Woods and forced to dwell in Caves some tormented upon the Rack and some burned with fire and faggot Amongst others two young men were burnt at Bruxels viz. Henry Voes and John Esch formerly Augustine-Friars When they came before the Inquisitors they were examined what they did believe they answered the books of the Old and New Testament wherein were contained the Articles of the Creed Then were they asked whether they did not believe the decrees of the Councels and Fathers they answered such as were agreeing to the Scriptures they believed c. When they were condemned they gave thanks to God their heavenly father which of his great goodnesse had delivered them from that false and abominable Religion making them Priests to himself and receiving them to himself as a sacrifice of a sweet odour They went joyfully to the place of execution protesting that they died for the glory of God and the doctrine of the Gospel as true Christians and that it was the day which they had long desired They joyfully embraced the stake and endured patiently the torments of the fire singing Psalmes and rehearsing the Creed in testimony of their faith whereupon one said to them that they should take heed of glorifying themselves so foolishly but of them answered God fobid that we should glory in any thing but in the Crosse of our Lord Jesus Christ When the fire was kindled at their feet one of them said Methinks you do strow Roses under my feet presently after they quietly slept in the Lord. Henry being before demanded if Luther had seduced him he answered Even so as Christ seduced his Apostles The year after there was one Henry Sutphen who having been with Luther came to Antwerp from which he was driven for his Religion Then did he go to Breme where he was requested by some godly Citizens to preach to them and the Citizens hearing him preach the Gospel so sinâ—rely they were so in love with his Doctrine that they requested him to tarry amongst them to be their Minister but the Popish Clergy presently complained of him to the Magistrates accusing him of Heresie and desiring that he might be banished the town but not prevailing there they complained to the Archbishop and sent their Chaplains daily to his Sermons to entrap him in his words but it pleased God so to work upon them by his Ministery that most of them were converted and did openly witness that he taught nothing but the truth of God Not long after he was set for to Meldorp to preach the Gospel to them also wherefore he thought good to try what God would work by him there but the Citizens of Breme were very unwilling to part with him because the Gospel had not as yet took much deep root amongst them and because the persecution was very great c. Yet Sutphen alledged that in Diethmarch there was more need of his labours the people being as sheep amongst Wolves and that with a safe conscience he could not deny their request and that he did not intend utterly to forsake Breme but only for a moneth or two after which he would return to them again So having made all things ready he went into Diethmarch to Meldorp were he was joyfully received But before he began to preach the Divel and his instruments began to fret and fume and consulting together they resolved to hinder him from preaching fearing that if the people once heard his doctrine it would be too late to stop it Hereupon they grievously complained to the Magistrates telling them that if they suffered this Heretick to preach he would infect all the Country as he had done at Breme and that it would be a most gratefull service if they would put him to death This so far prevailed with these ignorant men that they resolved that he should be put to death unseen and unheard They wrote also to forbid him to preach whereunto he answered that since he was come at the request of the whole Parish to preach he resolved to answer that call and rather to obey God than man and that if God had determined that there he should lose his life there was as near a way to heaven from thence as from any other place assuring himself that sooner or later he must die for the Gospels sake And accordingly the next day he preached and the people so liked him that they resolved to have him for their Preacher and to defend him to their power in the afternoon he preached again afterwards also he preached a third time with such a spirit and grace that all men admired him praying God earnestly that they might long enjoy such a Preacher But his enemies were not all this while idle for going to the Rulers of the Country they procured some of them to joyn with them and privately raised five hundred men with whom they went in the night time to Meldorp brake into the house where Sutphen lay pulled him out of his bed naked and in their rage had almost pulled him to pieces they then bound him and asked him for what cause he came into Diethmarch he gently declared it to them yet they led him away barefoot so that his feet being pitifully cut with the ice he desired a horse to ride on for which they jeared him saying Must we provide an horse for an Heretick thou shalt go on foot whether thou wilt or no Afterwards they bound him with chains and set him in the stocks Then was he removed to another place and shut up in a Cupboard The next day binding him hands feet and neck they carried him forth to be burned Then a certain woman came to them and proffered her self to suffer two thousand stripes and to give them a great summe of mony if they would but respite his life till he had a publick hearing but they threw her underfoot and trod upon her They also fell upon Sutphen cutting and mangling of him in several parts The fire was often kindled yet would not burn then they fell upon him again cutting and slashing him and at last bound him to a ladder and threw him into the fire and when he began to pray one of them him struck saying Thou shalt first be burnt and then pray and prate thy fill another trode upon his breast and another endeavoured to strangle him another ran him through with an Halberd another struck him on the breast with a Mace till he died and lastly they rosted him upon the coals and so he finished his Martyrdom About the same time many other godly persons were thrown into the River of Rhene and drowned and in the Town of Diethmarch another faithful servant of God suffered Martyrdom In Hala a godly preacher was slain by a company of cut-throats set on by the Friars And not long after the Town of Miltenburg was taken sacked many slain and others imprisoned for maintaining Caralostadius
condemned to be burnt but he told his Judges that his time was not yet come and so it fell out for shortly after he was removed to Ferrara where he continued in prison two years Then was he again condemned by the Popes Inquisitors and yet his time being not come he remained a good while after in prison in which time many godly people came to visit him which caused the Pope to commâ—â—d him to be kept more strictly Then was he kept close Prisoner for eighteen moneths wherein he endured many and great torments After this he was brought into another prison where were many Nobles great Lords and Captains for stirring up sedition who when they first heard him speak set him at naught and derided him and some of the gravest of them supposing it to be but a melancholy humour exhorted him to leave his opinion c. Faninus gave them thanks for their friendly good will but withal modestly and plainly he declared to them that the doctrine which he professed was no humour nor opinion of mans braine but the pure truth of God held forth in his Word which truth he was fully resolved never to deny c. With which instructions they were through the mercy of God clean altered in their carriage and judgement highly admiring and honouring him now whom a little before they derided and contemned Then did he proceed still to impart the Word of grace to them declaring that though he knew himself to be a miserable sinner yet through faith in Jesus Christ and his grace he was fully perswaded that his sins were forgiven assuring them likewise that if they did repent and believe on our Lord Jesus Christ they also should have their sinnes remitted unto them There were in that prison also some that having formerly lived very delicately could not now endure the hardship of prison to whom he administred much comfort in this their distresse insomuch as they rejoyced in â—hese their sufferings by which they had learned a better kind of liberty than ever they had before His Kinsfolk hearing of his imprisonment his wife and sister came to him pitifully weeping and intreating him to consider and remember his poor family c. To whom he answered that his Lord and Master had commanded him not to deny his truth for his families sake and that it was too much that once for their sakes he had fallen into that Cowardise which they knew of Therefore he desired them to leave him and not to solicit him any further in that kind for he knew that his end now drew near and so he commended them to the Lord. Presently after the Pope sent a command that Faninus should be executed whereof when an officer brought him word he much rejoyced at it thanking the Messenger Then did he begin to make a long exhortation to his fellow-prisoners about the felicity of the life to come He had life proffered him if he would recant and he was put in mind what a sad condition he would leave his wife and children in whereupon he answered that he had committed them to an Overseer that would sufficiently care for them and being asked who that was he answered Even the Lord Jesus Christ a faithful Keeper of all that are committed to him the next day he was removed into the common Prison and delivered to the secular Magistrate In all his words gestures and countenance he shewed such modesty constancy and tranquillity of mind that they which before extreamly hated him and thought that he had a devil began now favourably to hearken to him and to commend him yea with such grace and sweetnesse he spake of the Word of God that many of the Magistrates wives which heard him could not abstain from weeping yea the Executioner himself wept As he was going to execution one that saw him so merry and chearful asked him what was the reason of it whereas Christ before his death sweat blood and water To whom he answered that Christ sustained all the sorrows and conflicts with hell and death that were due to us that by his sufferings we might be freed from the sorrow and fear of them all At the place of execution after he had made his most earnest prayers to the Lord he meekly and patiently went to the stake where he was first strangled and afterwards burned And during the time of his burning there came a most fragrant and oderiferous smell to the Spectators the sweetnesse whereof did so delight and refresh their senses as his words would have done if they had heard him speak There was also one Dominicus sometimes a souldier under Charles the fifth in Germany where he received the first taste of the Gospel of Jesus Christ after which by his confâ—rence with learned men he much increased in knowledge insomuch as he was able to instruct others whereupon he returned into Italy and in the City of Naples he taught the Word of God to many Anno 1550. From thence he went to Placentia where he instructed the People also in many of the fundamentals of Religion promising that he would next speak to them of Antichrist whom he would paint out in his colours but when he came the next day he was apprehended by the Magistrate whom he readily obeyed saying that he wondered the devil had let him alone so long and being asked whether he would renounce his doctrine he answered that he maintained no doctrine of his own but the doctrine of Christ which also he was ready to seal with his blood giving hearty thanks to God for accounting him worthy to suffer for his name Then was he committed to a filthy and stinking prison where he remained some moneths and was often solicited to revoke his opinions or else he must suffer death but through Gods mercy nothing could remove him from his constancy being therefore condemned to death he was brought forth into the market-place where he most heartily prayed for his enemies instructed the People and then was hanged resting in peace in the Lord. In Saint Angelo there was an house of Augustine Friars to whom there often resorted a Friar from the City of Pavia who was a man very expert in the Scriptures and of godly conversation by whose labours not only divers of the Friars but other Townsmen were brought to the knowledge and love of Gods Word and amongst the rest one Galeacius Trecius a Gentleman of good quality very wealthy and bountiful to the poor was wrought upon to embrace the truth and was afterward much confirmed and strengthened by Caelius Secundus who being persecuted from Pavia came to this place After some time Galeacius having much profited in knowledge was inflamed with a godly zeal to promote and propagate the knowledge of the truth unto others But a light shining in such darknesse could not be long hid Insomuch as Anno 1551. he was apprehended and carried before the Bishop
a mark burned in his forehead as a note of infamy his mother a good woman when she saw her son so pitiously scourged branded encouraged him crying with a loud voice Blessed be Christ and welcome be these marks for his sake Afterwards he removed from thence and went to Metz in Lorrain where for a time he followed his calling of a Woolcarder But the people of the City used once a year all of them to go forth into the Suburbs to worship some Idols there whereupon John Clark inflamed with an holy zeal went the night before and brake down all those images The next morning when all the Clergy and people came to the place to worship them they found all their Idols broken upon the ground This set all in a tumult and great searching there was after the Author of this deed and quickly was John Clark suspected and apprehended he presently confessed the fact and told them the reasons why he did it The people hereupon cried out against him in a great rage Before the Judges he professed the pure doctrine of the Sonne of God and thereupon was condemned to a cruel death which he sustained with admirable patience and constancy First his right hand was cut off then was his nose with sharp pincers pulled violently from his face then were his armes and breasts pulled off with the same instrument yet he through Gods grace endured all with great quietnesse pronouncing the while that of Psalm 115. Their Idols are silver and gold the works of mens hands Lastly he was cast into the fire and there consumed Not long after Master John Castellane Doctor in Divinity borne at Tourney being through Gods mercy called to the knowledge of the truth became a zealous fervent and faithful Preacher of it in divers places and at last he was taken Prisoner by the Cardinal of Lorrains servants by whom he was carried to the Castle of Nommenie where he endured much cruel usage yet still he persevered in confessing the true doctrine of the Sonne of God then was he carried to the Castle of Vik and after a time was condemned degraded and delivered over to the secular power with this hypocritical speech My Lord Judge we pray you as heartily as we can for the love of God and the contemplation of tender pity and mercy and for respect to our Prayers that you will not in any point do any thing that shall be hurtful to this miserable man or tending to his death or the maiming of his body Then was he burnt alive which death he underwent with much patience and comfort At Paris one James Panane a Schoolmaster was burnt for the truth Also at Melda Dennis de Reux was burned for saying that the Masse was a plain denial of the death and passion of Christ He used often to meditate of and to repeat those words of Christ He that denies me before men him will I deny also before my Father he was burnt in a slow fire and so abode much torment John de Cadurco preaching to his Countrymen of Limosine was apprehended and degraded The Friar that was to preace at his degradation took that text 1 Tim. 4. The spirit speaks expresly that in the latter dayes men shall depart from the faith giving heed to lying spirits and doctrines of errors Then did John call to him to read on but the Friar stood dumb and could not speak a word more Then did John read on Teaching false doctrine in hypocrisie having their consciences seared with an hot iron forbidding to marry and to eat meats created by God to be received with thanksgiving c. Presently after he was burned About the same time five men for scattering about certain papers against the Masse and other popish superstitions were apprehended and burnt at Paris One of them for speaking freely had his tongue burned through and with a wire tied fast to one of his cheeks Alexander Canus a godly Minister for preaching and confessing the truth of Christ was burned at Paris with a small fire whereby he endured great paine Also John Pointer a Chirurgeon had his tongue first cut out and then was burnt about the same time Peter Gaudet living at Geneva was by a popish Uncle trained into France apprehended condemned and after many and long torments sustained in prison was burned Divers others were apprehended condemned and burned at Arras A godly Virgin was burned at Fountains Anno 1534. As also one John Cornon an husbandman but one endowed with such wisdome by God that all his Judges were amazed at it yet was he condemned and burned Martin Gonin was cast into the river and drowned Anno 1540. One Claudius endeavouring to convert his friends and kinsfolk in Paris was by them betrayed adjudged to have his tongue cut out and then burned Stephen Brune at Rutiers being for the constant Profession of his faith condemned to be burned when the fire was kindled a great winde so drave away the flame from him that he stood for ean hours space exhorting and instructing the people Then did they bring oile vessels and more fagots yet still was the flame driven from him Whereupon the hangman took a staffe and struck him on the head to whom he said I am condemned to be burned and do you strike me with staves like a dog with that the hangman with a pike thrust him through the belly and threw him down into the fire and afterwards scattered his ashes in the wind At Roan four Christians were condemned to be burned and being carried to the stake in a dung-cart they said Blessed be God we are here reputed as the excrements of this world but yet our death is a sweet savour unto God John de Beck a godly Minister being condemned for the doctrine of the Gospel constantly endured the torment of the fire at Troyes Aymond de Lavoy a godly Minister preaching the truths of God faithfully was complained of by the Popish Clergy to the Magistrates of Bourdeaux who sent to apprehend him hereupon some of his friends perswaded him to flie but he refused saying that thereby he might cause the People to think that he had fed them with dreames and fables and not with the pure Word of God whereas he feared not to yield up both soul and body in the quarrel of the truth which he had taught saying That with Paul he was ready not onely to be bound for the testimony of Christ in the City of Bourdeaux but to die also After the Sumner came he stayed three dayes and preached three Sermons and whereas the people would have rescued him out of the Sumners hand he desired them not to stop his Martyrdome for said he Since it is the Will of God that I shall suffer for him I will not resist his will At Bourdeaux many witnesses came in
grace brought to the knowledge of the truth whereupon he went to Geneva where he exercised Printing and sent books abroad Afterwards he was made a Minister and preached at the Town of Alenart in which and in some other places he did much good At last he with his Host a Priest whom he had instructed in the knowledge of the Gospel were apprehended and cast into prison at Bourdeaux and whilst they lay there in came a Priest with his furniture to say Masse but Philbert inflamed with a holy zeal went and plucked the garments from his back and overthrew the Chalice and Candlesticks saying Is it not enough for you to blaspheme God in the Churches but you must also pollute the prison with your idolatry the Jailor seeing this fell upon him and beat him with his staffe and also removed him into a dungeon loading him with irons which made his legs to swell there he lay eight dayes The Priest his Host terrified with the prison and fear of death renounced Christ and his Word and was set at liberty whereupon Philbert said to him O unhappy and more then miserable man Is it possible that you should be so foolish as for to save your life a few dayes you should so start away from and deny the truth Know you therefore that although hereby you have avoided the corporal fire yet your life shall be never the longer for you shall dye before me and yet shall not have the honour to die for the cause of God and you shall be an example to all Apostates Having ended his speech and the Priest going out of Prison he was presently slain by two Gentlemen who formerly had a quarrel to him Philbert hearing of it professed that he knew of no such thing before but spake as it pleased God to guide his tongue Philbert being condemned and had to execution they laboured to drown his voice by sounding of trumpets and so in the midst of the flames praying and exhorting the people he rendred up his soul unto God Anno 1558. Nicholas of Jenvile a young man that had lived at Geneva coming into France to get up some mony that was owing to him was betrayed by a Lady apprehended and condemned and being carried in a Cart to execution his Father met him and would have beaten him with a staffe but the Officers not suffering it were about to have stricken the old man the son seeing it cryed to them to let his father alone saying that he had power over him to do to him what he would At the place of execution he had an iron ball put into his mouth and so he patiently took his Martyrdom at Jenvile About the same time a company of the faithful of about three or four hundred were met together at an house in Paris in the beginning of the night to receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper some Priests getting intelligence of it gathered many of that faction together and came and beset the house making an outcry that the watch might come and apprehend them so that in a short time most of the City of Paris was up in armes supposing that there had been some conspiracy The people following the noise and perceiving that they were Lutherans they grew into a great rage seeking to murther them and thereupon stopped the streets and lanes with Carts and made fires that none might escape them but through Gods mercy before this tumult began the faithful had finished their administration and prayers with as much quiet as ever they had done and now seeing this sudden danger they were somewhat amazed whereupon the Pastors of the Congregation exhorted them and fell to prayer after which considering the cowardliness of the multitude it was resolved that such as had weapons should adventure through the press which being put in practice the admirable power of God appeared in that notwithstanding the fires and stopping of the passages yet they all escaped safe only one was beaten down with stones and slain The rest which wanted weapons being about one hundred and twenty stayed in the house with the women and children some of which leaped into Gardens where they remained till the Magistrates came The women which were all persons of good quality save six or seven perceiving their danger by reason of the fury of the people went up into the windows shewed their innocency and desired that they might be tryed in an ordinary way of Justice yet there they were inclosed by the rabble for six or seven houres At last came the Kings Atturney with many Serjeants and Officers who with much ado appeasing the people entred into the house and their seeing the quality of the persons and their innocency the Atturney much pitied them yet carried them to prison in the little Castle but as they went the furious multitude plucked and haled the Gentlewomen tore their garments pulled their hoods from their heads and all besmeared their faces with dust and dirt In the prison they were used no better for the Villains and Thieves being let out of their holes and stinking Caves these Lambs of Christ were put into their rooms Then followed the cruel and slanderous reports of the Friars who in their Sermons railed upon them told the people that they were assembled to make a banquet in the night after which putting out the candles they went together Jack with Jill after a filthy and beastly manner they charged them also with sedition as if they conspired against the King c. And these cursed defamations were no sooner vented but they were spread abroad farre and wide yea in the Court itself and the Cardinal of Lorraine procured a certain Judge to come to the King who testified that he found in the House divers Couches upon which they intended to commit their whoredomes and adulteries which much enflamed the King against them These things made the enemies to triumph exceedingly and on the contrary the brethren which escaped were full of perplexity and lamentations sorrowing not so much for themselves as for the imprisonment of their friends yet they much comforted themselves in the consideration of ther own wonderful deliverance They upon debate also resolved First that all of them should humble themselves before God in their own families Secondly That they might stop the false rumours to write two Apologies one to the King and another to the People Thirdly to write consolatory letters to their friends in prison The Apology to the King was written and conveyed privily into his Chamber where it was met with and read openly before the King and his Nobles yet this prevailed little for their adversaries suggested to him that all was false and a pretence to hide their wickedness But that to the people did very much good and so did their consolatory letter to their friends in prison The adversaries all this while did bestir themselves to bring them
that were in prison to execution and procured a Commission from the King to certain Judges to hasten their trial But it fell out by Gods Providence that at this time the Protestant Princes of Germany were met at a Colloquy at Wormes to whom divers learned men resorted from Geneva requesting them to send their Ambassadors to the French King in the behalf of these poor Christians thus imprisoned by whose mediation and the Kings other business who was now in war with the King of Spain many of them were delivered yet some of them were executed before the coming of the Ambassodors Amongst them were Nicholas Clivet and one Granvelle both of them elders of the Congregation who stoutly defended the truth against the Sorbone Doctors and afterwards patiently resigned up their soules to God in the cruel flames Also a young Gentlewoman of about twenty three years old which came from Gascoigne to joyn her self to the Church at Paris was brought forth with the former and endured many conflicts with the Judges and Sorbonists who when she was urged to recant said That she had learned her faith from the Word of God and therefore therein she would live and die Her neighbours testified against her that there was much singing of Psalms in her house and that sometimes they had seen abundance of people come out of it and that at the death of her husband no Priest was called for c. But presently after two of these witnesses fell out and one slew the other with a knife The Cardinal of Sens much hastened this Gentlewomans death that he might have her estate When she was condemned she had her tongue cut as the two former also were served Going to execution she dressed her self like a Bride being that day to be married to her Spouse Jesus Christ she went to the fire without ever changing countenance and so quietly yielded up her spirit to God Divers others of this Congregation suffered in the like sort the rest at the mediation of the Prince Elector Palatine and the Protestant Switzers were released In other parts of France also sundry faithful Christians were imprisoned cruelly racked had their tongues cut out and finally were burned concerning whom because I find nothing extraordinary I have forborn to mention them Anno 1559. The King of France Henry the second coming into the the Parliament in Paris there was one Anne Du Bourg a noble Counsellour a man of singular understanding and knowledge bred and nursed up in the bosome of the Church of Christ who made a bold speech before him wherein he rendred thanks to Almighty God for moving the Kings heart to be present at the decision of so weighty a cause as that of Religion was humbly intreating him to consider well thereof being the cause of Christ himself which of good right ought to be maintained by Princes c. But the King instead of hearkening to his good advice was so far incensed against him that he caused him to be apprehended by the County of Montgomery Constable of France and to be carried to prison protesting to him in these words These eyes of mine shall see thee burnt and presently after he sent a Commission to the Judges to make his processe During his imprisonment there was a godly woman who was Prisoner also in a Chamber just over against his who at her window sometimes by words other sometimes by signes did much encourage him to persevere constantly in the truth whereby he was so comforted that when some of his friends perswaded him to recant he said God forbid for a woman hath taught me my lesson how I ought to carry my self in this business He was often examined about sundry points of Religion and being once asked whether he had conferred with any one about them he answered that he had conferred with his books especially with the holy Scriptures Having drawn up a confession of his Faith he intended to present it to the Parliament but some Advocates that belonged to that Court who pretended great love to him laboured to draw him to make another confession not contrary to the truth but in such ambiguous terms as might satisfie his Judges who would not stand strictly to examine it Du Bourg long resisted but at last was prevailed with to draw up such a confession supposing it sufficient that himself knew his own meaning So soon as this his confession came into the hands of his Judges great hopes were conceived of his enlargement but when the Christian Congregation had gotten a copy of it they were much grieved whereupon they ordered Master Augustine Marlorate a learned and godly Minister to write a large discourse concerning the duty of such as were called to bear witnesse to the truth of God before Magistrates wherein he set down Gods threatnings and judgements against such as either directy or indirecty deny the truth exhorting him more highly to prize the glory of God then his own liberty the truth of his Gospel then a short and transitory life shewing that he ought not now to give over having made so happy a beginning and progresse in his Christian course That the same of his constancy was spread not only through France but all Christendom over that he had been a means to confirm many weak ones and caused others to enquire after the means of salvation that all mens eyes were fixed on him to enquire by what means he gat out of prison so that if through fear and faint-heartedness he should enterprize ought that should contradict his first Profession he would give much scandal and offence and therefore he exhorted him to give glory to God to edifie his Church telling him that then he might assure himself that God would neither leave nor forsake him These Letters brought Du Bourg to a sight of his sin for which asking pardon of God without any further delay he wrote to the Judges retracting his last and protesting to stand to his first confession so that shortly after he was condemned In the mean time great feasts were preparing in the Court for joy of the marriages that should be of the Kings daughter and sister The day whereof being come the King imployed all the morning in examining the President and other Counsellors of the Parliament against Du Bourg and other his companions that were charged with the same doctrine intending to glut his eys in seeing their execution and then went to dinner After dinner the King being one of the Defendants at the Tilting which was near the prison where Du Bourg and his fellows lay entred the lists and behaved himself valiantly breaking many spears against Count Montgomery and others whereupon he was highly commended of the Spectators and all thinking that he had done enough desired him to give over with praise But he being puffed up with their commendations would needs run another course with Montgomery who kneeling
to the Castle for more powder and more combustible matter which being at last kindled with a loud voice he cryed Lord Jesus receive my spirit how long shall darknesse overwhelme this Realme and how long wilt thou suffer the tyranny of these men The fire was slow and therefore put him to the greater torment but that which most grieved him was the clamour of some wicked men set on by the Friars who continually cryed Turn thou Heretick call upon our Lady say Salve Regina c. To whom he answered Depart from me and trouble me not thou messenger of Satan And speaking to one Campbel a Friar that was the Ringleader who still roared on him with great vehemency he said to him Wicked man thou knowest the contrary and hast confessed the contrary to me I appeale thee before the Tribunal seat of Jesus Christ after which words he resigned up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1527. And within few dayes after the said Friar died in a phrensie and as one that despaired Anno 1534. The said Arch-bishop of Saint Andrews convented before him David Straton a Gentleman and Master Norman Gourlay The first of these having a Fisher-boat that went to sea the Bishop of Murray demanded tithe fish of him to whom he answered that if they would have tithe of that which his servants caught in the sea they should take it in the place where it was caught and so caused his servants to throw the tenth fish into the sea again All this while he had nothing in him for Religion But when hereupon he was summoned to answer for Herâ—sie it troubled him exceedingly and then he began to frequent the company of such as were godly and there appeared a wonderful change in him so that whereas before he despised the word of God now all his delight was in hearing of it read to him and he was a vehement exhorter of all men to peace and concord and contempt of the world He much frequented the company of the Laird of Dun Areskin whom God in those dayes had marvellously illuminated hearing the text read for he could not read himself He that denieth me before men or is ashamed of me in the midst of this wicked generation I will deny him before my Father and his holy Angels At those words being suddenly as one revived he fell upon his knees and stedfastly lifting up his eyes and hands to heaven at length he burst forth into these words O Lord I have been wicked and justly mayst thou withdraw thy grace from me but Lord for thy mercy sake let me never deny thee nor thy truth for fear of death or any corporal paine Being afterwards together with Master Norman brought to judgement in holy Rood-house the King himself being present much means was used to draw this David Straton to make a recantation but he persevered in his constancy still denying that he had offended and so they were both condemned to the fire and after dinner Anno 1534. they were both first hanged and afterwards burnt Not long after the burning of these two holy men There was one Deane Thomas Forret who used to preach every Lords day to his Parishoners out of the Epistles and Gospels as they fell in order This was counted a great novelty for none used to preach but the Friars and therefore they envying him accused him to the Bishop of Dunkelden for an Heretick and one that shewed the mysteries of Scripture to the vulgar people The Bishop instigated by the complaint of the Friars called the said Deane Thomas before him to whom he said My joy Deane Thomas I love you well and therefore I must give you counsel how to govern your self The Deane thanked him and then he proceeded My joy Deane Thomas I am informed that you preach the Epistle and Gospel every Sunday to your people and that you take not your dues from them which is very prejudicial to the Churchmen and therefore my joy Deane Thomas I would have you take your dues or else it s too much to preach every sunday for by so doing you make the people think that we should do so also It s enough for you when you find a good Epistle or Gospel to set forth and preach the liberty of holy Church and let the rest alone Thomas answered My Lord I presume none of my Parishoners complaine for my not taking my dues and whereas you say it s too much to preach every Sunday I think it is too little and wish that your Lordship would do the like Nay nay Deane Thomas said the Bishop let that be for we 〈◊〉 not ordained to preach Then said Thomas whereas you bid me preach when I meet with a good Epistle and Gospel I have read them all over and I know 〈◊〉 â—ad ones amongst them but when your Lordship shews me such I will passe by them Then said the Bishop I thank God I never knew what the Old and New Testament was and Deane Thomas I will know nothing but my Portuise and Pontifical Go your wayes and let all these fancies be for if you persevere herein you will repent you when t is too late I trust said Thomas my cause is good and just in the presence of God and therefore I care not what follows thereupon and so he went his way But shortly after he was summoned to appear before the Cardinal by whom he was condemned and burned for a chief Heretick and teacher of Heresies But notwithstanding all their bloody tyranny the knowledge of God did wonderfully encrease in that Kingdom partly by reading partly by brotherly conference which in those dangerous days was much used to the comfort of many which so enraged the Popish party that Anno 1538. there were burned in one fire foure persons of good quality The year after there were apprehended Jerome Russel a man of a meek and quiet naturâ— and Alexander Kennedy of about eighteen years old these two poor servants of Jesus Christ being brought before the Arch-bishop and his Associates to judgement Kennedy at first was faint and would faine have recanted but when all place of repentance was denied him the Spirit of God which seasonably comes in with comfort began to refresh him yea the inward comfort began to burst forth as well in his visage as in tongue and words for with a chearful countenance and joyful voice falling on his knees he said O eternal God how wonderful is that love and mercy that thou bearest unto mankind and to me a vile Caitiffe and miserable wretch above all others for even now when I would have denied thee and thy Sonne our Lord Jesus Christ my only Saviour and so have cast my self into everlasting damnation thou by thine own hand hast pulled me from the very bottome of Hell and made me to feele that heavenly comfort which takes from me that ungodly feare wherewith before
I was oppressed Now I defie death do with me what you please I praise God I am ready Then did they raile upon him and Jerome who also said unto them This is your hour and power of darkness Now sit ye as Judges and we stand wrongfully accused and more wrongfully to be condemned But the day will come when our innocency will appear and ye shall see your own blindnesse to your everlasting confusion Go forward and fulfil the measure of your iniquity Shortly after they were condemned to die and as they went to execution Jerome comforted Kennedy saying to him Brother fear not greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world the pain that we are to suffer is short and shall be light but our joy and consolation shall never have an end Let us therefore strive to enter into our Master and Saviours joy by the same straight way which he hath taken before us Death cannot hurt us for it is already destroyed by him for whose sake we now suffer And thus passing chearfully on they constantly triumphed over death and Satan in the midst of the flaming fire where they gave up their spirits to God Anno 1543. Cardinal Beton coming to Edenburgh caused many godly persons to be called before him and when he could prove nothing else against them he caused four men to be hanged upon suspition that they had eaten a Goose upon a Friday and a woman with her child sucking on her breast to be drowned for refusing to pray to the Virgin Mary Many others he caused to be banished others to be imprisoned at Saint Johnstons amongst whom was one John Rogers a godly and learned man that had fruitfully preached Christ Jesus to the comfort of many in Angus and Meannes whom he caused to be murthered in prison and then thrown over the walls giving it out that by attempting to escape he had broken his neck CHAP. XXXIX The Life of Master George Wiseheart or Wischard who died Anno Christi 1546. GEorge Wiseheart was born in Scotland and brought up first at School from whence he went to the University after which he travelled into several Countries and at last came to Cambridge where he was admitted into Bennet Colledge He was tall of stature and of a melancholy constitution He had black haire a long beard comely of personage and well-spoken courteous lowly lovely willing to teach desirous to learn for his habit he wore a Frize gowne a black fuftian doublet plaine hose course Canvas for his shirts falling bands c. all which apparel he gave to the poor some weekly some monethly some quarterly saving a French Cap that he wore which he kept a twelvemoneth He was modest temperate fearing God hating covetousnesse His charity was extraordinary he forbore his food one meale in three one day in foure that he might the better relieve the poor His lodging was upon stravv and he had course nevv Canvas sheets vvhich vvhen once foule he gave avvay He had by his bed-side a tub of vvater in vvhich in the dark night he bathed himself He taught vvith great modesty and gravity so that some about him thought him severe and vvould have slain him but the Lord vvas his deliverer and he after due correction for their malice by good exhortation amended them His learning vvas no lesse sufficient than his desire of it he vvas alvvayes ready to do good to his ability both in his private Chamber and publick Schools he read divers Authors yea he alvvayes studied hovv to do good to all Anno 1544. Some of the Nobility of Scotland coming to treat with King Henry the eighth about the marriage between his sonne Prince Edward and their young Queen Mary at their return Master Wischard went with them into Scotland being a man of admirable graces and singularly learned both in Divine and humane sciences He first preached in Rosse and then in Dundee where with great admiration of all that heard him he went over the Epistlle to the Romans till at the instigation of the Cardinal one Robert Misle a principal man there and formerly a Professor of Religion inhibited him from preaching requiring him that he should trouble their Town no more for he would not suffer it and this was spoken to him in the publick place whereupon he mused a space with his eyes bent unto heaven and afterwards looking sorrowfully upon the speaker and people he said God is witnesse that I never minded your trouble but your comfort yea your trouble is more dolorous to me then it is to your selves But I am assured that to refuse Gods Word and to chase from you his Messenger shall not preserve you from trouble but shall bring you into it for God shall send you Ministers that shall neither feare burning nor banishment I have offered you the word of salvation with the hazard of my life I have remained amongst you Now ye your selves refuse me and I must leave my innocency to be declared by my God If it be long prosperous with you I am not led by the spirit of truth But if unlookt for trouble come upon you acknowledge the cause and turn to God who is gracious and mercifull but if you turn not at the first warning he will visit you with fire and sword and so he came down from the Pulpit Some Noble men being present would have perswaded him to stay or to have gone with them into the Countrey but by no means would he stay till he had past the River Tay. Then went he into the West-countrey where he made offers of Gods Word which was gladly received by many till the Bishop of Glasgow by the instigation of the Cardinal came with his Traine to the town of Ayre to resist Wischard The Earl of Glencarne and some other Gentlemen hearing of it came thither also with their retinue and when they were all come together the Bishop would needs have the Church himself to preach in Some opposed but Wischard said Let him alone his Sermon will not do much hurt let us go to the Market-Crosse and so they did where he made so notable a Sermon that his very enemies themselves were confounded Wischard remained with the Gentlemen in Kyle preaching sometime in one place sometimes in another but coming to Machlene he was perforce kept out of the Church Some would have broken in but he said to one of them Brother Jesus Christ is as mighty in the fields as in the Church and himself often preached in the Desert at the Sea-side and other places It s the Word of Peace God sends by me the blood of none shall be shed this day for the preaching of it and so going into the fields he stood upon a bank were he continued in preaching to the people above three houres and God wought so wonderfully by that Sermon that one of the wickedst men in all the Country
lurk as a man ashamed that dare not shew his face hereby they perceived that his desire was to preach whereupon they said to him It 's most comfortable to us to hear â—ou but because we know the danger wherein you stand we dare not desire it But said he if you dare hear let God provide for me as best pleaseth him and so it was concluded that the next day he should preach in Leith his text was of the Parable of the Sower Mat. 13. The Sermon ended the Gentlemen of Louthâ—â—â— who were earnest Professors of Jesus Christ would not suffer him to stay at Leith because the Governour and Cardinal were shortly to come to Edinburgh but took him along with them and so he preached at Brunstone Languedine and Ormstone then was he requested to preach at Eneresk neer Muscelbrugh where he had a great confluence of people and amongst them Sir George Dowglas who after Sermon said publickly I know that the Governour and Cardinal will hear that I have been at this Sermon but let them know that I will avow it and will maintain both the doctrine and the Preacher to the uttermost of my power This much rejoyced those that were present Amongst others that came to hear him preach there were two Gray-friars who standing at the Church door whispered to such as came in which Wischard observing said to the people I pray you make roome for these two men it may be they come to learn and turning to them he said Come neer for I assure you you shall hear the Word of truth which this day shall seale up to you either your salvation or damnation and so he proceeded in his Sermon supposing that they would be quiet but when he perceived that they still continued to disturb all the people that stood near them he said to them the second time with an angry countenance O Ministers of Satan and deceivers of the souls of men will ye neither hear Gods truth your selves nor suffer others to hear it Depart and take this for your portion God shall shortly confound and disclose your hypocrisie within this Kingdom ye shall be abominable to men and your places and habitations shall be desolate This he spake with much vehemency and turning to the people he said These men have provoked the Spirit of God to anger and then he proceeded to the end of his Sermon Afterwards he preached in divers other places the people much flocking after him In all his Sermons foretelling the shortnesse of time that he had to travel and the near approaching of his death Coming to Haddington his auditory began much to decrease the cause as it was conceived was this The Earle Bothwell who had great observance in those parts by the instigation of the Cardinal had inhibited both those of the Town and Countrey from hearing him Presently after as he was going to Church he received a letter from the West-countrey Gentlemen and having read it he called John Knox who had diligently waited upon him since he came into Lothaine to whom he said that he was a weary of the world because he saw that men began to be weary of God for saith he the Gentlemen of the West have sent me word that they cannot keep their meeting at Edinburgh John Knox wondring that he should enter into conference about these things so immediately before his Sermon contrary to â—his custome said to him Sir Sermon-time approaches I will leave you for the present to your meditations Then did Master Wischard walk up 〈◊〉 down about half an hour his sad countenance declaring the grief of his mind at last he went into the Pulpit and his Auditory being very small he began on this manner O Lord how long shall it be that thy holie Word shall be despised and men shall not regard their own salvation I have heard of thee O Haddington that in thee there used to be two or three thousand persons at a vain and wicked play and now to hear the Messenger of the eternal God of all the Parish can scarce be numbred one hundred present Sore and fearful shall be the plagues that shall ensue upon this thy contempt with fire and sword shalt thou be plagued yea thou Haddington in special strangers shall possesse thee and you the present inhabitants shall either in bondage serve your enemies or else you shall be chased from your own habitations and that because ye have not known nor will know the time of your visitation This Prophesie was accomplished not long after when the English took Haddington made it a garrison enforced many of the inhabitants to flie oppressed others and after awhile a great plague breaking forth in the Town whereof multitudes died the English were at last forced to quit it who at their departure burnt and spoiled great part of it leaving it to be possessed by such as could first seize upon it which were the French that came as Auxiliaries to Scotland with a few of the ancient inhabitants so that Haddington to this day never recovered her former beauty nor yet men of such wisdome and ability as did formerly inhabit it That night was Master Wiseheart apprehended in the house of Ormeston by the Earle Bothwel suborned thereunto by the Cardinal The manner was thus After Sermon he took his last farewel of all his friends in Haddington John Knox would faine have gone with him but he said Return to your children and God blesse you One is sufficient for one sacrifice Then went he the Laird of Ormestons with some others that accompanied him After Supper he held a comfortable discourse of Gods love to his children then he appointed the 51. Psalm to be sung and so retired to his chamber Before midnight the house was beset and the Earle Bothwell called for the Laird of the house and told him that it was in vain to resist for the Governour and Cardinal were within a mile with a great power but if he would deliver Master Wischard to him he would promise upon his honour that he should be safe and that the Cardinal should not hurt him Master Wischard said Open the gates the Will of God be done and Bothwell coming in Wischard said to him I praise my God that so honourable a man as you my Lord receive me this night for I am perswaded that for your honours sake you will suffer nothing to be done to me but by order of Law I lesse feare to die openly than secretly to be murthered Then said Bothwel I will not only preserve your body from all violence that shall be intended against you without order of Law but I also promise in the presence of these Gentlemen that neither the Governour nor Cardinal shall have their will of you but I will keep you in mine own house till I either set you free or restore you to the same place where I receive you Then said the Lairds My Lord
if you make good your promise which we presume you will we our selves will not only serve you but we will procure all the Professors in Lothain to do the same c. These promises being made in the presence of God and hands being stricken by both parties the Earle took Master Wischard and so departed Master Wischard was carried to Edenburgh But gold and women easily corrupt fleshly men for the Cardinal gave Bothwel gold and the Queen that was too familiar with him promised him her favour if he would deliver Master Wischard into Edenburgh Castle which he did and shortly after he was delivered to the blood-thirsty Cardinal who seeing that it was forbidden by their Cannon Law for a Priest to sit as a Judge upon life and death he sent to the Governour requesting him to appoint some Lay-Judge to passe sentence of death upon Master Wischard The Governour would easily have yielded to his request but that David Hamilton a godly man told him that he could expect no better an end than Saul if he persecuted the truth which formerly he had professed c. Hereupon the Governour sent the Cardinal word that he would have no hand in shedding the blood of that good man The Cardinal being angry returned this answer that he had sent to him of meer Civility and that he would proceed without him and so to the great grief of the godly the Cardinal carried Master Wiseheart to Saint Andrews and put him into the Tower there and without any long delay he caused all the Bishops and other great Clergy-men to be called together to Saint Andrews Feb. ult 1546. Master Wischard was sent for to appear before them to give an account of his seditious and Heretical doctrine as they called it The Cardinal caused all his retinue to come armed to the place of their sitting which was the Abby-church whither when Master Wischard was brought there was a poor man lying at the door that asked his almes to whom he flung his purse when he came before the Cardinal there was a Dean appointed to preach whose Sermon being ended Wischard was put up into the Pulpit to hear his charge and one Lawder a Priest stood over against him and read a scrowle full of bitter accusations and curses so that the ignorant people thought that the earth would have opened and swallowed up Wischard quick but he stood with great patience without moving or once changing his countenance The Priest having ended his curses spat at Master Wischards face saying VVhat answerest thou thou Runnagate Traytor Thief c. Then did Master VVischard fall upon his knees making his prayer unto God after which he said Many and horrible sayings unto me a Christian man many words abominable for to hear have ye spoken here this day which not onely to teach but even to think I ever thought it a great abomination c. Then did he give them an account of his doctrine Answering every Article as farre as they would give him leave to speak But they without having any regard to his sober and godly answers presently condemned him to be burnt After which sentence he falling upon his knees said O immortal God how long wilt thou suffer the rage and great cruelty of the ungodly to exercise their fury upon thy servants which do further thy Word in this world whereas they on the contrary seek to destroy the truth whereby thou hast revealed thy self to the world c. O Lord we know certainly that thy true servants must needs suffer for thy names sake persecutions afflictions and troubles in this present world yet we desire that thou wouldest preserve and defend thy Church which thou hast chosen before the foundations of the world and give thy people grace to hear thy Word and to be thy true servants in this present life Then were the common people put out the Bishops not desiring that they should hear the innocent man speak and so they sent him again to the Castle till the fire should be made ready In the Castle came two Friars to him requiring him to make his Confession to them to whom he said I will make no confession to you but fetch me that man who preached even now and I will speak with him Then was the Sub-Prior with whom he conferred a pretty while till the Sub-prior wept who going to the Cardinal told him that he came not to intercede for Master Wischards life but to make known his innocency to all men at which words the Cardinal was very angry saying We knew long ago what you were The Captain of the Castle with some friends coming to Master Wischard asked him if he would break his fast with them yea said he very willingly for I know you be honest men In the mean time he desired them to hear him a little and so he discoursed to them about the Lords Supper his sufferings and death for us exhorting them to love one another laying aside all rancor and malice as becomes the members of Jesus Christ who continually intercedes for us to his Father Afterwards he gave thanks and blessing the bread and wine he took the bread and brake it giving it to every one saying eate this remember that Christ died for us and feed on it spiritually so taking the Cup he bade them remember that Christs blood was shed for them c. Then he gave thanks and prayed for them and so retired into his chamber Presently came two Executioners to him from the Cardinal one put on him a black linnen coat the other brought him bags of powder which they tied about several parts of his body and so they brought him forth to the place of execution over against which place the Castle windows were hung with rich hangings and Velvet Cushions laid for the Cardinal and Prelates who from thence fed their eyes with the torments of this innocent man The Cardinal fearing lest Wiseheart should be rescued by his friends caused all the Ordnance in the Castle to be bent against the place of his execution and commanded his gunners to stand ready all the time of his burning Then were his hands bound behind his back so he was carried forth In the way some beggars met him asking his alms for Gods sake To whom he said My hands are bound wherewith I was wont to give you almes but the merciful Lord who of his bounty and abundant grace feeds all men vouchsafe to give you necessaries both for your bodies and souls Then two Friars met him perswading him to pray to our Lady to mediate for him to whom he meekly said Cease tempt me not I entreat you and so with a rope about his neck and a chaine about his middle he was led to the fire then falling upon his knees he thrice repeated O thou Saviour of the world have mercy upon me Father of heaven I commend my spirit into thy holy hands
Then turning to the people he said Christian brethren and sisters I beseech you be not offended at the Word of God for the torments which you see prepared for me but I exhort you that ye love the Word of God for your salvation and suffer patiently and with a comfortable heart for the Words sake which is your undoubted salvation and everlasting comfort I pray you also shew my brethren and sisters which have often heard me that they cease not to learne the Word of God which I taught them according to the measure of grace given to me for no persecution or trouble in this world whatsoever and shew them that the doctrine was no old wives fables but the truth of God for if I had taught mens doctrine I had had greater thanks from men but for the Word of Gods sake I now suffer not sorrowfully but with a glad heart and minde For this cause I was sent that I should suffer this fire for Christs sake behold my face you shall not see me change my countenance I feare not the fire and if persecution come to you for the Words sake I pray you fear not them that can kill the body and have no power to hurt the soul c. Then he prayed for them which accused him saying I beseech thee father of heaven forgive them that have of ignorance or of an evil mind forged lies of me I forgive them with all my heart I beseech Christ to forgive them that have condemned me this day ignorantly Then turning to the people again he said I beseech you brethren exhort your Prelates to learn the Word of God that they may be ashamed to do evil and learn to do good or else there shall shortly come upon them the wrath of God which they shall not eschew Then the Executioner upon his knees said Sir I pray you forgive me for I am not the cause of your death and he calling him to him kissed his cheeks saying Lo here is a token that I forgive thee My heart do thine office and so he was tied to the stake and the fire kindled The Captain of the Castle coming near him bade him be of good courage and to beg for him the pardon of his sin to whom Master Wischard said This fire torments my body but no whit abates my spirits then looking towards the Cardinal he said He who in such state from that high place feeds his eyes with my torments within few dayes shall be hanged out at the same window to be seen with as much ignominie as he now leans there with pride and so his breath being stopped he was consumed by the fire This Prophesie was fulfilled when after the Cardinal was slain the Provost raising the Town came to the Castle gates crying What have you done with my Lord Cardinal Where is my Lord Cardinal To whom they within answered Return to your houses for he hath received his reward and will trouble the world no more But they still cryed We will never depart till we see him Then did the Leslies hang him out at that window to shew that he was dead and so the people departed But God left not the death of this holy man long unrevenged for the people did generally cry out of the cruelty used against him especially John Lesley brother to the Earle of Rothes and Norman Lesley his Cousin fell foul upon the Cardinal for it but he thought himself strong enough for all Scotland saying Tush a fig for the fools and a button for the bragging of Hereticks Is not the Lord Governour mine witnesse his eldest sonne for a pledge at my table Have I not the Queen at my devotion Is not France my friend why should I fear any danger yet he had laid a designe to cut off such as he feared and hated which was discovered after his death by letters and memorials found about him He kept himself for his greater security in his Castle and on a Friday night there came to the Town of Saint Andrews Norman Lesley William Kircaldy John Leslley and some others and on the Saturday morning they met together not far from the Castle waiting till the gate was opened and the draw-bridge let down for the receiving in some lime and sand to repair some decays about the Castle which being done Kircaldy with six more went to the Porter falling into discourse with him till the Leslies came also with some other company the Porter seeing them would have drawn up the Bridge but he was prevented and whilst he endeavoured to keep them out at the gate his head was broken and the Keys taken from him The Cardinal was asleep in bed for all night he had for his bedfellow Mistris Mary Ogleby who was a little before gone from him out at the Postern gate and therefore the Cardinal was gone to his rest There were about one hundred workmen in the Castle which seeing what was done cried out but without hurt they were turned out at the wicket gate Then VVilliam Kircaldy went to secure the Postern lest the Cardinal should make an escape that way The rest going to the Gentlemens chambers who were above fifty without hurting them they turned them all out at the gate They which undertook this enterprise were but eighteen men The Cardinal being awaked with the noise asked out at the window what was the matter Answer was made that Norman Lesley had taken his Castle Then did he attempt to have escaped by the Posterne but finding that to be kept he returned to his chamber and with the help of his Chamberlain fell to barrica-doing up the door with chests and such things Then came up John Lesley and bids open the door The Cardinal asked who was there He answered John Lesley The Cardinal said I will have Norman for he is my friend Content your self said the other with those that are here and so they fell to breaking open the door in the mean time the Cardinal hid a box of gold under some coales in a secret corner Then he said to them Will ye save my life John Lesley answered It may be that we will Nay said the Cardinal sweare unto me by Gods wounds that you will and then I will open the door then said John that which was said is unsaid and so he called for fire to burn down the door whereupon the door was opened and the Cardinal sate him down in his chair crying I am a Priest I am a Priest ye will not slay me Then John Lesley and another struck him once or twice But Master James Melvin a man that had been very familiar with Wischard and of a modest and gentle nature perceiving them both to be in choler plucked them back saying This work and judgement of God although it be secret ought to be done with great gravity And so presenting him the point of his sword he said Repent thee of thy former wicked life but especially
of sheding the blood of that notable Instrument of God Master George Wisheart who though he was consumed by the fire before men yet cries it for vengeance upon thee and we from God are sent to revenge it for here before my God I protest that neither the hatred of thy person the love of thy riches nor the feare of any hurt thou couldst have done me moveth me to strike thee but onely because thou hast been and still remainest an obstinate enemie against Jesus Christ and his holy Gospel and so he thrust him through the body who falling down spake never a word but I am a Priest I am a Priest Fie Fie all is gone The death of this Tyrant was grievous to the Queen Mother with whom he had two much familiarity as with many other women as also to the Romanists though the people of God were freed from their fears in a great measure thereby Anno 1550. There was one Adam Wallace a man that had no great learning but was zealous in Godlinesse and of an upright life him the Bishop of Saint Andrews caused to be apprehended and carried to Edenburgh where after a while he was brought to judgement before Duke Hamilton Huntly and divers others The Bishops and their instruments accused him First that he took upon him to preach to which he answered that he never judged himself worthy of so excellent a Vocation and therefore never took on him to preach yet he denyed not that in private places he used to read the Word and out of it to exhort such as were willing to hear him Knave quoth one What have you to do to meddle with the Scriptures I think said he it s every ones duty to labour to know the will of God and to get assurance of his salvation which is to be found in the Old and New Testament What then said another shall we leave to the Church-men to do To whom he answered their work is publickly to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to feed the flock which he hath redeemed with his own blood as all true Pastors are commanded to do c. The Bishops being angry hereat caused his charge further to be read as that he denyed Purgatory praying to Saints and for the dead c. To which he answered that he had oft read over the Bible and yet found no mention of Purgatory nor command to pray to the Saints or for the dead Therefore I believe said he they are but meer inventions of men devised for covetousnesse sake Then did they ask him what he thought of the Masse He answered I say as my Lord Jesus Christ said That which is greatly esteemed before men is abomination before God Then cryed they all out Heresie Heresie and so and so adjudged him to the fire which he patiently underwent the same day upon the Castle-hill Anno 1553. Henry Forrest was accused of Heresie but when they brought him to trial nothing could be proved against him whereupon they sent him to Friar Langius to be confessed The Friar amongst other questions asked him what he thought of Patrick Hamilton who had been formerly burned for Religion He answered that he was a good man and that his Articles were to be maintained This wicked Friar discovered his Confession which was taken as a sufficient proof against the poor man who thereupon was condemned to be burnt As he went to the place of execution he complained of the Friar who had betrayed him saying Let no man trust the false Friars after me They are despisers of God and deceivers of men and so in the flames he resigned up his spirit unto God Anno 1558. Andrew Oliphant accused one Walter Mill formerly a Priest who being at Prayer Oliphant said to him Rise up Sir VValter But when he had ended his prayers he said My name is VValter I have been too long one of the Popes Knights Then said Oliphant Thou keepest my Lords too long here therefore make an end He answered I must obey God rather than men When he was brought forth to judgement they asked him concerning Priests marriage he answered It is Gods Ordinance that they which cannot abstain should marry But you abhor it vowing chastity which you cannot keep but take other mens wives and daughters Then they asked him if there were not seven Sacraments he answered Give me two and take you the rest after other questions they asked him if he would recant He answered I am corn and not chaffe I will not recant the truth Then they commanded him to go to the stake but he said By the law of God I am forbidden to lay hands on my own self therefore do you put me into the fire and you shall see my resolution Having made his Prayer to God he said to the people Although I have been a great sinner yet it is not for that but for Gods truth contained in his VVord of the Old and New Testament that I now suffer and God out of his abundant mercy doth honour me so farre as to make me amongst other of his servants seale his truth with my blood Dear friends as you would escape eternal death be no more seduced with lyes of Archbishop Bishops Abbots Priors c. but only trust in God and so he quietly slept in the Lord and was the last man that died for Religion in Scotland Collected out of the History of the Reformation in Scotland CHAP. XL. The Persecution of the Church in Ireland Anno Christi 1642. THough the barbarous cruelty used by the Irish against the English go usually under the name of Rebellion yet I rather look upon it as and chuse to call it a persecution because their cruelties were exercised upon Protestants only so farre as ever I could hear neither were the English Papists murthered yea they joyned with the Irish in murthering of their brethren Besides the Jesuites Priests and Friars were the chief instigators to these murthers stirring up continually all sorts both of the Gentry and Communalty to shew the utmost of their zeal therein and when their designe was so surely laid that they thought it impossible to be prevented they did in their publick devotions recommend by their Prayers the good successe of a great designe tending much to the advancement of the Catholick cause and that they might stir up the people with the greater animosity and cruelty to put it in execution they everywhere declaimed loudly against the Protestants saying That they were Hereticks not to be suffered any longer to live amongst them that it was no more sin to kill one of them than to kill a dog and that it was a mortal and unpardonable sin to relieve or protect any of them They also with much acrimony represented the severe courses taken by the Parliament of England to suppresse the Romish Religion and utterly to extirpate the Professors of it They told
Lords body but the people making a tumult carried him out of the Church in a croud and he had not gone far before he was apprehended by an Officer and carried to prison Then came divers Friars to reason with him and he stood to the trial of the Scriptures only which they refused During his imprisonment he wrote a consolatory letter to his wife exhorting her to bring up his children in the fear of God Being condemned he was commanded not to speak to the people being bound to the stake he prayed for his enemies and was first strangled and then burnt The same year there was at Dornick one Bertrand who to enjoy the freedome of his conscience went to Wesell but being desirous to draw his wife and children thither he went thrice to Dornick to perswade her to go with him yet could he by no means prevail with her Then did he set his house in order desiring her to pray that God would establish him in the work that he went about and on Christmas day he went to the great Church at Dornick and the Priest being at Masse when he was about to elevate the Host Bertrand took the cake out of his hand and trampled it under his feet saying that he did it to shew the glory of that god that they worshipped or rather what little power he had labouring to perswade them that the cake was not their Saviour At first the people stood amazed but presently they raised such a tumult that Bertrand hardly escaped with life The Governour hearing of it was exceedingly enraged and sent for Bertrand into the Castle asking him whether he was sorry for his fact and whether he would do it if it were to do again Bertrand answered That he would and if he had a hundred lives to lose he would lose them all in that quarrel Then was he thrice put to the rack and tormented cruelly to draw from him who were his setters on yet could they get nothing from him Then was he condemned and drawn from the Castle to the Market-place with a Ball of iron in his mouth There he was set upon a stage and had his right hand wherewith he did the fact crushed between two hot irons with sharp edges till the form of his hand was quite changed Then did they bring other red hot irons for his right foot which they used as they had done his hand which he with marvellous patience and constancy underwent putting out his foot of his own accord to them Then taking the ball of Iron out of his mouth they cut out his tongue notwithstanding which he continually called and cryed unto God which caused them to thrust in the ball of iron again Then was he let down in an iron chaine upon the fire and pulled up again and so they continued pulling up and letting him down till he was burnt to ashes which ashes they threw into the river From Locrane in Helvetia the Ministers were banished but were entertained by the Tigurines Two other good men born in Dornick went into divers reformâ—d Churches where they increased much in knowledge and godlinesse and at last resolved to return to Dornick to do what good they could in their own Country and it so fell out that on a day when many good people were gone to a wood to hear the Word of God preached to them by a Minister of Jesus Christ their Adversaries having intelligence of it followed them thither and took about thirty of them amongst whom were these two men who fell to singing of Psalms supposing that they should be presently burned but afterwards they were condemned to be beheaded and so they comfortably ended their lives Also divers godly men and women suffered Martyrdome at Valence amongst whom was James Faber an old man who when they argued with him about his religion said Though I cannot satisfie you by reasoning yet I can constantly abide and suffer for the truth of the Gospel Also one Godfride being condemned at Dornick for an Heretick Nay said he Not an Heretick but an unprofitable servant of Jesus Christ. When the Hangman would have strangled him to ease his pain in burning he refused saying that he would abide the sentence of death which was passed upon him Besides these there were both in the upper and lower Germany many others secretly made away some drowned some bured quick some murthered in prison c. A godly Minister was also poisoned by a Priest at Erford for preaching the truth of Christ Besides many others In the city of Lile the Gospel was secretly preached for three years together sometimes in houses then in woods fields and Caves of the earth not without hazard of their dearest lives if they had been discovered yet did not dangers cool the zeal of Gods people but what was preached was accordingly practised amongst them works of mercy and charity were their exercise not only towards those of the houshold of faith but towards those which were without also so as many by means hereof were drawn and brought to the knovvledge of Christ. This so enraged Satan and his instruments that Anno 1556 the time being come wherein God had given them power to try and exercise the faith of his people they neglected not to shew their cruelty upon them and for that end one night about ten of the clock the Provost of the City with his armed Sergeants made search to see if they could find any met together but by Gods Providence there was no meeting of Gods People at that time then went they to the house of one Robert Oguire which was a little Church for all in it both small and great were familiarly instructed in the knowledge and fear of God Being violently entred into the house seeking up and down for their prey they found certain books which they took away with them but Baudizon the son of Robert whom they principally sought after was not then at home being gone abroad to confer of the word with some of the brethren Before the Provost was departed Baudizon came home and knocked at the door Martin his younger brother who watched for his coming bade him presently to be gone but he thinking that he had mistaken him for some other continued knocking saying It is I open the door Then came the Sergeants and opened the door and laying hold on him said Ah Sir you are well met and with that the Provost arrested him in the Emperours name withall causing the Father Mother and two sons to be bound and so carried them away towards the prison As they went through the streets Baudizon said aloud Oh Lord assist us by thy grace not only to be prisoners for thy names sake but to confess thy holy truth in all purity before men so far as to seal the same with our blood for the edification of thy poor Church they were all
cast into several prisons yet remained chearfull praising God for accounting them worthy to suffer for his truth and after a few dayes they were all brought forth before the Magistrates who speaking to Robert Oguire said We hear that you never come to Masse That you disswade others from it That you keep Conventicles in your house where erroneous doctrine is preached c. Robert answered I indeed refuse to go to Mass because the death and precious blood of Christ is utterly abolished there and troden under foot c. And I cannot deny but there have met together in my house honest people fearing God Not with intention to harm any I assure you but for the advancement of Gods glory and the good of many c. Then one demanded what they did when they met together To which Baudizon ansvvered When vve meet together in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to hear the Word of God vve first falling on our knees before God in the humility of our spirits do make confession of our sins before his Divine Majesty then we pray that the Word of God may be rightly divided and purely preached then we pray for our Soveraign Lord the Emperour that the Common-wealth may be peaceably governed to the glory of God yea we forget not you whom we acknowledge our Superiours intreating our good God that you may maintain this City in tranquillity c. Thus you hear what we do in our Assemblies and if you will not be offended to hear the summe of our prayers I am ready to recite the same unto you One of the Magistrates wished him to go on whereupon kneeling down he prayed before them all with such fervency of affection and ardency of zeal that it forced the Magistrates to break forth into tears Baudizon rising up said Your Masterships may hereby take a scantling how we are imployed in our meetings Being further examined every one of them made an open Confession of his faith and so were returned to prison again And not long after they were tortured upon the Rack to make them confesse who they were that met at their house but they would discover none but such as they knew were at that time out of their reach Four or five dayes after the men were again convented before the Magistrates who asked them if they would submit themselves to the will of the Magistrates Robert and Baudizon said they would but Martin the younger sonne said he would not submit thereto but would accompany his Mother and so he was sent back to prison and the Father with his eldest son were presently adjudged to be burnt alive Sentence being pronounced one of the Judges said This day shall you go to dwell with all the Divels in hell fire Then were they returned to prison praising God and by their patience and constancy conquerred the rage and fury of their enemies In prison there came some Friars to them telling them that the hour was come wherein they must finish their dayes They answered Blessed be the Lord our God who now delivering our bodies out of this vile prison will receive our souls into his glorious and heavenly Kingdom Then said one of the Friars Father Robert thou art an old man I intreat thee in this thy last hour think of saving thy soule and if thou wilt give ear to me I le warrant thee thou shalt do well Robert answered Poor man how darest thou assume that to thy self which belongs to God alone and so rob him of his honour c. Another wishing him to pity his soul he said Dost thou not see what pity I have on it when for the name of Christ I am willing to give my body to the fire hoping to day to be with him in Paradise c. Then said a Friar Out Dog thou art not worthy the name of a Christian thou and thy sonne are resolved to damne your soules with all the Divels in hell Then would they have severed the Father from his son which Baudizon perceiving said Pray you let my Father alone he is an old man hinder him not from receiving the Crown of Martyrdome Another Friar said Away Varlet thou art the cause of thy Fathers perdition Whilst Baudizon was stripping and fitting himself to be sacrificed some of the Friars had fastned a Crucifix in the old mans hands perswading him that it would please the People and that for all that he might lift up his heart to God c. But so soon as Baudizon saw it he said Alasse Father what do you now will you play the Idolater at your last hour and so pulling the Idol out of his hand he threw it away At the place of execution they were set upon a Scaffold and Baudizon desired leave to make a Confession of his faith answer was made that he might confess himself to a Friar if he would which he refusing was readily haled to the stake where he began to sing the 16. Psalm then said a Friar Do you not hear what wicked errors these Hereticks sing to beguile the people withall Baudizon hearing him replyed Thou simple Idiot callest thou the Psalms of David errours but no marvel for thus are ye wont to blaspheme against the Spirit of God Then seeing them about to chain his Father to the stake he said to him Be of good courage Father the worst will be past by and by Then did he often breath forth Oh God Father everlasting accept the sacrifice of our bodies for thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ his sake A Friar cryed Out Heretick thou liest God is none of thy Father the Divel is thy Father Baudizon fixing his eys upon heaven said to his Father Behold I see the heavens open and millions of Angels ready to receive us and rejoycing to see us thus bearing witness to the truth in the view of the world Father let us rejoyce and be glad for the joys of heaven are opened to us Then said a Friar I see Hell open and millions of Divels are ready to carry you thither A poor man in the croud cryed out Be of good comfort Baudizon stand to it thou fightest in a good quarrel I am on thy side which words so soon as he had spoken he departed and so hastened himself from danger The fire being kindled Baudizon oft said to his Father Yet a very little while and we shall enter into the heavenly mansions the fire encreasing the last words which they spake were Jesus Christ thou Sonne of God into thy hands we commend our spirits and so they sweetly slept in the Lord. After the death of these worthy champions of Christ many of the Popish rabble were sent if possible to seduce the Mother and son remaining in prison and coming to them the first subtilty they used was to separate them asunder then they set upon the woman as the weaker vessel and so wrought upon her