punishment for the truth which I have professed I esteem not of this world nor the treasures of it more than for my necessary uses and the rest to bestow in the propagation and maintenance of the Gospel And I beseech God daily upon my knees for my wife and children that they may all continue in this quarrel even to the death And when he came to his execution he patiently and comfortably slept in the Lord. At the same time there was also brought forth one John Gonsalvo formerly a Priest but by his diligent study of the Scripture it pleased God to reveal his truth to him so that he became a zealous Preacher of it labouring in all his Sermons to beat into mens minds the true way and means of our Justification to consist in Christ alone and in stedfast faith in him for which he was apprehended and cast into prison where he endured all their cruely with a Christian courage At last with two of his Sisters he was condemned His mother and one of his brothers were also imprisoned with him for the truth and executed shortly after When he with his sisters went out at the Castle gate having his tongue at liberty he began to sing the 106. Psalm before all the People who had oft heard him make many godly Sermons He also condemned all hypocrites as the worst sort of People Whereupon they stocked his tongue Upon the stage he never changed countenance nor was at all daunted When they all came to the stake they had their tongues loosed and were commanded to say their Creed which they did chearfully when they came to those words The holy Catholick Church They were commanded to adde Of Rome but that they all refused whereupon their necks were broken in a trice and then 't was noised abroad that they had added those words and died confessing the Church of Rome to be the true Catholick Church There was in Sivil a private Congregation of Gods people most of which the Inquisitors consumed in the fire as they could discover any of them amongst others that were apprehended they took four women famous above the rest for their holy and godly conversation but especially the youngest of them who was not above one and twenty years old who by her diligent and frequent reading of the Scriptures and by conference with godly and learned men had attained to a very great measure of knowledge so that whilst she was in Prison she non-plus'd and put to shame many of those Friars that came to seduce her Another of these women was a grave Matron whose house was a School of vertue and a place where the Saints used to meet serve God day and night but the time being come wherein they were ripe for God they together with other of their neighbours were apprehended and cast into prison where they were kept in dark dungeons and forced to endure all the cruel and extream torments which are before mentioned At last they were condemned and brought forth to the scaffold amongst other Prisoners The young maid especially came with a merry and cheerful countenance as it were triumphing over the Inquisitors and having her tongue at liberty she began to sing Psalms to God whereupon the Inquisitors caused her tongue to be nipped by setting a Barnacle upon it After sentence read they were carried to the place of execution where with much constancy and courage they ended their lives Yet the Inquisitors not satisfied herewith caused the house of the Matron where the Church used to meet to be pulled down and the ground to be laid waste and a pillar to be erected upon it with an inscription shewing the cause There was also apprehended another worthy member of the same Congregation called Ferdinando he was of a fervent spirit and very zealous in doing good A young man but for integrity of life very famous He had spent eight years in educating of youth and had endeavoured to sow the seeds of Piety in the hearts of his Scholars as much as lay in him to do in a time of so great persecution and tyranny being at the last apprehended for a Lutheran he was cast into prison and terribly tormented upon the Jeobit and in the Trough whereby he was so shaken in every joynt that when he was taken down he was not able to move any part of his body yet did those cruel tormentors draw him by the heels into his prison as if he had been a dead dog But notwithstanding all his torments he answered the Inquisitors very stoutly and would not yield to them one jot During his imprisonment God used him as an instrument to recal and confirme a Monk who had been cast into prison for confessing the Gospel openly But by means of the Inquisitors flatteries and fair promises he had somewhat relented Gods Providence so ordering it that Ferdinando was cast into the same prison and finding the Monk wavering he rebuked him sharply and afterwards having drawn him to a sight of and sorrow for his sinne he at last strengthned him in the promises of free grace and mercy Hereupon the Monk desired a day of hearing where before the Inquisitors he solemnly renounced his recantation desiring that his former confession might stand whereupon the sentence of death passed against them both after which the Inquisitors asked Ferdinando whether he would revoke his former heresies to which he answered That he had professed nothing but what was agreeable to the pure and perfect Word of God and ought to be the profession of every Christian man and therefore he would stick to it to the death Then did they clap a Barnacle upon his tongue and so they were burned together There was also one Juliano called The little because he was of a small and weak body who going into Germany was there conversant with divers learned and godly men by which means he attained to the knowledge of the truth and became a zealous Professor of it and earnestly longing after the salvation of his Countreymen he undertook a very dangerous work which was to convey two great dry Fat 's full of Bibles printed in Spanish into his own Countrey In this attempt he had much cause of fear the Inquisitors had so stopped every Port and kept such strict watch to prevent the coming in of all such commodities but through Gods mighty protection he brought his burden safely thither and which was almost miraculous he conveyed them safe into Sivil notwithstanding the busie searchers and catch-poles that watched in every corner These Bibles being dispersed were most joyfully and thankfully received and through Gods blessing wrought wonderfully amongst Gods people to ripen them against the time of harvest But at last the matter broke out by the means of a false brother who going to the Inquisitors played the Judas and betrayed the whole Church to them So that there
and Tailleret The lesser part went towards Villars the people seeing their enemies approaching called upon God with fervent prayer then set upon their enemies slew some hurt others and the rest fled The other company going towards Tailleret they of that place were but few in number yet making their prayers to God and commending their cause to him they set valiantly upon their enemies during which bickering they of Villars encouraged by their late success came to help their friends and set so lustily upon their enemies that they put them to flight but in the pursuit of them they fell into an ambush and were environed by their enemies yet through Gods mercy they all escaped without the losse of one man on the enemies side there were so many slain that they were laid together by whole Cart-loads Another party of the enemies going to spoil a rich mans house some of his neighbours not being above seventy set upon them put them to flight took away their Drum and recovered their booty from them Then did the Lord of Trinity send to them telling them how much the Duke and his Dutchesse favoured them and promised himselfe to mediate for them that they might live in peace But whilest by these pretences he sought to make them secure he sent part of his Army to get the hill of Tailleret and another part had already gotten the way that led to the meddow of Tour whereby the Angrognians might have been easily enclosed but they perceiving it immediatly sent some to encounter with their enemies who gat the victory pursued them to their camp and slew very many of them without the losse of one man The Lord of Trinity cunningly excused this attempt and sent to them to draw up a supplication to the Duke which was accordingly done wherein they promised to render all honour and reverence unto God according to his Word and all due obedience to the Duk c. But in the mean time Trinity grievously vexed them of Tailleret upon pretence that they had not presented themselves to treat of this agreement taking their arms from them and causing them to ask pardon on their knees But presently after news was brought them that the enemies had gotten to the top of the mountaine and had taken all the passages whereat they were sore amazed and ran with all speed to defend their wives and children some they saved but the most of their goods were already in the enemies hands who at this time did them much mischiefe Yet after this the Lord of Trinity sent word again to them that were fled that if they would return he would receive them to mercy The poor people most of them trusting to his promise returned but the next morning the enemies came to apprehend them and their Ministers besetting the place on every side Then they that were swift of foot escaped all the rest were taken yet God miraculously delivered them for an old man that could not run so fast as the other was espied by a souldier who ran with a naked sword to have slain him the old man seeing the iminent danger caught him by the legs overthrew him and drew him by the heels down the hill the souldier cryed Help help this villain will kill me hereupon his fellows ran to his rescue but in the mean time the old man escaped and the rest seeing what the old man had done though they had lost their weapons yet took heart of grass and with stones and slings drave away their enemies and thereby they all escaped The next day the souldiers went again to Tailleret robbing spoiling and carrying away all that they could find but most of the people were retired towards Villars Then did the souldiers range all about and took divers prisoners whom they used cruelly and one souldier bit off one of their ears saying I will carry the flesh of this wicked Heretick with me into my Country They found also two women the mother and the daughter in a cave whom they wounded to death and in another cave an old man of an hundred years old with his grand-daughter of eighteen years old that fed him the man they slew the maid they would have ravished who flying from them tumbled down the mountains and died About the same time there was one John Martin that made his boasts every where that if he could meet with the Minister of Angrogne he would slit his nose but shortly after a wolf met him and setting upon him bit off his nose whereupon he ran mad and died miserably A certain souldier promised the Lord of Trinity to bring to him the Minister of Tailleret and accordingly never ceased till he found him but as he was pursuing of him some out of the mountains rescued the Minister and slew the souldier with stones These souldiers were so extream abusive to women that many Papists that lived by sent their daughters into the mountains to the Waldenses to preserve their chastity Then did the Lord of Trinity promise that if they would pay him eight thousand Crowns he would with-draw his Army and be gone They being desirous of Peace sold their Cattel to raise the money but when he had received it he continued his Army there still Then did the Lord of Trinity require them to send away their Ministers till the matter were determined before the Duke or else by his Army he would force them to it whereupon by mutual consent they agreed that the Ministers should with-draw for the present till the Army was retired which was not done without great sighs and lamentations and tears At that time there fell an extraordinary snow so that the people with great difficulty were fain to make way for their Ministers to pass But the Army hearing that the Ministers were gathered together they sent out a company of harquebushers to apprehend them who came but one hour too late to have taken them Then did they search every cave house and chest to seek them whereby they robbed the poor people of all their best things Then did they beset the Ministers house of Angrogne to whom the Lord of Trinity had promised safety but it pleased God that he escaped the souldiers pursued him into the mountains but could not overtake him whereupon they plundred his house burnt his books and writings and so returned The next morning command was given to the Rulers of Angrogne within twenty four hours to deliver up their Minister or else Angrogne should be put to fire and sword They answered that they knew not where he was for the souldiers had driven him over the mountains Then did the souldiers burn houses break the mils spoil the people and do all the mischief they could and so departed The Lord of Trinity left Garisons in the Fortresses and caused the poor Waldenses to maintain them who not content with their wages pillaged and robbed all about them and
down before and behind powdred with red crosses and having burning tapers in their hands and Miters upon their heads painted with Devils were placed in their rankes Then was a Sermon preached after which an Oath was administred to the Princes and Nobles by the Inquisitors that they should favour the holy Inquisition and consent to the same and that they should employ their uttermost endeavour to see all them executed which should swerve from the Church of Rome and adhere to the Lutherans without respect of persons of what degree quality or condition soever and that they should compel their subjects to submit to the Church of Rome and to obey all its lawes c. Then was Doctor Cacalla called forth a man of excellent learning who had often preached before the Emperour whilst he was a Friar but being now accounted to be the Standard-bearer to the Lutherans he was called forth to hear his sentence which was that he should be degraded and presently burnt and his goods confiscated The like sentence of condemnation was pronounced upon his brother Francis a Preacher also who having spoken boldly against the Inquisition they so stopt his mouth that he could not speak a word Then Blanch their sister received the like sentence and so did most of the other only some few of them were condemned to some years imprisonment and to wear their Sambito's all their life time c. Then was the Coffin of the dead Lady with her picture it upon condemned likewise to be burnt This good woman whilst she lived was a worthy maintainer of the Gospel of great integrity of life and one that had divers assemblies in her house for the true preaching of the Word of God wherefore her house was also sentenced to be razed down and a Pillar to be set up in the place thereof with an inscription shewing the cause Then were all these that were sentenced to death together with the Coffin delivered to the secular Magistrate and so every one of them being set upon an Asse with their faces towards his taile they were guarded by many souldiers to the place of execution at which place there was for each of them a stake set up to which every of them were bound and so they were first strangled and then burnt to ashes only one of them who had been most vehement against them was burnt alive and his mouth stopped that he should not speak to the people All men marvelled at their constancy and quiet end At the same time also there were in prison at Validolid thirty seven others which were reserved for another Tragedy and Spectacle of the bloody Inquisition But seeing much mention is made of the Spanish Inquisition and of the cruelty exercised thereby against the poor servants of Jesus Christ I shall here set down the first Original and Progresse thereof as hereafter followeth CHAP. XXVII The Original Progresse and Practice of the Spanish Inquisition WHen King Ferdinand and Isabel had expelled the Turks out of the City and Territories of Granata and other places of Spaine who had lived there seven hundred seventy and eight years they set upon the Reformation of Religion and granted the conquered Moors liberty to stay to enjoy all their goods provided that they would turn Christians and whereas also there were very many Jews who had continued there since Titus conquered Jerusalem they gave them leave to stay upon the same condition but all such as refused were commanded presently to depart out of Spaine Yet afterwards finding that those Persons were only Christians in name and had submitted only to save their estates instead of providing godly Ministers with meeknesse to instruct them and to draw them from their errours by the advice of the Dominican Friers they erected the Inquisition wherein the poor wretches in stead of instructions were robbed of all their estates and either put to most cruel deaths or else suffered most intolerable torments by whipping c. and leading the rest of their lives in ignominy and poverty Neither was this only inflicted upon such as blasphemed Christ but for the observation of the least Jewish or Moorish ceremony or the smallest errour in the Christian Religion But this Inquisition at first erected against Jews and Moors was afterwards turned against the faithful servants of Jesus Christ and for the suppressing of the Gospel and the Profession of it and thus briefly you have the Original of it let us now see what their practice and exercise is As soone as information is given in against any one though but for a very small matter they do not presently cite the person to appear before them but they suborn one of their Officers called a Familiar to insinuate himself into his company who taking occasion to meet the paâ—ty accused uses thus to greet him Sir I was yesterday by accident at my Lords Inquisitors who said that they had occasion to speak with you about certain of their affairs and therefore they commanded me to summon you to appear before them to morrow at such an hour The party not daring to refuse goes to the place sends in word that he is come to attend them and so when he is called in they ask him what suit he hath to them and when he answers that he comes upon summons they enquire his name For say they we know not whether you be the same man or not but since you are come if you have any thing to inform this Court of either concerning your self or any other you may let us hear it for the discharge of your own conscience The Parties safest way is constantly to deny that he hath any thing to declare to them But if through simplicity he doth accuse himself or any other they rejoyce as having attained their desires and so presently commit him to prison If nothing be confessed they dismisse him pretending that for the present they know not whether he be the Party or no after his departure they let him alone for some space and then send for him again exhorting him that if he know or hath heard any thing that concerns their holy Court to disclose it to them For say they we know that you have had dealing with some persons suspected in Religion and therefore remember your self well if you confesse you shall fare the better and you shall but do therein as a good Christian ought to do If still he refuse they threaten and so dismisse him Yet they have alwayes one or other to keep him company to creep into his bosome and grope his conscience who under the colour of friendship shall visit him daily and have an eye to all his dealings observe what company he keepeth with whom he conferres c. So that without Gods special assistance it is not possible to escape their snares The Inquisitors also if they meet him speak courteously to him promise to befriend him c. and all to
lurk as a man ashamed that dare not shew his face hereby they perceived that his desire was to preach whereupon they said to him It 's most comfortable to us to hear â—ou but because we know the danger wherein you stand we dare not desire it But said he if you dare hear let God provide for me as best pleaseth him and so it was concluded that the next day he should preach in Leith his text was of the Parable of the Sower Mat. 13. The Sermon ended the Gentlemen of Louthâ—â—â— who were earnest Professors of Jesus Christ would not suffer him to stay at Leith because the Governour and Cardinal were shortly to come to Edinburgh but took him along with them and so he preached at Brunstone Languedine and Ormstone then was he requested to preach at Eneresk neer Muscelbrugh where he had a great confluence of people and amongst them Sir George Dowglas who after Sermon said publickly I know that the Governour and Cardinal will hear that I have been at this Sermon but let them know that I will avow it and will maintain both the doctrine and the Preacher to the uttermost of my power This much rejoyced those that were present Amongst others that came to hear him preach there were two Gray-friars who standing at the Church door whispered to such as came in which Wischard observing said to the people I pray you make roome for these two men it may be they come to learn and turning to them he said Come neer for I assure you you shall hear the Word of truth which this day shall seale up to you either your salvation or damnation and so he proceeded in his Sermon supposing that they would be quiet but when he perceived that they still continued to disturb all the people that stood near them he said to them the second time with an angry countenance O Ministers of Satan and deceivers of the souls of men will ye neither hear Gods truth your selves nor suffer others to hear it Depart and take this for your portion God shall shortly confound and disclose your hypocrisie within this Kingdom ye shall be abominable to men and your places and habitations shall be desolate This he spake with much vehemency and turning to the people he said These men have provoked the Spirit of God to anger and then he proceeded to the end of his Sermon Afterwards he preached in divers other places the people much flocking after him In all his Sermons foretelling the shortnesse of time that he had to travel and the near approaching of his death Coming to Haddington his auditory began much to decrease the cause as it was conceived was this The Earle Bothwell who had great observance in those parts by the instigation of the Cardinal had inhibited both those of the Town and Countrey from hearing him Presently after as he was going to Church he received a letter from the West-countrey Gentlemen and having read it he called John Knox who had diligently waited upon him since he came into Lothaine to whom he said that he was a weary of the world because he saw that men began to be weary of God for saith he the Gentlemen of the West have sent me word that they cannot keep their meeting at Edinburgh John Knox wondring that he should enter into conference about these things so immediately before his Sermon contrary to â—his custome said to him Sir Sermon-time approaches I will leave you for the present to your meditations Then did Master Wischard walk up 〈◊〉 down about half an hour his sad countenance declaring the grief of his mind at last he went into the Pulpit and his Auditory being very small he began on this manner O Lord how long shall it be that thy holie Word shall be despised and men shall not regard their own salvation I have heard of thee O Haddington that in thee there used to be two or three thousand persons at a vain and wicked play and now to hear the Messenger of the eternal God of all the Parish can scarce be numbred one hundred present Sore and fearful shall be the plagues that shall ensue upon this thy contempt with fire and sword shalt thou be plagued yea thou Haddington in special strangers shall possesse thee and you the present inhabitants shall either in bondage serve your enemies or else you shall be chased from your own habitations and that because ye have not known nor will know the time of your visitation This Prophesie was accomplished not long after when the English took Haddington made it a garrison enforced many of the inhabitants to flie oppressed others and after awhile a great plague breaking forth in the Town whereof multitudes died the English were at last forced to quit it who at their departure burnt and spoiled great part of it leaving it to be possessed by such as could first seize upon it which were the French that came as Auxiliaries to Scotland with a few of the ancient inhabitants so that Haddington to this day never recovered her former beauty nor yet men of such wisdome and ability as did formerly inhabit it That night was Master Wiseheart apprehended in the house of Ormeston by the Earle Bothwel suborned thereunto by the Cardinal The manner was thus After Sermon he took his last farewel of all his friends in Haddington John Knox would faine have gone with him but he said Return to your children and God blesse you One is sufficient for one sacrifice Then went he the Laird of Ormestons with some others that accompanied him After Supper he held a comfortable discourse of Gods love to his children then he appointed the 51. Psalm to be sung and so retired to his chamber Before midnight the house was beset and the Earle Bothwell called for the Laird of the house and told him that it was in vain to resist for the Governour and Cardinal were within a mile with a great power but if he would deliver Master Wischard to him he would promise upon his honour that he should be safe and that the Cardinal should not hurt him Master Wischard said Open the gates the Will of God be done and Bothwell coming in Wischard said to him I praise my God that so honourable a man as you my Lord receive me this night for I am perswaded that for your honours sake you will suffer nothing to be done to me but by order of Law I lesse feare to die openly than secretly to be murthered Then said Bothwel I will not only preserve your body from all violence that shall be intended against you without order of Law but I also promise in the presence of these Gentlemen that neither the Governour nor Cardinal shall have their will of you but I will keep you in mine own house till I either set you free or restore you to the same place where I receive you Then said the Lairds My Lord
of the reformed Religion in the Marquisate were not a little troubled when they heard of the cruel massacre of their brethren in France without distinction of age sex or quality insomuch as divers of them fled many Papists also secretly caused the families of their kindâ—ed and friends of the Religion to retire their families and themselves till such time as Birague had published the Kings pleasure after which they returned by little and little and though their publick exercises were prohibited yet they were well satisfied with the assurance of their lives and estates besides that they had the liberty of private exercises in their families This was the condition of the Protestant Churches in Saluces during the time that it was under the Dominion of the King of France which continued to the year 1588. at which time the Duke of Savoy took the possession who for a while suffered them to enjoy their priviledges in general But in particular some of the chief Members of the Church of Dromier being cited to Turin were so befooled with subtile Artifices that one part of them promised to go to Masse which gave a considerable blow to the said Church yet it lost not its courage in general although the great failings of the former encouraged their adversaries to attempt the like upon others by both words and letters Anno Christi 1597. the Duke of Savoy wrote his Letter to them wherein he told them how desirous he was that all his Subjects in the Marquisat of Saluces should embrace the Romish Religion and finding that his exhortations had prevailed with some he hoped that they would have the same effect upon the rest desiring that laying aside their Heretical obstinacie they would embrace the true Religion out of respect to Gods glory and their own good making large promises to such as should submit and telling them that it should return to their great advantage The Churches of the Marquisat having received this letter they answered first that they returned his Highness many thanks for that he had suffered them to enjoy their Religion hitherto as he had found them in the year 1588. when he took possession of the Marquisat Secondly they humbly intreated him to continue to them the said benefit as also to grant them his protection seeing that they knew that their Religion was founded upon the holy Scriptures according to which they ordered their lives and conversations so as none had any just occasion of offence and considering that even the Jews and other enemies of Christ were suffered to live in peace and to enjoy their Religion they hoped that those which were found Christians faithful to God and loyal to their Prince should not be denyed the same priviledge After this aâ—swer they lived a while in peace and the Duke took a voyage into 〈◊〉 after which followed a War so that they continued as aforetime But after the exchange of the Marquisat was established upon him his soft Letters were turned into sharp Edicts wherein he commanded all those of the Religion within the Marquisat that every one should go and declare to his ordinary Magistrate within the space of fifteen dayes whether he would renounce his religion or go to Mass or no which if they would do they should not only enjoy their habitations and Estates but many other favours also But if they resolved to persist in their Religion they were enjoyned to depart out of his Highness Dominions within the space of two moneths and never to return without expresse permission and that upon pain of death and confiscation of all their goods yet they were permitted within the said term of two months to transport their goods as they should think meet This unexpected Edict being published through the Marquisate July 1601. much troubled those of the reformed Religion who immediately sent Deputies to his Highness to obtain a revocation or at least a moderation of it and indeed they had some hopes given them by divers persons of quality so that many of the poor people resting upon this broken reed let slip much of the said prefixed time without preparing for their departure whereby they were the more amazed when they understood not many dayes before the time was expired that all hope of favour was now wholly taken away yet most of them prepared for their departure some recommending their goods to their kindred and friends who remained in the Country others leaving all they had at random except what they could carry with them to serve for their present necessities In these two moneths space they who were resolved to depart were continually set upon by their friends and kindred with all manner of perswasions to divert them from their purposes especially when they presented themselves to the Magistrate to give in their answer in writing For then they were caused to stand in a certain Pew in publick view where the Magistrates had either Monks or other Ecclesiasticks who ceased not to urge them by all possible arguments and motives thereby to shake their faith and constancy Amongst others a certain Capuchin Friar called Philip Ribo who a little before had been imployed in the same manner in the Valley of Perosa being now imployed in this place ran up and down using all subtilties imaginable especially among those who through feebleness of age weakness of sex or want of estates might probably make them more easie to be seduced they caused them also to be brought before the Magistrate one by one that so the constancy of some might not encourage others Yea hardly were Husbands permitted to declare for their Wives and Children and they so sifted the tender ones that it was hard for them to escape without making shipwrack of their Faith and Religion and to promote their design they prohibited all upon pain of death not to disswade others from revolting Yet through Gods mercy they were so fortified in their spirits that most of them withstood the tentations and went forth as Providence guided them not knowing whither they went Some steered their course beyond the Alps to France Geneva and other places Others retired themselves into the Valleys of Piedmont and remained there without trouble though the Edict required that they should depart out of his Highnesses Dominions In the beginning of this Persecution the adversaries fearing some resolute union amongst these poor persecuted souls to prevent any combustion they gave it out in the Churches of the Mountains that though the Edict was general yet the intention thereof was only to unlodg those in the lower Plains in the great Villages and other publick places and that such as inhabited amongst the Mountains might be sure to live in peace and quiet This indeed was a cause that at the first there was not such an universal union amongst those of the Reformed Religion that were destinated for slaughter as they could have desired But this fraud at length appearing occasioned a
this is the most miserable state and condition of our Churches moreover our Countrey-men to the number of five thousand besides youths and children being dispersed in banishment which hath now befallen most of us the second time especially throughout Silesia as also through the Marck Lusatia Hungary c. find no comfort but much misery and are there exposed to the hatred and envy of men We that are Pastors dare not openly minister to our Auditories with the Word and Sacraments but onely in private Meetings or in Woods among Fenny places God onely seeing us who is witnesse of these calamities and our comfort in extremities Indeed being thus destitute of all things we lead a wretched life in banishment being afflicted with hunger and nakednesse and are become next to the most miserable Waldenses the greatest spectacle of calamity to the Christian world for so it hath seemed good to that Soveraign Wisdome that governs all things that we should be inheritors of the Crosse and persecution of those men from whom we have derived the original of our Doctrine and external Succession For truly we are the remaining Progeny even of the Waldenses with whom being raised from the ashes of blessed Huss and with whom combining into the same holy Fellowship of the Faith and afflictions of Christ we have for two whole ages and more been perpetually subject to the like storms of Calamities until at length we fell into this calamity greater than ever was known in the memory of our Fathers and which threatens us with utter destruction unlesse God prevent it The truth is this businesse constrains us to amazement and tears greater than can be exprest in words to set forth our affliction and sorrow If there be any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the Spirit if any bowels and mercies we desire that this affliction of Joseph may be recommended especially to all that are of the houshold of Faith Let them not suffer those to perish whom the same Faith and the same Spirit of Christ hath joyned with them in so near a relation we beseech them in the name of Christ that they would rather make haste to relieve those who are ready to perish we being assured that we suffer this persecution upon no other account than for the confession of the Truth from those Enemies who have acted such things as these are against us in times past and are now at length by Gods permission pouring out their fury upon us Signed in the name of the said distressed Churches by their Delegates and now Exiles for the Cause of Christ Adam Samuel Hartman Pastor of the Church of Lesna in Poland and Rector of the famous University there Paul Cyril a late Member of the University of Lesna A BRIEF REPRESENTATION OF THE Protestant Cause in GERMANY In what Case it hath been since the Peace of MUNSTER and how it stood in the year 1657. and how it is now this present year 1659. THe Justice of the late civil warres in Germany which were composed at the Peace concluded in Munster and Osnaburgge in the year 1648. was grounded upon this That the Protestants were necessitated to enter into a League or mutual union together for the maintaining of their rights and priviledges in the Empire against the infections thereof and manifold disturbances of their profession which contrary to former agreements at Imperial Dyets did befal unto them in many places by the Popish and Jesuites practices whereof they could obtain no redresse by any peaceable Treaties Therefore finding that there was a design formed in the Conclave and by the house of Austria to be put in execution tending by little and little to wear out and deprive them of their liberties they formed an union among themselves to stand upon the defence of their rights and to oppose the power of the house of Austria by whose means both in Germany and in Bohemia the Jesuites did drive the design of rooting out Protestants The head of this union who by his place was bound to appear in it was the Elector Palatine but he being a soft man of no experience in war and beset in his Counsels and enterprises with such as did betray him the cause was soon overthrown and by his overthrow the intended persecution against Protestants to root them out what by power and what by policie was openly carried on by the house of Austria which moved the King of Denmark Christian the IV. and after him the King of Sweden to come upon the Stage the Dane was soon overthrown but God gave such successe unto the Swedes to the Landgrave of Hessen their associate and to the French who joyned with them to ballance the power of Austria after the Elector of Saxony had made his peace at Prague with the Emperour and deserted the Protestant interest that from the death of King Gustavus they continued the war with various successes till the year 1648. at which time the Swedish being masters in Bohemia and the Emperour brought so low that he saw little hopes to recover his strength without a Peace he yielded to the conditions which the Protestants and the French stood upon The Swedish stood upon their satisfaction and to keep a foot in the Empire to be able upon all occasions to secure or help the Protestant party And the Protestant Princes they stood upon the setling of all things and of themselves in their former rights and possessions as before the war and chiefly upon this point the reformed party and the Landgrave of Hessen who headed them stood that thence forward the reformed Protestants alias called Calvinists should have equal freedom and liberty of conscience for the exercise of their profession in the Empire with the Papists and Lutherans This condition being obtained and a way determined to give the agrieved parties in point of dammage further satisfaction Armies were dismissed a new convention of States was held at Nurenberg to settle the remaining matters within the Empire which at Munster and Osnabrugge could not well be handled by reason of the Treatie with forreigne States and afterward a Dyet was called at Ratisbon to confirme all what formerly had been treated on and concluded and to put the remainder of grievances in a way to be rectified To which effect at the dissolution or rather adjournment of the Imperial Dyet at Ratisbon a Committee of Deputies from all the States of the Empire of equal number of both parties that is so many of the Protestants as of the Popish partie were named to meet at Franckford and prepare by way of disquiry of rights the matters then remaining undecided that at the next Session of the Dyet there might be a full decision and determination of them but before these Delegates did meet the Elector of Mentz did broach a new quarrel with the Elector Palatine tending to abridge him of much of his right and to make him inconsiderable to the Protestant party but
forcibly made King of Bohemia Ferdinand a Usurper Popish malice The first Artifice The second Artifice The third Artifice The fourth Artifice The States inhibited their meeting The Jesuites banished by the States An Army raised against the Bohemians Frederick chosen King of Bohemia Anno 1620. Novemb. 8 Prague taken Anno 16â—7 Popish subtilty The fifth Artifice The sixth Artifice The seventh Artifice Plundering The eight Artifice The ninth Artifice The tenth Artifice Apostacy rewarded Popish perfidiousness The eleventh Artifice The twelfth Artifice The thirteenth Artifice The fourteenth Artifice The fifteenth Artifice The sixteenth Artifice Ministers persecuted Barbarous cruelty Gods providence A speciall providence Cruelty to Ministers Prodigious cruelty Ingratitude Anno 1622. Pescinus The seventeenth Artifice Ministers charged with treason Ministers banished The eighteenth Artifice The German Ministers banished Blaspâ—emy Illiterate persons put into the places of Christs Ministers Twenty one Ministers banished Ministers charged with sedition Tentation Constancy A Minister Martyred Popish cruelty The Vice-roy Courage and Constancy Couâ—age and Constancy The nineteenth Artifice Summa Papavera The chiefest Nobles imprisoned The Nobles examined A brave speech Success no sign of a good cause Their condemnation Profane blasphemy Tentaâ—â—tâ—n resisted Crede quod habes habes Blasphemy Joy in tribulation Faith Prayer Courage The Martyrs mutual farwell The L. Schlik His faith and courage His Martyrdom The L. Wenceslaus His patience Psal. 119.92 His Martyrdom The L. Harant His message to his wife His Martyrdom Sir Casper Kaplitz His courage and constancy His Martyrâ—â—m â—roâ—â—pâ—us Dorzecki His prayer and 〈◊〉 His fiâ—elity to hâ—s Pâ—ince His Martyrdom L Frederick de Bile L. Hen. Otto His â—aith Joy unspeakable His martyrdom Dion Zervius His Martyrdom An aged man His martyrdom The Lord of Rugenia His excellent speech His martyrdom Val. Cockan His Martyrdom Toby Steffick His prayer His Martyrdom D. Jessenius A Prophecy His Martyrdom Christâ— Chober His excellent speech His Martyrdom John Shultis His Martyrdom Maxim Hostialicâ— His Martyrdom John Kutnaur Hâ—s speech to the Jesuits His speech at death His Martyrdom Sim. Sussickey Tentation His Martyrdom Nath. Wodnianskey His speech to the Jâ—suâ—â—es His counsel to his son His Martyrdom Wen. Gesbitzky His prayer His martyrdom Martin Fruin He is murthered Their goods conâ—â—scated Recantation prescribed The twentieth Artifice The Protestants beggered Their debts and money seized on The sâ—uldiers get most The one and twentieth Artifice Charles de Zerotine Another Obediâ—â— The two and twentieth Artifice Protestant Tutors banished Successe makes the enemies proud The Protestants all baniâ—â—ed False testimonies bought Protestants chiâ—dren taken from them Popish subtilty Tentation Many seduced Lord de Zerotine goeth into exile A cruel Edâ—ct Protestants wives bâ—nished from their husbands The exiles sought after The three and twentieth Artifice Laws repealed The four and twentieth Artifice Apostates proâ—moted The five and twentieth Artifice The Protestants in the silveâ— Mines had a promise of favour Popish perfidiousness Souldiers quartered upon them Don Martins cruelty The Bolislavians persecuted Constancy Apostacy Constancy Recovery Bethlem Gabor Gods providence A new persecution In Litomeric Popish subtilty Patience in persecution In Radecium Tentation resisted Popish cruelty Constancy Humane infirmity Constancy At Bidsove Popish cruelty At Zaticum Bibles burnt Don Martins cruelty Exile denied to the Protestants At Tusta Apostacy At Rokizan Popish subtilty Constancy John Foelix Barbarous cruelty Foelix escapes At Slana John Blyssa Banished At Prachatice Prodigious cruelties The twenty sixth Artifice Popish subtilty Popish profanenesse Christians stript Popish uncleannesse The twenty seventh Artifice Prodigious cruelties The twenty eighth Artifice At Minion Popish malice Death denied them Prodigious wickednesse Blasphemy Prodigious wickedness Constancy Comfort in â—fflictions Danger of Apostacy Bibles burnt Prodiges Gods judgment on Apostates Gods judgement on persecutors The Pope stirs up persecution Gods judgements on persecutors The Popish Army flies A new Army raised They fly when none pursues F. Romanes Conversion Zeale Subtilty Treachery Good counsel Note He goeth to the Emperour Is imprisoned Carried into Spaine Condemned by the Inquisitors Burned Rochus Condemned Thiâ—ty Christians condemned A wicked Oath Cacalla condemned Popish malice Malice Many burnt together The Spanish Inquisition Invented by Dominicans Subtilty Their dealing with strangers Their Familiars Sequestration Stript of all in prison Subtilâ—y How Inquisitors deal with the prisoners They proceed to the Rack Their privy parts aâ—e only covered with linnen The Jeobit Inhumane cruelty Railâ—ngs Scoffs Threats Another cruel tormenâ— The trough Divellish cruelty Torment with fire Subtilty A woman and her tow daughters and neece A Judas Perjury Flie. Their cruel prisons All pity denied them A maid whipt for shewing them favour The prisoners denied leave to sing Psalmes Their hospital Cruel mercy Their condemnation Their habits A wicked oath Degradation Hypocrisie Abominable lyes Their cruelty concealed Flattery A Lady imprisoned Their crâ—el usage oâ— her They torment her in the trough She dyed John Pontio Humane frailty Recovery His speech at death John Gonsalvo Tormented in prison with a cleft stick A Church in Sivil Some of them cast into prison A cleft stick Their death Malice Ferdinando His torments A special Providence Humane infirmity Recovery Execution Juliano Zeale A special Providence A false brother Twenty burnt Juliano's torments and constancy His death John Leon. Leon goeth towaâ—ds England Is apprehended Sent to Spaine Tormented Martyred A maâ—ds sufferings and martyrdom Christopher Losada His constancy Death Arias He turns persecutor A special Providence Arias his Reâ—covery His courage His Martyrdome Scriptures contemned Grosse ignorance Ministers honoured Aegidio chosen Bishop He is persecuted Imprisoned Gods judgement on Persecutors Released His excellent vertues Zeale He goes to the Emperour His return to Sivil His weaknesse Chosen Divinity-Lecturer A strange Providence Courage Imprisoned His death His Corps burned Nicholas Burton Godâ— Providence He is sent to Sivil Condemned John Baker Will. Burgate Will. Burges Will. Hooker Encenas Treachery Courage Constancy Francis Encenas A special Providence Faninus Humane infirmity Danger of Apostacy Recovery after his fall A prophesie A special Providence Tentation resisted Proffer of life refused Faith Comfort in death Note A special Providence Dominicus Apprehended Constancy Thanks for sufferings Galeacius Trecius Cruelty Humane infirmity Recovery Note Joy unspeakable Tentation resisted Note His education His enmity to the truth Conversion Zeale His apprehension Constancy Hâ—s Release Courage His appeâ—ring at Rome Note Hâ—s return to Bonony A special Providence He is again apprehended His Release Love to Christ Manâ—fold afflictions Constancy His Martyrdâ—me Francis Gamba Constancy Tentations â—esisted Comfort at death Algerus Joy in afflictions Note Tentation resisted John Aloysius Iames Bovellus Persecution raised by the Pope Horrible Cruelty Patience of the Saints Anthony Ricetto Tentation reâ—sisted Constancy Francis Spinola Sega Sega's Martyrdome Humane infirmity Recovery Spinola's Martyrdome An English man at Rome An heroical act His cruel torments Patience His Martyrdome Idolatry detested His going to Lisbone