punishment for the truth which I have professed I esteem not of this world nor the treasures of it more than for my necessary uses and the rest to bestow in the propagation and maintenance of the Gospel And I beseech God daily upon my knees for my wife and children that they may all continue in this quarrel even to the death And when he came to his execution he patiently and comfortably slept in the Lord. At the same time there was also brought forth one John Gonsalvo formerly a Priest but by his diligent study of the Scripture it pleased God to reveal his truth to him so that he became a zealous Preacher of it labouring in all his Sermons to beat into mens minds the true way and means of our Justification to consist in Christ alone and in stedfast faith in him for which he was apprehended and cast into prison where he endured all their cruely with a Christian courage At last with two of his Sisters he was condemned His mother and one of his brothers were also imprisoned with him for the truth and executed shortly after When he with his sisters went out at the Castle gate having his tongue at liberty he began to sing the 106. Psalm before all the People who had oft heard him make many godly Sermons He also condemned all hypocrites as the worst sort of People Whereupon they stocked his tongue Upon the stage he never changed countenance nor was at all daunted When they all came to the stake they had their tongues loosed and were commanded to say their Creed which they did chearfully when they came to those words The holy Catholick Church They were commanded to adde Of Rome but that they all refused whereupon their necks were broken in a trice and then 't was noised abroad that they had added those words and died confessing the Church of Rome to be the true Catholick Church There was in Sivil a private Congregation of Gods people most of which the Inquisitors consumed in the fire as they could discover any of them amongst others that were apprehended they took four women famous above the rest for their holy and godly conversation but especially the youngest of them who was not above one and twenty years old who by her diligent and frequent reading of the Scriptures and by conference with godly and learned men had attained to a very great measure of knowledge so that whilst she was in Prison she non-plus'd and put to shame many of those Friars that came to seduce her Another of these women was a grave Matron whose house was a School of vertue and a place where the Saints used to meet serve God day and night but the time being come wherein they were ripe for God they together with other of their neighbours were apprehended and cast into prison where they were kept in dark dungeons and forced to endure all the cruel and extream torments which are before mentioned At last they were condemned and brought forth to the scaffold amongst other Prisoners The young maid especially came with a merry and cheerful countenance as it were triumphing over the Inquisitors and having her tongue at liberty she began to sing Psalms to God whereupon the Inquisitors caused her tongue to be nipped by setting a Barnacle upon it After sentence read they were carried to the place of execution where with much constancy and courage they ended their lives Yet the Inquisitors not satisfied herewith caused the house of the Matron where the Church used to meet to be pulled down and the ground to be laid waste and a pillar to be erected upon it with an inscription shewing the cause There was also apprehended another worthy member of the same Congregation called Ferdinando he was of a fervent spirit and very zealous in doing good A young man but for integrity of life very famous He had spent eight years in educating of youth and had endeavoured to sow the seeds of Piety in the hearts of his Scholars as much as lay in him to do in a time of so great persecution and tyranny being at the last apprehended for a Lutheran he was cast into prison and terribly tormented upon the Jeobit and in the Trough whereby he was so shaken in every joynt that when he was taken down he was not able to move any part of his body yet did those cruel tormentors draw him by the heels into his prison as if he had been a dead dog But notwithstanding all his torments he answered the Inquisitors very stoutly and would not yield to them one jot During his imprisonment God used him as an instrument to recal and confirme a Monk who had been cast into prison for confessing the Gospel openly But by means of the Inquisitors flatteries and fair promises he had somewhat relented Gods Providence so ordering it that Ferdinando was cast into the same prison and finding the Monk wavering he rebuked him sharply and afterwards having drawn him to a sight of and sorrow for his sinne he at last strengthned him in the promises of free grace and mercy Hereupon the Monk desired a day of hearing where before the Inquisitors he solemnly renounced his recantation desiring that his former confession might stand whereupon the sentence of death passed against them both after which the Inquisitors asked Ferdinando whether he would revoke his former heresies to which he answered That he had professed nothing but what was agreeable to the pure and perfect Word of God and ought to be the profession of every Christian man and therefore he would stick to it to the death Then did they clap a Barnacle upon his tongue and so they were burned together There was also one Juliano called The little because he was of a small and weak body who going into Germany was there conversant with divers learned and godly men by which means he attained to the knowledge of the truth and became a zealous Professor of it and earnestly longing after the salvation of his Countreymen he undertook a very dangerous work which was to convey two great dry Fat 's full of Bibles printed in Spanish into his own Countrey In this attempt he had much cause of fear the Inquisitors had so stopped every Port and kept such strict watch to prevent the coming in of all such commodities but through Gods mighty protection he brought his burden safely thither and which was almost miraculous he conveyed them safe into Sivil notwithstanding the busie searchers and catch-poles that watched in every corner These Bibles being dispersed were most joyfully and thankfully received and through Gods blessing wrought wonderfully amongst Gods people to ripen them against the time of harvest But at last the matter broke out by the means of a false brother who going to the Inquisitors played the Judas and betrayed the whole Church to them So that there
to the charge of the Christians by the Persecutors were that they refused to worship Idols and the Emperors and that they professed the name of Christ Yet besides all the calamities and evils that happened in the world as wars famine pestilence c. were imputed only to the Christians But Cyprian and Tertullian confuting those slanders proved that the special cause of all those miseries which befell the Empire proceeded from the cruel shedding of the innocent blood of the Christians In this persecution Cyprian was at last condemned to have his head cut off who patiently and willingly submitted his neck to the stroak of the sword Also about this time Sixtus Bishop of Rome with his six Deacons were accused for being Christians whereupon being brought to the place of Execution they were all beheaded Laurence also another of his Deacons following Sixtus as he went to his Execution complained that he might not suffer with him but that he was secluded as the son from the father To whom the Bishop answered that within three days he should follow him bidding him in the mean time to go home and if he had any treasures to distribute them amongst the poor The Judge hearing mention of treasures supposing that Laurence had great store in his custody commanded him to bring the same to him Laurence craved three days respite promising then to declare where the treasure might be had In the mean time he caused a good number of poor Christians to be gathered together and when the day of his answer was come the persecutor strictly charged him to make good his promise then valiant Laurence stretching out his arms over the poor said These are the precious treasures of the Church these are the treasure indeed in whom Christ hath his mansion c. But oh what tongue is able to express the fury and madness of the Tyrants heart how he stamped stared ramped and fared like one out of his wits his eyes glowed like fire his mouth foamed like a boar like a hell-hound he grinded his teeth then he cryed kindle the fire make no spare of wood hath this Villain deluded the Emperor away with him whip him with scourges jerk him with rods buffet him with fists brain him with clubs Jesteth the Traitor with the Emperor pinch him with fiery tongs gird him with burning plates bring out the strongest chains and fire-forks and the grate of Iron set it on the fire bind the Rebell hand and foot and when the grate is red hot on with him rost him broil him toss him turn him upon pain of our high displeasure do every man his Office O ye tormentors Immediately his command was obeyed and after many cruel handlings this meek lamb was laid I will not say upon a bed of fiery iron but on a soft down-bed so mightily God wrought for his servant so miraculosly did he temper this Element of fire that it was not a bed of consuming pain but of nourishing rest unto Laurence Not Laurence but the Emperor seemed to be tormented the one broiling in the flesh the other burning in his heart when this triumphant Martyr had been pressed down with fire-forks for a great space in the mighty Spirit of God he spake to the Tyrant thus This side is now rosted enough turn up O Tyrant great Assay whether rosted or raw thou think'st the better meat By the constant confession of this worthy and valiant Deacon a Roman souldier was converted to the same faith and desired to be baptized whereupon he was called before the Judge scourged and afterwards beheaded About the same time Dionysius Bishop of Alexandria with his three Deacons were brought before Emilianus who told them of the clemency of the Emperor and therefore required them to sacrifice to his gods c. to whom Dionysius answered Divers men worship divers gods but we only that one God who is the Creator of all things making our prayers to him uncessantly for the health of the Emperor c. Then said the President Why can you not worship your own God and ours also Dionysius replied We worship only one God as we have said the President said I see you are ingratefull persons and regard not the Emperors clemency therefore I banish you to Cephro in Lybia and charge you that you convent no more your assemblies nor be found out of that place at your peril and though Dionysius was sick yet would he not grant him one days respite before his departrue In Cephro he had a great Congregation as well of those that followed him in his banishment as of others that resorted to him out of Egypt yea though at first he was persecuted there and stoned yet afterwards a great number of the Inhabitants forsook their Idols and were converted unto God by his Ministry and having accomplished his Ministry there the Lord removed him to another place For saith Dionysius Emilianus translated us from thence to a sharper place of Lybia commanding us to meet all together at the City Mareota intending to separate us into several villages or rather to take us by the way when we came thither I was commanded to Colluthion a place which I had never heard of yet was it some solace to me that the brethren told me it was near to the City Paretonium for as my being at Cephro gat me the acquaintance of many brethren of Egypt so I hoped that the vicinity of that place to the City might procure me the concourse of certain loving brethren from it as it came also to pass c. He writeth moreover that the number of those which suffered Martyrdom about that time was great men women young men maidens old wives souldiers and men of all sorts and ages of whom some with scourgings and fire and some with the sword obtained the victory and gat the Crown Neither saith he to this day doth the President cease cruelly murthering such as be brought before him tearing some with torments imprisoning others and commanding that no man should come to them yet God with the daily resort of the brethren doth comfort the afflicted In Palestine Priscus Malchus and Alexander three godly men seeing the valiant courage of the Christians so boldly to venture constantly to stand and patiently to suffer in this persecution as grieved with themselves began to accuse their own sluggishness and cowardise to see others so zealovs and valiant and themselves so cold and faint-hearted in labouring for the Crown of Martyrdom whereupon agreeing amongst themselves they came to Caesarea and stepping to the Judge they declared themselves to be Christians and so they were sentenced and given to the wild beasts A certain woman also in the same place formerly a Marcionist being brought before the President obtained the same Martyrdom In Carthage three hundred Christians being brought before the President were put to their choice either to offer sacrifice or
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
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
the President of the Huguenots Shortly after came thither the Duke de Monpensier who caused gibbets wheels and stakes to be set up whereupon many more especially of the richer sort were murthered to the number of some hundreds when they put any man or woman to death they entred their houses murthered their children and took all their goods A poor woman whose husband was a little before drowned having a young infant sucking at her breasts and a beautiful daughter of about sixteen years old in her hand These bloody villains drew them to the River there the woman on her knees prayed ardently unto God then took her infant and shifting it in the Sun laid it upon the grasse In the mean while this hellish Rabble endeavoured partly by threats partly by fair promises to seduce the young maid and one of them finer then the rest promised to marry her if she would do it so that the poor wench stood in a disway which her mother perceiving who was now ready to be thrown into the River she earnestly exhorted her daughter to persist in the truth the daughter hereupon cryed out I will live and die with my Mother whom I know to be a vertuous woman as for your threats and promises I regard them not do with me what you please The mother was not yet dead when they threw in the daughter after her where making towards her mother they mutually embraced each other and so yielded up their souls into the hands of God Also in the same City there was a godly Matron called Glee who was carried before the Captain where she gave a reason of her Faith and confirmed it by evident testimonies of Scripture She dispuited also with some Friars whom she so silenced that they had nothing to say but that she was in a damnable condition It seems so indeed saith she being in your hands But I have a God that will not faile nor forsake me c. Then was she committed to prison where she was much sollicited to recant but all in vain for she spake her mind freely and comforted the prisoners which were in the same Prison for Religion News being brought her that she was condemned to be hanged when the rope was put about her neck she kneeled down praising and magnifying the name of God in that he shewed her such mercy as by this death to deliver her out of the troubles of this wretched world as also for that it pleased the Lord to honor her so far as to die for his truth and to wear his livery meaning the halter Then she brake her fast with the rest of the company and giving thanks to God she exhorted them to be of good courage and to trust to the end in his free mercy c. As she went to execution a Kinswoman met her with her little children perswading her to recant telling her that thereby she might preserve her life and see those her Babes provided for This meeting wrought so upon her motherly affection as made her shed plenty of tears but presently taking new courage she said I love my children dearly yet neither for love to them nor for any thing else in the world will I renounce my God or his truth God will be a Father to these my children and will provide better for them then I could have done and therefore to his providence and protection I commend and leave them At the place of execution having prayed to and praised God with a chearful heart and voice she quietly resigned up her spirit unto God The Duke de Aumale in Normandy took Pontea de Mer by subtilty where he used all kinds of cruelty especially against the Minister Master Brione Shortly after Roan was besieged and two Forts taken wherein they put all to the sword the Queen-mother in an impudent manner leading the King who was but twelve years old to shew him the naked bodies of the women weltring in their own blood After divers assaults the City of Roan was taken wherein the Kings souldiers used all kinds of monstrous cruelty massacring all they met many English and Scots souldiers were hanged the sick and wounded were cast into the river Divers Ministers were retreated into a strong Tower which they yielded upon promise of safety but contrary therereto they were cast into prison Augustine Marlorat with three Counsellors were condemned to be hanged which was presently executed with many opprobrious speeches against Marlorat The sackage of this Town lasted foure moneths together in which space divers were executed In Valougnes divers persons of good quality were massacred and the houses of the Protestants were filled with souldiers that did what they listed therein Amongst other outrages they slew a godly Minister called Monsieur de Valougnes whose body they stripped naked dragd it up and down his house with many scorns and jears at last bringing it into the chamber where he used to preach to his people they spurned his corpse saying Now pray to God and preach if thou canst The Priests that were present stuffed his mouth and wounds with the leaves of his Bible saying to him Preach the truth of thy God and call upon him now to help thee In Vire as they came from a Sermon some were slain some stoned and a while after many were put to the sword In and about Agen Monluc killed and massacred many two young children were roasted In the Castle of Reime Monluc used great cruelty against those of the Religion sparing none but murthering young children in their mothers armes and then killing the mothers some other women they reserved for their lust which they so abused that saith mine Author I abhorre to write it Above five hundred men were hanged upon gibbets amongst whom was a grave Counsellor in his long gown and square cap. One poor man they cut and mangled in several parts of his body filling all his wounds with salt In the City of Blois there was a godly woman called Nichola at whose house some holy people used to meet to pray and confer together for their mutual edification and comfort The murtherers hearing of it came rushing in thinking to have found a Minister preaching but being disappointed in their expectations they dragged these good women out by the haire of the head loaded them with many stripes and then threw them into the river but behold a singular Providence God so endowed them with strength and skill that they swam safely to an Island yet after a while some watermen finding them there they stript them stark naked and threw them again into the river yet they still sought to save themselves by swimming and coming at last to the Suburbs of Vienne they were there most cruelly knocked on the head by the bloody Papists Monluc having defeated a party of the Protestants under Monsieur Duras he took divers Prisoners most of which he hanged