Martyrs in flames, or, Popery (in its true colours) displayed. Being a brief relation of the horrid cruelties and persecutions of the Pope and Church of rome for many hundred years past, to this present age, inflicted upon Protestants in Piedmont ... : With an abstract of the cruel persecution lately exercised upon the Protestants in France and Savoy, in the year 1686 and 1687. : Together with a short account of Gods judgment upon popish persecutors. / Published for a warning to all Protestants, [] what they must expect from that bloody generation of Antichristians. By R.B.

Martyrs in Flames OR, POPERY (In its true Colours) DISPLAYED. Being a brief Relation of the Horrid Cruel∣ties and Persecutions of the POPE and Church of ROME for many hundred years past, to this present Age, inflicted upon Protestants in

• ...Piedmont,
• ...Bohemia,
• ...Germany,
• ...Poland,
• ...Lithuania,
• ...France,
• ...Italy,
• ...Spain,
• ...Portugal,
• ...Holland,
• ...Scotland,
• ...Ireland,
• and
• ...England.

With an Abstract of the Cruel Persecutions. lately Exercised upon the Prorestants in France and Savoy, in the year 1686 and 1687.

Together with a short Account of Gods Judgments upon Popish Persecutors.

Published for a Warning to all Protestants, shewing what they must expect from that bloody Genera∣tion of Antichristians. By R. B.

LONDON, Printed for Nath. 〈…〉〈…〉, at the Bell in the Poultrey, near Cheapside. 〈…〉〈…〉 3.

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TO THE Protestant Reader.

THE Imminent Dangers that we have so lately escaped, from the cursed Principles and Practices of the Ro∣mish Faction, who if they had not been prevented by an amazing Providence, design∣ed to involve the Three Nations into Popish Idolatry, and French Slavery, calls aloud upon us for the utmost praise and thankful∣ness to that Almighty Hand that has begun to deliver us, and to beseech him to perfect the same; and doth likewise oblige every man to be upon his Guard, and to forewarn all Pro∣testants of the danger of the return of that medly of Nonsence, Blasphemy and Supersti∣tion; There being very little difference be∣tween the Popish Religion (if it deserves that name) and none at all, since Treasons, Murders, Rapes, Burnings, Perjuries, and all the horrid Cruelties Hell it self can in∣vent, are so far from being counted Sins or

Crimes by that Synagogue of Satan, that they are oft reckoned Meritorious, and a man shall deserve Heaven for committing them; There being no Sin unpardonable, but that which they falsly call Heresie, or the True Worship of God according to the Scriptures; ••or this they would have turn••d our Land into Blood, Slaughter and Confusion; For this they would have overthrown our ••eligion, enslaved our Souls, or else have burnt our Bodies to ashes; as they did our Ancestors.

It is difficult to make a Draught of this bloudy Beast of Rome, it would be a horrid sight to draw him in his full proportion yet take a short view of him so as to trem∣ble at the thoughts of what-others have suf∣fered, and we might have felt had not the Divine Goodness discovered their black De∣signs, and we hope will still prevent their dam∣nable Enterprizes against us.

His Eyes are like Flames that have con∣sumed the Bodies of many Thousand Mar∣••yrs; His Mouth is like Hell gaping for his prey; Blood gushes out of his Jaws like Ri∣vers; His bloudy Tusks are the Racks and tormenting Engines wherewith he grinds the Bones of Gods Saints; His Tail is armed with the stings of Scorpions wherewith he lashes S••ates and Kingdoms; From his Throat belch forth Curses and Excommunications, denoun∣cing Judgment, Hell and Destruction upon all that oppose him.

It is this Monster of Persecution and Cru∣clty that the cursed Instruments and Vassals of Rome endeavour to advance in all places where they have power and op•••• ••unity, and by this you may judge of th•••••• Religion and Principles: By these 〈…〉〈…〉 at the Tr•••• ••nd what Spirit they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of; and the 〈…〉〈…〉 of this li•••••• 〈…〉〈…〉 is 〈…〉〈…〉 a brief Acc••••••••t of the M••••chiess and 〈…〉〈…〉 perpet••••••d by that Man of Sin, 〈…〉〈…〉 his Agents upon the S••rvants of God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 since he appeared in the World, the like whereof were never Acted by Heathens, Turks or In∣fidels, neither is a large Volume able to con∣tain the tenth part of their Horrid Massacres and Hellish Tortures.

To conclude, Let this be a Looking-Glass to my honest Countreymen who have neither money nor time for perusing greater Histories, and let us all strive to heal all kind of Divi∣sions and Disagreements between the True Followers of the Doctrines of the Blessed Je∣sus, and as one man let us by all justifiable and lawful Methods in our several places and stations oppose this Armed Beast of Persecu∣tion and Tyranny; that we may have cause to bless the Lord of Heaven and Earth, and to praise him in the Congregation, who hath caused our Enemies to fall into the Pit which they had digged for these Three Kingdoms.

Introduction.

ABout Five Hundred Years after the Death of our Blessed Lord and Sa∣viour Jesus Christ, one Phocas (who had Murdered his Master Mauritius Emperor of Constantinople, and his Children) first Advanced the Bishops of Rome, to be Universal Bishops and Heads of the Church; at which time they were endowed with these large Possessions and Donations which they call St. Peter's Patrimony, and which they falsly assert to be the Gift of Constantine the Great.

After this the Church of Rome growing Great, Mighty, Rich and Proud, at once lost its Humility and Purity of Religion, and assu∣med Politick and Tyrannical Principles, which caused her Defiled Hands to lay aside the Sword of the Spirit, and to make use of the Temporal Sword, which she used to the Deposing and Murthering of divers Kings, Princes and Em∣rors.

I. For after they had once tasted the Sweet∣ness of Wealth, Ease and Prosperity, the Popes began to swell in Pride and Pomp, and the

more they Flourished in this World, the more the Holy Spirit of God forsook them, so that in a short time those Bishops who were Poor, Mean, Indigent, Persecuted, and wanting all things, began to Triumph over Princes, to tread upon the Necks of Emperors, and to bring the Heads of Kings under their Usurped Autho∣rity. They were carryed upon Mens Shoul∣ders in all manner of Magnificence, as if the Earth were not good enough to bear them; they were honoured as Gods on Earth; and So∣veraign Princes, Dukes and Lords, &c. went bare headed before them. And not only so, but through their Pride and Ambition they grew so great Apostates from Christians, that of being Persecuted they became Persecutors of others, and at last were so great Enemies to God and Religion, that the Pope may now be justly Reckoned and Accounted the Antichrist, or Man of Sin, so long before spoken of by St. Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2.

II. This Pride and Insolency of the Pope and his Clergy, appeared in several Instances which might be given of it, but out of the Multitude we shall only collect some few, to shew what Slavery and Bondage both Princes and People were formerly subject to, under this Antichristian Yoke. About the Year 1158. Frederick, Emperor of Germany, Marching in∣to Italy, the Pope hearing of it, went with his Clergy to meet him; as soon as the Emperor

saw the Pope, he Allighted from his Horse to re∣ceive him, and held the Popes Stirrup while he Alighted also, but it seems he mistook the Left Stirrup instead of the Right, at which the Pope seemed to be very much offended, which the Emperor observing, he smilingly told the Pope, That he desired to be excused, since he was not ac∣customed to hold Stirrups, with which acknow∣ledgment the Pope seemed to be satisfi••d. Af∣ter this there happened some difference between the Pope and the Emperor, whereupon the Pope cursed him, and sends his Letters out a∣gainst him to all the Princes of Christendom, declaring, that he was an accursed person, and ought to be avoided, and cast out of all Christi∣an company: He likewise stirred up his Sub∣jects in Rebellion against him. The Emperor then marched to Rome to chastise his Pride, but the Popefled to Venice, and the Venetians being required to send him to Frede ich, refused it; whereupon the Emperor sent his Son Otho a∣gainst him, with Men and Ships very well fur∣nished, but withal charged him by no means to attempt any thing against the Venetians, till he himself came: But the young man being full of heat and desire of glory ventured to in∣gage the Enemy, and was by them overthrown, and himself taken Prisoner. Upon this misfor∣tune, the compassionate Father, to release his Son from captivity and misery, was forced to submit to whatever Conditions of Peace the

Pope should demand; whereby it was at last agreed, that the Emperour should come into S. Marks Church at Venice, and there, kneel∣ing down at the Popes feet, he should receive Absolution and Forgiveness. This the Empe∣rour persormed; and the proud Pope setting his foot upon the Emperours Neck, said that verse in the Psalm, Thou shalt tread upon Lions and Adders; the young Lion and the Dragon shalt thou trample under foot; which the Pope applied to the Emperour; but the Emperour answered, Not to thee, but to Peter this power is given. The Pope replied, Both to me, and to Peter. The Emperour fearing further quar∣rels durst say no more, but was absolved, and his Son was restored to his liberty.

III. Not long after this, that is, in the time of that famous King Henry the Second, one Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was by his extraordinary pride and insol••nce the occasion of very great disturbance to the King and Kingdom: for the King c••lling his Nobles and the Clergy together, desired that some Clergy-men might be called to answer for some Villanies by them committed; for it was proved that several persons had been murdered by their means: This Thomas Besket would not consent unto, without a Clause of seeing this Order; which very much displeased the King; but by the perswasion of his Bre∣thren, Becket afterward consented; yet being

incouraged by the Pope, he again fell off, and repented of what he had done, which the more inraged the King against him: This quarrel continued many years, and the King was so tormented by this proud Prelate, that he once passionately cryed out, Will no body a venge me of this Becket? These words were spoken in the Hearing of some Gentlemen, who there∣upon guessing at the Kings mind, four of them presently went to Canterbury, and finding the Archbishop in the Cathedral, there they fell upon him, and kill'd him upon the Stairs of the Altar, every one striking him over the head with his Sword, and then made their escape. This Murder was charged upon the King by the Popes Legate, and though the King swore that he was neither aiding nor consenting to his death, yet he was forced to kiss the Le∣gates Knee, and submit to such Penance as he should appoint him; one part whereof was, that he should absolutely submit to the Pope in all spiritual matters. And it is likewise recorded, that King Henry coming out of France, went to Canterbury, and as soon as he was in sight of Thomas Beckets Church, he got off his Horse and pulling off his Shoes and Stockins, he went barefoot to Beckets Tomb, the ways being so sharp and stony that his Feet bled as he passed along; and when he came there, every Monk in the Cloister whipt the Kings Back with a Rod; which shews (saith the Historian)

what slavery Kings and Princes were at that time brought into, by the Popes Clergy. The same year the City of Canterbury was almost burnt down, and Beckets Church was utterly consumed. This Becket was afterward Can∣nized for a Saint; but a Popish Historian saith of him, That he was worthy of death and dam∣nation, for being so obstainate against Gods Mi∣nister, his King.

IV. King John the Son of Henry the Se∣cond, was likewise made sensible of the dan∣ger of offending the Pope; for in the year 1205▪ the King being incensed against the Clergy who possessed great Benefices, and yet neglected their Charge, he endeavoured to rectifie this and some other great miscarriages about Electing Bishops, and several other things: But the Pope fearing he would intrench upon his Privileges and Gain, stirred Heaven and Earth against him, Excommunicating and cur∣sing him, giving his Kingdom to the French King, and stirring up his own Nobility and people against him; so that the King being compassed about with Enemies on every side, was forced to submit to the Pope, promising to do whatever he should command him: Nay, the King took his Crown off his head, and kneeling upon his knees, in the midst of all his Lords and Barons, he gave it to Pandulphus the Popes Legate, saying, Here I resign up the Crown of the Realm of England to the hands of

Pope Innocent the Third, and lay my self whol∣••••y at his mercy and appointment. Pandulphus took the Crown from King John, and kept it five days; and the King giving then all his Kingdoms to the Pope, to be held in Farm from him and his Heirs for evermore, his Crown was restered again, King John engaging to pay seven hundred Marks a year for England, and three hundred for Ireland; half of it at Easter, and half at Michaelmas, as Rent for the sald Kingdoms. This King John was afterward poysoned by a Monk, which was judged such a Meritorious Act, that the Murderer bad a Mass appointed to be said for his Soul for ever after, by his Fol∣low-Monks.

V Pope Celestine the Third, standing upon the S••irs of St. Peters Church in Rome, he there received an Oath of Henry the Sixth, Emperor of Germary, and then had him into the Church, and Anointed him, and sitting in his Pontifical Chair, held the Crown of Gold between his Feet, and the Emperor bowing down his Head to the Popes Feet, received the Crown; the Empress likewise was Crowned in the same manrer: The Crown being thus put on, the Pope immediately kickt it off the Empe∣ror's Head with his Foot to the ground declaring there∣by, that if he pleased he could depose him again: Then the Cardinals took up the Crown and again put it on his Head.

VI. Nay to such a height did the Popes at last arrive, that they governed all things: Emperors and Princes have been forced to kneel and k••ss their Toes; nay, they asserted, that all Kings were Slaves, and in subjection to them: And that all must be judged by the Pope; but he by no man.

The Persecutions Committed by the Pa∣pists, upon the Waldenses and Albin∣genses, and other Protestants in Pi∣edmont, Savoy, and the Valtoline, from the Year, 1160. to the Year, 1656.

WHen by the just Judgment of the Almighty, All the world wondred after the Beast; and the Kings and Princes of Christendom, established the Authority of the Pope and Church of R••m••, appointing to slaughter and destruction such as denied the horrid Blasphemies and Errors maintained by them; it occasioned many good Christians to detest their Superstitions, as unknown to the Ap••stles, and the Primitive Church: And the first we re••d of, was one Berengarius, who boldly and faithfully published the True Reli∣gion contained in the Scripture, and discovered the falseness of the Romish; He lived about the time of William the Conqueror his coming into England; about which time his Followers be∣ing

taken notice of, as dissenting from many of the Common received Opinions of those times, they were branded with all the odious Name of Hereticks.

About Twenty years after this one Peter Bruis was a famous Preacher among them, who taught them publickly a long time at Tholouse in Savoy; in a short time after they were grown to so great a multitude, that the Popes of Rome were resolved, if possible, by any means to extirpate and destroy them; to which end, they at first incited several of the most Learned of their Party to write against them, and warned divers Princes to have a care of them, and to banish them out of their Terri∣tories.

The first then that flung away the Spiritual Keys, and began valiantly to brandish the bloody Sword of Persecution against them, was Pope Alexander the Third, who began there∣with to hack, hew, and murther the poor Waldenses, so named from Peter Waldo, or Wal∣do of Lyons in France, who appeared very cou∣ragious in opposing the many Corruptions of the Romish Church; as Holy Oyl, Consecra∣ted Images, Popes Indulgences, Candles, Me∣rits, Auricular Confession, the Supremacy of the Pope, False Miracles, Purgatory, Praying for the Dead, Prayers to Saints, extream Un∣ction, and many other Fopperies of the Popish Communion: This Persecution of Waldo and

his Followers (who were encreased to a very great number) began in France in the Year 1060. Waldo being compell'd to fly into the Mountains of France, among the Savage Inha∣bitants, to whom he taught his Doctrine, o∣thers fled into Picardy, from whence they were called Picards, several into Flanders and Alsatia, and thereby (for the safety of their Lives) they spread their Doctrine into all places.

King Philip of France being incited by the Ecclesiasticks, raised Arms against them, and destroyed Three Hundred Gentlemens Houses and likewise several Walled Towns: And those that fled into Flanders escaped little better, for they were pursued, and many of them for their Religion put to Death. And the Bishops of Mayence and Strasburgh, raised great persecu∣tions against those which fled thither, there being Five and Thirty Citizens of Mayence burned in one Fire, and Eighteen in another, who suffered Death with very great constancy: and at Strasburgh, at the instance of the Bishop, Fourscore were likewise burnt for professing the same Truth, and yet by the exhortations, constancy, and patience of these Martyrs, there were such multitudes who entertained their Doctrines, that in a few Years after in the County of Passau and in Bohemia, there were above Fourscore thousand persons that made profession of the same Faith. Some of them

likewise fled into England for shelter, but were more barbarously and cruelly put to death at Oxford, by the Papists there, than ever any Christians were before that time, for matters of Religion: and Three years after Pope A∣lexander the Third, made a Decree in the Coun∣cil of Tours in France, that these Gospellers, and all their Favourers should be Excommu∣nicated, and that none of them should buy or sell, according as it was foretold in Revelat. 13.17.

At Colen in Germany Four Men, and Two young Women were discovered hid in a Barn, and the Papists not being able to disswade them from the Truth, The Men were all tyed to the Stake to be burnt, but the R••manists pretending to pity the young Women, per∣swaded them to recant, but they perceiving their design, got out of the hands of those that held them, and voluntarily leapt into the Fire, where they were burned with th••m: about this time a Proclamation was published in A∣ragon, whereby it was made Treason to relieve these poor Christians, or to suffer them to live in that Country, and liberty was given to all people to abuse them at pleasure, without be∣ing punished for the same. But these people still encreasing, the Pope was resolved to sup∣press them by all means possible, and therefore about the Year 1201. he set up the Bloody In∣quisition, which with its Racks, Tortures, Fire

and all manner of Cruelty, hath destroyed an innumerable company of Good and Holy Men. And in the same Year a noble Knight called Emandus, and one of the Waldenses, was burnt at Paris: and the persecution still continuing, the people of Dat phine flying from their bar∣barous Enemies, sheltred themselves in ••he Caves upon the Mountains, but their cruel Ad∣versaries having notice thereof pursued and de∣stroyed many of them, and the rest fled higher into the Mountains (which were all covered with Snow) together with their Wives and Children, the Mothers carrying some in their Arms, and others in Cradles, and the Night coming on, and having no means to make a Fire for their tender Infants, they were so be∣nummed with cold, that in the morning above Fourscore of them were found dead in their Cracles, and most of their Mothers died like∣wise: Many also were burnt in the same Coun∣try of Dauphin, and the Fire of Persecution raged through the whole Land, so that there was scarce a Town or City in P••edmont but many were put to death therein, and at Turin one of them had his Bowels taken out of his B••lly, and put into a Bason, and was afterward cruelly Martyred. One Gerrard being at the Stake to be burnt, requested the Hangman to give him Two or Three Stones, which he at first refused, thinking he would have thrown them at some body, but afterwards did, and

Gerrard taking them up into his hands said, When I shall have eaten up these Stones, then shall you see an end of our Religion, for which you now put me to death, and then throwing them on the Ground, he chearfully died. These Countries being so hot with the Fire of Persecu∣tion, many of these poor People fled into Cala∣bria, where they began to plant & build Towns, as Saint Xist La Gard, and divers others, where they continued till the year, 1560. at which time they were most grievously persecuted by Pope Pius the Fourth, and were forced to leave their Houses and Habitations, and to fly into the Woods for the saving of their Lives, but being there pursued by order from the Vice-Roy of Naples, most of them were cruelly and barbarously murdered by the Souldiers, and some flying into fortified places, were so strait∣ly besieged, that they died with Famine: And at the same time one Charlin was rackt in so horrible a manner, that his Guts came out of his Belly: Another was tormented upon the Rack Eight hours together, to force him to confess what they pleased against himself and others, which yet he refused to do: Some were stript stark naked, and whipt to death with Rods of Iron, others were drawn through the Streets, and burnt with Firebrands, some thrown down from an High Tower, and some cut to pieces with sharp Knives. By order of the Inquisitor Panza, Fourscore persons had their Throats

cut, as Butchers do Sheep, and then causing them to be divided into Four Quarters, he made their Limbs to be set upon Stakes for the space of Thirty Miles as a bloody spectacle: A young Man was thrown from an High Tower, be∣cause he would not confess himself to a Priest, and the Vice-Roy passing by at the same time and hearing him implore Gods Mercy, not be∣ing quite dead, he kick'd him on the Head, and said, Is the Dog yet living? Take him and cast him to the Hogs. Threescore Women were so cruelly rackt, that the Cords pierced their Arms and Legs to the Bones, and then being cast into Prison all there died, except Nine of the handsomest, who being delivered to the Fathers of the Inquisition were never heard of afterward: Many more were delivered to the Secular Power to be burnt, and if any inter∣ceeded for them, they were presently put on the Rack as Favourers of Hereticks. One of their Ministers was famished in Prison, another was carried to Rome, and burnt, the Pope and Cardinals being present at that pleasing specta∣cle; but the Minister spake so many things out of Gods word against them, that the Pope gnashed his Teeth for Anger, and afterwards promised the Marquess of Butiana to make his Son a Cardinal, if he would clear Calabria of these Waldenses, which was then no hard mat∣ter, for the Inquisition, and the Vice Roy of Naples, did by all manner of Cruelties destroy

Man, Woman and Child, so that in a short time, they were utterly rooted out of that Country.

The Waldenses who fled out of Pi••dmont in∣to Provence, increasing daily, and their Habi∣tations being near to Avigmon (many times the Popes Seat) he soon raised an horrid Perse∣cution against them, but the greatest was in the Year, 1360. in the time of Lewis the Twelfth, wherein many suffered, which con∣tinued for some time more or less furious, to the Year, 1540. About which time the Inhabi∣tants of Merindol, Cabriers, Posin, and other places in Piedmont, were by means of the Popes Agents cruelly Burned, Massacred, and Destroyed, the Towns were fired and laid waste, and the Country round about made de∣solate; the poor People were slain, the young Virgins ravished, and barbarously abused, Children were pull'd alive out of their Mothers Bellies, the Breasts of many cut off, so that the Infants died of Famine. There were only Threescore and six weak men left in the Town of Cabriers who offered to deliver it up, so that they might go to Geneva or Germany, but the Enemy entring, caused them all to be brought into a Field and cut to pieces the Soul∣diers striving who should shew the best Man∣hood in cutting off Legs, Arms, &c. The Women they put into a Barn with their young Children, and some great with Child, and then

firing a great quantity of Straw, they were bar∣barously burnt together; and some endeavour∣ing to escape through the flames, were knockt on the head by the bloody Papists; many fled into Caves and Cellars, who being brought forth stark naked into the Fields, were there slain: Others being bound back to back, were in sport run through with one Sword. As soon as any were found, the Villains cryed, Kill, kill, destroying all they met with; so that above a thousand Men, Women and Children were slain in this place: Some desired leave to depart to some other place, but one Opede, a Chief Commander amongst the Pa∣pists said, That he would send them to dwell in H••ll, among the Devils. At Costa, another Town, they committed great slaughter, and many of the Inhabitants flying into an Or∣chard, the Souldiers ravished divers of the Wo∣men and Virgins, and abused them in so filthy a manner for a day and a night, that the Wo∣men with Child, and younger Maidens died im∣mediately after. Many more were the outrages committed by the Souldiers in this Country, but the Tremendous Justice of God did not suffer some of the most violent. Persecutors to go unpun shed: For Opede, the Commander of these Villains, was struck with a strange kind of bleeding in the lower parts, that he was not able to make any U••ne; so that his Guts rotted within him and Worms bred in

his Bowels, which continually gnawed him; and so he lay raging and blaspheming, saying, that he felt a fi••e within him, which bu••nt him from the Navel upwards: Which was accom∣panied with a most filthy stink from his lower parts, and in this miserable manner he ended his wretched life. There was likewise one John de Roma, a Monk, who used horribly to torment these poor Protestants: And among the rest, he would fill Boots with boiling Oyl, and put them upon their Legs over a soft fire. Thus he tormented many: But at last, Francis the French King being informed of his Hellish cruelty, sent to the Parliament of Provence to apprehend him, who condemn him: But he having notice of it, fled to Arragon, where a while after he was robbed of all he had by his own Servants, and then fell into an horrible Disease, unknown to the Physicians, being in∣tolerably tormented with pains all over his Bo∣dy, so that he had not one minutes rest, and no Creature was able to endure him, for the intolerable stink which proceeded from him, nor he himself, for his Body was full of nasty Sores and Ulcers, which swarmed with Ver∣min, and rotted away from the Bones by piece-meal. In the midst of his torments, he would in a great rage cry out, Oh! Who will deliver me? who will rid me out of these intole∣rable pains which I now suffer, for oppressing and tormenting those poor men? endeavouring

several times to kill himself, but had not power; and in this horrible anguish and de∣spair he fearfully died, no man being able to bury him, for some time, by reason of the loathsome smell proceeding from him, till at last a poor man with an Iron Hook dragg'd his Carcase into a Hole he had digg'd for him.

During this Persecution, the Bishop of Aix, with some other Bishops, walking with some of their Wenches through the Streets of Avignion, they saw a man selling bawdy Pictures, Ima∣ges, and Songs, which they presently bought up: But going a little further, they found a man selling of French Bibles, at which being extreamly enraged, they askt him how he durst be so bold to sell such Merchandize in that Town? the Bookseller answered, Is not the Holy Bible as good as these goodly Pictures you have bought for the Gentlewomen? The Bishop of Aix said, I renounce my part in Paradise, if this Fellow be not a Lutheran: The Attendants cryed out, a Lutheran, a Lutheran, to the fire with him, to the fire with him; one giving him a blow with his Fist, others pulled him by the Hair and Beard, so that the poor man was all embrued in Blood before he came to Prisor The next day he was brought before the Judg•• where by the instigation of the Bishops he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 burned the same day with two Bibles 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bout his Neck, one before, and anoth•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ind, where he made a most Christ 〈…〉〈…〉

This long and Bloody Persecution of these Waldenses lasted near five hundred years, in which time the Gospel spread into Bohemia, Austria, Germany, Flanders, England, Po∣land, Italy, Spain, Dalmatia, Creatta, Scla∣vonta, Salmatia, Bulgaria, and in other places to which they were driven, where they were tormented and persecuted according to the power and influence that the Pope and his A∣gents had over the Princes and Governors o•• those Countries.

The Albingenses were the same with the Waldenses, prosessing the same Doctrines and Principles, and differing only in name, their Country being called Albi, the chief Preaches among them being one Arnold, from who•• they were sometimes called Arnoldists. Pop•• Alexander the Third began with them, con∣demning them for Hereticks; and Pope Inn∣cent the Third raising a War against them calling it the Holy War, giving the same Pa••∣dons and Indulgences, and promising Paradis•• to all that would fight against the Heretick•• with the same encouragement, as th••se which went to the Holy Land, against the Turks an•• Sarazens. In this War he so thundered o•••• Excommunications, and used Temporal Arm against Reymond, Earl or Prince of Tholous•• that he was forced to submit; and his Nobili•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 much astonished to see their Lord, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈…〉〈…〉 ••vested of his Possessions, but led to th••

Church to be reconciled to it, where the Popes Legate commanded the Earl to strip himself stark naked, all but his Linnen Drawers; they then put a Rope about his Neck, and led him nine times round the Grave of one Peter an Her∣mit, who was kill'd in that War, scourging him with Rods all the while; of which the Earl complaining, the Legate told him, That he must submit, if he would be reconciled to the Pope; yea, he must be thus scourged before his Earls, Barons, Marquesses; Prelates, and all the People. He made him likewise Swear to be obedient to the Pope, and Church of Rome, all his life, and to make Irreconcileable War against the Albingenses.

The Legate then acts the part of a General, and Besieges Bezier, and the Albingenses desi∣ring to come to Terms, the Legate would ad∣mit of nothing but the renouncing of their Re∣ligion, and imbracing Popery; which they absolutely refused upon those Conditions, say∣ing, That God was able to defend them; but if he would please to honour them to die for his sake, they would rather displease the Pope than God Almighty. In a short time the City was taken by Storm, being assaulted by above an hundred thousand Papists, the Enemy entring and slaying a great multitude, killing all they met without distinction, the Popes Legate bid•• ding them kill all, both Catholicks and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ticks, for the Lord knoweth who are 〈…〉〈…〉

that there were threescore thousand persons slain in this City; the Priests and Fryars going about the Streets in the mean time, with Crosses and Banners, and singing, Te Deum Laudamus: after which, they set the whole City on fire, and burnt it to Ashes.

They marched next to a Town called Carcasson, which these bloody Villains (who called themselves Holy Pilgrims) took by Storm likewise, killing, burning, and destroying all before them, as they had done before at Beziers. They next proceeded to the City of Carcasson, which was about two miles from the Town, and was defended by the Earl of Peziers: when they offered to capitulate, the Legate would grant no other Conditions, but that the Earl, and twelve more, should come forth with their Baggage, but all the rest, both Men, Women, Maids and Children, should come forth stark naked, without any cover∣ing, either of Shirt or Smock, and humble themselves before him: but the Earl disdained such unworthy Conditions, upon which the Legate assaulted the City; but they that were within threw down Stones, Fire, Pitch, Brimstone, and Scalding Water from the Walls, which so galled the Legates Souldiers, that the Earth was covered, and the Ditch filled with their dead bodies.

The Legate finding Force would not avail; 〈…〉〈…〉 Policy; and therefore, upon pretence of

Parley, he perswaded the Earl to come out of the City, with great Oaths and Execrations for his safe return; but having him in possession, they k••pt him Prisoner, and then Instantly stormed the City, to the amaze∣ment of the poor Citizens, who expected no∣thing less: but there being happily discovered a Vault in the Town which went to a Castle some miles from thence, the Citizens in the the Evening began their Flight, with their Wives and Children, carrying Victuals with them only for some few days: the next morn∣ing they arrived at the Castle, and from thence dispersed themselves, some one way, some ano∣ther, leaving the City, and all therein, to the fury and rage of the unholy Pilgrims. They then surprized the Castle of Bezon, where they pulled out the Eyes, and cut off the No∣ses of an hundred Albingenses, leaving only one with one Eye to guide the rest to Cala∣ret.

They took likewise the Castle of Menerly, defended by the Lord of Termes, whom they flung into a filthy Prison till he died; his Wife, Sister, and Daughter, who was a Virgin, and likewise divers Noble Women, after they had in vain by frowns and threats endeavoured to draw them to Popery, were burnt in an huge fire all together: And after that, they burnt an hundred and fourscore more in another great fire, who embraced the flames with joy

giving God thanks that he was pleased so to honour them, as to die for his Name. Simon Monford succeeded the Legate in his General∣ship, and at the taking of the Castle of La∣vaur, all the Souldiers were put to the Sword, except fourscore Gentlemen, whom that cruel Earl caused to be hanged, and the Lord Aimery on a Gibbet above all the rest: the Lady his Sister was cast into a Ditch, and cover∣ed with Stones: the rest of the people, who were about four hundred persons, were forced into a great fire made purposely for them, and so all burnt, except those that would forsake their Religion, which were very few.

About this time there was one Reynard Lol∣lard, a godly and learned man, who by his preaching stirred up the English in Guiene to assist the Albingenses, which they did accord∣ingly, but this worthy man was afterward burnt in Germany: They say he foretold many things by Divine Revelation, which came to pass in a short time. In the year 1213. near Muret, upon the Gavon, there was a Battel between Simon Montford, and the King of Arragon, who assisted the Albin∣genses, in which Fight the King of Arragon, was slain, and the Enemy reported, above two Millions of Albingenses, with him, which the Albingenses attributed to the too great confi∣dence of the King, who depended much upon his numbers, and was feasting while his Ene∣mies were in Council.

Fryar Conradus of Marpurg, the Popes In∣quisitor, made terrible havock of all that pro∣fessed the Gospel, under the names of Here∣ticks, whom he tryed, by making them pass over red hot Irons laid at an unequal distance blindfold, and those that were burnt were ac∣counted Hereticks, few escaping the hot Irons; so that neither Noble, nor Ignoble, Clerks, Monks, Nuns, Burgesses, Citizens, nor Coun∣try people, escaped the Flames. By means of this bloody Inquisitor, Prince Lewis of France took the Town of Miramond, and therein de∣stroyed five thousand men, women and chil∣dren of the Albingenses: And in the year 1234. many of them being fled into France, the Pope caused a Crusado to be preached up against them, whereby a great Army of Pil∣grims assembled together, and were sent a∣gainst them by Pope Gregory, who slew the poor Protestants, with their Bishops and Ministers, burnt their houses, destroyed their Towns, and plundered and carried a∣way their Goods: And about the same time, some who had retired into Germany, Millain, and other parts of Italy, were likewise burnt and destroyed: A while after, four hundred and twenty of these Albingenses were burnt at Tholouse.

A great Persecution was raised against the Protestants of Albi in the year 1281. so that

they were almost all extirpated, and rooted out, and forced to fly to all parts for safety of their lives; and at the same time, by the Popes Order, the Bones of several famous Ministers among them were digged up and burnt, twenty or thirty years after they were buried. In the year 1315. the Fryars Inquisitors raised an hot Persecution against these Gospellers in Pashaw, and burnt many of them, who died chearfully and constantly in the Faith; and one of them, who was burnt at Vienna, con∣fessed, that there were fourscore thousand of them in Bohemia and Austria at that time. In the year 1332. Lollard Walterus, a famous Preacher (from whom his Followers were cal∣led Lollards) was taken and burnt at Collen: But notwithstanding all these horrid Cruelties used by the Papists against these Saints and Ser∣vants of God, yet they could never prevail to a total extirpation of them, but they still en∣creased and revived, and their Posterity profess the same Faith to this very day.

In the year 1620. in a Country called the Valtoline, or the Grisons Country, the Papists committed very great cruelties: those poor people had for a long time enjoyed the Free∣dom of their Religion; but about the time a∣fore-mentioned, when the Minister of a Town, called Tell, was preaching to his Congregation, the bloody Papists rose in Arms and set upon them, beating and killing several of them: and

among the rest, there was an Honourable Lady who was exhorted to change her Religion, if not for her own sake, yet out of pity to her young Insant that she held in her Arms, which otherwise together with her self, should be im∣mediately slain: But the Lady with an un∣daunted courage answered, I have not depart∣ed out of Italy, my Native Country, nor for∣saken all the Estate that I had there, to renounce the Faith of my Lord Jesus Christ; No, I will suffer a thousand deaths, if it be possible, rather than do it: And why in this case should I have so much regard to my Infant, since God my Hea∣venly Father spared not his own Son, my Lord Jesus, but delivered him up to death in love to me, and such sinners as I am? And then giving her Child to one that stood by, she said, Behold, my Child; the Lord God, who hath care of the Birds of the Air, is much more able to save this poor creature, although it should by you be left in these wild Mountains. Then unlacing her Gown, she opened her Breast, saying. Here is the Body which you have power to kill; but my Soul, on which you have no power to lay your hands, that I commend to my God. And then these Blood-hounds presently slew her and cut her to pieces: The Infant being a lovely sweet Child they spared, and delivered to a Po∣pish Nurse to be brought up. These Villains carried divers Women and Children to the tops of high Mountains, and if they would not

promise to go to Mass, they were thrown down headlong, and torn to pieces.

One Dominico Berto, a young man of six∣teen years of age, because he would not turn Papist, was set upon an Ass, with his face to the Tail, and the Tail in his hand for a bridle, and with many scoffs and mocks was brought into the Market place: there they cut off his Nose, Ears, and Checks, and then burnt many holes in divers parts of his body with hot Irons; and thus they barbarously continued to tor∣ment him till he died.

They likewise seized upon a Noble young Virgin, and carried her through the Streets with all imaginable disgrace: They put a Miter of Paper upon her head, besmeared her face with dirt, and buffetted her on the Cheeks with their Fists, and then bid her to call upon the Saints; but she smiling said, My trust and my salvation is only in my Saviour Jesus Christ, and upon him only will I rest; as for the Virgin Mary, though she be blessed above all women, yet she is not Omniscient, and therefore knows not our requests; yea, she her self hath need of the Merits of her own Son, without which she could not have been saved. But they reviling and a∣busing her, she couragiously said, I willingly en∣dure all this, as it becomes me to do, desiring no better usage, since the same was done to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and to his Apostles, and to thousands of the holy Martyrs. Upon this

they carried her away and murder'd her in the Fields.

In one house they slew a man and his Wife; and there being a little Girl in the Cradle of about three years old, of a very amiable coun∣tenance, the poor Child seemed to smile upon them, whereupon one of these bloody Villains took her by the Heels and dashed out her Brains. From thence these Wretches went to a Town called Bruse, where they murthered ma∣ny, by shooting some, drowning others, burn∣ing others, and grinding their very bones to powder. Amongst others, they found an anci∣ent Woman of fourscore years old, whom they earnestly perswaded to hear Mass, and that she would respect her age; to whom with a wor∣thy resolution she answered, God forbid that I who now of a long time have had one foot in the Grave, should forsake my Lord Jesus. Christ, who hath so long preserved me in the knowledge and profession of his truth, and that I should now put my trust in Creatures and should receive the Tra∣ditions of men, instead of the holy Word of God. Upon these words they immediately slew her.

The sufferings of the poor Protestants in Piedmont continued still; they are under the Government of the Duke of Savoy, and are the Off-spring of the old Waldenses which in∣habited there, and have ever since professed the same Religion; they have Evangelical Churches

in the several Valleys of Angrognea, Bobio, Vil∣laro Valguicharda, Roras, Tagliacetto, and di∣vers others; in all which most of their Inhabi∣tants are Protestants, and had been long in∣dulged in their Religion by the Princes of Sa∣voy, to whom they were Subjects: but in the year 1565. a cruel Edict was published, that all such as would not comply with the Church of Rome, and go to Mass, should within ten days be banished from their Country, and Ha∣bitation; but by the Intercession of the French King, and the Elector Palatine of the Rhine, this Edict was recalled, and they continued quiet till the year 1655. wherein that late hor∣rible Massacre was committed upon them for the sake of their Religion.

The Papists had all along by many cunning Plots and contrivances endeavoured their sub∣version, by using all Arts to stir them up to Rebellion, and by planting Jesuits Colledges among them, which like Goads in their sides still annoyed them, and prov'd a great trouble and affliction to them; for they often procured some cruel and harsh Edict, or Proclamation, by their Complaints and Lyes which they raised in the Duke of Savoys Court against them: As in the year 1602. they got an Edict for banishing all private and publick Protestant Schoolmasters, as Enemies to the Government, and disturbers of the Peace: and likewise ano∣ther Edict 1622. that no strangers, either Mi∣nisters

or others, should be entertained among them. In 1634. an Edict came out, that all the Protestants of Compiglione should be ba∣nished; and in 1654. the same was done against those of Martino, and Perosa. These Missionary Fathers behaved themselves among them more cruelly than Turks or Barbarians. But at last resolving utterly to root out the Protestants from among them, and throughly to perform the will of their Unholy Father the Pope, they procured an Order in the midst of Winter, that is, January 25. 1655. (which is very sharp in those Countries) for the banish∣ing of all Protestants out of the Valleys of Lu∣cerna, Lucernetta, and seven other places, with∣in three days after publication, unless they would turn Roman Catholicks; and this ex∣tended to all in general, none being excepted, of what Rank, Degree, or Condition soever they were. And thus these poor Creatures were forced in compliance with this cruel Edict, to fly, for the security of their Lives and Consci∣ences, in the depth of the Snow, and when all the Valleys were covered with water, there be∣ing among them some Women with-Child, o∣thers newly delivered, young children crying and lamenting, old women, and decrepit men, leaning on their Staves, all dragged over the lce; through Rain, Snow, Waters, and a thousand inconveniencies and hardships; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that it would have grieved the heart of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉

to have seen them leaving their Goods behind them, or selling them for little to the Papists, who took no pity of their bitter tears, sighing, wringing of Hands, beating of Breasts, mourning, complaining and lamenting; but all these calamities were but as the bleating of Sheep, or the lowing of Oxen to Popish Ears, and they rather rejoyced at, than commiserated the condition of these poor Wretches: They were no sooner gone, but their Houses were pilla∣ged, rifled, and ransackt of all that was left, and then pull'd to the ground; yea, the Trees were cut down, and such havock and devasta∣tion made, as all was turned into a Wilder∣ness.

This cruel Edict was put in execution by one Gustaldo and others; but this was not all, the Design was for the utter extirpating and root∣ing out Hereticks, as they called these Religi∣ous Souls, it would not satisfie them to have banished these few, and the poor Protestants could have no redress at Court, for all their humble Petitions and Remonstrances could not be heard. The Papists had yet more wicked and bloody Designs against them; and to that purpose, they imployed some Romish Agents who had great influence over the Duke and Dutchess of Savoy.

It is next to impossible to reckon up the va∣riety of Cruelties and Murders committed up∣〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••hese poor Innocent Souls; we shall there∣fore

only give a brief Abstract of some remark∣able passages that happened therein.

Upon the seventeenth of April, 1655. whilst the Protestant Deputies were detained at Turin, and delayed with hopes of redress, some Souldiers were sent on purpose to fall unexpect∣edly upon the Protestants, who peaceably at∣tended the issue of their Petitions, which caused some bustle; for the poor people being promp∣ted by the Law of Nature stood upon their de∣fence, and the Papists lost fifty men, the Pro∣testants only two. Wednesday April 22. The Marquess of Pianessa, the Popish General, came to the Valley of Lucerna, and promised them there should be no violence offered to them provided they would but quarter a few Souldi∣ers as a Token of their Obedience, which the well-meaning people consented to; but no soon∣er were these Troops entred, but they put all to Fire and Sword, slaying all they met with that had but the likeness of Mankind, and that in the most barbarous manner they could possi∣bly devise.

There joyned immediately to this Army a great number of Out-laws, Prisoners, and o∣ther Offenders, who thought to have saved their Souls, and filled their Purses, by killing Heretioks: Six Regiments of French, besides Irish, likewise helped them in this good work, the Country being promised to the 〈…〉〈…〉 cleared of Protestants. With 〈…〉〈…〉

other Troops of Highway-men and Vaga∣bonds, by the Licence of their General, and the encouragement of Popish Priests and Monks, the most unheard-of Villanies were committed upon the poor Protestants: So that there was nothing to be seen through the Protestant Val∣lies but Churches burning, Towns smoaking. Houses flaming, Men, Women and Children Missacred and Murthered; nothing to be heard, but the confused cries of people flying, the piercing groans of others dying, and the horrid shrieks of others that were tormented: and indeed so dreadful was their usage, that it is scarce to be expressed. In one place they most cruelly tormented an hundred and fifty Women and Children, and afterwards chopped off the Heads of some, and dashed out the Brains of others against the Rocks; they took multi∣tudes of Prisoners, and such of them who were fifteen years of Age and upwards, if they refu∣sed to go to Mass, some of them were hanged up, others had their Feet nail'd to Trees, with their Heads hanging down, all which they con∣stantly endured. A Franciscan Fryar, and a∣nother Priest, set fire to all the Churches and Houses at S. Giovanni, La Toure, and other places, so that they left not one standing.

In these Desolations the Mother was bereav∣ed of her sweet Child, the Husband of his dear Wife, those that were richest among them 〈…〉〈…〉 to beg their Bread; yea, they lay

weltring in their own blood, and the pretence for all those bloody Massacres and Cruelties was, that they were Rebels to their Princes Commands, in not performing an absolute im∣possibility, by immediately departing from their Habitations in so short a time; and like∣wise for their frequent Petitioning to the Duke to take pity upon them.

The truth is, the Cruelties which were exe∣cuted would exceed the belief of man, but that they are so fully proved by the Attestati∣ons o•• Eye-witnesses, by the woful cryes of so many poor desolate Wretches who have been miserably robbed and despoiled of their Relati∣ons, Friends, Lands and Houses: yea one of the chief Commanders of their own Army that acted these cruelties, made a formal Oath of the reality thereof, and Signed it with his own hand before two sufficient Witnesses, and like∣wise the voluntary confession of one of the Souldiers who told some of his Fellows, that during the heat of the Massacre, he had divers times surfeited with eating the boiled Brains of Protestants.

The barbarous cruelties following, which were exercised upon those poor people, are like∣wise attested by divers Persons of Honour and Integrity, who were for the most part eye or ear-witnesses of the same.

One Sarah V••gues, about threescore years of age, was commanded to say her prayers,

and because she refused to say Ave Maria, they ript her up alive, by putting a Sickle in∣to her privy parts, and so slit up her Belly; after which they dragged her about, and at last cut off her Head.

Other Women had their Breasts, Noses, Privities and Hands cut off, and so left to pe∣rish miserably; another they stab'd in the soles of his feet, then cut off his Privities and fry'd them, giving them their Comrades to eat as a delicate Dish; then they seared his Wounds with flaming Candles, cut off his Ears, and tore off his Nails with burning Pincers, to make him renounce his Religion; but he still continuing constant, they tyed one of his Legs to a Mule, and so drag'd him about the Streets till he was almost dead: and after all this, they bound a Cord about his Head, and twisted it with a Stick till his eyes and brains burst out, and then cast his body into a River.

One Peter Simond of Angrogna they bound hand and foot, and then flung him down a dreadful Rock, or Precipice; but he happened in his fall to hang upon the stump of an old Tree, where he continued alive several days in a miserable languishing condition before he died, not being able to help himself, and the Preci∣pice being so high, that no other could come at him.

They cut the body of an old man of ninety years of age into small pieces, and then cut off

his head. Others had their bodies torn and cut in pieces, and their limbs strowed in the High∣ways, and hung upon Hedges. An old Woman had her Hands and Nose cut off, and so was left alive. The body of another Woman was found in a Cave, with all the flesh sliced from the bones, and chopt like minced meat. These bloody Papists took many little children, and tender Infants, and threw them down the steep Rocks, whereby they were dashed to pieces.

They took a Gentlemans Daughter, and put a long Stake in her body, and then carried her upon their shoulders, till at last being weary, they struck the Stake into the ground, and so left her as a miserable Spectacle. Andrea Mi∣chalin being taken Prisoner. 〈…〉〈…〉 strangely, having first se•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 Children torn limb from limb, and the fourth and youngest had its brains beaten out against the Rocks. They wofully tormented others, by fleying off their skins alive in long slices, of which they made Points.

The Daughter of one Peter Fontana, a beau∣tiful Girl of about ten years of age, being sur∣prized by some of these lecherous Bruits, be∣cause they could not ravish her in an ordinary way, they so inhumanely abused her, that they left her for dead. The Daughter of one Moses Long they spitted upon a Pike, and roasted her alive, with a fire made upon a broad stone. One

Jacob Michelino they took, and binding his hands to his Privities, hanged him upon a gate, and there left him in exquisite torments in that shameful manner, as they likewise did by many others in the same kind. Four Brothers, and a man and his Wife, all at one time had their mouths crammed full of Gunpowder, and so be∣ing fired, their heads were torn to pieces.

The Schoolmaster of Roras being stript naked, after they had torn off his Nails with Pincers, and made a thousand holes in his hands with their Daggers, they dragg'd him through the Town of Lucerna, and at every turn, one Souldier cut off a Collop of his flesh from one side, and another, from another, crying, What saist thou, wilt thou go to Mass, thou Dog? To which with admirable constancy he answered, Much rather death than the Mass, dispatch me quickly for th•• love of God. At last they cut off his head, and flung him into the River.

One Giovanni, with his Wife and Child, were thrown down from a very high Rock, the Mother holding the Child in her arms, and three days after they were found dead, only the Child was alive, and clasped so fast in the dead Mothers arms, that they could hardly get it out. They took another at the same place, and put out his eyes, and then cut off his Privities, and thrusting them in his mouth, exposed him some time as a miserable Spectacle, and he being yet alive, they flead

off his skin, and hung it in the Windows of four principal houses in Lucerna, after they had divided it into four pieces. They took out the Brains of Daniel Cardon, and frying them in a Pan, eat them up like Canibals, and then cut open his breast also, that they might eat his Heart, but were frighted by some Protestant Troops that were marching that way. They burned four Women of between eighty and ninety years old alive; they cut divers to pieces, and gave their flesh to Dogs. In another place, having taken eleven Pro∣testants, they heated a Furnace, and forced them to throw one another into it, till it came to the last man, whom they threw in them∣selves.

They stabbed some with impoysoned Knives in the legs and feet, and so left them in tor∣ment, till they died, One Gros, a Ministers Son, being taken by them, they cut off his Flesh in small Gobbets while he was alive, and in the presence of his Wife and Children, whom they murdered likewise before his eyes. A Woman with seven Children were all barba∣rously murdered in their Beds: one Daniel Ram∣bout, because he refused to say, Jesu Maria, or pray to the Virgin Mary, they first cut off one finger, then another, till they had cut them all off; then they cut off his hands and arms, till after this manner they had cruelly mang∣ed him to death: Others they shut up between

two Stone walls, and starved them to death. And to conclude, there was no manner of death, no kind of cruelty or torment, that these First-born of Hell could invent or devise, but they were exercised with the utmost seve∣rity upon the poor miserable Protestants; and it would be almost endless, to give a particu∣lar account of all that were murdered, drown∣ed, burnt, shot, starved, smothered, knoc•••• on the head, and cut in pieces by these Barba∣rous Papists.

These horrid and inhumane practices macle the rest of the Protestants fly to their Arms in the natural defence of themselves, and their Families, against the rage and fury of these Lions, Tygers and Bears, in the shapes of men: But those that were so brisk at Massa∣cring and Murdering such as did not resist them, were meer Cowards at fighting, and the Protestants prevail'd against them with small numbers, and defended themselves against their Cruelty.

But at last by the Mediation of the Switzers, Hollanders, and other Protestant-Princes, and especially the English, who contributed above Thirty Thousand Pound to the Relief of their Wants and Miseries, the breach was made up; but yet so made, that the poor remaining Protestants live under the Tyranny of their Po∣pish Task-masters being forbid all manner of Traffick, wronged of their Estates and Goods,

their Ministers Banished, their Virgins Ravish∣ed; the Women affronted, the Men beaten and abused, and the Valleys are become like Dungeons, in which they are kept as Slaves, and secured by strong Forts and Garrisons of Papists; so that they are even dying whilst they live, and have cause to cry out, How long, O Lord, holy and true, d••st thou not judge and avenge our blood, &c. Rev. 6.10.

The Persecution of the Protestants in Bohemia, Germany, Poland, and Lithuania.

THe Persecutions of the Papists against the Bohemians began very early, even about 977 years after the death of our blessed Saviour: Pope Hildebrand (otherwise called Hell-brand) was the first that fell upon them, and after∣wards Pope Celestine; and Persecution continu∣ed upon them for many years, and John Huss, and Jerom of Prague, were burnt in defence of the Gospel at Constance, notwithstanding they had the Publick Faith of the Empire of Germany given them for their security.

At a Town called Cuttenburgh there are many deep Metal Mines, into one of which, in the year 1420. the Papists threw one thou∣sand

and seven hundred persons at one time, for their Religion; into another, one thousand thirty eight; and into a third, a thousand three hundred and thirty four persons.

In the year 1421. one Pichel, a chief Ma∣gistrate of the City Litomeritia, having taken twenty four of the chie•• Citizens, and among them his Son-in law, put them in an high Tower, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 being there almost famished, they were at ••ast brought out, and condemned to be drowned, their Wives, Children and Friends following them to execution with cryer and tears; yea, the Magistrates own Daughter came with prayers and tears to her Father, be∣seeching him to spare her Husband; but he like a hard-hearted wretch only said, Cannot you have a better Husband than this? To whom seeing his cruelty, she answered, You shall never marry me to any but this: And so going along with them, when she saw her Hus∣band thrown into the River, she leapt in after him, and imbracing him, endeavoured to save his life; but being unable to do it, they both perished together, and the next day she was found with him fast in her Arms, and they were both buried in one Grave.

A while after a Minister, four men, and four Boys, were all burnt together in one fire at Prague, because they received the Sacrament in both kinds: and indeed many and almost in∣numerable were the murthers, torments, and

inhumane barbarities committed both publick∣ly and privately on these poor Christians.

About the year 1523. Martin Luther be∣gan to shine as a great light in Germany, and his Doctrine soon overspread Bohemia, and all the parts adjoyning; which so enraged the Pope and his Clergy that they continually raised very violent persecutions against them, wherein multitudes of good Christians lost their lives by means of Ferdinand the First, and Charles the Fift, Emperours of Germany. There were no less than two hundred Ministers banished out of Bohemia at one time, and the Lord of Schanow, because he was a Lutheran, was accused of a Conspiracy, and laid upon the Rack; but he couragiously cut out his own Tongue, and be∣ing demanded the reason of it, he wrote, That it was, lest the torments of the Rack should make him speak falsly against himself, or others.

In the year 1617. Ferdinand the Second was obtruded upon the Bohemians, who joining with the Papists raised up a very terrible Per∣secution against the Protestants, which was the cause of the Electing of Frederick, Prince Pa∣latine of the Rhine, to be King of Bohemta, upon which there followed those cruel Wars and troubles in that Country, wherein many godly Ministers, and other pious, holy and good men, suffered such barbarities and inhu∣manities from the Popish Souldiers, that the Ears of a Christian cannot hear, nor his Tongue

relate them, without the greatest abhorrency and indignation: for some of them were stoned to death, others hanged upon a Beam, and with a soft fire made under them were roasted to death, others were cut piece-meal: One Minister they laid on his back, and ramming his mouth full of Gunpowder, set fire to it, and blew his head all to pieces: Another they hanged up by the Privy Members, being se∣venty years old, and burnt his own Books un∣der him, and at last shot him to death, after he had endured all manner of torment and pain.

In the year 1621. all the Ministers were banished out of the Kingdom of Bohemia, and all the Provinces thereunto belonging, never more to return; and it was made death to harbour or conceal any of them. About the same time twenty one Ministers were banished from Cuttenburgh: A Popish Captain caused a Ministers hand first to be stricken off, and then his head, his bowels to be taken out, and wrapt in his shirt, and his four quarters to be set upon four Stakes, and his head on another. At the same time likewise fifty of the Nobility were condemned, some to death, some to banishment, and others to perpetual imprison∣ment; twenty seven were executed, who all di∣ed with great constancy of mind, and fervency of spirit, sealing the Protestant Cause with their blood, the heads and right hands of some of 〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉

charge, for carrying on the work: and thus he began with the Sword, that he might end with the Faggot.

The Duke of Saxony, and the Lantgrave of Hessen, stood up for the Protestants, and were taken Prisoners, in the year 1547. And where∣ever the Papists got the better, all sorts of cruelties, murders, racks, tortures, fire and faggot followed upon the Protestants, so that all Germany was as it were in a flame and com∣bustion at once, all places being in a lamenta∣ble condition, some flying, and others suffer∣ing death on every side for their Conscience and Religion.

At a Town called Meldorp, they took a god∣ly Minister, named Sutphen out of his Bed, and forced him to go many miles on foot in Frost and Snow upon the Ice, bare-footed and bare∣legg'd, beating, cutting, and flashing him, and pricking him forward with their Halberts, and at last they barbarously roasted him to death. Many were drowned at Vienna, and put to several sorts of death.

Ladies and Gentlewomen were yokt toge∣ther like Beasts and so were turned out into the Woods, where they were ravished and abused, and then had their Hair and Ears cut off, and disfigured. In Pomeren they forced the peo∣ple to eat their own Excrements, and if they refused them, they thrust them down their Throats till they were choaked: They cram'd

the secret parts of several women with Gun∣powder, and so setting fire to it, most barba∣rously tore their Bellies and Wombs.

Divers were hung up by the privy parts; they plained the faces of others with Chisels; others they caused to draw on Boots filled with scalding Oyl, and so roasted their legs over the fire: some men they gelt in the presence of their wives and children: others had their bo∣dies hung up by Cords, and by tying great weights to their limbs, all the joynts of their body were put out of joynt; some had Gags put in their mouths, and had stinking water and piss poured down their Throats through a Tunnel, till their bellies swelled like a Tun, whereby they died in most cruel torment: They sawed off the legs of some alive, and one Minister they bound upon a Table, and pla∣cing a great Cat upon his belly, so provoked the Cat, that she scratcht his guts out of his belly withher Teeth and Nails, till he miserably died.

At Magdenburg they ravished the Wife and Daughter of a famous Minister before his face, and then violently snatcht a sucking Infant from its Mothers breast, and stuck it on the top of a Lance; and when they had tormented his Eyes and Heart with these horrid Spectacles, they brought the Minister into the Street, and burnt him with his own Books.

Yea, such was their abominable filthiness in Pomeren, that they ravished the fairest Virgins

before their Parents faces, forcing them to sing Psalms the while: one beautiful young woman they ravished, and then cut to pieces, hang∣ing up her quarters in the Church: Girls of ten years old, and under, they ravished and abused, till they killed them; nay, so mon∣strous beastly were they, that they committed filthiness with the dead Corps of those women whom they had murdered. At Bastl and Friburg they did the like, neither pitying old nor young men, women, nor innocent Babes, whom sometimes they most barbarously used to eat, even when other meat might be had, yea such inhumane cruelty they used, that in many places they left none remaining alive to relate the sufferings of those that were murdered.

Thus these Massacres and bloody murders defiled the whole Land, and Germany groaned under the oppression, till the peace of Munster and Osnaburg in the year 1648. which put a stop to this cruel Persecution, the Papists being compelled thereto, by Gods bringing in the King of Sweden, who over-ran Germany in a short time, and thereby revived the Protestant Cause, which was almost over-born and d••∣stroyed by so many thousand violences and mi∣series, as it had lain under for many years.

These bloody Tyrants vented their rage and fury not only in Germany, but also in Hunga∣ry, and other Countries, for they committed the same Villanies in all places where they had

power, the Ministers were generally banished, and put to death, and the same Picture of their cruelties which has been represented to you in Germany, was acted over again in this Kingdom, which we have not room to insert, only a new sort of death was invented there; they tyed Hens, Geese, Ducks and Hares to the naked Body of a worthy Minister in that Countrey, and then set the Dogs upon him, who tore and rent his Flesh till he dyed.

You have beheld many sad and doleful Spe∣ctacles, (and Reader, if thou art a Christian, thy heart must almost bleed at the relation of them) we will therefore Epitomize the bloody cruelties of the Papists in POLAND.

All the same things, or worse, if it be possible, which we have related to be done in other places, were likewise acted in Poland; many thousand Protestants, and good Christians have been destroyed in that Kingdom, and especi∣ally at Karmin, Dumbuick, Shochy, Carienzin, and Lesna, all which Cities and Towns were destroyed and burnt to the ground for the cause of Religion.

The City of Lesna was one of the most an∣cient and flourishing Cities in all the Kingdom of Poland, which was wholly laid in ashes, be∣ing three whole days in flames ere it was con∣sumed, in which there perished many hundred Protestants, besides inestimable wealth and treasure, no man resisting or opposing the fire.

Here they pulled off the Noses of some, and put out the Eyes of others, and cut off the Tongues, Hands and Feet of divers, giving Quarter to none, but killing and destroying all that came in their way. They cut off the Hands of a pi∣ous Matron of Lesna, and then murdered three of her Children before her Face, cutting off their Heads, and laying one at each Breast, and the other by her side. Another Woman hav∣ing her Hands and Feet cut off, and her Tongue cut out, they sowed up in a Sack, and so left her for two days in which she lived, making a most miserable lamentation.

In the Lower Poland a multitude suffered, whole Families were butchered, and Men and Women, Young and Old, murdered without distinction. And in the year 1654. there was an horrible slaughter amongst them, the Papists putting to death all the Protestants they could meet with by most exquisite tortures: One Mr. Samuel Cardus, a Minister, they used with extream cruelties, first putting out his Eyes, and leading him about as a miserable Spectacle; then they pull'd of his Fingers with Pincers, and poured melted Lead down his Throat, and while he was yet half alive, they put his Neck between two folding doors, and so violently severed his Head from his Body.

They used the Minister of Dembnick, and another Minister, very barbarously; for after they had several ways tormented them, they

cut their Throats with a Razor, and while they were breathing, flung them into a Pit, and covered them with filth and dung.

The same Cruelties the barbarous and bloudy Papists acted against the Protestants in LI∣THUANIA, in the year 1648. slaugh∣tering all that were not Roman Catholicks, without distinction of Age or Sex. Here ma∣ny had their Skins flead off while they were a∣live, others their Hands and Feet cut off, some their Bowels taken out alive, others had their Shin-bones bored through; they poured melt∣ed Lead into the wounds of some whom they had cut in the Head, and other parts of their Bodies: Some had their Eyes pulled out, and those that were hanged up in all places were such a multitude, that they are hard to be num∣bred. It was counted a great mercy and kindness to be shot, beheaded, or killed out∣right, without any other torment.

The Wives and Daughters of the Prote∣stants were every where ravished, their Houses and Goods burnt and destroyed, and their Countrey, and their Churches laid waste, so that there was nothing to be seen in every place but Murders and Massacres; and the Blood of the poor Suffering Protestants ran like Streams through the Streets of Towns and Cities, and those that were left alive, and escaped the slaughter, were banished their Countrey for ever.

The Ministers were chiefly aimed at, and always cruelly tormented. Among the rest, one Adrian Chilmiskie (who was famous for his great Piety and Learning, and likewise for his Reverend Age) was by these Barbarous Wretches roasted alive, and this they did lei∣surely, with a few Chips and Straw, that he might be the longer in torment. In another place above forty suffered death by several-sorts of tortures: Near Vilna, the chiefest City in Lithuania, one Smolskie, and his Son, both Ministers, had their Heads cruelly sawed off with a Sickle. Another Minister had his Flesh sliced off by piece-meal, till he died. And; to conclude this Field of Blood, there were no less than fifteen hundred poor Protestants, Ministers as well as others, who were bound to Stakes on the Tops of Mountains in the Winter, and there miserably starved to death with hunger and cold. In a word, no Age nor History can parallel all the several tortures and mise∣rable deaths which these poor Protestants suf∣fer'd from the hands of bloody Papists, for no other Crime but professing and asserting the Truth and Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Persecutions of the Protestants in France; with an Account of the Bloody Massacre at Paris, and the terrible Famine at Sancerre and Rochel.

ABout the year 1209. There were di∣vers Learned men in France, the Dis∣ciples of one Almericus at Paris, who being taken notice of, to hold other Opinions than those commonly heard of at that time; six of them were brought upon Exami∣nation, who freely declared, that they did be∣lieve, That God was no otherwise present in the Sacramental Bread, than in any other Bread; That it was Idolatry to build Altars to Saints, or offer Incense to their Images; That it was ri∣diculous to kiss or worship Relicks. They said, That the Pope was Antichrist, and Rome was Babylon. These being counted horrible Er∣rors in that dark time of Superstition, they were perswaded to recant; and upon their refusal so to do, were condemned and burnt at Paris; and the Bones of their Master Almericus, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 been buried in the Church-yard, were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 up, and buried in the Fields.

〈…〉〈…〉 the year 1524. One John Clark set up a

Bill on the Church-door, against the Popes Pardons, and called him Antichrist; for which being apprehended, he was ordered to be whipt several days, and then burned in the Fore-head; His Mother, a Religious Woman, standing by, encouraged him, saying with a loud voice, Blessed be Christ, and welcome be these marks for his sake. After this he went to Metz; and there being some Images without the City which the People used to worship once a year, the Evening before John Clark abhorring their Idolatry, went and brake down all their Idols; the next Morning when the Clergy and People came to their Worship, they found their Images lye all broken on the Ground, upon which there began a great Tumult, and John Clark was suspected and taken; who presently confessed the Fact, and gave Reasons for his so doing; for which he was condemned to a most cruel death, his Right Hand was first cut off, then his Nose was violently pulled off, and af∣ter that his Arms and Breasts with sharp pincers, all which he sustained with admirable patience, uttering all the while the words of the 115 Psalm, Their Idols are Silver and Gold, the work of mens hands. Lastly, he was thrown into the Fire, and burnt to Ashes.

A while after a great number of Protestants at Paris, Melda, Linosin, and divers other Ci∣ties and Towns in France were burnt, rackt, whipt, beaten, and other ways tormented to

death. At Melda one was burnt for saying, That the Mass was a plain denial of the death & passi∣on of Christ. He often meditated on the word of Christ: He that demes me before men, him will I also deny before my Father. He was burned in a slow Fire, and endured much torment.

One Stephen Brame, being condemned to be burned for the Constant Profession of his Faith, when the Fire was kindled, a great wind drove away the Flame from him, so that he stood for an hours space instructing and ex∣horting the People: They then brought Oyl Vessels, and more Faggots, yet still was the flame driven from him, whereupon the Hang∣man struck him on the head with a staff, to whom he said, I am condemned to be burned, and do you strike me with Staves like a Dog? After which the Hangman run him through the Belly with a Pike, and then threw him into the Fire, and scattered his Ashes in the Wind.

Four Protestants were condemned at Roan, and were carried to the Stake in a Dung Cart, at which they rejoyced saying, Blessed be God we are reputed as the Excrements of this World, but yet our death is a sweet savour unto God.

Aymond de Lavoy, a Godly Minister was burnt at Burdeaux; and likewise one Vercote another Minister, who was imprisoned in such a narrow place, that he could neither stand nor lye down, in which they kept him seven weeks, whereas before no other Malefactor

could endure that Torment above fifteen days without dying, or growing mad; afterwards they cut off his Tongue, and lastly they were so merciful as to execute him.

One Thomas a young man of Eighteen years old coming from Geneva to Paris, rebuked one for swearing, whereupon he was apprehended for a Lutheran, and carried before the Inquisi∣tion, who committed him to Prison, and rackt him so cruelly to confess his Companions, that one of the bloody Inquisitors turned back his head and wept, yea the Hangman himself was weary; He was then carried to be burned and was let down into the Fire by a Pully, and after∣wards pull'd up again, and asked if he would yet turn. To whom he said, He was in his way to God, and desired them to let him go, and so he quietly slept in the Lord.

The Duke of Guise a great Instrument of Persecution committed many Barbarous Cruel∣ties upon the Protestants, and among the rest at a place called Vassey, he murdered several Hundreds of Men, Women and Children who were assembled to hear a Sermon, mangling their Limbs, and strewing them about the Seats and Galleries of the Church, and at another Town called Seulis, some were beheaded, some whipt, some beaten, others sent to the Gallies, the poor women being likewise made Slaves. Among the rest one Fournia a Minister was tor∣mented by having his Thumbs strained with a

small cord till the blood issued out at the ends of them, and with another Cord was hoisted up by the Thumbs, and then twitcht down again, having great Stones tied to his Toes, and so was hanged till his Spirits failed him, and then they suddenly let him fall with his Face on the hard floor, with which Barbarous Usage he in a short time died, being near fifty years old.

In the year 1559, in the Reign of Henry the second of France, there was one Ann du Bourg, a Noble man, and of admirable wis∣dom and understanding, who when the King came one time into his Parliament at Paris, made a bold speech before him, wherein he gave thanks to Almighty God for moving the Kings Heart, to be prefent at such a weighty matter as that of Religion, (which it seems was then to be debated) humbly intreating him to consider well thereof, it being the Cause of Christ himself, which of good Right ought to be maintained by Princes; but the King was so far from bearkening to him, that being in raged he commanded him to be committed to Prison, and protested to him in these very words, These Eyes of mine shall see thee burnt. And a while after he was condemned to die. In the mean time great Triumphs were preparing for the Mar∣riage of the Kings Sister & Daughter, & the day being come, he spent all the morning in Examin∣ing matters against Du Bourg, and some others

charged with the same Doctrines, intending to glut his Eyes with their Execution, and then went to Dinner; After Dinner the King ran at Tilt near the Prison where Du Bourg was, and brake many Spears against the Count Montgomery and others, and all thinking he had done enough, desired him to give over with praise; But the King being inflamed with their Commendations would needs run another course with Count Montgomery, who upon his knees begg'd his Majesty pardon, but the King being resolved, commanded him to do it upon his Allegiance, Montgomery, being compel'd addrest himself to it, and the King and he meeting, broke their Spears, and the Kings Helmet falling down at the same Instant, one of the Splinters of Montgomeries Spear en∣tred just into his right eye, and so pierced his head, that his brains were perished, which wound being incurable, he died thereof, within Eleven days after; whereby his great hopes of seeing the Death of Du Bourg were frustrated; And the Execution of Du Bourg was deferr'd for six Months longer, all which time persevering constantly in the truth, he was first degraded, and then accompanied with six or seven hundred Horse and Foot well arm'd, he was guarded to Execution, being first hang'd and then burnt to Ashes.

At Amiens in France all the Bibles, Testa∣ments and ••salm Books were burnt, the Mi∣nisters

Pulpit, and several Men and Women: At Abbeville they slew the Lord of Harcourt, and dragg'd some along the Streets with their their faces in the Kennel. At Meux above Four hundred Religious Citizens were slain, the Women and Maids were openly ravished in the Streets and Market-places, Men, Women and Children were Massacred, the very Popish Priests themselves slaying divers with their own hands. At a place called Bar, the same, if not worse, Villanies were committed, for the Papists pull'd out the hearts of these poor Pro∣testants, and most barbarously gnawed them with their Teeth, rejoycing that they tasted of an Hug••nots heart. At another place seven Hundred Protestants, were inhumanely massa∣cred, and their naked Bodies thrown into the River; Their Houses and Church being like∣wise plundered and Burnt.

At Angies they murthered a Godly Mini∣ster and many others, and finding a Fair Bible gilt, they hung it upon an Halbert, and car∣ried it in procession, blasphemously crying, Behold Truth hang'd, the Truth of the Hugonots The Truth of all the Devils; behold the Mighty God, behold the Everlasting God will speak, and when they came to the Bridge, they threw it into the River, crying louder, Behold the Truth of all the Devils drown'd. At Tours an hundred and forty were murdered and cast into the River, and neither Man, Woman nor

Child spared; nay the President of the City be∣ing only suspected to be a Favourer of the Protestants was first beaten with Staves, then stript to his shirt, hang'd up by one Foot, his Head in the Water up to the Breast, and whilst he was yet alive, they ript up his Belly, pluckt out his Guts, threw them into the River, and sticking his heart on a Lance, they carried it about, saying, This is the Heart of the Presi∣dent of the Hugonots.

A Poor Woman whose Husband was a while before drown'd, having a young Infant suck∣ing at her Breasts; and a beautiful Daughter of about sixteen years old in her hand; these bloody Villains drove them to a River, and taking the Daughter aside, some of the Rascals endeavoured to seduce her to Popery, and one of them who was finer than the rest, promised to marry her, so that the poor Maid began to doubt, which her Mother who was just going to be thrown into the River perceiving, she earnestly exhorted her Daughter to persist in the Truth; whereupon the Daughter cryed out, I will live and die with my Mother, whom I know to be••d Virtuous Woman, and as for your Threats and Promises I regard them not, do with me what you please: Before the Mother was quite drowned, the Daughter was likewise thrown in, who making toward her Mother, they mutually embraced each other, and so yielded up their Souls into the hands of God.

In the same City of Tours, there was a very Religious Woman, who being brought before the Captain, she there gave an Account of her Faith, which she confirmed by Scripture, in∣somuch that the Fryers who discoursed with her, could not return any answer, but only told her, That she was in a damnable condition: It seems so indeed (said she) being in your hands, And being then committed to prison, she de∣clared her mind freely, and comforted the other Protestant Prisoners; she was afterward condemn'd to be hang'd, and the Rope being put about her neck, she kneeled down, praising and magnifying the name of God in shewing her so much mercy, as by that death to deliver her out of this wretched world, and that she was so far honoured as to die for the Truth, and to wear Gods Livery, as she reckoned the halter to be; she then brake her fast with the rest of the Company, and exhorted them to be of good courage and to trust in the free mercy of God to the end. As she went to Execution one of her kindred brought her own little Children to see her, and perswaded her to re∣cant and save her life, to provide for these Inno∣cent Babes: This was a very great Tempta∣tion, and wrought so upon her Motherly af∣fection as drew plenty of Tears from her Eyes; But a while after resuming her former Courage and Constancy, she said; I love my Children dearly, yet neither for love to them, nor for any

thing else in this World will I renounce my God, or his Truth; God will be a Father to these my Children, and will provide better for them than I could have done, and therefore to his provi∣dence and protection I commend and leave them. After which she went cheerfully to the place of Execution, and having there prayed to, and praised God, she quietly resigned up her Spirit to him.

A while after the City of Roan was besieged, and two of the Forts taken, wherein they put all the Protestants to the Sword, and the Queen Mother being at the Siege, she led the young King Charles the Ninth, who was then but twelve years old, to shew him the Naked Bodies of several poor Women, who weltred in their Blood; at last the City was taken, wherein all sorts of monstrous Cruelties were used, massa∣cring all they met with, and divers English and Scotch Souldiers were hanged, and the Sick and wounded were cast into the River.

In Valogues divers Persons of good Quality were massacred, and among the rest, a Godly Minister whose Body they stripped, and with many scoffs and scorns dragged it about the House, and at last bringing it into a Room, where he used to preach, they kickt and spurn'd his Corps, saying, Now pray to God, and preach if thou canst; the Popish Priests that were present, stuffed his Mouth and likewise his wounds with the Leaves of his Bible; cry∣ing,

Preach the Truth of thy God, and call upon him now to help thee. In a place called Agen many were massacred, and two young Chil∣dren were rosted: In the Castle of Rheims there was great Cruelty used, many young Children being murthered in their Mothers Arms; and the Mothers also shamefully abused, and after∣ward killed. Above five hundred men were hanged upon Gibbets, among whom was a grave Counsellor in his long Gown and square Cap.

In the City of Blois the Murtherers hearing there was a Sermon, brake violently into the House, thinking to have taken the Minister, but being disappointed, they dragg'd several Women that were there, by the Hair of the Head, and beating them severely, threw them into the River, but by the Providence of God, they had so much skill as to swim safely to an Island, but presently after some Water-men finding them there, stript them stark naked, and threw them again into the River, yet still they endeavoured to save themselves, and swum toward the Suburbs of a Town called Vienne, and were there cruelly knocked on the Head by the bloody Papists. The French Ge∣neral having taken several Protestants Prisoners, he hanged most of them, but especially the Ministers; among the rest there was a Cap∣tain, called La Mothe to whom the General gave divers stabs with a Dagger, and thrust

him thorough with a Sword, saying, Villain, thou shalt die in despight of God; but he proved a Liar; for the Captain was carried away; and though extreamly wounded, yet was won∣derfully cured, and lived afterward.

Many horrible Murthers were likewise com∣mitted upon the Protestants, and amongst o∣thers one of their Practices was to throw them down from the top of St. Michaels Abby, which was built upon an high Rock, under which there ran a deep and swift River, and by the way there was another Rock which stood far out, upon which their Bodies falling were dasht and torn to pieces: Among the rest there was a young man, who seeing they were resolved to murther him, requested that he might thus cast himself from the top of the Ab∣by, and if it pleased God to preserve him in the fall, he might escape with Life; this they promised, whereupon having made his Prayers to God, he fetched a leap from the top of the Abby, and flew so far, that missing the Rocks under him, he fell into the River, and endea∣voured to swim out for his Life, but these per∣fidious Villains knockt him on the Head, and killed him.

A Captain and his Souldiers entring the House of a Religious Widow, they bound her with Cords, and then put a Rope about her Neck, whereby she was halled up and down, till she was almost strangled; they then asked h••••

How often she had played the Whore with those of her Religion, she answered, That in the Chri∣stian Meetings there were no such Villanies com∣mitted. The Captain then dasht her Head a∣gainst the Walls till he had almost beaten out her Brains, and required her to give him Seven Hundred pieces of Gold which she had hidden; she told him she was a poor Woman, and had only one French penny; this inraged him the more, and he thereupon applyed hot burning Coals to her Arm-pits, till they were all blister∣ed, bidding her in derision, to cry to her Fa∣ther which was in Heaven. She replyed, I will not cry aloud for thee, and yet my God can hear me well enough, and when his pleasure is, he will deliver me out of thy hand. This made him Swear and Blaspheme extreamly, which more afflicted the poor Woman than her pains or sufferings; and then he called her Hugonot Whore, saying that these were but the begin∣ning of her sorrows, and except she fetcht him out her Gold, he would draw her Cheeks and Breasts with Lard, and roast her alive, and af∣terwards throw her Body head-long from the highest Steeple in the Town; Well, (said she) if you throw my Body never so low, that shall not hinder my Soul from ascending into Heaven: This her courage did further inrage him, and thereupon he opened her Mouth with his Dag∣ger, and crammed Lime down her Throat, and afterwards forced her to drink a Glass of 〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉

Clubs, and in brief the Protestants were mur∣dered, without distinction of Age, Sex or Quality, neither Old, Bedrid, nor the diseased in Hospitals being spared.

In Masion the bloody Papists apprehended an honest Godly Minister, whom they carried along the Streets, with a Thousand scoffs and scorns, and beating and abusing him, and then they made Proclamation, That whosoever would hear this Holy man Preach, should come to the Slaughter House: At which place they abused him two hours together; He then desired that before his death, they would permit him to pray to God; upon which a Villain stept to him, and cut off half his Nose, and one of his Ears, saying, Now pray as long as thou wilt, and then we will send thee to all the Devils: And then this holy man kneeling down, pray∣ed with such zeal and fervency of Spirit, as drew sighs from some of the Murderers, and afterwards speaking to him that had cut off his Nose, he said, Friend, I am now ready to suffer what thou hast to inflict upon me, but I intreat you and your Companions to consider seriously of the Mischiefs and Outrages committed by you against this poor City, for there is a God in Hea∣ven, before whose Tribunal you must shortly give on Account of these your Cruelties: Just then a Captain passing by, cryed, Send that wretched man to the Devil; which one of them hearing took him by the hand, pretending to lead him

to the River to wash off his blood; but when he came thither, he threw him into the water, and then battered him with Stones till he was drowned.

In the year 1571, after the end of the third Civil War in France, great means were used to draw the chief of the 〈…〉〈…〉 Paris, under the pretence of a 〈…〉〈…〉 that was be∣tween the King of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, who was a Pro∣testant, and the Lady 〈…〉〈…〉 to the French King, but in the 〈…〉〈…〉 Pro∣testants were murdered, in the City of Roan, as they came from a Sermon, which seemed very much to displease the King, and divers were Executed for the Mutiny; then were the Ar∣ticles of Marriage agreed upon at Paris; the Admiral Coligni was invited to the Wedding, and those that belong'd to the Family of the Duke of Guise, were forbid the Court, which was very acceptable to the Protestants, as judging it an assured pledg of the Kings fideli∣ty, since he declared much satisfaction in the Marriage saying, That it was not so much for the Wedding, as that it was a strong knot of Peace, and would be for the good of the whole Nation.

The Admiral for his security was allowed to bring with him fifty Gentlemen armed; and being come to Paris he was honourably re∣ceived of the King, who called him Father, and protested that in his whole life, he had not

been better pleased, as judging this day would end all his troubles, and settle firm peace and quietness in his Kingdom: Notwithstanding this, the Admiral had several Intimations of some Treachery intended against him, but though very wise, yet he took little notice of it. The Queen Mother likewise entertained him with great favour, and the King sent him One Hundred Thousand Franks out of his Treasury for the loss which he had received in the Wars: And the King to delude the People, spake publickly, That he did not give his Sister in Marriage to the King of Navarr only, but as it were to the whole Church of the Protestants to joyn with them in an indissoluble union and as a tye to their peace and safety.

The Seventeenth of August, the King of Navarr, and the Lady Margaret were married with great Solemnity before the great Church of Paris, on a Scaffold in the sight of all the People, by the Cardinal of Bourbon, the King of Navarrs Unkle, and the Wedding was so∣lemniz'd with Banquets, Dancing and Masques, with a strange mixture of Protestants and Papists together, after which the Bride was led into the Church to hear Mass with great solemnity, but the King of Navarr her Bridegroom, the Prince of Conde, and other Protestant Noblemen walked without the Church door, till her return, as misliking their Religion and Ceremonies.

In the mean time the Queen Mother, and her bloody Councellors, together with the Duke of Anjou and Guise, contrive the Mar∣der of the Admiral, and the dividing the Pro∣testants.

The Admiral after the Marriage moved the King for his departure home, but the con∣tinual complaints of the Protestants still detain∣ed him at Court, and going some days after thither in his return home, while he was read∣ing a Petition with divers Noblemen and Gen∣tlemen about him; He was shot by a Harque∣buzie, the Bullet taking off the forefinger of his right-hand, and hurting him in the left Arm, he feeling himself shat, said, without alteration of Countenance, It came thorough yonder Window; what kind of Ireachery is This? The door of the House being br••ke open, they understood that he which shot, presently mounted upon a Spanish Jennet at a back door, and made his escape, leaving his Gun behind him, and upon Examination it was found, that the Harquebuz was brought to the house the day before, by one Chally Steward of the Kings House, and an acquaintance of the Duke of Guise.

The King having notice of this Villany, seemed to be extreamly concerned, causing all the Gates of Paris to be presently shut, and swore to the Admirals Friends, that those that had committed this horrid Fact should not

escape: the Queen Mother likewise seemed much discontented at it. The King went to visit the Admiral, assuring him of his love and care over him. However the King of Nava••r, Prince of Conde and other Protestants had pri∣vate advice to depart speedily out of Paris, and to look upon this but as the beginning of the Tragedy which was to follow; but they, trusting to the Kings word, would not go.

The Dukes of Cuise and Anj••u imployed some to go to every house and bring them a Catalogue of all the Protestants, and the King set a Guard of Fifty Harquebuzies at the Ad∣mirals Gate; and abundance of Arms were sent into the Kings Pailace of the Louvre, and in the Evening of the same day, all the Papists were in Arms; the Protestants observing all this, many of them assembled at the Admirals Lodgings, where it was advised that the Admiral should be Immediately conveyed out of Paris, and the rest should change their Lodg∣ings, but this was again refused, they still re∣lying upon the Kings word, who promised them Justice.

In the Evening divers Protestant Gentlemen offered to watch with the Admiral, but he re∣fused it, and the same night the Duke of Guise sent for the Captain of the Switzers, and shew∣ed him his Commission to kill the Admiral and the rest of the Protestants, and exhorted him and his Souldiers to be couragious in shedding

their blood: At midnight the Provost, Sheriffs, and Captains of every Ward had the same Or∣ders given them, with assurance, that the like should be Executed upon the Protestants through the whole Kingdom of France and that the Signal for the General Massacre, would be the ringing of the Bell in the Kings Pallace, which would be about break or day, and that the Murderers should have a white hand kerchief tyed about their Arms, and a white Cross in their hats, and Candles to be lighted in every house: At the time appointed, the Bell rung, and the Duke of Guise hasted to the Admirals Lodging with his Cut-throats, and knocking at the Door, he that opened it was murdered; the Admiral hearing the noise, got out of his Bed, and there being a Minister in the Room, they both went to Prayers, and the Admiral fervently commended his Soul to God, and then said to those about him, It is long since I disposed my self to die, save your selves, if it be possible, for you cannot save my life, I commit my Soul into the hands and mercy of God. The Mi∣nister and the rest of his attendants got up to the top of the house, and crept out of the Win∣dows to save themselves, yet most of them were slain in the next House.

Presently seven or eight men broke into the Admirals Lodgings, and one of them set his Naked Sword to his Breast, saying, Art thou the Admiral? To whom with a Christian

Constancy, he answered, I am called so, and withal said, Young man thou oughtest to consider my Age and the weak condition I am now in, but do what thou wilt, for thou canst not shorten my life but a very little: But the Wretch blaspheming God, thrust him through the Breast, and afterward strook him on the head; another shot him with a Pistol, and a third wounded him in the Thigh; so that he lay gasping for life; the Duke of Guise was below, and with a loud voice cryed, Have you done? It was answered, Yes; the Duke replyed, Our Chevalier (which was the Kings Bastard Brother) will not believe it, unless he see it; which being done, his Face was all bloody, which the Duke of Guise wiping said, Now I know it is he, and then kicked him on the Face with his Foot, whom all the Mur∣therers of France feared so much when he was alive.

Then the Duke and his bloody Train went into the Streets, crying Arm, Arm, we have had good success, and a happy beginning, Let us now proceed to the rest, for it is the Kings Com∣mand, which words he repeated often, This is the Kings Commandment, this is his Will, this is his express pleasure, therefore courage, my Fellows.

Then the great Bell of the Pallace which was the bloody token of the General Alarm, began to ring out aloud, and presently a Re∣port was spread, That the Protestants had

conspired against the King, Queen and Court, and were just going to Execute their Design; After this the Admirals head was cut off, and sent to the King, and Queen Mother, and be∣ing by them preserved with Spices, it was sent to the Pope, and the Cardinal of Lorrain at Rome as a very grateful present. The Pope when he first heard the News of the Massacre appointed a day of Publick Thanksgiving to God, where Te Deum was sung for joy in the Church of St. Lewis; He likewise Published a Bull of Pardons and extraordinary Indulgences to such as should pray for the Heavenly assist∣ance to the King and Kingdom of France for rooting out of Hereticks.

The R••scally Rabble cut off the Hands and Privy Members of the Admiral, dragging his mangled body besme••••ed with blood and filth, through the S••reets three days together, and then hanged it by the Feet upon the Gallows; All the Attendants of the King of Navarr, and Prince of Conde which lay in the Kings Pal∣lace were murdered, and likewise all the Lords and Gentlemen about the Admiral's Lodgings, and among the rest his Son Teligny, and then through all the City and Suburbs were the poor Protestants Massacred with all manner of Cruel∣ties; Nothing was then to be heard but the Terrible noise of Horses and Arms, Guns and Pistols, mingled with the doleful, sad and wo∣ful Screeches and miserable complaints of Men

Women, and Children, Rich and Poor, crying for mercy to these bloody Hell-hounds, howling and lamenting at their miserable Condition, to be thus wretchedly murdered for they knew not what: And all this interm••xt with the groans of the dying, and the merciless shouts of the Cruel Murtherers, continually crying, Kill, kill, for the King commands it, that it seemed as if Heaven and Earth had met together, or as if the Heavens had rent with Thun∣der.

So that in that night, and the Two next days there was slain in Paris above Ten Thou∣sand Persons of both Sexes, and all Ranks and Ages, the bloody Papists not sparing the Chil∣dren in the Cradle, nor the Infants in their Mo∣thers wombs, insomuch that the Streets, Mar∣ket-place, and Rivers were dyed with Blood, and the Murtherers boasted that they had in a few days put an end to that Quarrel, that nei∣ther Pen, Paper, Decrees of Justice nor open War could accomplish in Twelve years.

This horrid M••ssacre was committed on St. Bartholomews day, being the 24 of August 1571. which was the Sabbath day, and is made samous for ever, by the Effusion of so much precious Innocent blood, as no Age nor time can parallel, for there were at this time in Paris Threescore Thousand men, with Pistols, Poinards, Swords, Knives, and such other Bloody Instruments, who ran up and down,

swearing and blaspheming the Sacred Majesty of God, cruelly massacring all they met; So that the Streets were covered with mangled Bodies, and the Gates and Doots defiled with blood, the Lords and Gentlemen were Inhumanely murdered, some in their Beds, others on the top of their Houses, and in all other places where they were found, and such a multitude of dead Bodies, were thrown into the River Sein, that the water was dyed Red with their Blood.

In the Heilish Assembly wherein this bloody Massacre was concluded on, it was debated whether the King of Navarr and Prince of Conde should not be destroyed with the rest; the Duke of Guise p••euded for it, but others were against it, and argued how abomi••able it would be to destroy two young Princ••s of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 blood, in the Flower of their Age, and one of them in the imbraces of his young Bride and the Kings own Sister, and therefore it was concluded, That they should be threatued viol••••tly with death and all manner of Torments, if they would not turn Papists; And thereupon the King com∣manded them to be brought into his presence, and told them, That now he had cut off all the Instruments of the late Civil Wars, which he hoped would prevent future troubles, for by his Command the Admiral was slain, and all the rest of the Hereticks and that the like should be Executed in all other places throughout the King∣dom,

and that if they would now save their Lives they must turn Catholicks, for he was resolved to have but one Religion in his Kingdom.

The King of Navarr, and the Prince of Conde humbly beseeched his Majesty to Remember his Oaths, Promises, and solemn Vows and Pro∣testations that they should have the free Exercise of their Religion, and withal told the King, That he might do as he pleased with their Bo∣dies and Estates, but their unspotted Souls were in the hands of God; and that they were resolv∣ed to remain stedfast in their Religion, though with the loss of their lives; which answer so in∣raged the King, that he called the Prince of Conde Rebel, and the Son of a Rebellious Person, horribly threatning him, That if within three days he did not obey his Command he should die for it, and then with a furious Countenance left them with these three Terrible Words, Death, Mass, or the Bastile.

Many Gentlemen that were attendants upon them, as likewise their Schoolmasters and Tu∣tors, were thrust out of the Chamber among the Murtherers, that is, among the Kings Guard of Switzers, who stood in two Ranks with their Swords drawn ready for Blood and Cruelty. These Gentlemen crying out of the Kings Oaths, Promises and Fidelity, were yet by the Kings Command, and in his own Sight unmer∣cifully hewen and cut in peices.

In this Butcherly Massacre at Paris there

were above four Thousand Houses robbed and plundered, and above Five Hundred Barons, Knights and Gentlemen, who were chief Offi∣cers in the War, with abundance of Noble young Gentlemen, Ladies, and Gentlewomen Inhumanely murthered, who little expected such a bloody Fate, for they came from all parts to rejoyce, in honour of the marriage of the King of Navarr, and instead of Jollity and pleasures, they here met with an untimely death, from Bloody and Cowardly Papists, who murther like Devils, but dare not fight like men.

The King and his Considents searing that this Massacte would not end the Quarrel, but rather stir up the Protestants in other places to stand upon their own defence; He therefore sends Messengers by Post to all parts of the Kingdom, often shifting Horses for more speed, with express Commands to the Governours of all other Towns and Cities in France to follow the Example of Paris, and to destroy and kill all the Protestants which were amongst them; and yet at the same time, the King writes o∣ther Letters wherein he laid the fault of the murder of the Admiral, and the rest upon the Duke of Guise.

As soon as this Command was published, and that the Kings Letters came, the Papists fell with all imaginable fury upon all the Pro∣testants at Meaux, Troys, Orleans, and other

places, murthering them without any manner of pity and Compassion.

And among the rest Monsieur De la Place, President of the Court of Requests being in his house, a Captain came to him, and told him, that the Duke of Guise had killed th•• Admiral by the Kings appointment, and many other Hugonots, but however he was willing to se∣cure him, but desired to see his Gold; The Lord De la Place c••••••rving his Impudence asked him whether h•• thought there were a King or no; the Captain b••aspheming bid him go to know the Kings pleasure; The Lord De la Place thinking there was danger near, went from him to secure himself, and the Cap∣tain thereupon plundered his House. The poor Gentleman seeking shelter in three Houses for his life, was denied, and was at last forced to return home again, where finding his wife ve∣ry sorrowful, he rebuked her, and discourst with her of the Promises of God, telling her, That through many Tribulations we must enter into the Kingdom of God; and then calling his Family together, he made an Exhortation to them, went to prayer, and then read a Chap∣ter in Job, with Calvins Exposition, and then praying again, he resolved by Gods assistance to suffer all kind of Torments rather than to fly for it.

Presently after the Provost of the Merchants comes to his House with many Archers, and an

Order to bring him to the King, and would not admit of any Excuse, whereupon the Lord supposed what would happen, and therefore embracing his Wife, he desired her never to forsake the truth of God; And so going to∣ward the Palace, some Murtherers waited for him, and immediately stab'd him with their Daggers, so that he fell down d••ad, and then stripping him, cast his Body into the Ri∣ver.

After this, there followed the like Cruclties and Murders upon the Protestants in the Cities of Lyons, Tholouse, Burdeau••, Angiers, where the Protestants were most barbarously killed & destroyed, as likewise in most other Cities and Towns, so that in a few Months there were murdered above threescore Thousand Pro∣testants in France, for no other Crime, but only for being Protestants.

Yet in the midst of these dangers it pleased God to provide some places of refuge for them, as Rochel, Montalbon, Wismes, Saucerre, Pri∣vus, &c. whither many Protestants fled from other places. In the year 1573. the Town of Saucerre was besieged by the Lord of Chastre, who with his Cannon played incess••ntly upon the place, so that the Stones, Pavements, and Splinters of Timber flew about continually, and yet it pleased God that only one young Wo∣man was slain thereby, though sometimes the Coats, Breeches, and Hats of the Inhabitants

were shot thorough; The Siege being long, there was great scarcity, insomuch that the Peo∣ple were forced to eat Horses, Asses, and Mules, which lasted a Month; afterwards they cat all the Dogs, Cats, Rats, Mice and Moles that they could get; and then they were forced to eat Parchments, Horses, and Beasts-Hoofs, Horns, Lanthorns, Hasters, Girdles of Lea∣ther, Herbs, wild Roots and Furniture for Horses, this being all spent, and no bread in the City, they made bread of Linseed, Herbs mixt with Bran, Straw, Meal, Powder of Nut∣shells; yea Slates, Sewet, old Ointments, and other Grease served to make Pottage; and therewith they likewise fryed the Excre∣ments of Horses and Men, which they eat, yea the very filth in the Streets was not spared.

During this Extremity, a labourer and his wife were put to death for cating the Head, In∣trails and Brains of their own Child, a Girl of three years old, who died with Famine, having likewise dressed the rest of her body to eat at o∣ther times. Those that went out of the City Walls, were forced to live upon the Spriggs of Vines, Black-berries, Snails, and Herbs; and many of them were killed by the Enemy. And among other lamentable Spectacles, a poor man and his Wife were found dead among the Vines and two of their Children crying by them; the youngest being not above Six weeks old,

whom a Charitable Widow took home and re∣lieved, &c.

Many died of this terrible Famine in their Houses, and others fell down dead in the S••ree••••; Most of the Children under Twelve years old died, and most lamentable it was to see their poor Fathers and Mothers lamenting their misery and yet could not relieve them; yet most of them did wond••rfully encourage themse••ve•• in Gods help and assistance, as may appear by this strange Example.

A Boy about five years old being famisht for Hunger, running along the Streets, fell down for dead in the presence of his Father and Mother, who wept over him, and felt his Arms and Legs, which were as dry as a Stick: To whom the Child said, Why do you weep to see me die of hunger? I ask you no Bread, Mo∣ther, for I know you have none, but since it is Gods will that I should die in this manner, I must take it thankfully; Had not the H••ly man Lazarus Hunger; have I not read it in my Bible? and saying thus, he yielded up his Spirit.

And that which preserved the rest from pe∣rishing was, because there were six Cows kept alive to give Milk to some few Intants, and some Horses of service reserved for extremity were killed, and their flesh sold, and some little Corn was brought into the Town by stealth, which was sold for half a Crown a pound.

There died by the War but Eighty four

Persons, but the Famine destroyed Five Hun∣dred, and the rest were brought so low, that they hardly recovered. Divers voluntarily went out of the Town chusing rather death than such misery, whereof some were slain, and others Imprisoned, and Executed.

And now when all humane help failed, the King having sworn, He would make them eat one another, and the Papists threatning to Mas∣sacre them all; it pleased God strangely to de∣liver these poor Protestants. For Ambassadors coming from Poland to fetch the Duke of An∣jou the Kings Brother thither, whom they had chosen for their King; They having notice of this terrible siege, obtained by their Sollicitati∣ons, that all the Towns in France which were molested for Religion should have their Liber∣ty, by which means the poor Saucerreans half dead with hunger obtained their freedom, and were quietly suffered to depart with their Arms and Goods, and those that would stay, not to be questioned for what was past.

About the same time the Town of Rochel was likewise besieged, the Townsmen often sallying out, and divers hot skirmishes past; a∣mong the rest a young Gentleman boasted with horrible blasphemies, that he was one of the horrible Murderers of the Admiral, shewing his Sword, which he said he brought from that exploit, to slash the Rochellers, but upon Tryal his heart failed him and he ran

away, and one of the Rochellers pursuing him slew him, stript him, and left his body in the Field, and before next morning the dogs had torn his Face.

In one Months space the Papists discharged above Thirteen Thousand Shot against the Town, and made many assaults, but always came off with loss, The Siege continued two Months, and the Famine much increased upon them, but by Divine Providence, when all o∣ther Provision failed them, there came a multi∣tude of small Fishes into the Haven, which were never seen there before, and was a very great relief to them, who continued during the siege, but presently after the publishing the Edict of Peace, they went away and were never seen more. A while after the Rochellers were like∣wise freed from the siege by means of the Po∣land Ambassdors and enjoyed their former Pri∣viledges: It is very remarkable that most of those Persons which were employed in the Massacre of Paris and other Places, were killed at this siege, for there were slain before this Town three Masters de Camp, divers Lords and Gentlemen, above Threescore Captains, as many Lieutenants and Ensigns, and above Twenty Thousand Common Souldiers.

The next year after, the King himself, who was at least the Countenancer of all these horri∣ble Massacres, being in the prime of his Youth, not above Twenty five years old, fell sick of a

languishing disease; his Physicians let him blood, and purged him to no purpose; for he consumed away so strangely, as astonished ma∣ny. He long strugled against his disease, but at last betook himself to his Bed for about fourteen days before his death, and was sore tormented with a great effusion of blood, which issued from all parts of his body, and one time, to the terror of those about him, he rouled himself in his own blood; A while be∣fore he died he desired his Mother to pursue his Enemies to the utmost, repeating the same with great cagerness, and saying, Madam, I pray you heartily to do it, and so expired, May 30. 1574.

And it was observed that the rest of the Chief Agents were strangely cut off; The Duke of Anjou the Kings Brother, afterwards King Henry the Third was stabbed by a Jaco∣bine Monk in the same Chamber where he sate in Council for contriving the late Tragedies. The Duke of Guize was murdered in the Kings own Chamber, Five and Forty Persons wait∣ing with Swords and Daggers to do it; The Queen Mother broke her heart, and died the first of January after: And in short, it hath been observed by a good Author, that since the year of our Lord 1560 of a Thousand Murderers that remained unpunished by men, there was not ten who escaped the Divine hand of God; but came to deserved and wretch∣ed

Ends, suitable to their bloody and wicked Lives.

At a Town called Sansay in France, in the year 1593, one Margaret Pieron was by her maid accused to the Jesuits for not going to Mass, and for keeping a Bible in her house, who complaining thereof to the Judges, they sent for her, and said, Margaret, are you not wil∣ling to return home to your house, and there enjoy your Husband and Children? Yes, said she, if it may stand with the good will of God; Then said they, If thou wilt do but a small matter thou shalt be set at Liberty; If, said she, it be not contrary to Gods glory and my own Salvati∣on you shall hear what I will say to it. No such thing, said they, for all that we require is but this, That a Scaffold being set up in the chief part of the Town, you shall there crave pardon for of∣fending the Law, and a fire being made you shall burn your Bible in it without speaking a word. I pray you, my Masters, said she, tell me, is my Bi∣ble a good Book or no? Yes, said they, we con∣fess it is, only to please the Jesuits, we would have thee throw it in the Fire; Imagine it to be but Paper, and then you may burn it, and you may buy another at any time, and thereby you may se∣cure your Life. They spent two Hours in per∣swading her that she might commit a less Evil to do a greater good. But she couragiously answered them, That by the help of God she would never do it. Will not the People say, said

she, This is a wretched Woman indeed, that burns the Bible, wherein all the Articles of Christian Religion are contained? I will certainly burn my Body, rather tha•• I will burn my Bi∣ble. Upon this sh••w••s committed to Prison, and fed only with b••ead and water, and her Friends forbid to come to her; but continuing stedfast in the Truth, she was thereupon con∣demned to be set upon a S••••ffold, to have the Bible burnt before her Face, her self to be strangled, and her body to be dragged through the Streets to a Dunghil, which Sentence she willingly and cheerfully underwent.

In the year 1628. The City of Rochel was again besieged with a great Army by the French King, whereby the Inhabitants were in such extremity for want of Victuals, that they ••at Horses, Dogs, Cats, Rats, and Mice, ••nd after that the poor Protestant's lived two Months upon Cow-hides and Goat skins boyl∣••d. They likewise eat old Gloves, and what∣••ever was made of Leather, yea the poor peo∣••le cut off the buttocks of the dead and eat ••hem, young Maids of Fourteen or Sixteen ••ears old, looked like old Women of an ••undred years old, a Bushel of Wheat was sold ••r Twenty Pound, a Pound of Bread Twenty ••hillings, a Quarter of Mutton above six ••ound, An Egg eight shillings, An Ounce of ••ugar Half a Crown, a dryed Fish Twenty ••illings, a Pint of Milk Thirty Shillings.

After a while the City was taken, and some English that were therein, when they came aboard, looked like Anatomies or dead Bodies.

And since that to this very day the Pro∣testants have suffered very great hardships and Persecutions in France by having their Churches palled down, by Fires and Imprisonments and Banishments; by being excluded from all Offices and Imployments of Trust or Profit, and by all manner of discouragements whatso∣ever, and that only upon the Account of their Religion; and all this contrary to Oaths, Pro∣testations, Edicts and Proclamations, which have been solemnly made, and granted to them for the free Exercise of the Protestant Reli∣gion.

The Persecutions of the Protestants in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the Low-Countries. With an Account of the Original, Progress, and Cruel Torments of the Spanish Inquisi∣tion.

LET us next proceed to look into Italy, which being under the Inspection of the Pope, it may well be supposed not to harbour

many Protestants, at least such as dare openly appear to be such, by reason of the Inqui••tim; which was first Institu••••d against the Moors and Jews in Spain, but is now 〈…〉〈…〉 the dis∣covery, and Torment•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 Christians: yet notwithstanding 〈…〉〈…〉 have been divers who have ewned the 〈…〉〈…〉 in the City of Rome it sel••, and 〈…〉〈…〉 places in Italy.

For in the time of Pope Adrian the Fourth who was an Englishman, one Arnald of Brixia came to Rome and preached publickly and bold∣ly against the Corruptions of the Romish Church; and found great favour among the ••enators and People, insomuch that when the Pope commanded them to drive Arnald out of the City for an Heretick, they resisted his com∣mand and defended Arna••d, upon which the Pope thundered out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Excommunication against the whole City of Rome; so that upon the importunity of the Clergy they were forced to send him away; but he was entertained by the Lords of C••mpan••a, who were subject to the Emperour of Germany, with whom he re∣mained, and preached the Gosp•••• to them.

The Emperour coming afterwards into Italy to be Crowned, the Po•••• disned him to deli∣ver up Arnald into his honds; whereupon the Emperour seized upon one of the Lords of Cam∣pa••ia, which so ••••rified the other, that he delivered up Arnald, who being sent to the

Pope, he used him most cruelly, and then or∣dered him first to be hanged, and then burnt as an•• Arch Heretick; His Chief Heresies were, That he preached against the Pride and Cove∣tousness of the Monks and Clergy, that he inveigh∣ed against the Errors in the Sacrament, that he expounded the Scriptures, &c.

In the year 1546. there was one Eucenas or Driander, a Spaniard born, who being bred up in Rome, yet came at last to the know∣ledg of the Truth, and having discovered his dislike of the false Doctrine of Popery, he was betrayed by his own Countreymen and Ac∣quaintance, and being brought before the Car∣dinals, he was committed close Prisoner, and was afterwards brought forth to declare his Judgment where he gave a Notable Testimony to the Truth, upon which, when he refused to recant the same, he was condemned to be burnt, and suffered Martyrdom with great patience and constancy.

In the year 1550, One Faninus of Ferrara in Italy being by the Grace or God and read∣ing of good books converted to the Gospel, and began to instruct others privately therein, but this coming to the ears of some of the Popes Blood-hounds, they seized him, and committed him to Prison, where by the earnest Importu∣nities of his Wife, Children and Friends, h•• was perswaded to deny the Truth, and w•• thereupon released out of Prison; He had n••

been long at liberty, but he was extreamly troubled in mind, for preferring the Love of his Relations and Friends before the service of Jesus Christ, neither could he by any means be free from these Tortures till he had fully re∣solved to venture his Life for the Gospel; Be∣ing thus inflamed with holy Zeal, he went about the Country, teaching and Instructing the People wherever he came.

Whereupon he was apprehended and cast into Prison, and was condemned to be burnt, but he told his Judges, That his time was not yet come, and so it happened, for he was re∣moved to Ferrara where he continued in Pri∣son for Two years, and afterwards Eighteen Months in another Prison, and was again con∣demned by the Popes Inquisitors, but still his death was one way or other prevented.

His Wife and Sister came to him in Prison, and weeping pitifully intreated him to remem∣ber and consider his poor Family: To whom he answered, That his Lord and Master had com∣manded him not to deny the Truth for his Fami∣lies sake, and that it was too much that for their sakes he had once fallen already, and therefore desired them not to sollicite him any more in that matter, for he knew his end drew near, and therefore he commended them to the Lord. In a short time after the Pope sent word Faninus should be burnt, at which he very much re∣joyced and thanked the Messenger. Being

still offered Life if he would recant, and there∣by prevent the misery of his Wife and Chil∣dren, He said, He would leave them to a care∣ful and sufficient Overseer; and being asked who that was, he answered, Even the Lord Jesus Christ a faithful Keeper of all that are commit∣ted to him. As he was going to Execution, one that saw him so merry and cheerful asked him, what the reason of it was, since Jesus Christ before his death swate Water and Blood? To whom he answered, That Christ sustained all the sorrows and conflicts, with Hell and Death, which were due to us, that by his sufferings we might be free from the sorrow and fear of them all. At the place of Execution after having earnestly prayed to God, he went patiently to the stake, and was first strangled, and then burnt.

There was likewise one Dominious a Soul∣dier under Charles the First, in Germany, who having received the Gospel, grew so much in knowledge in a short time, that he was able to instruct others, whereupon he returned into Italy, and taught the People in Naples, Pla∣centia, and several other places: In a little time after he was apprehended, and readily obeyed the Magistrate, saying, That he wondered that the Devil had let him alone so long; And being asked whether he would renounce his Doctrine, He said, That he maintained no Doctrine of his own, but the Doctrine of Christ, which he was

also ready to seal with his blood; Being therefore condemned to death, he was brought into the Market-place, where he most heartily prayed for his Enemies, Instructed the People, and then was hanged, resting in peace in the Lord.

In the City of Pavia in Italy, one Galleacius Trecius a Gentleman of good Quality, very rich, and bountiful to the poor, embraced the Gospel, for which being persecuted he fled from thence, but being afterwards apprehend∣ed he was brought before the Lords Inquisitors where he boldly and couragiously asserted the Truth; whereupon he was condemned to be burnt; next morning he was bound to a stake in the Market-place, where he continued till noon, to be gazed at by the People, during which time many of his Friends perswaded him to recant, but nothing could alter the firm mind of this constant Martyr, and Fire being put to him, he quietly slept in the Lord. A little before his Execution he heard there were some Differences between the Bishop and the Mayor of the Town, who should be at the cost of wood to burn him, but to end the Quar∣rel he sent them word he would be at the cost out of his own Goods.

In the year 1553. one John Mollius a famous Preacher was hanged and burnt for preaching the Gospel, and the next year Francis Gamba was condemned upon the same account, and be∣cause he made admirable discourses to the Peo∣ple,

his Tongue was bored through, and he was first strangled, and then burnt, undergo∣ing death with great Patience and Constancy. The next year after there was one Algerius a Student in Padua, a young man of Excellent Learning, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 having attained the knowledge of the Truth, he endeavoured by Example and Instruction to bring in others, for which being accused of Heresie, he was apprehended at Venice, and was afterwards sent for to Rome by the Pope, where many endeavours were used to tempt him to desert and deny the Truth, which not prevailing, he was Condemned to be burnt alive; which he constantly suffered to the Admiration of all that saw him.

In the year 1559. John Aloysius a Minister, being sent from Geneva to Calabria, was sent for to Rome by the Pope, where he suffered Martyrdom, and at that time James Bovellus, a worthy Minister, was Martyred by the Popes Order at Messina. Pope Pius the Fourth ralsed in hot persecution against the Protestants in all he Territories of the Church of Rome, which was the destruction of many faithful Christi∣ans, yea the Persecution was so hot in the Kingdom of Naples that many Noblemen and their Wives, with divers others were slain. And a Papist writing to a Noble Lord about the Cruelties shewed to some Christians ••n Calabria in the year 1560, hath these ex∣pressions,

When I think upon it I verily quake and tremble, for their manner of putting to death may be fitly resembled to the slaughter of Calves and Sheep, for Fourscore and Eight of them being thrust up together in one House as in a Sheepfold, the Executioner cometh in, takes one and blind∣folds him, and then leading him forth to a larg∣er place commands him to kneel down, and then cuts his Threat; and leaving him half dead, he takes his Butchers Knife and Muffler, all go••e blood, and fetches the rest, and so one after another, dis∣patches them all. How sad this spectacle was I leave to your Lordship to Judge, for my own part I cannot but weep to think of it, neither were there any Spectators who seeing one to die, could endure to behold another, But truly so humbly and patiently they went to their deaths, as is almost incredible to believe: All the Aged Persons went more cheerfully; the younger were something more timorous, I tremble and shake to remember how the Hangman held his bloody Knife between his Teeth, and his bloody Muffler in his hand, and his Arms all gore blood up to the Elbows, going to the Fold, and taking every one of them one after another by the hand, and so dispatching them all, no otherwise than a Butcher doth his Calves and Sheep.

The City of Venice kept it self free a long time from this Plague of the Inquisition, so that multitudes of Christians flocked thither from other places; but in the year 1542, the

Pope so far prevailed as to introduce it there likewise, and then began a Terrible Persecu∣tion of the poor protestants there, and they found out a new kind of death for them, ••hich was to drown them in the bottom of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, in the manner following: when they ••ere condemned to die by the Inquisitors ••here was an Iron Chain fastened round their waste, and a heavy stone was tyed thereto, then they were laid upon a Plank between two Boats, and so rowed to an appointed place in the Sea, where the Boats parting asunder, the Person immediately sunk into the Sea, and was drowned; notwithstanding which divers good Christians met together, and had a Minister who preached the Gospel & Administred the Sacrament to them; but some false brethren creeping in among them, betrayed them, upon which many of them were apprehended and cast into the Sea, others were imprisoned at Rome till they died.

Among others who were condemned to be drowned at Venice, there was one Seignior An∣thony Ricetto; To whom after his condemna∣tion his son of about Twelve years of Age came, and with Tears beseeched his Father to recant, for the saving of his own Life, and that he himself might not be left fatherless, To whom his Father answered, A good Chri∣stian is bound to forgo Children, goods, yea, and Life it self, for the maintenance of Gods Honour and Glory, for which cause (said he) I am now

resolved with Gods assistance to lay down my Life. When he came to the place where he was to suffer, the Stone and Chain were fastned to him, whereupon lifting up his Eyes to Hea∣ven, he said, Father forgive them, they know what they do, Lord Jesus into thy hands I do commend my Spirit; And so he ended his Life in the Sea.

A while after one Francis Spinola was appre∣hended and committed to Prison, and being called before the Inquisitors he boldly reproved the Popes Legate and the other Judges, in that contrary to their Consciences they persecu∣ted the Truth of God, and told them they were the Off-spring of the Pharisees, &c. Whereupon he had sentence passed upon him, That he should be drown'd as an Heretick; to whom he answered, I am no Heretick, but the Servant of Jesus Christ, At which words the Popes Legate bid him be silent, and told him that he lied; The night after he was conveyed into the Sea, and there drowned, blessing and praising God with invincible Constancy.

In the year 1595, There was a young English Protestant at Rome, who going into a Church, and seeing their gross Idolatry, he was so moved that he could not endure the sight of those impieties, and therefore as the Procession passed by him, he stept to him that bare the Host and Sacrament, and plucking it out of his hands, threw it on the Ground, say∣ing,

Ye wretched Idolaters, do ye fall down to a Mor∣sel of Bread? This so provoked the People, that they were like to have torn him in Pieces, but he escaped death, & was sent to Prison, & complaint thereof being made to Pope Clement the 8th. he was so inraged that he commanded him to be burnt the same day, but his Cardinals advised to have him kept in Prison and Examined with Exquisite Tortures who set him on; This they accordingly practised, tormenting him with the utmost severity, but could get nothing from him, but these words, Such was the will of God; Then was he adjudged to be led from the Capitol naked to his middle, and to wear on his head the form of a Devil, his breeches to be painted over with Flames of Fire, and so to be carried all about the City, and then burnt alive.

This was Executed upon him, and as he passed through the Streets he was mocked and derided of the People, but he prayed fervently to God, and at last uttered something against the debauched Lives of the Cardinals, which so inraged them, that they gagged him; When he came before the Church where he threw down the Idol, his Right hand was cut off by the Hangman, and set upon a Pole in the Cart to which he was tyed; Then two Tor∣mentors with flaming Torches scorcht and burnt his Flesh all the way, so that his body was all over blistered and bloody, having no

part free but his head; then was he taken from the Cart, and went himself to the stake, kissing the Chains that should bind him. The Fryars urged him to worship an Idol, but he turned away his Face, and shew'd his Detestation of it, and when the Fire seized on him, he bowed his head, and quietly resigned up his Spirit to God.

The same year there was an Ancient Reli∣gious man that had lain long in the Inquisition, who was at last brought forth, and condemned, after which the Fryars brought a Crucifix to him, importuning him to kiss and adore it, He seeing their importunity, said to them, If you take not this Idol out of my sight, I shall spit upon it; The Fryars hearing this sent him away immediately to the Fire, where with great Courage and Constancy he resigned up his Spirit to God.

Of the Spanish Inquisition.

Since mention is often made of the Spanish Inqui∣sition; It may not be amiss to give a brief Ac∣count of the Original and Practice there∣of.

Ferdinando and Isabella King and Queen of Spain, having expelled the Moors or Turks out of the Kingdom of Granada, who had inhabited there Seven Hundred Seventy Eight years, they resolved to Reform Religion, and granted the

Conquered Moors Liberty to continue there, and enjoy their Goods if they would turn Christians, and because there were many Jews that had likewise continued there ever since Titus conquered Jerusalem, they had also leave to remain there upon the same Conditions, but all that refused were commanded presently to go out of Spain, Yet afterwards observing that those who staid were only Christians in name, and had submitted meerly to save their Estates; instead of providing Religious men, who with Gentleness and meekness might in∣struct and reduce them from their Errors, they by the advice of the Dominican Fryars, erected a Court of Inquisition, whereby the poor wretches, instead of Instruction, were robbed of all their Estates, and either put to most cruel deaths; or else suffered intolerable whippings and other Tortures; and spent the rest of their lives in shame and misery: neither was this only Inflicted upon such as blasphemed Christ, but for observing the least Jewish or Moorish Ceremony, or holding the smallest Error in the Christian Religion. But this Holy Inquisition (as they call it) which was first erected against Jews and Moors, was afterwards turned against the faithful Servants of Jesus Christ, and for suppressing the Gospel and the True Profes∣sors thereof; and thus you have briefly the O∣riginal of it, let us a little observe the Method of their proceeding therein.

As soon as Information is given against any Person, they do not presently cite the party to appear before them, but send one of their In∣formers, who taking opportunity to meet with him, usually greets him thus, Sir, I was yester∣day by Accident at my Lords Inquisitors, who said that they had occasion to speak with you a∣bout certain Affairs, and therefore they command me to summon you to appear before them to mor∣row at such an Hour. The party not daring to refuse goes to the place and sends in word, That he is come to attend them; and being cal∣led in, the Inquisitors ask him, What suit he hath to them, and when he Answers. That he is come upon Summons; they enquire his Name, (For (say they) we know not whether you be the man, but since you are come, if you have any thing to inform the Court of, either concerning your self or any other, you may let us hear it, for the discharge of your Conscience. Now in this Case it is the safest way constantly to deny that he hath any thing to declare to them; For if through simplicity 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man doth accuse himself or any other, they rejoyce, as having attained their desires, and so presently commit him to Prison.

If any chance to make his escape, they have many devices to fetch him and find him again, one of them is by making his Picture to the Life, and sending it about by their Apparitors and Promoters, who are commonly the greatest

Villairs in the Countrey, and will swear any thing against the Prisoner.

After the Prisoner has been six or eight Months in Gaol, he is brought before the Inqui∣sitors who tell him that they have deeply con∣sidered his case, and have found that he doth not declare the whole Truth, and therefore they are resolved he shall be rackt, that they may draw from him by force, what by fair means he will not acknowledge, and then they advise him rather to confess voluntarily and thereby avoid that pain and danger that at∣tends him; but whether he confess or not, it is the same thing, for to the rack he must go, to be compelled to confess more.

Then is the poor Prisoner led into a deep and dark Dangeon under Ground where the Rack standeth, passing through many doors before he come to it, because the terrible cryes and schreiks of the tormented should not be heard. Then the Lords Inquisitors set them∣selves upon a Scaffold hard by the Rack, and the Torches being lighted, the Hangman or Tormenter comes in, all clothed from Head to Foot in black Canvas, and a long black hood likewise, which covereth his Face, having only two holes in it to look out at, which sight doth many times very much affright the poor Soul, to see one in the likeness of a Devil come to Torment him.

The Inquisitors being seated near him, again

perswade him to confess freely and Voluntari∣ly, and then with very sharp words command him to be stript stark naked, yea though it be the modestest Virgin or chastest Matron in the Countrey, whose grief is not so much the pain as to be seen naked by so many persons, and yet these wicked Villains, without any re∣gard of honesty, will not by the utmost prayers, or Intreaties of the most virtuous Women or Maidens, be perswaded to forbear one jot of this barbarous Impudence; As if a Shirt or Shift could hinder the Rack from cruelly tormenting them.

The party being stript naked, the Lords In∣quisitors signify their pleasure how they will have him Tormented, and the first kind of Torment is usually the Gibbet or Pully; First one comes behind him, and binds his hands together with a Cord Eight or Ten times a∣bout, and then his Thumbs in the same manner, the Inquisitors bidding him every time to bind them harder than other, and then both hands and Thumbs are fastned to a Pully which hangs to the Gibbet, they then fasten great and heavy bolts to his heels, and hing upon those bolts divers Iron weights, and so hoise the poo•• wretch up from the ground: Having continued thus for some time they let him down, and hang twice as much more to his heels, and then hois∣ing him up, they let him slip half way dow•• of a sudden, which rends and tears Arms, Shoul∣ders,

Back, Leggs, and all his whole body out of joynt, by reason of the sudden Jirk, and the weights hanging at his heels.

If the party schreik or cry out, they roar out as fast and call him Heretick Rogue and Dog, and if in his cruel pangs he call upon Jesus Christ for his aid and assistance, they mock and de∣ride him, saying, Why callest thou on Jesus Christ? Let Jesus Christ alone, and tell us the Truth, &c. After they have tormented him a∣bout three hours, the Inquisitors ask the Hang∣man whether the rest of his Instruments of Tor∣ment are ready, who to affright the Prisoner an∣swers, they are, but he hath not brought them with him: they then bid him bring them to morrow, and so turning to the poor wretch which lyes in miserable pain, the Inquisitors cry, How now Sirrah, how do you like this? well, consider of it against to morrow; ••r else you die, for what you have felt, is but a flea biting to what remains behind.

Then the Gaoler plays the Bone-setter as well as he can, three days after brings him to the Rack again when his joynts are most sore, and sometimes they have another Torment with the Trough, where the Person is laid with his feet higher than his head, bound hand and foot in the Trough, and then laying a thick Cloath over his Mouth and Nostrils, they pour wa∣ter thereupon with a long stream, which falling from on High, drives the Cloath down his

Throat, with miserable Torture and pain, and being drawn out again from the bottom of his Throat, it draws forth blood with it, and seems as if it tore out his bowels.

They have another Torment with Fire, which is no whit inferior to the former, and that is by holding the Prisoners Feet over a pan of burning Charcoal, and that the Fire may have the more force, they baste their Feet with Lard and Bacon.

If after all these and divers other cruel Tor∣tures they continue constant, they are then condemned to death: Then he is clothed in a Sambernetto or long Garment painted over with ugly Devils; he hath on his head a high Crown'd Hat, whereon a man is painted burn∣ing in the Fire, with many Devils about him, plying him with Fire and Faggot; upon his Tongue a piece of cleft Wood is put, to hinder his speaking, a Cord about his neck, and his hands fast tyed hehind him.

All things being finished, they are delivered by the Inquisitors into the hands of the Magi∣strate, who presently conveys him to Execu∣tion, where several Fryars swarm about him, earnestly perswading him to deny the Truth, and when they cannot prevail upon him, he is tyed to the Stake, and in an Instant the Hang∣man breaks his neck, without being perceived, and then they report among the Common People, that he recanted at his last hour, and

returned to the Church of Rome, and therefore he felt no pain in the Fire, but took his death so patiently without any motion, or crying out.

And though by the Terrors of the Inquisi∣tion the Professors of the Gospel in Spain have been but few, they having been so wickedly industrious as to crush all appearances of Truth in the bud; yet in the year 1545. several Pro∣testants at St. Lucar, Valedolia, Sevil, and other places in Spain, suffered death, no less than thirty being martyred at one time, and five years after, divers more likewise were put to death, as one Francis Romanes, a Merchant; De Cacalla a man of Excellent Learning, and one Rochus a skilful Graver of Images, who turned Protestants, and died for the same; also one John Pontio Gonsalvo a Priest, Juliano, Leon, Arias Losada a Physician; together with a Lady and several Women and Virgins who were burnt at several times in divers places, and twenty others besides who were burnt in one Fire: after they had endured all the horrid torments of the Rack, the Pully, the Trough, the Barnacle, the Twisting Cord, and the rest of the barbarous Tortures and Inventions of the cursed Inquisition. Nay divers English-men be∣ing betrayed by the Insinuation of wicked In∣formers, were likewise burnt in Spain, as Nicho∣las Burton. Merchant of London was burnt at Sevil, and another English-man with him, and not long after two more named John Baker

and William Burgate, and about the same time William Burgess Master of an English Ship, was burnt there likewise, and one William Hooker, a youth of about sixteen years old, was stoned to death for the bold profession of the Truth.

As Portugal is but a little Kingdom, and the power of the Pope and his Clergy very consi∣derable there as well as in Spain, they have wonderfully supprest the power of the Truth with their Tortures, yet some have there like∣wise suffered for the Gospel, and among others William Garaner an English-man, whom they put to death with most e••quisite Tortures at Lisbon in the year 1552. for taking the Host out of a Cardinals hand, and stamping it under his Feet; He boldly asserting to the King him∣self, That he did it out of Conscience, as not be∣ing able to endure to see the Holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper irreverently used to so great Idolatry; and although all manner of cruelty was used toward him, yet he died with extra∣ordinary Constancy, singing Psalms in the Flames to the very last moment of his life.

The Rage and Fury of Papists in the Low-Countreys or Netherlands was no less than in other places. For the Inquisition being intro∣duced there, it was accompanied with all man∣ner of cruelty. At Antwerp one Nicholas an holy good man was bound up in a Sack and drown'd. In Holland a Learned Preacher called Pistorius was burnt, being carryed to the Stake

with a Fools Coat on his back. Wendelmuta a Widow likewise suffered death with much Constancy. Several Ministers were beheaded, among the rest one George Scherter, who after his head had been cut off for some time, and his body lying on his belly, he turning himself on his back, and crossing his right foot over the left, and his right hand over the left, continued so to the great admiration of the Spectators, and the Conversion of many.

Several were drowned, others were made away in Prisons, others shut up in dark and noisom places, and none suffered to come at them; being fed only with Bread and Water till they were famished: At Lorain several were martyred, some by Fire, others Beheaded.

There was a very great Persecution all over Flanders about the year 1544. so that there was hardly a Town or City in all the Countrey wherein some were not banished, beheaded or condemned to perpetual Imprisonment, neither was there any respect either to Age or Sex, but especially at Gaunt many of the chief Per∣sons were burned for being Protestants, and se∣veral others in Brabant and Artois, insomuch that Two hundred Men and Women were cruelly destroyed at one time, some of them being drowned, some burned alive, and some privately murdered, so that the Hangman be∣gan to be tyred and wearied out with such continual Executions.

At the Town of Mecklin, Dornick and Del∣den, several were put to death, and among the rest two Noble Virgins who were Sisters; and likewise a Mother and her three Sons who all died, owning the Gospel, and zealously ex∣claiming against the Cruelty and Idolatry of the Papists: And about the same time they miserably tormented one Bertrand for tramp∣ling the Host under his Feet, whom they thrice put to the Rack, and because he would not re∣cant in the Manket-place of Dornick, they put a Ball of Iron into his mouth to keep him from speaking, and then crushed his right hand be∣tween two flat red hot frons till the form of it was changed, and then did the like by his foot, which he endured with admirable patience, then tying him round the waste by a Pully, and making a Fire underneath, they hoisted him up and down till he was burnt to Ashes, which they cast into the River.

There were several martyred at Valence, and Lisle, and one of the Judges pronouncing sen∣tence against these good People, said, This day you shall go to dwell with all the Devils in Hell Fire.

But the greatest Instrument of the Devil in those Countreys was the Duke of Alva, who was sent by the King of Spain to root the Pro∣testants out of the Low-Countreys. This Duke boasted one time at his own Table, That he had been diligent to root out Heresie; for besides

those he had slain in the Wars, he had put into the hands of the Common Hangman to be Exe∣cuted within the space of six years no less than Eighteen thousand Persons.

And to compleat this sad Catastrophe, we may also remember that William of Nassaw Prince of Orange, was shot by a Villain called Joan∣ville, who was encouraged by a Jacobine Fryar to do it; the Rascal was thrust through with an Halbert, and the Fryar was hang'd: But this wound not proving mortal, they hired one Gerard a Burgundian, who standing behind the Pillar in a Room, shot the Prince dead as he past by.

The Persecutions of the Papists upon the Protestants in Scotland and Ire∣land.

AS most Kingdoms in Europe felt the rage and fury of Romish Cruelty and Persecu∣tion, so Scotland though in the frozen north was not insensible thereof; For in the Year 1572. Mr. Patrick Hamilton of an Ancient and Honourable Family, and called Abbot of Fern, left Scotland and went into Germany, where conversing with Luther and Melancthon, he greatly increased in godly knowledge and learning; and returning home he publickly Preached concerning Faith and good works,

and against the Superstitions and Idolatry of the Papists.

This so enraged James Beaton Arch bishop of St. Andrews, that in the absence of the King, Mr. Hamilton was seized upon by the Bishops Officers, and carried to the Castle, and the next day he was brought forth to Judg∣ment, and Condenmed to be Burnt for the Testimony of God; The Articles charged against him, were about Pilgrimages, Purga∣tory, Praying to Saints and for the Dead.

After Dinner the Fire was prepared, which some thought was only to terrifie him, but it pleased God to strengthen him against the fear of Death, and so he was tied to the Stake, giving his Garments to his Servant, and saying thus to him: These will not profit in the Fire, they will profit thee; After this thou canst re∣ceive no benefit by me, except the Example of my Death; which I pray thee to remember; for though it be bitter to the Flesh, and fearful be∣fore men, yet it is the entrarce into eternal Life, which none shall possess who deny Jesus Christ before this wicked Generation. And the Fire be∣ing kindled, he cried with a loud voice, Lord Jesus receive my Spirit; how long shall Dark∣ness overwhelm this Realm? and how long wilt thou suffer the Tyranny of these men? A Fryar troubling him by crying out, Turn thou Heretick, call upon our Lady, say, Salve Regina, &c. he replyed, Depart from me, and trouble

me not, thou Messenger of Satan; and speaking to one Campbel the chief among them, he said, Wicked man, thou knowest the Contrary, and hast confessed the contrary to me, I appeal thee be∣fore the Tribunal Seat of Jesus Christ; after which words he resigned up his Spirit to God; and within a few days after the Fryar died in a Frenzy and Desperation.

The Archbishop of St. Andrews likewise called before him two Gentlemen, David Straton and Mr. Normand Gomlay: Mr. Straton being accused for Heresy was much troubled at it, and thereupon frequented the company of Religious men; and hearing that Text read, He that denieth me before men, or is ashamed of me in this wicked Generation, I will deny him before my Father and his Holy Angels; he stedfastly lift up his eyes and hands to Hea∣ven, and burst forth into these words: O Lord, I have been wicked, and justly mayest thou with∣draw thy Grace f•••••••• me, but Lord, for thy Mer∣cy sake, let me never deny thy Truth for fear of Death or Corporal pain: Being afterwards to∣gether with Mr. Norman brought to Judg∣ment in Holy Rood-House, where the King him∣self was present, they were both condemned to the fire, and in the afternoon were first Hang∣ed, and then Burnt, which they chearfully suffered.

There was likewise one Dean Thomas Foret, who used to Preach to his Parishioners every

Lords day, out of the Epistles and Gospels as they came in order, for which being complained of to the Bishop of Dunkeldon, he reproved him for it, telling him that it was too much to preach every Sunday, since the People might think they ought to do so likewise; and says the Bishop, Is it not enough for you when you find a good Epistle and Gospel, to set forth and preach the Liberty of Holy Church, and let the rest a∣lone. Dean Thomas replyed, That he had read them all over, and knew no bad ones among them; But, said he, when your Lordship shews me any such, I will pass them by; The Bishop an∣wered, I thank God I never knew what the Old and New Testament was, but go your ways and ••••pent of these fancies, ere it be too late: The Dean answered, My cause is good and just 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the presence of God, and therefore 〈…〉〈…〉 〈…〉〈…〉, but he 〈…〉〈…〉 Cardinal Beton, by whom he was condemned and Burned for an Heretick.

The Year after Jerom Russel, and Alexander Kennedy, who was not above eighteen years old, ••ere brought before the Archbishop and his Associates, who railed upon them, and called ••hem Hereticks; Jerom Russel replyed, This your hour and power of darkness, now sit ye as judges, and we are wrongfully accused, but the day will come wherein our Innocency will appear, ••nd ye shall see your own blindness to your ever∣lasting

confusion, go forward and fulfil the mea∣sure of your Iniquity. A while after they were sentenced to die, and as they went to Executi∣on, Jerom comforted Kennedy, saying, Brother fear not, greater is he that is in us than he that is in the World; the pain we are to suffer is short, and shall be light, but our joy and consolation shall never have an end; let us therefore strive to enter into our Master and Saviours Joy, by the same straight way which he hath taken before us; Death cannot hurt us, for it is destroyed by him for whose sake we now suffer. And in this manner past reason they joyfully gave up their Souls unto God in the Flaming Fire.

In the year 1543. Cardinal Beton coming to Edenburgh, caused several Religious persons to be brought before him, and when he could prove nothing else against them: He caused four men to be hanged upon suspicion that they had eaten a Goose upon a Friday. And a Wo∣man with a Child sucking at her breast, was drown'd for refusing to pray to the Virgin Mary. Many others were likewise Banished and Imprisoned for the Gospel; and among the rest John Rogers a learned and godly Minister, whom he caused to be murthered in Prison, and then thrown over the Wall, giving it out, that by attempting to make his escape he broke his neck.

In the year 1546. Mr. George Wisheart a famous Minister was sent for to appear before

Cardinal Beton and the other Bishops at St. An∣drews; where a Priest was ordered to curse him, who called him Renegade, Traitor, Thief, &c. However, Mr. Wisheart gave them an account of his Faith and Doctrine, but they not being able to answer him, immediately condemned him to be Burnt; and presently a Fire was pre∣pared over against the Castle, and Velvet Cushions were laid in the Castle-windows for the Cardinal and the rest of the Prelates to see him suffer; and for fear he should be rescued by his friends, all the Castle Guns were mount∣ed against the place of his Execution, by the Cardinals order; then with a Rope about his Neck, and a Chain about his middle, he was fastned to the Stake; and having earnestly prayed, and exhorted the People, and forgiven his enemies and persecutors, he said thus: I Be∣seech you, Brethren, Exhort your Prelates to learn the Word of God, that they may be ashamed to do evil, and learn to do good, or else there shall come upon them the Wrath of God, which they shall not eschew: Then the Hangman upon his knees said, Sir, I pray forgive me, for I am not the cause of your Death. Mr. Wisheart called him to him, and kissing his Cheek said, Lo here is a token that I forgive thee, My heart, do thine Of∣fice; and so he was tyed to the Stake and the fire kindled.

The Captain of the Castle came to him, and bid him be of good Courage; to whom

Mr. Wisheart said, This fire Torments my Body, but no whit abates my Spirits; then looking to∣wards the Cardinal he said, He who in such State from that high place feeds his eyes with my Tor∣ments, within few days shall be hanged out at the same Window, with as much shame and ignomi∣ny as he there leans with Pride: then his Breath being stopt with the Flames, he gave up the Ghost.

This Prophecy was fulfilled in a short time after; for the people being generally discon∣tented at the Cruelty used against Mr. Wisheart; several persons conspired against him, and killed him in the Castle, and the Provost raising the Town, came to the Castle Gates, crying, What have you done with my Lord Cardinal? where is he? To whom they answered from within, Return to your Houses, for he hath received his reward, and will trouble the World no more. But they cryed, We will never depart till we see him. Then was he hanged out at that very window, to satisfie them he was dead, and so the people departed.

Shortly after one Adam Wallace was Burned likewise; and Henry Forest suffered the same Cruel Death upon Account of Heresie. One Walter Will was accused for Heresie, and being bid to recant, he said, I am Corn and not Chaff, I will not recant the Truth; and being there∣upon condemned to the Fire, and all things made ready to that purpose, they commanded

him to go to the Stake; No, said he, by the Laws of God I am forbidden to lay hands on my my self, therefore do you put me in the Fire, and you shall see my resolution. Having then made his Prayer unto God, he spake thus to the peo∣ple; Although I have been a Great Sinner, yet it is not for that, but for Gods Truth contained in his Word of the Old and New Testament that I now suffer; and God out of his abundant Mer∣cy doth honour me so far, as to make me among other of his Servants to seal his Truth with my Blood; Dear Friends, as you would escape Eternal Death, be no more seduced with the Lies of Arch∣bishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, &c. but trust only in God: After he had thus spoke, he was tyed to the Stake, and the Fire being kindled, he quietly slept in the Lord; and was the last per∣son that died for the Protestant Religion in Scotland.

In the year of our Lord 1641. there brake forth a most horrid and Bloody Rebellion and Massacre of the Irish Papists, committed on the English in Ireland; a Nation famous for the Birth of divers worthy persons therein, but none more renowned than that Excellent, Learned and Religious Person, James Usher, late Ld. Arch∣bishop of Armagh, and Lord Primate of Ire∣land; who amongst many other extraordinary Gifts and Graces which it pleased the Almighty to bestow upon him, was wonderfully endued with a Spirit of Prophecy; from which among

many other things he foretold this bloody Re∣bellion forty years before it came to pass, in a Sermon which he preached at Dublin in the Year 1601. where from Ezekiel 4.6. dis∣coursing concerning the Prophets bearing the Iniquity of Judah forty days, the Lord therein appointing a day for a Year, he made this direct application in relation to the Connivance at Popery at that time. From this Year, says he, will I reckon the sin of Ireland, that those whom you now embrace shall be your Ruin, and you shall bear your Iniquity: which Prediction proved exactly true; for from that time 1601. to the year 1641. was just forty years, in which it is notoriously known that the Rebellion and destruction of Ireland happened; and which was acted by those Popish Priests, Jesuits and other Papists which were then connived at.

For the Jesuits, Priests and Friars were the chief Instigators to this horrid Massacre, by con∣tinually incensing and stirring up the Popish Gen∣try and Commonalty to shew the utmost of their Zeal therein, and this without any provocation given by the English: for it was observed, that they had all the Liberty they could reasonably desire, and that there was not any reason for such Cruel Proceedings against the English, but only for that damnable and unpardonable sin of being Protestants: And the Popish Clergy the more to engage the deluded Papists to murther them, every where loudly declaimed, That they

were Hereticks, and not fit to be suffered any lon∣ger amongst them; that it was no more sin to kill one of them, than to kill a Dog, and that it was a mortal and unpardonable sin to relieve or pro∣tect any of them. And when their business was so fixt that they did not fear any miscarriage, the success of this Great Design was recommend∣ed in their Publick Prayers, as tending very much to the advancement of the Catholick cause; and they likewise maliciously represented to the People the severe proceedings against the Papists in England.

All things being in a readiness, they proceed∣ed to the Execution of this Damnable Contri∣vance; but their proceeding therein was va∣rious; some of the Irish only stripping the Eng∣lish Protestants, and turning them out of Doors naked in the cold and snow, others cruelly Murdering man, woman and child, without the least compassion; but they all resolved up∣on this point, that by all manner of ways and means they would universally destroy and root the English out of Ireland: Nay the Irish were so inveterately malicious against them, that they would not endure the very sound of their Lan∣guage, but punished those that spake English and the names of English places they changed, into Old Irish. In some places they killed the Cows and Sheep, meerly because they were English; and sometimes they cut off their Legs, or a piece out of their Buttocks, and so left

them to live in pain; and in other places those English Cattel that they could not devour, they kill'd them, and left them in great multitudes stinking upon the Ground.

The Popish Priests gave the Sacrament to divers of the Irish upon Condition that they should neither spare Man, Woman, nor Child of the Protestants, saying, That it did them a great deal of good to wash their hands in their Blood. Some of their Priests Excommunicated all that should from thenceforth relieve or har∣bour any English, Scotch, or Welshman, or give them Alms at their Doors, whereby many were Famished to Death. Yea the Popish Monks and Fryers exhorted them with Tears not to spare the English but, utterly to destroy them; nay they boasted that when they had made an end of them in Ireland, they would go over into England, and would not leave the me∣morial of an Englishman under Heaven; and their Priests told them, It was as lawful to kill an Eng∣lish man as to kill a Sheep or a Dog; and that it was no more Pity or Conscience to take their Estates from them, than to take a Bone out of a Dogs mouth.

The day before this Horrid Massacre began, the Priests gave the people a dismission at Mass, with full liberty to go out and take Possession of all their Lands, which they pretended we•••• unjustly detained from them by the English, a••∣though they were justly forfeited by their re∣peated Rebellions and Treasons against the Go∣vernment.

They further told them, that they might lawfully strip, rob, and despoil them of all their Goods and Chattels, The Protestants being (as they said) worse than Dogs, for their were Devils, and worshiped the Devil, and there∣fore that the Killing of such was meritorious, and an Excellent Preservative against the Pains of Purgatory; since the Bodies of such Catholicks as should die in this Quarrel, would not be cold be∣fore their Souls should ascend up into Heaven; so that they need not fear the Pains of Purgatory: which occasioned some of these Murthering Vil∣lains to boast, after they had massacred many of the English, That if they should die presently, they should go straight to Heaven.

When this Horrid Rebellion first began, se∣veral Irish Gentlemen pretended great kindness to some of their Protestant Neighbours, and per∣swaded them to put their Goods and Cattel into their hands, engaging that they would secure them from the rage of the Rabble; which made the Protestants so confident, because of former familiarity, that they gave them Inven∣tories of all they had; nay, they digged up some of their best things which they had hidden in the grounds, and put them into their hands, whereby they got vast quantities of Goods into their hands; and yet like True Papists, they cheated them of it all; nay, which was more barbarous, they promised the English, that if they would be contented to lose their Goods,

they and their Wives and Children, should peaceably depart the Country; and yet when they had got all they had, they inhumanely ••••urthered them.

In one place there was no less than Twenty two Widdows, who were first robbed, and then stript stark naked, and when in a house they had covered themselves with Straw, the bloody Papists threw in burning Straw among them, on purpose to burn them together: And in a while after they brake forth into such abomi∣nable Cruelties, bloody Massacres and Mur∣ders, as would make the heart of any Christian to ake, and his Ears to tingle at the Relation of them.

In the Castle of Lisgol above an hundred and twenty Men, Women and Children were burnt together: Another Castle was delivered to one of the Popish Commanders, upon condition their lives should be saved; but as soon as he entred, he cruelly murdered and destroyed them all without mercy.

At Portendown Bridge, a thousand Men. Wo∣men and Children were drowned in the River; and it was testified upon Oath, that nine days after there was the Apparition of a Man bolt upright in the Water, breast-high, with his hands lifted up to Heaven, and that he was seen several times in that posture, from December to the end of Lent, at which time some of the English Army passing that way, saw it likewise; after which it vanished away.

One Elizabeth Price made Oath, that she with other Women whose Husbands and Chil∣dren were drowned in that place, hearing of those Apparitions, went thither one Evening, at which time they saw a Woman rise out of the River breast-high, her hair hanging down, which was as white as Snow, and so was her skin, and that she often cryed out, Revenge, Re∣venge, Revenge; which so affrighted them, that they went away.

In Queens County, an English-man, his Wife, five Children and a Maid, were all hanged to∣gether, and then cut down and put into a hole; the youngest Child, though it was hanged, was not quite dead when it was put in, but put up its hands and cryed, Mammy, Mammy, and yet these Villains without mercy buried it alive.

They stripped a Scotch-man, and knocked him down for dead, but he afterwards recover∣ing, went into the Town naked, whereupon they hewed him all to pieces: They also ript up his Wifes belly, so that the Child dropped out: They likewise hanged up divers other Women with Child, and ripping them up, they gave their Infants to be devoured by Dogs and Swine. In one place they set a Castle on fire wherein were many Protestants, and then re∣joycingly said among themselves, Oh how sweet∣ly do they fry!

In one place they burnt two English Bibles, and said it was Hell-fire they burnt; they cut

other Bibles to pieces, and burnt them, threat∣ning to do the like to all English Bibles: And in one place they took a Bible and laid it in a ••uddle of Water, and then stamping on it, said, A Plague on it, this Bible hath bred all the Quar∣rel. A Papist would have perswaded a man and his Wife to have joyned with them in the Massacre, but they protested, That rather than they would forsake their Religion, they would die upon the Swords point; then he would have had the Woman burn her Bible, but she told him, Rather than she would burn her Bible, she would die the Death; whereupon they were both cruelly murthered.

These barbarous Villains caused some Chil∣dren to carry their Aged Parents to the River, and drown them: some Wives were forced to help to hang their Husbands; in one Town they caused a young Man to murther his own Father, and then hanged him up: in another place they forced a Woman to kill her Hus∣band, and then caused her Son to kill his Mo∣ther, and then immediately hanged her Son: and their cursed malice was thereby shewn, that they might as much as in them lay, destroy Soul and Body together. Yea so detestable was their Cruelty, that they taught Irish Children to kill English Children, and two Boys boasted that they had at several times murthered and drowned thirty six English Women and Chil∣dren: The Irish Women followed this Army of

Murtherers, and provoked the Men to Cruelty, crying out, Kill them all, spare neither Man, Wo∣man, nor Child; and many of them stoned the English Women and their Children to Death; and cryed, Slay them all, the English are fit meat for Dogs, and their Children are Bastards. Yea so Implacable was their malice, that one of them was very angry with her Husband, be∣cause he did not bring the Grease of a Fat Gen∣tlewoman whom they had slain, for them to makes Candles, of which was commonly practi∣sed by them in other places.

Yea they boasted that the day was their own, and that ere long they would not leave one Protestant Rogue living, but would utterly de∣stroy every one that had but a drop of English Blood in him: yea they vowed, they would not leave one English beast alive, nor any of their breed.

Alas! who can comprehend the Sighs, the Groans, the trembling and astonishment of these poor Innocent Souls, to sind themselves so suddenly surprized, and that without remedy; What Schrieks, Cries, and bitter Lamentations were there of Husbands, Wives, Children, Ser∣vants and Friends, howling and weeping, find∣ing themselves without all hope of deliverance from their present woful Miseries and Calami∣ties.

For by these and all manner of Cruelties and Barbarities which Hell it self could invent, the

Irish and English Papists murdered and destroy∣ed in a few Months, near Three Hundred Thousand Protestants, as it is commonly com∣puted, without any manner of provocation, but only because they were Protestants; whose deaths the Divine Vengeance in a short time af∣ter recompensed upon several of the Murtherers, many thousands perishing by the Sword and the plague that followed it, and the rest without doubt, unless they heartily repent, will receive the reward of their wickedness.

The Cruelties, Plots, and Treasons of the Papists against the Protestants in England.

AFter having briefly Epitomized the bloo∣dy Cruelties and slaughters of this Mon∣ster of Rome, and his Vassals, throughout Eu∣rope, let us now return home, and see if our own Countrey has escaped betterthan our Neigh∣bours. Englishmen are generally accounted to be of a merciful nature, and pitiful disposition, apt to be touched with the miseries of others, & are not in their own natures bloody, barbarous or Cruel; what then may be the cause of those dreadful marks of Rage and Fury that have

been seen among us? How has this Fair Island been made an Accldama, a Field of Skulls and Martyrs bones? All this we shall sind proceeds from corrupt principles of Religion. I doubt not, (says a worthy Divine) but Papists are made like other men; Nature hath not generally given them such Savage and Cruel Dispositions, but their Religion hath made them so; I am loth to say it, and yet I am confident it is true, that ma∣ny Papists would have been excellent Persons and very good men, if their Religion had not hindred them, if the Doctrines, and Principles of their Church had not spoiled their natural Disposition. Good God! that any thing that is called Religion should so presently strip men of all Humanity, and transform the mild and gentle Race of Mankind into Wolves and Tigers.

It is Popery that alters the Nature of Eng∣lishmen, and makes them act like Turks, Infidels or Barbarians: its principles infect the Blood, and invenom the Soul; instead of being Meek and humble, it makes them Proud and Arro∣gant; instead of performing the Commands of Christ, it makes men obey the Pope, though never so contrary to Religion. If our Blessed Saviour says, Hurt no man, pray for your Perse∣cutors, submit to Magistrates and Governours; The Pope and his Doctrines say, Kill every man, that is not of your Religion; Curse those that disobey your Commands: Kill, Stab, or de∣pose your Kings or Governours. This is the

Doctrine, and these are the Principles and Commands of the Romish Church.

It is some hundreds of years since this Bloody Beast of persecution began to shew his Fangs and armed Claws in this Kingdom; and it was almost as soon perceived and testified against by some good men in those times. For in the Year one Thousand Two Hundred, John of Salis∣bury declared against the Corruptions and Su∣perstitions of the Romish Church, and plainly discovered the oppression of the burden of the Pope and his Ravenous Clergy; and after him John Grostead Bishop of Lincoln wrote to the Pope, and admonished him, for which he had like to have lost his life; yet the Pope did only hitherto shew his Teeth, and could not take his full swing in Blood and Murther, which he af∣terward attained to.

But since the Papists impertinently urge a∣gainst us the Newness of our Religion, and that it was not known before Martin Luthers days, we shall produce much more early Testimonies against the Errors and Abuses in the Romish Church•• For we find in the Year 884. John Patrick Erigena, a Britan, who was ordained the first Reader in Oxford by King Alfred, was afterward Condemned and Martyred by the Pope, for writing a Book concerning the Sacrament. And in the year 960. many Mini∣sters and Divines wore the Mark of the Beast in their faces, being by the Popes order Brand∣ed

in the Faces with hot Irons, for Dissenting in many things about the Mass, Purgatory, Monkery, and the like; and for saying, that Rome was Babylon, and that Cloisters were the Nurses of Sodomy. In the year 1126. one Ar∣nold an Englishman, and a Preacher of the Gos∣pel, was Butchered at Oxford, for Preaching a∣gainst the Pride of the Prelates, and the wicked lives of the Priests. In the Year 1160 the poor Persecuted Waldenses came hither for suc∣cour, but instead thereof they were Persecu∣ted, Condemned, Burnt, Whipt, and Stigmatiz'd for their Religion, both at Oxford and other places.

After which almost in every Year it pleased God to raise up several learned and worthy men to testify against the Horrid Corruptions of Rome, both by Speaking, Writing and Disput∣ing against them. As in the Year 1170. Gualo, and Gilbert Foliot, Doctors of Divinity, and after them Silvester Gerald, Alexander a Divine, Gualter Maxes Arch-Deacon of Oxford, Sebald, Archbishop of York, William Stringham Doctor of Divinity, Roger Bacon Fellow of Merton Colledge, a divine and Mathematican, John Scotus the Great Scotch-man; and about the same time Doctor John Wickliff, Jeoffery Chaucer, William Wickham Bishop of Winchester, and many other Learned men.

All these gave ample Testimonies by their publick Writings against the many Corrupti∣ons,

evil Doctrines and Superstitious Worship of the Romish Church, with the hazard of their Lives, Honours, Liberties, Estates and Fortunes; so that many were persecuted, and some were burnt in the Reign of King Henry the second, 1174. and in the Year 1380. Utred Bolton, and John Ashwerly endured Persecution; and a while after John Ashton, Walter Bruce, John Pateskul, and Doctor Crump, were persecuted; and William Sawtree a Divine of Oxford was martyred, and William Swinderly was Burnt in Smithfield. In the Year 1407. William Thorp was Burnt, and Laurence Redman and six others grievously persecuted. In the Year 1417, the Lord Cobham was Burnt in S. Giles's Fields: John Purey and Will. White, and Richard White, were burnt. Peter Clark a Divine of Oxford, for maintaining publickly the Doctrine of Wickliff, was forced to flye, but was taken be∣yond Sea, his Tongue cut out, then hanged, and afterwards burnt. Roger Ovely was hanged and Quartered. In the Year 1447. Humfrey Duke of Glocester was murdered by the Papists, for being a favourer of Wickliff, and other Preachers of the Truth; and divers others were many ways persecuted for the sake of Religion, before the rising of Luther; God having in all Ages raised up some to Testifie to the Truth, and to maintain the purity of the Gospel.

And besides these Divines, Learned and great men, there were several other good men

of a meaner quality who openly owned the Truth, and suffered for the same; and as the number of the professors grew greater, who now began to be called Lollards, so Persecution grew hotter, and the Rage and Malice of the Papists increased. In the Reign of King Henry the fifth, 1413. Sir Roger Acton, John Brown, John Beverly, and Thirty six more, were all put to Death in St. Giles's Fields; and John Claydon and Richard Turning, Benedict Ulman, and several others were burnt, and many Impri∣soned. In the Reign of King Henry the sixth, William Tailor, one of Wickliffs followers, was burnt in Smithfield: Henry Web, and Henry Florence, were Curelly whipt, and about an hundred and twenty Men and Women suffered persecution, many of them were burnt. Wil∣liam White was Martyr'd; and at the same time two were burnt at Colchester; Richard H••veden a Citizen of London was Martyr'd for the same cause near the Town, and several more severely whipt and terribly handled; Thomas Baily and Richard Wiche, both Mini∣sters, were burnt; one in Smithfield, and the other on Tower-hill.

In the Reign of Edward the fourth, John Goose was Burnt; and in Henry the sevenths Reign, one Jean Boughton of Fourscore years old was burnt in Norfolk; another person was Burnt in Smithfield; several were likewise ••ig∣matized, and many did penance. William

Tilsworth was Burnt in the Town of Amasham where they forced his own Daughter to set fire to Faggots that were to burn her Father; and two Years after, Thomas Bernard, and John Melton, and one Roberts, were burnt in the same County of Buckingham. Thomas Chace after many Cruel Usages and Hardships was murthered in Prison. Thomas Norrice was burnt at Norwich and Lawrence Guest at Salisbury, and a Woman at Chipping-Sadbury, with several other persons in the Reign of King Henry the seventh.

In the Reign of King Henry the Eighth, the Flames increased very much, and abundance Suffered in every place. In the Year 1511. William Sweetin•• and John Brewster were burnt in Smithfield: the same year William Carder, Robert Harrison, and Agnes Grebel were burnt, they forcing the Husband and Daughter of the Woman to come in as Wit∣nesses against her: After this one Mr. Style with his Book of the Revelations, and twenty five more were Burnt; five other Persons were ac∣cused for reading an Heretical Book, which contained many damnable Opinions; and what should this Book be, but only the Evan∣gelists in English. In the Year 1514. Richard Hun was murdered in the Lollards Tower, and afterwards burnt; John Brown, John Stileman, and Thomas Man were burnt in Smithfield; Robert Cousin was burnt at Buckingham, Chri∣stopher

Shoemaker, at Newberry; Richard and Robert Bartlet, and John Scrivener were like∣wise burnt; and the Children of John Scrivener were forced to set fire to their Father; for it was usual with them to compel Children to accuse their Parents, and Parents their Chil∣dren; Husbands their Wives, and Wives their Husbands; Intimate Friends, Brothers and Sisters to accuse one another; and many Hun∣dreds were likewise forced to recant and abjure against their Conscienecs, or else be Burnt.

There were two things about this time that very much increased the Professors of the Gos∣pel in England; One was the appearance of Martin Luther in the World, who boldly own∣ed the Truth, and loudly Declaimed against the corruptions of the Romish Church; another thing was the Art of Printing, which now be∣gan to be common, whereby the True Reli∣gion was the more easily promulgated and Dispersed through every Countrey, and in all Languages.

This allarum'd the Pope and his Debauch∣ed Clergy, who were afraid to have their wicked Doctrines and Practices discovered to the people, and thereupon they began to rage, and bestir themselves, raising Persecution, and making Destruction and Slaughter in all places throughout the Kingdom against the Lutherans, as they were now called. In the Year 1519. several Protestants were apprehended at Coven∣try,

and imprisoned in filthy and nasty Dun∣geons, six of whom were afterwards burnt: Robert Silkeb and Thomas Harding were burnt shortly after. One Sigal Nicholson a Stationer at Cambridge, was hung up by the Privy-members for having Luthers Books in his house; several likewise abj••••ed; and the Body of William Tracy Esq; in Glocester-shire, because he had left nothing for Masses for his Soul, was taken out of the Grave and Burnt two Years after his Death. Richard Brafield a Monk of Bury, after he had been whipt and most cruelly handled in Prison, and Gagged, Beaten and Bound, and Degraded after a very shameful manner, was burnt with much Cru∣elty in London, continuing half an Hour alive in the Flames for want of Wood, and when his left arm was burnt, he rubbed it with his right hand, and it fell down in the Fire; he continued in Prayer without moving to the last moment: several were imprisoned, and fed with bread made of Saw-dust; some were set in the stocks with Horse-leaches on their Legs, ••••d their hands so mangled with Irons, that the Flesh grew higher than the Irons, and with Iron Collars about their Necks: nay, many were racked till they were lamed. John Tewsbury, James Bainham, Valentine Sheaf and his Wife, John Bent, and one Trapnel, were all Burnt about the same time; three were hanged in Chains for burning the Image

or Rood of Dover Court. John Frith, An∣drew Honor, Thomas Benet, William Tindal, John Lambert, William Leiton and Collins a Lawyer, were burnt, and Robert Packington Murdered; Doctor Barns, Thomas Garret, William Hieron, were burnt in Smithfield, John Potter was murthered it. Prison: Robert Test∣wood, Anthony Parker and Henry Filmer, were burnt at Windsor. About five hundred persons in and about London either died in pri∣son, or were burnt in Smithfield. In the Year 1541. Damlip, Dod, Saxy, were Slain. One Henry at Colchester, Kerby and Clark at Ipswich and Bury were burnt. In the Year 1546. Mistriss Ann Askew, one of the Ladies belonging to Queen Katherine Parr, because she would not confess any other Ladies, was put upon the Rack, and the Lord Chancellor himself being more Cruel, he acted then the Executioner, ordered her to be racked to the utmost; she was afterward Burnt in Smithfield; and at the same time and place were likewise Burnt, Nicholas Belerrian a Minister i•• Shrop∣shire, John Adams a Tailor, and John Lacels a Gentleman belonging to King Henry the Eighth; these beholding the Invincible Con∣stancy and Patience of Mistriss Askew, were thereby much incouraged in their Sufferings.

About the same time Sir John Blage of the Kings Privy Chamber was falsly accused to

have spoken against the Mass, upon which he was condemned to be burnt in Smithfield, where∣upon the Earl of Bedford begged his pardon of the King, who Commanded it to be drawn im∣mediately. After his release Sir George coming to the King, Ah my Pig said he, (for so he usual∣ly called him;) Yea, (said Blage) if your Ma∣jesty had not been better to me than your Bishops were, your Pig had been roasted before this time. Presently after Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and his Confederates set forth a Cruel Procla∣mation in the Kings Name, for abolishing the Scriptures and all other English Books that dis∣covered the Truth to the people; and having obtained this, they very much rejoyced there∣in, hoping that they had now for ever suppres∣sed the Gospel, so that it should never rise again; and to strike the greater terror into mens minds, they made a diligent search after the Professors of the Truth, of whom they took the names of some, drove away others, and hereby doubt∣ed not but to attain their ends. But it pleased God that in the midst of these subtil Contri∣vances, for the destruction of his Gospel and Servants, to take away King Henry the Eighth within four Months after the Proclamation; and thereby all their hopes and projects were utterly disappointed.

King Henry the Eighth being dead, his only Son Prince Edward (our English Josiah) ascended the Throne, under whom the Pro∣testant

Religion was established, and Popery and Superstition abolished; for he caused all Images to be demolished, and as Idolatrous, to be taken out of all Churches within his Do∣minions; the Learned m••n of his time he encouraged, and commanded them to open and expound the Scriptures, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 abolished the Mass, and ordered the Service to be read in the English Tongue, and the Sacrament of the Lords Sup∣per to be administred in both kinds to the People.

But it pleased God in a short time to take him to himself: for in the Seventh Year of his Reign, and the Seventeenth Year of his Age, he was taken with a lingring sickness; during which time a Marriage was concluded between the Lord Guilford Dudley eldest Son to the Duke of Northumberland, and the Lady Jane the Daughter of the Duke of Suffolk, whose mother being then alive was Daughter to Mary King Henry the Eighths second Sister.

The Marriage being finisht, and the King every day more sick than other, so that he seemed past Recovery, the Duke of Northum∣berland being ambitious to advance his Family, perswaded the King that the Church and the True Religion would be in great danger if he did not choose a pious Successer; and that it was the part of a good Prince to set aside all other respects, when the Glory of God and the good of his Subjects were concerned.

The King partly for his great desire to have

the Protestant Religion confirmed, and partly for the intire love which he bore to his Cousin the Lady Jane, signed Letters Patents under the Broad Seal to appoint the Lady Jane to succeed him in the Kingdom, although her Title were excluded by the Lady Mary (who was always a zealous Papist) and the Lady Elizabeth. This was afterwards confirmed by the Nobility and Chief Lawyers of the Kingdom, and was subscribed to by all the Kings Council, the Lord Mayor and Alder∣men of London, who upon the Death of King Edward, which happened in a short time after, proclaimed the Lady Jane Queen in London and Westminster.

The Lady Mary being in Hartfordshire, and hearing of it, presently sent to the Lords of the Council, commanding and requiring them to Proclaim her Queen; which if they refused to do, she threatned to recover her Right by force of Arms. The Lords returned answer, That the Lady Jane was invested, and possess∣ed of the Crown by just Right and Title, both by the Ancient Laws of the Land, and by Letters Patents signed and sealed by the late King before his death, and therefore they de∣clared they would adhere to her, and to none other; requesting the Lady Mary that she would not upon any pretence endeavour to disturb the peace of the Kingdom, promi∣sing her, that if she would carry her self as a

dutiful Subject, they would be ready to do her any ser∣vice.

The Lady Mary having received this answer, with∣drew further from the City, and the Council being sensible of her stout and unquiet disposition, they raised an Army, which was commanded by the Duke of Northumberland. The Lady Mary went into Suffolk and Norfolk, gathering such aid of the Commons as she could, and kept her self in Framingham Castle, to whom the Suffolk men first resorted, who being always forward in promoting the Gospel, promised her their aid and assistance, provided she would make no alteration of the Protestant Religion, as it was established by her Bro∣ther King Edward.

To this she readily agreed, and confirmed it with such Vows and Protestations, that none could suspect her; whereupon they joined with her: and thus by the help of the Protestants she vanquished the Duke of Nor∣thumberland and his Army, and was settled in the King∣dom; but she soon forgot her promises, for these very Suffolk men observing that Popery would be re-estab∣lished, they Petitioned to her to perform her word to them; at which she was extreamly displeased, and told them, Forasmuch as you who are Members desire to rule your Head, you shall one day find that Members must obey, not seek to rule; Yea one of the chief of these men, Mr. Dob by name, she caused for the Terror of others to be set in the Pillory several times, and divers others that pre∣sented Supplications to her not to set up Popery, she caused to be sent to prison.

Queen Mary being setled in the Kingdom, the Lady Jane, her Father the Duke of Northumberland, and her Husband the Lord Guilford Dudley, were soon after Be∣headed; and the Queen soon discovered her disaffection to the Protestant Religion, by displacing all the Ortho∣dox Bishops, as Poinet, Ridley, Scorie, Hooper, Cover∣dale; and by releasing out of the Tower Stephen Gardi∣ner Bishop of Winchester, whom she made Lord Chan∣cellor of England•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bonner who was made Bishop of

London. Then the Queen publisht a Proclamation, that she was resolved to observe and maintain the Catholick Religion, wherein she was bred up, requiring all her Subjects quietly to embrace the same.

A while after this, Bonner and Gardiner begun a cruel and bloody persecution upon the Protestants, and made them fall in heaps: For Mr. Hooper, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Bradford, Mr. Saunders, all famous men, were condemned and burnt for Heresie. In the Year 1555, Thomas Tomkins (whose hand B. Bonner burnt in Prison to try his constancy) was afterward burnt in Smithfield; William Hunter was cruelly handled, and then burnt. Mr. Higbed and Mr. Causton were burnt in Essex: William Piggot, Stephen Knight, and John Lawrence were examined before Bishop Bonner, and then burnt in seve∣ral places in Essex, Dr. Farrar Bishop of St. Davids, was burnt there; and Rawlins White was burnt at Cardiff, George Marsh at Chester, William Flower at Westminster, John Cardmaker a godly Minister, in Smithfield, and with him John Warn.

About this time came a Letter from King Philip and Queen Mary to Bishop Bonner, that Hereticks were not prosecuted with such severity as they ought to be; which easily prevailed with Bonner, who was ready enough for Cruelty, and thereupon condemned John Symson and John Ardeley of Essex, who were burnt there: Thomas Hawks, Thomas Watts, Thomas Osmund, William Bamford, Thomas Osburn, all of Cogshall in Essex, being sent up to Bonner, for not receiving the Sacrament at Easter, they were condemned and burnt in several places in Essex. John Bland, Nicholas Shetterden, Humfrey Middleton, John Frankesh, were all burnt: And a few days after, Nicho∣las Hall, Christopher Wade, John Harpole, and Margery Bo∣ley, were burnt in Kent. Dirick Carver, John Launder, Thomas Iveson, James Abbies, John Denley, John Newman Patrick Packingham, Richard Hook and John Newman, were likewise burnt for Hereticks.

The Prisons were now full in every place, and six men were Condemned and burnt at Canterbury; and no

thing but Cruelty and Oppression was to be seen through the whole Land: Whereupon the Queens Commissioners for the more quick dispatch took out ten of the Prisoners, whom they sent to B. Bonner, and being examined by him about the Sacrament, they constantly adhering to the Truth, were condemned and burnt in several places. Robert Samuel a Minister suffered Martyrdom at Norwich; two others at Ipswich; five more in the Diocess of Can∣terbury; the famous Ridley and Latimer at Oxford, and Mr. Philpot in Smithfield.

In the year 1556. their wicked and bloody rage still continued, the Land was all in a Flame, and Blood and Cruelty reigned in every place: For there were seven burnt in Smithfield in one fire; four more in Canterbury, and Dr. Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury was burnt in Oxford. And to conclude, though the Reign of Queen Mary was the shortest of any Prince since the Conquest, except King Richard the Third, yet in her days there was more Christian blood spilt for Religion than in any Kings Reign whatsoever, since Lucius the first Chri∣stian King established Christianity in this Land; for in the five years of her Reign, there perished in the con∣suming Flames, for the Profession of the Protestant Re∣ligion, no less than two Hundred seventy seven persons, of all Ages and both Sexes: there suffered five Bishops and Archbishops, twenty one Divines, eight Gentlemen, four Tradesmen, an hundred Husbandmen, Servants and Labourers; twenty six Wives, twenty Widows and Virgins; two Boys, and two Infants; one in the Isle of Guernsey who springing out of his Mothers Womb as she was burning at the Stake, was most inhumanely thrown in again and burnt for a young Heretick. And besides these, there were sixty four persecuted for their Religion, whereof seven were whipt, sixteen perished in Prison, twelve were buried in Dunghills, and many more lay condemned, but were saved by the Death of Queen Mary.

The Succession of Queen Elizabeth put a stop to the cruel rage of the Papists; for the Power and Autho∣rity

of the Pope vanished, and Peace, Rest and Liberty for all the good People of the Nation ensued.

But the Papists, out of their extreme Loyalty to the Pope, thought it a sin to live peaceably under an Here∣tical Prince: Especially when two Popes had thundered out Excommunications against her, cursing her, and free∣ing her Subjects from their Allegiance towards her, and threatning them under danger of the Wrath of God, not to assist her, but to imploy all their Power to bring her to condign punishment, and promising rewards to all persons who should lay hands upon this proscribed Woman, which was to be paid out of the Treasury of the Church, together with a full pardon of all their sins who should engage against her.

But when the Pope and his Accomplices saw, that all this would not effect their desires, the Queens Subjects being too faithful to engage in any such villanous designs, they then proceed to secret Plots and Attempts against her: As that wherein the Duke of Norfolk and Robert Biddulph were engaged, in the year 1566. and for which Northumberland Suffered at York, and after that Leonard Daves designed mischiefs against her with the like ill success. In the year 1578. the Invasion of Ireland at the great charges of the Pope, was happily prevented. The next year James Fitz-morris is sent into Ireland, with Saunders, who carried consecrated Banners to them. The next year after San Joseph was likewise sent thither with seven hundred Spanish and Italian Souldiers, and the Popes promise of ten hundred thousand Crowns, to carry on the work of Rebellion; and to them joined the Earl of Desmond and his Brothers; but they were all happily defeated.

But these projects likewise failing, they conspire the death of the Queen, and make several Attempts to murther her; first by one Somervile and Hall, Priests; and one of them being condemned was found secretly murdered, for fear he should discover others. After this followed the practices of Mendoza the Spanish Am∣bassador here, with Throgmorton and Parry, who had

Letters of plenary Indulgence, Pardon & Remission of all their sins sent them by the Pope, for killing the Queen; And the same year, Savage made the like vow to mur∣der the Queen, being instigated thereto by Gifford and Hodgson two Popish Priests.

A while after Babington upon the same principles er∣gaged to commit the like wicked act, by the procure∣ment of one Ballard a Jesuit, but being happily dis∣covered, divers of them were condemned, and justly executed for the same, and were registred for Saints and Martyrs in the Romish Calender. Yet by the means of the French Ambassador one Stafford and Moody were dealt withal to commit the like Villany, Moody propo∣sing to lay a bag of Gun-powder under the Queens Bed-Chamber.

But this like the rest being happily prevented, the Pope stirs up his Dear Son, Philip the Second King of Spain, openly to invade England, which he did in the Year 1588. who though in Queen Marys time he pre∣tended great kindness to the Queen, yet now in hopes of gaining England and Ireland, which the Pope had be∣stowed upon him, he comes to take possession thereof, with a vast and (as the Pope Christened it) Invincible Armado, consisting of an hundred and thirty tall Ships, extraordinary well furnished, and containing fifty se∣ven Thousand eight hundred and eight Tun, wherein were Eight Thousand six hundred Seamen, Twenty Thousand Souldiers, two thousand Galley Slaves; be∣sides Gentlemen and Voluntiers in abundance; so that there was scarce a Family in Spain, who had not either a Son, Brother, or Cousin in the Fleet.

There were likewise aboard them two thousand six hundred and thirty great Ordnance, with Powder, Bul∣lets, Match, Muskets, Pikes, Spears, Swords, and all things proportionable, with Knives, Daggers, Skeins, Chains and Whips, to Torment and cut the Throats of the poor English Protestants; and with them came swarms of those Locusts called Capuchins, Mendicants Jesuits, and other Officers of the Sacred Order of the In∣quisition, as they prophanely call it.

And besides all this, there lay in Flanders fifty thou∣sand old Souldiers, and two hundred eighty eight Ves∣sels, ready to transport them, under the command of the Duke of Parma; all the King of Spains best Souldiers, even as far as America, being drawn forth for this Holy War: The whole of this Expedition having cost the Spaniard twelve Millions of Crowns before their setting forth; the Pope likewise contributing a Million of Gold to so pious a design. But the goodness and mercy of God at that time defended England from the gaping Jaws of destruction, and discomfited this Mighty Armado, and all its mighty preparations, and sent them home full of shame, loss and confusion; so that of one hundred thirty four Ships that set sail out of Lisbon only thirty three returned: the Spaniard losing in this Voyage Eighty one Ships, and above thirteen thousand five hundred Soul∣diers, and two thousand more taken Prisoners in Eng∣land, Ireland, and the Low Countreys, the rest of the Na∣vy being lost and destroyed by the English, the Dutch, the Seas, Rocks, Sands and Tempests, all seeming to conspire to the defeating of this proud and Insolent at∣tempt.

But these sort of People will never take notice of Gods Judgments upon their wicked designs and enterprizes, and notwithstanding all this, they shut their Eyes and will not see that God is against them: for they no sooner recover breath, but they send over new Commissions, and more cursed Emissaries disguised in all shapes into England, with new Plots, Contrivances and designs; Lopez and his Confederates, Cullen, York, Williams, Squire, Hesket, all enter into a Conspiracy to kill the Queen, being constantly encouraged by the Jesuits and the Spanish Ministers of State. And these proving abor∣tive, in the year 1599. the Earl of Tyrone is stirred up to make a new Rebellion in Ireland, having the same Pardons and Indulgences sent them as are usually given by the Popes to those that go to fight against the Turks. And in the year 1601. the King of Spain sends a great Fleet of Souldiers to Kinsale in Ireland, for the assistance

of the Rebels. But notwithstanding all these wicked and execrable designs, this glorious and Heroick Queen of blessed memory, having out-lived Four Kings and Eight Popes, dyed in Peace, and left her flourishing Kingdoms to her Successor King James.

And now the Papists being thus disappointed of their great hopes and expectations, by the succession of a Protestant King to the Crown of England, and thereby uniting into one Body, Scotland, England and Ireland; one would have Imagined that all their contrivances would have been dasht, since they could not well think that so long & well settled a Reformation in Church and State, could very easily be broken and confounded; yet still they give not over, but encourage one another in their wickedness, and the Pope sent over two Bulls to deprive King James of the Crown, and sought to raise divisions and dissentions amongst us.

But God continuing to frustrate all their designs, they now grew as it were desperate, and entred up∣on the most barbarous and Hellish Plot and contri∣vance that ever was hatched in the Brains or Hearts of men, which is that which we call the Gunpowder Trea∣son, and which we yearly commemorate upon the Fifth of November, they designing to act it on that day in the year 1605.

This horrid design was contrived by divers Jesuits, Priests, and other English Papists, who by undermining the Parliament-House, and planting there Thirty six Barrels of Gunpowder, intended by firing the same when both Houses were sitting, to have blown up and destroyed, not only the King as the Head of the Kingdom, but with him his Queen, the Prince, and all the Royal Issue, together with the Clergy, Nobility, and the chief of the Gentry of the whole Kingdom; all should have perished together at one Blow, and have become a Sa∣crifice to the enraged Lusts of these Bloody-minded Pa∣pists. A Plot and Villany that no Age can parallel, no Country ever could produce the like, and which was as miraculously prevented and detected, at if it were by

the immediate finger of God, who discovered their trea∣sonable practices, even within their dark Vaults and Cellars, when the very Train was laid, and fire almost put to it: And in this horrid Conspiracy, Catesby, Piercy, Faux, Digby, Garnet, Hall, &c all Popish Priests, were considerable Actors and Promoters, and all sworn to secresie, with Horrid Oaths and Imprecations, taking the Holy Sacrament, and engaging themselves one to another thereby, and by their Faith in the Holy Tri∣nity, never to shrink from the Execution of this their Hellish Intention, till they had performed the same: They were likewise promised from abroad Ships and Men, and ten hundred thousand Crowns to carry on their work.

And though this horrid Conspiracy has been sufficient∣ly discovered and made plain, by the confession of some of the Conspirators who were executed, and by writings under their own hands; yet according to their usual Impudence, which they learned of their Predecessor Nero, (who when he had set Rome on Fire, charged it upon the Christians) the Papists intended to have laid that wicked Act upon the Puritans; and since this they have endeavoured to make the world believe that it was a Contrivance of King James, thereby endeavouring since they could not blow up the King with Gunpowder to blast his good Name, and to make him odious to Po∣sterity.

But three Kingdoms are not so easie to be deluded, neither are we so horridly impious, to mock God so solemnly with yearly Prayers and Thanksgivings; nei∣ther need we think it so strange since Lyes & Impudence are the grand supporters of the Papal Kingdom, without which such a medly of Nonsence and Foolery would be hooted out of the world.

And from that time to this very day, the Papists have been and are the Grand Disturbers of these Nati∣ons: And it is sufficiently manifested that they had no small hand in our late Troubles, since which they have continually sought the ruin and destruction of all Pro∣testants,

by all manner of cursed ways and methods ima∣ginable.

In the year 1666. Sept. 2. about two a Clock in the Morning, there began a sad and lamentable Fire in a Bakers House in Pudding-Lane near Fishstreet-hill, London, which raged with extream Violence, being accompanyed with a strong North-east wind, so that despising all means used for its extinguishing, it spread far, and near some∣times with and sometimes against the wind, and so continued for the space of near four days, till it had burnt down thirteen thousand two hundred houses, which stood upon three hundred thirty seven Acres of Ground within the Walls, and sixty three Acres three Roods without; besides eighty nine Parish Churches, the most spacious Cathedral of St. Paul the Royal Ex∣change, the Great Guild-hall, the Custom-House, many Mag∣nificent Halls of Companies, several principal City Gates, and other publick Edifices; which was accompanyed with the loss of vast quantities of rich Houshold-stuff, and Goods of all sorts, but especially four or five; that is, Books of which alone were lost near the value of an hundred and fifty thousand pound; Tobacco, Sugar, Wiens, and Plumbs, being heavy goods: So that the whole loss is computed by an Ingenious Person to be Nine Millions and nine hundred thousand pounds; and yet not above six or eight persons through Gods Providence were burnt in this vast desolation.

Upon the Eighteenth of September, the Parliament met, and the Commons appointed a Committee to exa∣mine into the Causes of the Fire, & to take Informations concerning it; and in a short time so many and such very considerable Informations were brought in, that it was no longer doubtful but the Papists were the Contrivers and Managers of this dreadful Fire.

For among other things it plainly appeared, that di∣vers of the Popish Party were made acquainted with it before it happened: For Mr. Light of Ratcliff deposed. That being in discourse with Mr. Richard Langhorn (since Executed for High Treason) in February, before the Fire,

concerning Religion, Langhorn took him by the hand and said to him, You expect great things in sixty six, and think that Rome will be destroy'd, but what if it be Lon∣don?

A French-man told one Elizabeth Styles, in April before the Fire, that the English Maids would love the French men better when there was not an house left standing between Temple-Barr, and London-Bridge: To which she replyed, She hoped his eyes would never see that: He said, This will happen betwixt June and October.

Dr. Oats in his Narrative, pag. 22. says, That in July 1678. being in discourse with one Strange a Jesuit, Strange told him that they had got fourteen thousand pound by the Fire of London in 1666. and that they spent seven hundred Fire-balls to effect their Villany; and that when the Fire-Merchants were at work, then other Papists both men and women were imployed by them to plunder what they could; that they had a Warehouse in Wildstreet, where some of their stolen Goods were laid, and other Goods they concealed in Somerset-House, as Hollands, Cambricks, Fine Cloth, and some considera∣ble quantities of Plate, and a Box of Jewels. Dr. Oats asked Strange, How the King came to escape (for it seems his death was designed then?) Strange replyed, Indeed they were resolved to have out him off, but seeing him so industrious about Quenching the Fire, they could not find in their hearts to do it; Strange said, there were about Four∣score and six employ'd in it; and John Grove since Exe∣cuted for high Treason, told Dr. Oates, that he fired Southwork, and that the Society of Jesuits got two thou∣sand pounds by that Fire.

Robert Hubert, a French Papist of Normandy, began this Fire in London, being hired thereto by Stephen Peidelow likewise a Papist; and Hubert observing the ruin and de∣solation that followed, could not be quiet till he had freely discovered the whole matter; Affirming that by Peidelows directions he put a Fire-ball to the end of a long pole, and lighting it with a piece of Match put it into the Bakers window, and stayed till the house was

in a Flame. A French Merchant went to Hubert in the White Lion Prison in Southwark, and told him, He did not believe him Guilty of what he had confessed: Hubert reply∣ed, Yes Sir, I am guilty of it, and have been brought to it by the instigation of Mr. Peidelow, but not out of any malice to the English Nation, but from a desire of reward which be pro∣mised me upon my return into France. A while after Hubert was Tryed and Executed for this horrid Fact, owning and acknowledging to the last, his doing thereof by the Instigation of Pildelow.

But this not doing their work, they took divers other methods for carrying on their design which they had very near brought to persection in the year 1678. had not the Divine Providence most eminently made use of Dr. Titus Oats in the Discovery thereof; who notwith∣standing the reproaches of his Popish adversaries, was liberally Educated in St. John's Colledge in Cambridge, where he took his Degree, and afterward proceeded Doctor in Divinity at Salamanca in Spain, no contempti∣ble University. In the year 1672. he was Vicar of Bobbing in Kent, but the Air not agreeing with him, he left it; and was for some time Minister near Chichester in Sussex, and afterwards came to be Chaplain to the Duke of Norfolk, with an ample testimony of his sober Life and Conversation; and whilest he was there, he over∣heard some whisperings among the Popish Priests, (who were very conversant in that Family) that there was some Great Design in hand, but could not learn the par∣ticulars. He had heard from his Protestant Friends, and had read in Sir Hammond 〈◊〉〈◊〉 History of King King Charles the First, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other Judicious Authors, That the Papists had for many years carried on a design to introduce Popery once more into these Kingdoms; which made him desire to know the bottom thereof, and if it were possible to prevent it: To this end, he more freely conversed with that Party than he formerly used to do, & seemed dissarisfied in some things concern∣ing our Church, and desired to discourse with some Jesuits who are accounted the most Learned Men of the Popish faction.

This upon some Cautions he obtained, and after divers Conferences with them (in which he suffered himself to be overcome,) he was formally reconciled to the Church of Rome: and a while after seeming to aspire to a higher degree of Persection, he desired to be admitted into the Order of the Jesuits, which after three days consideration they consented to; and because he was a man of years, being about Twenty eight, they would not employ him as a Novice, but made him a Messenger of the Society.

This being the mark he aimed at, they sent him with Letters to Val••dolid in Spain, which he judging to con∣tain something of their Hellish contrivances, dexte∣rously opened by the way, and thereby made some discovery of their wicked Intentions: However, he managed their Affairs with so much satisfaction, that in a short time they made him privy to their most secret Consultations, and keeping short Notes of all things of Concernment, he was thereby in a Capacity to give an account of so many several particulars a he has discover∣ed; which have had the happiness to be confirmed by o∣ther Circumstances and Evidence, and have not the least contradicted one another, nor those other Papers which have been found elsewhere, nor differed from the In∣formations that have been given in by Mr. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Mr. Dugdale, Mr. Jennism, Mr. Mowbray, Mr. Baldron, and others, whom God hath since raised up, further to clear and unmask this detestable and bloody Conspi∣racy.

Dr. Oats was resolved, as much as in him lay, to prevent their Traiterous designs upon his Majesties Life, though he endangered his own thereby, since he observed that all their Contriv••n••es were ripe, and there only wanted the Fatal Blow to destroy the Life of his Sacred Majes••y, and the R••ligion and Liberties of these three Kingdoms; and whereas Father Woitebread the Provincial of the Jesuits, had engaged Dr. Oats (be∣fore his last return into England) to ••••••assinate and mur∣der

Israel Tongue Doctor of Divinity, because he had translated a Book Intituled The Jesuits Morals, and had promised him Fifty pound as a reward for the same, Dr. Oats after his coming over became acquainted with Dr. Tongue, and finding him to be a person of Trust and Integrity, he gave him an Account of his Assassina∣tion, and likewise some Heads of the Plot in General. After which they both seriously Consulted together of the best methods for making this necessary Discovery: since they were sure to meet with great opposition therein.

At last they concluded to acquaint Mr. Christopher Kirby therewith, as a person whom for his Loyalty, Courage and Zeal for the Safety of his Majesties Person, and the Protestant Religion, they judged very fit and capable to assist them; and therefore on Monday, Au∣gust 12. 1678. Dr. Tongue snewed Mr. Kirby Forty three Articles drawn up in writing, desiring him that without making any other Person acquainted there∣with, he would discover the same to the King; and Mr. Kirby very generously undertook the same, and accord∣ingly the next morning in St. James's Park, he humbly acquainted his Majesty, That his Enemies had a Design against his Life, and humbly beseeched his Majesty to use all Caution for he did not know but he might be in danger in that very walk. But his Majesty armed with his Native goodness and Innocency, seemed more surprized with the strangeness of the News, than with the apprehen∣sion of the danger, and only asked, How that could be? To which Mr. Kirby replyed, That it might be, by being shot at: And gave a part••••cular account, that there were two men, Grove and Pickering by name, that watched an opportunity to shoot his Majesty, and that another person was hired to Poyson him.

His Majesty ordered further Scrutiny should be made into the business; and a while after Doctor Oats having written fair Copies of his Informations, upon the 28. of September, 1678. went to Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, and made Oa••h of the truth and reality thereof; Sir Ed∣mundbury

defiring to keep a Copy of the Informations himself, as having never before perused them, which it may be was the occasion of his horrid Murther, which soon after followed.

The Plot in General seemed to be by Fire and Sword to subvertand destroy the Protestant Religion, and esta∣blished Government of these three Kingdoms, and to reduce them to Popery: The chief Conspirators being Innocent the 11th now Pope who in The Congregation for propagating the Faith, held about Decemb. 1677. and con∣sisting of about 350. Persons, Declared, All his Majesties Dominions to be part of St. Peters ••atrimony, as forfeited to the Holy See for the Heresie of the Frince and People, and to be disposed of as he should hink sit; And our English Cardinal Howard wa•• appoint by the Pope to take Possession of England in his Name, who was likewise made Archbi∣shop of Canterbury, and other Popish Priests were made Bishops in England, all the present Bishops being designed to be removed from their Dignities: Johannes Paulus de Oliva, Father General of the Jesuits was to give Directions to the Provin••ial of the Jesuits in London, how to manage their Affairs.

Monsieur ••e Chese, a Jesuit, Consessor to the French King, was likewise concerned; with whom Edward Coleman held correspondence; Also Strange and Whitebread Pro∣vincials of the Jesuits, and the Benedictine Monks of the Savoy were in this cursed Conspiracy, and the Jesuits and Seminary Priests, of whom there were at that time in Eng∣land about Eighteen Hundred.

Divers Lay Persons of Quality were drawn in, who were to command Forces, and to execute the Great Offices of the Realm; as the Lord Arundel of Warder was appointed Lord Chancellour of England, the Lord Powis Lord Treasurer, Sir William Godolphin Lord Privy Seal, Ed∣ward Coleman Secretary of State; and for the Military part, Lord Bellasi•• to be Lord General, Lord Petters Lieu∣tenant General, Sir Francis Ratoliff Major General, John Lambert Adjutant General, Richard Langhorn Advocate General, who had Commissions sent them from Paulus

de Oliva, and directed from Rome to Mr. Langhorn. This was so great and glorious a work, that the chiefest of the Romish Clergy through Europe were engaged therein; so that it cannot be said to be the Act or Contrivance of any few particular Persons, but The unanimous undertaking of their whole Church, and so to their everlasting Infamy ought to be Recorded.

Now as to the Means whereby this was to be accom∣plished, the first and chief was, By Murdering his Sa∣cred Majesty, which was to be accomplisht either by Pistolling of him, wherein Pickering and Grove were in∣gaged; or by Stabbing, and this to be done by Conyers and Anderton, Benedictine Monks, or four Irish Ruffians. Or lastly by Poysoning, for which Money was paid to the Undertaker.

2. Another means was by firing London, Westminster and the parts adjacent, and likewise other Cities and great Towns in England, immediately upon the Murder of his Majesty.

3. By a General Massacre; to which purpose they had designed to raise an Army, which was to consist of Fifty Thousand men, to be Listed in and about London: The Officers to be all Resolute Papists, and for the most part French and Irish; and these they gave out were enough to out the Throats of One Hundred Thousand Prote∣stants, especially being taken upon a Surprize, when the Militia of London was undisciplined and unprovided. Care was taken likewise about securing Ireland and Scotland to their Interest.

Great sums of Money were provided for the necessary charge of this mighty undertaking, and it was discoursed, that the Jesuits in England had purchased a great Estate per Annum for that purpose; and that they had a great Stock in ready Money; and were to receive Eleven thousand Crowns from Rome, Ten thousand pound from Spain, and Ten thousand from France, besides several o∣ther very considerable sums, for promoting this vast de∣sign. And this is a brief Abstract of this bloody and Hel∣lish Popish Plot, abundance of other particulars being o∣mitted;

whereby it appears that this Horrid Plot is hard∣ly to be parallel'd in any History, considering that with∣out any provocation so many Thousand Protestants were designed for slaughter, destruction and Mur∣der, only to advance and promote the Holy Catholick Religion, as they falsly call that Chaos of Blasphemy and Cruelty.

Presently after this Remarkable discovery, happened the murther of that worthy Magistrate Sir Edmundbury Godfry; who, as is before related, having taken the De∣positions of Doctor Oats, which was no more than any Justice of Peace by Virtue of his Office was bound to do; yet it so inraged the Conspirators, that they resolved to cut him off, to deter (as may be supposed) all other Magistrates from intermedling with any A••••ai••s relating to the Plot.

But it pleased God that the Crafty were taken in their own snare, and they Mortally wounded their own cause; for this bloody Enterprize allarum'd the whole King∣dom, and left no doubt whether there were a Plot or no. It is not certainly discovered how many there were in all, who conspired his Death; but those that are known, are Father Kelly and Father Girald, two Irish Priests, Robert Green Cushion-man to the Queens Chappel, Laurenet Hill Servant to Dr. Godden Treasurer of the Chappel, Henry Berry who was Porter of Somersethouse, and Mr. Miles Prance, a Goldsmith in Covent-Garden; these were actually present at the Murther; two others should have been there, but were not; that is, Father Lewson a Priest, and one Philip Vernatti, who are since fled. There were another Party to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 done it, but did not, namely Prit∣chard, Le Fair, Welch, Keins, all Jesuits, and Mr. William Bedlow.

Of those that effected the Villany, 'tis Judged that Vernatti, and some other Popish Priests undertoo•• it, and that they drew 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Green, Hill, and Berry first, and after∣wards engaged Mr. Prance, telling him. That Sir Ed∣mundbury was a bitter Persecutor of Catholicks, and a particular Enemy to her Majesties Servants, (whereof Mr. Prance

reckoned himself one:) And that he had lately examined People against them, and had got Depositions to fix base Crimes and Scandals on their Religion, and that the Catholicks would be ruined, unless ••he were taken ••ff; and therefore it was ne∣cessary for the Glory of God, and good of the Church, that it should be effected; and that there should be a good reward given them for it: And when Mr. Prance scrupled it, the two Priests, Girald and Kelly told him, It was no sin, but a work of Charity, and so far from being a Mur∣ther, that it was a Meritorious work, and be ought to assist in i.

Having thus resolved of his Death, they consulted seve∣ral times how to effect it; but at last, upon Saturday, October. 12. 1678. Hill went to Sir Edmundbury Godfrey's house in the Morning, but what he said to him is not known, and then taking his leave, went to Girald and Green, and staid with them hard by, waiting Sir Ed∣mundburies going forth, which was about Ten or Eleven a Clock; they dogged him up and down all day, till a∣bout seven a Clock in the Evening, and then Green came to Prances house, and told him that they had set him, but did not name where, only near St. Clements; and that Prance must hasten down to the Water-Gate at Somerset house, where he should find Kelly and ••erry; which he did, and they three waited there till about Nine a Clock at night, then Hill came in haste, and told them he was coming, and that they must pretend a Quarrel, and he would fetch him in; Kelly and Berry began a seeming Quarrel, and just as Sir Edmundbury Godfre, was passing by the Gate, Hill who was acquainted with ••im, steps out in a great deal of haste, and intreated him, For Gods sake to come in, for there were two men a Quarelling, and he was afraid there would be blood shed: He refuseth at first, but the other being importunate, he consented, and Hill en∣tred the Gate first, after him Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, and Girald and Green followed just behind. As soon as they were in, Prance watched at the Water-Gate that no body came that way, Berry was to secure the Stairs and pass••ge by the Chappel; but first he and Kelly who pretended

to Quarrel, stood at the end of the rail by the Queens Stables, and as Sir Edmundbury went down toward them, Green suddenly threw a twisted Handkerchief, or Cravat about his neck, and presently all four pull'd him down, and throtled him, so as he could make no noise; then they threw him behind the Rail, and gave him many Violent punches on the breast with their Knees, and Green with all his force wrung his Neck almost round.

Having commited this Horrid Murther, they remo∣ved the body into Dr Goddins Lodgings, and on Mon∣day to another Room, on Tuesday from thence to ano∣ther, but on Wednesday night about twelve a Clock they carried his body towards Hamstead, about two miles out of Town, and laid it at a place called Primrose-Hill, Girald having run Sir Eamundbury's own Sword through him, and left it in, and the Scabbard and Gloves they laid at a small distance from him, that it might be supposed he had murthered himself.

The death of this worthy Gentleman caused great Consternation among the People, and his Majesty was graciously pleased to publish a Pro••l••mation promising 500. l. to the Discoverer. And a while after Mr. Wil∣liam Bedlow, came in, and gave some Account of the Murder, and likewise of the Plo•• in General; and upon the 21 of December being in the Lobby of the House of Commons, he there saw Mr. Prarce whom he knew to be concerned, they two having Viewed Sir ••dmundbury's dead body together at Somerset-house, and charging Mr. Prance with the Murther, he was thereupon committed to Newgate, and a while after confessed the whole matter as is before related.

Whereupon, Green, Hill and Berry were seized, and upon full Evidence condemned, and executed; Kelly and Girald fled; there were likewise several Traitors Tryed and Executed for the Horrid Plot; that is, Ed∣ward Coleman, William Ireland, Thomas Pickering, John Grove, Thomas Whitebread, William Harcourt, John Fen∣wick, John Gaven, Anthony Turner, and Richard Langhorn.

The Papists being still disappointed in their cursed

contrivances, yet resolved not wholly to desist, but endea∣voured to stifle the Evidence by promising them great rewards and encouragements not to discover the whole of what they knew, or to deny what they had deposed; and upon this account Mr. Redding, tampered with Mr. Bedlow; Mris. Price and Mr. Tasborough endea∣voured to corrupt Mr. Dugdale; Osburn and Lane design∣ed to invalidate the Evidence of Dr. Oats: But these ill practices being discovered, some of the persons con∣cerned were Fined and Imprisoned, and others set in the Pillory; after which the Papists had several other Contrivances to throw off the Plot from their own par∣ty, but all will not do; for certainly he cannot pre∣tend to be a good Protestant, who (after his Majesty's repeated Proclamations for the discovery and apprehen∣sion of the Plotters, after the Execution of so many of the Conspirators, upon the clearest Evidence imagina∣ble, and after the Votes and Proceedings in both Houses of Parliament thereupon) shall in the least doubt of the reality of this horrid and damnable Popish Plot; as it is fully exprest in the Vote of both Houses, March 15. 1679.

Resolved, Nemine Contradicente by the Lords Spiri∣tual and Temporal, and Commons in Parliament Assembled; That they do declare, that they are fully satisfied by the Proofs they have heard, that there now is, and for divers years last past hath been, an horrid and treasonable Plot and Conspiracy, contrived and carried on by those of the Popish Religion, for the Murdering of his Majesties Sacred Person, and for Subvert∣ing the Protestant Religion, and the Ancient and Established Government of this Kingdom.

John Brown Cleric. Parliam.

NOtwithstanding the clear and plain discovery of these Popish Intrigues, yet the Papists and their adherents were still resolved if possible to stifle their horrid Plot; and many Arts and Tricks were used to suppress it, and several sham Plots were set up to en∣snare and ruin the soberest part of the Kingdom; For

the better managing whereof, witnesses were raked out of Prisons and Jails to swear against Persons the freest both in reputation and life, from the suspicion of all such crimes as were laid to their charge, and Juries were likewise tampered with, so that innocent people were frighted thereat, since villains were so easily credited, if they swore against any that stood in the Papists way; upon this account fell the Noble L. Russel, Coll. Sydney, Mr. Cornish and several others, so that every man was afraid of another, and men durst hardly converse with each other. After this followed the seizing of the Charter of London, and divers others in the chief Cities and Towns in England; The Bishops were imprisoned for Petitioning; Maudlin Colledge had its legal Possessors turned out and was filled with none but Papists, and divers other outragious acts were committed against all Law and Right, in order to the perfecting the great work of converting these three Kingdoms to Popish supersti∣tion, and reducing them to slavery and arbitrary Govern∣ment; But the People of England ha••ing suffered these and many other indignities, they at length were so ex∣treamly provoked, that they resolved if possible to free themselves from the Chains they say prepared for them, and therefore the principal Nobility and Gentry sent an invitation to his Highness the Prince of Orange to in∣treat him to come to their assistance, who accordingly landed in England and with his preserce only, by the Almightys help, put all our Popish Enemies to flight and restored to us our former state of happiness and tranquillity, for which the whole Nation by their Repre∣sentatives made it their humble request that his Highness with his Royal Consort would be pleased to accept of the Crown, and they were accordingly Proclaimed, King and Queen with all manner of Joy and satisfaction Feb. 13. 1688.

For which unspeakable blessing let us conclude with the Thanksgiving of the Church of England set forth by Authority upon the discovery of that Hellish Popish Plot called the Gunpowder Treason in 1605.

NOT unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to thy Name be ascribed all honour and glory in all Churches of the Saints ••roughout all Generations; for thou, Lord, hast discovered the Snares of Death, thou hast broken them, and we are delivered; be thou still our mighty Protector, and scatter our Cruel Ene∣nies which delight in Blood; Infatuate their Counsel, and root ••••t that Babylonish and Antichristian ••ect, which say of Jerusa∣lem, Down with it, down with it even to the Ground: and to this end strengthen the hands of our Gracious King, the Nobles ••••d Magistrates of the Land, with Judgment and Justice, to ••ut off these workers of Iniquity, whose Reli••ion is Rebellion, whose Faith is Faction, whose Practice is Murthering of Souls & Bodies; and to root them out of the Consines and Limits of this Kingdom, that they may never prevail against us, and Triumph i•• the ruin of thy Church. And give us grace by true and seri∣••us Repentance to avert these and the like Judgments from us. This, Lord, we earnestly crave at thy merciful hands, together with the continuance of thy powerful Protection over our Dread Soveraign, the whole Church, and these Realms, and the speedy confusion of our Implocable Enemies; And that for thy dear Son's sake, our only Mediator and advocate. Amen.

An Abslract of the late Persecutions and Inhumane Oppressions of the Protestants in France in 1686, and 1687.

THough the barbarous cruelty and Treachery of of the Romanists is already sufficiently demon∣strated, and the World thereby fully convinced that Popish Treaties are not to be relled on, yet their new and horrid Barbarities in France since the Massacre at Paris and those other Violations of the most Sacred Oaths, and Ingagements, may convince the most obstinate that they make it a point of Religion to destroy Protestants, over whom that Church pretends to have a Soveraign and Absolute Dominion, of which Thousands of French Pro∣testants

now in England confirm the truth, who having felt the smart of a severe Persecution in France are fled from thence to avoid the extream fury and insupporta∣ble violence thereof; But though the generality may have heard much discourse of the French Persecutions, and have been very bountiful in relieving these misera∣ble People, yet I suppose few know the particular Bar∣barities and Inhumanities which they have suffered from their merciless Enemies; To inform them therefore I have thought fit to make a brief abstract of some noto∣rious Villanies committed by the Papists against them, since a large Volume would not contain the innumerable Cruelties they have exercised upon these innocent Souls.

It is known to all intelligent Persons that for the great Services which the Protestants performed to Henry the Fourth (called the Great) King of France and Grand∣father to the present King in asserting his Rights to the Crown against the Papists who were then in Rebellion against him; that great Prince being willing to demon∣strate his gratitude to them, confirmed to them an entire Liberty of Conscience by a Law called the Edict of Nants, whereby they were to enjoy all m••nner of Liberty and Priviledges both in Religious and Civil matters with his other Subjects, which he declared should be perpetual and inviolable, and which was confirmed by his Son Lewis the 13th and likewise by the present King at their coming to the Crown.

Lewis the 14th was very young when he ascended the Throne, and soon after the Prince of Conde raised a Civil War in the Kingdom against him, being assisted by the Papists, but the Protestants by their Signal Loyalty to him overthrew the designs of his Enemies, and setled that Crown on his head which he wears to this day, and of which he pretended then to be so sensible that he made a publick Declaration of it at St Germains in 1652. And every one endeavoured to proclaim loudest the merits of the Protestants, the Queen Mother her self acknowledging, That they had preserved the State; Though

to shew the little faith is to be given to men of that Reli∣gion, the Kings Ministers instilled into his mind, That since the Protestants were so potent to set up the King, they night likewise upon another occasion remove him again; From this Diabolical reasoning it was resolved they must be suppressed and ruined, and therefore when the King∣dom was setled in peace, three Protestant Towns Rochel, Montauban and Millan which had shewed the greatest zeal 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Kings Service, were plundered by the Souldiers, and otherwise impoverisht; These were the forerunners of that general destruction designed against these inno∣••ent People which were every day succeeded by others ••n order to their utter extirpation. They first con∣demned their Churches and Exercises of Religion by establishing Commissioners, who pretended the Protest∣ants had exceeded the grants that were allowed them, though their Proceedings herein were so very unjust that the Judges often received order to condemn them, when by the great evidence of their right they declared they could not in Conscience do it; Yea in civil affairs and controversies about Lands, Houses, or Debts, Religion was always urged, the Monks, Priests and the rest of that Crew crying out in Courts of Justice, I plead against an Heretick, against an Enemy to the State, and to the Kings Religion, whom he would have to be destroy'd; So that the Judge durst not declare in their favour, though never so much wronged, lest he should be counted a Favourer of Hereticks; And upon complaint, the Pro∣testants were told, You have your remedy in your own hands; why don't you turn Catholicks?

After this succeeded Processes to all the Cities, Towns, and Parishes in France, to impower the Curates and Church-Wardens, to inquire exactly what had been said or done, for twenty years past by the Protestants, about Religion or any other matters, and to inform the Justices of the place, who were to punish them with the utmost severity, whereby the Prisons were soon fil∣l••d, there being no want of false witnesses, and which was most horrible, though the Judges were very sensi∣ble

they were perjured villains, yet they countenanced and incouraged them in swearing things that they knew were absolutely false, whereby many innocent and virtuous persons were whipt, and sent to the Gallies for Slaves; But the Ministers suffered most thereby, who seldom preached a Sermon but that a Troop of Priests and Monks were present as Informers, and Observators, who charged them with things they never thought of, by turning them into a contrary meaning; Yea pretend∣ed to divine their thoughts and make them criminal; For if a Minister spake of Egypt, Phara••h, the Israelites, or of good and bad people; These Spies report that by Egypt and the wicked, they meant the Catholicks, and by the Israelites the Protestants; Yea the Judges and Mini∣sters of state incouraged these Rascals, so that they fil∣led the Jayls with poor Protestants where they were kept whole years together, and sometimes suffered cor∣poral punishment.

They then proceeded to deprive Protestants of all Publick Offices and Imployments, directly contrary to the Edict of Henry the great, who made an express Ar∣ticle to the contrary; Yea to hinder them from excer∣cising several Arts and Trades whereby to maintain their Families; This was in 1669, and in 1680, and 1681. all Lords and Gentlemen were ordered to discharge all their Protestant Officers and Servants; Nay they would not suffer any Protestant Mid-Wives to do their Office, but expresly ordained that no Women should receive any assistance in that condition but from Popish Mid-Wives; by these strange and unheard of Methods many thousand Persons and Families were reduced to misery and ruin. But because some could still sustain them∣selves, there was an Order of Council that the New-Con∣verts, as they call them, that is, those who turned from Protestants to Papists, should not be obliged to pay their debts in three years, which fell heavily upon the Protestants who were generally concerned with them, and hereby they found the secret to recompence the Apostates at the charge of those who continued,

constant, who were likewise prohibited to sell or alie∣nate their Estates to support themselves, the King mak∣ing void all contracts of that kind; Yea to add to their misfortunes, they were forbid by divers Edicts under severe penalties not to go out of France to get their Bread in other Countrys, which reduced them to the horrible necessity of dying with hunger in their own Country.

Their Cruelty ceased not here, for they laid unrea∣sonable and severe Taxes upon the Protestants, so that he who before was charged at Forty or Fifty Livers was now raised to seven or eight hundred, which if not instantly paid they quartered Dragoons upon them till they had discharged the utmost farthing. In 1681 an Edict came out that Children at seven years of age might abjure the Protestant Religion, forcing their Pa∣rents to give them yearly allowances above their ability, which occasioned the seducing of many young people, and brought ruin to a multitude of Families, yea they took Children from their Parents and put them into Covents with strict charge not to let their Fathers or Mothers see them, even Persons of the best Quality were so ••••ed, the ancient Duke De la Force having se∣ven of his Chil••ren taken from him the eldest not ex∣ceeding twelve years, and the like was done to other Noblemen; a barbarity never heard of in the most Sa∣vage Nations. They prohibited the Protestant Mini∣sters to be School-Masters and suppressed three Univer∣sities which were absolutely granted by the Edict of Nants. They forbid Papists to marry Protestants, or Ministers to hinder their people directly or indirectly from imbracing the Roman Religion; These and a mur∣titude of Grievances more they groaned under, when the Elector of Brandenburgh being pleased to intercede on their Behalf, the King assured him, He was very well sa∣tisfied with the behaviour of his Protestant Subjects, and that so long as he lived no wrong should be done them; And yet at the same instant, according to the usual perfidy of that party, he gave order for demolishing several of

their Churches, and shut up others, imprisoning their Pastors, and using divers manifest injustices against those he pretended to protect.

Yea in 1682. When they had much advanced the work of their destruction, the King declared, That he had not the least intention to infringe the Edict of Nantes, but would most religiously observe it; Though at the same time he had treacherously resolved in Council to Ruin and Destroy it. And accordingly in 1684. He absolutely concluded to cancel and make void that Edict, and to banish all their Ministers out of the Kingdom, yet still declaring, That other Protestants might live peaceably till it should please God to enlighten and convert them; Which was only designed to insnare and amuse them at present, till they had by degrees incensed the Mobile against them to diminish the horror they naturally have to Cruelty, to which end several young Priests were sent about the Kingdom to inflame the multitude in their Sermons and Orations, and by publishing Scandalous Satyrs and Lyes against them; And for those of greater Quality some Volumes were written against Calvinism and the Refor∣mation, one of whom affirmed highly, That the Catholick Faith must be planted by Fire and Sword, alledging for proof thereof, the example of a King of Norway, who converted the Nobles of his Countrey by threatning them, to slay their Chil∣dren before their eyes if they would not consent to have them bap∣tiz'd, and to be baptized themselves.

The Protestants were very sensible of these things, and that further mischief was designed against them, and therefore presented frequent Addresses to the King, wherein they exposed their grievances with all humility and submission, the last-being presented to the King him∣self by their Deputy General in March 1684. Exprest in Terms most capable of moving pity, yet produced no o∣ther effect but the hastening what they had long before resolved on, which was the using of open force to ac∣complish their ruine, which was effectually done some months after in a manner so terrible and violent that there are few in Christendom who have not heard the

report of it. At first they quartered Souldiers in all the Provinces almost at the same time, but chiefly Dragoons, the most desperate Troops in the Kingdom; Terror and Dread marched before them, and all France was filled with the news; That the King would no longer suffer any Protestants in his Kingdom, and that they must resolve to change their Religion, or else suffer the utmost cruelty that could be in∣flicted upon them. They first summoned the Cities and Commonalties, and affembling the Inhabitants of the Reformed Religion, told them, It was the Kings pleasure they should without delay become Catholicks, and if they would not do it freely they must force them. The poor people sur∣prized at the proposal answered, They were ready to Sacrifice their Estates and Lives to the King, but their Consci∣ences being Gods, they could not in the same manner dispose of them.

Such answers immediately brought the Dragoons who were near hand upon them, who instantly seized on all the Gates and Passages of the City, where they placed Guards who came off with their Swords in their hands crying, Kill, Kill, or else be Catholicks; They lay upon the Protestants at free quarter, strictly forbidding any to go out of their Houses, or to conceal any of their Goods or Estates under great penalties, & the Papists were fordid to receive or any way relieve them; the first days were spent in consuming all the Provisions the house afforded, and Robbing them of Money, Rings, Jewels or any thing of Value; After this they seized of all their goods in general, inviting the Papists to come and buy them; Lastly they fell on their Persons, wherein they forbore no wickedness nor Villany to oblige them to change their Religion. Amidst a thousand hideous cryes, and blasphemies, they hung Men and Women up by the hair of the head, or by the Feet, to the Roofs of their Cham∣bers, or else to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hooks within the Chimneys, smoaking them with w••••ps of wet straw till they were no longer able to bear it, and when they were taken down, if they would not recant their Religion, they immediately hung them up again; They threw them into great fires pur∣posely

provided, and pulled them not out till half roast∣ed: They tyed Ropes under their Arms, and plunged them up and down into Wells from whence they would not take them till they had promised to turn Papists; They tyed them as Criminals to the Rack, and with a Funnel poured Wine down their Throats till the fumes of it deprived them of their reason, and then made them say they would be Catholicks. They stript them stark naked, and after a thousand indignities they larded or stuck them with pins from head to foot. They cut them with Penknives, and pluckt them by the Nose with Red hot Pincers and dragged them about the Rooms till they promised to be Catholicks, or that for weariness they let the poor wretches go; They beat them with Staves and dragged them all bruised to the Churches, where their forced presence was reckoned their abjuring the Protestant Religion. They kept them from sleeping seven or eight nights and days together, relieving one another to keep them waking; They threw buckets of Water on their Faces, and tormented them several ways, by holding kettles over their Heads turned downwards, whereon they made a continual noise till these poor creatures had even lost their sences; If they found any sick in bed they had the cruelty to bring several Drums sounding an Alarm about their beds for whole weeks to∣gether without intermission, till they had promised to re∣cant. In some places they tyed Fathers and Husbands to the bed-posts, and ravished their Daughters and Wives on the bed before their eyes; In other places Rapes were publickly permitted for many hours together; They pluckt off the Nails from the hands and toes of others with most intolerable pain; They burnt the feet of others. They blew up men and women with bellows even till they were ready to burst.

If after these horrid Usages any refused to turn, they imprisoned them in Close, Dark and Stinking Dungeons, exercising on them all manner of inhumanity; In the mean time they demolished their Houses, destroyed their hereditary Lands, cut down their Woods, and

seized their Wives and Children, to imprison them in Monasteries. When the Souldiers had consumed and destroy'd all in the House, the Tenants of their Lands furnisht them with subsistance, to whom they likewise sold the Lands; If any endeavoured to escape by flight, they were pursued and hunted in the Fields and Woods, and Shot at like Wild Beasts; The Justices and Magi∣strates rode about the highways, stopping all without ex∣ception, and using them like Prisoners of War; Neither fell this Storm only on the common sort, Noblemen and Gentlemen were not exempted from it, who had Soul∣diers also quartered on them, that plundred their houses wasted their Goods, razed their Castles, cut down their Woods, yea their very Persons were exposed to the in∣solence and barbarity of the Dragoons as well as others; which to avoid, many Ladies and Persons of Quality hoped to find some retreat in Paris, or at the Court, not imagining the Dragoons would come to seek them so near the Kings presence; but they soon found their mistake, for immediately there was an Order of Council, com∣manding them to leave Paris in fifteen days, and return without delay to their own dwellings, prohibiting all persons to entertain or lodge them in their houses; And some addrossing to the King with complaints of such cruel usage, and beseeching his relief, had no other answer but being sent Prisoners to the Bastile.

It is observable that usually in the head of these infer∣nal Dragoons there Marched a Squadron of Bishops and Priests to see that the Souldiers executed the full Ven∣geance they desired upon the Protestants, who upon all occasions did provoke and stir up the Souldiers to cruelty and barbarity, if they found they had the least compassion and pity toward these poor Innocents. If at any time the Master of an house had signed what they required, in hope to get rid of the Dragoons, yet he was not freed from them for all this, if his Wife Children or the mean∣est of his Servants did not do the same; and when any of them fled, they continued to torment the Master or Father till he forced them to come back, which being

oft impossible for him to do, the change of his Religion did not at all avail him; When the poor Souls fancied they should be at rest by signing a form of abjuration of the Protestant Religion, yet a while after these cruel men made them sign another, which threw many into the very depth of despair; Nay, after all these barbarous Usages and Compulsions they forced these wretched peo∣ple to acknowledge, That they imbraced the Roman Religi∣on of their own accord, without being induced thereto by any violent means; Though all these Frauds, violences and cruelties, and infinite numbers more have been acted to∣ward the Protestants in the face of the Sun, and before Millions of eye-witnesses, and are notorious to all Europe; Yet this is another method that their Persecutors have taken to shelter themselves from publick condemnation, by denying the Fact, and perswading the World, That force and violence have had no share in the Conversions, but that they were Soft, Calm, and Voluntary, and that if there were any Dragoons concerned therein, it was because the Pro∣testants themselves desired them that they might have a handsom pretence to change their Religion; Was there ever so much impudence seen or heard of, what will they not deny who are arrived to such a height of boldness?

The revoking the Edict of Nants (which was the M••gna Charta of the Protestants) formerly resolved on, was put in Execution, Oct. 8. 1685. Whereby all their Ministers were banished out of France being command∣ed to depart the Kingdom in fifteen days, and supressing all Protestant Books whatsoever; 'Tis said the Chancel∣lor of France shewed extraordinnry joy at the sealing this Edict, but it lasted not long, this being the last thing he did, for as soon as he came home from Fountain Bleau he fell sick and died in a few days; By this Edict the King declares;

That he had resolved upon this design ever since his coming to the Crown, but had been hindred by his Wars against the Enemies of the State, but being now at peace with all the Princes of Europe he wholly gave himself to unite all his Subjects in the Catholick Re∣ligion, commanding that all the Protestant Churches

should be pluckt down and demolished; That those who will turn Papists shall be rewarded, and prefer'd; That no Children shall be educated in the Protestant Religion; That those who are fled shall have four months to return and recant, if not, their Goods and Estates to be confiscate. That no Protestant presume to depart the Kingdom under the penalty of the men being sent to the Gallies, and the women to forfeit their Bodies and Goods.

The very day this was published in Paris they began to demolish the Church of Charenton, and the chief Mini∣ster was commanded to leave the City in twenty four hours & the rest in fifteen days, but were neither permit∣ted to dispose of their Estates, nor to carry any of their effects with them, nor to take along with them Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, or any of their kindred, though many were infirm, decayed, & poor, and could not subsist but by their means, yea they denied them their own Children if above seven years old, nay some they took from them under that age; yea those that hanged on their Mothers breasts, refusing to allow Nurses for their new born Infants to whom the Mothers could not give suck.

Soon after, the former barbarities, or greater, if possible, were revived, of which I shall give some few instances amongst many others, and so conclude this dismal scene of sorrow. The Dragoons that quartered with Mon∣sieur Solignac at Montauban made his dining room a Sta∣ble for their Horses, though the furniture thereof was valued at a thousand Livers and forced him to turn the Spit till his arm was almost burnt by their continual throw∣ing Wood on the fire; They beat an old man almost to death, to force him to go to Mass, whilst the constant Martyr to his last breath cryed, He would never do it, and only requested they would dispatch and make an end of him. Monsieur de Garrison one of the chief men of the City, and an intimate Friend of the Intendant, went and cast himself at his feet, imploring his protection, and conjuring him to rid him of the Troopers, that he might

have no force put upon his Conscience, adding, That in recompence of the favour he begged of him, he would give him all he had, which was to the value of about a Million of Livres, but all his intreaties were so far from prevailing, that he ordered him for terror to be worse used than the rest, by dragging him along the Streets.

Some of the lustiest Souldiers took their Land-lords or others in the house, and walking them up and down, con∣tinually tickled, and tossed them about like a ball from each other, without giving them the least intermission, and keeping them in that condition three days together, without Meat, Drink, or Sleep; When they were so faint as not able to stand any longer on their Legs, they laid them on a bed continuing to tickle and torment them as before, and when a little recovered, forced them to rise again, lashing them with Rods, to prevent their sleeping; When one party of these cursed Tor∣mentors were tyred and wearied out, their Compa∣nions relieved them, by which infernal invention many became distracted and mopish, and so continue; Isa•••• Faim a Citizen of Negreplisse was hung up by the armpits, and tortured a whole night, by pinching and tearing off his Flesh with Pincers, though thereby they were not in the least able to shake his constancy. The Wife of one Roussion a Joiner, being violently drag'd by the Soul∣diers along the Streets to force her to hear Mass, died of this cruel and inhumane treatment as soon as she reach∣ed the Church Porch. They made a fire about a Boy of ten years of age, who continually with hands and eyes lifted up to Heaven cryed, My God, help me; And when they saw the Lad resolved to die rather than renounce his Religion, they snatcht him from the fire when he was at the very point of being burnt.

In divers places they have indeavoured to tire out the Patience of the poor Protestants, and overcome their constancy by applying red hot Irons to the hands and feet of men, and to the Breasts of Women; At Nants they hung up several Women and Maids by the feet, stark naked, and others by the armpits, ex∣posing

them to publick view which is certainly the most exquisite suffering to the modesty of the fair Sex, and which toucheth the most tender part of their Soul. They bound Mothers that gave suck, to posts, and let their little Infants lye languishing in their sight without being suffered to suckle them for many days, and all this while left the poor babes crying, moaning, and gasping for life, and even dying for hunger and thirst, thereby to vanquish the constancy of their tender-hearted Mo∣ther; Swearing they would never permit them to give suck till they promised to renounce the profession of the Gospel. Children of four or five years old were kept from Mea•• and Drink till they were ready to famish, and were then brought to their Parents by the Dragoons who swore bloudily, That except they would recant they must prepare themselves to see their Children languish and die in their presence; If it happen that any by their patience and courage stand out, the Souldiers go and acquaint their Commanders, That they have done all they could, but without success, who in a barbarous and surly tone answer them; You must return upon them, and do worse than you have done, the King commands it; Either they must turn, or I must burst and perish in the attempt; These are the pleasant flowry paths whereby Papists allure Protestants to return to the Bosom of their Church.

Thirty two Companys of Foot with an Intendant, and the two Bishops of Agen and Periguex entred the City of Bergerack, and sending for two hundred of the principal Citizens before them, told them, That the Kings express will and pleasure was they should all go to Mass, and that in case of disobedience they had order to compel them to it; To which the Citizens unanimously answered, That if they were so resolved they had nothing else to do but to prepare themselves to receive the punishment they should inflict; Where∣upon thirty two Troops more of Horse and Foot march∣ed into the Town, who were all quartered upon the Protestants, with express command not to spare any thing they had, and to exercise all manner of violence upon them till they had extorted a promise of confor∣mity

to their wills; These Wolves thus incouraged flew instantly upon these Innocent sheep, rending and wor∣rying them in such a manner as the relation thereof can∣not but strike horror and amazement; Whole Compa∣nys were ordered to quarter upon one Citizen, and and when their Money was gone, they sold their Horse∣hold-stuff for little or nothing; They bound and fetter∣ed Father, Mother, Wife and Children, four Souldiers standing continually at the door, to hinder any from suc∣couring them, keeping them in this condition five or six days together without Meat, Drink or Sleep; On one hand the Child cryes with the languishing tone of one ready to die, Ah my Father! Ah my Mother! What shall I do, I must die I can endure no longer; The Wife on the other hand cryes, Alas! my Heart fails me, I faint, I die; Whilst their cruel Tormentors are so far from be∣ing touched with compassion that from thence they take occasion to torment them afresh, and to renew their tortures, affrighting them with their Hellish Threats, accompanied with execrable Oaths and Curses, crying, Dog, Bougre, what wilt thou not be converted, wilt thou not be obedient? Dog, Bougre, thou must be converted, we are sent on purpose to convert thee; And the Clergy who are wit∣nesses of all these Cruelties, (with which they feast their eyes) and who hear all their infamous and abominable speeches, which ought to cover them with horror and confusion, yet only make it a matter of sport and laughter.

A young woman was brought before the Council in order to oblige her to abjure the Truth, which she boldly and manfully refusing was remanded back to Prison, where they shaved her head, and singed the hair from other parts, and stripping her stark naked led her through the Streets of the City, where many a blow was given her, and Stones flung at her; After this they set her up to the neck in a Tub full of Water, where when she had been a while they took her out, and put upon her a Shift dipped in Wine, which as it dryed and Stuck to her sore and bruised body, they snatcht off again, and then had another ready dipt in Wine to clap upon her;

this they repeated six several times, and when by this inhumane usage her body was grown very raw, and ten∣der, they demanded of her, Whether she did not now find her self disposed to imbrace the Catholick Faith? As they term their Religion; But she being strengthned by the Spirit & love of him for whose names sake she suffered all these extremities, undauntedly answered; That she had before declared her resolution to them, which she would never alter; and that though they had her body in their power, yet she was resolv∣ed never to yield her Soul to them, but keep it pure and unde∣filed for her heavenly Lover, as knowing that a little while would put an end to all her sufferings, and give a beginning to her enjoyment of eternal bliss. Which words further inraging them, and despairing of making her a Convert, they fastened her to a Gibbet by the feet stark naked, with her head downward, and there let her hang in that ignomi∣nious posture till she gave up the Ghost.

There was an old man in the City who having been long kept Prisoner in a deep dungeon for the Protestant Profession, where his companions were darkness and horror, and filthy creeping things, was brought at length before the Judges with Vermine and Snails crawling up∣on his mouldred garment, who seeing him in that loath∣som condition, said to him, How now, old man, does not not your heart begin to relent, and are not you willing to abjure your Heresy? To which he answered, As for Heresy I profess none, but if by that word you mean my Religion, you may as∣sine yourselves that as I have thus long lived, so I hope & am resolved by the grace of God to dye in it. With which reply they being incensed, grew rougher with him; Dost thou not see, said they, that the worms are ready to devour thee? Well since thou art so re∣solved, we will send thee back again to the loathsom place from whence thou camest, that they may dispatch thee, and consume thy obdurate heart. To which he replyed in the words of holy patient Job, I know that after worms have eaten this body, that in my flesh I shall see God; And having so said he was re∣manded back to his Jail, where he still continues if death hath not put a period to his miseries. Some Dragoons quartered with a Person whom they could not pervert

who upon a time being well filled with Wine, broke their Glasses at every health they drank, and covered the floor with the fragments, and being in a merry humor would needs go dance, telling their Host he must be one of their company, but that he must first pull off his Stockings and Shoes, to move the more nimbly; in short they forced him to dance barefoot upon the sharp points of Glass, which when they had continued so long as they were able to keep him on his Legs, they laid him on a Bed, and stripping him stark naked, rolled his body from one end of the Room to the other upon the sharp Glass till his Skin was stuck full of the fragments, and returning him to his bed sent for a Surgeon to take out all the pie∣ces of Glass out of his body which was not done with∣out frequent incisions and horrible and extream, pain. Another having the unwelcome company of these Vil∣lanous Souldiers, and having suffered extreamly by them with the utmost constancy, one of them looking earnestly on him, told him he disfigured himself with letting his beard grow so long; who answering, That they were the cause of it who would not let him stir out of doors to go to the Barber; The Dragoon replyed, I can do that for you as well as your Barber, telling him he must needs try his Skill upon him; and so fell to work, but instead of shaving him, flead all the Skin off his face. One of his Companions coming at the cry of this poor sufferer, and seeing what he had done, seemingly blamed him for it, and said he was a bungler, & then said to his Host; Come your hair wants cutting too; and thereupon begins in a most cruel manner to pluck the hair, Skin and all off his head, and flead that as the other had done his Chin; Thus making a sport and merriment of the extream suf∣ferings of these miserable wretches.

By these inhumane and more than barbarous means they labour to overcome the most resolved patience, and to drive people to despair and faint-heartedness by their Devilish inventions, refusing to give them death, which they desire, and only keep them alive to torment them till they have v••••••••isht their courage, telling them; The

King will have obedient Subjects, but neither Martyrs nor Re∣bels, and that they have order to convert them, but not to kill them. Let us conclude with a prayer used by these blessed Souls in the agony of their Spirits.

O great God, who from thy heavenly Throne dost behold all the outrages done to thy people, haste thee to help us! Great God whose compassions are infinite, suffer thy self to be moved by our extream desolation! If men be insensible of the Calamities we suffer! If they be deaf to our cries, not regarding our groans or supplications, yet let thy Bowels, O Lord, be moved, and affect thee on our behalf. Glorious God, for whose names sake we suf∣fer all these things, who knowest our innocency and weakness, as well as the fury and rage of our adversaries, and the small sup∣port and help we find in the World, Behold we perish if thy pity do not rouze thee up to our relief; It is thou art our Rock, our God, our Father, our Deliverer; We do not place our confidence in any but in thee alone; Let us not be confounded because we put our must in thee; Haste thee to our help make no long tarry∣ing, O Lord our God and our Redeemer, Amen.

An Abstract of the Persecutions of the Protestants in Piedmont and Savoy in the years 1686 and 1687.

NOtwithstanding a perpetual and inviolable Law was ordained and solemnly confirmed to the Pro∣testants for the free exercise of their Religion, in Pied∣mont, by the several Dukes of Savoy, in the years 1638, 1649, 1654, and 1655. as you read before in the Per∣secution of the Waldenfes, yet the old Maxim of the Ro∣mish Antichristian Church, That no Faith is to be kept with Hereticks, prevailed so much, that the most solemn Oaths and Protestations were insignificant; For after that bloudy Massacre in 1655, which seemed to have ir∣recoverably destroyed the Waldenses, yet many escaped the fury of these Butchers and defended their lives with such undaunted courage that they defeated in several

Rencounters a considerable party of their Enemies, and by the mediation of several Protestant Princes and States a solemn Patent was granted them, confirming all their priviledges forever; Yet soon after the Spanish Inquisitors violated the most essential points thereof, which since they only opposed by petitions and complaints, their Im∣placable adversarys believing they could oppress them without resistance; in 1663. they imployed Fire and Sword once more against them. The Waldenses know∣ing by experience that to stand in their own defence was the only way to save themselves, were constrained to take up arms, and defended themselves so well that they re∣established their affairs again the same year; and in 1664 another solemn, perpetual and irrevocable Pa∣tent was past and inrolled in the Senate, but was execu∣ted with no better Faith than the former, yet not ab∣solutely broken till the year 1685; For though they had rendred the Duke of Savoy very considerable services the year before, in the War of the Banditi of Mondavi; Yet now the Governour of the Valleys of Piedmont pub∣lished an order which forbid all Forreigners to inhabit there, or stay above three days without permission, un∣der severe penalties; The Waldenses had already heard of the violences used in France to compel people to change their Religion, but never believed it would have been their own case till the Duke published an or∣der, Jan. 31. 1686, prohibiting the exercise of their Re∣ligion on pain of Death, and confiscation of goods, and commanding all their Churches to be demolished, their Ministers banished, and their Children to be educated in the Romish Religion, under the penalties that their Parents should be sent to the Gallies; containing almost the same things with the French Kings Declaration that annuals the Edict of Nantes. It is impossible to express the fears & grief, wherewith the Waldenses were seized at the sight of an Order so surprizing, so unjust and rigorous, whereby they were utterly deprived of their Liberty of Conscience, yet judging this order was gained by surprize they present four Petitions to the Duke of Savoy for revoking it, but found no r••••••ess, yea saw their misfortune without

remedy; when they understood, that the French King who had hitherto protected them, had obliged the Duke to publish it, and caused his own Troops to advance into Piedmont for the execution of it, and therefore they re∣solved to defend themselves, and preserve their lives from the danger that threatned them.

Mean time the Protestant Cantons of Switzerland being informed of this Order, thought they ought not to aban∣don a People Persecuted for their Religion, and there∣fore sent Ambassadors to the Duke, to know the reason thereof, who returned no other answer but, That the in∣gagements wherein he had entred with France opposed the suc∣cess of their Negotiation, whereby he had obliged himself to extirpate all the Protestants out of his Countrey; Hereupon the Waldenses fortified themselves the best they could to prevent the en∣try of French Troops, yet afterward the Duke published an Order that if they would voluntarily depart they should carry away what goods they pleased, but without fire∣arms; But the Waldenses having had such woful experi∣ence of Popish Treachery, and being satisfied that this Edict was nothing but a snare to intangle them, resolv∣ed not to accept of it, and sent the Switzer Ambassadors, by whose mediation this Edict was procured, their Re∣solutions in the matter, who used all imaginable diligence to procure them more certain and advantagious condi∣tions, but were told That as long as the Waldenses were in Arms they could agree to nothing; and the Protestants being perswaded that they would not disarm them, but that they might the easier destroy them without trouble or re∣sistance, would by no means yield to it, but resolved to defend themselves if they came to attack them.

The Duke of Savoy came into his Camp some days after the Edict, to strike terror into the Waldenses by his presence, and joining his Troops with those of France he resolved to attack the Protestants, and April 22. 1686 was the day appointed; The French Army commanded. by Cativat Governour of Casal marched two hours be∣fore day, by torch light to ingage them, but found suchs stout resistance that they lost above 500 of their men,

with several Officers of Note, the Waldenses having only two men killed; but at length the force of the Enemy was so much increased that the Protestants not being able to make resistance, yielded to lay down their arms and depart the Countrey according to the Edict, since no time was prefixt, but the French heated with their loss, massacred them without distinction of Age or Sex, putting all to the Sword that fell into their hands with∣out respect to Women or Children; yea old and sick peo∣ple had the same treatment.

In another part of the Countrey the Duke himself having burnt all the houses in his way, came to storm a Fort of the Waldenses who received him so warmly with their Muskets and Stones that they killed the Enemy 300 men, and lost only five; but being at length over-powered with number, and hearing the French were coming to assist the Duke, they treated with Don Gabriel the Dukes Uncle, who promised positively on his part and their own, that they should be absolutely pardoned if they would yield themselves to his elemency; But the Wal∣denses making some difficulty to confide in this promise, Don Gabriel sent them a note written with his own hand in the name of the Duke to this effect; Lay down your arms immediately and submit your selves to his Royal Highnesses clemency; in so doing assure your selves that he will pardon you, and that your Persons and those of your Wives and Children shall not be touched.

Notwithstanding which assurance, when the Waldenses laid down their Arms, relying on this promise, yet all that yielded were made Prisoners, and carried to the City of Lucerne under pretence of being led to make their sub∣missions to the Duke. And a multitude of others who yielded upon the like deceitful promises, had their lives taken away, and above twelve Thousand taken Prisoners. After this manner the light of the Gospel hath been ex∣tinguished in a Countrey where it hath shone so bright for so many ages; the perfidiousness and treachery of the Inquisitors having triumpht over the true Faith to the extirpation thereof; But for discovering what Spi∣rit

their Persecutors were of, we will conclude with a few instances of the horrid outrages and Cruelties they have committed on these occasions. The French Soul∣diers entring the Valley of St. Martin massacred many old Men, Women and little Children, and ravished the young Women and Maidens, whom they afterward con∣strained to march stark naked at the head of their Army, to serve for Guides; yea they were so monstrously dia∣bolical as to satiate their infamous lusts on the bodies of those they had slain. They would have defloured Margaret Marande not fourteen years old, and because her Parents made some opposition they inhumanely butchered them; Two others they slew for refusing to comply with their Villany. They put an old man into an house and burnt him in it; Four Women and three Children were murthered in a Cave where they had hid themselves; An ancient woman of fourscore they tumbled down a Rock, for not going fast enough. A great number of Women and Virgins striving to secure themselves in the Woods, were dispatcht with Muskets; The ways were strewed with the dead bodies of little Children cut to pieces, and naked Women Massacred with Swords; In the valley of St. Martin six men, twenty Women and some Children surrendred themselves to the enemy upon promise of safety, but the men were instantly shot to death in the presence of their Wives; Some they tyed to horses tails, & dragged them along till they expired. They hung up a blind old woman before her own house.

Some Souldiers having used their utmost endeavours to flea Daniel Pel••ne alive, and not being able to pull the Skin off his Shoulders, laid him on the ground with a great Stone upon his Belly where he gave up the Ghost; Margaret Sabrajote being stript stark naked was run through with a dagger in several parts of her body, yet before they cut her throat, these Ruffians mortified her little daughter about seven months old before her face, and dashed her head against the Rocks till her brains flew out; A Virgin of Body was tyed stark naked Cross

a Mule with her Nudities exposed to publick view and in this condi∣tion led through the Streets of Lucerne; The Souldiers having found a Woman named Jaimonate in a hole in a rock on the Moun∣tain of Carbonieres brought her to their Colonel a Savoyard, who de∣manded how long she had been there, and wherewith she sustained her self? who answered, she had been there eight days, and that she nourished her self with a little milk of a she Goat which she took along with her; At length they would force her to discover others who were hid, but she protesting she knew nothing of them, they put Matches to her Fingers, and tyed her Feet to her Head backward, and in this posture threw her down a Rock, but as she stopped in falling, they threw Stones and Brickbats at her till her Bowels dropt out of her Belly To pass over an inunite number of examples of barbarity of the like nature, I shall close with the death of the wor∣thy Leidet, which equally deserves pity and admiration; He was Mi∣nister of Prabe, and had hid himself some time among the Rocks, but being taken was brought to the Palace of Lucerne where the Duke of Savey then was, and being carried to the Tower was put into the Stocks, not being able to lye down, and fed with Bread and Water; They oft threatned him with death unless, he would turn Catholick, who replyed, That though he well knew they could not put him to death with Justice, since he was never in arms, yet he was prepared for death, esteeming himself most happy to s••ffer for the name of Jesus Christ. At length the Monks and Friers found out Judges (though many refused to be concerned) who were willing enough to condemn him to death; The day he was executed, his Sentence was pronounced in the presence of many Monks, which he received with a Christian resignation, without any emotion, fear, or trouble in his countenance; The Monks would not leave him, though he oft desired them, but accompanied him to the Scaffold, where he made an excellent Prayer, and died so edifying a Death that they themselves were forced to avouch he died like a Saint.

In fine, all the Heathenish and Popish Barbarities of former Ages were revived and acted over again upon these blessed Martyrs, that it is scarce possible to believe those who bear the name of Christians should be so inhumane, whereby above Eight Thousand Persons have expired, and a multitude more, even all the Protestant Inha∣bitants of those once flourishing Valleys of Piedmont driven into ba∣nishment, though kindly received by the Switzers and those of Ge∣nev•• who with Christian compassion treated them with all manner of kindess and tenderness. Let us all who have been so lately de∣livered from the like treatment which was designed for us, never forget so wonderful a Salvation, but be truly thankful to God, and our most gracious King and Queen, whom the Almighty hath been pleased to make the glorious Instruments of our redemption from Po∣pery and Slavery; To which let all good Protestants and Englishmen say, Amen.

Gods Judgments upon Popish Persecutors, discovered in some eminent Examples.

1. FRom the First plantation of the Christian Reli∣gion in this Nation under King Lucius, there was never any King or Queen of England in whose Reign so much Christian blood was spilt, as in four years space during the Reign of Queen Mary; But as she was prodi∣gal of the Lives of the best of her Subjects, and a Perse∣cutor of the Gospel, so it pleased God to follow her with Plagues and Judgments all her life; for nothing prospered which she took in hand; of which we shall give some few Instances. The fairest and greatest Ship she had, called the Great Harry, was burnt by Lightning from Heaven, the Christian World at that time not affording such another. Then she would needs marry Philip King of Spain, thereby Subjecting England to Strangers, yet with her utmost endeavour, she could never set the English Crown on his head. Then did she attempt the Restitution of Abby Lands, and had all the assistance that the Pope could give her therein, yet she was utterly crost also in that Design. Then she lost Calice in France, which had been in the possesion of the English during the Reign of eleven Kings, that is, from the Reign of King Edward the third; with which loss she was so afflicted, that she told some of her Courtiers, If they opened her body when she was dead, they would find Calice written in her heart. She was reported to be with Child, but it came to nothing. Her beloved Hus∣band left her, in whom she placed her greatest felicity and content. So that now she could neither enjoy him, nor marry another. About the same time the Land was grievously afflicted with horrible Tempests, Fa∣mines, Plagues, mortal Diseases and burning Agues, so that between October and December, there died seven Al∣dermen

in London that had been Lord Mayors; and the mortality was so great, that much Corn was lost in the Fields, for want of men to gather it; whereby great scarcity ensued, and many poor people lived upon Accorns. And lastly, she was struck with a lingring and pining sickness, whereof she died; having only reigned Five years and Five month••, a shorter time than any of the Kings of England enjoyed since the Con∣quest, Richard the Third only excepted.

2. In the next place, let us consider Gods Judgments upon some other Instruments of Cruelty; and among the rest, Stephen Gardiner, who was a most Cruel Persecu∣tor of the Protestants; In King Heary the Eighths time he was a great stickler for the divorce from the Lally Katherine of Spain, and was therefore made Bishop of Winchester. In King Edward the sixths time he seemed a Friend to the Gospel, and preached it up; but in Queen Mary's days he was the greatest and most inveterate enemy against it, and the professor thereof, and con∣tinued so to his dying day; For the same day that Bishop Ridley, and Bishop Latimer were burnt at Oxford, the old Duke of Norfolk came to dine with Gardiner: The Bishop deferred his Dinner till about four a Clock in the Afternoon, at which time came one of his Ser∣vants posting to tell him, that fire was put to these Ser∣vants of God; which when he was certified of, he came out rejoyeing to the Duke, and said, Now let us go to din∣ner; The Table was presently set, and the Bishop began to eat merrily, but as soon as he had earen a few bits, he was on a sudden struck very sick, and being carried from the Table to Bed, he there continued in such into∣lerable Anguish and Torment, that he could void no∣thing either by Stool or Urine. His Tongue was black and swoln so big that his mouth could not contain it, and his body violently Inflamed. In this sad condition he lay fifteen days, and then ended his miserable life. In the beginning of his sickness, Dr. Day Bishop of Chichester coming to see him, began to speak to him about the merciful Promises of God, and free Justification by the

blood of Christ. To whom he answered, What, my Lord, will you open that gap now? then farewell all together; Open this window to the People, and farewell all together; And be∣ing by another Person put in mine of St. Peters denying his Master, and that he ought not to despair; He an∣swered, I have denied Christ with Peter, but I never re∣pented with Peter.

3. Bloody Bonner, though he died in his bed, yet lay under the Spiritual Judgment of Impenitency, and as he had been a Persecutor of the Light, and a Child of Darkness, so in darkness and at midnight his Carkass was tumbled into the Earth; And as himself had been a Murderer, so was he laid among Thieves and Murderers, a place by Gods Judgment fitly appointed for him.

4. Dr. Whittington Chancellor, having condemned a Godly Religious woman to be Burnt at Chipping Sad∣bury, a multitude of People came to see her Suffer, and among the rest Whittington himself. At the same time there was a Butcher in another place of the Town, killing a Bull, who was fast bound with a Rope ready to be knockt on the head; the Butcher missing his stroke, the Bull broke loose just as the people were coming from the Execution of this Holy Martyr; the people seeing him coming severed themselves, and made a Lane for him; the Bull passed through them without hurting man, woman or child, till he came to the place where Whittington was, against whom he ran very furiously, and thrusting his Horns into his belly, ran him quite through; and tearing out his Guts with his horns, he trail'd them about the streets, to the great astonishment of those that saw his wretched end.

5. One Burton Bayliff of Crowland in Lincolnshire, seem∣red in King Edward the Sixths days to be a zealous Pro∣testant, but as soon as Queen Mary came to the Crown he turned Papist; and being forward to set up the Mass, he went to Church, and the Curate being then reading the English Service, he went to him and said, Sirrah, will you not say Mass, buckle your self to it, you knave, or by Gods

Blood I'le sheath my dagger in your shoulder; The poor Cu∣rate being affrighted betook himself to the Mass. Shortly after, this Burton and a neighbour riding together, a Crow flew over his head, and voided her Excrements upon his Nose, which ran down his beard, and yielded such an horrible stink, that it caused him to vomit in a most violent manner, whereupon he got home to bed, but could eat nothing, the stink and vomiting still con∣tinuing, which made him with dreadful Oaths and Exe∣crations curse the Crow that had poisoned him, and so he continued in extream pain till he died.

6. Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury having silen∣ced many faithful Protestant Ministers; by Gods just Judgment had his Tongue swell'd so big in his mouth, that he could neither speak, eat nor drink for several days, and so died of Hunger: after he had starved many poor Christian Souls, and burned their bodies to ashes.

7. One James Abbes was burned for a Martyr; and as he went toward the Stake, some poor People met him, begging Alms from him; and because he had no money, he plucked off his Cloaths, even to his shirt, and distributed them among them, and withal earnestly ex∣horted them, To be strong in the Lord, and as faithful fol∣lowers of Christ, to stand stedfast in the Truth of the Gospel, which with Gods assistance (said he) I will now in your sight seal with my Blood. But whilst he was thus speaking, one of the Sheriffs men who stood by, and heard him, cryed out and exclaimed aloud against him to the Peo∣ple, saying, Good People believe him not, he is an Heretick, and a mad man, and out of his wits, believe him not, for it is Heresie which he speaketh; And as Mr. Abbes continued his Exhortation, this wretch constantly exclaimed against him all the way as he went to the stake, at which this Faithful Martyr was burned. But as soon as the Fire was kindled, the fearful stroke of Gods Justice fell upon this wretch, who immediately before all the Peo∣ple fell mad and distracted, wherewith he had a while before charged that blessed Servant of Christ; and in a

furious manner pulling off his Cloaths, he said, Thus did James Abbes, the True Servant of God, who is Saved, but I am Damned; And so he ran about the Town, still cry∣ing out that James Abbes was a good man, and was saved, but he was damned: Upon which his Master caused him to be cloathed and bound, and to be kept in a dark Room; but as soon as the company were departed, he tent off his cloaths again, continually roaring and crying out, James Abbes was the true Servant of God, and is saved, but I am Damned; and thus he continued to his Death.

8. David Beaton that bloody Archbishop, and Cardi∣nal of Scotland, who amongst others had condemned and burned one George Wisheart before mentioned, was short∣ly after assaulted by some Persons, who broke into his Castle, and murthered him in his Bed, he crying out, Alas, Alas, slay me not, I am a Priest; When he was dead, he lay seven Months unburied, and at last like a Carrion he was buried in a Dunghill.

9. One Pavie Town-Clerk of London, was a very cruel Enemy to the Protestants in King Henry the Eighths Reign, and swore a great Oath, That if he thought the King would set forth the Scriptures in English, he would rather tut his own throat than live till that time; But (saith the Author) he broke his promise, for instead thereof he shortly after hanged himself.

10. Foxford Chancellor to Stokesly Bishop of London, a Bloody Persecutor, and common Butcher of the Ser∣vants of God, died suddenly sitting in his Chair, his Belly bursting, and his guts falling out before him.

11. Doctor Story a bloody Persecutor in Queen Marys days, when Queen Elizabeth came to the Crown, could not forbear to curse her daily in his Grace at Table, and was deservedly hanged for his Treason therein.

12. One Rockwood who was a great stirrer up of Per∣secution against the Protestants, suddenly fell sick, star∣ing, raging, and crying out, I am utterly damned; And being exhorted to ask mercy of God, he cryed and roar∣ed out, It is now too late, for I have maliciously sought the Death of many Godly Persons, and that against my own Con∣science,

and therefore it is now too late; And thus he con∣tinued to his Death.

13. John Martin a great Enemy to the Waldenses, used commonly to threaten, That he would slit the Nose of one of their Chief Protestant Ministers; but a while after he was assaulted by a Wolf, which bit off his Nose, where∣upon he ran mad, and died.

14. Before the great and dreadful Persecution of the Protestants in Bohemia, it pleased God to give them warning thereof, by divers Wonders and Prodigies; In several places divers Suns were seen together; At Prague the Sun seemed to dart out balls of fire; like∣wise a flying a Dragon flaming horribly, was seen through all Bohemia and Silesia; A Spring flowed with blood for a whole Month together; as Fish Pond was wholly turn∣ed into Blood for the space of three days. A great flock of Crows and Daws fought together for the space of a whole day, muldtitudes being slain; At Prague it rained Brimstone, and the Image of the Crucifix being set up was struck down with a Thunder-Bolt; the Gates of some Cities opened of their own accord; many Bi∣bles being thrown into a great fire were untouched, only the Margin a little scorched: It pleased God like∣wise eminently to shew his Judgments upon divers of the Romish Persecutors; One Vomited out his ungodly Soul with his blood; Another ran mad, and cast him∣self down from the top of his house, and fearfully roar∣ing, breathed his last; Another shot himself to death with his own Pistol; Another ran mad, and fell into such a Disease that none could come near him for the stink, and at last was choaked with vomiting up abun∣dance of Blood; Another being taken with a sudden Disease, grew as black as a coal, and uttered his Speech like the barking of a Dog, and within three days died with terrible pains; which happened according to what St. Paul writes, 2 Thess. 1.6, 7. It is a Righteous thing with God to Render Tribulation to them that trouble you; and to them that are troubled, rest.

FINIS.

A Catalogue of Books Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultrey near Cheapside.

History.

I. ENglands Monarchs: Or, A Compendious Rela∣tion of the most Remarkable Transactions, from Julius Caesar to this present; Adorned with Poems, and the Picture of every Monarch from King William the Conqueror, to the Third year of K. William and Q. Mary. With a List of the Nobility; The Knights of the Gar∣ter; The number of the Lords and Commons, who have Votes in both Houses of Parliament: And many other useful particulars. Price One Shilling.

II. THE Wars in England, Scotland and Ireland; containing a particular and Impartial Ac∣count of all the Battels, Sieges, and other Remarkable Transactions, Revolutions and Accidents which hap∣pened from the beginning of the Reign of K. Charles I. 1625. to His Majesties happy Restauration; The ille∣gal Tryal of K. Charles I at large, with his last Speech at his Suffering. And the most considerable matters till 1660. With Pictures of several Accidents. Price One Shilling.

III. HIstorical Remarks and Observations of the Antient and Prisent State of London and Westminster; shewing the Foundations, Walls, Gates, Towers, Bridges, Churches, Rivers, Wards, Halls, Companies, Government, Courts, Hospitals, Schools, Inns of Courts Charters, Franchises, and Priviledges thereof; with an account of the most remarkable Accidents, as to Wars, Fires, Plagues, and other occurrences, for above 903 years past, in and about these Cities, to the year 1681 Illustrated with Pictures, and the Arms of 65 Companies of London, and the time of their Incorporz∣ting.

Price One Shilling.

IV. ADmirable Curiosities, Rarities and Wonders in Eng∣land Scotland and Ireland; or an account of ma∣ny remarkable persons and places; and likewise of the Battles, Seiges, prodigious Earthquakes, Tempests, Inundations, Thunders, Lightnings, Fires, Murders andother considerable Occurrences and Accidents for, many hundred years past. Together with the natural and artificial Rarities in every County in England, with several curious Sculptures. Price One Shilling.

V. THE History of the Kingdoms of Scotland and Ireland, containing, 1. An Account of the most Remarkable Transactions and Revolutions in Scot∣land for above 1200 years past, during the Reigns of 68 Kings, from 424. to K. James the first in 1602. 2. The History of Ireland from the Conquest thereof to this time; with the Miraculous Persons and Places, Strange Accidents, &c. And a List of the Nobility and Great Officers of State in both Kingdoms. Illustrated with se∣veral Pictures of some extraordinary Observables. Price One Shilling.

VI. THE English Empire in America, or a pros∣pect of his Majesties Dominions in the West-Indies, namely, New found-land, New England, New-York, New-Jersey, Pensyivania, Mary-land, Virginia, Ca∣rolina, Bermuda's, Barbuda, Anguilla, Monserrat, Dominica, St. Vincent, Antego, Mevis or Nevis, St. Christophers, Barbadoes, and Jamaica; with an Account of their Discovery, Sci∣tuation and Product; The Religion and manners of the Indians, and other excellencies of these Countreys; To which •• Prefixed a Relation of the first Discovery of this New-World, and of the Remarkable Voyages, and Adventures of Sebastian Cabot, Sir Martin Frobisher, Captain Davies, Capt. Weymouth, Capt. Hall, Captain Hudson, Sir Thomas Cavendish, the Earl of Cumberland, Sir Walter Rawleigh, and other English Worthies to di∣vers places therein. Illustrated with Maps and Pictures of the strange Fruits, Birds, Beasts, Fishes, Insects, Serpents, and Monsters found in those parts of the World. Price One Shilling.

VII. A View of the English Acquisitions in Guinea and the East-Indies. With an Account of the Religion, Government, Wars, strange Customs, Beasts, Serpents, Monsters, and other Observables in those Countreys. And among others, the Life and Death of Mahomet the Grand Impostor, with the Prin∣cipal Doctrines of the Turkish Religion as they are dis∣play'd in the Alcoran. Two Letters, one written by the Great Mogul, and the other by the King of Sumatra in the East-Indies, to our K. James I. of an unusual and extravagant stile; The cruel Executions in those Parts; With the manner of the Womens burning themselves with their dead Husbands. Together with a Descrip∣tion of the Isle of St. Helena; And the Bay of Soulda∣nia where the English usually refresh in their Voyages to the Indies. Intermixt with pleasant Relations, and Enlivened with Pictures. Price one Shilling.

VIII. THE English Heroe: or, Sir Francis Drake Revived. Being a full Account of the Dan∣gerous Voyages, Admirable Adventures, Notable Dis∣coveries, and Magnanimous Atchievements of that Va∣liant and Renowned Commander. As, I. His Voyage in 1572. to Nombre de Dios in the West-Indies, where they saw a Pile of Bars of Silver near seventy foot long, ten ••oot broad, and twelve foot high. II. His incompas∣sing the whole World in 1577. which he performed in Two years and Ten months, gaining a vast quantity of Gold and Silver. III. His Voyage into America in 1585. and taking the Towns of St. Jago, St. Domingo, Cartha∣gina, and St. Augustine. IV. His last Voyage into those Countreys in 1595. with the manner of his Death and Burial. Revised, Corrected, very much inlarged, re∣duced into Chapters with Contents, and beautified with Pictures. By R.B. Price One Shilling.

IX. TWo Journeys to Jerusalem, Containing first, An Account of the Travels of two English Pil∣grims some years since, and what Admirable Accidents befel them in their Journey to Jerusalem, Grand Cairo,

Alexandria, &c. 2. The Travels of 14 English Merchants in 1669. from Scandcroon to Tripoly, Joppa, Ramah, Jeru∣salem, Bethlehem, Jericho, the River of Jordan, the Lake of Sodom and Gomorrah, and back again to Aleppo. To which is added, a Relation of the great Council of the Jews assembled in the Plains of Ajayday in Hungary 1650. to examine the Scriptures concerning Christ. By S.B. an English-man there present: With the notorious De∣lusion of the Jews, by a countersen Messith, or false Christ at Smyrna in 1666 and the erent thereof, Lastly, The Extirpation of the Jews throughout Persia in 1666. Epistle of King Agbarus to our Saviour with our Savi∣our's Answer; Beautified with Pictures. Price One Shilling.

X. EXtra•••• dinary Adventures of several Famous Men; with the strange Events, and signal Mutations and Changes in the Fortunes of divers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lestrious places and persons in all Ages, Being an Ac∣count of a multitude of ••••opendi••••s revolutions, acci∣den•••• and ob••ervable matters in divers States, and Pro∣vinces throughout the whole world. With Pictures. Price One Shilling.

XI. THE Ru••••y of the Nine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the World; Three whereof were Gentiles; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hector Son of ••riamus King of Troy 2. Alexander the Grcat King of Macedon and Conqueror of the World. 3. Juliu•• Caesar first Emperor of Rome. Three Jews. 4. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 General and Leader of ••••ael into Ca∣naan. 5. David King of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 6. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. M••••abeus a Va∣〈…〉〈…〉 Jen••••h Commender against the T••ranny of Antio∣〈◊〉〈◊〉. Three Christ••••••. 7. Arthur King of Brittain, who couragiously de••ended his Countrey against the Sa••••••es. 8. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈…〉〈…〉 of France and Emperor of Gomany; 9. Godsrey of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 King of Jerusalem. Be∣ing an account of their 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Worthy Actions, renowned Victories and Dear••s. Illustrated 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the Picture of each Worthy. By R. B. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••hilling.

XII. FEmale Excellency or the Ladies Glory, Illu∣strated in the Worthy Lives and Memorable Actions of Nine Famous Women, who have been re∣nowned either for Virtue or Valour in several Ages of the World: As, I. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Prophetess. II. The Vali∣ant Judith. III. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 IV. The Virtuous Susan∣na. V. The Cha•••• ••••••••retia. VI Voadicia Queen of Brit∣tain in the reign 〈…〉〈…〉 of Kome. Containing an Account of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 inha••••tants of Brittain. The History of Danaus and his Fifty Daughters who murder∣ed their Husbands in one night; Of the arrival of Brute. Of the Two Gian••s Corineous and Gogmagog; Of King L••ar and his three Daughters; Of Belin and Bren∣nus who rook the City of Rome; Of the manner of Juli∣us Caesars invading Brittain, and of the Valour of Voadi∣cia under whose ••••nduct the Brittains slew seventy thou∣sand Romans, with many other remarkable particulars. VII. Mariamne Wife to King Herod. VIII. Clotilda Queen of France. IX. A••degona Princess of Spain. The whole adorned with Poems and Pictures to each History. By R.B. Price One Shilling.

XIII. VVOnderful Prodigies of Judgment and Mercy, discovered in above 300 memorable Histories, containing, 1. Dreadful Judg∣ments upon Atheists, Blasphemers, and perjured Vil∣lains. 2. The miserable ends of many Magicians, &c. 3. Remarkable predictions and presages of approach∣ing death, and how the event has been answerable. 4. Fearful Judgments upon bloudy Tyrants, Murde∣rers, &c. 5. Admirable Deliverances from imminent dangers, and deplorable distresses at Sea and Land. Lastly, Divine goodness to Penitents, with the Dying Thoughts of several famous Men, concerning a future state after this Life. Imbellished with divers Pictures. Price One Shilling.

XIV. UNparallel'd Varieties, or the Matchless Actions and Passions of Mankind; display'd in near 400 notable instances and examples; Discover∣ing

the transcendent effects; 1. Of Love, Friendship and Gratitude, 2. Of Magnanimity, Courage, and Fidelity. 3. Of Chastity, Temperance, and Humiaty, And on the contrary, the Tremendous Consequences. 4. Of Ha∣tred, Revenge and Ingratitude. 5. Of Cowardice, Barba∣rity, and Treachery. 6. Of Ʋnchastity, Intemperance and Am∣bition. Imbellished with proper Figures. Pr. 1. s.

XV. THE Kingdom of Darkness: Or the History of Demons, Specters, Witches, Apparitions, Possessions, Disturbances, and other wonderful and su∣pernatural Delusions, Mischievous Feats, and Malicious Impostures or the Devil. Containing near Fourscore memorable Relations, Forreign and Domestick, both Antient and Modern. Collected from Authentick Re∣cords, Real Attestations, Credible Evidences and assert∣ed by Authors of Undoubted Verity. Together with a Preface obviating the common Objections and Allegati∣ons of the Sadduces and Atheists of the Age, who deny the Being of Spirits, Witches, &c. With Pictures of several memorable Accidents. Price One Shilling.

XVI. SUrprizing Miracles of Nature and Art, in 2 parts containing, I. The Miracles of Nature, or the wonderful Signs, and Prodigious Aspects and Appearances in the Heavens, Earth and Sea; With an Account of the most samous Comets, and other Prodigies, from the Birth of Christ to this time. II. The Miracles of Art, describing the most Maguisicent Buildings, and other curious Inven∣tions in all Ages, as, the Seven Wonders of the World, and many other excelient Structures and Rarities through∣out the Earth. Beautified with Pictures. Pr. 1 Shilling.

XVII. THE ••carlet Woore, or the wicked Abomina∣tions, and horrid Cruelties and Persecuti∣ons of the Pope and Church of Rome displayed. Being a brief Rela••ion of their Bloody Practices, and Inhu∣mane Tor••ures inflicted upon Protestants for many hundred ••ears past to this present, in all Countreys where they had Authority and Dominion; namely, in Piedmont, Bo••••mia, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, France,

Italy, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Scotland, Ireland, and Eng∣and; Containing among many other particulars; The Original and Practices of the Spanish Inquisition; The Massacre at Paris; The bloody Massacre in Ireland 1641. wherein above two hundred Thousand innocent Protestants were barbarously murdered, and the Pro∣phecy thereof by Arch-bishop Ʋsher Forty years before it happened; The Spanish Invasion; The Gun-pow∣der-Treason, with the several Plots and Contrivances of the Priests and Jesuits for Extirpating the Protestant Religion, till the time of our Glorious Deliverance from Popery and Slavery, by the Accession of their most Excellent Majesties King William and Queen Ma∣ry to the Throne of these Kingdoms. With an Abstract of the Cruel Persecutions lately exercised upon the Protestants in France and Savoy, in the years 1686, and 1687. Together with a short Account of Gods Judg∣ments upon Popish Persecutors. Published for a Sea∣sonable warning to all Protestants, to inform them what they must expect from that bloody Generation of Antichristians. Price One Shilling.

Miscellanies;

XVIII. DElights for the Ingenious, in above Fifty Select and choice Emblems Divine and Moral, Ancient and Modern, Curiously Ingraven upon Copper Plates; with Fifty delightful Poems and Lots, for the more Lively Illustration of each Emblem; Wherby Instruc∣tion and good Counsel may be promoted and furthered by an honest and pleasant Recreation, To which is per∣fixed, An incomparable Poem intituled Majesty in Misery, or an Imploration to the King of Kings written by his late Majesty, K. Charles 1 with his own Hand during his Captivity in Carisbrook Castle in the Isleof wight 1648. With a curious Emblem. Collected by R.B. Pr. 2 s. 6 d.

XIX EXcellent Contemplations Divine and Moral Written by the Magnanimous and truly

Loyal A.L. Capel Baron of Hadham; Together with some Account of his Life, and his affectionate Letters to his Lady the day before his Death, with his Heroick Beha∣viour and last Speech at his Suffering; Also the Speeches and Carriages of D. Ham. and the E. of Holl. who suffered with him: With his pious Advice to his Son. Price 1 s.

XX. VVInter Evenings Entertainments in 2 Parts Containing, 1. Ten Pleasant Relations of many Rate and Notable Accidents and Occurrences; with brief Remarks upon every one. 2. Fifty Ingeni∣ous Riddles, with their Explanations, and useful Ob∣servations; and Morals upon each. Enlivened with above 60 Pictures, for illustrating every Story and Rid∣dle. Excellently Accommodated to the Fancies of Old or Young, and useful to chearful Society and Conver∣sation. Price One Shilling.

XXI. DElightful Fables in Prose and Verse, none of them to be found in Aesop, but collect∣ed from divers Ancient and Modern Authors; with Pictures and proper Morals to every Fable. Several of them very pertinent and applicable to the present times. Published as a means which in all Ages hath been found for pleasure and likewise for instruction in the prudent conduct of our Lives and Actions. By R. B. Price Bound One Shilling,

Divinity.

XXII. THE Divine Banquet, or Sacramental Devoti∣ons, consisting of Morning and Evening Prayers, Contemplations and Hymns for every day in the Week, in order to a more Solemn Preparation for the worthy Receiving of the Holy Communion, Repre∣senting the several steps and degrees of the Sorrow and sufferings of our blessed Saviour, till he gave up the Ghost; As, 1. His Agony in the Garden. 2. His be∣ing betrayed by Jud as. 3. His being falsly Accused, Smitten, Buffeted and Spit upon before Caiaphas the high priest.

4. His Condemnation, Scourging, Crowning with Thorns, and being delivered to be Crucified by Pontius Pilate. 5. His bearing his Cross to Golgotha. 6. His Crucifixion and bit∣ter Passion. 7. Our Saviours Institution of the Blessed Sacra∣ment. Together with brief Resolutions to all those Scru∣ples and Objections usually alledged for the omission of this important Duty. With Eight curious Sculptures proper to the several parts, with Graces. Imprimatur. Z. Isham, R. P. D. Hen. Epis. Loud. à Sacris. Price One Shilling.

XXIII. A Guide to eternal Glory: Or, Brief Directi∣ons to all Christians how to attain Ever∣lasting Salvation: To which are added several other small Tracts; As I. Saving Faith discovered in three Heavenly Conferences between our Blessed Saviour and 1. A Publican. 2. A Pharisee. 3. A Doubting Christian. II. The Threefold state of a Christian. 1. By Nature. 2. By Grace. 3. In Glory. III. The Scriptures Concord, compiled out of the words of Scripture, by way of Question and Answer, wherein there is the sum of the way to Salvation, and Spiritual things compared with Spiritual. IV. The Character of a True Christian. V. A brief Directory for the Great, Neces∣sary and Advantagious Duty of Self-Examination, where∣by a serious Christian may every day Examine himself. VI. A short Di••••ogue between a Learned Divine and a Beggar. VII. Beams of the Spirit, or Cordial Meditations, Enlivening, Enlight••ing, and Gladding the Soul. VIII. The Seraphick Souls Triumph in the Love of God. With short remembrances and Pious thoughts. IX. History Improv∣ed or Christian Applications and Improvements of di∣vers remarkable passages in History. X. Holy Breathings in several Divine Poems upon divers Subjects and Scrip∣tures. Price One Shilling.

XXIV. YOuths Divine Pastime; Containing Forty Remarkable Scripture Histories, turned in∣to common English Verse. With Forty Pictures proper to each Story; very delightful for the virtuous imploy∣ing

the vacant hours of Young Persons, and preventing vain and vitious Divertisements. Together with several Scripture Hymns upon divers occasions. Price 8 d.

XXV. THE Young Mans Calling or the whole Duty of Youth, in a serious and com∣passionate Address to all young persons to remember their Creator in the days of their Youth. Together with Remarks upon the Lives of several excellent young Persons of both Sexes, as well Ancient as Modern, who have been famous for Virtue and Piety in their Genera∣tions, namely, on the Lives of Isaac and Joseph in their youth. On the Martyrdom of seven Sons and their Mo∣ther. Of Romanus a young Nobleman, and of divers Holy Virgins and Martyrs. On the Lives of King Ed∣ward. VI. Queen Jane, Queen Elizabeth in her youth, Prince Henry Eldest son of King James, and the young Lord Harrington, &c. With twelve curious Pictures, Il∣lustrating the several Histories. Price 1. s. 6. d.

XXVI. THE Vanity of the Life of Man represent∣ed in the Seven several Stages thereof; With Pictures and Poems exposing the Follies of eve∣ry Age. To which is added, Verses upon several Sub∣jects and Occasions. Containing, The History of the cruel Death of Cassianus Bishop and School-Master of Brescia in Italy, who suffered Martyrdom for the Pro∣fession of the Christian Faith by the hands of his own Scholars in the Bloudy Reign of Dioclesian an Heathen Emperor of Rome; With divers other Poems compiled by Mrs. Ann Askew and Mr. John Rogers whilst they were Prisoners in Newgate, and afterward burnt in Smithfield, In the bloudy Reign of Queen Mary. By R B. Licensed and Entred. Price Eight Pence.

XXVII. MOunt Sion, or a Draught of that Church that shall stand for ever. Together with a view of that World which shall be broken in pieces and consumed. By William Dyer, Author of Christs Fa∣mous Titles, and a Believers Golden Chain. Price One Shilling.

XXVIII. DIstressed Sion Relieved, or, the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness. A Poem. Wherein are Discovered the grand Causes of the Churches trouble and misery under the late dis∣mal Dispensation. With a compleat History of, and Lamentation for those Renowned Worthies that fell in England by Popish rage and cruelty, from the Year 1680 to 1688. As the Lord Russel, Collonel Sydney, Alderman Cornish, and divers others; With a Relation of the cruel proceedings, of the late Lord Chancellor Jefferys in the West. Together with an account of the late Admirable and Stupendious Providence which hath wrought such a sudden and wonderful Deliverance for this Nation, and Gods Sion therein. Concluding with the Tryal and Condemnation of Mystery Babylon the Great Whore; & divers Hymns of Praise & Thanks∣giving: with Sighs for Ireland. Humbly Dedicated to their Present Majesties. By Benjamin Keach, Author of. Book called, Sion in Distress, or the Groans of the True Protestant Church. Price One Shilling.

XXIX. ANtichrist Stormed, or the Church of Rome proved to be Mystery Babylon the Great Whore, Revel. 17. by many and undeniable Argu∣ments Answering all the Objections of the Papists, and all others. Together with the Judgment of ma∣ny Ancient and Modern Divines, and most Eminent Writers about the Mystical Numbers in Daniel and Revelations, concerning the rise and final ruin of the Beast and Babylon, proving it will be in this present Age. Together with an Account of the Two Wit∣nesses, who they are, their Slaying, Resurrection and Ascension, with the probability of their being now up∣on their Rising; shewing also what their Ascension is, and the glorious Effects thereof. With an Account of many strange Predictions relating to these present Times. By Benjamin Keach. Price One Shilling.

XXX. THE Devout Soul's Daily Exercise in Prayers, Contemplations and Praises,

containing Devotions for Morning, Noon, and Night, for every day in the week; with Prayers before and af∣ter the Holy Communion: And likewise for Persons of all conditions, and upon all occasions: With Graces and Thanksgivings before and after Meat. By R.P. D.D. Price bound Six Pence.

XXXI. SAcramental Meditations upon divers select pla∣ces of Scripture, wherein Believers are assisted in preparing their hearts, and exciting their af∣fections and graces when they draw nigh to God in that most awful and solemn Ordinance of the Lords Supper. By Jo. Flavel Minister of Christ in Devon. Pr. 1. s.

XXXII. JACOB Wrestling with GOD, And pre∣vailing: Or a Treatise concerning the Necessity and Efficacy of Faith in Prayer: Where••, divers weighty Questions and Cases of Conscience a∣bout Praying in Faith, are stated and resolved: For the comforting and satisfying of weak and scrupulos, Consciences: The Conviction of formal Hypocrites, awakening of all Saints, both weak and strong, great and small, to this great duty of Prayer. By Thomes Taylor formerly at Edmunds-Bury, now Pastor to a Congregation in Cambridge. Price One Shilling.

All Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultrey near Cheapside.

FINIS,