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, purporting the renewing all the E∣dicts of Pacification, Articles granted, Regulations and De∣crees depending upon 'em. Publish'd in Parlament, the last of April 1615.

LEWIS, by the Grace of God King of France and Navarr, To all, &c. Immediately after our coming to the Crown, the Queen, our Thrice Honour'd La∣dy and Mother, then Regent of the Kingdom during our Minority, prudently judg'd that there was no∣thing which ought to be more dear to her, then the Preservation of the Publick Peace, and that for the Enjoyment of this Happiness, and to cause our Subjects to live in A∣mity one with another, it was neces∣sary to confirm the Edicts, Decla∣rations, and all other Writings and Dispatches granted by the King Deceas'd, our thrice Honour'd Lord and Father, whom God Ab∣solve, to our Subjects of the Pre∣tended

Reformed Religion, on purpose to let 'em know, that she was desirous to follow the Example and Conduct of a Prince, who had so happily rul'd and govern'd his Kingdom, and advanc'd so high the Grandeur and Reputation of it, by his Wisdom and Matchless Va∣lour, that she knew not how to take a better course or more wholsome Counsel, then that which he made use of. Which she did by a De∣claration Publish'd in all the Par∣laments, and in other Places where it was necessary, taking the same care also to see it Publish'd. And when she receiv'd any complaint of Breaches, that were pretended to be made to the Prejudice of the same, did all that lay within the Verge of her Power and Authority to cause amends to be made. This Conduct which she us'd in all her Actions, and Deportment in the Government of the Kingdom, hav∣ing been the true Cause, next to Gods Assistance, to keep all our Subjects united in Affection, Fide∣lity and Obedience toward us and in Friendship one among another. Which has also mov'd us, after the Declaration of our Majority, to beseech her, that she would be pleas'd to continue with the same Affection and Vigilance, to assist us with Her good Counsels, in the same manner and with the same Authority, as if the Administra∣tion of the Government were still in Her hands. In pursuance where∣of, by Her Advice, as soon as we enter'd into our Majority, we set forth a Declaration, in favour of our Subjects of the Religion, the same in Substance with the former, to let 'em always see, that our In∣tention and Desire, was to pro∣mote Friendship and Peace among our Subjects, and inviolably to observe our Edicts. And being very sorry for the Contention and Dispute that happen'd between the Catholick Deputies of the Chamber of the Nobility, and some others of the said Religion, assembl'd in the General States held in our good City of Paris, up∣on this occasion, that the said Ca∣tholick Deputies had put the Que∣stion, and came to a Resolution, that we should be Petition'd to preserve the Catholick, Aposto∣lick, Roman Religion, according to the Oath, which we took at our Coronation; a needless Proposal, or rather altogether unprofitable, considering that we our selves pro∣fess it with an unshaken Constancy and Resolution to live and dye in it. So that we must believe, that the Proposal was not made by them, but only to testifie their Zeal and Affection for the Catho∣lick Religion, and not to give of∣fence to any Body, as first they se∣parately declar'd to us, and after∣wards all together, protesting that they desir'd the Observation of the Peace, as Establish'd by the E∣dicts: And that we would be pleas'd to await, and expect from Divine Goodness, the Reunion of all our Subjects to the Catholick, Apostolick and Roman Religion, by the means most usual and custo∣mary in the Church. Being fully perswaded by experience of what is past, that violent Remedies

have only serv'd to encrease the number of those that are departed from the Church, instead of teach∣ing 'em the way to return to it: Therefore to take away all evil Im∣pressions out of the Minds of our good Subjects, of the said Preten∣ded Reformed Religion, who pro∣fess it with a Zeal no less Pure and Innocent, then remote from all Fa∣ction and Evil Design: As also all Pretences from whosoever seeks 'em to disturb the Repose of the Kingdom, we thought it our Du∣ty upon this, to declare what is our Will and Pleasure. For these Reasons, we make known, that having consider'd of this matter in our Council, where were present the Queen, our thrice Honour'd Lady and Mother, the Princes of our Blood, &c. We have with their Advice said, declar'd and or∣dain'd, say, declare and ordain, and it is our Will and Pleasure, by these Presents, that all the E∣dicts, Declarations, and Private Articles, ordain'd in Favour of t••••se of the Pretended Reformed Religion, as well by our Deceased Lord and Father, as by our selves, together with the Regulations and other Letters or Decrees, given in their Favour by way of Explanati∣on, and for the Execution of the Edict of Nantes, and in pursuance of i••, shall be inviolably kept and observ'd, and the Offenders pu∣nish'd with the utmost Rigour of the Laws, as Disturbers of the Publick Peace. To this purpose, we enjoin all our Officers to be carefully assisting, upon Pain of being answerable, and punish'd for their Negligence or Connivance, with the same Severity as the Of∣fenders. The same Injunctions and Commands we lay upon our Belov∣ed and Faithful Counsellors, &c. to see that these presents be Read, and Publish'd, &c. For such is our Will and Pleasure. In Testi∣mony whereof, we have caus'd our Seal to be affix'd.

Given at Paris, March 5. 1615. and fifth of our Reign.

Sign'd, Lewis.

By the King.

De Lomenie.

Seal'd with the Great Seal of Yellow Wax upon a double Label.

Read, Publish'd, and Register'd, upon the Motion of the Kings Advocate General, and Order'd to be sent to the Bayliwicks and Seneschal ships, to be there Pub∣lish'd and Register'd, and care∣fully observ'd by the Advocate Generals Substitutes, who shall certifie the Court of their Sedu∣lity within a Month, upon Pain of answering in their own Names. At Paris in the Parla∣ment, April the last, 1615.

Sign'd Voisin.