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.

CHAP. V.

The just Judgments of God upon several Persecutors in Forreign Parts.

IN the English Translation of the History of John Carion Fol. 250. he writeth concerning the Death of John Eckins as followeth;* 1.1 this Year, saith he, died at Ingeldstate, Doctor Eckins, a faithful Ser∣vant and Champion of the Pope, and a Defender of the abominable Papacy: But as his Life was full of all Ungodliness, Uncleanness and Blasphemy, so was his end Miserable, Hard and Pitiful, for his last words were these, In case, said he, the four thousand Gilders were ready, the matter were dispatched, dreaming belike of some Cardinal Ship that he should have bought, now what an end this was, I leave it to the Readers judgment.

John wanderwarfe a Bastard, son of a Stock or Kindred called Warfe,* 1.2 a man of a cruel nature, and of a perverse and corrupt judgment, a sore Persecutor of Christs Flock, with greediness, seeking and shedding Innocent Blood, having drowned divers good men and wo∣men, for which, of some he was called, A blood-Hound, of others Sheltade, that being of a short, grundy and little stature, he did com∣monly ride with a broad Hat, as a Churl of the Country: On a time, having been at Antwerp, at a Feast, and being loaden with Wine, riding home over a Bridge, the Wagon was blown over the Bar into the Town-Ditch, where his neck was broken, and his Wife being with him, was taken up alive, but died within three dayes after; the truth of this was Witnessed, by several Merchants of Antwerp.

Erasmus in his Apology maketh mention of a Noble man, who having purposed before his Death, to go see Jerusalem, and setting things in order for his Journey,* 1.3 leaving the care of his Wife, who was great with Child, and of his Lordships and Castles to an Arch-Bishop, as to a must sure and trusty Father; to make short, it hap∣pened this Noble man died in his Journey; as soon as the Arch-Bi∣shop hard of it, instead of a Father he became an Enemy and De∣stroyer, seizing into his hands all his Lordships and Possessions, nei∣ther was he therewith contented, but he laid seige against a strong Fort, into which the Wife of the Noble man was fled for safe-guard, where, in the conclusion, she with the Child she went withal, was miserably slain: By this Example, the Reader may see what the

effects of this mans blind Superstition was, and what ill Fruits his rash vows to defend Idolatrous Pilgrimage did produce; therefore, saith my Author, it is rightly said of Hierome, To have been at Jerusa∣lem, is no great matter; but to live a Godly and Virtuous life that is a great matter indeed.

In the Town of Gaunt in Flander;,* 1.4 one william D'waver was accu∣sed and Imprisoned, by the Provost in Gaunt, who had in his Cloister a Prison and place of Execution, being with several others, set in Judgment Seat in Examination and Trial of the said D'weav•••• where he charged him with denying to pray to Saints, and denying Purgatory; on a suddain the said Provost, was smitten with a Palsie, that his Mouth was drawn almost to his Ear, and so he fell down and never speak word more, and the next day about ten a clock he died, nevertheless they burned the said William D'weaver within three hours after the same.

The like Example of the Lords Judgement was shewed upon ano∣ther great Persecutor, called, Sir Garret Triest,* 1.5 who had long pro∣mised to the Regent to bring down the Preachers, for which the ••••¦gent promised to make him an Earl, the said Gerret being at Ga••••••, ••e with other of the Lords received a Commission from the Regent 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sware the Lords and Commons unto the Romish Religion; Garret be∣ing at Supper, speak to his Wife to call him an hour sooner then he use to rise, for that he should have much business to swear the People in the Town-house the next day; but see what happened, the said Garret going to Bed in good health, and his Wife calling him in the morning, according to his appointment, found him dead by her, and so not able to prosecute his wicked purpose.

However the Lords of Gaunt, coming to the Town-house, proceeded to give the Oath, according to their Commission,* 1.6 but Martin de P•••••••••• the Secratary, being appointed to tender the Oath, at the first ••an he offered it to, the said Secratary was stricken with present Death, and fell down and was carried away in a Chair, and never speak more; and to witness the Truth hereof, my Author produceth ten persons Names.

A Letter translated out of French into English, written to Henry the Se∣cond French King, declaring and proving out of divers Histories, what Afflictions and Calamities from time to time, by Gods Righteous Judgments, have fallen upon such, as have been E••••mic•• to his People, and have resisted the free pas∣sage of his Truth.

Consider I pray you, Sir, and you shall find, that all your 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••∣ous have come upon yon,* 2.1 since you have set your self against 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which are called Lutherans, when you made the Edict of 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••∣ant, God sent you wars; but when you ceased the 〈…〉〈…〉 said Edict, and as long as you were Enemies to the Pope, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 ••••∣ing into Armain for the defence of the liberty of the Germans, ••••••••∣ed

for Religion, your Affairs prospered, as you could wish or desire.

On the contrary, what hath come upon you since you joyned with the Pope again, having received a Sword from him, for his own safe-guard, and who was it that caused you, to break the Truce? God hath turned in a moment your Prosperity into such Afflictions, that they touch not only the state of your own person but of your King∣dom also.

To what end came the enterprise, of the Duke of Guise in Haly, go∣ing about the service of the Enemy of God, and purposing after his return to destroy the Valleys of Piedmont, to offer or sacrifice them to God, for his Victories; the event hath well declared, that God can turn upside down our Counsels and Enterprizes, as he overturn∣ed of la••e the Enterprize of the Constable of France at S. Quintinis, having Vowed to God, that at his return, he would go and destroy Geneva, when he had gotten the Victory?

Have you not heard of L' Pouchet Arch Bishop of Towers, who made suit for the erection of a Court called Chamber Ardent, where∣in to condemn the Protestants to the Fire? who afterwards was stricken with a disease, called, The Fire of God, which began at his feet, and ascended upwards, that he caused one Member after ano∣ther to be cut off, and so died miserably without any Remedy.

Also one Castillanus, who having inriched himself by the Gospel, and forsaking the pure Doctrine thereof, and returning to his vo∣mit again, went about to persecute the Christians at Orleans, and by the Hand of God was stricken in his Body with a sickness unknown to the Physitians, the one half of his Body burning as hot as Fire, and the other as cold as Ice, and so most miserably crying and lamenting, ended his life.

There be other infinite Examples of Gods Judgments worthy to be remembered, as the death of the Chancellor, and Legate Duprat, which was the first that opened to the Parliament the knowledge of Heresies, and gave out the first Commissions to put the faithful to death, who afterward died in his House at Natcilet, Swearing and hor∣ribly Blaspheming God; and his stomack was found pierced and knawn assunder with Worms; also John Ruse Councellor in the Parliament, coming from the Court after he had made report of the process a∣gainst the poor Innocents, was taken in a burning in the lower part of his Belly, and before he could be brought home to his House the fire invaded all his secret parts, and so he died miserably.

Also one named, Claude De Astes, a Councellor in the said Court, the same day he gave his Opinion and Consent to burn a faithful Christian (albeit it was not done indeed as he would have it) after he had dined, committed Whoredom with a Servant in the House, and even in doing the Act was stricken with a disease called an Apo∣plexia, whereof he died out of hand.

Peter Lyset, chief President of the said Court, and one of the Authors of the aforesaid burning Chamber, was deposed from his

Office, for being known to be out of his right wit, and bereaved of his understanding.

Also John Moren Lievtenant Crimnel of the Provost of Paris, after he had been the cause of the Death of many Christians, was finally stricken with a disease in the Legs, called the Wolves, where∣by he lost the use of them, and died also out of his wits, many dayes before denying and blaspheming God.

Likewise John Andrew, Book-Binder of the Palace, a spie for the President Liset, and of Bruseard the Kings Soliciter died in a Fury of Madness.

The Inquisitor John De Roma, in Province, his flesh fell from him by piece-meal, and so stinking, that no man might come near him for the smell thereof.

Also John Minerius of Province, who was the cause of the death of a great Number of Men, Women and Children at Cabriers, and at Merindol, died with bleeding in the lower parts, the Fire having taken his Belly, blaspheming and despising God, besides many other whereof we might make recital, which were punished with the like kind of death.

It may please your Majesty to remember your self that ye had no sooner determined to set upon us, but new troubles were by and by moved by your Enemies, with whom ye could make no Agreement, which God would not suffer, forasmuch as your Peace was grounded upon the Persecution which ye pretended against Gods Servants; as also your Cardinals cannot let through their cruelty the course of the Gospel, which hath taken such root in your Realm, that if God should give you leave to destroy the Professers thereof, you should be almost a King without Subjects.

Tertullian hath well said, that the blood of Martyrs is the Seed of the Gospel, wherefore to take away all these evils coming of the riches of the Papists, which cause so much Whoredom, Sodomi∣try and Incest, wherein they wallow like Hogs, feeding their idle Bellies; the best way were, to put them from their Lands, and Possessions, as the Old Sacrificing Levites were, according to the ex∣press Commandment given to Joshua; for as long as the Command∣ment of God took place, and that they were void of Ambition, the purity of Religion remained whole and perfect, but when they be∣gan to aspire to Principallity, Riches and worldly Honours, then be∣gan the Abomination of Desolation that Christ foretold.

It was even so in the Primitive Church, for it flourished and con∣tinued in all pureness, as long as the Ministers were of small wealth, and sought not their particular profit, but the Glory of God only; but since the Pope began to be Prince like, and to usurp the Domi∣nion of the Empire, under the colour of a false Donation of Constantine, they have turned the Scriptures from their true sence, and have attri∣buted the service to themselves, which we owe to God, wherefore your Majesty may seize with good right, upon all the Temperallities, of the Benefices, and that with a safe Conscience, to Employ them to their true and right use.

First, For the finding and maintaining of the faithful Ministers of the Word of God, for such Livings shall be requisite for them, ac∣cording as the case shall require. Secondly, For the entertainment of your Justices that give Judgment. Thirdly, For the relieving of the poor and Maintenance of the Colledges, to instruct the poor Youths in that which they shall be most apt unto; and the rest, which is in∣finite may remain for entertainment of your own Estate and Affairs, to the great easment of your poor People, which alone bear the Bur∣den, and possess in manner nothing.

In this doing, an infinite Number of men, and even of your Nobili∣ty, which live of the Crucifex should imploy themselves to your Ser∣vice and the Common Wealths, so much the more diligently, as they see that ye recompence none, but those that have deserved; where∣as now there is an infinite Number of men in your Kingdom which occupy the chiefest and greatest Benifices, which never deserved any part of them, &c. And thus much touching the Superfluous Pos∣sessions of the Popish Lordly Clergy: Now, proceeding further in this Exhortation to the King, thus the Letter importeth.

But when the Papists see they have not to alledg for themselves any reason, they say, to make odious to your Majesty the Lutherans (as they call us) and say, if their sayings take place, ye shall be fain to remain a private person, and that there is never change of Religion, but there is also change of Princedom; a thing as false as when they accuse us to be Sacramentaries, and that we deny the Authority of Magistrates under the shaddow of a certain furious Anabaptist which Sathan hath raised in our time, to Darken the Light of the Gospel, for the Histories of the Emporors, which have begun to receive the Chri∣stian Religion, and that which is come to pass in our time shew the contrary.

Was there ever Prince more feared and obeyed then Constantine in receiving the Christian Religion? Was he therefore put from the Empire? No, he was thereby the more confirmed and established in the same, and also his Posterity which ruled themselves by his Providence; but such as are fallen away, and followed mens Tra∣ditions, God hath destroyed, and their Race is no more known in the Earth, so much doth God detest them that forsake him; and in our time the late Kings of England and Germany, were they constrai∣ned, in reproving Superstitions, which the wickedness of the time hath brought in, to forsake their Kingdoms and Princedoms? All men see the contrary; and what honour, fidelity and obedience of the people in our time, that have received the Reformation of the Gospel do under their Princes and Superiours; yae, I may say, that the Princes knew not before, what it was to be obeyed at that time when the rude and ignorant people received so readily, the dispen∣sations of the Pope, to drive out their own Kings and Natural Lords.

The true and only remedy, Sir, is, that ye cause to be holden a holy and free Council, where ye should be chief, and not the Pope and his, who ought but only to defend their causes by the holy

Scriptures, that in the mean while ye may seek out men, not corrup∣ted, suspected nor partial, whom ye may charge to give report faith∣fully unto you of the true sence of the holy Scriptures; and this done after the Example of the good King Jehosaphat, Hezekias and Josi••••, ye shall take out of the Church all Idolatry, Superstitions and Abuse, which is found directly contrary to the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testimament, and by that means ye shall guide your People in the true and pure Service of God, not regarding in the mean time the cavelling pretences of the Papists, which say, that such Questions have been already answer'd at General Councils, for it is known well enough that no Council hath been lawful since the Popes have usurped the Principallity and Tyranny upon mens Souls, but they have made them serve to their Covetousness, Ambition, and Cruelty, and the contra∣riety which is among those Councils, maketh enough for their dis∣proof, beside a hundred thousand other absurdities, against the Word of God, which be in them the true proof, for such matters is in the true and holy Scriptures, to the which no times nor Age hath any pre∣scription to be alledged against them; for by them we receive the Councils founded upon the Word of God, and also by the same we re∣ject that Doctrine which is repugnant.

And if ye do thus, Sir, God will bless your enterprise, he will encrease and confirm your Reign and Empire, and your Posterity; if otherwise Destruction is at your Gate, and unhappy are the Peo∣ple which shall dwell under your Obedience; there is no doubt, but God will harden your heart as he did Pharaohs, and take of the Crown from your head, as he did to Jeroboam, Nadah, Baza, Ahab, and to many other Kings, and give it your Enemies to triumph over you and your Children.

And if the Emperor Antonyne the meek, although he was a Pagan, and Idolator, seeing himself bewrapt with so many wars ceased the Persecutions which were in his time against the Christians, and de∣termined in the end to hear their Cause and Reasons, how much more ought you that bear the name of most Christian King to be care∣ful and diligent to cease the Persecutions against the poor Christians, seeing they have not troubled, nor do trouble in any wise the Sate of your Kingdom, and your Affairs? Considering also, that the Jews are suffered throughout all Christendom, although they be mortal Ene∣mies of our Lord Jesus Christ, which we hold by common accord and consent for our God, Redeemer and Saviour, and that until you have heard, lawfully debated, and understand our Reasons taken out of the Holy Scriptures, and that your Majesty have judged, if we be worthy of such punishments; for if we be not overcome by the Word of God, the Fire, the Sword, nor the cruel Torments shall not make us afraid; these are Exercises that God has promised his, the which he fortold should come in the last times, that they should not be trou∣bled when such things came upon them.

Translated out of the French Book, intituled, Commentaries of the State of the Church and Publique Weale, page 7.

Notwithstanding the Letter and warning, the King no whit abated his cruel Persecution against the Lords People, but rather was the more hardened in heart, and inflamed against them, pouring out great Threatning against them.

But the Lord in whose hand the hearts of Kings are, caused him to stoop; for shortly after in a publick Triumph or Jusling, Mountgomery and the King met together so stoutly, that in breaking their Spears, the King was stricken with a counter blow right in one of his Eyes, and the shivers entered into his Head, so that his Brains festered and perished and no remedy could be found, but he dyed having reigned twelve years three moneths and ten dayes.

Amongst others, it is not to be forgoten the Example of Gods just Scourge upon Sigismundus the Emperor,* 2.2 who after his wrongful con∣demnation of John Husse and Hierome of Prage, nothing afterwards went prosperous with him, but all contrary, so that he died without issue, and in his wars he ever had the worst, and not long after Ladis Laus his Daughters son, King of Hungary, fighting against the Turk, was slain in the Field, so that in the time of one Generation all the Poste∣rity and Off-spring of this Emperor perished; besides this, Barbara his Wife, came to such ruin by her wicked Lewdness, that she became a shame and slander to the name and state of all Queens, whereby all Christian Princes may be warned how they defile themselves with the blood of Saints an Martyrs.

And thus the Reader may see all along throughout the Scriptures, and by the record of Antient Histories,* 2.3 how God hath avenged the the Cause of his People against all Persecutors for Conscience sake, of every Age almost from the beginning unto these Times, and now these Examples may be a Warning to the Persecutors of this Age, who have made Spoil of the People of God, and have the Spoil in their Houses; and though such Oppressors may be lifted up, because Judg∣ment is not speedily executed; yet let such consider their wayes and repent before it be too late, for the Lord is at the Door, and beholds the Actions of such as grind the face of his People, and though he hath long forbearance, yet his Judgments will come, if there be not re∣pentance in time. Return therefore whilst ye have time. (O ye Persecutors, and wicked Men) for the day of the Lord is at hand, It shall come as a Destruction from the Almighty; therefore shall all hands be faint, and every mans heart shall melt, and they shall be a∣fraid; Pangs and Sorrows shall take hold upon them; they shall be in Pain as a Woman that travelleth; they shall be amazed one at an other; their faces shall be as Flames: Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with Wrath and fierce Anger to lay the Land deso∣late, and he shall destroy the Sinners thereof out of it, and will punish the World for their Evil, and the wicked for their Iniquity, and will cause the arrogancy of the Proud to cease, and will lay low the haugh∣tiness of the Terrible.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Anno. 1553. John Eckins.
• * 1.2

  John Wan∣derwarfe.
• * 1.3

  An. 1558.
• * 1.4

  An. 1565 The Provost of Gaunt▪
• * 1.5

  A•• ••56•• 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.6

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 2.1

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 2.2

  A just Judg∣ment upon Sigismundus the Empe∣rour.
• * 2.3

  The Conclu∣sion.