King of Navarre that then was DUring the siege of Rovan Anthony of Bourbon King of Navarre being forsaken of his faithfull friends and servants for conniving with the campe of Trium-Zirat was shot into the right shoulder with an Harquebuse the fiftéenth day of October whereof he dyed the seventéenth following Not many houres before his death with teares in his eyes he asked pardon of God making a confession of his faith according to the forme then used amongst those of the Religion And yet but eight daies before through ill counsel and the solicitation of the Bishop of Mande one of them that betrayed him he was confessed in the eare of the officiall of Rovan communicated after the popish manner protesting that if he might be cured of his wound he would cause the gospell to be prenched throughout all the Kingdome of France Hée was a Prince endowed with many good gifts of God naturally of a gentle disposition and yet a valarous and couragious warriour but so addicted to follow his pleasures and delights that to enjoy them he easily abandoned the care of his more weighty affaires and so was subject to no small inconvenience namely to be ill served and obeyed in the meane while neglecting the services of such as had béen his loyall and affectionate subjects An imperfection which hath cost France a million of mens lives with immunerable ruines besides an end whereof is not suddenly to be expected The death and Martyrdome of Augustine Marlorat one of the Ministers of the reformed Church in Rovan as also of three other personages who suffered with him at the same time Anno 1562. AMongst the garboyles which by the seditious were moved at Rovan Captaine Saint Estevo seized upon the bodies of Augustine Marlorat of Du-Bosck Sieur de Mandreville Cruchet Sieur de Soquence and Noel Cotton Mandreville perceiving this Captaine to be no well willer of theirs yet promised him a thousand Crownes if he would save his life and the life of Marlorat one of their Ministers which he having promised to doe by and by he shewed him the place whereinto Marlorat was retired namely â—ower into which himselfe his wife and children were put with some others Thus being hath brought together the doore was presently fast shut upon them The seven and twentieth of October the Constable accompanied with the Duke of Guise comming to view the place desired to sée Marlorat to whom he said you are he who have seduced the people To which he replyed That if he had seduced them it was God that had béene the doer of it rather than he for said he I have preached nothing unto them but his Divine truth The Constable told him that he was a seditious person and the cause of the ruine of that City To which he answered As for that imputation I refer my selfe to all that have heard me preach bée they Papists or Protestants whether I ever medled with matters of politike State or no but contrariwise have according to my ability labored to instruct them out of the holy Scriptures The Constable with an oath replyed That he and his abettors plotted together to make the Prince of Conde King the 〈◊〉 Duke of Normandy and Antelot Duke of Britaine To which Marlorat answering and testifying the innocency of those noble personages gat onely this for his labour the Constable told him confirming it with a solemne oath that within a few dayes hée should sée whether his God could deliver him out of his hands or no and to departed in great 〈◊〉 Not long 〈◊〉 these 〈◊〉 to wit Marlorat Mandreville Sâ—quence and Coâ—on and other chiefe men of the Church were brought into the pallace But the names of the foure above specified were onely taken and forthwith their inditement drawne whence presently succéeded the sentence at the instance of Bigot Advocate for the King which sentence here followeth The Court having béen informed by the Interrogatories and confessions of the seditious in the city of Rovan and other parts of the countrey namely by M. Io. du Bosc of Mandreville President of the court of Requests in Rovan Vincent Gruchet Seignior of Sequence an antient Counsellor in the said City Noel Cotton seignior of Barthonville the Kings Notary and Secretary and Counsellor also of the said City with Augustine Marlorat Preacher and Minister in the said City Monke and Priest having a wife being all prisoners in the Consciergery The name of a spacious prison of the said Court conclusions against them being taken by the Kings Atturney generall all and every thing and circumstance considered the court hath and doth declare the foure persons aforesaid guilty and convicted of high treason in every particular for the punishment and satisfaction whereof the court hath adjudged and doth adjudge the said Bosc to be drawne naked onely a shirt upon him on a sled or hurdle into the old market place and there to be beheaded upon the scaffold of the city which done his head to be set upon a pole and placed upon the bridge of the said City and his body divided into foure parts to be set upon foure gibbets for a spectacle to the beholders And as touching Gruchet and Cotton it is decréed that they shall also be drawne in like manner upon a sled before the towne house of the City there to be hanged upon a gibbet and afterwards their heads being separated from their bodies to be affixed and set up upon the bridge of the said City and afterwards to be carried to the gibbet And as touching the said Morlorat the Court testifies that he is attainted and guilty of béeing one of the authors of the great assemblies which have béen the cause of rebellion and Civill wars And therefore as a punishment to satisfie the law for these crimes the Court hath condemned and doth condemne the said Marlorat otherwise called Pasquier to be drawne upon a sled and to be hanged upon a gibbet before our Ladies Church in Rovan this done his head to be striken off from his body and set upon a pole upon a bridge of the said City All their goods and heritages to be conâ—ate to the Kings use c. And underneath it was written ¶ This present sentence was pronounced and executed in the presence of the Lords and Commissaries Alexander Moyss Morterule and Sirend Messengers the last of October Anno 1562. MAndraville at his death shewed a wonderfull The death of Mandravill constancy expecting the stroke without being bound calling earnestly upon God speaking in the just defence of the reformed Churches in the faith of which doctrine he protested he was now prest to yéeld up his soule into the hands of God AS touching Augustine Marlorat a man excellently learned and of an unblameable life who had the testimony even of the Papists themselves that in his sermons he never uttered ought that tended to sedition or rebellion they were not content to sée him drawne upon a hurdle with shame
to them and returned answer in forme of an Edict granting to those of Rochell Montauban Nismes and others which stood upon their defence liberty for the exercises of Religion the rest to live peaceably in their houses and therein to minister the sacrament of â—aptisme and marriage as they had wont to doe so as their assemblies excéeded not the number of ten besides the parents He restored to the Rochellers and others their rites and priviledges letting fall all the decrées given out against them approving of their defensive war giving them leave according to their ancient custome to retaine in their Cities Towers and Fortresses men and munition yea to receive in Governours among them provided that they were such as they had no cause to suspect or except against By vertue of this Edict upon the tenth day of Iuly about ten of the clocke in the forenoone the Sieur of Biron entred into the City at the gate called de Coigne with an Herauld of armes and foure of the Kings Trumpetters at which houre peace was proclaimed in the most eminent places thereof accompanied with the Lieutenant of the City and with the Lord of Villiers After which dining at the Maiors house he soone after retyred being conducted along till he came without the City The same day many small Vessels laden with Biskets Corne Meale Fish and other provision Acertaine Gentleman Nephew to Puygaillard Governour of Angiers bragging that he had beene one who murthered the Admirall shewing a short sword which he had used in that slaughter threatenâ—d the like to the Rochellers but God cut him short also at the siege of Sancerre entred into the Haven At this siege the Duke D' Amaule lost his life with Cosseins who had broken into the Admirals Lodging and began the massacre at Paris besides many great Lords Gentlemen Captaines Lieutenants and Antients to the number of thréescore the greater part of which having their hands embrued in those other bloody massacres being come thither received their reward namely either present death or wounds so incurable that they escaped not with life One thing ought not here to be passed over in silence to wit the provision of victuals which God furnished this besieged people withall when all other provisions began to faile them namely an infinite number of small fishes never séene before in that haven which every day yéelded themselves to the mercy of the necessitons inhabitants But as soone as the Edict was published and the Rochellers set at liberty by the arriving of the Polish Embassadors these sea fishes withdrew themselves ¶ Although this relation following touching another siege of this City of Rochel sutes nothing at all with the order of time happening as it did in the yeare 1628. yet forasmuch as it seemes to have some affinity with the terrible famine where with both the City of Sancerre and it were afflicted let not the reader be offended for placing the same here somewhat out of place being a thing so worthy of note ¶ An extract of a Letter written on board the Saint George his Majesties Ship in Saint Georges Island THere dyed in this siege of Rochel the thirtieth of October 1628 sixtéen thousand persons the rest enduring a world of miseries most of all their food being hides leather and old gloves other provisions being very scarse were at an excessive rate viz. A Bushell of wheate xx li. A pound of bread xx s. A quarter of Mutton vi li. od mony A pound of Butter xxx s. An Egge viii s. An ounce of Sugar ii s. vi d. A dryed fish xx s. A pinte of Wine xx s. A pound of grapes iii. s. A pinte of Milke xxx s. Also it is reported that through the famine yong maids of fourtéen or sixtéen yeares of age did looke like old women of an hundred yeares old The famine was such that the poore people would cut off the buttocks of the dead as they lay in the Church yard unburied All the English that came out looked like Anatomies They lived two moneths with nothing but Cow hides and Goats skins boiled the dogs cats mice and frogs being all spent And this with a world of other miseries did they suffer in hope of being reléeved by others Thus much I thought good to let you understand ¶ A description of the manner of the death of Charles the ninth King of France IN the yeare 1574. Charles the ninth King of France in the time of whose raigne these forenamed execrable massacres were executed fell sicke which sicknesse seised upon him before his brother the Duke of Aniou tooke his voyage into Poland from which during the winter season he obtained some recovery But that which then séemed to lie hidden brake forth again afresh in the Spring so as this Prince after he had languished thrée whole moneths viz. February March and April drew his Physitians to a consultation about the state of his body who in the end concluded to purge and let him blood But these remedies tooke not such an effect as the King and they expected for he still wasted and consumed away being in the flower of his age to the wonder of many Some guessed he had taken a surfet either in eating or drinking others that hee was enchanted The thirtieth of May he dyed in the presence of his mother and of the Cardinals of Bourbon and Ferrare c. He was borne on the twenty seventh day of Iune 1550. He began his raigne the first of December 1560. and so reigned as that it gives to posterity iust cause both of admiration and detestation Thus this Prince lived not forty yeares fully compleat Now if any desire to be further Anno 1588 satisfied as touching the manner of his death I referre them to that which Master Iohn Fox hath written thereof not many lines before the conclusion of this booke commonly called the booke of Martyrs A note touching a Bull of Pope Sixtus the fifth wherein the King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde were declared Heretiques c. with the censure thereof by the Parliament of Paris IN September 1585. Pope Sixtus the fifth by a Bull sent from Rome condemned the king of Navarre and the Prince of Conde for Heretikes excommunicated them degrading them and their successors from their dignities especially laying claime to the Crowne of France absolving their subjects from their oath of alleigiance and exposing their Countries for a prey to them that could first subdue them The Court of Parliament of Paris made a notable remonstrance to the King concerning these Buls in the which they sought to maintain the priviledges of the Gallicane Church Among other things these words that follow are very remarkable The Court thinks that these Buls are set forth in a stile altogether of a new stamp and so contrary to the modesty of former Popes that they can in no sort discerne therein the spirit of a successor of the Apostles And therefore as the
was in his body And thus yée have heard the godly life and blessed end of this constant martyr ¶ Martin Bayart Claude du Flot with Io. Dantricourt borne in the Countrey of Artois and Noel Tournemine of Hering neere Seclin Martyrs 1566. YOu may easily discerne by the former Histories that the cruelties exercised against the Faithfull in Flanders nothing diminished the increasing of them for the innocent bloud thus shed was a meanes to bring many ignorant soules to the knowledge of the Truth These foure above named dwelling in the City of Lisle walked in the feare of the Lord with zeale according to knowledge as the event well manifested There was a Iesuit in the said City who had a servant that was cousin to one of the Martyrs with whom they laboured not without some perill first to shew him the odiousnesse of that sect and then to instruct him in the doctrine of the Gospell To which purpose they lent him a booke containing good instructions drawne out of the holy Scriptures The silly fellow not considering the hurt that might follow shewed it soone after to his Master The false Prophet by and by knew that this booke was not forged upon his anvile and therefore diligently enquired of his man where he had it Now that he might with the more expedition attaine his desire he gave him a piece of seven stivers telling him he should do well to bring him to the knowledge of them from whom he had received it which was not hard to doe in regard they all foure wrought upon their Trade which was to dresse sayes in an honest widowes house who professed the same Religion with them The Iesuite comming to the knowledge hereof failed not according to their guise to reveale it to the Magistrate Now lest he might be suspected to be the betrayer of them the Fox withdrew himselfe the same time out of the City whilst on a saturday morning about two of the clocke these foure were apprehended and imprisoned by the Magistrate It fell out the same day that certain writings were set up upon the Towne-house against the horrible tyranny of the Spanish Inquisition which was then intended to be brought in and executed throughout the Low-Countries which no doubt was the meanes wherby the Magistrates were the rather incensed against the prisoners But forasmuch as they were not found guilty of having any hand in this businesse they were onely examined about matters concerning their Faith To which they answered with such Anno 1566. courage and constancy without varying or wavering that the Iailour wondred how they could answer the Iudges so directly and pertinently as it were with one consent being notwithstanding severed one from another in the prison The second of March 1566. they were condemned for heretiques by the Provost of the City to which they replyed that if they were Heretiques then Gods word must néeds be heresie which could not be and therefore they fréely protested before all that they were Christians and held nothing but that which was agréeable to the word of God They were asked if they would submit themselves to the will of the Magistrates They answered they would submit themselves to the will of God Then was sentence of death forthwith pronounced upon them which was that they should be burned alive before the Towne-house When they were brought out of Prison to be executed Noels father came and embraced him and kissing him said Art thou led my son in this sort unto death This is nothing Father said hée for now am I going to life And howsoever Noel wept in going up to the Scaffold séeing his father so dissolved into teares yet recovering himselfe and being armed with new courage he cryed O yée Priests if we would have gone to your Masse we néeded not to have béen here but Iesus Christ never commanded nor instituted any such thing The Priests standing at the foot of the scaffold laboured to make the people beéeve they were Heretiques and that their faith was the faith of devills because they rejected the Sacraments But to that one of them answered that their Faith was nothing like to that of devills and as touching the Sacraments they held so many as Christ ordained Then said Martin suffer us to die in peace for we are in the right way and are going to Iesus Christ hinder us not in this our journey with these and the like spéeches the Priests mouthes were stopped not daring to come up upon the Scaffold as they were wont to doe Iohn Dauticourt comming up recited the articles of the Créed adding somewhat by way of exposition upon every Article Those who knew him before his imprisonment marvelled to heare him speake so judiciously The executioner thinking to please his Masters offered to gag him but the patient promised to hold his peace Yet being straitly fastened to the stake by the necke he said to the people O my friends were it for speaking wickedly that they commanded me to be silent it were somewhat but I cannot be permitted to speake unto you the word of God and with a loud voice said Who shall separate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation or anguish O Lord we are delivered to death for thy sake and are appointed as sheepe for the slaughter But let us be of good cheere my brethren for wee shall be more than conquerours through him that loved us The other thrée on their parts cryed and said Mat. 7. 14. This this is the way that leads to life this is the strait way by which we must enter thereinto as Christ our Lord hath taught us Noel likewise said Enter you my brethren and whilest I am alive pray for me for after death prayers prevaile not When all of them were fastened to their stakes and covered with fagots with fire ready to set thereto they began with one voice to sing the first part of the seven and twentieth Psalme and after that the song of Simeon to the end after which the fire began to be kindled in the middest whereof they were heard to cry ten or twelve times to the Lord especially Iohn and Noel with loud voices calling and saying Lord receive us this day unto mercy and unto thy kingdome And thus ceasing to cry any more they yéelded up their soules into the hands of God This constancy of theirs procéeding from the worke of Gods Spirit was not without singular fruit for the inlarging of the Church for many being touched therewith went home thence as if they had gone from a powerfull sermon ¶ Francis D' Alost in Flanders Martyr in the yeare 1566. THis yong man being by his trade a Cutler during the time of his ignorance frequented the Court much and tooke great delight in the vanity of this world which gat him much respect of many but chiefly among those of the Romish Religion namely Priests and Monkes who willingly conversed with him taking much contentment in his carriage and course
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 off his 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being 〈◊〉 up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—â—nels throughout the stréets he was at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where they 〈◊〉 him by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some 〈◊〉 were well 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 body of the Admirall â—he which they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that doe she 〈◊〉 what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they could nver find it out but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—o as they were â—aine to 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and hung that up in stead of the body it self rather than none at all ¶ Here as in fittest place is briefly related the sentence which the Court of Parliament in Paris denounced against Gasper Coligne Admirall of France after hee was massacred as you have formerly heard viz. 1 FIrst That for his conspiracy practised against the King and the State in the yeare 1572 the said Court hath condemned him of high treason 2 That his memory shall bee utterly rased out 3 If his body or any figure thereof shall bee taken that the same shall be first drawne upon a hurdle to the place called Le Grene and there hanged upon a Gibbet by the Executioner 4 After which a Gibbet shall be set up at Mountfaucon and he there to be hanged up in the most eminent place thereof 5 His annes and armor to be drawne at an horse taile through the stréets of the said City of Paris and other Cities where they should bée found and there by the Minister of Iustice to be broken and battered in pieces in signe of his perpetuall ignominy 6 All his goods and possessions to be forfeited to the Kings use 7 All his children to be pronounced ignoble as also held unworthy and uncapable of any honor or dignities whatsoever 8 His house and castle of Chastillon upon the Loin with the base Court and all appurtenances thereunto appertaining to be defaced and demolished to the ground 9 Then in the said place this sentence shall be set up engraven in brasse 10 Lastly that on the foure and twentieth of August 1572 generall processions be made throgh the City of Paris by way of thanksgiving to God for this punishment inflicted upon the conspirator Pronounced and executed in Paris the seven and twentieth and nine and twentieth of October Anno 1572. Signe Malon At Rome solemn masses were sung and thanks Great joy at Rome for these sorrowfull events rendred to God for the good successe which the Roman Catholiques had obsained in massacring the Huguenots At night in token of joy and gladned were made many great bonfires in sundry places And as the report went the Cardinal of Lorraine gave a thousand Crownes to him that brought this desired newes unto him Touching whose death I will here insert that which I finde written of it The Cardinall of Lorraine a principall pillar A note touching the maner of the Cardinall of Lorrains Death in the house of Guise a crafty and cruell persecutor of the reformed churches soone after the raigne of Henry the third brother of Charles the ninth in the yeare 1574 died at Avignon frantique at the houre of whose death there hapned such a horrible tempest in the aire that all stood amased at it The people observing how it fell out in one of the chiefe Cities where Popery bare the sway thought it the more remarkable not sticking to say that this wise worldling who had enriched himselfe beyond measure by execcrable practises received now in the prime of his youth and in the top of his hopes the just reward of all his wicked procéedings it being not possible that a soul so replenished with iniquity could depart quietly But those of the Religion added That in this his so sudden departure shined the wonderfull providence of God in that one of the Popes great supporters comming to Avignon with a purpose to arme the King of France and Polonia against the Christian assemblies out of a vaine confidence thinking that at his onely word and threat the Prince would be perswaded to overthrow all it should fall out so contrary to his expectation that the master builder and upholder of violent and bloudy counsels must now in the middest of his triumphs come to so fearefull and miserable an end That he who bent all his wits to crosse the counsell and wisedome of God should at an instant in this City be smitten with frensie To give warning to all that there is no wisedome or counsell against the Lord who blasteth the ripest wits when they dare to oppose him there with But now to returne againe to the matter where wée left The same day that the Admirall was hurt the King advised the King of Navarre his brother in law to lodge in his chamber with ten or twelve of his trustiest servants to protect him from the designes of the Duke of Guise whom he called an unhappy boy The Admirall as it séemeth somewhat before his death made his will in which he gave the king counsell that he should not give his brethren over great portions The Quéen Mother hearing this and reading the same to the Duke of Alencon the Kings brother Now you sée saith she the heart of your friend the Admirall whom you so much loved and respected The Duke answered I know not how much he loved me but I well perceive by this how much he loved the King The English Embassador made almost the like The Admiral a loving and loyall servant to his Prince and Country answer when the said Quéene told him How the Admirall had advised the King not to trust the English too farre Indéed Madam saith he hereby it appeared that though he bare but little good will to the English yet he manifested himselfe a loyall servant to the Crowne of France The Sieur de Brion Governour of the little Brion governour to the Prince of Condes son massacred Marquesse Conde sonne to the late Prince of Conde hearing these stirres taking his little master even in his shirt thinking to convey him somewhere out of the way met these murtherers who plucking from him the said yong prince massacred the old man in his presence whilest the Prince with teares intreated them to spare his Governour But they died his white haires in his owne bloud and then barbarously dragged him through the mire This Sunday morning all that were popishly Ten thousand massacred within three dates in the City of Paris c. affected tooke liberty to kill and spoyle if being credibly reported That the number of the slaine that day and two other daies following in the City of Paris and in the Suburbs did amount to above ten thousand counting Lords Gentlemen Presidents Counsellors Advocates Lawyers Schollers Physitians Merchants Tradesmen Women Maids and Children The stréets were covered with dead bodies the river was died with bloud the gates and entrance into the Kings palace painted with the same colour but the bloud-thirsty were
not yet satisfied But going from house to house with their associats Anno 1569. where they thought to find any Huguenots they brake open the doores then cruelly murthered whomsoever they met sparing neither sex nor age The pretence was this Report was raised there that a treason of the Huguenots was discovered who had conspired to kill the King his Mother his brethren having already killed fifteene of the guard Carts were laden with dead bodies of yong maidens women men and children which were discharged into the river covered in a maner all over with the slain and dyed red with their bloud which also streamed down the stréets from sudry parts thereof whereat the Courtezans laughed their fill saying That the warres were now ended and that hereafter they should live in peace c. But it would take up too much time to recite all the lamentable passages of this so sad and tuefull a tragedy ¶ This with some others which follow belonging to this History because they could not bee omitted are here under inserted TO begin then with Monsieur Pierre de la Place President of the Court of Requests whose story we will relate somewhat at large because his singular piety requires the same On Sunday morning about six of the clock one called Captaine Michael harquebusier of the king came into his lodging into which he had the more easie accesse for divers private respects This Captaine being armed having a harquebuse This was a token by which the murtherers were distinguished form others on his shoulder apâ—stoll at his girdle and his handkerchiefe tyed about his left arme presenting himself before the said De la Place the first words he spake were that the Duke of Guise had slaine the Admirall by the Kings appointment with many Huguenots besides and because the rest of them of what quality soever were destinated to death he was come to his lodging to exempt him from the common destruction onely he desired to have a sight of that gold and silver which was in the house The Lord de la Place somwhat amased at the audacious malapartnesse of the man who in the midst of ten or twelve persons which were there present in the roome durst presume to utter such language askt him if he knew where he was or whether he thought there was a King or no To this the Captaine blaspheming answered that he willed him to goe with him to know the kings pleasure The said Lord de la Place hearing this fearing also some danger to be towards by sedition in the City slipped forth at a backe doore behind his lodging purposing to get into a neighbors house In the meane while most of his servants vanished out of sight and this Captaine having stored himselfe with a thousand crowns was intreated by the Lady Marets daughter to the said Lord to convey her father with the Lord Marets her husband into the house of some Romane Catholike which he consented to doe and also performed it After this de la Place being refused at thrée severall houses was constrained to retire backe againe into his own where he found his wife very pensive and grieved beyond measure fearing lest this Captaine in the end would cast her sonne in law and daughter into the river as also for the imminent danger wherein her deare husband and all his family were But the said Lord de la Place being strengthened by the spirit of God with incredible constancy in the inner man sharply rebuked her and afterwards mildely demonstrated unto her that we must receive these and the like afflictions from the hand of God and so having discoursed a while upon the promises of God comforted her Then he commanded such servants and maids as remained in the house to be called togeher who being come into his Chamber according to his custome on the Lords dayes he made a forme of exhortation to his family then went to prayer and began to read a Chapter out of the booke of Iob with the exposition or sermon of Master Iohn Calvin upon it So having spoken somewhat of Gods mercy and justice which as a good and wise father useth to exercise his elect with sundry chastisements lest they should bée intangled here below with the things of this World he shewed how néedfull afflictions were for Christians and that it was beyond the power of Satan or men to hurt or wrong them unlesse the Lord of his good pleasure gave them leave What néed have we then said he to dread their authority which at the most can but prevaile over our bodies Then he went to prayer againe preparing himselfe and his whole family rather to endure all sorts of torments yea death it selfe than to speake or doe ought that might tend to the dishonour of God Having finished his prayer word was brought him that Senecay the Provost Marihall with many archers were at the doore of his lodging commanding the same to be opened in the Kings name saying that he came to secure the person of the Lord de la Place and to preserve his house from being pillaged by the common sort The Lord de la Place having intelligence of this spéech commanded the doore to be opened to him who entring in declared the great slaughter that was made upon the Huguenots every where in the city by the Kings command adding this withall in Latine that he would not suffer one to live Qui mingat ad Parietem Yet have I expresse charge from his Majesty saith he to sée that you shall sustaine no wrong but only conduct you to the Louvre because the King is desirous to be informed touching many things about the affairs of those of the Religion which he hath now in hand and therfore willed him to make himself ready to goe to his Majesty The Lord de la Place answered That he alwaies thought himselfe happy before he left this life to gaine any opportunity by which hée might render an account to his Majesty of his behaviour and actions But in regard such horrible Massacres were every where committed it was impossible for him to passe to the Louvre without the certaine danger of his person praying him to assure his Majesty of his willingnesse to come the whilest leaving in his lodging as many Archers as hee thought fitting untill the fury of theâ— people was somewhat pacified The Provost agréed to his request and left with him one of his Lieutenants called Toute Voye with some foure of his archers Not long after comes into his lodging Prestdent Charron then provost of the merchants with whom conferring a little in secret going his way he left with the foure archers which were there before foure more of the city archers The whole night following was spent in stopping up and fortifying of all passages from entring the house with logs and provision of Flint-stones damming up the windowes so as if séemed by this so exact and diligent a defence the
upon the swords and armes of the murtherers their sléeves being tucked up which something hindered their procéeding after they had drinke wine their still they meant to returne and make themselves dranke with blood also which that they might shed the more fréely they tooke with them Butchers great axes wherewith they smite downe their Oxen and in the presence of this honest Atturney felled these poore prisoners one after another who called upon God and crying so loud for mercy that all the City in a manner rung thereof This massacre lasted from nine of the Clock at night till it was midnight And for as much as there yet remained many prisoners alive they deferred this their bloody businesse till the next day But this may suffice to have béen said as touching this massacre at Meaux in Brie passe wée on now to the City of Troys in Champaigne and there take notice as it were by the way what cruelties were executed in that place ¶ Persecution of the Faithfull at Troys in Champaigne NEwes comming to Troys of the Massacre executed at Paris the greater part of the Iudges and Officers of the King were sent to the Bailiffe of Troys with commandement diligently to make scarch for all those of the Religion from house to house and to imprison as many as they could méet withall In this city there was a Merchant called Peter Belin a man of a turbulent nature This Belin was at the massacre in Paris on S. Bartholomews day from whence he was sent with Letters from the King dated the eight and twentieth of August to the Maior and Sheriffes of Troys to cause all these persecutions to cease and the prisoners to be set at liberty On the third of September he came to Troys with these two letters which had béen first published in Paris with commandement to deliver them to the foresaid Magistrates to be proclaimed there also But at the first entrance into the City he began to enquire that all might heare him whether they had not executed the Huguenots there as they had done in Parts which was his language thorow the stréets till he came home But even some of the Papists who were not so cruelly minded demanded of Belin the contents of the K. letters whereof they had some inkling before But he like a Bedlam swelling with choler sware that whosoever said they contained any thing tending to varification lyed Hasting therefore to the Bailiffes house at Troys after he had delivered him the packet and buzzed somewhat in his eare he put him on to sée this execution done Now that the same might passe the better for currant the help of the Executioner of Troys was requested whose name was Charles Yet he shewing himself more just and humane than the rest peremptorily refused to have his hand in an act tending to so great cruelty answering that it was contrary to his office to execute any man before sentence of death had first béen pronounced by the Magistrate If they had such sentence to shew against any of the prisoners he was ready to doe justice otherwise he would not presume without a warrant to bereave any man of his life and so with these words he returned home to his house Now albeit this answer procéeding from such a kinde of person whose office and custome it was to shed blood might somewhat have asswaged and taken off the edge of the most barbarous Tyger in the world yet the Bailiffe sleighting it was the further enraged Upon this he sent for one of the Iaylors of the prison who kept those of the religion but he being sicke of a Tertian Ague Martin de Bures was sent to know his pleasure The Bailiffe telling him at large what Belin had signified to him in private as also that on a sudden all the prisoners of the Religion must bée put to death that so the place might be purged of them This he said you must not faile to doe But said the Bailiffe that the blood may not run into the stréets you shall cause a trench to be digged in the middest of the prison and at the two ends thereof set certaine vessels to receive the same But this de Bures for some considerations as namely thinking the Kings Letters whereof he had had some intelligence might be proclauned made no hast to performe his charge acquainting no man with ought that had passed betwéene the Bafliffe and hâ—m no not Perennet the Kéeper who then lay sick in his bed The next day being Tuesday which was the fourth of September the Bailiffe came into the prison about seven or eight of the Clock and calling for Perennet asked of him with a smile Perennet is it done Perennet knowing nothing either more or lesse asked of him what Then saith the Bailiffe Why are not the Prisoners dispatched and thereupon was ready with his dagger to have stabbed him But comming a little better to himselfe he told Perennet what his purpose was and now he was to behave himselfe concerning the execution thereof willing him by all meanes not to forget to make the said Trench At which words this Perennet standing amased though otherwise he was a fellow forward enough of himselfe to commit any outrages against the Protestants certified the Bailiffe that such an inhumane act could not be committed over to him fearing lest in time to come Iustice might be followed against him by the Parents or Allyes of the Prisoners No no said the Bailiffe feare not I will stand betwéene you and all harmes Others of the Iustices have consented thereto besides my selfe and would you have better security than that Within a while after the Iaylor comming into the court of the prison where the prisoners were abroad recreating themselves caused every one to resort to his cabbin or hole because said he the Bailiffe will come by and by to sée whether the Kéepers have done as he commanded them which they did Then began these poore shéep to feare they were destinated to the slaughter and therefore went presently to prayer Perennet instantly called his companions about him reporting to them what the Bailiffe had given him in charge Then they all tooke an oath to execute the same but approaching nigh to the Prisoners they were so surprised with feare and their hearts so failed them that they stood gasing one upon another having no courage to act such a barbarous cruelty and so returned to the Iaylors lodge whence they came without doing any thing But in stead of laying this to heart as an advertisement and warning piece sent them from above as if of set purpose they meant to resist against the checks of their owne consciences and so kick against the prickes they sent to the Taverne for sixtéene pints of the best wine Troys measure with shéepes tongues and other viands and intoxicating their braines with wine they drew a list or Catalogue of all the prisoners which they delivered to Nicholas Martin one of their
in silence because the history requires at this time to touch only upon such things as are most remarkable and shall after follow YEt one thing ought not to be forgotten which fell out in the City last mentioned There was â—re Iohn Sarrazin of the age of seventy yeares and above who for a long time had exercised the office of a Deacon in the reformed Church the which he so faithfully performed that he was estéemed a father of the poore This good old father was set upon on Tuesday night in his owne house the fourth of September 1572. and laid at with swords by these furious murtherers who with a venerable and smiling countenance looking upon them said my friends what will ye doe with me have I ever offended any of you And if I have let him speake But nothing could any whit prevaile with these savage monsters to mollifie their stony hearts For with a more then brutish rage they fell upon this gray head and poore withered carkasse who to fence off the blowes exept under his bed where one of these rakehels his next neighbour and Godson gave him such a thrust in with his sword into the belly that his bowels issued out The poore man séeing himselfe thus wounded and perceiving who had done it said Ah Godson doe you use me thus I never hurt you but have done you good He languished of this hurt two daies two nights during which time as we have learned from his wife who gave her attendance on him all the while he ceased not with great zeale to call upon God thinking himselfe happy to have suffered that outrage for his name and so not long after yéelded up his spirit into the hands of God that gave it ¶ The horrible Massacre of the faithfull at Lyons in France ON Wednesday the seven and twentieth of August in the yeare 1572. about sixe of the clocke in the morning Sieur Mandolet governour of Lyons was advertised of the Massacre at Paris and within an houre and an halfe after a souldier passing through the stréets made it knowne to the people that the Admirall and all the Protestant Princes were slain By and by the gates of Huguenots he called them the City were shut and guards of souldiers placed here and there But lest those of the Religion should be moved with such an unwonted and an unexpected shutting in of the gates as in the time of open warre the Roman Catholiques caused it to be bruited that all was done to secure the Protestants To which report some gave too much credit for beside the ordinary guard of the governour and that of the Citadell with the thrée hundred harquebusiers of the City which amounted to about a thousand there were gathered to them many besides of the City with armes likewise with command that if they descried any troupe of those of the Religion comming abroad though but with their swords guirt unto them forthwith to cut them off with the rest also But they having enured themselves to an incredible modesty and patience gave not the least appearance of defending themselves séeing a tempest now nigh at hand which they knew could not arise without a speciall providence of God The day following notwithstanding all these faire shewes they evidently perceived that their lives were at the mercy of the Papists who had sucked the bloud of many of them in the first troubles For albeit they found no more passage for them out of the City then they did the day precedent they might not now either fréely goe out or come in upon their necessary occasions if they presented themselves in the stréets they were clapt up in prison for which cause they were fain to kéep their houses Night being come they made a prioy search in their dwelling houses some they rifled others were ransomed and the rest imprisoned Many of them never comming thither were either killed in the corners of the stréetes with daggers or else cast into the river whereof some who were living when this History was in writing were saved by swimming being carried down with the current of the streame halfe a mile beneath the City On Friday after there was a Proclamation with sound of trumpets in all the chiefe places of the City the summe of which was this that those of the Religion were to appeare before the governour at his house there to be informed what the Kings pleasure was concerning them The greater part being but too credulous feared not to make their appearance at the place assigned whence soone after they were committed to sundry prisons The night following there were heard from all parts of the City lamentable cries and shréekings not onely of such as were massacred in their houses but of others halfe wounded to death whom they haled to the river From that time forwards there were such murthers and outrages committed throughout the City that it séemed hell was set open and that Devils in the likenesse of men comming forth thence ran roring to and fro in the stréets On Sunday which was the last of this moneth of August about eight of the clock in the morning the rest who were left unmassacred the Fryday before were made an end of then About one of the clocke the same day commandement was given that under every Ancient twenty five armed men with twelve Porters should be gathered to conduct them to Saint Georges gate which is by the Archbishops house in which were more then thrée hundred and fifty prisoners in which place the great Massacre was to bee executed The â—eyes of the Archbishops house wherein so many prisoners were inclosed were delivered unto this bloudy crue who joyfully offered themselves to performe so horrible a businesse The which the ordinary executioner refused and common Souldiers abhorred to undertake when the same was first propounded unto them they answering peremptorily they would never doe it The first alleadged that if according to the course of Iustice sentence of death had béen denounced against them he knew what he had to doe but for this their purpose he told them he thought they might have but too many executioners in the City to satisfie their desire The souldiers answered they thought it more then inhumane to cut the throats of such as never offended them But if the prisoners had made any Insurrection or sedition in the City they then might have some colour of reason to doe it otherwise they meant not to staine the honor of their profession which is accompanied with noblenesse of spirit with so villanous an act more besitting butchers then souldiers But Mandelot and his accomplices were not so scrupulous for within thrée houres after Clou Captaine of the Harquebusters of the City came with an enraged troupe c. the greater part wherof were furnished with short swords and hangers As soone as Le Clou entred into the great Court he gave the prisoners to understand with a loud voice that they must die and turning him
into his hands Having made a short prayer he willingly presented his body to the murtherer who shot him in with his pistoll and so he died by and by Not long after the King sent Puygaillard who drowned nine or ten and amongst other the wife of this Minister de la Riviere above named who expressed a singular constancy of faith even to her last breath This Minister and Martyr formerly mentioned sirnamed Launay was the eldest son of Sieur de Launay a man excéeding rich and wealthy but an obstinate Papist When as the old man observed how his son was inclined to be a professor of the Gospell he threatened to dismherit him unlesse he would abjure promising on the contrary to bestow great matters upon him and to marry him honorably if he would be ruled by him All which his son refusing his fathers love began to be turned into hatred insomuch that the young man was forced to fly to Paris where in time he was called to bee a Minister of the first reformed Church planted in that City under the raigne of King Henry the second from which reformed Church other Churches in divers Cities in France fetched their light ¶ Persecution at Rovan WHen the Massacrers began to play their parts in this City they counselled those of the religion to get themselves into the prisons as into places of greatest security from the fury and rage of the people But such as followed this advice were there even ready to be devoured as poore Shéep by these gréedy wolves at their pleasure Those who were murthered in the city in a few Six thousand massacred in few dayes at the city of Rovan dayes some in their houses and others in the prisons amounted to six thousand besides more than fifty women upon whom they exercised no lesse cruelty than upon men Their names for brevities sake are here omitted The dead bodies being piled together were conveyed in tumbrils out of City and throwne by heaps one upon another into great pits digged for that purpose Their garments being washed in the river from their bloud by certaine poore women were afterwards distributed here and there to the poore by the Papists that they might séeme with their unjust cruelty to mingle some workes of justice and charity ¶ A Note touching the shamefull revolt of a Minister called Du Rosier with the event of it WIthin a mile of Paris there is a place where those of the Religion which dwelt thereabouts were wont to assemble to heare Sermons and to participate of the Sacraments Over this flocke was Huges Sureau called Du Rosier placed as overseer Being in times past Minister at Orleance he was discharged from thence as one of a contentious spirit and given to affect novelties In processe of time he came to be established the Minister of this foresaid Church nigh unto Paris Hearing newes of the Massacre hée fled with the rest for company Being apprehended he began to waver perswading many prisoners to revol◠as he had done which caused him afterwards if his repentance was sound to utter these words in a booke which I have wherein hée bittérly lamented his wofull fall The murtherers saith he by their cruell hands murthered mens bodies whilst their souls escaped safe but I by my perswasions have béen a killer of soules in turning them from the truth which before they professed The Iudge who had him in bonds sent letters presently to Paris to give notice of his apprehension as also of some apparent signes which gave him hope of the Ministers conversion The King by and by sent for him who being brought into his presence subscribed instantly to an abjuration with detestation of the Huguenots profession before the King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde maintained the Romish Religion consented therto with the Sorbonists at that time there present against whom a few yeares before he had learnedly defended the truth In this abjuration he endeavoured to confute many articles which were maintained by Calvin and Beza against the Romish Religion In these disputes this Minister being of a prompt wit and having ability to expresse himselfe well handled the matter so cunningly that the King of Navarre the Princesse his sister and the Princesse of Conde so far yéelded that within five or six dayes after they went to masse and received absolution of the Cardinall of Bourbon The points about which this Roster disputed were these First concerning the markes of the Church Secondly of the Trinity of Persons Thirdly of the Incarnation of Iesus Christ Fourthly of Christs descent into hell Fifthly of originall sinne Sixthly of the providence of God Seventhly of predestination and reprobation Eightly of mans frée will Ninthly of Iustification Tenthly of succession Eleventhly of intercession of Saints Twelfthly of the sacrifice of the masse and lastly of Transubstantiation The Sorbonists caused this confession to be printed to which the Ministers of the reformed Religion would not vouchsafe an answer knowing that hée who made it did it contrary to his own conscience adding nothing thereto which had not béen confuted a thousand times All this upon his repentance he afterwards revoked as is to be séene by his booke printed here in London in the French tongue in the yere 1573 which confession of his contrary to his abjuration I have in my custody Now touching the Prince of Conde the King propounded to him thrée things either to goe to masse to die or else perpetuall prison and therefore to bethink himselfe well which of the thrée he liked best The Prince answered as it is reported That by Gods grace he would never chuse the first as for the two later he referred himselfe to the Kings pleasure ¶ A massacre at Tholouse in France ON Sunday which was the eight day after the massacre of Paris about eight of the clocke in the morning the chiefe of the Papists received advertisement of that which had passed with letters directing them what they were to doe Then a Councell was called at the breaking up whereof the great gates of the City were shut only the wickets left open at which there was set such to watch as they thought fitting Soone after it was noysed through all the City that the Lords and Gentlemen of the Religion were massacred at Paris Which the Protestants at Tholouse nothing being gone forth about five of the clocke in the morning to heare the Sermon at Castanet some thought it fit not to returne but to resort to some other place others resolved to goe backe againe that they might take order about their affaires These being ill advised were suffered to enter in peaceably leaving their swords and daggers at the gate At evening souldiers were placed Anno 1527. here there but in regard many Counsellors of the Religion were abroad that they might the better entrap them the next day the gates were not so carefully looked unto but who would might come in and goe out at their leisure without
a Letter which he drew out of one sléeve which whilst the King attentively read the Frier pulled forth a poysoned knife out of his other sléeve wherewith he stabbed the King into the lower part of his belly The King féeling himselfe hurt therewith snaching it out of the wound strucke the same into the Friers eye who hasting to get away the King crying out His Lords and Gentlemen perceiving what the Frier had done slew him presently with rapiers and swords The King before hee died having raigned fourtéene yeares and seven moneths called for the King of Navarre all the Princes Lords and Noblemen that were in his campe and declared that the King of Navarre was the true lawfull heire to the Crowne of France willing them all to acknowledge him for their King and that notice should likewise be given throughout all his camp and Kingdome also Thus the soveraigne Iudge of the world made The raigne of Henry the fourth over the kingdome of France way for the entrance of Henry the fourth to have dominion over the Kingdome of France Now howsoever from the yeare 1589. to this present yeare 1598. the Churches of Christ have séene marvellous changes and how the league for a time made many furious onsets yet it pleased God so to moderate things that the faithfull were preserved from being persecuted yea they obtained of their Prince many priviledges and favors For the King in the first yeres of his raigne continuing in the profession of the true Religion wherein he had béen bred and brought up did manfully resist both these of the league and the Spaniards the great God of battels blessing the right and just wars undertaken by this Prince to the confusion of all his enemies till he fell to side with Popery though the affairs of his Kingdome gained but little thereby ¶ A Note touching the Popes Bull. THe Leaguers séeing what prosperous successe God gave King Henry the fourth in his wars undertaken against them fearing that in the end all would yéeld unto him they procured a new excommunication from Rome against him and all his faithfull subjects causing the same to bee published at Pontâ—e I'Arch in Normandy by Marcellus Laudriaâ—us a malapert Iesuite The king being advertised thereof commanded his Court of Parliament holden at Cane to proceed against Pope Gregory the fourtéenth who sent it and his Nuncio that brought it as against Tyrants conspirators with Rebels perturbers of the state sowers of seditions and the common and notorious enemies of God and all goodnesse Then taking the Popes Bull he caused it to be fastened to a Gibbet at Tours by the common hangman of the towne and there to be consumed to ashes to the great rejoycing of all the beholders ¶ The History of one Margaret Pierrone who chose rather to be burned her selfe than willingly to burne her Bible Anno 1593. THere was one Margaret Pierrone borne in a village of Cambray called Sansay who with her husband retired into the City of the Valencians Now because she could not endure the bad qualities of a maid servant of hers shee was by her said maid accused to the new sect-Masters sirnamed the Iesuites for that shee had not béen in many yeares at the masse as also for kéeping in her house a Bible in reading whereof was her whole delight They acquainting the Magistrate herewith she was by and by apprehended some friends sent her an inckling thereof before hand once or twice that shée should get her some where out of the way but the errand was not done God having a purpose that she should beare â—vitnes of his truth to fill up the number of those that were to die for the name of Iesus Being in prison the Iudges calling her before them said Margaret are you not willing to returne home unto your house and there live with your husband and children Yes saith she if it may stand with the good will of God They added further that they had so wrought with their Fathers the Iesuites that in doing a small matter she might be set at liberty If saith she it be not a thing contrary to Gods glory and mine owne salvation you shall heare what I will say No such thing Margaret said they for a scaffold shall be erected in the chiefe place of the City upon which you are to present your self and there to crave pardon for your offending the Law then a fire being kindled you must cast your bible therein to bee consumed without speaking any word at all I pray you my masters tell me saith shee Is my Bible a good booke or no Yes we confesse it is said they If you allow it to be good said the woman why would you have me cast it into the fire Only said they to give the Iesuits content Imagine it to be but paper that you burne and then all is well enough doe so much for saving your life and we will meddle no more with you you may buy you another when you will They spent about two houres in perswading her hereunto shewing how she might doe a lesse evill that a greater good might come of it By the help of God saith shee I will never consent to doe it What would the people say when they sée me burne my Bible will they not exclaime and say yonder is a wretched woman indéed that will burne the Bible wherein are contained all the Articles of our Christian faith I will burne my body sure before that I will burne my Bible Then séeing she would in no sort conforme her selfe either to the will of the Iesuites or to theirs they caused her to be committed close prisoner and to be fed only with bread and water none to be permitted so much as to speake unto her thinking by this hard usage to overcome her but all was to no purpose Being thus long shut up and no newes heard of her one way or other every one imagned that they had put her to death privily Her Iudges were wiâ—â—ing to have saved her life sending often a Doctor unte her called N. of Vivendyne to turne her from her resolution Anno 1593. but he found it too hard a taske for him to effect often confessing to them that sent him that he found no cause at all in her why they should put her to death But on Wednesday the two and twentieth of Ianuary 1593. shee was condemned to be brought upon a stage set up in the Market place before the town-towne-house there to sée her books burnt then her selfe to be strangled at a post and her body dragged to the dunghill without the City Shee comming to the place and ascending the Scaffold distinctly pronounced the Lords Prayer Then seeing her books burned in her presence she uttered these words with an audible voice you burne there the word of God which your selves have acknowledged to be good and holy Having againe repeated the Lords Prayer she was strangled and died peaceably in the
Iames the Quéen the Prince and all the royall branches with the nobility clergy and commons of this realme assembled together at this present in Parliament by popish treachery appointed as shéep to the slaughter and that in most barbarous and savage maner no age yéelding example of the like cruelty intended towards the Lords annointed and his people Can this thy goodnesse O Lord be forgotten worthy to be written in a pillar of Marble that we may ever remember to praise thée for the same as the fact is worthy a lasting monument that all posterify may learn to detest it From this unnaturall conspiracy not our merit but thy mercy not our foresight but thy providence hath delivered us not our love to thée but thy love to thine annointed servant and thy poore Church with whom thou hast promised to be present to the end of the world And therefore not unto us not unto us Lord but to thy name be ascribed all honor and glory in all Churches of the saints throughout all generations for thou Lord hast discovered the snares of death Thou hast broken them and we are delivered Be thou still our mighty protector and scatter our cruell enemies which delight in blood infatuate their counsell and roote out that Babilonish and Antichristian sect which say with Ierusalem Downe with it downe with it even to the ground And to that end strengthen the hands of our gracious King the Nobles and Magistrates of the land with judgement and iustice to cut off these workers of iniquity whose religion is rebellion whose faith is faction whose practise is murthering of soules and bodies and for oof them out of the confines and limits of this kingdome that they may never prevatle against us and triumph in the ruine of thy Church and give us grace by true and serious repentance to avert these and the like judgements from us This Lord we earnestly crave at thy mercifull hands together with the continuance of thy powerfull protection over our dread Soveraign the whole Church and these Realms and the spéedy confusion of our implacable enemies and that for thy deare Sons sake our only Mediatour and Advocate Amen ¶ Franco di Franco an Italian made away in secret in the City of Vilne IN the yeare 1611. on the day which the papists call the feast of God a young man of six and twenty yeares old being miraculously called unto the knowledge of the Gospel was by certain Italians led through a Church where masse was to be sung and being urged to shew how he liked it began to refuse their Idolatry with great zeale admonishing the people there present not to suffer themselves to be so seduced by the pompous splendor of such vaine superstitions Telling them That that God which the Priest held up was no God as those seducers made them beleeve but a méere Idoll séeing it was not able to remove it selfe from one place to another unlesse it were borne Iesus Christ the Son of God â—ir Saviour is to be sought saith he at the right hand of God the Father Almighty This yong man was forth with compassed about with an innumerable company of people who buffeting him often on the face and spurning him with their féete haled him thence into the common Gadle of the City After many daies the Bishop with sundry other Lords calling him before them asked him if the heretiques had not perswaded him to use such words as he had spoken also whether he had not a resolution to kill the Quéene or her son the King or the Bishop of Vilne The prisoner wisely and resolutely answered That no man had set him aworke to doe it but only the zeale he had of Gods glory his conscience provoking him thereto holding it impossible for him any longer so suffer that men should attribute that honour to a dead Idoll which is only due to Iesus Christ his Saviour As touching their other demand his answere was that Christian Religion teacheth us not to murther men as Papists have hitâ—erto done in France England in the Low-Countries and elsewhere as histories doe daily shew The prisoner also admonished the Biship of Vilne to forsake all Idolatry to preach Gods truth and verity and cease to be witch the poore people with humane inventions moreover this faithfull witnesse did with much vehemency and constancy maintaine the truth of God that the Bishop of Vilne droâ—e out of his Hall his servants and such as came in there to heare him But he â—oot little by it for as they went here and there in the City they thid it abroad how in all their lives they never heard man speake with that courage and boldnesse of divine things to so good purpose as this young man had done Not long after he was againe brought before the same Iudges and questioned as before but in stead of yéelding he â—ardened his face against the impudency of his adversaries They purposing to quaile this magnaâ—unity caused him to féele the forture When he had suffered the utmost of their cruelty he was so far off from abjuring the truth that on the contrary his confession discovered in him a greater resolution then ever before being desirous and shewing himselfe ready prest to receive the Crowne of Martyrdome To be short the last of Iune 1611. which was the same day twelve-month 1610. where in the City of Vilne being the capitall City of the great Duchesse of Lithuany at eight of the clock in the morning there happened as terrible a fire as hath béen heard of at the houre in which the said Bishops and a great company of Iesuâ—â—es there going on procession the fire was so vehement that within the space of seven houres it deboured â—â—re thousand 〈◊〉 hundred and 〈◊〉 houses which tell out as the Iesuites supposed because they spared the Hereâ—â—ues there Where upon the 〈◊〉 of Christ was cruelly butchered there by the enemies of the Gospell not in a publike place â—or by day though he instantly requested the same at the 〈◊〉 of his Iudges but privatly in the night hi apeare walled about nigh to the Governours house Before they put him to death he was â—ruelly torâ—â—ned and then bound by the executioner to a post where they drew out his tongue under his chinne which done cutting off Anno 1595 his head his body being divided into foure quarters was carried the next day through the City upon so many poles ¶ An history of three Englishmen put to death at Rome THrée English men méeting together entered into a conference concerning the state of the Church at that time complaining that the zeale of Gods glory was wonderfully cooled among men yea and that even those of the religion were growne but too worldly wise that satan by little was sowing the séeds of Atheisme every where by rocking men asléep in the cradle of security whereupon having in humble manner commended themselves into the hands of God they determined to take their voyage
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
hapned in a city of Suitzerland among the papists An. 1559. He expresseth neither the Consuls name nor the city the thing being sufficiently knowne to the inhabitants thereabouts This Consul being a rich and potent man intending to build a brave and magnificent house sent far and neere for the rarest and most exquisite workemen he could heare tell of Amongst the rest he sent to the city of Trent so much renounced among Papists in regard of the last Councell the Pope had there for an excellent carber and master Builder called Iohn a man very religious and a lover of the Truth for which cause the said Iohn refused at the first to goe thither alledging for himselfe that he was of a contrary religion to that which the Consull professed and therefore could not safely inhabit among such as would observe his contempt of the Masse and their other ceremonies The Consull promised him safety in respect of his person and that he should be forced to nothing against his conscience Upon this his promise Iohn came and wrought a long time with the consull but when he came to demand his wages they entred into some termes of discontent In the end at the command of this Consull Iohn was committed to prison and by the same Consull accused for a sleighter of the Romish religion yea to have spoken unreverently thereof wherefore he was condemned to be beheaded As they led him to execution he went towards it with undaunted courage and died very constantly protesting in the presence of all the Spectators that he most gladly layd downe this life present for the maintenance of that religion whereof he had made profession beleeving undoubtedly that it was the Truth but added that the consull who was the author of his death should himselfe die within three daies and appeare before Gods judgement seat to render an account of his sentence Which came to passe according as this pious man foretold for the Consull being then in the prime of his youth and of an healthfull disposition of body from that day began to be assailed first with an exceeding heate and then with an extraordinary cold and thus was he smitten with a new kinde of sicknesse so as within three dayes he followed him of whom he had bin both the most unjust accuser and judge ¶ The speech of a poore Porter called Chevillon whipped for the Truth and after confined to the Gallies BEing whipped thorow the stréets of Romans he said to him that lashed him Lay on my friend lay it on and spare not chastise this flesh which hath so often rebelled against his God thinking himselfe happy that he suffered in so good a quarrell ¶ The miserable end of one called Aubespine a Counsellor of Grenolle and a persecutor AFter these bloody persecutions this Aubespine fell in love with a gentlewoman and therein gave such way to his passion that he forsooke his calling casting off all care of his owne welfare to follow her whithersoever she went But she disregarding him he tooke it so to heart that he neglected his owne person by reason whereof swarming full of lice he could by no meanes be rid of them for they increased upon him and came out at all the parts of his body as they are seen to issue out of a dead carkasse It was not long before his death but feeling himselfe smitten with Gods hand he began to despaire of his mercy and to shorten his dayes he concluded to famish himselfe in the meane while the lice gathered so thick about his throat as if they would strangle him Some beholding this so lamentable a spectacle being much mooved therewith in commiserating his estate agréed to make him eat whether he would or no forcing him to take some broth or a Cullis which he resisting with all his might they bound his armes gagging his mouth with a sticke to kéepe it open whilest they put somewhat thereinto Being thus gagged he died like an inraged beast with the abundance of lice which crept towards his throat And thus it was spoken even Gag them said he for it wee suffer them to speake they will doe more harme at their death than in their life which practise was not onely liked but executed by some of the Romish Religion that looke what torment he had devised for the ministers of Valence sending them gagged to their execution he was by the just judgment of God punished after a sort in the same kind Iohn Ponce of Leon a Gentleman of Seuill in in Spaine AMong those that with a firme faith sealed the truth of the Gospel with their bloud in the Spanish inquisition at Sevill the foure and twentieth of September 1559. Don Iohn Ponce of Leon the sonne of Roderic Ponce of Leon Count of Baylen may of good right deserve to be placed in the first ranke For besides the noble race from whench he sprang the Lord had indued him with singular vertues well beséeming so worthy and Christian a Gentleman Those who were of his familiar acquaintance and did well observe his conversation gave this testimony of his sincerity that his like was not knowne in Spaine of a long time in that a man of his estate was so forward to exercise his charity towards such in whom he saw but any good inclination to religion yea his yearely revenues which were also great were not onely imployed that way but he séemed to excéede the chiefest of his ranke in yéelding his helpe and aide towards the reliefe of the poore All which the world taking knowledge of attributed as it is woont that which procéeded from his so Christian bounty rather unto wastfulnesse and prodigality The Inquisitors of Sevill envying the swéete savour of such a life and conversation as he led before them flowing from an inward taste of true Religion spared him no more than those of meaner condition For having gotten him into their hands they left no meanes unassayed but used the utmost of their devices to weaken his faith The truth is that at the first this noble personage was much perplexed but at the last the Lord fortified him so with his grace that he was set in the first rounde of the guilty Concerning his sentence howsoever this holy tribunall mixed the same with many untruths to bleare the eyes of the ignorant withall yet may it easily be collected out of the tenor of his sentence what he confessed and professed For in the said sentence were read his articles for which he was principally condemned to the fire namely That hée abhorred the Idolatry which is committed in adoring the Sacrament calling it a breaden god Also that when he met it as it was carried through the stréets either in solemnity or to some sicke body he passed into another stréet going apace before it that he might give no reverence unto it That comming often into the Cathedrall Church where masse was said he turned his back towards the Priest because he would not sée
by little and little are so strained with certain sticks that they eate into the flesh yea pierce to the bare bone Then they lay a linnen cloth on his face to hinder his breathing at the nosthrils whilest they poure water into his mouth which is distilled from above by this cloth to a certaine quantity as it séemes good to his Iudge not by drops but streaming downe to cause the said cloth to goe downe into his throat The poore patient the whilst lies in these torments as one in a manner dead not being able either to stir or breathe Now when this wet cloth is pulled out of the depth of his throate to make him to answer unto their demands If you should behold how blood and water comes out together you would imagine they had plucked the very bowels out of his belly in which wofull plight he is held as long as they thinke good even untill with horrible threats and torments he be returned back again to prison If they please to procéed further in adding moe torments within a moneth or two after the said cruelties are renewed either in more terrible or moderate manner to some once to others to the sixt time There is yet another torment which is peculiar to this holy seat of the Inquisitors They cause a great fire of hot burning coales to be brought which they apply nigh unto the soles of his féet whom they intend to torment which are first thorowly anointed with grease or suet that the heat of the fire may pierce more déeply Thus much be said as touching these torments used by those cruell tormentors of the bloody Inquisition of Spaine upon the bodies of poore Christians ¶ A note of Francis Oliver Chancellor of France THis Chancellor who in the former persecutions not behaving himselfe according to a good conscience being in times past so far enlightned as to make profession of the truth was Gods judgement upon an Apostate visited with a mortall disease in which sicknesse he was observed to cast forth hideous sighs without ceasing In which perplexity the Cardinall of Lorraine came to visit him standing aloofe off from him To whom the Chancellor uttered these words Ah Cardinall thou wilt damne us all It is also reported that he much and often bewailed the death of Anne du Burg of whom mention was made heretofore And thus living a while in this miserable condition he ended his dayes ¶ A Papist defined by Iaques de Lo. HAving called the vowes of papists papisticall vowes he was asked what a papist was He is a Papist said De Lo who squares his actions and conversation according to the Popes lawes Anno 1560. Being pressed by the papists to confesse whom he knew of the reformed religion he would name none but such as had suffered and withall further added I entreat you my Brethren in the name Note his admirable constancy of God that you conceive no sinister opinion as touching me in this behalfe for I am resolved by the help of my God without whose assistance I can doe nothing and with which I can doe all things to suffer my flesh rather to be rent in pieces then to reveale any whose persons might thereby be endangered ¶ The notable conversion of a notorious evill liver by name Iohn Herwin of Houtkerk in Flanders Martyr who by degrees was so far brrught into Christs Fold that hee was called forth to beare witnesse of the Truth from which he was once as farre remote as the heavens are from the earth in the yeare 1560. THis Iohn Herwin born in Géestercoorne c. in the West side of Flanders was of a dissolute life such as souldiers for the most part are of but God having a purpose to shew forth in him the admirable worke of conversion to draw him to Christ put it into his heart to leave his owne countrey and come to the City of London Béeing arrived there about Easter the Lord going on with his worke brought him by his providence into a Brewhouse being a Brewer by his calling where he met with a master and fellow servants fearing God a thing seldome séen in men of that Profession séeing ordinarily they are excessive drinkers His master caused him oft to resort to the Dutch Church in the said city of London where by ordinary hearing of the Word preached he began first to taste and after to increase more and more in the saving knowledge of Christ Newes comming over that warres were likely to be in Flanders caused him to leave England and to returne againe into his owne countrey He came thither at the same time that thrée other martyrs were there apprehended but he was not taken with them The Bailiffe of Furne when he saw he could not méet with him understanding that he was at Honscot advertised the Bailiffe of the said place that he might take him at his sisters house As soone as he heard thereof he delayed no time but in the night time came with his Sergeants apprehēded him Now leading him to prison the bailiffe Anno 1559. méeting certaine drunkards in the stréets said they say Wee have many Gospellers in Houscot but it little appeares by these disorders Iohn Herwin hearing him say so and not willing to balke it replyed Is drunkennesse a sin Master Bayliffe Then sayd the Bayliffe What of that Herwin made this conclusion Why then commit you not these fellowes to prison séeing it is your office to punish vice and to protect such as feare God The Bayliffe was mute yet for all that Herwin was faine to take up his lodging in prison where hee behaved himselfe so vertuously that every one admired it But because hée was not called forth before the Magistrates of Houscot so soone as hée desired and expected hée grew heauy and sad asking of some whom he knew well if they could tell why they so delayed the matter For his heart was fixed with an holy zeale to confesse Iesus Christ before his judges Many feared him much who knew what hée had béen in times past hée being as yet but a Novice and a new commer on in the profession of the Gospell in which case men for the most part have but some glimmering of the light and are unsetled in their judgements At length hée was brought before the sheriffes of the towne who commanded a Priest to dispute with him At the first Encounter he asked Herwin how long it was since hée was confessed also what hée thought of confession asking him sundry other triviall questions to which Herwin answered no lesse modestly then Christianly in so much as they who were of sound judgement easily discerned how hée was not the man hée had béen in times past but that his prison had béen to him a good schoole where hd had well conned his lesson The Priest demanded further whether he beléeved there were seven sacraments or no The bayliffe helping the Priest said what 's that to the purpose whether
séeing himself disappointed this way of his purpose continuing still in his impudency said to the people be ye not offended good people in hearing this Heretique sing of God They cryed againe to him Hold thy peace thou Balaamite here is no body offended Many sung with a soft voice with the Martyr and some againe sung aloud without faining There were more than foure hundred which encouraged him to continue to the end as he had well begun Then he said unto them Brethren I fight under the Standard and in the quarrell of my great Lord and Captaine Christ Having ended the psalme he made his prayer to God upon his knées Then rising up and being about to enter into his lodge made with an heape of fagots he said to the people I am now going to be sacrificed follow you me when God of his goodnesse shall call you to it When he was gone in the Fryer put him in minde againe that yet there was time to repent but he as one little minding what this deceiver said commended his spirit into the hands of God Hee that reached him forth his hand stood in the midst of the Sergeants and not far off from the Tormentor still encouraging the Patient and yet none laid hold on him they were stricken with such astonishment partly with the Martyrs courage and partly with their owne shame in putting to death an innocent The Executioner not being his craftsmaster strangled and burnt him most cruelly so as the people were heard to bewaile the manner of it whilest the Martyr yéelded up the ghost the said fourth day of Novenber Anno 1560. His body was consumed to ashes which were buried in the Market place of Honscot ¶ Here it shall not be amisse to insert a godly prayer which a like notorious wretch before his conversion made at his death after he was converted and suffered for the same cause His name was Lieuin Blekere by his Trade a Painter who dwelt in a little village in the Low Countries called Pamelle Anno 1566. O Heavenly Father I give thée thankes that thou hast pulled me out of darknesse and hast revealed the light of thy Gospell unto me for else I had perished everlastingly O father thou diddest ordaine me to be one of thy Witnesses even from my mothers wombe yea before the foundation of the world was laid Now therefore Lord let this sacrifice be acceptable unto thée receive me thy poore servant into thy grace and favour and pardon the sin of my persecutors To one that stood by he said Brother fight the good fight of faith with me and pray for me so long as you sée life to be in me And while he was yet speaking the tormentor strangled him The dead body being a little scortched with the fire was taken thence and hanged on a gibbet by Pamelle whence he was taken downe in the night and buried ¶ Iohn de Boschane drowned in a tub in prison the twenty eighth day of February in the City of Antwerpe Anno 1561. THe evening before he suffered many of the faithfull expected what should be done unto him But the Magistrates of the towne fearing an uprore knowing that he was a man frée of spéech and beloved of the people tooke counsell to drowne him secretly in the prison which could not be executed without murther and cruell torment For the tub in which he should be drowned being neither large nor déep enough the Martyr himselfe being tall of stature and the executioner having provided so little water that he could not possibly be drowned therein therefore he was constrained for the shortning of this so cruell a torment to wound him in the body with divers A sure way to make an end of him stabs of a dagger which were to be séen theron after he was dead Thus finished this Boschane Martyr his life being twenty six yeares of age in the City of Antwerpe in the yeare of our Lord 1560. ¶ The story of one Iohn de Buisons who was beheaded in the prison as Iohn the Baptist was in the night THis holy servant of Christ having valiantly stood to the profession of the Gospell was soone after condemned to die Now fearing lest any tumult or sedition should be raised in the City of Antwerp he was beheaded in the prison about one or two of the clocke in the night to the glory of God and the confusion of his adversaries Anno 1561. ¶ Simon Harme Martyr who had sentence of death pronounced two severall times upon him in the City of Lisle in Flanders THis Simon was accused to have uttered some spéeches long since agaâ—nst the Church of Rome Witnesses béeing produced against him in the towne-house the Magistrate condemned him to be beheaded Now according to their custome in that place his hat being taken from him after sentence pronounced he was returned backe againe to prison expecting the houre of his execution Then were sent unto him certaine friers to confesse or rather to vexe and torment him But this godly man being throughly fenced with the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God made them know to their shame that they were greatly mistaken for the Friers returning backe to those who had imployed them in this businesse reported that this Simon was a most notorious heretique which the Magistrates of the Citie hearing caused him by and by to be called The Martyr had his hat sent him which was taken from him to judgement sending him his hat againe which they tooke from him in token that they had revoked the sentence first pronounced to enter a new processe against him Thus got Simon some leasure the better to dispose of his affaires also to comfort and counsell his friends by Letters not weighing the torments of death which he was to endnre Thrée dayes before he suffered sentence was pronounced touching another kind of death namely to be burned and his body to be consumed to ashes Which kind of Martyrdome did manifest to all the people of the sayd City the admirable power of the Lord by how much more the paines were excéeding great beholding how this his servant swéetly gave up the ghost in peace in the midst of the fiery flames ¶ A note of one Iohn Martin who bragged he would cut off a Ministers nose THe Church of God increasing so farre in the Valleyes of Angrongne in France that they were faine to build a Church wherein to preach the Word publikely in regard of concourse of people resorting thither it happened that the forenamed Iohn Martin boasting every where that he would cut off the ministers nose of Angrongne was soone after set upon by a mad wolfe who did indéed eat his nose from his face A remarkable judgement of God dying mad thereof himselfe and yet it was never observed that this Wolfe had ever hurt any before Which terrible judgement was so manifest that it was noysed among all the neighbour Villages thereabouts An. 1561. ¶
he met with by the way why the bell rung so loud at Vassy They told him it was to give the people warning of the Sermon which was to be made there Then one called La Montague said It is for the assembling of the Huguenots adding moreover that there were many in the said Bronzevall who frequented the sermons preached at Vassy and therefore that the Duke should do well to begin there and offer them violence But the Duke answered March on march on we shall take them among the rest of the assembly Many who followed the Duke to wit pages and footmen rejoyced not a little concerning this bloudy enterprise not sticking to say that the booty and pillage would fall to their shares swearing by blood and wounds that there would be good store of Huguenots there Now there were certaine souldiers and archers accompanying the Duke who compassed about Vassy for having béene mustered at Monthicxender in stead of returning home as they were wont to do after the muster was ended they took their way thence to Vassy most of them being lodged in the houses of Papists The Saturday before the slaughter they were séene to make ready their weapons harquebuses and Pistols but the Faithfull not dreaming of such a conspiracy thought the duke would offer them no hard measure being the Kings subjects also that not above two moneths before the Duke and his brethren passing by nigh unto the said Vassy gave no signe of their displeasure The Duke of Guise being arrived at Vassy with all his troupes a young man a shoomaker stepping out of his house not farre from the doore where the assembly was Montague pointing to him with his finger said he was one of the Ministers Whereupon the Duke called this shoomaker to him and asked of him whether he were a Minister and of what Vniversity he was Hee answered that he was not of that Calling neither was he a scholler Notwithstanding he hardly escaped from this troupe which had invironed him round about only one of the company told him That if he had béene a Minister he had taken So it is deemed in the eye of the word upon him a very base Calling From thence the Duke La Brosse and La Montague passed on in the said City with their souldiers as if they minded to take their way towards the village of Esclairon where it was given out hee meant to dine But passing by the market house of Vassy which is right over against and nigh unto the monastery in the way leading to Esclairon he turned and went directly toward the Common Hall or market house and then entred into the Monastery where having called to him one named Dessalles the Prior of Vassy and another whose name was Claude le Sain being the Provost of the said Vassy he talked a while with them and issuing hastily out of the Monastery was attended by many of his Followers Then commandement was given to such as were Papists to retyre into the Monastery and not to be séene in the stréets unlesse they would venture the losse of their lives The Duke perceiving others of his retinue to be walking to and fro under the towne Hall and about the Churchyard commanded them to march on towards the place where the sermon was being in a Barne distant from the Monastery about some hundred paces quite opposite to that way which the Duke should take to Esclairon This command was by and by put in execution by such of the company as went on foot going directly thither Hee that marched formost of this rabble was La Brosse and on the side of these marched the horsemen after whom followed the Duke with another company as of his own followers so likewise of those of the Cardinall of Guise his brother By this time Master Leonard Morrel the Minister after the first prayer ended and having begun his sermon before his auditors which might amount to about 1200 persons consisting of men women and children The horsemen first approching to the Barne within a matter of twenty five paces shot off five harquebuses right upon those who were placed in the galleries joyning to the windows The people within perceiving that they who were nigh to the dore used means to shut it but were disappointed because this disordered company pressed in upon them who forthwith unsheathing their swords cried furiously out Death of God kill kill these Huguenots The first they seized on was a poore Cryer of Anno 1559. Wine who stood next the doore asking him if he were not a Huguenot and in whom he beléeved Having answered that he beléeved in Iesus Christ they smote him twice with a sword upon his body which felled him to the ground Being got up againe thinking to recover himselfe they strucke him the third time whereby being overcharged with wounds he fell downe and dyed instantly Two other men at the same time were slaine at the entry of the said doore as they were pressing out to escape Then did the Guise with his company violently enter in among them striking downe maine blowes upon the poore people with swords daggers and Coutelaxes not sparing any age or sex Besides they within were so astonied that they knew not which way to turne them but running hither and thither fell one upon another flying as poore shéepe before a company of ravening Wolves entring in among the flocke Some of the murtherers shot off their péeces against them that were in the Galleries others cut in péeces such as they lighted upon others had their heads cleft in twaine their arms and hands cut off and did what they could to hew them all to péeces so as many of them gave up the ghost even in the place The walls and Galleries of the said Barne were Dyed with the blood of those who were every where murthered yea so great was the fury of the murtherers that part of the people within were forced to break open the roofe of the house if peradventure that way they might save themselves upon the top thereof Being got thither and then fearing to fall again into the hands of these cruell tygers some of them leaped over the walls of the City which were very high flying into the woods and amongst the vines which with most expedition they could soonest attaine unto some hurt in their armes others in their heads and other parts of their bodies The Duke presented himselfe in the house with his sword drawne in his hand charging his men to kill especially the yong men Onely in the end women with child were spared But pursuing those who pressed to get upon the house top they cryed Come downe ye dogges come downe using many cruell threatning spéeches unto them The cause why women with childe escaped was as the report went for the Dutches sake his wife who passing along by the walls of the City hearing so hideous out-cries which were made amongst these poore creatures with the noyse of The dutchesse
And thus on the last of April which was eight moneths since Fournier was first imprisoned the Lieutenant Godet and the Abbat of All Saints with some others resorted to him declaring that they were willing now to set him at liberty entreating him now to forgive and forget that which was past that the Prince might sée how forward they were to gratifie him herein Fournier was brought into a Cathedrall Church not farre from the prison where he found the Captaine of the City with a great company of armed men ready to conduct him out of towne But the place was forthwith beset with people whom Bussi to that purpose had stirred up so that had it not béen for those who defended him within and an extraordinary showre of raine comming betwéene of long continuance which cause the greater part of the seditious to depart Fournier had hardly escaped their hands if a meanes had not béen found to let him out by a back doore It is here to be noted that upon the eighth day of October the Bishop of Chaalons calling Fournier into his garden endeavouring to turne him from the faith said I marvell how you being an ancient Doctor in Divinity of the age of fifty eight yeares and so well learned in the tongues should be thus led aside with these opinions giving credit so suddenly to the writings of Calvin and others To Calvin said Fournier you should rather have said by beléeving and giving credit to the Word of God Godet bestirring him and being now farre more willing to save the said Fourniers life than he had béen formerly to deprive him of it in the evening bringing him to his owne house and lodging him in his owne bed did what he could the next day very early to send for the keyes of the City gates Which when he could not obtain of Bussi who kept the gatesfast shut for feare of the Swart Ruttors he then endeavoured to bring the said Fournier secretly by a back way to an house néere to the gate of the said City so as at eleven of the clocke certaine Coaches going out he was shuffled out amidst them and himselfe brought him on the way about a quarter of a mile where he was by and by received by those who attended there for him with a charge to bring him to their Prince who at that time was in the Castle of Songz Where he was kindly welcommed of the said Lord and of all his friends besides having compassion on him in regard that now being fifty eight yeares old he had suffered so many hard encounters And within two dayes after he preached before the prince and all his Followers and the day following at the instant request of those of Vitri went thither to preach and baptise children the Prince being present there in his own person At length Fournier gathering a Church together at a place called Ver spent some small portion of time among his Flocke there with wonderfull fruit being sore weakned when he was in prison what with strait dyet and the extremity of the torture he soone after finished his course leaving to posterity a rare memory of his constancy and piety ¶ Savage cruelties committed upon the persons of the godly at Bar upon Seine SUch was the cruelty of the Executioners after they had slaine those of the religion that cleaving their bodies in twaine they stucke not to plucke their hearts thence as they lay upon the ground gnawing them betwéen their téeth and so reaching them from one to another saying now they knew they had eaten the heart of a Huguenot before they dyed ¶ The violent rage of the souldiers at Issondun who proceeded so far as to re-baptise the young Children of Protestants after the Popish manner THe souldiers in this City of Issondon tooke little children who had béene baptised by the Ministers of the Church there and caused them to be re-baptised by their Priests imposing upon them other names yea they re-baptised a girle of thirtéene yeares old whom they presented stark naked to the Font. Yet the yong Infants which began only to speake declared both by evident signes and words that they would not be re-baptised so as a girle of two yeares old being brought naked to the Font with much struggling cryed with a loud voice that their doings were too shamefull saying that she would not be baptised againe and therewithall strooke the Priest with all the power she had Also the son of Iean 〈◊〉 of the same age tooke the Priest by the beard and defended it selfe as well as it could But for all this the Priests would not give over ¶ Another barbarous cruelty committed by Anno 1563. the Pesants of Fresnay in the County of Main IN the village of Fresnay distant about some ten miles from the City of Mans a little after that those of the religion had forsaken the City a certaine Weaver called Hagannot who was wont to reade the prayers in the assembly among some few of the godly in that place was haled in the night out of his house by the Pesants there who having cut his throat afterward filled his mouth with the leaves of a new Testament which they found about him ¶ Execrable blasphemies and outrages committed in the City of Angiers A Company of rake-hels breaking into a merchants house found there many Bibles which they burned in the City but choosing out a great Bible amongst the rest gilt and faire ruled they fastned it upon the point of an halberd and going thence went in procession therewith through the high stréets of the City with a great cry saying Voila la veritié pendue la veritié des Huguenots la veritié de tout les Diables voila la Dieu le fort l'eternel parlara c. Lo here the truth hangeth the verity of the Huguenots the truth of all the devills lo here the God the mighty God hath spoken And in this manner they passed along untill they came to the bridge where they threw it into the river saying Behold the truth of all the devills drowned ¶ A strange course to make victuals cheape IN the City of Bloys whilest those of the religion were cruelly handled it so fell out that in such a disorder even the Romane Catholiques themselves dranke with them of the same cup in regard whreof complaint was made on both parts to the Duke of Guise in hope of some redresse His answer was that the Kingdome was but too much replenished with people and therefore his purpose was to cut off as many as he could that so all kinde of victuals might be sold better cheape ¶ An outrage done to poore women who met together to comfort one another THere was an honest woman of the City of Blois whose name was Nichole the wife of one Iohn le Manchet a maker of Sun-Dials in whose house certaine neighbours méeting together to comfort and edifie one another and to pray one with and for another
when his will is he will also deliver mee out of thy hands being more afflicted with the blasphemies which this varlet uttered then with all the torments which she endured on her body He having bemauled her shinnes with the pattents shée wore upon her féet shée told him his cruelty farre excéeded that of the Turkes and Infidels Whereupon he calling her a Huguenot whore told her That these were but the beginnings of her sorrowes so as if she did not disclose unto him her seven hundred pieces of gold hée would draw her chéeks and breasts with Lard and then fasten her to a forme and burne her quicke and after mount her up to the highest stéeple in the City and cast her thence downe headlong Well said she though my body fall never so low that shall not let my soule from being carried up into heaven This Captaine being herewith more inflamed with ire than before séeing that none of these cruelties could shake the faith and constancy of this poore woman he said unto her eat this Sugar taking loame or mortar from off the wall causing her to open her mouth with his dagger and to swallow it downe But not contenting himselfe herewith the villaine forced her to drink a glasse of Vrine which himselfe had made in her presence and then threw the glasse with what remained therein in her face Lastly he caused her to passe along through the troups of souldiers with intention to have had her slaine among them yet compassion moving them to spare her he brought her into his lodging where this inraged Wolfe by strange cruelties would have caused her to lose her life had not some of the inhabitants by giving him ten crownes redéemed her and so conveyed her to her owne house where within a short time after she finished her dayes One buried alive PEter Roch servant to the Lievtenant of Dignes being met withall in the countrey was buried alive they constrained him to dig his owne grave himselfe and so try whether it were large enough or no unto which he was compelled by Bartholomew Chause-grosse and his complices Provence Two women crowned with thornes THe wife of Andrew Renaud being brought through Saint Martins of Castillon was stripped stark naked and resisting such as would have violated her chastity she was whipped outragiously Anno 1566. then wounded with swords crowned with thornes then cast into the river and lastly shot to death with harquebuses Iannenta Calvin of the place of Cella being of the age of eighty yeres brought into the city of Brignole with a crowne of thornes platted upon her head being whipped till the bloud came excéedingly was first stoned and then burned alive Mascon THe Murtherers in this city having seised upon the body of Bonnet Bor in Mascon one of the most noble houses of the same a man of great learning and of an unblameable life who in other places had served in the Ministry twenty yeares having béen ransommed thrée severall times was carried along with a thousand scoffes and frâ—nps smitten with fists through the corners of the stréets with crying That whosoever would heare this devout and holy man preach should come to the slaughterhouse Whither having brought him they buffeted and mocked him two full houres Hée onely requested before hée died that they would permit him to make his prayers to God Whereupon cutting off the one halfe of his nose and one of his eares they said Now pray as long as thou wilt and then wee will send thee to all the Devils Then he knéeled down and lifting up his eies to Heaven prayed with such fervency of spirit that hée caused some of his murtherers to sigh within themselves Then directing his spéech to him who had cut off his nose he said Friend I am here ready to suffer what thou hast yet further to inflict upon me But this I intreat of thee and thy companions to bethinke you well of the outrages committed by you against this poore city for know there is a God before whose Tribunall you must give an account of these your cruelties At these words the bloud issued so fast out at his nose that it hindred him from procéeding on in that hée was about to have said A Captaine passing by cryed to the souldiers Send this wretched man to the Devill Which one of them hearing tooke him by the hand and brought him to the brimme of the river Saone somewhat above the slaughter house pretending to wash and cleanse him from the bloud wherwith his visage was besmeared conducting him to a boat for this purpose into which he was no sooner entred but he there presently turned him over into the river wherein he striving for life and crying to God for mercy these tyrants battered him with stones till he sunke under the water and so died Sée here in part saith the Historiographer the lamentable estate of the poore churches of France during the first troubles which ended with the end of the Duke of Guise the principall actor therein who was slaine at the siege of Orleance not without the immediate hand of God in the yeare 156â— by a poore gentleman whose name was Iohn Poltrot a man very desperate but of small stature and therefore commonly called the little Spaniard who shooting the Duke into the shoulder with a pistoll as he was riding to his tent in an evening uaon a little negge was for the same fact adiudged to be drawne in pieces by foure horses his head to be cut off and his torne body to be burnt to ashes ¶ A very comfortable Letter written by Wouter Oom Prisoner and Martyr in the City of Antwerpe and full of consolation against the feare of persecution directed to a Brother and Sister of his Grace and peace from God the Father and from his Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen WElbeloved brother and sister whom I love dearely for the truths sake and for your faith in Christ Iesus These are to certifie you that I am in bodily health and enjoy the comfort or a good conscience I praise my Lord God therefore who is able to increase the same more and more by the powerfull operation of his holy spirit Whosoever they be that will forsake this present evill world and become followers of their Captain Christ must make account to méet with many persecutions and afflictions for Christ hath told us aforehand that we should be hated persecuted Mat. 10. 12. and banished out of the world for his names sake And this they will doe saith he because they have neither knowne the father nor Iohn 16. 3. me But be not afraid saith he for I have overcome the world Saint Paul also witnesseth the 2 Tim. 3. 12. same thing saying all that will live godly in Christ Iesus must suffer persecution And again to you it is given for Iesus Christ not onely to beléeve in him but also to suffer for his sake And Phil. 1. 24. Mat. 5. 11 12.
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
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 life But as soone as God of his goodnesse by the meanes of his word had revealed unto him his son Iesus Christ he by and by altered and changed his former conversation for having before lived in great dissolutenesse he now sharply reproved such as he knew to follow sinfull wayes yea he often taxed the Priests as well for their scandalous living as for their false doctrine wherewith they abused the people but principally for making them to fall downe to such a god as could not defend nor kéep himselfe from Rats and Nice and which is worse to offer it up for the sins of the quick and the dead For these with other such like spéeches those who erewhiles loved him began now to turne their love into hatred insomuch as he was faine to flie from them yea and out of the Countrey also being banished thence threatning him that if he were taken there againe he should be put to death not as an heretike but as one having offended the penall Lawes But not long after the Lord wrought such an alteration not only in the Politicall but in the Ecclesiasticall state also that not the Lawes concerning heresie alone were disanulled but frée liberty was granted to the Faithfull of the Low-countries to returne home into their houses againe and to have the exercises of Religion publikely and openly Among these Francis returned at that time unto the City in which he was borne But this fréedome so suddenly granted lasted not long For the devill not enduring the light so to shine out stirred up Imps afresh to oppresse the godly Francis then apprehending the danger was minded one morning to depart out of the City but God had another worke for him to doe For as he was passing along he was apprehended in the stréete by one of the City who with the Bailiffe met him The Bailiffe would faine have baulked him as if he had not séene him but said the other here he is hold him fast so they took him Being conducted to prison among other spéeches he said now yée have taken me you thinke to deprive me of life and so have your will of me purposing my great dammage and hurt but you are deceived for it is all one as if you tooke Counters from me to fill my hand with a great summe of gold In prison he had many disputes with Priests and Cloister-men But the Iailour of all other dealt harshly with him who could not endure to heare him speake of God But if at any time he heard him sing Psalmes and spirituall Songs he would rage like a Bedlam Once being very drunke he set open the prison doores and sitting on a bench he called to Francis saying come out thou naughty and wicked heretique I will now sée if thy God can deliver thée out of my hands Francis said as the case stands it might easily be effected If I were minded to escape away now as I was heretofore I could easily doe it but I will not for God hath called me to suffer and not to flie away and therefore I will not resist but rather obey his will The drunkard hearing him speake with such mildnes and moderation and séeing that he would not come forth being provoked thereto by him in his fury he tooke up his stoole on which he sat and laid at him therewith so as he had felled him to the ground if the servant had not stepped betwéene who tooke it out of his Masters hands by force yet was the poore prisoner very sorely hurt and lay long in the Chirurgions hands before his head could bée healed But to make him amends this cruell jaylour dieted him so strictly both for meate and drinke that hée had died with hunger had not God inclined the heart of his servant now and then to relieve him by conveying meate to him in secret After the Lord had thus by sundry trials prooved the patience and constancy of this his good servant the Magistrates of the City of Alost consulted how to put him to death having oft called the Executioner to this their consultation but they could not agrée in the manner how to effect it Some were of opinion it were best to have him put to death secretly in the prison others advised to execute him openly lest they should incurre the blot of being murderers In the end waxing more hardy having long detained him in bonds they called him forth into judgment and pronounced sentence upon him which was that because he had done contrary to the Kings Lawes in returning againe to the City from which he was banished he had therefore deserved to die séeing also hée held certaine opinions directly opposite to the Church of Rome Francis hearing his sentence read without any shew of distemper said Now seeing you are so thirsty after bloud I willingly yeeld it into your hands and my soule into the hands of my mercifull Lord God Almighty Francis said they we command you to hold your peace for if you will not wée will take order to bridle your tongue Hée then promised them to obey their command As hée went to suffer hée used that spéech of the Apostle saint Peter I must now shortly put off this my earthly tabernacle which 2 Pet. 1. 14. 2 Cor. 5. 14. the love of Christ Iesus my Lord constraines me to doe Being come into the market place where he was to be offered up a sacrifice he knéeled downe and having ended his prayer he sayed to the executioner doe now what you are commandded the will of God bée done and so presenting himselfe chéerefully to the stroke of death he was beheaded the first of May in the yéere 1566. his body being afterwards exposed to the foules of the aire for a prey ¶ Iohn Tuscaen of Andenard in Flaunders Martyr Iune the eighth Anno 1566. Behold here how God meant to awaken the men of this time out of their brutish security as it were with a thunder clap from heaven THis young man a maker of Tapistry about the age of two and twenty yéeres the son of one called Simeon Tuscaen dwelling in the suburbs of Andenard was trained up from his youth in all godly nurtrature He hearing news that things went more aukly to passe in Bruxels then hée could have wished determined in himselfe to make it knowne by the effect that the adoring of a breaden God which the Roman Church so much worshipped was nothing else but an abhominable and execrable sacriledge Having cast to and fro in his minde and thoughts the weightinesse of the busines he was to undertake at length hée determined to demonstrate the same more fully and apparently in a publike assembly which was the thirtieth day of May in the said yeare 1566. which after the custome of the Romanists is called the feast of God or Corpus Christi day Now by reason that two Cities of Andenard and Pamelle are joyned as it were in one there were two Temples dedicated there not to
saile as they say and to apply himselfe to the time being brought hereinto by the advice of some namely that he should faine a giving of his consent to what the Magistrate required of him by meanes whereof hée might escape their hands But about the tenth of September comming againe to himselfe and But soone after recovers himselfe espying whereunto this determination tended hée protested before all that he would stand in the confession he had made from the first of April last past Wherefore on the ninth of August hée was brought againe before the same Iudges where he openly confirmed the same His Iudges said that he should either be drowned or burned alive Then on the thirtéenth of Ianuary 1566. according to the Venetian account which according to our was 1567. on Tuesday morning being come before the Tribunall sentence was pronounced upon him that hée should be drowned as an Heretique To which he gave them this answer I am no heretique but the servant of Iesus Christ At which words the popes legate commanded him to hold his peace telling him that he lied The next day in the morning which was the last of Ianuary he was brought into Saint Peters Chappell where he was degraded because he had béen a Priest and the night following he was conducted unto the Sea and there drowned in the place appointed who died prayising and blessing God with invincible constancy ¶ A relation of such things as fell out under the government of the Duke of Alva and of many men put to death 1567. THe afflictions of the protestants in the Low-Countries were multiplied this yeare under the dominion of Ferdinando of Toledo Duke of Alva It is well knowne that the Spaniards using all their endeavours to rule over this Countrey at their pleasures had no better opportunity to accomplish their design then to establish among them their inquisition thereby to dominéere over the goods honors and lives of every one The Nobles Citizens and Commons did what they could to oppose the same to which purpose they had instantly besought the King to afford them his royall presence that hearing once their complaints his Majesty might take some order for matters of so great importance alledging to this end the example of the Emperour Charles his Father who upon a businesse fame inferiour to this adventured himselfe with much diligence to passe through the enemies country who were but a while before reconciled onele to stay some mutinies begun in the City of Gand. These things had so moved his Majesty that he made them a promise by letters of his comming But his intention was broken off by such as were the upholders of the inquisition that so they might with the more facility attaine the end of their desires In stead of their King then they had sent unto them the Duke of Alva who at his entrance found the prisons replenished with Gentlemen other personages of note whom the Dutches of Parma had left in bonds after her death Long di dthey languish in this captivity whilst the Duke of Alva by faire promises dissembled a kind of méeke and gentle carriage of minde towards them giving them some hope of a generall pardon procéeding from the Kings clemency that thus he might catch the lords and governors â—he more cunningly into his nets whereof the Lord Lemorall Earle of Egmond Prince of Gand Governor of Flanders and Artois and others of quality gave but too lamentable experience who being fed with vaine hopes were at length inhumanely put to death The sixéene Provinces also subjecting themselves To wit Brabant Lambourg Luxembourg Guelderland Flanders Artois Haynaut Holland â—ealand Namur â—utphein Friseland Malines Vtrecht Overâ—seiz and Graningu◠〈◊〉 Le Conseil de sang under this new government lost their antient liberties and priviledges which evidently appeared by the exploits done from the yere 1557. hitherto by a new counsell of twelve elected and setled there by the Duke the principall of which were Vergas and Delrio the Fathers of the inquisition which Councell was commonly called the Councell of bloud ¶ The death of two Barons of Battembourg the one called Gysorecht and the other Thierri brethren with certaine other Gentlemen executed the same day at Bruxells 1568. AMong many Gentleman and Captains who were apprehended after the discomâ—ture of the Assembly in Holland whom the Dutches of Parma had imprisoned in the castle of Villford the two brothers of Battembourg a most antient Barony scituated upon Mense about two miles off from Nieumegne did manifest above others how much they had profited by being instructed in the Church of Geneva The elder of them was Gysbrecht and the other Dietrich or Thierri who from the flower of their youth had constantly professed and confessed the pure Doctrine of the Gospell On Tuesday the first of Iune Anno 1568. the Duke of Alva began to declare to the world his fained méeknesse putting to death the same day these two breathren besides the Lords Heter Dandelet Philip Wingle c. They were first brought into Provost Spellans house néere the horse faire in the City of Bruxels compassed about with a strong guard and many drummes beating that none might heare what were their last spéeches As they went to their death Battembourg the elder séemed to be somewhat pensive whereas Dietrich his brother was very chéerefull comforting the other with his gracious words saying Ah brother is not this the day we have so much desired Be not sorrowfull now for it is the highest honor that can befall us here to suffer for the Doctrine of the Sonne of God It may be for the love you beare me you grieve to sée me dye first I am content that you should drinke of that cup before me in regard you are the elder if not all is one séeing we are going to our God Gysbrecht by and by replied Thinke not deare Brother that the joy of the holy Ghost is taken from me now I am drawing nigh to the Lord being ready to dye for his holy name Then ascending the scaffold after he had made his fervent prayers to God the Executioner taking off his head he slept happily swéetly in the Lord. His brother following him next with such alacrity as much astonished the spectators He desired as some say to sée his brother and when he had espied his head he cried I shall by and by be with thee my brother So after he had ended his prayer he was by a quicke dispatch united unto him Those who testifie these things report That the other Gentleman had so much favour as to bée buried but these two brethren were made a spectacle being hanged up the cause was for that in the very same morning they suffered as also before they directly set themselves against the Idolatries which were proposed unto them The Saturday after the fifth of Iune the Earles of Eagmond and Horne were beheaded and there made a publique gazing flock Of which two the
at Gand tooke him thence bound him girding and straining him strangely with cords and would néeds have him burned As he was led thither they abused him shamefully with mockes thrusting him forward and striking him cruelly The Captaine of the band gave him a blow over the face with his Gantlet which much disfigured him Finally these tyrants handled him worse then any dog only because his patient and constant carriage of himselfe tormented and enraged them Being come to the place they thrust him into his little Cabbin piled up with fagots and wood and then set fire unto him where he was heard distinctly and plainly to use these words albeit they had gagged him Father into thy hands I commend my spirit Thus this faithfull witnesse of Ieuss Christ dyed quiently and constantly in the Lord April the fourth Anno 1568. ¶ Among these sad relations a little to quicken and refresh the spirit of the reader I will here insert a Letter full of consolations written out of prison to the faithfull by one William Touart Merchant who had his dwelling in the City of Lisle in Flanders THis honourable personage being come to the age of eighty yeares or thereabouts used his house for the space of fourtéene or fiftéene yeares as a Church wherein the assembly in the City of Lisle commonly met Being chased and banished thence in the yeare 1561. he withdrew himself for a while to Tournay whence he was constrained to flie and to goe to Amiens and Moundedier Cities of Picardy that there he might enjoy the pure preaching of the Gospell Afterward returning into his owne countrey he came to reside in the City of Antwerpe where after he had continued many yeares he was at length imprisoned and condenmed to be burned with two others who suffered for the same cause But it pleased God so to dispose of him that he dyed another kinde of death to shew that his chosen servants have to triumph over the same some one way and some another For being plunged into a cisterne or tub full of water he was drowned in prison and then they carried his body out of the City to a place called Berken where the dead bodies of the condemned are laid upon the whéels or crutch Among many letters which he wrote during the time of his imprisonment my author hath selected out this one which here followeth DE are brethren and sisters in Iesus Christ I most humbly thank my good God that he hath so fortified and comforted me by his grace that I féele my selfe more cheared by lying in this darke prison then if I were walking in the open stréets or fields I say this I féele according to the spirit for as touching the flesh what doth it apprehend here but stinking vapors and smoke Wherefore my beloved if it so fall out that you be apprehended for the name of Iesus Christ feare not the prison nor those that have power to kill the body for having done that they can goe no further Be yée not afraid then séeing it is the reward which our good Captaine Iesus Christ hath promised to all his faithfull soldiers and servants He who turnes his backe in this conflict goes by the losse but whosoever fights manfully obtaines in the end the crowne not a crowne of gold but of glory immortall We here lay downe Rev. 2. 10. a fading life filled with griefes and troubles to change the some for a life everlasting we put off the ragges of this mortall flesh to be clothed with robes immortall we forsake a loathsome life for joy and felicity eternall ought any gaine or exchange to be compared with this O swéet and happy Martyrdome how dost thou dignifie and enrich us in despite of the world devill and our owne flesh And which of us now can complaine séeing our Soveraigne Lord and Master hath Anno 1569. so expressely foretold it to all his followers will any man come after me saith he Let him then Mat. 16 24. take up his crosse and follow me Let us beare Oh let us then beare the crosse chéerefully and with ioyfulnesse that we may be received in the presence of his heavenly Father for it is not only Phil. 1 21. 1 Tim. 2. 12. given us to beleeve in Christ but also to suffer for his sake and if we suffer with him then wée shall also raigne with him Oh that wée could admire his bounty who no sooner imployes us in his worke but hath the wages ready in his hand wherewith to recompence Iohn 16. 20. Heb 12. 1. us Your sorrow saith he shall be turned into joy Let us then cast off every weight that presseth downe and whatsoever else that stands in our way to heaven-ward be if father mother Mat. 19 29. Mat. 13 45 46. brother sisters husband childe yea and our own life also Let us with the wise Merchant man sell all that with him we may purchase that pretious pearle How happy doe I estéeme them who are called to suffer and leave their life for confessing the name of Iesus Christ For the eternall Son of God will confesse their names before his heavenly Mar. 10. 23. Luke 12. 8. Father and his holy Angels They shall be clad with white robes and shine as the Sunne in the kingdome of Heaven filled with gladnesse in the presence of the Lambe They shal eat of the fruit of the trée of life which is in the midst of the Rev. 27. Paradise of God Let us fixe the eyes of our minds upon these so great pretious promises of Iesus Christ which he hath made to all those which persevere in well doing unto the end O how happy shall wée be when we are delivered from these bodies of death to live for ever with our God Let us continually pray then with the Disciples Lord increase Luke 15. 7. our faith O deare brethren remember mée alwayes in your prayers who am bound here in the Heb. 13. 3. bonds of Antichrist Remember those also who are in bonds as if you were bound with them pray Pet. 4. 5 I say without ceasing for our adversary the Devill is alwayes compassing us about with his fetches to cause our hearts to faint And you are not ignorant what a potent enemy our owne flesh Gal. 5. 17. Phil. 1. 6. is unto us But I confidently beléeve that our good God who hath begun this good worke in me will perfect the same even unto the day of Christ Fare ye well It was strange to see what spectacles of dead bodies saline by the bloudy Inquisition were to be gazed on in a manner in every place especially in the Cities of Tournay and of the Valencians in regard of the multitudes of beléevers both of men and women who had long languished in sundry prisons in great misery and necessities Now that we may not forget what fell out in the beginning of this yeare 1569. thus it happened In the City
was adventured to goe downe and opened the same to these tygers who presently stabbed her husband in his bed The midwife séeing them bent to murther the woman also now ready to lie downe instantly intreated them to tarry at least so long till the infant which would be the 20. Childe that God had given her was borne Having contested some while with them they tooke this poore woman halfe dead with feare and thrust her into the sundament with a dagger to the very hilts She finding her selfe mortally wounded and yet desirous to bring forth A barbarous cruelty her fruit fled into a corne-loft whither they pursued her giving her another stabbe into the belly with a dagger and then cast her out of a window next to the stréete upon which fall the childe came forth of her body the head formost gaping or yawning to the great astonishment and confusion of the Papists who were constrained often with detestation to acknowledge and confesse the cruelties of their butchers ¶ Behold here another ONE of the Massacrers having snatched up a Whatiron heart would not have been moved to compassion herewith little childe in his armes the poore baâ—â— began to play with his beard and to smile upon him but in stead of being moved to compassion therewith this barbarous wretch wounded it with his dagger and so cast it all on a gore blood into the river so as it was a good while ere it could recover the own colour againe To procéed on further and fully to relate all the tragicall acts committed in this Massacre at Paris to set downe the thundrings of Guns and Pistols the lamentable voices and outcries of the slaine the roarings and horrible blasphemies belched forth by these Massacrers and devils incarnate were enough to cause the Paper whereon they should be described either to blush or wéepe Not to stay the Reader therefore any longer in this having many things of the like nature to present unto thy view we will passe from the dolorous City of Paris to other cities in France and set before thee as in a glasse a company of horrible and rufull spectacles ¶ Massacres committed upon those of the Religion at Meaux in Brie LEt us begin then with those of Meaux in Brie which is not above a daies journey from Paris The poore Protestants in this City were destinated There was a roulâ— drawne where the massacre should begin continus and end to drinke of this cup of Martyrdome after their brethren and sisters in the aforesaid City of Paris Therefore on the same Sunday the foure and twentieth of August about foure of the clocke in the afternoon a post was sent to Meaux with letters accompanied with a seditious fellow called le Froid Being come thither the Packet was presented to Monsleur Lovis Cosset the This Cosset was then branded for notorious villanies and a misshapenfellow Kings Atturney there Upon the receit whereof this Atturny hasted hither and thither in his own person to advertise such cut-throats as had had their hands in the pillaging and robbing those of the religion in the first second and third troubles with command that they should be ready to come forth of their houses armed at the stroke of seven of the clock and then cause the gates instantly to be shut The time prefixed being come which was about supper time the gates were shut and then they began to execute their cruelties in sundry parts of the City Thus was that night passed not without uprores and strange events On the next day which was Munday about thrée of the clocke in the morning these good Catholikes began to pillage the houses of the Protestants of the best things they had which continued till eight of the clocke their trading liked them so well But the principall of all the spotles were conveyed into the Court and house of this noble Atturney Cosset yet these were only the beginnings of sorrows For after robbing and spotling they fell to shut them up in prisons which being filled the massacrers having Cosset for their Captaine who usually carried in each hand a Pistoll ready to discharge went into the said prison on Tuesday the six and twentieth of August about five or six of the clock at night with swords daggers and butchers knives Nigh to this prison there was a great Court enclosed on every side with walls and a very strong Gate In a corner whereof is a large paire of winding staires containing five and twenty or thirty steppes by which they goe up to the Iudgement Hall to the Seat of Iustice Into this Court were the murderers assembled which done Cosset went up into his seat Then they had a scroule or bill containing the names of the prisoners there imprisoned who were called over one by one to the number of two hundred and upwards as some of the murderers themselves have since reported when as they impudently made their brags of these their horrible impieties and injustices Then the Atturney laughing began to call for the first man named in the bill who being brought forth and séeing naked swords before him falling downe and craving forgivenesse of his sins at the hands of God was suddenly butchered by five or sixe One Quintin Croyer an Eiver of the reformed Church being called forth and séeing many of his companions massacred before his eyes knéeled downe praying God to pardon thesée murderers at which prayer they fell a laughing and not being able with their daggers to pierce a Ierkin of double Busse which he ware and which they were loth to spoile for it was a good booty they cut asunder the points and then gave him five or six ftabs with a dagger into his body and so this good man wounded to death calling upon God rendered up his spirit into the hands of him that gave it Faron Haren a man zealously asserted to religion who had béen Sheriffe of the City in the first troubles having by his endeavours chased the Masse out of Meaux for a time was mortally hated of these seditious Papists and therefore they were not contented simply to kill him but first cut off his nose eares and secret parts then giving him many small thrusts into divers parts of the body they constrained him to and fro among them as if he had gone thorow the pikes But being weakened and not able any longer to hold out in regard of the blood that issued from all the parts of his body he fell with his face to the ground and instantly calling upon the name of the Lord received infinite gashes and wounds after he was dead By this time it grew late therefore these blood-suckers having almost wearied themselves in worrying these poore lambes and shéep of Christ deferred the execution of the rest till after supper as well to take some breathing and refection as also to murther the residue with the greater alacrity For in as much as the blood of the slaine shined yet
Confederates who was to call them forth as he saw their names set downe in the scroule and thus as they came forth they massacred them Ludot one of the prisoners being called forth as his turne came presented himselfe before them with a chéerefull countenance calling upon the name of the Lord. Now as he was to receive the stroke of death from these desperate blood-spillers he prayed them to forbeare him a little till he had put off his doublet being oiletted which he was wont to put on when any tumult grew in the City and having himselfe unlaced it presenting his naked breast unto them he received the blow and Anno 1569. fell downe dead But poore Meurs escaped not so good cheape for his turne being come he was no sooner in their sight but one of them let drive at him with the point of his Halbert redoubling the same oft to have killed him yet could not The poore man séeing himselfe thus dealt withall by the Caitiffe and no end made tooke hold with his hands on the point of the halbert and himselfe pointing him to the seat of the heart cryed to the murderer with a stedfast voice Here souldier here right at the heart right at the heart and so finished this life Howsoever in this massacre these two formerly mentioned are for brevities sake only named yet by that which immediatly followes you may perceive they were not a few who suffered in this tragedy The Massacre saith my Author being ended the murtherers made a great pit on the back side of the Chappell of the prison whereinto they cast the bodies one upon another some of them yet breathing So as one called Maufere lying in the midst of them was espied to raise up himselfe above his fellow Martyrs in this pit upon whom they forthwith throwing earth as was reported stifled him being but halfe dead But because the order which the Bailiffe set downe was not observed namely the making of a trench in the prison to receive the blood which was shed it ran in such abundance out at the prison doore and thence through a channell into a river nigh thereto that it was turned into the colour of blood Which some of the Papists themselves taking notice of being ignorant of the fact were so terrified therewith that they ran along the stréet crying and pointing at every one they met withall to behold this horrible and lamentable a spectacle Whereupon many hasting to the prison by this occasion could conjecture no other but that the prisoners had slaine one another This was presently noised through the City insomuch as some went to informe the lieutenant and bailiffe thereof But what it was as if they had run to the Wolves to tell them the Shéepe were devoured Whilest this so savage a cruelty was committed in the prison one Bartholmew Carlet a Cooper prisoner there for debt who of all the troupe of murtherers in Troys was one of the principall having in the former troubles exercised most notorious cruelties against those of the Religion was called in by these massacrers to be one of their associates who executed his part in so bloody a manner that as himselfe afterwards often acknowledged he with his owne hands slaughtered thirty of these poore innocents So far was he growne past shame or common honesty But this his fact was so pleasing to certaine of the Popish Religion at Troys that for a recompence thereof they payed his debt and set him frée out of prison which was done as the report went by making a collection for him in certaine Parishes The next day after which was the fifth of September this worshipfull Bailiffe of Troys that he might apply the plaister when the parties were dead causes the Kings Letters which he had received the thirtieth of the moneth of August before going to be published in all the corners of the City with sound of Trumpet The Bailiffe as we have béen credibly informed was present in person at the publication and as the Notary read the contents thereof to him he pronounced the same jéeringly and not with a full and audible voice as matters of such consequence ought to be read ¶ Of the massacre at Orleance IT now remaines that we procéed unto the City of Orleance and to take notice whether the papists there were lesse cruell than those of Paris But saith the Historian when I call to mind what hath béen the report of those that were present at that time in Orleance it causeth the haire to stand upright on my head Yet for as much as it is convenient that posterities to come may be acquainted with the fury of these monsters in nature we will commit that to writing whereof we have credibly béen informed On Saturday the thrée and twentieth of August Letters were sent from the King to Orleance unto Sieur de la Renic President of Diion to prevent all disorders murthers c. With command that he should advertise the Citizens how the Admirall was hurt as also to assure those of the religion that ere long such justice should be executed on the actors as all France should take warning thereby not to enterprise the like This was carefully performed by the said Sieur de la Renic the same day who caused those of the best rank of both religions to be present at the publishing of the Kings minde The faithfull thinking themselves secure were quiet and on the Sabbath day assembled in the place appointed for their méeting to the number of 300. persons men women and children But on the same day towards night came a new order to the Iustices Maior and Sheriffes of the said City by which they were injoyned to be up in armes and to gather to them what strength they could with expresse charge to make havock of those of the Religion To this purpose the Captaines of twelve companies were appointed to be the leaders to the rest divided into eight and forty squadrons ¶ The cruell massacre of Dechampeaux a worthy Counsellor in the City of Orleance by a wretched Villaine his neighbour ONe of these blood-suckers called Texier came with a small troupe to a Counsellors house of Orleance whose name was Dechampeaux Lord of Bonilli bidding himselfe and his company to supper with him Dechampeaux bid them all kindly welcome making them good chéere being ignorant of that which had hapned at Paris But supper being ended and all of them being risen from the table Texier bad him deliver his purse Dechampeaux laughing thereat thinking that he had béen but in jest this cruell and unthankfull guest with blasphemous oathes told in few words what had hapned in the City of Paris and what preparation there was among the Romane Catholiques of Orleance to cut off and root out the Protestants there Dechampeaux séeing there was no time now to contest with him gave mony to this théefe who to requite the curtesie and good entertainment he had had embrued his honds in the blood of
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
the Lord but the one to saint Walburgne called the Church of Andenard and the other to their Lady which is within the jurisdiction of the Lord of Pamelle Iohn Tuscaen directed his course towards this Church to performe that which long before he had in his owne thoughts projected Being come into the Quire of the Church in Pamelle beholding there a multitude of People utterly estranged from the true worship of God ready to fall downe and prostitute themselves before a breaden cake forthwith not casting what should be the issue being urged thereto through a zeale of Gods glory drew towards the Priest while he was elevating and shewing the people that which they call the host and with great vehemencie snatched it out of his hands cast it to the ground and brake it all to pieces speaking with a loud voice sée here my Masters your goodly God who you sée is not able to helpe himselfe but is here broken all to pieces How long how long O ye senselesse Priests will you thus defile the holy supper of the Lord shall wee never sée an end of your filthy Idolatries If the authority of the holy scripture can nothing move you yet at length be warned and admonished by this present example that there is not a jot of divinity in this bread séeing it is subject to be thus handled will yee worship a dead Idoll your selves being living men At this so vehement and bold an exhortation accompanied with such constancy all the people there present stood amazed and in such an extasie but yet withall such a noise and bustling throughont the Church that the Curate of the parish who before was in some by-corner there comming towards the Quire met Tuscaen as hee was passing through the prease without any feare or let The Curate saluted him not knowing what he had done much lesse suspecting that he was the cause of all that tumult and stirre for he was his cousin Howbeit Iohn would take no knowledge of his salutation but began to reprove him for deluding and abusing the poore silly people being their overseer for a day will come said he in which you shall render an account to God for them In the hearing of this the Curate called upon the people to lay hold upon the said Iohn Tuscaen as hee was going out of the Church faire and softly So that it had been easie for him to have quite himself out of their fingers if he had but hastned his pace a little because none offered to touch or apprehend him The Curate seeing that delaied not but with all speed got him to the under Bailiffe of Pamelle by whose outcries and importunities the Bailiffe could doe no lesse but goe with him to apprehend the great Heretique As they were making towards him hee shewed no more semblance of escaping then before Then they tooke and imprisoned him without any resistance Dinner being ended he was presented Anno 1567. before the Magistrates of Pamelle to be examined in the presence of the Curate after they had enquired of him who they were that incited and set him on to doe such an outragious act unto the host they asked him what he held the bread in the Masse to be and whether he did not beléeve it was the body of Christ If saith he you consider well what the Angell sayd to the Apostles at his assumption viz. Act. 1. 11. this same Iesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have séene him goe Where Christ is to bee sought into heaven You may plainely discerne that we are not to séeke him here below After many other questions and answers béeing sent againe to prison he was the second time examined and being asked whether he was himselfe when he did it or distracted Hée answered That he had done it not rashly but upon mature deliberation Béeing further demanded what should move him to commit so hainous an act If this saith he séemeth so strange unto you then I pray you tell me who moved Moses to breake the Tables of stone written with the finger of Exod. 32. 19. God They perceiving that he secretly aimed at their Idolatrie sent him to prison againe The eighth of Iune he was brought betimes in the morning into the judgment Hall to receive their sentence which was to be pronounced against him where two friers Minorites were purposely sent to sée if they could turne him from his constancy to which purpose asking him if he did not beleeve that God was included in the bread which is lifted up in the Masse He answered them by another question namely whether the Potter could make a pot They sayd yes but what was that to the purpose He asked them againe if the pot could make a Potter The good fathers séeing whereabouts he went forthwith left him When he saw he had thus stopped their mouths he thanked God Then the Magistrates of the city went up into the judgement seat and gave sentence against him which was first to have that hand stricken off with which he had taken the Host out of the priests hands and his body to bée burned to ashes which afterward was to be scattered into the river Hearing this sentence hée was very joyfull thanking his Iudges and the Lord of Pamelle But the Bailiffe of Audenard wished him rather to aske forgivenesse of God and of the people for the offence he had commited If I have offended any said hée I aske them forgivenesse Then was he led forth to be executed and as he went he sung in his own mother tongue the Lords praier with such confidence as argued the inward peace of his Conscience in dying in so good a quarrell The tormentor willed him to stretch forth his arme that his hand might be cut off which he did suffering the same with such a patience as if hée had felt no paine And then with his eyes lifted up to heaven he said O Lord God it is for the glory of thy name that I endure these things inable mee now with strength from above that I may finish this sacrifice Forthwith the fire was kindled which made him at the first to shrinke a little but by continuall and ardent prayer to God the violence of the torment was abated and asswaged Now standing in the middest of the flames his body being in a manner halfe consumed hée shewed apparent signes unto the beholders of his invincible courage by holding up as well as hée could his armes on a light fire Thus was this valiant Martyr handled in the presence of multitudes which caused many to cleave the rather to the Doctrine of the Gospell séeing him dye so constantly The River of Escant received his ashes that the Sentence given upon him might be fully accomplished Martin Smetius Martyr Anno 1567. MArtin Smetius being prisoner in the Castle of Vilvourd there came to him a Frier to examine him and with a purpose to turne him