A Declaration of the King, and Confirmation of the Edict of Nantes, given at Paris, December 15. 1612. and verifi'd January 2. 16•3.

LEwis by the Grace of God King of France and Navarr. To all, &c. The extream desire we have had ever since our coming to the Crown, for which we continu∣ally implore the Blessing of God, and for which the Queen Regent our thrice Honour'd Lady and Mo∣ther, has always most sedulously la∣bour'd, has been to take care to maintain and preserve all our Sub∣jects in Peace, Tranquillity and Re∣pose, and in good Friendship, Uni∣on and Concord one with another, as being the Principal Foundation of the welfare of this Kingdom. To this purpose from the Time that it pleas'd God to visit us with the fatal Accident that befel us, through the Death of the Decea∣sed King, our thrice Honour'd Lord and Father, of glorious Me∣mory, we resolv'd to imitate and follow the same Methods which he took, to attain the same ends: and having observ'd, that after he had by his Valour restor'd this King∣dom to its Ancient Splendour, he with a great deal of care, Labour and Prudence, and for a Foundati∣on of an assur'd Repose, and an en∣tire Reconciliation between all his Subjects; as also to remove from those who profess'd the pretended Reformed Religion, all occasion of Fear and Distrust for the Liber∣ty of their Persons, Consciences, Honour and Families, made and ordain'd what is compriz'd in his Edict giv'n at Nantes in April 1598. by the Observation of which, and of the Secret Articles he had happily rul'd and govern'd his People in Peace till his Decease, therefore one of our first Actions, which we were willing to do in this Kingdom, has been to set forth our Letters of Declaration of the 22. of May, 1610. containing a Confirmation of the said Edict, and of the Secret Articles, Regu∣lations and Decrees set forth by way of Explanation, and for the putting the same in Execution, which we sent at the same instant to all our Parlaments to be there verifi'd: and sometime after we resolv'd to send into all the Pro∣vinces of our Kingdom, some of the Principal Members of our Council, and other Persons well qualifi'd, chosen by our selves as Page  487 well Catholicks as of the pretended Reformed Religion, to cement and corroborate the Establishment and Execution of the said Edict, and favours granted in pursuance of it, having ever since continu'd to give that Assistance toward it that could be expected from our Care and Authority. But it has so fallen out, that our good Intentions have not had that successful Effect, that we could have desir'd among all our Subjects: Some of whom, and of those of the pretended Reformed Religion, through Suspitions too lightly conceiv'd of adverse Occur∣rences, are enter'd into Jealousies and Mistrusts one of another. Whence it has follow'd, that they have begun to double their Guards, make Provision of Arms, Levy Souldiers, hold Assemblies and Councils, and to do other things quite contrary to the Tenour and Observation of the said Edict. To which, however we are willing to believe 'em to have been induc'd by some •ears, which they have conceiv'd of themselves, and upon ••l•e Suspitions and Pretences, thô rot out of any ill Will or bad In∣tentions: Having always found the Generality of those of the Refor∣med Religion, extreamly well af∣fected to the good of our Service, and firm and constant in that reve∣rence, Fidelity and Respect which they owe to us. But in regard this Mischief may draw after it dan∣gerous Consequences, we thought it necessary to provide against it, to re-establish the good Friendship, Correspondence and Society, which ought to be alike among all our said Subjects; for the maintaining of their common Repose, which cannot be done more assuredly then by an ex∣act Observation of the said Edict, Secret Articles, Briefs, and other Acts made in pursuance of it: As al∣so by giving new Assurances to all our said Subjects of the said pre∣tended Reformed Religion, of our good Intentions in their behalf, and of our Intentions to preserve, main∣tain, protect 'em, and cause 'em to enjoy all the Favours and Concessi∣ons, which have been decreed 'em, as well by the Edict, as since that time, as they did in the Life-time of the Deceased King till his Death.

For these Reasons, and others Us moving, after we had caus'd this Matter to be debated in Coun∣cil, where was the Queen Regent, with the Princes of our Blood, and other Princes, several Officers of the Crown, and Principal Coun∣sellours of our Council, with the Advice of them, we have said and declar'd, and we say and declare, and it is our Will and Pleasure, that the abovesaid Edict of Names, together with our Declaration of the 22. of May 1610. with the Private Articles, Regulations, De∣crees, and other Letters set forth in pursuance of them, either by way of Explanation, or for the better Execution of the same, may be read de novo, and publish'd in all our Courts of Parlament, and Seats of Judicature under their Ju∣risdiction, having to that end, and as much as need requires con∣firm'd 'em, as we do again Con∣firm 'em by these presents Sign'd with our hand. We Will and Page  488 Ordain, that the whole may be fulfill'd, and inviolably observ'd, without any Breach o• Infringe∣ment whatsoever, in any manner whatever. Also for as much as the Breaches which have been made by some of our Subjects, have pro∣ceeded rather from Suspitions and Distrusts too slightly listen'd to, then from any want of Affection, Fidelity or Allegiance, which they have all along made apparent up∣on all occasions that have offer'd themselves. Hoping also that for the Time to come, they will keep themselves within the bounds of Duty, under the Observation of the Edicts and Ordinances, therefore we Will, and it is our Meaning, and our Pleasure, that all Decrees, Procedures, Acts, and other Letters that have been granted and set forth against 'em, as well in general as particular, upon any occasion whatever, shall be null and void, as if they had never been extant; so that upon occasion, and in pursuance thereof they shall not either in general or particular, inour any Blame, dan∣ger or dammage, nor be disturb'd or prosecuted for the Future. And to this purpose, we impose Silence upon all our Advocates General, their Substitutes and all others; as we also expresly forbid all our said Subjects, in Conformity to the 77. and 82. Articles of the Edict, to hold any Communications of Assemblies, to settle or hold Pro∣vicinal Councils, or to make any Le∣vies, Provisions of Arms, or Musters of Souldiers, or to commit any o∣ther Acts directly or indirectly con∣trary to our Edicts and Declarati∣ons, upon pain of Disobedience, and of being punish'd as disturbers of the Publick Peace.

To this purpose, we command our Beloved and Faithful Counsel∣lours, holding our Court of Parla∣ment and Chambers of the Edict, settl'd within the Kingdom, that the abovemention'd Edict, the E∣dict of Pacification, Secret Arti∣cles, Brevets, Declarations, and other Letters Patents to them sent in pursuance of the same, be •or•n∣with read and publish'd in the usu∣al Places, and that the Contents thereof be inviolably fulfill'd and observ'd; ceasing and causing to surcease all Troubles and Impeach∣ments to the contrary.

We further enjoyn our said At∣turney Generals to be aiding and assisting thereto; and if any In∣fringements happen after this, to prosecute the Authors with Seve∣rity; to the end, that Examples of Punishment may deterr others. For such is our Will and Pleasure. In Witness whereof we have caus'd our Seal to be affixed to these Pre∣sents.