affliction counselling them to go to masse alleadging it is written Thou shalt obey thy Prince and if he therein force you to it against your conscience he shall answer◠for it adding that they were to remember their sexe and therefore to be teachable upon the point of obedience They answered that no earthly potentate had any warrant to command Christians to sinne against their consciences They further besought him to be a meanes for them to the king that they might be delivered but all the answer he gave them was this That if they would not turne the King would not deliver them also there was great likelihood after their long detension in prison that they must be executed in the end The next day being Easter Even the Quéen with the Duchesse of Ioyeuse came into Chastelet to visit the prisoners But in stead of speaking to the two sisters her selfe she sent unto them a wicked Apostata called Mathew de Launy who being a Minister turned popish priest and one whom the league made no small use of who loading these honourable sisters with injuries and reproachfull spéeches calling them dogges and Devils incarnate and worthy to be burned so left them and never came any more unto them Soone after the day of the Barricadoes which is a defence made of earth and stones heaped up serving to stop a stréet or any passage the Iudges of Chastellot adjudged them to be hangd and their bodies to be burned to ashes From which sentence they appealed to the Court and were brought into the Consciergery which is the name of a common Gaole belonging to Paris or any other prison On the Even before Saint Iohn Baptists day in the moneth of Iune the common people in Paris making fires as they were wont to doe amongst other insolencies burnt in divers parts Queene Elizabeths picture burned in Paris of the City a picture representing the Quéene of England The next day the curates and preachers began in their sermons to thunder saying That it was not enough to burne the pictures of heretiques but to burne the bodies of the obstinate prisoners which so inraged the tumultuous sort of people that the day following flocking together into the court of the palace they threatned the Presidents and the Counsell that some mischiefe should follow unlesse they condemned these two prisoners to dye A gentle answer was returned to this factious crue with promise also that the busines should not long be delayed The next day the eldest son of Radegonde presented a petition to the Duchesse of Nemours daughter to the late lady of Ferrare Her grace sollicited the Duke of Guise her son for the prisoners whose answer was That his comming to Paris was not to petition the King in favour of those of the Religion and if he would doe so in regard of the services which the prisoners had done his grandfather yet he could not fearing lest the mad multitude might set upon him The eight and twentieth day of the same month of Iune the Court having confirmed the sentence given at Chastellot sent them backe thither to be executed so as about noone they were gagged because the maid professed that if they brought her into any Idols Temple shee would extend her voice so loud against the same that every one should heare it About thrée of the clocke they were led as shéepe to the slaughter where they constantly persisted in the profession of the true Religion The widow being ascended the Ladder shooke out of her hands a woodden crosse which they had by force affixed thereto whereat the multitude were so provoked that they began to throw stones and staves at her so as the hangman having turned her off the Ladder cut the rope by and by letting her fall halfe dead into the fire wherein she yéelded up her soule into the hands of God as also her sister did ¶ Being now come to the yeare 1588. it gives us just occasion to call to mind that miraculous deliverance of our noble Quéene and Countrey from the intended invasion of the Spaniards the same yeare The memoriall whereof that it might the rather be continued to the ages succéeding deserves by way of history here to bee inserted as in its due and proper place Of which deliverance it may truly be said all things considered that it was the Lords doing and it is marvellous in our eyes The true relation whereof here followeth ¶ A briefe discourse touching the great preparations made by the Spaniards and other Romish Catholikes for that invincible Navy intended for the invading and surprising of the Realme of England together with their utter overthrow HEr Majesty of England having had intelligence from sundry places of the great and diligent preparation of the King of Spaine in divers parts both by sea and land not onely of the strongest ships in all places within his dominions but of all sorts of provision necessary for so mighty a Fléet as hee intended to set forth and these rumors of warre which before were but The Spanish navy prepard to invade England sleight daily increasing at last it was certainely confirmed by the newes on all sides that in Spaine there was an invincible Navy preparing against England that the most famous captaines in military knowledge and the best souldiers were sent for into Spaine from Italy Sicily yea from America For the Pope and some religious Spaniards and English fugitives now recalled the Spaniard to the cogitation of surprising of England which purpose was interrupted by the Portugall warres They exhorted him earnestly to doe God this service that had done so much for him now that he enjoyed Portugall with the West-Indies and many rich Islands to adde England to all were an especiall service of God fit for his Catholike Majesty By this meanes hee might adde these flourishing Kingdomes to his Empire and so kéepe the Low-countries in peace and secure the navigations to both Indies That the preparations of Spaine were so great that no power was able to resist it They made him beléeve that it was an easier matter to overcome England than to overcome the Dutchland because the navigation from Spain to England was much shorter than to the Netherlands And by surprising of England the other would easily follow Hereupon the consultation began to be had of Consultation about the best way means how to oppresse England the best way and meanes to oppresse England Alvarus Bassanus the Marquesse of S. Crosse who was chiefe commander in the Navy advised first to make sure some part of Holland or Zealand by the Land forces of the Duke of Parma and by sending before some Spanish ships so to take some place on a sudden where the Spanish Navy might have a receptacle and from whence the invasion might with convenience begin For in the English sea which is troublesome the windes oft changing and the tides unknowne the Navy could not be in safety With him agréed Parma who
A CONTINVATION OF THE HISTORIES OF Forreine MARTYRS From the happy reign of the most renowned Queene Elizabeth to these Times With sundry Relations of those bloudy Massacres executed upon the Protestants in the Cities of France in the yeare 1572. WHERVNTO ARE ANNEXED the two famous Deliverances of our English Nation the one from the Spanish Invasion in 88. The other from the Gunpouder Treason in the yeare 1605. Together with the Barbarous cruelties exercised upon the Professors of the Gospell in the Valtoline 1621. LONDON Printed by RIC. HEARN for the Company of Stationers Anno Dom. 1641. POSSIDETE ANIMAS VESTRAS NH 1574 A TREATISE OF AFFLICTIONS AND PERSECVTIONS OF THE FAITHFVLL PREPARING THEM WITH PATIENCE TO SVFFER MARTYRDOME CHAP. I. Shewing That such as will live godly in Christ Jesus must needs suffer afflictions WE are all prone by nature to decline afflictions each one supposing to finde out some backe way to escape them First Some are of opinion that they can quit themselves by playing the Temporizers Secondly Others by hiding and concealing themselves Thirdly Another sort by flying from those places where Tyrants vexe and domineere Fourthly a fourth thinking to beare off blowes by their greatnes and credit they have gotten in the world Fifthly and lastly a fifth sort imagining to find some evasion either by reason of their allyes or good services which they have done dreaming forsooth that either these or the like projects should yeeld them good respect and preserve them from being called into question by those that hate them In a word which of us hath not some fetch or other to breake loose if he should be either examined or pursued This is the true cause that so few are prepared and carefull timely to foresee what belongs to suffering shame and disgrace for the truth as the discommodities of long imprisonment or what appertaines to the constant and patient bearing of hideous torments and death for the cause of the Gospell But alas all these are but as fig leaves and vaine hopes which being somwhat pleasing to the flesh do only dull and deceive us causing us to grow secure and carelesse and so unprovided to suffer till we be surprised and in safe custody in our enemies hands So that when we should be able to give a reason 1 Pet. 3. 15. of the hope that is in us we have not a word to say To prevent these so great inconveniences let us hold this for a sure principle That it is impossible to live godly and not suffer persecution For God hath so decreed that 2 Tim. 3. 12. Rom. 8. 20. if we will partake of the glory of his Sonne we must first be conformed to him in his sufferings Yea this is that strait gate and narrow way which leadeth unto life Through Mat. 7. 14. much tribulation we must enter into the Kingdome of God Acts 14. 22. and whosoever beares not the Crosse of Christ following him cannot be his Disciple The Apostle in Luke 14. 27. Heb. 12. 7. the Epistle to the Hebrewes plainly tels us That if we be children wee must taste of that discipline which God nurtures his withall in his Family It is and must be the portion of Gods beloved ones to live in this world as sheep amongst wolves Mat. 10. 16. Indeed if wee could live without sin we might then conceive some hope of freedome from the Crosse But whilest corrupt nature lives in us and brings forth such bitter fruits God hath and will in all ages raise up some Tyrant or other as means to mortifie and tame the pride and rebellion thereof Devils may as soone cease to be as that enmity should cease between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent As long as the Gen. 3. 15. Mat. 8. 24. Church continues to be Christs poore Barque in the salt sea of this world she must make her account to be tossed with storms and tempests of persecutions What should I say no Crowne is to be expected in Heaven if we will not fight the 2 Tim. 47. Psal 126. 5. 2 Cor. 4 10. good fight of faith here on earth nor to reap in joy if in this world we refuse to sow in teares The life of our Lord Iesus Christ cannot be manifest in us except we beare about in our body the dying of the Lord Iesus Let every Christian then hold this for certaine That when the world ceaseth to hate the Children of God and the Devill to envy them then may they looke and not before to live in the world without persecutions Hath not the Way the Life and the Truth said it In the world you shall have tribulation Iohn 16. 33. And therefore let not the great ones of the World thinke to be exempted out of this ranke more than the small For to the Saints and members of the true Church afflictions are even as ordinary as is Baptisme Faith and the Spirit of Adoption Was not Moses the adopted sonne of Pharaobs daughter saine to sly out of Aegypt to Exod. 2. 15. Act. 7. 29. Heb. 11. 27. 1 Sam. 26. 20 Saint Iereme in his Commentary upon Isaiah Dan 6. 16. save his life Was not David though anointed King hunted by Saul his pursuer as a Partridge into the mountaines Isaiah and Daniel were of the bloud Royall yet they escaped not the one from being cruelly rent in sunder with a Saw after he had preached to his Nation sixty yeares nor the other although next unto the King he swayed the affairs of the Babylonish Empire to be cast into the lyons den In the times of the great persecutions under Dioclesian the Emperour of Rome who were the first that were sacrificed but Nicomede and the principall Favourites of the Court Who is ignorant that two of the most noble Princes of our times that ever Germany had notwithstanding their munition and meanes were taken prisoners by the Emperour or held captive five or six yeares in great distresse What should I here mention Lady Iane Gray proclaimed Queene of England and yet cruelly put to death Or Thomas Cranmer Primate of England burned to ashes at Oxford Or the Lord Cobham that religious and valiant Knight hanged and burned hanging in Saint Giles in the fields All these with many more were apprehended and not long after put to death even then when they might seeme most to have flourished in the World Seeing then that neither age sex power nor place can secure us from suffering which are every where foretold in the holy Scriptures to abide us whether wee be high or low Act. 20. 23. let us in the name and feare of God prepare to take up the Crosse of Christ betimes learne we of the silly Ant in Summer to store up food against the cold and stormy Winter Prov. 6. 6. of Affliction Imitating those who dwelling in defenced cities are carefull to provide themselves of munition before they be besieged
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
cruell persecutions in his owne Land would not permit him to continue his Office of teaching there The Duke of Bovillon obtaining him drew him to his city of Sedan where he also continued a while in publishing the glad tidings of salvation untill the Church of Antwerpe began in the moneth of August 1576 to call him to be their Pastor But he could not obtaine leave of those of Sedan to depart from among them without a great deale of difficulty because they evidently foresaw by the beginning of persecutions in the Low-countries into what a Sea of troublous tempests bée should bée cast and yet perceiving how the heart of this holy man longed to be gone to yéeld his assistance to those of his own nation at length they consented to let him goe with them that requested to have his helpe Now having stayed but a while there the brethren determined to send him to his ancient Church of the Valencians who received him with no little joy in regard the Lord had formerly ordayned him to erect a Church there peculiarly To come now to Peregrine de la Grange hée Peregrin de la Grange was borne in Chute nigh to Saint Marcellin in Daulphine In the moneth of Iune in the yeare 1565 he was sent from the Schooles of Geneva at the request and instance of the Valencians to serve in the ministery among them Such was His meeke disposition won him much respect his méeke and milde disposition that it won him much love and respect and made his ministery to be so much the more acceptable in the eyes of all men After the demolishing of Images in the City of the Valencians two Churches were imployed by those of the reformed Religion for the use of prayer preaching the word and administration of the Sacraments Now the detaining of these Churches the one of them being used by a stranger◠namely by the said la Grange who was none of King Philips Subjects being also against the Decrée of Margaretn then Regent of the Low-Countries gave occasion to Noicurin as then principall Bayliffe of Hainault and Valence not onely to frustrate and break all accords with the said Valencians but moreover to afflict and besiege them extremely During which siege because the supper of the Lord was administred in both the said Churches it did so much the more enkindle the rage of the enemy against them so as when the city was taken La Grange was the more cruelly used as you shall reade when wee come to speake of his death The same adversaries who encountred Guy de Brez his companion assailed him also but he overcame them by the helpe of Gods holy Spirit who gave them both such power as their enemies were not able to resist They were imprisoned the eleventh of Aprill and on Saturday the last of May the Provost of the bands came into the prison about thrée of the clocke in the morning to give these two prisoners warning to prepare themselves for death for they were to die at sixe or therabouts Whereupon both of them began highly to magnifie God for his goodnesse and gave the Provost thankes for the good newes which he had brought them Assoon as they were up and ready Master Guy entred into the fore Court bidding the rest of the Prisoners good morrow and then testifying to them his joy spake after this manner Brethren I am this day to die for the doctrine of the Gospell and now blessed be God I joy and rejoyce therein I had not thought that God would ever have done me this honour I feele my selfe replenished with joy more and more from minute to minute my God addeth new courage unto me and my heart leapes for joy within me Then exhorting the prisoners to be of good chéer he told them it was no hard matter to die and so by way of acclamation alledged that place out of the Apocalips O how happy are the dead that dye in the Lord for they rest from their labours and their workes follow them Hée further besought the prisoners to stand fast in the doctrine of the sonne of God which he had taught them avowing it to bée the undoubted truth which was mainteined * Which disputes were formerly omited in regard that in a manner they were the same with those of Peregrin do la Grange by him before the Bishop of Arres and many others Beware you do nothing said he against a good conscience for I foresée that the enemies of the Gospell will execute the utmost of their rage against us thinking thereby to weaken our faith that so they might turne you from the truth and so causing you to doe such things as should bring dishonor to the cause for which you are in bonds Take heed therefore ye shrinke not for if yée doe you shall certainely féele such an hell in your consciences as will never cease to vex and torment you O my brethren how good a thing is it to nourish a good conscience One of the prisoners asking him whether hée had finished a certaine work which he had begun he answered No For now I must cease to labour because I am passing along towards the heavenly rest the time of my departing is at hand I goe to reape that in heaven which I have sowne on earth I have fought a good fight I am at the point of finishing up my course from henceforth the Crowne of Glory is layd up for me which the Lord the righteous Iudge shal give unto me Me thinks said he with a joyfull and smiling countenance that my spirit hath obtained wings to soare aloft into heaven being invited this day to the mariage Supper of the Lambe As he was speaking the Provost came in with bands into the Court and putting off his hat saluted him Master Guy bad him welcome and gave him thanks againe for his good newes The Provost replied It grieveth me much that things should be carried thus To which Guy joyfully answered I accept of you as of my good Friend I love you with all mine heart Then taking his leave of the prisoners he went into the little hall of the prison Soone after Peregrine de la Grange entred into the same Court who as he carried himselfe comfortably during all the time of his imprisonment so then after his accustomed manner he hegan with an amiable countenance to chéere the prisoners with bidding them good morrow and then said thus unto them I am this day to die for the Truth and then the heavenly Inheritance is prepared for mee my name is written in the Phil. 4. 3. Rom. 11. 29. Booke of life never to be blotted out because the gifts and calling of God are without repentance He protested also That for his part he never taught ought there but the pure Word of God as for the doctrine of the Papists it led soules he said to perdition and destruction and thence took occasion to exhort the prisoners to separate themselves
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
both killed with one shot proceeding from powder and discouraged hereby from any further resistance in respect Catesby himself Rookwood Grant and divers others of greatest account among them were thereby made unable for defence but also wonderfully strucken with amasement in their guilty consciences calling to memory how God had justly punished them with that same instrument which they should have used for the effectuating of so great a sin according to the old Latine saying In quo peccamus in eodem plectimur as they presently sée the wonderfull power of Gods Iustice upon guilty consciences did all fall downe upon their knées praying God to pardon them for their bloody enterprise and thereafter giving over any further debate opened the gate suffered the Sheriffes people to rush in furiously among them and desperately sought their own present destruction the thrée specials of them joyning backes together Catesby Percy and Winter whereof two with one shot Catesby and Percy were slaine and the third Winter taken and saved alive And thus these resolute and high aspiring Catholiques who dreamed of no lesse then the destruction of Kings and Kingdomes and promised to themselves no lower estate then the government of great and ancient Monarchies were miserably defeated and quite overthrowne in an instant falling in the pit which they had prepared for others and so fulfilling that sentence which his Majesty did in a manner prophecy of them in his Oration to the Parliament some presently slaine others deadly wounded strippped of their clothes left lying miserably naked and so dying rather of cold than of the danger of their wounds and the rest that either were whole or but lightly hurt taken and led prisoners by the Sheriffe the ordinary Minister of Iustice to the Gaole the ordinary place even of the basest malefactors where they remained till their sending up to London being mèt with a huge confluence of people of all sorts desirous to sée them as the rarest sort of Monsters fooles to laugh at them women and children to wonder all the common people to gaze the wiser sort to satisfie their curiosity in séeing the outward cases of so unheard of a villany and generally all sorts of people to satiate and fill their eyes with the sight of them whom in their hearts they so far admired and detested serving so for a fearefull and publique spectacle of Gods flerce wrath and just indignation ¶ Anno III. Iacobi Regis An Act for a publique thankesgiving to Almighty God every yeare on the fifth day of November FOrasmuch as Almighty God hath in all ages shewed his power and mercy in the miraculous and gracious deliverance of his Church and in the protection of religious Kings and States and that no nation of the earth hath béen blessed with greater benefits then this kingdome now enjoyeth having the true and frée profession of the Gospell under our most soveraigne Lord King Iames the most great learned and religious King that ever raigned therein enriched with a most hopefull and plentifull progeny procéeding out of his royall loynes promising continuance of this happinesse and profession to all posterity the which many malignant and devillish Papists Iesuites and Seminary Priests much envying and fearing conspired most horibly when the Kings most excellent Majesty the Quéene the Prince and all the Lords spirituall and temporall and Commons should have béen assembled in the upper house of Parliament upon the fifth day of November in the yeare of our Lord 1605. suddenly to have blowne up the said whole house with Gun-powder an invention so inhumane barbarous and cruell as the like was never before heard of as was as some of the principall conspirators confesse purposely devised and concluded to be done in the said house that where sundry necessary and religious Lawes for preservation of the Church and State were made which they falsely and slanderously terme cruell Lawes enacted against them and their religion both place and persons should be all destroyed and blowne up at once which would have turned to the utter ruine of this whole kingdome had it not pleased Almighty God by inspiring the Kings most excellent Majestie with a Divine spirit to interpret some darke phrases of a letter shewed to his Majestie above and beyond all ordinary construction thereby miraculously discovering this hidden Treason not many houres before the appointed time for the execution thereof Therefore the Kings most excellent Majestie the Lords spirituall and temporall and all his Majesties faithfull and loving subjects do most justly acknowledge this great and infinite blessing to have procéeded méerly from God his great mercy and to his most holy name doe ascribe all honor glory and praise And to the end this unfeigned thankfulnesse may never be forgotten but be had in a perpetuall remembrance that all ages to come may yéeld praises to his Divine Majesty for the same and have in memory this joyfull day of deliverance Be it therefore enacted by the Kings most excellent Majesty the Lords spirituall and temporall and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the authority of the same That all and singular Ministers in every Cathedrall and Parish Church or other usuall place for Common prayer within this Realm of England and the dominions of the same shall alwaies upon the fifth day of November say Morning prayer and give unto Almighty God thankes for this most happy Deliverance and that all and every person and persons inhabiting within this realme of England and the dominions of the same shall alwaies upon that day diligently and faithfully resort to the Parish Church or Chappell where the said morning Prayer Preaching or other service of God shall be used and then and there to abide orderly and soberly during the time of the said prayers preaching or other service of God there to be used and ministred And because all and every person may be put in minde of this duty and be the better prepared to the said holy service Be it enacted by authority aforesaid that every Minister shall give warning to his Partshioners publiquely in the Church at morning Prayer the Sunday before every such fifth day of November for the due observation of the said day And that after morning Prayer or preaching on the said fifth day of November they reade distinctly and plainly this present Act. God save the King ¶ A Prayer and Thankesgiving for the Anno 1611 happy deliverance of his Majesty the Queene the Prince and the States of Parliament c. ALmighty God who hast in all ages shewed thy power and mercy in the miraculous and gracious deliverances of thy Church and in the protection of righteous and religious Kings and States professing thy holy and eternall truth against the wicked conspiraâ—ies and malicious practises of all the enemies thereof we yéeld unto thée from the very ground of our hearts all possible praise and thankes for thy wonderfull and mighty deliverance of our gracious Soveraigne K.
to Rome and there to encounter with the adversary of Christ Thither they came and after a few daies two of them behaving themselves modestly did in secret manifest to some there the truth of the Gospell who being betrayed were imprisoned and put to death without any further adoe The third having resolved to act his part in publique gave over himselfe to suffer all the extremities the wit of man could invent It came to passe one day that this man espying the Pope in the middest of his massing devotion stept quickly unto him plucked the consecrated Host out of his hands cast it to the ground trod it under foot uttering invective spéeches against the Masse and Antichrist The people in a rage fell upon the Englishman who being altogether bruised with their fists and féet said you hangman finde out as many forments as you can the hand of the Almighty will shew it self the more gloriously My soule is resolved to vanquish death valiantly He was forthwith bound and set upon an Asse sixe Torches were lighted and from stréet to stréet the erecutioners bare them by him burning therewith his face mouth and tongue first for he had said before to one of the formentors thou hast no power over my soule thou wretch knowest thou not that God understands the voice of my secret thought and complaint When the flames came overthwart his chéekes he was heard to cry Lord forgive these men for they know not what they doe After they had burned all his face put out his eyes scorched and rosted his body in the end they consumed it wholly to ashes The learned author who set forth this History in a notable work of his notes neither the yeare nor the names of these Englishmen It should séeme to be about the time of Pope Clement the eighth in Anno 1595. for in his ample discourse he mentions an old wise man le sage veillard burned at Rome after these English men who before he went to the fire spake with such efficacy to his confessor sent unto him who also left him not till he yéelded up his spirit in the middest of the flames into the hands of Christ that this confessor going the next day into the Pulpit maintained tâ—â—â—rause of the old wise man with such boldnesseâ—nd zeale that all the audience hearing him attentively without any resistance understood his meaning and never accused the Preacher But in Lent following a Capuchin Fryer An admirable Eapuchin preaching before Pope Clement the eighth called him Antichrist and during that Lent ceased not to Preach the truth of the Gospell in the Chaire of postlience under the robe and habit of a Liar c In the same work my author saith our Historian mentions another Italian preacher called Nâ— Montalchin who in describing his History hath these words The Pope perceiving that by executing the Martyrs thus opénly in the sight of the people in stead of terrifying them thereby many were the more encouraged he resolved with himselfe thenceforward to conceale his open violence out of the sight of the Sun and to exercise it rather in the dark and in the night season The inquisitors who had Montalchin in their hands were preparing a way to murther him privâ—ly according to the Popes intention It so fell out that the Iaylour smelling the injustice which these reverend Fathers were devising against the poore prisoner adventured to give him notice of it to the end he making his peace with God might fit himselfe for death This experienced souldier of Iesus Christ plotted a way under hand by a spirituall wile to catch the wise in their craftinesse faining therefore a repentance he called for his judges telling them he was now minded to revoke his errors after they had pronounced sentence against him and would in the hearing of all recant what he had in publike maintained against the truth His Iudges beléeving he had spoken in good earnest promised him his life upon those tearmes Now that they might the rather satisfie their pride they made known to every one the time and place appointed for his abjuration All the city assembled together to take knowledge of this so unexpected a novelty Montalchin was brought and placed on a scaffold for that purpose He stood there in his shirt holding in his hands two torches lighted then silence being obtained he began to speake to the people as followeth Deare brethren and Children I have a long time taught you such a doctrine as hath troubled you I am now brought hither to open my minde unto you Montalchin is a sinfull man and therefore may erre But lend me your attention a while and I will let you sée the difference betwéen both opinions Thrée words seul seule seulement will serve to distinguish betwéene falshood and truth 1 I have taught you that Christ is our only sacrifice our only priest who only was once offered for us But the Doctors teach the contrary to wit that the true body of Christ without bread is offered up for the living and for the dead that the priests ought daily to offer up the naturall body of Christ really in the Masse 2 I have taught that in taking the visible signes in the Sacrament we doe therein by faith only take the spirituall and heavenly bread of our soules The Doctors say that Christs body is taken flesh and blood into the mouth and belly of the communicant 3 I have preached that Iesus Christ is our only mediator and that by him alone we have accesse unto the Father But the Doctors goe further and will have us to come to the Virgin Mary making her and all the Saints departed our Mediators and Intercessors 4 I have declared that we are justified only by faith in Iesus Christ and that the frée mercy of God is the foundation of our salvation The Doctors would have us to help out faith and grace by good workes as meritorious causes of salvation 5 You have heard me preach that Christ only gives grace and that he alone pardons this They affirm that the Church hath a Coffer or Chest of which the Pope kéeps the keyes whereinto are put the merits of saints which he largely distributed abroad to such as will buy his pardons Anno 1611. with money 6 I have told you that the Canonicall bookes of the old and new Testament are the onely ground of our faith and salvation The Doctors adde thereto their unwritten verities 7 I have taught you that after this life ended there are only two places prepared for them to goe unto who die and depart out of this world One the place of joy and comfort the other of torment The Doctors say there are foure viz. Paradise Hell Limbus and Purgatory 8 I have preached that the Pope is not a god on earth but only a Bishop and that only of one place if he therein behave himselfe as a good Biship ought to doe The Doctors make him Lord of the world and