The skilfull'st Physiognomers who Scan Each line and wrinkle in the face of man Can tell no more what Soules dwell there then wee By Seing Stars can tell what Angels be Then ask not at the door who 't is if so This Shadow cannot tell thee Read and know A Generall Martyrologie CONTAINING A COLLECTION Of all the greatest PERSECUTIONS which have befallen the CHURCH OF CHRIST From the Creation to our present Times Both in England and all other Nations Whereunto are added two and twenty LIVES OF ENGLISH Modern Divines Famous in their Generations for Learning and Piety and most of them great Sufferers in the Cause of CHRIST As also the Life of the Heroical Admiral of France slain in the Parisian Massacre and of Joane Queen of Navar poisoned a little before By Sa. Clarke Pastor in Bennet Fink London The second Edition Corrected and Enlarged having the two late Persecutions inserted the one in Piemont the other in Poland PSAL. 44.22 For thy sake are we kiâ—â—led all the day long we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter Nihil crus seâ—tit in nervo cum animus est in caelo Tertul. Printed by Tho. Ratcliffe for 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 in Saint Pauls Church-yard near the little North-door MDCLX TO THE CHRISTIAN READER Especially to the suffering Saints in these three Nations Christian Reader THou hast here presented to thy view that strange sight which so much astonished Moses Exod. 8.3 A bush burning with fire and not consumed A lively Emblem of the Church oft times all on a light flame with the fire of Persecution and yet so far from being consumed that The bloud of the Martyrs proves the seed of the Church And indeed she is the only and true Salamander that can live in the fire Yet this not by any strength of her own but because the Angel of the Covenant even the Lord Jesus Christ is in the bush either to slack the fire or to strengthen the bush and make it incombustible In this Book thou maiest see as in a Mirrour what hath been the lot and portion of the Church and people of God from the Creation hitherto viz. Through many tribulations to enter into the kingdom of heaven Here thou hast a certaine and infallible mark of the true Church of Christ viz. To be hated and persecuted by the Devil and his instruments Here thou maiest see what is the constant concommitant of the Gospel when it is received in the love and power of it viz. Persecution according to that of the Apostle Ye became followers of us and of the Lord having received the word in much affliction c. Neither yet is God an hard Master in dealing thus with his faithfull servants He knows that heavy afflictions are the best benefactors to heavenly affections and that grace is hid in nature here as sweet water in rose leaves which must have the fire of affliction put under to distill it out He knows that when afflictions hang heaviest corrupt affections hang loosest upon his children Yet doth not the Lord afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men to crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth but he will hereby try who are his indeed and in truth not in name and profession only For as the Eagle tries her young ones by turning their faces to the sun beams so those Christians that can outface the sun of Persecution are sincere indeed One thing is very remarkable in this History that usually before any great Persecution befell the Church the holy men of those times observed that there was some great decay of zeal and of the power of godliness or some mutuall contentions and quarrels amongst the people of God or some such sin or other that provoked God against them and then as the shepherd sets his dog upon his sheep when they go astray to bring them in and then rates him off again So God le ts loose wicked Persecutors upon his own children but it 's only to bring them in unto him and then he not only restrains their rage but casts the rod into the fire If judgement begin at the house of God what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God Much excellent use may be made of this History As teaching us That whosoever will take Christ truly must take his Crosse as well as his Crown his Sufferings as well as his Salvation That persecution is the bellows of the Gospel blowing every spark into a flame and that Martyrs ashes are the best compost to manure the Church their bloud to water it and make it fertill That Gods children are like Starres that shine brightest in the darkest night Like Torches that are the better for beating Like Grapes that come not to the proof till they come to the presse Likes Spices that smell sweetest when pounded Like young Trees that root the faster for shaking Like Vines that are the better for bleeding Like Gold that looks the brighter for scouring Like Glow worms that shine best in the dark Like Juniper that smels sweetest in the fire Like the Pomander which becomes more fragrant for chafing Like the Palm tree which proves the better for pressing Like the Camomile which the more you tread it the more you spread it Yea God knoweth that we are best when we are worst and live holiest when we die fastest and therefore he frames his dealing to our disposition seeking rather to profit then to please us That when God exposeth us to Persecution he expects our speedy and thorow Reformation if we desire the affliction to be removed For as it were to no purpose for the Finer to put his gold into the fire except it lie there till it be refined So were it to small purpose for God to lay afflictions on us if so soon as we whine and groan under his hand he should remove them before we be bettered thereby Whereas afflictions like Lots Angels will soon away when they have done their errand Like plaisters when the sore is once whole they will fall off of their own accoâ—d That we should with patience submit to the afflicting hand of the all wise God and our mercifull Father saying with the Church I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him Considering also that impatience under affliction makes it much more grievous As a man in a feaver that by tossing and tumbling exasperates the disease and encreaseth his own grief That all that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution It hath been the portion of all the Saints from the creation hitherto What son is there whom the Father chasteneth not One son indeed God had without sin but not without sorrow for though Christ his naturall Son was sine corruptione without corruption yet not sine correctione without correction though he was sine flagitio with out crime yet not sine flagello without a scourge
commending his soul to Christ his head was cut off and set on the Tower The next was the Lord Harant a man that had gained much experience by his travels in Asia Africa and Europe his crime was that he had taken an oath to be true to Frederick and durst not violate it As he was going to suffer he called the Minister to him and told him that he much feared his wives inconstancy in Religion and therefore desired him to exhort her to constancy and not to suffer her self to be drawn from her Religion by any allurements assuring her that it is the infallible way to salvation Then to exhort her to use more clemency to his subjects rather easing then over-charging them with burthens Lastly to require her to have a care of his children and to bring them up in the pure Religion c. Being called to execution he said I have travelled through many Countries through many barbarous Nations escaped many perils by sea and land and now suffer innocently in my own Countrey and by them for whose sake I and my forefathers have spent our Estates and Lives Father forgive them Then he said In thee O Lord have I hoped let me not be confounded On the Scaffold he said Into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit In the O Lord have I trusted from my youth I am confident that I shall be accepted by that ignominious death of my Saviour and falling upon his knees he said To thee O Lord I commend my spirit for thou O God just and true hast redeemed me and so he received the fatall stroke with the sword The next was Casper Kaplitz a Knight of eighty six years old When the Minister came to him after his condemnation he said See me a miserable old man who have often intreated my God that he would have mercy upon me and take me out of this miserable life but have not obtained it for God hath reserved me to be a spectacle to the world and a sacrifice to himselfe Gods will be done My death indeed is disgracefull in the eyes of men but glorious in the sight of God for God will account that death precious in his sight which I suffer for his glory and truth And when it was told him that he might have his life if he would ask pardon he answered That he would ask pardon of him against whom he had committed many sins all his life but he never offended the Prince and therefore would not give occasion to suspect that he had committed some crime for which he had deserved death c. God forbid therefore said he that I should be separated from this holy company of Martyrs As he was going to the Scaffold being feeble with age he said Oh my God strengthen me lest I fall down and become matter of scorn to the enemies Being crooked with age and hanging down his head the executioner could not well come at his neck whereupon the Minister said to him My noble Lord as you haâ—e commended your soul to Christ so now offer up your heavy head chearfully to God and lift up your selâ—e towards heaven Then lifting up his head as well as he could he said Lord Jesus into thy hand I commend my spirit and so is head was cut off The next was Procopius Dorzecki who after his condemnation said to the Minister I haâ—e had a great contention all night with old Adam so that it made me sweat againe but thanks be to my God by whom my soul hath overcome all tentations saying further O Almighty God strengthen thy servant that I may not be made a derision to mine enemies by any fear of death and as thou waâ—â— wont to encourage thy holy Martyrs so I â—trongly beleeâ—e thou wilt comfort me When he was called forth to execution he said Thanks be to my God who doth now call me to himselfe to him I have lived and for him I will die for my Saviour hath therefore died and risen again that he might be Lord both of the living and the dead I know that my soul shall liâ—e and my body shall be raised like to his glorious body Upon the Scaffold he said to the Imperiâ—ll judges Tell Caesar that we are now under his â—udgement buâ— he shall undergoe a more grievous yet just judgement of God And seeing a gold Medal hanging about his neck wherein was ingraven the Coronation of Frederick he delivered it to one that stood by saying I require â—hee that when my dear King Frederick shall recover the Throne of this Kingdom thou deliver him this and tell him that for his sake I wore it till my death and that now I lay down my life willingly for God and my King and so presently after he lost his head The next was the L. Frederick de Bile who suffered death likewise patiently and piously The next was the L. Hen. Otto a man of great judgment who having received the sentence of condemnâ—tion said O Caesar do you indeed establish your Throne by our bloud but what account will you make to God of it in the day of judgement c. kill my body dispâ—â—se my members whither you please yet dâ— I beleeâ—e â—hat my Saviour will gather them together againe and clothe 〈…〉 so that with thâ—sâ— eyes I shall see hâ—m with these ears I shall hear him with â—his toâ—gue I shall praise him and rejoyce with this heart fâ—reâ—er Afterwards when the Minister came to him amongst other 〈◊〉 he saiâ— I was â—roubled but now I feel a wonderfull refreshing in mâ— heart adding with his hands lift up to heaven I give thee thanks O most mercifull Saviour who hast beâ—n pleased to fill me with so much 〈◊〉 now I fear death no longer I will die with joy As he was going to the â—caâ—fold he said to the Ministâ—r I am sure that Christ Jesus will meet my soul with his Angels that he may bring it to an everlasting marriage where I shall drink of a new cup a cup of joy for ever This death I know shall not separate me from him Upon the Scaffold lifting up his eyes to heaven he said Behold I see the Heavens open pointing with his hand to the place where others also observed a certain brightnesse which dazled their eyes after he had prayed silently he said Into thy hands O Lord God I commend my spirit have pitty on me through Jesus Christ and receive me that I may see thy glory and so he received the stroak of the sword The next was Dionysius Zervius formerly a Papist but being told of the promises made to the people of God concerning the pardon of sins and assurance of salvation to those that believe in Christ he struck his breast and with tears in his eyes cried out This is my faith and in this I die I rest in the grace of Christ and I
cast into several prisons yet remained chearfull praising God for accounting them worthy to suffer for his truth and after a few dayes they were all brought forth before the Magistrates who speaking to Robert Oguire said We hear that you never come to Masse That you disswade others from it That you keep Conventicles in your house where erroneous doctrine is preached c. Robert answered I indeed refuse to go to Mass because the death and precious blood of Christ is utterly abolished there and troden under foot c. And I cannot deny but there have met together in my house honest people fearing God Not with intention to harm any I assure you but for the advancement of Gods glory and the good of many c. Then one demanded what they did when they met together To which Baudizon ansvvered When vve meet together in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to hear the Word of God vve first falling on our knees before God in the humility of our spirits do make confession of our sins before his Divine Majesty then we pray that the Word of God may be rightly divided and purely preached then we pray for our Soveraign Lord the Emperour that the Common-wealth may be peaceably governed to the glory of God yea we forget not you whom we acknowledge our Superiours intreating our good God that you may maintain this City in tranquillity c. Thus you hear what we do in our Assemblies and if you will not be offended to hear the summe of our prayers I am ready to recite the same unto you One of the Magistrates wished him to go on whereupon kneeling down he prayed before them all with such fervency of affection and ardency of zeal that it forced the Magistrates to break forth into tears Baudizon rising up said Your Masterships may hereby take a scantling how we are imployed in our meetings Being further examined every one of them made an open Confession of his faith and so were returned to prison again And not long after they were tortured upon the Rack to make them confesse who they were that met at their house but they would discover none but such as they knew were at that time out of their reach Four or five dayes after the men were again convented before the Magistrates who asked them if they would submit themselves to the will of the Magistrates Robert and Baudizon said they would but Martin the younger sonne said he would not submit thereto but would accompany his Mother and so he was sent back to prison and the Father with his eldest son were presently adjudged to be burnt alive Sentence being pronounced one of the Judges said This day shall you go to dwell with all the Divels in hell fire Then were they returned to prison praising God and by their patience and constancy conquerred the rage and fury of their enemies In prison there came some Friars to them telling them that the hour was come wherein they must finish their dayes They answered Blessed be the Lord our God who now delivering our bodies out of this vile prison will receive our souls into his glorious and heavenly Kingdom Then said one of the Friars Father Robert thou art an old man I intreat thee in this thy last hour think of saving thy soule and if thou wilt give ear to me I le warrant thee thou shalt do well Robert answered Poor man how darest thou assume that to thy self which belongs to God alone and so rob him of his honour c. Another wishing him to pity his soul he said Dost thou not see what pity I have on it when for the name of Christ I am willing to give my body to the fire hoping to day to be with him in Paradise c. Then said a Friar Out Dog thou art not worthy the name of a Christian thou and thy sonne are resolved to damne your soules with all the Divels in hell Then would they have severed the Father from his son which Baudizon perceiving said Pray you let my Father alone he is an old man hinder him not from receiving the Crown of Martyrdome Another Friar said Away Varlet thou art the cause of thy Fathers perdition Whilst Baudizon was stripping and fitting himself to be sacrificed some of the Friars had fastned a Crucifix in the old mans hands perswading him that it would please the People and that for all that he might lift up his heart to God c. But so soon as Baudizon saw it he said Alasse Father what do you now will you play the Idolater at your last hour and so pulling the Idol out of his hand he threw it away At the place of execution they were set upon a Scaffold and Baudizon desired leave to make a Confession of his faith answer was made that he might confess himself to a Friar if he would which he refusing was readily haled to the stake where he began to sing the 16. Psalm then said a Friar Do you not hear what wicked errors these Hereticks sing to beguile the people withall Baudizon hearing him replyed Thou simple Idiot callest thou the Psalms of David errours but no marvel for thus are ye wont to blaspheme against the Spirit of God Then seeing them about to chain his Father to the stake he said to him Be of good courage Father the worst will be past by and by Then did he often breath forth Oh God Father everlasting accept the sacrifice of our bodies for thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ his sake A Friar cryed Out Heretick thou liest God is none of thy Father the Divel is thy Father Baudizon fixing his eys upon heaven said to his Father Behold I see the heavens open and millions of Angels ready to receive us and rejoycing to see us thus bearing witness to the truth in the view of the world Father let us rejoyce and be glad for the joys of heaven are opened to us Then said a Friar I see Hell open and millions of Divels are ready to carry you thither A poor man in the croud cryed out Be of good comfort Baudizon stand to it thou fightest in a good quarrel I am on thy side which words so soon as he had spoken he departed and so hastened himself from danger The fire being kindled Baudizon oft said to his Father Yet a very little while and we shall enter into the heavenly mansions the fire encreasing the last words which they spake were Jesus Christ thou Sonne of God into thy hands we commend our spirits and so they sweetly slept in the Lord. After the death of these worthy champions of Christ many of the Popish rabble were sent if possible to seduce the Mother and son remaining in prison and coming to them the first subtilty they used was to separate them asunder then they set upon the woman as the weaker vessel and so wrought upon her
shalt suffer eternal torments though thou art above others yet he that made other men made thee also of the same nature for all are born and must die alike He that kils another sheweth that he himself may be killed thou tearest and tormentest thine own Image all in vain In thy fury thou killest him whom God created like thy self c. thou pullest out our tongues tearest our bodies with flesh-hooks and consumest us with fire but they that have already suffered have received everlasting joyes and everlasting punishments attend thee Think not that I expect any favour I will follow my brethren and remain constant in keeping Gods Law The Tyrant herewith inraged caused him to be tormented but his mother comforted him and with her kind hands held his head when through violence of the torturers the blood issued out of his mouth nose and privy parts the tormentors not ceasing till his life was almost spent but then giving over God gave him strength to recover and to endure more then any of his brethren had done At last his hands and arms being cut off with his eyes lift up to heaven he cryed O Adonai be mercifull unto me and receive me into the company of my brethren c. Then was his tongue pulled out and he of his own accord going into the fiery frying pan to the great admirarion of Antiochus died The mother seeing all her Children dead was inflamed with a holy zeal to suffer Martyrdom also and despising the Tyrants threats she offered her motherly brest to those torments which her Children had suffered before her Indeed herein she excelled them all in that she had suffered seven painfull deaths before she came to suffer in her own person and feared in every one of them lest she should have been overcome She alone with dry eyes did look upon them whilst they were torn in pieces yea she exhorted them thereunto rejoycing to see one torn with flesh-hooks another racked upon the wheel a third bound and beaten a fourth burned and yet she exhorted the rest not to be terrified thereby and though her grief in beholding their torments was greater then that which she had in child-birth yet did she frame a chearfull countenance as if it had been one triumphing wishing rather the torments of their bodies then of their souls for she knew that nothing was more frail then our lives which are often taken away by Agues Fluxes and a thousand other ways Therefore when they were first apprehended she thus exhorted them in the Hebrew tongue O my most dear and loving Children let us hasten to that Agony which may credit our profession and be rewarded by God with eternal life Let us fearlesly present our bodies to those torments which aged Eleazer endured Let us call to mind our father Abraham who having but one only son willingly sacrificed him at Gods command and feared not to bring him to the Altar whom with many prayers he had obtained in his old age Remember Daniel the three Children c. Antiochus being enraged against her caused her to be stripped naked hanged up by the hands and cruelly whipt then were her dugs and paps pulled off and her self put into the red hot frying pan where lifting up her eyes and hands to heaven in the midst of her prayers she yielded up her chast soul unto God But God suffered not the cruel Tyrant to escape unpunished for in his wars against the Persians the Lord struck him with madness his intrals were devoured with worms and stinking like a Carrion in the extremity of his torments he gave up the ghost Concerning this Antiochus Daniel chap. 8.9 10. c. saw in the vision that there came forth a little horn which waxed exceeding great towards the south and towards the East and towards the pleasant Land and it waxeth great even towards the host of heaven and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground and stamped upon them Yea he magnified himself even to the Prince of the host and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away and the place of the Sanctuary was cast down And an host was given him against the daily Sacrifice by reason of transgression and it cast down the truth to the ground and it practised and prospered Which afterwards is thus interpreted by the Angel unto Daniel verse 23. c. In the latter time of their Kingdom when the Transgressors are come to the full a King of fiery countenance and understanding dark sentences shall stand up and his power shall be mighty but not by his own power and he shall destroy wonderfully and shall prosper and practise and shall destroy the mighty and holy people And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand and he shall magnifie himself in his heart and by peace shall destroy many He shall also stand up against the Prince of Princes but he shall he broken without hand Collected out of Josephus and the Books of the Maccabees Here place the first Figure CHAP. VI. The Persecution of the Church from Christs time to our present Age and first of those mentioned in the New Testament HErod the great hearing by the wise men of one that was born King of the Jews and being informed by the chief Priests and the Scribes that the place of his birth should be Bethlehem of Judah he sent forth souldiers and slew all the Children that were in Bethlehem and in all the coasts thereof from two years old and under hoping thereby to have destroyed Christ for which cruel fact the Lord gave him over to such a spirit of phrensie that he slew his own wife his Children and nearest kins-folks and familiar friends And shortly after Gods heavy Judgement fell upon him by a grievous sickness which was a slow and slack fire in his inward parts and withal he had a greedy appetite after food and yet nothing sufficed him he had also a rotting in his Bowels and a greivous flux in his fundament a moist and running humour about his feet and the like malady vexed him about his bladder his privy members putrified engendring abundance of worms which continually swarmed out He had a short and stinking breath with a great pain in breathing and through all the parts of his body such a violent cramp as humane strength was not able to endure Yet longing after life he sent for Physitians from all parts by whose advice he went to the hot bathes of Calliroe but finding no ease thereby his torments still encreasing he sought to lay violent hands upon himself if he had not been prevented by his friends and so in extream misery he ended his wretched life Then Herod the less having married the daughter of Aretas King of Arabia put her away and took Herodias who had forsaken her husband Philip brother to Herod for which incestuous and adulterous marriage John Baptist
the way to kill him chap. 25.3 but when that was denied them they went to Cesarea to accuse him there whereupon he is forced to appeal to Caesar ver 11. Then he was sent to Rome and there committed Prisoner to the Captain of the Guard chap. 28.16 where he continued prisoner at large for two years and then being released he visited the Churches of Greece and Asia Afterwads he preached in Spain and France and at last returning into Italy he was again apprehended and imprisoned at Rome where also he suffered Martyrdom as afterwards you shall hear The Jews being much displeased that they could not reak their teen upon Paul turn themselves against James the brother of Christ him therefore they bring and set them in the midst of them requiring him publickly to renounce the faith of Christ but he on the contrary made a bold and open confession of Jesus to be the Son of God and the Saviour of the world Then did they set him upon a Pinacle of the Temple again requiring him in the audience of all the people to tell them which is the way of Jesus crucified to whom he answered Why ask you me of Jesus the son of man when as he sits at the right hand of God in Heaven and shall again come in the clouds of the air this so enraged the Scribes and Pharisees that they threw him down head-long but he not being dead with the fall gat upon his knees and said Father forgive them for they know not what they do Then one taking a Fullers Club struck him on the head and brained him This James was sirnamed Justus of whom Aegesippus writes that his knees were as hard as Camels knees by reason of his continual kneeling in prayer But shortly after his death Vespasian came into Judea and subdued the Jews and his son Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple Andrew the brother of Peter preached the Gospel to the Scythians Sogdians and Aethiopians and was at last crucified by Aegeas King of Edessa Philip preached the Gospel in Phrygia and at last was crucified at Hierapolis Bartholemew preached to the Indians and as some say was beaten with Cudgels to death or as others he was flaid alive and then beheaded Thomas preached unto the Parthians Medes and Persians c and in Indian he was slain with a dart Mathew preached to the Aethiopians and at last by the command of the King was ran thorow with a sword Simon Zelotes preached in Mauritania and Africk and at length was crucified under Traian being above 112 years old Judas the brother of James preached to the Edesseans and at last was slain by the command of the King Matthias preached first in Macedonia and afterwards coming into Judea he was by the Jews first stoned and then beheaded Mark the Evangelist preached in Alexandria and the neighbouring Regions and afterwards was burnt by the furious Idolaters Nicanor one of the Deacons was martyred together with two thousand other faithful Christians Collected out of the New Testament and Dorotheus THE PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH UNDER THE Heathen Roman Emperors CHAP. VII The First Primitive Persecution which began An. Christi 67. THis first Persecution was begun by Domitius Nero the sixt Emperour Anno 67. or thereabouts the occasion whereof was this Nero having passed over the first five years of his reign somewhat plausibly he then began to fall to all manner of prodigious impieties and amongst other wicked designs he had a great desire to consume the stately imperial City of Rome with fire pronouncing King Priamus an happy man because he beheld the end of his Kingdom and Countrey together yea said he let not all be ruined when I am dead but whilst I am yet alive and for the effecting of this villany he sent divers to kindle the fire in sundry places yea some of his own bed-chamber were seen to carry Flax Toe Torches c. to further it and when any attempted to quench it they were threatned for it others openly hurled firebrands crying They knew what they did there was one would bear them out This fire first began amongst the Oyl-men and Drugsters The night-watch and Praetorian guards did openly cherish it and when it was throughly kindled Nero went up to the top of Maecenas Tower which over-looked the whole City where he fed himself with the sight of infinite burnings and sang to his harp the burning of Troy Amongst other stately buildings that were burned down the Circus or race-yard was one being about half a mile in length of an oval form with rows of seats one above another capable to receive at least a hundred and fifty thousand Spectators without uncivil shouldrings but the particulars were innumerable the damage inestimable besides which many thousands of people perished the flame and smoak smothered some the weight of ruins crusht others the fire consumed others others threw themselves into the fire out of sorrow and despair and villains slew many But Nero finding that this fire which continued burning nine dayes brought a great Odium upon him to excuse himself he transferred the fault upon the Christians as if out of malice they had done it and thereupon he raised this first persecution against them For there was at this present a flourishing Church of Christians in Rome even before St. Paul's arrival there and Nero's own Court was secretly garnished and enriched with some of those Diamons whose salutations the Apostle remembers in his Epistle to the Philippians But whilst Nero with their blood sought to quench and cover his own infamy he procured to himself new envy whilst many that abhorred Christians for their Religion commiserated their sufferings as undeserved Some he caused to be sewed up in the skins of wild beasts and then worried them to death with dogs some he crucified others he burnt in publick to furnish his evening sports with Bonefires Many he caused to be packed up in paper stiffened in molten wax with a coat of sear-cloth about their bodies bound upright to Axletrees many of which were pitcht in the ground and so set on fire at the bottom to maintain light for Nero's night-sports in his gardens Some of them were gored in length upon stakes the one end fastened in the earth the other thrust into their fundaments and coming out at their mouths Nor did this Persecution rage in Rome alone but it was extended generally over the whole Empire insomuch that a man might then have seen Cities lie full of mens bodies the old lying there together with the young and the dead bodies of women cast out naked in the open streets without all reverence of their sex Yea his rage and malice was so great that he endeavoured to have rooted out the very name of Christians in all places Whereupon Tertullian said That it could be no ordinary goodness which Nero
to go into a lime-kiln whereupon by mutual consent they all chose the lime-kiln in which with the smoak of the lime they were smothered In another part of Africk three godly Virgins had first vinegar and gall given them to drink then were they scourged then tormented upon the gibbet and rubbed with lime then were they scorched upon the fiery grid-iron then cast to the wild beasts which would not touch them therefore lastly they were beheaded In Italy a godly man was first tormented with the rack then cast to the wild beasts which not hurting him he was burned in the fire Fructuosus a Bishop in Spain with his two Deacons having witnessed a good confession were all of them burned in the fire But this cruel Emperor Valerian who thus persecuted the Saints of God shortly after felt the revenging hand of God for in an expedition that he made against the Persians he was taken prisoner by Sapores the King who made a foot-stool of him every time that he gat upon his horse and at last by the command of the King he was flaied alive powdered with salt and so ended his wretched life Also Claudius a President and Minister of his persecutions was possessed by the Devil and biting off his tongue in small pieces he ended his wretched life Also there were great terrible Earth-quakes and many commotions and Rebellions in sundry parts of the Empire insomuch as Galienus the son of Valerian and his fellow Emperor began to relent towards the Christians and set forth some Edicts in their favour notwithstanding which some there were that suffered in sundry places amongst whom was one Marinus a noble man and valiant Captain in Caesarea who stood for an honourable office which of right fell to him but his Competitor to prevent him accused him to the Judge to be a Christian. Hereupon the Judge examined him of his faith and finding that indeed he was a Christian he gave him three hours to advise and deliberate with himself then the Bishop of the place finding that he stood doubtfull in himself what to do took him by the hand and led him into the Church and laid before him a sword and a New Testament bidding him take his free choice which of them he would have Marinus immediately ran to the New Testament and chose that and so being animated by the Bishop he presented himself boldly before the Judge by whose sentence he was beheaded About the same time there was in Caesarea Asyrius a noble Senator of Rome and a Christian and whereas the Gentiles in that place used to offer sacrifice by a fountain side which sacrifice by the working of the Devil used suddenly to vanish out of their sight to the great admiration of the deluded multitude Asyrius pitying their miserable ignorance came amongst them and lifting up his eyes to heaven prayed to God in the name of Christ that the people might no longer be thus seduced by the Devil whereupon the sacrifice was seen to swin upon the fountain and ever after that false miracle ceased After the death of Galienus there succeeded Claudius a quiet Emperor and after him Quintilianus his brother both which reigning nineteen years the Church enjoyed peace in their time Here place the third Figure CHAP. XV. The ninth Primitive Persecution which began An. Christi 278. AFter the death of Quintillian succeeded Aurelian in the Empire who was by nature severe and rigorous and a strict punisher of dissolute manners so that it grew into a Proverb That he was a good Physitian saving that he gave too bitter Medicines In the beginning of his reign he was a moderate and discreet Prince and no great disturber of the Christians whom he neither molested in their Religion nor in their Councels But afterwards through sinister suggestions of those which were about him his nature being before inclinable to severity he was altered to plain Tyranny which he first shewed in the death of his own sisters son and afterwards he raised the ninth persecution against the Church of Christ but when he was about to sign a Proclamation or Edict for that persecution it pleased God that a thunderbolt fell so near him that all men thought he had been slain and the Emperor was so terrified thereby that he gave over his Tyrannical purpose so that he rather intended then moved persecution Having reigned about six years he was slain After whose death divers other Emperors succeeded in whose time the Church had peace for about the space of forty four years During which time it did mightily increase and flourish Yea the more the Christians had suffered the more they were honoured Insomuch as some of the Emperors did singularly favour them preferred and made them Governors of Provinces Dorotheus with his Wife Children and whole family were accepted and highly advanced in the Emperors Court Yea Gorgonius and divers others for their Doctrine and Learning were with their Princes in great estimation The Bishops were also in great favour with the Rulers and Presidents where they lived so that innumerable multitudes and Congregations assembled together in every City and there were great concourses of such as daily flocked to the publick places of prayer But through this great prosperity the Christians by reason of the corruption of their natures and the temptations of Satan began to degenerate and to grow idle and delicate striving and contending amongst themselves upon every occasion with railing words bespattering one another in a despitefull manner Bishops against Bishops and people against people moving hatred and sedition each against other Besides cursed hypocrisie and dissimulation increased more and more by reason whereof Gods Judgements brake forth against them which began first to fall upon those Christians which were souldiers but that touched the other very little neither did they seek to appease Gods wrath nor to call for Mercy but thinking that they should escape well enough they heaped iniquities daily more and more one upon another The Pastors being inflamed with mutual contention each against other Then did the Lord raise up adversaries against his people that rased their Churches to the ground burnt the sacred Scriptures in the open Market places made the Pastors of the Church to hide themselves and some with great shame were taken Prisoners and were mocked of their enemies and put to open reproach CHAP. XVI The tenth Primitive Persecution which began Anno Christi 308. DIoclesian and Maximian having many wars associated to themselves two Caesars Galerius who was sent into the East against the Persians and Constantius who was sent into Britain where he married Helena the daughter of King Coel a Maiden excelling in beauty and no less famous for her Studies and Learning by whom he had Constantine the Great These two Emperors having obtained many victories were so puffed up with pride that they ordained a solemn Triumph at Rome After
the wilderness Thither came two Arrian Earls and with great subtilty sought to withdraw them from their stedfastness saying What mean you to be so obstinate as not to obey the Kings Laws whereas by complying with him you may be preferred to honour Then did they all cry out We be Christians we be Catholicks we believe and confess the Trinity in Unity Hereupon were they shut up in a grievous prison Many mothers also voluntarily followed their little children much rejoycing that they had born Martyrs Others sought to draw them to rebaptization by the Hereticks but through Gods grace they could not prevail As they passed on the way travelling more by night then by day because of the excessive heat a woman hasted after them leading in her hand a little child encouraging him saying Run Sirra seest thou all the Saints how merrily they go forwards and hasten to their Crown One of the company rebuked her and asked her whether she went To whom she answered Pray for me I go with this little boy my nephew to the place of banishment least the enemies finding him alone should seduce him from the way of truth into the way of Error The enemies being more enraged because of their constancy when they came to their lodgings penned them up in narrow places Then was denied to them all the comfort of access of their friends for permitting whereof formerly their Keepers had been beaten with staves These blessed Saints were tumbled one upon another as grains of corn neither could they have means of stepping aside to ease nature so that the stink of their excrements exceeded their other pain Then were they brought forth their garments heads and faces besmeared with dirt in a pitifull manner and by the clamorous Moors they were hastened forward in their journey yet they went singing with great joy unto the Lord Loe This honour have all his Saints Then came to them the blessed Bishop Cyprian who to their singular consolation comforted every one of them with fatherly affection and with streams of tears was ready to lay down his life for the brethren and would fain have accompanied them if he might have been suffered He bestowed all that he had amongst them for which he afterwards suffered imprisonment and much hard-ship and at last had his hearts desire in being banished There came great multitudes from sundry Countries and Cities to behold these servants of God and many casting their Children at their feet cryed thus To whom will you leave us wretches whilest you go forward to your Crown Who shall baptize our infants instruct and administer the Sacraments to us our hearts serve us well to go with you if we might But now none were suffered any more to go with them for their comfort but they were pressed forwards and made to run When any of the aged or tender Children fainted they were first punched forwards with staves Then were the Moors commanded to tie ropes to the feet of such as were unable to go and to hail them thorow the rough places so that first their garments were rent then their flesh and their heads were dashed against the sharp edges of rocks whereby very many of them died The rest that were stronger came at last to the wilderness where like beasts they had barly given them for their food there were also abundance of venemous serpents and scorpions in that place whose sting was deadly yet thorow Gods great Providence none of these servants of Christ gat any hurt thereby Hunrick in the seventh year of his reign directed his Mandate to Eugenius Bishop of Carthage and told all other Bishops in Africk that they should by such a day meet at Carthage to defend by disputation their faith against the Arrian Bishops but withal by the tenour of the decree they perceived that he would not suffer any of them to live within his dominions which caused great heaviness amongst them Eugenius returned answer that since it was the common cause of all the Christian Churches it was but equal that Bishops out of other Countries should be requested to be there present also and this he did not because they suspected their own abilities to defend the truth but because he knew that strangers might use more liberty of speech then they could and that other Bishops might be witnesses of their sufferings but this request did but more enrage this unreasonable Tyrant The appointed day approaching many Bishops resorted to Carthage worn out with afflictions and sorrows yet for many days after their coming there was no mention of disputing till in the mean time the King had singled out the learnedest and skilfullest of them that by sundry Calumniations he might make them away Amongst whom was Laetus a stout and learned man whom he first imprisoned and then burnt him in the fire that so he might strike a fear into the rest At last the Disputation began and the Orthodox to avoid tumult chose out some to answer for all the rest The Arrians placed themselves upon lofty Thrones whilest the Orthodox stood below upon their feet Whereupon they said Conference is to be taken in hand not where proud superiority of power bears sway but where by common consent the Disputants upon equal tearms debate the controversies that truth may come to light c. Then were all the Catholicks commanded to have an hundred stroaks a piece with a cudgel given them for this speech Whereupon Eugenius said The Lord from heaven behold the violence which we suffer and consider the tribulation which we sustain from our persecutors Then did the Orthodox Bishops desire the Arrians to propound what they intended But the Arrian Bishops seeing them ready to dispute with them sought out tergiversations and declined the dispute Hereupon the Orthodox drew forth a declaration of their faith excellently well penned and exhibited it with this Protestation If you be desirous to know our belief the faith which we hold is herein comprised The Arrians stormed exceedingly at this giving them outragious language and presently by false Calumnies they accused them to the King and so incensed him that by an Edict in one day he caused all the Christians Churches through Africk to be shut up giving to the Arrians all the goods and Churches of the Orthodox Then did he command that all those godly Bishops that were met together at Carthage should be spoiled of all that they had in their lodgings and so driven out of the City-gates having neither servant nor beast nor garment to sâ—ift them in left unto them and all men were forbidden either to harbour them or give them any sustenance the King threatning to burn him and all his family that should relieve them The Bishops being thus turned out lay in the open fields round about the Wals and when the Tyrant went forth to the fish-ponds they met him saying Why are we so
then this To whom she answered seeing his inexorablenesse You shall never more espouse me to any and so beating her breast and tearing her hair she followed amongst the rest When the Martyrs came to the river whilest Ferries were preparing they with loude voices call heaven and earth to witnesse their innocency and so taking their leave of their wives children and friends exhorting them to constancy and zeal for the truth they were carried and cast into the middest of the river with their hands and feet bound together and so drowned and if any were driven to the banks they were stabbed with iron forks and pikes The Majors daughter seeing her husband thrown into the river leaped in to him caught him about the middle but being unable to draw him forth they were both drowned the next day they were found embracing one another and were both buried in one grave Anno 1421. About the same time a company of souldiers going towards Prague seized upon a godly Minister and four other men and four boys the eldest not being aboue eleven years old for administring and receiving the Sacarament in both kindes and carried them to their Colonel the Colonel sent them to the Bishop who required them to abjure or else he would burn them the Minister stoutly answered But the Gospel teacheth otherwise so that you must either approve what we do or blot it out of your Bible Hereupon one of the troopers smote him so violently on the face with his gantlet that the bloud ran out of his mouth and nose The Bishop made this Minister the subject of his mirth and scorn all that night and the next day being the Sabbath he burned them all in one fire and when the Bishop would have perswaded them to abjure the Cup in the Sacrament the Minister answered That he would rather suffer a thousand deaths then deny a truth so clearly revealed in the Gospel Another Captain violently entring into a Church where many godly people were met together he killed some and took others prisoners and going to the Communion Table he took the Cup being full of wine and drunk to his horse who having pledged him he said his horse was now one of the communicants in both kindes About the same time also a Godly Tayler was burned at Prague Also one Martin Loquis should have suffered the like death but his life was begged by the Thaborites Afterwards taking another associate with him he was travelling towards Moravia but by the way they were taken by a Captain who manacling them with irons examined them about the Sacrament Martin answered The body of Christ is in heaven and he hath but one not many bodies Hereupon the Captain gave him a box on the ear as not enduring such blasphemy and would have had him presently burned Then did a Priest beg him to see if he could convert him but when that succeeded not he thrust them into a dark stinking dungeon for two moneths Then did he torment them with fire till their bowels came forth to extort from them who were their companions Afterwards they were both shut up in a tub and so burned Anno 1421. A godly and eloquent Preacher in Prague was together with twelve more apprehended by a Captain carried into the common-hall and there privately beheaded but their bloud running out caused a great tumult in the City wherein some of the Senators were slain and others saved themselves by flight Not long after there sprung up a Schism amongst those that were called Hussites for some of them began in other things to comply with the Pope only they insisted upon the Cup in the Sacrament whence they were called Calixtines Others of them stuck close to Husse his doctrine and cried down all superstition And this contention was cunningly fomented and increased by some that sought thereby the advancement of the Pope and Emperour And to make the professors of the pure Doctrine odious they branded them with the hatefull name of Piccards by which name the Waldenses in Piccardy were called Yet both these parties when they were assaulted by the Emperour joyned together in opposing him and obtained many great victories against him Yet Anno 1444. the Thaborites were utterly oppressed by fraud and force Anno 1459. There were divers godly people in Bohemia Ministers Nobles and Commons who being much pressed in conscience about the superstitions in the Church of Rome obtained of their King George Pogiebracius a place in the hilly Countrey near to Silesia to inhabit where throwing off all superstious practices they applied themselves to the form of the Primitive simplicity calling themselves Brethren and Sisters The beginning of this Church displeased the Devil and therefore he raised a sudden and violent tempest to overthrow it For the same of it being spread abroad the Priests in every pulpit stirred up the hatred of the people against them crying out Blow out these sparks blow them out before they grow into a flame Anno 1461. One of their Ministers with some others of them coming to Prague to visit their friends were betrayed and some Officers coming to apprehend them said to them All that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution therefore come forth and follow us to prison which they did The King believing the slanders that were raised against them as that they were attempting some sedition c. he commanded the aged Minister to be tortured but he falling into an extasie felt no pain at all the tormentors supposing him to be dead took him down from the rack but after some hours he came to himselfe and by the intercession of a friend was dismissed Presently after their came forth from the King an Edict forbidding all Pastors to administer holy services without ceremonies and withall threatning death to those that should administer to the brethren called now by the hateful name of Piccards The brethren hereupon were brought into great extremity being like sheep destitute of shepherds Yet presently came forth a new Edict that none of them should be suffered to live either in Bohemia or Moravia Hereupon they were dispersed amongst the woods and mountains dwelling in caves where yet they were scarce safe so that they were forced to make no fire nor dresse any meat but in the night time least the smoak should betray them In the cold winter nights sitting by the fire they applied themselves to the reading of the Bible and holy discourses When in the snow they went abâ—â—ad to provide them necessaries they went close together and lest their foot-steps should betray them the hindermost of them did draw after him a great bough to cover the prints which their feet had made These brethren chose by suffrage certain Elders to whom they promised obedience and by the advice of these Elders the chiefest of the brethen in Bohemia and Moravia were
of the condemned persons humbly petition for their lives but answer was made that all the favour which could now be granted to them was that they should have leave to bury the corps of their friends In the evening the condemned men which were twenty seven in number had notice given them of the day wherein they were to suffer and thereforâ— they were advised to send for Jesuits or Capuchins or a Minister of the Augustine Confession for the good of their souls but they must expect no Minister of the Brethren for that would not be granted to them The Jesuits and Capuchins not staying till they were called for flocked to them using many perswasions promising life c. if they would turn but God so strengthened them that all those endeavours of Satans imps were in vaine Then were some Ministers of the Augustine Confession sent for who spent that time which remained in Religious exercises conferences prayer and singing of Psalms and lastly by administring the Sacrament to them They which were of the Brethren willingly admitted these Ministers protesting that they acknowledged them for Brethren though they differed from them in some things only two of them did not partake of the Sacrament for fear of some false accusation comforting themselves with that saying Beleeve and thou hast eaten They which were prisoners in the Majors house being called to supper the night before they were to suffer comforted themselves saying that this was their last supper on earth but to morrow they should feast with Christ in his Kingdom whereupon a great Papist flouted saying Hath Christ Cooks for you in heaven When it was told them that the Noble men were coming to the Scaffold in the Market place where they were to suffer they hasted to the windows and entertained their fellow Martyrs with singing the 44. Psalm The night after they spent in Psalms prayer godly discourse and mutuall exhortations that since it pleased God to call them before others to this honour of Martyrdom they hoped by their constancy to confound the world to glorifie Christ and to leave a good example to others and singing the 68. Psalm where in David praies to God to shew some token of good upon him one of them said Shew therefore some token of good upon us O God whereby we thy servants may be strengthened by thy goodnesâ—e and our enemies confounded And being full of faith he said further Be of good chear for even in this God hath hard your voice and to morrow he will shew some wonderfull signe whereby he will witnesse that we suffer for his cause Early in the morning they washed their faces and put on clean clothes as if they had been going to a wedding and cut off the collars of their dublets that when they came to the Scaffold there should need no new making ready Then did they earnestly pray to God that he would be pleased to confirm and strengthen both themselves and the people concerning their innocency Presently after the sun rising a beautifull bow appeared and compassed the heavens the Ministers souldiers and many others looking upon it The Martyrs looked out at the window and saw a Rainbow of an unusuall colour the heavens being very clear and no rain of two daies before whereupon falling upon their knees they lifted up their voices and hands praising God for this sign that he shewed from heaven Then presently was a Gun discharged which was a warning for their bringing forth to execution whereupon those Champions of Christ encouraged one another praying that each of them might be strengthened c. Then Troops of horse and foot came to fetch them the streets market-place and houses being filled with multitudes of spectators The Martyrs being called forth one by one went to their death with and undaunted courage hasting as if they had been going to a banquet When one was called for he thus took his leave of the rest Farwell most loving friends God give you the comforts of his Spirit patience and courage that what formerly with your mouths you have professed you may confirm by your glorious death Behold I go before that I may see the glory of my Lord Jesus Christ you will follow me that we may together see the face of our heavenly Father At this houre all sorrow departs from me and joyfull eternity shall succeed it Then did the rest answer God above to whom you are going prosper your journey and grant that you may passe happily from this vale of misery unto that heavenly Country The Lord Jesus send his Angeles to meet you Go dear brother into thine and our Fathers house and we will follow after presently we shall meet in the heavenly glory and this we are confident of through him in whom we have beleeved The first was the Lord Schlik a man of admirable parts about fifty years old When he was condemned to be quartered and his parts to be scattered here and there he said The loss of a sepulchre is easie Being exhorted by a Minister to courage he said I have Gods favour so that no fear of death doth trouble me I have formerly dared to oppose Antichrist and I dare now die for Christ. The Jesuites troubling him when he came to the Scaffold he shaked them off and seeing the sun shining bright he said Christ thou Son of righteousness grant that through the darknesse of death I may passe into eternall light and so having ended his prayers he constantly received the stroak His right hand and head were hung on the high Tower upon the Bridge The Lord Wenceslaus was next about seventy years old famous for Learning Religion and his travels through divers countries His house was formerly plundered even to his wearing apparell he only saying The Lord hath given and the Lord hath taken away Being asked why he would engage himselfe in Fredericks cause he said My conscience pressed me to do what I did I am here my God dispose of me thy servant as seems good in thine eyes I am full of years take me out of this life that I may not see that evill that is coming on my Country Afterwards holding forth his Bible he said Behold my Paradise it never yeelded me so much Nectar and Ambrosia as now When he was sentenced he said to the Judges You have a long time thirsted after my bloud but know withall you will finde God a revenger of innocent bloud for whose cause we suffer A Frier saying to him You are deceived in your opinion he answered I rely not on opinion but on the infallible truth of God for I have no other way but him who said I am the way the truth and the life On the Scaffold stroaking his long beard he said My gray hairs behold what honour remains for you that you should be crowned with Martyrdom And so praying for the Church his Country his enemies and
that she began to waver and let go her first faith this the adversaries much rejoyced in and the poor flock of Christ in that place hearing of it were as much afflicted with the news but God left them not in this mournful condition long For a Monk one day going to her perswaded her to draw her sonne Martin to the same recantation with her self which she promised to do but when they came together Martin perceiving the grievous Apostacy of his Mother bewailed it with many tears saying to her Oh Mother what have you done have you denied him that redeemed you Alas what injury hath he done you that you should requite him with so great an injury and dishonour Now am I plunged into that woe which I most feared Ah good God that I should live to see this which pierceth me to the very heart His mother hearing his pittiful complaints and seeing him drowned in tears for her sake began again to renew her strength in the Lord and with tears cryed out Oh Father of mercies be merciful to me miserable sinner and cover my transgression under the righteousnesse of thy blessed Son Lord enable me with strength from above to stand to my first confession and make me to abide stedfast therein even to my last breath Presently in came the seducers hoping to finde her in the same minde that they left her but she no sooner saw them but cryed Avoid Satan get thee behind me for henceforth thou hast nether part nor portion in me I will by the help of God stand to my first Confession and if I may not sign it with ink I will seal it with my blood and so after this time through Gods gracious assistance she grew stronger and stronger Then were they both condemned to be burnt alive and their ashes to be sprinkled in the aire When the sentence was passed as they returned to prison they said Now blessed be God who causeth us thus to triumph over our enemies This is the wished hour our gladsome day is come let us not therefore forget to be thankfull for that honour that God doth us in thus conforming us to the image of his Sonne Let us remember those that have troden this path before us for this is the high-way to the Kingdom of heaven c. Hereupon some of the Friars being ready to burst for anger said unto Martin that was most valiant We see now Heretick that thou art wholly possest body and soul with a Divel as were thy father and brother who are now in hell Martin answered As for your railings and cursings God will this day turn them into blessings in the sight of himself and all his holy Angels When they came into prison there came to them two persons of great quality of whom one of them said to Martin Young man I have compassion on thee if thou wilt be ruled by me and return to the Church of Rome thou shalt not only be freed from this shameful death but I will also give thee an hundred pounds Martin presently replyed Sir you present before me many temporal commodities But alas do you think me so simple as to forsake an eternal Kingdome for the enjoyment of a short temporal life No Sir it s now too late to speak to me of worldly commodities I will hearken to no other speech but of those spiritual commodities which I shall enjoy this day in Gods Kingdome c. Soon after Martin and his mother were carried to the place of their Martyrdome and being bound to the stake the woman said We are Christians and that which we now suffer is not for murther nor theft but because we will believe no more than the Word of God teacheth us The fire being kindled the heat of it did nothing abate the fervency of their seal but they continued crying Lord Jesus into thy hands we commend our spirits and so they blessedly slept in the Lord. A Friar at Gaunt called Charles Coninck being through Gods mercy converted to the truth left his Friars weed and joyned himself to the brethren for which he was apprehended and remaining constant was condemned then came a special friend perswading him to recant and he would procure him a Cannonship To whom Charles answered Sir I thank you for your good will and kind offer but I cannot accept them without offending God and that rest is no true rest and quietnesse which is obtained against the peace of a good conscience Shortly after his death one of his adversaries which had the greatest hand in procuring of it fell into grievous terrour and horrour of conscience whereof within a few dayes he died The Persecution of the Duke de Alva in the Netherlands WHen the light of the Gospel was much spread abroad in the Netherlands King Philip of Spaine sent the Duke de Alva with a great Army to root out the Professors of it who exercised unparalell'd cruelty against all sorts of persons both of the Nobility and Commons permitting his souldiers to ravish honest Matrons and Virgins many times causing their husbands and Parents to stand by and behold it This Duke on a time boasted at his own table that he had been diligent to root out heresie for that beside those which he had slain in war in the space of six years he had put into the hands of the common hangman above eighteen thousand persons His sonne also Don Frederick being sent by him to Zutphen was re-received by the Bourgers without any opposition yet was he no sooner entred but he fell to murther hang and drown a number of the inhabitants with infinite cruelties shewed upon wives and virgins yea not sparing the very infants From thence marching to Naerden in Holland the inhabitants made an agreement with him and he entred the town peaceably but never did Turks or Scythians or the most barbarous and inhumane Nations in the world commit more abominable cruelties than Don Frederick did in this town for when the Bourgers had given the best entertainment that they could to him and his souldiers he caused it to be proclaimed that they should all assemble themselves together in the Chappel of the Hospital where they should be made acquainted with such Laws according to which they should hereafter govern themselves but when these poor people were thus assembled he commanded his souldiers to murther them all without sparing any one the men were massacred the women were first ravished and then murthered most cruelly the children and infants had their throats cut and in some houses they tied the inhabitants to posts and then set fire on the houses and burnt them alive so that in the whole town neither man wife maid nor child old nor young were spared and then the town was wholly razed to the ground without pity or mercy After this Don Frederick besieged Harlem which held out against him for a long time
but at last their Provision being spent they made bread of Linseed of Turnups and lived upon the flesh of horses dogs cats and such like and this also in the end failing them they were enforced to surrender the town upon composition by which they were to pay two hundred and fourty thousand florins to redeem themselves and town from spoil Don Frederick having thus got the town into his hands commanded that at the tolling of the great bell all the Bourgers and Souldiers should bring their armes into the state-house that the townsmen should go into the Cloister of Zyel the women into the Cathedral Church and the souldiers into another Church this done all the Ensigne-bearers were singled out and imprisoned and whilst the poor Bourgers were guarded in the Church the perfidious Spaniards plundered their houses The next day this bloody Don Frederick caused three hundred Walloons to be hanged and headed the next day Captain Riperda and his Lieutenant were beheaded and a godly Minister called Stembach was hanged and two hundred fourty seven souldiers were drowned in the sea of Harlem the next day a great number were executed and the day following three hundred more Souldiers and Bourgers lost their heads and with them a godly Minister called Simon Simonson presently after three of the principal men lost their heads and shortly after all the English and Scots were beheaded and to fill up this sea of blood all the wounded and sick were beheaded before the Hospital door In the mean time a Party of souldiers that lay without in a sconce were all starved to death Not long before the strong town of Valenciennes in Henault having set up the free exercise of the reformed Religion amongst them were presently besieged by an army under the Signior of Noircarmes the siege lasted about three months and the Citizens having no hope of relief at last treated and surrendred the City upon good conditions but Noircarmes being entred he kept the City gates shut for divers dayes and most perfidiously and barbarously hanged up all the French souldiers with all the Ministers and Protestant Merchants and confiscated their goods But besides these generals let us also view some particulars Anno 1560. There was in Flanders one John Herwin a souldier of a very dissolute life but God having a purpose to shew him mercy put it into his heart to go into England and accordingly he came to London in the beginning of Queen Elizabeths reigne and by Gods good Providence was entertained in a Brewers family where both master and servants feared God His Master caused him often to go to the Dutch Church where by the Ministry of the Word he first began to tast and afterwards more and more to increase in the saving knowledge of Christ. After a while he returned back into Flanders and at Furne he was presently laid wait for by the Popish Bailiffe This occasioned his removal to Honscot and yet there also the Bailiffe being informed of him went in the night with his Sergeants and apprehended him By the way they met some drunkards in the streets whereupon the Bailiffe said We have as they say many Gospellers in this town but it little appears by these disorders Herwin hearing him said Is drunkennesse a sin Master Bailiffe The Bailiffe answered what of that Herwin replyed Why then do you not commit these men to prison seeing it is your office to punish vice and to protect them that fear God To this the Bailiffe answered not In the prison Herwin behaved himself so vertuously that every one admired him Being somewhat long before he was called before the Magistrate he was much troubled at it his heart being inflamed with an holy zeal to confesse Jesus Christ before his Judges Yet many of the brethren were very fearful of him considering what his former life had been and what a novice he as yet was in the Profession of the Gospel At last he had his hearts desire being brought before the Sheriffe there a Priest was provided to dispute with him to whose questions Herwin answered with such soundnesse of judgement and modesty that it easily appeared that he had profited well in Christs school Being asked of Christs real presence in the Sacrament he answered That the highest dwelleth not in Temples made with hands c. Whereupon he admonished his Judges to examine the doctrine of the Church of Rome by the true touchstone of Gods Word whereby they might easily see how contrary it is to the Scriptures c. And having made a free Profession of his faith he craved Justice one way or other but they still urged him to recant to which he answered My faith is not built upon mans opinion but the Lord hath taught me to eschew evil and to do good Then was he returned to prison again During his imprisonment he was dangerously assaulted by some subtile and cunning Friars who alledged the sayings of diverse of the Fathers to prove their transubstantiation but he through Gods mercy holding close to the Word of Christ overcame them In prison he used to recreate himself by singing of Psalms and the people used to flock together to the prison door to hear him This so angred the Popish Clergy that they sought to hinder him from singing and for this end they caused two desperate Malefactors to be put into the same room with him but within a few dayes these Villains brake prison and escaped leaving opportunity to Herwin to escape also but he fearing that his flight might be prejudicial to other godly persons in the City upon whom it would be charged resolved rather to remain there than to flie Presently after news was brought him that sentence of death was passed upon him whereupon he thanked God for advancing him to so high an honour as to be accounted worthy to suffer for his name Testifying the inward joy which he felt in his soul by a letter that he wrote to the brethren wherein he exhorted them to constancy and perseverance in the doctrine of the truth which they had received from God Within a few dayes after he was carried forth to hear his sentence at which time the Magistrate by earnest intreaties and large promises sought to bring him to a recantation and to worship their breaden God promising that thereupon he should be presently released but Herwin refusing their offer of life upon those termes was bound and carried into a Chappel where they celebrated the Masse at which time to shew his detestation of their idolatry he turned his back winked with his eyes and stopped his eares At the elevation of the Host one asked him if Jesus Christ was not now between the Priests hands To which he answered No he is in heaven at the right hand of his Father Then was the sentence of death read against him As he was going to
and shortly after three Suns appeared in the Heavens In the beginning of April Anno 1619. and Anno 1621. in March in the same Country of Austria were two Armies seen in the Heavens by clear day-light fighting furiously together with great thundering of Ordnance and Canons In the same Country Anno 1623. in the moneth of January just over the City of Lintz two swords were seen one over against the other and two great Armies fighting a pitched battel together which caused great terrour to the beholders At Heidleberg in February Anno 1622. were seen three Suns and three Rainbows Shortly after which that City was besieged by the Inperialists and at last taken where a grear slaughter was made of the Imhabitants and in Neckergemund three miles off all the inhabitants Men Women and Children were put to the sword In April Anno 1622. In the Country of Darmstad were trees whose leaves drop't blood and the year after in the same Country in divers Towns and Villages were seen bloody signes on Houses and stone-walls About Meyenfield and Malants as men were reaping their Corne their Hands and Sickles were all bloody In July Anno 1622. In the Dukedome of Wittemburgh it rained so much blood that it fell upon the hands and cloaths of people in the fields and was seen upon Trees Stones and other places May the twelfth Anno 1624. in the Dukedome of Anhalt there appeared a strange prodigie in the Heavens which continued from six till eight a clock at night First there came out of the clouds an Ancient-bearer After him came forth a grave man in the same habit then came forth a Chariot drawn with two particouloured Horses Then another Chariot with four armed Horses Then suddenly there brake out of the Clouds an infinite number of people like a swarm of Bees After them followed a man sitting on horseback with a long Robe putting the people before him A quarter of an houre after came forth another Army consisting of many horse and foot c. The two Armies fought till one of them was routed and presently after all vanished away Anno 1624. In May a strange tempest happened at Ratisbone The weather being very calme with little raine two dark clouds met together which suddenly belched out a great wind mingled with fire which raised such a tempest that near to the City it tore up trees by the roots and in a moment drave them into divers places and thence extending it self to the City it overturned above two hundred houses in the Towne and Suburbs not leaving a Chimney standing nor a roof to cover an house The Church of Emerans besides the shattered windows had one of the steeples laid flat to the ground and the other broke off in the middle two other of the chiefest steeples in the City were also broken down This tempest lasted not above a quarter of an hour nor extended beyond the City neither were there above four men slain by it Anno 1625. Near Troppash a great multitude of Jack-dawes met in the aire where they fought a great battel and that with so great eagernesse that many of them fell down dead so that the Countrey-men gathered up whole sackfuls of them Anno 1628. In Pomerland the heavens seemed to open and an Army came forth of the Northern part the Avauntguard consisting of Pioneres Musqueteres then followed great peeces of Ordnance and in the Reare came the Cavalry Another Army came forth on the other side and betwixt them there became a cruel battel The victory inclining to the Northern Army And at last a fiery beame followed upon the Northern Conquerour which continued for the space of some hours Anno 1631. At Hall in Saxony the water was turned into blood to the great astonishment of the inhabitants During the siege of Magdenburg a Captains wife being in travel when she could not be delivered and was near death she desired that when she was dead her body might be opened which being done there was found in her womb a boy almost as big as one of three years old with an head-piece and breastplate upon him great boots after the French fashion and a bag by his side with twoo things in it like musket bullets June the nineteenth Anno 1631. In the lower Saxony two great Armies appeared in the aire one in the North the other in the South which fought a great battel together After long fighting the Northern Army obtained the victory After the battel was ended there appeared a man in a long coat bearing a bow with which he shot at and overthrew the Commander of the Southern Army In the same Countrey a woman having bought a loafe of bread when she came home was dividing it and in the cutting of it there came forth blood Anno. 1633. In the Countrey of Altenburgh a fish-pond was turned into blood which stank so extreamly that if any Passengers did but touch it they could not wash off the stink thereof in three days space Anno 1634. At Berlin in Brandenburg it rained blood and brimstone Anno 1635. In Hessen there met two armies of strange birds which fought a set battel And not far off about that same time a multitude of dogs had their Randevouz which fought so eagerly that they would not be reconciled and when the Governour of a neighbour Garrison sent out four companies of Musqueteers against them they seeing a common enemy joyned together and in despight of their guns beat them away and devoured nine of them Here place the eighth Figure CHAP. XXXIII The Persecution of the Church in France which began Anno Christi 1524. ANno Christi 1209. There were certain learned men in France disciples of one Almericus at Paris whose names were Master William a sub-deacon of Poictiers well studied in the Arts and Divinity Bernard another sub-deacon William Goldsmith Steven a Priest Steven of the Seller and one John a Priest who upon examination held That God was no otherwise present in the Sacramental bread than in any other bread That it was Idolatry to build Altars to Saints or to cense their Images They mocked those that kissed the Reliques They said that the Pope was Antichrist and Rome Babylon That God was not seene in himself but by his creatures For which when they could not be drawn to recant they were condemned to be burnt at Paris which accordingly was executed Bzorius out of Caesarius And Almenneus who had been their Master had his body digged up in the Church-yard and was buried in the field And all French books of Divinity were for ever condemned and burned Anno Christi 1524. At Melden in France there was one John Clark who set up a Bill upon the Church-door against the Popes pardons lately come thither wherein he called the Pope Antichrist for which being apprehended he was adjudged three several days to be whipt then to have
horrible blasphemies they murthered him and then plundred his house About the Ramparts of the wall inhabited many of the Religion amongst whom all night was heard nothing but shooting of guns and pistols breaking open of doors fearful out-cries of the men women and children that were massacred trampling of horses rumbling of Carts that carried the dead bodies away and the cryings out of the murtherers that went up and down howling out Kill kill them all and then take the spoile This Massacre continued all the week long the bloody beasts crying out to those whom they murthered Where is now your God What is become of all your Prayers and Psalms now Let your God whom you call'd upon save you if he can Others sang in scorn to them the 43. Psalm Judge and revenge my cause O Lord. Others Have mercy on me O God c. Yet notwithstanding all these taunts the faithful died couragiously In this Massacre the Papists boasted that they had slain above twelve thousand men besides women and children some of them said eighteen thousand On Tuesday night some of these murtherers came and knocked at the door of a Doctor of the Civil Law and when he opened it to them they told him that he must die whereupon he fell to Prayer with such ardency and affection that they being amazed and over-ruled by a divine power only robbed him and went away The next day came some Scholars to his house desiring to see his Library which he shewed them then they asked some one book some another which he gave them yet they told him they were not satisfied but they must kill him whereupon betaking himself to prayer when he had done he desired them to kill him there which they refused forcing him out into the streets leading him by the schools and there he again desired them to kill him in that place where he had taught so long but they still refused and when they had led him a little farther they knockt him on the head Others meeting with an Apothecary who had brought Physick to a Patient cut off one of his armes and then had him forth into the market-place where they murthered him A Cook that had hid himself three dayes was at last through hunger forced to come forth and so was slain And to fulfil the measure of their cruelty such Protestants as through fear revolted to them they placed them in the fore-front of their companies putting weapons in their hands compelling them to give the first onset crying Smite them smite them are they not your holy brethren and sisters and if any refused they presently slew him In Lyons Mandolet Governour thereof hearing of the Massacre at Paris presently caused the City gates to be shut raised forces commanding them that if any of the Protestants came out of their houses though but with swords they should presently kill them but the Protestants seeing a storme coming which they knew could not arise without the special providence of God set themselves to bear it with invincible patience The day following if any of them did but go abroad about their necessary occasions they were presently clapt up in prison and when night came the murtherers entred their houses which they rifled and plundred and pretending to carry the Protestants to prison some they stabbed in the streets others they threw into the river whereof some were carried down the stream half a mile below the City by which means they escaped The day after Proclamation was made by sound of Trumpet that all of the Religion should appear at such a place to know the Kings pleasure concerning them many went but so soon as they came they were sent to several prisons and the night following every corner and part of the City was full of lamentable cries and shreekings partly of such as were massacred in their houses partly of such as were but half murthered and so haled to be thrown into the river and from that time there were such horrible murthers committed in the City as if the Divels in the likenesse of men ran roaring about to do mischief The Sabbath morning following those that had hitherto escaped massacring were then dispatched In the Arch-bishops house there were three hunded and fifty Prisoners shut up and a bloody crue of cutthroats were appointed to murther them to whom the keyes were delivered and they rushing into the great Court gave notice to the prisoners with a loud voice that they must die then having first taken all the Prisoners purses they fell upon them with barbarous cruelty hacking and hewing them in a furious manner so that within an hour and an half they were every one cut in pieces The prisoners were all slain with their eyes and hands lift up to heaven whilst their hands and fingers were cut off There was a Merchant called Francis de Bossu that had two sonnes the father seeing the horrible Massacres said to his sons Children we are not now to learn that it hath alwayes been the portion of believers to be hated persecuted and devoured by unbelievers as Christs sheep of ravening wolves if we suffer with Christ we shall also reign with him let not therefore these drawn swords terrifie us they will be but as a bridge whereby we shall passe to eternal life we have lived long enough amonst the wicked let us now go and live with our God let us joyfully go after this great company that is gone before us c. When he saw the murtherers come he clasped his armes about his two sons and they theirs about him as if they strove mutually to ward off the blows each from other who were afterwards found dead in these mutual imbraces The murtherers went up and down the City boasting that they had died their white doublets red in the blood of the Huguenots one bragging that he had killed an hundred and some more and some lesse when the people went into the Arch-bishops house and saw the slaughter that had been made there though they were Papists yet they said that surely they were not men but Devils in the habit of men that had done this The dead corpses were carried out and lay spread like dung upon the face of the earth and when they were about to throw them into the river an Apothecary told them that much money might be made of their grease whereupon all the fat bodies were sought out ripped up and their grease sold for three shillings a pound which being done after many jears bestowed upon the dead carcasses some were tumbled into a great pit others thrown into the river The Countries which lay below upon the river were amazed to see such multitudes of dead bodies to come down the streame some with their eyes pulled out others their noses eares and hands cut off stabbed into every part of their bodies so that some had no part of humane shape remaining Shortly after
blow at them One of the heads being a Ministers a woman struck so hard with her fist that the same night her hand grew black and blew and so rankled that she was lame of it a quarter of a year after Another woman that looked on those heads with much rejoycing presently after fell so distracted that neither night not day she could rest but cryed out continually that she saw those heads before her eyes One English Protestant saying that he would believe the Divel as soon as the Pope they presently hanged him up in an Apple Tree till he dyed A poor Protestant woman with her two children going to Kilkenny upon businesse these bloody miscreants baited them with Dogs stabbed them with skeins and pulled out the guts of one of the children whereby they dyed and not far off they took divers men women and children and hanged them up and one of the women being great with child they ripped up her belly as she hanged so that the child fell out in the cawle alive Some after they were hanged they drew up and down till their bowels were torn out How many thousands of Protestants were thus inhumanely murthered by sundry kinds of deaths in that one Province of Ulster we have heard before What the number of the slain was in the three other Provinces I find not upon Record but certainly it was very great for I finde these passages in a general Remonstrance of the distressed Protestants in the Province of Munster We may say they compare our woe to the saddest Parallel of any story Our Churches are demolished or which is worse profaned by Sacrifices to Idols our habitations are become ruinous heaps No quality age or sex priviledged from Massacres and lingring deaths by being robbed stript naked and so exposed to cold and famine The famished Infants of murdered Parents swarme in our streets and for want of food perish before our faces c. And all this cruelty that is exercised upon us we know not for what cause offence or seeming provocation its inflicted on us sin excepted saving that we were Protestants c. We can make it manifest that the depopulations in this Province of Munster do well near equal those of the whole Kingdome c. And thus in part we have heard of the mercilesse cruelties which the bloody Papists exercised towards the Protestants Let us now consider at least some of Gods judgements upon the Irish whereby he hath not left the innocent blood of his servants to be altogether unrevenged Some particular instances have been mentioned before as also the apparitions at Portendown Bridge which affrighted them from their habitations concerning which it is further testified that by their own confession the blood of those that were knocked on the head and then thrown into the River at that Bridge remained for a long time upon the stones and could not be washed away as also that ofttimes they saw apparitions sometimes of men sometimes of women rising breast-high above the water which did most extreamly screech and cry out for vengeance against the Irish that had murdered them there Catherine Coke testified upon oath that when the Irish had barbarously drowned one hundred and eighty Protestants men women and children at Portendown Bridge about nine days after she saw the apparition of a man bolt upright in the River standing breast-high with his hands lift up to heaven and continued in that posture from December to the end of Lent at which time some of the English Army passing that way saw it also after which it vanished away Elizabeth Price testified upon oath that she and other women whose husbands and children were drowned in that place hearing of these apparitions went thither one Evening at which time they saw one like a Woman rise out of the River breast-high her haire hanging down which with her skin was as white as snow often crying out Revenge Revenge Revenge which so affrighted them that they went their way Divers Protestants were thrown into the river of Belterbert and when any of them offered to swim to the Land they were knocked on the head with Poles after which their bodies were not seen of six weeks but after the end thereof the murtherers coming again that way the bodies came floating up to the very Bridge where they were Sir Con mac Gennis with his company slew Master Turge Minister of the Newry with divers other Protestants after which the said Mac Gennis was so affrighted with the apprehension of the said Master Turge his being continually in his presence that he commanded his souldiers not to slay any more of them but such as should be slain in battel A young woman being stript almost naked there came a Rogue to her bidding her give him her money or he would run her through with his Sword Her answer was You cannot kill me except God give you leave whereupon he ran three times at her naked body with his drawn Sword and yet never pierced her skin whereat he being confounded went his way and left her This was attested by divers women that were present and saw it But besides these forementioned judgements of God which befel them for their inhumane cruelties we may observe how the hand of God hath been out against them ever since and that in a special manner by emasculating and debasing of their spirits whereby it hath come to passe that ordinarily a few English Souldiers have chased multitudes of them and generally in all the battels and fights that have been betwixt them they have always been beaten though the ods was great of their side And as they made themselves formerly drunk with the innocent blood of the unresisting Protestants so now God hath given them their fill of blood in jealousie and fury Many thousands of them have perished by the Sword of War And how heavy hath the hand of God lain further upon them this present year 1650. in that terrible and universal plague that hath been scattered all over the Nation whereby many thousands more of them have perished and God is still fighting against and probably will continue their destruction till they either shall truly be humbled for their horrid sins or be utterly consumed from the face of the earth Amen Even so come Lord Jesus come quickly These particulars were attested upon Oath by sundry persons before Commissioners appointed to take their Examinations Here place the tenth Figure CHAP. XLI A continuation of the History of the Waldenses from the year 1560. ending with the late persecution in the Valleys in PIEMONT ANNO Christi 1561. the Duke of Savoy published an Edict in favour of the Evangelical Churches in the Vallies of Piemont wherein he granted an indemnitie to the people of the Vallies of Angrognia Bobio Villaro Valguicchiardo Rora Tagliaretto and La Rica di Boneti at the end of La Torre Saint Martino Perosa Roccapiatta and Saint Barthelemo from
afterwards she recovered so much strength as to get upon her knees and as she was praying to God the bloody enemy dispatched her Giovanni Salvagiot as he was returning from Bagnol after the peace was concluded as he passed by a Chappel because he put not off his hat and made obeysance thereto was murthered and his body left unburied Giovanni Gayo and divers other men women and children hid themselves in a Cave where for a time they continued in safety but at last were discovered by some of these Bloodhounds whereupon they fell upon their knees and begged their lives of them most of the murtherers having been their neighbours and familiar acquaintance and such as had pretended great friendship to them But the mercy of these men proved extreme cruelty For the kindest salute they could afford their old acquaintance was with Swords Musquets and Pistols which the poor people perceiving and not desiring to behold the lamentable misery each of other they kneeled down in a Ring and thrust their heads into Ferne and such like stuffe as they had prepared to lie upon in which posture they were all miserably shot to death and their dead bodies afterwards horribly mangled and cut in pieces Jacob Barral and his wife having been taken prisoners by the Earle of Saint Secondo were three or four dayes after carried forth and having first cut off the womans breasts they shot them to death Antony Guiguo went to Periero with a purpose to change his Religion but it pleased God so to touch his heart that he repented of the resolution and sought to make an escape But as he was flying some Troops of the Marquesse of Galeas caught him and used him most cruelly because he would not yield to go to Masse and as they carried him prisoner towards Praly passing by a Precipice the poor man to avoid his tormentors leaped down from the Rock and so was dashed in pieces Very many others there were which might here have been inserted whereof some were drowned some burnt some slaine with the sword some shot to death some starved some smothered in the Snow some pined some killed with staves some cut in pieces but I am weary with reckoning up their names and I suppose the Reader also is tired with these cruelties yet are their names written in red letters in the Kalender of Heaven though their Popish adversaries would have them written in the dust and whosoever desires to see more may finde a larger Catalogue in Master Moorlands History of the Peresecutions in the Valleys of Piemont CHAP. XLV A true Narrative of the War in the Valleys of Piemont between the Popish and Protestant party upon the occasion of the Massacre IN the former Chapter you have a faithful Narration of what cruelties were exercised against the Reformed party in the Valleys of Piemont from the first arrival of the Marquesse of Pianessa's forces at St. Giovanni which was April 17. 1655. to the 21. of the same by which time they had made such havock of the poor people that there was now onely the little Communalty of Roras which was left entire and untouched But that they also might in all things be made like unto their suffering brethren of the other Churches and that it might appear that the destruction was designed to be universal the Earle of Christophle upon that very day being April 21. sent three hundred Souldiers secretly by the way of Villaro to surprize them of Roras and to put them all to the sword This party being got upon a little hill called Rumer belonging to Roras it pleased God that they were met with by some Souldiers belonging to Captaine Joshua Gianavel whom God raised up at that time as a choice Instrument for the preservation of the poor scattered remnant of his people These Souldiers being but seven or eight of them yet having been beforehand placed in ambuscado at a convenient Post to prevent the inrode of the enemy they fired upon them and plyed them so hard that many of them were killed upon the place and the rest supposing by the great number of bullets that flew about their eares that the men in Ambuscado were sixe times more in number than indeed they were they fled back in great disorder and confusion which the others perceiving they fell upon their Rear and chased them at least three quarters of a League amongst the Rocks and Woods doing notable execution upon them in their flight The Members of this little Church of Roras to take away all occasions of exceptions presented their complaints to the Marquesse of Pianessa who that he might have the better opportunity to deceive and surprize them answered that those of his Souldiers that went to Roras were but Thieves Robbers and Out-lawes that herein had wholly disobeyed his Orders adding that they had done him a singular favour in driving them out of their Countrey and that he would take a course to prevent their being disturbed for the future and hereupon he published an Order whereby he straightly charged his Souldiers not to give them any further causes of complaints nor to molest them in any kind hereafter Yet perfidiously the very next day he sent a party of five hundred chosen men to put his first bloody designe in execution As these men were passing over a little hill of Roras they were so saluted by eleven Musqueteers of the Protestants and six men with slings under the conduct of Captaine Gianavel who had divided them into three Squadrons that the enemy was soone put to flight and this poor handful of despicable men pursued them for an whole League slaying a very great number of them without the losse or hurt of any one of themseves which shews the admirable Providence of God in preserving and prospering those that fight his battels The Marquesse of Pianessa though he had failed this second yet was resolved to make a third attempt and still to deceive them he made new promises and protestations that no injury in the world should be offered them and that in regard of the Intercession of the Earle of Christophle their Lord and Patron he would protect and defend them yet the very morrow after he sent a party of seven hundred men who first seized upon and secured all the passes that none might escape their bloody hands and then most barbarously burnt and destroyed whatsoever they met with thorow all the Communalty of Roras Hereupon seventeen housekeepers whose hearts God had marvelously strengthened and encouraged for their poor Brethrens preservation seeing what they must expect and that nothing but death and destruction waited for them unlesse some admirable providence prevented it as also calling to mind those signal deliverances which God had vouchsafed to his ancient people of the Jewes in their greatest straits they unanimously resolved to cast themselves with their lives and estates into the hands of the same God resting upon his gracious promises and freely
execution he said to the people See here how this wicked world rewards the poor servants of Jesus Christ whilst I was a drunkard a player at Cards and Dice living in all dissolutenesse and ungodly behaviour I was never in danger of these bonds yea I was then counted a good fellow and at that time Who but I But no sooner began I through Gods grace to seek after a godly life but presently the world made war upon me and became mine enemy c. yet this discourageth me not for the servant is not better than his Lord seeing they persecuted him no question but they will persecute us At the place of execution one gave him his hand and comforted him then began he to sing the 30. Psalm whereupon a Friar interrupted him saying Oh John turn there is yet time and space the Martyr disregarding his words turned his back upon him and some of the company said to the Friar Turn thou thou hypocrite and so Herwin quietly finished his Psalm many joyning with him in singing of it then said the Friar Be not offended good people to hear this Heretick to sing of God The people answered Hold thy peace thou Balaamite here is no body offended There were present at least four hundred that encouraged the Martyr to continue to the end as he had well begun To whom he answered Brethren I fight under the Standard and in the quarrel of my great Lord and Captain Jesus Christ. Then he prayed and so went into his Cabin made with fagots saying to the people I am now going to be sacrificed Follow you me when God of his goodnesse shall call you to it and so he was first strangled and then burnt to ashes Anno 1561. There was apprehended in Antwerp one John de Boscane who for his constancy in Religion was condemned to death But the Magistrate fearing an uproare if he should put him to death publickly knowing that he was a man free of speech and beloved of the people he resolved for this cause secretly to drown him in the prison and for this end a tub with water was provided and an Executioner sent to drown him but the water was so shallow and the Martyr so tall that he could not possibly be drowned therein whereupon the Executioner gave him many wounds and stabs with a dagger and so this holy Martyr ended his life About the same time another servant of Jesus Christ having made a bold Profession of his faith was in the same City sentenced to death and because they duâ—st not execute him publickly they privately sent and beheaded him in prison his name was John de Buisons The godly in this City of Antwerp being desirous to take all opportunities to meet together in the fear of God on a day when the Popish party was met to behold great triumphs they withdrew themselves out of the City and went into a Wood where their Minister preached the Word of God to them The Drosart of Marksem being advertised hereof took his officers and went thitherward by the way he met with some poor boyes that were cowherds to whom he promised new cloaths if if they would bring him to the place in the Wood where their assembly was which they undertaking he sent some of his officers along with them into the Wood who coming to the place like wolves the sheep of Christ began to flie the Minister seeing their fear admonished them not to stir The Persecutors were not above five or six and the persecuted four or five hundred so that they might easily have resisted them but they would not The officers chiefly aimed to apprehend the Minister and having caught one of the Assembly they thought him to be the man crying one to another Hold the Priest fast striking him with their Pistols and staves and so carried him to the Drosart they caught also two or three more which afterwards made an escape the man only that remained with the Drosart whose name was Bartholomew was often set upon to be turned aside from his holy Profession Why say they cannot such a young man as thou art content thy self with our Religion and glorious Church adorned with gold silver precious stones in which there is such melodious musick both of voices and instruments but thou must needs joyn thy self to that Church that is hated despised and exposed to all manner of contempt Bartholomew overcame all these tentations by the power of the Almighty saying That which is greatly esteemed amongst men is altogether abominable in the sight of God Then was he condemned and beheaded by which death he glorified God Anno 1568. There were apprehended in Antwerp one Scoblant John de Hues and Joris Coomans who being cast into prison were very oyful confessing that nothing befell them but by Gods divine Providence as they acknowledge in a letter which they wrote to the brethren wherein they thus write Seeing it is the will of God that we should suffer for his name and in the quarrel of his Gospel we certifie you dear brethren that we are joyful and however the flesh continually rebels against the spirit counselling ever and anon according to the advice of the old Serpent yet we are well assured that Christ who hath bruised will still bruise the Serpents head and not leave us comfortlesse we are indeed sometimes pricked in the heele yet we are not discouraged but keep our faith close to the promises of God c. Be not therefore dismayed for our bands and imprisonment for it is the good Will of God towards us and therefore we pray that he will give us grace to persevere constantly unto the end Shortly after Scoblant was brought to his trial where he made a good confession of his faith and so was condemned Returning to prison he earnestly requested the Jailor that he would not suffer the Friars to come and trouble him for said he they can do me no good seeing the Lord hath already sealed up the assurance of my salvation in my heart by his holy Spirit I am now going to my Spouse and putting off this earthly mantle to enter into his celestial glory where I shall be freed from all superstitions Would to God that I might be the last that these tyrants should put to death and that their thirst might be so quenched with my blood that the poor Church of Christ might henceforth enjoy rest and quiet When he was to go forth to execution he sung the fourtieth Psalme with his fellow prisoners then said the Lords Prayer and so kissing each other they commended one another unto God with many teares Being tied to the stake he was burned alive calling upon the name of the Lord. John Hues died in prison whereupon Joris wrote thus to his friends Brethren I am now left alone whereas we were three in number John Hues is now dead in the Lord and yet I am
if you make good your promise which we presume you will we our selves will not only serve you but we will procure all the Professors in Lothain to do the same c. These promises being made in the presence of God and hands being stricken by both parties the Earle took Master Wischard and so departed Master Wischard was carried to Edenburgh But gold and women easily corrupt fleshly men for the Cardinal gave Bothwel gold and the Queen that was too familiar with him promised him her favour if he would deliver Master Wischard into Edenburgh Castle which he did and shortly after he was delivered to the blood-thirsty Cardinal who seeing that it was forbidden by their Cannon Law for a Priest to sit as a Judge upon life and death he sent to the Governour requesting him to appoint some Lay-Judge to passe sentence of death upon Master Wischard The Governour would easily have yielded to his request but that David Hamilton a godly man told him that he could expect no better an end than Saul if he persecuted the truth which formerly he had professed c. Hereupon the Governour sent the Cardinal word that he would have no hand in shedding the blood of that good man The Cardinal being angry returned this answer that he had sent to him of meer Civility and that he would proceed without him and so to the great grief of the godly the Cardinal carried Master Wiseheart to Saint Andrews and put him into the Tower there and without any long delay he caused all the Bishops and other great Clergy-men to be called together to Saint Andrews Feb. ult 1546. Master Wischard was sent for to appear before them to give an account of his seditious and Heretical doctrine as they called it The Cardinal caused all his retinue to come armed to the place of their sitting which was the Abby-church whither when Master Wischard was brought there was a poor man lying at the door that asked his almes to whom he flung his purse when he came before the Cardinal there was a Dean appointed to preach whose Sermon being ended Wischard was put up into the Pulpit to hear his charge and one Lawder a Priest stood over against him and read a scrowle full of bitter accusations and curses so that the ignorant people thought that the earth would have opened and swallowed up Wischard quick but he stood with great patience without moving or once changing his countenance The Priest having ended his curses spat at Master Wischards face saying VVhat answerest thou thou Runnagate Traytor Thief c. Then did Master VVischard fall upon his knees making his prayer unto God after which he said Many and horrible sayings unto me a Christian man many words abominable for to hear have ye spoken here this day which not onely to teach but even to think I ever thought it a great abomination c. Then did he give them an account of his doctrine Answering every Article as farre as they would give him leave to speak But they without having any regard to his sober and godly answers presently condemned him to be burnt After which sentence he falling upon his knees said O immortal God how long wilt thou suffer the rage and great cruelty of the ungodly to exercise their fury upon thy servants which do further thy Word in this world whereas they on the contrary seek to destroy the truth whereby thou hast revealed thy self to the world c. O Lord we know certainly that thy true servants must needs suffer for thy names sake persecutions afflictions and troubles in this present world yet we desire that thou wouldest preserve and defend thy Church which thou hast chosen before the foundations of the world and give thy people grace to hear thy Word and to be thy true servants in this present life Then were the common people put out the Bishops not desiring that they should hear the innocent man speak and so they sent him again to the Castle till the fire should be made ready In the Castle came two Friars to him requiring him to make his Confession to them to whom he said I will make no confession to you but fetch me that man who preached even now and I will speak with him Then was the Sub-Prior with whom he conferred a pretty while till the Sub-prior wept who going to the Cardinal told him that he came not to intercede for Master Wischards life but to make known his innocency to all men at which words the Cardinal was very angry saying We knew long ago what you were The Captain of the Castle with some friends coming to Master Wischard asked him if he would break his fast with them yea said he very willingly for I know you be honest men In the mean time he desired them to hear him a little and so he discoursed to them about the Lords Supper his sufferings and death for us exhorting them to love one another laying aside all rancor and malice as becomes the members of Jesus Christ who continually intercedes for us to his Father Afterwards he gave thanks and blessing the bread and wine he took the bread and brake it giving it to every one saying eate this remember that Christ died for us and feed on it spiritually so taking the Cup he bade them remember that Christs blood was shed for them c. Then he gave thanks and prayed for them and so retired into his chamber Presently came two Executioners to him from the Cardinal one put on him a black linnen coat the other brought him bags of powder which they tied about several parts of his body and so they brought him forth to the place of execution over against which place the Castle windows were hung with rich hangings and Velvet Cushions laid for the Cardinal and Prelates who from thence fed their eyes with the torments of this innocent man The Cardinal fearing lest Wiseheart should be rescued by his friends caused all the Ordnance in the Castle to be bent against the place of his execution and commanded his gunners to stand ready all the time of his burning Then were his hands bound behind his back so he was carried forth In the way some beggars met him asking his alms for Gods sake To whom he said My hands are bound wherewith I was wont to give you almes but the merciful Lord who of his bounty and abundant grace feeds all men vouchsafe to give you necessaries both for your bodies and souls Then two Friars met him perswading him to pray to our Lady to mediate for him to whom he meekly said Cease tempt me not I entreat you and so with a rope about his neck and a chaine about his middle he was led to the fire then falling upon his knees he thrice repeated O thou Saviour of the world have mercy upon me Father of heaven I commend my spirit into thy holy hands
Then turning to the people he said Christian brethren and sisters I beseech you be not offended at the Word of God for the torments which you see prepared for me but I exhort you that ye love the Word of God for your salvation and suffer patiently and with a comfortable heart for the Words sake which is your undoubted salvation and everlasting comfort I pray you also shew my brethren and sisters which have often heard me that they cease not to learne the Word of God which I taught them according to the measure of grace given to me for no persecution or trouble in this world whatsoever and shew them that the doctrine was no old wives fables but the truth of God for if I had taught mens doctrine I had had greater thanks from men but for the Word of Gods sake I now suffer not sorrowfully but with a glad heart and minde For this cause I was sent that I should suffer this fire for Christs sake behold my face you shall not see me change my countenance I feare not the fire and if persecution come to you for the Words sake I pray you fear not them that can kill the body and have no power to hurt the soul c. Then he prayed for them which accused him saying I beseech thee father of heaven forgive them that have of ignorance or of an evil mind forged lies of me I forgive them with all my heart I beseech Christ to forgive them that have condemned me this day ignorantly Then turning to the people again he said I beseech you brethren exhort your Prelates to learn the Word of God that they may be ashamed to do evil and learn to do good or else there shall shortly come upon them the wrath of God which they shall not eschew Then the Executioner upon his knees said Sir I pray you forgive me for I am not the cause of your death and he calling him to him kissed his cheeks saying Lo here is a token that I forgive thee My heart do thine office and so he was tied to the stake and the fire kindled The Captain of the Castle coming near him bade him be of good courage and to beg for him the pardon of his sin to whom Master Wischard said This fire torments my body but no whit abates my spirits then looking towards the Cardinal he said He who in such state from that high place feeds his eyes with my torments within few dayes shall be hanged out at the same window to be seen with as much ignominie as he now leans there with pride and so his breath being stopped he was consumed by the fire This Prophesie was fulfilled when after the Cardinal was slain the Provost raising the Town came to the Castle gates crying What have you done with my Lord Cardinal Where is my Lord Cardinal To whom they within answered Return to your houses for he hath received his reward and will trouble the world no more But they still cryed We will never depart till we see him Then did the Leslies hang him out at that window to shew that he was dead and so the people departed But God left not the death of this holy man long unrevenged for the people did generally cry out of the cruelty used against him especially John Lesley brother to the Earle of Rothes and Norman Lesley his Cousin fell foul upon the Cardinal for it but he thought himself strong enough for all Scotland saying Tush a fig for the fools and a button for the bragging of Hereticks Is not the Lord Governour mine witnesse his eldest sonne for a pledge at my table Have I not the Queen at my devotion Is not France my friend why should I fear any danger yet he had laid a designe to cut off such as he feared and hated which was discovered after his death by letters and memorials found about him He kept himself for his greater security in his Castle and on a Friday night there came to the Town of Saint Andrews Norman Lesley William Kircaldy John Leslley and some others and on the Saturday morning they met together not far from the Castle waiting till the gate was opened and the draw-bridge let down for the receiving in some lime and sand to repair some decays about the Castle which being done Kircaldy with six more went to the Porter falling into discourse with him till the Leslies came also with some other company the Porter seeing them would have drawn up the Bridge but he was prevented and whilst he endeavoured to keep them out at the gate his head was broken and the Keys taken from him The Cardinal was asleep in bed for all night he had for his bedfellow Mistris Mary Ogleby who was a little before gone from him out at the Postern gate and therefore the Cardinal was gone to his rest There were about one hundred workmen in the Castle which seeing what was done cried out but without hurt they were turned out at the wicket gate Then VVilliam Kircaldy went to secure the Postern lest the Cardinal should make an escape that way The rest going to the Gentlemens chambers who were above fifty without hurting them they turned them all out at the gate They which undertook this enterprise were but eighteen men The Cardinal being awaked with the noise asked out at the window what was the matter Answer was made that Norman Lesley had taken his Castle Then did he attempt to have escaped by the Posterne but finding that to be kept he returned to his chamber and with the help of his Chamberlain fell to barrica-doing up the door with chests and such things Then came up John Lesley and bids open the door The Cardinal asked who was there He answered John Lesley The Cardinal said I will have Norman for he is my friend Content your self said the other with those that are here and so they fell to breaking open the door in the mean time the Cardinal hid a box of gold under some coales in a secret corner Then he said to them Will ye save my life John Lesley answered It may be that we will Nay said the Cardinal sweare unto me by Gods wounds that you will and then I will open the door then said John that which was said is unsaid and so he called for fire to burn down the door whereupon the door was opened and the Cardinal sate him down in his chair crying I am a Priest I am a Priest ye will not slay me Then John Lesley and another struck him once or twice But Master James Melvin a man that had been very familiar with Wischard and of a modest and gentle nature perceiving them both to be in choler plucked them back saying This work and judgement of God although it be secret ought to be done with great gravity And so presenting him the point of his sword he said Repent thee of thy former wicked life but especially