"Though couched in moderate and respectful terms," said he, "this document is, at bottom, insolent and seditious; it is as much as to say that those gentry would be obedient and submissive if the king would be pleased to authorize their mischievous sentiments.

For the rest," he added, "as it is merely a question of improving morals and putting in force strict discipline, the meeting of a council, whether general or national, appears to me quite unnecessary.

I consent to the holding of the states-general." The opinion of the Cardinal of Lorraine was adopted by the king, the queen-mother, and the assemblage.

An edict dated August 26 convoked a meeting of the states-general at Meaux on the 10th of December following.
As to the question of a council, general or national, it was referred to the decision of the pope and the bishops of France.

Meanwhile, it was announced that the punishment of sectaries would, for the present, be suspended, but that the king reserved to himself and his judges the right of severely chastising those who had armed the populace and kindled sedition.