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.

A Relation of such things as fell out under the Goverment of Alva; And of many men put to death, Anno 1567.

The Afflictions of the Protestants in the Low-Countries were multi∣plyed this year under the Dominion of Ferdinando of Toledo Duke of Alva.

It is well known that the Spaniards using all their endeavorus to rule over this Country at their pleasures had no better opertunity, to accomplish their designs then to establish among them their Inquisi∣tion, thereby todomineer over the goods, honors and lives of every one; the noble Citizens and Commons did what they could to op∣pose the same, to which purpose they had instantly besought the King to afford them his Royal presence, that hearing once their Complaints, his Majesty might take some order for matters of so great Impor∣tance, alledging to this end the Example of the Emperour Charles his Father, who upon a business far inferiour to this, adventured him∣self with much diligence to pass through the Enemies Country, who were but a while before reconciled, only to stay some Mutinies be∣gun in the City of Cand. These things had so moved the King that he made them a promise by Letters of his coming; but his intentions were broken of by such as were the upholders of the Inquisition, that so they might with the more facility attain the end of their desires, instead of their King then, they had sent unto them the Duke of Alva, who at his Entrance found the Prisons replenished with Gentlemen, and other Personages of note, whom the Dutchess of Parma had left in bonds after her death.

Long did they languish in this Captivity, whilst the Duke of Alva by fair promises dissembled a kind of meek and gentle carriage of mind towards them giving them some hope of a General pardon, pro∣ceeding from the Kings Clemency, that thus he might catch the Lords, and Governours the more cunningly into his Nets, whereof the Lord Lemoral Earl of Egmond, Prince of Gaud Governour of Planders and Artois, and others of quality gave but too Lamentable experience, who being led with vain hopes were at length inhumanly put to death.

The sixteen Provinces also subjecting themselves under this new Government, lost their antient Liberties and Priviledges, which evi∣dently appeared by the exploits done from the year 1567. hitherto by a new Council of twelve, elected and setled there by the Duke, the principal of which were Vergas and Elrio Fathers of the In∣quisition, which Council was commonly called, the Council of BLOOD.

In the year 1568. the Duke of Alva began to declare to the World his feigned meekness, puting to death two Brethren, Barons of Battembourg, and several others he Executed at the same time at Brussel. These two Brethren from the flower of their youth had con∣stantly professed the pure Doctrine of the Gospel, and in the end were put to death for their Testimony to the same.

Shortly after there were taken and imprisoned at Antwerp several persons whose constancy to Death will appear by what they writ to certain of their Brethren, Dated the 17th of March, as fol∣loweth.

Seeing it is the will of God, that we should suffer for his holy Name and in the Quarrel of his Gospel; we certifie you, Brethren, that we are hitherto of good courage, howsoever the flesh continually rebels a∣gainst the Spirit, counselling it ever and anon according to the ad∣vice of the Old Serpent; but we are well assured that Christ who hath bruised, will also still bruise the Serpents Head, and not leave us com∣fortless; true it is, we are now and then pricked in the heel, but that is all the Serpent can do, nor are we discouraged, but keep our faith close to the Promises of God, who is the Lord of Heaven and Earth, having created all things of nothing: He forsook not Joseph in Eygpt, nor left the three Young Men in the fiery Furnace; no nor Daniel in the Lyons Den; this is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and of their Righteous Posterity, so that we can without fear say with the Prophet David, The Lord is my Help, Tower, Strength and Refuge: By such, and the like Scriptures, dear Brethren, we com∣fort our selves in our Bonds, rejecting all confidence in man whatso∣ever; be not dismayed then, good Brethren and Sisters, for our Bonds and Imprisonment, for so is the good will of God now towards us; and therefore pray rather, that he would give us grace to persevere constantly unto the End, so be it.

One of these three imprisoned in Antwerp wrot a few Lines to the Church of God in Antwerp, as followeth; Brethren, I write unto you, being left alone; whereas we were three in number, John Hues is now dead in the Lord, I did my best to comfort him whilest he breathed so as now I am alone, and yet not altogether alone, seeing the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is with me, he is my exceeding great Reward, and will not fail to reward me as soon as I have laid down this earthly Tabernable: Pray unto God that he would strengthen me to the end, for from hour to hour I expect the dissolu∣tion of this house of Clay.

When Joris one of the three was examined before the Magistrates, the Marquess said unto him, I have hitherto spared you, hoping to see you recant, but you grow worse and worse.

Joris replyed, during the time of my Imprisonment I have shed many tears; and further said, he was now become resolute, and could not fashon himself according to their desire, although they burnt him as they had done his Brother Schoblant.

Marquess, I can tell you, it will cost you but little better cheap.

Joris, I am ready if it be to morrow.

Then said one of the Standers by, he has neither Wife, Child nor Goods to lose, and that makes him so willing to dye.

Joris, You shall answer these your doings at the last day, where you must all appear, and then there will be no respect of persons.

Marquess, We have heard you preach too long; take him Goaler, and cast him into the Hole; then was he put among Thieves as a Lamb among so many Wolves: Thus this constant Witness remained firm till death.

The Spectacles of dead Bodies slain by the Bloody Inquisition was a Dreadful sight, being gazed on in a manner, in every place, especial∣ly in the City of Tournay, and of the Valentians; in regard of the multitudes of Believers, both of men and women; who had long Languished in sundry Prisons, in great miseries and necessities. Now that we may not forget what fell out in the beginning of this Year 1569. Thus it happened in the City of Valence, seven and fifty persons were executed for no other cause but for cleaving to the true Faith of Christ Jesus, not without much astonishment of the poor people of that City.

Among these sad Relations, a little to quicken and refresh the Spi∣rit of the Reader, I will here insert a Letter, full of Consolations, written out of Prison, to the Faithful, by one William Tovart, Merchant, who had his dwelling in the City of Lile in Flan∣ders.

This honourable person being come to the Age of Eighty Years, or thereabouts, used his House for the space of Fourteen or Fifteen Years for the Assembly in the City of Lile to meet in: Being cha∣sed and Banished thence in the Year 1561. he withdrew himself for a while to Tournay, whence he was constrained to flie, and to go to Amiens and Moundediea, Cities of Prickardy; afterwards returning into his own Country, he came to reside in the City of Antwerp, where after he had continued many Years, he was at length condem∣ned to be burnt with two others, who suffered for the same cause, but they put him to another kind of Death, for they drowned him by plunging him in a Cistern of Water in Prison. Amongst many Letters which he wrote, during the time of his Imprisonment, my Author hath selected out this one, which here followeth.

Dear Brethren and Sisters in Jesus Christ,

I most humbly thank my God, that he hath so fortified and comforted me by his Grace, that I feel my self more cheered by lying in this dark Prison, then if I were walking in the open Streets or Fields; I say, this I feel accor∣ding to the Spirit, for as touching the Flesh, what doth it apprehend here, but stinking Vapours and Smoke. Wherefore, my beloved, if it so fall out, that you be apprehended for the Name of Jesus Christ; fear not the prison, nor those that have power to Kill the Bo∣dy, for having done that, they can go no further; be not afraid then, seeing it is the reward which our good Captain Jesus Christ hath Pro∣mised to all his Faithful Souldiers and Servants; he who turns his back in this conflict goes by the loss; but whosoever fights manful∣ly, obtains in the end the Crown; not a Crown of Gold, but of

Glory Immortal; we here lay down a fading life, filled with griefs and troubles, to change the same for a Life Everlasting; we put off the Rags of this Mortal Flesh, to be clothed with Robes Immortal; we forsake a loathsome Life, for joy and felicity eternal; ought any gain or exchange to be compared with this? O sweet and happy Mar∣tyrdom! how dost thou dignifie and inrich us in despite of the World, Devil, and our own Flesh? and which of us now can com∣plain, seeing our Soveraign Lord and Master has so expresly foretold it to all his Followers? will any man come after me, saith he, Let him then take up his Cross, and follow me; Let us bear, Oh, let us then bear the Cross cheerfully, and with joyfulness, that we may be re∣ceived in the presence of his heavenly Father; for it is not only given us for to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for his sake; and if we suffer with him, then we shall also Reign with him.

Oh, that we could admire his bounty, who no sooner imployes us in his Work, but hath the Wages ready in his Hand wherewith to recompence us; your sorrow, saith he, Shall be turned into joy; let us then cast off every weight that presseth down, and whatsoever else that stands in our way to Heavenward, be it Father, Mother, Bro∣ther, Sisters, Husband, Child, yea, and our own life also; let us with the wise Merchant-man sell all, that with him we may purchase that pretious Pearl; how happy do I esteem them that are called to suffer, and leave their Life for confessing the Name of Jesus Christ, for the Eternal Son of God will confess their Names before his heavenly Father and his holy Angels; they shall be clad with white Robes, and shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of Heaven filled with gladness in the Presence of the Lamb; they shall eat of the Fruit of the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God: Let us fix the Eye of our Minds upon these so great and pretious Promises of Jesus Christ, which he hath made to all those who persevere in well-doing unto the end. Oh! how happy shall we be when we are delivered from these Bodies of Death to live forever with our God? Let us then continu∣ally pray with the Disciples, Lord increase our Faith. Oh, dear Bre∣thren, remember me alwayes in your prayers, who am bound here in the Bonds of Anti-christ; remember those also who are in Bonds, as if you were bound with them: Pray, I say, without ceasing, for our Adversary the Devil is alwayes compassing us about to cause our Hearts to faint, and you are not ignorant what a potent Enemy our own Flesh is unto us; but I confidently believe that our God, who hath begun this good Work in me, will perfect the same, even unto the Day of Christ.

Farewel.

When the Massacrees began to play their parts in Rovan, they coun∣selled those of the Religion, to get themselves into the Prisons as into places of greatest security, from the fury and rage of the people, but such as followed this advice were there even ready to be devoured, as poor Sheep, by these greedy Wolves at their pleasure.

Those who were murdered in the City in a few dayes, some in

their Houses, and others in the Prisons amounted to six thousand, besides more then fifty Women, unto whom they exercised no less Cruelty then upon men.

Their names for brevity sake are here omitted, their dead bodies being piled together were conveyed out of the City in Tumbrils, and thrown by heaps one upon another into great pits, digged for that purpose: Their garments being washed in the River, from their Blood, by certain poor Women, were afterwards distributed here and there to the Poor by the Papists, that they might seem with their merciless and unjust Cruelty to mingle some Works of Justice and Charity.

Upon the eight day after the Massacree at Paris, about eight of the Clock in the Morning, the chief of the Papists at Tholouse, received Advertisement of that which had passed, with Letters directing them what they were to do, then a Council was called; at the breaking up whereof, the great Gates of the City were shut, only the little Wickets left open, and shortly after, they entered into the houses of those of the Religion, whom they imprisoned in sundry Prisons of the City, about three weeks after they put all these Prisoners together into the Consciergery, which is a special Prison, deferring the Slaughter of them until they received Warrant and Authority from Paris, which having received, the Prisoners were called down to the Stairs foot, one after another, and there Massacred, not permitting them so much leasure as to speak; the Councellors who were of the Reli∣gion, after they had Massacred them, they hanged them up in their Gowns upon a great Elm which was in the Court of the Palace, and in the mean time sacked and pillaged their houses.

Notes

• An. 1568.
• The names of three Martyrs, Imprisoned at Antwerp, were Schob∣lant, Son of Barthel, Jo. de Hues and Joris Comans.
• Persecution and Massa∣cree at Ro∣van.
• A Massacree at Tholouse.