found a Bible and to reading fell In came a Sommoner who thus did say VVhat dost thou meddling with the Bible Ha Know'st thou well what thou read'st canst thou unfold The Sacred VVrit I dare not be so bold Said Hunter then Nor Scriptures to expound Take I upon me now but having found The Bible here that joy might me betide I read in it The Sommoner reply'd T was never merry world since in our tongue The Bible first came forth would it were hung Said Hunter Oh! for Godsake say not so 'T is Gods Book by it ev'ry soul may know That hath one sparke of grace the way which leads To lasting bliss 't is this true comfort breeds God grant that we may still amongst us have The blessed Bible as a means to save O now I know your minde y' are one of them That slight the Queen and her decrees contemn But you and others must a new leaf turn Or else I fear me you 'l go neer to burn Pray God I build my faith on his word still And his great name confess come what come will Confess his name No no you 'l in a mess All to the Devil go and him confess Then step't the Somm'ner forth and fetch'd a Priest The Vicar of that place a drunken beast VVho finding William Hunter at his Book Rebuk'd him for 't and ask'd if he could brook The Doctrine well of Transubstantiation Hunter made answer it had no relation Unto the truth reveal'd he understood Those words of Christ touching his flesh and blood Carnal Capernait-like who thought to feed On Christ his flesh and drink his blood indeed VVherefore to them he said The words I speak Are spirit and life and not as flesh so weak Ah! quoth the Viear have I found you out Thou art an Her'tick now without all doubt c. VVhereas you of my faith do question make I would we two were fastned to the stake To prove whether of us should closest stick Unto our faith and which was Heretick c. The Vicar to complain of him did threat Flung out of doors departing in a heat Hunter went home and having farewel took Of his dear friends his fathers house forsook Brown call'd old Hunter ask'd if he could tell VVhere his son was who said He knew not well Brown told him Either your miss'd-son produce Or go to prison bring me no excuse The old man strides his horse and rides to look him And after two dayes journey overtook him Telling him all what happ'ned yet said he Go on I 'll say I cannot light on thee No no said William home with you I will And save you harmless me they can but kill At his return a Constable him caught And brought before this Mr. Brown who thought VVith arguments to win him and enrag'd At his judicious answers he engag'd No more to hold on the dispute but streight Sent him to Bonner Bonner to the Grate VVhere he for two dayes lay allowed just A dish of water and a brown-bread crust At two dayes end the Bishop coming found The slender fare he bids he be unbound And break his fast with them but he 's revil'd Call'd Heretick worthy to be exil'd Their company said Hunter I decline Their company as much as they do mine The Bishop sent for him and thus did rant And wilt thou not thou Heretick recant Recant said he the faith I have profest So publikely I will not I protest No no I will not what shall I be whirl'd By errours wheels I would not for a world Then take him Jailor mand him to the stocks Be sure you load him well with bolts and locks Till I shall burn him VVhereupon he said Great God! O let thy all-sufficient aid Corroborate my soul He 's born away The Bishop to a half-penny a day Stinted his lively-hood thus nine months space Imprison'd he before the Bishop's face Was six times brought to th'question still propounded Hunter a pertinacious No rebounded The Bishop read his charge and him return'd To Newgate so to Burnt-wood to be burn'd His parents see him and petitions send To God to make him constant till the end His mother added this that she was blest In bearing such a child as could devest His life for Christ's sweet sake William reply'd For the small pain which I shall here abide But a short time my Christ a joyful crown Hath promis'd me His mother kneeling down Said thus I pray God strengthen thee my son To run the race thou hast so well begun I think thee now as well bestow'd my dear As any child that ever I did bear VVhilst he remain'd at Burnt-wood many friends Came to him to whom he the truth commends Three dayes expir'd all things were ready made The Sheriffs son hugg'd him in his arms and said William don't fear these men with Bills Bowes That bring you to the place death as he showes Is not so grim I 've cast up mine accounts Said he and know t'how much the cost amounts With that the young man while he went about To speak could not his tears so fast burst out So Hunter his way cheerfully went on His father meeting with him said My son God be with thee God be with you likewise Good father answer'd William Let your eyes Smile on your son O be not so so sad For we shall meet and have our hearts made glad Come neer the stake he kneeled down and read The one and fiftieth Psalm The Sheriff said Here is a pardon if thou wilt be turn'd Thou shalt live otherwise thou must be burn'd No I 'll not turn quoth William and did go To th'stake and so was fast'ned thereunto Then spake he to the throng Good people strive By pray'r for me while I remain alive And I 'll for you Not I I 'll make my boon Said surly Brown there standing by assoon For a cur-dog as thee Sir you have got What you desir'd I pray God it be not Laid to your charge but I forgiv'n you have Said Brown That 's more then at your hands I crave If God forgive you not I tell you true This blood of mine shall be requir'd of you O Son of God shine on me from a cloud The Sun brake out till then thick shades did shroud The face of day his eyes he turn'd aside Too weak such radiant glory to abide A Priest brought him a book to look upon To whom he thus False Prophet thou be gon Good folk beware of them for Jesus sake Who of their fins shall of their plagues partake Marke what I say as thou burn'st in this fire So shalt thou burn in hell Hu. Thou art a lyar False Prophet hence from me away be gon Fire made he pray'd and breath'd his last Anon Higbid and Causton Gentlemen as good As great in Essex with their own hearts blood Sealed their faith unto Gods glory then And the rejoycing of all Godly men At
besieg'd the towns-men salli'd out And often put the en'my to the rout In one months space the soe lay'd on so hot That more then thirteen thousand Cannon-shot Discharg'd against the Rochellers which held Out siege fo long till famine them compell'd T'unlawful meats all their provision spent But O admired Providence God sent Them fishes and in such abundant store The like was never seen nor heard before As soon as the edict for Peace came out Which Legates sent from Poland brought about They went away and ne're return'd again Divers great Lords and Gentlemen were slain During this siege commanders full sixscore And twenty thousand souldiers or more That did from bloody Massacres retire Receiv'd at Rochel their deserved hire King Charles himself fall'n sick t' his mother cry'd Madam I pray revenge my foes then dy'd Rochel expecting help in time of need From England England prov'd a staff of reed Which ran into their hands whilst they depended Too much thereon the City ill befriended B'ing close besieged by the King of France And his adherents the inhabitants Shrewdly put to 't for want of better meat Did horses dogs cats rats and leather eat The poorer sort of people wanting bread Upon the buttocks of the dead did feed Young maids did look with such a wrinkled brow As though they had a hundred years ran through And all the English when the Freach had took The City like Anatomies did look How sad was it to see their hollow eyes And meagre cheeks lank bellies withr'ed thighs A strike of wheat at twenty at pounds was rated A pound of bread worth one pound estimated A quarter of a sheep did six pounds utter And thirty shillings bought a pound of butter For one poor egge eight shillings was layd down An ounce of sugar yielded half a crown A dry'd fish given for a piece in gold A pint of French-Wine for as much was sold A pound of grapes thrice twelve pence milk but filling A pint-pot full valu'd at thirty shilling c. SECT XXX The Persecution of the Church of Christ in the Valtoline Anno Christi 1620. THe bloody Papists in the Valtoline Rising in arms did furiously combine To th'extirpation of the Christian train Drown'd some in Alba others they did brain Shot some and strangled others some they bee With knotty clubs and many that they met They inhumanely murth'red some they drew Out of their naked beds and did imbrew Their hands in their effused gore they slit The mouths of some up to their ears and hit Others with the Strappado some were hack'd To pieces others slash'd and others rack'd One was compell'd to ride upon an Asse His face turn'd to the tail and he to pass The market-place holding in 's hand the tail As'cwere a bridle some when food did fail Were famished others were ston'd or drown'd Some had their very bones to powder ground Thus having made a quick dispatch at Tel These profane wretches marched thence and fell Upon the Protestants at Church elsewhere Kill'd old and young and shew'd no mercy there To Lords nor Gentlemen to death they shot The Ministers Ladies and Children got Into the Bell-free for security The place is fired and by fire they die The Popish party under a pretence Of standing for the Protestants defence At Sondres yet for all they kept a pother They one destroyed now and then another As if it had bin done by accident Concealing their malevolous intent Then did they fall to plunder and imbrew Their hands in blood all those they met they slew There was a Noble Lady which refus'd The Romish faith to whom such words they us'd Madam out of the tender love you bear To your young infant in your arms give ear To us or else you shall be kill'd together But she undauated thus I came not hither To abnegate my faith nor left I all I had behind in Italy to fall From my first principles yea I will rather Suffer a thousand death my heavenly father Spar'd not his son but up to death him gave Me and such sinners as I am to save How shall I then regard this babe of mine O foe said she into the hands of thine I give my little child God which takes care For the wing'd Cit'zens of the liquid Air Is much more able to save this poor child Though you should leave it on these mountains wild Unlacing then her gown she bar'd her brest And said Here is the body you may feast Your swords therewith to kill it you have power My sould is Gods it can you not devour They slay the mother and the infant spare Committing it t' a Popish nurses care Many that did refuse to go to Mass Were dragged to the mountaines tops Alas And thrown thence headlong down for want of food Others were famish'd into Adda's flood Some flung from bridges and with corpses dead The woods and mountains ev'rywhere were spread A Noble Virgin through the streets was led Disgracefully they put upon her head A paper-mitre buffeted her cheeks And so besmear'd her face with dirt that leeks Might grow thereon then was she bid to call Upon the Saints she smiling said All all My hope my trust and my salvation Is in my Saviour Jesus Christ alone As for the Virgin Mary 't is confest She is above all other women blest Yet is she not omniscient and therefore Knowes not what we request what we implore Yea she her self her own son's merits needed And had bin damn'd had he not interceeded Christ hath despis'd rhe cross endur'd the shame And so will I thrice blessed be his name His holy name with that these villains drew her Into the fields and barbarously slew her Then came a letter from a Governour That these blood-suckers should with all their power Destroy both in the country and in City All that were Lutherans without all pity Whereat destroying all at Tyrane Tell Bruse Sondres and Malenco they more fell Then Hyrcan Tygres fell on Birbenno Caspano Trahen slaying high and low They kill'd a man and 's wife A cradled child Fair and well-favour'd in their faces smil'd They took her by the heels not mov'd at all And dashed out her brains against the wall At Bruse a very aged Matron was Sollicited by them to go to Mass And have respect unto her age not die To whom she answer'd God forbid that I Who have one foot already in the grave Should now forsake my Lord my Christ who gave Me to be constant in his truth profest And upon sublunary creatures rest Shall mens traditions or Gods holy word Take place so said they slew her with the sword SECT XXXI The Persecutions of the Church in Scotland which began Anno Christi 1527. ONE Mr. Patrick Hamilton by name Sprung from an honourable stock became An able Minister his holy zeal Did the despised Mysteries reveal To hood-wink'd souls so long untill at last Th' enraged Bishops him in prison cast
And after condemnation he was brought To execution his cap gown and coat He gave t' his servant and exhorted him To venture all for Christ yea life and lim Bound to the stake he cry'd For Christ his merit O Lord be pleased to receive my spirit How long shall clouds of darkness overwhelm Great God! how long shall foes oppress this realm A Fryar then Vnto our Lady pray Salve Regina say c. Away away Satanick Imps God hears me in the flame His soul went up to heav'n to praise Gods Name Straton converted said O Lord I have Bin wicked and deserv'd thy wrath yet save O let not me for fear of corp'ral pain Or death deny thee or thy truth again They his and Mr. Norman's person bring And burn them in the presence of the King Such words the Bishop of Dunkelden us'd To one Dean Porret whom the Fry'rs accus'd My joy Dean Thomas I do love thee well And therefore take the liberty to tell Thee of thy faults I am inform'd you do Preach the Epistle nay the Gospel too Each Sunday to your people and refuse To take from them as a reward your dues Which prejudicial to the Church-men is My joy Dean Thomas I advise you this Take tythes or else it is too much to preach But once a week for if thou gratis teach May not the people think that we likewise Should do the same Tom be not so precise It is enough for you when you have sound A good Epistle and Gospel to expound The liberty of holy Church express'd Therein and 't is no matter for the rest Thomas reply'd My Lord if I abstain From tythes will my parishioners complain I know they will not and whereas you say It is too much to preach each Sabbath-day I think it is too little for my part And from the very bottom of my heart Wish that your Lordship would be pleas'd to take Such pains as that Nay nay Dean Thomas spake The Bishop then no orders do us reach Whereas said Thomas you do bid me preach When a good Chapter I do light upon I 've read them over all and finde not one That 's bad amongst them shew me where they lie And at your shewing I will pass them by I bless God said the Bishop I ne're knew What was the Testament nor old nor new And I will not know any thing at all Saving my Portvise and Pontifical Go go your wayes and cease so much to prate Lest you repent you when it is too late I trust said Thomas that my cause is clear In Gods eyes therefore what need I to fear And so he went his way But when time 's glass Had run a little more he burned was Though bloody clouds were rais'd Religion's raies Shone forth in Scotland in those worst of daies Partly by reading comfort flowing thence And partly by fraternal conference Which so enrag'd the Papists that they came And burnt four noted persons in one flame One Jerom Russet that profest the truth And Alexander Kennedy a youth Were brought to Judgement Kennedy's heart panted For fear at first and would have fain recanted But when no hopes was left God's Spirit reviv'd His drooping soul yea inward comforts striv'd To shew themselves both in his face and tongue Then falling on his knees these words out sprung Great God! What love hast thou to all express'd And unto me vile wretch above the rest O who hath tasted of thy clemency In such a high degree O Lord as I For just now when I would deny thy power And Jesus Christ thy Son my Saviour T' have plung'd my self all over head and ears In everlasting flames unquench'd with tears Thy right hand hath not suffer'd me to dwell With the black subjects of the Prince of hell And I that was of late with fear opprest Enjoy by thee a joy-enamel'd brest I fear not death do with me as you please I praise God I am ready death 's an ease Then railed they on him and Jerom who Said also unto them Miscal us do This is your hour and power to command Yee sit as Judges we as guilty stand But know a day will come shall clear our blame And yee curs'd yee to your eternal shame Shall see your blindness Go on forward still Till you the Ephah of your sins up fill No sooner were they both condemn'd to die But Jerom comforted young Kennedy Brother said he fear not he that indwels Our souls him that is in the world excels The pain we here indure is light and short But we shall have unfading glory for 't O strive we then though many rubs annoy To enter in unto our Masters joy And with our Saviour pass the narrow road Which few shall finde the way to hell is broad We die for Christ and Christ hath death subdu'd Death cannot hurt us hence me may conclude We are the members and if Christ our head Be risen can the members long lie dead Thus death and Satan under-foot they trod And in the flame breath'd up their souls to God At Edenburgh the cruel Card'nal Beton Hang'd some upon suspicion they had eaten Goose on a Friday and above the rest A woman with her suckling at her brest He drown'd for being scrupulous and wary Of making prayers to the Virgin Mary He sent into exile some Christian brothers And at St. Johnstons he imprison'd others Mr. George Wischard a Divine whose worth Wan him much admiration in the North Having drunk deeply of afflictions cup. Cheerfully in the flames surrendred up His soul unto its donour God fulfill'd His prophesy the Cardinal was kill'd One Henry Wallace as an Heretick Condemned to be burnt was burned quick One Henry Forr'st betrayed by a fryar Was burnt and had the end of his desire Said Ol'phant to one Walter Mill who pray'd Rise up Sir Walter Prayers don he said My name is Walter if you call me right I have bin too too long a Popish Knight Ben't there sev'n Sacraments Give me but two Said he and all the rest I leave to you Wilt thou recant he answer'd I am corn Not chaff and will not be i' th' truth out-born Then go to th'stake Said he I may not kill My self but put me in and bear I will This is my resolution Having made His pray'r to God he to the people said Although it be confess'd that I have bin A friend to Satan and a slave to sin Yet 't is not that that doth my suff'rings cause I suffer for observing God's just Laws And now God out of his abundant grace Doth honour me so farr as in this place To make me seal what others not withstood His truth's profession with my dearest blood Dear friends as you 'd escape eternal doom And live still happy in the life to come Let not Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Seduce you any more for they are Lyars Trust God alone O alwayes make his power Your rock your bulwark of
said the Shrieffe in the Queen's name To fling that Vip'rous book into the flame Then spake he with a cheerful voice and said Dear friends bear witness I am not affraid To seal Christ's Gospel with my dearest blood Knowing 't is true and was of late your food Though now surrepted from you and because I 'll not deny it to obey mans laws Condemn'd I be to dy see that you walk In answer to the truth of which you talk And as for those that do the Pope believe Hell 's theirs without Gods merciful reprieve Except said then the Sheriffe believe thou do The Pope th' art damn'd both soul and body too Pray to thy God that he may set thee free Or strike me down The Lord forgive said he Your temerarious words Dear Lord thou knowst How I left all to come to thee thou dost Draw with Magnetick-love to thee I fly For shelter Ah! but when my serious eye Darts on thy power and on my self looks down I fear the wrath of a condemning frown What shall I shrink no now the flames surround me I 'll trust my God although my God confound me Christ Jesus help Christ Jesus look upon me He cry'd and dy'd with Lord have mercy on me Iveson said All the treasure in the nation Should never draw him to a recantation I to the mercy of my God appeal And would be none of your Church for a deal Yea though an heaven-sent Angel came t' expound Unto me other Doctrine I 'm not bound For to receive it hereupon condemn'd And put into the fire he death contemn'd James Abbes a Godly man did shift about From place to place for safeties sake found out At last they carri'd him to Norwich town VVhere by the Bishop's threats he did disown VVhat he profess'd the Bishop seeing so Gave him some money and dismiss'd him too But conscience bringing him upon the rack The Bishops money he returned back Repenting e're he took it then again The Bishop strove to gain him but in vain Though Peter-like he fail'd now to persever Resolve he did and stood more fast then ever Even to his last-drawn breath the Bishop's fury Condemn'd him to be burn'd he burn'd at Bury John Denly Newman Partrick Packingham Dy'd constant Martyrs for their Saviours name Wright Coker Collier Hooper Stere and more Besides in Canterbury faggots bore Robert Smith Stephen Harwood Thomas Fust And William Hale dy'd for the truth their trust Eliz'beth Warne condemned to be burn'd By Bonner unto Bonner soon return'd These words Do what you will with me for why If Christ was in an errour so am I Otherwise not but Christ spake true I know Therefore then was she burn'd at Stratford-Bow About this very time George Tankerfield Did at St. Albanes to their rancour yield George King John Wade and Tho. Leyes with sore Usage fell sick and dy'd in Lollards tower In Suffolk Mr. Robert Samuel Of Barfold Min'ster who instructed well The flock committed to his charge was tost To Norwich goal there chained to a post And so erect that 's body did command For some small ease induc'd his tip-toes stand Hunger and thirst bad helpers are procur'd VVhat tongue can tell what he poor man endur'd At last brought to be burn'd an easie pain To what he felt before he did detain Some friends in telling them a most strange story Of what fell out while he was us'd so sory VVhen I much want said he had undergon I slept and then me thought appeared one Cloath'd all in white who whisp'red in mine ear Samuel Samuel be of good cheer Take heart to grass man thou hast past the worst Henceforth thou shalt nor hunger feel nor thirst VVhich came to pass such consolation did Sweeten his woes that modesty forbid Him tell the same So as he went along To execution amidst the throng A maid there was who after scap'd did fall About his neck and kissed him withall The while his body burn'd it shin'd as bright As new-try'd Silver or as Cynthia's light Next day Anne Potten and Joan Trunch field come From Ipswich prison unto Martyrdome Thomas Cob William Allen Roger Coo Death for the sake of Christ did undergo In Coventry and Litchfield-Diocess One Mr. Robert Glover did profess The Gospel he surprized had his doom To be confined to a narrow room And dark withall next to the dungeon Scarce having straw enough to lie upon No chair nor stool to fit on none might look To him though sick pen paper ink nor book Was not allow'd him yet a Teftament And Prayer-book by stealth he getting spent Most of his time in pray'r and meditation On Gods great love in working mans salvation Yea said he health began to come my peace Of conscience did more and more encrease God's spir't reviv'd me I had sometimes some Glimm'ring reflections of the life to come All for his own Son's sake to him alwayes Be Glory Honour and Obedience Praise Two dayes before his death he found his heart Less lightsome then it was and fear'd the smart Would too much try his patience for his pray'rs God heard not he unbosomed his fears Unto a Godly Minister his friend Who wish'd him to be constant to the end O play the man your cause is just and true God will appear anon I 'll warrant you The stake in fight he said I see him whom I call'd for Austin Oh he 's come he 's come And look'd so cheerful e'en as though new breath He should receive and not a painful death Cornelius Bongey Capper also came With him and burned in the self-same flame Mr. John Glover now was troubled sore Seeing his brother took for him therefore He would have suff'red in his brother's stead But by his friends importunings he fled Into the neighbouring Woods did there abide Till he with cares and cold sickned and dy'd His body privately was buri'd in The Church-yard they his bones dig'd up agin A twelvemonth after threw them out Opains For to be trampled on by Horses Wains And thus though in his life he scaped from Their rage yet after 's death on him they come William the third brother in Shropshire dead Might not by their consent be buried Wolsey and Pigot suff'red in the Isle Of Ely And within a little while Bishop Ridly and also Latimer Burned at Oxford Stephen Gardiner That day to dine till almost night deferr'd Th' old Norfolk Duke then with him having heard Word of their deaths he with a smiling brow Said to the Duke let us to dinner now The Table fill'd as merry as a Buck The Bishop was but on a sudden struck Two bits scarce eaten carry'd from the table To bed he was his pains intolerable Nature he could not ease for fifteen dayes His tongue was swoln and black his mouth 's assaies Could giv 't no house-room his pin'd body all Sadly enflam'd he gasp'd and gave a sprawl And now John Webbe George Roper Greg'ry Parke At Canterbury burn'd not
armed men To cut him short the Church was round beset Yet he from them mirac'loufly did get Though many Arrians cast their eyes about For this intent t'indigitate him out Not much unlike a sheep ordain'd for slaughter Nor could this good man live in quiet after In banishment till he was forc'd to hide In a deep pit where he no light espide For twice three years and at last by a maid That us'd to bring him food he was betraid But God's directing spirit did befriend him He scap'd before they came to apprehend him Thirty Egyptian Bishops slain twice seven Were banished some in their way took heaven In Alexandria the Arrians urg'd Twice twenty Orthodox Divines were scourg'd The Emperour at his approaching death Griev'd for his changing of the Nicene faith Valens held on these damnable designs ' Gainst Christians fourscore eminent Divines He ship'd and fir'd so they resign'd their breath By patient suffering of a double death Many he caused to be crush'd to shivers Some to be drown'd i' ch' Sea others in rivers Some in the desarts wandred up and down Cloathed in sheeps-skins pityed by none While other-some so put unto their shifts Lurked in dens and hollow rocky clifts At last this Tyrant from the Goths did fly Who fir'd a village o're his head whereby He miserably dy'd unto his name Leaving behind a monument of shame SECT XVIII The Persecution by the Donatists Anno Christi 410. THe Donatists and Circumcellions In Sun-burnt Affrick rais'd rebellions The Orthodox innumerable wrongs Lay under Bishops lost their hands and tongues And others that remain'd sincere and sound This barbrous outrage either hang'd or drown'd Their goods are plunder'd and their houses turn'd To heaps of eindars and their Fanes are burn'd The sacred Scriptures are by flames devour'd Wives are defil'd and Virgins are deflour'd Where ever these profane Schisma ticks came They holy things profan'd nor was 't a shame Counted amongst them but a grace to feed Their mungrell currs with Sacramental bread But God's just judgements did not long forbear The Dogs run mad and their own Masters tear These furious persons cast into the stocks The godly Christians and the Orthodox All Affrick o're they empty out their gall Destroying many and affrighting all SECT XIX The Persecution of the Church in Affrick by the Arrian Vandales Anno Christi 427. THe Vandales under Genserick's command Remov'd their Quarters from th' Iberian land And march'd to Affrick as along they went Cut down the shrubs which yeilded aliment To the dispersed Saints what e're they found Unruin'd they laid level with the ground The Min'sters sinking underneath their loads Are pricked forward with sharp-pointed goads Some had until they crack'd again their legs Wrested with bow-strings grease and oily dregs Salt-water stinking mire and Vinegar Into the mouths of others forced are The Reverend gray hairs from them obtain'd No mercy as for infants they were brain'd Or torn in pieces from the fundament The Carthaginian Senators were sent To wander in exile without respect To sex or age the Roman City's sack'd Upon A sceation-day a Christian train Meeting at Church were by these her'ticks slain There was a Noble man nam'd Saturus The Tyrant seeing him bespake him thus Y' had best to execute my just commands Or you shall forfeit else your house and lands Your wife shall marry one that drives the plow Your children shall be sold nor did this bow The good mans faith his wife hearing her doom Was to be marry'd to a scurvy groom Runs to her husband doth her fine clothes tear And rends from off her head her curious hair Her brood of children hanging at her heels A suckling in her arms then down she kneels And said my deatest Oh some pity take On thy poor wife O for the Lord Chrift's sake Let not thy bantlings under slav'ry tire Nor me be linked to a filthy Squire Be rul'd sweet heart if by constraint th' art brought To act amiss thine will not be the fault He thus Thou speakest like a foolish wife Acting the Devils part thy husbands life If thou didst dearly tender as thou shouldst Entice him so to fin thou never wouldst Which will procure a second death to me Worse then the first I am resolv'd to be Obedient therefore to my Gods commands And quite forsake wife children house and lands To b'his Disciple Scarce these words were out He was despoil'd of all and sent about The Country begging Genserick being dead Hunrick succeeded in his fathers stead Well night five thousand that did Christ profess He banished into the wilderness He made his Courtiers dig the earth for corn And brought the women into publick scorn Mothers their little children followed Right glad that Martyrs they had born and bred One leading by the hand her little Son Hasting t'oretake them said Run Sirrah run Seest how the Saints do trudge along how fast They make unto their crown hast sirrah haft She 's thus rebuk'd How now why do you go So speedy woman whither haste you so She thus reply'd Good folks pray pray for me I go to exile with this child you see For fear the enemies corrupt his youth And so mislead him from the wayes of truth As the Saints went along to banishment Multitudes follow'd and with one consent Flinging their children down did this express And must we then be wedded to distress While you haste to your crown what will become Of us poor wretches as we are at home VVhat Ministers have we you gon to feed Our hungry souls with sacramental bread VVho shall baptize our infants tell us who Instruct us w'have a greater minde to go Then stay behinde but Ah! our feeble strength VVill not hold out so great a journeys length Now they that went and could not mend their paces Were dragged by the Moors through rugged places Their flesh all rent and torn they that were stronger Came to the wilderness to kill their hunger And barely are allow'd the Scorpions crawll About them but do them not hurt at all VVith their lethif'rous sting thus God did please After affliction to send them ease Hunrick sends Mandates throughout Affrica That all the Bishops should by such a day At Carthage meet on purpose by dispute To prop their faith and if they could confute The Arrian Bishops now the time drew near And they according to command appear Dispute began The Orthodox thought best To cull out some to answer for the rest The Arrians plac'd themselves on sublime thrones These stood o' th' ground and said Inequall ones Are too unfit to hold an argument No no it is by general consent That Disputants the controversie rear On equal termes until the truth be clear An hundred strokes on ev'ry one were laid For this bold speech whereat Eugeuius said The Lord in mercy look upon our woes And mark our sufferings under raging foes The Arrian Bishops moved to propound What they intended at the first gave ground
Pope Al'xander the third his wrath did smoke When they shook off his Antichristian yoke He them condemn'd as Het'ticks yet they spred And many potent Towns inhabited Nay many Lords and Earls did with them side Against the Pope and constantly deny'd The Romish faith and resolutely spake Their willingness to suffer for Christs sake Beziers was stormed by the Pilgrim train And in it sixty thousand persons slain The Legat saies Souldiers kill old and young For why God knoweth those to him belong The Catholicks besieg'd and batter'd down On the inhab'tants heads Carcasson Town When Baron Castle was surpriz'd th' enclos'd Of th' Albigenses were disey'd disnos'd Then sent to Cab'ret with an one-ey'd guide Yet still like gold that 's in a furnace tri'd The Saints appear'd their sparkling zeal like fire Blown by afflictions bellows blaz'd the higher Now Luther rose the Antichristian terror And those that were seduc'd reduc'd from error SECT XXI The Persecution of the Church of God in Bohemia which began Anno Christi 894. BOrivojus Duke of Bohemia Entring the confines of Moravia By a strange providence was Christianiz'd And with him thirty Pal'tines were baptiz'd At his return he raised from the ground Churches and Schools and all the Country round Flock'd thither many of the Noble race As well as Commons did the Truth embrace Malicious Satan env'ing the progress The Gospel made gainst those that it profess Rais'd persecution up Borivojus Is sent into exile Sanguineous Drahomira ' the Christian temples locks Forbidding Ministers to tend their flocks And in the silent night three hundred lives Pay'd tribute to the bloody cut-throats knives But Gods just Judgement Drahomira follow'd The opening earth her and her Cart up swallow'd The Popish party having got the day Did all the obvious Bohemians slay At Cuttenburge four Thousand souls were thrown Into the Metal-Mines O hearts of stone The Priests cry out Blow out good people blow These sparks before into a flame they grow Water is us'd the more they did endeavour To drown the Saints they flamed more then ever Many are scourg'd some sent into exile Two German Merchants brought unto the pile Exceedingly encourag'd one another One sayes Since Christ hath suffered dear brother For wretched us let 's do the same likewise For him and such a high-bred savour prize That we are counted worthy so to die For his sweet sake the other did reply The joy that in my Marriage-day I found Was small to this O this doth more abound Both cry'd aloud the Faggots set on fire Blest Christ thou in thy torments didst desire Thine en'mies peace the like we also crave Forgive the King let not the Clergy have Thy scalding vengeance O forbear to plague The poor misled inhabitants of Prague O be thou pleas'd to let them Scot-free go For Ah! poor souls they know not what they do Their hands are full of blood they pray'd and wept And wept and pray'd till in the Lord they slept On Noble-men intolerable Fines Were laid two hundred eminent Divines Are exil'd some are burned others brain'd Some shot to death with blood the earth 's destain'd The Martyrs one by one that were in hold Are called forth who resolutely bold Hast to their sufferings with as great content As if they had unto a banquet went When one was called for he thus exprest Himself in taking leave of all the rest Farewel dear friends Farewel the Lord support Your spirits that you may maintain the fort Against the common foe and make you stout And resolute to keep all batt'ry out That what you lately with your mouths profest You may by your so glorious death attest Behold I lead the way that I may see My Saviours glory you will follow me To the fruition of my fathers sight O how my soul is ravish'd with delight This very hour all sorrow bids adieu To my glad heart O now my joyes renew Transcendent joyes heaven and eternity Is mine is mine Then did the rest reply God go along with you O heaven we pray Assist thy servant in his thorn-pav'd way O may the willing Angells come to meet Thy obvious body and direct thy feet Into thine and our Fathers Mansion Go go dear brother go and we anon Shall follow after and be all receiv'd To bliss through Christ in whom we have believ'd Farewel farewel let equal joyes betide To us that follow and to you our guide First the Lord Schlick a man as wise as grave Condemned to be quarter'd did behave Himself most gallantly and said My doom Me pleaseth well what care I for a Tombe A Sepulchre is but an easie loss Fear death not I welcom my crown my cross Let let these limbs be scatter'd here and there I have Gods favour and I do not fear The worst that foes can do see how the Sun Displaies his shining beams Jesuites be gon And build not Castles in the empty air For I dare die for Christ I that I dare Be pleas'd blest Jesus thorough deaths dark night To Manu-duct me to eternal light Eternal light O what a happy sound That word reports my soul at a rebound Catch heaven catch heaven no sooner had he spoke But he submitted to the fatal stroke His right hand and his head lop'd off his shoulders Are hung on high to terrify beholders The Lord Wenceslaus seventy years old B'ing next was asked why he was so bold In Fred'ricks cause he said My conscience run Along with me and what is done is done My God lo here I am dispose of me Thine aged servant as best pleaseth thee O send that grim-look'd messenger that staies For none to end these miserable dayes May I not see the ruines that do wait Upon our sinking our declining State Behold this Book my Paradise was never So cordial as now Judges persever In sucking Christian blood but know Gods ire Shall smoak you for 't Up starts a cowled Fryer And said Your Judgement errs With this reply He answer'd him I on the truth rely And not on bare opinion Christ's the Way The Truth the Life in him I cannot stray Then stroaking his prolixed beard he said My gray hairs honour serves you having pray'd And giv'n his soul to Christ his Saviour His cut-off head was fixed on the Tower Lord Harant next was call'd who bravely said I 've travell'd far and many journeys made Through barb'rous countries and escaped dangers By sea and land yet was my life by strangers Surrepted not b'ing safe returned home My friends and Country-men my foes become For whom I and my Grandsires have let fall And wasted our estates our lives and all Forgive them father I O Lord have grounded My faith in thee let me not be confounded Then on the Scaffold thus O Lord I give My spir't into thine hands in hope to live By Christ his death according to thy word And so he yielded to the murth'rous sword Sir Caspar Kaplitz eighty six years old Said to the Minister
miss'd their mark One Thomas Whittle Minister accus'd By Bonner was most wickedly misus'd Who fell upon him beat him with his fists And him enclos'd within a close rooms lifts There said he though I did on the bare ground lie Two nights I prais'd be God slep'd very soundly He Joan Warne Is'bel Foster Thomas Brown John Went Iobn Tudson Bartlet Green lay down Their lives together did at Smithfield stake Of heaven-prepared joys for to partake The last of which going to bear the yoke Cheerfully this repeated Dystich spoke Christe Deus sine te spes est mihi nulla salutie Te duce vera sequor te duce falsa nego In English thus O Christ who art my God In thee for mine abode With thee I onely hope Vnder thy Conduct I Seek the truth and deny The falsi-loquious Pope He was a man exceeding charitable Unto the poor so far as he was able Nor did he love his modesty was such Pop'lar applause though he deserved much His beatings he conceal'd till neer his end When he declar'd it to a bosome-friend Anne Albright Agnes Snoth Joan Catmer Sole At Canterbury were burnt to a coal Good Doctor Cranmer then of Canterbury Archbishop also past the fi'ry fury At Salsbury on William Coberly John Spicer and John Mandrel so did die Richard and Thomas Spurge Tims Cavel Drake Ambrose all Essex-men fell at the stake Master Tims many Godly letters sent T' his friends not long before his life was spent In one he us'd these passages I praise The Lord for helping you to minde his wayes Consider I beseech you what of late Fell from my lips so shall we meet in state I 'm going to the Bishops coal-house now And hope to go to heaven e're long do you Hie after me I have a great while tarri'd For you but seeing y' are not yet prepared I 'll stay no longer you shall finde me blest And singing Holy Holy Lord of Rest At my race end now therefore my dear hearts Make hast and loyter not lest light departs And yee who with the foolish Virgins stay Be with the foolish Virgins turn'd away And now in witness that I have not taught Contrary to the truth revealed ought My blood-writ name I send you for a Test That I will seal my Doctrine with the rest So fare you well and God defend you then From Antichrist and his false Priests Amen Use constancy in pray'r with faith require And gain the fulness of your choice desire John Hullier formerly an Eaton Sholar At Ely by his patience conqu'red dolour Hugh Lavrock John Ap-Rice this blind that lame Told Bishop Bonner that he laws did frame To take mens lives away making the Queen His hangman Bonner burn'd them out of spleen At Stratford-Bow In Litchfield Colchester Gloster and Leister many burned were One Mr. Julines Palmer and some more At Newb'ry dy'd One Sharp at Bristol bore The flames with joy In Darby town Joan Waste Born blind did in the fire breath out her last Sir John Cheek for the truths sake underwent In London-Tow'r a sore imprisonment A new Commission from the King and Queen Like Dracoes laws came forth that they which lean T' his Holiness the Pope should raise the fire Of Persecution yet a little higher By means where of throughout the Kingdoms quarters Prisons were stuff'd with Saints fires grac'd with Martyrs First to begin with Colchester where they Apprended three and twenty in one day And burnt the major part Margaret Hyde With Agnes Standly stak'd at Smithfield dy'd They Stephen Gratwick William Moraunt King Iato St. Georges field in Southwark bring And burn together In the Diocess Of Canterbury many did profess The truth and suffered In Lewis town Ten faithful servants in one fire laid down Their lives for Christ one of them Richard Woodman Betraid was b'his father and brother good man Eliz'beth Cooper Simon Millar too At Norwich fir'd Eliz'beth cry'd Ho ho And shrunk a little Simon Millar said Reaching his hand out to her What affraid Raise up your spirits in the Lord be strong And cheerful for these pains are of no long Continuance Good sister by and by We 'll take our supper with alacrity This so becalm'd her heart she through-stitch run The work she had so happily begun And so committing their blest souls to God They clim'd to heaven death being under trod Mrs. Joyce Lewis a gentlewoman born Accuted and condemn'd contemn'd with scorn Death's rigid brow my Christ is fair when him I see said she death looks not half so grim Urg'd to confess before her end begins She said to God she had confess'd her sins And he had pardon'd them the Priest befool'd Told her e're long her courage would be cool'd At stake the Mass she pray'd against cry'd then The crowd and Sheriffe himself aloud Amen Taking a cup of drink Here here 's to all That love the truth and wish proud Babel's fall Her friends do pledge her and some others too For which fact penance many undergo Bound at the stake her smiling ruddy face Made all spectators pitying her case Go with wet eyes much grieving for her woes Inflicted on her by tyran'cal foes She striv'd nor strugled when the fire rag'd most But with her lift-up hands gave up the ghost Ralph Allerton and Richard Roth With James Astoo and his wife dyed in the flames At Islington as did at Colchester Margaret Thurstone and Agnes Bongier John Noyes a godly Shoo-maker who liv'd At Laxfield in Suffolk sentence receiv'd There to burn'd the people in the town Put out their fiers and no house but one And that discov'red by the Chimnies smoak Had some the Sheriffe and 's Officers in broke So got a coal John Noys fell down and pray'd And being bound unto the stake he said Fear not the bodies killer but him who Can kill thee damne thee soul and body too Seeing his sister weep he thus begins Weep not for me but weep you for your sins He took a faggot up gave it a kiss And said Did I e're think to come to this Blessed be God that ever I was born Then spake he to the people Of bread-corn They tell you they can make God but beleive Them not at all nor their false truths receive Pray bear me witness I expect salvation Not by mine own good works but Christ his passion The fire was kindled and his last-spoke word Was Christ have mercy O have mercy Lord. Within the Diocess of Chichester Many accus'd condemn'd and burned were Hillingdal Sparrow and one Gibson dy'd In Smithfield flames John Rough Minister try'd With Marg'ret Mearing neer about this time Were also burned for the self-same crime One Cuthbert Sympson Deacon in one day Though rack'd no less then thrice would not betray The Congregation lying in the stocks At midnight one whom he well heard unlocks The coal-house doors and though no candles light Nor fire's he saw yet his amazed sight Splendour beheld he that came