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 THE Just Iudgments of God INFLICTED UPON PERSECUTORS Wherein is shewed The Wicked Lives and most horrible Untimely Deaths of many of the Persecutors of Old; Collected out of Ancient Histories, and out of the Scriptures.

CHAP. I

The remarkable and righteous Judgments, of God which have be∣faln several Persecutors for Conscience sake, mentioned in the Old Testament.

THe Old Serpent the Devil,* 1.1 who was the first Persecutor for Righteousness sake that ever was in the World, who for that very cause hath hunted after the blood of the Saints, even from the beginning unto this day, was for his Persecution cur∣sed of God above all Creatures, Gen. 3.14.

Cain persecuted his godly Brother Abel until Death,* 1.2 and that for no other cause, but for Righteousness sake, even because his own works were Evil, and his Brothers Good and Righteous, 1 John 3. 12. was therefore cursed of God with a bitter curse, even from the Presence of God, and from the Earth, and made a Fugative and Vaga∣bond in the Earth, yea, so great was his punishment, that he said, It was greater then he could bear, Gen. 4.11, 12, 13.

Ishmael was another Persecutor, for he was a Mocker of his Brother Isaac,* 1.3 the true Seed of God; and therefore was cast out with his Mother

out of the Family of the Faithful, that he might have no part in the In∣heritance in the true Seed, unto whom the Promise was made, Gen. 12.9, 10, 11.

Joseph's Brethren were punished by Famine and Distress,* 1.4 who per∣secuted their righteous Brother Joseph, in that they hated him, and sold him for twenty pieces of Silver to the Ishmaelites, as is confest and acknowledged by themselves to be justly come upon them for that thing; We are very guilty say they one to another, concerning our Bro∣ther, in that we saw the anguish of his Soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this Distress come upon us, and Ruben answer∣ed them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the Child, and ye would not hear; therefore, behold also his blood is required, Gen. 37.4.28.

King Pharaoh and the Aegyptians, the great Persecutors of the Children of Israel,* 1.5 who kept them long in Captivity in Aegypt the House of Boundage, who by all the Wisdom they had studdied how to Vex and Torment them by Task-Masters, to Afflict them by Bur∣thens, and make them serve with Rigour, and thereby made their Lives most bitter unto them with heard Bondage in Mortar and Brick, to be made without Straw, and yet exacting upon them the full tail of Bricks, as when they had Straw; and beating of them, if they did not fulfil the number of their wonted daily Task; and lastly by commanding all their Male-Children to be slain and killed, and would not let them go to do Sacrifice unto the Lord their God; but for all this they did not go unpunished, but the Lord most justly, and most severelly punisned them for all their Cruelty and Wicked Persecution: For First, their Water was all turned into Blood, inso∣much that their Fish died, and they themselves could not drink of it: Secondly, They were plagued with Frogs in their Houses and in their Chambers, in their Beds, in their Ovens, and in their knee∣ding-troughs, and upon himself and his People. Thirdly, Their Dust was turned into Lice, and they were upon Man and Beast, and in their Houses, and they covered the Ground. Fourthly, They were plagued with swarms of Flies in like manner. Fifthly, With the Murrain among their Beasts. Sixthly, With Blaines and Boyles up∣on man and Beast, Seventhly, With grievous Hail mingled with Fire, killing men and Beast, that it fell upon, and every Herb of the Field throughout the Land and every Tree. Eighthly, With grievous Lo∣custs, which went over all the Land, covering the Face of the whole Earth, so that the Land was Darkened, and they did eat every Herb of the Land, and all the Fruit of the Trees which the Hail had left. Ninthly, With thick Darkness over all the Land even darkness that may be felt, for three dayes together, so that they saw not one the other, neither rose any from his place for three dayes; but the Chil∣dren of Israel had light in their dwellings all the while. Tenthly, The Lord did out off all the First-born in the Land, from the First-born of Pharaoh, that sits upon the Throne, to the First-born of the Maid-Servant that was behind the Mill, and all the First-born of Beasts. Then, Lastly, the Lord drowned them all in the midst of the

Red-Sea, even Pharaoh, and all the Aegyptians, with all their Cha∣riots and Horse-men, and all his Host; so as there remained not one of them. Thus was the Judgment of God executed upon cruel Per∣secuting Pharaoh, and all the Aegyptians.

The Wicked King Ahab, who sold himself to work Wickedness, a great Persecutor and Hater of good Micah, a true Prophet of the Lord,* 1.6 who for speaking the truth in the Name of the Lord, when commanded by the King so to do, though it were against the King himself, was for that by him commanded to be put in Prison, and fed with Bread and Water of Affliction, and suffered him to be smitten on the Face by Zedekiah in his presence without reproof, was at last met with by the hand of Justice and true Judgment, according to the Word of the Lord, spoken by the said Prophet; for he was slain in Bat∣tel by a Dart snot out of a Bow at venter, which smote him, the King of Israel, between the joynts of the harness, whilst he was in his Cha∣riot, and was fain to be carried out of the Battel, and at Evening about Sun-set he died, 2 Chron. 18.7, 26, 33, 34.

Jezabel that cursed Woman, and great Persecutor of the Saints, who slew and cut off many of the Prophets of the Lord,* 1.7 who caused Naboth to be accused falsly of Blasphemy, that so he might be Stoned to Death as he was; so that King Ahab her Husband, who thristed for poor Naboths Vineyard might take possession thereof, as he did. She threatned the man of God and Prophet of the Lord Elijah, in Swearing by her Gods, She would cause him to be slain by to morrow this time, and make his life as the life of one of the Prophets of Baal which he had slain; was most justly rewarded at the Hand of the Lord, according as the Prophet of the Lord Elijah had aforetold; who said, the Dogs should eat Jezabel by the Wall of Jezreel, which was the very Wall of Naboth's Vineyard, which she caused to be taken most wickedly from him, as aforesaid; for when she reckoned with her self to set out her self in the most sumptions manner she could, to the liking of the King, by triming and decking her self, by paint∣ing her Face, and tiring her Head, to look out of the Window upon the King; then did King Jehu command her to be thrown down out of the Window; and so they threw her down out of the Window, and shed her blood, and trampled her under their Feet; and when he would have buried this cursed Woman, as he called her (because she was a Kings Daughter) they found that the Dogs had lickt up her Blood, and had eaten her Flesh, so that there remained only her Skull, her Feet, and the Palmes of her Hands: Then said the King, when he heard of it, This makes good the Word of the Lord which he spake by his Servant Elijah•• the Tishbite, saying, In the Portion of Jezreel, shall Dogs eat the Flesh of Jezabel, and the Carkass of Jezabel shall be as Dung upon the Face of the Fields in the Portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, this is Jezabel, 1 King. 18.4, 13. 1 Kings 21.8, 16, 21, 23. 2 Kings 9.33, 36, 37.

King Joash when he began to Reign Ruled well,* 1.8 and so continued while he had good Councellors about him; but when he began to hearken unto evil Councellors, viz. The Princes of Judah, (his

chief good Councellor Jehoida the Priest being dead) and took their evil Council, they drew away his Heart and inclined it to Idolatry, and to Persecution; so that when Zachariah (the Son of Jehoida) came to him from the Lord, being filled with the Spirit, to bear Testimony a∣gainst him and their Idolatry, and against his and their Transgressions, and to reprove him and them for it; they conspired against him, and Stoned him with Stones at the Commandment of the King, in the Court of the House of the Lord, and slew him; but the Lord soon, according unto this good mans Prayer at his Death, lookt upon this evil, and required it at his and their hands by executing Judgment upon the King and his evil Councellors; for at the end of that Year the Lord sent the Host of Assyria against him, even but a small Company, and de∣stroyed all the Princes of the People (the Kings evil Councellors first) from among the People, and sent the spoil of them to the King of Damascus, and delivered a very great Army into their hands, Because they had forsaken the Lord God of their Fathers; and so they executed Judgment against Joash the King; and when they had departed from him, having left him in great Di••tress, by reason of great Diseases, his own Servant conspired against him, for the blood of the Sons of Je∣hoida, and slew him on his Bed that he died, 2 Chron. 24.

* 1.9 Haman the Persecutor, who persecuted Mordecai, because he would not bow unto him, and do him reverence according to the Kings Command, who therefore sought to destroy all the Jews that were in the Kingdom, promising to pay into the Kings Treasure ten thou∣sand Talents of Silver, if he would grant his Writing for their De∣struction, unto which the King consented to; and in the mean time Haman builds a Gallows fifty Cubits high to hang Mordecai upon, for not moving nor rising up, nor doing reverence unto him; but the Righteous God the Judge of Heaven and Earth, who seeth all things, soon overtook this Persecutor, in his furious Pride and Blood-thirsti∣ness, and put a stop to his intended Persecution by turning the Kings Heart against him, by the intercession of Esther the Queen, whereby he came to be hanged himself upon the same Gallows he had set up for Mordecai the Jew, Esther 3.

* 1.10 Nebuchadnezzar that Proud Persecuting King of Babylon and Cal∣dea, how did the Lord humble him for his pride and cruelty exerci∣sed towards the three Children, in casting then into the Fiery-Furnace, which he caused to be heat seven times hotter then ordinary for them, because they would not Worship the Golden Image which he had set up, by renting his Kingdom from him, and driving him from Men, and making his dwelling with the Beasts of the Field. and to eat grass as an Ox, till seven times past over him, and that his hands grew like Eagles Feathers. and his nails like Birds Clawes, that he and all might know that the Lord only changes times and seasons, and Rules the Kingdoms of men, and giveth to whomsoever he will, and that his Wayes, Works and Judgments are Truth (as he afterwards confessed) and that those that walk in pride, he is able to abase, Dan. 3.14. to the 18th verse.

* 1.11 Those chosen men, that were the most mighty men of all that King Nebuchadnezar had in his whole Army, that were the appointed Executioners of the Kings cruelty, in fulfilling his Commands, in binding the three Children, and casting them into the burning Fiery Furnace, soon tasted the just Judgment of God for their frowardness to obey such commands of cruelty, for the flames of the Fire slew those men that took the three Children up, while the Saints of the most high, themselves, though bound in their Coats, Hosen, Hats and other Garments, being cast into the midst of the burning Fiery Furnace, where they fell down bound into the midst of it; yet up∣on their Bodies the Fire had no power, nor was one hair of their head singed, neither were their Coats changed, nor the smell of Fire past on them, Dan. 3.20.

Those Presidents and Princes of Media and Persia, that were the Per∣secutors of Daniel (in King Darius his time) that sought the occasions to find something against Daniel,* 1.12 that they might accuse him to the King concerning the Kingdom, but could find no occasion nor fault, forasmuch as he was Faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him, save only in that matter, concerning the Law of his God, against whom, that they might have something against him in that matter also, they are constrained to procure a Degree, that whosoever shall ask a Petition of any God or Man for three dayes, save only the King, he should be cast into the Den of Lions, which he the said Daniel (even as they thought) would not obey; but im∣mediately as soon as he be understood it was signed, he went into his House, his Windows being opened in his Chamber towards Jerusa∣lem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before God, as he did before time; for which those men aforesaid, accused him before the King, by whose means, according to the said Decree, he was cast into the Lions Den, but God sent his Angels, and shut the Lions Mouthes, that they could not hurt him, for no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he was Innocent, and believed in God; but his Persecutors soon felt the just and righ∣teous hand of God upon them, for their so wicked persecuting the Innocent for Conscience sake, for the King commanded those men to be brought, that had accused Daniel, and they cast them, their Wives and their Children into the Lions Den, and the Lions had the Mastery of them, and break all their bones in pieces ere they came to the bot∣tom of the Den, Dan. 6.

King Antiochus,* 1.13 surnamed Epiphanes, a great Persecutor of the Jews, who committed great Evils at Jerusalem, and took all the Vessels of Gold and Silver that were therein, and sent to destroy the Inhabi∣tants of Judea, without a cause, and as himself confessed, who in a Proud and insolent manner protested he would make Jerusalem a common burying place, and the Streets thereof run with the blood of Gods People, was by Gods just Judgment plagued with a grie∣vous sickness, having a remediless pain in his Bowels, and an intole∣rable Torment in his inward parts, his Body bred abundance of Worms, which continually crawled out of the same; yea, he so

rotted above ground, that by reason of an intolerable stink, no man could endure to come neer him, neither could he himself endure the same; but in a flood of extream Misery ended his dayes, which, as he confessed, came upon him, for the evil aforesaid; see the Life of Judas Maccabees in Clarkes Martrol. page 13. as also the first Book of Maccabees, Chap. 1, 10. and Chap. 6, 8, &c.

* 1.14 Sennacrib King of Assyria, the great Oppressor and Persecutor of Israel and Judah, and horrible blasphemer and reproacher of the Li∣ving God (the God of Israel and Judah, though they were left of him for a time for their forsaking him, and falling to Idolatry) and a great Defyer of him by the Mouth of wicked Rebshaketh, boasting and threatning what he would do unto Jerusalem, and unto the men in it, viz. he would make them eat their own Dung, and drink their own Piss, was by the just Judgment of God, in the midst of his Pride, disappointed of his wicked purpose; for the Lord sent his Angel into the Camp of Assyria, and slew in one night of his men one hundred fourscore and five thousand, so that when they arose early in the Morning, behold, they were all dead Corpses; and the King himself, though returning to Nineveh, not long after, as he was worshipping of his God in the house of Nisroch, two of his Sons, named Adrame∣lech and Sharezer, smote him with the Sword that he died, 2 Kings 18, &c.

* 1.15 The Assyrian, who was the great and stout hearted Persecutor and Oppressor of the Saints, who removed the Bounds of the People, and robbed them of their Treasures, and destroyed and cut off many Nations, and took them for a prey, and divided the spoil thereof, and trod them down like mire in the Streets, and then boasted of it when he had done, saying, all this have I done by the strength of mine own hand, and by mine own wisdom I have put down the Inhabitants like a valiant man, and I have found out the riches of the People as a Nest, and gathered it as men gather Eggs that are left, boasting, how there was none that moved the Wing, or opened the Mouth, or peeped, when as indeed in all this he was but the Rod of Gods an∣ger and the Lords Indignation was the staff in his hand, he being sent of him to an hypocritical Nation (as the People of Israel then was) to the end that they might repent and be amended, and had it there∣fore given him in charge so to do; howbeit, in all this, in regard he did what he did upon no such account as the Rod of Gods anger, nor unto no such end as their purging and purifying, neither did he mean so, nor yet was it in his heart to think so, but he did what he did out of a murderous and persecuting nature, it being in his heart to destroy and cut off Nations, not a few; therefore see how the just Vengeance of God is threatned against him for it) wherefore it shall come to pass (saith the Lord) that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon Mount Sion, and on Jerusalem, that I will, saith the Lord, punish the fruit of the stout heart of the King of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks, and mine anger shall cease in his destruction, and the Pride of Assyria shall be brought down; the Lord of Hosts hath sworn, saying, surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass, and as I

have purposed, so shall it stand; that I will break the Assyrian in my Land, and upon my Mountains tread him under foot, Isa. 14.24, 25. who had before trod down his People under his feet, and this is the purpose which the Lord of Hosts hath purposed concerning the Assy∣rian, and who shall dissanul it; and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

It is very remarkable also to see and consider all along the Scrip∣tures, how exceeding jealous the Lord hath ever been over his Peo∣ple and Children for good, and how very wathful, and tender he hath been over them, lest any should wrong them, or any way hurt them; and how ready he hath alwayes been to revenge the least in∣jury done unto them, either by word or dead; yea, the Lord hath kept them as M••ses confessed, as the Apple of his own Eye, and hath at certain times rebuked all their Enemies for them before their faces, so saith the Psalmist, he suffered no man, saith he, to do them wrong; yea, he reproved Kings for their sakes, saying, Touch not mine Anoin∣ted, do my Prophets no harm, for he that toucheth them toucheth the very Apple of his Eye, Zeph. 3.8. The Truth of which this tract hath plentifully proved, and now there remaineth to shew from Scripture, as well as from History, how ready the Lord hath ever been, and still is, to revenge upon whole Kingdoms and Nations, as well as upon particuler Persons, all Injuries done unto his Servants and Children; as for Example

The Amonites,* 1.16 because they did but say Aha, against the Sanctu∣ary of the Lord, when it was prophaned, and against the People of Israel, and their Land, when it was dessolate, and against the House of Judah when they went into Captivity; see in what manner the Judgments of the Lord were threatned against them; behold there∣fore, saith the Lord, I will deliver thee to the men of the East, for a Possession, and they shall set their places in thee, and make their dwellings in thee; they shall eat thy Fruit, they shall drink thy Milk; and I will make Rabbah, which was the Royal City, and Seat of the King (where his great Iron Bed-stead stood, Deut. 3.11. 2 Sam. 12.26, 30. called the City of Waters for pleasantness) a Stable for Camels, and the Amonites a couching place for Flocks, and ye shall know that I am the Lord, Ezek. 25.3, 4, 5.

Again, the Amonites, because they clapped their Hands, and stamp∣ed with their Feet, and rejoyced in their Heart, with all their despite against the Land and People of Israel; therefore, thus saith the Lord, Because thou hast done so, behold therefore, I will stretch out my hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoile to the Heathen, and I will cut thee off from the People, and will cause thee to perish out of the Countries, I will destroy thee, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord, Ezek. 25. 6, 7.

Moab and Seir, because they did but say, Behold the House, the House of Judah is like unto all the Heathen; therefore behold, saith the Lord, I will open the side of Moab from the Cities, from his Cities which are in his Frontiers, the Glory of the Country Bethjeshimoth, Baalmeon and Kiriathain unto the men of the East, with the Amonites, and will

give them in Possession, that the Amonites may not be remembred among the Nations; and I will execute Judgment upon Moab, and they shall know that I am the Lord, Ezek. 25.8, 9.

Edom for revenging themselves against Judah, therefore, thus saith the Lord, Because that Edom hath dealt against the House of Judah, by taking Vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them; therefore, thus saith the Lord God, I will also stretch out mine hands upon Edom, and will cut off Man and Beast from it, and will make it desolate from Teman, and they of Dedan shall fall by the Sword, I will lay my Vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my People Israel, and they shall do in Edom according to mine Anger, and according to my Fury, and they shall know my Vengeance, saith the Lord God.

Tyrus, for saying but Aha against Jerusalem, I shall be replenished, now she is laid waste and is broken to pieces, that was the Gates of the People; therefore, thus saith the Lord God, Behold I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many Nations to come up against thee, as the Sea causeth his Waves to come up, and they shall de∣stroy the Walls of Tyrus, and break down her Towers, I will also scrape her Dust from her, and make her like the top of a Rock, it shall be a place for the spreading of Nets in the midst of the Sea; for I have spoken it, saith the Lord God; and it shall become a spoil to the Nations; and her Daughters which are in the Field shall be slain by the Sword, and they shall know that I am the Lord; for thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchad∣nezar King of Babylon, a King of Kings from the North, with Horses, and with Chariots, and with Horsmen, and Companies, and much People: In a Word, the Lord threatens her to be Destroyed with a sore Destruction by War, from a potent and mighty Army, who shall besiege her, and raise Forts and Mounts against her, and lift up Axes, and Bucklers, and Engines of War against her, and break down her Walls and her Towers, and tread down her Streets, and slay her People by the Sword, and raze her Garrisons to the ground, and make spoile of her Riches, and a prey of her Merchandize, and destroy her pleasant Houses, and lay her Stones, Timber and Dust in the midst of the Waters, and cause the noise of her Songs, and her Harps to cease, and be utterly Destroyed, never to be built more; for I the Lord have spoken it, saith the Lord God; insomuch that the Isles shall shake at the sound of her fall, when the wounded cry, when the Slaughter is made in the midst of her, and the Princes of the Sea shall come down from their Thrones, and lay away their Robes, and put off their Imbroidered-Garments, and cloth them∣selves with Trembling, and sit upon the ground Trembling at every Moment, and be astonished at her; and they shall take up a Lamentation for her, and say unto her, How art thou destroyed that wast inha∣bited of Sea-fearing men, the renowned City which was strong in the Sea, and the Isles shall tremble at her fall, and the Isles of the Sea be troubled at her departure, when she shall be made a desolate City, and be brought down into the Pit, and be a terror unto them, when she

shall be no more, though she be sought for, yet shall she never be found again, saith the Lord, Ezek. 2, 6, 27, & 28, Chapters.

Eypypt and Pharaoh the King thereof, because they have been a Staff of Reed to the House of Israel, when they took hold of thee by the hand, thou didst break, and rent all their Shoulder, and when they leaned upon thee, thou brakest, and madest all their loyns to be at a stand: Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I am against thee Pharaoh King of Aegypt, the great Dragon that lyeth in the midst of his Rivers, which hath said, my Rivers are my own, and I have made it for my self: but I will put hookes to thy Jaws, and I will cause the Fish of thy Rivers to stick unto thy Scales, and I will leave thee thrown into the wilderness, thee, and all the Fish of thy Rivers; thou shall fall upon the open Feilds, thou shall not be brought together nor gathered; I have given thee for meat to the Beasts of the Field, and to the Fowles of the Heaven; and all the Inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the Lord: and because thou hast been a Staff of Reed to the house of Israel, &c. therefore thus faith the Lord God, behold, I will bring a Sword upon thee, and cut off Man and Beast out of thee; and the Land, of Egypt shall be desolate, and they shall know that I am the Lord, Ezek. 29.2. &c.

Mount Seir, because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the Blood of the Children of Israel by the force of the Sword, in the time of their Calamity, in the time that their Iniquity had an end; therefore, thus saith the Lord God, behold, O Mount Seir, I am against thee, and I will stretch out mine hand against thee, and I will make thee most desolate; I will lay thy Cities waste, thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; as I live, saith the Lord God, I will prepare thee unto Blood, and Blood shall persue thee; thus will I make Mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it him that passeth out, and him that returneth; and I will fill his Mountains with his slain Men in thy Hills, and in thy Valleys, and in all thy Rivers shall they fall that are slain with the Sword; and I will make thee a perpetual desolation, and thy Cities shall not return, and ye shall know that I am the Lord, Ezek. 35.3, 4. &c.

CHAP. II.

Several Remarkable Judgments of God, which have befallen several Per∣secutors for Conscience sake from Christs time until the end of the Ten first Persecutions, under the persecuting Roman Emperors.

* 1.17 HErod the great (so called) the great Persecutor of Christ, who that he might kill Christ in the Cradle, sent and slew all the Children in Bethlem from two years old and under, who afterwards, as History relates, being given up of God to wickedness, slew his own Wife, and Children, and neerest Kindfolks, and familiar Friends; but it was not long but the remarkabl•• Judgment of God

met with him, for he was smitten of God with a grievous sickness, viz. a Fire was kindled in his inward parts, a rotting in his Bowels, a grievous flux in his Fundament, a moist running humor in his Feet, and the like about his Bladder, and his privy Members ingendring a∣boundance of Worms, which continually swarmed out; he had al∣so throughout all the parts of his Body, such a violent Cramp as humane strength was not able to endure, who seeking to end his dayes by laying violent hands upon himself, was prevented by his Friends, and so at length in extreame misery, he ended his wretched life; see Clarkes Gen. Martyrol. page 26.

* 1.18 That wicked Herod the less, Murtherer of John the Baptist and con∣demner of. Jesus Christ himself, who putting away his own wife, took her Brother Philips wife, was himself and this incestuous Herodias condemned to perpetual Banishment to Vienna in France by Caesar Caligula then Emperor, where they both died miserably, see Acts and Mon. page 50.

* 1.19 Judas Iscariot that grand Traytor, and false Disciple of Christ, who after he had most wickedly betrayed his Lord and Master, and sold him for thirty pieces of Silver to the Jews, to be Crucified; he af∣terwards, when he saw that Christ was condemned, brought again the thirty pecies of Silver to the Priests and Elders, and cast them into the Temple, and crying out thorow horror of Conscience, said, I have sinned, in that I have betrayed Innocent Blood, and then went forth and hanged himself, and falling headlong he brust asunder in the midst, so that all his Bowels gushed out, Matth. 27.3, 4, 5.

* 1.20 Pilate, that wicked Governor, under whom Christ was Crucifi∣ed, in the dayes of Tiberius Nero, then Emperor, through the just punishment of Gods was first apprehended, and accused at Rome. and deposed, and then banished to the Town of Lyons, at length killed him∣self, Acts and Mon. page 50.

* 1.21 Caiphas, that wicked high Priest, that sate upon the Judgment Seat, and condemned Christ, was in the reign of the Emperor Caesar Caligula removed from his High-Priests Office and did not long after escape with his life. Acts and Mon. pag. 50.

* 1.22 Tiberius Caesar, who was also called, Tiberius Nero, under whose Raign a••d Goverment Christ himself suffered, was poisoned to death, Acts and Mon. pag. 50.

* 1.23 Caesar Caligula, that wicked Emperor, and bloody minded man, that wished that all the People of Rome had but one Neck, that he might at his pleasure destroy them at once, was cut off by the hands of a Tribune and others, being slain when he had raigned but four years. ibid.

* 1.24 Claudius Nero, of whom it is said, that he Ruled thirteen years with no little Cruelty to the Christians, was in the end slain, ibid.

Domitius Nero, which succeeded next in the Empire, but exceed∣ed all the rest of the Neros, for Fury, Wickedness and Tyranny; in∣somuch, as he was counted a prodigious Monster of Nature, more like a Beast, yea, rather a Devil then a Man, in that he was so mon∣sterously

given to uncleanness,* 1.25 that he abstained not from his own Mother, and his Natural Sister, and in that he was so wretchedly cruel as that he caused to be put to death his own Mother, his Bro∣ther-in-law, his own Sister, his own Wife great with Child, and his Tutor Seneca and Lucane, with divers more of his own Kindred; besides the Apostles Peter and Paul, who are said to be put to Death at the latter end of his reign, for the Testimony of Christ; and not only so, his Wickedness ended not here, but also he set on Fire the City of Rome in twelve places, and so continued it six dayes and se∣ven nights burning, and to avoid the Infamy thereby, laid the fault up∣on the Christians, and then caused them to be persecuted: He reigned fourteen Years, even so long in cruelty, till at last the Senate Proclai∣ming him a publick Enemy of Man-kind, condemned him to be drawn through the City, and to be whipt to Death; for the fear whereof, he flying the Hands of his Enemies in the night fled to a Mannour of his Servants in the Country, where he was forced to slay himself, complaining that he had neither Friend nor Enemy that would do so much for him, Ibid.

In a word, if Histories speak true, few or none of the Persecu∣ting Roman Emperors died in their Beds.

Decius the Persecutor, being overcome in War, to avoid his Ene∣mies hands, he leaped with his Horse into a Whirl-pool, and was drowned, Cla. Gen. Martyr. 54.

* 1.26 Valerianus the Emperor, and Persecutor of the Christians, was taken Prisoner of the Persians when he was Seventy Years of Age, and Sapores the King of the Persians used him for his Riding-block; for whensoever the King was minded to mount his Horse openly in the sight of the People, Valerian the Quondam Emperor was brought forth instead of a Block, for the King to tread upon his Back in go∣ing to his Horse-back; and in the end he was condemned to be slain, and powdered with Salt, for a perpetual Monument of his own wret∣chedness, Acts and Mon. 105. Ex. Euseb.

Gallienus, Killed by Aureolus, Acts and Mon. 51.

* 1.27 Aurelianus the Emperor began his reign with moderation and dis∣cretion, giving Toleration to the Christians; but at length giving ear to evil counsel, his nature inclinable to Severity, was altered to plain Tyranny, which he shewed in Murdering, First, his own Sis∣ters Son, then purposing in himself to persecute the Christians, he fra∣med a Proclamation against them for their Persec••••••n ••••d being rea∣dy, and about to sign it with his own hand, was by th•• ••••ghty stroke of the hand of the Lord suddainly from above stopt in his purpose, bin∣ding as a man might say, the Emperors hands behind him, for Utro∣pius and V••piscus affirms, that as the said Aurelianus was purposing to raise Persecution against the Christians, he was suddainly Terrified with Lightning, and so stopped from his wicked Tyranny.

* 1.28 Dioclesian, that Wicked and Impious Persecuting Emperor, ring whose life a great and most grievous Persecution was moved ••∣gainst the Christians ten Years together, and then he deposed him∣self

and as some say at Solona, Anno. 319. Poysoned himself, Acts and Mon. Fol. 51. and 121.

Maximinus was hanged, as it is said, by Constantine at Massilia, about the Year 310. Acts and Mon. 123.

* 1.29 Galerius the chief Minister of the Persecution, after his terrible Persecutions, fell into a wonderful sickness, having such a sore risen in the nether parts of his Belly, which consumed his Privey Mem∣bers, and so did swarm with Wormes, that being not curable, nei∣ther by Chyrurgery nor Physick, he confessed it happened for his cruelty against the Christians, and so calling in his Proclamations a∣gainst them; notwithstanding he not able to sustain, as some say, the stanch of his sore, slew himself, Acts and Mon. pag. 51.

* 1.30 Maximinus (the Son as it is thought) that Arch-Enemy to the Christians, and great Persecutor of tender Conscience, and stirrer up of others thereunto; as witness his advising his Idol-Priests to execute their Office with great Authority and Dignity, and with World like Pomp, being to Christian pity and Religion most incensed, exerci∣••ing cruel Persecution towards the East Churches (so called) was by the just Judgment of God suddainly and sorely vexed with a fatal disease, most filthy and desperate, and very strange, taking its first beginning in his Flesh outwardly, and from thence proceeding into the inward parts of his Body; for in his Members there happened to him a suddain Putrifaction, and botchey corrupt Boyles, with a Fistual, consuming and eating up his Intrales, out of the which came swarming forth an innumerable multitude of Lice, with such a pestif∣ferous stench, that no man could abide him, or to be near him, by reason whereof, the Physitians that had him in cure, some of them not able to abide the intolerable stench, were commanded to be slain, others because they could not heal him, being so swoln and past hope of cure were all cruelly put to Death; at length being put in mind and in rememberance, that his disease was sent of God; he began to bethink himself of the wickedness that he had done against the Saints of God, and coming unto himself, confesseth his sins to God, and sets forth his Edicts to command all men to cease from Persecuting the Christians, desiring the Christians to pray to their God for him, and this occasioned the very Infidels themselves to extol the only true God of the Christians; and not long after, by the very Violence of his Di∣sease he ended his life, Acts and Mon. 115.116.122.

Maxentius was vanquished by Constantine, and drowned in Tyber Acts and Mon. pag. 51.

Lycinius, being overcome by Constantine the great, was deposed from his Empire, and afterwards slain of his Souldiers, Ibid.

CHAP. III.

The Just Judgments of God that befel some under Officers, and Mini∣sters of state, and others that did execute the several Tyrannical Per∣secutions of the afore said Emperors upon the Christians, for Conscience sake, during the time of the aforesaid Ten Persecutions.

* 1.31 CErtain men of the Jewish Nation Informers, had accused the Martyr Symon (Son of Cleophas, and reputed nephew to Christ) for being a Christian, and one of the Stock of David, against whom Trajanus the Emperor had given forth a Commandment, that who∣soever could be found of the Stock of David,* 1.32 he should be inquired out, and put to death; of which Stock, upon inquiry these his Ac∣cusers were found to be, and so right justly were put to Execution themselves, which sought the destruction of another; though it was not long after, but the good man Simon, after he had been scourg∣ed many dayes, bearing it with singular constancy, when he was a hundred and twenty years old, was Crucified and put to death, finish∣ing his course in the Lord, Acts and Mon. 65, 66.

Three other wicked evil-disposed persons (Informers) seeing the soundness, grave, constancy and vertuous life of Narcissus, then Bishop of Jerusalem, aged an hundred and sixty three years, accused him as being guilty of a hainous crime,* 1.33 that he was clear of, and ha∣ving laid it to his charge, they the better to make their Accusation seem more probable before the People, they bind it with a great Oath, one wishing to be destroyed by Fire, if he said not true; the other to be consumed with a grievous sickness; the third, to loose both his Eyes, if they did Lye: Narcissus, although having his Con∣science clear, yet not able, being but one man, to withsland their Accusation, bound with such Oathes, gave place, and removed him∣self from the Multitude into a solitary Desert by himself, where he continued many years; in the mean time to them which so willing∣ly and wickedly forswore themselves, this happened: The first, by casualty of one little small sparkle of Fire was burnt, with his goods, and all his Family. The Second was taken with a great sickness, from the top to the toe, and devoured with the same. The Third hearing and seeing the punishment of the other, confessed his fault, but through great Repentance poured out such tears that he lost both his Eyes, and thus was their false perjury punished, and Narcissus, after long absence returned home again, was by this means both cleared of the Fact, and received into his Bishoprick again, Acts and Mon. 80.

* 1.34 Antiochus, Tormentor and Executioner of extreame torments (un∣der Alexander Severus the Emperor, and Persecutor of the Christi∣ans) upon a young youth, called Agapitus, of the Age of fifteen years,

who suffered Martyrdom for not Sacrificing to Idols, after he had, been assayled with sundry Torments, viz. First, with whips scourged,* 1.35 then hanged by the feet, after having hot, water poured upon him, at last cast to the wild Beasts; with all which Torments, when he could not be hurt; finally, with the Sword was beheaded: This said Antioclius, in the Executing the aforesaid Torments suddenly fell down from his Judicial Seat, crying out, that all his inward Bowels burned within him, and so gave up the Ghost Hen. de Erfordia lib. 6. ch. 29. Acts and Mon. 85.

The like severity of Gods terrible Judgments is also to be noted in Claudius his President;* 1.36 this President and Minister of his Persecu∣tions, who was possessed and vexed with a Devil in such sort, that he biting off his own Tongue in many small pieces, so ended his life, Hen. de Erfordia Acts and Mon. 105.

CHAP. IV.

The Just Judgments of God upon Persecutors in Queen Maryes Reign.

AFter the death of Queen Mary, the bloody work ceased, al∣though a stop there was before her Death in London, in some measure; for as Roger Holland had declared to Bonner, that the Lord would shorten their hands of cruelty; and as he foretold, there was not one burnt in Smithfield for Religion after him; for though the vehement zeal of this Queen was such, for the setting up of Popery in England, as if she intended to establish it forever; yet the secret hand of Providence had a regard to his suffering Seed, and put a period to her cruelty, and it is an evident token that the Religion she endeavou∣red to settle did not please God, although it pleased her, since we see the bad effects it brought forth; for had it been as godly as it was bloody, no doubt the success would have been better, and the strict Hand of Gods Judgments would not have been executed upon the bloody Persecutors of such as dissented, as evidently appears they were by the many Examples of divine Justice, shewed from time to time, and the unprosperous success of this Queen in all her affairs, are a full assurance the Lord disliked her effusion of so much blood in the matter of Religion; neither in all her undertaking had she any good success; for though she endeavoured to restore again the Monks, and Nuns, Abbyes, Fryars, &c. which were partly dissolved in her Fa∣thers time, yet she was frustrated in her designs, and how unprospe∣rous she was in her State affairs may be read at large in the Chronicle; for she lost Callice which had been won by the valour of Edward the Third, and marrying with Philip of Spain a Papist, by him she had no Issue, and though she promised to her self great felicity in him, but it proved otherwise; for he withdrew first his affection from her, and at last his company also; and thus the Almighty ordered things, but no Admonitions would take place with her, to cause her to

revoke her bloody Laws, nor to stop the Tyranny of these bloody Priests and Bishops, but the Servants of God were drawn by heaps as Sheep to the Slaughter, and so it continued till by death she was taken away, after she had reigned Five Years and Five Moneths.

And now I shall give a short Account of the severe punishment that God inflicted upon several Persecutors (of his People) from time to time in this Queens reign, which are not already inserted in this Book.

Doctor Dunning, Chancellor of Norwich, a bloody man, who con∣demned several Innocent persons,* 1.37 in the midst of his rage died sud∣dainly (as it is said) siting in his Chair.

* 1.38 The like Judgment fell upon Bishop Thornton, Suffragan of Dover, who after he had exercised great cruelty in Persecuting, at length up∣on a Sunday (so called) looking upon his men, playing at Bowls, fell suddainly in a Palsie, and being had to Bed, was put in mind to remember God; Yea, said he, so I do, and my Lord Cardinal too, and so died.

After he was dead, the Cardinal ordained another Bishop in his room, who being at Greenwich, after he had received the Cardinals blessing, going down a pair of Stairs from the Chamber, he fell down and broak his Neck: to these Examples also may be added, the terrible Judgment of God upon the Parson at Crundall in Kent, who having received the Popes Pardon from Cardinal Poole, coming home to his Parish, exhorted the People to receive the same, saying, That he now stood as clear in his Conscience as when he was first born, and mattered not if he died the same hour he spoke it; whereupon, being suddainly stricken by the Hand of God, and leaning a little on the one side, immediately shrunk down in the Pulpit, and so was found dead, not speaking one word more.

Not long before the death of Queen Mary, died Doctor Capon Bi∣shop of Salisbury, Persecutor, about the which time also followed the unprepared death of Doctor Jeffery, Chancellor of Salisbury, who not long before his death had caused above ninety persons to be sum∣moned to appear before him, to the end he might Examine them by Inquisition concerning their Religion, but by the Providence of God he was prevented from executing the evil, he intended against them, for in the midst of his buildings, he was suddainly taking away by the mighty Hand of God.

And now to come from Priests to Laymen where first an Account is given of one Woodrove,* 1.39 who was Sheriff of London, who rejoyced much at the death of the Innocent, and was very cruel in his Office, for when one Rogers was going in a Cart towards Smithfield to be burnt, and in the way his Children being brought to him, be∣cause the Car-man stopped his Cart, that he might speak to them, he caused the Car-mans head to be broke; but what happened? within a week after this Sheriff came out of his Office, he was sud∣dainly smote by the hand of God, the one half of his Body being

benumed, and lay Bedrid, and in this infirmity he continued seven or eight years till his dying day.

* 1.40 Alexander the keeper of Newgate, a cruel Enemy to those that lay there for Religion, died very miserably, being so swelled that he was more like a Monster then a man, and so rotten within, that no man could abide the smell of him; this cruel Wretch to hasten the poor Lambs to the Slaughter, would go to Bonner, Story, Cholmley, and others, Crying out, Rid my Prison, Rid my Prison, I am too much pestered with these Hereticks.

* 1.41 James, the Son of the said Alexander, having left unto him by his Father great Substance, within three years wasted all to nought, and when some marvelled how he spent those goods so fast; Oh, said he, Evil gotten, Evil spent; and shortly after, as he went to Newgate-market, he fell down suddenly and there wretchedly died.

* 1.42 John Peter, Son in law to this Alexander, an horrible Blasphemer of God, and no less cruel to the said Prisoners, he commonly when he would affim any thing, were it true or false, used to say, If it be not true, I pray God I rot ere I dye; accordingly he did rot away, and so died most miserably.

* 1.43 The next day after the death of Queen Mary died Cardinal Pool, of what disease, although it be uncertain to many, it was suspected that he took some Italian Physic••k that did him no good.

The sudden death of many more Persecutors might be mentioned who were cut off in this Queens time, and before; but by what is in∣certed may be seen that the Lord was against those persecuting Priests and Bishops.

A Relation of the end of Docter Story, a bloody Persecutor of Christs Members.

* 1.44 This Doctor Story was an Arch-Enemy to, and a bloody Persecu∣tor of Gods people, when Queen Mary dyed Queen Elizabeth staying the Sword of Persecution from raging any further, caused this Do∣cter Story to be apprehended, and committed to Prison, where after a little while being detained, he broke out of Prison, and fled beyond Sea where getting into favour, and growing familiar with the Duke de Alva in Antwerp, of whom he received a special Commission to search for English Books, and in this Authority he continued for a time, by which means he did much hurt, and brought many into trouble and perril of their lives, Raging in his persecuting blood-thirsty cruelty (but when the measure of Iniquity was full, the Lord proceeded against him in Judgment, and cut him off, which was after this manner.

Some in England being concerned to hear of his wicked behaviour towards Innocent people, sent over one Parker a Merchant to Antwerp, who had undertaken some means to convey Story into England; Par∣ker arriving at Antwerp, got some privately to inform Doctor Story that in such an English Ship he might find store of English Books; Story

hearing this, suspecting nothing, made haste towards the Ship as to a prey, and coming on board, said, he came to search for Heretical Books, and being between Decks they claped down the Hatches up∣on him, and hoysted up their Sayles, and brought him away into England; where, for saying, that he was a sworn Subject to the King of Spain, and no Subject to the Queen of England, he was condemned to be hanged, and accordingly was Executed.

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;* 1.45 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,* 1.46 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,* 1.47 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;,* 1.48 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,* 1.49 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,* 1.50 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

  The Old Serpent.
• * 1.2

  Cain.
• * 1.3

  Ishmael.
• * 1.4

  Josephs Bre∣thren.
• * 1.5

  Pharaoh and the Aegypti∣ans.
• * 1.6

  King Ahab.
• * 1.7

  Jezabel Queen.
• * 1.8

  King Joash.
• * 1.9

  Proud Ha∣man Perse∣cutor.
• * 1.10

  Nebuchad∣nezar hum∣bled.
• * 1.11

  The Execu∣tioners exe∣cut••ed.
• * 1.12

  The Presi∣dents and Princes of M••dia and Pers••a.
• * 1.13

  King Antio∣cu••.
• * 1.14

  Sennacrib King of As∣syria mur∣thered by his own Sons.
• * 1.15

  The Assyri∣an punish∣ed.
• * 1.16

  The Amo∣nites for saying, Aha.
• * 1.17

  King Herod
• * 1.18

  Herod the Tetrarch.
• * 1.19

  Judas Jsco∣riot.
• * 1.20

  Pilate the Governour.
• * 1.21

  Caiphas the high Priest.
• * 1.22

  Tiberius Caesar.
• * 1.23

  Caesar Cali∣gula.
• * 1.24

  Claudius Nero.
• * 1.25

  Domitius Nero the first begin∣ner and stir∣er up of the ten Persecu∣tions, about the Year 67 Acts and Mon. page 54.
• * 1.26

  Valerianus his reward.
• * 1.27

  Aurelianus his Persecu∣tion won∣derfuly pre∣vented.
• * 1.28

  Dioclesian the Wick∣ed Persecu∣tor Poisoned himself.
• * 1.29

  Galerius confesseth to the Judg∣ment of God.
• * 1.30

  Maximinus the cruel Persecutor confesseth to the just Judgment of God
• * 1.31

  Informers justly re∣warded.
• * 1.32

  This Tra∣janus Empe∣ror, was the beginner of the Third persecution, Anno. 100. or 108. see Acts and Mon. 57. Clae. Gen. Martyr 35.
• * 1.33

  Perjured In∣formers.
• * 1.34

  An Executi∣oner.
• * 1.35

  This Alex∣ander Seve∣rus was the beginner of the Fifth Persecution. Anno. 195.
• * 1.36

  Perfident to Claudius.
• * 1.37

  Chancellor of Norwich
• * 1.38

  Bishop Thornton
• * 1.39

  Woodrove Sheriff of London
• * 1.40

  The Keeper of Newgate.
• * 1.41

  The Keeper of New∣gate Son.
• * 1.42

  His Son in Law.
• * 1.43

  Cardinal Pool.
• * 1.44

  Doctor Story.
• * 1.45

  Anno. 1553. John Eckins.
• * 1.46

  John Wan∣derwarfe.
• * 1.47

  An. 1558.
• * 1.48

  An. 1565 The Provost of Gaunt▪
• * 1.49

  A•• ••56•• 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.50

  〈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.