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
thy tongue The crow'd reply'd no living soul here bears Offence his Musick much delights our ears Four hundred folks encourag'd him to run His race and finish what he had begun To whom he thus Breth'ren I undertake This spir'tual Combate meerly for the sake Of my great Lord and Captain Jesus Christ I now am going to be sacrifie'd And when God shall of his abundant grace Call you to suffer follow me apace He 's on the gallowes and the ladder's turn'd And then his body 's into ashes burn'd Some Ci'zens in a firy Chariot sent From Antwerp to the City Heaven went One Scoblant as he to his Tryal past Said thus Would God that I might be the last That thus might suffer death O that my blood Might satisfy their thirst if God see good That so the Church of Christ forlorn distreft Might ever after live at ease and rest I now put off this Mantle transitory In hope to wear a robe of lasting glory A Popish Priest by a religious Dame Converted to the faith spake thus I came To comfort you but I my self indeed Of you to comfort me have greater need Christopher Gaud'rin said Mans life on earth Consists but of two dayes the first his birth The next his dying day and therefore I Must needs die once who would refuse to die To live for ever death and I must kiss 'T is death conducteth to eternal bliss The sentence past he did apart repair And poured out his soul to God in pray'r Then from his hands and face he wash'd the dirt And puting on his back a fine white shirt He thus his fellow-prisoners bespake Breth'ren this is my wedding-day I make To heav'n-ward being come unto the place He found three other ready to embrace The self same death these four themselves did chear With patient suff'ring and rejoye'd to bear Then came a Fryar under a pretence To win them Christopher said thus Hence hence Thou soul-seduser from our presence flee We have not any thing to do whith thee They must be gag'd May not our tongues have power Said they to praise God at our latest hour Sermons they used to frequent hard ropes Annex'd their necks they finished their hopes In Flanders multitudes of true believers Were sent to be eternal life's receivers In Breda there a Goldsmith dwelt his name Was Petar Coulogue whose renowned fame Had spred all o're the town and ev'ry mouth Proclam'd him faithful if they spake the truth This Pious Deacon quickly was beset With popish catchpoles neither would they let Him once enjoy the company of any Of his own Church he over-pows'd by many Was hurry'd to the Castle while he staid A pris'ner there once every day his maid Brought him his sustenance till they perceiv'd He had much comfort from her lips receiv'd She also was imprison'd where she found Such inward joys as made her heart rebound Now when a little tract of time was spent Peter was called forth who underwent Great pains with admirable patience These cruel villains for to recompence His maids true zeal fetch'd Betkin to the rack Cruelry undeserv'd she nothing slack Went chearfully along ere she did part With life her tongue thus empty'd out her heart Since needs I must sustain afflictions rod First suffer me to pray unto my God This they consented to she scap'd a scouring By this for whilst she out her pray'rs was pouring One of the then Commissioners fell down Into an irrecoverable swown This miracle was hush'd as though in vain 'T was sent now to their cruelty again Examples will not take they 'll not be turn'd They are condemned and they must be burn'd The people wept Peter and Betkin pray'd To God for strength the courage of the maid Did work so kindly on the well-affected That breaking through the danger unrespected The throng'd crowd they the pris'ners did embrace And praised God for his supporting grace Then spake to this effect Fight on fight on The crown prepared you shall wear anon These words spake Betkin with a brow as clear As day My Bretheren and sisters dear See you to Gods word be obedient still And fear not them who can the body kill Not hurt the soul but rather fear him who Hath power to kill the soul and body too And fling them into hell I go to meet My glorious Spouse wrap'd in a fi'ry sheet Then falling on their knees they sent their prayers As welcom ghests to Gods attentive ears Bound to the stake they prais'd the Lord the flame Sent up their souls to heav'n from whence they came William of Nassaw Prince of Orange by A bloody villain shot did thus let fly His latest words O God my God condoul My wounded state take pity on my soul On my departing soul O spare O spare The Spanish people though they sinful are These words no sooner out his soul forscok This earthly and an heavenly Mansion took SECT XXVI The Modern Persecution of the Church in Germany since the year 1630. TH'Imperialists when they by storm had gain'd Paswalick town the Swedish souldiers brain'd At the inhabitants their fury lavish'd And in the open street they females ravish'd Nay child-bed women too they flew the men And fired o're their heads their houses then They massacred Divines and burned down The Christian Churches and at last the town Tilly and Pappenheim became a scourge Unto the famous City Magdenburge Her goodly structures and aspiring Towers Were burn'd down in the space of twice six hours Without the least respect to old and young Were six and twenty thousand slain burnt flung Into the river Elve by sev'ral wayes The torturers abridg'd poor Chrstians dayes Ladies and Gentlewomen yok'd together Forc'd into woods in frosty snowy weather Were ravish'd there strip'd whip'd and with a scoff Dismiss'd while others had their ears crop'd off Hexter is taken and the Popish rage Hew'd all in pieces either sex and age All serv'd alike what the fles-eating sword Had left unspoil'd the greedy flame devour'd At Griphenburge the Senators were starv'd The Heidleburg Divines and Bourgers serv'd With onely bread and water Like dogs not men Were the Frankendales us'd In Pomeren The poor inhabitants were forc'd to eat Up their own excrements unpleasing meat Many suspected to have hidden Gold Or silver suff'red torments manyfold With cords the heads of some they wound about And twisted them until the blood did sprout Out of their eyes ears noses nay unto Tongues Cheeks Breasts Legs and secret parts they do Tie burning matches yea the parts of shame Stuff'd with gun-powder burst with horrid flame With knives and bodkins they do pink the skin And flesh of some draw stiff cords out and in Some rosted were with gentle fires some smok'd Like bacon-hogs others hot Ovens chok'd The hands and feet of some so hard were girted That from their fingers ends and toes there spirted Sanguineous drops They ty'd the arms and legs Of some together backwards and with rags
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
Behold behold Me a decrepit wretch whose frequent pray'rs Have beg'd deliverance from this vale of tears But all in vaine for to be gaz'd upon By the worlds eyes I 'm kept God's will be done Not mine my death to mortal eyes may seem Disgraceful but 't is rich in Gods esteem Oh Lord my God my trembling feet support For fear my sudden fall occasion sport To my observing foes The Minister Perceiving that the excutioner Could not perform his office as he meant His crookedness b'ing an impediment Bespake him thus My Noble Lord as you Commended have your soul to Christ so now Advance your hoary head to God he try'd What he could do his head struck off he dy'd Then the Lord Oito a judicious man Having receiv'd the sentence thus began And do you then O Caesar still think good For to stabilitate your throne with blood Can God be pleas'd with this say Tyrant say How will you answer 't at that dreadful day Kill this my body do let my blood fill Your veins disperse my members where you will Yet this is my belief My loving father Will be so pleas'd as them together gather And cloath them with their skin these very eyes Shall see my Lord where e're my body lies These ears shall hear him and this very tongue Ring peals of joy his praises shall be sung By this same heart of mine I must confess I was perplex'd at first but now I bless My God I finde a change I was not troubled So much but now my joyes are more redoubled I fear not death now death hath lost her sting To die with joy O 't is a pious thing Am nor I sure Christ and his Angels will Guide me to heaven where I shall drink my fill Of those Celestial cups those cups of pleasure And measure drinking though not drink by measure Shall then this death have power to divide My soul from him the heavens open wide See where my finger points The standers by Beheld eye-dazeling cortuscancy After a silent prayer made he spake Lord save thy servant Oh some pity take I am thy creature O let me inherit Christ-purchas'd glory Lord receive my spirit Next Dionysius Zervius that storm'd Against the saints but when he was inform'd Of gospel-Gospel-truths how Christ procured rest For those believ'd he forthwith smote his brest And fetch'd a sigh while tears ran down did cry This is my faith and in this faith I 'll die Through Christ alone I can acceptance finde Yet God will not despise my contrite minde Upon these knees these bended knees I call For mercy mercy Lord although I fall Help me to rise in thee My foes controul May hurt my body but not hurt my soul An aged man b'ing brought both these commended Their souls unto the Lord so their lives ended Next was the Lord of Rugenice arraign'd Who said I have a greater priv'ledge gain'd Then if the King had spar'd me and augmented My restor'd substance and am more contented God is our witness that we onely sought Religions Liberty for that we fought Who though w' are worsted and must end our days The Lord is righteous in all his ways His Truth we must defend as he sees good Not by our naked Swords but by our Blood What is the cause my God O tell me why So soon as others do I may not die For ah thou knowst thou knowst that I resign My self unto thee and am wholly thine Put not thy servant off with long delay But take me hence sweet Jesu come away The Sheriff came for him he rejoycing said Blessed be God then towards him he made Upon the Scaffold he himself did chear With that of Christ Father I will that where I am thy servants may there also be That they may my heaven-given glory see I haste to lose this life so transitory That I may be with Christ and see his glory Climbe up my soul climbe up to be embrac'd In Christ his arms and so he breath'd his last Valentine Cockan spake to this effect Upon the Scaffold Gracious Lord direct My feeble steps O let deaths valley be A Pasport to the clearer view of thee For why thy word hath bin my hidden treasure O what satiety of joy and pleasure Take residence with thee there 's nothing can Afford my soul more satisfaction than Thy self's fruition Lord my spirit flies Into thy Courts so having said he dies Next Toby Steffick's brought a man whose heart Walk'd upright with his God though like a cart Press'd with afflictions sheaves to heaven he heav'd His wasted eyes and said I have receiv'd From the beginning of my life till now Good things of God and shall not I then bow My will to his but his chastisements shun I will not no God's holy will be done Can I poor dust and ashes have the face To plead with God I chearfully embrace Thy pleasure Lord I come to bear the cross O be thou pleas'd to purge away my dross Calcine my soul obliterate my sins And make me pure against that day begins He pray'd and having drunke the lethal cup His spirit into heaven ascended up Doctor Jessenius after him was Martyr'd His tongue cut out head off his body quarter'd Citing the saying of Ignatius Chears his co-sufferers We are Gods corn Sown in the Churches field and must be torn By beasts to fit us for our Masters use But here 's our comfort one a bloody sluce The Church is founded and hath been augmented By blood nor shall the opened vein be stented The blow must now be fetch'd his soul he gave To heav'n his body to the gaping grave Then being call'd to execution I come said he a pious resolution Takes up my heart I 'm not asham'd nor sory To suffer these nay worse things for his glory I have I have by my heav'n-borrow'd force Fought faith's good fight and finished my course Then praying Father in thy hands I leave My spir't he did a Martyrs crown receive John Shunlt is while he on the Scaffold stood Said thus Leave off this melancholy mood Dejected soul O be not so cast down Hope thou in God though for a time he frown Yet will he smile again and thou shalt yet Praise him though Nature do receive her debt The righteous are among the dead enrold By fools whenas they rest Behold behold I come sweet Jesus O some pity take Unon thy creature for thy promise sake Cast me not off my misery condole My sins O pardon and receive my soul Make no long tarriance come Lord Jesus come And so he underwent his Martyrdome Next Maximilian Hoslialeck Whom Learning Worth and Piety did deck After the sentence past one asked him The reason why he look'd so dull so grim And sadder then the rest To rell the truth The sins said he I acted in my youth Come now afresh into my minde for though I know that no remainder can o'rethrow Them which with Jesus Christ have made a close
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
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
of thine Amidst these flames their spirits did ascend To glory which shall never have AN END Gloria Deo in Excelsis SECT Vlt. God's Judgements upon the Persecutors of hic Church and children SInce first the Gospel in the Ears did ring Of England under Lucius the King Never did King or Queen the Land so stain With Christian blood as in her four years reign Queen Mary did she burned in her fury An Arch-Bishop and he of Canterbury Four Bishops twenty one Divines or more Eight Gentlemen Artis'cers eighty soure Husbandmen Servants and poor Labouring men Five score Wives twenty six Widdowes twice ten to Nine Maids two Boyes and two young Babes heaven VVere sent in all two hundred seventy seven Sixty four more for Jesus Christ his sake VVere persecuted sore which could not shake Their heaven-built faith seven whereof were strip'd Stark naked and most mercilesly whip'd Sixteen in prison perishing had dung After the Nabathoean custom flung Upon their outcast bodies Some did lie In captivated chains condemn'd to die But were deliv'red from approaching death By th' happy entrance of Elizabeth Our glorious Queen our Pallas and Astraea Of Grace and Virtue the divine Idea Many did spend by reason of exile Their dayes in trouble and their years in toile But as Queen Mary lavished the blood Of her best subjects and the truth withstood Unto the utmost of her power so God Scourged her soundly with his flaming rod Both in her life and death for whilst she liv'd What did she prosper in which she atchiev'd To instance in a few particulars And first her fair'st and greatest man of War Unmatch'd i' th' Christian world cal'd the great Harry Was burnt by heavenly flames Then would she marry Spanish King Philip so expose to dangers Poor England under barb'rous foes and strangers She labour'd much but never could attain To joyn the English to the Spanish Raign Then did she set about the restauration Of Abbey-lands throughout the British nation Her self began according to the Popes Directions yet frustrate were all her hopes God o're her land then such a famine spred That her poor subjects upon Acorns fed Then Calice where the English did remain During eleven Kings reigns from her was ta'in Which loss so griev'd her as she did impart That Calice was engraven in her heart Again in child-birth never woman had S'unfortunate success as she so bad For if she was with child and had e're been In travel why why was it never seen If not why was the Kingdom so beguild Some in the Pulpit for her new-born child Returning thanks thus her desires b'ing crost She then th' affections of her husband lost She could not him enjoy nor might she smother This her first love by marrying another Although she did so many Judgements feel Yet would she not her bloody Laws repeal She had no minde to stop the opened vain Or close the bleeding Orifice again Of dying Saints At last the Lord did please To strike her with a languishing disease VVhereof she dy'd and having held the crown Five years and five months onely laid it down Horrible tempests mortal sicknesses Plagues famines burning fevers did perpess The grieved land the fourth year she did sway And swept a multitude of folks away So that in six weeks space in London there Dy'd seven Aldermen VVheat that same year Yielded four marks the Quarter Mault a Peck Fourty four shillings as much Pease did make Two pound six shillings eight pence to a crown The following year a Peck of VVheat came down Four shillings eight pence Mault of Ry a Strike Take for a groat you may if it you like In her fifth year a thundring tempest came And batt'red down two towns neer Notingham Flung sheets of lead abroad bells from the steeple Tore trees up by the roots slew divers people c. Also a great mortality was known In Autumn then Corn stood unreap'd unmown And rotted in the fields hence did ensue Great scarcity the lab'rours being few So much of her nor must my Muse pass by Her chiefest Instruments of cruelty First to begin with Stephen Gard'ner then Bishop of Winchester whose end my pen Disdains to mention twice I will therefore Add onely this That lying at the door Of merc'less death and being put in minde Of Peter his denying Christ he whin'd This answer out VVith Peter I deny'd The Lord but there is somewhat else beside VVanting in me Alas I never spent A tear nor can as Peter did repent Morgan St. Davids Bishop who high base Condemned Ferrar and usurp'd his place Did vomit up his meat through mouth and nose O horrible until his life did close Then Mr. Leyson high Sheriffe set away This Martyrs Cattel int'his own ground they No meant would eat nor touch a blade of grass But bellowed and roar'd till death Alas One Justice Morgan who condemned had Lady Jane Grey within a while fell mad Nothing but Lady Jane his voice did sound The Lady Jane Oh! how her name did wound The Lady Jane the Lady Jane O take The Lady Jane away no more he spake Dunnings the Norwich Chancellour for 's hate To the truth dy'd as in his chair he sate Berry of Norfolk Commissary one Burn'd harmless Saints fell with an heavy groan Down to the ground and never did recover One Bishop Thornton Suffragan of Dover A cruel man while on a Sabbath-day He looked o're his men to see them play At Bowles on him did the dead palsey fall Carry'd to bed he was defir'd to call The Lord to minde Yea said he so I do Not onely so but my Lord Card'nal too So desperately dy'd Another tool Of Hell at Greenwich went to Card'nal Pool To get his blessing but returning fast He fell down stairs and brake his neck for hast Grimwood a wretch who had himself forsworn Being in Harvest stacking of his corn His bowels suddenly fell out These two Capon and Jeff'ry Doctors undergo At Salsbury sudden deaths Mr. Woodroffe Sheriffe of London dyed soon enough One Clerk who did the Godly Saints devour Hanged himself at last in London-Tower Cox a Promoter going well t' his bed When the next morn arose was found stone dead Dale dy'd of lice One Troling Smith a great Foe to the truth dy'd suddenly â—'th'street Paul London Town-Clerk an accursed wretch Did voluntarily an halter stretch A lightning stroke did Robert Baldwin kill Cardinal Pool of an Italian Pill Dy'd as 't was thought Dr. Foxford Blomefield And Leland too to sudden deaths did yield One Dr. Williams Chanc'llour of Glocester Died the death before he was a ware One Lever said he had at Oxford been And that ill-favour'd knave Latimer seen Tooth'd like an horse but mark we what did follow His son soon hang'd himself One William Swallow Lost all his hair off all his nails did pill And 's wife was taken with the falling ill Brown Lardin Potto en'mies of George Eagles D'yd a dogs shameful death three pretty