I aunsweare them , it is not the part of a seruant nor of any other whomsoeuer to make himselfe equall and euenlyke , nor to compare himselfe with the authority , power , or highnes , of an Emperor , King , or Magistrace , who executeth and disposeth of his affaires , as pleaseth himself , and according to his good counsell . After whose example , and in imitation of hym , if perticuler persons , shoulde take vpon them to make ordinaunces , and to entermedle in the rule & gouernment of the ciuil estate , & the affaires of the kingdome . What order , what gouernment , what iustice , should we haue therin ▪ To whom might it be said that the obedience were due , which we protest to yeild in the name of God , to our superiours , whome he hath ordeined and established ouer his people .

There is no question , nor controuersie , but that a long time there hath bene verie secret practising against the king . For his maiesties owne selfe , hath often discouered verie euident tokens therof , whereby hee might easilie bee perswaded , of their canckred hearts toward him . As may appeare by the serching and sifting that the house of Guize hath made , as being descended from Charlemaine , vpholding the Bulle of Pope Stephen , in the behalfe of Pepin king of Fraunce , and of his wife , with their two issues males , one of the which was the saide Charlemaine , the which bull ( next after the consecrating & anoynting of the regality in the person of the said Pepin and his wife , by the same Pope ) conteinech a iudgment of curse against them that should presume to enterprise the french scepter & preuaile to obtaine the same , except they were such as should discend from the said Pepin , & his race . There haue ben other sufficient occasions brought to light , which I will passe in silence .

But I wonder why they laid that so long aside , and opposed not themselues , to them that haue raigned sithencs that time . I wotte well that they haue ruled and gouerned in Fraunce in their time , and that nothing was done , but what they allowed for the most part .

And to alleadge at this daie , that the king had hardely dealt with them : hee that had brought to light so many sinister dealinges , and enterprises , They indeuoring and purposing to aide and defend themselues with a league and association ( in a manner ) of all the townes and communalties of all Fraunce , where they could get audience . This kinde of proceding was in truth concluded and determined from the councel , of Trent : And being assured of a great number of people as well Churchmen , as Gentlemen , and of the thirde estate , vnder colour of the revniting of fayth and religion , and also of the asswaging and lessening of the impositions taxes and subsidies that the kinge demanded by reason of the necessity of the affaires of his kingdome : and of other prankes , wherwith I may well say a great number of folke were bewitched , forsaking their king , who onlye hath power and authoritie in his kingdome to take order in all such matters , the which people stayed themselues vpon certaine perticuler persons , that haue not any meane to accomplish the same , but only by taking their swordes in hande , and altogither to inforce the king to graunt to their minds , or else to constraine him to yeild vp his scepter : and intending thus to winne the authority that they seeke to haue ouer all Fraunce : to bring all things into confusion and disorder to murder all them that should refuse to bee obeidient to their will : to sease their goods and possessions , to recompence the heades of these warres , for their good seruice imployed for this league , at their cos●es . These matters are wel ynough knowne to many , by the actions that they haue committed , yea & after what sort they haue led the kings maiestie about , who for a certaine space distrusted not their hipocrisie & dissimulation . But they could not so couertlye and cunningly playe their game , but it was espyed , how they had deliberated , to shutte the king vp in a religious house , there to finish the rest of his dayes .

Now when this confederacie and league was thus confirmed and setled , and the time of the execution of their intent drewe neere , wee know howe the kinge was constrained to withdrawe himselfe from Paris , and all those matters that ensued thervppon , vntill the assembly of his generall estats at Bloys . At which-place , in the beginning , the king of Nauarra , and all those of his race , are declared to be vomcet and vncapable to succeed , to the crowne 〈◊〉 Fraunce , as men attainted & conuicted of heresie in their onely iudgement , with confiscation of all their possessians . In which place they thought veryly to haue accomplished and attained to the perfection of their secret intents and complots . But when matters stirred and turned otherwise then they expected , and the estates ceased : They must needes open the closet of their heartes , whereby were reuealed their fautors and assuters . And euen as there was left but one tribe of the children of Israell in the house of Dauid , in the handes of king Roboam , the lawfull and naturall sonne , and rightfull successor of his father Salomon : so did the king finde himselfe stripped of all his good townes , noble men , and an infinit number of men at armes , so that he had no sure accesse nor place of retrait , sauing in the lesser part of his kingdom , though there were many of his side in the protestant townes , but the force was not in their hands . Seeing themselues then thus strong , they cried . God saue the League , God saue the League , The which word , beeause it seemed odious , they haue changed into Vnion .

The king weighing and considering this kinde of proceeding , and perceuuing their demeanors , pride and ambition , setling & tooting in the harles of these bypocrites , the taking of his townes , borroughes , castels , and strong holdes , with double assuranes of men in pay , and out of pay : it was ●●●sfarie for him to craue aid els where , and as he was alwaies well assured of the good will of the ki●● of Nauarra his brother in Law , toward him , so did ●e not sticke , nor make any difficultie to call him to his aide : Whereto the said Lord would not in any respect disobey : notwithstanding the rigour of the edicts and declarations that the said king of Fraunce had made against my said Lord the king of Naurra and his alders , and had caused their goods and possessions both mouable and vnmouable to bee solde , acording to the desire of his enemies the leaguers , besides other matters which they caused the sayde deceased king to doe by force , for the most part , and wherein most often hee knew not what hee did . Which matters the said Lord the king of Nauarra hath sufficientite set downe at large in all his protestations that he hath made to his Maiestie .

Now Sathan , seeking like a roaring lion whom be may deuour , perceiuing this good and holie ●greement and reconciliation , with the good will of the faithfull protestantes of the kings side , he could no longer stay him selfe in assurance , forasmuch as his deuises went euill forward . For these of the kinges side , taking courage , haue brought manie sheept backe againe to their owne fold . Herewithall , he perceiued howe the straunger tooke the cause in hand , and stirred against the disturbers of the tranquilitie . They coulde not other●i●e iudge , for the behoof of the cause , but to persecute the head that the members might be that steker

In this iudgment and opinion , there bee many sortes of folke . For some of them ought to beeplaine and continent in their willes : Others are holde and ignorant , ledde by their owne affection without iudgment : Other some contrarie to their solitarines , are forerunners : who contrarie to their profession , entermeddle to doe things cleane contrarie to all honest conuersation , which causeth them to be euill liked , of such as desire to walke plainlie in their vocation . All the which kindes of folke thus put together , cannot in their particular passions , which are without all holines and pietie , rightly nor fitly giue any good counsell for such matters as are to be done : for they prefer their wicked intention which is transported with pride and vnsaciable conuetousnes ) before all good affection , and the saftie of the common weale . And all of them so put together , without foresight of that which is to come , reiecting al manner of knowledge of God , cannot deliverate any other thing sauing onely the cutting away of the head of the tree , that the braunches might wither away the sooner .

This Counsell was holden at Paris , whereat were present at that time the principall heads of this league , in which place , Sathan offered one worse then Iudas , for Iudas kissed his maister after be had sold him , and acknowledged his offence afterwards . But this yong man , a Iacobin Frier of religion , hath made no difficulty nor sticking , to wound to death him , that so hartily loued the order aboue all the whole nations of religious persons , who had cherished them , as they that were welcome about his person . This will I say , it is no noueltie that they begin to doe euill : I will produce an Emperour that was poysoned by a halowed ●●ast , empoisoned notwithstanding , which was presented vnto him by a Iacobin . This order of Friers preachers haue alwaies bene very desirous to bee welcome amongest men of high calling , and to vndertake odious offices , as to be of the inquysition of fayth and others . These of the League , vpon consideration thereof , prouoke and styrre more and more , thys poore cursed wretch , within whose hart Sathan lodged ; to keepe , him alwaies in this cursed mind . Upon the resolution hereof , they prepared him a knife for this purpose ; which they double poisoned with such kind of poyson , that though the party stryken with thys Instrument dye not presentlie yet it shall not be possible for him to escape , nor liue long after .

Vpon tuesday the first of August , very early in the morning , this diuelish person , taketh his iorney , purpesing to find his Maiesty at S. Clou , two small leagnes from Paris : Attending his vpr●sing , for feare of l●sing the occasion to speake with him : being well assured to haue entrance to him , in respect of the ●auour that the king bore vnto them : hauing in his hand a letter or missiue to deliuer liuer vnto him from the first president of Paris , as the report goeth , whom they detaine prisoner .

Assoone as he was aduercised that he might conueniently speake with the king , he entereth with a bolde face , as hardy as a lyon , and like a bloody traitor gaue him the Iubé with a very low & humble curtesie , offering vnto him the said pretended writing of the same President , and comming neer to his Maiestie , he signified vnto him how Bee had another secret to declare vnto him . The king hearing the same , caused two Gentlemen to goe out , that serued him at his vprising . Then this Iacobin continuing in his wicked mind , drew this knife and therewith thrust the king into the litle belly as they call it : the which strok entred not into his body , neyther dyed he presentlie . The king seeing this , and being mooued , laid hold of a dagger that lay neere vnto hym , and therwith stroke the sayd Monke , who being hurt with the stroke , and much affrighted , fell presently down for feare : Howbeit not dead , but as is commonly sene , a malefactor is neuer setled and assured in conscience when he goeth about to e●ecute such a crueltie . Thys wretched Monke , being worse feared , then hurt , had leysure to speake .

Vpon the which noise , the said gentlemen sodenly came in againe with others , who by the kings commandement , slue him not , but tooke him vp . After the king w●s dressed , euen so far that hee had seuen stitches with a needle , as the report goeth , he gaue commandement for the examination of the saide Monke , which was accomplished , and be declares who set him on , the authors , and all other informations , with his name , and vocation , & that he was not counterfayted , but of the sayd order . Which being finished , through impatiency he was kylled , suffering aboue a hundred thrusts with daggers , & which is worthy the maruayling at , it is reported that the sayd Monks flesh became as blacke as a very rauen , which ys easie to be beleeued , because Sathan dwelt wythin hym , and then the Iudgement of god that appeareth to men in diuerse sorts : behold here a pytyfull tragedy .

But as God will serue his purpose with men , by many and diuerse sortes , the king being yet of good there , with the hope which hee had conceiued that his wound might mend , sent with speede , for his brother in lawe the king of Nauarra , the lordes of his Court. Gouernours , Captaines that were in his armye , & specially the heads of the straungers that were in his countrie , to the intent that if it so fell out that hee died , the disorder and misrule should not be so great , that all the army should be broken vp , no● an vnmeasurable confusion ensue therevpon . When they were all thus assembled , God put into the kings mouth so stedfast and 〈◊〉 speach , as though he had felt noe griefe , and began to signify to the assemblie : hat the lawful succession of the royall estate of Fraunce , fell not to anye other , sauing in the person of Barbon , and declaring at that time the kinge of Nauarra first successor , he prayed and exhorted the whole companie so to acknowledge him , and to be fayth full vnto him : and to protest all with one voice the acknowledging & taking in good part of this deede , and true obedyence , as to the true and lawfull heire , and to cause the like promise & acknowledgment to bee made in the campe by all true and faithfull Captaines and souldiers that could not bee present at the sayde assembly , aswell naturall frenchmen as straungers , who all with gladnes of hart ( though otherwise sad and sorowfull for his maiesties wound ) swore to execute the kinges will .

Vpon the ordering and disposing of all matters in this sorte , the kinge sent letters into all places , where he had yet the full gouernment , & especially to Caan to Mounsyr de la verune Gouernour and Baylly at Caan , and to the court of parliament established at the sayd place , with hope , that there was no daunger of death . Asmuch was written vnto them from Mounsyr de Mountpensier Gouernour general for his maiestie in Normandy , who was then at Andely vpon the riuer of Seyne , where becaused his whole armie to take the like oathe : exhortinge the heades to maintaine the kings will . Whiche was accorded vnto him , with hope as the said lord gouernor demed , that there shold be no daunger of the kings death , by Gods helpe .

But the next daie following , the said lord gouernor chaunged that kind of language , writing to the sayd Bayly of Caan , whereby he gaue him to vnderstande how the king dyed the wednesdaye next following the date wherein he was wounded .

An assembly was holden at Caan vpon sonday the sixt day of August , of all the Citizens and Inhabitantes of the same place , in the presence of the Bayly of Caan , and the Court of Parliament , the bodie of the towne , and the gentlemen of the countrie , where the skilful person Mounseur de Lisores , President in the said court of Parliament , did sit as President , and when he had deliuered and shewed to al the whole company what matters had happened , with admiration of the speach of thys Lord , as protesting perfect loyalty on his owne behalfe : publication of his Maiesties letters and of Moūtpensiers letters was publiquely made , where all vniformally sware their acknowledgment & fidelity , euery man protesting to mayntayne the will of Henry de Valoys thus deceased , in all thinges that it conteineth .