THe Troubles of Fraunce growing from a popular discontent of sundrie ill affected persons towardes their naturall Liedge king , in that hee séekes to withdraw them from mans traditions to the puritie of the gospel , shewes not onely the long sufferance of God towards the wicked , but his iust punishment vppon stubborne and head-strong Nations , that hearken not vnto the voyce of the charmer , charme he neuer so wiselie . Yet the sundrie victories the French King hath had against his enemies , discouers not only the equitie of his cause , but assured testimonie that God will pull down the plumes of such rebellious subiects as resist the Lords annointed .

A manifest instance of the which fell out of late , by a great victorie the French Kinges forces hath had against the Duke of Parma which was in this maner . The Duke of Parma intrenched himselfe strongly by Noue Chastell not far from Deepe , whereof Mounsieur de Vitrey was Gouernour , and there in warlike manner fortified himselfe with Baricados and other muniments to withstand the sodaine inuasion of his enemies : yet neither so warilie , nor so strongly , but the kings forces plaid vpon him so hard , that what inforced by the Kings power , whose valour was more then his multitudes , and drawen on by a mutinie of the french companies that were with him , who could not brooke the imperious gouernment of the proud Spaniard , he was constrained to breake vppe his trench and retire home-ward as well as hee might for his owne safety . For though hee had sundrie Squadrons of the French that were both the Kings professed enemies , and of the Leagar : yet the French Gentlemen béeing somewhat haughtie of themselues , did with the more impatience suffer the insolence of the commaunding and ouer-wéening Spaniards . Where vppon the Duke of Parma grew offended , and for that speciall reason retired , as he did manifest in a letter sent to Mounsieur de Villiers gouernour of Roan for the Leager , the contents whereof are these .

I came to aid you , but I could not performe what I intended , for that I cannot assure my selfe of the French , who ( as I am not their maister , so they will not obey me , which occasion mooues me thus sodainlie to depart : but I meane to returne againe shortlie , with greater forces and more strength , and such as shall obey me . Wherefore , I pray you continue steadfast , and be of good comfort . Yet had there not bene a more speciall reason , happilie he would haue taken order both to haue quieted the French gentlemen , and haue gotten more supplies to haue counteruailed the Kinges power : but God who is called therefore , the Lord of hoasts , because hee hath victorie in his hand to suppresse and conquer at his pleasure , stretched out a mightie arme against the Duke , and as hee punished Pharao with plagues for his disobedience , so hee sent a gréeuou● scarcitie , darth , and famin amongst the dukes forces , not onely for victuals , which though they were extreamelie scant , and that the souldiers were so pined and almost weakned euen to the death , that the gnawing of their bowels began to bréed the bloudie-flixe amongst them : but their greatest plague was , that ther was no prouision for his horse , neither prouand , hey , stubble , nor straw : in so much that as much hay as is sould in England for 4. pence , was worth there euen at the Dukes owne hands 40. shillings , which famin lighting amongst the horses , bred suche mortall contagion amongest them , that such as died not ( as there perished dailie multitudes of them ) had straunge and sundry diseases , especially there grew out of their sides great swellinges like wens , which going in againe , straight kild them , and being dead , their flesh so stunk , that it bred a mortality amongst the souldiers . Wherby we may sée the iust iudgement of God , that kicke against the pricke , and resist a manifest truth , vnto the maintenance of their papisticall and ceremonious religion .

The Duke of Parma driuen thus to retire , sent before him to take vp a conuenient place to lodg his men in : some 400. horsemen , and 800. footmen , but Mouns. de Longueuille hearing how they marcht , although his power was but small , yet vpon a zeale to God , his Liege and Countrey , with a determined resolution set vppon them , and in short time , discomfited them , & put all of them to the sword . Which newes being brought to the Duke of Parmas eares , hee began straight to doubt of himselfe , and after consultation had for his beter safetie , hee retreated in one night seauen leagues , and so hee concluded to passe ouer the riuer of Soan at Amiens , and his companie to get ouer the riuer at Abeuille , making such great hast , that in the way he left behind many Charets and Waggens : in some place four , in other sixe , and other whiles ten : to the number of 200. and more : rather yéelding such luggage a pray to the enemies then anie more of his forces should bee impaired . The King hearing of the Duke of Parmas retire , or rather sodaine escape ( to shadowe his flight with more honourable names ) leauing Roan sufficientlie blockt vp with troupes and men of resolution to leager it in his absence : amongst whom Mounsieur de Giury was one . Then in his owne person marcht forward after the Duke of Parma , accompanied with a braue troupe of horse , with intent to fight with the Duke if by any means he might chance to méet him in his iorney .

After the Duke thus had made his retire from Noue Chastell , Mounsieur de Vitrey the gouernor thereof yéelded both it and himselfe and all his souldiers , to the number of a hundreth to the mercy and fauour of the King , who receiued him with al acustomed clemencie . Beside that , most part of the French Gentlemen that were of the Leager , whether toucht in conscience that they striue against their lawfull Soueraigne , or doubting that God wil so fauour the kings forces that his enemies shall goe by the worst , as daily they doe . Well howsoeuer moued I know not , but they make continuall sute to the king to haue a passeport to withdraw themselues to their houses , promising neuer to beare armes any more , except it bee in his Maiesties seruice , and alwayes and in all places to bee ready to execute any thing his Highnes shall commaund them : but how the king accepts of their sute , we haue not as yet any certaine intelligence : where we may note that although they haue continued long mutinous against his Maiestie , yet at last , the touch of their own guilty minds makes them in a tremblinge forme of obedienc● sue for fauour at his handes , whome so contemptuously , they haue hetherto rebelled against .

Of these French gentlemen that had bene with the Duke of Parma , three hundred very well horst , drew themselues toward Roan , and by the way were all ouerthrowne and slaine .

Further when the king was remoued with some of his forces to follow the Duke of Parma , they of the Faulcon which is a Castell scituate neere vnto Roan , did come forth with two hundreth horse , to geue an attempt vpon the kinges power that was left behinde , euery man promising to himselfe , large spoyles out of the kinges tentes , but it fell out contrary to their expectation , for Monsieur de Giury , being by some secrete espials , forewarned of this , was not onely in a readinesse to receiue them , but laide diuers ambushes to circumuent them , placing some shotte so cunningly and closely , that they found as sharpe intertainemente as might bee , for the kinges power brake out vppon them before , and the shot so galled the horse on the other side , that of two hundred , there escaped away aliue , but seauenteene persons , to the great incouragement of the kinges part , and the dismay of them in Roan . Thus doth the Lord helpe the cause of the righteous , and breakes the iaw-bones of his enemies , and brings his foes to confusion , Farewell .