there be seven or two hée will acknowledge no more then hée list for he had confessed there were but two The chiefe sheriffe demanded of him in these termes whither hée beléeved that the Lord remained upon the Altar flesh body and bone I answer saith Herwin with Saint Steven that the highest dwelleth not in temples made with hands Heaven saith the Lord is my throne and the earth is my footstoole Isai 66. 1. 2. what house will yée then make unto mée and where is the place of my rest Hath not my hand made all these And then tooke occasion to admonish the Iudges which sate there to examine the Doctrine of the Romane Church by the true touchstone which is the holy scripture that so they might discern how opposite and contrary the one is to the other Consider also saith hée what the words of saint Peter import where hée affirmes that we ought to obey God rather then man Yea it is high time for you to thinke upon Act. 4. 19. 5. 29. A godly admonition to Iudges and Magistrates what I say and that seriously also for at the last day it is neither your priests nor your placcards which you thinke to stop our mouths withall that shall any way excuse you then And as for the title of the Romane Catholike Church which you hold out against us I deny not but in the Apostles time and afterwards there was a true Church in Rome as well as in Corinth Galatia among the Philippians and in other churches but When the church of Rome was a true Church after that she fell from the pure word of God and falsified the Sacraments thereof turning ecclesiasticall discipline into auricular confession God hath also forsaken her she ought now no more to bée called a Church of God but rather the Synagogue of Satan As soone as the chiefe Sheriffe who is called the first speaker heard this he commanded him away Having then given sufficient testimony of his Faith before those of Houscot he craved for Iustice either one way or another But they on the contrary urged him to desist from his opinion To which he answered that his faith was not built of Psal 14. an opinion but said he the Lord hath taught me to eschew evill and do good Yea said they but séest thou not how these opinions have troubled the World And also how many of the learneder sort do contradict them Answer So far is it off that the doctrine of the Gospell should be the cause of troubles that it only is the meanes of quieting the troubles debates and strifes which raigne in the world These troubles arise indéed from the malice of men And as touching your learned men you speake of it is impossible for humane wisdome to comprehend the doctrine of God for which cause Christ saith Father I thanke thee that Mat. 11. 25. Luke 10. 21. thou hast hid these secrets from the wise men of the World and hast revealed them to babes Now as the Sergeants conveyed him to prison they counselled him to speake more mildly and then he might doe well enough Before his death he was sorely set upon by certaine Sophisters who alledged to him the sayings of many of the ancient Fathers upon the point of the Lords Supper but he overcame them by holding close the true sense of Christs words In prison he comforted himselfe in singing of Psalmes and spirituall Songs some of which he indited himself The Canons and priests séeing the people flock together to the prison doore to heare him especially upon the Sundayes and holy daies strove by all meanes to put him by his singing They coupled him with two malefactors to be a griefe unto him who obtaining certaine instruments by the helpe of their consorts brake prison and fled Herwin might thus have escaped if he would but fearing his flight might be imputed to the godly Christians in the City he resolved rather to remaine there than to flie His sentence in the meane while comming from the Court he was no sooner advertised of it but hée thanked God for advancing him to so high an honour as to be counted worthy to suffer for his name Testifying the joy he inwardly had by a Letter which he sent to the brethren praying and exhorting them to be constant and to persevere in that Doctrine which they had received from God The fourth day of November betwéene foure and five of the clocke in the morning Herwin was sent for by the Magistrates from prison into the place of Iudgement where by intreatings and goodly promises they urged him to recant and receive their breaden God which was then to bée offered up or at least to confesse that Iesus Christ was there corporally present upon which he should by and by be delivered out of all dangers Now Herwin refusing their offer was bound and brought by force into the Chappell but he in sign of his detestation turned his backe alwayes upon it shutting his eyes and stopping his eares At the elevation of their Host one who was knéeling to it asked him if Iesus Christ was not now betwéene the Priests hands No no said Herwin he is in Heaven at the right hand of his Father Soone after the sentence of death was read against him so was he delivered into the hands of the Tormentor As he passed out of the town-house standing upon the first step viewing the people who waited to sée him Sée here saith he how this wicked World rewards the poore servants of Iesus Christ Whilest I gave my selfe to drunkennesse to playiug at Cards and Dice living in all dissolution and ungodly behaviour I was never in danger of these bands lifting up his hands which were bound I was then counted a good fellow and at that time who but I But Anno 1561. no sooner began I by conversion to aske after a godly life but the world made war upon me and became my enemy persecuting and imprisoning me and now last of all sending me to the place where I must pay my last debt But the servant is no better than his Lord For séeing they persecuted Mat. 10. 24. Iohn 15. 20. him no question they will persecute us Being come to the place where he was to suffer one of the assembly reaching him forth his hand drew nigh unto him comforting him never leaving him till he entred into the Cabbin of wood in which he was to be burnt He then began to sing the thirtieth Psalme of which having sung only the first staffe a Fryer hearing the same hastned towards him not without much difficulty through the throng that he might come néere to interrupt him who knéeling on his knées said Oh Iohn turne there is yet time and space The Martyr sleighting his glosing words turned his back upon him And many there present cryed to the Fryer Turne thou thou hypocrite and thus was he suffered quietly to finish the Psalme The Fryer
doth not our Lord Iesus Christ say blessed are you when men persecute you and speake all manner of evill falsly against you for my name sake Rejoice therefore and be glad for great is your reward in heaven Now whereto serveth all this my beloved but to bring us into a conformity with our Lord and Master Iesus Christ For Christ hath suffered for us saith the Apostle saint Peter 1 Pet. 2. 21. leaving us an example that we should walke in his steps who also endured the crosse and despised Heb. 12 2. the shame for the obtaining of that joy which was set before him and became poore to make us rich 2 Cor. 8. 9. By him also are we brought by faith into that Rom. 5 2. state of grace wherein we stand rejoycing in the hope of the glory of God knowing that tribulation worketh patience c. Wherefore deare brother and sister be not afrayd of the fiery tryall which is now sent amongst us to prove us For what Father loving his childe doth not correct it Heb. 12. Even so doth the Lord chastise those whom he loveth for if we should be without correction wherof all true Christians are partakers then were we bastards and not sons And therefore Salomon saith my sonne despise not the chastening of the Prov. 3. 11 12. Lord neither faint when thou are corrected of him for whom the Lord loveth the same he correcteth even as a Father the sonne in whom he delighteth Feare not then to follow the footsteps of Christ for he is the head and we are his members Even as Christ then hath obtained full joy glory by suffering of anguishes and sorrowes so we also according to his example must through Acts 14 21. many tribulations enter into the heavenly places even into the new Ierusalem Let us then say Phil. 1. 21. with saint Paul Christ unto me is in life and in death advantage Let us cry out with him O Rom. 7 24. wretched creatures that we are who shall deliver us from this body of death Sée here how the faithfull have desired to be with Christ for with Abraham they had an eye to that holy City Anno 1562. which hath foundations whose builder and maker Heb. 11. 10. is God Let vs then my beloved chéerefully and willingly follow the Lord possessing our soules by patience For it is a good thing as saith the Prophet Ieremiah both to hope and quietly to Lam. 3. 26. waite for the salvation of the Lord and good also it is for a man to beare the yoke in his youth for such the Lord will comfort in the end and restore unto them the joy of his salvation Loe here deare brother and sister what consolations our God hath treasured up for us in his holy word for us I say whose desire it is to feare the Lord and to trust in his grace and mercy For Psal 37. 39. the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord hée is their strength in the time of trouble Wherfore q giving all diligence let us adde to faith vertue 2 Pet. 1. 5 6 7 8. and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godlinesse and to godlinesse brotherly kindnesse and to brotherly kindnesse love for if these things be in us and abound they will cause us neither to be idle nor unfruitfull in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ The which God our Father grant us for his Sonnes sake our Lord Amen Out of my hole December the eleventh 1562. Wouter Oom prisoner for the truth Now because ye may see that this Letter was not without its happy effect hearken to the relation of the History following THere was one Iohn Wolfe of the City of Audenard who because he could no longer inhabite there without either the danger of his life or wounding of his conscience his wife being great with childe and as yet but weake in the knowledge of the Gospell he was forced for these respects to joyne himselfe to the assembly of the Church in Antwerpe where thinking himselfe in safety a neighbour of his owing him ill will accused him to the Margrave about the baptising of his childe Whereupon being then committed and examined where and in whose presence his childe was baptized he without staggering answered that he had it baptised according to the institution of Christ by a Minister set apart to that Office The Margrave not content with this answer often pressed him with sundry threats of the torture to accuse such as he knew But the sharpest combat he endured was from his owne flesh counselling him during his imprisonment for the safegard of his life to dissemble and halt betwéen two opinions The cause was from the inward affection he bore towards his wife and childe being yet but young and of singular beauty in regard whereof many of the congregation expected no other but that he would sinke under this tryall But in the middest of these assaults hée was heard with prayers and sighes to cry mightily to God to bée delivered from this temptation Which prayers of his were heard in due season even then Whither wee ought to fly in time of temptation when in the judgement of man he was supposed to be overcome thereof meanes was made of bringing to his hands consolatory letters as also the said Wouter Dom then prisoner with him comforted him not a little by his letters Whereby in the end he continued so strong in the Lord as also constant in the confession of the truth that in conclusion he received the sentence of death with the aforesaid Wouter After which his wife came unto him and they were permitted to talke together bursting out each of them into such abundance of teares that it would have moved the most stony heart that ever was At parting with a bitter cry hée commended her to Gods mighty protection and his childe to be trained up in the true Religion Soone after hée was drowned in the tub or fat of the prison and the next day hanged upon one of the Gibbets néer unto the City ¶ A relation of the troubles and martyrdome of Christian Quekere Iaques Dionssart and Iean de Salomez of Steenwerk in Flanders To whom God gave such ability to answer their enemies demands as if they had come from persons much more learned Which shewes that God measures out to all the gifts and graces of his holy Spirit according to his good will and pleasure WHilest the persecution continued at this time in sundry places of Flanders under Philip King of Spaine and that many fled into England under the protection of Quéene Elizabeth these thrée above mentioned were of the same number who joyned themselves to the Dutch Church in London having given publique testimony of their faith before all the Congregation In which place they continuod not long but they were constrained upon some speciall occasions to
fell sick of a continuall Fever and kept her bed which procéeded as it was given out from the griefe she had in her lights wherein by long continuance was bred an imposthume she being also distempered with the heat of the season and her extraordinary journeyes This burning Fever grew so strong upon her that within five daies after she died to the great griefe of the better sort but to the joy of the secret counsell The malady indéed was in her braine which was not searched in which the Quéen Mother had an hand though she séemed much to mourne for the affliction of her good friend Now forasmuch as in the time of her sicknesse she manifested with what spirit she was guided we will here set downe the true narration of her behaviour both in the same her sicknesse and also at her death Perceiving in her selfe by the strength of the disease howsoever others sleighted it that shée could not long continue she made her selfe ready to receive from the hand of God that which he had appointed concerning her and to that end requested she might have such nigh about her as might comfort her in this case out of the word of God as also to pray with her and for her according to that which Saint Iames saith Is any sicke among you Iohn 5. 14 16. Let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over such a one knowing that the fervent praier of righteous man availeth much with God Thus according to her desire a Minister resorting unto her shewed out of the Scriptures that Christians ought in all things to submit themselves to the will of God as to the Father of spirits Heb. 1◠that they might live And albeit the rigor of his chastisements doth somtimes séem to our flesh as if they were sent to none other end but for our ruine and destruction yet ought we to consider that because he is just he can do nothing but justily and being a father he cannot but therein séeke the welfare of his afflicted children To which she replyed I take all this saith she as sent from the hand of God my most mercifull Father nor have I during this extremity feared to die much lesse murmured against him for inflicting the same upon me knowing that what soever he doth he doth the same so as all in the end shall turne to my everlasting good The Minister continuing in his spéech added That the causes of sicknesses and diseases must be sought beyond the course of physiyke which alwayes lookes to the corruption of the humours or to the more noble parts of the body any way distempered for howsoever it was not amisse to have respect to these things as to second causes yet ought we to ascend higher namely to the first even to God himself who disposeth of all his creatures as it pleaseth him He it is That make the Deut. 32. 39. wound and heales that kils and makes alive And therefore to him we ought to direct our prayers for comfort in all our griefes and sufferings and in the end for full deliverance séeing it is no hard matter with him to restore health unto us if his good pleasure be such To this she answered that she depended wholly upon Gods providence knowing that all things are wisely disposed by him and therefore be sought him to furnish her with all such graces as he saw to be necessary for her salvation As for this life said she I am in a manner we aned from the love of it in regard of the afflictions which have followed me from my youth hitherto but especially because I cannot live without daily offending my good God with whom I desire to be with all my heart The Minister told her that long life how ful of troubles soever it were was notwithstanding to be esteemed among the blessings of God seeing Deut. 5. 16. his promise implyes so much and not onely so but because our life may many wayes serve to his glory and is both an honor and a pledge of his favor even as it is to him whom his prince imploys long in his service having had experience of his fidelity for many yeares together In which respect she was earnestly requested to pray that if it were the will of God to imploy her yet longer in his Anno 1566. service for the further inlargement of his Gospell that he would grant unto her such recovery of health and good disposition of body that with renued strength shée might bee encouraged to finish her course much more nobly than heretofore Whereupon she protested that in regard of her owne particular her life was not dear unto her séeing so long as she lived in this fraile flesh she was still prone and apt to sinne against God onely she said her care was somewhat for her Children which God had given her in respect they should be so soone deprived of her now in their young yeares yet not doubting said she but although it should please God to take me from them that himselfe will be a Father and a protector over them as he hath béen to me in my greatest afflictions and therefore I commit them wholly to his government and fatherly care these were her very words The Minister said that he blessed God to sée in her Majesty this assurance of faith and so to cast her care upon the providence of God praying her still to persevere therein which would sufficiently seale unto her truth of her faith And thus said he did the Patriarkes in times pasT commit the care of their posterity over into the hands of Gen. 24 1. Gen. 27. 48. 15. 49. God as may appeare by Abraham Isaac and Iacob touching their severall blessings But yet is was very requisite as he said that she should make choise of such who for their sincerity both in life and doctrine might continue to water in these young Princely plants the séeds of piety which had béen sowne in them by her so great paine and industry séeing it was to bée hoped that the example of her faith and constancy in the service of God which she had set before them would serve as a perpetuall inducement to imitate her so noble vertues Now whereas she had againe declared that death was not terrible unto her because it was the way by which we passe hence to our eternall rest The Minister told her that Christians had little cause to feare death in regard they should Because by death we passe to life Iohn 8. 51 52. Iohn 11. 26. Iohn 11. 13 14. Acts 7. 60. 1 Cor. 15. 55. not die at all according to Christs words in the Gospell of Iohn he that liveth and beléeveth in me shall never die For death to speake properly is no death to them but a sleep being often so called in the Scriptures and therefore Christ for their sakes hath overcome and triumphed over it in his owne person So
being questioned at all This who done to draw in the simple people who wandred up and downe the fields The first president called Dasis a subtle headed man sent to the Counsellors abroad to come in promising them their safety upon his word shewing that their absence did but incense the Inhabitants of Tholouse the more against them It was granted indéed that there had been a Massacre at Paris but that was upon some private quarrell so as the King was not minded for that to breake his edict of pacification Some of them were perswaded and returned others casting some perill resolved to retire to Mountauban Realmont and elsewhere On Tuesday following that they might hold them whom they had gotten within the Walls and draw in such as yet kept themselves without they caused it to be published with sound of trumpets that the Kings will was that none of the religion should be molested but respectively used The presidents with sundry others were present at this Proclamation accompanied with a guard of souldiers which caused many of the Religion especially the Counsellors to suspect some trechery who therefore hastened to the first president to know what these things meant He answered it was onely to restralue the people from making a tumult But perceiving that they could not by their cunning catch the birds who kept aloose off they wrecked their malice upon those they had in their hands On Wednesday next then about ten of the clocke in the morning having separated their Troupes into divers quarters they caused them to enter into the houses of those of the Religion whom they imprisoned in sundry prisons of the City This businesse held them all that Wednesday The guard was doubled at the gates and one of the Parliament with a Merchant that was a Papist deputed as commanders at the said gates to examine all such as went out and to put backe such as meant to escape There was also a charge given that none should dare to conceale any of the said Religion as they would answer to the contrary By meanes whereof many being discovered were imprisoned Among which were five or six Counsellors men excellently learned who comforted the rest Thus were they detained thrée wéeks In the meane while the Massacrers set upon the neighbour Cities The thrée wéeks being expired they put all these prisoners together into the Consciergery which is a speciall prison After which they began to manifest themselves for the reason why they had deferred the slaughter of them so long was that they might obtaine authority from Paris the which was brought them by their Deputies whose names were Delpech and Madron rich Merchants of the City These came with a warrant from the King that if the Massacre was not finished then they should not deferre any longer to put his will in execution To which they shewed themselves but too forward and ready On Saturday morning before the Summe was up certaine schollers who were night walkers with other lewd fellowed to the number of seven or eight 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 entred into the said Consciergery and causing the prisoners to be called down one after another they massacred them beneath at the staires fast of the Consciergery not permiting them so much much leisure as to speake much lesse to pray It was thought that they massacred to the number of thrée hundred afterwards spoiling them of all they had stripping them out of their cloathes and shirts and leaving them naked their secret parts Three hundred massacred in the City of Tholouse in France being onely covered with a piece of paper They were exposed to the view of all for the spare of two daies whilest they digged great pits whereinto the corpses thus cruelly massacred were cast naked one upon another The Counsellors whom they had imprisoned after they were massacred were hanged in their long â—â—â—ones upon a great Elme which was in the Court of the Palace and in the meane while the houses of those of the Religion were sacked and pillaged Many among these by reason of the barbarous cruelties used against their Brethren adjured daily Now because the Sorbonists provided a forme of abjuration to that purpose for saving the lives of such as recanted it shall not be impertinent to insert the same in this place it being imprinted at Paris by Nicholas Roffet The abjured minding to returne into the lap of our holy Mother the Roman Church must present themselves first to their Parsons or Curats to be directed by them what they ought to doe Afterward to be sent thence to their reverend Bishop and Diocesan or his Officiall to pronounce the said adjuration in manner and forme following The forme of their Abjuration 1 I Such a one of such a Diocesse and dwelling in such a place acknowledge by the grace of God the true Catholique and Apostolike Faith from which I have wilfully gone astray and separated my selfe and now desiring to returne into the true Sheepsold which is the Catholique Apostolique and Romane Church I do professe to have adjured and here before you my superiour do abjure and detest all the Huguenote errors of Luther Calvin and all heresies whatsoever wherwith heretofore I have been infected and defamed consenting now to the doctrine of our holy Mother the Church be séeching you in the name of God and of his son Iesus Christ and of the glorious Virgin Mary his Mother with all the hee saints and she saints in Paradise that it wil please you to receive me into the fold of the Christian flock and people of God who live under the obedience of the Pope ordained Christs Vicar in the said Church submitting my self patiently to beare and willingly to performe the penance you shall think fit to impose upon me absolving me from all my offences committed whilest I lived in such errors for which I here aske pardon of God of the said Church and of you my Pastor set over mée by God the Creator to absolve me with such penance as you shall judge to be availeable for the satisfaction of my sins and offences And that it may be séen that from the heart I have made and doe make this abjuration 2. I further confesse before God and you that I beléeve all that is contained in the Apostles 〈◊〉 and Nicene Créeds with all the confessions of faith besides allowed and approved by the Councels of the Catholique Apostolique and Roman Church and so forth as it followeth in thâ—â—â— Créeds 3. I also beléeve acknowledge and confesse whatsoever is contained in the old and new Testament approved by the said holy Catholique Apostolique Roman church according to the sense and interpretation of the holy Doctors and by them received rejecting wholly all other Interpretations as false and erroneous 4 I acknowledge the seven Sacraments of the said Church to have béen instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ as necessary for the salvation of mankinde although all of them are not of necessity to be conferred
upon all namely I acknowledge that the seven Sacraments be Baptisme Confirmation the Eucharist which is the holy Sacrament of the Altar Penance extreame Vnction Orders and marriage and that of these Baptisme Confirmation and Orders cannot be reiterated without sacriledge That the said Sacraments confer grace and have those effects which the Church hath taught and that the forme and use according to which they are administred to Christians is holy and necessary 5. I further acknowledge that the holy masse is a Sacrifice and oblation of the true body and blood of Iesus Christ under the formes of bread and wine mingled with water whcih bread and wine under the foresaid formes are in the Masse by the words of Consecration there pronounced by the Priest transubstantiated and changed into the said body and blood of Christ albeit the qualities and accidents remaine in the said formes after Consecration and that the Masse is profitable and available both for the liuing and for the dead 6. I acknowledge and confesse the concomitance namely that in receiving the body of Christ under the forme of bread only I then likewise receive the blood of Iesus Christ 7. I confesse that prayer to and intercession of Saints for the living and for the dead is holy good and profitable for Christians and in no sort contrary to the honour of God 8. That prayers made in the Church for the faithfull departed are beneficient for them for the remission of sinss and mitigating of their paines deserved for the same 9. That there is a Purgatory where the soules of such as are detained there are relieved by the prayers of the faithfull 10. I confesse that honour ought to be given to th Saints 〈◊〉 with Christ in heaven that they ought to be prayed to and that they make intercession for us to God and that their reliques ought to be worshipped 11. That the commandements and traditions of the saide church consisting of divine ceremonies are holy and good fastdayes abstinence from meates observation of feastes and other Ecclesiasticall rites and ought to be observed according to the traditions of the Apostles and ancient Fathers continued from the Primitive times and since brought into the Church by the decrées of Councels received thence long agoe or lately Also that I will and ought to obey them as prescribed and authorized by the holy Ghost the ordainer of those things which serve to the upholding of Christian religion and of the holy Catholike and Apostolike Romane Church 12. I likewise beleeve and consent to all the Articles concerning originall sinne and Iustification 13. I also stedfastly believe that the 〈◊〉 or Christ of his holy Mother and of all the Saints ought to be reâ—â—â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 the Church 〈◊〉 the uses of them are very profitable and that they ought to be worshipped 14. I confesse that the power of 〈…〉 and pardons is left to the Church by Jesus Christ and the use of them is greatly aâ—â—â—â—â—le as also I acknowledge the Church of Rome to be the 〈◊〉 Mother of all Churches and that she hath the holy Ghost for her guide and that all private and pretended inspirations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ing the same are of the Devill the 〈…〉 who would rent in sunder the â—â—â—â—â—â—esse Coat of Jesus Christ 15. Lastly I strictly promise to observe and kéepe whatsoever was decréed and ordained by the last Councell of Trent and do promise before God and you never to depart from the Catholike and Apostolike Romane Church And if I shall which God forbid I submit me to the correction and Canons of the said Church made decréed and ordained against them which fall into Apostasse To which abjuration and confession I have subscribed with my hand c. Some of those who for feare abjured afterwards relented others grew more and more hardened insomuch that in going oft to Masse they tooke part with the priests and murtherers as if they had never made any profession at all of the truth Persecution at Boardeaux the third of October 1572. Soone after the massacre at Paris tidings thereof came to Bourdeaux Where it happened on a morning as the Protestants were taking boat to heare a Sermon in a meadow where they were wont to meet being about three miles from Bourdeaux betweene the river of Garonna and the brooke of la Jalla that the Governour Mountferrand commanded them to come backe again He had the shift to cloake the same under a plausble pretence namely that they should not be set upon there by the multitude After their returne they began to set a strong watch and ward at the gates so as none of the religion could have leave to passe forth unlesse he had a passeport from the Governour yet meanes was made for their Ministers escape without being perceived who went to Medoâ— expecting what the event of this businesse at Bourdeaux would be Having intelligence of what was executed there they staid certaine daies and nights hiding themselves in the rocks and marshes untill they had opportunity to take shipping and so saile into England Instantly thereupon there arrived at Bourdeaux the Lord of Montpesat from the King who at his first comming fained as if he meant to settle all things in peace Yet he wrought under hand in such wise with the Governour that the massacre was resolved of to which he was sollicited by a Jesuite called Edmund Angier who out of the pulpit used horribly and bitterly to thunder and inveigh against the remisnesse and faint-heartednesse of the said Governour Insomuch as on S. Michaels day as they called it speaking of the Angels by whom God executes his iudgements he cryed out by way of Interrogation Who executed Gods iudgements 〈◊〉 the Hugenots in Paris The Angell of God Who hath executed the like upon other Cities in this Kingdome The Angell of God In a word he never ceased in publique and priâ—ate to sollicite the Papists of Bourdeaux to follow the example of the Parisians And then as a croking Raven day by day he thâ—â—â—ted those of the religion with the approaching of an utter ruine and desolation if they did not betimes returne into the bosome of the Romane Church which offer if they 〈◊〉 refuseâ— they should not be received in when they would Many being terrified with these threates as also by the intreaties of their kindred who set before fore them the imminent danger which hung over Anno 1572. their heads revolted and abjured The said Sieur of Montpasset caused Master William Blanck an Advocate in the Court of Parliament to be called before him who was counsellor to him and to his father in law exhorting and perswading him to returne to the unity of the Romane church Le Blanck answered that he had sufficiently weighed and compared all things together before he tooke upon him the profession of that Religion which he now professed which he said was the true religion acknowledging the same in every respect far to excéed the other Montpessat
deputies of the said Court added wee can neither find by our registers nor by any antiquity that the Princes of France ever subjected themselves so farre to the authority of the Pope nor that the Subjects have taken such knowledge of the Religion of their Princes The Court therefore cannoe determine ought thereupon unlesse first of all the Pope can cause his pretended right in translation of Kingdoms to appeare which Kingdomes were established and ordained of God before the name of a Pope was heard of in the world that he manifests not to us what title he hath to intermeddle with the matter of the succession of a young and vigorous Prince who for ought the Pope knows may have his succession yet in his loynes that he shews not with what appearance of justice or equity he should deny that priviledge which is allowed to such as ate accused of heresie against the decrées of antient canons namely that no man ought to be held as an heretique untill his defence be fully and fréely heard till he have received often admonitions from many Synodes and there upon sentenced by a Councell lawfully assembled Further they added that séeing the pope in stead of instruction breaths forth nothing in his Buls but destruction changing his shepherds crooke into a terrible thunderbolt rather to scatter then swéetly to call the erring flocke into the Bosome of the Catholique Church the Court cannot safely admit of or entertaine a Bull so permitious and opposite to the generall good of all the Christian World and to the soveraignty of the Crowne of France yea they further were of opinion that this Bull deserved to be throwne into the fire and burned and the sollicitors or upholders thereof for examples sake to be severely chastifed humbly deséeching the King to maintaine his Edicts in his owne Kingdome in peace This remonstrance tooke small effect for not long after the King being sollicited by the principall of the league set forth a declaration the seventh of October upon the Edict published in Iuly next before going wherein having confiscated the body and goods of these of the Religion with their associates who in any Province had taken armes against the fury of the league it was ordained that those of the Religion within sixe moneths were to depart out of the Kingdome unlesse within fiftéene daies fully accomplished after the said declaration they should abjure The Parliament suffering themselves to be carried downe by the violence of this streame accepted and admitted of this Edict The Princes framed an opposition against the Popes Bull appealing therefrom as a wrong done unto them offering to make it appeare in a frée and lawfull Councell that the Pope had malitiously belied them in calling them Heretiques so as if he refused this faire and lawfull course by them propounded they would hold and estéem him for that great antichrist and would proclaime an openirreâ— concileable war against him This opposition was affired and set up at Rome the seventh day of November Not long after among those of the Religion which were imprisoned others were more severely handled Among many take notice here of two honourable Women whose memory ought to be celebrated in this History of the Martyrs namely Radagonde daughter of Master Iohn Foucoult Atturney in the Parliament of Paris Widow of the age of fourty yeares and Claude Foucoult her sister a Virgin about thiryt six who were apprehended the nine and twentieth of October 1585. the one of the Village of Pierrepit néere Paris and the other in the suburbs of Saint German and brought prisoners into Chaâ—â—elet because they denied to goe to masse and would not abjure and forsake the true Religion Being severed one from the other in prison they were examined upon sundry Articles * To wit touching the supper of the lord prayer to saints prayer for the dead about abstaining from meats to which they made their direct answer according to the word of God Then being put together they were accused for disobeying the Kings commandement which was that these of the Religion were either tode part the Kingdome by such a time or else abjure They answered that they were willing toleave the Kingdome if they might obtaine a convenient time to take order about that little which they had there but refusing to yéeld to their request they were shut up again and theseventh of November in the presence of the Lieutenant as also of the Advocate for the King and a sorbonist they pleaded their Innocency These men getting no advantage against them but being rather confounded by the Wisedome of Gods Spirit speaking by these two sisters went and complained to the King that they were obstinate Heretiques This was in the beginning of the yeare 1588. They continued in prison many wéeks being cumbred with many disputes yet remained unshaken The Friday before Easter the King Hen. the third himselfe was to sée them asking them whether they would conforme themselves to the Catholique Apostolique Roman church as he called it They with such reverence and obeisance as became them gave him their reasons why they could not so doe confirming the same by texts of Holy Scripture His second question was why they had not obeyed his last Edict The Widow answered sir saith she I have thrée small Children to care for and whereas your Majesty allotted those of the Religion the teaâ—me of fiftéene daies after six moneths ended to depart the Kingdome I have done my utmost to take up such monies as were due untome but those who were indebted unto me neglected to pay me Besides hee that kept my vineyards of Pierrepit to quit Anno 1588 himselfe of me accused me of heresie causing my sister and my selfe to be here imprisoned where we have lien six moneths and if so be our petition presented by us find no acceptance in your Majesties sight we most humbly beséech you to grant that we may be fréed out of prison and wee will be gone instantly out of the Kingdome according to your Majesties Edict The date is past said the King nor will I shew you any favour unlesse you will promise to goe to masse He was much displeased in séeing their constancy Now at the same time there was presented before him one sirnamed Richelot who had béen apprehended that very day in which the women were taken for the cause of Religion unto whom the King used not many words only in conclusion hee said there wanted nothing but fagots to burne him This Richelot abjured that day in which these two sisters were executed The King had five or sixe Sorbonists which attended on him there who offered to reason with the prisoners by occasion of a word spoken by the widow But the King preventing it said we are not come hither to dispute let them be laid wast and none suffered to come to them Within halfe an houre after the Duke of Longueville came to visit them saying he was sorry for their
finding kinder entertainment among strangers than in their owne countrey We had perished said he if we had not perished So may we say That did not our naturall life perish here by persecutions we had never been saved in the kingdome of heaven Run we then my brethren with patience the race that is set before us let us not be ashamed with Simon the Cyrenian to carry the reprochfull Crosse of Christ and seeing we must die once let us desire rather to die gloriously for righteousnesse sake than ignominiously by shunning it If Princes had rather die in a breach than in their bed and to lose their life in the field than an eye at tilt or tourney let us imitate them in this our spiritual conflict-earnestly intreating the Lord if it be his blessed will that we may fight and die valiantly in the defence of his Truth and for the honour of his sonne If worldly minded men can and will suffer many hard adventures some for their honour others for their profits and pleasures though but vaine and temporary with what longing should we aspire to that certaine and eternall happinesse rest and glory wherewith all those shall be crowned who fight manfully and constantly for the cause of Christ But the world and worldings smile at this wisedome counting it foolishnesse the flesh also joyning therewith thinks all we have said to be either idle phantasies or meere paradoxes and no marvell for both of them being from the earth can savour nothing but what is earthly as Christ saith Betweene the judgement of the Church and that of the World there is a broad difference when the question is of determining what is true honour profit or pleasure whence it is that in a manner the one scornes that which the other admires and adores So as they never consent in approving or condemning with one voice that which is questioned for the belly hath no eares If therefore we meane to be ruled aright either in the matter of faith or outward manners let us not bee guided therein either by the worlds judgement or yet that of the flesh for the world is poreblinde and the belly as we have said hath no eares Ponder we then these things that so wee may be prepared to obey the will of God let us not wilfully râ—sh into dangers onely if God shall call us forth to suffer purposing thereby to conforme us to our Head and so to accompany that great cloud of witnesses through the narrow way that leads to his kingdome yeeld wee our neckes to beare the sweet and easie yoke of Christ Be it that Satan and his confederates doe persecute the Church of Christ yet hath she an assured hiding place The faithfull may be imprisoned but in the meane while they leave the world in a worse prison viz. shut up under the wrath of God They may be in bonds yet is not that so bad as to lie bound in the bonds of iniquity they are oft shut up in darke and unsavoury places but how can darknesse be grievous to them who are the children of light especially when God shines upon them with the light of his countenance Stinking holes and odious smels cannot so offend and annoy them but that the sweet savour of a good conscience purified by faith surmounts all They may be put into dungeons in the world yet being chosen of God out of the world they have their conversation in heaven Be it that they lose a few commodities here it is but as if they forsook counters to receive gold things terrestriall for celestiall A Christian may suffer but he cannot die he may lose his life but hee cannot lose Christ when he leaves the world he goes to God Wherefore let us then put on the whole armour of God and as good souldiers of Eph. 6. 11. 2 Tim. 23. Rev. 2. 10 Iesus Christ enure our selves to endure hardnesse So shall it come to passe that continuing faithfull in this spirituall Warfare unto the death we shall at length receive the crowne of eternall life THE HISTORY OF FOVRE MARTYRS BVRNT AT LILE IN FLANDERS IN THE YEARE 1556. WHOSE NAMES ARE ROBERT OGVIER AND HIS WIFE BAVDICON AND MARTIN their two Sonnes THe example which is set before us in this so godly a Family may well serve for an entrance to the Continuation of the History of forrein Martyrs in that weâ— may thence learne what those true ornaments are wherewith both parents and their children ought to bee decked and adorned namely with such a light shining forth from the sound knowledge of the Gospell as whereby the Church of God may be edified and confirmed in seeing them to hold the profession of their faith coustantly even unto the death THe City of LILE may Anno 1556. well bee placed in the first ranke of those Cities of Merchandise in the Low-countrey of Flanders Artols and Haynault upon which the Lord hath multiplâ—ed his blessings not so much of worldly good things as of his spirituall graces yea in so abundent measure that even under the tyraumy of Antichrist in the Countries aforenamed few places can be named where the Gospell in that time was more fréely published and preached or with greater zeale received than there For for thrée yeares together the Gospell was secretly taught among them sometime in houses then in woods in fields and in caves of the earth not without the haâ—arding of their dearest life if they had béen discovered yet could not these apparent dangers under such tyranny coole or abate the burning zeale which almost consumed the heart of this people hungring and thirsting after the spirituall food of their soules What was among them preached was accordingly practised workes of mercy and charity were there exercised not onely towards those of the houshold of Faith but even towards them which were without so as many by means hereof were drawn and brought on to the knowledge of Christ They ordained in their assembly certaine Deacons to receive the almes which were given men fearing God being well approved of who went wéekely from house to house to collect the abnes of such as they knew to be faithful admonishing every one how to carry themselves themselves in their vocations and of their duty in contributing towards the reliefe of the poore Saints And thus each one according to his place endevoured to expresse and manifest his faith by the fruits thereof namely good works In a very short space of time the Lord by the Ministry of his Word though preached in secret erected here a flourishing Church so as the Congregation consisted of a competent number of men women and children not onely of the city but out of foure or five Willages besides bordering nigh unto it who came also with an eager appetite to be instructed In the meane while you may conceive that satan and his adherents ceased not to storm and rage hereat not being able long to endure these their holy méetings but
had their refuge to their wonted place of saint Iames Confesse your faults one to another Iames 5. 16. Answer The Apostle would have us to confesse our faults to such as we have wronged by word or déed Also God enjoynes us to reconcile ourselves one with another by such a confession Mat. 6. 12. Mat. 16. 19. if we would obtaine pardon of him Then they alledged that place of saint Mathew That whatsoever they bound on earth was bound in heaven Answer Christ speakes there of Ecclesiasticall discipline which ought to bée observed amongst Christians by admonitions and then by applying the censures according to the doctrine of the Gospell that so obstinate sinners may be cast out of the Church But all the world may sée that you know not what this true discipline of Christ meaneth nor what a right Ministry is in your Churches Quest At least you acknowledge Extreme unction Extreme unction to bée a Sacrament séeing Saint Iames speaks so cléerly of it Answer The anointing that Saint Iames Iames 5. 14. Marke 〈◊〉 13. speakes of is nothing like to your anointings For that was a miraculous anointing for healing of the body and that whilst the gift of healing was usuall in the Church But you anoint such as lye drawing on and doe it for the salvation of their soules It is néedfull I grant to send for the Minister to comfort the sicke and to pray with them and for them but not to besmeare and grease them Quest Well what say you to Confirmation Confirmation is not that a Sacrament Answer In all the Scripture said Iames do I not finde such a thing as your confirmation as you now use it and therefore I know not what it is Here they caused the Register to write Non credit Then came they to the order of priesthood and asked if that were not a Sacrament Answer No no more than the rest I am not 1 Pet. 2. 9. ignorant that S. Peter cals the faithfull a chosen generation a royall Priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people nor yet where Saint Iohn saith that Christ hath made us Kings and Priests but what is all this to your Bishops and Priests Rev. 1. 6. Quest What thinkest thou of the Pope Answer I thinke him to be the same that Daniel and Saint Paul foretold he should be For he Anno 1560. shewes himselfe such a one as they have described him to be comming with false signes and lying 2 Thess 2. 9 10. wonders sitting in the Temple of God and exalting himselfe above all that is called God forbidding marriage which God hath ordained and 1 Tim. 4 3. meat which God hath commanded to be received with giving of thankes Question What say you then unto Purgatory Purgatory 1 Iohn 17. Answer We acknowledge none other Purgatory but the blood of Christ which only cleanseth us from all our sinnes Quest Doe not the Saints pray for us and ought we not to pray to them Answer God alone is to be worshipped and Prayer to Saints prayed unto Whilest the Saints were on earth they would not endure to be adored Acts 10. 25 26. Which they then would rather have permitted being clothed with corruption and with naturall desires of being honoured then now when they have put off all carnall and humane affections The Angels themselves would not accept of Divine worship Revelat. 19. 10. and 22. 9. They had many other disputes which Iames could not write for want of paper as he intimated to them of the Church The fourtéenth of August they were examined the third time by Peter Titleman Dean of Renay Inquisitor generall of Flanders whose cruelties and extortions were exercised upon all the faithfull in all the persecutions and deaths which they suffered in the said Countrey This morning was brought before him Iane Solomez of whom he diligently enquired of these of the City of Stéenewerke where she was borne but especially if she knew one Charles Vanderkaw a man renowned among the faithfull there She answered she knew him but he was now dead After he had asked her name he questioned with her especially about the Sacraments yea somewhat concerning the Lords Supper holding her in these discourses about two houres before him To Iames Diensart he propounded no questions but came about him with these flattering spéeches My son you are yong and in the prime of your youth Therefore the Magistrate of this City is very desirous you should be withdrawne from holding this new doctrine that so you might be brought againe into the right way but as I understand you so persist therein that there is no removing of you Iames answered that it could not be called a new doctrine which was built upon the Prophets and Apostles To whom the Inquisitor replyed That Martin Luther was the first that broached it Answer And what say you then to so many learned men which lived before him as Io. Wickliffe Iohn Hus c. and some after him as Calvin Iohn Alasco Martin Micron and others in England France and Friesland And though neither you nor I knew them God knowes them as well as he did the seven thousand of the godly 1 Kin. 19. 28. whom Elias in his dayes was ignorant of The Inquisitor persisting in his old song pressed him with the succession of his Prelates and Bishops Iames put him in minde of another marke of the true Church namely that it was alwaies under persecution and thence inferred that himselfe was a true member thereof The Inquisitor said we are now persecuted in England for now they begin to imprison some of our Priests there Answer It is true that Boner late Bishop of London was committed to prison but not for his good déeds The rest of them have their liberty Now this Inquisitor among other matters willing him to shew what service was due to the Virgine Mary said Is it not written Honour 1 Pet. 2. 17. all men And what honour owe we then to the mother of our Lord Iesus Christ You give her said Iames a goodly honour in bowing the knée before an Image of wood or stone praying thereto as to your God You may be ashamed of such abhominable practises and blasphemies Much other reasonings they had which the said Iames for lacke of paper and leisure could not commit to writing The same day in the afternoon Christian Luckere who was put into prison apart was also presented before this inquisitor and examined upon many Articles In all his answers he shewed much courage and when the other went about to prove that Iesus Christ was corporally present in the Sacraments Christian used sixe or seven strong reasons to the contrary drawne out of the holy Scriptures That it could by no meanes be granted being repugnant to the truth The adversaries perceiving the constancy of these thrée prisoners sought by all meanes to vexe and weaken them First they severed them one from another
up his eyes to heaven said twice or thrice Lord God heavenly father into thy hands I commend my spirit And then againe Lord forgive their sin who have put us to death Iames and the maide made the like prayer But because Iames was last strangled and the people moved with compassion began to stir the hangman kindled the fire upon Iames being but halfe strangled The people séeing him to die in the midst of the fire were yet more moved so as the tormentor being in a maze got a staffe out of a Boat headed with iron and smote the Martyr twice or thrice on the right side to make an end of him These thrée having a while lien in the fire they were carried thence in a cart to the gibbet where being put apart upon thrée poles they were afterward taken downe and buried Nicaise of Tombe born in Tournay Martyr Whose constancy is to be imitated and followed of every good Christian in suffering for the truth of the Gospell NIcaise dwelling in Tournay and following the trade of Say-making towards the end of his life was then by the mercy of God brought to the knowledge of true religion Now that he might be the more throughly instructed therein he went with his wife and family into the City of Wesell in base Almaine In which City there was at that time an assembly of strangers and especially of those who are called Wallons exercising themselves in hearing the word of God purely preached and in receiving the holy sacraments But Satan the mortall enemy of Gods children envying their happinesse soon after troubled this assembly in such wise with sundry questions that some retyred to Frankfort others to Strausburg and some to other places Nicaise returned to Tournay whence he came not to communicate there with the superstitions and abhominations in which he had formerly béen inwrapped but to joyne himselfe to the Christian assembly which met together in that place to manifest the truth of that heavenly knowledge which he had received out of the word of God Where notice being taken of him they received him into their society amongst whom he carried himselfe in so Christian a sort as they well perceived him to be a man of an holy conversation joyned Anno 1566. with an earnest desire to advance the glory of God and the kingdome of Christ in the edification of his Church Now forasmuch as affliction 2 Thes 2. 9. 10. is the true touchstone whereby the faithfull are discerned from Hypocrites Nicaise then shewed outwardly what he was within For being importuned to take an oath from those who were deputed thereunto by the King of Spaine to live according to the custome of the Romish Church and to observe the traditions invented by her he notwithstanding the threats and injuries done unto him constantly held out against the said oath not casting how deare it might cost him in the end Some of his kindred wished him at leastwise to withdraw himselfe aside for awhile into another City till the urging of this oath was over as also that his wife should change her lodging in his absence To this counsell he consented but the Lord who governes all our intentions and purposes had otherwise determined of him namely to set him forth as an example of constancy unto others and to beare witnesse so farre to the truth of the Gospell as to seale the same with his bloud by staying him at that time in the City For being ready to take his journey a néere neighbour of his being an enemy of the Gospell accused him to the commissioners for one that neither had nor would take the oath according to the forme appointed Nicaise requiring to heare the tenour of the oath before he would make them an answer they told him that he must sweare to kéep observe all antient customes to receive in the sacrament of the altar his creatour thrice in the yeare and on Sundaies and Holidaies to heare Masse morning and evening As soone as hée had understood their meaning hée told them hée intended not at all to take any such oath nor to wound his conscience in consenting to things so manifestly contradicting the word of God therewithall yéelding them the reasons of this his resolution accusing as well them for urging such an oath as those also who gave their consents thereto Upon this he was committed and laid amongst fellons in the Gaole called Pipigne untill Friday the twelfth of November on which day he received sentence of death namely to be bound and so led into the Market place of the City and there upon a Scaffold to be burned and consumed to ashes Having heard this sentence as he rose up hée said now praised be God and as he was about to have spoken more at large the Procurer fiscall bing present prevented him and thrusting him forward bad him march on By and by they brought him to the place of execution and as it well fell out having no Priest accompanying him when he was come downe to the Market place a néere friend of his comming to him commended him to God and so they kissed each other Being come nigh to the * Which is a watch tower standing bofore the City hall where the Clocke is Befroy of the City séeing there a great multitude of people who were assembled together to sée him passe by lifting up his voice he spake thus O yee men of Tournay open your eyes awake ye that sleepe and stand up from the dead and Christ shall give you light He also prayed all whom he had any way offended to forgive him as he for his part was ready to forgive all the world The people hearing him say so began to be moved and to make a great muttering The multitude also that were come together were so many that the souldiers who incompassed the Patient being now ready to suffer could neither march nor kéep ranke so as they were about to shoot Which the people perceiving began to be moved so much the more so as there had like to have béen a great tnmult But going on they drew nigh to the place where the scaffold was Nicaise all the while spent the time in prayer unto God and being at the place of execution hée uttered these words Lord they have hated mee without a cause and ascended up joyfully to the scaffold where the Tormentors readily received him and led him to the stake and as they were fastening him to it he said Eternall Father have pitty and compassion upon me according as thou hast promised to all that aske the same of thee in thy sonnes name Other prayers he made there to his God and so continued to his last gaspe And albeit the multitude made such a noise and the beating of the drummes hindred his words from being all fully heard yet he so often pronounced and that with such vehemency the word Iesus that it notwithstanding might plainly be understood as long as the breath
of the thing signified Bish As touching the sacraments in the old testament which had their extent only to the comming of Christ and no further we indéed doe hold that the signe beares the name of the thing signified thereby and thus the Paschall Lambe Exod. 12. 43. Cec. 71. 1â— was called the Passeover and Circumcision was called Gods Covenant being but a signe thereof but it is otherwise now in the sacraments of the new Testament which have their continuance unto the end of the world containing in them the thing signified La Grange Your Distinction will be but idle if we come to the sacraments of the new Testament which are onely two howsoever the church of Rome holds seven to wit Baptisme and the Lords supper The scripture calls Baptisme the washing of regeneration because it is a signe thereof yet bearing the name of that whereof it is but a signe Nor among your owne Writers do we finde that the water in Baptisme is changed into the blood of Christ which is notwithstanding the true lover of regeneration Also the cup is called the new Testament because it is a signe thereof Dare you now affirme that the cup is the new Testament But because you séeme to bring in for confirmation of your opinion the ancient Fathers we are content to be tried herein by them even in our cause also and it shall appeare that they are not so contrary to us as you suppose and this will cleare our doctrine from the crime of novelty wherewith yée slander it Afterwards we will come to touch such inconveniences and absurdities as flow from your Doctrine The Bishop answering that hée was content La Grange began as followeth La Grange Gelasius who was an ancient doctor Gelasius a pope of Rome yea and a Pope also said in a Councell held at Rome That the substance and nature of bread and wine remained in the sacrament of the Lords Supper even as the humane nature of our Lord Iesus Christ was united unto his divine essence Chrysostome an ancient doctor in his imperfect Chrisostome worke upon S. Matthew denies that the body of Christ is inclosed under the bread in the sacrament but holds that it is only an outward signe thereof Bish I have as you know before answered that sentence of Gelasius and then I told you that he was not séene in Philosophie and therefore could not dispute substantially of the substance of the bread yea I verily thinke he understood not what this word substance meant but tooke it for that which we call accidents as some times by this word accident wee understand substance witnesse Iulian who takes it in this sence La Grange Sir I cannot conceive that such a learned Father could be so ignorant as not to know what the substance of bread should meane or at least the nature thereof féeling hée ate of it daily S. Augustine hath this saying on the third Augustine Psalme That Christ shewed admirable patience in receiving Iudas to that banquet in which hee instituted and gave to his Disciples the signe of his body and blood Bish I doubt not but many such sentences are to be found in saint Augustine which séeme to favour your opinion as where he saith to Adimantus the Manichée That Iesus Christ did not shun to call it his body albeit he gave but the signe thereof But such kinde of spéeches must be expounded by conferring one place with another La Grange Nay sir we have not onely saint Augustine but also the most part of the ancient Fathers all which you say are against us on our side Bishop Well but come now to the absurdities and inconveniences of our doctrine whereof you spake La Grange Amongst other I will instance in this one by the doctrine which you teach you sever 1. Absurdity and diâ—oyne that which in it self is joyned and united together In the supper of the Lord the Sonne of God gives us his flesh for our meate and his blood for our drinke which are coupled together by outward sacramentall signes bread and wine now according to your doctrine the bread to converted into flesh and the wine into blood and yée separate the flesh from the blood of Christ Bish We separate not the flesh from the blood séeing that by concomitancy the flesh is never without blood nor blood without flesh La Grange If this be so wee should in one 2. Absurdity the same action receive the flesh blood of Christ twice for taking the bread which you say hath blood accompanying it by your Concomitance you receive whole Christ in flesh and then againe in bloud and thus we receive the flesh twice and the bloud twice Bish What inconvenience commeth of receiving the same twice in one action La Grange Christ did not institute his supper to be received twice in one action but saith in the singular number Take eate this is my body he said not in the plurall These are my bodies This only absurdity if there were no more overturnes the Lords institution To this the Bishop made no answer La Grange If we marke Christs words it will appeare that the absurdities in your doctrine do crosse this commandement Eat for what eat you sir I pray you in this sacrament Bish The accidents of bread La Grange Eate you nothing but the accidents It is said Eate this is my body Bish We receive the body and blood La Grange When you eate the body doe you not bruise it with your téeth Bish No for Christs body is insensible so as when we eate or bruise the cake the body is not bruised therewithall but the forme the body is not dismembred but every bit is the body of Christ La Grange Sir you still fall into the former absurdities for making thrée pieces of your cake in the Masse and every piece thereof the whole 3. Absurdity body of Christ it thereupon followes that in taking three pieces you swallow downe three bodies of Christ together Bishop We must not be led thus by humane sense La Grange Sir that which I say is manifest enough and so that which you affirme of your formes cannot stand for Christ saith not Eat the formes but Eate this is my body Now wee cannot eate unlesse we gnaw with our teeth in bruising therewith that we eate If you say that the bread which is flesh as you hold is conveyed under the tongue and gently swallowed then I answer This is not eating but swallowing for Can he be said to eate who being halfe pined with hunger swallowes his bread and meate withou chewing Nay he may rather be said to devoure it Moreover if the bread which as you affirme is flesh bée put into a mans mouth and swallowed then how will you answere that which Christ said in Saint Mathew That whatsoever Mat. 15. 17. enters into the mouth goeth into the belly and is cast out into the draught or backe
gagged also Then the Executioner brought them to the Towne house to heare their sentence read which in summe was this That they should be hanged because they had béen present at the hearing of sermons Thus these thrée men yéelded up their soules to God with admirable constancy at the Gallowes The woman being every way veriuously given was condemned to be beheaded because shée had sung Psalmes and made a certaine exhortation out of the word of God to her neighbours at a womans up-sitting She was beheaded on the back side of the Townehouse Now because her body was much enféebled she was caused to sit upon a stoole receiving thrée blowes with the sword overthwart the téeth Yet shée constantly sate still till she obtained the Crowne of Martyrdome the same day in which the forementioned Martyrs dyed which was the second of Iune Anno 1568. ¶ Piere Coulogue and Betken his Maid servant Martyrs Anno 1568. THis Peter Coulogue by his Trade being a Goldsmith dwelling in Bzeda had long served the Church there in the office of a Deacon wherein he caried himselfe with the good approbation of all His house also was frée for the assembly to méet in as oft as the exercises of Christian religion were performed amongst them But the enemies of the truth not enduring the swéet favour hereof imprisones him and laid him in irons which the faithfull there tooke very heavily using all the meanes they could to have accesse to visit him But the enemies taking knowledge thereof caused him to be conveyed into the Castle whence both his and the Churches sorrow was yet further encreased because they could not now come to be a comfort one to another His servant Betken being very zealous and well read in the Scriptures brought him his ordinary dyet from day to day never ceasing to comfort and confirme him out of the Word of God All which she had liberty to do nine moneths together At length they imprisoned her also whereof she was right glad thinking her self happy to suffer ought for righteousness sake Not long after Peter was put to the torture which after he had endured they came in like manner to his maid servant Betken who spake unto them after this maner My masters wherefore will you put me to this torture séeing I have no way offended you Is it for my faiths sake You néed not torment me for that for as I was never ashamed to make a confession thereof no more will I be now at this present before you I willfréely shew you any minde therein But for all this they procéeded on with that which they intended Which she perceiving said Alas my Masters it it be so that I must suffer this paine then give me leave first to call upon God To which her request they yéelded Now whilest she was making her prayer one of the Commissioners was so surprised with feare and terror that by and by he swouned and could not be fetched again And thus the poore maid escaped the torture Soone after being examined touching her faith they condemned these two innocents to be burned Now as they were led to be executed great sorrowings and complaints were heard among the people But as for Peter and his Maid they praied to God with ardent affection that he would perfect the good work which he had begun in them and assist them with the power of his holy spirit untill they had finished their course The courage and constancy of the said Betken did so move many of the godly both men and women that not casting what perill or danger might ensue thereof they brake through the multitude embracing the Prisoners and praising God for their constancy saying Fight manfully for the crowne is ready prepared for you After they were come where they should suffer Betken began to speake unto the people with an Anno 1568 amiable countenance saying thus unto them Brethren and sisters be you alwaies obedient to the word of God and feare not those that can kill the body for on the soule they can have no power as for me I am now going to méet my glorious Spouse the Lord Iesus Christ And then falling both downe upon their knées they prayed to the Lord with great devotion Being risen up from prayer the executioner laying hold of them bound them with chaines to the stake and then stranled Peter but would not strangle the other who encouraged her Master till he had yéelded up the ghost and till the fire had taken hold of her selfe Then was she heard and séen to magnifie the Lord out of the middest of the flames so as many among the multitude were ravished at her invincible constancy Thus did these two Martyrs of the Lord give up their last breath in the fire May the 29. Anno 1568. Giles Meyere Martyr Anno 1568. IN. Flanders at a place called Vinderhout distant from Gand about a mile there was a certaine Curate called Giles de Meyere whom it pleased God illuminate with the true knowledge of his Gospell Now having received a talent from God he would not hide it with the Evill servant but sought all meanes how to imploy Mat. 25. 18. the same He had the feare of God alwaies before his eyes manifesting the same as well in his Doctrine as in his conversation being carefull to instruct those whom God had committed to his charge Yea he went from house to house comforting Acts 20. 20. and exhorting every one as occasion served out of the word of God above all labouring with them to beware of the abhominable superstitions of the Papacy He taught them that forgivenesse of sins the grace of God and eternall life was not to be obtained by our own merits but by the frée and only grace of God in Iesus Christ The Clergy of Gand having notice given them hereof namely that their Doctrine and authority would come to be little set by if this Curate should procéed on thus in his course without let they never rested untill they had pursued him to the death They imprisoned him then in the moneth of March anno 1567. casting him into a déep and dark hole where for a certaine space hée remained bearing this his affliction patiently and constantly calling upon God night and day praising him for estéeming him worthy to suffer for his sake In which his afflictions many good people who came often to visite him received such instruction and consolation from him that they were hardly drawn to leave him till of necessity they must their departure was alwayes accompanied with abundance of teares The Priests and others of that rabble ceased not likewise to ply him with disputations thinking by that meanes to make him renounce his Faith but to no purpose for he remained still firme and constant kéeping himselfe close to the word of God written which so vexed them that they procured him to be laid in the Castle where his sentence was to be hanged The Spaniards being then
the head of the visible Church 9 Now O Christian brethren Iudge you of that which I have said and sée if you can discerne Truth from Error Truth leads you to life honour and blessednesse Error and lies to death and destruction Be now either servants of Truth or the slaves of Error For my part I will cleave to the truth of the Gospell and doe condemne all errors and lies let Montalchin die and live thou O Lord Iesus Then threw he downe his two burning torches one this way and another that way offering his hands to be tyed and bound which caused a great tumult among the people Montalchin was returned back again to prison Now Reader it will not be hard for thée to imagine what entertainment he found there whether or no the Popes * Which was to put the martyrs to death privily as was noted in the beginning of this history Decrée was executed to the full upon this worthy Confessor who in the face of the world did so nobly triumph over Satan and Antichrist his Lieutenant Conclusion ¶ The invincible constancy of the Martyrs tyred the Persecutors their fiery burning zeale dryed up the Rivers the slaughter of mens swords séemed to be blunted the Hangmens halters to be utterly spent and wasted c. A TRVE NARRATION Of a bloody massacre committed upon the Protestants by the Papists in the greater part of the Valtoline in the yeare 1620. after the new stile Published for a necessary admonition to all Estates wherein the Gospell is professed amongst the Papists and for an example to all true Christians of constancy in the Profession of the Holy GOSPELL MAT. 5. 10. Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousnesse sake for theirs is the Kingdome of Heaven ¶ The true declaration of the Massacres of the Valtoline ALbeit that the Grison Lords being as it were the Soveraigne Magistrates had by sundry Decrées according to the common liberty of the two Religions in those countries granted that in the Countrey of Boalez a place belonging to thâ— territory of Tell there should be established a Church for the Religion which should receive the ordinary stipend which at that present was alloweâ—â—o other Churches of the Valtoline An. 1619. aâ— the moneth of May The Minister of the Church of Tell with the Ministers of Irian and Bruse together with the assistance of the principall Lords of Tyrano and Tegly did méet together in the said place of Boalez to preach in the Church of that place But so great was the multitude and concourse of the papists in that place in Armes that they were of necessity inforced to give over their purpose and at that time was Master Gaudentius Taches the Pastor of Bruse alâ—â—â—â— beaten to death with staves a young man â—â— Tyrano was slaine outright and others very cruelly handled by some of these villaines who by that occasion may worthily be called the first martyrs of the Country of Tyrano Within a short time after was murdered a servant of the Governour of that place where the rage and fury of those murderers grew unto that height that they did not only contemne the Proclamations published by the Governor but in Anno 1620. scorn and despite thereof they passed up and downe before the Palace threatening to kill the said governor and other principall persons of the Church of France Now for that the ordinary Magistrate of that place was not strong enough to represse the outrages and insolencies of those villaines from whom none could bee secure either in their houses or abroad by reason of the frequent attempts which they made upon the Protestants the rather for that they bordered néere upon a forraine jurisdiction to which they had recourse when they had committed any mischiefe the Governour was constrained to make his addresse for justice to the soveraigne Dabe of the countrey who about the midst of February anno 1620 granted a commission wherein were named these commissioners viz. the Lords Ioachinas Montalta at this time Vicar of the Valtoline Iohn Baptista of Salichi a Doctor of Law Ia. Rumel a captain Salomon Candeamma Buoli Landlaine of Tavos in the ten jurisdictions Dieteganus Fertmannus captaine of the Lordship of Meienfield and Iohn Andrea Miniardino for the Chancellorship c. By these persons besides the processes framed already by the Lords Iohn of Cappaul Governour of Tyrano and Andreo Enderlino of Tegly there were againe divers processes framed anew and upon the imprisonment and revealing of certain persons it was discovered and confessed there was a resolution made in the same place of Boalty to put to the sword not only the Preacher if he had preached but also all the people as many as professed the Gospell as they could light upon yea even the magistrate himselfe besides there were divers persons discovered and those of principall ranke who were the authors of those wicked and barbarous practises and had promised all possible ayde and assistance unto them And therefore the importance of the businesse being of great consequence it was thought expedient that those Lords Commissioners should return to Tavoz and report to the Court of justice which there resided all the businesse which resulted of these processes which they accordingly did about the midst of April last past Moreover they were intreated by divers noble persons of the protestant Church of the Valtoline that they would with all possible spéed provide a garrison of Grisons for the defence of the vally in regard that by the foresaid discovery they had great reason to feare a generall rebellion in case they should procéed to chastise the authors of those tumults and disorders and that such a businesse could not be without intelligence with the Spaniard and that so much the more likely that some certaine yeares agoe such another practise had bin discovered and attempted to be put in practise as came to passe 1584. and since of late All these businesses were considered but it was not possible to put same in effect for many reasons had it not béen that they received intelligence that a number of Spaniards approached néere to the thrée pleves which were places adjoyning to the Valtoline by which occasion the Magistrate and governors of the Valtoline were constrained to put a guard néere the trenches of Trahona and Morben about the Calends of Iuly 1620 thinking to secure the valley from the forraine enemy and that guard consisted of the Countrey-men and dwellers in the Valtoline this course wrought no other effect but that the Protestants by this meanes were inclosed in of all sides that they could not flée away on that side by the way already concluded but anticipated within eight daies which was the Sabboth day The ninth of Iuly 1620 followed the massacre in the countrey of Tyrane and Teglio as now since in Sondres a principall countrey of this Valley ¶ The massacre of Tyrane wherein were murthered about threescore persons THe beginning of their murthers was