TO THE MINISTERS OF PARIS.
f134COUNSELS RESPECTING HIS CONDUCT ADDRESSED TO THE KING OF NAVARRE.
GENEVA, December, 1560.
To let the King know that three points are especially to be examined:
First, that the liberation of the prisoner do not take place before his
sentence, and the whole process be thoroughly revised, f135 that afterwards there may remain no spot or blame on his character, which is a thing which will contribute to his personal satisfaction, and prevent him from being again troubled or molested in time to come, if any opportunities of offering him such molestation should occur. For by this means a door will be shut against all future annoyance. It will also have for consequence the relief of the other prisoners and a good settlement of the whole cause. Without this we should be continually obliged to begin again. Now the said king can see that this may be done without either danger or difficulty, as soon as the cause shall be revised before competent judges, such as you must now have, and of whom we hope you have already a sufficient number to begin with.
The second point is the principal one, because on it everything depends. It is to establish a council of regency. In this affair, if the king does not show a great deal of firmness at the very outset, there is danger that his fault may be very difficult to repair. To consent that a widow, a foreigner and an Italian woman, should have the principal power, would not only turn out very much to his own discredit, but would prove so prejudicial to the crown that he would be everlastingly blamed for such remissness. To grant her as many honors as possible will not hinder him from retaining the highest for himself. But however he may act in that respect, it is above all necessary to insist on establishing a council which can only be done by the Estates, and the said king is well aware that it would not be prudent to go
well established just now without their concurrence, still the precedent would be a bad one.
Now inasmuch as the Estates which had been convoked have no
commission to undertake this business, f136 it would be necessary in the form of an amendment to convoke them anew, for some term not too distant, and in the mean time by some provisional measure to establish a temporary government in which it is very possible there will be disputes and opposition, when we reflect that the adverse party to maintain
themselves in power will allege things which are indeed already laid before the board. But this point must be insisted on, viz: that those possessing rights cannot be deprived of them without an examination of the cause.
And having secured some moderate and tolerable measure of a provisional kind, it will be sure to be confirmed; for the Estates will make no difficulty in doing what is desirable according to reason and equity.
There is one evil which it will be difficult to remedy all at once, that is, to cashier those who have had so much vogue. f137 It would in that case be necessary to deliberate, whether it will be better, to assail them vigorously at once and without any delay, or to put off the attack, till criminal
proceedings can be instituted against them. Were it possible, it would be a good thing to make them keep watch by the body of the defunct, as they themselves made others perform the same ceremony. f138 But whatever is done, unless they are degraded upon solid and clearly ascertained grounds, they will have leisure to strengthen themselves; the best method of
proceeding then seems to be, to watch narrowly all their motions, till it be possible to handle them as they have deserved. Remark, moreover, that if they have even an appearance of influence, they will avail themselves of it to intrigue and practice mischief; so that if you would prevent them from doing evil, you must keep a tight bridle over them; by no means allow them a long term to fortify their power, but strive to get the start of them.
If it were possible, that their trial could be got up before the Estates will be convoked for the second time, nothing could be more desirable.
The third point is concerning religion; and here all that is to be desired is that the liberty of presenting petitions on that subject, which was
accorded by the first edict, should still be maintained. True it is, the edict
was changed, and the mouths of the faithful shut, so that they durst not breathe a syllable about such matters. But because this change was brought about by violence, and was contrary to the honor of the king, it seems highly probable that such a liberty will be permitted without any difficulty. Now, if petitions are received, the least thing surely we can expect from them is that they will procure a bare provision, not very cordially granted perhaps, by which an end will be put to persecutions exercised against those who shall not seek to breed riots, or extort any thing by violence. For it will be quite enough that those who cannot with a safe conscience go to mass have permission to stay away from it; and to secure such persons from being denounced as void of religion, that they shall be allowed to assemble themselves to pray to God, and hear his word with express prohibitions and interdiction, under severe penalties, to go beyond the limits prescribed by the permission, which might afterwards, however, be rendered more favorable to them. In the mean time, it might be enjoined that all those who should consent to it might be enrolled in
presence of the officers and agents of the king in each parliament of justice, and that some of the most influential members of the society be held responsible for all; that is to say, they might represent as guilty of a revolt the individuals who should infringe the royal ordinance.
Having exposed these matters, you may remind the said king that I have not suggested these precautions like one who is in a place of security, and does not reflect on the struggles which he will have to maintain; but I imitate those physicians who prescribe what is necessary, that the patient, if he does not comply with all the articles of the prescription, may, at least, observe it as closely as possible.
You may also remind him that till he have rid himself of all that vermin, he will neither be able to follow good counsels, (for he will be turned aside from them at every moment,) nor will God permit him to prosper. Entreat him to read the 101st Psalm, from which he will learn that God will never dwell with him till he be cleansed from such pollution’s. Moreover, that inasmuch as God has endowed him with an easy, good-humored
disposition, he should the more carefully strive to have about him none but such as will give him courage to do his duty.
furnishing me with as ample matter for rejoicing as he has hitherto done for shedding tears.
[Fr. Orig., corrected by Calvin — Library of Geneva. Volume 145.]