THE HISTORY OF THE Edict of Nantes. VOL. II. BOOK III.

THERE was a great deal of reason to believe, that things would have gone farther, con∣sidering* the proceedings of the Court: The rather because the Duke of Rohan seem'd nowise daunted, at the storm that was pre∣•…ng against him. The Election of the Mayor was •…de according to his desire: la Rochebeaucour was forc'd yield; and found himself almost reduc'd to pay the •…t of the service he design'd to do the Queen. The •…ke gave the Offices of the City and of the Garrison •…ersons he could confide in, and the Deputy Governor's •…e to Hautefontaine, who was at his Devotion. Never∣•…less, the Sequel did nowise answer those high beginnings: •…y fell to Remonstrances and Negociations; and The∣•…s Senechal of Query, a wise and moderate man was 〈◊〉 to the Duke, in order to perswade him to keep with∣•…he bounds of Duty. Du Plessis also undertook that af∣•…; and the Duke having preferr'd the advice of that old •…n, equally Prudent and Honest, to the desires of a young •…bility, which would incline him to a War, yielded to 〈◊〉 Exhortations of Themines. An accommodation was •…de in which in apperance the Queen had the satisfacti∣•… she desir'd; and the Duke in reallity. The old Mayor •…s continued for some days: after which a new order •…s sent, allowing the Inhabitants to proceed to the Ele∣•…on of another. This procur'd the liberty of those per∣•…s* the Court had a little inconsiderately imprisoned: •…t the evil was not cur'd by that Remedy. The Duke de •…han refused to go out of St. John, to let la Rochebeaucour Page  130 command there in his absence: and he had a great m•… while he was seconded by the Zealous of the Province to rid himself of that man in whom he could not con∣side: So that there happened new disputes, which kept the Jealousies on foot, and which renew'd the threatning• of a War.*

Indeavours were us'd to involve du Plessis in the same; insinuating to him that the Queen, sending Force towards St. John, might improve that occasion to take Sau∣mur from him. That advice might equally proceed, either from those who were desirous of a War, and who were •• hopes to ingage all the Provinces into it, incase they •o••• oblige du Plessis to take suretys, as being full of Jealousie▪ for himself: or from those who being acquainted with the jalousies of the Marshal de Bouillon, did not question but •• would improve all occasions, to humble du Plessis▪ by ta•… from him a place of the consequence of Saumur. It was no ha•… matter to incline the Queen to do him that injury; either because he had taken the part of the Zealous in the l••• Assembly, or because the Book he had lately published 〈…〉 incens'd the Catholicks against him. The Nuncio us'd •• utmost endeavours in order thereunto and he was second• by the Marshal de Bouillon, who represented du Plessis as • Man without whose advice the Duke de Rohan did no∣thing. Nevertheless, Du Plessis, being perswaded that the Court was not in a condition to attack the whole Party by* main force, and consequently that they would not venture to take Saumur from him by open War, refus'd to follow the Council of those who advised him to fortifie the said City a•… his Garrison: and even when he saw the Forces of Boisda•… lodged almost under the very Walls of Saumur, he per•… in his design only to arm himself with Innocence. He obtained what he desired thereby. The Court discovered, th•… he had no thoughts of War, since he had slipt so fair •• occasion to declare it; and that far from taking the advan∣tage of it, as another would have done, had he been •• his room, he had not so much as express'd the least •…∣tion of being attack'd in Forms. The Queen caus'd Bois∣dauphin Page  131 to retire; and made use of du Plessis council, •ut an end to those Troubles.

•n the mean time the differences between the Duke of* •…an and de la Rochebeaucour daily grew worse and more •…siderable: The Duke being resolv'd to turn him out •…ny rate, and the Queen on the contrary thinking her 〈…〉 oblig'd to maintain him in his Post, as a man she •…ld confide in, and whom the Duke designed to turn 〈…〉 only because he had too great a dependency on the •…r•. Insomuch that she still returned to threatning from •…e to time: and that the Duke took measures to pre∣•…t the effect thereof. It prov'd no hard task so to do, •…reason that the Publick Protection la Rochebeaucour re∣•…ed from the Queen made him to be suspected: and •…eas several people were of opinion that the King's Au∣thority was nowise concern'd in that dispute, they con∣•…ed naturally that the Queen had secret reasons, to take 〈…〉 part of a Subaltern so highly against his Superior Of∣•…. For which reason the Province of Saintonge easily •…er'd themselves to be persuaded that the generality was concern'd in that Affair, and that their Surety was viola∣•… by the attempt that was made upon the best place ••in their Precinct. Therefore they made use of the Ar∣•…e that had been drawn at Saumur, which Authorised 〈…〉 Province that should be attack'd to assemble Depu∣•… out of the Councils of the five adjacent Provinces, to •…berate about such remedies as should be most proper •…e apply'd to the Evil it was threatned with. Those •…d of Assemblies were commonly call'd the Circle; •…er because that name was taken from the form of 〈…〉 Government in Germany, divided into Provinces that 〈…〉 call'd Circles: or because the Province that was attack'd •…ven'd those that surrounded it. They invited Rochel •…ch made a Province a part, the Lower Guyenne, Poitou, •…o•, Bretagne, to send two Deputies a piece at Rochel on 〈…〉 20th of September out of their Council, to consult about 〈…〉 Affairs of Saintonge, and of St. John d'Angely. The Page  132 Court was acquainted with it; and in order to hinder t•… of Rochel to receive the said Assembly into their City, 〈…〉 to suffer them to do any thing which might prove of con∣sequence, they took precautions which increas'd the E•… and which had like to carry things to the utmost extre∣mities.

But before we relate them, it will not be amiss to 〈…〉* down in this place that the Commissioners of the Natio•… Synod of Privas for the Reconciliation of the Lords, 〈…〉 were divided at Saumur, apply'd themselves about the Commission, as soon as they arriv'd at Paris. They 〈…〉 great difficulties at first: by reason that the Marshal de Bou∣illon and de Lesdiguieres refus'd to harken to it, but up•… such conditions as would not have been approv'd of by 〈…〉 rest. But finally, they agreed upon the substance and fo•… a Writing, which was sign'd by those two Lords, and • Chatillon: Whether it were that the Marshall de Bouillon had already a prospect of other Intrigues with the discon∣tented Princes, for the success of which it was nece•… the Reform'd should be united; or whither he thought 〈…〉 had done enough to be reveng'd of the refusal of 〈…〉 Presidentship at Saumur; or finally, whether it were 〈…〉 he had a mind to show that he had a respect for a Synod which represented all the Churches; He enter'd again 〈…〉 to the Union of the Churches: and tho it seem'd not 〈…〉 material for the affairs of St. John d'Angely, yet it b•… the Queens measures. She could no longer pretend to 〈…〉 those two Lords along with her against the Duke of R•… since they were reconcil'd to him, and had sign'd Treaty of Reconciliation and Concord. The Comm•…∣oners deputed two among them, viz. Rouvray one of 〈…〉 Deputies General, and Durand one of the Ministers of •…∣ris, to carry the Writing which those three Lords 〈…〉 sign'd, into the Provinces to be sign'd by the rest. du P•… was easily prevail'd upon to sign it: but when they c•… to the Duke de Rohan at St. John d'Angely, they found 〈…〉 harder task; and had not du Plessis gone to him on p•… Page  133 •… about it, he would hardly have done it. The five •…vinces were sent for; the appointed day was at hand; 〈…〉 it was to be fear'd that incase the Assembly were held; 〈…〉 would relapse into greater and worse fewds than •…re. Du Plessis caus'd it to be adjourn'd untill the 20th 〈…〉 October: and having imploy'd that time to negotiate 〈…〉 accomodation at Court, he got it to be put of for a •…th longer by the Mediation of the Deputies •…eral.

Rochel had had its share of the Troubles; and about* 〈…〉 same time that the Duke of Rohan conven'd the five •…vinces, there broke out a Sedition there, the conse∣•…nces of which were to be fear'd. The Queen had endeavour'd to interpose her Authority in the Election 〈…〉 the Mayor of that City, and to make her self Mi∣•…s of it, as she had endeavour'd to do at St. John. The •…nity of Mayor of Rochel was very considerable: he 〈…〉 Governor of it by his place; and had almost an ab∣•…te Power there, both as to the Military and Civil Go∣vernment. So that incase the Court could have gain'd 〈…〉 one point, of having the Election of the Mayor at •…r disposal, they might easily have secur'd that place •…hout besieging it. But the City having the power to •…e their Chief themselves, carefully preserv'd that •riviledge, and would nowise suffer the Brigues of the •…urt to incroach upon that important liberty. There∣•…e the Queen succeeded yet less in it than at St. John: 〈…〉 the last Mayor was Elected according to the usual •…, notwithstanding all her endeavours to the contrary. 〈…〉 tho the said City preserv'd their Rights, they re∣membred still that the Queen had endeavour'd to Invade •…m; which appear'd in the affair I am going to relate. 〈…〉 Coudray, Counsellor in the Parliament of Paris, was 〈…〉 one of the Sheriffs of Rochel; but he was suspected of* •…ing with the Court. His behaviour in the Election of the Mayor had increas'd those jealousies: and it was thought •…t he had been the bearer of the Queens orders, which Page  134 tended to Violate the usual forms. He came to R•… every year in the Vacations, under pretence of his D•… mestick Affairs: but it was thought that the Co•… gave him secret orders. He came some days 〈…〉 year sooner than he us'd to do; and tho he ne•… us'd to come before the Parliament was broken up; he ca•• to Rochel before it that time. He had brought di•… Commissions relating to Justice, even in such places 〈…〉 were not under the jurisdiction of the Parliament Insomuch that in order to Authorise him in such places 〈…〉 which the jurisdiction of that Court did not extend, 〈…〉 Queen had made him intendent of Justice, and that 〈…〉 the Title of his Commission. But lest the Gates of R•… should be shut against him, the Court had not given 〈…〉 the quality of Intendent of the Polity; by reason that 〈…〉 Rochelois, who were sole Masters of their City, would not h•… allow'd him to take that Title, far from suffering him 〈…〉 exert the authority of it. He made no use of that pre∣tended Intendence of Justice he was invested with, and declar'd that he would not take the advantage of it: wh•… perswaded them that the said Commission cover'd other 〈…〉 signs; that it only serv'd to Authorise him, as bearer of Royal Commission; and that it was left to his discre•… to use it or not, according as he should think •it. He 〈…〉 covered only a Credential Letter for Rochel, which gave 〈…〉 assuranoes of her Majesties good Intention. But it 〈…〉 thought that he was only sent to divide Rochel, if he co•… from the rest of the Churches: which design had a do•… prospect; the one to oppress the Duke de Rohan, who co•… not defend himself unless Rochel assisted him: the other 〈…〉 deprive Rochel of the advantage of the General Un•… when ever it should be attack'd in particular. Moreover it was thought that he brought Instructions to dissipated Assembly, which it was very well known at Court t•… Duke de Rohan was meditating. They knew that it 〈…〉 become General, incase the Deputys of the Circles sho•… think fit for the common good to invite the Dep•… Page  135 •… the other Provinces at it: and they were sencible that 〈…〉 Duke would use his utmost endeavours, to renew all 〈…〉 propositions of that of Saumur there. Du Coudray was 〈…〉 accus'd of writing to the Queen, in termes which seem'd 〈…〉 intimate that the Inhabitants of Rochel were not well •in'd. He seldom convers'd with any of the Inhabitants, 〈…〉 such as the rest had no good opinion of: and the first 〈…〉 visited him at his arrival, was one Le Vacher, a man •…y much suspected, and not belov'd by the people; espe∣cially since that in a certain dispute with the Citizens, 〈…〉 had the insolence to threaten them that he would 〈…〉 them to Paris with a Rope about their Necks: which 〈…〉 them a great deal of reason to believe that he relyed 〈…〉 the favour of the Court: since otherwise it would •…e been a ridiculous threathing▪ in the mouth of a pri∣•… Inhabitant of Rochel.

These reasons whether true, or likely to mistrust him, ex∣•…* so furious a Sedition against him, that the Magistrates •…t not at first appear before the Mutiniers, to oppose •…r Violence. They took up Arms; made Barricado's •…he avenues; and Du Coudray was forc'd to lye conceal'd •…fear. This began on the 5th. of September: but the first 〈…〉 being stopt of it self, the Sedition broke out again •…he 12th. with such terrible threatnings against those 〈…〉 were suspected, that Du Coudray desir'd to go out of 〈…〉 Town for his safety; whither he really thought him∣•…n danger, or whether he had a mind to take an occasion 〈…〉 thence to aggravate the Relations and Complaints, he 〈…〉 accus'd of sending to Court against Rochel. In order to •…ove him from thence the Mayor accompany'd with some •…ldiers attended him to the City Gates: Yet tho▪ the •…yor was very much respected by the Rochelois, the Peo∣•… being in a rage forgot their respect on that occasion; 〈…〉 upon him and his Men, and pursued Du Coudray with •…s and injurious Words. The Mayor was slightly wound∣•… but Du Coudray receiv'd no hurt: and when that ob∣•… of the Peoples jealousies and rage was remov'd, they ea∣sily

Page  136sily return'd to their former Duty. A large account 〈…〉 the said Sedition was sent to the Council, lest Du Coudray should represent it yet in a more odious manner. All 〈…〉 motives of the People were represented in it, as well as 〈…〉 the progress of their violence: but Du Coudray was repu•… the occasion of the evil; and the whole ended with pro•…∣ses of Fidelity and obedience.

This affair being ended, Rochel consented to receive the* Assembly, tho they were unresolv'd about it at first: 〈…〉 they only began their Session there on the 20th. of No∣vember, by reason that powerful endeavours were us'd 〈…〉 two Months time to find out the means to come to an 〈…〉 commodation. Du Plessis oblig'd the Duke de Rohan to 〈…〉 his propositions. He made them like a man that •ea•… nothing, and who thought himself capable to inspire 〈…〉 into others: and to say the truth, it cannot be deny'd 〈…〉 he impos'd Laws upon the Court, if we reflect on 〈…〉 manner in which those troubles were ended. He demand∣ed more advantagious Conditions than those the Assembly of Saumur had obtain'd: and for his own particular he 〈…〉 sir'd the removal of La Rochebeaucour and of Foucaud, wh•… he did not like; to have the disposition of the Comp•…* of the first; To Nominate a Deputy General himself; 〈…〉 his and his Brothers, and his Friends Pensions should be re∣stor'd, together with the arrears that had been stopt; 〈…〉 that all manner of proceedings should cease against such 〈…〉 had been prosecuted upon his account. Those pretenti•… were so high, that there was no likelyhood to expect t•… the Queen would condescend to them. Great difficul•… arose upon it: and while the Council was deliberati•… bout them, there arose new ones. A Messenger ha•… subpaened Hautefontaine to appear in the Parliament of Bor∣deaux, was very ill us'd at St. John d' Angely, where the •…∣signs of the Court advanc'd as little by proceedings of •…∣stice, as by threatnings of War. On the other hand, Saujon Gentleman of Saintonge, who had been sent by the Duke 〈…〉 to the upper Guyenne, to try what succors he might exp•… Page  137 •… those provinces, and to maintain Rambures in the Go∣vernment of Aiguemortes against Berticheres, whom the Re∣•…'d were jealous of, was stopt at Rouergue, and us'd like 〈…〉 Prisoner of State. So that people were exasperated on 〈…〉 sides.

Nevertheless, the Court not finding it self in a Condition* sustain by effects the height of their first threatnings, •…mis'd the Duke all that he had desir'd. The truth is 〈…〉 the Queen was not displeas`d at the removal of La Ro∣chebeaucour, by reason that the Government of Chatelleraud 〈…〉 vacant at that time, she bestow'd it upon him. She only •…'d in order to save appearances that the Duke de Rohan •…ld receive him for eight or ten days in St. John; as if the •…en having had the power to maintain him, had only re∣•…uish'd it in order to promote a peace, without being any 〈…〉 obliged to it. But whereas the Generality of the Re∣form'd began to be heated, she was also oblig'd to grant them 〈…〉 of those things which had been refus'd to the Assembly Saumur. I have said that the National Synod had renew'd 〈…〉 demands of it, and that they had charg'd the Deputies General with a Cahier in which they were contain'd. Some •…hose Articles were favourably answerd'. The Reform'd •…e allowed not to stile their Religion Pretended Reform'd. 〈…〉 Court promis'd the Ministers the same exemptions •…he Ecclesiasticks of the Roman Church injoy'd. The •…ods were restored to their former Liberty which had been •…tle incroach'd upon by the last Declarations. They pro∣•…d to redress the grievances of the Provinces; and to give 〈…〉 Reform'd satisfaction for the Towns of Aiguemortes, Essone, 〈…〉 Mas d' Agenois. They promis'd to revoke all the Expe∣•…ons, Letters, Acts, Decrees, that had been given since the •…mbly of Saumur against the Reform'd. But that which was •…st considerable, was the toleration of Provincial Coun∣•… The Queen had express'd a great repugnancy towards 〈…〉 but whether it were that she was afraid they would keep •…m up against her will, or because she had a mind to that the Reform'd a favour to blind them, she finally Page  138 consented to that Settlement, but with a Clause, which mi••• occasion some dispute, but yet could not be refus'd; wh•• was that they should use that priviledge as modestly 〈…〉 they had done in the Late King's time.

But when the Duke de Rohan receiv'd an account of t••* promises of the Queen, he was in the first transports of 〈…〉 anger, for the violence committed against Saujon. So ••• he refus'd even to answer the Reasons that were alle• to him, to oblige him to receive those good offers. 〈…〉 threatned the utmost severities incase that Gentleman 〈…〉 ceiv'd the least ill treatment; and protested that he wo•… hearken to no reason untill he had receiv'd satisfaction up•• that Article. Thus all those promises, which the Q•…* made perhaps less to keep them than to dissipate the 〈…〉 which was to repair at Rochel, prov'd ineffect••• and the Deputies met there on the appointed day. T•• Court found no other expedient, to prevent their tak• any vexatious Resolutions, that to send Rouvray thither, 〈…〉 to prevail with Du Plessis to assist at it. They could 〈…〉 prevail with the Assembly not to meddle with such Af•… as might create most occasion of vexation: and mor•o• the Assembly us'd them almost like suspected Per•… The reason of those suspitions was that they distrusted 〈…〉 Queens promises; and that they partly discovered her In•¦tions through the fair words wherewith she design'd to am•… the World. What ever Rouvray could say to justifie 〈…〉 sincerity of her promises prov'd ineffectual: the Assem•… refus'd absolutely to break up untill they beheld the e•… of it: and all that could be obtain'd from them was th•• they would break up, without leaving any marks of th• having made any deliberations; on condition that 〈…〉 Deputies should meet at the same place again on the 2• of December, to see whether the said promises were p••¦formed;* and to confer about it without holding the so•• of an Assembly. Nevertheless, in order to make them co••¦ply to this, Rouvray promis'd to add▪ some new A•••¦cles to those which the Synod had drawn: and among •… Page  139 they desir'd that whenever there should be a vacancy of Government of any place of Surety, the Churches •…ld have the liberty to Nominate three Persons to the •…g, out of which he should chuse one; That what had 〈…〉 retrench'd out of the Sum promis'd for the payment ••e Garrisons should be restor'd; That the form promis'd the Edict of Nantes, should be given to the Chamber of Edict of Paris; That the Reform'd should be allow'd Nominate the Person that should Collect the Sums that •…ld be given to them for the maintenance of their Garri∣•… and of their Ministers; and some others of that kind. 〈…〉 little Assembly seem'd to exceed the bounds of their •…er; since that according to the Intention of the Regu∣•…n of Saumur, they ought not to have exceeded the 〈…〉 of St. John d' Angely, upon the account of which they 〈…〉 been conven'd. But the relation of that affair to all •…rest, and the jealousies occasion'd by little things in ••ch a mistery was suspected, made them pass over •…e reflections. And Rouvray could obtain nothing with∣•… those Conditions.

•ouvray having made his report to the Court, the* •…en found that bare words would not satisfie Per∣•… so well resolv'd: but she thought her Authority too ••h concern'd in the continuation of that Assembly, to •ny thing at their request. Therefore a Council was 〈…〉 on purpose upon that Subject, in which it was resolv'd •…o nothing that might seem to be granted in favour •hat Assembly, which was look'd upon as unlawful; 〈…〉 forbid Provincial Councils for the future; To an∣•… the other Articles nevertheless according to the •en's promise; not as being propos'd by that Assem∣•… which was reputed unlawful, but as contain'd in a •…tion presented by the Deputies General before Rouvray's •hey; To publish a new Declaration, confirming the •cts, and granting a general Pardon for all those that •…ld remain within the bounds of the• All•giance. The 〈…〉 Resolution ended by the project of sending the Mar∣shals Page  140 of France to perform their Circuit or Progress in th••• respective Provinces according as it had been practis'd a•¦ciently,* and according to the obligation of their said Off••• accompanyed with Officers of Justice and Forces, to check a•• punish the Guilty, and to aid and assist the Good. T••• was a threatning resolution, which signified properly th•• they would oblige the Duke de Rohan to obey by fo••• of Arms; and punish him like a Rebel, if they could ca••• him. Those Circuits or Progresses which were sorm••• part of the Civil Government of the Kingdom, and whi•• were ordain'd to protect the weakest against the strong••• and to incourage the oppress'd to complain, finding the•¦selves assisted by Law and by the King's forces against 〈◊〉 might of the oppressors, had been of no longer continua••• than Liberty. They had been suspended for a long time and considering the behaviour of the Court, and the P••¦gress of Arbitrary Power, it was easie to Judge that th•• would not be re-establish'd; or that they would not 〈…〉 in order to administer Justice. The Marshal de B••¦illon was to be one of them, that it might not seem to 〈◊〉 an affair of Religion: The Marshal de Brisac was to 〈◊〉 joyned to him in that Progress: and the Forces were to 〈◊〉 divided as well as the Generals. But finally whether 〈◊〉 were to Cost a Province or two, they were resolv'd 〈◊〉 force the Duke of Rohan to obey: and his resistance 〈◊〉 imputed to the mildness of the means that had been ••¦till then in order to reduce him.

Nothing of all this was put in execution, but the D•¦claration* that was publish'd within a week after it, wh••• was the third that appear'd that year. It first enlar••• upon the endeavours the King had us'd to maintain P•••• among his Subjects, according to the Maxim of the 〈◊〉 King, who having granted the Edict of Nantes in ord••* to remove all the fears and jealousies of the Reform'd 〈◊〉 relation to the Liberty of their Persons, of their Consci••¦ces, of their Honours, and of their Families, had happ••• govern'd his People in peace by the observation of that •… Page  141 of the secret Articles, Breefs, and Settlements made consequence thereof. The King added that his endea∣••s had not hinder'd his Subjects in general, and even 〈…〉 Reform'd, from entertaining jealousies of each other; ••ch had induc'd them to augment their Forces, to make ••ision of Arms, to hold Councils and Assemblies: which •ather imputed to an ill grounded fear, than to ill •…, having ever found the generality of the Reform'd 〈…〉 affected to his Service. He said that the best way to ••edy that evil, and to avoid the consequences thereof, 〈…〉 to observe the Edicts inviolably: in order whereunto •order'd the Edict of Nantes, that of the 22d. of May •o. The private Articles, the Decrees, the Regulations 〈…〉 other Letters expedited in consequence thereof, for the •…rpretation of the execution of the Edict, to be read and •…lish'd anew in the Parliaments. After which he abo∣•…d all Decrees, Acts. or Proceedings, and Expeditions •…de against the Reform'd under any pretence whatever; 〈…〉 impos'd a perpetual silence to his Attornies General, •…r Substitutes and all others upon that Subject; by rea∣•… that he was of opinion that the infractions committed 〈…〉 the Reform'd, only proceeded from slight jealousies, and 〈…〉 from ill will: and that he was in hopes that for the fu∣•…e they would keep within the bounds of the Edict. Fi∣•…y, he forbad all manner of Communication of Assem∣•…s, the establishing and holding of Provincial Councils, •…ing of men, and all actions directly or indirectly contra∣•… to the Edicts, on pain of being punished as disturbers of 〈…〉 publick peace.

This Declaration was publish'd on the 15th. of De∣•…ber.* The Spirit and Stile of the others appear'd visibly 〈…〉 it, which only tended to represent the Reform'd as peo∣•… that were ever ready to take up Arms. Nothing could 〈…〉 of more use to the Court, than always to give them the •…me even of the injustices that were committed a∣nst them. The project of their Ruin was built upon •…t Foundation; and the minds of the People had been Page  142 prepar'd so well upon that Subject, by that Policy, 〈…〉 even some of the Reform'd blam'd the suspicions and 〈…〉 cast of their Brethren. It is from thence that the excl•…∣ors have drawn all the Common Places of their Invecti•… Nothing can be more specious in appearence, to convi•… the Reform'd of having ever had a Turbulent Facti•… inclination, than to produce Pardons upon Pardons gran•… to them: and to see the prohibition of persevering in the enterprises daily renew'd against them; However the ju•…∣fication of their Conduct will appear, by the Remonstr•…∣ces of the Parliaments, and by the Manisestos of the •…, who reproach'd the Queen directly with the inobse•…∣tion of the Edicts. But before • proceed to that, we 〈…〉 observe that the Reform'd were sensible of the Policy those Deelarations; and that they were loth to rec•… them, by reason that they knew that they concem'd them∣selves by submitting to them. Therefore the Deputies the Circle being come to Rochel on the 25th. of 〈…〉* Month, according as it had been resolv'd at their separati•… made great difficulties upon the State in which affairs 〈…〉 to them. They were neither pleas'd with the Dec•…∣on; nor yet with the Answers made to the Deputies Gen•… because they did not find those answers in Writing altoge•… conformable to those they had receiv'd a month before 〈…〉 Rouvray in the Queen's Name. The prohibition of •…∣vincial Councils troubled them more than all the rest: 〈…〉 the more the Court seem'd adverse to allow them, the 〈…〉 they esteem'd them necessary for their safety. In•…* that the Deputies General were oblig'd to use their 〈…〉 endeavours to appease them, and Du Plessis to do the like; which proving ineffectual, the City of Rochel was obligd seperate from the rest of the Deputies, and to declare 〈…〉 they thought there was no further necessity for the co•…∣nuation of the Assembly. But the Duke of Rohan 〈…〉 come thither, in order to make them alter their re•…∣tions by his presence, they were like to come to blo•… and to oblige the Body of the City to retract. The •… Page  143 prevented it, by securing the Cantons that could make 〈…〉 the strongest. Thus to avoid making War with the •…, the Reform'd were upon the point of waging it •…st one another, and to spare their ancient Enemies trouble to ruin them. It is observable that the May∣•…nd President of Rochel were lately come from the Court, •…re they had been to give an account of the preceeding •…tion: and that the good Treatment they had re∣•…d there, had dispos'd them to follow mild Councils. for Du Plessis, the Court rewarded him some years 〈…〉 it for his good intentions; by taking Saumur from by an unworthy Treachery: and they begun with him, •…rder to distinguish him from the rest.

The Assembly being therefore no longer able to subsist* 〈…〉 Rochel, and that City declaring positively that they were •…ied with the Queens proceedings, the Duke of Rohan 〈…〉 dreaded that example might be followed by o∣•…s; and that he might be forsaken as soon as ever his 〈…〉 was attack'd; that those reproaches might be renew'd •…st him which had been made at Saumar; that he only •…d at trouble and disorder, to make himself head of the •…y, that Duke, I say, submitted like the rest, and sent a •…tleman to the Queen, to express his regret to her for •…ng offended her. The Queen receiv'd his Submissions; what she had promis'd was perform'd. La Rochebeau∣•… enter'd into St. Johnd' Angely, for form sake; and the •…en remov'd him from thence within a sew days to give 〈…〉 the Government of Chatelleraud. However the Queen •…isted in the resolution not to tollerate Provincial Coun∣•… but after having been solicited by the Deputies Ge∣•…l, and by divers Envoys from the particular Provinces; Plessis having also solicited very earnestly for it, and •…onstrated what inconveniencies might arise from it, in∣•… the Provinces, to whom those Council seem'd to be •…lutely necessary, should refuse to dissolve them, the •…en promis'd Verbally to tollerate them, provided the •…rches made a modest use of the said Institution: which Page  144 the Deputies General acquainted the Churches with her Name. Thus one and the same thing was forbidd•… by a publick Law and allow'd of by a secret •…∣mise:* insomuch that it was easie for the Queen to 〈…〉 the advantage of the Law when ever she pleas'd, and forget her Promise..

However those troubles did not end until the beginni•…* of the year 1613. But before we leave this, it will 〈…〉 proper to observe that the Seeds of the Civil Wars wh•… were soon, after kindled in the Kingdom were sown in 〈…〉 The Queen declar'd publickly that the Marriage of 〈…〉 King with the Infanta of Spain, and of the Infant of S•… with the King's eldest Sister were agreed upon. She 〈…〉 the 25th of March to make the said Declaration, a day •…∣dicated to the Solemnity which the Catholicks call the •…∣nun•iation. Three days of rejoycing were made upon 〈…〉 account, in which a prodigious dissipation was made of 〈…〉 remainder of Sully's Husbandry. The Duke of May•… was sent into Spain, to Sign the Articles between the K•… and the Infanta; and at his return he brought back 〈…〉 him the Duke de Pastrana, to Sign those of the 〈…〉 and of the King's eldest Sister. That affair offended 〈…〉 Prince of Conde, and the Count de Soissons to a high •…, because it had not been communicated to them. T•… retir'd from Court upon that pretence: but their anger 〈…〉 not last long; and their consent, their signature, and th•… return were bought with some gratifications. The 〈…〉* prudent among the French, likewise were displeas'd, to 〈…〉 those Marriages concluded so soon after Henry the 〈…〉 Death, who had express'd so much repugnancy towa•… them; and that those sums should be expended in Tu•…ments and Balls which had been laid up for greater desig•…. That they should serve to pay the vain Pomps which 〈…〉 press'd the joy of an alliance with their greatest Enemi•… That what he had design'd, to make War against them, break the Fetters they design'd to Impose upon Eu•… should serve to show publickly that they renounc'd th•… Page  145 rious projects; and that France should shamefully adhere 〈…〉 the progress of a House which aim'd at the Universal •…narchy.

But no body was more concern'd at it than the Reform'd, •…reason, that besides the general reasons in which they •…eed with the rest to disapprove the said Marriages, they 〈…〉 particular ones which only related to themselves. They 〈…〉 as well as every body else that Spain had a great as∣•…dant in the Council of France; and that not having been 〈…〉 to oppress Europe by the ruin of that Kingdom, they •…eavour'd to succeed in it, by joyning the interests of State to theirs, under pretence of Allyance and Friend∣•…. They saw that Spain did precipitate an affair which 〈…〉 not ripe yet, in marrying of Children before the Age which Nature renders them capable of it: which alone 〈…〉 sufficient to give violent suspicions of some hidden de∣•…. They could not foresee whether Marriages of this •…ure, being only promises which may always be re∣•…ted, might not prove a trick of Spain, which had for∣•…ly play'd the like; and who would break that Pro∣•… as soon as they should want the Allyance of another •…ce. The Negociators, which were the Pope and the •…t Duke, were suspected by them, as persons that de∣•…'d their ruin. The Duke de Mayenne chosen among •…ny others for the Embassy of Spain, he whose Name 〈…〉 seem'd to revive the League, created a thousand suspi∣•… in them. Finally, they knew that at the first propo∣•…n that had been made of those Marriages, an Article 〈…〉 been inserted in it relating to them: and that the Ca∣•…icks exspected to sanctifie those Marriages by the de∣•…ction of Heresie. Those thoughts had run in the minds •…ose who had inspir'd the desire of War into the Duke 〈…〉 Rohan: but whereas the cause of the difidence remain'd 〈…〉 after the accomodation of that affair, and the separa∣•… of the Assembly of Rochel, peoples minds were still •…y to take fire, when the Princes express'd new dis∣•…ents.

Page  146The noise that was made at Rochel to hinder the con∣tinuation* of the Assembly, was soon appeas'd: But there* happened an affair at Nimes which did not end so easily. Ferrier who had been depriv'd of the profession of Theology, and of the Ministry he had exerted at Nimes, by the Na∣tional Synod, not being satisfied with the Church of Mon∣telimar where he was sent; resolv'd to try whether the Court would assist him in order to be restor'd or give him some recompence for what he had lost by his complai∣sance for them. He obtain'd a Counsellors place in the Presidial of Nimes: and after having receiv'd his Patents for it, he resolv'd to officiate it himself. The Ministers of Paris and others us'd their utmost endeavours to put that fancy out of his head, as soon as they knew it. Moreover they obtain'd a promise from him that he would obey the Synod: but he broke it; and to add treachery to desertion, he abandon'd his Religion, and yet profess'd it still outward•y. And it is thought that he liv'd in that shameful dissimulati∣on long before he quited his Ministry. His Church up∣braided him for it, and he partly confest it, as will appear by the Sequel.

As soon as he came to Nimes, in order to be received in* his new Office, the Consistory having notice of it, endea∣vour'd to oppose it; and being assisted by the Consuls and Consular Council, they desir'd the Presidial to defer the re∣ception of Ferrier, because there were reasons to hinder it, which they would give his Majesty an account of, by most humble remonstrances. Ferrier had foreseen those difficul∣ties; not doubting but the City and Church would look upon his enterprise as a Bravado. And indeed he had on∣ly chosen that imployment to brave his Enemies: and whereas they knew him to be a giddy headed haughty revengeful Man, they were sencible that he would prove insupportable to those who had contributed towards his disgrace, being in possession of a place of Justice. But as the same reasons which made others fear him, made him the more desirous of it, he had taken precautions against those Page  147 oppositions before his departure from Paris. He had brought such positive and such pressing Letters from the Court, that the Presidial either thought, or feigned, that they could not defer his reception. So that he was receiv'd notwithstanding the oppositions of the Consistory: but whereas he had rejected the remonstrances of that Com∣pany upon his enterprise, they excommunicated him after several proceedings, being assisted by the advice of some Ministers, and of some Elders of the neighbouring Churches, as Deputies from the Synod of the Province to strengthen them. The Excommunication was pronounc'd on the 14th.* of July. Notwithstanding which Ferrier in order to brave the Consistory with more haughtiness, caus'd himself to be conducted to the Palace by the Provost and his Men. He was attack'd at his coming back, first by the Children, who threw gourds and rail'd at him; by degrees some of the Common People joyn'd with them without Arms. Ferrier finding himself prest, retir'd in a Magistrates house: but a Catholick Counsellor who was with him, pass'd through the Croud without receiving the least affront, or injury, by word or deed. Soon after which some body crying out of the House in which Ferrier had retir'd himself, that some of them would be hang'd, that threatning exaspe∣rated the People instead of frightning them. However they had so much consideration in their fury as not to confound others with Ferrier; and to show that they on∣ly aim'd at him, those mutineers quited the house in which he was, and attack'd and forc'd his, after his Ser∣vants had defended it a long time with Stones. The Ministers who came thither in order to appease the tumult, receiv'd some Stones from the House, which incens'd the Rabble to the utmost extremity: So that without respect∣ing either the Consuls, Judges, or Ministers they broke down the doors, plunder'd and burnt all the goods, and omitted nothing that an enrag'd multitude is capable of doing. However it was observ'd that a Franciscan, and some Priests passing through the crowd, in the height of Page  148 the Sedition receiv'd no manner of outrage. Finally, the first Consul appeas'd the people, and in order to cool that first heat, a Minister made a Prayer upon the place, to b•g of Almighty God to calm their hearts. The Prayer was hearkned unto with as much Tranquility, as if the au∣ditors thoughts had all been calm.

In the mean time the Consuls plac'd Guards at the Gates▪* and in divers parts of the City, and took precautions, as if they had been fearful of a surprise. Their design was to cause the Gates to be opened in the night, under pretence of discovering what was done without, in order to let Ferrier get out of the City with the Souldiers undiscovered. The better to cover their design, they gave out that they had re∣ceiv'd certain intelligence that there was a design on foot against the City, and that their Enemies design'd to take the ad∣vantage of that popular rising to put it in execution. However they durst not venture to put him out the first day, lest the people being hot still should perceive it: and the next day they could not, by reason that the word happen'd to be given double at the Gate where they design'd to pass, without knowing how it came about. But on the 17th. they got him out, and they found some of the Constables Gens•… armes who expected him, in order to Guard him. A Corps de Guard was placed in his House for the security of his Wise who was ready to Lye In: but she also left the City within 8 or 10 days time by her Husbands order, who had a mind to have an occasion to insist in his Complaints, on the circumstance of his Wives condition, to aggravate the Vio¦lence of the People. he took his time so well in order there∣unto that she was delivered between Nimes and Baucaire which are but three Leagues distant from each other; falling in La∣bour by the way. During these Transactions the People had destroyed a Country House which did belong to Ferrier; had fell`d the Trees, rooted the Vines, and committed other dis∣orders: and the Judges having Imprisoned some of the Sedi∣tious to frighten the rest, they were rescued with violence: but yet at the same time the Mutineers were careful not to let other Prisoners escape.

Page  149Ferrier being safe, the said War dwindled to writings 〈…〉 both sides; both Parties being desirous to avoid the* •••proach of it. The Reform'd accus'd Ferrier of a sordid •…, which made him detain the Sallary of the Work∣men that work'd for him: and they pretended that the ••ildren of those illpaid Workmen had begun the Sediti∣••. They upbraided him with having taken Pensions from ••nry the 4th, and from Lewis the 13th to betray his Bre∣••en, and to reveal their Secrets: that he had been wa∣••ing in his Religion; sometimes promising the Catholicks 〈…〉 change; and then again promising the Reform'd to per∣••ere: That he had told some persons that he had preach'd 〈…〉 Doctrine of Jesus Christ for 16 years, without believ∣••g in him: That he had spoken of the Incarnation of the 〈…〉 of God, in such horrid Terms, that Paper could not •…ar them: That ever since the death of Henry the 4th his ••nner of preaching had been Seditious; that the Catho∣•••ks and Reform'd had made equal complaints against him 〈…〉 the Duke de Ventadour, who had been oblig'd to re∣••mand him: That he had endeavour'd to draw his Col∣•gues into a Sedition: That he had propos'd means to •…n the Churches: That he had suppos'd Calumnious Let∣••rs under other peoples names: Ill administr'd such things 〈…〉 he had been intrusted with: Converted the Money of •…e Accademy and of the Church to his own use, which •…d been prov'd against him in the Synod of Privas; and 〈…〉 general that his Life and Conversation was neither suita∣•…e to the Catholick or Reform'd Doctrine.

He deny'd part of those accusations: but he excus'd the* •…st, as if he had had reasons to do it. He called the be∣••ying of their Secrets, which the Reform'd upbraided him •…th as a piece of Treachery, Fidelity to the King: What ••ey call'd Pensions to betray them, a recompence for his •…od Services: Those Sermons as they stil'd Seditious, free •…d sincere Discourses, in which he spoke his mind conscien∣•…usly about the then State Affairs. He acknowledg'd that 〈…〉 had Preach'd Doctrines contrary to those of the Reform'd; Page  150 but he said that they were new lights which he had disco∣ver'd in Catholick Books, which had opened his eyes abo•• many errors of his own Religion. This was found in th• Appologies which either himself or the Jesuits did Pri•…▪ However, this Sedition had no other consequence than 〈…〉 Transferring of the Presidial of Nimes to Beaucarie. It w•• ordain'd so by a Decree from the Council, which ga•… this reason for it, that they could no longer sit at Ni•… there to administer Justice without danger. But the 〈…〉 having satisfied the Court by a speedy obedience; a•… other considerable Cities, which look'd upon the cons•∣quence of that Affair to be general, having joyn'd their in∣treaties to theirs in order to obtain the revocation of the Decree, they obtain'd it easily. Ferrier being cruely mortifi•• by the ill success of his Enterprises, and irreconcileable wi•• the Reform'd that abhor'd him, comforted himself with the love of the Catholicks, who look'd upon him still to be• some use. He liv'd a long while after that miserable Ca∣tastrophe; and the Court where he was favour'd by t••* Jesuits, honoured him at last with a place of Counsellor• State. There is a Pamphlet of his in which he makes t•• Elogy of Cardinal de Richelieu, whose Ministry afforded 〈…〉 Theme to a thousand Satyrs. He never was so firm• Catholick, but that he still gave the Reform'd hopes of joyn∣ing with them again. But whereas there was no fortune to • expected in their Service, especially after the decay 〈…〉 their Affairs, he persisted to the end in the Roman Religi•… which answered his Ambition and Vanity.

The Duke de Rohan who had only made an agreeme•…* with the Court by Force had preserv'd some resentme•… against those who had put that Violence upon him: and the Commissioners of the Synod had not been able to pre•… with him to enter into the Reconciliation which the other great ones had sign'd. The end of those Broils giving peo∣ple time to breath, the Negociations of that Accomodatio•… were resum'd: but with some difficulty at first, by reason that there was some coldness between the Duke and •… Page  151 Plessis, who was very useful to prevail upon people. The •…d coldness proceeded from that du Plessis had broken all •…e Dukes measures at Rochel by his Credit and Prudence. •owever as they had a great respect for each other, they •ere easily reconcil'd. They met in a House belonging to •…e Dukes Mother, where after some discourse they remain'd •…ry well satis'fid with each other. Moreover the Duke •…omis'd to live civily with the Marshal de Bouillon when 〈…〉 should go for Paris; and whereas the reasons which made •…m take that resolution were grounded upon the Publick •…od, and the Service of the Churches, the Marshal reli∣•…ed them as well as he, and promis'd the same thing. But •…t jealousie did not allow them to enterain any real friend∣•…p or confidence in each other.

The Sheriffs of Saumur made an attempt that year, which* •…ow'd that du Plessis moderation expos'd him more than •…y other to the attempts of his Enemies. They suffer'd •…emselves to be persuaded to call a Jesuit into their City, 〈…〉 Preach there during the Octave, which the Catholicks call •…pus Christi. The thing was of consequence had it succeeded, •…d the example would have been great had du Plessis suffer'd it 〈…〉 incline the Governours of the other places of surety to 〈…〉 the same. Therefore: the Jesuits of la Fleche had thought fit 〈…〉 begin with Saumur, and had made an agreement with the •…fficers, and the body of the City to send them a Preacher. •…e Sheriffs and the others had much ado to desist from •…at Pretention, although du Plessis gave them to under∣•…nd that having besides the usual Priests, three sorts of •…onks in the City, they had no occasion for a Jesuit; and •…at he showed them that those of that Robe were exclu∣•…d out of the Cities of Surety, by the Answers to the* 〈…〉 Cahiers. They expected to obtain his consent by Civility •…d Intreaties: but finally, he being positive not to grant it 〈…〉 them, and they not to disist from their enterprise, he •…as oblig'd to obtain an order from above. The Queen •…anted it according to her promises, and to the desire of 〈…〉 Plessis; and she caus'd the Jesuit to be countermanded •…erself.

Page  152The Chamber of the Edict of Paris revers'd a sentence* of the Judge of Orleans that year, who had adjudged a Le∣gacy* given by a Lady of Quality for the maintenance of the Ministers and Poor of that City, to the Hospitals of the said City and of Remorantin. The like proceedings hap∣pened often: The Inferior Judges commonly express'd a great deal of Passion in the affairs of the Edict; and made no difficulty to violate the clearest dispositions of it by their judgments. But the Chambers were more equi∣table: and whereas none but chosen Judges were imploy'd there still, whose Righteousness and Moderation were know, they often reform'd what the Inferior Judges had judg'd amiss. But that very year the King granted a• Edict to the Bishop of Mompellier, which the Reform'd* thought they had reason to complain of. He gave o• confirm'd to the Bishop the right of making Regulations, for the Government, or Reformation of the University; To take an Oath from all such as were admitted into their Body, or that injoyed any of their Offices; and generally to authorise their Acts. This under pretence of doing a• act of Justice, was a Cruel incroachment upon the Reform'd of that City, who were much more powerful than the Catholicks, and who pretended that the said Right belong∣ed lawfully to the Body of the City, over whom the Bi∣shops would usurp it. The subjecting of them to the Au∣thority of the Bishop, was the more grevious to them by reason that he was an undertaking malicious person, who spent, all his time in contriving to trouble others for his own advantage. His name was Fenouillet: and he was indebted for his advancement to the Duke of Sully. The said Lord had obtain'd the Bishopwrick of Poitiers for him from Henry the 4th, and that of Mompellier becoming va∣cant about the same time, he got him translated to it. But tho Fenouillet was indebted to a Reform'd Lord for his Dignity, it did not hinder him from doing a thousand mis∣chiefs to the others; nor to declare himself upon occasion one of their most inveterate Persecutors. He did not want Page  153 Eloquence: and when Lewis the 13th Besieg'd Mompellier 〈…〉 1622, he harrangud that Prince in so violent a manner, •…at the Inhabitants of the said City would have had reason 〈…〉 expect the utmost Extremities, if they had not been •…le to defend themselves. This Edict was made about •…o years before it was verified, by reason that the opposi∣tions of the City made the Court judge that affair to be 〈…〉 consequence; and that the State was so imbroil'd, that it •…ould have been a rashness to have exasperated the Reform'd. •hey might have given a potent re-enforcement by their •nion, to those that were disatisfied with the Regency.

The Princes were very much disatisfied with it; and •…th much reason. The extraordinary favour of the* •…arquiss d' Ancre, an Italian of little merit, esteem'd of •…scure Birth, and who could not so much as speak French, •…ent so far that every body murmur'd at it; the Prin∣•…s having no share in the Affairs, and that Stranger alone •…verning according to his pleasure. The Prince of Conde, •…e Count de Soissons, the Dukes de Longueville, and de Vendome, 〈…〉 Mayenne and de Nevers, and some others united them∣selues against the Favourite: Some were induc'd to it upon •…e account of Pride or Interest, others upon the account 〈…〉 Amours, or Intrigues. The Marshal de Bouillon was •…e hotest of all of them; and he was the Mediator of the •…e Union. He had entertain'd hopes to advance him∣•…f in the affairs of the State, and to gain the favour of that •…incess by his Complaisance. But after that Princess had ob∣•…'d the Service she expected from him, he was neglected •…e the rest: Whither it were that she observ'd that he had •…t so much power over the Reform'd as he pretended, or •…at she was displeas'd that after having engag'd herself, rely∣•…g upon his Credit, to refuse several things to the Assembly 〈…〉 Saumur, she had been oblig'd to grant the same things at •…ers times, one after another; whereby she had lost the •…it of her Favours, by reason that they were granted by •…ce and out of season. So that the Marshal only succeed 〈…〉 in losing part of the confidence the Reform'd did repose Page  154 in him, and drew powerful Enemies upon him. •…∣der to remedy that loss, he dispos'd the Princes to 〈…〉 their resentments: and whereas he was us'd to put 〈…〉 Name of the Reform'd at the Head of all his Propositio•… he did not fail to offer them all their Forces. The 〈…〉 of Rohan was a great obstacle for him. Their Reconciliati•… had not stifled their mutual difidencies. He could do 〈…〉 thing without him, by reason that he had a great Pow•… in Saintonge, in lower Guyenne, and in Poitou, three con∣siderable Provinces. The Marshal de Bouillon was af•… that incase he should enter into the Union he would gro•… too Powerful: but yet the Prince of Conde invited him 〈…〉 it. He found him very willing to joyn with him, by rea∣son of the last discontents he had receiv'd from the Q•… Moreover, the Princes putting the Inexecution of the Edi•… among the reasons of their retreat, and obliging themsel•… to obtain a reparation of the same, it was a strong m•… to engage him into their party, by reason that it see•… to be very advantageous to the Churches.

Therefore he seem'd to harken to it, and sent Haute•…∣taine* his Confident at the Conference where the Pri•… treated of a Peace. This being joyn'd to the Artific•… the Duke de Bouillon made the Queen so jealous of 〈…〉 that she resolv'd to take his Place of Colonel of the •…∣zers from him, which she presented to Bassompierre, 〈…〉 finest Gentleman of the Court, and who was most in 〈…〉 favour at that time. The Duke freely resign'd his pl•… and took a recompence for it, which he thought b•… than to expose himself to lose it, without the least advan∣tage, by refusing it: besides his Sallary was not very 〈…〉 paid. The Marshal de Bouillon had had the cunning to con∣ceal the share he had in the discontents of the Princes fr•… his Confidents; and in order to make all the suspicious of 〈…〉 Court full upon Duke de Rohan, he had only mention'd it 〈…〉* his Friends. So that the Marshal de Bouillon seem'd to have 〈…〉 share in those Intrigues, altho he was the head of them: 〈…〉 he behaved himself so prudently that he became the Medi•… Page  155 them. The Queen being deceiv'd by that Policy, or •…ming so to be, imploy'd him to quench those rising Flames: 〈…〉 he had the Art to deserve the thanks of both sides in 〈…〉 Affair which he had promoted himself. The Duke of Rohan was of no other use to him than to make the Queen •ad the Princes the more, in order to oblige her to grant 〈…〉 better Conditions; and to make the Princes accept accomodation the sooner, lest they should be too much •…g'd to that Rival of his Glory, incase he should pro∣•…d to a Declaration of War.

The Princes withdrew to Mezieres, a place blonging* 〈…〉 the Duke de Nevers, near Sedan, which was very •…veniently seated, either to receive foreign Suc∣•…rs, incase they could obtain any, or to fly out of 〈…〉 Kingdom incase they were reduced to that necessity. 〈…〉 Duke de Vendome was not able to follow the rest, 〈…〉 reason that he was stopt at Paris as soon as their •…eat had been known: but having soon after made 〈…〉 Escape he repair'd into Bretagne of which he had the Government, in order to make the people take Arms there. •…y publish'd a kind of Manifesto in all their Names, in 〈…〉 form of a Letter from the Prince of Conde to the Queen▪ 〈…〉 complain'd in it of all the Disorders that were observ'd •…ll the parts of the State; and above all things of the execution of the Edicts of Peace granted to the Reform'd, 〈…〉 had conceiv'd just jealousies about it, The whole was •…uc'd to desire an Assembly of the Estates General, as 〈…〉 only means to restore France to a perfect Tranquilty. 〈…〉 writ to the Parliament of Paris to the same purpose. 〈…〉 answer was sent him in the Queens name, in which the •…rt endeavour'd to throw the blame of the disorders of •…ch the Regency was accus'd upon the Princes themselves. •…y justified the Queen particularly upon the subject of 〈…〉 Edicts, saying that she had us'd her utmost endeavours 〈…〉 the observation of them: but that whenever she re∣•…'d to use any severity against the Reform'd, which as •…y pretended abus'd their Privileges, those who endeavour'd Page  156 to incline them to a Rebellion represented all her actions 〈…〉 them as Cruelties and Injustices; and that whenever she ha• been indulgent to their demands, the same Persons h•… blown into the Ears of the Catholicks, that she favour'd their progress by the impunity of their enterprises.

The Wiser sort were of opinion that the retreat of the* Princes had been too much precipiated; and that having made a false stept at first, they would obtain no great ad∣vantage of their ill-contriv'd Union. They had neither Money, Souldiers nor strong holds and all their hopes b•…* built on Immaginary Succors, or uncertain Events, we 〈…〉 say that they were very Ill grounded. Not but that 〈…〉 Duke of Rohan did whatever he could on his side 〈…〉 make a show of his Power, and to render himself con∣siderable to the United Princes. He prevail'd with the Provincial Council of the Lower Guyenne to Conve•… an Assembley at Tonneins of three Deputys of every o•… of the other Councils, and the Letters of it were dis∣patch'd towards the end of March. The day on whi•… they appointed the Assembly to meet, was the same t•… had been taken to hold a National Synod in the same Pla•… Insomuch that had those two Assemblys concurr'd in 〈…〉 same Resolutions, it might be said that the Reform'd 〈…〉 never taken such general ones. We will observe 〈…〉 where why it did not succeed. I will only say that 〈…〉 Princes only making use of the Duke de Rohan's go•… Will, to render themselves the more formidable to 〈…〉 Queen, they concluded a Peace in the presence of •…∣tefontane* his Envoy, to whom they daily gave a thousa•… Assurances that they had no thoughts of it. The Sum•… of Money that were offer'd them, made their Swo•… drop out of their Hands. They obtain'd the usual 〈…〉 of Grace: and the greatest thing they got was a prom•… to Assemble the Estates. Amboise was delivered up 〈…〉 the Prince of Conde as a Place of Surety. The other profited by it according to their Quality. The o•… Duke of Rohan paid the Scot, and got nothing but t•… Page  157 Queens Indignation by it. The Duke de Vendome held •ut longer than the rest; and the Queen was foro'd to •o into Bretagne to reduce him to Reason.

This Treaty being concluded at Ste. Menehould on the* •5th, of May, was forth with put in Execution: but the Peace which was but just concluded had like to have been broken by an affront the Prince of Conde receiv'd at Poi∣•…ers. He was disatisfy'd with the Bishop to whom he •nt some smart Letters by a Gentleman of his Retinue. The said Gentleman was ill us'd, by the consent, and per∣haps at the Instigations of the Bishop. The Prince being inform'd therewith in a Journey of which no body knew the Secret, resolv'd inconsiderately to go to Poitiers to revenge that affront. Whereas he was only Arm'd with his Quality at that time, and not very well attended, •e was not much in a Condition to be fear'd; and therefore the Inhabitants shut their Gates against him, and refus'd him Enterance. This seem'd to be done by the Bishop's Credit: but it was thought that he had receiv'd secret orders from the Queen about it. Moreover some Per∣sons some which were Ingag'd in the Princes Interests were turn'd out of the City: whereupon he did whatever lay in his Power to Assemble his Friends and to lay a kind of Siege before that Insolent City. But he could hardly Assemble Men enough to annoy the Inhabitants a little, whom he hin∣dered from going to and fro by keeping of some Passages. He neither had time enough nor means to renew his Corre∣spondence which the Peace had broken: and the Queen be∣ing gone from Paris with her Forces, the fear of her marching against him oblig'd him to remove from before Poitiers. He was forc'd to submit that affair to Justice, and to suffer Com∣missioners to be nominated to examine it: and the Bishop was sent for to Court as it were to be reprimanded for his proceedings. It was not so much to punish him, as to put him in safety: and the Queen having brought the King* to Poitiers, improv'd that occasion to put her Creatures in the Chief Imployments there, in order to secure that City to herself. The Reform'd resolv'd in that Progress to show Page  158 the King that he was as much Master of the places of Sure∣ty, as of all the other Cities of his Kingdom. He was received with his Forces in all those where he came. More∣over, he was invited to come through such as he seemd to avoid on purpose, left it might create some jea∣lousie.

Soon after the Treaty of the Princes, the Reform'd held* a National Synod at Tonneins. Several affairs were han∣dled in it, which neither related to their Doctrine, nor Dis∣cipline. They receiv'd Letters from the King of England, who embrac'd all occasions to concern himself with Divini∣ty, as much as he neglected to mind the general affairs of Europe. The Subject of his Letters was a dispute between Tilenus and du Moulin, who accus'd each other of Error, about the Mistery of the hypostatick Union. Besides, Ti∣lenus had Sentiments that were not very Orthodox, about the concurrence of Grace with humane Will. The Marshal de Bouillon who did esteem him, and who had call'd him to Sedan, to give a reputation to the College he had foun∣ded there, declared himself publickly his Protector; which gave a great deal of discontent to the Churches. That af∣fair occasioned several Conferrences, after which Tilenus was finally abandon'd, and left the Churches of France in quiet, untill he took upon him to write against the Assem∣bly of Rochel, during the Civil Wars. As soon as the Synod re∣ceived the King of England▪s Letter, they resolv'd to open it: but before they read it, they resolv'd, lest their keeping a correspondence with a foreign Prince might offend the Court, to send a Copy of it to Rouvray, one of the Deputies Ge∣neral, who remain'd with the King while la Miletierre was come to Tonneins▪ to the end he should show it to the Ministers incase it should create any jealousie in them: and they protested at the same time that incase the said Letter did mention any thing but what related to Religion, they would not treat about it without express leave from the King. It was a medium which seemed to reconcile the divers pretentions of the Court and of the Synod: The Court Page  159 would not allow the Reform'd to keep any Communication •ith Foreigners: and the Synod thought that they ought to •ave the freedom of that Correspondence, in things which •…lated to their Doctrine. Therefore they thought that •…ey should satisfie the Court by keeping within those bounds, •…d by tying their own hands in affairs of another •ature.

The Council of the Lower Guyenne was oblig'd to give* •…e Synod an account of the Convocation they had made, which I have spoken of. That way of proceeding was not •…proved of every where, because it exceeded the bounds 〈…〉 the regulation made at Saumur; That the Province had •…t a sufficient grievance, to have recourse to that re∣medy; That even in that case it would have been suffici∣ent to invite the Deputies of five adjacent Provinces; and •…ally, That since a General Assembly was expected, which •…e Deputies General endeavour'd to obtain leave for the •…d Convocation could not be look'd upon as necessary. They •…ledg'd reasons for it, which freed them from a Censure. The Church of Pujols, in the precinct of the Assembly of Agen, •hich is part of that Province, had refus'd to submit to •…e resolutions of that Council. Complaints were made •f it in the said Assembly, where after having heard the •arties, they had censured the disobedience of the said •hurch; tho they justified pretty well that their intentions •ere good. The said Church appealed to the Synod, which confirm'd the Judgment of the Assembly. The reason •f it was that the resolution having been taken by the plu∣rality of Voices, they broke the Union in refusing to sub∣•it to it, and made an inlet for Divisions. Moreover it 〈…〉 observable by this affair, as well as by several others, •…at tho the Power of Political and Ecclesiastical Assem∣blies* was bounded in certain things, the one being to med∣dle with Civil Government and Safety, the other with Dis∣cipline and Doctrine, nevertheless, there was a kind of mutual Subordination between them, by virtue whereof •he one sometimes reform'd the regulations of the other, Page  160 or took Cognisance of their Judgments by way of Appeal▪ That was very proper to maintain Union between those two Tribunals, and might have contributed considerably towards the preservation of the Churches, if it could have been observed without Ambition or Jealousie.

The Deputies General had obtained leave to hold a Ge∣neral* Aessmbly: but the Brief oblig'd them to assemble at a time and in a place which did not please them. The place was Grenoble, very distant from all the Provinces, and moreover in the Power of Lesdiguieres, and of a Parliament which would not allow the Deputies the liberty of their Suffrages. The time was the 15th of July, too short a time to allow the Provinces Leisure to nominate their Deputies and to prepare their Instructions. Moreover, the Brief contain'd modifications that were too strict, and allow'd the Assembly nothing but to nominate Deputies General. The Synod order'd those that perform'd that function at that time, to obtain a more convenient Place, and freer, 〈…〉 longer time, during which Provincial Assemblies might be held, to give an account of the proceedings of the Synod and a more favourable Brief, giving the Assembly a large Permission. The Synod, only obtained an alteration as to the time. The Assembly was put of untill the 25th of August: but the Queen declar'd that she could neither change the Place, nor the form of the Brief. The Con∣juncture of the time, the King being near upon entering in∣to his 14th year, and consequently to be declared Major▪ might have given the Assembly an occasion to treat about great things. The Estates that were promised, were to me•… shortly: which also was an inducement for the Reform'd to look about them, But those very reasons also induced the Court not to allow their Assembly all sort of Liberty. Nevertheless, the place displeasing them, they chose rather not to meet than to do it in the Capital City of a Province, in which the Parliament and Governor might equaly disturb them. We will see what happened about it the following year, in which the alterations of Affairs made them ear∣nestly Page  161 desire the same place, which they had so much rejected.

An account was given to the Synod of the means that had been us'd to reconcile the Lords; and Letters* were deliver'd to them from the Dukes de Rohan, de Sully and from du Plessis, which desir'd the Members of the Synod to acquaint the Provinces with their good intenti∣ons, and with their zeal for the Service of the Churches. Bergerac disown'd in that Synod the Brief of 1500 Livers, which the King had given them to take upon the 15000 Crowns of Augmentation; and after the Church and Ci∣ty had declar'd in writing, that they renounc'd all manner of means to obtain the said Sum, unless it were by the good Will of the Synod, the Assembly granted them 1200 Livers. This husbandry seem'd to be very necessary, by reason that the Funds were wanting every where for the payment of the Ministers: and those who had treated with the late King upon that Subject, had taken their measures •o ill, that most of them having no Sallary besides what they had out of the said Donations were reduced to great •…reights: which render'd them incapable of performing their Ministry, susceptible to the inspirations of the Court which endeavoured to corrup them, or despicable for their Poverty. The Sum granted by Lewis the 13th ad∣ded but little to their Sallary; besides they had occasion •or it, for so many things that the Ministers had not the advantage of it. The King applyed part of it himself to what he pleas'd; and he had had much ado to free that •…m of the penny per Liver which he had taken out of it •or the Sallary of the Deputies General. The rest was di∣•tributed part to the Accademys and Colleges, part in Grati∣fications and Recompences, and part for Deputations and private Affairs. The Lower Guyenne propos'd in order to remedy that Evil to beg of the King wherewith to pay •he Ministers intirely. The Synod harkened to that propo∣sition; but they thought fit to refer it to a General Assembly.

Among the things that were promis'd in order to disolve the Assembly of Rochel, the Court had put the Reform'd Page  162 in hopes of an Exemption of * Tailles for the Ministers: and the Declaration of it had been drawn accordingly.* But the Courts of Aids, made great difficulties about it; and it had not been verified; so that it had only prov'd an illusion till then. The Synod order'd the Deputies Ge∣neral to press the Registring of it; and the Deputies of the Churches to carry the said demand to the mix'd Assemblies of their Provinces; and those particular Assemblies to give them to their Deputies to be moved in the General Assembly.

They spoke of the Innovations that were introduc'd in the nomination of the Governors of the places of Surety, and in the reception of the Reform'd in the places that were* allow'd to them. They were oblig'd before their said re∣ception to 〈…〉 an attestation of the Assembly within the extent of which the Government of a Place became vacant: But the Court did not observe it, in order to have the sole au∣thority of those Nominations. The Synod made a very severe order upon that Subject against those who accepted Gover∣ments or other Imployments that way: and referr'd the Complaints of the fact to the Political Assemblies. They also order'd the Consistories to hinder the Governors of places from protecting any persons accus'd of things which deserv'd Punishment, lest those Cities given for the Surety of their Religion should serve to protect Criminals.

One of the six Reform'd Counsellors in the Parliament of Paris, call'd Berger, was lately turn'd Catholick. H•… change made a breach in the number of the Officers of th••* quality promis'd by the Edict: and the Reform'd pretended that Berger ought no longer to injoy the said imployment which belong'd to them, since he had chang'd his Religion. But Berger had made his bargain before he chang'd his Religion that he should not lose his Place; and it was the interest of the Catholicks not to turn out such as imbrac'd their Commu∣nion. lest the fear of that disadvantage should discourage others who might also be inclined to do the same. The Synod order'd the Deputies General to endeavour to re∣pair that breach; and to acquaint the Assembly with it incase Page  163 they could not succeed in it. But their diligence prov'd in∣efectual; and the Reform'd never receiv'd full satisfaction upon that Subject.

The discharge granted by the King of the Penny per Li∣ver* out of the Money he had granted the Reform'd, authorised the Synod to desire him also to discharge them of the 3600 Livers adjudged to the Churches of the Country of Gex. The reason was that the said Sum was taken out of a Grant •n which that Country had not been consider'd, by reason that it was not under the Kings Dominion at the time of the Edict; and that at time when the said augmentation was granted, it had a Fund settled by the late King's Commissioners, for the maintenance of its Ministers. Moreover, the said Sum was distributed by order from the Council; which did not forget to do it in such a manner that divisions might •rise about it. The Synod of Bargundy, of which that Bayliwick was a dependency, had adjudg'd 60 Livers out of the Money design'd for that Cantoon, for a College they design'd to errect at Gex: and the Assembly had acqui∣•ss'd to it. But the Inhabitants of the City being offended that so little was granted them, apply'd themselves to •e Council in which they obtain'd a Decree which ad∣judg'd them 250 Livers. This was dangerous, both as to the example, which authoris'd the Malecontents to appeal •om the Judgments given in the Ecclesiastical Assemblies •o the Council: and for the Consequence which submited ••e distribution which the Synods made of the said Grants •o the review of the Council: which was directly contrary •o the Brief of 1598, which allow'd the Reform'd to dis∣pose of them without giving any account of it. There∣fore the Synod took the thing to heart; and censur'd the Reform'd of the City sensibly; and threatned to proceed further against them, incase they did not submit with obe∣dience to their Synods.

We may gather from the Synod that there were Churches* grounded on the disposition of the Edicts, of which the settlement was nevertheless not as yet made, by reason of Page  164 the oppositions of the Catholicks; whither it were upon the account of the Poverty of those that were to compose them, or upon the account of the negligence of those that were to imploy themselves about it. There were some of this kind in Auvergne: and that of Issoire was of that number. They had long pursued their affairs inefectually at Court: but the Synod being inform'd with their deplorable Condition, order'd the Deputies General to second their Petitions, and to recommend them in their Name.

The Reform'd of the County of Avignon, who two years* before thought themselves strong enough to form a Pro∣vince by themselves had strangly alter'd their Condition since. They had been persecuted with so much violence that their Condition was worthy of Commiseration: and the Synod which knew no other remedy, was forc'd to beg of the King to turn their Mediator, to obtain some ease for them.

The Synod made other liberal gifts to some particular per∣sons,* Rivet had 600 Livers for some Works, and Gigord Pro∣fessor in Theology at Mompellier, who had had a dispute at Court some years before with Cotton the Jesuit, had 1850. The same Synod appointed places in every Province, in or∣der to establish Colleges, of which some have subsisted 〈…〉* our days; and tho they were sensible, considering the small Fund they had to dispose of, that there were too many Accademies in the Kingdom, by reason that the• were too chargeable, yet they preserv'd them for fear of prejudicing those places out of which they should remove them. They gave the Churches of Bearn power to con∣vene a National Synod in their Turn, on condition that the•* should submit to the Decisions of those that should be held in the Kingdom, and that they should make their appeal• there. We have already seen by what happen'd in the Assem∣bly of Saumur, that the Court would not allow the Political Union of that Province with the rest of the Churches of the Kingdom. But the said Province it self dreaded to be United too much with them in the exercise of their Discipline, for fear of injuring the priviledges which the Churches injoy'd Page  165 there independently from the Edict of Nantes, and by •…e of more ancient Titles. Particularly they were •aid lest in submitting the Churches of the Country to •e decisions a of Synod held elsewhere, it might serve as pretence against the Right they pretended, that the Ge∣neral and Particular Cases of their Inhabitants could not 〈…〉 taken out of the hands of their natural Judges; viz. 〈…〉 Council, and their Estates. There was something like* •…s relating to the City of Mets; the Church of which •…ly maintain'd a Communion of Doctrine with the others: •…t kept at a distance as to the rest, for •ear of prejudic∣ing the Rights they injoy'd before the Edict; from the very •…e they submitted under the Protection of France.

The Oath of Union was renew'd in that Assembly with* 〈…〉 usual Protestations of Obedience and Fidelity to the •…ng, The Empire of God remaining whole; and every deputy promis'd to get it ratified in his Province. Finally,* •…e Synod writ to the King and Queen, about the things •…ey order'd the Deputies to sollicit. This difference was •…serv'd in the said Letters that the same things that were •…ention'd in the King's Letter, were some what more inlarg'd •…on in the Queen's. Among the Complaints they made them, there was one in particular, concerning an excess committed at Guise against the person of a Reform'd; which the Lieutenant General was accus'd of having had a •…nd in; either by exciting the Authors of it directly, or 〈…〉 conniving at them. They demanded Justice about it, 〈…〉 the end that the punishment of those that were guilty 〈…〉 it, might put a stop to those Violences, and show that •…e Reform'd had a share in the King's protection as well 〈…〉 the rest. They gave reasons in the same Letters for •…e refusal that was made by the Churches to accept Greno∣ble for the place of their General Assembly; and in order 〈…〉 obtain a more convenient place, they alledg'd the ex∣ample of the late King, who always had a regard to the Pe∣titions of the Reform'd, as to the nomination of a place for •…e like Convocations; but that Negotiation was interrup∣ted by Affairs of more Consequence.

Page  166The Queen who had promis'd to assemble the Es•… General only thought on means to amuse every body* untill the King's Majority. The affairs that occur'd 〈…〉 the Treaty of Menehould, Ste. happen'd as apropos for her, 〈…〉 if she had contrived them her self. But she had yet a noth••• design in her Head, which was of greater con••∣quence. She was very sensible that the Princes had de∣sired an Assembly of the States in order to mortifie her •• the suppression of her Creatures: and that the whole King∣dom was in expectation to see what the said Assembly wo•… produce, which had been formerly the remedy of the peo∣ples Grievances, and the defence of their Liberties. •• she had observ'd by the success of the last States that 〈…〉 was not impossible to make a different use of it; and 〈…〉 oppress by means of the States, those who expected prote∣ction and assistance by them. In order whereunto she 〈…〉 what Pius the 4th had done with the Councils which 〈…〉 Predecessors stood so much in awe of. He made use 〈…〉 them to break the bonds which those Assemblies w•… us'd to give to the authority of his See; and to reform th•• Princes that had a mind to reform him. Thus the Que•• took measures to make the States serve to maintain 〈…〉 Power, and to colour the oppression of the people. There∣fore she resolv'd to make the Declaration of the King Majority, before the Overture of the State: not doub•• but tho she thereby lost the Regency, it would be 〈…〉 for her to preserve the Authority of it. The King was 〈…〉 easie, so young, and so well dispos'd by the Educatio• and by the discourse of his Confessor, and others whom 〈…〉 Queen had put about him, to be Govern'd by her, that the•• was no likelihood she should Reign less absolutely und•• her Sons name for the future, than she had done 〈…〉 then. The only way to maintain her Power was to mak• that Prince speak; whose Will ought to be more respect•• being declar'd Major, than when it seem'd inspir'd 〈…〉 him by his Mothers directions. Page  167 The Overture of the States being appointed on the 15th October at Paris, the Queen carried the King to the Par∣•ent* on the 2d of the said month, to take the Act of Majority, and to verifie the Declaration of the pre∣••ing day; who after having prais'd Almighty God for 〈…〉 prosperity he had granted to the State, and re∣•ed the Queen thanks for her prudent conduct during Regency, contain'd four or five Articles, certainly •thy to be the first Laws of a Prince, who was to ma∣•• his State for the future himself, and to trust no longer ••e vi•ilency of others. The first confirm'd the Edict of •tes, and all the Articles, Regulations and Decrees that been granted to the Reform'd, touching its Interpreta∣•… and Execution. The second condemn'd all Correspon∣•••cies, Leagues and Associations at home and abroad; 〈…〉 Deputations made to Foreign Princes whither •nds, or Foes, without leave, under any pretence what∣•…. The third depending on that forbad all those who •iv'd Sallarys, Pay, or Pensions from the King, to re∣•e any from any other Prince or Lord, and to beat Arms •ollow any body but the King, on pain of losing their ••oyments, Sallarys and Pensions. The fourth renew'd all Ordinances against Duels; without any hopes of Mercy. 〈…〉 last did the same against Blasphemies, and order'd the •ent Ordinances to be publish'd a new. In order to Judge ••e Justice & necessity of the third Article, we must observe there were several persons in the King's Pay, who ap∣••d themselves nevertheless to the service of certain Lords, •…m they look'd upon as their Patrons, whose Will was a •eraign Law to them. In the progress the Court had •…y made it was observ'd that two Lords follow'd the •…g, who had each of them 500 Horse to attend them. •…as glorious for the King to Command such potent •••jects: but it was uncertain whether such Subjects would •ays obey: and Policy could not permit the King to pay ••nds and Creatures to his Subjects to act against him.

Page  168On the day the Queen had appointed, the Deputies 〈…〉 the Provinces repair'd to Paris and made the Overture 〈…〉* the States. There had been great Brigues in the Provinces 〈…〉 obtain the nomination of persons that were at the devoti•• of those who design'd to profit by that Assembly. The Que•• had us'd her utmost endeavours to have them favourabl•▪ The Prince of Conde had omitted no means to get 〈…〉 strongest Party there: and whereas the Publick Good 〈…〉 his Interest seem'd to be link'd together, he had east found such as did embrace his Party, altho he had 〈…〉 wherewith to make gratification like the Queen. He w•• particularly seconded by the * third Estate, which comm••∣ly is the only one that keeps to the right Cause: by reas•• that being the first on which the weight of oppression ligh• they are also the first that oppose the progress of Slaver▪ The Prince had much ado to resolve to come to Court ••∣ter the mortification he had receiv'd. His weakness had 〈…〉 of the Queens Power; and he was afraid that coming 〈…〉 Court after an Affront for which he had receiv'd so 〈…〉 satisfaction, he would make but a melancholly figure th••▪ But the Queen would have him there, by reason that othe•∣wise whatever she should cause to be ordain'd without 〈…〉 should want weight and effect; and that on the first o•••∣sion he should have to create new Troubles, she should 〈…〉 oblig'd to begin a new. She was resolv'd to ruin 〈…〉 Power by the means of the Estates, in order to break 〈…〉 his measures for the future.

She would have met with no success in that enterprise 〈…〉* there been any Faith in the Clergy, or Vigor in the Nob•∣lity. But the Clergy spoil'd all according to their usual ••∣stom, and betray'd the King and Kingdom for their parti••∣lar interest. The Court engag'd them on their side, 〈…〉 Complaisance and benefits: and they ingag'd the Nobili•• on theirs; and those two bodys being joyn'd oppressed 〈…〉 third Estate. There are natural seeds of discord am•… those divers orders of the Kingdom: The two first are 〈…〉 burdened with the Charge of the State, and little valu• Page  169 ••e grievances of the third which bears them all: and the •hird on the contrary having ever Complaints and Re∣•onstrances to make against the two others, who seldom •are their Blood and Labour, and are very Liberal at their •ost. The Clergy having began by Masses, Processions and ••e Communion, to which they invited the other two, re∣••lv'd to secure the Nobility, and to dispose them to joyn •ith them, to act together. They apply'd themselves about 〈…〉 by Deputations in form, and by particular Intrigues. The ••rongest machine they set at work, even publickly, was in∣••rest. They represented to the Nobility of what use Benefi∣•es were for the Children of Noble Families. They per∣••aded them that those two Orders made properly but one •ody, since the Clergy was for the most part compos'd of •entlemen dedicated to the Church, who possess'd the Re∣•enues of it: and that therefore the Nobility ought to be ••ited to an Order, of which they partak'd the Riches and •ignity so advantageously. In reallity, Benefices are the ••source of the Nobility, which being ruin'd in the King's ••rvice, have no better way to maintain, or to raise their •ortunes, than to make Ecclesiasticks of their younger •ons, and Nuns of their Daughters, while they only keep the ••dest to preserve the Name and Lustre of their Families.

There were some Reform'd among the Deputies of the No∣••lity:* but they were not strong enough to oppose the Catho∣••cks. Besides what ever came from them was suspected by •…e ignorant Nobility and one of the reasons which prejudic'd •…e rights of the Crown most, and the Prince of Conde, was that* ••ose who maintain'd them most were Hereticks. Peoples minds •eing dispos'd thus, The third Estate began to treat the que∣•ion of the Independency of Kings, and of the safety of their •ersons, against the enterprizes and pretentions of the Court •f Rome. It was none of their fault that it was not pass'd ••to a fundamental Law of the State that they were subject 〈…〉 no Power directly, nor indirectly; and that there was no •ase or pretence to authorise any body to declare their for∣••iture of the Crown, & to dispence their Subjects from their Page  [unnumbered] Allegiance. The murther of the two last Kings had made a deep impression in the hearts of the King's best Sub∣jects, and the Third Estate was desirous to stifle the remainder of the League by that Law, by showing their max∣ims to be false, and contrary to the principle of Monarchy, It was still fresh in Peoples minds, how those maxims had like to have torn the Kingdom into piece, and to deprive the lawful Heir of the Crown under pretence of Religion, and of the Excommunication pronounc'd against him by the Popes.

It seems wonderful in our days that a proposition so spe∣cious* in it self, and so advantageous to Kings could be re∣jected. And yet it certainly was; and that which is most surprising is that the King's authority was us'd to reject it. The truth is that it was no novelty at that time: the Court had partly done the same two years before. The Monks had un∣dertaken to make Kings stoop under the Popes feet. The Clergy of the Sorbonne was inclinable to that Seditious The∣ology. Regal Authority was the sport of their Disputes and most people were wretchedly misled into that opinion. I do not wonder that they refus'd to allow the Reform'd at that time to have the honour to defend their Soveraign, and that those Books were suppress'd which they wrote upon that Subject: but yet methinks they should have, had a little more regard for the Catholicks who maintain'd the same Cause. Nevertheless the Court handsomely ac∣quiess'd to its own disadvantage. Richet only defender of the King's Rights, and of the Liberties of the Gallick Church, and who maintain'd the propositions which the Clergy has lately defin'd, was oppress'd by Duval, another Doctor se∣conded by the Monks: and the Court interposing in that Dispute, he was oblig'd to part with his place of Syndis of the University, to suffer the Condemnation of his Books, without saying any thing, and to suffer his Brethren, and even the King himself whose Interests he did defend, to treat him as an Heretick. But whereas the Reform'd had a great share in that Dispute which was renew'd in the States, I think it will be necessary for their Honour, to relate some∣what at large how that affair pass'd.

Page  170The Clergy fell out into an Excess of Passion against •…e Authors of that proposition. They made as much* noise as if they had design'd to take away their vast Re∣venues, or to set the Reform'd Religion upon the Throne. They drew the Nobility into their Sentiments: and ha∣ving put Cardinal Du Perron at the head of a solemn De∣putation which they sent to the Third Estate, he oppos'd •…e good Intentions of that Body with all his might. The* did Cardinal made a long studyed discourse upon that •…atter, to render the said proposition odious: and he main∣tain'd the Interests of the Courts of Rome with so much confidence, that he seem'd only to make use of the Gran∣deur to which the favour of Kings had rais'd him, to de∣stroy them, and to make them subject to a Forreign Power. The turn he took to make an Impression upon the minds of •…e Catholicks, was to represent that Doctrine as a branch of Heresie, in order to create jealousies about its Original. •…e maintained with a boldness suitable to a more odious •ame, that before Calvin the whole Church, and even the Gallick Church did believe that when a King did violate the •ath he had taken to God and to his Subjects, to live and •ye a Catholick; and not only turn'd Arian or Mahometan, •ut even proceeded so far as to War against Jesus Christ, •…at is, to force the Consciences of his Subjects, and to oblige •…em to follow a false Religion, he might be declar'd depri∣ved of his Rights, and his Subjects could be absolved in •onscience and at the Spiritual and Ecclesiastical Tribunal, 〈…〉 the Allegiance which they had sworn to him: and that it be∣longed to the Pope or Council to make that Declaration. •…e maintained that this Sentiment expos'd no body to the Anathema, and did not deprive those who held it of the •ommunion of the Church He declared more than once that •…e Oath which the King of England had exacted from the Catholicks, was the Patron of the Doctrine of the Third Estate, which at the bottom was the substance of that Oath. •…e alledged several inconveniences which might arise from the enterprise of that House; for Instance that it would be Page  [unnumbered] a Snare for Consciences, to make people read as an Arti∣cle of Faith taken out of the word of God, a Doctrine the contrary of which had been and was still held by all the rest of the Catholick Church; That it was dangerous that Lay-men should undertake to decide matters of Faith, with∣out being guided by a Council, or some other Ecclesiastical Judgment; That it might create a Schism, to declare a Do∣ctrine Impious, which was approved by the other Catholicks, which they did seperate from by that Declaration; That under pretence of securing the Life and Grandeur of Prin∣ces, they would be exposed more than ever by the troubles which a Schism causes. He had the boldness to say, that the Murther of Kings could be prevented no otherwise than by the fear of Eternal Punishment; and that nothing but Ec∣clesiastical Judgments can give a real Terror of Punishments. He seconded all this with Examples, and Testimonies set out with a great deal of Pomp; displaying as he us'd to do the most fabulous and most false Reports: and he en∣deavou'd to prove by subtil artificial answers, the Examples and Testimonies to the contrary.

He also endeavour'd to refute the Objections drawn from* other Causes, and among the rest that which was taken from the Tolleration granted to Hereticks: from whence it might be concluded that if Just Laws were made to preserve their Lives, their Estates, and their Honours, Kings were much less to be depriv'd of theirs under pretence of Heresie. He answer'd it in a manner which show'd, that according to his opinion the Laws under which Hereticks lived, did only suspend the execution of those which were against them: and insinuating, that incase a new Heresie should arise, which might be oppressed without danger by reason of its weakness, they would not fail to deprive the professors of it both of their Estates and Lives; he show'd clearly enough that it was only the power of the Reform'd, which he meant almost every where in naming them Heriticks, which made their safety. This alone might suffice, if men were equitable, to apologise for their Precautions and Difidences: Page  171 since nothing can be more natural and just, when People are threatned with Punishments and Masacres, than to take •easures to prevent them. He did not forget in that place 〈…〉 relate the usage Servet had receiv'd at Geneva, and the •…rians in England.

Speaking of the fourth inconvenience which he found in* 〈…〉 Doctrine of the Third Estate, he reduc'd his about the •…ety of Kings to distinctions of Tyrants by Usurpation, and Tyrants by Administration, and some others which might •…cover how much those pretended Sureties were illusive. •…e Case was not to preserve the Lives of Kings against the •…rts that are Lanc'd in the disputes of Colleges, where •…ose distinctions might have been of some use; but against Assassinates, whose fury could not be repell'd by a Distinguo. This subject requires, and I say the same of most of those which •…ate to practice in important matters, Principles Independent •…all such subtleties; which may at once give the most igno∣rant, a clear Idea of the Duties that are impos'd upon •…em.

In order to end that long discourse by a conclusion wor∣•y* of the rest, he endeavour'd to persuade that it was a •…eat moderation in the Popes, to suffer such to remain in •…e Communion of the Church of Rome, which held the Do∣ctrine of the Third Estate: and according to him they were very much oblig'd to the Court of Rome, for not being Ex∣communicated by them, and declar'd Hereticks. Finally, to dispose his Auditors the better to relinquish that Article, he •…cus'd the Reform'd of being the Authors of it, and to have •…pt in that proposition, which he call'd the Apple of Discord, 〈…〉 the * Cahiers of some Provinces, to sow Division among •…e Catholicks. He said that they had long threatned that •nterprise; That the said project came from Saumur: That nevertheless both the Synods and Ministers would refuse to •…gn that Doctrine: which he prov'd by their Confession of •…aith; by the exceptions which they added to the protesta∣tions of their Obedience and Fidelity; and by their taking 〈…〉 Arms, when ever the Court had attempted to deprive them of the Liberty of their Consciences.

Page  [unnumbered]Whereupon we may observe first, That he apply'd their* Doctrine to his with a great deal of malice; since there 〈…〉* a great deal of difference between not obeying Kings, whe•… they will force Consciences; or making them lyable to depo∣sition by virtue of an Eeclesiastical Censure, and exposing them to the Daggers of Murtherers, under the pretence o• Anathema's. The one was the Sentiment of the Reform'd▪ the other was the Opinion of the adherents of the Cou•… of Rome, the impudent pretentions of which the Third Estate would suppress. Secondly that the Reform'd in taking Arms never intended to revoke the Oath of Allegiance they ha• sworn to their Kings; but only to secure themselves again•… violence and oppression, being still ready to lay down the•… Arms, as soon as their persecutors had done the like. •…∣nally, that the Cardinal justified against his will according to his principles, those Wars which the Catholicks have 〈…〉 often reproach'd: since they never did take Arms but whe•… their Princes violated that Oath made to God and to the•… to make them live in peace and liberty under the protecti•… of their Edicts. It was a usual thing among the most viole•… Votaries of the Court of Rome, to impute those very thing to the Reform'd as high Treason which that Court teach•… as a duty to the Catholicks.

This Discourse produc'd no effect in the * Chamber of the Third Estate, by reason that Miron who presided in it main∣tain'd the importance and necessity of the Article with Vi∣gour and Capacity. He neither wanted Wit, Learning, o• Courage: and as he equall'd the Cardinal in that, he had the advantage of a great probity over him. Moreover he was seconded by the Parliaments, whose Heriditary Doctrine he design'd to pass into a Law: and all the good French, whether Reform'd or Catholicks, were very desirous that his proposition might be converted into a Law of the State.

So that he would perhaps have carryed it in spight of the Clergy, and have disabus'd the Nobility, had the Court taken care of their own Interests. But the Queen stood in need of the Clergy, either to maintain her Authority, or to accom∣plish Page  172 the Marriages with Spain which she earnestly desir'd. •…e was oblig'd to pleasure the Court of Rome and the Spa∣•…rds, who interess'd themselves very much in that dispute: •…e one to take the advantage of the weakness of the Govern∣•ent, and to make some Incroachments upon the Kings of •…ance, who had preserv'd their Independency better than •…ers against their pretentions: The other to sow jealousies •…d difidences in the Kingdom, which they might take the •…vantage of in favourable occasions. The Jesuits who were 〈…〉 Popes faithful Servants at that time, and very powerful at •…urt, where they had the direction of the Consciences of the •…g and Queen and of the principal Ministers, did not be∣•… themselves on that occasion; being sufficiently concern'd 〈…〉 the Assassinations which the Third Estate had a mind to •…vent, to think it necessary to prevent the Condemnation •…he Doctrine which authorises them. Therefore the Cler∣•… obtain'd of the King under pretence to avoid disorder and •…susion, to refer the said Dispute to himself and his Council. 〈…〉 whereas the said removal only suspended the question, •…n which the Third Estate seem'd resolv'd to press the King* 〈…〉 give his judgment, they thought fit to silence them quite •…n that Article. They were commanded to put that Article •…te out of their Cahier, where they design'd to put it at 〈…〉 head of all the rest. Thus the Queen sacrific'd the Inter∣•… of the King her Son to her particular ambition; and hin∣•…d him from improving the greatest example of fidelity •…t Subjects can give to their Prince.

The Clergy nevertheless in order to acknowledge that* •…mplaisance, and to show that they were not Enemies to 〈…〉 safety of Kings, put an illusive proposition in lieu of the •…icle of the Third Estate, of causing the Doctrine of the •…uncil of Constancia upon that matter to be published: a •…ctrine which maintaining the interest of Crown'd Heads 〈…〉 appearence, submits them nevertheless to the Censure of 〈…〉 Popes; and exempts them no longer from the Rebellion 〈…〉 attempt of their Subjects than while the Popes maintain 〈…〉 favour them. In effect the Council only condems this pro∣position: Page  [unnumbered] All Tyrants may and ought Lawfully and Merit•…∣ously to be kill'd, by any of their Vassals or Subjects, even by se∣cret Machinations, and by Artful Flatteries, notwithstandin•… any Oath whatever taken to them, or any treaty they ha•… made with them, without staying for the sentence or Order 〈…〉 any Judge whatever. Without minding the other equivo•… Terms in which the said Article is drawn, it is evident 〈…〉 least in consequence of that last Clause, Without staying 〈…〉 the sentence or order of any Judge whatever, that it leaves 〈…〉 Princes exposs'd to assassinations and perfidiousnesses, agai•… whom Conspiracies are made after the Sentence or Or∣der of certain Judges, that is, after the ordinance of a•… Council or Pope: since that, according to the Doctrine• Cardinal Du Perron, there is no Jurisdiction but that whic• can stand up against Kings. Now this was properly what 〈…〉 Third Estate would prevent; in order not to expose Tempo∣ral power to the discretion of a See, which has only sound∣ed its Grandeur upon the ruin of Princes. So that by 〈…〉 shameful and perfidious illusion, the Clergy substituted in∣stead of the remedy which the Third Estate and the King good Subjects word oppose in favour of Kings again•… the enterprises of the Popes, that very evil which 〈…〉 Third Estate and the said good Subjects endeavour'd ther•… to remedy.

But the Clergy did not think they had carryed the Prevarication far enough by that Artifice. After hav•* propos'd to the King the Publication of that Decree, th• beghought themselves; and in order to render the Lives 〈…〉 Soveraignity of Kings more dependant of the Popes, th• only thought fit to order, that his Holiness should be intre•…∣ed to Confirm that Decree, and to order the Publication•… it. This way of proceeding was pretty conformable to wh•… Cardinal Du Perron had done in other occasions. In cert•… publick disputes in which he had assisted, he had conclude after a pompous displaying of false Erudition, that one mig•… maintain the said matter pro and con with a safe Conscience 〈…〉 and that all the Doctrine of the Independency of Kings •… Page  173 •…ly Problematical. In the mean time all Persons of Ho∣nour trembled to think that in order to secure the Life and •…own of Kings, there was, as they said, a necessity to ob∣•…n a Pareatis of the Pope. The Clergy pretended in vain •…at in sending the thing to the Roman See, the said Decree •…uld become more Universal, and more Authentick: That 〈…〉 the King caus'd it to be publish'd, it would only serve 〈…〉 France; whereas if it were done by the Pope, the Doctrine 〈…〉 the Decree would become that of all the Catholick part 〈…〉 Christendom. The Answer to it was that the said Decree •…ng only an Illusion, the Publication thereof would only •…ve to render the Illusion more general: and that incase it •…re of any Vertue, it matter'd but little what strangers •…ght think of the Kings of France, provided all the French •…de it a point of Honour and of Conscience, to believe that •…ir Kings were only responceable for their Crowns and •…tions to God.

The Clergy did not forget in that affair to gain the Prince* 〈…〉 Conde on their side, who at first seconded the Third Estate. •…ey us'd the same reasons to blind him, as had prevail'd •…th others. They told him that the Reform'd imployed 〈…〉 to make a Doctrine pass unawares to him which came •…m them; and which tended secretly to ruin the Catholick •…ligion. The Prince's proceeding in this matter proved •…qual▪ and did not answer the hopes people had of him. •…e advice he gave in the Council upon that Subject is diffe∣•…tly related. It is true that he took the thing upon a high∣•…tone, after the Dissolution of the Estates: but he succeed∣•… no better in it, since he obtain'd nothing but words. In 〈…〉 mean time the Clergy having obtain'd all they desir'd, 〈…〉 having made the Doctrine of the Council of Constantia* •…s for the Faith of the State, persever'd in that opinion hear 〈…〉 years: and some years before they recanted it, those that •…mpos'd their Memoirs by their order, not foreseeing that 〈…〉 would be condemn'd within five or six years time, In∣•…ted the Cardinals Speech, and the Articles of that As∣•…bly in them. This may serve to prove that the Faith of Page  [unnumbered] the Clergy of France depends on the strongest; That when the Government is weak, and involv'd in troubles, they Sacrifice the Interests of the Crown without hesitation to the Roman See; and that when there is more profit to be ex∣pected from Servitude in devoting it to Temporal Powers, they likewise Sacrifice the pretended privileges of the said See to the Grandeur of Kings.

During the Session of the Estates, there broke out a Sediti∣on* at Milhau, on Christmas Eve, in which Town the Reform'd were the strongest: and if we may credit the Complains the Bishop of Rhodes made about it in the Chamber of the Cler∣gy, the Catholicks and particularly the Priests, suffer'd ve∣ry much by it: The Reform'd took up Arms, routed the Ec∣clesiasticks, broke the Crucifixes, and the Crosses; Tore the Ornaments; broke down the Altars, prophan'd the Relicks; took the Pix out of the Tabernacle; flung down the Conse∣crated Hosts, and trampled them under their seet. Then had already been such another Sedition in the same place, under the preceeding Reign, against which the Clergy had complain'd: but either for want of proofs, or for other rea∣sons, the prosecution of it was laid aside. It was renew'd upon this new incident, of which the Circumstances were ag∣gravated, in order to have a better reason to renew the first complaints. The Clergy resolv'd to speak to the King about it, and invited the two other Chambers to joyn their Depu∣ties to theirs, which they promis'd to do. It was performed two days before the dissolution of the Estates by the Arch-Bishop of Lions, who made a long discourse to the Queen, in the King's absence, upon the Restoration af the Roman Religi∣on in Bearn; upon the re-union of Navar to the Crown; and upon the Sedition of Milhau. The Queen told him that she had already Nominated Commissioners to inspect those matters.

On the 23d. of February the Bishop of Lucon, since Car∣dinal* of Richelieu, presented the * Cahier of the Clergy to the King. His discourse was not Eloquent, tho he pretend∣ed to Eloquence even to his dying day: but it was very vio∣lent Page  174 against the Reform'd, accusing them of polluting holy •aces by their prophane Burials; of keeping Churches in •hich the Catholick Service could not be performed, •…d of injoying Ecclesiastical Estates. He also complain'd 〈…〉 the excesses committed at Milhau, and desir'd that it •ight be reveng'd: but for fear of alarming the Reform'd, 〈…〉 declar'd that he only meant upon such as were guil∣•…, and that as for the rest the Clergy thought no farther on ••em than to desire their Conversion, and to promote it by ••eir Example, their Instructions, and their Prayers. The ••mainder of his Speech only related to the Grandeur of ••e Clergy, which he represented as an affair of as great ••nsequence as if the welfare of the State had depended ••on it. Notwithstanding those earnest entreaties about ••e affair of Milhau, and the Kings Answer, which is said 〈…〉 be, That he thought himself as much oblig'd to re∣••nge the Stabbing of his God, as the Parricide of his Fa∣••er: the Clergy did not obtain the Vengeance they de∣•…. The reason of it is that the Reform'd likewise brought •…complaint to Court of a greater violence committed ••ainst them in those very parts, soon after the sedition at ••ilhau. They had built a Temple at Belestat, where they had* •…right to perform the exercise of their Religion by the •…icts. The Catholicks pull'd it down, and not being con∣••ted with that, they acted great Violences against the ••form'd that liv'd there, who were Plunder'd, Beaten, •ounded, and very Barbarously us'd. It look'd as if the ••tholicks had done this upon the account of Reprisals, and 〈…〉 be reveng'd of the violences that had been committed 〈…〉 Milhau, by those of Bellestat. The King receiving the ••mplaints of both sides much about the same time, it was ••fficult to do Justice to the one, without doing it also to ••e other. So that the best expedient the Court could ••ink on, to avoid greater inconveniences, was to satisfie ••e Parties with general promises, and to refer them to ••dges that might take a particular cognisance of their ••mplaints. It remain'd in agitation till towards the latter ••d of the year.

Page  [unnumbered]In the mean time the Clergy had compos'd their Ca•… which contain'd upwards of 300 Articles, among which thos• that did not relate to their own Grandeur, tended only ••* preserve to the Queen the Authority of the Government which she was very jealous of; or to betray the interes•… of the State, and to incroach upon the Edicts, under whi•• the Reform'd were maintain'd. Such were upwards of 6; Articles, which directly or indirectly tended to disturb the• in the possession of their Liberties. To that end they de∣sir'd the Restoration of the Roman Religion in all pla•• under the King's dominion; particularly in Bearn, and in∣to all the Places newly re-united to the Crown: The Condemnation of Books and Discourses that were injurio•• to the Pope, lately Printed: The Revocation of Pensio• given upon Benifices to persons that were not qualifie• for them; specifying among the reasons of Incapacity the Pretended Reform'd Religion: Prohibitions to the Parliamen•* to meddle with the observation of Festivals: The Exemptio• of Imprisonment for Ecclesiasticks; and leave for Bishops •• condemn to the Gally's: Leave to apply themselves to th• next Judge Royal for the execution of Ecclesiastical Sen∣tences, incase the ordinary Judge were of the Pretende• Religion: a great extention of the Rights of Tith•• Besides this there were complaints that the Kings Office• or those of the Pretended Religion hinder'd the Bishops from rebuilding their Churches and their Houses. Other Articles desir'd that such Monks as should be met o•• of their Habit and Convent without Letters of Obe••∣ence, should be chastis'd as Apostates; which related di∣rectly to the Monks that imbrac'd the Reform'd Religion: That the Jesuits might be re-united to the University 〈…〉 Paris; That the King would be pleas'd to judge their Ca•∣ses himself, and to take them under his protection; That the Printers might be reduc'd to a certain number in every City; and that they should print no Books without the Diocesian's Liscence; That all Books from abroad should be prohibited unless they had the same approbation; Th•• Page  175 the Marriages with Spain might be accomplished; •hat the King should take back again the Towns of ••stage given by the Treaty of Ste Menehould; That ••e Principality of Bearn, and the rest of the Kingdom of •…var should be re-united to the Crown; That all the ••urch Lands there should be restor'd to the Ecclesiasticks, •…thout allowing them to be imployed for the use of the ••form'd, which was stiled a prophane use; That a Party ••amber should be establish'd at Pau; That the Reform'd ••dges there should not be allow'd to take Cognisance 〈…〉 Ecclesiastical Causes; That Militrary Offices, and such 〈…〉 related to Justice should be given to Catholicks; That 〈…〉 Edict of Settlement should be made between the Catho∣•…ks and the Reform'd; That the Garrisons should be re∣•…v'd out of such Towns as were not seated on the •…ntiers. That Article did not relate to the Places of Sure∣•…; which another spoke of directly, and desn'd the King 〈…〉 take them again: but this has contributed considerably 〈…〉 enslave the Kingdom; by reason that it serv'd for an ••erture to disarm all those that were able to desend •…ir Liberty. The next desir'd the Prohibition of all sor∣•…gn Correspondencies,*

Others propos'd the restoring to the Ecclesiasticks their •…uses and Castles within the space of three Months: 〈…〉 oblige those that were order'd to prove their being ••form'd, meaning the Catholicks that imbrac'd the Re∣•••m'd Religion to make their Declaration before the •ge Royal, six Months before their being allow'd to •ove their Causes to the Chambers of the Edict. That •e was sufficient to ruin them in the Parliaments. Others •…ir'd that all the Causes in which Ecclesiasticks were •…cern'd might be remov'd before the Parliaments, Presidials, •…d other Catholick Judges: and that the Chambers should 〈…〉 be allowd' to receive their Appeals.*

Thirty two others followed these, which were di∣•…tly against the Reform'd. The first of them was to •…press the exercise of their Religion; That in the mean Page  [unnumbered] time they should be reduc'd to the Concessions of the late King; and that all they had obtain'd during the mi∣nority should be revok'd. The others imported that they should restore the Churches to the Catholiks: That they should not be allow'd to Bury their Dead in the anci∣ent Church-yards, or in the Churches, and that the Catho∣licks should be allow'd to oppose it by force of Arms: That they should be forc'd to restore the Church-yards they had shar'd with the Catholicks; That they should be forbidden to write against the Sacraments of the Roman Church, and against the Authority of the Pope, on pa•… of rigorous punishments; That the Ministers should n•… be allowed to go into the Hospitals, even to comfort th•… Sick; That Masters should be oblig'd to suffer their Ser∣vants to perform the rites of their Religion, and to al∣low the Curates to visit them when sick; That the exercise of the P. R. R. should be prohibitted in Lands that were held in homage of the Church; That the Catholicks tur•… Protestants should not injoy the exemption of contribu∣ting towards the building of Churches, &c. Untill a year a•… their signification of their profession in the Register Office▪ That their Temples should be a thousand Steps dis•… from the Churches at least; That the Patronages of the Reform'd should be transferr'd to their nearest Catholi•… Relations, or in default of any to the Ordinary; That 〈…〉 prohibition should be made on pain of corporal punish¦ments, to impose upon the Catholicks the Sums rais'd 〈…〉 those of the pretended Religion; That the Reform'd Lord•… should not be allow'd to have Sermons in any of the•… Houses, but that in which they made their principal abode▪ nor to make use of the Kings Consession for the others▪ That an Order should be made for the Kings Officers to be admitted in the Synods: That the Briefs should be recall'd which granted to the Reform'd Benifices, Steward∣ships, or Pensions out of Ecclesiastical Estates; That Ecclesiasticks whether Secular or Regular might be chal∣leng'd by the Bishops, after their having▪ embrac'd the Page  175 Reform'd Religion, though no Information was made be∣•…e their Change; That the manner of electing the Judg∣•… that were to serve in the Chambers, being prejudicial 〈…〉 the State and to the Church, the King would be plea∣•… to revoke it, and to cause them to be chosen accord∣•… to the Order of the Register; That the Chambers •…uld not be allowed to take Cognisance of any Eccle∣•…tical affairs; and that whatever state a Cause were 〈…〉 even after the conclusion of the Process, an Ecclesi∣•…ck Interposing the whole should be remov'd to the •…liaments; That the Reform'd of Calais should not be •…w'd to Preach in Dutch, or in any other Language 〈…〉 French; That the Temple built near Bourg in Bresse, 〈…〉 the convenience of Boesse Pardaillan who had been •…ernour of it, should be taken from the Reform'd; •…t at Pont de Ves•e, the Temple being only divided 〈…〉 the Church by a Wall, the Reform'd should be •…g'd to provide another place; That Fathers or Guar∣•…s hindring their Children or Pupils from turning •…holicks, the Attornies General should be ordered to •…ecute them for it; That the Children of a Catholick •…er, bred Catholicks, should remain so after his •…th, though their Mother was Reform'd; That the •…eutenants General, and other Judges of that Religion* 〈…〉 Bayliwicks, should not be allowed to take Cognisance •…he Possessory of Benefices, or other Beneficial matters; •…t the Colleges, and Semminaries that had been found∣•…y the Reform'd at Charenton, at Saumur, at Clermont •…oivoisis and in several other Places should be taken 〈…〉 them; That they should not be allowed to have •…igners for their Doctors, Rectors, and Tutors; and 〈…〉 no Foreigners should be allowed to teach any Do∣•…e but that of the Catholick Church within the King∣•….

Page  [unnumbered]An Article, which follow'd them, imported that all the Pro∣vinces and Governments had charg'd the Instructions 〈…〉* their Deputies with Complaints against the enterprises 〈…〉 the Reform'd; and the next desir'd they should not be al∣low'd to perform the exercise of their Religion, not 〈…〉 keep Schools in Towns, nor in the Subburbs of Episco∣pal Cities: accusing the Commissioners that were sent 〈…〉 the Provinces in 1611, of having favour'd the Reform▪• beyond reason, upon that Subject, under pretence of p•…∣ting the Edict of 1577 in Execution. In which there 〈…〉 a manifest fraud in the Clergy, which did not mention t•… Edict of Nantes here; as if the Commissioners of 16•… had not been the Executors of it; or that the said Ed•… had not confirm'd that of 1577, in the Article of t•… first places allow'd in Bayliwicks. Nothing had be•… done beyond reason in delivering to the Reform'd Pla•… for the exercise of their Religion which had been pro∣mised to them by two solemn Edicts: And the Clergy, 〈…〉 whom Henry the 4th had granted as a favour, that Episco∣pal Cities should be exempted from being given as * Se∣cond places of Bayliwicks, should not have dissembl•… that the said exception, made in their favour for the second did confirm the General Law for the first. The next de∣sir'd that the King should not grant Ecclesiastical Ca•… or Towns for the future for places of Hostage; and t•… the Government of Mas d'Agenois should be taken fr•… Calonges, by reason that the Clergy pretended that 〈…〉 Reform'd had neither the exercise of their Religion allow'd there, nor a Garrison before the year 1600. In the very next the Clergy was not asham'd to desire contra•… to a Law which Christianity and humanity have establish'd that the Judges of the Party-Chambers might not be allow'd 〈…〉 pass in Mitiorem, incase they were divided in their op•…∣ons in Criminal Cases, under pretence that that Le•… prevented the punishent of Criminals. They desir'd t•… in such a Case the Cause might be remov'd to the other Party Chambers, or to the Chambers of▪ the Edict. •… Page  177 •hat when the accus'd had reason to expect according to that •quitable custom, to see an end put to their Tryal by some mo∣derate Punishment, the Clergy thought fit to make them dance through all the Jurisdictions of the Kingdom, and to keep them •lways in dread, and in Fetters, untill that after having pass'd through all of them, they should fall at last into the hands of a Chamber in which they might not find a sufficient number of •…dges to save them from Perishing. This may serve to judge •f the Charity the Roman Clergy was capable of; since they would not have it in the power of Judges of their own Reli∣gion to spare humane Blood; and to reverse a sentence, in ca∣•…s in which Custom does authorise it, which ordain'd the spil∣•…ng of it. They complain'd in the next place of the demo∣•…shing of Ecclesiastical places, pretended to be done by the Reform'd since the peace granted by the Edict of Nantes: The •…shest example they could allege of it, was a thing which had •een done above 15 years ago.

They concluded all this, beseeching his Majesty to cause, what* •…e should be pleas'd to grant the Clergy to be Registred and •…violably observ'd: So that the Reform'd would not have •een able to subsist long if the Clergy had obtain'd their de∣•ands. Moreover in a particular * Cahier of regulations which •…ey call'd Spiritual, and which they humbly begg'd his Maje∣•…y to Authorize, they desir'd that the right of Burial in Church∣•…s, and in Church-Yards should be deny'd to the Reform'd, and 〈…〉 such as should be kill'd in a Duel, dying without Confessi∣on, whatever Quality they were of. This Article also shows •he nature of their Charity to the Reform'd, which they com∣par'd in this place not only to persons they esteem'd to be dam∣•ed without redemption: but to persons condem'd by all the •aws, whose fury was the object of publick detestation. It 〈…〉 also observable that in all those Articles, in which they spoke •f the Religion of the Reform'd they Transpos'd the word Pre∣tended, to render the signification of it the more Odious: cal∣•…ng it always Pretendue Religion Reformee, instead of Religion •retendue Reformee, or barely the Pretended Religion.