The history of the famous Edict of Nantes containing an account of all the persecutions that have been in France from its first publication to this present time : faithfully extracted from all the publick and private memoirs, that could possibly be procured / printed first in French, by the authority of the states of Holland and West-Friezland, and now translated into English.

A Declaration of the King upon the Edicts of Pacification; given at Paris, July 20. 1616. and verify'd August 4. the same Year

LEwis, by the Grace of God, King of France and Navarr, To all, &c. Tho' that since our coming to this Crown we have clearly enough made known our continual care to preserve all our Subjects in Amity, Union and Concord one with another, as al∣so those who profess the Preten∣ded Reformed Religion, with all the safety and freedom that they can desire, as well for their Con∣sciences as for their Persons, E∣states, Offices and Dignities, un∣der the Observance of the Edicts of Pacification, secret Articles, Declarations, Brevets, and other Favours and Concessions granted 'em by the Deceas'd King, our thrice Honour'd Lord and Fa∣ther, whom God absolve, and since by our selves confirm'd: To which purpose we caus'd to be expedited in their favour several Declarations in express terms, as well at our coming to the Crown, and our entrance into our Ma∣jority, as upon several other Oc∣casions; upon which we judg'd that they might desire to be sa∣tisfi'd of our good and sincere In∣tentions in that particular: Ne∣vertheless, considering what has been represented to us, that some among 'em remain under some sus∣pition and jealousie, for that since the General Estates of our King∣dom were last convok'd, and as∣sembl'd in our good City of Pa∣ris, it was set afoot and resolv'd, that we should be petition'd to, that we would be pleas'd to pre∣serve the Catholick, Apostolick and Roman Religion, according to the Oath which we took at our Coronation, tho' they that were there as Deputies, have since suf∣ficiently given us to understand, that what was done proceded ra∣ther out of the abundance of their Affection for the said Catholick Religions, then out of any ill Will which they bear to those of the Pretended Reformed Religi∣on, We acknowledge at the same time, how necessary a thing it is to observe the Edicts of Pacifica∣tion made in their Favour, and how requisite it is for the Welfare and Tranquillity of the Kingdom; desiring therefore a fresh, to satis∣fie our said Subjects of the Pre∣tended Reformed Religion, of our good will in that Particular, and to the end we may not leave any Scruple unremov'd upon the said

proposals in the Assembly of States General; For these Reasons, and other Considerations, us thereunto moving, with the advice of the Queen Mother, our thrice ho∣nour'd Lady and Mother, the Princes, Officers of the Crown, and principal Members of our Council, about our person, we have said and declar'd, say and declare, That we never had any thoughts, by the Oath which we took at our Coronation, to com∣prehend therein our Subjects of the Pretended Reformed Religi∣on, living in our Kingdom un∣der the benefits of our said Edicts, Articles and Delarations made in their favour, which it is our plea∣sure shall be always inviolably fol∣low'd and observ'd, without the least infringment, and which as oc∣casion requires we have all along confirm'd and by these Presents con∣firm. Enjoyning all our Officers to prosecute and punish the Infringers thereof, as refractory Persons, and Disturbers of the publick Peace. Thus we command all our beloved and faithful Counsellors, holding our Courts of Parlament, Bailiffs, Seneschals, &c. that they cause these our present Letters Decla∣ratory to be read, publish'd and register'd, &c. and that the Con∣tents thereof be inviolably kept and preserv'd. In Testimony where∣of we have caus'd our Seal to be affix'd.

Given at Paris, Ju∣ly 20. 1616. in the 7th. Year of our Reign.

Sign'd LEWIS.

By the King in Council.

De Lomenie.

Seal'd with the Great Seal, in Yellow wax, upon a double Label.

Read, publish'd and register'd upon the Motion of the Kings Ad∣vocate General, and Copies or∣der'd to be sent to all the Bayli∣wicks, and Seneschalships, to be there publish'd and register'd, &c. At Paris in Parlament, August 4. 1616.

Sign'd Voisin.