A Breviary of All the Greatest Persecutions, Part 3 – Title page 2

A Breviary of All the Greatest Persecutions · Part 3 – Title page 2

p. 64THE Perſecution of the Church Under the PAPACY.

SECT. XX.

The Perſecution of the Waldenſes, which began Anno Chriſti 1160.

WHen the black cloak of Popery was hurl'd

Upon the ſhoulders of the chriſtian world,

The ſaints ſtill labour'd to diſpel away

Thoſe ſhades Cimmerian, and reveal the day

With truth's bright luſtre; and withall deveſt

The Roman glory. One among the reſt,

A learn'd and godly man at Lions, whoſe name

Was Peter Valdo, much oppos'd the ſame;

Declaring plainly Tranſubſtantiation

To be no better then an Innovation:

He mov'd the cred'lous people to embrace

The precious offers of the means of grace.

They which unto his Doctrine gave reſpect,

From him were called the Waldenſian Sect:

p. 65Which like a Snow-ball rowling down a hill,

Decreaſed nothing, but increaſed ſtill.

Though ev'ry day and hour the Martyrs bleed,

Yet is the Martyrs blood the Churches ſeed.

This her'ſy in a thouſand Citys ſwarms,

Maintaining ſeventy thouſand men of arms:

Nor could the popiſh Canons, Conſtitutions,

Curſes, Decrees, alter their reſolutions:

To ſuffer wrong, in body, goods, or name,

For Chriſt his ſake, was counted not a ſhame.

Valdo yet ſtill proceeds (nor can he hope

Long life) to publiſh to the world, the Pope

Is Antichriſt; the Maſs abominable;

The Hoſt an Idol; Purgator' a fable.

Pope Innocent the third,Anno 1198 did authorize

Monkiſh Inquiſitors for to ſurprize

Theſe Her'ticks (as he call'd them) by proceſs,

That ſo the ſec'lar power might them ſuppreſs,

Is any rich, the inquis'cors had a trick

To make him poor, Oh he's an Heretick,

Let him have ſuch a death; no power controul'd

Or curb'd them in; but what they would, they would.

If any, water, or a pad of ſtraw,

Gave to the Saints, he was condemn'd by law.

If any advocate, aſſaid to plead

His kinſmans cauſe an Action indeed!

And if an Heir, his father that way leans,

And that's enough to rob him of his means.

Nay, for to keep the people in more aw,

They priſoners do in their proceſſions draw

Triumphantly; injoyning them to vex

And ſcourge themſelves; with ropes about their necks,

A torch in either hand, others along

Muſt paſs, to terrify the gazing throng.

p. 66Beſides all theſe, they have a thouſand Querks;

They ſend cut ſome to fight againſt the Turks

And Infidels; (no need to ſeek for heires)

Their houſes, goods, and chattels, all are theirs.

At their return, if any ask'd their wives

VVho lay with them? They 'ndangered their lives.

The foes confeſs'd, they had not wherewithall

To build up priſons for th' accuſed all:

And yet for all this perſecution, there

Above eight hundred thouſand Chriſtians were.Anno 1260.

The faith encreas'd, and with a proſp'rous gale

Clim'd o're the Alps came to Pragela's vale;

From thence the people bordered upon

St. Martin, Piedmont, La Perouſe Angrogne.

Wander there did innumerable flocks

Upon the craggy cliffs, and algid rocks.

Above three thouſand being hid in caves,

VVere ſtifled by theſe marble-hearted ſlaves.

The poor Waldenſes by their pray'rs and tears

Oft mov'd the Lord to free them from their fears.

Two horſemen flying, cry'd, They come, they come;

Another while, the beating of a drum

Cauſed their foes retreat: which ſtones, and ſlings,

They thouſands kill'd at ſeveral skirmiſhings.

Thus God for his deſpiſed Saints did fight.

A handful putting num'rous foes to flight.

But when the godleſs party overcame,

They did commit their captives to the flame,

Or hang'd them up, or cut them out in quarters;

All which diſcourag'd not the glorious Martyrs.

Through the induſtrious Waldenſes toil,

Abundant ſtore of Corn, and VVine, and Oil,

Enrich'd Calabria; And God did bleſs

Their pains in Provence, with the like ſucceſs.

p. 67At laſt when freely they the Goſpels worth

Began to publiſh, Pope Pins the fourth

Diſturbing them, they left behinde their goods,

VVith wives and children flying into th' woods;

But were purſu'd; ſome ſlain and others wounded,

Some famine-pined ſouls in caves were found dead,

And they that were of St. Xiſt and la Garde,

VVere rack'd, ſtrip'd whip'd nor old nor young was

Panza ſlays eighty, and ſtakes up their joynts (ſpar'd

For thirty miles together; he appoints

A quarter to each ſtake, Merindol Town

VVas razed by Opede, and batter'd down,

The Cabrierians brought into a field,

VVere hack'd to pieces cauſe they would not yield,

And in a barn repleniſhed with ſtraw

VVomen were fir'd. Opede himſelf did draw

Young Infants from their mothers …ip'd-up bellies;

His men kill'd them of Aix and Marſeilles;

Some two and two, together bound, they ſlew

And boots of ſcalding oil (O cruell) drew

On others legs, But heav'n at laſt decreed

A woful end, to that accurs'd Opede.

The Waldenſes, which into Albs came,

Of Albigenſes thence receiv'd the name,

Pope Al'xander the third, his wrath did ſmoke

When they ſhook off his Antichriſtian yoke;

He them condemn'd as Het'ticks, yet they ſpred,

And many potent Towns inhabited:

Nay many Lords, and Earls, did with them ſide,

Againſt the Pope, and conſtantly deny'd

The Romiſh faith, and reſolutely ſpake

Their willingneſs to ſuffer for Chriſts ſake.

Beziers was ſtormed by the Pilgrim train,

And in it ſixty thouſand perſons ſlain.

p. 68The Legat ſaies, Souldiers kill old and young,

For why? God knoweth thoſe to him belong.

The Catholicks beſieg'd and batter'd down

On the inhab'tants heads Carcaſſon Town.

When Baron Caſtle was ſurpriz'd, th' enclos'd

Of th' Albigenſes were diſey'd, diſnos'd,

Then ſent to Cab'ret with an one-ey'd guide.

Yet ſtill like gold that's in a furnace tri'd,

The Saints, appear'd; their ſparkling zeal like fire

Blown by afflictions bellows, blaz'd the higher.

Now Luther roſe, the Antichriſtian terror,

And thoſe that were ſeduc'd, reduc'd from error.

SECT. XXI.

The Perſecution of the Church of God in Bohemia, which began Anno Chriſti 894.

BOrivojus, Duke of Bohemia,

Entring the confines of Moravia,

By a ſtrange providence was Chriſtianiz'd,

And with him thirty Pal'tines were baptiz'd.

At his return, he raiſed from the ground

Churches, and Schools; and all the Country round

Flock'd thither: many of the Noble race,

As well as Commons, did the Truth embrace.

Malicious Satan env'ing the progreſs

The Goſpel made, gainſt thoſe that it profeſs

Rais'd perſecution up: Borivojus

Is ſent into exile. Sanguineous

Drahomira' the Chriſtian temples locks,

Forbidding Miniſters to tend their flocks;

p. 69And in the ſilent night, three hundred lives

Pay'd tribute to the bloody cut-throats knives.

But Gods juſt Judgement, Drahomira follow'd,

The opening earth, her and her Cart up ſwallow'd.

The Popiſh party having got the day,

Did all the obvious Bohemians ſlay.

At Cuttenburge four Thouſand ſouls were thrown

Into the Metal-Mines; O hearts of ſtone!

The Prieſts cry out, Blow out, good people, blow

Theſe ſparks, before into a flame they grow:

Water is us'd; the more they did endeavour

To drown the Saints, they flamed more then ever:

Many are ſcourg'd, ſome ſent into exile.

Two German Merchants brought unto the pile,

Exceedingly encourag'd one another:

One ſayes, Since Chriſt hath ſuffered (dear brother)

For wretched us, let's do the ſame likewiſe

For him; and ſuch a high-bred ſavour prize,

That we are counted worthy ſo to die

For his ſweet ſake: the other did reply,

The joy that in my Marriage-day I found,

Was ſmall to this; O this doth more abound!

Both cry'd aloud, (the Faggots ſet on fire)

Bleſt Chriſt, thou in thy torments didſt deſire

Thine en'mies peace; the like we alſo crave:

Forgive the King; let not the Clergy have:

Thy ſcalding vengeance; O forbear to plague

The poor miſled inhabitants of Prague:

O be thou pleas'd to let them Scot-free go:

For Ah! poor ſouls, they know not what they do;

Their hands are full of blood: they pray'd and wept;

And wept and pray'd, till in the Lord they ſlept.

On Noble-men intolerable Fines

Were laid; two hundred eminent Divines

p. 70Are exil'd; ſome are burned; others brain'd;

Some ſhot to death; with blood the earth's deſtain'd.

The Martyrs one by one, that were in hold,

Are called forth; who reſolutely bold

Haſt to their ſufferings, with as great content,

As if they had unto a banquet went.

When one was called for, he thus expreſt

Himſelf, in taking leave of all the reſt:

Farewel, dear friends, Farewel; the Lord ſupport

Your ſpirits, that you may maintain the fort

Againſt the common foe; and make you ſtout,

And reſolute to keep all batt'ry out;

That what you lately with your mouths profeſt,

You may by your ſo glorious death atteſt.

Behold, I lead the way, that I may ſee

My Saviours glory; you will follow me

To the fruition of my fathers ſight.

O how my ſoul is raviſh'd with delight!

This very hour all ſorrow bids, adieu

To my glad heart: O now my joyes renew:

Tranſcendent joyes! heaven and eternity

Is mine, is mine. Then did the reſt reply,

God go along with you: O heaven we pray

Aſſiſt thy ſervant, in his thorn-pav'd way.

O may the willing Angells come to meet

Thy obvious body, and direct thy feet

Into thine, and our Fathers Manſion:

Go, go, dear brother go; and we anon

Shall follow after, and be all receiv'd

To bliſs through Chriſt in whom we have believ'd.

Farewel, farewel; let equal joyes betide

To us that follow, and to you our guide.

Firſt the Lord Schlick, a man as wiſe as grave,

Condemned to be quarter'd, did behave

p. 71Himſelf moſt gallantly, and ſaid, My doom

Me pleaſeth well, what care I for a Tombe?

A Sepulchre is but an eaſie loſs;

Fear death? not I: welcom my crown, my croſs:

Let, let theſe limbs be ſcatter'd here and there;

I have Gods favour, and I do not fear

The worſt that foes can do: ſee how the Sun

Diſplaies his ſhining beams. Jeſuites be gon,

And build not Caſtles in the empty air,

For I dare die for Chriſt; I that I dare.

Be pleas'd, bleſt Jeſus, thorough deaths dark night,

To Manu-duct me to eternal light;

Eternal light! O what a happy ſound

That word reports! my ſoul, at a rebound

Catch heaven, catch heaven: no ſooner had he ſpoke,

But he ſubmitted to the fatal ſtroke:

His right hand, and his head (lop'd off his ſhoulders)

Are hung on high, to terrify beholders.

The Lord Wenceſlaus, ſeventy years old,

B'ing next, was asked, why he was ſo bold

In Fred'ricks cauſe: he ſaid, My conſcience run

Along with me; and what is done, is done.

My God, lo here I am, diſpoſe of me,

Thine aged ſervant, as beſt pleaſeth thee:

O ſend that grim-look'd meſſenger, that ſtaies

For none, to end theſe miſerable dayes;

May I not ſee the ruines that do wait

Upon our ſinking, our declining State.

Behold this Book; my Paradiſe was never

So cordial as now: Judges, perſever

In ſucking Chriſtian blood; but know, Gods ire

Shall ſmoak you for't. Up ſtarts a cowled Fryer,

And ſaid, Your Judgement errs. With this reply,

He anſwer'd him, I on the truth rely,

p. 72And not on bare opinion; Chriſt's the Way,

The Truth, the Life; in him I cannot ſtray.

Then ſtroaking his prolixed beard, he ſaid,

My gray hairs honour ſerves you: having pray'd,

And giv'n his ſoul to Chriſt his Saviour,

His cut-off head was fixed on the Tower.

Lord Harant next was call'd, who bravely ſaid,

I've travell'd far, and many journeys made

Through barb'rous countries and eſcaped dangers

By ſea and land▪ yet was my life by ſtrangers

Surrepted not; b'ing ſafe returned home,

My friends and Country-men my foes become:

For whom I, and my Grandſires have let fall

And waſted our eſtates, our lives and all.

Forgive them father; I O Lord have grounded

My faith in thee; let me not be confounded.

Then on the Scaffold thus: O Lord, I give

My ſpir't into thine hands; in hope to live

By Chriſt his death, according to thy word:

And ſo he yielded to the murth'rous ſword.

Sir Caſpar Kaplitz, eighty ſix years old,

Said to the Miniſter, Behold behold

Me a decrepit wretch, whoſe frequent pray'rs

Have beg'd deliverance from this vale of tears;

But all in vaine: for to be gaz'd upon

By the worlds eyes I'm kept; God's will be done,

Not mine; my death to mortal eyes may ſeem

Diſgraceful, but 'tis rich in Gods eſteem.

Oh Lord my God my trembling feet ſupport,

For fear my ſudden fall occaſion ſport

To my obſerving foes. The Miniſter

(Perceiving that the excutioner

Could not perform his office as he meant,

His crookedneſs b'ing an impediment)

p. 73Beſpake him thus; My Noble Lord, as you

Commended have your ſoul to Chriſt, ſo now

Advance your hoary head to God: he try'd

What he could do: his head ſtruck off, he dy'd.

Then the Lord Oito, a judicious man,

Having receiv'd the ſentence, thus began:

And do you then, O Caeſar ſtill think good

For to ſtabilitate your throne with blood?

Can God be pleas'd with this? ſay Tyrant ſay:

How will you anſwer't at that dreadful day?

Kill this my body; do, let my blood fill

Your veins; diſperſe my members where you will;

Yet this is my belief, My loving father

Will be ſo pleas'd as them together gather,

And cloath them with their skin; theſe very eyes

Shall ſee my Lord, where e're my body lies:

Theſe ears ſhall hear him; and this very tongue

Ring peals of joy; his praiſes ſhall be ſung

By this ſame heart of mine. I muſt confeſs,

I was perplex'd at firſt; but now; I bleſs

My God, I finde a change: I was not troubled

So much, but now my joyes are more redoubled;

I fear not death; now death hath loſt her ſting:

To die with joy O 'tis a pious thing!

Am nor I ſure, Chriſt and his Angels will

Guide me to heaven, where I ſhall drink my fill

Of thoſe Celeſtial cups, thoſe cups of pleaſure,

And meaſure drinking, though not drink by meaſure?

Shall then this death have power to divide

My ſoul from him? the heavens open wide:

See where my finger points. The ſtanders by

Beheld eye-dazeling cortuſcancy.

After a ſilent prayer made, he ſpake,

Lord ſave thy ſervant; Oh ſome pity take:

p. 74I am thy creature; O let me inherit

Chriſt-purchas'd glory: Lord receive my ſpirit.

Next, Dionyſius Zervius (that ſtorm'd

Againſt the ſaints; but) when he was inform'd

Of Goſpel-truths, how Chriſt procured reſt

For thoſe believ'd, he forthwith ſmote his breſt,

And fetch'd a ſigh, while tears ran down; did cry,

This is my faith, and in this faith I'll die:

Through Chriſt alone, I can acceptance finde,

Yet God will not deſpiſe my contrite minde;

Upon theſe knees, theſe bended knees, I call

For mercy; mercy, Lord: although I fall,

Help me to riſe in thee: My foes controul

May hurt my body, but not hurt my ſoul.

An aged man b'ing brought, both theſe commended

Their ſouls unto the Lord; ſo their lives ended.

Next was the Lord of Rugenice arraign'd;

Who ſaid, I have a greater priv'ledge gain'd,

Then if the King had ſpar'd me, and augmented

My reſtor'd ſubſtance; and am more contented.

God is our witneſs, that we onelyonly ſought

Religions Liberty; for that we fought:

Who, though w'are worſted, and muſt end our days,

The Lord is righteous in all his ways.

His Truth we muſt defend, (as he ſees good)

Not by our naked Swords, but by our Blood.

What is the cauſe, my God? O tell me why,

So ſoon as others do, I may not die?

For ah! thou knowſt, thou knowſt that I reſign

My ſelf unto thee, and am wholly thine.

Put not thy ſervant off with long delay,

But take me hence: ſweet Jeſu come away.

The Sheriff came for him; he rejoycing ſaid,

Bleſſed be God: then towards him he made.

p. 75Upon the Scaffold, he himſelf did chear

With that of Chriſt, Father, I will that where

I am, thy ſervants may there alſo be,

That they may my heaven-given glory ſee:

I haſte to loſe this life, ſo tranſitory,

That I may be with Chriſt and ſee his glory.

Climbe up my ſoul, climbe up to be embrac'd

In Chriſt his arms: and ſo he breath'd his laſt.

Valentine Cockan ſpake to this effect,

Upon the Scaffold: Gracious Lord, direct

My feeble ſteps; O let deaths valley be

A Paſport to the clearer view of thee;

For why? thy word hath bin my hidden treaſure;

O what ſatiety of joy and pleaſure

Take reſidence with thee! there's nothing can

Afford my ſoul more ſatisfaction than

Thy ſelf's fruition: Lord, my ſpirit flies

Into thy Courts: ſo having ſaid, he dies.

Next, Toby Steffick's brought, a man whoſe heart

Walk'd upright with his God; though like a cart

Preſs'd with afflictions ſheaves, to heaven he heav'd

His waſted eyes, and ſaid, I have receiv'd

From the beginning of my life till now,

Good things of God, and ſhall not I then bow

My will to his, but his chaſtiſements ſhun?

I will not; no, God's holy will be done.

Can I, poor duſt and aſhes, have the face

To plead with God? I chearfully embrace

Thy pleaſure, Lord; I come to bear the croſs;

O be thou pleas'd to purge away my droſs:

Calcine my ſoul; obliterate my ſins;

And make me pure againſt that day begins.

He pray'd; and having drunke the lethal cup,

His ſpirit into heaven aſcended up.

p. 76Doctor Jeſsenius after him was Martyr'd,

His tongue cut out, head off, his body quarter'd

(Citing the ſaying of Ignatius)

Chears his co-ſufferers, We are Gods corn,

Sown in the Churches field, and muſt be torn

By beaſts, to fit us for our Maſters uſe:

But here's our comfort, one a bloody ſluce

The Church is founded, and hath been augmented

By blood, nor ſhall the opened vein be ſtented.

The blow muſt now be fetch'd; his ſoul he gave

To heav'n, his body to the gaping grave.

Then being call'd to execution;

I come, ſaid he; a pious reſolution

Takes up my heart; I'm not aſham'd, nor ſory

To ſuffer theſe (nay worſe things) for his glory;

I have, I have, by my heav'n-borrow'd force

Fought faith's good fight, and finiſhed my courſe.

Then praying, Father, in thy hands I leave

My ſpir't; he did a Martyrs crown receive.

John Shunlt is, while he on the Scaffold ſtood,

Said thus, Leave off this melancholy mood,

Dejected ſoul: O be not ſo caſt down:

Hope thou in God; though for a time he frown,

Yet will he ſmile again, and thou ſhalt yet

Praiſe him, though Nature do receive her debt.

The righteous are among the dead enrold

By fools, whenas they reſt: Behold! behold!

I come ſweet Jeſus: O ſome pity take

Unon thy creature, for thy promiſe ſake.

Caſt me not off, my miſery condole;

My ſins O pardon, and receive my ſoul:

Make no long tarriance; come, Lord Jeſus, come:

And ſo he underwent his Martyrdome.

p. 77Next Maximilian Hoſlialeck,

(Whom Learning, Worth, and Piety did deck:)

After the ſentence paſt, one asked him

The reaſon why he look'd ſo dull, ſo grim,

And ſadder then the reſt: To rell the truth,

The ſins (ſaid he) I acted in my youth

Come now afreſh into my minde: for though

I know that no remainder can o'rethrow

Them which with Jeſus Chriſt have made a cloſe;

Yet know I, that the Lord his Juſtice flowes

As well as mercy, on thoſe are his own.

Summon'd to death, he ſaid, Lord, from thy throne

Look on me, O illuminate mine eyes,

Left death o'recome me, and mine enemies

Inſulting ſay, We have prevail'd. O Lord,

(Be pleaſed to make good thy promis'd word)

Let me whoſe eyes have thy ſalvation ſeen

Depart in Peace: an Ax did paſs between

His head and neck. Then four more Chriſtian brothers

They hanged one by one, and begger'd others.

Nor might they have the ben'fit of the Laws:

When ſome did plead the Juſtneſs of their cauſe,

The Judges ſcoff'd them, thus; Although you ha'nt

Sins that are actual, yet you do not want

Th'orig'nal ſin of Hereſie, and ſtore;

You can't exempted be from death therefore.

The Saints deprived of their livelyhoods

In towns and villages, retir'd to th'woods.

The Parent his encloyſtred child bemoans,

But cannot help it. Oh! the griefs and groanes

Of marriagable maids! what ſad farewels

Take parting friends, when into Monkiſh cells

Fore'd are their neer'ſt relations! Great mens ſons,

Fryets muſt tutour. and their daughters Nuns.

p. 78Wives from their husbands, husbands from their wives

Part with wet eyes: ſome thouſands loſt their lives;

Others were ſtripp'd in froſty ſnowy weather;

While ſome impriſon'd lay, and ſtarv'd together,

The Maſs-prieſts are the men that muſt be heard,

And rude men, if Apoſtates, were prefer'd.

Bol'ſlavia the principalleſt ſeat

The brethren had (two hundred years compleat)

Was ſeized on; her Miniſters turn'd out,

And crafty Friers to pervert the rout

Plac'd in their rooms: but when this would not do,

They muſt into a ſtinking dungeon go.

The Cities Bidſove, Tuſta, Zaticum,

Litom'ric, Rokizan, Radecium,

Don Murtin, all were brought to deſolation,

Under a fair pretence of reformation.

Some Citizens were into exile ſent;

Some into voluntary exile went.

The maj'r and ſixteen hundred perſons more,

At Pracbatice, lay weltring in their gore.

They threw Religion down, where ere they come,

And ſet up ſuperſtition in the room.

As for the Bible, Chriſtians were forc'd from it,

Wiblia (the Bohemian word) is vomit;

Nor was there (O moſt dámnable deſigne!)

A toleration giv'n to Books divine.

The mouths of ſome are gagg'd, the Hoſt they do

Thruſt down their throats, whether they will or no.

Otherſ t'auricular confeſſion forc'd;

And many were from all they had divorc'd

To tell how they the women-kinde did uſe,

Is not ſo proper for a modeſt Muſe.

p. 79SECT. XXII.

The Churches Perſecution in Spain, which began Anno Chriſti 1540.

A Spaniſh Factor Francis Roman nam'd,

Hearing at Breme a Sermon, was ſ'enflam'd

And wrought upon, that in a little ſpace

He grew in knowledge, and encreas'd in grace.

Upon a time when he return'd agen,

He labour'd to convince his country-men

Of blind-fold ign'rance; for the wayes they trod

Were diſſonant unto the word of God.

But they reproachfully deſpis'd, contemn'd

His words, and him unto the fire condemn'd.

Then with a paper-Mitre on his head,

Painted with ugly Demons, was he led

To execution: and by the way

Being urg'd to bow unto a croſs, ſaid, Nay,

The Chriſtians are not wont to worſhip wood:

So having ſaid, he was the fire's food.

How many honeſt-hearted perſons caſt

Into infectious dungeons, breath'd their laſt!

The pris'ners cloath'd with red-croſs'd Sambitoes,

Were at Validolid plac'd all in rowes.Anno 1550.

The inquiſition was firſt invented

By the Domin'can Friers; who attented

The extirpation of the Chriſtian race,

By death, or ignominious diſgrace.

One while they ſtrive with flatt'ries to enſnare

The doubting Chriſtian e're he be aware:

p. 80And if they ſee that fair means will not do,

They exerciſe compulſion. O who!

Who is there able to demonnſtrate fully

The kinde of torments that were us'd? the pully

Hang'd on the Gibbit, holds the hands or thumbs

Of the poor wretch; then the Strappado comes,

And rends his weight-diſtended joynts a ſunder.

Some in the Trough are tortur'd; ſome are under

Cruel impriſonments, where is not any

Light but what enters the Key-hole or crany.

Some are injoyn'd to run unto the racks,

With yellow Sambenitoes on their backs:

Their tongues in a cleft-ſtick have not the ſcope

To empty Out their mindes; and while a rope

Encompaſſeth their necks, coacting bands

Preſs hard behinde them their united hands.

Thus, thus poor Creatures, in a piteous plight,

Are led to ſuffer in the peoples ſight.

Burton and Burgate,Anno 1560. Burgeſs, Hooker, Baker,

Engliſh-men born, were each of them partaker

Of Martyrdom at Cadiz; and aſcended

To happineſs, which never ſhall be ended.

p. 81SECT. XXIII.

The Churches Perſecution in Italy, which began Anno Chriſti 1546.

ENeenas, by his Parents ſent to Rome

For educations ſake; at laſt become

An able Scholar through the grace of God,

In Chriſt his School, the wayes the Romans trod

Renouncing quite: for which he's apprehended,

And clapt up; yet he conſtantly defended

The Chriſtian faith: he with his life might go,

If he would but put on the Sambito;

Which he refus'd; nor any badge would wear

Save that of Jeſus Chriſt; which was, to ſpare

No blood to ſeal up what he had profeſt:

So being burn'd, he in the Lord did reſt.

The Maj'r and Biſhop of St. Angelo

Long arguing the caſe, which of the two

Should, at his proper coſt, procure ſome wood,

For Galeacius burning; while they ſtood

Demurring, he bade them no more debate,

It ſhould be fetch'd out of his own eſtate.

John Mollius, a Roman, did Chriſt own:

If he but named him, ſalt tears ran down

On his wet cheeks: he preach'd where e're he came

The word of truth, until he fed the flame,

One Francis Gamba, born in Lombardy,

Went to the ſlaughter with alacrity.

Algerius, a fine young man, acquaints,

By way of writing, the afflicted Saints,

p. 82How much his joy in priſon did abound,

And how he Honey in a Lion found:

Exhorting them to patience; in the end

Writes, From a delectable Orchard pen'd;

He's burned. Pope Pius the fourth diſlives

At Naples, many Nobles, with their wives.

The City Venice after twelve years peace,

Was by the Pope diſturb'd, to the encreaſe

Of Martyr'd Saints; who unto ſtones were bound,

And in the bottom of the Ocean drown'd.

An Engliſhman Martyred in Portugal.

One William Gardiner, whom Briſtol bore,

In Portugal the Martyrs Garland wore.

SECT. XXIV.

The Perſecution of the Church in Germany, which began Anno Chriſti 1523.

WHen Luther, with his fellow-labourers,

Converted many Germans, unto wars

The Pope his Highneſs ſtir'd up Charles the fift

'Gainſt Proeſtants: to further this his drift,

Two hundred thouſand crowns, and at a boot

Five hundred horſe, and twice ſix thouſand foot,

He ſent with ſpeed; the Prot'ſtant Princes hence,

Rais'd alſo Armies for their own defence:

And now the Emp'rour for no other reaſon,

Proclaim'd them guilty of no leſs then treaſon.

p. 83Both parties are engag'd; but the ſucceſs

Is left to God, who doth not alwayes bleſs

The better cauſe with Victory, nor ſhield

His Saints from wrong; the Chriſtians loſt the field.

The perſecution roſe in ſev'ral places;

Author'ty arm'd with rig'rous Laws, outfaces

Candid ſimplicity: 'tis ſad to tell

The barb'rous outrage to the Saints befel.

Some rack'd; from place to place ſome toſs'd and turn'd;

Some driven into woods and caves; ſome burn'd.

††Anabaptiſts first Riſing.About this time, the Boors in arms did the

And rob'd the Abbeys, and Monaſteries;

They after they had entertained bin

By Mr. Spencer, ſtrip'd him to the skin;

Who weeping, ſaid, This violence will i'th'end

Bring miſchiefe on your heads: you do pretend

The Goſpel; but alas! how quite contraire

Unto the Goſpel-rules, your walkings are!

They jeer'd him for his pains; at laſt he's bound

Both hands and feet, and in the river drown'd.

His gaping wounds let out a Crimſon flood,

Which on the ſurface of the water ſtood.

When Wolfgang Scuch was asked if his woe

He would have be abridg'd, heanſwer'd, No;

God, which hath hitherto upheld my head,

Will not forſake me in my greateſt need;

No, no, he will not: 'tis a happy flame

Which lights to heaven, thrice bleſſed be his name.

George Carpenter b'ing caſt into the fire,

Fulfill'd his Chriſtian bretherens deſire,

In giving them a ſigne of his true faith,

Cry'd, Jeſus, Jeſus …ill …e loſt his breath.

Our Leonard Keyſer alſo at the ſtake,

Said, I'm thine, ſave me Lord, for thy Truths ſake:

p. 84His willing ſpir't impatient of the flame

Went up to heaven, whence at firſt it came.

A cruel Biſhop in Hungaria, took

A godly miniſter, (who could not brook

Erroneous wayes) and Hares, Geeſe, Hens, he tide

His naked body with on ev'ry ſide:

Being by ſet-on dogs, and bloody hounds,

All rent and torn, he died of his wounds.

But God is Juſt: the Biſhop that ſo acted

His cruel part, did forthwith fall diſtracted:

His hair by handfulls from his head did rend,

And raving, made a miſerable end.

SECT. XXV.

The Perſecution of the Church in the Low-Countries.

THere was in Holland a religious Dame,

Called Wendelmuta, ſhe for Chriſt's name

Was ſent to priſon, where ſhe muſt be kept

Till the next Seſſions; her kinde kindred wept

And ſaid thus, Ah! why doft thou not conceal

What thou believ'ſt but madly thus reveal

Thy ſecret thoughts? be more reſerv'd, thereby

Thou'lt life prolong. To whom ſhe did reply,

You know not what you ſay; the heart alone

Believes to righteouſneſs; confeſſion

Unto ſalvation with the tongue is made:

She burn'd, her ſpirit did the heav'ns invade.

George Scherter, a Divine, paſſing along

Tow'rd execution, to the gazing throng

p. 85Delivered theſe words; That you may know

I die-a Chriſtian, I a ſigne will ſhow:

His head cut off, he turned on his back,

And croſs'd his arms and legs; by which aſpect

Many believe the Goſpel; whom alive

They bury, drown, or into exile drive.

In Colen, Holland, Suevia, Lovain,

The godly well-diſpoſed part was ſlain.

Some loſt their heads in Flanders, ſome were ſent

Into perpetual impriſonment.Anno 1543.

Two hundred Saints in Art…ïs, Brabant,

Were made away, with not a few at Gaunt.

At Delden, two young Virgins well-deſcended,

For their frequenting Sermons apprehended,

Examin'd and condemn'd muſt both partake

Of Martyrdom, and ſuffer at the ſtake.

But after death the bodies of them both

Remained white, the fire to hurt them loth.

At Antwerp, one Chriſtopher Fabri's brains

Are beat cut with a hammer. Sev'ral pains

Afflict the innocent; theſe bear great loads;

Thoſe are companions to Frogs and Toads.

One Nicholas and Auſtine, with their wives,

At Dormick apprehended loſt their lives,

When Nicholas did hear a Captain ſwear,

He ſaid, Hath Chriſt done ought that thus you tear

His name in pices, rending life and limb?

Pray vent your malice upon me, not him:

B'ing ſilenc'd at the ſtake, Thwarting their will,

He cry'd, O Charles wilt thou be hardned ſtill?

With that, a ſouldier gave him a great blow:

He thus! Ah miſerable people know,

God's word's too good for you: the Fryars cry'd,

A Devil, a Devil: with David, he reply'd,

p. 86Depart ye workers of iniquity;

Depart, depart: my God hath heard the cry

My weeping voice hath made; his holy name

Be prais'd: ſo ſaid, he vaniſh'd in the flame.

At Dormick Anno 1555Bert'rand trod the Cake about;

For which diſtongu'd, he yet on God call'd out:

A ball is thruſt into the mouth of him;

He's burnt, and's aſhes in the river ſwim.

At Lile, for three years ſpace in woods and caves

God's word was preached: Satan and his ſlaves

Took the advantage of the ſilent night

So finde their meetings: finding none, they light

On Robert Oquir's houſe; his wife, his ſons

And he, rejoyce in tribulations.

Bound at the ſtake, their ſpirits they commend

To God, and make a comfortable end

The Perſecution of the Duke de Alva, in the Netherlands.

THe Goſpel ſhining in the Netherlands;

Philip, that wore the Spaniſh crown, commands

The Duke de Alva, with a warlike train,

To ſlay Profeſſors, and with might and main,

Promote the Romiſh Doctrin; to rebuke

Nobles, and Commons too: the deſep'rate Duke

Scarce breath'd, but on them violently pour'd;

Matrons he raviſhed, and Maids deflour'd

Before their husbands and their parents eyes,

Or put them unto worſer cruelties.

He on a time (at his own Table ſate)

Boaſted his diligence t'eradicate

Heret'cal weeds: for that beſides the ſlain

During the war in ſix years ſpace, a train

p. 87Of more then eighteen thouſand perſons were

By him deliv'red to the hangmans care.

Don Frederick his ſon kindely receiv'd

By Zutphen Bourgers, cruelly bereav'd

The poor inhabitants of all their lives,

Hang'd, drown'd, brain'd very infants, virgins, wives;

Then marched he to Naerden; and the town

(All the ind wellers kill'd) he bart'red down.

At Harlem, he three hundered Walloons

Beheads; five hundred Bourgers and Dragoons

He hangs, or drowns: all th'Engliſh, and the Scorts,

To loſe their heads in gen'ral, he alots.

The wounded, and diſeas'd, are killed all

Before the entrance to the Hoſpital

John Herwin ſaid unto the gazing throng,

(As he to execution went along)

See what rewards the wicked world do give

Chriſt his poor ſervants: for whilſt I did live

A drunkard's life, and play'd at Cards and Dice,

A foe to Vertue, and a friend to Vice;

O then I liv'd at eaſe, and was a ſtranger

To bonds, and fetters; nay was out of danger

Of ſuffering for the Truth; yonder they cry

A Boon Companion goes; who then but I?

No ſooner did I ſeek my God, but lo

This fawning friend, became a frowning foe:

Yet this doth not, (and ſo I hope ſhall never,)

Diſcourage me one jot; I muſt perſever

In what is good, and follow Chriſt the faſter:

The ſervant is not better then his maſter.

His ſoul refreſhed then with Gileads Balm,

To ſing he did begin the thirtieth Pſalm

With lift-up heart: but an impatient Frier

Thus interrupted him, Avoid the fire,

p. 88Oh John, and turn; yet you have time and ſpace.

Then diſregarding Martyr turn'd his face

Another way: then ſome that were in ſight,

Retorted this; Turn thou, thou hypocrite.

Herwin ſung on, until his Pſalm was ended:

The Fryer then: Good people ben't offended

To hear the clamour of this Her'ticks ſong.

Her'tick? thou Bala'mite thou, hold thy tongue,

The crow'd reply'd; no living ſoul here bears

Offence: his Muſick much delights our ears.

Four hundred folks encourag'd him to run

His race, and finiſh what he had begun:

To whom he thus; Breth'ren, I undertake

This ſpir'tual Combate, meerly for the ſake

Of my great Lord, and Captain Jeſus Chriſt:

I now am going to be ſacrifie'd;

And when God ſhall of his abundant grace

Call you to ſuffer, follow me apace.

He's on the gallowes, and the ladder's turn'd,

And then his body's into aſhes burn'd.

Some Ci'zens in a firy Chariot ſent

From Antwerp, to the City Heaven went.

One Scoblant, as he to his Tryal paſt,

Said thus; Would God that I might be the laſt

That thus might ſuffer death; O that my blood

Might ſatisfy their thirſt, if God ſee good;

That ſo the Church of Chriſt, forlorn, diſtreft,

Might ever after live, at eaſe, and reſt.

I now put off this Mantle tranſitory,

In hope to wear a robe of laſting glory.

A Popiſh Prieſt, by a religious Dame

Converted to the faith, ſpake thus: I came

To comfort you; but I my ſelf indeed,

Of you to comfort me have greater need.

p. 89Chriſtopher Gaud'rin ſaid, Mans life on earth

Conſiſts but of two dayes; the firſt his birth;

The next, his dying day: and therefore I

Muſt needs die once: who would refuſe to die

To live for ever? death and I muſt kiſs:

'Tis death conducteth to eternal bliſs.

The ſentence paſt, he did apart repair,

And poured out his ſoul to God in pray'r:

Then from his hands and face he waſh'd the dirt;

And puting on his back a fine white ſhirt,

He thus his fellow-priſoners beſpake:

Breth'ren, this is my wedding-day: I make

To heav'n-ward: being come unto the place,

He found three other ready to embrace

The ſelf ſame death: theſe four themſelves did chear

With patient ſuff'ring, and rejoye'd to bear.

Then came a Fryar under a pretence

To win them: Chriſtopher ſaid thus; Hence, hence,

Thou ſoul-ſeduser; from our preſence flee;

We have not any thing to do whith thee.

They muſt be gag'd: May not our tongues have power

Said they, to praiſe God at our lateſt hour?

Sermons they uſed to frequent: hard ropes

Annex'd their necks, they finiſhed their hopes.

In Flanders multitudes of true believers

Were ſent to be eternal life's receivers.

In Breda, there a Goldſmith dwelt, his name

Was Petar Coulogue; whoſe renowned fame

Had ſpred all o're the town, and ev'ry mouth

Proclam'd him faithful, if they ſpake the truth.

This Pious Deacon quickly was beſet

With popiſh catchpoles; neither would they let

Him once enjoy the company of any

Of his own Church; he over-pows'd by many

p. 90Was hurry'd to the Caſtle, while he ſtaid

A priſ'ner there: once every day his maid

Brought him his ſuſtenance, till they perceiv'd

He had much comfort from her lips receiv'd.

She alſo was impriſon'd, where ſhe found

Such inward joys as made her heart rebound.

Now when a little tract of time was ſpent,

Peter was called forth; who underwent

Great pains with admirable patience:

Theſe cruel villains for to recompence

His maids true zeal, fetch'd Betkin to the rack,

Cruelry undeſerv'd! ſhe nothing ſlack,

Went chearfully along; ere ſhe did part

With life, her tongue thus empty'd out her heart:

Since needs I muſt ſuſtain afflictions rod,

Firſt ſuffer me to pray unto my God.

This they conſented to; ſhe ſcap'd a ſcouring

By this; for whilſt ſhe out her pray'rs was pouring,

One of the then. Commiſſioners fell down

Into an irrecoverable ſwown.

This miracle was huſh'd, as though in vain

'Twas ſent: now to their cruelty again;

Examples will not take; they'll not be turn'd,

They are condemned, and they muſt be burn'd.

The people wept; Peter and Betkin pray'd

To God for ſtrength: the courage of the maid

Did work ſo kindly on the well-affected,

That breaking through (the danger unreſpected)

The throng'd crowd they the pris'ners did embrace,

And praiſed God for his ſupporting grace;

Then ſpake to this effect: Fight on, fight on,

The crown prepared you ſhall wear anon.

Theſe words ſpake Betkin (with a brow as clear

As day) My Bretheren and ſiſters dear,

p. 91See you to Gods word, be obedient ſtill,

And fear not them who can the body kill,

Not hurt the ſoul; but rather fear him, who

Hath power to kill the ſoul and body too,

And fling them into hell. I go to meet

My glorious Spouſe, wrap'd in a fi'ry ſheet.

Then falling on their knees, they ſent their prayers

As welcom gheſts to Gods attentive ears.

Bound to the ſtake, they prais'd the Lord; the flame

Sent up their ſouls to heav'n, from whence they came.

William of Naſſaw Prince of Orange, by

A bloody villain ſhot, did thus let fly

His lateſt words: O God, my God, condoul

My wounded ſtate, take pity on my ſoul,

On my departing ſoul; O ſpare, O ſpare

The Spaniſh people, though they ſinful are.

Theſe words no ſooner out, his ſoul forſcok

This earthly, and an heavenly Manſion took.

SECT. XXVI.

The Modern Perſecution of the Church in Germany, ſince the year 1630.

TH'Imperialiſts, when they by ſtorm had gain'd

Paſwalick town, the Swediſh ſouldiers brain'd:

At the inhabitants their fury laviſh'd,

And in the open ſtreet, they females raviſh'd,

Nay, child-bed women too; they flew the men

And fired o're their heads their houſes then.

They maſſacred Divines, and burned down

The Chriſtian Churches, and at laſt the town.

p. 29Tilly and Pappenheim became a ſcourge

Unto the famous City Magdenburge:An. Chr. 1631.

Her goodly ſtructures and aſpiring Towers

Were burn'd down in the ſpace of twice ſix hours.

Without the leaſt reſpect to old and young,

Were ſix and twenty thouſand ſlain burnt, flung

Into the river Elve: by ſev'ral wayes

The torturers abridg'd poor Chrſtians dayes.

Ladies and Gentlewomen yok'd together,

Forc'd into woods, in froſty ſnowy weather,

Were raviſh'd there, ſtrip'd, whip'd, and with a ſcoff

Diſmiſs'd, while others had their ears crop'd off.

Hexter is taken,An. Chr. 1634. and the Popiſh rage

Hew'd all in pieces, either ſex, and age,

All ſerv'd alike: what the fleſ-eating ſword

Had left unſpoil'd, the greedy flame devour'd.

At Griphenburge the Senators were ſtarv'd;

The Heidleburg Divines and Bourgers ſerv'd

With onelyonly bread and water. Like dogs not men

Were the Frankendales us'd. In Pomeren

The poor inhabitants were forc'd to eat

Up their own excrements: unpleaſing meat!

Many ſuſpected to have hidden Gold,

Or ſilver, ſuff'red torments manyfold:

With cords the heads of ſome they wound about,

And twiſted them until the blood did ſprout

Out of their eyes, ears, noſes; nay, unto

Tongues, Cheeks, Breaſts, Legs, and ſecret parts they do

Tie burning matches, yea, the parts of ſhame

Stuff'd with gun-powder, burſt with horrid flame.

With knives and bodkins they do pink the skin

And fleſh of ſome, draw ſtiff cords out and in.

Some roſted were with gentle fires, ſome ſmok'd

Like bacon-hogs; others hot Ovens chok'd;

p. 93The hands and feet of ſome ſo hard were girted,

That from their fingers ends and toes there ſpirted

Sanguineous drops. They ty'd the arms and legs

Of ſome together backwards, and with rags

Ram'd up their mouths, becauſe they ſhould not pray.

Some hung up by the privy members; they

Hearing their outcries, did with tear-throat tones,

Contend to drown their lamentable mones.

Had any ruptures? they ealarg'd their pain

By firing gunpowder: they faces plain

With chiſels; and deteſticle ſome men

I'th' preſence of their wives and childeren.

Others, ſtark naked through the ſtreets are drag'd,

VVounded with axes, hammers; ſome are gag'd

And ſtinking water, Urine, and the like,

Pour'd down their throats, till ſudden ſickneſs ſtrike

Them well-night' dead: their bellies beyond meaſure

B'ing fill'd, did ſwell, and ſo they dy'd by leaſure.

Down others throats they knotted clouts conſtrain,

Then with a packthread, pull them up again,

To the diſplacing of their bowels; ſome

VVere by'c made deaf. or blinde, or lame, or dum'b.

Some have their legs ſawn off; and others have

Their members diſlocated; thoſe that crave

Gods bleſt aſſiſtance, are enforc'd to call

Unto the Dev'l for help, or none at all.

And if the husband pleaded for his wife,

Or the wife beg'd but for her husbands life,

They take the interceſſor, and likewiſe

Excruciate him before the others eyes.

Of many by their hard frications

They bar'd the legs, unto the very bones.

Others bound backward by the arms, were hung

By thoſe diſtorted parts; both old and young

p. 94Rather deſired to be ſhot, or ſlain,

And ſo die in an inſtant, then remain

Alive, and be partakers of ſuch woes

As they were like to feel; for Ah! their foes

Took away all their corn; in ſtead of bread,

On roots and water, they were glad to feed.

And other ſome, ſtripp'd to the very skin,

Had not one ſory ragg, to wrap them in.

Hence fruitful ſoils, were utterly deſtroy'd,

Cities, and towns, and villages left voyd,

Or ſack'd; all the woods fell'd; the ground untill'd;

And ev'ry Church with deſolation fill'd.

A Reverend Divine, bound to a table,

Was rortur'd by a cat. VVhat pen is able

To paint their beaſtlineſs? maids wives, chaſt dames,

They forc'd to proſtrate to their lech'rous flames,

Friends looking on; yea, women great with child,

In child-bed ton: the Churches they defil'd;

The Bedlam-houſes, Hoſpitals alſo.

In Heſſen land they let the women go,

After they ty'd about their ears their coats.

Dead corpſes violated were. The Croats

Devour'd young infants, and the commons brain'd

On light occaſions; ſcarce a man remain'd

Alive in many places, that might tell

The outrage of thoſe furies born in hell.

God did this land his warning pieces ſhow,

Before his murth'ring-pieces gave the blow.

A blood-red Comet with a flaming beard

For thirty daies together there appear'd;Anno 1618.

God ſent to thoſe, which had ſo long abhor'd

His faithfull Paſtors, and deſpis'd his word,

This ominous Torch, that while aſleep they lie

On the ſoft pillow of ſecurity,

p. 95They might b' awoken and repent reform

Their lives, or otherwiſe expect a ſtorme,

Foretold by's Miniſters, (ſo ill-befriended,)

And which this formidable ſigne portended.

At Groningen a blazing Star hung forth,Anno 1619.

One Army in the Eaſt, and in the North

Another were engag'd and did conteſt

Till that was worſted, this obtain'd the beſt.An. Chr. 1619.

At Wien water turn'd to blood; three Suns

Appear'd at once; the thundring of great guns

Was heard; two Armyes then by clear day-light

Deeply engaging in a bloody fight.An. Chr. 1621.

At Wittemburgh and Darmſtad, blood it rain'd.An. Chr. 1622.

So much, that houſes and ſtone walls were ſtain'd

Therewith; trees wept red drops beſmear'd were then

The hands and ſickles of the Harveſt-men.An. Chr. 1624.

At Rat'sbone a ſtrange tempeſt bart'red down

Above four hundred houſes in the town;

Kill'd onelyonly four; it trees by th'roots up tore,

And all within a quarter of an hour.An. Chr. 1625.

Near Troppaw a great number of Jack Daws

Eagerly fought with their … claws,

The battle laſted long and … Jacks

Fall'n down the country men repieuiſh'd ſacks.

In lower Saxon a loaf of bread

Bought by a woman in the cutting bled.

During Magdenburge ſiege, a capeain's wife

In child-bed dy'd,An. Chr. 1631. body with a knife

Was ripped open, and her womb did hold

A boy as big as one of three years old;

Having an Helmet, and a breaſtplate on,

Great boots alſo after the French faſh'on,

And by his ſide there hang'd a builet-pouch.

At Altenburge, Anno A 1633.if any did but touch

p. 96A blood-turn'd ſtinking fiſh-pond, he not well

Could in three dayes waſh off the ſtinking ſmell.

Two Armyes of ſtrange birds in Henſſen fought;An. Chr. 1635.

A randevouz of dogs could not be brought

T'a peace; but ſeeing muſqueteers, they joyn,

For all their guns beat them away, kill'd nine.

SECT. XXVII.

The Perſecution of the Church in France, which began Anno 1524.

AT Melden, Paris, Fonutains, Lions, Rhone,

Many were put to death, ſome burn'd, ſome thrown

Into the liquid flood; into the fire

Others let down by pulleys, did expire;

Others with Oyl and brimſtone were anointed,

Then burnt; many diſtong'd; diſnos'd diſ-joynted:

Some ſlander'd; ſome impriſon'd were; ſome rack'd;

And they that would not bow, nor give reſpect

Unto the Images of molten-lead,

Paſſing along the ſtreets, were maſſacred.

John Clark, through zeal, brake all the Idols down

That he could light on: in the Metzian town,

Condemn'd he was to die, and firſt to loſe

His right hand, then his arms, and breaſts, and noſe;

VVhichWhich quietly he bore, pronouncing then

Their gods are ſilver, and are made by men:

At laſt they burnt him. At the Caſtle Vik

Doctor John Caſtellane was burned quick.

James Pana…e one that educated youth,

At Paris dy'd for the profeſſed truth.

p. 97John de Cadurco, a renown'd Divine,

Degraded was, and burnt at Limoſine.

One John de Beck a Miniſter at Troyes,

Went through the fire unto eternal joyes,

At Rutiers, Stephen Brune for Chriſt his ſake,

Adjudged was to ſuffer at the ſtake;

The fire was kindſed, but the wind ſo drave

The flame from him, that he ſtood up and gave

(A whole hours ſpace) inſtructions to the rude

And eaſily-ſeduced multitude:

They brought Oyl-veſſels, and more faggots too;

The wind continu'd, and all would not do.

With that, the hangman ſtruck him on the head:

To whom he thus: And muſt I then indeed

Be beaten like a dog? as well as I,

You know by fire I am condemn'd to die.

He was thruſt through, and in the fire thrown down,

And his left aſhes in the Air were ſtrown.

At Bour deaux, Aymond de Lavey accus'd,

His friends advis'd his flight, but he refus'd.

Not ſo, ſaid he, I ſhall be thought abſurd.

To feed men with vain dreams not Gods pure word.

Whereas I fear not, as a truths defender.

My ſoul and body too up to ſurrender.

In pains he ſaid, This body once muſt die,

My ſpir't ſhall live, and that eternally.

He ſwowned, but recov'ring, ſaid he,

Oh Lord, Lord, why haſt thou ſorſaken me?

Nay, ſaid the preſident, thou art miſtook

Curs'd Lutherane, thou haſt thy God forſook:

Alas good maſters, why, why do you ſo

Torment me? Lord, they know not what they do:

Forgive them I beſeech thee. See, ſaid thus

The Pres'dent, how this Caitiff prayes for us.

p. 98The Frier drew neer, and he (condemn'd) begins:

To God, not you, will I confeſs my ſins.

O Lord, make haſt to help; do not deſpiſe

Thine-handy work. My brethren, I adviſe

You that are Scholars, to improve your youth

In learning of the everlaſting truth:

Labour to know what is Jehovahs will,

And fear not them that can the body kill,

Not hurt the ſoul: my fleſh (too weak) withſtands

My ſpir't; which Lord I give into thine hands.

With that he ſtrangled was, his body burn'd,

His ſoul until the day of Doom adjourn'd,

One Bribard, to a Card'nal Secretary,

And William Huſſou an Apothecary

Had, for their ſeattering good books about,

And cleaving to the truth, their tongues cut out;

Then with a pully pulled up and down

Into the fire,Anno 1544. they dy'd, but gain'd a crown.

James Cobard, Anno 1545.having prov'd the Maſs a fable,

Unto the quick nor dead not profitable,

Was at St. Michael burnt.Anno 1546. Stephen Polliot

Suffred at Paris.**1547. Michael Michelet

Was put unto his choice, either to turn

And loſe his head, or perſevere, and burn.

He anſwer'd, God who caus'd him not to tire,

Would give him patience to abide the fire.

Blondel a Merchant that profeſs'd Chriſts name,

Condemn'd at Paris, Anno 1548.yeilded to the flame.

One Hubert, Anno 1549.a young man, who did rely on

Chriſt Jeſus merits, ſuffered at Dyion.

Anus Audeburt drag'd forth, ſaid thus; This rope

My wedding-girdly is, wherewith I hope

To be conjon'd to Chriſt: I was firſt marri'd

Upon a Saturday, and now have tarri'd

p. 99Until another Saturday, wherein

I ſhall (glad day!) be married agin.

She in the dung-Cart ſang and in the fire

Her conſtancy Spectators did admire.

One Florent Venote, that had four years lain

In Paris priſon, where all kinds of pain

He felt and overcome; for ſeven weeks ſpace

Was cloſe confin'd to ſuch a narrow place,

That he could neither ſtand (with eaſe) nor ly:

At laſt diſtongu'd,Anno 1551. he in the fire did die.

One Thomas, a young man, was rack'd ſo long,

The hangman grew a weary: one among

Th'Ir quis'tors wept. They bare him to be burn'd,

And asked him, if he would yet be turn'd.

To whom he ſaid, Friends, I am in my way

To God, O do not hinder me I pray.

One Mathew Dimonel,An. Chr. 1553. Simon Laloe;

And Peter Serre, did torments undergo.

Two men at Nivern, An. Chr. 1554.had their tongues pull'd out;

Yet God was pleas'd to bring it ſo about,

That they ſpake plain, We bid the world, fleſh, ſin,

And devil farewel, never to meet agin;

Of brimſtoue, and gunpowder bring a freſh

Supply; ſalt on, ſalt on this ſtinking fleſh:

And ſo perſiſting conſtant till the laſt,

Their ſouls to heaven, their earth to aſhes paſt.

One Philbert Hamlin fed the cruel flame,Anno 1557.

One Nicholas of Jenvil did the ſame.An. Chr. 1558.

At Paris did a Chriſtian congregation

Run through much ſorrow: by the Mediation

Of the Palat'nate Prince, and Switzers, ſome

Of them (hardly) eſcaped Martyrdome.

In Danphin, Provence, multitudes were kill'd;

In many other place blood was ſpill'd:

p. 100And yet the Church, the more it was ſuppreſt

Like to a Palm, ſtill more and more encreaſt.

SECT. XXVIII.

The Perſecution in the time of the Civil Warrs, which began Anno 1562.

THe Duke de Guiſe, as he upon a day

Tow'rds Paris paſt, took Vaſſy in his way:

His ears informing him there was a Bell

That rang to ſervice in a Barn, he fell

Thereon with all his troops: his widened throat

Bawl'd out, Kill, death of God, each Huguenote.

Some then with bullets, ſome with ſwords, were ſlain;

Some hang'd; the heads of others cleft in twain:

Some loſt their arms and hands; ſome ſhred for

To feed upon; above twelve hundred ſouls (fowles

Of all degrees, and ranks, were kill'd: ſo don

The Duke to Paris march'd, and ſeiz'd upon

The King himſelf, and filled with abuſes

The places ſet apart for pious uſes.

Roan taken by him, was for three dayes ſack'd,

The Citizens thereof diſliv'd, and rack'd.

Then menacing to ruinate Orleance,

A young man ſhot him, to deliver France

From his great violence. Peace was procur'd;

A happy peace, but it not long endur'd:

The Popiſh party baniſhing all pity.

Kill'd all, ſpar'd none in the Lutetian City.

At Amiens, the ſlain were thrown in brooks;

All Bibles burned and Divin'cy books.

p. 101At Meaux, Sens, Mans, they drag'd ſome on the ſtones,

And daſh'd againſt the walls the little ones:

Some had their houſes level'd with the ground,

Hundreds were maſſacred, ſtarv'd, hang'd, or drown'd.

Many were hal'd to Maſs; and ſome re-wedded,

Babes re-baptized; others were beheaded.

At Bar they rip'd up many breſts, and draw'd

Mens hearts thereout, & with their teeth them gnaw'd.

VVhen Malicorn, Montargis town had got,

He ſlew the towns-men, and with Cannon-ſhot

Threatned the Lady Rhene to batter down

Her Caſtle, if ſhe did the Chriſtians own,

Not give them up to him: the Princeſs ſtout,

Bravely reply'd: Look what you go about,

I charge you, for there's no man in this Realm

(The King excepted) that can overwhelm

My pinace, with the waves of a command:

And if your battery go on, I'll ſtand

I'th' breach, to try, whether or no you dare

Thus kill the daughter of a King: I fear

Your threats? not I: I want nor means, nor power

T'avenge me on your boldneſs, and devour

Your murtherous heart, and utterly deface

The infants of your moſt rebellious race.

When Malicorn thus heard the Lady ſay,

He pulled in his horn, and ſneak'd away.

At Angers into rivers ſome were thrown,

Some executed: a gilt Bible ſhown

Upon an halbard was, and this they ſang,

Behold how well the Hug'nots truth doth hang;

Hark what the everlaſting God, will tell;

Behold the truth of all the devils in hell:

They throw't i'th' river, and renew'd their ſound,

Behold! the truth of all the devils drown'd.

p. 102At Ablevilly, Angers, Foix, Auxerre,

At Troys, Crant, Nevers, Chaſtillon, and Bar

In Bloys, Tholouſe, as alſo Careaſſon,

Many outragious villainies were don.

At Sens, and Tours, hundreds were put to ſlaughter;

Some hang'd up by one foot, and in the water

Their heads and breaſts: the bowels are pluck'd out

Their rip'd-up bellies, and are thrown about

The mi'ry ſtreets: they torture ev'ry joynt,

And ſtick their hearts upon their daggers point.

A Counſellor was hang'd, at the requeſt

Of his own father, (O unnat'ral breſt!)

By the Pariſian Senators decree,Anno 1562.

The bells are ſounded, and the Chriſtians be

Deſtroy'd in ev'ry place, all their eſtates

Seiz'd on by Catholicks and runagates.

In Ligneul ſome they hang'd. The village Aze

They ſet one fire, and joy'd to ſee it blaze.

Auguſtine Marlorate was hang'd at Rhone,

Where ſtreetswith ſlaughter'd carkaſſes were ſtrown.

In Gaillac, from a ſteep precipice

Many were flung down headlong, in a trice

Caught break-neck falls. In Souraze ſome were cram'd

VVith lime, and down their throats had Urine ram'd.

One Peter Roch, they buried alive

VVithin his ſelf-made grave. They did deprive

Many of all they had, others were crown'd

VVith thorns; and others in a well were drown'd.

One Captain Durre, a godly widdow told

Ualeſs ſhe would produce her hid-up gold,

He'd roſt her quick, and after throw her down

From the ſublimeſt tower in the town.

VVell (ſaid ſhe) though I fall, yet ſhall I ſtand

Supported by the Lord Almightie's hand.

p. 103He made her drink his piſs; then in her face

Flung the remainder, and withall the glaſs.

He claps her up, more torments to abide:

Her friends redeem'd her, but ſhe ſhortly did.

The Prot'ſtants of Valougne. their dear lives loſt,

And ſouldiers in their houſes rul'd the roſt.

In Maſcon, Bonnet Bor, a rare Divine,

Scoff'd, beaten, drown'd, Lamp-like in heav'n doth ſhine.

Monſieur Valongues a Miniſter, they kill'd,

And ſpurn'd his naked corps: the Maſs-Prieſts fill'd

His mouth and wounds with Bible-leaves, and ſaid,

Preach thou Gods truth, now invocate his aid.

Monluc at Reim brain'd ſucking infants, then

The mothers; hang'd above five hundred men.

They ſprinkled ſalt, upon the bleeding wounds

Of one poor mangled man. Monluc confounds

The Proteſtants in fight, the priſoners

He hangs, eſpecially the Miniſters.

Captain Lamoths, he ſtabs; that will not do,

He thruſts him with a rapier, through, and thro:

And his blaſphemous mouth theſe words lets fly.

Villain, thou in deſpite of God ſhalt die.

He prov'd a lyar, though the man endur'd

Such mortal wounds, yet was he ſtrangely cur'd.

In Limoux, Grenoble, Beann, Ciſteron,

Normay, and Aurange, many undergon

Hard uſage, Ah! what hearts? what tongues? what Quills?

Can think, can ſpeak, can write, thoſe worſt of ills?

Females were raviſh'd: others drown'd: ſome kill'd,

Their houſes with unruly ſouldiers fill'd.

Hundreds of women, nay, and children too

Like harmleſs ſheep unto the ſlaughter go.

Thoſe to blaſpheme that would not be conſtrain'd.

Were with the butt-end of a musket brain'd,

p. 104Or hewn as ſmall as herbs unto the pot;

Others rhrown out at windowes, others ſhot.

A fair young woman, after much diſgrace,

Was raviſhed before her husbands ſace;

Then forc'd to hold a rapier wherewith

One made her, her own husband kill. A Smith

Becauſe he would not give the devil his ſoul,

B'ing on his anvil laid, they beat his poul

In pieces with great hammers; ſome were cruſh'd

To death with weights, others were har quebuſh'd.

They daſh'd breſt-ſucking babes againſt the walls,

And ſlew the crazy in the hoſpitals.

No ſex, nor age, nor quality they let

Go free: all, all was fiſh that came to net.

The Maſſacre at PARIS, Anno 1571.

WHen the third Civil War in France was ended,

A Maſſacre at Paris was intended,

And put in execution: firſt of all

They ſet upon and ſlew the Admiral;

The watch-word was, the tolling of a bell,

Which rang by break aday: the cut-throats fell

On the attendants of the King of Navar,

And Prince of Conde; not the leaſt of favour

Was ſhew'd to any: they knock'd down and brain'd

Ten thouſand perſons: Sein'c ſwift ſtreams were

With the effuſed blood; the ſtreets were pav'd (ſtain'd

With mangled bodies, not a man was ſav'd

p. 105Theſe blood-hounds met with; Piſtols, Poiniards, Knives,

Curtlaces, Pikes, did make away with lives.

The Muskets bouncings! Oh the horrid tones

Of howling murth'rers mix'd with dying grones!

The Lords and Gentlemen were murthered

Some on their houſes roofs, and ſome in bed.

In France (this perſecution ſo encreas'd)

Were thirty thouſand Maſſacred at leaft.

But let's to ſome particulars deſcend;

One Monſieur de la Place was brought t'his end.

And Peter Ramus with his life did part,

(The Kings Profeſſor in that ſubtile Art)

Thrown from the chamber window, trail'd about

The ſtreets, and whip'd, his bowels falling out.

A villain ſnatched up a little child,

Who toy'd, and played with his beard, and ſmil'd,

But he (hard hearted wretch!) not mov'd at all,

Drew out his ſword, and ſtabbed it withall,

And caſt it all gore-blood into the river:

This gnaws an infant's heart, and he the liver.

Such proteſtants, as did through fear revolt,

Muſt in the fore-front, give the firſt aſſault,

Or elſe be kill'd themſelves. Some had their greaſe

Try'd out and ſold. They us'd ſuch blaſphemies:

Where's now your God? are Pſalmes and Prayers come

To this? ſure he is either deaf, or dumb.

Let him come ſave you, if he can: they cry'd,

Kill, kill them all, and let's the ſpoil divide.

What fearfull ſhrikes, and outeries were there then

Caus'd by theſe Devils in the ſhapes of men?

What breaking up of doors? what noiſe of guns

At Orleance was there heard? confuſion runs

In ev'ry ſtreet; what trampling of War-Horſes?

Rumbling of Carts, that bore away dead coarſes!

p. 106The Papiſts, in this maſſacre confeſs'd,

That they ſlew eighteen thouſand at the leaſt.

Some of them boaſted in the ſtreets aloud,

Th'nad dy'd their doublets in the Hug'nots blood.

At Tholouſe, they the call'd-out pris'ners ſlay,

Not ſuffring them to ſpeake, much leſs to pray.

VVhen the Pariſian maſſacre was known,

At Bourdeaux the like cruelty was ſhown.

How ſad was it to ſee poor Proteſtants

VVander now here, now there, and none their wants

Supply! Alas unparalelled woes!

Rejected by their friends, deſtroy'd by foes!

SECT. XXIX.

The ſiege of Sancerte, Anno Chriſti, 1573.

THe Chaſtrian Lord beſieging Sancerre town,

His thundring cannons play'd, and batter'd down

Her ſtony walls; the ſhiver'd timber flew

Continually about, yet none it ſlew.

Some had their hats, breeches, and coats through ſhot,

Themſelves not hurt nor prejudic'd one jot.

The ſiege endured long; at laſt, through want,

Horſe-fleſh was turn'd to food; which growing ſcant,

The Twons-men fed on dogs, cats, rats, mice, moles,

Hides, parchments, halters, Lantera-horns, roots, coals,

Their bread was made of ſtraw-meal; they did boyl

Them pottage of old Oyntments, greaſe and Oyl.

And when theſe fail'd, they pounded nutſhels, ſlates,

Eat mens dung fry'd: ho! theſe were precious cates!

p. 107A lab'rer and his wife were put to th'ſlaughter,

For feeding on their famin-ſtarved daughter.

Some little corn by ſtoldred brought to town,

Each pound was valued at half a crown.

The ſword did but eighty four perſons ſlay.

The famine half a thouſand ſwept away.

Many choſe rather to reſign their breath

At the ſwords point, then famiſh'd be to death.

The parents look'd upon with grief of heart

Their children, but could no relief impart.

A boy of five years old, neer ſpent with hunger,

Did run about the ſtreets; but when no longer

His feeble feet could bear him, down he fell

Before his parents ſight: 'tis ſad to tell

The horrour of their ſouls, and how their eyes

Ran down, when they did feel his with'red thighs.

Then ſaid the child, Father and mother dear,

What mean you ſo to weep? for Gods ſake ſpare

Thoſe needleſs drops, and do'nt my cauſe bemone;

I ask no bread, as knowing you have none:

But ſince it is Gods will, that I ſhould reſt

By ſuch a death as this; his name be bleſt:

Have not I (mother) in my Bible read,

Of Laz'rus wants? and that was all he ſaid.

At laſt God flirr'd up the Polonians,

To free the poor diſtreſs'd Sancerrians.

They with their arms and goods might go away;

And ſuch as would, might without trouble ſtay.

p. 108The ſiege of Rochel Anno 1573.

ROchel beſieg'd, the towns-men ſalli'd out,

And often put the en'my to the rout.

In one months ſpace the ſoe lay'd on ſo hot,

That more then thirteen thouſand Cannon-ſhot

Diſcharg'd againſt the Rochellers, which held

Out ſiege fo long, till famine them compell'd

T'unlawful meats, all their proviſion ſpent:

But O admired Providence! God ſent

Them fiſhes, and in ſuch abundant ſtore,

The like was never ſeen nor heard before:

As ſoon as the edict for Peace came out,

(Which Legates ſent from Poland brought about)

They went away, and ne're return'd again.

Divers great Lords and Gentlemen were ſlain

During this ſiege: commanders full ſixſcore,

And twenty thouſand ſouldiers or more,

That did from bloody Maſſacres retire,

Receiv'd at Rochel their deſerved hire.

King Charles himſelf fall'n ſick,Anno 1574. t'his mother cry'd,

Madam I pray revenge my foes, then dy'd.

Rochel expecting help in time of need

From England, Anno 1628.England prov'd a ſtaff of reed

Which ran into their hands, whilſt they depended

Too much thereon; the City (ill befriended)

B'ing cloſe beſieged by the King of France,

And his adherents, the inhabitants

Shrewdly put to't, for want of better meat,

Did horſes, dogs, cats, rats, and leather eat.

The poorer ſort of people wanting bread,

Upon the buttocks of the dead did feed.

p. 109Young maids did look with ſuch a wrinkled brow,

As though they had a hundred years ran through.

And all the Engliſh, when the Freach had took

The City, like Anatomies did look.

How ſad was it to ſee, their hollow eyes

And meagre cheeks, lank bellies, withr'ed thighs?

**The prices of things.A ſtrike of wheat at twenty at pounds was rated;

A pound of bread, worth one pound eſtimated;

A quarter of a ſheep did ſix pounds utter;

And thirty ſhillings bought a pound of butter;

For one poor egge, eight ſhillings was layd down;

An ounce of ſugar, yielded half a crown.

A dry'd fiſh given for a piece in gold;

A pint of French-Wine, for as much was ſold;

A pound of grapes, thrice twelve pence; milk but filling

A pint-pot full, valu'd at thirty ſhilling, &c.

SECT. XXX

The Perſecution of the Church of Chriſt in the Valtoline, Anno Chriſti 1620.

THe bloody Papiſts, in the Valtoline

Riſing in arms, did furiouſly combine

To th'extirpation of the Chriſtian train;

Drown'd ſome in Alba, others they did brain:

Shot ſome, and ſtrangled others; ſome they bee

With knotty clubs; and many that they met

They inhumanely murth'red; ſome they drew

Out of their naked beds, and did imbrew

Their hands in their effuſed gore; they ſlit

The mouths of ſome up to their ears; and hit

p. 110Others with the Strappado; ſome were hack'd

To pieces; others ſlaſh'd; and others rack'd.

One was compell'd to ride upon an Aſſe,Dominico …ert….

His face turn'd to the tail, and he to paſs

The market-place, holding in's hand the tail

As'cwere a bridle; ſome when food did fail

Were famiſhed; others were ſton'd, or drown'd;

Some had their very bones, to powder ground.

Thus having made a quick diſpatch at Tel,

Theſe profane wretches, marched thence, and fell

Upon the Proteſtants at Church elſewhere,

Kill'd old and young, and ſhew'd no mercy there,

To Lords, nor Gentlemen: to death they ſhot

The Miniſters: Ladies and Children, got

Into the Bell-free for ſecurity:

The place is fired; and by fire, they die.

The Popiſh party under a pretence

Of ſtanding for the Proteſtants defence

At Sondres (yet for all they kept a pother)

They one deſtroyed now, and then another;

As if it had bin done by accident,

Concealing their malevolous intent:

Then did they fall to plunder, and imbrew,

Their hands in blood, all thoſe they met they ſlew.

There was a Noble Lady which refus'd

The Romiſh faith: to whom ſuch words they us'd;

Madam, out of the tender love you bear

To your young infant, in your arms, give ear

To us, or elſe you ſhall be kill'd together.

But ſhe undauated, thus; I came not hither

To abnegate my faith, nor left I all

I had behind in Italy, to fall

From my firſt principles; yea, I will rather

Suffer a thouſand death; my heavenly father

p. 111Spar'd not his ſon, but up to death him gave,

Me, and ſuch ſinners as I am to ſave;

How ſhall I then regard this babe of mine?

O foe, ſaid ſhe, into the hands of thine

I give my little child: God which takes care

For the wing'd Cit'zens of the liquid Air,

Is much more able to ſave this poor child,

Though you ſhould leave it on theſe mountains wild.

Unlacing then her gown, ſhe bar'd her breſt,

And ſaid, Here is the body; you may feaſt

Your ſwords therewith: to kill it you have power,

My ſould is Gods, it can you not devour.

They ſlay the mother, and the infant ſpare,

Committing it t'a Popiſh nurſes care.

Many that did refuſe to go to Maſs,

Were dragged to the mountaines tops (Alas!)

And thrown thence headlong down: for want of food

Others were famiſh'd; into Adda's flood

Some flung from bridges; and with corpſes dead

The woods and mountains ev'rywhere were ſpread.

A Noble Virgin, through the ſtreets was led

Diſgracefully; they put upon her head

A paper-mitre, buffeted her cheeks,

And ſo beſmear'd her face with dirt, (that leeks

Might grow thereon) then was ſhe bid to call

Upon the Saints; ſhe ſmiling ſaid, All, all

My hope, my truſt, and my ſalvation

Is in my Saviour Jeſus Chriſt alone.

As for the Virgin Mary, 'tis confeſt

She is above all other women bleſt;

Yet is ſhe not omniſcient, and therefore

Knowes not what we requeſt, what we implore:

Yea ſhe her ſelf her own ſon's merits needed,

And had bin damn'd, had he not interceeded.

p. 112Chriſt hath deſpis'd rhe croſs, endur'd the ſhame,

And ſo will I, thrice bleſſed be his name,

His holy name; with that, theſe villains drew her

Into the fields, and barbarouſly ſlew her.

Then came a letter from a Governour,

That theſe blood-ſuckers ſhould with all their power

Deſtroy both in the country and in City

All that were Lutherans, without all pity.

Whereat deſtroying all at Tyrane, Tell,

Bruſe, Sondres, and Malenco, they more fell

Then Hyrcan Tygres, fell on Birbenno,

Caſpano, Trahen, ſlaying high and low.

They kill'd a man, and's wife. A cradled child

Fair and well-favour'd, in their faces ſmil'd;

They took her by the heels (not mov'd at all)

And daſhed out her brains againſt the wall.

At Bruſe, a very aged Matron was

Sollicited by them, to go to Maſs,

And have reſpect unto her age, not die;

To whom ſhe anſwer'd; God forbid that I

Who have one foot already in the grave,

Should now forſake my Lord, my Chriſt, who gave

Me to be conſtant in his truth profeſt,

And upon ſublunary creatures reſt.

Shall mens traditions, or Gods holy word

Take place? ſo ſaid, they ſlew her with the ſword.

p. 129SECT. XXXI.

The Perſecutions of the Church in Scotland, which began, Anno Chriſti 1527.

ONE Mr. Patrick Hamilton by name,

Sprung from an honourable ſtock, became

An able Miniſter; his holy zeal

Did the deſpiſed Myſteries reveal

To hood-wink'd ſouls, ſo long untill at laſt

Th'enraged Biſhops him in priſon caſt:

And after condemnation, he was brought

To execution; his cap, gown, and coat,

He gave t'his ſervant, and exhorted him

To venture all for Chriſt; yea, life and lim.

Bound to the ſtake, he cry'd, For Chriſt his merit,

O Lord be pleaſed to receive my ſpirit:

How long ſhall clouds of darkneſs overwhelm?

Great God! how long ſhall foes oppreſs this realm?

A Fryar then; Ʋnto our Lady pray;

Salve Regina, ſay, &c. Away, away,

Satanick Imps; God hears me in the flame.

His ſoul went up to heav'n to praiſe Gods Name.

Straton converted, ſaid, O Lord I have

Bin wicked, and deſerv'd thy wrath, yet ſave;

O let not me, for fear of corp'ral pain,

Or death, deny thee, or thy truth again:

They his and Mr. Norman's perſon bring,

And burn them in the preſence of the King.

Such words the Biſhop of Dunkelden us'd

To one Dean Porret (whom the Fry'rs accus'd:)

p. 114My joy, Dean Thomas, I do love thee well,

And therefore take the liberty to tell

Thee of thy faults; I am inform'd you do

Preach the Epiſtle, nay the Goſpel too,

Each Sunday to your people; and refuſe

To take from them (as a reward) your dues:

Which prejudicial to the Church-men is.

My joy, Dean Thomas, I adviſe you this:

Take tythes, or elſe it is too much to preach

But once a week: for if thou gratis teach,

May not the people think that we likewiſe

Should do the ſame? Tom, be not ſo preciſe;

It is enough for you when you have ſound

A good Epiſtle and Goſpel, to expound

The liberty of holy Church expreſs'd

Therein, and 'tis no matter for the reſt.

Thomas reply'd: My Lord, if I abſtain

From tythes, will my pariſhioners complain?

I know they will not: and whereas you ſay,

It is too much to preach each Sabbath-day,

I think it is too little, for my part;

And from the very bottom of my heart

Wiſh, that your Lordſhip would be pleas'd to take

Such pains as that. Nay, nay, Dean Thomas, ſpake

The Biſhop then, no orders do us reach.

Whereas, ſaid Thomas, you do bid me preach

When a good Chapter I do light upon;

I've read them over all, and finde not one

That's bad amongſt them; ſhew me where they lie,

And at your ſhewing I will paſs them by.

I bleſs God, ſaid the Biſhop, I ne're knew

What was the Teſtament nor old nor new:

And I will not know any thing at all,

Saving my Portviſe, and Pontifical.

p. 115Go, go your wayes, and ceaſe ſo much to prate,

Leſt you repent you, when it is too late.

I truſt, ſaid Thomas, that my cauſe is clear

In Gods eyes; therefore, what need I to fear?

And ſo he went his way. But when time's glaſs

Had run a little more, he burned was.

Though bloody clouds were rais'd, Religion's raies

Shone forth in Scotland, in thoſe worſt of daies:

Partly by reading (comfort flowing thence)

And partly by fraternal conference;

Which ſo enrag'd the Papiſts, that they came

And burnt four noted perſons in one flame;

One Jerom Ruſſet, that profeſt the truth,

And Alexander Kennedy, a youth,

Were brought to Judgement: Kennedy's heart panted

For fear at firſt, and would have fain recanted.

But when no hopes was left, God's Spirit reviv'd

His drooping ſoul; yea inward comforts ſtriv'd

To ſhew themſelves, both in his face and tongue:

Then falling on his knees, theſe words out ſprung:

Great God! What love haſt thou to all expreſs'd,

And unto me vile wretch, above the reſt!

O who hath taſted of thy clemency

In ſuch a high degree (O Lord) as I!

For juſt now when I would deny thy power,

And Jeſus Chriſt, thy Son, my Saviour,

T'have plung'd my ſelf all over head and ears

In everlaſting flames, (unquench'd with tears)

Thy right hand hath not ſuffer'd me to dwell

With the black ſubjects of the Prince of hell:

And I, that was of late with fear oppreſt,

Enjoy by thee a joy-enamel'd breſt.

I fear not death, do with me as you pleaſe;

I praiſe God I am ready, death's an eaſe.

p. 132Then railed they on him, and Jerom, who

Said alſo unto them, Miſcal us, do;

This is your hour and power to command;

Yee ſit as Judges, we as guilty ſtand:

But know, a day will come ſhall clear our blame,

And yee (curs'd yee) to your eternal ſhame

Shall ſee your blindneſs. Go on forward ſtill,

Till you the Ephah of your ſins up fill.

No ſooner were they both condemn'd to die,

But Jerom comforted young Kennedy:

Brother (ſaid he) fear not, he that indwels

Our ſouls, him that is in the world excels;

The pain we here indure is light and ſhort,

But we ſhall have unfading glory for't.

O ſtrive we then (though many rubs annoy)

To enter in unto our Maſters joy:

And, with our Saviour, paſs the narrow road

Which few ſhall finde; the way to hell is broad.

We die for Chriſt, and Chriſt hath death ſubdu'd,

Death cannot hurt us: hence me may conclude

We are the members; and if Chriſt our head

Be riſen, can the members long lie dead?

Thus death, and Satan, under-foot they trod,

And in the flame, breath'd up their ſouls to God.

At Edenburgh the cruel Card'nal Beton

Hang'd ſome,Anno 1543. upon ſuſpicion they had eaten

Gooſe on a Friday; and above the reſt,

A woman with her ſuckling at her breſt,

He drown'd for being ſcrupulous and wary

Of making prayers to the Virgin Mary.

He ſent into exile ſome Chriſtian brothers;

And at St. Johnſtons he impriſon'd others.

Mr. George Wiſchard, a Divine, whoſe worth

Wan him much admiration in the North,

p. 133Having drunk deeply of afflictions cup.

Cheerfully in the flames ſurrendred up

His ſoul unto its donour.Anno 1546. God fulfill'd

His propheſy, the Cardinal was kill'd.

One Henry Wallace, Anno 1550.as an Heretick

Condemned to be burnt, was burned quick.

One Henry Forr'ſt, Anno 1553.betrayed by a fryar,

Was burnt, and had the end of his deſire.

Said Ol'phant to one Walter Mill, who pray'd,

Riſe up Sir Walter. Prayers don, he ſaid,

My name is Walter if you call me right,

I have bin too too long a Popiſh Knight.

Ben't there ſev'n Sacraments? Give me but two

Said he, and all the reſt I leave to you.

Wilt thou recant? he anſwer'd, I am corn,

Not chaff, and will not be i'th' truth out-born:

Then go to th'ſtake. Said he, I may not kill

My ſelf, but put me in, and bear I will;

This is my reſolution. Having made

His pray'r to God, he to the people ſaid,

Although it be confeſs'd, that I have bin

A friend to Satan, and a ſlave to ſin,

Yet 'tis not that, that doth my ſuff'rings cauſe,

I ſuffer for obſerving God's juſt Laws.

And now God out of his abundant grace

Doth honour me ſo farr, as (in this place)

To make me ſeal (what others not withſtood,)

His truth's profeſſion with my deareſt blood.

Dear friends as you'd eſcape eternal doom,

And live ſtill happy in the life to come,

Let not Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Abbots, Priors,

Seduce you any more, for they are Lyars.

Truſt God alone, O alwayes make his power

Your rock, your bulwark of defence, your tower.

p. 118So ſlep'd he in the Lord: and was the laſt

In Scotland that the fi'ry tryal paſt.

SECT. XXXII.

The Perſecution of the Church in Ireland, Anno Chriſti 1642.

THe factious Archbiſhops, Abbots, Pryors,

Falſe Jeſuites, Romiſh Prieſts, and knaviſh Friars,

Stirr'd up rebellion by their inſtigation,

Againſt the Engliſh in the Iriſh Nation.

And when they thought their malice had invented

Such thriving plots, as could not be prevented,

They in their publick prayers recommended

The good ſucceſs of their deſignes, which tended,

To the advancement of the Cath'lick cauſe,

And told the people 'twas no time to pauſe.

Their nation over-run with hereticks;

Call'd Proteſtants ſworn foes to Catholicks;

Who were not to be ſuffered alive

Amongſt them; and for any to deprive

Them of their breaths, the crime was not more great,

Then to deſtroy a dog: to give them meat.

Or yield to them relief at any time,

'Twas mortal, O unpardonable crime!

Romes Doctrine they pretended to ſuppreſs,

And root out thoſe that did the ſame profeſs;

They Laws would make, they thought, ſhould under-

All Pop'ry, after Englands good example. (trample

Obſerve we how their words and deeds did vary,

Said one thing, but did act the quite contrary.

p. 119And now they fall to murthr'ous blows; and glory,

'T will ſave them from the pains of Purgatory:

None that ſpake Engliſh the leaſt mercy found;

The Engliſh language was a loathed ſound:

All are reſolv'd to ſcowre the Iriſh borders

From theſe ſuppoſed Authors of diſorders.

Poor Proteſtants! ſome were to exile packt;

Some kill'd; 'twas thought a meritorious act

To ſlay thoſe Devils in the ſhapes of men,

(For ſo they called them;) not one of ten

Eſcap'd their clutches: what a deal of good,

Said they, it does us, thus to bath in blood!

When theſe injurious wretches are deſtroy'd

In Ireland, and their habitation voyd,

We'll then for England; have at England then,

We will not leave alive one Engliſh man.

Put caſe we ſhould be of our lives bereaven.

Immediately our ſouls would fly to heaven.

Why ſhould ſuch ſcoundrels breath? to work let's fall,

And take away their lives, eſtates, and all.

Strip, ſtrip, man, woman, child, baſe rougues and whores,

Leave not a rag on, turn them out of doors.

So now they ſhelter them; but woods and caves

Sha'n't be their dwellings, but ſhall be their graves,

Whom wee'l—But many by the high-wayes ſide,

For want of ſuſtenance fell down, and dy'd:

And many thouſands that for ſuccour fled

To towns, by that time they came there, were dead,

To tell their horrid Maſſacres, would make

The ear to tingle, and the heart to ake.

In Armag…, and Tyrone, this barb'rous rage

Spar'd neither rich nor poor, nor ſex, nor age:

And elſewhere many thouſands did expire

By ſword, by water, famine, or by fire.

p. 136Some had their guts rip'd out, ſome drag'd thro bogs;

Young children thrown to be devour'd by dogs.

If any chanc'd to beg but leave to pray,

And kneeled down, they loſt their heads ſtraightway

Some in dark dungeons lie; others half ſlain,

Earneſtly beg'd to be rid out of pain.

They cover'd ſome alive with dirt, and ſtones,

And laugh'd, to hear their lamentable grones.

Some were from bridges, into rivers flung;

Others, on tenter-hooks by the chin hung:

They hang'd up ſome by th'arms, with their ſwords trying

How long an Engliſh-man would be a dying.

Young infants rip'd out of their mothers womb,

Were given to the hogs, for to entomb.

Children were forc'd to kill fathers, and mothers;

Parents, their children; and brothers, brothers;

Wives their own husbands; husbands their own wives:

And they themſelves in fine muſt loſe their lives.

No mercy's ſhown, man, woman, no nor child;

The dead's dig'd up, th'alive in cauldrons boil'd.

Some had their hands cut off, and eyes pluck'd out;

Many were left alive, their guts about

Their very heels: and of ſome's greaſe and fat

Candles were made; while others roſted at

Slack fires: Nay, boys and women were employ'd

To perpetrate ſuch deeds, and therein joy'd.

The Rebels, in the country Portendown,

Did many thouſands in the river drown.

At Liſgool, Tullah, Liſſenskeah, and Cumber,

(All Caſtles) a conſiderable number

Were brought unto untimely ends. Man, woman,

And child was kill'd at Killmore and Killoman.

An ancient dame, which towards Dublin went,

Was ſtrip'd in one day ſeven times, and ſent

p. 137To ſeek her God, and to her God complain,

And bid him if he could, cloath her again:

All mercy was exil'd; theſe murth'rous Cains:

Brain'd ſome; ſtab'd others with their ſwords, forks, skeins.

Thouſands of Proteſtants in ſnowy weather

Turn'd out ſtark naked, periſh'd all together,

Through cold and hunger; many that were ſick,

Were drag'd out of their beds, and hang'd up quick.

One Gcodwife Lin, they hanged in the Air,

And then the daughter by the mothers hair.

Upon a day a Cittadel they fir'd

Over the Chriſtians heads therein retir'd;

And thus expreſs'd their joy: Behold, how high

The flames mount, O how ſweetly do they fry!

A Divines mouth up to the ears they ſlit;

So don, they put a Bibles leaf to it,

And bid him preach, and teach ſome pretty ſtuff,

For now he had a mouth was wide enough.

A naked woman, her bare skin to hide,

A wiſp of ſtraw about her middle tide;

They fit'd it, boaſting how it did enhance

Their ſpirits to ſee the Engliſh jade ſo dance:

They ſtab'd Jane Addis, and her young child ſtuck

T'her breſt, and ſaid, Suck Engliſh baſtard, ſuck.

If any hid themſelves in cellars, caves,

They all were murther'd by theſe hell-ſent ſlaves;

Who made their boaſt, they pleas'd the devil well

In ſending him ſo many ſouls to hell.

Againſt God, and his holy word, likewiſe,

They belch'd out execrable blaſphemies.

Bibles they burnt, and ſaid, They burnt hell-fire;

Cut ſome, and ſoaked others in the mire,

Then daſh'd them on the owners faces; ſome

They ſtamp'd on, ſaying, Hence all miſchiefs come;

p. 122A plague upon them all; in a ſhort time,

We hope to ſee none in our Iriſh clime.

They told th' Apoſtates, that they thought it good

To kill them while they were in a good mood.

Anne Nicholſon ſaid boldly ſhe'd not turne;

And rather then ſhe would her Bible burn,

As they would have her, ſhe the death would die;

And did, as it fell out: for by and by

She and her mate was ſtabb'd; but he that acted

The vill'ny, grew immediately diſtracted.

At Glaſcow fiſty Engliſh men and Scots

They made recant, and then cut all their throats.

In Mayo, and in Tiperary too,

Both Counties, not a few did undergo

All ſorts of cruel deaths; theſe bloody ones

Did ſlaſh, hew, hack, and pellet them with ſtones.

They forc'd ſome in the Sea (ſwoln big with waves)

To take poſſeſſion of thoſe watry graves.

In Sligo, forty Proteſtants were ſtrip'd,

And lock'd up in a cellar; then there ſlip'd

A butcher in (appointed ſo to do)

And with an axe cleav'd all their heads in two.

Into the Jail belonging to this town,

Poor Proteſtants were ſent, and there knock'd down.

About Dungannon, Tyrone, Charlemount,

Hundreds were ſlain upon the ſame account.

An Iriſh Quean kill'd forty five: Mac Crew

No leſs then thirty in one morning ſlew.

There were above twelve thouſand knock'd at head

In the high-wayes, as towards Down they fled.

Theſe rogues a Scotch-mans belly did divide,

And having one end of his ſmal guts tide

Unto a tree, they forc'd him round about

The ſame ſo long, till they were all drawn out:

Said they, We'll try which is the longeſt ſize,

A dogs guts, or a Scotchmans; O glad eyes!

In Antrum fell nine hundred fifty four

In one morn, afterwards twelve hundred more.

Sir Phileme O Neal boaſted he had kill'd

Above ſix hundred at Gravagh; and fill'd

Whole houſes with the ſlain; brain'd old and young

Within the Baronry of Monterlong.

In Ʋlſter Province, by all ſorts of deaths,

One hundred fifty thouſand loſt their breaths.

One man for ſaying he'd believe the Pope

No ſooner then the devil, ſtretch'd a rope.

In Munſter, many eminent Divines

They hanged up. Alas! what woful ſigns

Poor children made for bread; but they muſt faſt

Or feed on graſs, and then be brain'd at laſt.

Dear hearts! in what inextricable woes

Are they involv'd? inexorable foes

On ev'ry ſide to bring them to their ends;

'Tis ſad to hear wives, children, ſervants, friends,

Send to the ayr their ſtormy ſighs, and grones,

Their ſhrieks, their cries and lamentable mones!

Alas! what tongue, is able to relate

The fears, and cares, of their afflicted ſtate?

O was it, was it not enough almoſt

To break a Chriſtians heart, to hear them boaſt

Of knockings down? (ſaid one) my arm's ſo ſore

I cannot lift it up, to brain one more.

Another bragg'd, that he abroad had bin,

And of the Engliſh rogues had kill'd ſixteen:

Others ſo many kill'd, that they believ'd,

That of the very greaſe and fat which cleav'd

Upon their ſwords, a man might undertake

An Iriſh candle (if he liſt) to make,

p. 140The Engliſh are (ſaid they) fit meat for dogs,

Their children baſtards, drown them in the dogs;

The daye's our own, we'll wound their beaſts therefore;

Oh 'tis a gallant thing to hear them rore!

Thus have we had a taſt of what befel

The Proteſtants: now they that did rebel

Have ever ſince by the juſt hand of God

Bin ſoundly ſcourg'd with his ſeverer rod;

He ſo emaſculates their ſpirits in fight,

That handfuls put innum'rous foes to flight;

Thouſands of them have periſh'd by the ſword;Anno 1650.

As many, if not more, the plague devour'd:

The Lord ſtill fights for his; and will, no doubt,

Utterly root up that rebellious rour.

A MARTYROLOGIE Containing A COLLECTION Of all the PERSECUTIONS Which have befallen The Church of England, Since the firſt Plantation of the Goſpel, To the end of Queen MARIES Reigne.

By the ſame AUTHOR.

Victi ſunt Gentiles Papiſtae & Idololatria corum non a repugnantibus, ſed morientibus Chriſtianis. Auguſt. Ep. 42.

Quo malis preſentibus durius deprimor, co de fuluris gaudiis certius preſumo. Gregor.

In nothing be terrified by your adverſaries, which to them is an evident token of perdition, but to you of ſalvation, and that of God, Phil. 1. 28.

Printed by J. Cottrel. 1657.