The spirit of the martyrs revived in a brief compendious collection of the most remarkable passages and living testimonies of the true church, seed of God, and faithful martyrs in all ages: contained in several ecclesiastical histories & chronological accounts of the succession of the true church from the creation, the times of the fathers, patriarchs, prophets, Christ and the Apostles.

An Account of four Martyrs burnt at Lile in Flanders,* 1.1 in the year 1556. whose names were Robert Ogvier, and Jane his wife, Baudicon and Martin his two Sons.

Few places can be named where the Truth was more freely, and with greater zeal received then in this City of Lile, where Anti∣christs Tyranny was great; For three years together it was secretly preached amongst them sometimes in Houses, in Woods, in Feilds, and in Caves of the Earth, not without hazarding of their Lives, if they had been discovered; yet could not these apparent dangers under such Ty∣ranny cool or abate the burning Zeal, which almost consumed the hearts of his People, hungering and thursting after the spiritual food of their Souls.

What was amongst them preached, was accordingly practiced; works of Mercy and Charity were there exercised, not only towards those of the Houshold of Faith, but even towards them which were without, so as many by means hereof were drawn and brought on to the knowledge of Christ: They ordained certain Persons, who were men fearing God, and approved of, who went weekly from house to house to collect the Alms of such as they knew to be faithful, admo∣nishing every one how to carry themselves in their Vocations, and of their duty in contributing towards the relief of the poor Saints.

And thus each one according to his place endeavouring to express and manifest his Faith by the Fruits thereof, namely, good works, in a short time the Lord raised up a flourishing Meeting in this place, so that they consisted of a competent number of Men, Women and Children, not only of the City, but of the Villages nigh.

In the mean while Satan and his Adherance ceased not to storm and rage hereat, not being able long to endure these their holy Meet∣ings.

Upon the sixth of the Moneth called March, about ten at night, the Provest of the City, with his Sergeants, armed themselves to make search if they could find any met together in houses, but as then there was no Assembly; therefore they went to the house of Robert Ogvier, and there violently entered, seeking here and there for their prey; they found certain Books, which they carried away, but he whom they principally aimed at was not then in the House, viz. Baudicon the Son of the said Robert, who, according to his usual man∣ner, was gone abroad to visit some Brethren, but returning home, knocking at the Door, his brother Martin watching his coming, bid him be gone, wishing him not to come in, he thinking his Brother took him for some other, said, it is I, open the Door, with that the Sergeants drew nigh, and opened it, and he came in.

Then said the Provest, I arrest you all in the Emperors name and commanded each of them to be Bound, to wit, the Husband and his Wife with their two Sons, leaving their two Daughters to look to the House; now as they conveyed them along through the Streets, Baudicon, with a voice somewhat extended, which might

easily be heard at that time of the night, said Assist us, O Lord by thy Grace, not only to be Prisoners for thy Name sake, but to confess thy holy Truth in all purity before men, so far as to seal the same with our Bloods, for the edification of thy poor Church.

Thus were they brought into several Prisons, where they were se∣verally handled, yet ceased they not to bless and praise the Lord with one consent; within a few dayes after, they were brought before the Magistrates of the City, and Examined, who first spoke to the Father in these words, It is told us, that you never come to Mass, and also diswade others from coming thereto, and that you maintain Conventi∣cles in your House, whereby you have Transgressed the Laws of the Em∣perial Majesty.

Robert answered to this effect, We read not in all the Scriptures that either Christ or any of his Apostles ever said Mass; for they knew not what it meant: As for the second Accusation, I cannot, nor will deny, but there have met together in my House Honest Peo∣ple fearing God, I assure you not with intention to wrong or harm any, but rather for the advancement of Gods Glory, and the good of many; I knew indeed that the Emperour had forbiden it, but what then, I know also that Christ had commanded it, who said, Where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them. Thus you see I could not well obey the Emperour, but I must disobey Christ; in this case then, I chose rather to obey my God then man.

When they were brought to the Fire, the last words they were heard to pronounce were, Jesus Christ, thou Son of God, into thy hands we commend our Spirits; and so they ended their Testimo∣ny. Within eight dayes after Jane the Mother, and Martin her Son were both Executed in the same City.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Q. Mary, An. 1559.