind. For this is truly to profess that they be no more French, but to haue sold the realm to the King of spain, and to haue cast lots for our garments: for the obtaining whereof, seeing they find themselves too weak to compass and hold all alone, they will divide the stake with spain, they sel us unto him, and under a shadow of liberty expose us to the spoil.  
Let us judge aright of this conspiracy, whether it can come from any other but from spain. It is known that the Duke of Guise is in debt more then his habilitie can answer, and notwithstanding he hath of late distributed great sums of money through this realm, and all in Pistolets, yea, and hath sent some where they were not demanded. From whence can this great treasure come, considering what coin it is? And by whom can these troubles be moved, but from& by the counsel of spain? He was to be assisted with the forces of the Prince of Parma, from whom he should haue received Lance-knights and certain companies of horsemen, but God hath provided otherwise sithe against their hope. And who is the prince of Parma, but the head and director in these partes of all the designs of spain? The Duke of Guise hath sent his children beyond the mountaines, and the Duke of savoy hath lately married a daughter of spain. To what end, if it be not to haue them kept as hostages for the money which he hath received, and holden as pledges for the promises which he hath made? He hath demanded also, that the town of Cambrey should be restored into the same state, as it was before it received Monsieur the Kings late brother. Cambrey an imperial town, but violently usurped by the king of spain: Cambrey the onely remain of so dear& chargeable travails of a son and brother of France: Cambrey besides, a rampire of France on the side where it is least fortified against the strength& pvissance of spain: who can be ignorant hereof? who can doubt, but that under these French habits, they cover and shrowd Spanish hearts? join hereunto the secret meetings and communications had between the Duke of Guise and the Prince of Parma, the familiar conferences with the ambassadors of spain, the goings to and fro of Don Giouan Bardactim to the bishop of Comminges bastard of Lansacke, and infinite other like practices. Who can then doubt, but that the army of these conspirators is at the commandment of the king of spain? So as I doubt not, but that yer long we shall see their Squadrons dispersed, and the Enseigns folded up, when as such of their company that carry noble mindes and are true French men, being now carried away for envy and private respects, or otherwise alured and seduced by false suggestions shall bethink themselves better, and call to mind that they are true Frenchmen, and shall haue considered how monstrous and unnatural a thing it is and would bee always thought for a Frenchman to bear arms against France, especially against France for the service of spain.  
But these men will not come under the obedience of an heretic Prince, and thereupon add that the french subiects otherwise swear no allegiance unto their King, but conditionally to maintain the catholic, apostolic, and Romish Church. This is a dangerous proposition, which savoureth much of the ancient deposing of Chilpericke to place Pepin, under colour that the Church had not been well by him defended against the saracens. But the Lord will, I trust, give mercy and power unto our King, well and long to maintain and defend his place otherwise. But what then? If he hap to die, or rather let us say, if they shall procure his death as they are in hope, their meaning is never to endure that the King of Nauarre whom they hold for an heretic, should come to succeed in this Estate, as in their conscience( howsoever they disguise) they know he ought in right to do. The King of Nauarre, besides the right and interest which he hath by nature, hath also wit enough to consider, howe much in this time the life of the King is necessary and profitable for him: And therefore it behoveth him to stand vpon his defence in this point. The King of Nauarre may answer them, that he hath been born and brought up in the Religion which he professeth, that in conscience he cannot depart from it, without being otherwise instructed, and therefore that he is and always shal be ready to receive instruction from a free and lawful council, and to leave his error when it shalbe proved unto him. But if they will require, that without instruction, for hope or loss of a crown, he change and shift vpon the sudden from one profession to another: what demand they of him, but inconstancy, infidelity and hypocrisy, and not to make him capable to be a King, but rather unworthy of a kingdom? If he offer himself to them to be better taught, and if he be ready to yield to truth when he shalbe so dealt with: where find they in the ancient Canons, that this obedience, or this submission is called an heresy? every error( say the Canons) is not by and by to be holden for an heresy: for heresy is an error of importance, an error in the grounds of our faith, and in the Articles of our salvation. now the King of Nauarre may say unto them, that he is a Christian, he believeth his salvation to be one onely in Iesus Christ, that he holdeth and reverenceth his word as the infallible rule of truth, that he believeth the creeds of the Church, that he receiveth the general Councils which were held in the beginning of the said Church, that he condemneth all heresies condemned by the same Councils, that he submitteth himself even at this present to a general council duly called, and lawfully held, and so can there be no heresy in him, to speak duly and aright: For he believeth, as in the beginning of the Church men did beleeue. schism also there is none: for schism presupposeth a division, a rent and departure asunder. now let them hold a good council, and if there be cause, they shall see him ready to reconcile himself. This may be further said, that every man( as the Canons teach) which holdeth an heresy, is not by and by an heretic: the name of an heretic presupposeth an ambition and newfanglednesse, a self will and waywardness against such Religion and reason, which is taught and plainly proved and set down. And hereby every man may judge, whether the King of Nauarre be carried with ambition in this matter or no: For as saith the Lawyer, cvi bono? what profit can arise unto him thereby? Such ambition is incident unto a Doctor of divinity, and not to a Prince: such contumacy is incident to a clerk and schoolman, and not to the simplicity of one which is taught by another. If he were moved with ambition, it were more profitable for him to be ambitious of the favour of the king, of the love of all the catholics in this realm, and of the desire& good liking of the greatest Princes in christendom abroad, by a changing vpon the sudden of his religion. But he is moved with conscience, it is conscience that maketh him set a side all other considerations which might be more for his advantage, assuring himself that he hath not to do with a people which liketh or desireth a prince faithless and untrue to God and his own conscience, but only contented to accept of such a one as is peaceable, capable of reason, ready and willing to learn better, and do better when he shall be better instructed. The lawe of this kingdom and state disableth not any person for cause of religion, to inherit that which in the right or collateral line may descend and appertain unto him: and is there not the same reason for a Prince? The lawe admitteth to the administration and exercise of all other offices and places indifferently, both of the one and the other: and why not then to the dignity regal? The lawe permitteth unto every man the exercise of his religion, and excludeth no man: wherefore then shall the prince be put from the privilege which a prince granteth? Wherefore should he alone be a slave in conscience in that which he holdeth most precious, he, I say, which granteth such a liberty unto all others? When I speak of the lawe, I mean the law of this crown and State: It is the lawe, by which onely we live, and are to live in peace,& thereby may be able to reduce this estate to her first pattern, and raise up and preserve it from misery: It is the lawe approved by the States of the whole realm, holden at Orleans, which was an assembly not forced, not laboured, nor before hand combined by the plots and practices of those which now trouble us: I say more, they were Estates summoned by themselves, when as they were in the prime of al their credite, yea and at their instance,& which none ever since went about to infringe, but that we straightways fell into civil war: and when I use the name of civil war, I comprehend under that word, all sorts of calamities and confusions. This then is a just lawe, for it is most necessary, it is a lawe not revocable, in respect of the condition of this present estate: for the revocation thereof bringeth us again to ruin. It is a lawe ratified, adiudged and confirmed by the oaths of all the Princes, Gouernours, Lieutenants general, Counsellors of Estate, courts of Parliament, and other places of Iustice, of all the Corporations of the Cities, towns and Comminalties of this realm, and by them which at this time unadvisedly presume to be their protectors: and yet is it such a lawe as referreth the decision of matters of religion to a free council: and before that be had, no man in this estate can be said to be an heretic, either stubborn, or schismatic. Many Emperours, and Constantine himself towards his end, sundry Kings of spain also for many yeeres together, held erroneous opinions, and that in most important points of Religion: Thankes be given to God, that this is not the King of Nauarre his case. Is it written by any, that ever it was thought meet that these princes should be deposed? or was it ever propounded in any consultation that they should be disabled? Some Popes themselves which take vpon them to be the teachers of others, haue justly deserved the names of heretics and Archheretikes: for they haue believed amiss of Christ, yea& haue taught amiss touching his divinity, which is the ground of our salvation, and foundation of our Christian faith. All christendom was herein interested, when as the common fountain from whence every man fetched water, grew to be so corrupted and poisoned.  
Let us consider what was then done. Men had the patience solemnly to assemble a council, the parties were heard, instructed, received to amendment and repentance, and never were they pronounced heretics, but in full council: never was there any thing attempted against their dignity by presumption or prevention, or by force, but at all times such due circumstances were exactly observed, their condemnation orderly proceeded, yea,& after the denunciation thereof, time was given them to think of the matter, and respite to convert themselves and return to the better side if they listed.  
But the danger is great( say they) if the King of Nauarre come to the crown, least he should put down the catholic religion in this realm. I answer, that it is a good while or ever he can come thither:& this great& too too forward care taken out of season, is but a very violent passion, which can not bee stirred up by any Religion at all. I answer, that( thankes be to God) our King is in the flower of his age, if they intend no treachery or mischief unto him, which as yet is hide from us, and I beseech the Lord to preserve him from it. I answer that he is not past hope to haue children, and that he and the queen his wife, in respect of their age, may haue a whole dozen without any miracle. I answer, that for this their pretended lack, they haue found a weak and silly remedy, of a cardinal, as old again as the King, a cardinal which is not married, and likely enough to die before he can attain thereunto, and very unlikely to haue any issue.  
And as concerning that which they allege touching the change of Religion, which is by them so much feared, the king of Nauarre can answer them, how in the Religion which he professeth, he hath not learned to force mens consciences, howe in the greatest broils of the civil warres, when as all exercise was forbidden to those of the reformed Religion throughout france, he always permitted the use of the catholic Religion untouched in all the towns which he had under his power. And for proof thereof, he desireth no other witnesses then the clergy, priestes, and religious persons of the city of again, where he then made his most residence. Both in peace and war he hath always been indifferently served, as well in places about his person, as in all other offices and charges which were in his gift and disposition, both by the one sort and by the other, even in his Chamber, in his council, and in his guards, and never hindered the aduancement of any for matter of conscience: and such as haue at any time been acquainted with his house& Court, know this to be true. In that part which God hath left him of his kingdom of Nauarre, which is far greater then his country of Bearne, he hath permitted the catholic and roman religion vnchanged, without having altered or innouated any thing therein, otherwise then he found it at his first coming to the Estate: which his doings, men of purpose haue maliciously concealed, and onely pleased themselves with slandering and speaking evil of that which hath been done in Bearne. And concerning this his said country of Bearne, forasmuch as he found it reduced by the late queen his mother, with the assent of the general assembly of the States of that country, to the Religion which he professeth, he hath in truth left it in the same estate still wherein he found it, having been so busied in other affairs which haue happened unto him, that he had no opportunity to attempt any change. nevertheless in the mean while, it is not unknown, that even there he hath moderated the former ordinances made before his time, and clean abrogated the rigour and severity of them, and likewise caused the pensions to bee truly paid which appertained to the ecclesiastical persons, yea sometime out of his own purse, which thing the Bishop and other Church men that had living in the same country can not deny. Besides that, he hath always offered at any time to yield unto a general assembly and Parliament of his people of that country, to the intent that they may there freely open their mouths, and declare unto him what they would require at his hands, for the quieting of their souls and consciences. And if men be ready to construe and infer the worst to his prejudice of this, that he hath not restored the catholic and roman religion in Bearne: why do they make the like construction to his profit of this, that he hath not abrogated it in base Nauarre, where he hath the same power and authority? Surely hereby all persons being not addicted to their particular passions, ought to make this indifferent consequence of his actions in both these cases, that he hath preserved his Estates and Countreys as he found them, and not made any alteration in any of them, save that he hath mitigated the severity of the ordinances in Bearne, vpon hope of the better: that he is not a Prince that delighteth in innovations, or that is lightly led to alterations by any violent passion, either against the one Religion or the other, but leaveth things in such stay and terms as he findeth them, if he see not an evident commodity to come by the said change. And in deed, who can esteem the King of Nauarre to bee so void of sound iudgement, or so much an enemy of his own greatness and commodity, that when as God and nature should cast any estate vpon him, he would then enter into a course to venture the loss or hazard thereof by a violent maner of proceeding, both contrary to all reason, and such as could not work the effect that he might desire, but must necessary bring with it his own overthrow and fall. And therefore, who can believe that he which would not force in any wise his own country of base Nauarre, which he might haue done without contradiction, will go about to force a kingdom of france, which he cannot attempt to do without both losing of it, and of himself also? Such doubts may be conceived by idiots, but not by men of any understanding. They themselves that make these protestations, do not so themselves, although they go about for the serving of their own turns, to make others to beleeue the contrary. And finally, in case things were brought to that point, that this were to bee feared, then some assurance might bee taken vpon doubts which might be then conceived, the people might demand it, and the Prince ought to grant it: and in this Prince( thankes be to God) no man could ever hitherto see or mark either any reuenge or breach of faith.  
But for them to take arms vpon them at this present, for a matter so far off by course of nature and time, to prevent and put by stroke which are nothing near us, yea, and by the space of these twenty or thirty yeeres, are in all apparance not likely to come near us, and under so slender a pretence, to set this State on fire, to bring the spaniard in among us, to our utter ruin as much as in them may be, which are mischiefs more assured& dangerous, then the evil( which they pretend) if it happened could ever do unto us, is it not to give one a Potion of hemlock or some other poison, to prevent a fit of an hot Ague? bringeth it not unto the crazed person a most assured death in stead of a medicine for no dangerous a disease? Wherefore this is a most manifest fraud and abuse: for it is too gross to be taken for any oversight or ignorance: It is an empoysoning of the patient, it is a treason unto this Estate, it is a conspiracy against the King. And in case the King would name this pretended successor, which nevertheless is not likely to survive him, but onely to haue a bare title and name, and be satisfied with a vain hope: what assurance can the King haue of them, that they will not,( when as occasion shal serve their turn) be weary and rid themselves of him also?  
But I will forbear to speak any more of the king of Nauarre, I trust that he will be able,( when need shall require) to plead his own cause, and yet God grant, that wee never see any need thereof. Let us consider, if the rest of their protestations carry any more troth or apparance. They complain of certain young persons, which they term to possess the King, and to get great things at his hands, to keep back the Princes, the ancient officers of the crown, and chief personages of the nobility, without special naming of any, howbeit every man may see whom they mean, that is to say, the Dukes of Ioyeuse and Espernon. If the King love them, it is not a thing to be wondered at or made so strange: private persons in choice of friends desire to be free, howe much more then ought Princes so to be? And if wee peruse our histories, can there be found any king of this realm, that in such sort favoured not some one or other? If the King bee bountiful towards them, this is the effect of his good will towards them: For to love properly is to wish well, and to do well, and true good will extendeth itself according to the proportion of the ability and power that is joined with it. But if they say he hath given much,& that their liking and Censure ought here to take place: surely seeing they are so good reformers, their example were much worth, if they would begin with the redress of that point themselves. For, let them show howe it is come to pass, that their grandfather when he came first into France, had not in al above five thousand Crownes of yearly revenue, and howe at this day they of that house haue gotten a million amongst them: if it be not by the liberality& goodness of our Kings, of our Kings I say, which haue bestowed vpon them many high dignities, great bishoprics, rich abbeys, and sundry the most profitablest offices of this realm, of our kings I say again, whose purse they had great skill to rifle and empty so long as it was in their fingering, so as they haue thence had six or seven Millions of gold, wherewith they been made able to compass their great purchases. At the first coming of king Charles to the crown, it was concluded by the assembly of the estates holden at Orleans, that these men should be called to render an account, and to answer such excessive gifts as they had received of the kings his predecessors, and in especial from the late king Francis the second, of whose purse& person they were masters at once. But instead of thinking how to give a good account, these iolie reformers bethought themselves of a mean howe to give none account at all: beginning without the commandment of the king, and contrary to the determination of the said Estates of this realm, to murder those of the reformed religion in the town of Vassy: that is to say, to kindle a fire in one of the corners of the realm, which afterwards for a long time was blown throughout all France. Their father to keep himself from account, was then the cause of our first mischiefs, and now the son taketh vpon him a war to bring in others to account. And let us consider what they say hereunto, if they mean it in earnest and dally not or mock not the people. do not all men know that S. Luke& Do their principal adherents,& some others, are grown rich by this kings gifts? haue they not had their hands as deep in his coffers, and finally held the same place which others do now, whom they blame and challenge, and would haue brought to an account? Were it not reason, that they should be first accountants which were first parties to the receipt? let them therefore begin. Surely to speak plainly, these men are only offended, that the favours of the Court are not powred only and continually vpon themselves: and for that some of the dew is sprinkled vpon others, they are ready to burst with despite& envy. These men seek to draw unto them certain discontented persons from all partes of the realm, and who so shall consider the conditions and qualities of the same malcontents without passion, shall find that they are in troth so well at their ease,& haue received so many benefits at the kings hands, as that their very ease, idleness, and abundance onely hath marred them: and yet but for the benefits which they haue had from the king, they had had at this present no means to haue annoyed others. The true male content, and he that hath most just cause to complain, and he whose state is most to be pitied, is undoubtedly the king himself, in that he hath done so much for so unthankful a race, and bestowed vpon them the means, authority and habilitie, which now is turned& employed against himself.  
They bemoan the estate of the poor people,& why then do they not let them live in rest? Why do they overthwart and cross the king in the good mind which he hath to ease them, whereof there appeared some good effect and success? For it is well known, that he vnburthened them this year of a contribution amounting to two hundred thousand marks, and in one day revoked& canceled four score or a hundred ordinances, vpon information made unto him, that the same were burdensome to his people. He was also in hand with a general reformation of his whole realm, and if they had let him alone another year, he had proceeded further: for in such things when as the will and disposition of a Prince is bent and forward to do good, great matters are brought to pass in a very small time. But as things be now, can it be thought, but that a new war will put him to new expense, and bring new evils vpon the people? And besides, what good husbandry( trow you) mean these men to make, which already haue begun to levy great sums of money vpon the towns which they haue seized, as namely, they of late haue taxed the town of Burge besides bordeaux at ten thousand crownes, which is so great a sum, as they should not haue yielded to the king so much in ten yeeres? and yet the Maior and jurates of the said town were threatened for the refusal thereof to be sent prisoners to brovage. Let us think vpon the armies on both sides, as well of French as of strangers which must be victualled, entertained and paid. Let us consider howe the Kings treasure is entrapped and seized by them, which must be made up and supplied by some other means. Let us think vpon the provisions for victuals, munitions, custodies and guards of holds and passages, and other necessary charges which a war requireth. And seeing all war, no doubt of it, is a ravening and devouring monster: how much more is a civil war? All war is a very confusion, but how much more that war which is conducted by men of confusion, such as these are? Surely I will say it, and haue often said it,( the computation being justly made) three dayes of a civil sedition will be more chargeable unto the poor people, then one year of taxes and impositions: And three yeeres of the most just& right war which might be made,( if they meant well, as they do not) would never be worth so much to the poor people, as one dayes peace.  
But the king is to blame forsooth( as they say:) for he doth not make due account of his nobility. Well then let us see what persons follow them,& what kind of people are joined with them in their protestation. For the Princes of the blood, I see not one on their side, save onely the good Prince, whom they haue abused and enchanted, causing him to bestow his goods vpon them, taking it even from his own nephews. And yet must these men needs be Heads& principal Protectors of the nobility. Of the ancient officers of the crown, of the noble knights of the Order,& of the old Captaines of France, I also see scarce one: yea, every where I see but them of Lorraine, and with them certain other malcontents, which haue had more then they deserved, men desperate, men of their own faction, men( as Caesar said) which make their profit by civil warres and ruin of others, like unto Catilina in Rome, and those which followed him. Can any man think that they of Lorraine( which ever heretofore haue sought as much as in thē lay, to discountenaunce and diminish the dignity of our Princes of the blood,) are so desirous now, that every man should hold the degree and place which appertaineth unto them? They cannot allege that their places haue been taken from them, they haue sold them, they haue been paid for them, and that dearly: Wherefore it is a shane for them to allege, that some men haue been constrained to depart with them: This grieveth them in deed, because they were men for the most part at their devotion, and of their faction:& therefore no marvel though it offended them that they were displaced. Some other honourable personages haue in deed surrendered their offices and charges into the Kings hands, but do not complain thereof. Are any of them to be seen following their parte? nay rather against them. For why? they well understand that their said offices and places were but charges in deed, which the Kings of this realm by the ancient laws and customs before these late innovations and troubles happened, were wont to commit from time to time, and but for a time, as occasion required: Commissions rather for to serve for a time, and not places or offices of continuance or perpetuity. For our princes were wont to rappeale them at their pleasure, without any other formality, or any recompense or allowances at all, or without showing any cause wherefore they did it: and yet they had not any intention to deprive them as unworthy persons, but did it for some other special intent and service, not to disappoint them wholly, but with an intent when occasion served to consider and honour them in some other sort, so as they also took it in good part. They did not abuse their governments, to make their princes bound to them, as though they might not stand without them, or to seem to bee still bought and hired, or to make their places as an inheritance unto their name. This is a late evil brought in by the authors of these innovations, who to inveigle certain governors, and more liberal of other mens purses then their own, haue assured themselves that their governments should continue unto them and theirs as their patrimony. For in so much as they seek no other thing but the dissipation of this estate, and perceive that they cannot attain to the whole kingdom themselves, they are contented to make a good pennyworth of the rest unto others, and so without any dissimulation are content to offer it to the sale.  
And to make it more evidently appear, that they themselves haue shewed the first example unto others to bring in such abuses as are now by them misliked, touching the changing of the principal offices and governments of this realm: It is to be remembered, howe they of this house, when as they wherein great credite, took away from the late great Constable, who had so well deserved of this realm of France, the office of L. Steward or great master of the kings house, and from the house of Longeuille, the dignity of lord great chamberlain, which before was granted as a kind of inheritance unto the house, for sundry services which they had done in former warres against the English nation. And of late memory, haue they not brought to pass, that the government of the dukedom of britain is brought into their house, procuring it partly by cunning and devise, and partly by constraint, from the late good Prince the Duke of Montpensier, which had obtained a promise of it for his son the Prince of D'ofin, who also served in the place? And all this notwithstanding, they are not ashamed to complain of some particular persons, which( as they say) haue made a merchandise of their places, forgetting themselves so many great personages whom they haue spoyled of their offices and dignities.  
Concerning the clergy, whose cause they will seem to haue undertaken, I would know what better reformation they would prefer, then the king himself went about. If you consider his person, the king sheweth the way, and serveth as an example unto all his Court and country, to haue them in due reverence: he hath of his counsel the most notable and excellent men among them: unto the places and dignities of the Church by the good ordinances which he hath made conformable with the ancient Canons,( whereof never any of his predecessors was so severe an observer as himself is) he maketh choice of such men, which he knoweth in his realm to be reputed and accounted most excellent and fit, either for life or doctrine: rejecting all others, which are thought unworthy and uncapable of such places, without any partial favouring or misliking otherwise of any their qualities: he admitteth but those only, that naturally are able to exercise these places: he compelleth the Bishops to be resident in their dioceses, more straightly and exactly then the Pope himself doth, and besides, is a pattern& example unto all his people of zeal& devotion. What may be added to his goodly directions& orders, but only leisure to reap some fruit thereby, and to see it bring forth that good success and profit which was looked for? But it is not the preaching of the word of God that these men desire, they care not whether this realm bee furnished with good Pastours, that the people be truly instructed in the points of their salvation,& that the wandring and stray sheep may be reduced& brought to his fold again. They are onely desirous to haue Iesuites, which do nothing else but disperse thorough out the whole realm the venom& infection of their conspiracies under the shadow of holinesse: And under colour thereof( oh most horrible and detestable hypocrisy) abuse the devotion of such persons which put any trust in them, binding men by oath unto this league, and to follow this faction: exhorting the subiects to kill and murder their Princes, promising them plenary and absolute remission of their sins, and making men beleeue, that by acts most execrable they shall merit heaven. They be the very Colonies of spaniards, or rather the very leaven of spain, unseasonably brought into this realm, which within these few yeeres hath impaired and soured our dowe, and under a pharisaical face and countenance, made our Cities and towns in france become Spanish, whose covents are more dangerous then Citadels, whose synods& assemblies are nothing but plain conspiracies. Such are they known to be, such were the fruits of the assembly general of that sect, which they held at Paris not long sithe in September, where a certain Iesuite of Pont d' Amonsson a town in Lorraine did preside, and was a principal director of their counsels. Some others there bee of this kind of people, that cry out vpon the King in open pulpit, that stir up the people furiously, incensing& arming them against the Magistrates, preaching the praises, and recommending the virtues of this pretended offspring of charlemagne. This is their fervent zeal: this is their religion which maketh them too forwards: And will you see howe? when they be in germany, they seemed to bee Lutherans: But when they waxed discontented, with a little ado they might haue been brought to haue favoured the calvinists: They seem to be careful of the clergy, careful of the divine service, careful of residence: and yet they possess diuers Byshoprickes and abbeys, contrary to the ancient Canons, and also the late council of Trent, which they speak so much of to us, and would bring into france: They fell the woods, they dismember the demeans, suffer the Churches and other buildings to fall to the ground, they sell the relics, and gather unto themselves all the ornaments and jewels of any price or value: And in the mean while wee see little charity or alms, the poor lieth still naked, the poor priestes are ready to die for hunger. And thus are they true and rightful heires in deed, not of charlemagne, but assuredly of Charles of Lorraine, which could very devoutly sell to his own commodity the great cross, and the richest jewels of his bishopric of Mets, and caused the clergy of this realm to sell and alien a great part of their Temporalties, and to increase their tenths, and was not ashamed, for the good service which he pretended to haue done in bringing it to pass, to take a good part thereof unto himself for a reward.  
There onely remaineth, that we speak a little concerning the lawe and Iustice now used in this realm, which these upright censors would( as they say) reduce to his former use and integrity. But who ever saw, that a civil war was meet to reform disorders in Iustice? who seeth not plainly, that one onely year of war, doth more weaken and hinder the course of laws, and take more authority from Iustice, then ten yeeres of peace can recover? It looseth the bridle more unto all disorders and mischiefs, then ten yeeres can draw back. As for example, even these men when as they shall haue executed their uttermost rage, and shall happen to make a show of repentance, must haue pardons, remissions, abolitions of their offences, the laws must lie sleeping, the Iudges must wink at many things which of late began to recover their former reputation and authority. One ill still followeth vpon another, former mistrustes and jealousies conceived on both sides, by the wisdom of the King were almost removed and quenched: Those of the contrary religion did find by little and little, that in ordinary courts they might obtain Iustice, without having cause to contend about any jurisdictions. These perturbers not protectors of the courts of Parliaments, under colour of procuring unto them a more absolute authority, give new occasions of mistrustes and contentions about the said jurisdictions, and so take away the means to reunite and reconcile the mindes and affections of the Kings subiectes in this point. And what could you desire more? Heretofore complaint was often made of the sale of judicial places, which disorder was brought in first, to help to support the charges of foreign warres, and hath been since continued to maintain the civil warres. And all men know, that the king was no sooner eased of those charges, but by and by he abolished such sales, and all the means whereby even indirectly the same might bee practised and coloured. And whether this holy ordinance were by him holily observed or no, all the Parliaments& courts in France can witness, which can remember& bear witness that the King would not admit certain resignations of such places, which otherwise might seem to deserve to bee greatly favoured, least the consequence thereof might haue defrauded the good meaning of that ordinance in time to come. Besides, what care his majesty hath had to furnish the principal places of his courts of Parliaments, when they happened to be void, may be seen in those personages, which now occupy the said rooms, having been name by his own motion, and chosen by his own good discretion and iudgement, and are known to be men of integrity, capacity and learning, whose life is a rule& pattern of virtue, and their learning a light among all men. And further, what care he had, even at the instant when these troubles began, to abridge the length, tediousness and multitude of processes amongst his people, and to take away the exceeding great charge and fees of suits wherewith they were burdened, is known unto such persons, whom he called to conference about that matter, by whom he was very willing and desirous to be particularly informed of such things as concerned that matter. And even these men which now trouble us know it, they cannot plead ignorance or pretend any doubt thereof: for some of them were themselves thereunto called herein. All our mischief consisteth, that they will either utterly overthrow the Court, or else wholly govern it at their own will and lust, by placing of all men at their pleasure as they were heretofore wont to do, and if they could haue so continued, then offices in courts had been sold still, iustice had been well administered and not spoken against, these reformations& abuses which they now pretend, had never been once mentioned.  
Whereby every man may see, that these pretextes and protestations are but vain surmises: the true cause is their ambition and desire to rule and reign, with an intention to overthrow and dismember that estate, and to catch a piece for themselves, and to bring in strangers to seize the rest. It is a continuance of the plot which of long time they haue had in hand,& whereof their memorials were taken and discovered in the year 1576. The same sheweth itself every day now more plainly, as it approacheth nearer to the execution intended, and this estate to his utter ruin& danger. nevertheless, in the mean while they desire the king not to conceive any evil opinion of them, pretending that all that they do, is done for his service, and that they haue all sworn to do nothing, but for his service. So did pippin( like unto those now which allege to be of his race) employing in those daies against his sovereign king chilperic the force& authority which he had received from him, countenanced and joined with the holinesse of Pope zachary. Our king is wise, the Frenchman is by nature loyal, the practices are now discovered, and we all haue learned that true holinesse condemneth perjuries, that godliness never counseleth any to break or falsify his faith, to force his Country, or to rebel against his Prince. And in this goodly enterprise, they are not ashamed to entreat the queen the kings Mother, to assist them therein with her authority: Yea, that queen, whom they confess so many times to haue preserved this Estate, do they now invite to the ruin and utter overthrow of the whole realm, by joining with them in this conspiracy which they haue entred into against the king her son: They invite the Princes of the blood to defer and transport their honour to another nation, and another race: They invite all the peers and Nobles of France to betray this Estate, whereof they are born and created as it were overseers under the authority of the king: They invite the courts soueraignes of this realm to subscribe to their intentions, whom God hath placed in iudgement for the condemnation of such rebels and perturbers of the Estate. Finally, these persons which would seem to be Catoes, but in deed resemble rather Catiline, are not ashamed or afraid to call vpon God, and to take his name in vain, to vouch him as a witness and record of their sincerity and uprightness in this cause. But God which is jealous of his holy name, and who searcheth mens heartes to the bottom, will not hold him guiltless which applieth his name to vanity: how much less then will he spare them that abuse it in actions so execrable? Actions I say most detestable and damnable, when as under the name of godliness, of iustice, and of order, they confounded the whole estate, and fill it full with quarrels, procedings, murders, robberies, making infinite numbers of widows and orphans, and bringing multitudes to poverty& extreme beggary, onely to content and satiate their ambitious and aspiring heartes. God seeth all this, and the lord grant that the bottom and troth thereof may be discovered unto all men: God I say, whose name they mock in calling vpon the same, and whose righteous wrath, curse and vengeance they shalbe sure at length to feel. God maintaineth Kings and Princes, he is a preserver of laws, an upholder of Estates and policies, a protector of the poor people, and will one day destroy, confound and overthrow all such, which destroy his people, confounded all order, overthrow all laws, conspire against their Prince and his Estate, and specially abuse his sacred Name, the zeal of christianity, and name of the Church, with an intent under such painted vailes and shadows to make attempts against their superior, spoil him of his crown, and to expose his subiectes to pray.  
Wherefore( O ye people) whom they go about to stir up unto a rebellion, under a colour and shadow of a common weal and profit, call eftsoons to your remembrances the actions of these pretended ofsprings of charlemagne: and for the better understanding of their sayings, do but read and consider such writings as haue passed from them heretofore. Thereby you shal perceive, that their meaning is to be kings themselves, to the prejudice& disadvantage of our King. Thereby you shal perceive, what resolution they haue taken against us and our natural French Prince. You therefore which remain true French men, consider howe their souldiers are paid by the King of spain, and therefore it must needs be a war proceeding from spain, which is a known enemy to all Frenchmen. They speak of a successor, but you haue seen for what cause it is, and in what sort: their desire and meaning onely is, that never a Prince of the French blood were living. They speak of reducing of the religion in this realm to an unity, and so likewise of the provinces of this country: But to what intent is it, but to divide the Estate, and to part among themselves the Shires and provinces of this realm? for otherwise they need not to make any question or doubt touching religion. For we haue a King, who is alone more zealous to godward, then the whole brood of them: who hath sufficient means to provide by honest and convenient ways, for the surety of the true religion, and for the benefit of the posterity that shall come hereafter. This their pretended holinesse is onely a mere hypocrisy: this confederacie( which they term to bee holy) is but an evident dissimulation, and an undoubted conjuration against this Estate. They desire not in troth any reformation of disorders in this realm: For as long as they might feel and see their own commodity, they never stirred: and in a clean contrary sort over that little where God had given them any authority,& those few subiects which they had, they never shewed but manifest tokens of all violence and tyranny. And then, I pray you, bethink yourselves well, what a remedy we shall haue for all our former evils, to be cast again into a civil war. Is this a means to reform the clergy, by the insolency of the soldier? to spare and cherish the nobility, by an apparance of infinite cruelties and procedings which must ensue among them? to ease& unburden the poor people of their former grievances, by new contributions, oppressions, spoils and ransoms, which this war will bring with it? Can any good order& government be established in the Estate, by this means which above all other at all times, hath ordinarily brought a confusion and disorder of all things in all estates? And( which is worst of all) I beseech you consider whether this be a means to reform and set up the Estate of France, to lay it open on every side, both unto the corruptions& forces of spain, that is,( to speak plainly) to sell our country unto the Spaniard,& to drive France out of France, to make the same a seat& habitation for them of Lorraine& spain. do they not use the name of the King of Nauarre, onely to abuse you? he is a prince of courage, a prince by birth, wholly& naturally French,& therefore they hold him suspected,& stand in fear and awe of him, labouring by all means they can to bring him into contempt& hatred: they, I say, which are confederates, friends, and seruants unto the Spaniard, do this towards him, who is a natural Frenchman, and a natural born enemy( and that not without cause) unto the Spaniard. It is therefore at this time requisite,& this remaineth to be done at this time by us, that such& so many of us as be of the French Nation, should gather ourselves together& join to withstand this detestable conspiracy. Let us forget,& never hear again repeated the names of Papist& Hugenot, which are I trust butted and utterly abolished by the former edicts of pacification, and ought now most of all to be butted in oblivion, in respect of these civil warres, which can haue no other foundation or ground, but to be built vpon our civil dissensions & ruins: I beseech you let there be no other terms used among us, but Spaniard& French. And vpon this present occasion, now at length let us show ourselves rather reunited under the white cross, being the ancient banner of our Kings, against the red cross of burgundy in spain, that it may be remembered& reported unto our posterity, that this division amongst us,( as in former times it did among the romans) hath united us together: that the rebellion of these men hath brought us unto a true obedience, both unto our Kings and our laws. This is the counter-league which we ought to make, a league that in troth is born and bread in us, a natural league between the head& all the members of the body: For the achieving whereof, we shall not need to use any further fet cunning, fetches or devises. The blood gathereth unto the heart,& the arm defendeth the head so soon as it espieth any apparent danger, or perceiveth the blow to be coming. Let us therefore unite ourselves in good friendship and amity together: Let us submit ourselves under the obedience of our King: Let every member of the body of this Estate, endeavour to do that which appertaineth unto his office& function. And if we shall so do, me think I see these confederates and conspirators to remain as an unbound bosom, and as pieces vncunningly patched together to moulder and consume before us, yea, and to grow to confusion among themselves: I seem to see them already discomfited, distressed, divided and broken with their own forces, even by the testimony of their own souls and their consciences, and by the badness of the cause itself, or rather the vain pretext thereof, then by any forces of their King, Prince and Magistrate: and instead of an Epitaph to be engraved as a monument vpon their tomb, whereof they assure themselves, I trust this sentence shall be every where recorded of them:  
These were the first French Spaniards.   

A Declaration of the causes that haue moved the Cardinal of Bourbon, the Princes, peers, Gentlemen, towns and Comminalties catholic of this realm of france, to oppose themselves to those which by all means do seek to subvert the catholic Religion and the Estate.  
IN the name of God almighty King of Kings: Be it manifest to all men, that the realm of France having been troubled and afflicted these four and twenty yeres, with a pestilent sedition moved and stirred to subvert the ancient Religion of our forefathers, which is the strongest band of the Estate, there haue been remedies applied, the which contrary to the hope of their majesties, haue fallen out to be more apt to nourish the evil, then to quench the same, the which had nothing of peace but the bare name, and haue not established the quiet and weal of the realm, but for their behoof who troubled the same, leaving the honester sort offended in their consciences, and interested in their goods.  
And in stead of remedy, the which in time was hoped and looked for against these mischiefs, such hath been the will of God, that our kings of latter time haue deceased in their young yeeres, without leaving any children able to succeed to the crown. And hitherto it hath not pleased him( to the great grief of all good men) to grant any issue to the king now reigning: although his subiectes haue not omitted( neither hereafter at any time will cease) their most earnest prayers to obtain that favour of the goodness of God: In such sort, as remaining the last of so many children that God had given to the late King Henry, it is greatly to be feared( which God forbid) that this royal race through our evil hap, shall be quiter extinguished without any hope of issue: And that in the establishing of a successor in the royal estate, there will fall out great troubles throughout all christendom, and it may be the whole subversion of the catholic and apostolic religion in this most Christian realm, where an heretic shall never be suffered to bear rule, in so much as the subiects are not bound to aclowledge and suffer a Prince that is swerved and fallen from the catholic faith: for that the first oath which our kings do make when they are crwoned, is to maintain the catholic, apostolic,& roman Religion, vpon which oath they receive that which their subiects do make of fidelity and allegiance, and not otherwise. Notwithstanding, sithence the death of my Lord the Kings brother, the purposes of those which by open profession haue shewed themselves always persecutors of the catholic Church, haue been so bolstered and favoured, that it is very needful to think of some speedy and sound remedy, thereby to avoid the inconveniences most apparent, whereof the calamities are already known to all men, the remedy to few, and the way how to apply the same almost to no man.  
And so much the rather, that a man may easily judge by the great preparations and practices which they ●ak● to levy souldiers as well within as without the realm,& the detainyng of towns and strong holds, which long ago they should haue restored and yielded up into the kings hands, that we are very near the effect of their evil intentions, being very certain that they haue of late sent to practise the Princes Protestants of germany, that they might haue forces in a readiness to suppress at their pleasure all good men, as it is very apparent that they intend nothing else but to assure themselves, and seize of all necessary means to overthrow the catholic religion, wherein every man hath interest, and especially the noble men and great personages which haue the honour to hold the first and principal charges in this common wealth, whom they do go about to undermine and overthrow, during the kings life and under his authority, to the end that leaving no man which hereafter may be able to oppose himself to their will, it may be more easy for them to bring to pass that change and alteration of the catholic religion which they do pretend, thereby to enrich themselves with the patrimony of the Church, following the example which was begun to them in England, especially in that every man doth know sufficiently, and seeth( as it were) with open eyes the behaviour& actions of some, which being crept into the favour of the King our sovereign Lord( whose majesty hath been and always shall be sacred& redoubted unto us) they haue in a maner seized vpon his authority, to maintain the greatness which they haue usurped, favouring and advancing by all means the purposes of the aforesaid. And such hath been their audacity, to banish from about the King, not onely the Princes and the nobility, but also those that are most nearest and dearest unto him, giuing access to none but to such as depend vpon them.  
Wherein they are already so far forth, that there is no man which hath any part or doing in the administration of the government of the Estate, or that is suffered to exercise entirely his charge: Some are bereft of the title of their dignities, other of the authority and execution of their offices, though they are suffered to enjoy the vain and fruiteles name.  
In like maner, the like hath been done in the behalf of diuers Gouernours of provinces, and Captaines of strong places, and to their Officers, who haue been constrained to foregoe and yield up their charges in respect of some recompense of money, which they haue received against their own will and desire, because they durst not say nay unto them which haue power to compel thē: A new example, and never heretofore practised within this realm, for some piece of money to take away the offices and charges from those to whom the same were given for recompense of their virtue and fidelity. And by this means they are become masters, and haue possessed themselves of the forces of the realm, as well by sea as by land, and do go about daily to do the like to others that are in office, so that there is no man can be assured, and that standeth not in fear, and looketh that his office shall be taken from him: Howbeit the same having been given him for desert and service, he ought not to bee deprived thereof by the ancient laws of the realm, unless it be for some just and reasonable considerations, or that he hath committed some fault in the execution of his charge. In like maner they haue emptied the Kings coffers of his treasure, where they cause the ready money of the general receipts to be brought, and to be converted to their particular use, and hold at their devotion all the chief revenues, the which are the very ways to dispose of this crown, and to place the same on whose head they shall think good.  
moreover, through their covetousness it is come to pass, that abusing the gentleness of the Subiects, they haue enhanced by little and little to most grievous exactions, not only matching those which the calamity of war had brought in( whereof in time of peace nothing was ever remitted and abated) but other infinite oppressions grown from day to day, at the appetite of their unbridled wils.  
There was some hope, when through the often complaints and exclamations of the whole realm, the convocation of the general Estates was published at Blois, which is the ancient remedy to heal these domestical wounds, and as it were a conference between the Princes and their subiectes, to enter into a reckoning together of the due obedience of the one part, and due preservation of the other, which is the groundwork and foundation of the state of france: But of this troublesone and great assembly, there sprung nothing but the authorizing of the mischievous counsel of some, who fainyng themselves to bee good politics, shewed themselves in effect to bee evil affencted to the service of God and of the weal public, who were not contented to remove the King( of his own nature most inclined to godliness) from that holy and most wholesome determination, which at the most humble request of all the States he had made, to reunite all his subiects to one catholic, apostolic, and roman religion, to the end that they might live together in the ancient faith wherein the realm was established, and took increase to become the most flourishing of all christendom, which then might haue been executed without any danger, and in a maner without resistance. Notwithstanding, they to the contrary did persuade him, that it was necessary for his service to abate and diminish the authority of the Princes and catholic lords, which with great zeal had oftentimes put their lives in hazard under his ensign for the defence of the said catholic religion, as though the reputation which they had gotten by their virtue& fidelity, instead of honour should bring them in suspicion.  
So likewise the abuse which by little and little had taken hold and increase, afterwards is come vpon us like a flood and downfall, with so violent a fall, that the poor realm is even at the point to be overwhelmed without any hope of help: For, the Ecclesiastical order, notwithstanding the declarations and petitions which they haue exhibited, is at this day oppressed with tenths and extreme exactions, to the despising and contempt of holy orders, and of the Church of God, wherein now all things are polde and pilde: The nobility is greatly aggrieved, driven to pay exactions in despite of their privilege, if that they will bee contented to live, that is to say, if they will either eat, drink, or apparel themselves. The towns, Officers of the crown, and common people, shorne so near by the daily paying of new impositions( which they do term invention of Finances) that there remaineth nothing else, but to invent some good way how to remedy this mischief.  
For these just causes and considerations, Wee Charles cardinal of Bourbon, the next Prince of blood to whom it belongeth especially to take in hand the safeguard and protection of the catholic religion in this realm, and the conservation of the good and loyal seruants of his majesty and the Estate, being assisted with the peers, Cardinals, Princes, Prelates, officers of the crown, gouernours of provinces, Noble men, Gentlemen, captaines of Cities, and others, which make the best& soundest part of this realm, having wisely considered the cause moving us to undertake this enterprise, and taken the aduise and counsel, as well of our good friends well affencted to the weal and quiet of this realm, as of learned and wise men and such as fear God, whom wee would not offend herein for all earthly treasure: Wee declare and make it known, that wee haue all sworn, and made a holy vow to keep ourselves in arms, to the end that the holy Church of GOD may bee restored to his former dignity, and the true and catholic religion established: that the nobility may enjoy( as they ought) their freedoms wholly and entirely: and that the people may be released, the new impositions abolished, and all exactions taken away, which haue been made since the reign of Charles the ninth, whom God absolve: That the Parliaments may be restored to the fullness of their authority,& entier certainty of Iudgement, every one for his jurisdiction, and all the subiects of the realm maintained in his government, charge, and office, the which may not be taken from them but in such case as by law is established, and by ordinary iudgement: that all such money as is levied of the people, may be employed to the defence of the realm, and to such purposes as is appointed: and that from henceforth the general Estates may be assembled freely and without any practise, as oft as the state of the realm shall require the same, with free liberty to every man to exhibit their complaints, as they shall find themselves agreeued.  
These things and others shall be more particularly provided for at the assembly of the Estates, which shall be held in arms for the reformation of the whole realm, for the maintenance of the good Subiects and punishment of the evil, and for the surety of our persons, who haue been sought, and namely within these few dayes thorough secret conspiracies, should haue been made away& utterly overthrown, as though the safety of the Estate did depend of the ruin of good men, and of those which so often haue ventured their lives for the preservation of the same, having nothing left unto us more to warrant us from hurt& to avoyde the sword which already hangeth over our heads, but to haue recourse to those remedies which wee haue always abhorred. Whereto notwithstanding we would not haue trusted for the onely peril of our lives, if the subversion of the catholic Religion in this realm had not been unseparably joined withall: for the preservation& maintenance whereof, we would never fear nor refuse any danger, making full reckoning that we cannot choose a more honourable tomb, then to die for so just and holy a quarrel, both to discharge ourselves of the duty& bond which we owe( as good Christians) to the service of God, as also to avoid, as faithful and good subiectes, the overthrow of this Estate, which ordinarily doth follow such alteration: Protesting that it is not against the King our sovereign Lord we do take arms, but for the defence of his person, his life, and his estate, for the which we do swear all of us to expose and spend our goods and lives to the last drop of our blood, with the like fidelity that we haue shewed heretofore: And to lay down our weapons so sone as it shall please his majesty to cause the peril to cease which doth threaten the ruin of the service of God and so many good men, the which we most humbly beseech to procure with al speed, testifying to every man by good and true effects, that he is a most christian king, having the fear of God and the zeal of religion graven in his soul, as always we haue perceived, and that like a good father and king he seeketh the preservation of his subiectes, in doing whereof his majesty shall be so much the more obeied and honoured of us, and of all his ancient subiectes, which we desire above all things in the world.  
And although that it be not a thing far from reason, that the king should be required to take order, that during his life, the people committed to his charge should not be divided into factions and partialities of the difference of succession: Notwithstanding, so it is, that we are so little moved with any such consideration, that the slander of those which do reproach it unto us, shall not be found to be grounded vpon any foundation. For, besides that the laws of the realm are clear enough in that behalf, and sufficiently known, the hazard whereunto we the cardinal of Bourbon do offer ourselves in our old daies and last yeeres, are proof sufficient, that we are not set a work with any such hope or desire, but that we are only moved with a true zeal of religion, whereby we pretend part to another maner of kingdom more assured, the enjoying whereof is more to bee desired, and of longer continuance.  
Our intention being such, we do beseech all men, and most humbly the queen mother of the king, our most redoubted Lady( without whose wisdom and good aduise this realm should haue been piecemeale dispersed and quiter destroyed) for the faithful witness, that shee is able, will,& ought to afford to our great service, namely in particular to us the Cardinal of Bourbon, who haue always honoured, aided,& assisted her, in her most urgent affairs, without the sparing of our goods, lives, friends and kinsfolks, together with her fortifying the kings side, and upholding the catholic religion, that she will not at this instant leave us in the open field, but rather employ all the credite, which her pains& laborsome travail haue deserved of right, and of which credit with the king her son, her enemies most unjustly seek to bereave her.  
Also we beseech all the Princes of France, Officers appertaining to the king, ecclesiastical persons, Noblemen, Gentlemen,& others of what degree or calling so ever they be of, which are not as yet joined with us, to help, aid and assist us with their means& advice in the execution of so good& holy a work. And we do exhort all towns and commonalties, even as they do love their own preservation, to judge soundly of our intentions, to aclowledge the comfort which hereby shall come unto the estate, as well publicly, as to their particular,& to put to their helping hand to this good enterprise, which can not but prosper with the grace of God to whom we do refer all things: Or at the least, if their aduise& resolution cannot so soon agree together( as their counsels consist of diuers& sundry persons,) we do admonish thē to haue an eye to themselves,& not to suffer any man to possess themselves by any sinister interpretation that they may surmise of our intentions, of their said towns,& so place in them garnison of souldiers, bringing them to the same slavery as the other towns be in which they do usurp.  
We do declare to al men that we do not mean to use any act of hostility, but against those who with arms shall offer to oppose themselves unto us, and by other means shall favour our aduersaries, which seek the overthrow of the Church, and to destroy the estate: Assuring every man, that these our taking of arms being holy& just, shal offer no oppression to any, be it in passing& abiding in any place, but shal live with good government,& take nothing but that which they shal pay for,& receive into their company al such as are zealous of the honor of God,& of the holy church,& to the weal& preservation of the most christian French nation: with protestation notwithstanding, not to leave off their weapons till we see the full accomplishment and execution of the things aforesaid, and rather to die most willingly with a desire to be heaped up together in one sepulchre consecreated to the latter Frenchmen dead in arms for the cause of God and of their country.  
Last of all, for because all aid cometh from God, we do beseech all true catholics to join with us in this society, reconciling themselves with his divine majesty, by an entire reformation of their lives, thereby to appease his wrath, and to call vpon him in pureness of conscience, as well by public prayers and holy processions, as by private and particular deuotions: To the end that all our actions may be referred to the honour and glory of him which is the God of armies, and of whom we do look for all our strength& most assured help.  
given at Shalous the of March, 1585. Signed, Charles Cardinal of Bourbon.