called together in a Synod in the mountaines to ordain Ecclesiastical Laws whereby they should be governed they appointed also sundry daies of Fasting and Prayer for themselves and their dispersed friends taking counsell from Gods Word concerning those things which were required to the fuller Reformation both of life and doctrine That which most afflicted them was for want of Pastors not knowing where they should have new ones after those were dead who then lived with them but after debate they resolved that Christ had given this authority to his Church that such as were ordained themselves might ordain others Yet some scruple arose whether such as were but Presbyters might ordaine without a Bishop For which cause they met together and with fasting prayers and teares they sought unto God to reveal his will to them in this difficulty and afterwards making a scrutiny by lot the Lord answered them that it was lawfull for Presbyters to ordain Presbyters which occasioned great joy unto them Then did these Brethren deliberate among themselves whether they should joyn with the Waldenses in Moravia and Austria and so be one people with them and one Church The purity of their Doctrine and Christian Conversation did much please but again it much displeased them that they concealed the truth not openly professing it as they ought but to avoid persecution they frequented the Churches of the Papists and so communicated with Idolaters Therefore they concluded to admonish them of this evil and for this end they sent some able men to them to acquaint them with it The Waldenses answered that to be in unity with them was very gratefull and for the evils objected against them they were not ignorant of them nor would defend them but rather would labour to amend them Concluding that they desired to have a sixt day of meeting with the Brethren in which they would take some further order about this businesse But before the time came the Papists having some intelligence of it raged so violently against the Waldenses that they burnt one of the chiefest of them at Vienna and so persecuted the rest that they were fain to provide for their own safety by flight Anno 1468. There came out a new Decree against these Brethren requiring all the Nobles of Bohemia within their severall jurisdictions to apprehend as many as they could and to proceed against them Many therefore were apprehended and put into prison where they were kept for a long time But thrâ—â—gh the wonderfull working of God the more the enemies laboured to put out this spark the more it brake forth into a great flame for many of their Peers submitted to the Discipline of the Brethren building Churches for them in their Towns and Villages so that Anno 1500. they had in Bohemia and Moravia about two hundred Churches After the death of Pogiebracius Uladislaus a Polonian succeeded in the Kingdom to whom the Brethren wrote an Apology by reason of many foul accusations that were carried to him against them This so exasperated their enemies that they endeavoured by a most impudent invention to stir up the hatred of all men against them The way they used was this They suborned a wicked villain to say that he came from amongst them and that he had been an Elder but had therefore forsaken them because in their meetings they used to blaspheme God the Virgin Mary and the Saints to traduce the Sacraments to mingle themselves incestuously after the manner of the Adamites to commit murther and practise witchcraft c. This man they led through the Townes and Cities as a spectacle they brought him to their Church where he must abjure his errors and beseech the people to pray for him a most miserable sinner and to take heed by his example of the wicked Piccards They also published his confession in writing being confirmed with the seals and subscripâ—ons of some Deans and Priests causing them to be read in the Churches to the people But the devil was befooled herein for the Brethren by publick writings did confute these lies and the villain trembling so often to forswear himself in the sight of the people confessed at last that he was suborned to do what he did and that he knew not any of the Piccards Yet thus far it made for good that some to make experience of so great villanies began privately and disguised to frequent the Assemblies of the Brethren and finding it to be farre other wise then it was reported did associate themselves with them as with true Christians Anno 1488. Mathias King of Hungary banished the Brethren from Moravia which caused some hundreds of them taking a Minister along with them to go into Moldavia Whereupon the Brethren in Bohemia sent one of their Elders to them to exhort them unto patience under this persecution which was for the truth Shortly after the restless enemies of God and his Church raised another persecution against the Brethren in Bohemia for some Bishops consulting together suborned the Queen great with childe so that they conceived that the King would deny her nothing in that state to request of him that he would severely punish the Piccards The King displeased at her request only nodded his head but gave no answer at all Yet the Bishops in his presence began to draw up the Edict The King going into his chamber fell down on his knees and with tears besought God to forgive the guilt of those bloudy counsels and to grant no successe to them and God heard his prayers and shewed some examples of his severe judgements on the Authors of this conspiracy The Queen who proposed to her fancy what gratefull spectacles she should have in seeing the Piccards brought to Prague and there some burnt some beheaded and others drowned in the water presently fell in travell and when she was not able to bring forth the Physitians advised that the childe should be cut out of the mothers womb which was accordingly done whereby the childe lived but the mother died Two years after the Bishops by their importunity prevailed with the King that sharp remedies should be used against those growing evils as they were pleased to call them whereupon an Edict was sent forth that all the Piccards without distinction of sex age or quality should be slain This Mandate was brought to the Assembly of States at Prague by two Bishops but divers of the chiefest Nobles opposed it so that eighteen moneths were spent in debate before any thing was done but at last by the cunning artifice of the Chancellor and his bloudy associates it was confirmed by the greatest part of the Nobility in the presence of the King and a mutuall confederacy was entred into that it should be prosecuted with an armed power but God following some of the chiefe contrivers of it with sundry judgements it almost came to nothing Yet in these troubles
the Sermon he went to the Preacher and repeated the contents of his whole Sermon to him and then betaking himself to the searching of the Scriptures and conferring with learned men in a short space he had attained to a great measure of knowledge in the Word of life which the Minister observing and withal finding him of a fervent spirit he directed and exhorted him to circumspection in his carriage more and more instructing him in the knowledge of the Gospel which he so greedily received as one that could never be satisfied This made him give over seeking after temporal treasure and instead thereof he bought good books by reading of which and conference with the Minister he much improved his knowledge in all the chief Articles of Religion Then did he write letters to his countrey-men at Antwerp wherein he first gave thanks to God for revealing his truth to him then did he bewaile the grosse ignorance of his countrey-men beseeching God to open their eyes to understand the word of salvation and so promised shortly to returne to them to conferre with them about the grace of God which he had received and lastly he declared his purpose of going into Spaine to acquaint his parents and friends with that wholesome Doctrine which God had communicated to him Then wrote he other letters also to the Emperour Charles the fifth opening to him the miserable state of Christs Church desiring him to tender the good thereof especially to reforme the grosse corruptions of the Church of Spaine he wrote also a Catechisme and some other Treatises in the Spanish tongue The Merchants at Antwerp having received his Letters sent for him pretending much good will but secretly practising his destruction For against his coming they suborned some Friers who so soon as he was alighted from his horse seized upon him rifled his books and carrying him into a Merchants house examined him But he mightily confuting them they bound him hand and foot calling him Lutheran they also burnt his books before his face threatning to burn him likewise Then was he sent Prisoner to a Tower six miles from Antwerp and cast into a deep dungeon where he endured much misery for eight moneths at the end whereof the Merchants supposing that he would be better advised for the time to come released him Then did he go to Lovain where he had much conference with Driander who advised him to continue in his calling of a Merchant wherein he might have many opportunities of doing good and for Religion that he should do nothing for favour of men whereby the glory of God should be diminished He advised him also to take heed of inconsiderate zeal lest he should do as some who going beyond the bounds of their vocation thinking to do good and to edifie they destroy and do harme For said he it is God that takes care of his Church and will raise up faithful Ministers for the same neither doth he approve such as rashly intrude themselves into that function without any calling thereto This advice Francis willingly hearkned unto promising to follow the same Not long after going to Ratisbone where the Emperial Diet was held having opportunity he boldly stept to the Emperour beseeching him to deliver his countrey and subjects of Spaine from false Religion and to restore them to the sincerity of Christs doctrine protesting that the Protestants of Germany were in the truth and that the Religion of Spaine was greatly dissonant to the Word of God c. The Emperour all this while heard him gently promising him to consider of the matter and so to do therein as he trusted should be for the best Francis being encouraged with this answer went again to the Emperour a second and third time and still received a quiet answer as before yet not satisfied herewith he went a fourth time but was repulsed by some Spaniards about the Emperour who were so incensed against him that immediately they would have thrown him headlong into the river Danubius if the Emperour had not restrained them willing that he should be judged by the Lawes of the Empire Then was he cast into prison till the Emperours voyage into Africk at which time he with some other Captives was carried into Spaine and there delivered unto the Inquisitors who cast him into a dark prison under ground He was oft examined loaden with many reproaches and contumelies yet ever remained firme and unmovable so that at last they condemned him to be burnt for an heretick As he was led to the place of execution they put upon him a Miter of paper painted all over with ugly Devils as he passed by a woodden crosse they required him to worship it to which he answered that the manner of Christians was not to worship wood Being laid upon the pile of wood when he first felt the fire he lifted up his head towards heaven whereupon the Inquisitors thinking that he would recant caused him to be taken down but when they found his constancy they threw him on again where he slept in the Lord. Then did the Inquisitors proclaime that he was damned and that none should pray for him and that they were hereticks whosoever doubted of his damnation There was also dwelling at Saint Lucaâ— in Spaine one Rochus a skilful graver of images but the Lord pleasing to enlighten him with the saving knowledge of his truth he gave over making of idolatrous images and imployed himself in making of seals only he kept standing on his stall an image of the Virgin Mary artificially graven for a signe of his occupation An Inquisitor passing by and liking the image asked the price of it Rochus set him a price but was not willing to sell it the Inquisitor bade him half so much the other answered that he could not afford it so and that he had rather break it than sell it yea said the Inquisitor let me see that if thou darest with that Rochus with a Chisel cut off the nose of the image whereupon the Inquisitor presently commanded him to prison and within three dayes he was condemned to be burnt At the place of execution he poured out his fervent prayers to Almighty God and so made a blessed end Anno 1545. Divers other godly persons being by the Inquisitors cast into loathsome dungeons ended their lives there Anno 1550. At Validolid the Inquisitors brought forth thirty prisoners together of high and low estate as also the Coffin of a certain noble woman with her picture lying upon it she being dead long before to eceive judgement and sentence for the solemnities whereof they had erected three great stages the first for the Kings sister the Lady Jane and his eldest sonne Prince Philip with other States The second for the Fathers Inquisitors And the third for the Prisoners Multitudes of people being assembled together these dear servants of Jesus Christ clothed with Sambito's a yellow cloth hanging
fell on with an invincible resolution and in a short space burnt both the Convent and most of the Towne down to the ground Those in the Fort finding themselves hardly beset began to Parley about surrendring of it upon honorable termes But some horse coming seasonably to their relief from Lucerna which the Protestants might have prevented if they had been so careful as they should have been they were frustrated of attaining their desires Besides these there were divers other battel 's fought in divers places where the Reformed party had considerable advantages against their enemies but for brevity sake they are here omitted CHAP. XLVI A brief account of the Intercessors to the Duke of Savoy in the behalf of these poor people and the successe therof UPon the first supplication of that terrible Order of Gastaldo which was a forerunner of the Massacre the Protestant Cantons of Switzerland being their near neighbours and therefore could soonest take notice of it wrote their Letters to the Duke of Savoy in the poor peoples behalf To which the Duke of Savoy shortly after gave a complemental but cold answer which was little better than a plaine denial of their request and mediation April the 29. being the Lords day newes of the horrible Massacre was brought to the Council of Zurick who immediately gave Order for a Publick day of Humiliation through all their Territories as also for making a Collection for their relief resolving to give notice of this doleful newes to their Protestant friends and amongst others they wrote to the States General of the united Provinces acquainting them with the sad condition of this poor people intreating them to consider of some expedient for the accommodating their affairs May the fifth they sent Monsieur Gabriel Weis Captaine General of Berne as their Deputy to the Duke of Savoy who in very respectful termes requested him to re-establish those who had survived the Massacre in their ancient priviledges the free exercise of their Religion and for the enlargement of their Prisoners delivering him a letter to the same purpose The answer which the Duke or rather his Mother gave was that though they were not obliged to give an account of their actions to any Prince in the world yet out of respect to the amity which they had compacted with his Masters the Cantons they had given order to the Marquesse of Pianessa to acquaint them with the truth of those affairs and shortly after when Major Weis spake with the Marquesse he laboured to justifie all his proceedings and to lay the load upon the backs of the poor people protesting that he never intended to force their Consciences and that all the reports about such strange cruelties exercised towards them were meer forgeries c. Major Weis replyed that the Massacre was so notorious that it could not be denied and that their right of habitation in those places was founded upon Justice being granted to them by the Dukes Predecessors and purchased by them of the present Duke for six thousand Ducatoons The Marquesse answered that all those Grants were upon condition that the Romish Religion should be freely exercised amongst them which yet they would never suffer Master Weis still pressing their sad condition and the necessity of finding an expedient for accommodation c. the Marquesse desired him to apply himself to the poor people and to cause them to desist from Hostility which would be the way to obtaine favour from the Duke and no marvel though he moved this For about this time through Gods mighty assistance these poor people began so to prevaile that their enemies began to fear what the successe might be and therefore the Marquess laboured to get the sword out of their hands by such a stratagem as this Major Weis went to Perosa propounding these things to the poor people who returned humble thanks to the Cantons for what they had already done in their behalf and said that if the six Evangelical Cantons would engage that the Treaty should be carried on upon honest and honorable termes they were ready to hearken to it Otherwise they were resolved never to trust those who had so oft deceived them and whose principle was that Faith is not to be kept with Hereticks With this answer Master Weis returned and sued for the enlargement of the Prisoners or that at least he might be suffered to speak with them but neither the one nor other would be granted whereupon he returned to his Masters and upon his report to them being discouraged from any farther proceedings they resolved to expect what would be done by other Princes and States May 1655. Letters were brought to Oliver Lord Protector of Enland of this doleful newes whereupon he invited all the people of England to seek the Lord by Humiliation and Prayer and withal moved them to a liberal Contribution for the succour of these poor souls He sent also Master Samuel Morland as his Envoy to the King of France and Duke of Savoy to meditate on their behalf He wrote also to the King of Denmark to the States of the United Provinces and to the Evangelical Cantons of the Switzers requesting all their Mediations in the behalf of these poor people May the twenty sixth 1655 Master Morland set out on his journy and June the first he came to the King of France at La Fere to whom he delivered the Lord Protectors Letters wherein he solicited his Majesty to improve his power and interest with the Duke that the cruel Order of Gastaldo might be recalled and the poor people restored to their ancient liberties and habitations The King of France three dayes after returned an answer to the Lord Protectors Letter and Master Morland proceeded in his journey to the Court of Savoy and arrived at Rivole where the Court was June the 21. and demanded audience as the Lord Protectors Envoy which accordingly was granted and at his appearing he made a speech in the behalf of the poor people and delivered the Lord Protectors Letter Madam Royal the Dukes Mother answered That she could not but extremely applaud the singular charity of his Highnesse the Lord Protector towards their Subjects whose condition had been presented to him so exceeding sad and lâ—mentable as she perceived by Master Morlâ—nds discourse it was yet withal she could not but extremely admire that malice should proceed so far as to clothe their fatherlike chastisements of their rebellious Subjects with so black a character thereby to render them odious to all their neighbouring Princes and States with whom they desired to keep a good understanding especially with so great and powerful a Prince as the Lord Protector Adding that she doubted not but when the truth of all passages should be made known to him he would rest satisfied with the Dukes proceedings Yet for his Highnesse sake they would pardon their rebellious Subjects and grant them such priviledges and graces as should shew to the Lord Protector how great a
departure the popish Bishops Clergy and Nobles began to vex his Subjects for Religion contrary to that assurance which the King had given to them They attempted also the like in Prague the Jesuites daily threatning that their Liberty in Religion should not last long Then did they strictly prohibit the Protestants from printing any thing unlesse licensed by the Chancellor of the Kingdom themselves in the mean time divulging their own slanderous pamphlets and dangerous writings against the Protestants Then instructions were given to the Captains and Judges that they should suffer no meetings in Churches except themselves were present and except they had a Popish Priest to administer only in one kinde Then the Burgrave who had the custody of the Crown and priviledges of the Kingdom was apprehended because in the late Parliament he had stood for the free election of a King and delivered prisoner to one of the bitterest enemies of the Protestants In other places they destroyed the Churches of the Protestants In the begining of the year 1618 The Governors of the University and Consistory met together having formerly had power given them so to do and choosing six persons two Barons two Knights and two Citizens to consult what was best to be done in this time of their enemies insolency there presently came an injunction in Caesars name to inhibit them to call any together and that if any man was called he should not dare to appear upon the pain of high Treason Notwithstanding which the major part of the States met and when as new prohibitions and threats were spread abroad and the States were informed that those thunderbolts came not from the King but from the castle of Prague their abused patience was turned into severity and being guarded with a great Troop they went to the Castle and apprehended two of the chief Authors of these troubles and threw them headlong out of the Castle windows together with their Secretary that was privy to all their designs but God intending to preserve them to be the Bohemians scourges they caught no hurt in the fall falling upon the grasse and greate store of papers Hereupon a great tumult was raised in Prague but the States appeassed it the first thing they did was to banish the Jesuits out of Bohemia as the chief contrivers of these mischiefs then did they write to Caesar that they had no intention against his Royall Majesty but only to bring to punishment the disturbers of the publick peace being authorized thereto by his Majesties Letter and bound by their protestation yet he resolved to revenge this Treason as he called it by force of Arms and the Bohemians on the other side resolved to defend themselves and for that end they chose thirty Directors and the Moravians and Silesians resolved to joyn with them when they perceived Religion to be the cause of the quarrell And indeed this was that which the enemies aimed at and therefore they provoked the Bohemians by all waies that so they might make a conquest of Bohemia and for this end an Imperial Army presently entred the Kingdom under Dampier and a Spanish Army under Bucquoy In the mean time the States resolved not to admit Ferdinand to be their King who was so open an enemy both to their Religion and Liberties and who was obtruded upon them without a due election They sent also Embassadors to Franckford where the Electors were met together to choose a new Emperour desiring that Ferdinand might not be admitted amongst them as King of Bohemia notwithstanding which he was admitted and chosen Emperour The Bohemians in the mean time choosing Frederick Elector Palatine for their King This more enraged their enemies so that they sent another Army under Maximilian of Bavarie which took two Protestant Towns by storm and put all to the sword and every where made great slaughter of the Protestants Then the Imperiall Armies came to Prague which being struck with a Pannick fear the Protestant Army being overthrown in a set battell under the wals and their new King fled they delivered up the City to them the Conqueror promising to keep Articles agreed upon but performing nothing lesse For they did more mischief to the Church of Christ by their subtile and slow proceedings then lately by their outragious fury when the sword fire and wheel were the instruments of their rage against the faithfull For a little before when it was debated at Rome how they should deal with the Bohemians and Germans after the Conquest it was agreed that seeing their former strong purges which they had used to expell Hereticall humours had not proved effectuall they therefore resolved not to put them to death wherein they did glory as in Martyrdom but rather to weary them and to change the hatefull name of Inquisition into the milder name of Reformation And whereas there was a debate amongst the Imperialists at Prague whether all the protestants should be presently banished the negative was resolved on because they would then carry much away with them and so spoil the Province and indure their banishment with greater ease therefore they concluded that they must first be squeezed and deprived of their goods and for this end the souldiers at Prague were authorrized to plunder the houses of Noblemen and Citizens yet this was done at several seasons and mostly in the night by which meanes as the enemies boasted they took from the Protestants some millions of gold For indeed hither were all their riches brought in the time of war as to a place of the greatest security But as this fell to the Commanders shares so the neighbouring places were exposed to the fury of the rest the common souldiers robbing and spoyling Villages Towns and Churches burning and killing without any restraint The souldiers that were placed in Garrisons would not only have Free-quarter but extorted mony from their Landlords every day Then were Comissions sent abroad promising security to those Noblemen Knights Corporations and Ministers that would bring in a good Sum of money to pay the Army which yet they would not receive as a free gift but only desired to borrow it Caesars protection was also promised to those that were liberall the rest were threatned to be plundred by the souldiers They set down also what sums they expected from every one within such a time they promised also that when that was paid the Souldiers should be removed which made every one to bring in their Plate Money and Jewels the more willingly Then were Commissioners sent to require certain Cities that belonged to the Protestant Noblemen to mantaine the standing Forces of the Kingdome and to contribute corn for their publicke granaries but whilest they were fed with a vaine hope of lessening and removing the souldiers there were more listed which raised the taxes so high as was impossible for the people to pay
respect they bore both to his person and Mediation And withall Master Morland was requested to go to Turin where by the Dukes Order he was entertained with all outward demonstrations of Civility and respect imaginable during his abode there Master Morland after a while pressed for his dispatch and had it and so according to the Lord Protectors Order he went to Geneva There was Collected in England and Wales towards the relief of these poor souls the full summe of thirty eight thousand ninety seven pounds seven shillings and three pence the greatest part whereof was at several times transmitted to them and what remained being about nine thousands pounds was put out to Interest that so both the Principal and the Improvement might be disposed of for their best advantage and further to shew what effects the Lord Protectors intercession had I finde that presently after the King of Sweden the King of Denmark the States of the United Provinces the Prince Elector Palatine the Elector of Brandenberg the Duke of Wittenberg and many other Protestant Princes and States did either by their Letters to the Duke of Savoy or otherwise declare their deep resentment of the bloody Massacre especially the Lantgrave of Hessen wrote most zealously in their behalf They had also many Consolatory Letters written to them from sundry particular Churches viz. From Franckfort Zurick Hanaw Flushing Middleburgh c. and large Contributions according to their respective abilities Divers Commissioners also were sent from England and Holland to joyne with those of the Evangelical Cantons for the procuring a well-grounded peace for those poor people but before they came the Switzer Ambassador had concluded a Treaty with the French Ambassador and betwixt them they had hudled up a Peace the woful effects whereof these poor people were quickly sensible of and to this day they labour under heavy burdens laid upon their shoulders by their Popish Taskmasters they forbid them all manner of traffique for their sustenance they rob them of their goods and estates they drive them from their ancient habitations and force them to sell their Birth-right for a messe of Pottage They banish their Ministers that the Shepherds being gone they may the more easily devour them they ravish their young women and maidens they murther the innocent as they passe along the high-wayes upon their occasions they continually mock and revile them and threaten another Massacre sevenfold more bloody than the former Through the malice and subtilty of their Popish adversaries their Valleys are no other than a Dungeon to which the Fort of La Torre serves as a door whereby at their pleasure they may let in a Troop of murtherers utterly to destroy and extirpate those innocent people and notwithstanding all those large supplies that have been sent them from England and other States yet so great are the necessities of those poor hungry creatures and so grievous are the oppressions of their Popish adversaries who lie in wait to bereave them of whatsoever is given them that some of them are yet ready ever and anon to eate their own flesh for want of bread their miseries are more sad and grievous than can be expressed they are dying even whilst they live When that which was collected for them is once spent they must inevitably perish unlesse the Lord in whose hand are the hearts of Princes shall incline the heart of their Prince to pity these his poor harmlesse and faithful Subjects who are so farre from thoughts of Rebellion that could they but enjoy the freedom of their Consciences in peace they would be the first that would be ready to sacrifice their lives for the good and safety of his Royal Highnesse How long Lord Holy just and true c. Rev. 6.10 If any desire to see a fuller account of these things together with the Letters and Transactions about them they may finde them fully and faithfully set down by Master Samuel Morland in his History of the Evangelical Churches in the Valleys of Piemont Here place the Eleventh Figure CHAP. XLVII A brief Description of Piemont and the Valleys thereof PIemont is so called because it is situated à pede montium or at the feet of the Alps which separate Italy from France It 's but a little spot of earth yet very pleasant and of incredible fruitfulnesse It 's bounded on the East with Millan Montferrat and the Common-wealth of Genoa on the South is the Mediterranean Sea On the West and North part it hath the Alps for a Bulwark by which it is separated on the VVest side from Provence and Dauphine and on the North from Savoy and the Countrey of Valley It 's almost all covered with high mountains and watred with four great Rivers viz. Po Tanaro Stura and Dora besides which there are about twenty eight Rivers more great and small which render it exceeding fruitful in Cattel Wine Corne Hay Nuts and many other fruits in great abundance The principal Valleys are on the North part those two Aosta and Susa on the South side Stura and some others and in the midland Lucerna Angrogni◠Roccapiatta Pramol Perosa and Saint Martino The Valley of 〈…〉 been and still is a part of Dauphine as farre as La Capella which is situated at the lower end thereof and divides it from Perosa which was the ordinary passage of the French Armies into Italy These Valleys especially that of Angrognia Pramol and Saint Martino are strongly fortified by nature by reason of their many difficult passages through Rocks and mountains as if from the beginning it had been designed by the all-wise God to be as a Cabinet wherein he would keep some rare Jewel Those Valleys of Piemont which have been for some hundreds of years inhabited by the Waldenses are Lucerna Perosa and Saint Martino Lucerna contains fifteen miles in length the highest Communalties thereof viz. Bobio Villaro and La Torre are for the greatest part mountains but Lucerna Saint Giovanni Fenile Campiglione and Garcigliana though they have both on the North and South side a little of the mountains yet they extend themselves into a very fair Plaine Angrognia is but a little Valley on the North side of Lucerna as also Rorata and Vallon which are on the South side of Lucerna wholly within the mountains So is also Roccapiatta and Pramol which are enclosed between the Valleys of Lucerna and Perosa The Communalty of La Torre took its name from an high Tower which stood upon a little hill near Bourg But Francis the first King of France considering how prejudicial it might be to the affairs and interest of France and the safety of Pignorole he caused it to be demolished But the Duke of Savoy rebuilt it Anno 1652. which afterward served as a slaughter-house of many poor innocent souls Bricheras which is joyned to the Valley of Lucerna is on the East of Angrognia and Saint Giovanni and on the South of Roccapiatta almost all in the
all that know him that he is earnestly bent to take away the differences and advance the reconcilement of Protestants within themselves and that he makes no difference between Lutherans as they are called and Calvinists but makes use of both alike according to their abilities as he findes them fitted for employment to forreign affairs for within the Kingdom of Sweden no forreigners and none but Lutherans are to be admitted to the civil charges of trust others are employed in military charges both there and elsewhere according to their deserts But presently after the Elector of Brandenburg was by subtile artifices withdrawn from the King of Sweden and joyned with the Emperour and the King of Poland against him the King of Denmark was prevailed with to break his late-made League and the States of the United Provinces have joyned with the Dane against him and God having taken away his great friend Oliver Lord Protector he hath conflicted with many and great difficulties and yet hitherto God hath upholden him from sinking under them What the issue will be time must discover FINIS A Table of all the principal Things contained in this General MARTYROLOGIE A ANabaptists wickedness Pag. 281 Anger implacable 355 Apostacy dangerous 43 50 53 82 171 183 202 205 210 264 324 349 Apostates wickedness 6 15 177 B BIbles sacred Scriptures burnt 7 62 204 210 283 332 333 334 388 Bibles in French first printed 118 Blasphemy 16 44 72 84 86 172 186 189 190 209 290 295 310 334 336 337 338 339 348 384 388 C CHarity of Christians 70 92 96 103 285 286 293 303 320 323 367 369 Chastity eminent 52 Children martyred 44 48 51 72 73 91 99 110 346 391 Children encouraged by their parents to sufferings 23 24 75 88 95 98 315 Christ preferred above all 132 269 283 350 359 Christians slandred as the Authors and causes of mischief 31 34 37 41 46 56 63 80 87 98 105 112 115 136 174 177 179 325 Christians murthered in Churches 65 93 329 360 Christians reproached 82 241 Comfort at death 177 193 196 266 270 279 282 289 320 Conscience evil 92 Constancy of Gods children 18 39 42 44 53 63 73 76 78 81 92 94 95 117 132 147 171 188 204 209 254 264 266 269 270 272 277 288 301 304 305 341 361 364 415 Conversions strange 47 48 58 179 268 279 286 287 289.299.303 329 364 Courage and Constancy of Gods children 7 9 18 20 21 22 23 51 52 57 63 66 67 71 73 77 83 85 86 98 99 103 118 142 189 191 192 256 259 269 288 290 291 292 293 295 299 302 317 319 321 323 326 360 362 370 389 400 406 429 Cruelty of heathens to Gods people 7 9 31 52 65 69 71 76 77 83 84. Cruelty of Heriticks to them 87 89 91 93 94 95 96 97. Cruelty of Papists to them 103 105 108 110 111 113 115 125 126 134 135 137 143 146 153 171 173 183 184 188 201 203 206 207 208 209 240 241 242 272 279 282 286 288 292 297 298 305 308 309 c. 323 325 328 330 332 c. 344 361 380 c. 414 c. 421 c. 451. D Devils subtilty 59 Dissimulation 199 252 341 342 343 345 402 416. E Edicts good 145 Edicts and Lawes cruel 49 62 70 97 106 137 155 160 164 173 175 179 198 199 319 335 362 397 405 413. Envie 94 Examples prevalent 98 F Faith of Gods children 77.78 190 193 266 304 331 336 338 361 False witnesses 282 Famines terrible 69 157 159 298 352 355 356. Fasting and Prayer 122 Fidelity 193 Flattery 73 249 Flight in time of persecution 51 Flight refused 287 300 317 H Hereticks profane 90 100 Hereticks proud 97 Heretickes subtile 96 97 Hereticks impudent 98 Heroical acts 274 292 Humane frailty 41 51 63 66 120 134 249 267 273 296 319 327 366 Humility 275 Husbands malice against his wife 40 Hypocrisie 68 70 248 316 350 I Idolatry gross 276 Idolatry reformed 282 Jewes murthered refusing to fight on the sabbath 8 Ignorance 256 285 365 Jmage of Apollo broken with lightning 85 Ingratitude 36 184 281 348 Inquisition begun 118 236. Joy unspeakable 44 193 â—67 Joy in tribulation 128 190 209 270 294 296 302 336 366. Judgments of God 16.116 154 157. L Life refused 266 Love of Christians 54.115 M Meekness of Christians 287 Ministers Mâ—rtyred 53.56 80 88 172 187 280 284 285 286 290 293 298 310 311 329 336 340 346 350 351 352 Ministers sheltred in times of Persecution 198 Miracles Miracles of mercy 13 23 32 41 49 51 63 83 87 121 279 282 285 288 320 322 324 337 343.395 N Nobility true 72 O Ordination of Ministers 174 P Patience of Gods children in sufferings 19 40 50 66 191 203 271 274 292 296 323 338 349 373 Perfidiousness 15.243 See Popish perfidiousness Persecution spreads the Gospel 104 156 164 174 178 328. Persecutors plagued by God 13 26 28 48 53 54 59 67 69 70 84 89 100 112 116 125 138 139 168 175 176 177 210 211 257 277 283 284 297 305 321 326 328 330 354 355 364 389 392 393 394 433 Persecutors converted 27.64.322 Plagues terrible 54.69.158 Popish malice 103.104.106.115.119 120.173.175.178.179.208.235.251 279.284.289.300.320.326.329 367.399 Popish Prrfidiousnesse 122.124.125 131.145.149.150.151.159.183 201.233.264.290.298.299.316 335.338.339.340.362.378.380 390.393 Popish subtilty 113.114.122.124 128.140.147.151.170.172.174 180. c. 199.203.206.207.233 237.239.290.296.306.331.351 364.405 c. 432 Popish uncleanness 113.138.139.144 207.336.376.378.391.392 Prayer in times of danger â—5 10.11 126.129.130.287 Prayer powerfull and prevalent 44. â—9 123.191.294.370 Predictions and Prophesies 195.265.324.368.370.371.372.375 Pride 62.92.148 Profanness 93 118.121.123.135.139.17â—.207 Providences special 14.40.52.54.58.61.78.85.88.91.92.93.96.114.116.118.120.123.124.125.126.128.129 130.134.145.167.178.179.184.202.251.255.259.261.264.265.266.269.277.286.289.292.299.303 307.316.317.325.326.328.330.331 332 338.347.351.352.354.360.361.367.369.404.432.433 Prudence of Chrisâ—ians 119.326.401 R REcovery after falls 43.53.79.202.249.251 256.264.267.273 296.320.328 Riches are snares 50 S Scismaticks plagued by God 90 Scismaticks bloody 86 Scismaticks profane 90 Scismaticks subtile 86 Scisme comes from pride 54 172 Scriptures see Bible Sectaries dangerous 48 Sin the forerunner of persecution 56.61.100.180.341 Son dutifull and loving 346 Southsayers wickedness 49 55 79 80 Speeches excellent 293.295 300.304.317.322 327.334.352.362 Stories excellent 33.78.88.95.125.322 353 Subtilty of the Churches enemies 16.18.20.23.82.84.87 Success no sign of a good cause 189.278 Sympathy 95 Synods 173 T TEntations resisted 77.79.94.95.99.132 176 187 190 .203.265.268.270.271.272.284.291.293.300.322.327.336.361.365 Thanksgiving for mercies 129.154 Thanksgiving for sufferings 266 300 Trechery rewarded 45.323.359 360 V Visions 53.56 W WAldenses their opinions 103 Wife loving to her husband 171 Wisdom of Christians 84 see prudence Witnesses false plagued by God 47 Womens courage 356.360 Z ZEal 8.19.41.45.46.50.51.53.58 63 76.79.86.107.116.117.131 133.135 â—51 258.268.275.289.290.291.295.299.300.304.315.319.321.324.345.363 FINIS This Book being printed most of it by the printed Copy I looked not over the Proofes and so through the carelesness of the Correctors and Compositors many faults have escaped
forcibly made King of Bohemia Ferdinand a Usurper Popish malice The first Artifice The second Artifice The third Artifice The fourth Artifice The States inhibited their meeting The Jesuites banished by the States An Army raised against the Bohemians Frederick chosen King of Bohemia Anno 1620. Novemb. 8 Prague taken Anno 16â—7 Popish subtilty The fifth Artifice The sixth Artifice The seventh Artifice Plundering The eight Artifice The ninth Artifice The tenth Artifice Apostacy rewarded Popish perfidiousness The eleventh Artifice The twelfth Artifice The thirteenth Artifice The fourteenth Artifice The fifteenth Artifice The sixteenth Artifice Ministers persecuted Barbarous cruelty Gods providence A speciall providence Cruelty to Ministers Prodigious cruelty Ingratitude Anno 1622. Pescinus The seventeenth Artifice Ministers charged with treason Ministers banished The eighteenth Artifice The German Ministers banished Blaspâ—emy Illiterate persons put into the places of Christs Ministers Twenty one Ministers banished Ministers charged with sedition Tentation Constancy A Minister Martyred Popish cruelty The Vice-roy Courage and Constancy Couâ—age and Constancy The nineteenth Artifice Summa Papavera The chiefest Nobles imprisoned The Nobles examined A brave speech Success no sign of a good cause Their condemnation Profane blasphemy Tentaâ—â—tâ—n resisted Crede quod habes habes Blasphemy Joy in tribulation Faith Prayer Courage The Martyrs mutual farwell The L. Schlik His faith and courage His Martyrdom The L. Wenceslaus His patience Psal. 119.92 His Martyrdom The L. Harant His message to his wife His Martyrdom Sir Casper Kaplitz His courage and constancy His Martyrâ—â—m â—roâ—â—pâ—us Dorzecki His prayer and 〈◊〉 His fiâ—elity to hâ—s Pâ—ince His Martyrdom L Frederick de Bile L. Hen. Otto His â—aith Joy unspeakable His martyrdom Dion Zervius His Martyrdom An aged man His martyrdom The Lord of Rugenia His excellent speech His martyrdom Val. Cockan His Martyrdom Toby Steffick His prayer His Martyrdom D. Jessenius A Prophecy His Martyrdom Christâ— Chober His excellent speech His Martyrdom John Shultis His Martyrdom Maxim Hostialicâ— His Martyrdom John Kutnaur Hâ—s speech to the Jesuits His speech at death His Martyrdom Sim. Sussickey Tentation His Martyrdom Nath. Wodnianskey His speech to the Jâ—suâ—â—es His counsel to his son His Martyrdom Wen. Gesbitzky His prayer His martyrdom Martin Fruin He is murthered Their goods conâ—â—scated Recantation prescribed The twentieth Artifice The Protestants beggered Their debts and money seized on The sâ—uldiers get most The one and twentieth Artifice Charles de Zerotine Another Obediâ—â— The two and twentieth Artifice Protestant Tutors banished Successe makes the enemies proud The Protestants all baniâ—â—ed False testimonies bought Protestants chiâ—dren taken from them Popish subtilty Tentation Many seduced Lord de Zerotine goeth into exile A cruel Edâ—ct Protestants wives bâ—nished from their husbands The exiles sought after The three and twentieth Artifice Laws repealed The four and twentieth Artifice Apostates proâ—moted The five and twentieth Artifice The Protestants in the silveâ— Mines had a promise of favour Popish perfidiousness Souldiers quartered upon them Don Martins cruelty The Bolislavians persecuted Constancy Apostacy Constancy Recovery Bethlem Gabor Gods providence A new persecution In Litomeric Popish subtilty Patience in persecution In Radecium Tentation resisted Popish cruelty Constancy Humane infirmity Constancy At Bidsove Popish cruelty At Zaticum Bibles burnt Don Martins cruelty Exile denied to the Protestants At Tusta Apostacy At Rokizan Popish subtilty Constancy John Foelix Barbarous cruelty Foelix escapes At Slana John Blyssa Banished At Prachatice Prodigious cruelties The twenty sixth Artifice Popish subtilty Popish profanenesse Christians stript Popish uncleannesse The twenty seventh Artifice Prodigious cruelties The twenty eighth Artifice At Minion Popish malice Death denied them Prodigious wickednesse Blasphemy Prodigious wickedness Constancy Comfort in â—fflictions Danger of Apostacy Bibles burnt Prodiges Gods judgment on Apostates Gods judgement on persecutors The Pope stirs up persecution Gods judgements on persecutors The Popish Army flies A new Army raised They fly when none pursues F. Romanes Conversion Zeale Subtilty Treachery Good counsel Note He goeth to the Emperour Is imprisoned Carried into Spaine Condemned by the Inquisitors Burned Rochus Condemned Thiâ—ty Christians condemned A wicked Oath Cacalla condemned Popish malice Malice Many burnt together The Spanish Inquisition Invented by Dominicans Subtilty Their dealing with strangers Their Familiars Sequestration Stript of all in prison Subtilâ—y How Inquisitors deal with the prisoners They proceed to the Rack Their privy parts aâ—e only covered with linnen The Jeobit Inhumane cruelty Railâ—ngs Scoffs Threats Another cruel tormenâ— The trough Divellish cruelty Torment with fire Subtilty A woman and her tow daughters and neece A Judas Perjury Flie. Their cruel prisons All pity denied them A maid whipt for shewing them favour The prisoners denied leave to sing Psalmes Their hospital Cruel mercy Their condemnation Their habits A wicked oath Degradation Hypocrisie Abominable lyes Their cruelty concealed Flattery A Lady imprisoned Their crâ—el usage oâ— her They torment her in the trough She dyed John Pontio Humane frailty Recovery His speech at death John Gonsalvo Tormented in prison with a cleft stick A Church in Sivil Some of them cast into prison A cleft stick Their death Malice Ferdinando His torments A special Providence Humane infirmity Recovery Execution Juliano Zeale A special Providence A false brother Twenty burnt Juliano's torments and constancy His death John Leon. Leon goeth towaâ—ds England Is apprehended Sent to Spaine Tormented Martyred A maâ—ds sufferings and martyrdom Christopher Losada His constancy Death Arias He turns persecutor A special Providence Arias his Reâ—covery His courage His Martyrdome Scriptures contemned Grosse ignorance Ministers honoured Aegidio chosen Bishop He is persecuted Imprisoned Gods judgement on Persecutors Released His excellent vertues Zeale He goes to the Emperour His return to Sivil His weaknesse Chosen Divinity-Lecturer A strange Providence Courage Imprisoned His death His Corps burned Nicholas Burton Godâ— Providence He is sent to Sivil Condemned John Baker Will. Burgate Will. Burges Will. Hooker Encenas Treachery Courage Constancy Francis Encenas A special Providence Faninus Humane infirmity Danger of Apostacy Recovery after his fall A prophesie A special Providence Tentation resisted Proffer of life refused Faith Comfort in death Note A special Providence Dominicus Apprehended Constancy Thanks for sufferings Galeacius Trecius Cruelty Humane infirmity Recovery Note Joy unspeakable Tentation resisted Note His education His enmity to the truth Conversion Zeale His apprehension Constancy Hâ—s Release Courage His appeâ—ring at Rome Note Hâ—s return to Bonony A special Providence He is again apprehended His Release Love to Christ Manâ—fold afflictions Constancy His Martyrdâ—me Francis Gamba Constancy Tentations â—esisted Comfort at death Algerus Joy in afflictions Note Tentation resisted John Aloysius Iames Bovellus Persecution raised by the Pope Horrible Cruelty Patience of the Saints Anthony Ricetto Tentation reâ—sisted Constancy Francis Spinola Sega Sega's Martyrdome Humane infirmity Recovery Spinola's Martyrdome An English man at Rome An heroical act His cruel torments Patience His Martyrdome Idolatry detested His going to Lisbone
and comfort Tentation Constancy of a boy An excellent example of an Heathen Profaness of Hereticks The destruction of the persecuting Vandals Sin the forerunner of persecution The fâ—â—st Reformers Peter Valdo Charity Popish malice Christian courage Pope Alexander raiseth persecution Godâ— Providence Persecution spreads the Gospel King of France persecutes them Many burnt The spreading of the Gospel Malicious slanders Vindication The greate encâ—ease of the Waldenses Popish rage and malice Five burnt at Collen A bloody Edict against the Waldenses They defend themselves by Arms. Valdo's Zeal and Courage Sangâ—iâ— Martyrum semen Ecclesia Dominicans instituted Inquisitors begun An. Chri. 1176· Injustice Prodigious cruelty A Knight burned A Disputation between the Popelings and the Waldenses The Popelings bafled Horrible cruelty The number of the Waldenses Their godly lives Good Pastors Persecution raised Popish cruelty In Pragela Popish malice Infants starved to death Popish cruelty Frassiniere Popish cruelty The King forbids the persecution Yet the Arch-Bishop continues it Popish malice Slanders Ja Pateneri The Arch-Bishops cruelty Gods judgement on persecutors Popish lies Gods providence Popish subtilty Barbarous crueltie A girevous persecution The Lieutenant repulsed Plain dealing Popish uncleannesse In Dauphine The weaknesse of a woman The innocency of the Waldenses Popish subtilty and injustice A speciall providence In Piedmont Love Popish malice Slanders Persecution in Piedmont Cruelty Cat. Girard Popish malice Prayer Profanenesse A just judgement A specall prouidence Gods judgement on persecutors Gods mercy Slanders Zeole and courageth Persecution renued Constancy The antiquity of the Faith Unity Zeal The first French Bibles printed One of them drowned A speciall providence The Pope stirs up persecution Courage A special providence Bar. Hector Persecution renewed Profanenesse Prudence Popish malice The German Prince interceds for them Popish malice A great persecution Humane infirmity Popish malice A speciall providence Treachery Prodigious villany A miracle of Mercy A special providence Popish subtilty Popish dissimulation and perfidiousness Fasting and Prayer A special providence Power of Prayer Profaneness A special providence A just reward Prayer A speciall providence Popish subtilty Perfidiousness Papist trechery A notable story A speciall providence Barbarous cruelty Gods judgement on persecutors Uncleannesse Popish Perfidiousness Their Ministers sent away Cruelty Barbarous cruelty Prayer in danger A League A good resolution Images demolished A speciall providence Popish subtilty A special providence Gods Providence Joy in tribulations Prayer in danger Speciall providences Thanksgiving A speciall providence Prayer The enemies every where beaten Prayer in danger A speciall providence Scorners punished Subtilty Perâ—idiousnesse The Spaniardsâ—epulsed â—epulsed Peace obtained Bar. Copin Zeal Christ best of all Tentation Constancy His exhortation to his wife and children Copin murthered Gods providence Their holy lives Their godly conversation The Pope persecutes them Popish lies Humane frailty Popish cruelty A speciall providence Barbarous cruelty Prodigious wickednesse Zeal Horrible cruelties Their totall extirpation Devilish slanders Note P. Masson martyred A cruel decree K. Francis the first Called Miâ—â—irs Barbarous cruelty Prodigious cruelty A bloody speech Gods judgement on persecutors Miniers his horrible death Gods judgement on persecutors Popish uncleannesse Profanenesse A godly Book-seller burnt Popish subtlity Popes rage against Earl Remund He goes to the Popes Legate The Earl whipt naked Beziers besieged Faith and courage Beziers stormed Barbarous cruelty Carcasson besieged Popish cruelty A brave speech Popish cruelty and unleannesse Carcasson stormed The Pilgrims repulsed with great losse Popish Profaanenesse and perfidiousness The Earl made a prisoner A speciall providence Carcasson taken Simon of Montfort made Generall Eearl of Beziers dieth The King of Arragon encourageth the Albingenses Earl Simons pride abated Prodigious cruelty Menerbe taken Courage and constancy The Castle of Termes taken Six thousand Pilgrims slain Horrible cruelty Popish subtilty The Legate dies The English help the Albingenses Popish pride Popish hypocrisie Articles against Earl Remund Earl Remund in danger His brother betrays him Tholouse besieged The Pilgrims beaten The siege raised Popish perfidiousnessâ— and cruelty Popish perfidiousnesse Subtilty Prince Lewis retires Earl Simon beaten Young Remunds successe Earl Simon honoured And disgraced A Council against the Albingenses Popish cruelty A new Army of Pilgrims Cruelty A popish brag E. Sâ—mon beaâ—en Thanksgiving Many Pilgrims slaine E. Simon slain by a woman Prince Lewis his cruelty Earl Guido slaine The Emperours cruell edict against them The Gospellers dispersed Persecuted The Gospellers encrease The King of France against them Avignion besieged A Famine in the Kings Army A dreadfull Judgement Many of them drowned The French beaten The Kâ—ng removes further from the City A plague in the French Camâ— The King of France dyeth Avâ—gnion taken by treachery The young â—ing of France persecuts them His armies beaâ—en Tholouse besieged A great Famine Popish treachery Unreasonable terms put upon the Earl of Tholouse Pope Gregories Counsells against them Persecution continued A cruell Edict against them The bones of one of them burnt A brave answer Albingenses in Spaine Persecuted and destroyed Trancavell and others defend them He prevailes exceedingly A dying woman burnt Earl Remund escapes He is forced to submit Persecution in Italy 1240. Earl Remund prospers Persecution in Millan Earl of Provence beaten A great Persecution Pope Urban Persecutes them Another Persecution A cruel Edict They increase and are persecuted Lollard Christianity brought into Bohemia Persecution begun Tyranny Persecution in Prague A speciall providence The Christians prevaile Subtilty 300. Christians slain Gods judgement on persecutors Wenceslaus reigns Ludomilla murthered Wenceslaus murthered Gods judgement on persecutors Woytich banished The Pope usurps over the Bohemians John Melicius The Pope Antichrist Melicius imprisoned M. Mathias Mathias banished John Husse Jerome 〈◊〉 Prague Popish malice and subtilty The Pope excommunicates the Bohemians Multitudes martyred Encouragment Apostacy Constancy Unnaturall cruelty Many drowned A loving wife Cruelty A Minister and others burned Profanenesse and blasphemy Martin Loquis Prodigious cruelty Some beheaded Schism Calixtines Popish subtilty Thaborites destroyed Reformation begun Popish malice A Minister racked A wicked Edict Popish cruelty Elders chosen A Synod Ordination of Ministers The Waldenses· Admonition The Waldenses persecuted The Church increaseth Popish subtilty Slanders Confession The Brethren banished Persecution Popish malice Gods judgement on persecutors Anno 1510. A cruel Edict Devillish wickednesse Tentation resisted Gods judgement on persecuâ—ors Anno. 1523. Luther Zahere an Apostate Popish lies and slanderous Persecution Two burnt A godly woman burnt Two godly men burnt Comfort in death Gods judgement on persecutors A new persecution Popish malice Charles the fifth warres against the Protestants A great persecution Persecution causeth reformation A speciall providence Popish malice Ministers persecuted A speciall providence Conversion John Augusta Popish lies and slanders A wicked Edict Two hundred Ministers banished The Baron of Schanow Jesuites first brought into Prague Maximilian Emperour Rodulphus Emperour Sin the forerunner of persecution Mathias Emperour Ferdinand