counteracting the same Davila though an adversary in setting down that history giveth a large account of this What a great appearance of the Lords hand yea of an extraordinary providence vvas there in the throvving dovvn of the Popish images and altarâ— almost in one night throvv much of the Netherlands vvhich for so many 100 Yeares had been made use of for idolatry O did not Sathan thus fall as lightning from Heaven it being very evident hovv strange an impulse did carry out the People in this over all difficulties or fear of hazard vvhat a vvonderful consent and agreement amongst places so remote about one thing and almost at one time hovv quickly also vvas it executed through these Provinces almost in an instant the authors did never appear nor any noise of their boasting thereanent and vvhich vvas strange the Magistrates of the cityes having both povver and vvill to hinder yet vvere so over ruled and struck vvith astonishment that they could not resist and as Famianus Strada a great enemy to the truth doth shevv vvhat fell out in Antvverp and other places considering the greatnes of the vvork the multitude and height of these idolatrous monuments it might have been eneugh for many dayes vvhat vvas done in one night and yet not any in the least prejudged or hurt thereby vvhich made him cry â—ut that sure this vvas the vvork of the Devil and his help eminently therein but I doe not vvonder to hear these in such a manner blaspheme vvhilest they are tormented vvith so clear a discovery of Gods hand against them Must vve not here mention that great deliverance of the town of Leyden from the Spanjard vvith a speciall remark vvhilest it vvas then manifest if the enemy had made use of Cannon in battering the vvals they could not have come short of their designe in what an extraordinary vvay also vvere the vvinds trysted to raise the vvaters in order to the touns relief vvhen they vvere at the utmost extremity yea for driving the vvaters back again vvhen the toun vvas once delivered and which was very marvellous that the same night wherein the Spanjards were forced to retire a part of the wals fell down which if it had fallen out a little before that city had been utterly lost O vvas not this a divine hand vvhich even the greatest Atheists and such vvho judge things to fall out by chance must confesse What vvonderful providences did attend the actings of that poor handful of protestants in the Valleyes of Piemont for their necessary selfe-defence Fox vvith other vvriters give a clear account in setting dovvn that horrid persecution vvhich they endured in the Year 1555. I shall here onely touch some passages mentioned by Mr Morland in his History who upon the account of that bloody Massacte vvhich vvas there vvithin these fevv Years vvas then near that place and from sure knovvledge and information doth very gravely hold forth the same and truely they are providences so marvellous and astonishing that men cannot but see the Lord in an extraordinary vvay helping that poore People his acting forth a fevv to do such exploits beyond any thing that can be mentioned of these great Heroes whom the World in former Yeares did admire so that we must say as this was a convincing proof of the great power of God put forth for his People when help in an ordinary way failed it was also a solemn testimony to their cause and of the Lords approbation of his Peoples standing for their own defence against the cruelty and violence of a persecuting Magistrat We have there held forth how after that bloody persecution by an order from the Duke of Savoy a small number was in a remarkable way raised up and upon their first essay 7 or 8 under the conduct of that worthy Gentleman Iosua Gianavell whom God made use of as a choise instrument to help that poor scattered remnant was made to fight 300 souldiers who were sent to excerce further cruelty in that place killing many of them and pursueing the rest for a considerable time After a party of 500 being sent by the Marquesse of Fianem who then commanded the Duke of Savoyes forces were opposed by 11 of the Protestants and other 6 with slings and after a short conflict were forced to flee with considerable slaughter the terrour of the Lord upon the one and a Spirit of courage and resolution in the other being very manifest After these there was another party sent forth of 700 souldiers to sease on all the passages upon which about 17 Masters of familyes whose hearts God had in signal manner strengthned to the battel for their poor brethrens preservation resolved to cast themselves upon the Lord for the successe of their undertakings and with such marvellous boldnes faced their adversaries as put them in amazement and made them draw off resolving to take another way but vvere still pursued by this little handful vvho killed many vvithout the losse of one man At an other time the Protestants there joyning in a greater number being 300 under the conduct of the forementioned Captain Gianavel vvere assaulted by 2500 of the adversaries but the Lord so ordered that this little party getting the advantage of the place after some conflict did force them to retire pursueing them into the vvoods and steep rocks vvith great slaughter and thus vvith a marvellous courage in a continued fight for 8 houres together did drive the enemy before them Divers other remarkable passages of this kinde are at more length mentioned in that History vvhich the Author after most exact search and enquiry thereanent doth solemnly attest and truely it might be much cause for vvonder as it is there observed that through the Lords ominent appearance and his blessing on his poor Peoples endeavours for the interest of Religion and their own preservation they did in a short time dispute the matter vvith such a prosperous successe against all the forces vvhich the Duke of Savoy sent that their enemyes at last began to fear vvhat effect it might produce and therefore having no better game to play were glad by a treaty of peace to get the sword out of their â—â—nds how ever they pretended it as a complement put on neighbouring Princes who did interceed for the same Have we not also to reckon among the great workes of the Lord in these last times Henry the VIII of England most violent in opposition to the truth who by the Pope was stiled Defender of the faith upon that account and for his writing against Luther and yet the same man shal be the instrument made use of by the Lord to throw down the Pope his power in his Dominions and give some beginning to a great reformation of the Church there Vergerius the popes Nuncio for many years in Germany whilest he is writing against the truth is even then converted and forced to yeeld to the power of the same turne Protestant and a zealous
come he is come and thus chearfully went to death Thomas Hudson a choise Christian vvho suffered in Queen Maryes time vvhen at the stake did slip suddenly from under the chain to the astonishment of the People but not from fear of death but from the vvant of feeling of Christ vvhich made him full of heavines but after his turning aside that he had got his soul poured out to God he returned as one raised from death to life crying out Now I am strong and do not care what man can do and thus with much joy did yeeld up his spirit Likewise Annas Du Burg whom we before mentioned being through fear and discouragement drawen to recant had no rest in his spirit until he retracted the same and after did chearfully undergoe death with what marvellous resolution did that excellent man Doctor Cranmer put his right hand to the fire when he came to the stake and suffered to burn vvithout shrinking vvhich as he said he vvould punish for subscribing a recantation vvhich vvas so much thereafter his grief Last I must adde that marvellous joy and resolution vvhich the Saints in these late times did in their greatest sufferings shevv is very notoure and knovven to the World for their sufferinge vvas not in a corner and vve may say hath not come short of the primitive martyrs but did vvitnes the same spirit and povver accompanying them I cannot passe this in a general vvithout giving some touch amidst such a multitude of convincing instances let us hear blessed Bradfoord at the stake thus speak to his fellovv sufferer be of good comfort for we shall have this night a merry supper with the Lord. Latimer to Ridley â—â— shall this day light such a candle in England as I trust shall never be put out Mr Sanders I was in prisâ—n until I got â—â—â— prison and at the stake embracing cryes welcome the 〈◊〉 of Christ welcome everlasting life Doctor Ferrer to a gentleman vvho bemoaned his death and the painfulnes of it if â—ow see mee once stirr in the fire beleeve not my doctrine as did after appear for he stood vvithout moving in the midst of the flame Iohn Ardley if every haâ—r of my head â—ere a man it should suffer death in the faith I â—â— stand â—â— Elisabeth Folks embraceing the stake cryed fare well World fare well faith and hope and welcome love Robert aguires son vvhen at Lile in the Lovv countries he suffered vvith his father for the truth in the year 1556. did cry forth at the stake behold millions of Angels about us and the heaven opened to receive us after he had sometime fixed his eyes on heaven and vvhen the fire vvas kindled sayes to his father yet a very little and we shall enter into the heavenly mansion Mr. Tims an English minister in Queen Maryes dayes thus vvrits to his friends I am going to the Bishops colehouse but shall not be long there before I be carried up to my brethren vvho are gone to heaven before mee in a fiery chariot follovv yovv after mee vvhere yovv shall find mee singing merily at my jurneyes end holy holy holy Lord God of Sabaoth Algerius an Italian martyr thus vvrits from his prison a little before his death vvho vvould believe that in this dungeon I should finde a paradise so pleasant in a place of sorrow and death tranquillity and hope of life vvhere others vveep I rejoyce O hovv easy and svveet is his yoke and this he subscribs from that delectable orchard of the Leonine prison Guy de Bres the ringing of my chain hath been sweet â—â—sick in my eares all my former discourses were but as a blind wans of collours in respect of my present feeling O what a â—â—ious comforter is a good conscience The Lord Henry Otto a Bohemian vvho suffered in the late persecution said to the minister I vvas troubled but novv I feel a vvonfull refreshment O now I fear death no longer I will dye with joy and on the scaffold cryed out behold I see the heavens opened pointing with his hands at the place where others observed a certain brightnes that did dazel their eyes and thus dyed with great chearfulnes I shall but adde the last vvords of that holy and great Mr Wishart vvho thus spake amidst the fire this flame doth torment my body but no whit abate my spirits FOVRTH Witnes is these great and remarkable judgements of God which in these last times have befallon the adversaryes and persecutus of the Church who have been most notour for their opposition to the truth wherein we must say a divine hand hath been so discernable that ordinary observers could not passe the same without a remark but must acknowledge the righteous judgement of God that it cometh not by guesse and at an adventure but doth convincingly seal the word This is indeed a grave subject wherein we should be very serious and sober for the judgements of God are a great depth nor can we determine from events but in so far as they answer to the word it may sometime happen to wicked men according to the work of the righteous but on the other hand it is a sure truth that God is knowen by the judgement he executs and in every age doth point out sin to the World by remarkable strokes some great examples of judgement which as a beacon are set forth for men to observe and truely we may say these remarkable instances of the judgement of God since he begun to sound a retreat to his Church from Babylon are fan beyond other preceeding ages I would be spareing to repeat what of this kinde is published by others bâ—t that in speaking to this truth I cannot passe it in a generalâ— whilest there are so many instances wherein the Lord hath made himself knowen and these such a convincing seal and confimation of the truth and Protestant cause in these last times anent which and the following relations I dare with confidence say there is not any passage or matter of fact here set down without some clear and satisfying grounds as to the certainty thereof I shall first instance Charles the V. whose undertakings for many yeares were followed with successe untill once he set himselfe to persecute and oppresse the Church and bathed his sword in the blood of the Protestants with his cruel and unjust usage of the Duke of Saxony from which time his affaires begun visibly to decline he is forced to fly before Mauritius and seek a retreat in the furthest confines of the Empire and after broken with melancholy and discontent like another Dioclesian doth resign his empire and turn to a privat life Philip the II. of Spain one of the greatest persecutors of the Church in these last ages whose work was to root out the Protestant Religion in his dominions and therefore set on foot that horrid engine of the Inquisition yet at last finds all his essayes frustrat and after the losse of many millions
years before the fall of Prelacy about the yeare 1628. some yeares thereafter which as many grave and solid Christians yet alive can witnes who were there present was a bright and hot sun-blink of the Gospel yea may with sobriety be said to have been one of the largest manifestations of the Spirit and of the most solemn times of the downpowring thereof that almost since the dayes of the Apostles hath been seen where the power of God did sensibly accompany the word with an unusual motion upon the hearers and a very great tack as to the conversion of souls to Christ the goings of the Lord then full of Majesty and the shout of a King was heard in the solemn meetings of his people that as a judicious old Christian who was there present did expresse it he thought it was like a dazeling beam and ray of the glory of God with such an unusual brightnes as even forced by standers to an astonishment a very â—ffectual door opened with more then ordinary enlargement which the Ministers of Christ there did find in preaching the word whilest the people might be seen hearing the same in a melting frame with much tendernes of spirit surely this was the very power of God a convincing seal to the truth and ministry of his Servants who were then persecuted by the Prelats yea â— thing which as it was known had an awfull impression and was a terrour to their adveâ—saryes I remember amongst other passages what a worthy Christian told me how sometimes in hearing the word such a power and evidence of the Lords presence was with it that he hath been forced to rise and look through the Church and see what the people were doing thinking from what he felt on his own spirit it was a wonder how any could go away without some change upon them And then it was sweet and easy for Christians to come 30 40 miles to these solemn Communions which they had and there continue from the time they came until they returned without wearying or making use of steep yea but little of either meat or drink and as some of them professed did not feel the need thereof but went away most fresh and vigorous their souls so filled with the sense of God 6. That was also a remarkable time wherein the Lord did let forth much of the Spirit on his people in the year 1638 when this Nation did solemnly enter in Convenant vvhich many yet alive at this day do knovv hovv the spirits of men vvere raised and vvrought on by the vvord the ordinances lively and longed after for then did the Nation ovvn the Lord and vvas visibly ovvned by him much zeal and an enlarged heart did appear for the publick cause personal reformation seriously set about and then also vvas there a remarkable gale of providence that did attend the actings of his people vvhich did astonish their adversaryes and forced many of them to feign subjection Alace hovv is our night comed on for the Lord hath in anger covered the face of the Daughter of Zion vvith a dark cloud 7. Must not vve also say since the land vvas engadged by Covenant to the Lord in these late times vvhat a solemn outletting of the spirit hath been seen a large harvest with much of the fruit of the Gospel discernable which we may say with a warrant hath been proven in the inbringing of thousands to Christ a part whereof now are in glory and many yet live who are a visible seal to this truth of whom I am sure some will not lose the remembrance of these sweet refreshing times which the land for several yeares did enjoy of the Gospel and of many solemn Communions where a large blessing with much of the Spirit and power of God was felt acâ—ompanying the ordinances if it were expedient to set down circumstances I could here point at many such remarkable times and places which should clearly demonstrat this Now besids these more publick and obvious proofes it is knowen what a great testimony the experience of the godly in these late times could give to this truth what they have in a large measure felt of the power and refreshing outlettings of the spirit within their â—oul yea how oft after sorest downcasting have been wonderfully raised above themselves and filled with the consolation of God and joy unspeakable this would indeed make a great volum to reckon over all these instances even these whose experience in these last ages could in a large measure witnes this truth only to sâ—ut this up I shall name these two 1. Mr Welsh and Mr Forhes two great witnesses of Christ in this land when they were prisoners give this accompt of their case in a letter to Mr Iames Melvin and his Uncle then at London which under the said Mr Melvins hand is set down in a manuscript of his their wotds are these Dear Brethren we dare say by experience and our God is witnes we lye not that unspeakaâ—le is the joy that is in a free and full testimony of Christs royall authority unspeakable is the joy of suffering for his Kingdomeâ— for on that truth was their suffering stated we had never such joy and peace in preaching of it as we have found in suffering for the same we spake before in knowledge we now speak by experience that the Kingdome of God consists in peace and joy and in an other letter thus they say our joy hath greatly abounded since the last day which was after passing sentence of death on them by an assize at Linlithgow so that we cannot enough wonder at the riches of his free grace that should have vouchafed such a gift upon us to suffer for his Kingdome in which there is joy unspeakable and glorious and we are rather in fear that they to wit the sufferings be not conâ—â—nâ—â—ed and so we be robbed of further consolatioâ— then that they â—hould encrease surely there is great consolation in suffering for Christ we dow not expresse unto you the joy which our God hath caused abound in â—â— 2. I shall also mention that great Servant of Christ Mr Rutherfoard whose Letters now published can witnes what solemn dayes of the Spirit and sensible outlettings thereof he oft had in his experience Though books can tell but little what he really felt and enjoyed I shall onely set down some of his last and dying expressions which I had from these who were then present and caused write down the same from his mouth that may shew how lovely he also was in his death and how well that did correspond with his former life some of his words are these I shall shine I shall see him as he is and all the fair company with him and shall have my large share it is no easy thing to be a Christian but as for me I have got the victory and Christ is holding forth his armes to embrace mee I have had my feares and faintings as an
preacher of the Gospel to his death Galeacaeus Garracceolus an Italian Marquesse of great place and estate in the World was so taken by the hearâ— with one word in hearing Peter Martyr as made him quite not only all his hopes of preferment a most pleasant place as was in the earth and a great inheritance but to go over the belly of the most pressing intreaties and insinuations of his friends the weeping cryes of his Lady and Children and go to a strange place quiting all that he might preserve his conscience and enjoy fellowship with the Church O what a solemn witnes was this to the truth and of the conquering power of Christ And in a word what a marvellous thing was it that poor Luther against whom so much of the World was aloft with greatest rage and violence should yet live to an old age and go to the grave in peace And truely the Spirit and appearance of this great and fâ—â—st witnes to the truth might be a convincing evidence that the Lord was then to raise up a People to himselfe in whom he would be glorified by an active testimony as well as by suffering Besides these instances I would here mention some remarkable providences worthy indeed to be observed though they are little knowen to the World which we may say doth not only witnes the power of God but are a convincing seal to his truth and the Churches Reformation in these last times It is a remarkable passage which worthy Mr Forbes sets down under his hand whilest he was banished for the truth whose words are these In the year 1607. being at Ruan in France and meeting with Monsieur 〈◊〉 that auncient and famous divine and then Pastor of the Reformed Church in that city he had from him this following relation After the close of the Councel of Trent in the time of Pius the V. there was a consultation in Italy by the Pope and Cardinals for an utter extirpation of the Reformed Churches in Europe and to this end every Prince of the Romish Religion had a certain part designed where this great project should be put in practice The death of Pius the V. hindred a present prosecuting of this design And his successor Gregorius XIII did suffer it to ly dead having no heart that way and so until that time of Clemens VIII it was not revived but then this bloody resolution was of new ratified by him and his Cardinals under their hands and seals the onely difficulty was in this to find a fit and trusty person whom they should make use of to the Princes of the Romish Religion for engadgeing them to subscrive the said ordinance and set about the execution thereof At length a Gentleman of good parts near in blood to the Cardinal Baronius is choised which to him was a matter of much grief and sorrow for unknown to them he was of the Reformed Religion but this grief in his countenance and carriage put his friends who observed the same to strange thoughts and so much the more that he did expresly declare to some of these who asked thereanent that what to them seemed a cause of rejoycing was to him a just occasion of grief yet at last finding his haâ—ard upon a bitter challenge from the foresaid Cardinal who had heard thereof he judged it his wisdome to dissemble shewing him his unsuitablenes to so great an employment could not but be ground of trouble and fear and so was someway forced to engadge getting his commissions the decree of the Conclave with letters to the foresaid Princes sealed and subscribed But lo whilest this poor Gentleman is on his journey having found wayes to free himself of his servants and other company his spirit was in great perplexity betwixt these two grievous temptations either to be instrument of utter ruin to the truth and Churches of Christ or forsake his countrey inheritance and all he had in the World upon which he resolved to retire himself out of the high way to an obscure village where for three dayes he gave himself to fasting and prayer for direction and resolution from the Lord and after this had his heart so strengthned against the care of his wordly estate that he resolved to forsake all and to reveal this bloody conspiracy to the Churches of Christ and cast himself on Gods hand for his future estate so that he turned his face from Spain and took journey to France and to Paris where at that time remained the sister of Henry the IIII. a Religions Princesse afterwards Dutchesse of Lorraine to whom the foresaid Monsieur Figureus was her preacher and unto him made his addresse though after divers refusals of admission upon suspicion shewing him the whole bussines and delivered the sealed decree with his letters of coâ—â—mission for that effect and did likewise shew him who was then astonished at such a wonderful providence of God in fostering some of his own Children in the midst of Babylon and that to so comfortable an use for his Churches safety that there were many others in Italy yea in Rome it self of the Reformed Religion who had their secret meetings and even Gregory the XIII before his advancement to the Papacy was throughly clear thereanent in his judgement whereof he gave him divers evidences This foresaid relation did so affect Mr Forbes that he shewed his marvellous desire to see that man who had done so worthy and gracious a work for the glory of God and good of his Church and by a recommendation from Mousieur Figureus he did afterwards go of set â—â—â—pose to that place taking the first opportunity for Heâ—delberg where this Gentleman was then retired for his further security and honourably entertaind by that Prince where he sheweth that he saw him and from his own mouth received the assurance of this former narration to his great satisfaction and comfort This is the very suâ—me which I have here set down and truely â—â—â—scribed off the principale which I had beside me both written and subscribed by Mr Forbes his own hand A remarkable providence I shall also here set down which did tryst with some very convincing circumstances at the Parliament 1621. at their bringing in of Popish Geremonies upon the Church which was then a sad step of the lands defection from the truth contraire to their engadgements whilest the faithful Ministers of Jesus Christ at that time did with greatest seriousnes and freedome obtest and warn these who were in power alace that now there is litle of such a Spirit appearing that they would not to please men corrupt the Worship of God but the speat being violent it did at last resolve in a Law at which very time whilest the Kings Commissioner did rise from the throne to ratify this woeful act by the touch of the Scepter was even in this moment of that ratification trysted by the God of Heaven with an extraordinary lightning and very unusual great claps of thunder and these