spread in further Realms and Countries the one part called of Luther Lutherians the other having the name of Sacramentaries Notwithstanding in this one unity of opinion both the Lutherians and Sacramentaries do accord and agree that the Bread and Wine there present is not transubstantiat unto the Body and Blood of Christ as said but is a true Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ Many conflicts he had with the Pope his Cardinals and Clergy and notwithstanding their furie and rage and plots against him and the great power of his adversaries the Emperor and the King of Spain and other Potentats yet they could not prevail against him God keeping and defending him that they could not bereave him of his life but died peaceably in his own country where he was born teaching and preaching Christ the space of 29 years Many dangers he escaped especially these two which are not to be passed by wherein appears the great providence of God toward him First when a certain Jew by his enemies was appointed to come to destroy him by poyson yet was it so the will of God that Luther had warning thereof before and the face of the Jew sent to him by picture whereby he knew him and avoided the perill Another time as he was sitting in a certain place upon his stool a great stone there was in the Voult over his head where he did sit which being stayed miraculously so long as he was sitting assoon as hee was up immediatly fell upon the place where hee sate able to have crushed him all in pieces if it had light upon him And what should I speak of his prayers which were so ardent unto Christ that as Melancton writes they which stood under his window where he stood praying might see his tears falling and dropping down Again with such power he prayed that he as himself confesseth had obtained of the Lord that so long as he lived the Pope should not prevail in his country After his death said he let them pray who could Again it is reported of him that a young man about Wittemberge who being kept bare and needy by his Father was tempted by way of Sorcery to bargain with the Devill or a familiar as they call him to yeeld himself body and soul into the Devils power upon condition to have his wish satisfied with money so that upon the same an Obligation was made by the young man written with his own blood and given to the Devill Upon the sudain wealth and alteration of this young man the matter first being noted began afterward more and more to be suspsuspected and at length after long and great admiration was brought unto Martin Luther to be examined the young man whether for shame or fear long denyed to confesse and would bee known of nothing yet God so wrought being stronger then the Devil that he uttered unto Luther the whole substance of the case as well touching the money as the Obligation Luther understanding the matter and pittying the lamentable estate of the man willed the whole congregation to pray and he himself ceased not with his prayer to labour so that the Devill was compelled at the last to throw in his Obligation at the window and bade him take it again unto him And as he was mighty in his prayers so in his â—â—â—mons God gave him such a grace that when like preached they which heard him thought every one his own temptations severally to bee noted and touched Whereof when signification was given unto him by his friends and he demanded how that could bee my own manifold temptation said he and experiences are the causes thereof For Luther from his tender years was much broken and exercised with severall conflicts for he confessed that he was afflicted and vexed with all kind of temptations saving only one which was with covetousnesse With this vice he was never said he in all his life to be troubled nor once tempted Pope Leo the tenth of that name bare an irreconciliable heatred unto the Gospel of the Kingdom of God which he persecuted in the person of Luther and many others for as one day the Cardinal Bembo uttered before him a certain thing drawn from the Gospel he answered him mocking It hath ever sufficiently been known what profit that sable of Jesus hath brought us and our company O execrable blasphemy Luther died in the year of our Lord 1546. being 63. years of age The Prayer of Luther at his death was this My Heavenly Father eternall and merciful God thou bath manif sted unto me thy dâ—ar Son our Lord â—esus Christ I have taught him I have known him I love him as my life my health and my redemption whom the wicked have persecuted maligned and with injury afflicted draw my soul to thee After this he said as ensueth thrise I commend my spirit into thy hands thou hast redeemed me O God of truth God so loved the World that he gave his only Son that all these that believe in him should have life everlasting Joh. 3. The Martyres of GERMANY MAny after the death of Luther were troubled for their Religion some tost from place to place same exiled out of the Land for fear some cauâ—ed to abjure some driven to Caves in Woods some racked with torment and some pursued to death with fagot and fire And because we cannot name all that were persecuted and put to death for their Religion we shall name some few of the choisest And first there were two young men burnt at Bruxlies the one named Henry Voes being of the age of twenty four years and the other Iohn Esh which before had been of the order of the Augustine Friers for that they would not retreat and deny their Doctrine of the Gospel which the Papists call Lutheranisme As they were led to the place of Execution they went joyfully and merrily making continually protestations that they died for the glory of God and the Doctrine of the Gospel believing and following the holy Church of the Son of God saying also that it was the day which they had long desired After they were come to the place where they should be burned and were dispoyled of their garments they tarried a great space in their shirts and joyfully embraced the Stake that they should be bound to patiently and joyfully enduring whatsoever was done unto them praising God with Te Deum laudamus and singing Psalms and rehearsing the Creed in testimony of their death One of them seeing that fire was kindled at his feet said me thinks ye do straw Rose under my feet finally the smoak and the flame mounting up to their face choaked them The next year after the burning of these two young men before rehearsed was Henry Sutphen put to death by the conspiracy of the Monks and Friers without all order of judgement or just condemnation about the City of Diethmar in the borders of Germany in the year 1524. they resolved to take him by
Prince of Navar. To this pretended Marriage it was divised that all the chiesest Protestants or France should be invited and meet in Paris being met and conveened that same night of the Marriage Souldiours were appointed in diverse places of the City to be ready at a watch-word to break in into the Protestants houses at which watch-word given they brust out to the slaughter of the Protestants first beginning with the Admirall who was slain in his bed and thrown out at a window into the street where his head being first striken off and embalmed with Spices to be sent to the Pope At this time there was slain in three dayes above ten thousand Men and Women old and young of all sorts and conditions yea and slew all the Protestants they knew or could find within the city Gates inclosed So great was the rage of the Heathenish persecution that not only the Protestants but also certain whom they thought indifferent Papists they put to the sword in steed of Protestants In the number of them that were slâ—â—n of the more learned sort was Petrus Ramus Lumbinus and others And not only within the Walls of Paris was this uproar contained but extended further into other Cities and quarters of the Realm especially Lyons Orleance Tholous and Roan In which Cities it is almost incredible nor scarlely ever heard of in any Nation what cruelty was shewed what numbers of good Mâ—n were destroyed in so much that within the space of one month thretty thousand at least of Religious Protestants are numbred to be slain Furthermore here is to bee noted that when the Pope first heard of this bloody stir he with his Caâ—dinals made such joy at Rome with their procession with their Gun-shot and singing Te Deum that in honour of that lawful festival Act a Iubile was commanded by the Pope with great indulgence and much Solemnity whereby thou hast here to discern and judge with what spirit and charity these Catholicks are moved to maintain their Religion withall which otherwise would fall to the ground without all hope of recovery Likewise in France no lesse rejoycing there was the King commanding publick processions through the whole City to be made with Bone-fires Ringing and singing where the King himself with the Queen his Mother and his whole Court resorting together to the Caurch gave thanks and laud to God for that so worthy victory archieved upon St. Bartholomews Day against the Protestants whom they thought to be utterly overthrown and vanqâ—ished in all the Realm for ever And in very deed to mans thinking might appear no lesse after such a destruction of the Protestants having lost so many worthy and noble Captains-as then were cut off whereupon many for fear revoking their Religion returned to the Pope diverse fled out of the Realm such as would not turn kept themselves secret durst not be known or seen so that it was past all hope of man that the Gospel should ever have any more place in France but such is the admirable working of the Lord where mans help and hope most faileth there he sheweth his strength and helpeth as here is to be seen and noted by stirring up Rochel to stand to the defence or their Religion against the Kings power by whose example certain Cities hearing thereof took no little courage to do the like as Mountaban and others who being confederat together exhorted one another to be circumspect and take good heed of the false dissembling practises not to be trusted of the mercilesse Papists intending nothing but blood and destruction Rochel standing to the defence of their lives and consciences and to adventure the worst whereupon began great siege and battery to be laid against Rochell both by sea and land which was Anno 1572. The whole power of France is set against Rochel Thus the whole power of France being gathered against one power town had not the mighty hand of the Lord stood on their side it had been impossible for them to escape Daring the time of this siege which lasted about seven months what skirmishes and conflicts were on both sides it would require a long tractation In all which assaults ever the Popes Catholicks had the worst Concerning the first assault thus I find written that within the space of 26. dayes were charged against the walls and houses of Rochel to the number or thretty thousand shot of iron Bullets and globes where by a great breach was made for the adversary to invade the city but such was the courage of them within not men only but also of Women Matrons and maids with spites fire and such other weapons that came to hand that the adversary was driven back with no smal slaughter of their Souldiours Likewise in the second assault 2000. great field pieces were laid against the Town whereupon the adversary attempted the next day to invade the Town but through the industry of the Souldiers and citizens and also of women and maids the invaders were forced at length to flee away faster then they came No better successe had all the assaults that followed Mâ—ny were the tokens of Gods gracious dealings with them during the time of the siege and amongst the rest this was very memorable at Rochel whereas the poorer sort began to lack corn and victual there was sent to them every day in the River by the hand of the Lord no doubt a great multitude of fish called Surdones which the poor people did use in stead of bread Which fish the same day as the siege brake up departed and came no more testified by them which were present there in Rochel all the time The King in end being weary of those chargeable wars there was a peace agreed and concluded between the King and the Protestants of Rochel in which were included other Cities of the Protestants granting to them benefite of peace and liberty of Religion The next year following died Charels the 9. the French King and the Cardinal of Lorain brother to Guise The King died of the age of 25. years and the manner of his death is to be noted The constant report To goeth that his blood guishing out by diverse parts of his body he tossing in his bed and casting out many horrible blaâ—phemies laid upon pillows with his heals upward and head downward voyded so much blood at his mouth that in few hours he dyed Which story if it be true as is recorded and restified may be an spectale and example to all persecuting Kings and Princes polluted with the blood of Christian Martyrs The cruel Persecution and Bloody Boutchery of the MERINDOLIANS FOllows the Tragicall Persecution and horrible murther of the faithfull flock of Christ inhabiting in Merindol in the Countrey of Province in France this people of a long continuance and custome had refused the Bishop of Rome his Authority and observed ever a more perfect kind of Doctrine then others delivered them from the Father to the Son ever since the year of
shewing it to the people he in like manner counterfeiting the priest took up a little dog by the legs and held him over his head shewing him unto the people for this he was by and by apprehended and condemned to the fire and burned and the dog with him About the same time John Longland Bishop of Lincoln burned two upon one day the one named Thomas Bernard and the other James Morton the one for teaching the Lords Prayer in English and the other for keeping the Epistle of St. James translated into English Richard Mekins a boy not past the age of fifteen years was condemned to be burnt by Boner for speaking against the Sacrament of the Altar In Oxford also the same time or not much there-about recanted one Master Barker master of Art of that University a man excellently learned who being called up to Lambeth before the Archbiâ—hop Thomas Granmer was in his examination so stout in the cause of the Sacrament and so learnedly defended himself therein neither Cranmer himself nor all they could well answer to his allegations brought out of Auâ—eu wherein he was so promp ripe of himself that the Archbiâ—hop with the residue of his company were brought in a great admiration of him notwithstanding by compulsion of the time and danger of the six articles at last he relented and returning again to Oxford was there caused to recant After which the good man prospered not but wore away The year 1541. The King was divorced from the Lady Anna of Cleve which was his fourth wife and married to the fifth which was to Lady Cathren Howard Nice to the Duke of Norfolk and Daughter to my Lord Edmund Howard the Dukes brother but this Marriage likewise continued not long At this time were six Popish Monks executed for denying the Kings Supremacy Now as touching the late Marriage between the King and the Lady Howard this Matrimony endured not long for in the year next following 1542. the said Lady Cathren was accused of the King of incontinâ— nâ— living not only before her marriage with Frances Durham but also of spouse breach since her marriage with Thomas Culpeper for the which both the men aforesaid by act of Parliament were attained and executed for high Treason and also the said Lady Cathren late Queen with the Lady Jane Rochford Widow late Wise to Georg Bullen Lord Rochfords Brother to Queen Anna Eullen were beheaded for their deserts within the Tower The King missing Cromwell his old Counsellour Earle of Essex and smelling somewhat the wayes of Winchester began a little to set his foot again in the cause of religion And therefore in the same year after the execution of this Queen the King understanding some abuses yet to remain unreformed namely about pilgrimages and Idolatâ—y and other things moe besides to be corrected within his dominions directed his letters unto the Archbishop of Canterbury for the speedy redress and reformation of the samâ— A proclamation concerning white meats as milk egges butter cheese and such like during the time of lent without any scruple or grudg of conscience any law constitution use or custom to the contrary notwithstanding All this time great was the persecution in Caleice for Religion Amongst the rest one Adam Damlip was falsly accused for Treason and innocently put to death At his death Sir Ralph Elleker Knight then knight marshall there would not suffer the innocent and godly man to declare either his faith or the cause he died for but said to the executioner dispatch the knave have done Sir Ralph Elleker saying that he would not away before he saw the traitors heart out But shoâ—tly after Sir Ralph Elleker in a skirmish or road between the French-men and us at Eullen was amongst others slain whose only death sufficed not his enemies but after they had stripped him stark naked they cut off his privy members and cut the heart out of his bodie and so left him a terrible example to all bloody and mercilesse men for no cause was known why they shewed such indignation against the said Sir Ralph Elleker more then against the rest but that it is â—ritten faciens justitias Dominus judicia omnibus injuria pressis It is reported of a certain poor labouring man of Caleice who being in a certain company said that he would never believe that a priest could make the Lords body at his pleasure whereupon he was then accused and condemned by one Harvie Commissary there which Harvie in time of his judgement inveying against him with approbrious words said that he was an Heretick and should die a vile death The poor man answering for himself again said that he was no Heret ck but was in the faith of Christ and whereas thou sayest said hee that I shal die a vile death thou thy self shal die a viler death and that shortly and so it came to passe for within half an year after the said Harvie was hanged drawn and quarterd for Treason in the said town of Caleice Here is a notable example of Gods judgement upon a bloody Persecutor The rigour of the six Articles were a little aswaged in a Parliament Anno 1544. Mistrisse Anna Askew was brought before the Inquisitors and examined and after that sundry times examined and put to great trouble and put to the rack because she would not confesse what Ladies or Gentlewomen were of her opinion and therein sayes she they keeped me along time and because I lay still and did not cry my Lord Chancellor and M. Rich took pains to rack me with their own hands till I was nigh dead then the Leivtenant caused me to be loosed from the Rack incontinently I sowned and then they recovered me again After that I sat two long hours reasoning with my Lord Chancellor upon the bare floor whereas he with many flattering words perswaded me to leave my opinion but my Lord God I thank his everlasting goodnesse gave me grace to persevere and will do I hope to the very end then was I brought to an house and laid in a bed with as weary and painfull bones as ever had patient Job I thank the Lord my God therefore Then my Lord Chancellor sent me word if I would leave my opinion I should want nothing if I would not I should forth to Newgate and so be burned I sent him again word that I would rather die then to break my faith heareafter she is condemned to be burnt for her opinion touching the Sacrament for holding that after the Priest hath spoken the words of Consectation there remaineth bread still they both say and also teach it for a necessary Article of faith that after these words be once spoken there remaineth no bread but even the self same body that hang upon the Crosse on goodfryday both flesh blood and bones to this belief of theirs said I nay for then were ouâ— common Creed false which saith that he sitteth on the right hand of God the Father
I may root or die with many moe who felt the stroak of his hand To adde to these also the stinking death of Edmond Boner commonly named the bloody Bishop of London who not many years ago in the time and raign of Queen Elizabeth after he had long feasted and banquetted in Durance at the Marshal-sea as he wretchedly died in his blind Popery so as stinkingly and as blindly at midnight was he brought out and buried in the out-side of all the City amongst theevs and murtherers a place right convenient for such a murtherer with confusion and derision both of men and children who trampling upon his grave well declared how he was hated both of God and man I might bring in here many moe and forrain examples of Kings Princes and great men of the wrath of God that hes pursued them for persecuting of the Professors of the Gospel but I content me with these already rehearsed After the death of Queen Mary succeeded Lady Elizabeth her sister to the Crown a godly and religious Princess that brought much joy and happinesse to the Realm by her gracious and peaceable government The Queen immediatly at her entry haying heard of the diversitie of opinions in certain matters of Religion amongst sundry of her loving subjects and being very desirous to have the same reduced to some godly and christian concord by the advise of the Lords and others of the privy Counsell as well for the satisfaction of persons doubtfull as also for the knowledge of the very truth in certain matters of difference to have a convenient chosen number of the best learned of either part and to confer together their opinions and reasons and thereby to come to some good and charitable agreement And so there was named on the one side nine and on the other nine On the Papists side were named the B. of Winchester the B. of Lich the B. of Chester the B. of Carlill the B. of Lincolne Doctor Cole Doctor Harpsfield Doctor Langdale Doctor Chedsey On the Pretestants side oâ— lâ—tâ— bâ—n shed Pâ—eachers Doctor Scorie B of Chicester Doctor Cox Mr. Whythead Mr Grindal Mr Horner Doctor Sands Mr. Gest Mr. Aimer Mr Juel who were to confer and reason at Westminster upon certain questions or Articles of Rellgion to be proposed in presence of the Nobility and Lords of his Majesties secret Counsel the matter they should talk upon was comprehended in these three propositions under-specified 1. It is against the Word of God and the custome of the ancient Church to use a Tongue unknown to the people in common prayer and administration of the Sacrament 2. Every Church hath authority to appoint take away and change Ceremonies and Ecclesisticall Râ—tes so the same be to edification 3. It cannot be pâ—oved by the Word of God that there is in the Masse offered up a Sacrifice propitiatory for the quiâ—k and the dead It was hereupon fully resolved by the Queens Majesty with the advise aforesâ—id that it should be in writting on both parts for avoiding of much alteration in words and in English and each of them should deliever their Writings to the other what were to be improved therein c. And their writings were to be put in the English Tongue Now after they had sitten one day in this conference the second day it was broken up by the Papists default for they would have the order inverted and altered that was appointed and agreed upon Afterward for this contempt so notoriously made and dissolving of the Assembly and the godly and most christian purposes of the Queens Majesty made frustrate the B. of Winchester and Lincolne who shewed more folly then the other were condinly committed to the Tower of London Boner about this time B. of London was committed to the Marshal-sea whereas he both in his blind bloody Heresie as also in his deserved captivity long remained abiding the Queens pleasure About this time at the beginning of the flourishing Raign of Queen Elizabeth was a Parliament summoned and holden at Westminster wherein was much debating about matters touching Religion and great study on both parts imployed the one to retain still the other to impugne the Doctrine faction which before in Queen Maries time had been established But especially here is to be noted that though their lacked no industry on the papists side to hold fast that which they most cruelly from time to time had studied and by all means practised to come by yet notwithstanding was the providence of God at that time that for lack of the other Bishops whom the Lord had taken away by death a little before the residue that there were left could do the lesse And in very deed God be praised therefore did nothing at all in effect although yet not withstanding their laicked in them neither will nor labour to do what they could if their cruell ability there might have served Although in this Parliament then some diversitie there was of judgement and opinion between parties yet notwithstanding through the mercifull goodnesse of the Lord the true cause of the Gospel had the upper hand the Papists hope was frustrate and their rage abated the order and proceedings of King Edwards time concerning Religion was revived again the Supremacy of the Pope abolished the Articles of bloody statutes of Queen Mary repealed briefly the furious fire-brands of cruell persecution which had consumed so many poor mens bodies were now extict quenched Finally the old Bishops deposed for that they refused the Oath in renouncing the Pope and not subscribing to the Queens just and lawfull Titles in whose roomes and places were others put The SCOTISH Martyrs HAving spoken of the Martyrs of England let us now speak of the Martyrs of Scotland And first to begin with M. Patrick Hammilton Abbot of Ferm he was a man nobly descended for he was Nephew to the Earle of Aran by his Father to the Duke of Albany by the Mother and not much past twenty three years of age this young Gentleman had travelled in Germany and falling in familiarity with Martin Luther Phi. Melanchton Frances Lamberr other learned men was by them instructed in the knowledge of true religion In the profession whereof he was so zealous as he was resolved to come back into his country communicate the light he had received unto others c. under colour of conference he is brought to S. Andrews accused before the B. for maintaining erronious points of doctrine as that the corruption of sin remains in children after their Baptisme 2. That no man by the power of his free will can do any good 3. That no man is without sin so long as he liveth c. After answer and censure of the Theologs of thee Articles he maintained is declared to be an heretick and given over into the hands of the secular power to suffer punishment due to heresie He was condemned by the secular Judge and burnt alive when he came to the
place of Execution hee put off his gown and gave it with his bonnet coat and other apparrell to his servant saying this stuffe will not help in the fire yet will do thee some good I have no more to leave thee but the example of my death which I pray thee keep in mind for albeit the same be bitter and painfull in mens judgement yet is it the entrance to everlasting life which none can inherite that denieth Christ before this congregation At his death the Friers vexed him bidding him convert pray to our Lady and say salve Regina but none was more troublesome then Fier Alexander Campbell whom he often besought to depart and not to vex him but when he would not cease he said wicked man thou knowest I am not an heretick and that it is the truth of God for which I now suffer so much thou diddest confesse unto me in privat and thereupon I appeal thee to answer before the Judgement seat of Christ his body was quickly conâ—umed for the fire was vehement but the patience and constancy he shewed in his dying stirred up such compassion in the beholders as many of them doubted not to say that he suffered an innocent and was indeed a true Martyr of Christ This opinion was further confirmed by the death of the Fâ—â—er and that manner of it for within a year and lâ—sse he fell into a frensie and died as one despeâ—at numbers were brought to the knowledge of â—he truth by his suffering This Mr. Patrick Hammiltoun suffered martyrdomâ— in the year of God 1527 Under Jimes Beton Archbishop of St. Andrews â—â—d Chancelâ—o r of the Kingdom After the deâ—â—h of Mr. Patrick Hammilton his Brother german James Hammilton oâ— Levingston was accused likewise but the King did cause convey him secretly out of the way Also Kathren Hammilton his sister was accused and being questioned upon works she answered that none was saved by his works Then John Spence spake to her of the works of congruo and condigno to which she answered work here work there what kind of working is all this no works can save me but Christs At this the king being present laughed and after conveyed her away secretly One Henry Forrest a Monk of the order of Benet and Cellet as they spoke then was also accused of Heresie but without sufficient proof Then he was sent to Walter Ange whom Buchanan in his Satyr against the gray Friers called Langius to be confessed Langius having asked him by way of confession what he thought of Patrick Hammilton he answered that he was a good man and that his articles were to be mantained Lang discovers this simple mans confession and this confession being taken for a sufficient proof the poor man was condemned to be burnt and so he was immediatly after they degraded him according to their custome As they were leading him to the execution place he complained of the Frier who had betrayed him and said let no man trust the false Friers after me They were despisers rof God and deceivers of men they burnt him at the north style of the Abbey Church in Sr. Andrews that the hereticks of Angus might see the fire Mr. Normend Gourley and David Straton were brought to tryal and condemned the one for denying Purgatory and that the Pope should have no jurisdiction within Scotland the other was charged with the same points and further was accused for maintaining the Tithes were not due to Church-men which point he denied confessig that the tithes of â—ome fish which his servants had taken at sea being too rigourously exacted hee said that if they would have the tithes of the fishes they should go and receive them where the stock was taken that he gave order to his servants to cast every tent fish they took into the sea because he saw nothing but rigour would content the Church these two were burnt at one stake as hereticks between Leith and Edinburgh to the intent the inhabitants of Fife seeing the fire might bee stricken with the more terrour and fear not to fall into the like After the death of the foresaid Martyrs under James Betoun Archbishop of St. Andrews consultation was taken by the Bishops to proceed and to burn moe hereticks for then men began liberally to speak of religion A merry Gentle-man named John Lindsay familiar to B. James Betoun standing by when consultation was had said my Lord if ye burn any more except ye follow my counsell ye will utterly destroy your selves if ye will burn them let them be burnt in hollow Cellars for the smoak of Mr. Patrick Hammilton hath infected as many as it blew upon Thus it pleased God that they should be taunted in their own face At this time when Normond Gourlay and David Straton were put to tryal and condemned were summouned Sir William Kird Adam Dayes Henry Kernes John Stewart of Leith with diverse others such as Mr. William Johnstoun Advocat Mr. Henry Henderson School-master of Edinburgh of whom some compeared in the Abby Kirk of Halyrudhouse and so abjured and publickly burnt their Bills the burning of the Bill was a sign of recantation others compeared not and therefore was exiled About this time Mr. George Buchanan for some byting verses against the Franciscans was commanded to prison but he escaping by a window of the Chamber where hee was detained prisoner whilest the Keepers were fast asleep fled into France thus there passed few dayes wherein some one or other was not called into question for Religion but the more hote the persecution was the favourers of the truth did every day the more increase The Archbishop James Betoun committed the charge of the Church affairs to his Nephew the Cardinal who succeded in his place for he was sickly himself and not seen often abroad In his time lived Mr. John Major Hector Boeth Gilbert Crab and William Gregory men of good learning and worthy to be remembred Hector Boethius was Principall of the Colledge of Aberdene a great Philosopher and much commended by Erasmus for his Eloquence and felicitie of ingenie Buchanan who could well discern of learned men speaking in a certain place of him saith quod non solum artium liberalium cognitione supraquam illa ferchant tempora insignis erat sed etiam humanitate comitate singulari praeditus that he was not only learned in the liberall Sciences above the condition of these times but also of an exceeding courteous and humane inclination yet is he traduced by some of the English Writers for a fabulous and partiall Historian But they who like to peruse his History will perceive that is spoken out of passion and malice and not upon just cause Mr. John Mair wrote also the History of Scotland and wrote upon the four Evangelists Sir John Borthwick Knight commonly called Captain Borthwick who being accused of heresie as the Papists call it and cited therefore and not appearing and escaping into other Countreys was condemned for the same being
word of God John Knox returned again to France to visite that little flock of his which he had in Geneva of the Englishes which the wickednesse of men had compessed him to leave Immediatly after his going away the Bishop summoned him for non-appearance burnt him in Effigie at the Cross of Edinburgh in the year of our Lord 1555. from the which unjust sentence the said John made his appellation and caused to print the samine and directed it to the Nobility and Commons of Scotland which is yet to be seen But John Willock returning again from Emden and others as William Harlaw John Dowglas and others began in Edinburgh and others Towns of the Country publickly to exhort The Nobility and Gentry and others being by them godly instructed and comforted they keep their conventions and held Counsels with such gravity and closnesse that the enemies trembled The Images were stollen away in all parts of the Countrey And in Edinburgh was that great Idol called St. Gile or Sanctus Egidius first drowned in the north Loch after burnt which raised no small trouble in the Town for the Friers rooping like Ravens upon the Bishops the Bishops ran upon the Queen who to them was favourable enough but that she thought it could not stand with her advantage to offend such a multitude as then took upon them the defence of the Gospel and the name of Protestants and yet consented she to summond the preachers whereat the Protestants neither offended nor yet thereof afraid determined to keep the day of summonds as that they did which perceived by the Prelats and Priests they procured a Proclamation to be publickly made that all men that were come to the town without commandement of the authority should with all diligence repair to the Borders and there remain fifteen dayes for the Bishop of Galloway in this manner of ryme said to the Queen Madam because they are come without order I rid you send them to the Border Now had God so provided that the quarter of the West-land in the which was many faithful men was that same day returned from the Border who understanding the matter to proceed from the malice of the Priests assembled themselves together and made passage to themselves till that they came to the very privie Chamber where the Qâ—een Regent and the Bishop were The Gentlemen began to complain upon their strange entertainment considering that her Majesty had found in them so faithfull obedience in all things lawfull While the Queen began to craft a zealous and bold man James Chalmers of Gaithgyrth said Madame we know that this is the malice and device of the Iewels and of that Bastard meaning the Bishop of St. Andrews that standeth by you we avow to God we shal make a day of it they oppress us and our Tennants for feeding of their idle bellies they trouble our Preachers and would murther them and us shall we suffer this any longer no Madame it shal not be and therewith every man put on his stee bonnet There was heard nothing of the Queens part but my joyes my hearts what ailes you me meanes no evill to you nor to your preachers the Bishops shall do you no wrong ye are all my loving subjects I know nothing of this proclamation the day of your Preachers shall be discharged and we will hear the controversie that is betwixt the Bishops and you they shall do you no wrong My Lords said she to the Bishops I forbid you either to trouble them or their preachers unto the Gentlemen who were wondrously commoved she turned again and said O my hearts should you not love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your minds and should ye not love one another as your selves With these and the like words she keeped the Bishops from buffers that time and so the day of summonds being discharged began the brethren universally further to be encouraged but yet could the Bishops in no fort be quiet for St. Geils day approaching they gave charge to the Provest Baillies and Counsell of Edinburgh either to get again the old St. Gile or else upon their expenses to make a new Image The Counsel answered that to them the charge appeareth very unjust for they understood that God in some places had commanded idols and Images to be destroyed but where he had commanded Images to be set up they had not read and desired the Bishop to find a warrand for his commandement Whereat the Bishop offended admonished under pain of cursing which they prevented by a former appellation appealing from him as a partial and corrupt Judge unto the Popes holinesse and so great things following that passed in oblivion Yet would not the Priests and Friers cease to have that great Solemnity and manifest abomination which they accustomedly had upon St. Giles day to wit they would have that Idole born and therefore was all preparation duly made A Marmouset Idol was borrowed from the Gray-friers Thus the Priests and the Friers carried with Tabors and Trumpeters Bâ—nners and Bâ—g-pipes and who was there to lead the ring but the Queen Regent her self with all her shavelings for honour of that feast well about goeth it and cometh down the high street to the Bow The Queen Regent dyned that day in Alexander Carpenter his house betwixt the Bowes and so when the idol returned back again she left it and past into her dinner The hearts of the brethren were wonderfully inflamed to see such abomination so manifestly maintained and so immediatly after that the Q. was entered into the lodging some of them drew nigh unto the Idol and willing to help to bear him and getting the ferror upon his shoulders c. And some began to cry down with the idol down with it and then without delay it was pulled down and broken the Priests and Friers fleed Queen Regent laid up this amongst her other inventions till that she might have seen the time proper to have revenged it After this some Noblemen and Barrons and others resolving upon a Reformation of Religion their petitions put up to the Queen Regent taking no effect joyning in Counsel did bind themselves by oaths and subscriptions to assist one another and hazard their lives and substance to advance the cause of Religion and so proceed peace and peace till the Reformation was established Shortly after these things that cruel tyrant and unmerciful hypocrite falsly called B. of St. Andrews apprehended that blessed Martyr of Christ Jesus Walter Mill a man of decreeped age whom most cruelly and unjustly he put to death by fire in St. Andrews in the year of God 1558. Which thing did so highly offend the hearts of all godly that immediatly after his death began a new fervency among the whole people yea even in the Town of St. Andrews began the people plainly to condemn such unjust cruelty his constancy moved so the hearts of many that the B. steward of his Regality Provest of the
the eleventh there ensued such a great Schisme in Rome between two Popes Urban and Clement and other succeeding after them one striving against another that the Schisme thereof indured the space of 39. years or there about untill the time of the Counsell of Constance As touching this pestilent and miserable Schisme It would require here another Iliad to comprehend in order all the circumstances and tragicall parts thereof what trouble in the whole Church what parts taking in every country what apprehending and imprisoning of Priests and Prelats taken by land and sea what shedding of Blood did follow thereoff how Otho Duke of Brunswick and Prince of Tarentum was taken and murthered how Joan his wife Queen of Jerusalem and Sicilia who before had sent to Pope Urban beside other gifts at his Coronation 40. m. Duckets in pure Gold was after by the said Urban committed to prison and in the same prison strangled What Cardinals were racked and miserably without all mercy tormented on Gibbets to death what slaughter of men what Battels were fought between the Popes whereof 5000. on the one side were slain beside the number of them who are taken Prisoners of the beheading of five Cardinals together after long torments And how the Bishop of Aquilonensis being suspected of Pope Urban for not ryding faster with the Pope his horse not being so good was there slain by the Popes commandement sending his Souldiers unto him to slay him and cut him in pieces with many moe acts of horrible cruelty happening in the time of this abominable Schisme About the same time aâ—so or about three years after there fell a cruell dissention in England between the common people and the Nobility the which did not a little disturb and trouble the Common-wealth In this tumult Simon of Sudbury Archbishop of Canterbury was taken by the Rusticall and rude people and was beheaded In the year of God 1397. there was a battel foughteen betwixt Tamerlane the Tartarian Prince and Bajazet the fourth King of the Turks not far from the Mount Stella where Bajazer there lost his son Mustapha with two hundred thousand of his men and Tamerlane not many fewer Bajazet himself was taken and being brought to Tamerlane and after sundry things asked of him he inqired of him what he would have done with him if it had been his fortune to have fallen into his hands as thou art now in mine I would said Bajazer have inclosed thee in a Cage of Iron and so in triumph have carried thee up and down my Kingdom Even so said Tamerlane shalt thou be served And so he made him to be schaked in fetters and chains of gold and to be shut up in an Iron Cage made like a Grat in such sort as that he might on every side be seen and so carried him up and down as he passed through Asia to be of his own people scorned and derided And to his own further disgrace upon Festival dayes used him for a footstool to tread upon when he mounted to horse and at other times scornfully feed him like a Dog with crumes fallen from his Table A rare example of the uncertainty of worldly honour that he unto whose ambitious mind Asia and Europe two great parts of the world were too little should be now carried up and down cooped up in a little Iron Cage like some perillous wild beast all which Tamerlane did not so much for the hatred to the man as to manifest the just judgement of God against the arrogant folly of the proud It is reported that Tamerlane being requested by one of his Noblemen that might be bold to speak unto him to remit some part of his severity against the person of so great a Prince answered that he did not use that rigour against him as a King but rathet did punish him as proud ambitious Tyrant polluted with the blood of his own brother About this time Berthold Schwartz and Alchimist invented the Guns and Artilery After the death of John Wickliff many were persecuted and suffered most cruel death in England and many moe did forsake the Realm and weâ—e persecuted for the embracing professing and maintaining of VVckliffs doctrine And first of all we begin at one VVilliam Sawtre a good man and a faithfull Priest of the Churrh of St. Margaret in the Town of Lin and zealous of the true Religion he is brought before Thomas Arnndell Archbishop of Canterbury and his Clergie and is before them convict and condemned for Heresie he is first desposed and degraded from his Office and thereafter delivered to the secular power to be burned This it may appear how tKings and Princes have been blinded and abused by â—he false Prelates of the Church in so much that they have been their slaves and butchers to slay Christs poor innocent members See therefore what danger it is for princes not to have knowledge and understanding themselves but to be led by other mens eyes and especially trusting to such guides who through hypocrisie both deceive them and through cruelty devour the people As this King Henry the fourth was the first of English Kings that began the unmercifull burning of Christs Saints for standing against the Pope so was this VVilliam Sawtre the true and faithfull Martyr the first of all them after VVickliffs death which I find to be burned in the raign of the forsaid King which was in the year of our Lord 1400. After the Martyrdome of this godly man the rest of the same company began to keep themselves more clearly for fear of the King who was altogether bent to hold up the Popes Prelacie Such was the raign of this Prince that to the godly he was ever terrible in his actions immeasurable of few men heartily beloved but Princes never lack flatters about them neither was the time of his raigne very quiet but full of trouble of blood and misery After the death of VVilliam Sawtre was apprehended one John Badby a Taylor a Lay-man he was accused of heresie and other Articles repugnant to the determination of the Church of Rome before Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury and other his assiants both Lords Spirituall and Temporall and was condemned for an Heritick and delivered over to the Secular power to be burnt the Kings warrand is given for his burning he is brought into Smithfield and there being put in an empty Barrell was bound with Iron Chains fastened to an Stake having dry Wood put about him And as he was thus standing in the Pipe or Tun it happened that the Prince the Kings eldest son was there present who shewing some part of the good Samaritan began to endeavour and essay how to save his life he admonished counselled him that having respect unto himself he would speedily withdrawn himself out of these dangerous Labyrinths of opinions adding oftentimes threatnings the which might have daunted any mans stomack but hee hearkened not thereunto and then was the Tun put over him and fire put
this Disputation continued fifty dayes where many things were alledged on either part In end after long dispute and reasoning between the Bohemians and the Counsel there was a concord and unity concluded between them The Counsel permitted the Bohemians to Communicate under both kindes as a thing lawfull by the authority of Christ and profitable and healthfull to all such as duely received it As for the other three Articles the Bohemians promised to receive the Declaration of the Church touching them and confirmed it setting to their hands what the determination was of these three Articles I find it not Thus the Bohemians did constantly defend and maintain their Religion that Bishop of Rome could never yet divert them from it especially from the Communion of both kinds In the year of God 1438. The noble Art of Printing with Letters made in Brasse was found out a very Divine Invention worthy of memory and admiration yet were it more admirable if it ware not so much prophaned The Invention was Germanick and very strange at the beginning and of great profit John Gutemberge Knight was the first Author of this goodly Invention The thing was first essayed at Magance sixteen years before it was divulged in Italy One saith that John Faustus called Gutman Invented it with Peter Scheffer Now to leave the estate of the Church of Bohemia for a while we return to speak of the Persecutions in England and elsewhere for if we will read and mark and take a view of the stirres that have been from time to time for Religion we shall finde that in England is more burning and slaying for Religion and more blood shed amongst them then in any other Countrey or Nation in Christendome besides and because we cannot name all that hath been troubled and persecuted amongst them for Religion we shall name some of the most memorable And first of all in the first year of King Henry the sixth his Raign was burned the constant witnesse-bearer and testis of Christs Doctrine William Taylor a Priest under Henry Chichelie Archbishop of Canterbury for maintaining erroneous and hereticall Doctrine as they alledged as that prayer ought to be directed to God alone and to pray to any creature is to commit idolatry After long imprisonment with great constancy did consumat his Martyrdome Next William White Priest he was a follower of Iohn Wickliff and a Priest not after the common sort of Priests but rather reputed amongst the number of them whom the Wise-man speaks he was as the Morning Star in the midst of a Cloud c. This man was well learned upright and a well spoken Pâ—iest he was apprehended and taken by the Bishop of Norwich and of him condemned and burnt in Norwich this man was of so divine and holy life that all the people had him in great reverence and desired him to pray for them insomuch that one Margret Wright confessed that if any Saints were to be prayed unto she would rather pray to him then any other when he was come unto the Stake thinking to open his mouth to speak unto the people to exhort and confirm them in the verity one of the Bishops Servants took him on the mouth thereby to force him to keep silence And thus this good man receiving the Crown of Martyrdome ended this mortall life to the great dolour and grief to all the good men of Norfolk About this time also was burned Father Abraham of Colchester and John Waddon Priest for suspected Heresie Many both men and women in those dayes in the time of King Henry the sixt being suspect of Heresie or Lollaroy were apprehended and accused and cast into prison and greatly vexed and after their abjuration brought into open shame in Churches and Markets the form of the Popish pennance was this three fuistgations or displings in procession about the Cathedrall church three severall Sundays and three displings about the market place three principall market dayes his head and neck and feet being bare and his Body covered only with a short shirt or vesture having in his hands a taper of Wax of a pound weight which the next Sunday after his pennance hee should offer to the Trinity and that for the space of three years after every Ash wednesday and Munday and thursday he should appear in the Cathedrall Church before the Bishop or his Vicegerents to do open pennance among the penetentiaries for his offences In the year of God 1430. shortly after the solemn coronation of King Henry the sixt a certain man named Richard Hoveden a woll-winder and a citizen of London was burnt for suspition of Heresie This man when hee could by no perswasions be withdrawn or plucked back from the opinions of Wickliff he was by the rules of the Church condemned for Heresie and burned hard by the town of London Thomas Bagely a Priest being a valiant Disciple and adherent of Wickliff was condemned by the Bishop of Heresies at London and was degraded burnt in Smithfield In the dayes of King James the first Anno 1431. was deprehended in the University of St. Andrews one named Paul Craw a Bohemian and delivered over to the Secular power to be burnt for holding contrary opinions unto the church of Rome touching the Sacrament of the Lords Supper the worshipping of Saints Auricular confession with others of Wickliffs opinion they put a ball of Brasse in his mouth to the end he should not give confession of his Faith to the people neither yet that they should understand the defence which they had against their unjust acculation and condemnation Richard Wich Priest a man suspect of Heresie was degraded and burned at the Tower-hill It is testified of him that before his death he spoke as prophesying that the posterior of the Tower should sink which also afterward came to passe wherefore of many of the people hee was counted for an holy man in so much as it is affirmed they came to the place where he was burnt and there made their oblations and prayers and a red great heap of stones and set up a crosse there by night so that by this means a great clamour ran upon the Church men and especially upon such as put him to death Then to cease therein more the King gave commandement to punish such as went thither on pilgrimage Here is to be remembred the lamentable losing of Constantinople in the year of God 1453. Constantinus Palaeologus being Emperor of Constantinople was taken by the Turk Mahometes after the siege of fifty four dayes which siege began in the beginning of April The Emperor was slain and the Turks sacking and ranging about streets houses and corners did put to the sword most unmercifully whomsoever they found both aged and young Matrons Virgins Children and Infants sparing none The Noble Matrons and Virgins were horriblie ravished the Goods of the City the Treasures in houses the Ornaments in the Churches were all sacked and spoyled the Pictures of Christ opprobriously
so often or so long as it pleased their ordinary to appoint by which long rigorous and open punishing of them they meant as it should seem utterly to terrifie and keep back all others from the true knowledge of Jesus Christ and his Gospel But the Lord be evermore praised what effect their wicked purposes therein have been taken these our most lightsome dayes of Gods glorious Gospell doe most joyfully declare William Sweting and John Brewster were put to death and burnt together in Smithfield the chiefest case of Religion alledged against them in their Articles was their Faith concerning the Sacrament of Christs Body and Blood which because it differed from the absurd grosse and Capernaiticall opinion of the new School men was counted as most hainous Heresie John Brown was put to death and burned at Ashford in the year of God 1517. about the fourth year of King Henry the eighth upon the declaration of a Priest in a conference between him and the Priest who took him for an Heretick whereupon he was apprehended and committed to Prison the same night as he was in the Stocks at Ashford where he and his Wife dwelt his Wife came and sat beside him all the night before he should be burned to whom he declaring the whole story how he was handled shewed and told how that he could not set his feet to the ground for they were burned to the bones and told her how by the two Bishops Warham and Fisher his feet were heated upon the hote coals and burnt to the bones to make me said he to deny my Lord which I will never do for if I should deny my Lord in this World he would hearafter deny me I pray thee therefore said he good Elizabeth continue as thou hast begun and bring up thy Children vertuously and in the fear of God and so the next day this godly Martyr was burned commending his spirit into the hands of the Lord At the fire the Bayllie Arrant bade cast in his Children also for they would spring said he of his ashes This blessed Martyr John Brown had born an Faggot seven years before in the dayes of King Henry the 7. Richard Hunne Merchand Tailyour dwelling within the City of London and free-man of the same who was esteemed during his life and worthily reputed and taken not only for a man of true dealing and good substance but also for a good Catholick man this man was suspect of Heresie and committed to the Lollords Tower where he was first murthered by his adversaries the Priests and by them hanged whereupon they made the people to believe that he had desperatly hanged himself and after his death led a processe against him and condemned him of Heresie and at last burned him in Smith-field Thomas Man for alledged Heresie suffered much trouble and long imprisonment and in end was condemned and burnt in Smithfield This Tomas Man called Doctor Man confessed that he turned seven hundred people to his Religion and Doctrine for the which he thanked God Against the faithfull Christians of Amershame was great trouble and persecution in the time of William Smith Bishop of Lincolne At which time diverse and many were abjured and it was called abjuratio magna the great abjuration and they which were noted of that Doctrine and profession were called amongst themselves by the name of known men or just fast men as now they are called by the name of Protestants At this time although publick authority then lacked to maintain the open Preaching of the Gospel yet there were many in secret good Christians and true Professors of the Gospel truly the fervent zeal of those Christian-dayes seemed much superiour to these our dayes and times as manifestly may appear by their sitting up all night in reading and hearing also by their charges and expenses in buying of Books in English In which rarity of books and want of Teachers this one thing may be much marvelled and mused at to note in the Registers and to consider how the word of truth notwithstanding did multiplie so exceedingly as it did amongst them wherein is to be seen no doubt the marvellous working of Gods Almighty power for so it is found and observed in considering the Registers how one neighbour resorting and conferring with another oft seemed with a few words of the first and second Table did win and turn their minds to that wherein they desired to perswade them touching the truth of Gods Word and their Sacraments To see their travells their earnest seeking their burning zeal their readings their watchings their sweet assemblies their love concord their godly living their faithfull meaning with the faithfull may make us now in these our dayes of free profession to blush for shame Four prinipal points they stood in against the Church of Rome in pilgrimage adoration of Saints in reading of Scripture-books in English and in the carnall presence of Christs Body in the Sacrament After the death of William Smith succeeded John Longland a bloody and cruell persecutor of the Saints of God he caused the Wife to detect the Husband the Husband the Wife the Father the Daughter the Daughter the Father the Brother to disclose the Brother and Neigbour the Neighbour neither were there any Assemblies nor readings kept but both the persons and also the books were known neither was one word so closely spoken nor Article mentioned but it was discovered So subtilly and slightly these Catholick Prelats did use their inquisions and Examinations that nothing was done or said among these known men fifteen or twenty years before so covertly but it was brought at length to their intelligence as appears in a Table describing the grievous afflictions of good Men and Women in the Diocesse of Lincolne under John Longland their Bishop with the names both of the accusers and of them that were accused also with the crimes to them objected out of the Registers of the said Diocesse all these were constrained to abjure and do penance and they which were Relapse were committed to the Secular power and burnt As touching the burning of John Scrivener here is to be noted that his Children were compelled to set the fire unto their Father in like manner as Joan Clerk also Daughter of William Tylesworth was compelled to give fire for the burning of her own naturall Father The example of which cruelty as it is contrary both to God and Nature so it had not been seen nor heard of in the memory of the Heathen Now to leave England for a while and to take a view of other Countreys and the Persecutions for Religion there we shall begin first with Germany OF MARTIN LUTHER by whom God began the Reformation of his CHURCH MARTIN LUTHER born at Isleben in Saxonie one Augustine Frier arose in the year of God 1516. to detect and discover the errors of the Church of Rome and to cry out against indulgences upon this occasion Leo the tenth of that name Pope of Rome
WALDENSES Or WALDOYES THe Waldenses otherwise called Pauperes de Lugduno have their beginning of one Petrus Waldus Citizen of Lyons their first teacher and instructer by violence oâ— persecution being driven out of Lyons were dispersed abroad in diverse Countreys of whom some fled to Massilia some to Germany Livonia Bohemia Calabâ—ia and Apulia diverse strayed to the Countreys of France especially about Province and Piemont of whom came these Merindolians above mentioned they which were of the Countrey of Tolousa of the place where they frequented werâ— câ—lled Albii or Albigenses Against the which Albigenses Friers Dominicus was a great doer labouring and Preaching against them ten years together and caused many of them to be burned And albeit great was their Persecution in all parts where they were scattered yet could they never be utterly destroyed nor yet compelled to yeeld to the superstitious and false Religion of the Church of Rome but ever abstained from their corruption and Idolatry as much as was possible and gave themselves to the word of God as a Rule both truly to serve him and to direct their lives accordingly It happened that John Martin of Briqueras a mile from Angrogne which vaunted every where that he would slit the Ministers nose of Angrogne Was assaulted by a Wolf which bit off his nose so that he died thereof mad This was commonly known to all the Town thereabout this was the just hand of God upon this Persecutior As the President of St. Julian comming to Angrogne to vex the people there by the way he enquired for one dwelling at St. Johns near to Angrogne and examined him whether he had not baptized his child at Angrogne and wherefore he had so done The poor simple mans answered that he had baptized his child at Angrogne because baptisme was there ministred according to the institution of Châ—ist Then the President in a great rage commanded him in the Kings name to baptize his child again or else he should be burnt And here we see how the Papists play the Anabaptists The poor man desired the President that he might be suffered to make his prayer to God before he should make answer thereunto which after he had done in the Hall before all the company there present he required the President that he would writ and signe it wiâ—h his own hand that he would discharge him before God of the danger of that offence if he should baptize his child again and that he would take the perrill upon him and his The President hearing this was so confounded that he spake not one word a good while after Then said he in a great fury away thou villan out of my sight and after that he never was called again any more Barbarous was the cruelty that the enemies of the Gospel did to a good Minister of St. German in the valley of Perouse they sent a company of Ruffians by night who brought him out of his house and after sore impriâ—onment they put him to a cruel death for they rosted him by a small fire and when half his body was burnt he confessed and called upon the Lord Jesus with a loud voice In all these parts at this time was great Persecution great robbery and spoyling of mens goods and lives In their cruel outrages against those innocent people of the Waldoyes this is not to be passed by A certain old man about threescore years of age whose name was Odut Gemet being apprehendit of them suffered a strange and cruel death for when they had bound him they took all kind of beasts which live in horse dung called in French Escarborz and put them unto his navel covering them with a Dish the which within a short space pierced into his belly and killed him In that fight between the lord of Trinity the Angronguians there were burned about 1000 houses of Angrogne And here is not to be forgotten that they often times set fire upon the two Temples of Angrogne where the word of God was preached but they could never burn them A notable miracle of God in keeping the temples of the Gospel from burning So did they also to the Ministers house which notwithstanding remained whole the houses round about being all consumed with fire That day none of Angrogne was slain or hurt saving only one that was hurt in his thigh There were in all Angrongne but two that were enemies to the word of God which that same day were slain by the souldiers not in the coÌ„bat but for their riches they had about them as they were running away The one of them was a very covetous wretch and had great store of gold and silver and would spend nothing either to help himself or succour others no not his poor parents All this was spoiled by the souldiers with a hundreth or two hundreth Crowns besides which he had about him Besides these two there was not one of Angrogne slain that day In the overthâ—ow of the Lord of Trinity his Army by the Walloyes the rest that retired cryed out with a loud voice God fighteth for them and we do them wrong The next day one of the principall Captains of the Army surrendred his charge to the Lord of Trinity saying unto him that he would never fight against this people any more upon that he departed It is a marvelous thing and worthy of perpetuall memory that in that combat there were but two or the Waldoyes flain and two hurt through the whole country of Piemont every man said God fighteth for them One of the Captains confessed that he had been at many fierce assaults and combats and sundry battels foughten but yet he never saw souldiers so faâ—nt-hearted and amazed yea the souldiers themselves told him they were astonished that they could not strike Moreover they said that this people never shot but they hurt and killed some of the Souldiers Some other said that the Ministers by their prayers conjured and bewitched them that they could not fight and indeed wondrous is it and marvelous are the judgements of God that notwithstand so many combats and conflicts so great assaults and adventures so much and so terrible shot continually made against this poor people yet all in a manner came to no effect so mightily Gods holy power wrought for his people In end after many battels and conflicts there is agreement made up and agreed upon between the Lord of Raconis on the part of the Duke of Savoy his Highnesse their Master and them of the valleys of Piemont called Waldoyes through the mediation of the Dutchesse The first Article is a promise of forbearing armour against his Highnesse 2. That it shal be lawfull for them of Angrongron and the rest of the valleyes to have their congregations sermons and others ministers of their Religion in places accustomed 3. The goods already â—eased as forefault shal be restored to all the inhabitants of the said valeyes all their franchizes freedoms and priviledges shall
price I cannot afford it yet had I rather break it in pieces yea saith the Inquisitor break it let me see thee Rochus with that he took up a chissâ—l and dashed it upon the face of the Image wherewith the nose or some othe part of the face was blemished The Inquisitor seing that cryed out as he were mad and commanded Rochus forthwith into prison To whom Rochus cryed again that he might do in his works what he listed And if the workmanship of the image were not after his fantasie what was that to them But all this could not help Rochus but within three dayes after sentence was given upon him that he should be burned and so was he committed to the Executer As Rochus was entering the place there to be burned he cryed with a loud voice asking among the multitude which there stood by if any man of Flanders were there It was answered Yea and also that there were two Ships already fraught and appointed to sail to Flanders Then said he I would desire some of them to signifie unto my father dwelling in Antwerp that I was burned here in this City and for this cause which ye all have heard And thus after his prayers made to God this good man being wrongfully condemned after his godly lâ—fe made this blessed end And thereafter a certain Spainard coming to Antwerp made diligent Inquisition there among the Image-makers to find out the Parents of this Rochus and signified to them what had happened toward their son as hath been by his said Parents and friends declared And the Father at the hearing of the said message for sorrow thereof died shortly after many were imprisoned and died in prison The execrable Inquisiton of SPAIN THe cruell and barbarous Inquisition of Spain first begun by King Ferdinandus and Elizabeth his Wife and was instituted against the Jews which after their Baptism maintained again their own Ceremonies that now it is practised against them that be never so little sâ—spected to favour the verity of the Lord the Spainards and especi lly the great Divines there do hold that this holy and sacred Inquisition cannot erre and that the holy Eathers the Inquisitors cannot be deceived Three sorts of men most principally be in danger of these Inquisiâ—ors they that be greatly rich for fear the spoil of their goods they that be Learned because they will not have their misdealings and secret abuses to be espied and detected they that begin to increase in honour and dignity lest they being in Authority should work them some shame or dishonour The abuse of the Inquisition is most execrable If any word shall passe out of the mouth of any which may be taken in evill part yea and though no word be spoken yet if they bear any grudge or ill-will against the Party incontinent they command him to be taken and put into an horrible Prison and then find out crimes against him at leasure and in the mean time no man living is so hardy once to open his mouth for him If the Father speak on word for his child he is also taken and cast into Prison as a favourer of Hereticks neither is it permitted to any Person to go in to the Prison but there he is alone in such a place where he cannot see so much as the ground where he is and is not suffered either to read or write but there endureth in darknesse palpable in horrours infinite in fear miserable wrestling with the assaults of death And moreover to these distresses and horrours of the Prison the injuries threats whippings and scourgings Irons Tortures and Racks which they endure And thus are they detained there some many years and murthered by long torments and whose dayes together entreated much more cruelly out of all compassion then if they were in the Hang-mans hand to be slain at once During all this time what is done in the Processe no person knoweth but only the Holy Fathers and the Tormenters which are sworn to execut the Torments c. By the vigour and rigour of this Inquisiton many good true servants of Jesus Christ have been brought to death especially in the laâ—ter years since the Raign of Queen Elizabeth In the Town of Valedolid where commonly the Counsell of the Inquisition is wont to be keeped the Inquisitors had brought together many Prisoners both of high and low estate to the number of thirty also the Coffin of a certain Noble-woman with her Picture lying upon it which had been dead long before there to receive Judgement and Sentence To the heating of which sentence they had ordained in the said Town there might be Theaters or Stages Upon the first was placed Dame Jane sister to King Philip and chief Regiment of his Realms Also Prince Charles King Philips son with other Princes and Estates of Spain Upon the other Scaffold mounted the Archbishop of Sivill Prince of the Synagogue of the Inquisitors with the Counsel of the Inquisition also other Bishops of the Land and the Kings Counsel with them After all were set and placed in great pomp were brought forth as a spectacle and triumph the poor servants and witnesses of Jesus Christ to the number of thirty clothed with their Sanbenito as the Spaniards do call it which is a manner of Vesture of yellow Cloath comming both before them and behind them spangled with red Crosses having burning Clerges in their hands also before them was born a Crucifix covered with black Linnen-cloath in token of mourning Moreover they which were to receive the sentence of death had Miters of Paper upon their heads which the Spaniards call Coracas After this followed a Sermon made by a Dominick Frier which endured about an hour After the Sermon was finished the Procurator Generall with the Archbishop went to the Stage where the Princes and Nobles stood to Minister a solemn Oath unto them upon the Crucifix painted in the Masse Book the tennor of which Oath was this Your Majesties shall swear that ye will favour the holy Inquisition and also give your consent unto the same and not only that ye shall by no manner of way hinder and impeach the same but also ye shall imploy to the uttermost of your help and endeavour hereafter to see all them to be executed which swerve from the Church of Rome and adjoyn themselves to the Entherian Hereticks without all respect of any person or persons of what estate degree quality or condition soever they be Item your Majesties shall swear that ye shall constrain all your Subjects to submit themselves to the Church of Rome and to have in reverence all the Laws Commandements of the same And also to give your aid against all them whosoever shall hold of the Heresie of the Lutherians or take any part with them After the Oath the Archbishop lifting up his hand gave them his Benediction saying God blesse your Highnesse and give you long life In end the poor Captives Prisoners were called our
is drawn up and subscribed by him the Doctors and Prelats without delay caused the same to be imprinted and set abroad in all mens hands this made the Papists greatly to rejoice all this while Cranmer was in no certain assurance of his life although the same was faithfully promised to him by the Doctors The Queen having now gotten a time to revenge her old grief received his recantation very gladly but of her purpose to put him to death she would nothing relent The Queen appoints Doctor Cole to make his Funerall Sermon before his death At the day of his execution he makes his Sermon at S. Maries Church in Oxford there was a Stage set up over againâ—t the Pulpit of a mean height from the ground where Cranmer had his standing waiting untill Cole made him ready to his Sermon The lamentable case and sight of that man gave a forrowfâ—ll spectacle to all christian eyes that beheld him he that late was Archbishop Metropolitane and Primat of England and the Kings privie Counsellour being now in a bare and ragged Gown and ill favouredly cloathed with an old square Cap exposed to the contempt of all men did admonish men not only of his own calamity but also of our state and fortune wherein he declared against him that being a traitor he had dissolved the lawfull Matrimony between the King her Father and Mother besides the driving out of the Popes authority while he was Metropolitane that he had been an heretick c. Besideâ— these there were other just and weighty causes which seemed to the Queen and Counsell which was not meet at that time to be opened to the common people c. He encâ—urageth him to take his death patiently by many places of Scripture Doctor Cole rejoyced in his conversion but that lasted not long After the Sermon Cranmer was required to declare his faith he declared the true confession of his faith without all collour or dissembling for now is no time to dissemble whatsoever I have said or written in time past I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Farth c. And now I come to the great thing that so much troubleth my conscience more then any thing that ever I did or said in my whole life that is the setting abroad of a writting contrary to the truth which here now I renounce and refuse as things written wiâ—h my hand contrary to the truth which I thought in my heart and written for fear of death and to save my life if it might be c. And for asmuch as my hand offended writing contrary to my heart my hand shall first be punished therefore for may I come to the fire it shall be first burned And as for the Pope I refuse him as Christs enemy and Antichrist with all his false Doctrine And as for the Sacrament I believe as I have taught in my Book against the Bishop of Winchester the which my Book teacheth so true a Doctrine of the Sacrament that it shall stand at the last day before the Judgement of God where the Papisticall Doctrine contrary thereto shall be ashamed to shew her face Here the standers by were all ashamed marvelled were amazed did look one upon another whose expectation he had so notably deceived Some began to admonish him of his recantation and to accuse him of falshood briefly it was a world the Doctor beguiled of so great an hope I think there was never cruelty more notably or better in them deluded and deceived for it is not to be doubted but they looked for a glorious victory and a perpetual triumph by this mans recantation so the Papists were in a great chafe against him he is plucked down from the Stage by Friers and Papists for the true confession of his faith he is led to the fire when he is brought to the fire he putteth his right hand which subscribed first in the fire which he held so stedfast and immoveable saving that once with the same hand he wiped his face that all men might see his hand burned before his body was touched his body did so abide the burning of the flame with such constancy and stedfastness that standing alwayes in one place without moving of his body hee seemed to move no more then the Stake to which he was bound his eyes were lifted up unto heaven and oftentimes he repeated his unworthy right hand so long as his voice would suffer him and using oft the words of Stephen Lord Jesus receive my spirit in the greatnâ—sse of the flamme he gave up the Ghost At this time in Suffolk at Ipswich Agnes Potten and Joan Trunchfield were burnt for affirming that in the Sacrament was the memoriall only of Christs death and passion for said they Jesus Christ is ascended up into heaven and is on the right hand of God the Father according to the Scriptures and not in the Sacrament as he was born of the Virgin Mary for this they were burned which they constantly suffered which was to be wondered at who being so simple women so manfully stood to the confession and testimony of Gods word and verity The burning of Agnes Potten was revealed to her before in her sleep for being asleep in her bed saw a bright burning fire right up as a Pole and on the side of the fire she thought there stood a number of Queen Maries friends looking on Then being asleep she seemed to muse with her self whether her fire should burn so bright or no and indeed her suffering was not far unlike to her dream Hugh Laverock Painter an old lame man of sixty eight years John Apprice a blind man Martyrs were burned at Stratford the Bow In this discourse of this parcel or part or History I know not whether more to marvell at the great and unsearchable mercies of God with whom there is no respect in degrees of persons but he chooseth as well the poor lame and blind as the rich mighty and healthfull to set forth his glory or else to note the unreasonable or rather the unnaturall doings of these unmercifull Catholicks I mean Bishop Boner and his complices in whom was so little favour or mercy to all sorts and kinds of men that also they spared neither impotent age neither lame nor blind as may well appear by these poor creatures They after their tryall and examination by B. Boner were condemned and delivered unâ—o the civill power to be burnt At their death the old lame man casting away his Couch and comforting the blind men his fellow Martyr said unto him be of good comfoâ—t my brother for my Lord of London is our good Physitian he will heal us both shortly thee oâ— thy blindnesse and me of my lamenesse so patiently these two good Saints of God together suffered After the burning of this lame and blind man were brought to the fire aâ— Smithfield a widow and three maids they constantly suffered for the cause of Christ There was also
departed this life the 24. of March in the 70 year of her age and 44. of her raign The same day in the forenoon the King of Scots was proclâ—imed King first at the Palace of White hall next at the Crosse in Cheapside within the City of London with an infinite applause of all sorts of people But leaving the prosecution of any moe occurences that fell out in this our Realm which late Histories at large does declare I shall close this part with one or two remarkable things specially concerning Glasgow in reckoning out the Bishops of Glasgow till the Reformation I find St. Mungo to be the first This City was made famous at first by Kentigern commonly called St. Mungo He was begotten by Engenius the third King of the Scots upon Thametis Daughter to Loth King of Picts His Mother finding her self with child out of shame and fear of her Fathers wrath stole privily away and entering into a little Vessel that she found in the nearest coast was by the wind and waves cast on land where the town of Culrosse is now situated and there was delivered of her birth and leaving the Child with a Nurse returned home His Parents bâ—ing unknown he was brought to Servanus and baptized and bred up by him yet it seems by the Hymne they did ordinarly sing in the Festivals that made his Father afterwards to be known They repo t of him that a Lady of good place in the Country having lost a King which her Husband gave her as she crossed the River of Clyde and her Husband waxing jealous as if she had bestowed the same upon one of her lovers she did mean her self unto him in râ—ating his help for the safty of her honour and that he going to the river after he had used his devotion willâ—d one who was making to fish to bring him the first that he caught which was done in the mouth of the fish he found the Ring and sending it to the Lady she was thereby fred of her Husbands suspition The credit of this I bâ—lieve upon the reportes but howsoever it be the sea and City do both of them wâ—ar in their Arms a fish with a ring in the mouth even to this day He was certainly a man of rare piety and to the poor exceeding bountifull lived to a great age beyond the ordinary course of men to wit nine score and five years as in the conclusion of the hyme is said Cum octogenos centum quâ—que quinque vir annos Complerat sanctus est Closgow sunere sunctus He laid the foundation of the high Church of Glasgow and was therein at his dâ—ath interred After his death for many ages the See was in a manner desolate unto the raign of Malcolm the third who restored the same to some integrity The first Bishop I find named after the restitution was 1. John Achaian who took great pains in building the Cathredal and having brought it to a reasonable perfection did dedicate â—he same in the year 1137. Jocelin Abbot of Melrosse was his successor in his time the City of Glasgow was erected a Burgh royall Williâ—m Babinton Chancellor of the Kingdom was after him elected Bishop In his time as Boeth writeth the fabrick of the Church of Glasgow was fully accomplished his words are absolutum est ea tempâ—state Templum Catâ—edrâ—le Glasgu nsis sedes profeâ—to magnifica cujus â—aud exignam partem Guilielmus ibid m Epise pus iberalitate sua extruxerat nec dâ—u operi perfecto supersuit He died the 25. of January 1261. William Rae the 19. Bishop a good and zâ—aloâ—s man build the stone Brid e of Glasgow and died in year 1367. In the time of Mr. Mathew Gl n linniâ—g the 21. Bishop the steeple which was all built of timber wâ—s burnt by lightning in place whereof he intended to build one of stone and made therefore great preparation but was prevented by death in the year 1408. His successor William Lawder finished the work he was Chancellor of Scotland Mr. VVilliam Tuâ—â—bull the 25. Bishop founded the Colledge of Glasgow The cruel persecutiâ—n of Châ—istians under the TURKISH Emperors NOw last of all having spoken of the persecutions of the Christians under the Roman Emperoâ—s in a tractate by it self and of the persecutions of the Roman Bishops in this place for the professing of the Gospel of Christ Jesus we shall speak a little of the miserable persecutions slaughter and captivity of the Christians under the Turks thus from time to time the Church of Christ almost hath had little or no rest in this earth what for the heathen Emperors on the one side what for the proud Pope on the other side on the third side what for the barbarous Turk for these are and have been from the beginning the three principall and capitall enemies of the Church of Christ signified in the Apocalypse by the Beast the false lamb and the false prophet from whom went out three foul spirits like Frogs to gather together all the Kings of the Earth to the battel of the day of the Lord God Almighty Apoc. 16. The cruelty and malice of these enemies against Christs people hath been such that to judge which of them most exceeded in cruelty of persecution it is hard to say but it may bee thought that the bloody and beastly tyrranny of the Turks especially above all the rest incomparable surmounteth all the afflictions and cruel slaughters that ever were seen in any age or read of in any story in so much that their is neither History so perfect nor writter so diligent who wryting of the miserable tyranny of the Turks is able to expresse or comprehend the horrible examples of the unspeakable cruelty and slaughter exercised by these twelve Turkish tyrrants upon poor Christian mens bodies within the compasse of these later three hundreth years Where of although no sufficient relation can be made nor number expressed yet to give to the Reader some generall guesss or view thereof let us first perpend and consider what Dominions and Empyres how many countries Kingdoms Provinces Cities Towns Strong holds and forts these Turks have surprised and wone from the Christians in all which victories beeing so many This is secondly to be noted that there is almost no place which the Turks ever came to and subdued where they did not either slay all the inhabitants thereof or led away the most part thereof into such captivity and slavery that they continued not long after alive or else so lived that death almost had been to them more tollerable Like as in the time of the first persecutions of the Roman Emperors the saving was that no man could step with his feet in all Rome but should tread upon a Martyr so here may be said that almost there is not a town city or village in all Asia Grecia also in a great part of Europe and Africa whose streets have not flowed wi h the blood of the Christians whom the
the Revelation in these words And I saw an Angel descending from Heaven having a key of the bottomlesse pit and a great chain in his hand and he took the Dragon the old Serpent which is the Devil and Satan and bound him for a thousand years and put him into the bottomlesse dungeon and shut him up and signed him with his seal that he should no more seduce the Gentiles till a thousand years were expired and after that he must be loosed again for a little space of time c. The thousand years being now expired Satan let loose he begins again to persecute the Church of God and the professors of the truth in the person of Wickliff in the year of our Lord 1371. in the dayes of Edward the third King of England This Wickliff was an English-man and a Professor of Divinity in Oxford a man of great spirit and of great learning he came to such a degree or erudition that he was thought the most excellent amongst all the Theologians at that time he perceiving the true Doctrine of Christs Gospel to be aduldeâ—at and defiled with so many filthy inventions of Bishops Sects of Monks and dark errors and after long debating and deliberating with himself with many secret sighs and bewalings in his mind the generall ignorance of the whole world could no longer sâ—ffer or abide the same he at the last determined with himself to help and remedy such things as he saw to be wide and out of the way and so he began as from a deep night to draw out the truth of the Doctrine of the Son of God with the purity of the Doctrine which hee taught he also lively touched the abuses of the Popedome in so much that the Locusts that is to say the Monks and begging Friers listed themselves up against him to persecute him with all the rable of the Popish Clergie but the Lord gave him for a Protector King Edward the third the Duke of Lancaster the Kings son and Lord Henery Peircy the Marshaâ—l of England for all the time of King Edwards raign he had great liberty of his profession and that the King carried a speciall favour and good-will to him appears in this that he sent him with his Ambassadour over into the parts of Italy to treat with the Popes Legats concerning affairs betwixt the King and the Pope with full commission This King Edward was a good man and hath this commendation that he was Orphanis quasi Pater afflictis compations miseris condolâ—ns oppressis relevaâ—s cunctis indigentibus impendens auxilia opportuna that is to the Orphans he was a Father competient to the afflicted mourning with the miserable releiving the oppressed and to all them that wanted a helper in the time of need c. Pope Gregory being informed of Wickliffs Doctrine that was pred abroad through the land He wrot to the Archbishop of Canterbury and to the Bishop of London to cause apprehend the said John Wickliffe and to cast him into prison and that the King and Nobles of England should be admonished not to give any trust to the said John VVickliffe or to his Doctrine in any wayes As also he wrote unto King Edward or rather unto King Richard who succeeded King Edward to persecute this VVickliff but God shortned the rage and fury of this cruel Prelate against him for that in the same year or in the beginning of the next year following the forsaid Pope Gergory the eleventh turn'd up his heels and died Yet the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London did vex trouble him and held sundry meetings of the Clergy against him to condemne him and his Doctrine And here is not to be past over the great miracle of Gods Divine admonition or warning for when as the Archbishop and Suffraganes with the other Doctors and Lawiers with a great company of babling Friers and Religious persons were gathered together to consult as touching John VVickliffs books and that whole sect When as I say they were gathered together at the Gray-friers in London to begin their businesse upon St. Dunstanes day after dinner about two in the cloak the very hour and instant that they should go forward with their businesse a wonderfull and terrible earthquake fell throughout all England whereupon diverse of the Suffraganes being feard by the strange and wonderfull demonstration doubting what it should mean thought it good to leave off from their determinat purpose But the Archbishop as the chief Captain of that Army more rash and bold then wise interpreting the change which had happened clean contrary to another meaning and purpose did confirm and strengthen hearts and minds which are almost danted with fear stoutly to proceed and to go forward in their attempted enterprise who then discoursing VVickliffs Articles not according to the sacred Cannons of the Holy Scripture but unto their own private affections and traditions pronounced and gave sentence that some of them were simply and plainly Hereticall other some false erroneous other irreligious some seditious and not consonant to the Church of Rome John VVickliff a long time after this returning again either from his banishment being banished by King Richard or from some other place where he was secretly keeped repaired to his Parish at Lutterworth where hee was Parson and there quyetly departing this mortall Life sleept in peace in the Lord 1384. Here is to be noted in this Man as in diverse others whom the Lord so long preserved in such rages of so many enemies from all their hands even to his old age This VVickliff had written diverse and sundry works the which in the year of our Lord 1410. were burnt at Oxford And not only in England but in Bohemia Likewise the Books of the said VVickliff were set on fire by the Archbishop of Prage who made diligent inquisiition for the same and burned them The numbers of the Volumes which he is said to have burned most excellently written and richly adorned with bosses of Gold and coverings as Aeneas Silvius writes were about the number of two hundred Great was the testimony given out by the Vniversity of Oxford touching the commendation of the great Learning and good Life of John VVickliff as also great was the testimony and commendation of Master John Hus concerning John VVickliff who affirmed that he was no Heretick and yet the Counsel of Constance condemned him for an Heretick and caused his Body and Bones to bee raised and burnt 41. years after his Death and took his Ashes and threw into the River thinking thereby utterly to extinguish and abolish both the Name and Doctrine of VVickliff for ever for though they digged up his Body and burnt his Bones and drowned his Ashes yet the Word of God and truth of his Doctrine with the fruit and successe thereof they could not burn which yet to this day for the most part of his Articles do remain After the Death of Pope Gregory