A BREVIARY OF THE LATER PERSECUTIONS Of the Professors of the Gospel of CHRIST JESUS under the Romish and Antichristian Prelats through Christendome from the time of John VVickliff in the year of God 1371. to the Raign of Queen Elizabeth of England and the reformation of Religion in Scotland And of the cruell Persecutions of the Christians under the Turkish Emperors with some memorable occurrences that fell out in these times through diverse Realmes Countreys Collected out of the Ecclesisticall History and Book of Martyrs By Mr. Robert Young Luke 9 23. And he said unto them all if any man will come after me let him deny himself take up his crosse daily follow me Vers 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake the same shal save it Verse 25. For what advantageth it a man if he gain the whole World and destroy himself or lose himself Verse 26. For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words of him shalt the Son of man be ashamed when he shall come in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy Angels GLASGOW Printed by ROBERT SANDERS Printer to the City and are to be Sold at his Shop 1674. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER Rome is not now as it was in the Primitive times it was then the seat of the true service and worship of God where the Word or God was truly and purely preached professed and maintained but now Rome is full of errors superstition and idolatry of all iniquitie and wickednesse full of vile abominations Petrark Mantuan and many others call Rome the Shop of all wickedness Babylon Sodom the School of errors the Church of heresies an harlot with a shameless face Mantuan thus noteth the vice there used Pudor in villas si non patiantur easdem Et villae vomicas Roma est jam tota lupanar that is go shame to the Villages if they be yet as free from the same filth or now all Rome is nought save boâ—therlie And Pasquil confirmeth the same when one having bâ—en at Rome at his departure taketh his leave thus Roma vale vidi satis est vidisse revertar Cum leno aut mertrix scurra cynedus ero That is Rome farewell I have seen and now I am glutâ—ed wi h the fight I will return when I am baud gester catamit All things are now saleable at Rome saith Mantuan Venalia nobis Templa Sacerdotes Altaria Sacra Coranae Ignis Thura Preces Coelum est venale deusque Temples Priests Altars rites I tell not tale Crowns Sacrifices Heaven and God are set to sale and the souls of men Tecelius the Popes pardon-monger perswaded the people in Germany that whosoever would give ten shillings should at his pleasure deliver one soul out of the pains of Purgatory and assoon as the money rang in the Basen that soul was set at liberty but if it were one jot lesse then ten shillings it would profite them nothing This gainfull gulâ—eâ—â—e Luther cryed down with all his might and so marred the Market and therefore it is said by onâ— very well Vivere qui sanctè cupitis discedite Roma Omnia cum liceant non licet essepium that is ye that desire to live holy depart from Rome for when all things are lawfull it is not lawfull to be holy And as Rome is not now as it was of old so neither are the Bishops of Rome such men as were in the primitive times they were then Preachers of the Gospel of Christ Jesus maintainers and defenders of it and gave their lives to Martyrdome for the cause of Christ and his Gospel so that there were 25. of them that died Martyrs in order one after another But now the Bishops of Rome â—re become Tyrants and cruel persecuters of the Saints of God and Professors of the Gospel of Christ Jesus with fire and sword as we may see in the Martyrdome of John Hus and Jerome of Prage and thousands â—â—oe And as this insuing Treatise doth declare they are men of wicked and vicious lives given to unlawfull Arts and Sciences as to Necromancy There were eighteen Popes Necromancers one succeeding another they are lifted up in intollerable pride and claim and take to themselves high and arrogant titles as universall Bishops Princes of Priests supream head of the Universall Church and Vicars of Christ here one earth which must not be judged of any having all knowledge of Scriptures and all Laws contained within the Chest of their breasts chief Magistrates of the world they exalt themselves above Kings Princes and Emperours causing some of them to ly under their feet some to hold their stirrop some to lead their horse by the bridle some to kisse their feet placing and displacing Emperors Kings Dukes and Earles whom and when they pleased Was it not a presumptuous thing in Gregorius the seventh to cause the Emperor Henry the fourth to stand at his gate three dayes and three nights bare-foot and bare-legged with his wife and childe in the deep of Winter both frost and snow entreating for his absolution and after did Excommunicate him again so that he was twise Excommunicate in his dayes And did not I Paschalis after Gregorie set up the son of the said Henricus against his father in war to possesse the Empire and to put down his father and so he did And did not I Gregorius set up Robert Wysard and make him King of Sicilia and Duke of Capua Did not I Pope Alexander bring under Henry the second King of England for the death of Thomas Becket and cause him to go bare foot to his Tomb at Caunterbury with bleeding feet Did not I Innocentius the third cause King John to kneel down at the feet of Pandolphus my Legat and offer up his Crown to his hands and to kisse the feet of Stephen Langtoun Bishop of Canterburie and besides merced him in a thousand Meâ—ks be year Did not I Alexander bring the valiant Emperor Frederick the first to Venice by reason of his son Otho there taken prisoner and there in St. Marks Church made him fall down flat upon the ground while I set my feet upon his neck saying that verse of the Psalm Super aspidem Basiliscum ambulubis c. Did not I Adrianus Pope an Englishman born controle and correct the forsaid Frederick the Emperor for holding the left stirrop of my horse when he should have holden the right and afterward did I not Excommunicate him and curse him for that he was so sâ—wcy to set up his own name in writing before mine Did not I Pope Celestine Crown Henry the fifth Emperour with my foot and with my foot spurned the Crown from his head again in St. Peters Church to make him know that the Popes of Rome have power both to Crown Emperors and to dispose them again And briefly sayes the Pope who is able to comprehend the greatnesse of my power
also apprehended for religion into the temple of St. Mary at Rome either to revoke or to be burned There sate on them six Cardinals in high seats beside the Judge before whom preached a dominick-Frier which cruelly inveying against the poor prisoners incensed the Cardinalls with all the vehemency he might to their condemnation the poor man stood holding a burning Taper in their hands of whom some for fear of death revolted But this Doctor Mollius with a weaver of Perusium remained constant Then Mollius began an earnest sermon in the Italian tongue wherein he confirmed the articles of faith by the sacred Scriptures declaring also that the Pope was not the successor of Peter but Antichrist and his sectaries do figure the whore of Babylon Moreover he cited them up to the tribunal seat of Christ and they being replenished with anger condemned him with the weaver to the fire and commanded them to be had away So were they carried incontinent to the camp or field called Florianum where they remained chearfull and constant first the weaver was hanged Mollius then willing the hangman to execute his office likewise upon him began to exhort the people to beware of idolatry and to have no other Saviour but Christ alone for he only is the Mediator between God and man and so also he was hanged commending his soul to God and afterward laid in the fire and burned The people having diverse judgments upon him some said he died an heretick some said he was a good man Furthermore in the same citie of Rome and about the same time in the Monastery of St. Augustine were found two monks in their Celles with their tongues and heads cut off only for rebuking the immoderat and outragious excesse of the Cardinals Such was the cruelty then of the malignant adversaries In Pope Pius the fourth his time was hot persecution in all the territories of the church of Rome against them which were suspected for Lutherans whereupon insued great trouble and persecution in the Kingdom of Naples in such cruel sort that many Noble Men with their wives and others are reported there to bee slain in Calabria beyond Naples in Italy likewise the same time suffered a great number of Christs welbeloved Saints both old and young put together in one house to the number of 88. persons all which one after another were taken out of the house and so being laid upon the Butchers stall like the sheep in the shambless with one bloody knife were all killed in order a spectacle most tragicall for all posterity to remember and almost incredible to believe beside also a great number condemned Now to return again to the Isse of Brittain to England and Scotland and to take a view of the affairs of the Churches there And first to begin with England In the reign of King Henry the eight at Coventree there were seven apprehended and burnt for the gospell of Christ to wit Mistresse Smith widow Robert Hatchers a Shoemaker Wrigsham a glover Lansdale a Hosier Archer a shoemaker Hawkings a shoemaker Thomas band shoemaker The principal cause of the apprehension and burning of these persons was for teaching their children and family the Lords prayer and ten commandments in English the children were sent for to the Gray-friers in Coventree before the Warden of the said Friers called Frier-Stafford who straitly examining them of their beliefe and what Heresie their Fathers had taught them charged them upon pain of suffering such death as their Fathers should in no wayes to medle any more with the Lords prayer the Creed and the ten Commandments in English Thomas Harding dwelling at Cheâ—ham in the County of Euchingham with Alice his Wife was first abjured by Wiâ—â—am Smith Bishop of Lincoln with diverse others moe which the same time were taken and compelled some to beat Faggots some were burned in the check with hotirons some condemned to perpetual prison some threstinto Monasteries and spoyled clean of all their goods some compelled to make pilgrimage to the great Block otherwise called our Lady in Lincoln some to one part some to another Harding for reading upon English booâ—s waa condemned for relâ—pse to be burned to ashes and was burnt being of the age of threescore years Many simple people in the Diosie of Lincoln were vexed afflicted and persecuted for then Religion the Son was compelled to testifie against the Father the Father against the son the wife against the Husband and the husband against the wife the sister against the brother A Brief Discourse concerning the story and Life of Thomas Volsey laâ—e Cardinal of York wherein is to be seen and noted the express Image of the proud vain glorious Church of Rome how fare it differeth from the true Church of Jesus Christ. THis Cardinall Volsey and the Popes Legat of Rome was so puft up in pride that he thought himself equal with the King And when hee had said Masse he made Dukes and Earies to serve him of Wine with a say taken and to hold the basen at the Lavatories Furthermore as he was Ambassadour sent to the Emperor at Eruxels he had over with him the great Seal of England and was served with his Servitours kneeling on their knees and many Noble men of England waiting upon him to the great admiration of all the Germans that beheld it such was his monstruous pomp and pride That glorious Cardinal in his tragicall doings did exceed so far all measure of a good subject that he became more like a Prince then a priest for although the King bare the sword he bare the strok making in a manner the whole Realm to bend at his beck and to dance after his pipe Such practises and fetches he had that when he had well stored his own Coffers first he fetched the greatest part of the Kings Treasure out of the Realm in twelve great barrels full of gold and silver to serve the Popes wars And as his avaritious mind was never satisfied in getting so his restlesse head was so busie rufling in publick matters that he never ceased before he had set both England France Flanders Spain and Italy together by the ears for his pride and avarice he was hated of all men At what time Pope Clement was taken prisoner Cardinal Volsey wrote tot he Emperor to make him Pope but when he returned an answer wherein he was not pleased he waxed furious mad and sought all means to displease the Emperor writeing very sharply unto him many minacing letters that if he would not make him Pope he would make such a ruffling between christian Princes as was not this hundreth years before to make the Emperor repent year though it should cost the whole Realm of England Whereupon the Emperor answering biddeth him look well about him lest through his doings and atempts he might bring the matter in that case that it should cost him the Realm of England indeed The King finding himself deluded by Cardinal Campegius and Cardinal
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