Page:Protestant Exiles from France Agnew vol 1.djvu/22

 

The Edict of Henry IV., King of France and Navarre, which he called Letters of Edict for the establishment of good order and peace between our Catholic subjects and those of the Pretended Reformed Religion (commonly called The Edict of Nantes), dated April 1598, consists of a preamble and ninety-two articles (there are fifty-six additional articles, dated 2d May 1598). Henri IV., in the preamble, declared, after referring to his peaceable possession of the throne : “We could not better employ ourselves than in what concerneth the glory of God’s holy name and service, and in providing that He may be adored and supplicated by all our subjects ; and if it hath not pleased Him to permit at this time that it shall be in one and the same form of religion, yet at least that it may be in one and the same intention, with such regulations that there shall be no trouble or tumult among our subjects." The conclusion of this preamble is “avons par cet édit perpétuel et irrevocable dit, déclaré, et ordonné, disons, declarons, et ordonnons.”

Refraining from quoting what was political and diplomatical, I call my readers’ attention to one or two articles specially accordant with the King’s expressed wish, that and this kingdom may always merit and preserve the glorious title of Most Christian:”

1. That the memory of all matters passed both on the one side and the other from the beginning of March in the year 1585, and during the other preceding troubles, shall be quenched and hushed.

17. We forbid all preachers, readers, and other persons who speak in public, to use any words, discourses, or talk which tendeth to stir up the people to sedition.

18. We also forbid all our subjects, of whatever quality and condition, to take away by force or enticement, against the will of their parents, the children of those of the Pretended Reformed Religion, in order to their being baptised or confirmed in the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman Church.

19. The adherents of the said Pretended Reformed Religion shall not be in any manner constrained, nor shall they stand obliged, by reason of abjuration, promises, and oaths which heretofore they have made.

26. All disinheritings or deprivations, whether verbal or testamentary, uttered out of mere hatred, or on account of religion, shall be abolished among our subjects.

70. The children of those who departed from this kingdom on account of religion, and of the troubles, since the death of Henri II., our most honoured lord and father-in-law — even though the said children were born out of this kingdom — shall be reputed true Frenchmen and natives; and we have declared, and do declare them, to be such (provided that, if born in foreign parts, they return within ten years after the date of this edict), without requiring letters of naturalisation.

73. If there be any prisoners or galley-slaves still detained by judicial authority or otherwise, who were sentenced during the troubles or on account of the said religion, they shall be discharged and set at full liberty.

 

the reign of Edward VI., which, like the rule of Henry II. and the Guises over France, began in 1547, the potentates of Europe, by their persecution of Protestants, doomed their best subjects to death or flight. Exiles for the pure Gospel’s sake were scattered abroad in all directions. A Polish nobleman, John a Lasco, fled to Embden in East Friesland, and his talents and learning, superadded to his courageous piety, made his fellow-exiles invite him to take the office of pastor over them. As the times grew blacker, Embden threatened destruction to his flock; and he came over to England in 1548, in the hope of obtaining a settlement and a place of worship in London by Royal Charter. Archbishop Cranmer, the Duke of Somerset, and Secretary Cecil gave him encouragement. He took his departure in March 1549 to resume his charge in Embden, and to prepare his congregation for their probable expulsion thence.

