WHereas there hath bin in Fraunce these many yeares , great strife and contention for religion , the which hath caused muche cruelty to be exercised towardes many : at the last , when the authors thereof perceiued , that their punishmentes little profited , and that th intentes of such as were Godly , were therby neyther altered nor diminished , they wer compelled to assaye more gentle meanes , farr vnlyke the first . Therefore in the yeare of our Lord God . 1561. Charles , the ninth of that name , a Prynce of synguler towardlynesse , and of great hope , then reigning , the peres of the realme mynded tymely to withstande the peril likely to ensue in so great a discorde . For now , their number encreasing whyche professed the gospel , many yll disposed persons began newe tumultes , and to moue sedition . Yea and many openly put themselues in armour . Some of the realme would haue the gospel openly preached . Some other , would haue that doctrine as newe , and hurtfull , to be condemned and abolished .

The first sort , desyrous of freedom , and quietnesse , complayned of their sondry banishments , murthers , imprisonments , and their most miserable estate : wishing the shame and reproche , wherwith there by they were stayned at laste to be purged . The others contrarywise , wishe their punishmentes double , the sharpenesse of thesame encreased , and all their goods committed to fyre and sweard . And , to proue their good wyll by their dedes , they brake into their congregations when they could , they robbed their howsen , and finally exercised all kynde of cruelty towardes them . Which vnlawful & vnbrydeled lust , when those that professed the Ghospel , perceiued● they did more strongly prepare to withstande them . And many tymes , wyth armed force resisted their inuasyons . And thou greater deceites they vnderstode were layed for them , the greater troubles , and persecutions that they felt : the greater alwayes grew their courages , thinking that they ought to withstande the furious rage of their enemies , with patience , and stoute sufferaunce . They all agreed it best , to abstayne from force . But neuetthelesse , they meant to prouyde , that their feare & patience , should not encrease the furye and insolence of their foes . First of al therfore , wheras , their number was so great , that the congregation could not assemble wythin their priuate howsen : they determined to come together openly , and to haue their sermons and readinges in the open congregations . Partly , bicause necessitie enforced them therto , and partly to cleare themselues of such slaunderous reports as already , their impudent aduersaries had raysed of them . For it was openly bruted , that most haynous and detestable crimes , were committed in their assemblies . Therefore , they came into the yardes and open places : some in their priuate howsen , and some in the open cities . Few toke the churches . For , least any thing should be rashly or vnaduisedly done , or leasr their aduersaryes myght haue any couloure , to accuse them of rebellion : the ministers & pastours of euery Churche ( as much as they myght ) kept the multitude in awe and order yet neuerthelesse , hereof rose sondry tumultes , and facrions of their aduersaryes . Which notwithstanding could not staye or hynder their open metinges . Hereof rose sondry troubles and great suspition , and feare of rebellion . And , thys caused at the last , that by the commaundement of the kyng and hys councell , it was openly proclaimed that none shuld iniury or molest other , for any matter of religion . After thys also was published an other , whereby , as wel the Bishops , as other nobles of the realme , were commaunded to repayre to Poyssye , to deliberate , both for the leauyeng of a tribute , to discharge the kynges dettes to foren Princes , but chefely for the reforming of the estate of religion . Therby also , the kinges peace and safecondwite was graunted to all suche as woulde come thither , freely to propose , whatsoeuer perteined to true religion ; and the establishing of concord . And it was commaunded vnder payne of death , that no man should trouble them comming together , assembled , or departing but that quietly , and freely , they myght mete together , without trouble or veracion . Shortly after , by an Act of parliament , in that which the Bishops and other nobles of the realme , wer not only parties , but rulers : it was decreed vnder paine of death , that hereafter , none should make any assemblies , eyther for preaching , or for ministring of the Sacramentes , or for mariage : other where , than in the Churches , or after any other sorte , than the olde and accustomed maner . And furthermore , that wythin a certayne space , the mynisters that professed the Ghospell , should departe the realme of Fraunce . Hereof rose gret trouble . Bicause now their liberty of comming together taken away , it was likely , to be greatly preiudicial to the tryall of the whole matter . After thys the nobles met at Poyssye . Shortly after , the ministers of the Gospel , came to the court to the king , which then lay at Saynt Germans , nye to Poyssye . Thither somwhat afore ; were come certayne chosen men , sent by the refourmed churches , out of the .xii. prouinces , to aduaunce religion . These deliberating with the others , determined to offer vp to the king , a boke , in maner of a supplication , wherby they woulde uponsome meanes , to disputation and conference . Therewithal also , was geuen vp , the confession of that faith , which they professed themselues ready to maintayne , and defende . Of that boke , the thiefe poyntes were fowre .

First , that no Bishops , nor others of the ecclesiasticall orders , should vsurpe the authoriti of Iudges ouer vs . Forasmuch as it behoueth rather , that they themselues shoulde pleade their owne cause , and stande in triall of reformation .

Secondly , that the king , Queene , and nobilitie , should rule the whole doinges : leaste any trouble might arsie . So that , without contention and strif , all matters myght be handeled and decreed .

Thirdly , that al controuersies might be tryed by the worde of god : whereupon onely , all our fayth and religion ought to be grounded .

Fourthly , that certayne notaryes and Scribes , should be chosen of eyther part which might faithfully register , whatsoeuer wer done or decreed . Whose notes should be of no credite , vnlesse they were allowed , and confessed of either part . These requestes no man misliked And the kyng answered , that he would take th aduise of his councell , and by his Chauncelour shortly make them an answere : yet thesame was long deferred . Bicause the matter was communicated with the Bishops , without whose councel , or knowledge to do any thing , it semed not mete . For , not only for thys matter of religion , had the kyng assembled them , but also , for the leauyeng of mony , to discharge hys dettes . They waxing proude wyth thys confydence , that the kyng semed to nede their aide : assured themselues , of the obtayning of any thyng agaynste vs , nothyng doutyng the assured conquest of Ladye money . Furthermore , they tryfled and prolonged the tyme , seeking al occasions , to auoide our conference and disputation . For they sayd we were already condemned and that they might not dispute with heretykes . These , and such other like , their accustomed stayes , they began to blase , whiche neuerthelesse , afterwardes they denied . Boasting , that they wer ready to he are vs . For they were ashamed openly to refuse our conference , sith by their own consent , we were sent for thither . But they fully perswaded themselues , that our courage , or constancy would not be such , as to hasard our lyues , for that speach of our wordes . Duryng this tyme oure number increased . For out of euery prouince , not in Fraunce onely , but also , from al the realmes adioyning , as many , as might , without the hynderaunce of their churches , drew thither . Wherfore at the last we chose certayne to the number of .xii. whose names wer these . Augustine Malorat , Fraunces of Paulon , Iohn Remonde Merlin , Iohn Mallet , Fraunces Morel , Nicolas Tolye , Theodore Beza , Claudius Bessierus , Iohn Bodwine , Iohn Virell . Iohn a Tures . Nicolas Gallasius . To these , Iohn Soma adioyned himself , which openly renounced papacy , and subscribed to the doctrine & Discipline of our Churches . Afterwardes came also , the reuerende father in God , Peter Martir , sent for from Tigur . Whose comming was scarsely acceptable to our aduersaryes , aswell for his singular learning , as also for the maiesty , and authority , which both his Godlinesse , and reuerende age haue gotten hym .

What in thys meane tyme , was don of the Bishops , whiche were assembled at Poyssye , I thynke not good to ouerpasse . For , least any man should thynke they were ydle , I wyl shew wyth what grauer matters they were letted , so that they could not presently heare vs . These questions they disputed amonges themselues .

What ought to be prescribed vnto Bishops . Of the dignities of cathedral churches . Of the Canonicalls , & their exemptions . Of Curates , & their institution , either by presentation , or ordinary collatiē . Of assigning them a Canonicall portion . Of the lesser ( that is to wyt ) the ignoraunt chaplens , and their vnreasonable number . Of the reformation of monasteryes . What should be done of commendes . Of the number of benefices , and their incompatibility . What waye hereafter they myght prouide , for churches and Monasteryes in time of vacation . Whether , there myght be any remedy founde , for so great contronersies as dayly ryse of benefyces ? Of the excommunicatyon & censure of the Churche and such lyke . With the which hard & weighty questions , the Bishops occupyed , had so litle leasure , the they could scarse findeany tyme , to employ in the hearyng of vs . What meanes they sought in the meane time to preiudice our matter , it is not to the purpose here to tel , I wil shew onely this one . Which some thought in maner the prologe , or preamble , of the conference that should ensue : that hereby men may know , what credite they ought to geue to such rumors as our aduersariesfalsely spred vpon vs . For , immediatly vpon the departure of Theodore Beza , a rumoure ranne , that he being conuycted by the Cardinall of Lorayne , was turned to the Catholikes ( as they cal themselues ) and agreed with them , as coucerning the Sacrament ( as they terme it ) of the aulter . Of thys tale , what was the couloure and occasion ? I wyll shortly shew . When Beza , the day after hys comyng , came to the Queenes presence , in the palayce of the kyng of Nauarre , by whom he was sent for , there beeyng present , the Prince of Conde , the Cardinal of Borbon & diuers other , the Cardinall of Lorayne emonges others being there , began to entreate and exhort him , to encline to peace and concorde , saying , that as being absent he had troubled the kyngdom , so now being present he might wel appease it . Hereto , Beza , first shewing , what good wil he had alwayes borne , to the kyng and hys natiue countrey : aunswered , that he was not of power , to trouble so great a kingdome but muche lesse of purpose to do it , whiche mighte well appeare by hys wrytinges , hopyng also , that they should perceyue greater proofe therof , in hys talke . Then the Queene demaunded of hys wrytynges . Wheruppon , the Cardenall takynge occasyon , sayd that he hadde a booke , publyshed in the name of Beza , in the which he red one horrible inconuensence , Namely , that Christ , is now so to be lought in his Supper , as afore he tooke vpon hym our flesh , and was borne of the virgin . I haue heard also , ( quoth he ) that you wrote in a certaine booke , that Christ , is in such sort in his Supper , as he is in a dunghil . With these sayings , al those that were present were greatly offended . But Beza sayd . As for the bokes , if they were present , I myght more certainly aunswere , whether they were myne or no. But as to the first sentence it may wel seeme vnreasonable as it is rehearsed of my Lorde Cardinal . But well vnderstode , and those thinges considered , which go afore it , and folowe it , we shal fynde it most true . But the last is not onely shamefull , but wycked also , and blasphemous . And ( I am well assured ) can neyther be founde in my wrytings , nor any others of our part . Ouer passing therfore this last , ( in the which , whosoeuer was the author of it , he vttered to playne and manifest a lie , ) the Cardinall returned to the first . It were very hard ( quod he ) that we should haue no more than those olde fathers . Furthermore , how could Christes fleshe be geuen , afore it was ? Then Beza asked of the Cardinall , whether from the beginning of the world , there had ben any Church ? he graunted . Also , was not the same Churche , a Church by him , which is the Mediatour betwixt God and man ? There to he agreed also . Is not Christ , the true God and man , thesame Mediatour ? He confessed that also . Then ( quod Beza ) the communicating of the faythful with Christ , is not to be limited to the tyme , in the which in dede , he ioined his diuinity to our nature . For , that which was not as yet , by the course of nature , was alwayes by power and effect present to the eyes of our fayth . Is it not sayd , that Abraham saw the day of Christ , and reioyced ? Also Paule sayeth , that our fathers , did eate the selfe same spiritual foode , and dronke the selfe same spirituall drynke , out of the spirituall rocke which folowed them , which rocke was Christ . Hereunto the Cardinall agreed also and adioyned here to that which is written in the Apocalips , that the lamb was slayne from the beginning of the world . Then Beza entreated somwhat of the difference of the olde and newe Testament . From thys question ( as it haps many tymes ) they fel into the reasoning , of the presence of the body of Christ in his supper . We do not agree ( quoth the Cardinal ) in the exposition of these wordes of our Lord . This is my body . I graunt ( quoth Beza ) and I am sory , that we agree no better . But I had rather plainly to graunt it , than to dissemble it . I ( quoth the Cardinall ) doe teache the children of my diocesse , when they are asked , what is the bread of the body of our Lord , to answere that it is the body of Christ . Do ye disalow that ? No ( quoth Beza ) . For it is the sayinge of Christ . But , the question is , after what sort , the bread is called the body of Christ . For , of those thinges , which are sayd to be , all are not sayd to be after one selfe same sort . And there with , he touched somewhat of the Sacramental maners of speaking . Wherin the Cardinal did not much repugne against the sayings of Beza , onely against that place ( but the rocke is Christ ) whiche Beza cyted , he set this . The worde was made flesh . But he was sone made to leaue that hold . For the which is spoken , of a natural and essential communion , far differeth from the Sacramental speach . At the laste this question ( quoth Beza ) consisteth in foure pointes . The first , is of the signes . The other , of the thing signifyed . The third , of the conioyning of the signes with the thing signified . The fourth , of the participation of the signes , & the thinges signified by them . As to the first ( quoth he ) we do not agree , that in the lords Supper , you do appoint onely accidentes in stede of the signes . Wheras we continue there , the nature of bread & wine as both the nature of Sacraments requires , & also the holy Scripture teacheth . Here , the Cardinal interrupting hym . Truly ( quoth he ) I thinke my selfe able enough , to defende transubstantiation . But , I thynk , the deuines might well inough haue left out the doctrine . Neyther would I , that vpon that poynt , should rest any diursion of our churches . As to the second poynt , ( quoth Beza ) , we do not only say , that the meryte of Christes death & passion is signified vnto vs , by the signes of bread and wyne . But also , the true body , that was crucified for vs , and the true bloud which was shed for vs and to be short , that Christ himself , true God and man , is signified vnto vs , by these visible signes , that oure myndes and vnderstanding may by fayth spiritually beholde hym in heauen , where he now ascended , resteth . And so , haue the fruition of all hys goods and giftes to lyfe euerlastyng . And that , assone , and as surely , as we see , take , eate & drynke , those corporall and visible signes . The Cardinall agreed hereto , signifying that he was glad to vnderstande it . For that he had heard afore that we taught other wyse . As to the thirde ( quoth Beza ) we graunt , that there is great difference betwixt common water ; & it wherwith we are washed in Baptisme , betwixt breade and wyne whyche we vse commonly , and those which we receiue in the Lordes Supper . For the water in Baptisme , and bread and wyne in the Lordes Supper , be Sacramentes : that is to wyt , visible signes and testimonies of the body and bloud of our Lord . But this chaunge , we do not admit , in the nature of the elementes . But in thys , that they are seuered to an other vse , farre distant from it , whereto naturally they be appoynted . For whereas naturally , they serue , to the nourishment of the bodye , when they become Sacraments , they represent that , whiche spiritually fedeth and refresheth our soules . Furthermore , this sacramentall chaunge , we attrybute , neither to the Vertue of the worde , whiche any man pronounceth , neither , to his purpose & intention ( as they terme it ) but to the power and vertue of god . Whose wil & ordinance , is declared to vs by his worde . In that respect therefore , that the thinge signifyed , is offered and geuen vnto vs of the lord , and that , as trulye , as the signes therof are geuen vnto vs , in that respect , and no other , we acknowledge the coniunction of the signes , which the thinge signified . And so also we saye , that the body and bloud of Iesus Christ , in that they are truly geuen vs , and communicated vnto vs , to be trulye present also , in the vse of his supper , neither yet is it therfore to be sayde , that that body , is ether vnder the bread , or in the bread , or with the bread , or in any other place , than in heauen , to the whiche Christ ascended . Wher according to his humane nature he remaineth till he shal come to iudge the quick and the dead . Then the Cardinall , once agayne affirmynge , that he forced not Transubstanciation , sayde : that Christ in deede , was to be sought in heauen . Neuertheles he mixed therwith , somewhat of the locall presence of Christe & the opinyon of certayn Germans therof . And so confounded these matters together , that it well appeared , he had not bin muche occupied in that article . Which , he him selfe witnessed also , saiyng that he had spente the most part of his tyme , in other businesse . I graunt ye ( quoth Beza ) that we agre not with certayne of the Germans , in this third article . But in this one thing , the grace of god is fauorable to vs al a like , that with on consent , we condemne . Transubstanciation , and whatsoeuer dependeth thereupon . And all alyke graunt and confesse , the liuely communicating , of the body and bloude of Christ . Graunt ye then ( quoth the Cardinall ) that we in the supper , do truely , and substanciallye Communicate , with the body & bloude of Iesus Christ ? that remainth ( quoth Beza ) For the fourth poynte : We do saye in effect . That the visible sygnes , which naturally are eaten and dronken , are touched with our sences , but the thing signified , namely , the body and bloud of Christ , truely , and without any coloure or deceit , is offered to al men , but can not otherwyse be receiued but spiritually , & by fayth . For , thei be not receiued , with one hande or mouth . Yet neuerthelesse , thys communicating is so certayn , that it , which we see wyth our eyes , & touche with our hands , can be no surer . Although the misery of this communion , & of the vertue of the holy ghost , nether can by sence be perceiued , nor by the compasse of oure wit comprehended . The Cardinall affirmed that he was satysfied wyth these reasons . And that openly testifyed to the Queene . Geuing good hope that there shoulde ensue some happye ende of thys conference . He entreated also , and desyred Beza , that he would oftener talke and conferre with him , of these matters , that so at last , they myghte make some waye to peace and concorde . So , those that heard thereof , were in greate hope , of better successe . But therewithall , some came to the Cardinall , willing hym to continue in hys first purpose , easely suspecting that which afterwards happened . For , the next day , there was a rumour spred , not only in the court , but also in Poyssye , yea and afterwardes , caryed into farre countreyes , that at the fyrste meting , Beza was ouercome , & conuerted by the Cardinals labour . And to conclude , that we had now taken the foyle . These , and diuers suche other tales , ( as custome is , ) were forged & spred abrode , which , although they might be confuted with the witnesse of many credible persons , yet now at last , in tyme prouing themselues lyes , to their great shame , the first fayned them , are vanished awaye . When as the tyme was thus prolonged and no answer made vnto vs , we came to the nobles of the realm , and earnestly desyred them , that we myght be heard : Least in ouerpasting so mete an occasion , those , by whom we were sent , mighte seme to sustayne any shame or reproch . But chiefely we required , that those conditions , which we first proposed , might be obserued , and that we myght not otherwise couple with our aduersaries . But chefely , that they might not be their owne iudges in the matter . And that whatsoeuer shuld happen , might hereafter appeare more certain , we required an answere in writing . Which when it was denied vnto vs , we came to the Queene , desiring and beseching her , to graunt to our requestes . There wer present , the king of Nauarre , the prince of Conde , the admiral , the Chancelour . The Queene answered , that the Bishops shuld in no wise be our iudges . And that , such thigs as wer done , one of the kinges secretaries , shuld register ( which was one of them , whom , we call secrytaryes of commaundements . ) And if we would our selues pen our disputations , we might lawfully doe it . And whereas in decreeing of doctrines we would grounde only vpon the authority of the Scriptures , that we might openly proteste . And that the kyng , which had taken vs into hys tuycyon , would be present at it , with the rest of the nobility . But she commaunded vs , to do al thyngs moderatly and wisely , respecting onely the glory of God , of the aduauncement wherof , she thought vs desyrous . But that these thinges should be geuen vnto vs in writinge , she thougth it was not expediente for many causes . Neuerthelesse , she promised we shoulde haue it , if we had nede thereof . Willing vs to credite no lesse her worde than her writing . Forasmuche as , if she meante to deceiue vs , her writing could not let her . Immediatly after our departure , came the doctours of the Sorbonistes , desiring the Quene , that she woulde not vouchsafe to heare vs . But if she were determined to heare vs , at the least , that she should not suffer the kyng to be present therat . For that , it was great perill ( as they sayd ) least the king in this his tender age , shoulde be seasoned wyth vnsounde doctrine , from the which afterwardes he should hardly be withdrawen . And that we , forasmuchas we were already condemned of heresye , were not to be heard at all . Then the Queene aunswered , that she woulde doe nothing withoute her councell . Whereby they well perceiued , that the matter was not likely to passe , as they wished .

Wherefore , thoughe all oure demaundes were not graunted , yet neuerthelesse , bicause the aunswere of the Queene , was tollerable , we thoughte it good , to take the occasion , leaste we myghte seeme to detracte the conference . The next day therefore whiche was the nynth of September , we came to Poyssye , to the cloyster of Nunnes , where the king was , with his brother the Duke of Orleaunce , the Quene , the king & Queene of Nauarre , and the rest of the nobles , with the whole councel , there were present also , the Cardinalls , and Bishops , accompaynyed with a great number of ecclesiast call persons . We ministers , to the number of xii . and .xx. of those , whom other churches had sente , came in afore them . But , least the people of the towne shoulde make any riot vpon vs , the kinges garde brought vs from our lodginges to the Nunnery . Assoone as we came to the kinges presence , and wer commaunded to speake , Theodore Beza , ( which by the vniuersal consent was appoynted therto ) made an oratyon : in the which , thankyng God and the Kynge , that nowe at the last , our cause shuld he heard , he shewed the causes for the which , we had bin long before expelled , and vniustly condemned . Furthermore , in what articles , we agreed with our aduersaries , in what others , and how we did differ . And what was the meane , to appease all troubles and reforme religion . Then in fewe wordes , he shewed the doctrine of oure fayth and Sacramentes , and bryefelye touched the chiefe errours , that haue crept into religion , whiche whyles he handeled grauely moderatly , and wyth synguler eloquence , he was heard very diligently of al men , except when , he treated of the presence of the body of Christ in his supper . For , when he shewed , how , we are made partakers of hym in hys Supper , and taught thesame to be done , by the power of the holy ghost , which conioyneth & knitteth , thinges most farre distance in nature : and that Christ , could no otherwyse be receiued , than by fayth : and that he nedeth not to descende from heauen , that we may communicate of hys body : and that he is not enclosed in the bread , but remayneth in heauen , till he shall come to iudge the world : or rather that , as to that corporall presence , he is as far absent from the bread , as the hyest heauen , is distant from the lowest earth : these thinges I say . Whiles he handeled , sodenly , the Bishops began openly to grudge and murmure . Crying that he spake shameful blasphemy . Some hissed , some rose , as though they would depart . And the Cardinall of Turon openly desired , that either he might be licenced to depart , or we put to silence . They wer sory that afore they could get no occasion , to interrupte our oration . And therfore , it pricked them at the heartes , that we were so attentiuely heard . Neither is it to be doubted , but ether they would haue departed , or els violently haue runn vpon vs , vnlesse the very presence , and authority of the king , had represt their fury . Silence commaunded a new , Beza , gently desired them , that they woulde quietly heare what remained . So it myghte happen , that the matter ended , they themselues mighte be satisfied . So he had licence to conclude . And not onely to declare the resydue of those thinges , that pertayne to the fuller declaratyon of Chrystes presence in his supper : but also all such thinges , as concerne the Ecclesiasticall disciplyne , and the dutye and authoritye of officers . This oratyon ended , the Cardinall of Turon perced with anger , tremblyng , and freating , counsayled the king to geue no credite to our wordes , nor swarue from the religion of his auncesters . Wherein that he mighte obtaine his desire , he prayed the gloryous virgine Marye , and the blessed Saintes . Then he desired , to haue a copy of our oration , and a daye appointed to aunswere it . Saying , that he hoped , that oure argumentes , and reasons shoulde bee so fully satisfied , that if any parte thereof stucke in the kinges minde , it shoulde thereby , easely be rooted oute . The Bishoppes tooke aduysemente with the deuines and Canonistes , howe they mighte aunswere oure oration . But then the Cardinall of Lorayne , braste out into these wordes . Would to God , that eyther he had ben dumme , or we deaffe .