A LETTER WRITTEN By the FRENCH KING, to the Cardinall Richieleu, occasioned upon a Letter, dated Ian. the 28. being sent him from Pope Vrban the 8. intimating the miserable condition the Catholicks (both in England and Ireland) are like to come into, and upon some late proceedings of the Parliament in England.
Commanding the said Cardinall to hold, and observe the like strict hand towards the Hugonets, or Protestants, in France.
Whereunto is added the Cardinals answer to his Majesty, and expression of his Zeale in the observation of His commands therein.
Faithfully translated out of the French Copy.
London, Printed for Nath: Butter, March, 18. 1642.
A Copie of a Letter, written by the King of France, unto Cardinall Richellieu, Feb. 19 new stile, wherein he requireth him to consider the contents of the Letter sent him unto St. Vincent, by Pope Vrban, Ian. 28. 1642. And to give order therein, according unto the concernment.
WEe having received, Feb. 19. from our holy Father, and Vncle Pope Vrban the eight, by the hand of Iacob, by Gods providence, Bishop of Salerno: his holiness's Nuncio Letters, fatherly advising us in matters at this time, highly concerning us, & the flourishing prosperity of this our Monarchy: deeply weighing how nearly it concernes us, who have wars abroad to provide for; and maintaine peace, and unity at home: and that the greatest turmoile, and discords that ever arose in our Realme, was occasioned, stirred up, and maintained by those of the Religion, pretended [Page 2] reformed, usually called Hugonets: not content to mutinie themselves, (notwithstanding al our gracious messages and replies unto them: granting them more then any of our Royall Predecessors ever yeelded unto: (but called and obtained the actuall aid of our dearest brother of great Brittaine against us: thereby as much as in them lay, labouring the utter dissolution of our long ratified league, and amity: and in liew thereof to bring in, and cherish an irreconciliable hate and discord, betweene us and our dominions: not yet forgetting the both cost and labour, lives and limbs, the reducing of that strong Towne, and Cittadell of Rochell stood us in, before we could have our dues from them; and their duties to us, and our Crowne acknowledged: and that which is not the least of the rest, being certified by our Chamber accounts of Paris, as they, from the severall Out-lookers, and Surveyors of Parishes, throughout our whole Realme; how that sect not onely encreaseth, but swarmes, so that it is greatly to be suspected, that (if not their Forts and Castles) yet their number will shortly become formidable: in no wise over slipping the mis-deameanour, and out-rages there have lately beene committed in England; to the great discontent, and dammage of our dearest brother, as we have beene not long since to our great griefe informed: albeit his Royall selfe, a Professor, and maintainer of the same Religion with them.
We justly fearing (as his holinesse providently foreseeth, that had they the same power in our [Page 3] Kingdome, we should undoubtedly be sensible of the same inconveniencie: by reason, that that sect in its very principall, is a Shaker off, and Despiser of all Monarchicall government) doe charge and require you with all diligence possible, as to your wonted approved wisedome, you shall thinke fitting, (wee leaving the ordering, remedying, and redressing of this so weighty affaire, wholly unto your tryed, and experienced ablenesse therein, as you will answer the contrary unto his holinesse, as touching obedience, and us in dutie: to put your best endeavours in hand, for the full and plenary satisfaction of his Holinesse and Us, as touching all, and every particulars in the said Letter contained: wee have likewise given in charge unto Sir de Boies, the Bearer hereof, most speciall command, farther to acquaint you with our pleasure in this kind.
Cardinall Rechillieu's Letter unto the King of France, Feb. 22. wherein he intimateth unto his Majesty, the great care he hath taken in fulfilling the charge, by the same Kings Letter, laid upon him, Feb. 19. about the Popes Letter, written unto the French King, from Rome, Ian. 28. 1641.
VVEe have most seriously weighed, the contents of the Letter brought to us from your Majesty, by Lord du Bois, Master of your Majesties Ceremonies, bearing date the nineteenth of this present moneth of Feb. having thought deeply there upon, with the rest of your Majesties Counsell, Presidents of Estate and Parliament, as the importance of the matter, our bounden duty toward your Majestie, right humble and feliall obedience on his Holinesse his behalfe, duty and conscience toward the Roman Catholike Religion, doe all severally and respectively command and require: And first your Majesty hath good reason, and therein obliged: to give thanks and acknowledgement unto his Holinesse; for the care he hath of the durancy, and perpetuity of the now flourishing State of your Majesties Crowne, giving unto your Majesty very seasonable warning of fore-seeing, and preventing the evils that may any way endanger it: amongst which (we all here residing for the service of your Majesty, in all things whatsoever, and principally about this now in hand: doe advertise your Majesty, that it is a mischiefe, the remedy of which is not to bee [Page 5] any while deferred: for the Hugonets in number increase, and swell mightily in France, thorow all quarters and territories; yea, we are given to understand, that in some places they are become so impudent, that they oppose, and mock you Catholicke subjects, as they come from our God unto the holy Masse: which is more, Boyaux our Secretary hath avowed unto us, that a Gentleman of Deepe an Hugonet, stucke not to say (in reproaching him) that he should see shortly, that the Protestants (as hee termed them) would make proofe of force enough, not only to defend themselves, but (may be) to offend their adversaries: which hee spake openly in a Taverne, and (wee pray God) without ground: we are all assured, that the conjunction of your Majesties most Royall sister in marriage, with the King of great Brittaine, being a Prince professing the same Religion, (although il rewarded of it) and the promise your Majesty made unto his Embassadour, of gentle use of them, during their loyall deportment: and his Majesties like usage of those of yours in England, hath beene the cause that your Majesty hath shewed such clemency, that we may not say licentious liberty unto them, against your Majesties owne interest and profit, that we may not say, conscience, and otherwise obligements: but seeing that this obligation is frustrate, and broken on their part: and that your Majesty is so assuredly certified by messengers, the verity of whose report we no wayes doubt, how great miseries the Catholicks there abiding, since the holding there of [Page 4] their Parliament, are put unto; not only in respect of estates and honours, but of freedome and life: how unworthily your own most Royal sisters Subjects, (knowing that her reproach doth some way glance upon your Majestie) we assure your Majestie, and declare unto all the world, that your Majestie is acquitted, and discharged of all obligation, or promise whatsoever made in that kind, seeing that his Majestie of great Brittaine, either cannot, or will not keepe and observe his: All which considered, that which your Majestie is speedily to resolve upon, is this: Your Majestie must forthwith publish an absolute, and peremptory Edict, declaring what course your Majestie is pleased, and resolved to take with these Hugonets: straitly charging therein, all your officers, of what quality, degree, condition, place, or authority soever, where these Hugonets inhabit, upon paine of losse of office, fine, and imprisonment, and farther sharper proceeding, if your Majestie shall see just cause to accomplish, and put in strictest execution, without any respect, or favour whatsoever, all and every the particular clauses, as touching the said Hugonets, that in the fore-rehearsed Edict shall be contained; the Copy whereof wee have here sent unto your Maiestie, by Mounsieur du Plaisir: one of the Presidents of Parliament, to lead, revised, amended, enlarged, altered, or presently signed, as it shall please your Majesty to write your Royall disposednesse, wee remit our selves.