Brachy-Martyrologia: OR, A BREVIARY Of all the greatest PERSECUTIONS Which have befallen the Saints and People of God From the Creation to our present Times: paraphrased, By Nicholas Billingsly, Of Mert. Col. Oxon.  Psal. 44. 22. For thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughters. Nil crus sentit in nervo, cum animus est in coelo. Tertul. Naz. contra Ar. p. 113. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 
LONDON, Printed by J. Cottrel, for Tho: Johnson, at the Key in Paul's Churchyard. 1657.   

To the Right Worshipful, JEREMY MARTIN Doctor of Physic in Bristol, 

All 

Internal  
External  
Eternal 

Happiness.        
Honoured Sir,  
I Am not ignorant that we now live in as censorious an age as even the Sun shined on; wherein there are not a few that will snap and snarl at the politest lines, and refined'st inventions whatsoever; (when perhaps the matter is too deep, for the short line of their Judgements to sound the bottom of:) What hard measure than I am like to have, for suffering this my naked and incult Muse to venture abroad on the open stage, I am not a little sensible of. But yet, because private benefits, do often call for public acknowledgements, I will not be ashamed to let the world know, I am exceedingly engaged to you; nor could I be contented till I had made some part of amends for your received favours; Presuming that your Heroic mind, sweet nature, and generous disposition, will respect more (Artaxerxes-like) the inward Affection, than the outward Action. Be pleased therefore, Noble Sir, to persist still in your wont goodness, and favourably accept of that in the birth, which your encouragements furthered in the conception. The subject I confess is Divine (as treating of a Bush all in a flame, yet not consumed; enough to dazzle our eyes with its astonishing glory) and therefore deferves to be better handled, by a more Graphical Paraphrast then myself: And if my jangling toll in better ringers, I shall be glad of it; In the mean, I will let my green fruits ripen under the Sunshine of your judicious Eye: and though my lines (like old Pewter) seem dull for want of scouring; yet may they receive a gloss from your resplendent Name. Pythagoras was of opinion, 
Aelian. Var Hist. l. 12. p. 343.  that two things (and they from above) made a man truly glorious; the one was, To conceive aright of things; the other was, To know how to be beneficial to others. Sweet Sir, I will not flatter you (for I am confident you do not desire it, choosing rather to be too modestly spoken of, then to be mounted on the wings of Popular applause) but I dare say, you are endowed with both: You have affected to be acquainted with the natures of most (may I say all?) diseases; and have effected (God making your undertake successful) as rare cures as ever any, I will except none. I cannot stand to specify them; this one shall serve for all: Your eminent skill in recovering Epileptical maladies, is sufficiently known to many. What shall I say of myself in particular? am not I bound to bless God, since first I had the happiness to be acquainted with you? Have not I great cause to admire (and, if I may so say, adore you for) your profound judgement, your excellent ability, and singular care, so opportunely exercised towards me your Patient, in the raising up of my infirm body, even then, when I had passed the sentence of death upon myself, and was thought, in the eyes of all, irrecoverable? I were unworthy to live, if I did not.  
Theodoricus, 
Aeneas Syl. Com: lib. de gestis Alphonsi.  an Archbishop of Colen, being demanded by Sigismond the Emperor, of the directest course to Happiness; Perform (said he) when thou art well, what thou promisedst when thou wast sick. This puts me in mind of a double engagement which I made in the time of my calamity; First, to God Almighty, That I would endeavour, if he but pleased to spare me my life, to devote myself wholly to his fear, and walk more obediently before him, than I had formerly done: Next to you, as the only instrument in the hand of God, for the repairing of the ruinous walls of my fleshly Tenement, I promised to agnize it, so long as I lived. I beseech God, that these promises may be the prodromes of seconding performances▪ I pray Sir, give me leave to tell you, you are the only man living, whom I superlatively honour, not only for your learning and knowledge (though that were enough to convince me) but for your inestimable Virtues; as Temperance, Humility, etc. which are as so many sparkling Ornaments, and Orient Pearls, to enrich and illustrate the very place you come in. To speak nothing of your Piety, that only will commend you in the eyes of God. I might say, and say truly, that you are such a common good to your Country, that good men love you, and all men admire you: but I will not gild Gold; neither may I think that bright Phoebus' beams can be the more increased by the presenting of a silly Taper: nay, I am somewhat conscious to myself of eclipsing the great Luminary of your serene worth, with the obumbration of a Timanthaean veil.  
If I have herein offended, it is against my will; I am sorry for it; and I hope your ingenuity will pardon me, laying the fault on the defects of my Youth, as being not overburdened with Ciceronian Eloquence. But what though I cannot clothe my mind in such fine airy garments, nor adorn my Paper with such Rhetorical jewels as others can? yet may I as deeply engrave you on the Marble Tablet of my fidelious breast, as any, while I am,  
Sir, The eLeVenth Day of March MDCLV. Your Honours very humble, thankful, and much obliged servant, Nich: Billingsly.   

To the Reader.  
Courteous Reader,  
THey that cannot have leisure to take a full survey of Countries themselves, may yet see somewhat to their content, in the Geographical Maps and descriptions of others. Thou hast here presented to thy view, the Book of Martyrs in a little room; which is already extant, though in a larger extent. Now if the Tyranny of thine affairs are so imperious, or the Weakness of thy purse so injurious, as to impede thy perusal of the History of the Church (which is absolutely the best (save one) in the Christian world,) either in the voluminous works of the Laborious (now with God) Mr. Fox; or in the conciser Collections of that Reverend Divine and Famous Martyrologist (still with us) Mr. Clark (out of whose Garden I have gathered this Posy of flowers:) Thou may'st (if it please thee) accept of this Breviary, which will not cost much money in the buying, and but a little time in the reading. Herein thou may'st see (though briefly, yet not obscurely) the goodness of God, in maintaining and preserving to himself throughout all Ages, a peculiar People, zealous of good works, notwithstanding all their confronting enemies whatsoever: and though boisterous gusts of Temptation, have ever tossed the Saints up and down, on the raging billows of Persecution; Yet have they always held up their heads above water: The more these Grapes have been pressed, the more Wine have they yielded; Juniper burned smells savouriest, so do they; Chamomile trod, grows fastest, so do they; pounded Spices smell sweetest, so do they. Affliction is God's furnace; the Saints are Gold put into it, not to be consumed, but to return more glorious. That saying, Veritas premi potest, opprimi nunqam, Truth may be blamed, but never shamed, herein is verified. Though Antiochus commanded the Book of God's Law to be burnt in the fire, and cut in pieces, making it death for any man to keep it by him: Though Dioclesian caused them to be burned in the streets, and made the Churches and houses of God even with the ground (as Euseb. Lib. 8. Cap. 4. hath it) the more it hath been suppressed, the more it hath spread and increased, to the spiritual edification of the house of God, whereof Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone. Hierom in his Epistle to Cormatius, reports, That in an whole years space, there passed not one day (the Calends of January excepted) wherein five thousand Christians were not made away with. And— But I will not detain thee (Gentle Reader) in my Porch like a stranger, lest I be thought churlish. Well then, in a few words (for I will not now stand to strain compliments with thee) I have made no great preparation for thee: And if thou wilt be pleased to accept of such poor entertainment as my Muse is able to afford thee, she gives thee an invitation, Come in, fall to, eat freely with a good will, and thou art heartily welcome: But if thy dainty palate be so nice, as to make thee hanker after the most exquisite dishes and costli'st viands that can be got for love or money; I tell thee truly (friend) I han't it for thee, thou hadst best go where such is to be had; and that is all the harm I wish thee; and so I bid thee  
Farewell.   

In Amici sui charissimi NICH O LAI BILLINGSLY Brachy-hagio-Martyrologiam Distichon Panegyricum.  
Hîc magnum in parvo; veterum Monument a virorum, Et Mortem & Mores (candid Lector) habes.  
IT skills no less large Tomest' Epitomise,  
Then at the first the same for to devise.  
'Twas Homer's praise his Iliads to indite,  
Another's in a Nutshell them to write.  
Like worth belongs to thee, & to thy book;  
Wherein (as in an Optic) if we look,  
We may at once more briefly far behold,  
What Fox, and others, have at large us told,  
Touching such Martyrs as did live and die  
I'th' faith of Christ; whose sacred memory  
Thou dost receive, that they on earth again  
May live with us, we'n heaven with them may reign.  
God grant us this; and so to make an end,  
Thou them, I thee, cannot too much commend.  
Aug. 11. 1656. T. C. de Ospringe Cleri●   

DEO Opt. Max.  
GReat God, who grasp'st in thine eternal fists  
The world, & boundest with appointed lists  
The swag'ring billows; thou who hast enroled  
Thy Marble Gallery with studs of Gold,  
Whose throne the face-veild Seraphims on high  
Advance above the Porph'ry-Arched sky;  
Who all things didst, and do'st, and wilt fulfil,  
According to the counsel of thy will:  
O show thy power in thy servant weak,  
Rouse my dull Muse, enable her to speak  
Divinely of thy Saints, that in this story  
The World (as in a glass) may see thy glory.  
Finish this work, this work in thee begun,  
And make it live, when I am dead and gone.  
Those loser Poets who begin betimes  
To please vain fancies with lascivious Rhimes,  
Thinking there by to eternize their name,  
What do they leave but Monuments of shame?  
Their works shall rot; while such as have a sure  
Foundation, shall eternally endure.  
Let no man deck with Apollinean Bays  
My brows; thine be the Glory, thine the Praise.   

THE PERSECUTIONS Mentioned in the Old Testament.  

SECT. I.  
The Persecution of the Church in the first Ages of the World, and so forward till Christ's Incarnation.  
ADam being left unto his own freewill,  
Satan the Primo-genitor of ill,  
Maligning his so prosperous estate,  
Did exercise his Diabolick hate,  
Under the hood of friendship, to o'erthrow  
Both root, and branch at one pestiferous blow.  
With large-pretending promises, his suit  
He varnished thus; if the forbidden fruit  
But kiss their lips, 
Gen. 3. 5.  they should more clearly see,  
And full as wise as their Creator be.  
Thus Satan's Engines played, till in conclusion  
He took the Fort, by his so smooth delusion.  
Poor man made shipwreck of his Innocence,  
Thwarting his God-required Obedience:  
Thus Adam fell, and by his hapless fall,  
Hath lost his happiness, his God and all,  
For ever; Ah! he cannot any more  
Enjoy those blessings he enjoyed before  
In his first state; and all that he can win,  
Is death, Death is the Wages due to sin.  
But what of that? yet hath it pleased the Highest  
To give eternal life through Jesus Christ  
Our blessed Lord: whoever do believe  
In him alone, are certain to receive  
A glorious Crown: O see what God hath done,  
To save poor sinners, he hath sent his Son,  
His only Son, who willingly came down,  
To bear the cross, that we might wear the Crown.  
Strange condescension! the great God above  
Is pleased t'embrace us in the arms of love.  
O groundless depths! O love beyond degree!  
The guiltless dies, to set the guilty free!  
Nor ceased the malice of the black-browed Prince  
Of the Low-Countries, hell; for ever since  
Man's forfeiture of his heav'n-granted lease,  
He hath been active to molest the Peace  
Of Christ-confiding Saints, and like a Lion  
Hath seized on those who bear good will to Siont  
Amongst the wheat, he sows seditious tares;  
And setteth men together by the ears.  
Nay more unnatural than that, one brother  
He instigates to persecute another:  
Witness nefandous Cain, 
Gen. 4. 8.  whose brothers blood  
To heaven for vengeance cried, and cried aloud:  
Did not cursed Ham his naked Father mock, 
Gen. 9 22.   
(A graceless branch, sprung from a righteous stock.)  
Did not the Sodomites deride Just Lot? 
Gen. 19 9   
And spurious Ishm'el I saac, 
Gen. 21. 9  did he not?  
Jacob rough Esau hates; 
Gen. 27. 41.  young Joseph's sold  
To lshma ' itish Merchants; 
Gen. 37. 4.  and behold  
Oppressed Isr'el, 
Exo. 1. 11, etc.  how their shoulder groans  
Beneath their massy loads, 
Exo. 1. 15, 16.  hard hearted ones!  
And must the newborn Males be stifled by  
The Midwives? O unheard-of cruelty!  
And if these fail, may they not live a while?  
No; 
Exo. 1. 22.  drowned they must be in sepemfluous Nile.  
Breast-hardned Phar'oh, 
Exo. 2. 15.  what did Moses do  
Worthy thy wrath? 
Exo. 2. 14.  and may not Isr'el go  
From thy enslaving hands, but bear the print  
Thy scourges leave? 
judg. 3. 8.  O heart walled round with flint!  
Years not a few the Isra'lites were drudges  
Unto th' I dolatrous and self-lawed Judges;  
Compelled to leave their homes, 
Judg. 6. 3, 4.  and hide themselves  
In dens and caves, from persecuting Elves:  
And when God's bounty fertilized their land, 
1 sam. 13. 6, 7.   
All was destroyed by the Midian band: 
Judg. 6. 2.   
The Philistines thirty four thousand slay  
Of them, 
Judg. 10. 8.  and carried God's Ark away;  
A Smith in Israel could not be found  
To fit their instruments to till the ground, 
Judg. 13. 1.   
The land was so enslaved; they rather chose, 
1 sam. 4. 2. 10, 11.   
Then starve, 
1 sam. 13.  to be behoiding to their foes.  
With his keen javelin, 
ves. 19 20.  spirit-haunted Saul  
Assayed to stick up David ' 'gainst the wall. 
1 sam. 19 etc.   
Prophetic David, 
2 same 16. 5, 6,  with a patient ear,  
Did Shimei's railing accusations bear.  
Egyptian Shishak proved Jerus'lems' rod, 
1 King. 14. 25, 26.   
And took the treasures from the house of God.  
And (which is strange) good Asa's spirit risen  
Against God's Prophet, 
2 Chr. 16. 10.  casts him into prison.  
Ahab hates Micah. 
2 Chro. 18. 25, 26.  In Jehosaphat  
His reign, the Church of God was stormed at.  
Elijah, 
2 Chron. 20. 23.  was despised by Jezabel,  
By whom so many holy Prophets fell. 
1 King. 19 2.   
Elisha suffers; in Jehor am's reign  
Judak's oppressed. 
1 King. 18. 13.  Good Zechariah's slain  
By Joash, 
2 King. 6. 31.  for's reproof. Israel's, King  
Thousands of Judah slew, did thousands bring  
Into captivity. 
2 Chro. 21. 16, 17.  Poor Judah pines  
By th' Edomites, Assyrians, Philistines.  
The Prophet Esay by Manasses Law, 
2 Chro. 24. 21.   
Was sawn in sunder with a wooden saw. 
2 Chro. 28. 8.   
And Jeremiah after slanderous mocks,  
Was beaten sore, 
2 Chro. 28. 17, 18, 20.  and put into the stocks.  
Then was he (liberty denied him) flung  
Into the miry dungeon, 
Josephus. Jer. 18. 18.  where he clung;  
At last dragged thence, 
Jer. 20. 2.  into th' Egyptian land  
He needs must go, 
Jer. 37. 15.  the Captains him command:  
And his Thren-odes those pious Elegies, 
Jer. 38. 6.   
Lament the falling Churches miseries. 
Jer. 43. 6, 7.   
Nebuchanezzar in a rage doth throw  
Shadrach, 
Dan. 3. 23.  and Meshech, and Abednego  
Into the furnace hot: By wicked men  
Daniel is cast into the Lions Den. 
Dan. 6. 26.   
Proud Haman persecutes poor Mordecay, 
Esther. 3. 13.   
And a decree procures, that in one day  
God's people should be killed murth'rously.  
The Jews returning from captivity, 
Ezra 4. 4.   
Judah's disturbed and opposition's found  
When they would raise God's Temple from the ground:  
Build it they do: 
Neh. 6. 2.  though men and devils conjoin  
They're Powers, 
vers. 6, etc.  they cannot frustrate God's design.   

SECT. II.  
The Persecution of the Church from Nehemiah to Antiochus his time; and also under Antiochus Epiphanes, before the nativity of Christ, about 168 years.  
ELiashib the Highpriest being dead,  
Judas his son succeeded in his stead;  
And John the next, who in the Temple slew  
Jesus which sought to wrong him of his due,  
No sooner had Bagoses heard the News,  
But with a potent force, he kept the Jews,  
(The Jews enclosed within Jerus' lems walls)  
Till seven years ended, under slavish thralls;  
Compelling them to lay down fifty Drachmas  
For every Lamb that fed their daily flames.  
Jaddus (John dead) succeeded, who b'ing told,  
Of Alexander's acts, and how he would  
Come shortly, he in's Priestly robes arrayed,  
For God's direction and protection prayed.  
The King fell down, the Jews did in a ring  
Encircle him, and said, God save the King.  
He checked, replied, I do not (that were odd)  
Adore the Highpriest, but the High-Priests God.  
Then leave to live after their Ancient orders  
He grants the Hebrews, and deserts their borders.  
Antiochus Epiphanes did go  
Unto Jerusalem: nor friend nor foe  
Escaped his fury; he the Temple spoiled  
Of all her Ornaments, and it defiled:  
Yea, he inhibited the godly Jews  
Those daily sacrifices they did use;  
And having made their goodly structures void,  
He led some captive, many he destroyed,  
Forced others to forsake God, and adore  
Those Idols he himself fell down before:  
But they that minded not his menacings,  
Were whipped and maimed, had cruel torturings;  
Some crucified; they hanged the female sex,  
And hung young Children at their parents necks.  
What books of Sacred Writ they found, the same  
Were cast into the all-devouring flame.  
Upon a Sabbath day these merc'less slaves  
Did stifle thousands hid in unclosed caves.  
And now Mathias pious and devout,  
Led forth the Christians 'gainst this impious rout,  
Destroyed their Altars; Providence did bless  
All his endeavours with desired success.  
His sons, Mathias, Judas, and the rest  
Did scour their country, and their foes suppressed.   

SECT. III.  
The Martyrdom of the Maccabees, under the same Antiochus.  
Onias' acts with a religious care  
His High-priests office, and may therefore fear  
Degrading; nay, Antiochus is bend  
To turn him out: the moving Argument  
Drawn from the Justness of Onias' cause,  
Subjects Onias to th'Imperious Laws  
Of wilful Tyranny, by whose compunction,  
This good man leaves his Sacerdotal function,  
For one that lest deserved it: no other  
Might take it up, but his falsehearted brother:  
Who now but Jason! Jason is the man  
Must drive on the design; Jason began  
To force the people to renounce the true  
And old Religion, to embrace a new;  
T'abjure their Temples, to extruct them baths:  
To quit their beaten and accustomed paths,  
For prosecution of more choice delights,  
And abrogate their ceremonial Rites;  
To drink in Greekish customs, and betimes  
Train up their striplings to unlawful cimes.  
But mark th'event, a sin-provoked God  
Doth flame in fury, making them a rod  
(Whose Laws were studiously observed,) to scourge  
Those Mimic emulators, who would urge  
So good a God; their friends become their foes,  
T'inflict on them innumerable woes.  
For an edict is forthwith by the King  
Set forth, and sealed with his Royal Ring;  
The sense is this, Whoever of the Jews,  
Or Hierosolymitanes, refuse  
To offer up a Sacrifice unto  
The gods, he without any more ado  
(Besides those beat he was like to feel)  
Should have his members Racked on a wheel.  
Antiochus perceiving this Edict  
Was little prevalent, although so strict,  
So rigorous, but that a many chose  
Rather to die, than their Religion lose;  
He took th'advantage of an em'nent place,  
And summoning the Jews, his graceless Grace  
Caused sacrificed swine's flesh be given about  
To every man. Amongst the mixed rout  
Stood Eleazar honoured for his age,  
Reverend, Pious, Virtuous and sage,  
In whom the graces all in one combined;  
Indeed he had an heaven-enameled mind:  
To whom Antiochus doth break the chains  
Of silence thus: Old man, avoid those pains  
Wait on the obstinate, for once b' advis'd  
By me, and eat what here is sacrificed:  
Cherish thy reverend age, and do not scorn  
The benefit of life: what though thouart born  
A Jew? yet eat: no wise man will refuse  
That meat which nature hath ordained for use:  
Why should this beast be more abominable  
Than other beasts? canst tell? sure thouart not able:  
Why was it made, if not to be enjoyed?  
And gifts unused, what are those gifts but void?  
Admit your Laws are just, yet may coaction  
Excuse thee; 'tis no voluntary action.  
To whom this Nestor (whose undaunted breast  
Was flamed with zeal) an answer thus expressed:  
We, O Antiochus, love not vain shows  
But true Religion; nor Racks, nor blows, (chains,  
Nor breast all gored with darts, hands worn with  
Nor ease exchanged for a thousand pains;  
Famine nor sword, nor all, should make us smother  
Our loved Religion, to embrace another:  
Know then Proud King, I nothing weigh thy threats,  
As to profane my lips with profane meats:  
I'll joy to suffer for a righteous cause,  
Rather than violate those Heav'n-made Laws:  
'Tis but a death at most, if I fulfil not  
Thy will; and disobey my God I will not:  
Urge me no more, for do it I will never;  
This I resolve, and will herein persever.  
Expose me to the ravenous Lion's paw,  
Yet I'll not make a rupture in the Law;  
Rip up my Entrails, do; and when that's done,  
Fling, fling m'into an hate-light Dungeon:  
Pluck out these eyes with Pincers; let the flame  
Burn me to cinders, I'll be still the same.  
Think not that I'll recant because I'm old  
And feeble no; torments shall make me bold:  
I am content to suffer for my God,  
And patiently sustain his chastning rod:  
The zeal I bear is not a zeal that found'st  
Its happiness on such unstable grounds,  
As once to move me or to make me totter;  
No, Tyrant, were thy fury ten times hotter.  
I'll laugh death in the face, when I lay down  
This life, to take up an immortal Crown.  
Blessed I shall be, although by thee accursed;  
Tyrant I challenge thee, do, do thy worst.  
With that the soldiers hale him to the place  
Of torment, strip him, whip him, and do lace  
His back with stripes, till bloody streams out-gush,  
And in the face of the tormentor blush:  
While he was under the afflicter's hand,  
One stood, and cried, Obey the King's command:  
But patiently this worthy man endured  
A world of wounds, too dangerous to be cured:  
And darting up his venerable eyes,  
He knew for whom he was a sacrifice;  
In whom he did believe: then casts a look  
On his afflicted self, and sees a brook,  
A bubbling brook, with uncontrolled tides,  
Crimson their passage from his mangled sides:  
And when his sufferance overflowed the banks  
Of torment, he admired, gave God the thanks.  
They loathsome liquor int' his nostrils pouring,  
Did then commit him to the flames devouring:  
Yet when his natural life began to fail  
And his approaching death would take no bail;  
Having his wasting eyes on Heaven laid,  
His dying breath breathed forth these words, & said,  
Thou O my God art he who bringest down  
To th'grave, giv'st life, and with that life a Crown;  
Behold (dear Lord) I'm swallowed by death's jaws,  
For the strict keeping of thine own-made Laws.  
Sweet Father hear me; O be pleased to keep  
Thy bosom Nation, suffer not thy Sheep,  
To be devoured by Wolves, that are too bold  
To worry them, or scare them from their fold:  
O let my death conclude all misery,  
And grant in dying I may live to thee.  
Now I am found in thee, can I be lost?  
He ceased, and ceasing yielded up the Ghost.  
The King's displeasure waxing now more strong,  
Sent for seven Hebrew children, who being young,  
He thought them weak, unable pains to bear,  
He therefore either by entreaties, or fear,  
Presumed he should induce them to abjure  
Their Law, and eat what by their Law's impure.  
The crafty Tyrant ambushing his guile,  
Beholdeth them with a dissembling smile,  
And thus revealed himself: Admired young men,  
I wish your good, O do not madly then  
eat my Behests; prevent the torments due  
Unto the refractory, not to you;  
As for my part, I desire nothing more  
Than to advance you, and increase your store:  
Contemn your superstitious vanities,  
And come along our tracts, if you be wise:  
'tis no such crime if you your Law fulfil not.  
If you neglect ours (as I hope you will not)  
With lingering deaths I'll study to torment you;  
You may it may be then too late repent you.  
Am I a King? and shall contempt accrue  
To me a King, from such low worms as you? (Racks,  
Bring forth those Wheels Rods, Cauldrons, Hooks &  
Grid-irons, Cages; here's not all, here lacks;  
Let's see the Engines to torment the hands,  
Gauntlets, Auls, bellows, Brass-pots, Frying-pans.  
Obey, young men; if I enforce a fact  
Not good, 'tis not your voluntary act,  
You do not sin; be prudent then, I say,  
Not actively but passively obey.  
The zeal-inflamed young men do vilify  
His threats, entreats, retorting this reply,  
Speak Tyrant say, say, why art thou so bend  
To persecute us that are innocent?  
We will observe, for all afflictions rod,  
What Moses taught us from the mouth of God;  
Know, we detest your sense-deluding shows,  
Nor will we be seduced by words or blows:  
No Tyrant, no, do thou the best you can  
To do thy worst, we will fear God, not man:  
Our cause is God's, and death is our desire;  
Heaven is our portion, yours eternal fire.  
Th'enraged Tyrant after one another  
Lop'd off these hopeful sprouts: the eldest brother,  
Named Macchabons, first was stretched out  
Upon a Rack, and beaten round about  
His naked ribs, with a Bulle-pizle, till  
His wearied tormentors had their fill  
Of long continued strokes, and did desire  
Rather to leave, than he did them require:  
Nor was this all; fresh tort'rers have extended  
Him on a wheel, weights at his heels appended:  
While yet his sinews and his entrails broke,  
He called on God, then to the Tyrant spoke:  
Blood-guilty wretch, who labor'st to disthrone  
God's Majesty itself; know, I am one  
Am for the cause of God a sufferer,  
And no witch, nor inhuman murderer.  
When the afflicter with compassion swayed,  
Bid him submit unto the King, he said,  
Accursed ministers of Tyranny,  
Your wheels as yet, are not so sharp, that I  
Should thereby be enforced to abjure  
Heaven, wherein is my foundation sure.  
See, tyrant, see how resolute I am;  
Wind off my flesh with pinsers, do, and cram  
Young Vultures with the bits before mine eyes:  
Put, put me to the worst of cruelties:  
Rost (if you please) by a soft fire my flesh,  
And if that will not serve, invent a fresh:  
Inflict, inflict, till there cannot be found  
A place, whereon t'inflict another wound.  
So said, thus racked, into a fire he's thrown,  
And now his wasting bowels stared on  
The Tyrant's face; yet with an unmoved breast  
He to his brethren thus himself expressed:  
Beloved brethren, learn by my example  
To scorn the world's alluring baits, and trample  
All torments under foot; obey God rather  
Than this proud Tyrant: God's a gracious father;  
And when him pleases, with a smile or frown,  
Can raise the humble, strike the lofty down.  
This torment's not enough to end his pain,  
For he is snatched out of the fire and flame  
Alive; his tongue was plucked out and then  
His life he ended in a frying pan:  
And now his soul enjoyed what he desired,  
His friends rejoiced, and his foes admired.  
Then was the second brother, Aber called,  
Who with the torturing Engines unappaled,  
Refused to eat, chains did his hands restrain:  
His skin (the garment of his flesh) was slain  
From head to knees; the tort'rer did divest  
His entrails peeping from his unglazed breast,  
Too grievous to behold; and him at last  
Unto a famine-pined Leopard cast:  
The beast (though truculent) did only smell,  
And went her way, forgetting to be fell,  
Nor was sh' injurious to him in the least.  
The King's displeasure but the more increased,  
And Aber grown more constant by his pain,  
Thus, thus his dying voice did loudly strain:  
How sweet! How pleasant is this death to me!  
Yea 'tis most welcome, for I'm sure to be  
Rewarded by my God; the cross I bear  
On earth, in heaven a glorious Crown to wear;  
I thank my God, that I am more content  
To suffer, Tyrant, than thou to torment.  
And yet is not this misery of mine  
In suffering, so exorbitant as thine  
Is by inflicting; keeping of the Laws  
Thus aggravates my pains, and thou the cause  
Shalt by the justice of the Holy One  
Be banished from thy usurped throne,  
And be reserved for those horrid chains  
Of utter darkness, and eternal pains.  
He said no more; his soul forsook his breast,  
To take possession of aye-lasting rest.  
Machir the third son's brought, who was not quelled,  
But angrily their counsel thus repelied:  
One Father us begat; one Mother bore us;  
One 
* Eleazar.  Master taught us, who is gone before us:  
Protract no time, for I am not so weak  
To yield; I come to suffer, not to speak:  
What care I though I drink the brim-fild boul  
Of thy displeasure? 'twill not hurt my soul.  
A Globe was brought, his woes must b'aggravated,  
And bound thereon; his bones were dislocated;  
They flaid his face, and while a crimson river  
Flowed from him, thus he did himself deliver:  
O Tyrant, we, what we endure, endure  
For the pure love of God: thou shalt be sure  
To rove in sulphury flames, and be tormented  
Eternally, unpityed, unlamented.  
His tongue b'ing taken out, this good young man  
Departed in a red-hot Frying-pan.  
Judas is next, whom neither menacing  
Nor flattries, could induce t'obey the King:  
Your fire (said he) shall me attract more near  
Gods holy Law, and to my brethren dear:  
I tell thee Tyrant, thou shalt be acursed,  
And true believers blest: thou that art nursed  
By cruelty itself: I bid thee try me,  
And see if God will not also stand by me.  
Hereat the Tyrant in a hot displeasure  
Hastily left his chair t'afflict by leisure;  
He charged his tongue to be cut out, in brief;  
T'whom Judas thus; Our God is not so deaf  
As you imagine; his attentive ear  
Hears the dumb language of his servants prayer:  
He hears the heart, not voice; our thoughts he sees  
A distance off; distongue me if you please:  
Divide me limb from limb, do Tyrant, do,  
But know, thou shalt not long scape Scot-free so.  
He's tongueless, and with ropes ends beaten sore,  
Which he with much admired patience bore:  
At last upon the Rack his life was spent,  
And to his brethren (gone before) he went.  
Then Achas the fifth brother unaffraid  
To hug grim death, disclosed his lips, and said,  
Tyrant, behold, I come for to prevent  
Thy sending for; and know that I am bend  
To die courageously, my mind is steady;  
Thou art to hellish flames condemned already,  
By my dear brothers effused gore,  
And I the fifth shall make thy grief the more.  
What is't that we have done? what other cause  
Canst thou allege, but this, We keep Gods Laws?  
And therefore in the midst of torturing  
We joy O'tis an honourable thing! (wrongs,  
Though each part suffer, heaven will right our  
And fill your mouths with howl, ours with songs.  
Then was he in a brazen mortar pounded,  
Nay th'less he said, Those favours are unbounded  
With which thou crownest us (though against thy will)  
We please our God, rage thou, and rage thy fill:  
If thou shouldst pity me, I should be sorry;  
Death's but the prologue to immortal glory.  
So said, he made a stop and stopping died.  
Now the sixth brother ar must be tried,  
Honour and dolour's put unto his choice;  
But grieving at it, with a constant voice  
He shot forth this reply: I weigh not either;  
As we like brethren lived, we'll die together  
In God's fear; and the time which in exhorting  
Thou hast a mind to spend, spend in extorquing,  
His downward head unto a pillar tied,  
Antiochus roasts him by a soft fires side;  
And that the heat might enter to the quick,  
And multiply his pains, sharp Auls must prick  
His tender flesh; about his face and head  
Much blood like froth appeared; yet thus he said,  
O Noble fight! O honourable war!  
Glad grief! O pious! and O impious jar!  
My brethren are gone, and I allied  
To them in blood, would not that death divide  
Our love united souls: invent, invent  
More horrid pains endeavour to torment  
This flesh with greater torments; study, study  
New ways t'afflict me, more severe, more bloody:  
I thank my God, these are o'ercome already;  
Let thousands worse come, I will be steady.  
We young men have been conqueror's of thy power;  
Thy fire is cold, nor can thy rage devour  
Our faith-fenced souls; we have a greater joying  
In suffering, than thou hast in destroying:  
As God is just, so will he right our wrongs.  
These words scarce out, a pair of heated tongs  
Eradicate his tongue; then being cast  
Into the Frying-pan, he breathed his last.  
And now the youngest brother's only left,  
Jacob; who coming forth, compassion cloven  
The Tyrant's heart, who took aside the child  
By th'●and and spoke, and as he spoke, he smiled:  
Thy brethren may teach thee to expect  
The worst of ills, if thou my will neglect:  
Thou shalt, if thou wilt of thyself be free,  
A Ruler, Gen'ral, and my Counc'ller be.  
This not prevailed, he thus the mother dons;  
O worthy woman, where are now thy sons?  
Yet thou hast one, turn him, lest thou be rest  
Of him likewise, and so be childless left.  
The mother bowing to the king, bespoke  
Her child in Hebrew; Pity, for Christ's sake,  
And cheer thy woeful mother: O despise  
These pains, and be a willing sacrifice,  
As were thy brethren; that in the day  
Of grace, in heaven receive you all I may.  
Unbound, he forthwith to the torments ran,  
And with a serene countenance began;  
Blood-wasting wretch, what dost thou but add fuel, thee  
To make hell botter, by persisting cruel?  
Worm that thou art, who crowned thee? who gave  
Those Purple robes thou wearest? was't not he  
Whom thou in us dost persecute? but die  
Thou must at last, for all thou perk'st so high:  
I crave no favour at thy hands, but will  
Follow my brothers, and be constant still.  
Torments ensue: through mouth and nose he bled;  
His mother's kind hand held his fainting head:  
His arms cut off, Lord take my soul, he cried;  
Distongued, he ran into the fire, and died.  
Now Salomona (all her children dead)  
Inflamed with zeal, came to be Martyred;  
Herein excelled them all, in that sh'endured  
seven painful deaths, before her own's procured,  
She tearless could abide to see them spurned,  
And racked, and torn, and beat, and flaid, and burned:  
And knowing well, death cutteth off our days  
By Fluxes, Agues, and a thousand ways;  
That pains were momentary, she exhorted  
Them thus in Hebrew, ere they were extorted:  
Most choice fruits of my womb, let's hasten hence,  
And fear not, heaven will be our recompense:  
Shall's bear what Eleazar undergon?  
You know good Abram sacrificed his son:  
Remember Daniel, in the Lion's den;  
And cast your eyes on the three childerens.  
The restless Tyrant caused her to be stripped,  
Then hanged up by the hands, and sound whipped,  
Her paps pulled off: she while her body sryes,  
Lifts up her hands and eyes, and prays, and dies.   

SECT. IV.  
The Persecution of the Church from Christ's time to our present age; and first of those mentioned in the New-Testament.  
HEROD the Great having intellegence  
That there was born unto the Jews a Prince  
At Bethleem; a band of men he sent,  
To do full execution as they went,  
On smiling babes, throughout Judea's land:  
(Supposing Jesus might not scape his hand;)  
Snatched from the breast, the pretty little ones  
Were tossed on Pikes, and dashed against the stones.  
The Tyrant, after this, distracted grew,  
And's wife, his children, and familiars slew.  
With sickness struck, he knew not where to turn,  
What course to take; for a slow fire did burn  
His inward parts: his 
* Bulimia.  canine appetite  
Was unsufficed; his lungs corrupted quite;  
His bowels rot; his secrets putrified;  
Consumed with worms, he miserably died.  
Herod the Less incestuously wedded;  
John Baptist for his plain reproof beheaded. 
Mat. 14. 10   
Peter and John restored a man born lame, 
Act. 4. 1, 17.   
Preached Christ, and were imprisoned for the same.  
The High-priests and the Sadduces uprisen 
Act. 5. 18, 19   
Against th' Apostles, cast them into prison:  
But in the night, an Angel of the Lord  
Opening the doors, their liberties restored:  
They on the morrow, 
vers. 26, 27  for divulging Christ,  
Re-apprehended were, 
vers. 40.  beaten, dismissed.  
False witnesses suborned, 
Act. 6. 11.  holy Steven  
Did through a Stony-volley go to heaven. 
Cham 7. 58.   
A gen'ral persecution breaking out  
At Solyma, the Saints disperse about  
The Judean and the Samarian borders:  
A perfecting Saul the Church disorders.  
The Jewish fury, new-converted Saul  
Scapes by a basket let down o'er the wall. 
Act. 9 23.   
James is beheaded: 
Act. 12. 2.  while Agrippa storms  
Against the Church, he was devoured by worms.  
Peter enlarged by an Angel was:  
Sosthenes, Silas Paul, and Barnabas  
Were beaten, whipped, and forced several times  
To leave their Country, and seek other climes.  
Paul's stoned at Lystra, 
Act. 14. 19  and for dead he lay;  
But God revived him; he took Derbe-way:  
Much he endured abroad, and much at home,  
And in the end was Martyred at Rome.  
James, Jesus brother, from a Pin'cle cast,  
recovering on his knees, thus spoke his last:  
Father (thou on my bended knees I woe)  
Forgive them: for, they know not what they do.  
A camels knees were said to be more soft  
Than his, by reason that he kneeled so oft.)  
Vespasian did to him the Jews subject;  
Titus jerusalem and the Temple sacked.  
Andrew and Philip's crucified: rough blows  
Kill Barthol'mew; Thoumas as a dart o' rethrows.  
Mathew's thrust through: Simon Zelotes dead  
Upon the cross. Mathi as loft his head:  
And Judas (brother unto James) not missed  
A murderous stroke: Mark the Evangelist  
Went up to heaven in a fi'ry Car:  
One of the Deacons named Nicanor,  
Did with two thousand Christians lay down  
This life, to take up an immortal crown.    

THE Persecution of the Church Under the Heathen ROMAN Emperors.  

SECT. V.  
The first Primitive Persecution, which began Anno Christi, 67.  
DOmitius Nero, while in sheets of fire  
The Roman City capered, sang t'his Lyre  
The incendiums of Troy, and from a Tower  
Feasted his eyes, to see the flames devour  
Those goodly structures, and high towers of state,  
Which startled the beholder's eyes of late:  
The Circus fell, the ponderous beams and stones,  
Crushing to pieces many thousand ones;  
The fire burns others, and the flame and smoak  
Nine days continued, a great number choke.  
Thus Nero on himself an Odium brought;  
And to excuse himself, transferred the fault  
Upon the harmless Christians: it was they  
Had done it out of malice; no delay  
Detards his hasty feet from shedding blood:  
Where e'er he comes, he makes a crimson flood  
Flow down the streets: in wild-beasts skins he wraps  
Christians, and throws them to dogs worr'ing chaps.  
In paper stiffened with molten wax,  
He packs up some; and puts on others backs  
A searcloth-coat, and bolt upright them bound  
To axletrees, first pitched in the ground,  
Then at the bottom fired: these constant flames  
Afforded light to Nero's nightly games  
Kept in his garden: other some he takes,  
And goars in length upon erected stakes.  
This persecution through th'whole Empire spread;  
So that the Cities were replenished  
With slaughtered carcases; the old, the young,  
And naked women, altogether flung.  
Such was his rage, a Christians loathed name  
He strove t'extirpate wheresoever he came.  
At four years' end, this direful blast expires  
In Paul and Peter, two bright-shining fires.  
Peter (as he desired) was crucified  
With his head downward; so a Martyr died.  
And Paul, his faith's confession having spoke,  
Yielded his neck unto the fatal stroke.   

SECT. VI  
The second Primitive Persecution, which began Anno 96.  
DOmitian his brother Titus slays,  
And doth the second persecution raise:  
(For whilst Vespasian and his son remained,  
The Church with golden links of Peace was chained)  
He flew the Roman Nobleses; and decreed  
The extirpation of David's seed,  
John, the belov'd Disciple, boiled in oil,  
Unhurt, 
Anno 97  was banished into Patmos lfle.  
One Simcon Bishop of jerusalem, died  
Upon the cross: a number more beside  
Of Christians he impoverished, and sent  
Them out, to lead their lives in banishment.  
The Roman Senate passed this decree,  
That Christians should not have their liberty  
When brought before the Judgment-seat, unless  
They deviate from their Religiousness.  
The Heathenish Idolaters devise  
Against the Saints abomniabile lies,  
And envious slanders; That they were seditious,  
Incestuous, rebellious, and pernicious  
Unto the Empire; none could them importune,  
By any means, to swear by Caesar's fortune.  
If famine, plague, or war amongst them came,  
The Christians were the Authors of the same.  
And look what accusations they related,  
Domitian was the more exasperated;  
And used what ere man's wicked wit invents;  
Stripes, Racking, Scourge, and Imprisonments,  
Deep dungtons, Stoning, Strangling, the Gridiron,  
Cibbet, and Gallows, red-hot plates t'environ  
The tenderest parts; the teeth of savage bears;  
The horns of Bulls, and sticking up on spears, etc.  
Thus killed, a lawful burial was denied them:  
Piled up and tear-throat dogs were left beside them.  
Though Christians sufferings were very sore,  
Yet still the Church increased more and more,  
In the Apostles doctrine deeply grounded,  
And with the blood of Martyred Saints surrounded.  
Good Timothy, Religious from his youth,  
Was stoned, as a witness to the truth,  
By those that worshipped Diana bright:  
One Dionysius th' Arcopagite  
Was slain at Paris by a treacherous villain.  
Protasius and Gervasius fell at Milan.   

SECT. VII.  
The third Primitive Persecution, which began Anno Christi 108.  
DOmitian being by his servants slain,  
Nerva succeeded; in whose gracious reign  
(Which was but thirteen months) the Saints enjoyed  
A peaceful season, and were not destroyed.  
Trajan, next him, the Roman crown put on;  
He 'twas raised the third Persecution,  
Worse than the former were; which did incite  
An 
* Plinius secundus.  heathenish Philosopher to write  
I'th' Christian's behalf, to Trajan showing,  
That whereas many thousands in his viewing  
Were killed; yet, contraite the Roman Laws  
None did, which might such Persecution cause;  
Saving that every morn by break of day,  
They to a God called Christ did sing and pray:  
In other things they were to be commended.  
Trajan returns this answer: he intended  
To search them out no more; but if they were  
Brought and convicted, them he would not spare.  
Sentence confused! 
Tertullian.  he them as harmless tenders,  
And yet would have them punished as offenders.  
The rage was by this act a little curbed:  
Yet ill-disposed men the Peace disturbed;  
Especially, if new commotions flamed  
Amongst them, than the Christians must be blamed.  
Trajan commands the lineage of David,  
Which could be found, should by no means be saved  
He Phocas, Pontus' Bishop, cast in's wrath,  
First int'a lime-kiln, next a sealding bath.  
Ignatius, and many thousands more  
Exposed to the wild beasts to devour:  
Nor did in Adrian's reign this fury slake,  
Ten thousand suffered for the Lord Christ's sake.  
In Ararath thousands were crucified,  
Crowned with thorns, and thrust into the side  
With needle-pointed darts, in imitation  
Of Christ, our blessed Lord and Saviour's passion.  
Faustiu us, Zenon, and Eustachius,  
Died for the truth. 
Vere Magnus Deus Christansrum.  When Calocerius  
Saw how the Saints did bear afflictions rod,  
He cried out, Truly, great's the Christian's God:  
For which he apprehended, did become  
Partaker likewise of their Martyrdom.  
Symphorissa, a fair and virtuous dame,  
Hanged up by th'hair, was scourged for Christ's name,  
And then made fast unto a ponderous stone,  
Into the bosom of a river thrown:  
Seven sons she had, all staked, racked, and at last  
Thrust through, were into a deep pit cast.  
Adrian b'ing come to Athens, sacrificed  
After the Greekish manner; authorised  
Any that would, to persecute, abuse  
Whoever in contempt should it refuse.  
Quadratus, an Athenian Bishop, hence  
Did out of zeal i'th' Christian's defence  
Write learned Tractares: Serenus did do  
The like; and famous Aristides too;  
Declaring that'twas neither right nor reason  
In harmless persons; and no other fault  
Should bring their lives in danger, at th'assault  
Of th'hair-brained rabble; th' Emperor hereat  
Grew mild, and pitied their afflicted state.  
After him Antonius Pius swayed  
And he this persecuting storm allayed.  
God's word's fulfilled, the wicked's rod shall not  
Always remain upon the righteous lot. 
Psa. 125. 3.    

SECT. VIII.  
The fourth Primitive Persecution, which began Anno Christi 162.  
NOw Antoninus Verus, Pius son,  
(Who dead) raised the third persecution.  
Germanious, Pionius, Metrodore,  
Polycarp, Carpus, and a number more  
In Asia burned. Felicit as at Rome,  
With her seven children suffered Martyrdom.  
Scourged was her eldest Son; and after, pressed  
To death with leaden weights, attained true rest.  
The two next had their brains knocked out with mauls:  
The 4th thrown headlong down a prec'pice, sprawls  
With his broken neck: The three that do remain,  
Must lose their heads. In fine, the Mother's slain.  
Concordus suffered; who in disgrace,  
Did spirit out spittle in the Idols face.  
In France the Christians under went all wrongs;  
As Scourge, stonings, and the spatt'ring tongues  
Of railing Rabshakehs: at home, abroad,  
Their backs must tolerate afflictions load:  
Yet well they knew, that griefs were transitory,  
If but compared to eternal glory.  
Sanchis the Bishop of Vienna, stood  
Unmoved, under such pains, as flesh and blood  
Could not endure to bear: no torments could  
Prevail to make him to let go his hold.  
When he was asked, where he was born and bred;  
He, I'm a Christian, only answered:  
And when another did demand his name,  
Urging it much, his answer was the same:  
A third enquired, whether he were a man,  
Or bond, or free; I am a Christian,  
He still replied: no torments could divorce  
His constant lips from using that discourse.  
When there were plates of candent Brass applied  
I'his tenderest parts: O how did he abide  
That scorching heat! nor was he seen to shrink,  
As did his body: while his tort'rers think,  
With new supplies to force his recantation,  
He quite contrary to their expectation,  
Was so restored, that what he did endure  
These latter times, did prove his sovereign cure.  
At last placed in a red-hot iron chair,  
His spir'e (with others) vanished into Air.  
Thus were the holy Saints, from morn to night,  
A spectacle unto the people's sight.  
Biblides in the midst of pains spoke thus,  
Ah! how should we (as you report of us)  
We Christians, think you, of our babes make food?  
When we not taint our lips with bestial blood.  
Attalus frying, thus Yourselves do eat  
Man's flesh: and as for us, we loathe such meat.  
B'ing asked what he called their God by name;  
He answered, Man's and his was not the same.  
Then let your God, if that a God he be  
So powerful (said they) come set you free.  
Pont'cus a youth of fourteen years of age,  
Perpassed the utmost of the foeman's rage.  
Wild beasts are put to Blandina, but they;  
Moore merciful than men, would go their way.  
Whipped she is, then broiled and thrown on ground  
For Bulls to tear: from every gaping wound  
Blood gushes forth, and runneth out afresh  
From th'u●stopp'd chinks of her bemangled flesh.  
She felt no pain, by reason she was filled  
With spiritual joy: she at the last was killed.  
The bodies of the Saints were made a mock,  
A scorn, a byword, and a laughingstock  
I'th' open streets, till thrice two Suns were down,  
Then burned their ashes in the river thrown.  
Th' Apostatised Christians, which came  
Unto their trials, did confess their shame  
By downcast looks, and sorrow-boding faces;  
The Gentiles pulverised them with disgraces,  
As persons too degenerous, addicted  
To vice, deserving what should be inflicted:  
But they which constant to the last remained,  
Went with a cheerful brow, and entertained  
An obvious death; and, as it were combined  
Their glorious rays, and like to Phoebus shined.  
So have I seen a fair and comely Bride,  
Richly attired, with what a decent pride  
She quits her conclave, or interior room,  
Who drawing near, about her neck doth fall,  
And seals his favours on her lips withal.  
Faith as an ornament the soul endows;  
Christ is the Bridegroom, and the Church the Spouse  
Prepares to meet him, and direct her paces,  
They he may hug her with entwined embraces.  
They meet; Christ & his following Spouse do clamber  
Up by steep stairs; heaven is the Bridal Chamber:  
Where, with Unknown delights, they are possessed  
Of sweet reposes, and eternal rest.  
Marcus Aurelius, and Antonius go  
To war against the Quades the Vandals too:  
Their Army by innum'rous foes beset,  
Were so put to't, the soldiers could not get  
The least of water, their thirst to allay:  
With that, a Christian Legion fell to pray,  
(Withdrawing from the rest) the heaven disbursed  
Abundant showers; the Romans quenched their thirst:  
Against their enemies, such lightnings flashed,  
As made them fly discomfited and dashed.  
The Emperor pleased hereat, commands that none  
Kill Christians more, whose God such things had done:  
And his (which was not long in force) decree  
Burned the accusers, set th'accused free.   

SECT. IX.  
The fifth Primitive Persecution, which began Anno Christi 205.  
WHen Peace-maintaining Pertinax was dead,  
Servere Severus reigned in his stead;  
By envious rumours, and through false suggestion,  
The Christians lives were daily brought in question.  
The King commands; his willing Subjects strive  
To bring't about, that none be left a live.  
In Sunburnt Africa, Cappadocia,  
In Carthage and in Alexandria.  
So that the aumber slain was numberless;  
Origen's father, with whom Origen  
His son had died, had not his mother been  
An hindrance, in that she did convey,  
The night before, his shirt and clothes away;  
Hereat, he not for fear of Martyrdom,  
But shaming to be seen, remained at home.  
Tertullian, Irenaus, Andoclus,  
Urbanus, Satyrus, Secundulus,  
Perpetua, Felicit as, and Rhais,  
Did by untimely deaths conclude their days.  
Caspodius, a Divine, dragged up and down  
The streets; at last was into Tiber thrown.  
Cecilia Idolatry contemned,  
And therefore by the Judge must be condemned;  
The Sergeants minding how she did behave her,  
How fair she was; solicit her, to favour  
Herself, and not to cast herself away;  
She was but young, and many a merry day  
Might live to see: but she discreetly sent  
Such gracious words, as caused them to relent,  
And unto that religion yield their hearts  
'Gainst which they threw their persecuting darts.  
Which, when perceived, leave gained, she runs her home  
and for Vrbanus sends: Vrbanus come,  
He grounds them in the faith so highly prized.  
Four hundred do believe and are baptised.  
This holy Martyr afterwards was shut  
Twice twelve hours in a Bath; at last they cut  
Her head off from her shoulders: thus she ended  
Her days, and up into the clouds ascended.  
Agapetus, of fifteen years of age,  
Was scourged, then hanged up by the feet: in rage  
He scalded was; unto the wild beasts roast;  
But they not hurting him, his head he lost.  
Pamachius, a Roman Senator,  
With's wife, his children, and near forty more,  
All in one day beheaded were; their pates  
Fixed on high, over the City gates,  
As Bug-bears to affright and scare the rest  
From Christianity, which it professed.  
Potamiena, (boiling Pitch being poured  
Upon her naked flesh) the flames devoured.  
And Zepherinus; after him Vrbanus,  
Both Roman Bishops; good Valerianus,  
Tybartius too, two Noble men of Rome,  
For their Religion suffered Martyrdom.  
'Gainst Narciss, three false witnesses suborned;  
Th'one lost his eyes, the fire a second burned;  
The third lay languishing: thus we may see  
Th'accusers suffer, the accused go free.  
Antiochus fell down, and having cried,  
His bowels burned within him, sadly died.   

SECT. X.  
The sixth Primitive Persecution, which began Anno Christi 237.  
Maximinus' (Severus dead and gone)  
Stirred up the twice-third Persecution:  
Dislived the Teachers, Leaders, and the best;  
By this means thinking to seduce the rest.  
Thousands were Martyred, whose names are lost  
With Or'gen's 
* De Martyrio.  book, in which they were engrossed.  
About this time Natalius, a Priest,  
(Who much had suffered for the cause of Christ,)  
Seduced was by Asclepiodot  
And Theodore, who promised to allot  
A hundred and fifty silver Crowns  
To him each month, if he would but renounce  
The Christian God, and give to theirs respect:  
He did, and was a bishop of their sect:  
But God (whose mercy would not have him lost,  
Who had so much endured, so oft been crossed)  
Admonished him by a vision plain,  
'tad join himself to the true Church again:  
Which the good man, b'ing for the present blinded  
With gain and honour (as he ought) not minded.  
He the night after b'ing by Angels scourged,  
Did put on sackcloth in the morn, and purged  
His soul with tears: with doleful lamentation,  
He runs in haste to th'Christian congregation:  
Of all loves, and for Jesus Christ his sake,  
Humbly entreating them, once more to take  
Him into their society, and choir,  
Accordingly they granted his desire.  
Horse-torn Hippol'tus died: the Martyred  
By sixties in a pit were buried.   

SECT. XI.  
The seventh Primitive Persecution, which began Anno Christi 250.  
Decius', that cruel Emperor, begun  
The seventh bloody persecution:  
Of which Niceph'rus thus; Can any tell  
The sands? they may the Martyred saints as well.  
Fabian, that kept a Bishopric at Rome,  
And the King's treasures, suffered Martyrdom.  
Babilas died in prison; and a train  
Of forty Virgins were in Antioch slain.  
The Alexandrian Christians are bereft  
Of all their goods; yea, they have nothing left:  
Yet they rejoice, and are therewith content,  
Knowing their substance is more permanent.  
When Apollinea's teeth had dashed out been,  
A fire was made; they threat to throw her in:  
She paused a while, (refusing to be turned)  
And gave a leap into the fire and burned.  
Julian, Epimachus, and Alexander,  
The flame consumed: many (poor souls) did wander  
In the deserted deserts; others lives  
Lay open, to the raging cut-throat's knives.  
A certain Minister with pains oppressed,  
And fearing death, desired to be released:  
A young man, 
Quid faciam vobis? pati timetis, exire nolitis  then, too glorious to behold  
For mortal eyes, appearing, did unfold  
His angry lips: What would you have me do?  
You dare not bear, and out you will not go.  
Because chaste Theodora a did refuse  
To sacrifice, they sent her to the stews;  
Where lust-enflamed young men for entrance pressed:  
But Didymus slipped in before the rest,  
Having the habit of a soldier on,  
He changed for hers; and she in his is gone.  
Didymus stays behind: b'ing found a man,  
Confessing th'whole state of the matter; so  
He was condemned, and must to torment go:  
Which Theodora a having understood;  
To save the shedding of innocuous blood,  
Comes to the Judge, and said, I bear the guilt;  
And lo I'm here, condemn me if thou wilt:  
As for that man, I pray let him go free,  
Let not your fury light on him, but me.  
She was not heard; both for their lives were tried,  
Condemned both, Beheaded both, both died.  
No torments that the Praetor could devise,  
Could force Nicetas t'offer sacrifice:  
He therefore him into a garden brought,  
With all variety of pleasures fraught:  
There laid him down upon a bed of Down,  
(A silken net softly upon him strown,)  
Among the Lilies, and the fragrant Roses,  
Near murmuring streams inviting sweet reposes;  
To the sweet whistling of the leaves moved by  
A gentle gale, he left him: presently  
In comes a Strumpet garishly, attired,  
And in a wanton dialect, desired  
The non-denial of her earnest suit,  
To use her body lowly prostitute.  
Nicetas, (fearing he should be by folly  
Conquered, and led to do what was unholy,)  
Bites off his tongue, and with a certain grace,  
He spits it out into her whorish face;  
So by this smarting wound he did prevent  
Sins sting, and consequently punishment.  
Nichomacus most sensible of pain,  
I am no Christian, cried; so was not slain:  
He had no sooner put his hand to evil,  
But was possessed with an unclean devil,  
And thrown with violence upon the ground,  
Bit off his tongue, and died of the wound.  
Many A postates were possessed, and some  
Suddenly struck, (were ever after) dumb.  
Though some thus fell away, others stood fast,  
Remaining glorious Martyrs to the last.  
But Decius not long securely slept:  
For conquered by the Goths, with's horse he leapt  
Into a whirlpool, and therein was drowned;  
Nor was his body ever after found.  
Yea, God throughout the Roman Empire spread  
A ten-years plague, t'avenge the blood was shed.  
Brotherly love the Christians showed t'each other,  
By visiting, relieving one another:  
But the Idolaters fled from, neglected,  
Cast out, not succoured, those that were infected:  
Shift only for themselves, go where they will,  
This spreading punisment pursued them still.  
Gallus succeeding (Decius being dead)  
This persecution continued:  
The weight of his displeasure fell most heavy  
Upon the shoulders of the Tribe of Levi.  
He banished Cyprian, and more Divines,  
Condemned others to the Metal-Mines:  
T'whom Cyprian wrote letters cons'latory  
Showing, affliction is the Saints true glory;  
Deep wounds and scars are to a Christian breast  
As Ornaments to bring them in request  
With God himself; to multiply their fame,  
And not as marks of stigmatised shame.  
And though the naked Mines afford no beds,  
Can they want ease that lay in Christ their heads?  
What if their aching bones lie o'th' cold floor?  
Is't pain to lie with Christ? say they are poor,  
Yet are they rich in faith: suppose their hands  
Be manacled, put ease coacted bands  
Hold their worn feet: Can he be said to be  
Fettered with chains, whom the Lord Christ doth free?  
He lies tied in the stocks, thereby whose feet  
To run a heavenly race become more fleet.  
Nor can a Christian be bound so fast,  
But his life's crown, adds wings unto his haste.  
They have no clothes, cold weather to resist:  
Can he be naked who hath put on Christ?  
Do they want bread? Christ is the bread of life,  
That cometh down from heaven, in him is rise:  
Man by the word which doth from God proceed,  
Is said to live, and not alone by bread.  
What matter is't though you deformed seem?  
You shall be honoured, and of great esteem:  
Your God will turn your miserable days  
To peace; your mournings into songs of praise:  
You sail through troublous Seas, to be possessed  
Of heaven, the haven of eternal rest,  
And do not grieve, because you are forbid  
To serve the Lord, (as formerly you did)  
In your Parochial places, God's inclined  
T'accept th' endeavours of a willing mind:  
The daily sacrifices you impart,  
God loves; a broken and a contrite heart  
His soul takes pleasure in: he doth regard,  
His servants tears, and will at last reward  
Fidelious breasts, which do confess his name:  
Promised he hath, and will perform the same.   

SECT. XII.  
The eighth Primitive Persecution, which began Anno Christi 259.  
VAlerian next adds fuel to the fire,  
And blows the flames of persecution higher;  
By an Egyptian Sorcerer beguiled,  
He now is cruel, who before was mild.  
The Christians are banished his Court,  
Where lately he allowed them to resort;  
Nor was this all; young men, maids, husbands, wives,  
All sorts, and ranks, must lose (dear hearts!) their lives.  
Three hundred souls, then by the Precedent  
Of Carthage were into a lime-kiln sent.  
Three Virgins first had Vinegar and gall  
Forced down their throats; then scourged, then racked and all  
Besmeared were with lime: then broiled, then cast  
To wild beasts, and beheaded at the last.  
When Cyprian long had born afflictions yoke,  
His neck submitted to the fatal stroke.  
Sixtus a Bishop of the City Rome,  
And his six Deacons, suffered Martyrdom.  
Laurence the seventh, as along he went  
With Sixtus going to his punishment,  
Complained he might not (seeing he had rather  
Suffer then live) die with his Reverend father.  
Sixtus replied, before three days were out  
He should come after: go and give about  
I'th' interim thy treasures to the poor:  
Th' observing Judge supposing he had store  
Of wealth crocked up, commanded him to bring  
All that he had: For to effect which thing,  
Laurence craved three day's respite; in which stock  
Of time, he gathered a poor Christian flock  
Into a ring; the fourth day doth afford  
New light, and he must now make good his word.  
Being enforced by a severer charge,  
Courageous Laurence doth his arms enlarge  
Over the needy throng, and said, These be  
The precious Jewels of the Church: see, see,  
Here treasure is indeed; here Christ doth dwell.  
But Oh! what tongue sufficiently can tell  
The raving fury which the Tyrant acted;  
How he did stamp, did stare like one distracted?  
His eyes did sparkle, his gnashed teeth struck fire,  
And's mouth all in a foam, thus wreaked his ire:  
Kindle the fire; Faggots on Faggots fling:  
What, doth the villain thus delude the King?  
Away, away with him; whip beat him sore;  
Jesteth the Traitor with the Emperor?  
Pinch him with red-hot tongs; let candent plates  
Engird the Rascals loins; heat, heat the grates;  
And when y'have bound the Rebel hand and foot;  
On with him, roast him, broil him: look you do't,  
On pain of our displeasure; toss him, turn him;  
I charge you, do not leave him till you burn him,  
And that to cinders too: each man fulfil  
His office quick, and execute my will.  
Revenge finds nimble hands; the tort'ters lay  
Him on a soft Downe-bed; I will not say,  
A fiery iron one: God made it so,  
That it afforded Lanrence ease, not woe.  
Valerians heart burns, Laurence flesh doth roft;  
'Tis doubtful whether was tormented most.  
Then Laurence thus:  
Tyrant, this side's enough: turn up the rest;  
Or roast or raw, try which thou likest best.   

SECT. XIII.  
The ninth Primitive Persecution, which began Anno Christi 278.  
Claudius', and after him Quintilian, (reign)  
(Both which but one and thrice three years did  
Maintained the Church's Peace: while they endured,  
The Saints were happy, and their lives secured.  
Aurelian, naturally severe and cruel,  
Succeeds; his rage fomented by the fuel  
Of misinforming sinister suggestions,  
Proved Tyrannous; his Nephew's life he questions;  
And questioning, abrepts: then he begun  
To stir up the ninth persecution.  
But thus it happened: while he went about  
To seal the Edict that was issuing out,  
There did a Thunderbolt so near him fall,  
That he was killed, 'twas the consent of all.  
The Emperor strake with such astonishment,  
Gave over his Tyrannical intent.  
He after six years' reign was murdered:  
And the Church forty four years flourished  
Under a various Emperor. O what peace  
Doth crown the Christians brows! what large increase  
Of honour doth betid them! they resort  
Unto the Court, who lately were a sport  
T'insulting foes: and they that were a prey,  
Are praised and prized: who now more great than they?  
While thus the Christians bathed themselves in quiet,  
Their natures drew them to excessive riot,  
T'indulge to idleness, to scold, and brawl  
For very trifles, or nothing at all;  
With railing words bespatt'ring one another,  
Moving sedition against each other:  
Bishops with Bishops; and the vulgar train  
Do with the vulgar altricate for gain:  
Thus, thus their sins increased every day,  
Till God's wrath came, where sin chalked out the way:  
And now the Christians enemies abound,  
Laying their Churches levelly with the ground;  
Burn sacred Writs. I'th'open market-places;  
Pursue their Priests, and load them with disgraces:  
Slanders and contumelious opprobries,  
Abhorred their Doctrine, and their words despise.   

SECT. XIV.  
The tenth Primitive Persecution, which began Anno Christi 308.  

Two Tyrants, Dioclesian in the West  
And Maximinian in the East, distressed  
The Saints of God: the foe-men overcome,  
They instituted solemn games at Rome,  
As glad memorials of their b'ing victorious:  
Nay Dioclesian was so vainglorious,  
He needs would be a god, and be adored  
By every bended-knee, as supreme Lord:  
Nor did he stick to say, that he was brother  
Unto the Sun and Moon, as was no other.  
His shoes adorned with gold and Precious stones,  
The people kneeling on their marrowbones  
He bid to kiss his feet, (O height of pride!)  
He persecution raised; at Easter tie  
Places of Divine worship he or'eturned;  
And in contempt the Sacred Scripture burned,  
Some Elders of the Church were torn in sunder;  
The rest variety of deaths went under.  
Sylvanus Bishop, with him thirty nine,  
Ended their sorrows in a Mettle-Mine.  
The Tyrian Christians (none this fury spares)  
Were cast to Lions, Leopards, and Bears  
Kept hungry for that purpose: malcontent,  
The beasts not touched them; their claws were bend  
At other preys; they vehemently rage  
'Gainst those which brought the Christians on the stage,  
And seized on them; who though they thought they stood  
Out of harms way, became the wild beasts food.  
And afterwards, these holy Martyrs slain,  
Were soon committed to the foaming main.  
The Syrian Pastors lay in prison chained;  
Zenobius a Physician, Brickbats brained.  
Yea good Serena Dioclesian's wife,  
Was for religions sake deprived of life.  
The Martyr's blood ran like a flowing tide,  
Such an innumerable number died.  
Upon a Christmas-day Maximinus fired  
A Church whereto the Christians retired,  
To celebrate that joyful day, wherein  
Jesus was born to save them from their sin.  
He also did a Phrygian City burn,  
And all th' inhabitants which would not turn.  
Forty young Gentlemen of good repute,  
Confessed their faith, and boldly did refute  
False ways: their names up to the Marshal gave,  
Who seeing them so gallantly behave  
Themselves, admitted, and stood in a quandary,  
What course to take; his anxious thoughts did vary:  
Resolved, he tried what fair words would do;  
proffering them money, and preferment too:  
They answered thus; We nothing do desire,  
But Christ alone; the wheel, the cross, the fire,  
Are easy pains. His eyes the Marshal casts  
Upon a pond exposed to northern blasts;  
Bids them be stripped unto their naked skin;  
'Twas winter weather, yet they must go in,  
There stay all night. We put not off our clothes,  
Say they, but our old man, which God so loathes.  
The pond received them, and the nipping frost  
Stiffened their members; breathe not fully lost  
When day appeared unto the wakened world,  
They were took out, and burned; their ashes hurled  
Into the gliding streams.—   

In France, in Colen Italy, and Spain,  
Were many millions of Christians slain,  
As witnessed unto the truth: in Trevers  
The brooks of blood discoloured ample Rivers.  
This persecution run along, and came  
Into our Britain, where the Christians flame.  
Besides the kinds of deaths, the torments were  
So great, that they unutterable are;  
As whip, scourge, rackings, hackings, mangling,  
Hangings, banging, prickings, kickings, stranglings,  
Smoaking, chokings, rosting, scorchings, spoilings,  
Cuttings, gutting, flaying, frying, broyling:  
Some manded to the mines, others were quartered;  
In brief, there were seventeen thousand Martyred  
In one months' space; yet still the Christians joyed,  
And still increased, the more they were destroy d.  
Galerius invading Antiech,  
Romanus runs, and tells the Christian flock,  
That wolves, which would devour them up, were near:  
But therewithal, exhorts them not to fear  
The greatest perils, but that young and old  
Would be courageous, resolute and bold,  
To hazard life and limb, for to maintain  
God's cause and theirs. With that, an armed train  
Poured in upon them; but the Christian throng  
Armed with the staff of faith, were too too strong  
For them to grapple with then: speedy word  
Was sent their Captain, that no power of sword  
Could e'er prevail; it was in vain to strive  
Against the stream Romanus yet alive.  
The ireful Captain, in a sum, commands  
Romanus be delivered to his hands.  
Romanus comes; thus did the Captain say,  
And art thou then the Author of this fray?  
Art thou the cause why thus so many fall?  
By jove I swear that answer for them all  
Thou shalt; and that ere thee and I do part,  
I'll make thee undergo the selfsame smart  
Thou dost encourage others to abide.  
Galerius ceased: Romanus thus replied;  
Tyrant, I hug, and willingly embrace  
Thy sentence; know, I count it no disgrace  
To be for my dear breth'rens sacrificed,  
By worst of torments that can be devised.  
Galerius raging at this answer stout,  
Commands his men to truss him and draw out  
His bowels. Th' executioners defer  
Such horrid deeds, and say, Not so good Sir,  
He is of noble Parents, and his breath  
May not be stopped by an ignoble death.  
Scourge him then sound, let your jerking lashes,  
Weighty with leaden knobs, cut wounds, and gashes.  
To whom Romanus used this expression;  
Not my descent, but Christianlike profession  
Nobilitateth me; be not therefore  
More favourable, but inflict the more:  
Your Idol worship I detest, despise,  
And all your superstitious fooleries.  
With that his sides, his naked sides, were lanced  
This bones; yet still this blessed Saint advanced  
The living God, and Christ, whom he hath sent:  
Then were his teeth struck out, for this intent  
He might not speak so audibly: his face  
Was buffeted, his cheeks were sliced; nor was  
This all; nails tear his eyelids: from his chin  
They plucked his beard, and with his beard the skin:  
Yet this meek Martyr said, I give to thee  
O Captain, thanks, for opening wide to me  
So many mouths, whereby to show the power  
Of God, and Jesus Christ my Saviour:  
Look Tyrant look, upon my various wound;  
So many mouths have I, God's praise to sound  
The Captain wondering at his constancy,  
Ceased to exercise more cruelty:  
Yet menaced to burn him, and did say  
Thy cru'fied Christ is but of yesterday,  
The Gentiles gods of longer standing are.  
Romanus takes occasion to declare  
Th' eternity of Christ: of seven year old  
Give me a child (said he) what he'll unfold  
Listen unto: From out the gazing throng  
A pretty boy is picked: Romanus tongue  
Bespeaks him thus; My Lamb, ought we not rather  
To worship Christ, and in this Christ one Father,  
Then a plurality of Deities?  
Speak, 'tis a good boy, speak: the Child replies,  
There needs must be but one God we conceive;  
That there are more, we children can't believe.  
Th'amazed Captain said, Young villain, where,  
And of whom learned thou this? my mother dear,  
He answered, taught it me; this from her breast  
I sucked in with my milk, that I must rest  
My faith in Christ alone, and in no other.  
In comes rejoicingly the sent-for mother;  
The child's horsed up and scourged, the standers by,  
With wat'ry eyes behold this cruelty;  
While the glad mother, a tear-less Spectator  
Chides her sweet babe, for ask for cold water:  
After that cup she chargeth him to thirst  
The babes drank of, which were in Bethlem nursed:  
Upon my blessing, I saac record,  
proffering his neck unto his father's sword.  
Then did the barbarous tormentor pull  
The hair, the skin, and all, from the child's scull.  
The mother cries, This pain will soon be gone;  
Suffer, my child, my sweet-saced child, anon  
Thou'lt pass to him, who will adorn thy head  
With an eternal crown, a crown indeed!  
Thus doth the mother cheer the child: the child  
Takes heart to grass, and in his pains he smiled.  
The Tyrant seeing how the Child stood fast,  
Himself subdued, commands him to be cast  
Into a stinking Dungeon, whilst that pain  
Unto Romanus was renewed again.  
Romanus is dragged forth, to have a fresh  
Supply of stripes, on his bemangled flesh.  
Discovering the bare bones, a second smart  
Augmenteth each already-wounded part.  
Nor was this yet enough; cut, pricked, and pounced  
He suddenly must be; then was denounced  
A final sentence 'gainst him, and the child;  
Both must be burned, their torments were too mild;  
The tort'rers did too favourably deal.  
Romanus boldly said, I do appeal  
From this ungodly sentence of thine own,  
To Christ his righteous Tribunal Throne,  
Who is an upright Judge; not that I fear  
Thy merc'less handling; no, I more can bear  
Then thou canst lay upon me; but that I  
May show thy judgements to be cruelty,  
The child's demanded of his mother; she,  
Embracing it, delivered it to be  
Bereaved of life; and when the fatal stroke  
Was given, Farewell, sweet child, Farewell, she spoke:   
All praise O Lord, with heart and word,  
Unto thy name we render:  
The Saints that die, are in thine eye  
Most precious, dear, and tender.  

The child's head's off, the mother tenderhearted  
Enwrapped it in her lap, and so departed.  
Romanus then into the fire is flung:  
A storm extinguished it; and now his tongue  
Must take a farewell of his head; his neck  
Becomes the subject of a halter's check.  
One Gordius having lived a certain time  
In deserts, counted it at last a crime  
Not to endure; he therefore when a game  
Was celebrated unto Mars, forth came,  
And up in a conspicuous place b'ing got,  
He said, I'm found of those that sought me not:  
Then apprehended, he his faith confesses;  
And in the midst of torment this expresses:  
God's my adjutor, Ah! why should I than  
Fear in the least the Tyranny of man?  
Nothing shall me dismay, that can fall out;  
Thou Lord art with me, fencing me about  
With Bulwarks of thy love; thy favour still  
Surrounds me: Ah! how can I then fear ill?  
These torments are but light, which I endure;  
Let heavier come. Tormentors, pray procure  
Substantialler than these; these are too small:  
Gibbits? and racks? as good have none at all.  
When foul means could not shake his faith in Christ,  
He was by specious promises enticed:  
But Gordius said, I do expect in heaven  
Greater preferments, then on earth are given.  
Now for this good man going to be burned,  
How many tenderhearted persons mourned!  
To whom he thus; Let not your brimfill'd-eyes  
Weep showers for me, but for God's enemies;  
Who make a fire for us, But in conclusion,  
Purchase a greater to their own confusion:  
O weep for them, or none; good people curb  
Those gliding streams, and do not thus disturb  
My calmed mind: for truly I could bear  
A thousand deaths for Christ, and never fear.  
Some pitied him, while others, standing by,  
Persuade him to deny Christ verbally,  
And to himself reserve his conscience.  
My tongue, said he, will under no pretence  
Deny its donor: unto righteousness  
Our hearts believe, but 'tis our tongues confess  
Unto salvation; O let me excite  
You all to suffer for a cause so right:  
Good folks, fulfil a dying man's desire.  
So said, he ceased, and leaped into the fire.  
One Menas, an Egyptian born and bred,  
Leaving his temporal subsistence, led  
A solitary life, in desert places;  
Where he might wholly exercise his graces,  
In fasting, prayer, meditation, fit  
And dil'gent reading of the sacred Writ.  
At last returned to Cot is, when the crowd  
Were at their pastimes, he proclaimed aloud  
Himself to be a Christian: then surprised,  
His faith in God more boldly he agnized.  
Torments ensued; no torments could revoke  
His mind, but thus he confidently spoke:  
In my mind, nothing comparable is  
To the enjoyment of eternal bliss:  
Nay, all the world, if put into one scale,  
Is lighter than one soul: Who can prevail,  
To disunite us from the love of Christ?  
Can tribulation? anguish? he's the highest;  
To him will I look up; he bids me fear not  
Those that can kill me bodily, but are not  
Able to hurt the soul: but fear him who  
Hath power to slay the soul and body too,  
And fling them into hell. Having received  
The final sentence, up to heaven he heaved  
His eyes, hands, heart, and said: O Lord my maker,  
Thanks be to thee, in that I am partaker  
Of Christ his precious blood: thou hast not let  
My foes devour me, but hast beset  
My heav'n-fixed soul with such true constancy,  
That in the faith I lived, for that I die.  
The lift up axe, upon his neck falls down,  
And so he lost his head, but found a Crown.  
In Portugal a Noble Virgin named  
Eulalia, of twelve years old, inflamed  
With holy zeal, most earnestly desired  
To suffer death, and heartily required  
The blessed assistance of God's willing arm,  
And faith all her corruptions to charm:  
Her godly Parents, fearing she should come  
T'antimely death, did keep her close at home;  
But she (not brooking long delay) by night  
Stole out of doors, by that time it was light  
She came into the City, and appearing  
Before the Judge, spoke boldly in his hearing:  
What, no Shame in you? will you still be bend  
To shoot your arrows at the innocent?  
Never have done (because no power controls)  
To break their bodies, and afflict their souls?  
Are you desirous what I am to know?  
I am a Christian, and an open foe  
Unto your diabolick sacrifices:  
As for your Idols, them my soul despises:  
I do acknowledge, with my voice and heart,  
Th'all-powerful God: Hangman, in every part  
Come cut and mangle me, dishead me, burn me;  
What ever thou canst do, shall never turn me.  
Alas! alas! my flesh is too too weak,  
And may be conquered; thou mayst easily break  
This brittle Casket: but my inward mind  
A jewel is which thou shalt never find.  
Then thus the angry Judge; Here Hangman, take her,  
Drag her out by the hair, to torments; make her  
Be sensible of what our Gods can do,  
And we: But yet before thou undergo  
A miserable end, O sturdy girl,  
I'd fain have thee recant; life is a pearl  
Too precious to lose: call but to mind  
Thy Noble Birth, and be not so unkind  
To thine own self as to neglect thy fortune;  
Methinks the glistering Bridebed should importune  
Thee to preserve thy life: bar not thine ears,  
But be entreated by thy Parents tears,  
Not to contemn th' Aurora of thy time;  
The flower of thy youth is in its prime,  
And wilt thou slight it now? well, if thou wilt,  
Know, that to make thee answer for thy guilt,  
Engines are ready; if thou'lt not be turned,  
Thou shalt beheaded be, or racked, or burned:  
What a small matter is't, not worth this strife,  
To strew incense? yet that shall save thy life.  
Eulalia not replied, but spurned abroad  
The incense heaps, and did with spittle load  
The tyrant's face: the Hangmaa having retched her;  
With wilde-beasts talons to the hard bones scratched  
But she ceased not to praise the Lord, and prize (her.  
Th' attainment of these sublime dignities.  
With th' iron grate her mangled bodies gored;  
Her breasts, with flaming torches are devoured;  
Her long hair set on fire: she opened wide  
Her mouth, and sucked in the flame, and died.  
The Judge told Agues, if she did refuse  
To sacrifice, there was a common stews,  
And in she should: the chaste religious maid  
Unto the flock'd-lascivious youngsters said,  
Christ will not suffer this (I tell you true)  
This spotless soul to be defiled by you  
By you base slaves to lust: then was she placed  
Naked i'ch'street, and publicly disgraced:  
Amongst the rest, one scoffing at her shame,  
A flame like to a flash of lightning came  
And struck out both his eyes; he falling down,  
Did wallow in the dirt, while she did crown  
Her soul in praising God: the Judge sends word  
To th'executioner to sheathe his sword  
In her warm bowels; Agnes maketh haste  
To meet with him; she cannot run so fast.  
O this (said she) this, this is he whom I  
Am taken with: I long, I long to die:  
My breast stands fair; thrust soldier, if thou wilt,  
Thy glittering rapier up unto the hilt.  
Dear Father open wide the gates of heaven  
To entertain my soul: her life's bereaven.    

SECT. XV.  
The Persecution of the Christians in Perfia, under Sapores, about the same time.  
ANd now the Persian Magicians bring  
In accusations, to Sapores King,  
Against the Christians, for their adhering  
To Constantine the Great, (a crime past clearing.)  
The King incensed herewith, with taxes, fines,  
Oppressed them sore, and killed their Divines:  
Simeon their Priest was into prison sent,  
For slighting Idol-gods; and as he went,  
Vsthazares (a Christian of late,  
Since sall'n away) who at the Courtgate sat,  
Espying him led by, obeisance did him:  
But Simeon for Apostatising chid him.  
The conscious Eunuch suddenly let fall  
A briny shower; his costly garments all  
Laid by, he mourned, and with dejected face,  
Deplored thus his lamentable case:  
Ah me! with what a brazen brow shall I  
Look upon God, seeing Simeon doth deny  
His kind salute? He to the King must go,  
Who gently asked him why he mourned so?  
If in my Palace thou want'st any thing  
Speak man, and by the honour of a King  
It shall be thine: that tolerable were;  
But Ah! who can a wounded spirit bear?  
'Tis this (said he) that acerbates my woe;  
I live, who should have died long ago;  
This Sun I see, to which I seemed to bow  
Thereby denying Christ, to pleasure you;  
I'll take a solemn vow, for to adore  
The great Creator, not the Creature more.  
The King adjudged him to lose his head;  
And at his death at his request 'twas spread,  
Here's one that suffers not for any treason,  
But for religion, and no other reason.  
The Christians which disheartened had been  
By his Apostasy he sought to win  
By his profession and example too,  
To take new courage, and to undergo  
The like if need required. Good Simeon  
Rejoiced, and praised the Lord for what was done.  
When the next Sun had raised them from their beds,  
He and a hundred more all lost their heads.  
The King decreed, no mercy should be used  
To them which to adore the Sun refused.  
The sword ranged over all the Persian bounds;  
Devoured whole Cities, and unpeopled towns.  
In brief, in all, during Sapore's reign  
Were more than sixteen thousand Christians slain,   

SECT. XVI.  
The Church's Persecution under Julian the Apostata, Anno Christi 365.  
NO sooner was Constantius deceased,  
Julian his nephew, of the West and East  
Is made sole Emperor: he from his youth  
Was well instructed in religion's truth:  
His good behaviour and ingenious parts,  
Made him a Loadstone to attract all hearts.  
In brief, he had (what's difficult to find)  
The rare endowments of a virtuous mind.  
But he Apostatised: Satan his tutor,  
Learned him to be the Church's persecutor:  
He opened the Idol- Fanes, locked up before;  
And when the Christian faith grew more and more  
By torments, he was pitiful and mild,  
And by his gifts and flatteries beguiled  
The weaker sort, who avarous of gaia,  
Were drawn aside: he also did ordain,  
That none professing Christianity,  
Master of any Art should dare to be,  
Or any Officer: he did suborn  
Jesters, to load them with contempt and scorn:  
Himself put none to death; yet did the crew  
Of Heathenish Idolaters imbrue  
Their hands in Christian gore, brained them with stones,  
And tore the flesh from off their naked bones;  
Drenched some in scalding water; some were stipped  
Stark naked; others had their bellies ripped  
And stuffed with barley, for the greedy swine  
To champ upon; while some with famine pine,  
Some smeared with honey up against the Sun,  
In baskets hung, for Wasps to feed upon.  
The children neither spared father nor mother,  
Nor parents chil'rens; no nor brother brother.  
The flesh-deprived bones of some were mixed  
With ass' bones: here hangs on crucifixed,  
And there's one dragged about the streets; a third  
Is taken captive like a twiglimed bird.  
When Julian sacrificed to Fortune, one  
Maris, Bishop of blind-eyed Chaleedon,  
Sharply rebuked him, called him impious man,  
Apostate, Atheist: to whom Julian  
Retorts, Blind fool, thy God of Galiles  
Will not restore thy fight, and make thee see.  
Maris replied, I am not so unkind,  
As not to thank my God which made me bliade,  
Lest that mine eyes, (turned from a better fight,)  
Upon thy so ungracious face should light.  
Cyrillus, Deacon in Higher apolis,  
Demolished the Gentiles Images;  
He's took, his belly's ripped, his liver drawn  
Out of his body, with their teeth is gnawn.  
A little tract of time b'ing wheeled about,  
Their tongues were rocted, and their teeth fell out  
Of their loose sockecs; their blind eyes no more  
Beheld the objects they beheld before.  
While of Apollo's Delphic Oracle  
Julian enquired, a flash of lightning fell  
From the collided clouds, which overturned  
The Temple, and Apollo's Image burned.  
The fines were more than they were sessed at:  
He scoffed them thus; You ought to undergo  
All wrongs: does not your God command you so?  
Ath'nafius said, This persecution  
Is but a little cloud, 
Beati Pauperes.  'twill soon be gone,   

SECT. XVII.  
The Church's Persecution under the Arrian Heretics, which began An. Christi 339.  
GReat Constantine, a while before he died,  
Amongst his sons did equally divide  
His Empire; to the rule he did assign  
Constantius, Constans, and Constantine:  
Constantius, that governed the East,  
Was soon seduced by an Arrian priest;  
Who him informed, that Athanasius  
Return from exile was pernicious  
Unto the public good: incensed then,  
The Emperor sent five thousand armed men  
To cut him short: the Church was round beset,  
Yet he from them mirac'loufly did get;  
Though many Arrians cast their eyes about  
For this intent, t'indigitate him out;  
Not much unlike a sheep ordained for slaughter:  
Nor could this good man live in quiet after,  
In banishment till he was forced to hide  
In a deep pit, where he no light espied  
For twice three years; and at last by a maid  
That used to bring him food, he was betrayed:  
But God's directing spirit did befriend him;  
He scaped, before they came to apprehend him.  
Thirty Egyptian Bishops slain; twice seven  
Were banished; some in their way took heaven.  
In Alexandria (the Arrians urged)  
Twice twenty Orthodox Divines were scourged.  
The Emperor, at his approaching death,  
Grieved for his changing of the Nicene faith.  
Valens held on these damnable designs  
'Gainst Christians; fourscore eminent Divines  
He shipped, and fired; so they resigned their breath,  
By patient suffering of a double death.  
Many he caused to be crushed to shivers;  
Some to be drowned i'th' Sea, others in rivers;  
Some in the deserts wandered up and down,  
Clothed in sheepskins, pitied by none:  
While othersome, (so put unto their shifts,)  
Lurked in dens and hollow rocky cliffs.  
At last this Tyrant from the Goths did fly,  
Who fired a village o'er his head, whereby  
He miserably died: unto his name  
Leaving behind a monument of shame.   

SECT. XVIII.  
The Persecution by the Donatists, Anno Christi 410.  
THe Donatists, and Circumcellions,  
In Sunburnt Africa, raised rebellions:  
The Orthodox, innumerable wrongs  
Lay under; Bishops lost their hands and tongues:  
And others, that remained sincere and sound,  
This barbarous outrage either hanged or drowned;  
Their goods are plundered, and their houses turned  
To heaps of eindars, and their Fanes are burned.  
The sacred Scriptures are by flames devoured;  
Wives are defiled, and Virgins are deflowered.  
Where ever these profane Schisma ticks came,  
They holy things profaned; nor was't a shame  
Counted amongst them, but a grace, to feed  
Their mongrel curs with Sacramental bread.  
But God's just judgements did not long forbear:  
The Dogs run mad, and their own Master's tear.  
These furious persons, cast into the stocks  
The godly Christians, and the Orthodox:  
All Africa o'er, they empty out their gall,  
Destroying many, and affrighting all.   

SECT. XIX  
The Persecution of the Church in Africa, by the Arrian Vandals, Anno Christi 427.  
THe Vandals, under Genserick's command  
Removed their Quarters from th' Iberian land,  
And marched to Africa: as along they went,  
Cut down the shrubs, which yielded aliment  
To the dispersed Saints; what e'er they found  
Unruined, they laid level with the ground.  
The Min'sters sinking underneath their loads,  
Are pricked forward with sharp-pointed goads.  
Some had (until they cracked again) their legs  
Wrested with bowstrings: grease and oily dregs,  
Salt-water, stinking mire, and Vinegar,  
Into the mouths of others forced are.  
The Reverend grey hairs, from them obtained  
No mercy: as for infants, they were brained,  
Or torn in pieces from the fundament.  
The Carthaginian Senators were sent  
To wander in exile; without respect  
To sex, or age, the Roman City's sacked.  
Upon A sceation-day, a Christian train  
Meeting at Church, were by these her'ticks slain.  
There was a Noble man, named Satyrus',  
The Tyrant seeing him, bespoke him thus:  
YE had best to execute my just commands,  
Or you shall forfeit else, your house and lands;  
Your wife shall marry one that drives the plough;  
Your children shall be sold: nor did this bow  
The good man's faith; his wife hearing her doom  
Was to be married to a scurvy groom,  
Runs to her husband doth her fine clothes tear,  
And rents from off her head her curious hair;  
Her brood of children hanging at her heels,  
A suckling in her arms, than down she knelt,  
And said (my deatest) Oh some pity take  
On thy poor wife: O for the Lord Chrift's sake  
Let not thy bantlings under slavery tyre,  
Nor me be linked to a filthy Squire.  
Be ruled, sweet heart, if by constraint thouart brought  
To act amiss, thine will not be the fault.  
He thus; Thou speakest like a foolish wife,  
Acting the Devil's part; thy husband's life  
If thou didst dearly tender, as thou shouldst,  
Entice him so to fin, thou never wouldst;  
Which will procure a second death to me,  
Worse than the first; I am resolved to be  
Obedient therefore to my God's commands,  
And quite forsake wife, children, house, and lands,  
To b'his Disciple. Scarce these words were out,  
He was despoiled of all, and sent about  
The Country begging. Genserick being dead:  
Hunrick succeeded in his father's stead.  
Well night five thousand that did Christ profess,  
He banished into the wilderness:  
He made his Courtiers dig the earth for corn,  
And brought the women into public scorn.  
Mothers their little children followed,  
Right glad that Martyrs they had born and bred.  
One leading by the hand her little Son,  
Hasting t'oretake them, said, Run Sirrah, run;  
Seest how the Saints do trudge along? how fast  
They make unto their crown? hast, sirrah, haft.  
She's thus rebuked: How now? why do you go  
So speedy? woman, whither haste you so?  
She thus replied; Good folks pray pray for me,  
I go to exile with this child you see,  
For fear the enemies corrupt his youth,  
And so misled him from the ways of truth.  
As the Saints went along to banishment,  
Multitudes followed, and with one consent  
Flinging their children down, did this express;  
And must we then be wedded to distress?  
While you haste to your crown, what will become  
Of us (poor wretches as we are) at home?  
What Ministers have we (you gone) to feed  
Our hungry souls with sacramental bread?  
Who shall baptise our infants? tell us who  
Instruct us? w'have a greater mind to go  
Then stay behind: but Ah! our feeble strength  
Will not hold out so great a journey's length.  
Now they that went, and could not mend their paces,  
Were dragged by the Moors, through rugged places;  
Their flesh all rent and torn; they that were stronger  
Came to the wilderness, to kill their hunger,  
And barely are allowed; the Scorpions crawll  
About them, but do them not hurt at all  
With their lethif'rous sting: thus God did please  
After affliction to send them ease.  
Hunrick sends Mandates throughout Africa,  
That all the Bishops should by such a day  
At Carthage meet, on purpose by dispute  
To prop their faith; and if they could confute  
The Arrian Bishops: now the time drew near,  
And they according to command appear.  
Dispute began; The Orthodox thought best  
To cull out some, to answer for the rest.  
The Arrians placed themselves on sublime thrones;  
These stood o'th' ground, and said, Inequal ones  
Are too unfit to hold an argument,  
No, no, it is by general consent,  
That Disputants the controversy rear  
On equal terms, until the truth be clear.  
An hundred strokes, on every one were laid  
For this bold speech; whereat Eugevius said,  
The Lord in mercy look upon our woes,  
And mark our sufferings under raging foes.  
The Arrian Bishops moved to propound  
What they intended, at the first, gave ground,  
Declining the dispute: the Orth'dox than  
A Declaration of their faith, did pen,  
And did it with this protestation show:  
What our belief is, if you long to know,  
Here 'tis: the Arrians stormed at this thing,  
Gave them foul words, accused them to the King;  
He all of them out of the City turned;  
Who them relieved, must by his Law be burned.  
The Bishops which i'th' open fields did lie,  
Bespoke the Tyrant as he passed by:  
What evil have we done? we fain would know  
The reason why we are afflicted so;  
If we be called to dispute, we crave  
Why are we thus despoiled of all we have?  
Why must we live on dunghills, in distress,  
Afflicted, housless, cold, and comfortless?  
He bids, and over them his horsemen ride;  
Many are bruised sore, than they denied,  
B'ing urged, unto an oath to put their hands;  
And said, Our God contrarily commands:  
Nor are we madmen, or such fools, as that  
We should subscribe, before we know to what.  
This was the tenor of the oath then read:  
You all shall swear, that when the King is dead  
Hildrick shall reign, and that no man shall send  
Letters beyond the seas. The King your friend,  
Upon your taking it, will you restore  
Unto the Churches you were at before.  
They that did not, and also they that did  
Were all enslaved, and to preach forbid.  
What doleful outcries! what heartrending groans  
Were throughout Africa caused by bloody ones!  
With cudgels, either sex and age was banged:  
Here, some they burned; there they others hanged.  
Women, and naked gentlewomen were  
Openly tortured, all their bodies bare.  
Fair Dionysia bolder the rest,  
Thus the conceptions of her mind expressed:  
Afflict your fill, God's favour I have got;  
Only my womanhood disclose you not.  
These words scarce out, they more enraged stripped her,  
Exposed her to all eyes, and sound whipped her,  
Until the blood flowed down: that which you broach,  
Satanick slaves (said she) for my reproach,  
Is my best garland. Then she wisely cheered  
Her young and only son, who persevered  
Patient in all his pains, till he disbursed  
His spirit unto him that gave it first.  
Hunrick b'ing dead, succeeding Gundabund  
Twice six years tyrannised: mild Thrasamund  
And Ild'rick ruled well. But in conclusion,  
Bell'zarius brought the Vandals to confusion,  
After they ninety years had been a rod  
To scourge the Saints and Israel of God.    

THE Persecution of the Church Under the PAPACY.  

SECT. XX.  
The Persecution of the Waldenses, which began Anno Christi 1160.  
WHen the black cloak of Popery was hurled  
Upon the shoulders of the christian world,  
The saints still laboured to dispel away  
Those shades Cimmerian, and reveal the day  
With truth's bright lustre; and withal divest  
The Roman glory. One among the rest,  
A learned and godly man at Lions, whose name  
Was Peter Valdo, much opposed the same;  
Declaring plainly Transubstantiation  
To be no better than an Innovation:  
He moved the credulous people to embrace  
The precious offers of the means of grace.  
They which unto his Doctrine gave respect,  
From him were called the Waldensian Sect:  
Which like a Snowball rolling down a hill,  
Decreased nothing, but increased still.  
Though every day and hour the Martyrs bleed,  
Yet is the Martyr's blood the Church's seed.  
This her'sy in a thousand Cities swarms,  
Maintaining seventy thousand men of arms:  
Nor could the popish Canons, Constitutions,  
Curses, Decrees, alter their resolutions:  
To suffer wrong, in body, goods, or name,  
For Christ his sake, was counted not a shame.  
Valdo yet still proceeds (nor can he hope  
Long life) to publish to the world, the Pope  
Is Antichrist; the Mass abominable;  
The Host an Idol; Purgator' a fable.  
Pope Innocent the third, 
Anno 1198  did authorise  
Monkish Inquisitors for to surprise  
These Her'ticks (as he called them) by process,  
That so the sec'lar power might them suppress,  
Is any rich, the inquis'cors had a trick  
To make him poor, Oh he's an Heretic,  
Let him have such a death; no power controlled  
Or curbed them in; but what they would, they would.  
If any, water, or a pad of straw,  
Gave to the Saints, he was condemned by law.  
If any advocate, assayed to plead  
His kinsman's cause an Action indeed!  
And if an Heir, his father that way leans,  
And that's enough to rob him of his means.  
Nay, for to keep the people in more awe,  
They prisoners do in their processions draw  
Triumphantly; enjoining them to vex  
And scourge themselves; with ropes about their necks,  
A torch in either hand, others along  
Must pass, to terrify the gazing throng.  
Besides all these, they have a thousand Quirks;  
They send cut some to fight against the Turks  
And Infidels; (no need to seek for heirs)  
Their houses, goods, and chattels, all are theirs.  
At their return, if any asked their wives  
Who lay with them? They 'ndangered their lives.  
The foes confessed, they had not wherewithal  
To build up prisons for th' accused all:  
And yet for all this persecution, there  
Above eight hundred thousand Christians were. 
Anno 1260.   
The faith increased, and with a prosperous gale  
Climbed o'er the Alps came to Pragela's vale;  
From thence the people bordered upon  
St. Martin, Piedmont, La peruse Angrogne.  
Wander there did innumerable flocks  
Upon the craggy cliffs, and algid rocks.  
Above three thousand being hid in caves,  
Were stifled by these marblehearted slaves.  
The poor Waldenses by their prayers and tears  
Oft moved the Lord to free them from their fears.  
Two horsemen flying, cried, They come, they come;  
Another while, the beating of a drum  
Caused their foe's retreat: which stones, and slings,  
They thousands killed at several skirmishings.  
Thus God for his despised Saints did fight.  
A handful putting numerous foes to flight.  
But when the godless party overcame,  
They did commit their captives to the flame,  
Or hanged them up, or cut them out in quarters;  
All which discouraged not the glorious Martyrs.  
Through the industrious Waldenses toil,  
Abundant store of Corn, and Wine, and Oil,  
Enriched Calabria; And God did bless  
Their pains in Provence, with the like success.  
At last when freely they the Gospel's worth  
Began to publish, Pope Pins the fourth  
Disturbing them, they left behind their goods,  
With wives and children flying into th' woods;  
But were pursued; some slain and others wounded,  
Some famine-pined souls in caves were found dead,  
And they that were of St. Xist and la Guard,  
Were racked, stripped whipped nor old nor young was  
Panza slays eighty, and stakes up their joints (spared  
For thirty miles together; he appoints  
A quarter to each stake, Merindol Town  
Was razed by oped, and battered down,  
The Cabrierians brought into a field,  
Were hacked to pieces cause they would not yield,  
And in a barn replenished with straw  
Women were fired. oped himself did draw  
Young Infants from their mother's ●ip'd-up bellies;  
His men killed them of Aix and Marseilles;  
Some two and two, together bound, they slew  
And boots of scalding oil (O cruel) drew  
On others legs, But heaven at last decreed  
A woeful end, to that accursed oped.  
The Waldenses, which into Albs came,  
Of Albigenses thence received the name,  
Pope Al'xander the third, his wrath did smoke  
When they shook off his Antichristian yoke;  
He them condemned as Het'ticks, yet they spread,  
And many potent Towns inhabited:  
Nay many Lords, and Earls, did with them side,  
Against the Pope, and constantly denied  
The Romish faith, and resolutely spoke  
Their willingness to suffer for Christ's sake.  
Beziers was stormed by the Pilgrim train,  
And in it sixty thousand persons slain.  
The Legate says, Soldiers kill old and young,  
For why? God knoweth those to him belong.  
The Catholics besieged and battered down  
On the inhab'tants heads Carcasson Town.  
When Baron Castle was surprised, th' enclosed  
Of th' Albigenses were diseyed, disnosed,  
Then sent to Cab'ret with an one-eyed guide.  
Yet still like gold that's in a furnace tried,  
The Saints, appeared; their sparkling zeal like fire  
Blown by afflictions bellows, blazed the higher.  
Now Luther rose, the Antichristian terror,  
And those that were seduced, reduced from error.   

SECT. XXI.  
The Persecution of the Church of God in Bohemia, which began Anno Christi 894.  
BOrivojus, Duke of Bohemia,  
Entering the confines of Moravia,  
By a strange providence was Christianized,  
And with him thirty Pal'tines were baptised.  
At his return, he raised from the ground  
Churches, and Schools; and all the Country round  
Flocked thither: many of the Noble race,  
As well as Commons, did the Truth embrace.  
Malicious Satan env'ing the progress  
The Gospel made, 'gainst those that it profess  
Raised persecution up: Borivojus  
Is sent into exile. Sanguineous  
Drahomira ' the Christian temples locks,  
Forbidding Ministers to tend their flocks;  
And in the silent night, three hundred lives  
Paid tribute to the bloody cutthroats knives.  
But Gods just Judgement, Drahomira followed,  
The opening earth, her and her Cart up swallowed.  
The Popish party having got the day,  
Did all the obvious Bohemians slay.  
At Cuttenburge four Thousand souls were thrown  
Into the Metal-Mines; O hearts of stone!  
The Priests cry out, Blow out, good people, blow  
These sparks, before into a flame they grow:  
Water is used; the more they did endeavour  
To drown the Saints, they flamed more than ever:  
Many are scourged, some sent into exile.  
Two Germane Merchants brought unto the pile,  
Exceedingly encouraged one another:  
One says, Since Christ hath suffered (dear brother)  
For wretched us, let's do the same likewise  
For him; and such a highbred savour prize,  
That we are counted worthy so to die  
For his sweet sake: the other did reply,  
The joy that in my Marriage-day I found,  
Was small to this; O this doth more abound!  
Both cried aloud, (the Faggots set on fire)  
Blessed Christ, thou in thy torments didst desire  
Thine enemies' peace; the like we also crave:  
Forgive the King; let not the Clergy have:  
Thy scalding vengeance; O forbear to plague  
The poor misled inhabitants of Prague:  
O be thou pleased to let them Scot-free go:  
For Ah! poor souls, they know not what they do;  
Their hands are full of blood: they prayed and wept;  
And wept and prayed, till in the Lord they slept.  
On Noblemen intolerable Fines  
Were laid; two hundred eminent Divines  
Are exiled; some are burned; others brained;  
Some shot to death; with blood the earth's destained.  
The Martyrs one by one, that were in hold,  
Are called forth; who resolutely bold  
Hast to their sufferings, with as great content,  
As if they had unto a banquet went.  
When one was called for, he thus expressed  
Himself, in taking leave of all the rest:  
Farewell, dear friends, Farewell; the Lord support  
Your spirits, that you may maintain the fort  
Against the common foe; and make you stout,  
And resolute to keep all battery out;  
That what you lately with your mouths professed,  
You may by your so glorious death attest.  
Behold, I lead the way, that I may see  
My Saviour's glory; you will follow me  
To the fruition of my father's sight.  
O how my soul is ravished with delight!  
This very hour all sorrow bids, adieu  
To my glad heart: O now my joys renew:  
Transcendent joys! heaven and eternity  
Is mine, is mine. Then did the rest reply,  
God go along with you: O heaven we pray  
Assist thy servant, in his thorn-paved way.  
O may the willing Angels come to meet  
Thy obvious body, and direct thy feet  
Into thine, and our Father's Mansion:  
Go, go, dear brother go; and we anon  
Shall follow after, and be all received  
To bliss through Christ in whom we have believed.  
Farewell, farewel; let equal joys betid  
To us that follow, and to you our guide.  
First the Lord Schlick, a man as wise as grave,  
Condemned to be quartered, did behave  
Himself most gallantly, and said, My doom  
Me pleaseth well, what care I for a Tomb?  
A Sepulchre is but an easy loss;  
Fear death? not I: welcome my crown, my cross:  
Let, let these limbs be scattered here and there;  
I have God's favour, and I do not fear  
The worst that foes can do: see how the Sun  
Displays his shining beams. Jesuits be gone,  
And build not Castles in the empty air,  
For I dare die for Christ; I that I dare.  
Be pleased, blessed Jesus, through deaths dark night,  
To Manu-duct me to eternal light;  
Eternal light! O what a happy sound  
That word reports! my soul, at a rebound  
Catch heaven, catch heaven: no sooner had he spoke,  
But he submitted to the fatal stroke:  
His right hand, and his head (lop'd off his shoulders)  
Are hung on high, to terrify beholders.  
The Lord Wenceslaus, seventy years old,  
B'ing next, was asked, why he was so bold  
In Fred'ricks' cause: he said, My conscience run  
Along with me; and what is done, is done.  
My God, lo here I am, dispose of me,  
Thine aged servant, as best pleaseth thee:  
O send that grim-looked messenger, that stays  
For none, to end these miserable days;  
May I not see the ruins that do wait  
Upon our sinking, our declining State.  
Behold this Book; my Paradise was never  
So cordial as now: Judges, persever  
In sucking Christian blood; but know, God's ire  
Shall smoak you for't. Up starts a cowled Friar,  
And said, Your Judgement errs. With this reply,  
He answered him, I on the truth rely,  
And not on bare opinion; Christ's the Way,  
The Truth, the Life; in him I cannot stray.  
Then stroking his prolixed beard, he said,  
My grey hairs honour serves you: having prayed,  
And given his soul to Christ his Saviour,  
His cut-off head was fixed on the Tower.  
Lord Harant next was called, who bravely said,  
I've travelled far, and many journeys made  
Through barbarous countries and escaped dangers  
By sea and land▪ yet was my life by strangers  
Surrepted not; b'ing safe returned home,  
My friends and Countrymen my foes become:  
For whom I, and my Grandsires have let fall  
And wasted our estates, our lives and all.  
Forgive them father; I O Lord have grounded  
My faith in thee; let me not be confounded.  
Then on the Scaffold thus: O Lord, I give  
My spirit into thine hands; in hope to live  
By Christ his death, according to thy word:  
And so he yielded to the murderous sword.  
Sir Caspar Kaplitz, eighty six years old,  
Said to the Minister, Behold behold  
Me a decrepit wretch, whose frequent prayers  
Have begged deliverance from this vale of tears;  
But all in vain: for to be gazed upon  
By the world's eyes I'm kept; God's will be done,  
Not mine; my death to mortal eyes may seem  
Disgraceful, but 'tis rich in God's 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)  
Bespoke him thus; My Noble Lord, as you  
Commended have your soul to Christ, so now  
Advance your hoary head to God: he tried  
What he could do: his head struck off, he died.  
Then the Lord Oito, a judicious man,  
Having received the sentence, thus began:  
And do you then, O Caesar still think good  
For to stabilitate your throne with blood?  
Can God be pleased 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 pleased as them together gather,  
And clothe them with their skin; these very eyes  
Shall see my Lord, where e'er 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 perplexed at first; but now; I bless  
My God, I find a change: I was not troubled  
So much, but now my joys are more redoubled;  
I fear not death; now death hath lost her sting:  
To die with joy O 'tis 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 spoke,  
Lord save thy servant; Oh some pity take:  
I am thy creature; O let me inherit  
Christ-purchased glory: Lord receive my spirit.  
Next, Dionysius Zervius (that stormed  
Against the saints; but) when he was informed  
Of Gospel-truths, how Christ procured rest  
For those believed, he forthwith smote his breast,  
And fetched 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 find,  
Yet God will not despise my contrite mind;  
Upon these knees, these bended knees, I call  
For mercy; mercy, Lord: although I fall,  
Help me to rise in thee: My foe's control  
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 arraigned;  
Who said, I have a greater privilege gained,  
Then if the King had spared me, and augmented  
My restored substance; and am more contented.  
God is our witness, that we only sought  
Religion's Liberty; for that we fought:  
Who, though weare 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 know'st, thou know'st that I resign  
Myself unto thee, and am wholly thine.  
Put not thy servant off with long delay,  
But take me hence: sweet Jesus come away.  
The Sheriff came for him; he rejoicing said,  
Blessed be God: then towards him he made.  
Upon the Scaffold, he himself did cheer  
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.  
Climb up my soul, climb up to be embraced  
In Christ his arms: and so he breathed his last.  
Valentine Cockan spoke to this effect,  
Upon the Scaffold: Gracious Lord, direct  
My feeble steps; O let deaths valley be  
A Passport to the clearer view of thee;  
For why? thy word hath been my hidden treasure;  
O what satiety of joy and pleasure  
Take residence with thee! there's nothing can  
Afford my soul more satisfaction than  
thyself fruition: Lord, my spirit flies  
Into thy Courts: so having said, he dies.  
Next, Toby Steffick's brought, a man whose heart  
Walked upright with his God; though like a cart  
Pressed with afflictions sheaves, to heaven he heaved  
His wasted eyes, and said, I have received  
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 cheerfully embrace  
Thy pleasure, Lord; I come to bear the cross;  
O be thou pleased to purge away my dross:  
Calcine my soul; obliterate my sins;  
And make me pure against that day begins.  
He prayed; and having drunk the lethal cup,  
His spirit into heaven ascended up.  
Doctor Jessenius after him was Martyred,  
His tongue cut out, head off, his body quartered  
(Citing the saying of Ignatius)  
Cheers his co-sufferers, We are God's corn,  
Sown in the Church's field, and must be torn  
By beasts, to fit us for our Master's use:  
But here's our comfort, one a bloody sluice  
The Church is founded, and hath been augmented  
By blood, nor shall the opened vein be stented.  
The blow must now be fetched; his soul he gave  
To heaven, his body to the gaping grave.  
Then being called to execution;  
I come, said he; a pious resolution  
Takes up my heart; I'm not ashamed, nor sorry  
To suffer these (nay worse things) for his glory;  
I have, I have, by my heav'n-borrowed force  
Fought faith's good fight, and finished my course.  
Then praying, Father, in thy hands I leave  
My spirit; he did a Martyr's 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 enrolled  
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 Martyrdom.  
Next Maximilian Hoslialeck,  
(Whom Learning, Worth, and Piety did deck:)  
After the sentence past, one asked him  
The reason why he looked so dull, so grim,  
And sadder than the rest: To rel the truth,  
The sins (said he) I acted in my youth  
Come now afresh into my mind: for though  
I know that no remainder can o'erthrow  
Them which with Jesus Christ have made a close;  
Yet know I, that the Lord his Justice flows  
As well as mercy, on those are his own.  
Summoned to death, he said, Lord, from thy throne  
Look on me, O illuminate mine eyes,  
Left death o'ercome me, and mine enemies  
Insulting say, We have prevailed. O Lord,  
(Be pleased to make good thy promised word)  
Let me whose eyes have thy salvation seen  
Depart in Peace: an Axe did pass between  
His head and neck. Then four more Christian brothers  
They hanged one by one, and beggared others.  
Nor might they have the ben'fit of the Laws:  
When some did plead the Justness of their cause,  
The Judges scoffed them, thus; Although you han't  
Sins that are actual, yet you do not want  
Th'original sin of Heresy, and store;  
You can't exempted be from death therefore.  
The Saints deprived of their livelyhoods  
In towns and villages, retired to th'wood's.  
The Parent his encloistered child bemoans,  
But cannot help it. Oh! the griefs and groans  
Of marriageable maids! what sad farewells  
Take parting friends, when into Monkish cells  
forced are their nearest relations! Great men's sons,  
Fryers must tutor. and their daughter's Nuns.  
Wives from their husbands, husbands from their wives  
Part with wet eyes: some thousands lost their lives;  
Others were stripped in frosty snowy weather;  
While some imprisoned lay, and starved together,  
The Mass-priests are the men that must be heard,  
And rude men, if Apostates, were preferred.  
Bol'slavia the principallest seat  
The brethren had (two hundred years complete)  
Was seized on; her Ministers turned out,  
And crafty Friars to pervert the rout  
Placed in their rooms: but when this would not do,  
They must into a stinking dungeon go.  
The City's Bidsove, Tusta, Zaticum,  
Litom'ric, Rokizan, Radecium,  
Don Murtin, all were brought to desolation,  
Under a fair pretence of reformation.  
Some Citizens were into exile sent;  
Some into voluntary exile went.  
The maj'r and sixteen hundred persons more,  
At Pracbatice, lay weltering in their gore.  
They threw Religion down, where ere they come,  
And set up superstition in the room.  
As for the Bible, Christians were forced from it,  
Wiblia (the Bohemian word) is vomit;  
Nor was there (O most dámnable design!)  
A toleration given to Books divine.  
The mouths of some are gagged, the Host they do  
Thrust down their throats, whether they will or no.  
Others t'auricular confession forced;  
And many were from all they had divorced  
To tell how they the womenkind did use,  
Is not so proper for a modest Muse.   

SECT. XXII.  
The Church's Persecution in Spain, which began Anno Christi 1540  
A Spanish Factor Francis Roman named,  
Hearing at Breme a Sermon, was s'enflamed  
And wrought upon, that in a little space  
He grew in knowledge, and increased in grace.  
Upon a time when he returned again,  
He laboured to convince his countrymen  
Of blindfold ignorance; for the ways they trod  
Were dissonant unto the word of God.  
But they reproachfully despised, contemned  
His words, and him unto the fire condemned.  
Then with a paper-Mitre on his head,  
Painted with ugly Demons, was he led  
To execution: and by the way  
Being urged to bow unto a cross, said, Nay,  
The Christians are not wont to worship wood:  
So having said, he was the fire's food.  
How many honest-hearted persons cast  
Into infectious dungeons, breathed their last!  
The prisoners clothed with red-crossed Sambitoes,  
Were at Validolid placed all in rows. 
Anno 1550.   
The inquisition was first invented  
By the Domin'can Friars; who attented  
The extirpation of the Christian race,  
By death, or ignominious disgrace.  
One while they strive with flatteries to ensnare  
The doubting Christian ere he be aware:  
And if they see that fair means will not do,  
They exercise compulsion. O who!  
Who is there able to demonnstrate fully  
The kind of torments that were used? the pulley  
Hanged on the Gibbit, holds the hands or thumbs  
Of the poor wretch; then the Strappado comes,  
And rends his weight-distended joints a sunder.  
Some in the Trough are tortured; some are under  
Cruel imprisonments, where is not any  
Light but what enters the Keyhole or cranny.  
Some are enjoined to run unto the racks,  
With yellow Sambenitoes on their backs:  
Their tongues in a cleft-stick have not the scope  
To empty Out their minds; and while a rope  
Encompasseth their necks, coacting bands  
Press hard behind them their united hands.  
Thus, thus poor Creatures, in a piteous plight,  
Are led to suffer in the people's sight.  
Burton and Burgate, 
Anno 1560.  Burgess, Hooker, Baker,  
Englishmen born, were each of them partaker  
Of Martyrdom at Cadiz; and ascended  
To happiness, which never shall be ended.   

SECT. XXIII.  
The Church's Persecution in Italy, which began Anno Christi 1546.  
ENeenas, by his Parents sent to Rome  
For educations sake; at last become  
An able Scholar through the grace of God,  
In Christ his School, the ways the Romans trod  
Renouncing quite: for which he's apprehended,  
And clapped up; yet he constantly defended  
The Christian faith: he with his life might go,  
If he would but put on the Sambito;  
Which he refused; nor any badge would wear  
Save that of Jesus Christ; which was, to spare  
No blood to seal up what he had professed:  
So being burned, he in the Lord did rest.  
The Maj'r and Bishop of St. Angelo  
Long arguing the case, which of the two  
Should, at his proper cost, procure some wood,  
For Galeacius burning; while they stood  
Demurring, he bade them no more debate,  
It should be fetched out of his own estate.  
John Mollius, a Roman, did Christ own:  
If he but named him, salt tears ran down  
On his wet cheeks: he preached where ere he came  
The word of truth, until he fed the flame,  
One Francis Gamba, born in Lombardy,  
Went to the slaughter with alacrity.  
Algerius, a fine young man, acquaints,  
By way of writing, the afflicted Saints,  
How much his joy in prison did abound,  
And how he Honey in a Lion found:  
Exhorting them to patience; in the end  
Writes, From a delectable Orchard penned;  
He's burned. Pope Pius the fourth dislives  
At Naples, many Nobles, with their wives.  
The City Venice after twelve years' peace,  
Was by the Pope disturbed, to the increase  
Of Martyred Saints; who unto stones were bound,  
And in the bottom of the Ocean drowned.  An Englishman Martyred in Portugal. 
One William Gardiner, whom Bristol bore,  
In Portugal the Martyr's Garland wore.   

SECT. XXIV.  
The Persecution of the Church in Germany, which began Anno Christi 1523.  
WHen Luther, with his fellow-labourers,  
Converted many Germans, unto wars  
The Pope his Highness stirred up Charles the fifth  
fifth Proestants: to further this his drift,  
Two hundred thousand crowns, and at a boot  
Five hundred horse, and twice six thousand foot,  
He sent with speed; the Protestant Princes hence,  
Raised also Armies for their own defence:  
And now the Emperor for no other reason,  
Proclaimed them guilty of no less than treason.  
Both parties are engaged; but the success  
Is left to God, who doth not always bless  
The better cause with Victory, nor shield  
His Saints from wrong; the Christians lost the field.  
The persecution rose in several places;  
Author'ty armed with rigorous Laws, outfaces  
Candid simplicity: 'tis sad to tell  
The barbarous outrage to the Saints befell.  
Some racked; from place to place some tossed and turned;  
Some driven into woods and caves; some burned.  

† Anabaptists first Rising.  About this time, the Boors in arms did the  
And robbed the Abbeys, and Monasteries;  
They after they had entertained been  
By Mr. Spencer, stripped him to the skin;  
Who weeping, said, This violence will i'th'end  
Bring mischief on your heads: you do pretend  
The Gospel; but alas! how quite contraire  
Unto the Gospel-rules, your walkings are!  
They jeered him for his pains; at last he's bound  
Both hands and feet, and in the river drowned.  
His gaping wounds let out a Crimson flood,  
Which on the surface of the water stood.  
When Wolfgang Scuch was asked if his woe  
He would have be abridged, heanswered, No;  
God, which hath hitherto upheld my head,  
Will not forsake me in my greatest need;  
No, no, he will not: 'tis a happy flame  
Which lights to heaven, thrice blessed be his name.  
George Carpenter b'ing cast into the fire,  
Fulfilled his Christian brothers desire,  
In giving them a sign of his true faith,  
Cried, Jesus, Jesus ●ill ●e lost his breath.  
Our Leonard kaiser also at the stake,  
Said, I'm thine, save me Lord, for thy Truth's sake:  
His willing spirit impatient of the flame  
Went up to heaven, whence at first it came.  
A cruel Bishop in Hungaria, took  
A godly minister, (who could not brook  
Erroneous ways) and Hares, Geese, Hens, he tied  
His naked body with on every side:  
Being by set-on dogs, and bloody hounds,  
All rent and torn, he died of his wounds.  
But God is Just: the Bishop that so acted  
His cruel part, did forthwith fall distracted:  
His hair by handfuls from his head did rend,  
And raving, made a miserable end.   

SECT. XXV.  
The Persecution of the Church in the Low-Countries.  
THere was in Holland a religious Dame,  
Called Wendelmuta, she for Christ's name  
Was sent to prison, where she must be kept  
Till the next Sessions; her kind kindred wept  
And said thus, Ah! why doffed thou not conceal  
What thou believest but madly thus reveal  
Thy secret thoughts? be more reserved, thereby  
Thou'lt life prolong. To whom she did reply,  
You know not what you say; the heart alone  
Believes to righteousness; confession  
Unto salvation with the tongue is made:  
She burned, her spirit did the heavens invade.  
George Scherter, a Divine, passing along  
towered execution, to the gazing throng  
Delivered these words; That you may know  
I diea Christian, I a sign will show:  
His head cut off, he turned on his back,  
And crossed his arms and legs; by which aspect  
Many believe the Gospel; whom alive  
They bury, drown, or into exile drive.  
In Colen, Holland, Suevia, Louvain,  
The godly well-disposed part was slain.  
Some lost their heads in Flanders, some were sent  
Into perpetual imprisonment. 
Anno 1543.   
Two hundred Saints in Art●ïs, Brabant,  
Were made away, with not a few at Gaunt.  
At Delden, two young Virgin's well-descended,  
For their frequenting Sermons apprehended,  
Examined and condemned must both partake  
Of Martyrdom, and suffer at the stake.  
But after death the bodies of them both  
Remained white, the fire to hurt them loath.  
At Antwerp, one Christopher Fabri's brains  
Are beat cut with a hammer. Several pains  
Afflict the innocent; these bear great loads;  
Those are companions to Frogs and Toads.  
One Nicholas and Austin, with their wives,  
At Dormick apprehended lost their lives,  
When Nicholas did hear a Captain swear,  
He said, Hath Christ done aught that thus you tear  
His name in pices, rending life and limb?  
Pray vent your malice upon me, not him:  
B'ing silenced at the stake, Thwarting their will,  
He cried, O Charles wilt thou be hardened still?  
With that, a soldier gave him a great blow:  
He thus! Ah miserable people know,  
God's word's too good for you: the Friars cried,  
A Devil, a Devil: with David, he replied,  
Depart ye workers of iniquity;  
Depart, depart: my God hath heard the cry  
My weeping voice hath made; his holy name  
Be praised: so said, he vanished in the flame.  
At Dormick 
Anno 1555  Bert'rand trod the Cake about;  
For which distongued, he yet on God called out:  
A ball is thrust into the mouth of him;  
He's burnt, and's ashes in the river swim.  
At Lile, for three years' space in woods and caves  
God's word was preached: Satan and his slaves  
Took the advantage of the silent night  
So find their meetings: finding none, they light  
On Robert Oquir's house; his wife, his sons  
And he, rejoice in tribulations.  
Bound at the stake, their spirits they commend  
To God, and make a comfortable end  

The Persecution of the Duke de Alva, in the Netherlands.  
THe Gospel shining in the Netherlands;  
Philip, that wore the Spanish crown, commands  
The Duke de Alva, with a warlike train,  
To slay Professors, and with might and main,  
Promote the Romish Doctrine; to rebuke  
Nobles, and Commons too: the desep'rate Duke  
Scarce breathed, but on them violently poured;  
Matrons he ravished, and Maids deflowered  
Before their husbands and their parents eyes,  
Or put them unto worse cruelties.  
He on a time (at his own Table sat)  
Boasted his diligence t'eradicate  
Heret'cal weeds: for that besides the slain  
During the war in six years' space, a train  
Of more than eighteen thousand persons were  
By him delivered to the hangman's care.  
Don Frederick his son kindly received  
By Zutphen Burghers, cruelly bereaved  
The poor inhabitants of all their lives,  
Hanged, drowned, brained very infants, virgins, wives;  
Then marched he to Naerden; and the town  
(All the indwellers killed) he bart'red down.  
At Harlem, he three hundred Walloons  
Beheads; five hundred Burghers and Dragoons  
He hangs, or drowns: all th'English, and the Scorts,  
To lose their heads in gen'ral, he allotteth.  
The wounded, and diseased, are killed all  
Before the entrance to the Hospital  
John Herwin said unto the gazing throng,  
(As he to execution went along)  
See what rewards the wicked world do give  
Christ his poor servants: for whilst I did live  
A drunkard's life, and played at Cards and Dice,  
A foe to Virtue, and a friend to Vice;  
O than I lived at ease, and was a stranger  
To bonds, and fetters; nay was out of danger  
Of suffering for the Truth; yonder they cry  
A Boon Companion goes; who than but I?  
No sooner did I seek my God, but lo  
This fawning friend, became a frowning foe:  
Yet this doth not, (and so I hope shall never,)  
Discourage me one jot; I must persever  
In what is good, and follow Christ the faster:  
The servant is not better than his master.  
His soul refreshed then with Gileads Balm,  
To sing he did begin the thirtieth Psalm  
With lift-up heart: but an impatient Friar  
Thus interrupted him, Avoid the fire,  
Oh John, and turn; yet you have time and space.  
Then disregarding Martyr turned his face  
Another way: then some that were in sight,  
Retorted this; Turn thou, thou hypocrite.  
Herwin sung on, until his Psalm was ended:  
The Friar then: Good people bened offended  
To hear the clamour of this Her'ticks song.  
Her'tick? thou Bala'mite thou, hold thy tongue,  
The crowed replied; no living soul here bears  
Offence: his Music much delights our ears.  
Four hundred folks encouraged him to run  
His race, and finish what he had begun:  
To whom he thus; Breth'rens, I undertake  
This spiritual Combat, merely for the sake  
Of my great Lord, and Captain Jesus Christ:  
I now am going to be sacrifieed;  
And when God shall of his abundant grace  
Call you to suffer, follow me apace.  
He's on the gallows, and the ladder's turned,  
And then his body's into ashes burned.  
Some Ci'zens in a fiery Chariot sent  
From Antwerp, to the City Heaven went.  
One Scoblant, as he to his Trial 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, spoke thus: I came  
To comfort you; but I myself indeed,  
Of you to comfort me have greater need.  
Christopher Gaud'rin said, Man's life on earth  
Consists but of two days; 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:  
'Tis death conducteth to eternal bliss.  
The sentence past, he did apart repair,  
And poured out his soul to God in prayer:  
Then from his hands and face he washed the dirt;  
And putting on his back a fine white shirt,  
He thus his fellow-prisoners bespoke:  
Breth'rens, 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 cheer  
With patient suffering, and rejoyeed to bear.  
Then came a Friar 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 which thee.  
They must be gauged: May not our tongues have power  
Said they, to praise God at our latest hour?  
Sermons they used to frequent: hard ropes  
Annexed 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 dwelled, his name  
Was Petar Coulogue; whose renowned fame  
Had spread all o'er the town, and every mouth  
Proclaimed him faithful, if they spoke 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-powsed by many  
Was hurried to the Castle, while he stayed  
A prisoner there: once every day his maid  
Brought him his sustenance, till they perceived  
He had much comfort from her lips received.  
She also was imprisoned, 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 recompense  
His maids true zeal, fetched Betkin to the rack,  
Cruelry undeserved! she nothing slack,  
Went cheerfully along; ere she did part  
With life, her tongue thus emptied out her heart:  
Since needs I must sustain afflictions rod,  
First suffer me to pray unto my God.  
This they consented to; she scaped a scouring  
By this; for whilst she out her prayers was pouring,  
One of the then. Commissioners fell down  
Into an irrecoverable swoon.  
This miracle was hushed, as though in vain  
'Twas sent: now to their cruelty again;  
Examples will not take; they'll not be turned,  
They are condemned, and they must be burned.  
The people wept; Peter and Betkin prayed  
To God for strength: the courage of the maid  
Did work so kindly on the well-affected,  
That breaking through (the danger unrespected)  
The thronged crowd they the prisoners did embrace,  
And praised God for his supporting grace;  
Then spoke to this effect: Fight on, fight on,  
The crown prepared you shall wear anon.  
These words spoke Betkin (with a brow as clear  
As day) My brethren and sisters dear,  
See you to God's 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, wrapped in a fiery sheet.  
Then falling on their knees, they sent their prayers  
As welcome guests to Gods attentive ears.  
Bound to the stake, they praised the Lord; the flame  
Sent up their souls to heaven, 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, condole  
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 gained  
Paswalick town, the Swedish soldiers brained:  
At the inhabitants their fury lavished,  
And in the open street, they females ravished,  
Nay, childbed women too; they flew the men  
And fired o'er 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: 
An. Chr. 1631.   
Her goodly structures and aspiring Towers  
Were burned 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 several ways  
The torturers abridged poor christians days.  
Ladies and Gentlewomen yoked together,  
Forced into woods, in frosty snowy weather,  
Were ravished there, stripped, whipped, and with a scoff  
Dismissed, while others had their ears cropped off.  
Hexter is taken, 
An. Chr. 1634.  and the Popish rage  
Hewed all in pieces, either sex, and age,  
All served alike: what the fles-eating sword  
Had left unspoiled, the greedy flame devoured.  
At Griphenburge the Senators were starved;  
The Heidleburg Divines and Burghers served  
With only bread and water. Like dogs not men  
Were the Frankendales used. In Pomeren  
The poor inhabitants were forced to eat  
Up their own excrements: unpleasing meat!  
Many suspected to have hidden Gold,  
Or silver, suffered torments manifold:  
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  
Stuffed with gunpowder, burst with horrid flame.  
With knives and bodkins they do pinks the skin  
And flesh of some, draw stiff cords out and in.  
Some roasted were with gentle fires, some smoked  
Like bacon-hogs; others hot Ovens choked;  
The hands and feet of some so hard were girted,  
That from their finger's ends and toes there spirted  
Sanguineous drops. They tied the arms and legs  
Of some together backwards, and with rags  
Rammed up their mouths, because they should not pray.  
Some hung up by the privy members; they  
Hearing their outcries, did with tear-throat tones,  
Contend to drown their lamentable moans.  
Had any ruptures? they ealarged their pain  
By firing gunpowder: they faces plain  
With chisels; and detesticle some men  
I'th' presence of their wives and childerens.  
Others, stark naked through the streets are dragged,  
Wounded with axes, hammers; some are gauged  
And stinking water, Urine, and the like,  
Poured down their throats, till sudden sickness strike  
Them well-night ' dead: their bellies beyond measure  
B'ing filled, did swell, and so they died by leisure.  
Down others throats they knotted clouts constrain,  
Then with a packthread, pull them up again,  
To the displacing of their bowels; some  
Were by'c made deaf. or blind, or lame, or dum'b.  
Some have their legs sawn off; and others have  
Their members dislocated; those that crave  
Gods blest assistance, are enforced to call  
Unto the devil for help, or none at all.  
And if the husband pleaded for his wife,  
Or the wife begged but for her husband's life,  
They take the intercessor, and likewise  
Excruciate him before the others eyes.  
Of many by their hard frications  
They barred the legs, unto the very bones.  
Others bound backward by the arms, were hung  
By those distorted parts; both old and young  
Rather desired to be shot, or slain,  
And so die in an instant, then remain  
Alive, and be partakers of such woes  
As they were like to feel; for Ah! their foes  
Took away all their corn; in stead of bread,  
On roots and water, they were glad to feed.  
And other some, stripped to the very skin,  
Had not one sorry rag, to wrap them in.  
Hence fruitful soils, were utterly destroyed,  
Cities, and towns, and villages left void,  
Or sacked; all the woods felled; the ground untilled;  
And every Church with desolation filled.  
A Reverend Divine, bound to a table,  
Was rortured by a cat. What pen is able  
To paint their beastliness? maids wives, chaste dames,  
They forced to prostrate to their lech'rous flames,  
Friends looking on; yea, women great with child,  
In childbed tun: the Churches they defiled;  
The Bedlam-houses, Hospitals also.  
In Hessen land they let the women go,  
After they tied about their ears their coats.  
Dead corpses violated were. The Croats  
Devoured young infants, and the commons brained  
On light occasions; scarce a man remained  
Alive in many places, that might tell  
The outrage of those furies born in hell.  
God did this land his warning pieces show,  
Before his murth'ring-pieces gave the blow.  
A blood-red Comet with a flaming beard  
For thirty days together there appeared; 
Anno 1618.   
God sent to those, which had so long abhorred  
His faithful Pastors, and despised his word,  
This ominous Torch, that while asleep they lie  
On the soft pillow of security,  
They might b' awoken and repent reform  
Their lives, or otherwise expect a storm,  
Foretold by's Ministers, (so ill-befriended,)  
And which this formidable sign portended.  
At Groningen a blazing Star hung forth, 
Anno 1619.   
One Army in the East, and in the North  
Another were engaged and did contest  
Till that was worsted, this obtained the best. 
An. Chr. 1619.   
At Wien water turned to blood; three Suns  
Appeared at once; the thundering of great guns  
Was heard; two Armies then by clear daylight  
Deeply engaging in a bloody fight. 
An. Chr. 1621.   
At Wittemburgh and Darmstad, blood it reigned. 
An. Chr. 1622.   
So much, that houses and stone walls were stained  
Therewith; trees wept red drops besmeared were then  
The hands and sickles of the Harvest-men. 
An. Chr. 1624.   
At Rat'sbone a strange tempest bart'red down  
Above four hundred houses in the town;  
Killed only four; it trees by th'roots up tore,  
And all within a quarter of an hour. 
An. Chr. 1625.   
Near Troppaw a great number of Jack Daws  
Eagerly fought with their 〈◊〉 claws,  
The battle lasted long and 〈◊〉 Jacks  
Fallen down the country men repieuished sacks.  
In lower Saxon a loaf of bread  
Bought by a woman in the cutting bled.  
During Magdenburge siege, a capeain's wife  
In childbed died, 
An. Chr. 1631.  body with a knife  
Was ripped open, and her womb did hold  
A boy as big as one of three years old;  
Having an Helmet, and a breastplate on,  
Great boots also after the French fashion,  
And by his side there hanged a builet-pouch.  
At Altenburge, 
Anno A 1633.  if any did but touch  
A blood-turned stinking fishpond, he not well  
Could in three days wash off the stinking smell.  
Two Armies of strange birds in Henssen fought; 
An. Chr. 1635.   
A rendezvous of dogs could not be brought  
T'a peace; but seeing musqueteers, they join,  
For all their guns beat them away, killed nine.   

SECT. XXVII.  
The Persecution of the Church in France, which began Anno 1524.  
AT Melden, Paris, Fonutains, Lions, Rhone,  
Many were put to death, some burned, some thrown  
Into the liquid flood; into the fire  
Others let down by pulleys, did expire;  
Others with Oil and brimstone were anointed,  
Then burnt; many distonged; disnosed disjointed:  
Some slandered; some imprisoned were; some racked;  
And they that would not bow, nor give respect  
Unto the Images of molten-lead,  
Passing along the streets, were massacred.  
John Clark, through zeal, broke all the Idols down  
That he could light on: in the Metzian town,  
Condemned he was to die, and first to lose  
His right hand, than his arms, and breasts, and nose;  
Which quietly he bore, pronouncing then  
Their gods are silver, and are made by men:  
At last they burned him. At the Castle Vik  
Doctor John Castellane was burned quick.  
James Pana●e one that educated youth,  
At Paris died for the professed truth.  
John de Cadurco, a renowned Divine,  
Degraded was, and burnt at Limosine.  
One John de Beck a Minister at Troy's,  
Went through the fire unto eternal joys,  
At Rutiers, Stephen Brune for Christ his sake,  
Adjudged was to suffer at the stake;  
The fire was kindsed, but the wind so drove  
The flame from him, that he stood up and gave  
(A whole hours space) instructions to the rude  
And easily-seduced multitude:  
They brought Oyl-vessels, and more faggots too;  
The wind continued, and all would not do.  
With that, the hangman struck him on the head:  
To whom he thus: And must I then indeed  
Be beaten like a dog? as well as I,  
You know by fire I am condemned to die.  
He was thrust through, and in the fire thrown down,  
And his left ashes in the Air were strown.  
At Bour deaux, Aymond de Lavey accused,  
His friends advised his flight, but he refused.  
Not so, said he, I shall be thought absurd.  
To feed men with vain dreams not God's pure word.  
Whereas I fear not, as a truth's defender.  
My soul and body too up to surrender.  
In pains he said, This body once must die,  
My spirit shall live, and that eternally.  
He swooned, but recovering, said he,  
Oh Lord, Lord, why hast thou sorsaken me?  
Nay, said the precedent, thou art mistake  
Cursed Lutherane, thou hast thy God forsook:  
Alas good masters, why, why do you so  
Torment me? Lord, they know not what they do:  
Forgive them I beseech thee. See, said thus  
The Pres'dent, how this Caitiff prays for us.  
The Friar drew near, and he (condemned) begins:  
To God, not you, will I confess my sins.  
O Lord, make haste to help; do not despise  
Thine-handy work. My brethren, I advise  
You that are Scholars, to improve your youth  
In learning of the everlasting truth:  
Labour to know what is Jehovahs' will,  
And fear not them that can the body kill,  
Not hurt the soul: my flesh (too weak) withstands  
My spirit; which Lord I give into thine hands.  
With that he strangled was, his body burned,  
His soul until the day of Doom adjourned,  
One Bribard, to a Card'nal Secretary,  
And William Hussou an Apothecary  
Had, for their seattering good books about,  
And cleaving to the truth, their tongues cut out;  
Then with a pulley pulled up and down  
Into the fire, 
Anno 1544.  they died, but gained a crown.  
James Cobard, 
Anno 1545.  having proved the Mass a fable,  
Unto the quick nor dead not profitable,  
Was at St. Michael burnt. 
Anno 1546.  Stephen Polliot  
Suffered at Paris. 
* 1547.  Michael Michelet  
Was put unto his choice, either to turn  
And lose his head, or persevere, and burn.  
He answered, God who caused him not to tyre,  
Would give him patience to abide the fire.  
Blondel a Merchant that professed Christ's name,  
Condemned at Paris, 
Anno 1548.  yielded to the flame.  
One Hubert, 
Anno 1549.  a young man, who did rely on  
Christ Jesus merits, suffered at Dyion.  
Anus Audeburt dragged forth, said thus; This rope  
My wedding-girdly is, wherewith I hope  
To be conjoned to Christ: I was first married  
Upon a Saturday, and now have tarried  
Until another Saturday, wherein  
I shall (glad day!) be married again.  
She in the dung-Cart sang and in the fire  
Her constancy Spectators did admire.  
One Florent Venote, that had four years lain  
In Paris prison, where all kinds of pain  
He felt and overcome; for seven week's space  
Was close confined to such a narrow place,  
That he could neither stand (with ease) nor lie:  
At last distongued, 
Anno 1551.  he in the fire did die.  
One Thomas, a young man, was racked so long,  
The hangman grew a weary: one among  
Th'Ir quis'tors wept. They bore him to be burned,  
And asked him, if he would yet be turned.  
To whom he said, Friends, I am in my way  
To God, O do not hinder me I pray.  
One Matthew Dimonel, 
An. Chr. 1553.  Simon Laloe;  
And Peter Serre, did torments undergo.  
Two men at Nivern, 
An. Chr. 1554.  had their tongues pulled out;  
Yet God was pleased to bring it so about,  
That they spoke plain, We bid the world, flesh, sin,  
And devil farewel, never to meet again;  
Of brimstove, and gunpowder bring a fresh  
Supply; salt on, salt on this stinking flesh:  
And so persisting constant till the last,  
Their souls to heaven, their earth to ashes past.  
One Philbert Hamlin fed the cruel flame, 
Anno 1557.   
One Nicholas of Jenvil did the same. 
An. Chr. 1558.   
At Paris did a Christian congregation  
Run through much sorrow: by the Mediation  
Of the Palat'nate Prince, and Swissers, some  
Of them (hardly) escaped Martyrdom.  
In Danphin, Provence, multitudes were killed;  
In many other place blood was spilled:  
And yet the Church, the more it was suppressed  
Like to a Palm, still more and more increased.   

SECT. XXVIII.  
The Persecution in the time of the Civil Wars, which began Anno 1562.  
THe Duke de Guise, as he upon a day  
Towards Paris past, took Vassy in his way:  
His ears informing him there was a Bell  
That rang to service in a Barn, he fell  
Thereon with all his troops: his widened throat  
Bawled out, Kill, death of God, each Huguenote.  
Some then with bullets, some with swords, were slain;  
Some hanged; the heads of others cleft in twain:  
Some lost their arms and hands; some shred for  
To feed upon; above twelve hundred souls (fowls  
Of all degrees, and ranks, were killed: so done  
The Duke to Paris marched, and seized upon  
The King himself, and filled with abuses  
The places set apart for pious uses.  
Rouen taken by him, was for three days sacked,  
The Citizens thereof dislived, and racked.  
Then menacing to ruinate Orleans,  
A young man shot him, to deliver France  
From his great violence. Peace was procured;  
A happy peace, but it not long endured:  
The Popish party banishing all pity.  
Killed all, spared none in the Lutetian City.  
At Amiens, the slain were thrown in brooks;  
All Bible's burned and Divin'cy books.  
At Meaux, Sens, Man's, they dragged some on the stones,  
And dashed against the walls the little ones:  
Some had their houses levelled with the ground,  
Hundreds were massacred, starved, hanged, or drowned.  
Many were haled to Mass; and some re-wedded,  
Babes rebaptized; others were beheaded.  
At Bar they ripped up many breasts, and drawed  
men's hearts thereout, & with their teeth them gnawed.  
When Malicorn, Montargis town had got,  
He slew the townsmen, and with Canonshot  
Threatened the Lady Rhine to batter down  
Her Castle, if she did the Christians own,  
Not give them up to him: the Princess stout,  
Bravely replied: Look what you go about,  
I charge you, for there's no man in this Realm  
(The King excepted) that can overwhelm  
My pinnace, with the waves of a command:  
And if your battery go on, I'll stand  
I'th' breach, to try, whether or no you dare  
Thus kill the daughter of a King: I fear  
Your threats? not I: I want nor means, nor power  
T'avenge me on your boldness, and devour  
Your murderous heart, and utterly deface  
The infants of your most rebellious race.  
When Malicorn thus heard the Lady say,  
He pulled in his horn, and sneaked away.  
At Angers into rivers some were thrown,  
Some executed: a gilt Bible shown  
Upon an halberd was, and this they sang,  
Behold how well the Hug'nots truth doth hang;  
Hark what the everlasting God, will tell;  
Behold the truth of all the devils in hell:  
They throw't i'th' river, and renewed their sound,  
Behold! the truth of all the devils drowned.  
At Ablevilly, Angers, Foix, Auxerre,  
At Troy's, Crant, Nevers, Chastillon, and Bar  
In Bloys, Tholouse, as also Careasson,  
Many outrageous villainies were done.  
At Sens, and Tours, hundreds were put to slaughter;  
Some hanged up by one foot, and in the water  
Their heads and breasts: the bowels are plucked out  
Their rip'd-up bellies, and are thrown about  
The mi'ry streets: they torture every joint,  
And stick their hearts upon their dagger's point.  
A Counsellor was hanged, at the request  
Of his own father, (O unnatural breast!)  
By the Parisian Senators decree, 
Anno 1562.   
The bells are sounded, and the Christians be  
Destroyed in every place, all their estates  
Seized on by Catholics and runagates.  
In Ligneul some they hanged. The village Aze  
They set one fire, and joyed to see it blaze.  
Augustine Marlorate was hanged at Rhone,  
Where streetswith slaughtered carcases were strown.  
In Gaillac, from a steep precipice  
Many were flung down headlong, in a trice  
Caught break-neck falls. In Souraze some were crammed  
With lime, and down their throats had Urine rammed.  
One Peter Roch, they buried alive  
Within his selfmade grave. They did deprive  
Many of all they had, others were crowned  
With thorns; and others in a well were drowned.  
One Captain Durre, a godly widow told  
Ualess she would produce her hid-up gold,  
He'd roast her quick, and after throw her down  
From the sublimest tower in the town.  
Well (said she) though I fall, yet shall I stand  
Supported by the Lord almighty's hand.  
He made her drink his piss; then in her face  
Flung the remainder, and withal the glass.  
He claps her up, more torments to abide:  
Her friends redeemed her, but she shortly did.  
The Prot'stants of Valougne. their dear lives lost,  
And soldiers in their houses ruled the roast.  
In Mascon, Bonnet Borachia, a rare Divine,  
Scoffed, beaten, drowned, Lamp-like in heaven doth shine.  
Monsieur Valongues a Minister, they killed,  
And spurned his naked corpse: the Mass-Priests filled  
His mouth and wounds with Bible-leaves, and said,  
Preach thou God's truth, now invocate his aid.  
Monluc at Reim brained sucking infants, than  
The mothers; hanged above five hundred men.  
They sprinkled salt, upon the bleeding wounds  
Of one poor mangled man. Monluc confounds  
The Protestants in fight, the prisoners  
He hangs, especially the Ministers.  
Captain Lamoths, he stabs; that will not do,  
He thrusts him with a rapier, through, and thro':  
And his blasphemous mouth these words lets fly.  
Villain, thou in despite of God shalt die.  
He proved a liar, though the man endured  
Such mortal wounds, yet was he strangely cured.  
In Limoux, Grenoble, Beann, Cisteron,  
Normay, and Aurange, many undergon  
Hard usage, Ah! what hearts? what tongues? what Quills?  
Can think, can speak, can write, those worst of ills?  
Females were ravished: others drowned: some killed,  
Their houses with unruly soldiers filled.  
Hundreds of women, nay, and children too  
Like harmless sheep unto the slaughter go.  
Those to blaspheme that would not be constrained.  
Were with the butt-end of a musket brained,  
Or hewn as small as herbs unto the pot;  
Others rhrown out at windows, others shot.  
A fair young woman, after much disgrace,  
Was ravished before her husband's face;  
Then forced to hold a rapier wherewith  
One made her, her own husband kill. A Smith  
Because he would not give the devil his soul,  
B'ing on his anvil laid, they beat his paul  
In pieces with great hammers; some were crushed  
To death with weights, others were har quebushed.  
They dashed brest-sucking babes against the walls,  
And slew the crazy in the hospitals.  
No sex, nor age, nor quality they let  
Go free: all, all was fish that came to net.  

The Massacre at PARIS, Anno 1571.  
WHen the third Civil War in France was ended,  
A Massacre at Paris was intended,  
And put in execution: first of all  
They set upon and slew the Admiral;  
The watchword was, the tolling of a bell,  
Which rang by break aday: the cutthroats fell  
On the attendants of the King of Navarre,  
And Prince of Conde; not the least of favour  
Was showed to any: they knocked down and brained  
Ten thousand persons: Sein'c swift streams were  
With the effused blood; the streets were paved (stained  
With mangled bodies, not a man was saved  
These bloodhounds met with; Pistols, Poiniards, Knives,  
Curtlaces, Pikes, did make away with lives.  
The Musket's bouncing! Oh the horrid tones  
Of howling murderers mixed with dying groans!  
The Lords and Gentlemen were murdered  
Some on their houses roofs, and some in bed.  
In France (this persecution so increased)  
Were thirty thousand Massacred at left.  
But let's to some particulars descend;  
One Monsieur de la Place was brought t'his end.  
And Peter Ramus with his life did part,  
(The King's Professor in that subtle Art)  
Thrown from the chamber window, trailed about  
The streets, and whipped, his bowels falling out.  
A villain snatched up a little child,  
Who toyed, and played with his beard, and smiled,  
But he (hard hearted wretch!) not moved at all,  
Drew out his sword, and stabbed it withal,  
And cast it all gore-blood into the river:  
This gnaws an infant's heart, and he the liver.  
Such protestants, as did through fear revolt,  
Must in the forefront, give the first assault,  
Or else be killed themselves. Some had their grease  
Tried out and sold. They used such blasphemies:  
Where's now your God? are Psalms and Prayers come  
To this? sure he is either deaf, or dumb.  
Let him come save you, if he can: they cried,  
Kill, kill them all, and let's the spoil divide.  
What fearful shrieks, and outcries were there then  
Caused by these Devils in the shapes of men?  
What breaking up of doors? what noise of guns  
At Orleans was there heard? confusion runs  
In every street; what trampling of Warhorses?  
Rumbling of Carts, that bore away dead corpses!  
The Papists, in this massacre confessed,  
That they slew eighteen thousand at the least.  
Some of them boasted in the streets aloud,  
Th'nad died their doublets in the Hug'nots blood.  
At Tholouse, they the call'd-out prisoners slay,  
Not suffering them to speak, much less to pray.  
When the Parisian massacre was known,  
At Bourdeaux the like cruelty was shown.  
How sad was it to see poor Protestants  
Wander now here, now there, and none their wants  
Supply! Alas unparalelled woes!  
Rejected by their friends, destroyed by foes!    

SECT. XXIX.  
The siege of Sancerte, Anno Christi, 1573.  
THe Chastrian Lord besieging Sancerre town,  
His thundering cannons played, and battered down  
Her stony walls; the shivered timber flew  
Continually about, yet none it slew.  
Some had their hats, breeches, and coats through shot,  
Themselves not hurt nor prejudiced one jot.  
The siege endured long; at last, through want,  
Horseflesh was turned to food; which growing scant,  
The Twons-men fed on dogs, cats, rats, mice, moles,  
Hides, parchments, halters, Lantera-horns, roots, coals,  
Their bread was made of straw-meal; they did boil  
Them pottage of old Ointments, grease and Oil.  
And when these failed, they pounded nutshells, slates,  
Eat men's dung fried: ho! these were precious cates!  
A labourer and his wife were put to th'slaughter,  
For feeding on their famin-starved daughter.  
Some little corn by stoldred brought to town,  
Each pound was valued at half a crown.  
The sword did but eighty four persons slay.  
The famine half a thousand swept away.  
Many chose rather to resign their breath  
At the sword's point, than famished be to death.  
The parents looked upon with grief of heart  
Their children, but could no relief impart.  
A boy of five years old, near spent with hunger,  
Did run about the streets; but when no longer  
His feeble feet could bear him, down he fell  
Before his parent's sight: 'tis sad to tell  
The horror of their souls, and how their eyes  
Ran down, when they did feel his withered thighs.  
Then said the child, Father and mother dear,  
What mean you so to weep? for God's sake spare  
Those needless drops, and don't my cause bemoan;  
I ask no bread, as knowing you have none:  
But since it is Gods will, that I should rest  
By such a death as this; his name be blest:  
Have not I (mother) in my Bible read,  
Of Laz'rus' wants? and that was all he said.  
At last God flirred up the Polonians,  
To free the poor distressed Sancerrians.  
They with their arms and goods might go away;  
And such as would, might without trouble stay.  

The siege of Rochel Anno 1573.  
ROchel besieged, the townsmen sallied out,  
And often put the en'my to the rout.  
In one months' space the so laid on so hot,  
That more than thirteen thousand Canonshot  
Discharged against the Rochellers, which held  
Out siege foe long, till famine them compelled  
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'er returned again.  
Divers great Lords and Gentlemen were slain  
During this siege: commanders full sixscore,  
And twenty thousand soldiers or more,  
That did from bloody Massacres retire,  
Received at Rochel their deserved hire.  
King Charles himself fallen sick, 
Anno 1574.  t'his mother cried,  
Madam I pray revenge my foes, than died.  
Rochel expecting help in time of need  
From England, 
Anno 1628.  England proved 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 meager cheeks, lank bellies, withr'ed thighs?  

* The prices of things.  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 egg, eight shillings was laid down;  
An ounce of sugar, yielded half a crown.  
A dried 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, valued at thirty shilling, etc.    

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;  
Drowned some in Alba, others they did brain:  
Shot some, and strangled others; some they be  
With knotty clubs; and many that they met  
They inhumanely murth'red; some they drew  
Out of their naked beds, and did imbrue  
Their hands in their effused gore; they slit  
The mouths of some up to their ears; and hit  
Others with the Strappado; some were hacked  
To pieces; others slashed; and others racked.  
One was compelled to ride upon an Ass, 
Dominico ●ert●.   
His face turned to the tail, and he to pass  
The marketplace, holding in's hand the tail  
As'cwere a bridle; some when food did fail  
Were famished; others were stoned, or drowned;  
Some had their very bones, to powder ground.  
Thus having made a quick dispatch at Tell,  
These profane wretches, marched thence, and fell  
Upon the Protestants at Church elsewhere,  
Killed old and young, and showed no mercy there,  
To Lords, nor Gentlemen: to death they shot  
The Ministers: Ladies and Children, got  
Into the Belfry 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 been done by accident,  
Concealing their malevolous intent:  
Then did they fall to plunder, and imbrue,  
Their hands in blood, all those they met they slew.  
There was a Noble Lady which refused  
The Romish faith: to whom such words they used;  
Madam, out of the tender love you bear  
To your young infant, in your arms, give ear  
To us, or else you shall be killed together.  
But she undavated, 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  
Spared 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 winged Citizens 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 barred her breast,  
And said, Here is the body; you may feast  
Your swords therewith: to kill it you have power,  
My sold is Gods, it can you not devour.  
They slay the mother, and the infant spare,  
Committing it t'a Popish nurse's care.  
Many that did refuse to go to Mass,  
Were dragged to the mountain's tops (Alas!)  
And thrown thence headlong down: for want of food  
Others were famished; 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 besmeared 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, 'tis confessed  
She is above all other women blest;  
Yet is she not omniscient, and therefore  
Knows not what we request, what we implore:  
Yea she herself her own son's merits needed,  
And had been damned, had he not interceded.  
Christ hath despised the cross, endured 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 Governor,  
That these bloodsuckers 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  
Than Hyrcan Tigers, fell on Birbenno,  
Caspano, Trahen, slaying high and low.  
They killed a man, and's wife. A cradled child  
Fair and well-favoured, in their faces smiled;  
They took her by the heels (not moved at all)  
And dashed out her brains against the wall.  
At Bruse, a very aged Matron was  
Solicited by them, to go to Mass,  
And have respect unto her age, not die;  
To whom she answered; 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 professed,  
And upon sublunary creatures rest.  
Shall men's 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 hoodwinked souls, so long until 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 limb.  
Bound to the stake, he cried, 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 Friar then; Unto our Lady pray;  
Salve Regina, say, etc. Away, away,  
Satanick Imps; God hears me in the flame.  
His soul went up to heaven to praise God's Name.  
Straton converted, said, O Lord I have  
Been wicked, and deserved 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 used  
To one Dean Porret (whom the Fry'rs accused:)  
My joy, Dean Thomas, I do love thee well,  
And therefore take the liberty to tell  
Thee of thy faults; I am informed you do  
Preach the Epistle, nay the Gospel too,  
Each Sunday to your people; and refuse  
To take from them (as a reward) your deuce:  
Which prejudicial to the Churchmen is.  
My joy, Dean Thomas, I advise you this:  
Take tithes, 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 expressed  
Therein, and 'tis no matter for the rest.  
Thomas replied: My Lord, if I abstain  
From tithes, 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 pleased to take  
Such pains as that. Nay, nay, Dean Thomas, spoke  
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 find not one  
That's bad amongst them; show me where they lie,  
And at your showing I will pass them by.  
I bless God, said the Bishop, I ne'er 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 ways, 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 God's 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 raised, Religion's rays  
Shone forth in Scotland, in those worst of days:  
Partly by reading (comfort flowing thence)  
And partly by fraternal conference;  
Which so enraged the Papists, that they came  
And burnt four noted persons in one flame;  
One Jerom Russet, that professed 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 revived  
His drooping soul; yea inward comforts strived  
To show themselves, both in his face and tongue:  
Then falling on his knees, these words out sprung:  
Great God What love hast thou to all expressed,  
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 plunged myself all over head and ears  
In everlasting flames, (unquenched with tears)  
Thy right hand hath not suffered me to dwell  
With the black subjects of the Prince of hell:  
And I, that was of late with fear oppressed,  
Enjoy by thee a joy-enameled breast.  
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, Miscall us, do;  
This is your hour and power to command;  
Ye sit as Judges, we as guilty stand:  
But know, a day will come shall clear our blame,  
And ye (cursed ye) 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 condemned 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 endure 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 Master's joy:  
And, with our Saviour, pass the narrow road  
Which few shall find; the way to hell is broad.  
We die for Christ, and Christ hath death subdued,  
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, underfoot they trod,  
And in the flame, breathed up their souls to God.  
At Edinburgh the cruel cardinal Beton  
Hanged some, 
Anno 1543.  upon suspicion they had eaten  
Goose on a Friday; and above the rest,  
A woman with her suckling at her breast,  
He drowned for being scrupulous and wary  
Of making prayers to the Virgin Mary.  
He sent into exile some Christian brothers;  
And at St. johnston's he imprisoned others.  
Mr. George Wischard, a Divine, whose worth  
Won him much admiration in the North,  
Having drunk deeply of afflictions cup.  
Cheerfully in the flames surrendered up  
His soul unto its donour. 
Anno 1546.  God fulfilled  
His prophecy, the Cardinal was killed.  
One Henry Wallace, 
Anno 1550.  as an Heretic  
Condemned to be burnt, was burned quick.  
One Henry Forr'st, 
Anno 1553.  betrayed by a friar,  
Was burnt, and had the end of his desire.  
Said Ol'phant to one Walter Mill, who prayed,  
Rise up Sir Walter. Prayers done, he said,  
My name is Walter if you call me right,  
I have been too too long a Popish Knight.  
Bened there seven Sacraments? Give me but two  
Said he, and all the rest I leave to you.  
Wilt thou recant? he answered, 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  
Myself, but put me in, and bear I will;  
This is my resolution. Having made  
His prayer to God, he to the people said,  
Although it be confessed, that I have been  
A friend to Satan, and a slave to sin,  
Yet 'tis not that, that doth my sufferings cause,  
I suffer for observing God's just Laws.  
And now God out of his abundant grace  
Doth honour me so far, 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 Liars.  
Trust God alone, O always make his power  
Your rock, your bulwark of defence, your tower.  
So slept he in the Lord: and was the last  
In Scotland that the fiery trial past.   

SECT. XXXII.  
The Persecution of the Church in Ireland, Anno Christi 1642.  
THe factious Archbishops, Abbots, Pryors,  
False Jesuits, Romish Priests, and knavish Friars,  
Stirred up rebellion by their instigation,  
Against the English in the Irish Nation.  
And when they thought their malice had invented  
Such thriving plots, as could not be prevented,  
They in their public prayers recommended  
The good success of their designs, which tended,  
To the advancement of the Catholic cause,  
And told the people 'twas no time to pause.  
Their nation overrun with heretics;  
Called Protestant's sworn foes to Catholics;  
Who were not to be suffered alive  
Amongst them; and for any to deprive  
Them of their breaths, the crime was not more great,  
Then to destroy a dog: to give them meat.  
Or yield to them relief at any time,  
'Twas mortal, O unpardonable crime!  
Rome's Doctrine they pretended to suppress,  
And root out those that did the same profess;  
They Laws would make, they thought, should under-  
All popery, after England's good example. (trample  
Observe we how their words and deeds did vary,  
Said one thing, but did act the quite contrary.  
And now they fall to murthr'ous blows; and glory,  
'T will save them from the pains of Purgatory:  
None that spoke English the least mercy found;  
The English language was a loathed sound:  
All are resolved to scour the Irish borders  
From these supposed Authors of disorders.  
Poor Protestants! some were to exile packed;  
Some killed; 'twas thought a meritorious act  
To slay those Devils in the shapes of men,  
(For so they called them;) not one of ten  
Escaped their clutches: what a deal of good,  
Said they, it does us, thus to bathe in blood!  
When these injurious wretches are destroyed  
In Ireland, and their habitation void,  
We'll then for England; have at England then,  
We will not leave alive one English man.  
Put case we should be of our lives bereaven.  
Immediately our souls would fly to heaven.  
Why should such scoundrels breath? to work let's fall,  
And take away their lives, estates, and all.  
Strip, strip, man, woman, child, base rougues and whores,  
Leave not a rag on, turn them out of doors.  
So now they shelter them; but woods and caves  
Sha'ned be their dwellings, but shall be their graves,  
Whom we'll— But many by the highways side,  
For want of sustenance fell down, and died:  
And many thousands that for succour fled  
To towns, by that time they came there, were dead,  
To tell their horrid Massacres, would make  
The ear to tingle, and the heart to ache.  
In Armag●, and Tyrone, this barbarous rage  
Spared neither rich nor poor, nor sex, nor age:  
And elsewhere many thousands did expire  
By sword, by water, famine, or by fire.  
Some had their guts ripped out, some dragged thro' bogs;  
Young children thrown to be devoured by dogs.  
If any chanced to beg but leave to pray,  
And kneeled down, they lost their heads straightway  
Some in dark dungeons lie; others half slain,  
Earnestly begged to be rid out of pain.  
They covered some alive with dirt, and stones,  
And laughed, to hear their lamentable groans.  
Some were from bridges, into rivers flung;  
Others, on tenterhooks by the chin hung:  
They hanged up some by th'arms, with their swords trying  
How long an Englishman would be a dying.  
Young infants ripped out of their mother's womb,  
Were given to the hogs, for to entomb.  
Children were forced to kill fathers, and mothers;  
Parents, their children; and brothers, brothers;  
Wives their own husbands; husbands their own wives:  
And they themselves in fine must lose their lives.  
No mercy shown, man, woman, no nor child;  
The dead's digged up, th'alive in cauldrons boiled.  
Some had their hands cut off, and eyes plucked out;  
Many were left alive, their guts about  
Their very heels: and of some's grease and fat  
Candles were made; while others roasted at  
Slack fires: Nay, boys and women were employed  
To perpetrate such deeds, and therein joyed.  
The Rebels, in the country Portendown,  
Did many thousands in the river drown.  
At Lisgool, Tullah, Lissenskeah, and Cumber,  
(All Castles) a considerable number  
Were brought unto untimely ends. Man, woman,  
And child was killed at Killmore and Killoman.  
An ancient dame, which towards Dublin went,  
Was stripped in one day seven times, and sent  
To seek her God, and to her God complain,  
And bid him if he could, cloth her again:  
All mercy was exiled; these murderous cain's:  
Brained some; stabbed others with their swords, forks, skeins.  
Thousands of Protestants in snowy weather  
Turned out stark naked, perished all together,  
Through cold and hunger; many that were sick,  
Were dragged out of their beds, and hanged up quick.  
One Gcodwife Lin, they hanged in the Air,  
And then the daughter by the mother's hair.  
Upon a day a Citadel they fired  
Over the Christians heads therein retired;  
And thus expressed their joy: Behold, how high  
The flames mount, O how sweetly do they fry!  
A Divines mouth up to the ears they slit;  
So done, they put a Bible's leaf to it,  
And bid him preach, and teach some pretty stuff,  
For now he had a mouth was wide enough.  
A naked woman, her bare skin to hide,  
A wisp of straw about her middle tide;  
They fitted it, boasting how it did enhance  
Their spirits to see the English jade so dance:  
They stabbed Jane Addis, and her young child stuck  
T'her breast, and said, Suck English bastard, suck.  
If any hid themselves in cellars, caves,  
They all were murdered by these hell-sent slaves;  
Who made their boast, they pleased the devil well  
In sending him so many souls to hell.  
Against God, and his holy word, likewise,  
They belched out execrable blasphemies.  
Bibles they burned, and said, They burned hellfire;  
Cut some, and soaked others in the mire,  
Then dashed them on the owner's faces; some  
They stamped on, saying, Hence all mischiefs come;  
A plague upon them all; in a short time,  
We hope to see none in our Irish clime.  
They told th' Apostates, that they thought it good  
To kill them while they were in a good mood.  
Anne Nicholson said boldly she'd not turn;  
And rather than she would her Bible burn,  
As they would have her, she the death would die;  
And did, as it fell out: for by and by  
She and her mate was stabbed; but he that acted  
The vill'ny, grew immediately distracted.  
At Glascow fisty English men and Scots  
They made recant, and then cut all their throats.  
In Mayo, and in Tiperary too,  
Both Counties, not a few did undergo  
All sorts of cruel deaths; these bloody ones  
Did slash, hue, hack, and pellet them with stones.  
They forced some in the Sea (swollen big with waves)  
To take possession of those watery graves.  
In Sligo, forty Protestants were stripped,  
And locked up in a cellar; then there slipped  
A butcher in (appointed so to do)  
And with an axe cleaved all their heads in two.  
Into the Jail belonging to this town,  
Poor Protestants were sent, and there knocked down.  
About Dungannon, Tyrone, Charlemount,  
Hundreds were slain upon the same account.  
An Irish Quean killed forty five: Mac Crew  
No less than thirty in one morning slew.  
There were above twelve thousand knocked at head  
In the highways, as towards Down they fled.  
These rogues a Scotchmans' belly did divide,  
And having one end of his small guts tie  
Unto a tree, they forced him round about  
The same so long, till they were all drawn out:  
Said they, We'll try which is the longest size,  
A dog's guts, or a Scotchmans'; O glad eyes!  
In Antrum fell nine hundred fifty four  
In one morn, afterwards twelve hundred more.  
Sir Phileme O Neal boasted he had killed  
Above six hundred at Gravagh; and filled  
Whole houses with the slain; brained old and young  
Within the Baronry of Monterlong.  
In Ulster Province, by all sorts of deaths,  
One hundred fifty thousand lost their breaths.  
One man for saying he'd believe the Pope  
No sooner then the devil, stretched a rope.  
In Munster, many eminent Divines  
They hanged up. Alas! what woeful signs  
Poor children made for bread; but they must fast  
Or feed on grass, and then be brained at last.  
Dear hearts! in what inextricable woes  
Are they involved? inexorable foes  
On every side to bring them to their ends;  
'Tis sad to hear wives, children, servants, friends,  
Send to the air their stormy sighs, and groans,  
Their shrieks, their cries and lamentable moans!  
Alas! what tongue, is able to relate  
The fears, and cares, of their afflicted state?  
O was it, was it not enough almost  
To break a Christians heart, to hear them boast  
Of knockings down? (said one) my arm's so sore  
I cannot lift it up, to brain one more.  
Another bragged, that he abroad had been,  
And of the English rogues had killed sixteen:  
Others so many killed, that they believed,  
That of the very grease and fat which cleaved  
Upon their swords, a man might undertake  
An Irish candle (if he list) to make,  
The English are (said they) fit meat for dogs,  
Their children bastards, drown them in the dogs;  
The day's our own, we'll wound their beasts therefore;  
Oh 'tis a gallant thing to hear them roar!  
Thus have we had a taste of what befell  
The Protestants: now they that did rebel  
Have ever since by the just hand of God  
Been sound scourged with his severer rod;  
He so emasculates their spirits in fight,  
That handfuls put innum'rous foes to flight;  
Thousands of them have perished by the sword; 
Anno 1650.   
As many, if not more, the plague devoured:  
The Lord still fights for his; and will, no doubt,  
Utterly root up that rebellious rour.    

A martyrology Containing A COLLECTION Of all the PERSECUTIONS Which have befallen The Church of England, Since the first Plantation of the Gospel, To the end of Queen MARY'S Reign.  
By the same AUTHOR.  Victi sunt Gentiles Papistae & Idololatria corum non a repugnantibus, sed morientibus Christianis. August. Ep. 42. Quo malis presentibus durius deprimor, co de fuluris gaudiis certius presumo. Gregor. In nothing be terrified by your adversaries, which to them is an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God, Phil. 1. 28. 
Printed by J. Cottrel. 1657.   

To the Right Honourable, WROTH ROGER'S ESQUIRE; High Sheriff, and Governor of the City and County of Hereford: AND TO THE REVEREND, Mr. 

William Voyle  
William Low  
Samuel Smith  
George Primrose   Ministers of Christ's Gospel in Hereford.  
Grace and Peace be multiplied, etc.  
Honoured and Reverend Sirs,  
AS it is the property of generous spirits, not to exact an answerable retaliation for their afforded favours from the party whom they have engaged: So neither are they wont to slight the petty presents of a grateful heart, whose greatest ambition is to be thankful. This hath emboldened me to offer you the small fruits of my weak labours, or rather recreations, gathered at spare hours, in hope they may so relish with your palate, as to move you to honour them with a free acceptance: I doubt not then but they will pass the better, and be entertained with more Approbation. Whhat though the wine of astonishment (I mean the blood of Martyrs) be not so pleasant, and consequently less desirable, yet my hanging out the signs of your honourable names (at the Frontispiece of my Book) will be very effectual to make it vendible. Humility in yourselves, and charity towards me, will cover all faults. I know you are my Honourable and Reverend good Friends, and Amici omnia, amicè interpretantur, so will you this my good will. Now if it be your pleasure to make use of me, I am here pressed for your small Service, till I am able to perform greater. So praying God to fill you with as much happiness both here and hereafter, as your hearts can hold, I take my leave of you; but shall always, while I have a tongue and hand, acknowledge and subscribe myself,  
Etrolog. The seconD of the MoVnth ApriL. MDCLVI. Your Honour's humblest Servant; and to you my Worthy Friends very much obliged, Nicholas Billingsley.   

To the ingenious Reader.  
Kind Reader,  
I Call thee as I would willingly find thee; though, I confess, my weak performance of this Part also in Verse, which is so well done to thy hand in Prose already, might justly occasion thee to cloth thy brow in an angry frown, and look big upon me, with a What needs this? But I persuade myself, thou know'st a little better what belongs to humanity, then to judge too inhumanely of me; thyself remembering that thou art also born of a woman, and art naturally proclive to slip, if need be, as well as another. Mansuetude seems firstly to be attributed to beasts which were made tame, and cicurated; but was afterwards used to express the mind pliable, and pulling in the reins of her passion: this virtue if thou hast, I need not advise thee (as Athenodorus did Augustus) from speaking anything rashly before thou hast orderly repeated the Criss-Cross-Row. Thus do I hope well of thee. What I have done, I leave to thy goodliking; which, if I may be so worthy, as to obtain from thee, give God the Glory, and I am abundantly rewarded for my pains.  
Yours, N. B.   

THE PERSECUTIONS Of the Church of England, From the first planting of the Gospel, to the end of Queen Mary's Reign.  

SECT. I.  
The Persecution of the British Church, till the coming in of the Saxons.  
TO tell exactly who the persons were  
That first preached to the Britain's, in what year  
The Gospel first took root, is past my skill,  
Since Authors cite them with a differing Quill.  
Some say 
* Simon Zelotes.  Zelotes preached here first of all;  
Some Arimathean Joseph; others Paul:  
Fagan, and Damian, did the Gospel bring  
Into great Britain. Lucius the King,  
With many of his subjects, did embrace  
The proffered Gospel, as the means of grace:  
Converted, and baptised, they overturned  
Th'idolatrous Temples, and the Altars burned:  
All superstitious rites they laid aside,  
Advancing Christ: the Scripture was their guide,  
And only rule; they judged nothing fit  
But what had warrant from the Sacred Writ.  
Two hundred sixteen years this faith did flame  
Amongst them till the Pagan Saxons came.  
Religious Lucius without issue died,  
And now the Barons and the Nobles vied  
For King; and while they for the crown contended,  
In stepped the Romans, so the quarrel ended:  
For they usurped the crown, and did overwhelm  
With misery and ruin the whole Realm.  
Sometimes th'idolatrous Romans bore the sway;  
Sometimes the Christian Britan's won the day:  
By turns they got the best, by turns they got  
The worst, as Providence did them allot.  
In Dioclesian's time, and in the Reign  
Of Maximinian, the Christians slain  
In Brittany and elsewhere, did amount  
To sev'nteen thousand. One of great account,  
Alban his name, the Proto-Martyr was  
Of England's Isle; and many more did pass  
That way he went. Religion decayed,  
Bibles were burned, and the Churches laid,  
Laid level with the ground; disordered orders  
Took place; and Piety forsook our borders.  
But the forenamed Tyrants over-tired  
With blondy butcheries, at last respired;  
Experience telling them, the more they shed  
The Christians blood, the more the faith still spread.  
They both went down from the Imperial seat;  
Constantius; next Constantine the Great  
Succeeding in the British government,  
The Church was quiet, and enjoyed content:  
Which peace continued till the Arrian Sect  
The novelty-affectors did infect.  
Hereat God raised up the Picts and Seots  
(Two barbarous nations) and to them allotteth  
The Victor's wreath: poor England was oppressed,  
And did for many years enjoy no rest.  
Which made them send Ambassadors to Rome  
With sad complaints, entreating them to come  
To aid them; so a Roman Legion came,  
Slew some, making the rest retreat with shame,  
And quit these coasts; advising us withal  
To raise betwixt us and the Scots, a wall:  
A wall being builded by the English men,  
The Roman force returned home again.  
This news was brought unto the Picts and Scots  
One this side of the wall; they landed boats,  
O're-ran the country, laid the corn-sields waste,  
And bore down all before them as they passed.  
The Britan's send their Legates unto Rome  
A second time; the sent-for soldiers come  
And vaequished them; the rest put to disorders,  
Enforcedly desert the British borders.  
Which done, they told the Britan's flat and plain,  
They should expect no aid from them again;  
Besides, it stood not with their ease, to take  
So long and tedious journeys for their sake:  
Now therefore arm yourselves, and exercise  
In Warlike feats (said they) if ye be wise:  
Go, go and build you firmer walls, that so  
You may be able to keep out your foe,  
The Romans having took their last farewell  
Of Brittany, the Picts and Scots soon fell  
On the rebuilded walls, and put to flight  
The trembling Britain's, noitrained up to fight.  
They that stood out were barbarously destroyed;  
And all their goods the enemies enjoyed.  
Loan Aceldama of blood! what store  
Of slaughtered Carcases, even swim in gore!  
Rome b'ing again solicited to send  
Relief, refused; the Britain's in the end  
Took heart to grass, when earthly comforts failed  
Sought God, and 'gainst their enemies prevailed;  
Gave them the total rout; the Picts began  
To keep their bound, save only now and than  
They inroads made into the Land; the Land  
At last became under her own command.  
The ground was now manured; the Lord did bless  
Th'industrious Britain's with a large increase  
Of full-eared corn, that such abundant store  
Scarce ever in the Land was seen before.  
But Oh! man's sinful heart! this Peace, this Quiet,  
This Plenty, led them to excess, and riot,  
To pride, contention, envy, and the like:  
God sent the plague among them, which did strike  
So many dead, that the alive were all  
Unable to afford them burial.  
Yet could the judgements that abroad were sent  
Not melt their hearts, nor move them to repent;  
The death of friends, the danger they were in  
Themselves, but hardened them more in sin;  
Not worked their Reformation; oftentimes,  
Judgements prove Shooing-horns to greater crimes.  
They wax still worse and worse; the Laity chose,  
And Clergy too, to live like ranc'rons foes.  
God's thundering vengeance which upon them fell,  
My breathing Muse shall in the sequel tell.   

SECT. II.  
The Persecution of the British Church under the Heathen Saxons and English, Anno 429, etc.  
THE Britain's with ill-neighbours re-infested,  
Instead of turning to the Lord, requested  
The Pagan Saxons aid, for to oppose  
The raging fury of these Northern foes;  
They came, and coming, conquered them; at length,  
The Saxons knowing their sufficient strength  
To over-pow'r the weaker Britain's, they  
Fell foul on them, exacting greater pay,  
And more provision, or else they would  
Side with the Picts, and do the best they could  
To spoil their country. This their resolution  
No sooner said, was put in execution:  
All goodly edifices they destroyed:  
The Ministers, the while they were employed  
In Divine service, were of lives deprived,  
And reverend Bishops with their flocks dislived.  
Some left their country and beyond Seas fled;  
Some on the mountain's tops were murdered.  
Some pined with hunger, creeping from their caves,  
Were soon dispatched, or made perpetual slaves.  
The English Nobles summoned to treat  
Concerning peace, did on a fixed time meet  
At Almshury; but by the faithless train  
Of Saxons, were most treacherously slain  
At Stomheng; and, that they were buried there,  
The yet-remaining monuments declare.  
Now when the Britan's found no other way  
Lay open to redress, they fell to pray.  
A fast was called, and all, with one accord  
Humbled their souls, before th'Almighty Lord.  
Ambrose Aurelian, being chose  
To be their King, did profligate their foes;  
And from that day God's hand appearing glorious.  
They went out prosperous, and returned Victorious.  
At last Aurelian with poison dead,  
Uter Pendragon reigned in his stead:  
He bidding battle to the enemy,  
Two of their Chieftains took; who scaping fly  
To Belgia for more aid; and in the mean  
The Saxons flocked in; conflicts passed between  
Th'English and them: now these, and sometimes they,  
(As Providence saw good) did win the day,  
Octa, and Cosa, with a force renewed  
Came o'er again; the Britan's are subdued;  
Their pastors slain, Churches demolished,  
No mercy's shown; King Uter sick in bed,  
Seeing his Subjects fall, would needs be brought  
Into his camp: so resolutely fought  
His soldiers then, they (under God) obtain  
The Victor's wreath: Octa and Cosa slain.  
Soon ever this great Victory was won,  
Uter of poison died; Arthur his son  
Was crowned King, who twice six Victories  
Obtained against the Saxon enemies.  
His stranger acts, and unbelieved success,  
As fabulous, I leave; but questionless  
Much peace and safety to the British Isle  
Was in his happy reiga enjoyed; yet while  
They were at Peace with others, they again  
Returning to their loathed ways of sin,  
Fell to intestine broils, embracing evil  
In stead of good, and worshipped the Devil,  
Under the notion of an Angel bright.  
The Priests withheld the Gospel's purer light  
From deviating souls; which soon procured  
The wrath of God (too great to be endured)  
Driven out of house and home, no ease, no rest  
They found; the Saxons had the Land possessed,  
And turned out all the Christian Divines.  
So done, they did in the usurped confines,  
The Heptarchy erect: These Kings did smother  
All peace, fell out and warred with one another:  
Till disempowred, they could not well defend  
Themselves, much less with enemies contend. 
Anno 180.   
King Lncius was the first that did receive  
The Gospel, and in Jesus Christ believe:  
From which time (as't in Chronicles appears)  
It stayed in Britain full four hundred years:  
One hundred forty and three years' Gods word  
Grew cold; 
Anno 598,  but Augustine's coming it restored.  
Some English children being brought to Rome,  
There to be sold, Gregory chanced to come  
Into the marketplace: when his fixed sight  
Saw in their lovely cheeks pure red and white  
Contend for Mastership, he much admired  
At their so sweet complexions, and enquired  
What country they were of; then being told  
That they were English heathens, to be sold  
For slaves: here's choice enough, if any wats,  
Said he, 'tis pity such inhabitants,  
So fair, and so Angelical, should dwell  
As subjects to the story Prince of hell.  
Informed their Province Deira was; said he,  
Could wish them Manu-missed De ira Dei.  
And further, being given to understand,  
That one named Awl ruled the British land;  
There, there, saith he, ought Praises to be given  
And Allelujab's to the King of heaven.  
He also had a great desire to go  
To England, and there preach: but Rome said, no.  
Pelagius died: he in his room assigned  
Rome's Bishop, calling his intent to mind:  
Austin, 
Anno 590.  and forty more Divines, he sent  
To undertake this work: they land in Kent,  
At Thanets fertile Isle: King Ethelbert,  
In Canterbury City, they convert,  
And did baptise: 
Anno 186.  by whose example, many  
Daily came in, the King enforced not any,  
But much respected, and affected those  
Who willingly with Christ would make a close.  
Austin sends Greg'ry word, how God did bless,  
And crown their labours with desired success.  
The joyful Bishop sendeth more Divines  
Over, for to effect those great designs  
Were now on foot: a letter of advice  
He writes to Austin, not to be too wise  
In his own eyes, not be puffed up at all  
By those great miracles, which did befall  
The English Church: For why? for this intent,  
God only used him, as an instrument.  
Ascribe all, Austin, to God's power Divine;  
His be the glory, and the praise, not thine:  
And when thy heart t'ebulluate begins,  
O think upon thy God-offending sins,  
And that will humble thee: all Gods elect  
Have of themselves no power to effect  
A miracle like this; and yet heaven's book  
Contains their names. O do not, do not look  
So much on thine own works; be this thy strife,  
To have thy name writ in the book of life.  
What ever miracle the Lord hath brought  
To pass by thee, know this, it was not wrought  
For thy sake; no, 'twas wrought for the salvation  
Of the seduced, misguided English nation.  
If I might be so worthy to advise,  
The Temples built for heathenish sacrifice  
I would not have demolished, but th'abuse  
Removed, converted to another use.  
God go along with you, and lest you stumble  
Through pride, and glory, keep you always humble, etc.  
He an Epistle also did direct  
Unto the King, which was to this effect:  
He first praised God, then did the King commend,  
Wishing he might prove constant to the end  
In his professed faith; and to his power,  
Convert his Subjects to a Saviour,  
Who holds forth life to those that will receive  
It freely, and in's promises believe.  
And lastly, he entreats his gifts may find  
Acceptance, coming from a willing mind.  
Miletus, by his preaching did convert  
Th'east Angle's and the thenking Sigebert;  
Who with his Uncle Ethelbert did found  
St. Paul his Church, and built it from the ground.  
Austin a Synod gathered in this nation  
Of Bishops, to consult of Reformation;  
But nothing's done therein: King Ethelbert  
Having a mighty force, went to evert  
The Chestrian City, where the Monks of Bangor  
Assembling, prayed God to divert his anger,  
From their friends heads, and turn it on their foes,  
To shield the English from approaching woes.  
When the King saw them so intent in prayer,  
Demand he did, what sort of men they were:  
And being credibly informed, they prayed  
For those that were his enemies; he said,  
Although unarmed, they fight against us do,  
And with their prayers persecute us too;  
My hearts, fall bluntly on them; upon pain  
Of our displeasure, let them all be slain.  
Eleven hundred Monks had their blood spilled;  
Which God revenged: the bloody Tyrant's killed  
In fight by Christian Edwin, who obtained  
The crown, and the Christ-builded faith maintained.  
The Idols, and the Altars he destroyed,  
Making all ancient ceremonies void.  
He caused brazen dishes to be tie  
By every fountain in the Highways side,  
That so each passenger without control,  
Might be refreshed with a liberal boul:  
He always carried himself propitious  
Unto the good, but rigorous to the vicious:  
So that a woman charged with gold might pass  
From Sea to Sea, unquestioned who she was.  
At last, by Penda, and Cadwalla's might,  
Subdued, Josiah- like, he died in fight:  
His Christian Subjects felt the worst of woes,  
Nay, eruelst deaths, by those insulting foes.  
The 
* Edelburg.  Queen, her 
* Eufled.  daughter, and Paulinus went,  
To save their lives, by water into Kent;  
Oswald was crowned next; whose prayers did gain  
A glorious Victory, Cadwalla slain.  
His love to piety, his fervent zeal  
To spread the Gospel in his common-weal,  
Was known to all. From Scotland he procured  
Aidanus Bishop; and the King inur'd  
To Scoth, himself interpreted the words  
Aidanus preached, unto his noble Lords  
And Subjects in their mother tongue, more known  
To them then the exotique Scotish tone.  
He to the poor was so compassionate,  
That when on Easter-day at meat they sat  
And served in silver, he was told the poor  
Stood flocking thick and threefold at the door  
He caused them for to be served in state  
With his own food, taking a silver place,  
And straightway breaking it in pieces small,  
Distribute it he did amongst them all.  
Aidanus seeing this, admired, and got  
Him by the hand, O may this never rot  
That to the poor so beneficial was  
(Said he:) as Authors say, it came to pass.  
This Oswald also was a means to bring  
Kinigilsus of the Westsaxons King.  
And Quicelinus King of Dorsetshire,  
With many of their Subjects, to the clear  
Knowledge of Christ; under the Minist'ry  
Of Berinus famous for piety.  
Thus Oswald having reigned nine years' space,  
Mercian Penda did his life uncase.  
Oswic succeeded him; Oswic as glorious  
A Prince, as pious, and no less Victorious:  
He raised an army, fought, and overthrew  
A greater force, and impious Penda slew.  
And now the Bishops and the Ministers,  
Sequestered from the World, and its affairs,  
Preached freely to the people, until they  
About the celebrating Easter-day  
(Which bone amongst them Satan cast) contended,  
A Synod's called, nor was the difference ended,  
Wolferus now a licence having gained,  
Converted the southsaxons; then there reigned  
Abundant showers which fertilized the land  
Lain barren for three years: thus Gods good hand  
Appeared in a plenteous increase;  
He sent his Gospel, with his Gospel-peace.  
Thus the Southsaxons, with the Ifle of Wight,  
Did last of all embrace the Gospel's light.  
About this time the Roman Church disowned  
Her pristine beauty; Antichrist enthroned,  
The Pope did Lord it over all; he sent  
Italian Theodorus into Kent  
With many Monks, there Masses must be sung,  
And in the Latin, not the mother-tongue:  
Bishops, and Ministers he did displace  
At's pleasure, so that in a little space  
Truth turned to error, Piety to vainness,  
Zeal to contempt, Religion to profaneness.  
Because their iterated crimes did urge  
God's wrath, the Pagan-Danes became their scourge.   

SECT. III.  
Of the Heptarchy united by Egbert; and of the invasion by the Danes, and of the Persecution of the English Church under them.  
KIng Egbert after many battles fought,  
United first the Heptarchy, and brought  
In Monarchy, into the British land;  
The whole Realm his, he gave a strict command  
That Britain should be England named, and all  
The Saxons answer to the English call.  
The Pagan-Danes invaded several times  
(To plague her for her execrable crimes)  
This British Isle, not striving to enjoy  
And conquer it, but t'utterly destroy.  
They whosoever they met, man, woman, child,  
Killed or enslaved, and the Churches spoiled.  
They sacked Canterbury, in which place  
Above nine thousand souls they did uncase.  
Throughout the Land their cruelty was such,  
Of blood they thought theycould not shed too much.  
This Isle was subject to a foreign power, 
Above 255 years.   
Till freed by William the Conqueror.  
Who list to know the intercourse of things.  
The Acts and the Successions of Kings,  
May if he please, (for brevity my mark)  
Read them at large in famous Mr. Clarke.   

SECT. IV.  
The Persecution of the English Church under the Papacy.  
ALthough Religion from the time this Isle  
Embraced grace first, retained not all this while  
It's Prim tive splendour, but grew more obscure,  
More superstitious, and no less impure;  
Yet in those Pristine days, the people's crimes  
Were not equivalent to aftertimes.  
The Church now being in the deserts hid,  
Afraid to show her face, th' Almighty did  
Raise Bernard up, and many more beside,  
T'unmask and check the Antichristian pride;  
And superstitious disordered orders  
Too too luxuriant in the British borders.  
At which the Pope and his adherents urged,  
They were imprisoned, hanged, and burnt, and scourged  
About the streets, or branded in the sorehead,  
With an Heret'cal character: O horrid  
Yet many did most readily embrace  
Their Doctrine, as the only means of grace:  
That man of sin, that offspring of perdition  
Renounced, and all the ways of superstition.  
God still preserved a Church unto his name,  
From Christ's time, till the time that Luther came.  
John Patrick Engina, 
Anno 1518.  When Alfred reigned,  
The first Reader in Oxford was ordained:  
He wrote a book about the Sacrament, 
Anno 884.   
For which a Martyr's death he underwent.  
They branded in the face, 
Anno 960.  and banished some  
Divines at Oxford, who declam'd 'gainst Rome.  
One Arnold there they butchered, who decried  
Against the Priests lewd lives, 
Anno 1126.  and Prelate's pride.  
In Henry's reign the second of that name,  
Thirty Waldenses into England came, 
Anno 1160.   
Gerard their Pastor; and without all pity,  
Were whipped publicly through Oxford City;  
They singing all the while, Blessed are ye,  
When you shall hated, and misused be, etc.  
With want and cold, they died; none might afford  
Them any comfort, nor at bed nor board.  
Gualdo who 'gainst the priests invectives wrote,  
And also Doctor Gilbert Foliot, 
Anno 1170.   
Who oft blamed 
* Archbishop of Canterbury.  Thomas Becket to his face,  
Were persecuted much: to them a grace.  
Sylvester Gyrald by his writings tears  
Such Hornets up, 
Anno 1200.  as fall about his ears.  
One Alexander, for his bitter stile  
Banished by 
† Anno 1207.  Langton, died in exile.  
Ashton fellow of Merton college went  
Into perpetual imprisonment. 
Archbishop of Canterbury.   
One William Sawtre, Thorp, and Swinder by.  
With sundry more Divines condemned, did die  
Under the Christian Banner, 
Anno 1382.  and their spirits  
Passed into glory through Christ Jesus merits.  
And now because my Muse finds nothing new  
But only Martyrs names, she dids adieu  
At present, Reader, but intends to meet  
Thy serious eye within another sheet.   

SECT. V.  
The Persecution of the English Church after the rising of Martin Luther.  
THE Christian world appeared not very clear  
Until the fifteen hundred eighteenth year,  
Wherein God pleased to unbosom night,  
The Art of Printing being brought to light; 
Anno 1518.   
Which furnished the Church with useful books,  
And made them to discern Religions looks  
From superstition, (as in a mirror;)  
Substantial Truth, from counterfeited error.  
God also raised up sundry men of parts;  
Who by their learning and ingenious Arts,  
Most strenuously opposed Barbarism,  
Truth's Sunshine breaking from the clouds of Schism.  
Picus, and Franciscus Mirandula,  
Laurentius Valla, Francis Petrarcha,  
Erasmus, Doctor Collet, Wesalinus  
Rhenanus Grocinus, and Revelinus, etc.  
Were in God's vineyard faithful labourers;  
Then Martin Luther, and his followers,  
By God's appointment came into this nation,  
To work his Church t'a fuller Reformation.  
Six persons suffered death at Coventry, 
Anno 1519.   
Only for teaching of their family  
The Lord's prayer, ten commandments, and the creed,  
I'th' English tongue. 
Anno 1523.  Severity indeed!  
One Thomas Harding, on an Easter day,  
When others worshipped Idols, went to pray  
Within a silent grove; where apprehended,  
Condemned, and burnt, his soul to heaven ascended.  
At London one John Raimond was abjured; 
Anno 1528.   
Who fifteen hundred Testaments procured  
Of Antwerp Print, and brought five hundred over  
Into this Isle, the darkness to discover.  
One Sigar Nicholson was hung up by  
The ptivy members: 
Anno 1529.  and the reason why,  
Was this: in Cambridge he (a Stationer)  
Keeped in his house some works, that Luther's were.  
One Thomas Hitten, a Divine in Kent,  
After a tedious imprisonment, 
Anno 1530.   
Was over to the sec'lar power turned,  
And by them in the Town of Maidstone burned.  
Cardinal Woolsy persecuted sore  
Bilny, 
Anno 1531.  Lome, Garret, Barnes, and many more.  
One Richard Bayfield, 
Anno 1532.  was from Lollards tower  
Delivered over to the sec'lar power,  
And after bound at stake; when with the flame  
His left arm burned was, he rubbed the same  
With his right hand so hard, that down it fell;  
He prayed until he went in heaven to dwell.  
Edward Frieze, Johnstone, Wylie, Father Bates,  
All shut up with their wives in Fulham grates,  
During their hard imprisonment, were fed,  
O misery indeed! with sawdust bread.  
After a tedious lying in the stocks,  
They let them go, but clogged their legs with locks.  
James Bainham, when half burned at the stake,  
To this effect unto the Papists spoke:  
Behold, ye look for miracles; and here  
A miracle indeed, doth now appear:  
For I am as insensible of pain,  
As if I on a bed of down were lain;  
All's one to me, both equally do please:  
O 'tis a Rosy bed, a bed of ease!  
An Idol named The Rood of Dover Court, 
A. 1530.   
Was burnt, and some in chains were hanged for't.  
Now suffered Andrew Howet, and John Frith.  
One Thomas Bennet, who was cursed with  
Bell, Book, and Candle, fastened to the stake,  
And fired a comfortable end did make.  
The Papists to their power the truth suppressed,  
And Persecuted those that it professed:  
But God was pleased deliverance to bring  
To his afflicted Saints; for now the King  
Divorced the Lady Katherine of Spain,  
And took to wife Lady Anne Bullen. Vain  
Were all the Pope's projects; none in this nation  
Might now ensorced be to abjuration.  
Eliz'beth Barton, th'holy maid of Kent,  
A Nun both subdolous and fraudulent,  
By the strange alt'ring of her countenance  
Gulled silly people, lying in a trance  
(As Quakers do) and then, as if sh' had been  
Inspired by God, would in reproof of sin  
Speak much, and rail against the Gospel's light,  
Calling it Heresy; her ranc'ous spite  
She vented to the King and Queen's dishonour.  
By Satan backed, she also took upon her  
T'advance Rome's Doctrine, praising constitutions  
Idol' try, Pilgrimages, Absolutions, etc.  
But Doctor Cranmer, 
Anno 1533.  with the Lord Cromwell,  
And Mr. Latimer, did wisely smell  
Out all the knavery; 
Aano 1534.  so that the Nun  
And her associates hanged, their days were done.  
Though England did the Popish power disown, 
Anno 1536.   
Yet Popery still hovered up and down:  
And William Tindal was betrayed, arraigned,  
Condemned and burned for the Truth maintained.  
Anne Bullen also, that Religious Queen,  
(Who now about three years had married been)  
By false reports and sinister suggestions,  
Had lost the King's affection; he questions  
Her dearest love; which he intends to smother,  
By marrying himself unto another.  
Queen Anne was to the Tower carried;  
And, ere three weeks were over, lost her head.  
The Virtuous Lady, standing up erect  
Upon the Scaffold, spoke to this effect:  
Good Christian people, if you wonder why  
I am come hither, know, it is to die;  
Having already heard my sentence strict:  
Nor lies it in my power to contradict.  
I come not hither for this end, to clear  
Myself, nor tell who my accusers are:  
I pray God save the King his life maintain,  
And make you flourish in his happy reign, etc.  
And if among you, there be any shall  
Presume to question my untimely fall;  
Anne Bullen begs, Anne Bullen does implore,  
That they would judge the right, and judge no more.  
Thus, thus vain world, I take my leave of you:  
Dear Christian friends, I bid you all adieu:  
I pray be fellow-feelers of my case,  
And put up prayers to the Throne of grace  
In my behalf. Oh Lord in mercy shine  
Upon me, take my soul, for it is thine:  
Sweet Jesus, it is thine. This oft she said  
On her bend knees, until she lost her head.  
The King, (no longer time than three days tarried,  
But) to the Lady Jane Seymer was married.  
About this time, (which God to pass did bring)  
Lord Cromwell grew in favour with the King:  
By whose advice, and sage deliberation,  
The Church was brought unto a reformation.  
The King's injunctions all abroad made known, 
Anno 1538.   
Idol'trous Images were overthrown:  
Our Ladies at Walsingham, Worcester,  
Ipswich, and Thomas Becket's image, were  
Cast down; with others, which had long deceived  
The silly people, who indeed believed  
They lived; for they (by secret Engines found)  
Could open, shut their eyes, and roll them round.  
The same year (as Lord Cromwell, did advise)  
Abbeys were ruined and Monasteries.  
A little after, for opposing Rome,  
Mr. John Lambert suffered Martyrdom.  
Packington Collins, Leiton, Puttedew,  
Peck, Doctor Barnes, Garret, and Heirom too,  
Two eminent Divines, the Lord Cromwell,  
Great Essex Earl, all for the truth's sake fell.  
Yea all the prisons, within London walls  
Were filled, and many were enclosed in Halls,  
By virtue of an Act for prohibition  
Of truth, and countenancing superstition.  
John Porter, 
Anno 1541.  unto Newgate Dungeon sent  
For reading in the Bible; underwent  
Hard usage: bolts and Iron chains did check  
The freedom of his legs, his hands, and neck:  
At last, into the lowest dungeon cast,  
Not many days expired, he breathed his last.  
At Lincoln Bishop Longland took away  
James Morton, Thomas Bornard, in one day.  
One Mr. Barber, who the truth denied,  
With sorrow wore away until he died.  
One Testwood, 
Anno 1544.  Person, Filmore, tossed and turned  
Under afflictions hand, at last were burned  
Near Windsor Castle: with a cheerful face,  
Anthony Person did the stake embrace,  
Kissing it, said, Welcome mine own sweet Bride,  
For this blessed day shalt thou and I be tied  
As man and wife together, in the love  
And Matrimonial peace of God above,  
Of God above; I long for to be there, etc.  
When all of them unto the stake bound were,  
Said Filmer then, My brethren rejoice  
In God, unto him make a joyful noise:  
For after this sharp breakfast, we a boon  
Dinner shall have with Christ in heaven at noon.  
Testwood with hands and eyes to heaven up heaved,  
Desired God that his spirit might be received.  
Person (said thus) tricking with straw his head,  
This is God's hat, now I am dressed indeed,  
Like a true soldier of Christ, by whom  
This day into his joy I trust to come.  
And so they suffered with such constancy,  
That many with them could afford to die.  
The Lord Lisle, Thomas Brooks, James Cock, Ralph Hare,  
James Barber, Mr. Smith, John Butler, bore  
The cross of Christ. Said Rockwood, Bad's my state  
I can't repent, All too late, all too late.  
The under-Marshal fell upon the floor,  
I'th' Council. room, and never spoke word more.  
One Richard Mekins, that had scarce outworn  
The fifteenth year, 
Anno 1541.  they did in Smithfield burn.  
Two labouring men, there was at Calais Martyred;  
And Mr. Da●slip was hanged, drawn and quartered.  
Button, was persecuted; Mr. Dod  
Resigned up in the flame his soul to God.  
One Mr. Saxie, to his end was brought,  
By Gardiner's appointment, 
Anno 1546.  as ' cwas thought.  
Kerby at Ipswich, Roger Clerk at Bury  
Fried Faggots, to appease their foeman's fury.  
Anne Askew being tossed from post to pillar,  
And cruelly misused, an evil-willer  
Led her into a dungeon; where he racked  
Her body till her very bowels cracked:  
Nay, when her bones and joints were plucked asunder,  
She praised God and prayed; (to all a wonder)  
Then the Lord Chanc'ller sent her word that burned  
She should be, if she changed not: she returned  
An answer back, that she would rather die,  
Then once recant, and her true faith deny.  
To Newgate being sent, she penned there  
Her faith's confession, ending with this prayer:  
O Lord, the hairs which on my head do grow,  
Are not so numerous as my foes, I know:  
Yet Lord, take not thy grace and comfort from me;  
So shall they not with flattering words o'ercome me:  
Do thou fight for me; so my soul shall fear  
No danger, for on thee I cast my care.  
With all the mischief that they can invent  
They fall upon me, and have even spent  
Me thy poor creature. Sweet Lord let me slight  
My foes, for thou alone art my delight.  
And Lord, I pray thee, when thy wrath begins  
To burn them, quench it: O forgive their sins:  
Lord open thou their hearts, restore the blind,  
That they may please thee; give them grace to mind  
The things that do belong unto their peace  
In this their day, left when they would, they cease.  
Let not the fancies vain of sinful men  
Destain thy truth: Amen, O Lord, Amen.  
She brought to Smithfield in a chair, was bound  
To th'stake, and with the flames besieged round.  
So slept she in the Lord, 
Anno 1546.  and in God's eyes  
Became an acceptable sacrifice.  
At that time Nicholas Belerrian,  
A Shropshire Min'ster; and a Gentleman,  
John Lacels, servant to the King; with one  
John Adam's Tailor, burning undergon.  
The same year, Bishop Gardiner did bring  
Malicious accusations to the King  
Against Queen Kathrin Parr (supposing all  
The boughs would wither, if the stock did fall)  
In that she gave her mind (which was unfit)  
To read and meditate on Sacred Writ.  
And Chaplains kept seditions to rear,  
None b'ing denied the privilege to hear:  
As also, that her heart was fully bend  
To spurn against the present government:  
Her life was dangerous: nor could he rest,  
That nourished such a Viper in his breast.  
The Kings love turned to hate; and now the Queen  
Must die the death: but providence stepped between;  
The plot's found out; she wisely did behave her:  
The King received her to his wont favour.  
Now also Sir George Blake condemned was,  
For casting out some words against the Mass.  
A pardon's granted him; after which thing,  
He being in the presence of the King;  
The King said to him, Ah my Pig, (for so  
He used to call him:) yea, said he, I know,  
Had not your Majesty been more inclined  
To save my life, (such was your Royal mind)  
Then were your Bishops to reek out their teen;  
Your Pig, I'm sure, ere this had roasted been.  
Straight after, Winchester, and his complices  
(Sworn foes to Virtues, and fast friends to Vices)  
Set forth in the King's name, a Proclamation  
That all the English Bibles in the Nation,  
And other Books which yielded any light  
Unto the truth, should be abolished quite.  
This done, said they, So, now the Gospels lain  
So low that it shall never rise again;  
And for the greater terror, strict inquest  
They made for those that verity professed:  
Of many pricked down the names; of whom,  
They some expelled, and imprisoned some:  
So that these varlets did in no wise doubt  
The bringing of their wicked ends about.  
But God, who careth for his truth, and those  
That countenanced the same, dispersed their foes:  
A midst their vain projects the King was dead,  
And with him all their hopes were buried.   

SECT. VI  
The Persecution of the Duke of Somerset in the Reign of King Edward the sixth  
NOW when King Henery the eighth was dead,  
His son Prince Edward reigned in his stead;  
During whose happy reign Religion flourished,  
popery decared, the Church of God was nourished  
With the full breasts of Peace, the Gospel spread  
And superstition was abolished:  
Only the Godly Duke of Somerset  
With Persecutions, and great troubles met;  
Some of the Nobles labouring most of all  
To raise themselves upon his sudden fall.  
Edward, and Thomas Seymer were allied  
Unto King Edward, by his mother's side;  
Edward the eldest (fit to guide the Helm)  
Was made Protector of the King, and Realm:  
Thomas the second, of this British Isle  
Was chosen Lord high Admiral; the while  
These brethren joined in fraternal love,  
Nothing fell out amiss; but when they strove,  
(Spurred on by make-bates) unto one another  
They proved destructive; and the younger brother  
Attainted, was condemned, and lost his head  
On Tower-hill: 
Anno 1549.  hence insurrections bred.  
The Lords, at London privily conjured  
Against the Lord Protector, and immured  
Him once, nay twice, yea thrice, in a short season,  
Then charged him with Felony, and Treason.  
He's to the Tower- hill brought, where he commended  
His soul to God; his prayers being ended,  
He rose from off his knees, and like a man  
Courageously bold, he thus began:  
Dear beloved friends, Lo, I am here  
To suffer death, though (God knows) I am clear  
From thinking, speaking, or from acting aught  
Against the King, in word, in deed, or thought;  
But always to this Realm have born a breast  
As faithful, and as loyal as the best.  
Yet in obedience to the Laws command,  
I here as a condemned person stand;  
And praise my God, for his abundant grace  
In giving unto me both time and space,  
Who might have justly took away my breath,  
Had he so pleased, by a sudden death,  
Now as for the Religion which I  
During the time of my Authority  
Maintained to my power, nor do I now  
Repent of what I did, but both to you  
And me agnize it as a favour great;  
And do you all most heartily entreat  
To joyfully received, and set it forth  
In your lives, as a thing of unknown worth;  
Which studiously to do, if you neglect,  
Great misery I fear you may expect.  
These words no sooner out, a sudden sound  
As terrible as thunder, did confound  
The people so, that some fell down through fear,  
Some this some that way run, but none knew where  
Anthony Brown Knight came; that he did bring,  
The crowd supposed, a pardon from the King;  
With that a shout arose: but the good Duke  
Did gravely with his beckoning hand rebuke  
The clamorous throng. And silence being gained,  
He said, Dear friends, Pardon is not obtained  
As you conceive; God otherwise is bend;  
His will be done, and we must be content.  
Let's join in prayer, that safety may pursue  
The King, t'whom loyal I have been. 'Tis true,  
The people cried out. O heaven bless  
His Highness with all health and happiness:  
I wish his Counc'llours grace to rule, and then  
You all obedient hearts: all said, Amen  
I ask forgiveness if I wronged any;  
O Lord remit my sins, for they are many.  
As for my foes, I freely them forgive.  
For Christ I die, in whom I hope to live, etc.  
Farewell, farewel, he lay him down, and spoke  
Christ save me, 
A. 1552.  thrice: the hangman gave the stroke   

SECT. VII.  
The Persecution of the English Church under the Reign of Queen Mary.  

EDWARD the sixth (England's Josiah) dead,  
Lady Jane Grey was crowned in his stead;  
The Lady Mary, having heard the news,  
Sent to the Lordly Council for to choose  
Her to be Queen: and if they did withstand  
The execution of her just command,  
By force of arms she threatened to regain  
Her wronged right, and her defrauded reign.  
The Lords returned this answer, There was none  
Had such just right and title to the Crown  
As Lady Jane: the ancient Laws allow  
It hers, and place it on her Princely brow;  
'Twas hers by Letters patent from the King,  
And made Authentic with his Royal Ring  
Before his death; and since she was invested  
As an apparent heiress, all protested  
Adherence to her and no Queen beside.  
The Lady Mary to rest satisfiyed,  
Request they did, entreating her to cease  
By new pretences to molest the peace  
The quiet Realm enjoyed; promising her  
They would be nothing wanting to prefer  
Her next the Queen: if possibly they could  
Serve her in any other thing, they would,  
Provided that she did herself so carry,  
As fits a duteous Subject, Lady Mary  
Having received this answer, heavy hearted,  
From out the City's circuit straight departed.  
Hereat the Council did set out a band  
Of armed soldiers under the command  
Of the Northumbrian Duke: Mary withdrew her  
Self into Suffolk, many flocking to her:  
And while she in Fermingham Castle stayed,  
All Suffolk freely proff'red her their aid  
And best assistance to procure her Reign,  
With this Proviso, that she would maintain  
Religion established of late  
By her good brother, and not broach debate  
Amongst her Subjects, nor foment the seed  
Of war: to this she easily agreed,  
And did to God so solemnly protest,  
That no man could suspect her in the least:  
Now with this power, of those Godly men,  
She vanquished her foes; yet after when  
The selfsame party spplication made  
Unto her Grace, to do, as she had said:  
She answered, Forasmuch as you that are  
But members arrogantly seek to bear  
Rule o'er your head, I fear me to your cost  
You'll once know what it was to rule the roast;  
By sad experience you shall find one day,  
That Subjects may not rule, but must obey.  
Then in the Pill'ry famous Mr. Dobbe,  
Exposed was to many a bitter bob;  
Some others for presenting that request  
Were laid up fast to terrify the rest.  
The Marches of the Duke not overlong,  
The Lady by his lingering grew more strong.  
So that the London Council having heard  
How much the Commons for her aid appeared,  
And that some of the Nobles too, did lean  
That way, they presently proclaimed her Queen.  
The Gen'ral by his soldiers forsaken,  
At Cambridge left almost alone, was took,  
And brought to London-Tower; in a short season  
On Tower-hill he lost his head for treason.  
After his condemnation he was  
Promised his life, if he would go to Mass,  
Which he assented to, his words regrest  
The truth he had so formerly professed.  
He to the Catholic cause the people led  
To th'papists great joy: yet did he lose his head.  
Queen Marry thus possessed of the crown,  
Began the pure Religion to disown;  
As soon appeared, by her displacing all  
The godly Bishops; Ridly, Coverdale,  
Poinet, Hooper and Scory, Gardiner  
Set free, was made Bishop of Winchester,  
Also Lord Chancellor of England. Bonner  
Too undeservedly attained the honour  
Of being London's Bishop. To the Fleet  
Was Mr. Hooper manded (O unmeet!)  
To see the Queen good Doct or Ridly went,  
But on a lame Jade to the Tower was sent.  
A Parliament was called, a Proclamation  
Forthwith the Queen set forth throughout the nation;  
Wherein she showed, She could by no means brook  
To smother that Religion which she took  
In with her Infant-milk, and to her power  
Meant to observe until her latest hour,  
Wishing that all her Subjects (which would sleep  
Secure in their whole skin) the same might keep:  
She also did declare, whereas there were  
Evil-disposed persons, who did dare  
To preach God's word misled by their own brain;  
She therefore did by strict command ordain  
Such should not henceforth preach (as held unfit)  
Read or interpret any Sacred Writ,  
Or other points Religion concerned,  
Or Print Books by the which it might be learned,  
Without a special licence from the Queen  
On pain of stirring up her Highness' spleen;  
Requiring all her Officers to see  
Her will and pleasure executed be:  
If herein any wilfully offend,  
She authorised them, them to apprehend  
And send them forthwith to the neighbouring gaol,  
Without admitting Mani-prize, or bail;  
Till for their punishment, and the example  
Of others, Orders be procured more ample.  
Also the London- Aldermen were willed  
To send for all the Ministers which filled  
The streight'ned Wards, and silence them on pain  
Of death, commanding them that none explain,  
Or preach, or read the Scripture in their stead,  
But such as by the Queen were licenced. 
Anno 1553.   
One William Rutler, Humphrey Palden, too,  
He must to prison, this to th'Counter go,  
For speaking but against what was expressed  
At Paul's- Cross by one Bourn, a Popish Priest.  
Good Mr. Rogers was t'his house confined;  
Bradford, Vernon, and Beacon, were assigned  
Close prisoners in the Tower. Then did they send  
For Coverdale, and Hooper to attend  
The Council; and for Newgate they allot  
John Melvine a Divine, by birth a Scot  
Mr. Hugh Latimer was sent to th' Tower;  
And so was Dr. Cranmer by this power.  
Mr. Simonds, Sanders, Horn, durham's Dean,  
Were summoned to appear before the Queen.  
Soon after this, the Parliament began;  
Where Mr. Hearty, a judicious man,  
Bishop of Hereford, degraded was,  
For marrying a wife, and shunning Mass.  
Sir James Hales Justice of the Common-Plea,  
In charge against the Pope's supremacy  
Producing Statutes, etc. into prison cast  
Was there so roughly dealt with, that at last  
Recant he did; but (O dire consequence!)  
He felt the terrors of his conscience,  
And his own executioner had been,  
Had not God's special goodness stepped between  
The knife and him. From prison he released,  
(His selfmade wounds recured) no inward rest  
Enjoyed at home: so having made his will,  
He drowned himself, and's end begun his ill.  
At the same time, for their dis-approbation  
Of a presented Bill, the Convocation  
By Bonner was dissolved: From Coventry,  
(For their oppugning of Idolatry)  
Baldwin, Clark, Careless, Willcocks, all in haste  
Sent up to London by the Mayor, lay fast.  
Bishop's imprisoned were, Archdeacon's, Deans,  
All Beneficed men, put by their means,  
Who closely to the truth revealed adhered;  
And Popish Parsons, in their rooms preferred,  
(Too bad supplies.) within a little season,  
Archbishop Cranmer, for no less than Treason  
At Guild- Hall was arainged; cleared of that charge,  
For's heresy he might not live at large.  
One Mr. Thomas Wotton an Esquire, 
Anno 1554.   
And Doctor Crome did in the Fleet retire.  
Now Hymen went to join with Nuptial bands,  
Iberian Philip's, and Queen Mary's hands:  
Some of the Nobles, and the vulgar sort,  
Not very well resented this report;  
The Duke of Suffolk, laboured to prevent  
The match: Sir Thomas as Wyatt raised in Kent  
Some sources to oppose it; for he feared  
The Realm would be enslaved, and Popery reared.  
Wyatt for London marched: Queen Mary then  
At Guild- Hall stirred up the City-men.  
Wyatt came into Southwark; having found  
Entrance blocked up, he went by Kingston round,  
And faced Ludgate, which to entertain  
Such guests refusing, he returned again;  
And having got the worst at Temple-Bar,  
Became Sir Clement Parson's prisoner,  
Who sent him to the Tower: on Tower-Hill  
He and the Lady Jane, 
Anno 1554.  their days fulfil.  
Bonner did in his Diocese disperse  
Injunctions to all the Ministers,  
Wherein they were required to give in  
The names of all whoever were again  
Auricular confession, the next Lent  
Encroaching on. Queen Marry also sent  
To Bonner, Articles, commanding straight  
The Church-Laws made by Henery the eight  
Should be in force; that heresy abhorred  
Should fall, the Pope's supremacy restored:  
That Ministers which did lead married lives  
Should be divorced from (themselves) their wives;  
And that processions should be said, or sung,  
From that time forward, in the Latin tongue, etc.  
John a Lasco, Peter Martyr, and more  
Protestant forr'ners, were exiled this shore:  
And many godly-minded English fly  
To Friez land, Cleav●land, Basil, Germany;  
Where through God's mercy they were kept from dangers,  
And all found favour, in the eyes of strangers.  
The number of these Peregrine's increased  
Unto eight hundred persons, at the least.  
Then to the Tower Lady Elizabeth  
Was sent, and bore afflictions worse than death.  
Latimer, Cranmer, Ridly, Bishops, spent  
Much time at Oxford in imprisonment.  
One Mr. Sanders crying down the Mass,  
Became close prisoner. Doctor Tailor was  
To London sent for up. Henry Lord Grace  
Of Suffolk Duke, condemned, was brought to pay  
His sought for life; where having open broke  
His sealed lips, he to the people spoke;  
I have displeased the Queen, contraired her Laws,  
Take notice Christians, that's the only cause  
I suffer so: and seeing they are bend  
T'a bridge my fleeting days, I am content,  
And do beseech you all, bear me record,  
I die in the true faith of Christ, my Lord;  
And for salvation on his merits rely,  
Not on inefficacious trumpery.  
For me, and all true penitents beside,  
Who in him stead fastly believe, Christ died.  
Repent I do, and do desire you all  
To pray for me, that when my body shall  
Resign its breath, God will be pleased to take  
My soul unto himself, for Christ his sake.  
Forgive me ye, whom I offended have.  
Says Dr. Weston then, As he doth crave  
The Queen hath done: him thus the throng rebuke,  
God send thee such forgiveness. So the Duke  
Kneeled down and prayed, concluding, I resign  
My soul (O Lord) into those hands of thine:  
Then made he preparation to embrace  
The bloody blow; and having veiled his face  
With his own handkerchief, he kneeling said  
The Lord's prayer over, down his head he laid  
Venting these latest words, Christ look upon me,  
Have mercy, Jesus, O have mercy on me.  
And now the stroke was fetched, he being cast  
At the black bar of death, breathed out his last.  
Divers of all degrees, who bought or sold  
Some good religious books, were keeped in hold.  
As Bonner past his Visitation,  
He charged all Sacred sentences upon  
The Church-walls painted should be washed out.  
And Visitors he also sent about  
The Universities, to bring therein  
All Popish trash: to turn out they begin  
The ablest men: some of themselves forsook  
Their fellowships, while worth-less persons took  
Their places up, to the great hindrance  
Of learning, and religions advance.  
By this 'twas bruited over all the land,  
The Queen went quick with child: upon command,  
Thanks were returned to Almighty God  
In every Church, and after, all abroad  
Prayers were made, that she might have e'er long  
A male child, fair, wise, valiant, and strong.  
The Godly Min'sters before Winchester  
In and about the City must appear;  
Who asked them, If they would recant, and so  
Have pardon from the Queen? All answered, No,  
Yea, all of them unan'mously agreed  
To stand to what they taught: the Bishop's speed  
Made them close prisoners, and did divorce  
Their friends from interchangable discourse.  
Mr. James George, one of them, there did yield  
His spirit up, whom they buried in the field;  
Then Mr. Hooper, Rogers, Bradford (hated)  
And Sanders too, were excommunicated:  
And Pious Dr. Tailor, Ferrar, Crome,  
Did all of them, with them receive their doom.  
Commissions and inquisitors were sent.  
Throughout the Realm; great multitudes from Kent,  
From Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, and elsewhere,  
Were brought to London, and encloyftred there.  
Part of them dead in prison, out were turned  
To dunghills, and the flames a many burned:  
Also Hanks, Hunter, Pigot, Laurence, brought  
Before the Bishops were, for no just fault.  
When Stephen Gardener saw that what h'assailed  
By threats, hard usage, not at all prevailed  
To make men shake off truth; he did begin  
(As utterly discouraged therein)  
The business in hand, for to renounce,  
Meddling no more with condemnations;  
But unto Bishop Bonner, them referred,  
Who in that trust imposed, so bestirred  
Himself, that sending for all in great haste  
Th'above named parties, he upon them past  
Death's final sentence: Dr. Ferrar, quick  
He sent down to St. David's Bishopric  
Within the Cambrian country, there to be  
Condemned and executed (cruelty!)  
To th'Queen in Mr. Coverdale's behalf  
Twice wrote the King of Denmark for his safe  
Release from prison; but with much ado  
To him, the Queen permitted him to go,  
One Thomas Tomkins, Weaver by his trade,  
An humble man, and one that conscience made  
Of what he did, who would begin his labour  
With servant prayers; and to his needy neighbour  
So charitable was, that he'd disburse  
Unto them, all the money in his purse  
If any came to borrow of him: when  
His creditors would bring it home again,  
He used to bid them keep it longer yet,  
Till they more able were to pay the deb.  
This man was kept in prison a half years space,  
By Benner's means, who beat him on the face  
With livid blows, and plucked off a piece  
Of his fast beard; yet this did but increase  
His patience more: the Bishop then affailed  
(When other terms nothing at all prevailed)  
With gentle words to win him; but the trial  
Successless proved: Tomkins returned denial.  
The Bishop, having by, a flaming Torch,  
Took Tomkins by the fingers and did seorch  
His hand therewith; afterwards Tomkins told  
A friend of his, that whilst Bonner did hold  
His hand to burn, he felt no pain at all,  
Such consolation from God's spirit did fall;  
Nor shrunk he in the least, until his veins  
The fire contracted (fire you know constreines)  
And sinews cracked again, and water spurt  
On Dr. Harpsfield's face (as from a squirt.)  
Who was so pitiful compassionate,  
As to beseech the Bishop to abate  
His cruel mind: O be not so, so rough,  
(Said he) have you not tried him enough?  
Into the Bishop's consistory brought,  
Examined he was, whether he thought  
Christ's real body in the Sacrament  
Was present yea, or no? to which he sent  
This answer, that he verily believed,  
The Sacrament by a true faith received,  
Was only its remembrance; with the Highest  
The very body, and the blood of Christ,  
In heaven is, and nowhere else: being asked  
If he'd recant? God hath (said he) unmasked  
His truth to me in such corruscancy,  
That in it I resolve to live, and die.  
The Bishop then, death's sentence on him past,  
And to the Sheriffs delivered him, who cast  
Him into Newgate prison; in Smithfield  
The truth (in fine) with his dear blood he sealed, 
Anno 1555.   
And in the Lord slept sweetly.—   

Then William Hunter, that had scarce outworn  
The nineteenth, year of Godly Parents born,  
Who him instructed in Religion's truth,  
And placed him out in London; this good youth  
Was charged by special command to go  
To Mass, break bread; which he refused to do.  
Hunter when threatened that this should come  
Unto the Bishop's ear, leave got, went home  
To Burnt-wood, and did with his Parents stay  
About six weeks. And going on a day  
Into the Chapel there, (which pleased him well)  
He found a Bible, and to reading fell:  
In came a Sommoner, who thus did say,  
What dost thou meddling with the Bible? Ha?  
knowst thou well, what thou readest? canst thou unfold  
The Sacred Writ? 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 betid  
I read in it. The Sommoner replied,  
'twas never merry world, since in our tongue  
The Bible first came forth; would it were hung.  
Said Hunter, Oh! for Godsake say not so;  
'Tis God's Book, by it every soul may know,  
That hath one spark of grace, the way which leads  
To lasting bliss: 'tis 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 mind, 
Sommoner.  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'll go near to burn.  
Pray God I build my faith on his word still, 
Hunter.   
And his great name confess, come what come will.  
Confess his name? 
Sommoner.  No, no, you'll in a mess  
All to the Devil go, and him confess.  
Then step't the Somm'ner forth, and fetched a Priest,  
The Vicar of that place, a drunken beast,  
Who finding William Hunter at his Book,  
Rebuked him for't, and asked if he could brook  
The Doctrine well of Transubstantiation:  
Hunter made answer it had no relation  
Unto the truth revealed: 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.  
Wherhfore 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, etc.  
Whereas you of my faith do question make, 
Hunter.   
I would we two were fastened to the stake,  
To prove whether of us should closest stick  
Unto our faith, and which was Heretic, etc.  
The Vicar to complain of him did threat,  
Flung out of doors, departing in a heat.  
Hunter went home, and having farewell took  
Of his dear friends, his father's house forsaken.  
Brown, called old Hunter, asked if he could tell  
Where 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 day's journey overtook him;  
Telling him all what happened; 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  
With arguments to win him; and enraged  
At his judicious answers, he engaged  
No more to hold on the dispute, but straight  
Sent him to Bonner, Bonner to the Grate;  
Where he for two days lay allowed just  
A dish of water and a brownbread crust.  
At two day's end, the Bishop coming found  
The slender fare, he bids he be unbound,  
And break his fast with them, but he's reviled,  
Called Heretic, worthy to be exiled  
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 Heretic, recant?  
Recant (said he) the faith I have professed  
So publicly? I will not, I protest:  
No, no, I will not; what? shall I be whirled  
By errors wheels? I would not for a world.  
Then take him Jailor, manned him to the stocks;  
Be sure you load him well with bolts and locks  
Till I shall burn him. Whereupon he said,  
Great God O let thy all-sufficient aid  
Corroborate my soul. He's born away;  
The Bishop to a halfpenny a day  
Stinted his livelihood; thus nine months' space  
Imprisoned, 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 returned  
To Newgate, so to Burnt-wood to be burned.  
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 divest  
His life for Christ's sweet sake. William replied,  
For the small pain, which I shall here abide  
But a short time, my Christ a joyful crown  
Hath promised 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 bestowed (my dear)  
As any child that ever I did bear.  
Whilst he remained at Burnt-wood, many friends  
Came to him, to whom he the truth commends:  
Three days expired all things were ready made;  
The Sheriff's son hugged him in his arms, and said  
William, don't fear these men with Bills Bows,  
That bring you to the place; death as he shows  
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, answered 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 near the stake, he kneeled down, and read  
The one and fiftieth Psalm. The Sheriff said,  
Here is a pardon: if thou wilt be turned,  
Thou shalt live, otherwise thou must be burned.  
No, I'll not turn (quoth William) and did go  
To th'stake, and so was fastened thereunto.  
Then spoke he to the throng, Good people strive  
By prayer 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. 
* Hunter.  Sir you have got  
What you desired; I pray God it be not  
Laid to your charge, but I forgiven you have.  
Said Brown, 
Brown.  That's more than at your hands I crave.  
If God forgive you not, 
Hunter.  I tell you true,  
This blood of mine shall be required of you.  
O Son of God shine on me; from a cloud  
The Sun broke out (till then thick shades did shroud  
The face of day) his eyes he turned 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 gone:  
Good folk beware of them, for Jesus sake;  
Who of their fins, shall of their plagues partake.  
Mark what I say, as thou burnest in this fire, 
Brown.   
So shalt thou burn in hell. Hu. Thou art a liar.  
False Prophet hence, from me away be gone:  
Fire made, he prayed, and breathed his last. Anon  
Higbid, and Causton, Gentlemen as good  
As great, in Essex, with their own hearts blood  
Sealed their faith unto God's glory then,  
And the rejoicing of all Godly men.  
At Braintree, William Pigot, for Christ's name  
Endured the fury of the ardent flame;  
At Maulden, Stephen Knight, before the stake  
Kneeled down and prayed; Sweet Jesus, for whose sake  
I freely leave this life and rather choose  
Thy cross, and irrecoverably lose  
All worldly goods, then to give audience  
To men in breaking thy commandments:  
Thou seest (O Lord) that whereas I but now  
Was proffered great preferments, if I'd bow  
To a false helpless God; I was content  
My body should be burnt, and my life spent,  
Counting all things below, but dung and dross,  
For thee; happy such gain which comes by loss!  
Thousands of silver, and as much of gold,  
Then death I do of lesser value hold.  
Just as the wounded Deer desires the soil,  
So longs my soul for thee: pour down the Oil  
Of consolation on a crumbling clod  
So helpless of itself: Thou knowst O God,  
That I, who am but sinful flesh, and blood,  
Can of myself act nothing that is good;  
And therefore, as of thine abundant love  
And goodness still deflowing from above  
On me, (me that am lesser than the least  
Of mercies,) thou hast bid me to this feast,  
And judged me worthy to drink of this cup  
With thine elect: even so, O bear me up  
Great God against this Element of fire  
So formidable, to the sense so dire;  
Sweeten it by thy spirit, so assuage  
The heat, that I may overcome its rage,  
And pass into thy bosom. Holy father  
Forgive thou me, as I do all men; gather  
My soul, sweet Son of God, my Saviour,  
Beneath thy shady wings, a Balmy Bower;  
O blessed Holy-Ghost, whose strength destroys  
Fleshly corruptions, hasten thou my joys,  
Eternal joys. Lord I commend, take then  
My parting spirit, Amen, Amen, Amen.  
John Laurence legs, with bolts and irons lame,  
His body with hard usage out of frame,  
Was to the stake transported in a chair,  
And suffered for the saith at Colchester:  
Young children while he burned, cried out, O Lord  
Strengthen thy servant, and make good thy word,  
Stand up, stand up, for thy poor servant's aid,  
As thou art just, O do as thou hast said.  
Ferrar (set o'er St. David's Bishopric)  
Was apprehended for an Heretic:  
Him Winchester misused called him base slave,  
Falsehearted fellow, and a cross-grained knave:  
Morgan (a fraudulent supplanter) turned him  
Out of his place, and at Carmarthen burned him:  
Not long before his death, one Richard Jones  
A Knight's son coming, his sad pains bemoans;  
T'whom Ferrar thus: Sir if you see me move  
My hand or foot during the flames, do prove  
What mettle I am of, believe not then  
My Doctrine oft inculcated to men.  
And as he said, he did: with the fire hot  
Besieged round, he stirred not a jot,  
Held his stumps bolt upright; then with a pole  
Knocked down i'th' fire he breathed out his soul.  
One Rawlins White, a Fisherman in Wales,  
Of Cardiff town, when superstitions scales  
Dropped from his eyes, the Truth he understood,  
And in his country aid a deal of good;  
He daily now expects to he surprised  
By truths oppugners: his dear friends advised  
Him to retire elsewhere, and be excused:  
For their good will he thanked them, but refused.  
He's apprehended, and in prison laid  
In Cardiff Castle, where a year he stayed;  
His friends resorting to him, he would spend  
The time in prayer, exhorting them to mend:  
At last the Bishop of Landaffe commands  
That he be brought: he threats him now, then stands  
On fairer terms; but all this would not stir  
His unmoved breast, a day's appointed for  
His condemnation; which being come  
The Bishop called him forth and told him some  
Heretical opinions he did hold,  
And had seduced others; Rawlins bold  
Replied; My Lord, a Christian man I am  
I praise God for't, my tenants are the same  
With Sacred Writ: if from God's word I stray  
I would be gladly brought in the right way.  
The Bishop said, Speak, if you will be won,  
Else I'll proceed to condemnation.  
Proceed, said Rawlins; but you never shall  
Condemn me for an Heretic. Let's fall  
To prayer (said Landaffe) that the Lord some spark  
Of grace would send thee, to disclose the dark;  
Now (said he) you deal well; and if your prayer  
Do with God's will agree, he'll doubtless hear.  
Pray to your God, and I to mine will pray;  
I know my God will hear, and not say nay.  
The Bishop and his Chaplains prayed anon:  
Rawlins prayed by himself alone: prayer done,  
The Bishop said, How is it with thee now?  
Thine errors (what?) wilt thou revoke, and bow  
To our true God? no, surely no said he,  
Rawlins you left, and Rawlins you find me;  
Rawlins I was, and am, and Rawlins will  
Through God continue to be Rawlins still.  
God would have heard you, had your suit been just,  
But he hath heard me, and on him I trust.  
The Bishop being wroth, him sound shent,  
So went to Mass. Rawlins his mind then bend  
Shot forth these words: Good people if there be  
Amongst you any breth'rens, two, or three,  
Or if but one, bear witness at the day  
Of judgement, that I to no Idols pray. 
Anno 1554.   
Mass don, he was condemned, and after thrown  
Into a dark and loathsome dungeon.  
There Rawlins passed his time in drowning wrongs  
With spiritual prayers and religious songs.  
The night before his death t'his wife he sent  
To send his wedding weed (a shirt he meant)  
Which he rejoicingly next morn put on;  
And being led to execution,  
Guarded he was with bills, and Pike-staves too,  
Alas! said he, what need all this ado?  
By God's grace, I will nothing start aside;  
Who is't that gives me power to abide  
All this affliction for his own names sake  
But God? his be the glory. At the stake  
He his dear wife and children having found  
Pickled in briny tears, or rather drowned;  
His eyes let fall a tear; but having made  
A recollection of himself, he said,  
Ah flesh! sayest thou me so? wouldst thou obtain  
The Victor's Palm? I tell thee 'tis in vain  
To strive; thy power is like the morning missed:  
Then failing on the ground, the ground he kissed,  
And spoke, Earth unto earth, and dust to dust,  
Thou art my mother, and return I must  
To thee. With an exhilarated brow,  
Then going to be bound to th'stake, I now  
(Said he t'a friend of his) find great contest  
Betwixt the flesh and spirit, for the best.  
I pray you therefore, when you see me shrink,  
Hold up your finger, that I may bethink  
My too oblivious self. B'ing bound he raised  
These words up to the height; The Lord be Praised.  
Unto the Smith then spoke he, Pray good friend  
Knock it in fast, 
Anno 1554.  the flesh may much contend;  
But God, support me, let thy grace refresh  
My fainting spirits, and my trembling flesh.  
About him pulled he the reeds and straw,  
With such a merry look, that all that saw  
Much wondered at it. Now a Priest appeared  
And preached to the people: Rawlins heard  
Until he spoke of Transubstantiation,  
Alleging Scripture for its confirmation;  
This is my Body; Come you here good folk  
(Said Rawlins) done't hear that false Prophet's talk.  
Ah! naughty Hypocrite dar'st thou produce  
A Scripture-proof for so profane a use?  
I have heard your already-quoted text;  
But look immediately what follows next;  
Do this for my Remembrance: then straightway  
The Priest stood still, not knowing what to say.  
The fire was kindled, Rawlins in the flame  
Bathed his aged hands, till in the same  
The sinews shrunk, the fat dropped out, and all  
That while he cried out; Lord, let my fall  
Mount me to thee; Receive this soul of mine,  
O Lord received; his spirit he did resign.  
It was observed of him, that whereas through  
Infirmity of age he round did go,  
And with dejected countenance, he now  
Went bolt upright t'his death, his smother brow  
As clear as day; his speeches and behaviour,  
Of courage, vigour very well did favour.  
And now the Queen restored the Abbey-lands  
She late possessed. A Popesent Bull commands  
All do the like; but none therein was seen  
T'obey the Pope, or imitate the Queen.  
A Popish Priest at 
* in Kent near Canterbury.  Crondale (impious fool!)  
Boasted that he had been with Card'nal Pool,  
Who cleansed him from his sins; the Bull sent o'er  
He praised, fell down, and never spoke word more.  
Some burned, because they on their necks did tie  
This Motto, 
Deum tim Idolum fug  Fear God, fly Idolatry.  
George Marsh, one William Flower, John Card-maker  
John Simpson, and John Warn, were each partaker  
Of life, by suffering death, climbed heavens story:  
Death is the ladder to immortal glory.  
Bonner for many things John Ardly accused,  
To whom John Ardly such expressions used;  
My Lord, not you, nor any of your breed  
Are of the true Catholic Church indeed;  
Your faith is false, and when you most depend  
Upon it, it will fail you in the end.  
You have shed much, too much innocuous blood,  
And are not weary yet: Can this be good?  
Were every hair upon my head a man,  
So many lives I'd part with, rather than  
Lose the opinion I am in; so said,  
In Essex burned a joyful end he made.  
One Thomas Hauks, a Courtier comely tall,  
Was greatly admired and beloved of all  
For his rare qualities, in Edward's days;  
But in Queen Mary's Reign Religion's rays  
Waxing more dull, he left the Court, home went  
And practised Godliness, t'his great content.  
While thus he stayed at home, a son he got,  
But in the Popish way baptised it not.  
By using oil, cream, spittle, salt, (absurd!)  
Nowhere enjoined in the holy Word:  
Told Bonner so: the Bishop left him than  
A while; and Mr. Darbisher began:  
You are too curious, and on none will look,  
Unless your little pretty God's good book.  
Sir, 
Hauks.  is not that sufficient to save?  
Yes but not to instruct: 
Bishop.  that I may have  
Salvation to my God, 
H.  I humbly sue,  
As for instruction, that I leave to you.  
Shall your child be baptised, 
B.  you not look o'er?  
I had such council given me before. 
H.   
Why we can have it done, if we be bend, 
B.   
True, but you never shall, 
H.  with my consent.  
I'd Gladly do thee good, 
B.  save thee from hell;  
I am thy pasture and would teach thee well.  
I'll stand to what I said, 
H.  you shall not find  
My resolutions waver like the wind.  
I am the bread of life, 
B.  the Scripture saith,  
And this bread is my flesh; is this thy faith?  
'Tis so, 
H.  I will believe what Scriptures say.  
Well, let's to Evensong. 
B.  H. There I'll not pray,  
I'm best when furthest off from such resort:  
And so he walked forth into the Court.  
What think you of the Altar's Sacrament? 
B.   
Excuse me, 
H.  for I ne'er knew what it meant.  
But we will make you know't, 
B.  when we begin,  
Faggots shall make you do'●. H. Faggots? a pin  
For all your faggots, you no more can do  
Then God permits you, and no further go.  
Much more was said; in prison he at last  
Was for his bold judicious answers cast;  
Nor could that move him in the least to doubt:  
What's bred in the bone, will not easily out.  
Being (his sentence read) to Coxshal sent,  
In Essex, he exhorted as he went  
His friends: and at the stake (as he had spoken  
That he would do) he gave to them a token  
By lifting up his hands all in a flame,  
Above his head, and clapping of the same,  
To let them understand, that he was able  
To 'bide the pain not too intolerable.  
Then gave the people an unusual shout,  
And so this blessed Lamp (all burnt) went out. 
An. Chr. 1555.   
One Thomas Watts in Essex who defended  
The truth so much opposed, was apprehended,  
Condemned, and after sent to Chilm'ford, where  
The little time he had, he spent in prayer.  
Come to his wife and his six child'rens small,  
He said; Wife, and my hopeful branches all,  
I now must leave you all; henceforth therefore  
Alas! I cannot know you any more:  
As unto me at first, the Lord did send you,  
So I unto the Lord, do recommend you;  
Him I command you to obey, and fear  
As long as life shall last: see you beware  
Of this loathed papistry, which I withstood,  
And shall against it give my dearest blood  
By God's grace by and by. Let not the number  
Of bleeding Saints discourage or encumber  
Your active faith, and move you to relent,  
But thereby take occasion to be bend  
For greater service in Jehovah's fight:  
'Tis happy dying for a cause that's right.  
I do not doubt, nor have you cause to fear  
But he which strikes, will give you strength to bear  
He'll be unto the widow, in distress  
Husband, and father to the fatherless.  
Farewell, (said he) farewel, gave each a kiss,  
So passed he through the fiery blaze to bliss.  
One Bainford, Osmund, Osborne, overturned  
Unto the Sec'lar power, in Essex burned.  
Mr. John Bradford and John Leaf did climb  
Up fiety stairs to heaven about this time.  
The next day after at Maidstone in Kent  
One Mr. Minge died in imsprisonment.  
Mr. John Bland, God's faithful Minister,  
Was for the truth a constant sufferer.  
John Frankish, Humphrey Middleton, two men  
Of admirable worth, were martyred then.  
John Fettie's child, such cruel whip feels,  
That the gore blood ran down about its heels;  
The father put in the tormenting stocks,  
Must see his Lamb misused (O hearts of rocks!)  
One Nicholas Sheterden being brought,  
Him Doctor Harpsfield asked what he thought  
That passage, This my Body is, should mean;  
Said Sheterden, This cannot well be seen  
By carnal eyes: thus much I gather thence,  
It must be taken in a spiritual sense;  
Else when, This Cup's my blood's so understood,  
The substance of the Cup must needs be blood.  
Nicholas Hall, Christopher Weighed, Joan Beach,  
John Harpool, Marg'ry Boley, who did reach  
At the despised truth, and Popery spuned,  
Condemned at Rochester in Kent, were burned.  
Dirick Carver, a Surrey Gentleman  
Called to the stake, unto his God began  
His servant prayer, which having done he stripped  
Himself, and so into the barrel skip'd;  
They threw his book in also but in vain;  
For to the throng he flung it out again:  
I charge you, said the Shrieve, in the Queen's name  
To fling that viprous book into the flame.  
Then spoke he with a cheerful voice, and said,  
Dear friends, bear witness I am not afraid  
To seal Christ's Gospel with my dearest blood,  
Knowing 'tis true, and was of late your food,  
Though now surrepted from you; and because  
I'll not deny it to obey man's laws,  
Condemned I be to die; 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 God's merciful reprieve.  
Except (said then the Sheriff) believe thou do  
The Pope, thouart damned 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 know'st  
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 myself 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 cried and died, 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 condemned  
And put into the fire, he death contemned.  
James Abbes, a Godly man did shift about  
From place to place for safeties sake: found out  
At last, they carried him to Norwich town,  
Where, by the Bishop's threats he did disown  
What he professed; the Bishop seeing so,  
Gave him some money, and dismissed him too:  
But conscience bringing him upon the rack,  
The Bishop's money he returned back,  
Repenting ere he took it: then again  
The Bishop strove to gain him, but in vain;  
Though Peter-like he failed, now to persever  
Resolve he did, and stood more fast than ever,  
Even to his last-drawn breath; the Bishop's fury  
Condemned him to be burned, he burned at Bury.  
John Denly, Newman, Partrick, Packingham,  
Died constant Martyrs for their Saviour's name,  
Wright, Coker, Collier, Hooper, Steer, and more  
Besides in Canterbury, faggots bore.  
Robert Smith, Stephen Harwood, Thomas Fust,  
And William Hale, died for the truth their trust.  
Eliz'beth Warne, condemned to be burned  
By Bonner, unto Bonner soon returned  
These words, Do what you will with me; for why,  
If Christ was in an error, so am I;  
Otherwise not: but Christ spoke true I know  
Therefore then was she burned at Stratford-Bow.  
About this very time George Tankerfield  
Did at St. Albans to their rancour yield.  
George King, John Wade, and Tho. Leyes, with sore  
Usage fell sick, and died in Lollards tower.  
In Suffolk Mr. Robert Samuel  
Of Barfold Min'ster, who instructed well  
The flock committed to his charge, was tossed  
To Norwich goal, there chained to a post,  
And so erect that's body did command  
For some small ease induced his tiptoes stand.  
Hunger and thirst (bad helpers) are procured;  
What tongue can tell what he poor man endured!  
At last brought to be burned (an easy 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 used so sorry:  
When I much want (said he) had undergon,  
I slept, and then me thought appeared one  
Clothed all in white, who whisp'red in mine ear,  
Samuel, Samuel, be of good cheer;  
Take heart to grass man, thou hast passed the worst,  
Henceforth thou shalt nor hunger feel, nor thirst:  
Which 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 scaped) did fall  
About his neck, and kissed him withal.  
The while his body burned, it shined as bright  
As new-tryed Silver, or as Cynthia's light.  
Next day Anne Potten and Joan Trunch field▪ come  
From Ipswich prison unto Martyrdom.  
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 surprised, had his doom  
To be confined to a narrow room,  
And dark withal, 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 allowed him; yet a Teftament  
And Prayer-book, by stealth he getting, spent  
Most of his time in prayer, and meditation  
On God's great love in working man's salvation.  
Yea, said he, health began to come; my peace  
Of conscience did more and more increase  
God's spirit revived me; I had sometimes some  
glimmering reflections of. the life to come.  
All for his own Son's sake: to him always  
Be Glory, Honour, and Obedience, Praise.  
Two days before his death, he found his heart  
Less lightsome than it was, and feared the smart  
Would too much try his patience, for his prayers  
God heard not; he unbosomed his fears  
Unto a Godly Minister his friend,  
Who wished 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 called for, Austin, Oh he's come, he's come:  
And looked so cheerful even as though new breath  
He should receive, and not a painful death.  
Cornelius' Bongey, Capper also came  
With him, and burned in the selfsame flame.  
Mr. John Glover now was troubled sore,  
Seeing his brother took for him; therefore  
He would have suffered 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 sickened and died.  
His body privately was buried in  
The Churchyard: they his bones digged up again  
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, suffered 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 deferred;  
(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 filled, as merry as a Buck  
The Bishop was, but on a sudden struck:  
(Two bits scarce eaten) carried from the table  
To bed he was, his pains intolerable;  
Nature he could not ease, for fifteen days,  
His tongue was swollen, and black, his mouth's assays  
Could give't no houseroom; his pined body all  
Sadly inflamed, he gasped and gave a sprawl.  
And now John Webbe, George Roper, Greg'ry Park,  
At Canterbury burned, 
An. Chr. One 1556:  not missed their mark.  
One Thomas Whittle Minister, accused  
By Bonner, was most wickedly misused;  
Who fell upon him, beat him with his fists,  
And him enclosed within a close rooms lifts:  
There (said he) though I did on the bare ground lie  
Two nights I (praised be God) slept very sound.  
He, Joan Warn, Is'bel Foster, Thomas Brown,  
John Went jobn 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 Distich spoke;   
Christ 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 only hope:  
Under 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)  
popular applause, though he deserved much.  
His beat he concealed, till near his end,  
When he declared it to a bosom-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 fiery fury.  
At Salisbury, 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 used these passages; I praise  
The Lord for helping you to mind his ways.  
Consider I beseech you, what of late  
Fell from my lips, so shall we meet in state:  
I'm going to the Bishop's coal-house now,  
And hope to go to heaven e'er long; do you  
High after me: I have a great while tarried  
For you; but seeing y'are not yet prepared,  
I'll stay no longer; you shall find me blest  
And singing, Holy, Holy Lord of Rest,  
At my race end; now therefore my dear hearts  
Make haste and loiter not, lest light departs,  
And ye (who with the foolish Virgins stay)  
Be with the foolish Virgins turned 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 prayer, with faith require;  
And gain the fullness of your choice desire.  
John Hullier (formerly an Eton Sholar)  
At Ely, by his patience, conquered dolour.  
Hugh Laurock John Ap-Rice, this blind, that lame,  
Told Bishop Bonner, that he laws did frame  
To take men's lives away, making the Queen  
His hangman: Bonner burned them out of spleen,  
At Stratford-Bow. In Litchfield, Colchester,  
Gloster, and Leicester, many burned were.  
One Mr. Julines Palmer, and some more  
At Newb'ry died. One Sharp at Bristol bore  
The flames with joy. In Derby town Joan Waste.  
(Born blind) did in the fire breath out her last.  
Sir John Cheek for the truth's sake underwent  
In London-Tow'r a sore imprisonment.  
A new Commission from the King and Queen  
(Like Dracoes' laws) came forth, 
Anno 1557.  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 Kingdom's quarters  
Prisons were stuffed with Saints, fires graced with Martyrs.  
First to begin with Colchester, where they  
Apprehended three and twenty in one day,  
And burned the major part. Margaret Hyde,  
With Agnes Standly, staked at Smithfield died.  
They Stephen Gratwick William Moraunt, King,  
jato St. George's field, in Southwark bring,  
And burn together. In the Diocese  
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  
Betrayed was b'his father and brother, (good man!)  
Eliz'beth Cooper, Simon Millar too,  
At Norwich fired; Eliz'beth cried Ho, ho,  
And shrunk a little: Simon Millar said,  
Reaching his hand out to her, What? afraid?  
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 becalmed her heart, she throughstitch run  
The work she had so happily begun,  
And so committing their blessed souls to God,  
They climbed to heaven, death being under trod  
Mrs. Joyce Lewis a gentlewoman born,  
Accuted, and condemned, contemned with scorn  
Death's rigid brow: my Christ is fair, when him  
I see (said she) death looks not half so grim.  
Urged to confess before her end begins,  
She said, to God she had confessed her sins,  
And he had pardoned them: the Priest befooled  
Told her e'er long her courage would be cooled.  
At stake the Mass she prayed against, cried then  
The crowd, and Sheriff 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 strived nor struggled when the fire raged most,  
But with her lift-up hands, gave up the ghost.  
Ralph Allerton, and Richard Roth, With James  
Astoo, and his wife, died in the flames  
At Islington; as did at Colchester  
Margaret Thurstone, and Agnes Bongier.  
John Noyes a godly Shoemaker, who lived  
At Laxfield in Suffolk, sentence received  
There to burned: the people in the town  
Put out their fires, and no house but one  
(And that discov'red by the Chimney's smoke)  
Had some: the Sheriff and's Officers in broke,  
So got a coal. John Noys fell down and prayed,  
And being bound unto the stake, he said,  
Fear not the body's killer, but him, who  
Can kill thee, damn 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 ere think to come to this?  
Blessed be God that ever I was born;  
Then spoke he to the people, Of breadcorn  
They tell you they can make God, but believe  
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 Diocese of Chichester,  
Many accused, condemned and burned were.  
Hillingdal, Sparrow, and one Gibson died  
In Smithfield flames. John Rough Minister tried  
With Margaret Mearing, near about this time,  
Were also burned for the selfsame crime.  
One Cuthbert Sympson, Deacon, in one day  
Though racked no less than 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 in said Ha!  
And after that, soon vanished away:  
This much rejoiced his soul; upon the morrow  
He, Hugh Fox, and one Deunish▪ fire went thorough.  
One Thomas Hudson, Thomas Carman too,  
And William Seaman, Norfolk-men, did go  
Through tribulation to heavenly bliss,  
To have the crown their own, the cross they kiss.  
There was one mother Bennet of the town  
Wetherset, who was driven up and down  
For Jesus sake; returning home, she died,  
Her corpse b'ing buried by the highways side.  
She was exceeding liberal to the poor;  
Her mate once told her merrily, their store  
If she had been but sparing, had been much  
To what it was: said she, I cannot grudge  
The poor: Alas! good husband, be content,  
Let us be thankful, God enough hath sent;  
We still (sweet heart) have good competent fare:  
Contents a fear although the feast be bare:  
I cannot see the needie's wants, and hoard,  
Lest in so doing I displease the Lord:  
But husband let's be rich in good works still,  
So pleasing God, we shall have all at will.  
One Cicely Orms b'ing asked, over his head  
What 'twas the Priest held up? she answ'red, Bread  
Bread at the best; and if you do endeavour  
To make it better, 'twill be worse than ever.  
Brought to the stake, she kissed it, and respired  
Welcome Christ's cross, his sweet cross so desired  
My soul doth magnify the Lord, my spirit  
In God rejoiceth, and my Saviour's merit.  
So casting up her head, on heaven she fixed  
Her eyes, and in the flames her hands commixed  
She yielded up the ghost. Thomas Spurdance  
Of Norwich suffered for the truths advance.  
George Eagles, Tailor, travelled up and down  
In several countries, went from town to town  
Confirming weaker Saints: in a short season  
At Chelmsford he condemned was for treason.  
And hanged up with two thiefs, the one where of  
With tears sought Christ, the orher with this scoff  
Put off George Eagles' exhortation,  
Our Captain leads, we shall to heaven anon.  
The Pen'tent thief did call upon the Lord.  
The mockers fhtt'ring tongue spoke not one word  
Upon the ladder. Eagles was cut down  
Half dead, his heart pulled out, his members strown.  
George Eagles sister, and a man called Friar,  
At Rochester did in the fire expire.  
A Proclamation was sent about, 
An. Chr. 1558.   
That all good books within this Realm set out,  
Or from beyond seas brought, should all be turned  
To ashes; if not so, their owners burned.  
Soon after this dire Proclamation,  
Twice twenty persons met near I slington  
Were caught, some scaped, some burned with faggot-sticks  
In Smithfield thirteen, and in Brainford six.  
Amongst these Godly persons there was one  
Named Roger Holland, (who had boldly done  
His duty in reproving bloody Bonner)  
Spoke thus: at last, God will redeem his honour  
With your destruction, and will soon assuage  
(His spirit so tells me) your unbridled rage  
Against his Church; he heareth the complaints  
His servants make, for the afflicted Saints,  
Whom you so daily persecuted have  
As us you do now: Christ will shortly save  
His spotless Spouse; in God I dare be bold  
To tell you that you are too fierce to hold.  
And my dear breth'rens, know that in this place  
After this day, not any shall embrace  
The fire and faggot by this means procured:  
Mark what I say, and be thereof assured.  
Which came to pass; for, for the Lord Christ's sake  
None after them suffered at Smithfield stake.  
Said Bonner then, What? Roger I perceive here  
Thou art as bad an Heretic as ever;  
And in thine anger thou wouldst now become  
A railing Prophed, but th'hadst as good be dumb:  
Though thou, and all like thee, would see me turned  
Over the ladder, yet to see thee burned  
I shall live; yea, and (before God I vow)  
I'll make you rue it, every one of you  
That comes within my clutches; so he went.  
Roger called on the people to repent,  
And to think well of all the Saints, that past  
The fiery trial, which not long should last,  
For God intended to abridge straightways  
For his elect's sake, those sanguineous days.  
Roger embraced the stake, and said, O Lord  
I praise thee for affording me thy word,  
And fellowship with Saints, which in heaven's coasts  
Sing, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Hosts:  
O God receive my soul, preserve thy flock,  
Save them from Idols, O be thou their Rock.  
So with his fellows praising God above,  
They all reposed in the arms of love  
There was one William Pikes amongst the six  
(Which died at Brainford) false-named Heretics:  
Who (while that he his liberty enjoyed)  
I'th' Summer, at noonday, (of cares devoid)  
His Bible with him in t'his garden took,  
Sat down to read upon it; on his book  
Four drops of blood fell suddenly, he knows  
Not whence it came; t'his call'd-wife it he shows,  
Saying, I well perceive God will have blood;  
It cannot, no, it must not be withstood:  
His will be done; God help me to abide  
The trial, for without him I shall slide.  
And so they went to prayer, and in short space  
Burned he was, in the aforenamed place,  
One Thomas Hinshaw, like a dog was used  
By Harpsfield first, by Bonner next abused,  
Who in an arbour pulled down his breeches,  
Vvhiped him with willow-rods, and with sharp speeches  
Returned him to prison: there was one  
John Willis the like usage undergone;  
TO whom Bonner thus, Me bloody Bonner call  
Ye do, a plague of God upon you all:  
I'd fain be rid of you, but you delight  
In burning sure I think; but if I might  
Have my desires, O then I'faith I'd stitch  
Your mouths up, sack you, throw you in a ditch  
Or down the stream, this would I do with speed;  
My finger's itch to do this pious deed.  
Upon a time Bonner came to the stocks  
Where this John Willis lay, and spoke with mocks,  
How like you (John) your lodging and your fare?  
Willis said, Well, had I a straw-pad here.  
While thus they communed, in the good man's wife  
Came (great with child) to beg her husband's life;  
Told Bonner she within his house would stay,  
And there (her count near out) her belly lay,  
Unless her (loving) husband might be sreed,  
And pack along with her. Indeed, indeed,  
Said Bonner then, that were a handsome trick:  
How sayest thou John, thou damned Heretic;  
Suppose thy wife should with her brat mscarry,  
And perish man, art thou not accessary  
To both their deaths? what thinkst thou? To be short,  
The woman would not go (' cwas pretty sport  
To hear these parley) Bonner lest in's house  
She should cry out, did let her husband loose  
On easy terms. A Godly Minister  
Named Mr. Richard yeoman's, much did bear:  
At last (he finding how his foes were bend  
To take away his life) went down to Kent,  
Selling pins, needles, points, thread, white and black,  
And some odd trifiles, to supply the lack  
Of himself, his poor wife and childerens:  
He was imprisoned but released again:  
He went to Hadly to his wife, and there  
Hiring a chamber, they abode a year;  
Carding of Wool he sets himself about,  
She spins; thus pick they a poor living out.  
At length the Parson having understood  
How this good old man lived, he took a brood  
Of Officers with him, at night, rebound  
He made the doors, searched diligently, found  
Old father yeoman's and his family laid  
In bed together; whereupon he said,  
ne'er trust me if I did not think a knave  
I with a whore should find, and so I have;  
And would have pulled the bed-cloaths off withal:  
But father yeoman's held them fast: Call, call  
Us what you please, here's neither knave nor whore,  
But a cojugal pair in God (though poor)  
I bless God for it; you in darkness grope,  
And I defy (with all his trash) the Pope.  
Then in the cage they carried him away;  
There to the stocks with one John Dale he lay,  
(Who shortly after died) he told's faith, for which  
Degraded and condemned he burnt at Norwich.  
John Alcock a young man, by trade a Shear-man  
In Hadly-Parish said, I do not fear man,  
But God if for my God I suffer may,  
'Twill be a happy and a joyful day:  
As for the Pope I will not be forgiven  
By him forgive me thou great God of heaven.  
He was a Newgate prisoner hereupon,  
And thrust into the lower dungeon,  
Where he with cruel handling, and beside  
Ill keeping, suddenly fell sick and died.  
One Mr. Thomas Benbridge though estate  
Enough he had, yet through the narrow gate  
Of persecution did he choose to enter  
Into heaven's Kingdom; manfully adventure  
His life and limb for Christ, Truth he defended  
Against the Pope till he was apprehended,  
Condemned therefore; at the place unappaled,  
His rich apparel he put off, and called  
Upon his God; then fastened to the stake,  
Said Dr. Seaton to him, Do but make  
A recantation, and thou shalt be freed;  
Said Mr. Benbridge, Shall I so, indeed?  
I thank you, but I will not, Christ's my Guerdon;  
I don't regard you man, no, nor your pardon.  
The Doctor said, In troth it is a sin  
Good folk, to pray for such a dog; begin  
Benbridge, begin a new leaf wilt thou? say?  
Away thou Babylonian, away,  
Benbridge replied; they kindled then the wood  
Which burned his beard, yet he unmoved stood:  
Fire seized on's legs; unable to abide  
So grievous pains, I do Recant he cried:  
The fire's removed and his life is granted;  
But he his recantation recanted,  
(it pleasing God his conscience to awake)  
And six days after suffered at the stake.  
John Cook, James Ashly, Alexander Lane,  
And Robert Miles, because they did abstain  
From going to the Church, did pass the Fury  
Of cormorant Vulcan at St. Edmund's Bury.  
One Philip Humphrey, John and Henry David,  
Two brothers, were destroyed, and yet were saved.  
Green Wilmot, Williams, Cotton, Collingborow,  
And Harris, whipped run through a deal of sorrow.  
One Alexander Gouge, Alice Driver,  
By Mr. Noon a Suffolk-Justice were  
So hunted after, that a while they lay,  
For safety sake, hid in a mow of hay:  
The Justice with his men searching about,  
Thrust Pitch-forks in the mow, and found them out,  
Sent them to Melton goal, where being proved  
A certain time, they were to Bury moved;  
At the Assizes, they Christ crucified  
Boldly confessed, and the Pope defied.  
Alce Driver did compare (exceeding well)  
Queen Mary, in her rage, to Jesabel;  
Her ears to be cut off the Judge procured,  
Hereat, which she rejoicingly endured.  
Both are to Ipswieh sent examined there  
By Dr. Spencer, Norwich chancellor,  
And others; the main matter was intent  
About Christ's presence in the Sacrament.  
Alce Driver did so baffle them herein,  
That they had nothing to reply again:  
Thus she concluded then, the Lord be blest  
You are (though learned) not able in the least  
T'oppose God's spirit in me a silly woman  
Of low degree, and tutoured by no man;  
I am no Academic, nor was I  
e'er brought up in the University,  
As ye have been; yet in the truth's defence,  
And in the cause of Christ my Master, whence  
I power derive, I will set foot to foot  
To any of you, if you put me to't,  
For to maintain the same; and if I had  
A thousand lives to lose, I should be glad  
To let all go for it. The Chancellor  
Condemned, and sent her to the Sec'lar power.  
Gouge also was condemned for Christ his name,  
And so both sweetly died in Ipswich flame.  
Alce Driver's neck being chained, O said she (heed)  
Here is a goodly handkerchief indeed!  
Well, God be praised for it. As they stand  
At stake, some came to take them by the hand:  
The Sheriff bids they be caught: the crowd forbid:  
The Sheriff bids let alone, and so they did.  
There lived in Cornwall a religious Dame,  
Her husband a recusant, often came  
To hear Mass read, nor would he ever lin  
Till his forc'd-wife did join with him therein,  
Which was no little trouble to her soul;  
She thereupon did seek the Lord, and roll  
Herself upon him, and by earnest prayer  
Craved his direction; God was pleased to hear,  
And one night filled her with such spiritual mirth,  
That she enjoyed a little heaven on earth;  
From husband, children, and from all she run  
For conscience sake, and for her living spun:  
Yet to her husband she returned at last,  
Where (but a very little time being passed)  
Her neighbours apprehending, carried her  
To th'Bishop of the town of Exeter;  
She was condemned, and the reason why,  
Was that she spoke against Idolatry.  
The Bishop said to her, Woman do y'hear?  
Mind your good husband, and your children dear.  
She answered, Remembered and forgot  
They're soon; I have them and I have them not:  
While I enjoyed my ease, I them enjoyed,  
But now (all such relations are void)  
Standing here, as I do, in Christ his cause,  
Where I must either frangifie the Laws  
Of Grace, or Nature; either Christ forsake,  
Or else my Husband; I'm content to take  
Christ as my heavenly Spouse, and to renounce  
The other with my children all at once.  
The Bishop after much Argumentation,  
Gave her a months time for consideration.  
Seeing a Dutchman who new Noses made  
For images defaced when Edward swayed;  
She said, Madman, what meanest thou to compose  
New Noses for such images as those,  
Which will so shortly lose their heads? For this  
She was close prisoner keeped, nor did she miss  
threatenings, taunts scoffs, called Anabaptist, whore,  
Madwoman, drunkard, vagabond, and more.  
Then many specious promises were used,  
Of liberty, of wealth; which she refused.  
With husband, goods, and children they affail  
To win her but yet nothing would prevail,  
Her heart was fixed trusting in the Lord;  
She had cast anchor, and renounced, abhorred  
The sin-involved world, with all the wiles  
Which Satan uses when he souls beguiles.  
She was devoid of learning, yet so versed  
I'th' Scriptures, that not only she rehearsed  
Apposite proofs, Quotations, but could tell  
The Book and Chapter also very well.  
Condemned and given to the sec'lar power,  
The country Gentlemen came flocking to her  
Bidding her, yet to call on God for grace,  
And cease her fond opinions to embrace,  
So got'her husband, and her children dear;  
Thou art a woman ignorant (we fear)  
And these things are too far above thy reach  
(Said they) the shrub is lower than the Beach.  
I am, said she, indeed, and yet my breath  
I'll give in witness, of my Saviour's death.  
O do not put me off with longer stay,  
For Ah! I am impatient of delay;  
My love hath wings, it hovers up and down,  
Nor can it rest, till glory is her own.  
My heart is fixed, I will never go  
From what I said, nor do as others do.  
Then said the Bishop, There's no hopes to win her,  
The devil leadeth her, the devil is in her.  
Not so my Lord (quoth she) Christ is my guide,  
His Spirit upholds me, that I cannot slide.  
She, when she heard deaths sentence passed upon her,  
Advanced her voice, and said, Unmated honour!  
The Proverb's true. Long looked for, comes at last;  
My Lord, my God, I thank thee, that thou hast  
Granted to me this day, my hearts desire  
In listing me with thy celestial Quire.  
Woman, said one, be thou a happy wife  
By thy recanting; O the sweets of life!  
No, said she, by no means; my life is hid  
With Christ in God, now the good Lord forbid  
That for this life, at best but transitory,  
I should lose heaven and eternal glory:  
I have two husbands, but will only cleave  
Unto my heavenly, and my earthly leave;  
The fellowship of Saints in heaven I trow  
Exceeds the having children here below:  
And if my husband and my children prove  
Faithful, then am I theirs, they have my love;  
God my good father is, God is my mother,  
God is my sister, and God is my brother,  
God is my kinsman, God's my faithful friend  
Who will stick close unto me, till the end.  
To execution then led along,  
She was attended with a numerous throng.  
Bound to the stake, she by the Popish Priests  
Was set upon again (unwelcome guests!)  
To whom she thus: for God's sake now give o'er  
Your bibble babble, trouble me no more  
With empty sounds fain would I, Oh! divorce  
Myself from your impertinent discourse.  
O God be merciful to sinful me,  
For Ah! I only do depend on thee.  
She stood with admirable patience  
Amidst the flames, and so her soul flew hence.  
she'd such a cheerful look, that one would say  
It was her wedding, not her burning day.  
She had been always sober in her diet,  
Neat in apparel, peaceable and quiet;  
Always a doing, never fitting still,  
During her health and limbs, by her good will;  
Chained to her house; she ever would refuse  
To gad abroad, as most ill-houswives' use.  
To all that came to her, her gracious heart  
Would streams of consolation impart.  
God's word was her delight, she gave good heed  
There husband in the Lord, a wife indeed!  
According to her power, she at her door,  
And at their several homes, relieved the poor;  
And in the time of her calamity  
Would take no proff'red coin; for, said she, I  
Am going now to (Heaven) a City, where  
No money any Mastery doth bear;  
And whilst I here remain, the Lord will feed  
My craving stomach, and supply my need;  
It is his promise, and full sure I be,  
That he which feeds the Ravens, will feed m●.  
One Richard Sharp, a Weaver by his trade  
In Bristel City apprehended, made  
A large confession of his faith before  
One Dr. Dalby the there-Chancellour,  
Who by persuasive Arguments so wrought  
Upon his weakness, that he soon was brought  
To make a promise, That he would appear  
And publicly recan, and when, and where.  
But after this Apostasy, Sharp felt  
His conscience galled, hell's horror so indwelt  
His soul, that he his calling could not mind,  
His colour went away, his body pined:  
Next Sabbath day going to Church, he made  
To the Quire-door, and with a loud voice said,  
That Altar, neighbours, pray bear me record,  
Is the Great Idol: I denied my Lord,  
But from the bottom of my heart am sorry  
For what I done, in hazarding my Glory.  
He caught, condemned, and burned, with Thomas Hale  
Climbed up to heaven from this tearful vale.  
One Thomas Benson of the same town went  
To prison, for saying, That the Sacrament  
Was as they used it, nothing else but bread,  
And not the body of the Lord indeed;  
As for the Sacraments, which you call seven,  
Five were ordained by men, but two by heaven:  
Give me the two, which I acknowledge true,  
And all the other five I'll leave to you.  
Soon after this he did receive death's sentence;  
And executed, to his God he sent hence  
His blessed soul, which left its body's jail  
For Paradise, death having put in bail.  
Now to conclude, The last that did maintain  
The Gospel with their heartsblood in the Reign  
Of Mary Queen, that hell-begotten fury,  
Were these five Citizens of Canterbury,  
John Hurst John Cornford, (Captains in the fight)  
Christopher Brown, Alice Swoth, and Kath'rine knight  
The things imputed to their charge were, that  
Christ's real presence they denied flat,  
Affirming only those that do believe,  
Not wicked men, Christ's body do receive.  
The Pope they said was Antichrist, the Mass  
Abominable; that a sin it was  
To pray to Saints; that cringing to a cross  
Was mere Idol'try and an error gross, etc.  
Sentence of condemnation being heard,  
Forthwith John Cornford, was in spirit stirred,  
And with an ardent zeal for God, expressed  
In the name of himself, and all the rest  
This doom: I'th'name of Christ our Saviour,  
The Son of God, the Highest, and by the power  
Of his most Holy-Ghost, as also by  
The Holy and Divine authority  
Of the Apostolic and Catholic Church  
(Never yet totally left in the lurch)  
We here turn over to the Prince of hell  
As slaves eternally to howl and yell  
In sulphury flames, the bodies of all those  
Blasphemers, Heretics, who do oppose  
The living God, and bolster up their errors  
Against the Truth, hence to the King of Terrors;  
So that by this thy righteous judgement shown  
Against thy foes great God, thou mayst make known  
Thy true religion to thy greater glory  
And our souls comfort when we read the story  
Of thy great power, and to th'edification  
Of all our well-nigh ruinated Nation.  
Good Lord, so be it, be it so, Amen.  
And this his excommunication then  
Took great effect against truth's enemies.  
Queen Marry within six days after dies,  
And Tyranny with her; there is no hope  
Of any longer footing for the Pope;  
In England now great joy betides to all  
The faith-eyed Saints, who wished proud Babel's fall:  
Yet the Archdeacon, and's associates quick  
(Knowing the Queen was dangerously sick)  
Condemned those pious persons to the flame,  
And hurried them away. When there they came,  
In Christ his name they offered up their prayers,  
As holocausis to the Almighty's ears.  
To God they prayed, to God for ever blest,  
Preferring this request amongst the rest;  
That if it were his will, their blood might be  
The last that should be shed, so Lord pray we.  
No sooner had they prayed, but heaven returned  
A gracious answer, they the last that burned.  
Great God (said they) we cheerfully resign  
Our souls into those blessed hands 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 slain  
With Christian blood as in her four years' reign  
Queen Mary did: she burned in her fury  
An Archbishop, (and he of Canterbury)  
Four Bishops, twenty one Divines or more,  
Eight Gentlemen, Artis'cers eighty sour,  
Husbandmen, Servants, and poor Labouring men  
Five score; Wives twenty six, Widows twice ten; to  
Nine Maids, two Boys, and two young Babes heaven  
Were sent) in all two hundred seventy seven.  
Sixty four more for Jesus Christ his sake  
Were persecuted sore; which could not shake  
Their heaven-built faith; seven whereof were stripped  
Stark naked, and most mercilessly whipped.  
Sixteen in prison perishing, had dung  
(After the Nabathoean custom) flung  
Upon their outcast bodies: Some did lie  
In captivated chains, condemned to die,  
But were delivered 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 days in trouble, and their years in toil.  
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 sound with his flaming rod,  
Both in her life and death; for whilst she lived,  
What did she prosper in which she achieved?  
To instance in a few particulars,  
And first, her fairest and greatest man of War  
Unmatched i'th' Christian world, called the great Harry  
Was burnt by heavenly flames. Then would she marry  
Spanish King Philip, so expose to dangers  
Poor England under barbarous foes and strangers.  
She laboured much, but never could attain  
To join the English to the Spanish Reign.  
Then did she set about the restauration  
Of Abbey-lands throughout the British nation:  
Herself began according to the Pope's  
Directions, yet frustrate were all her hopes.  
God o'er her land then such a famine spread,  
That her poor subjects upon Acorns fed,  
Then Calais where the English did remain  
During eleven Kings reigns from her was ta'in;  
Which loss so grieved her, as she did impart,  
That Calais was engraven in her heart.  
Again in childbirth never woman had  
S'unfortunate success as she, so bad:  
For if she was with child, and had e'er been  
In travel, why? why was it never seen?  
If not, why was the Kingdom so beguiled?  
Some in the Pulpit for her newborn child  
Returning thanks: thus her desires b'ing crossed,  
She than 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 mind 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,  
Whereof she died; and having held the crown  
Five years, and five months only 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 week's space in London there  
Died seven Aldermen. Wheat that same year  
Yielded four marks the Quarter: Malt a Peck  
Forty four shillings; as much Pease did make  
Two pound six shillings eight pence: to a crown  
The following year a Peck of Wheat came down:  
Four shillings eight pence Malt; of Ry a Strike  
Take for a groat you may, if it you like.  
In her fifth year, a thundering tempest came  
And battered down two towns near Nottingham,  
Flung sheets of lead abroad, bells from the steeple,  
Tore trees up by the roots, slew divers people, etc.  
Also a great mortality was known  
In Autumn then; Corn stood unreaped, unmown,  
And rotten 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 Gardener then  
Bishop of Winchester, whose end my pen  
Disdains to mention twice: I will therefore  
Add only this, That lying at the door  
Of merc'less death, and being put in mind  
Of Peter his denying Christ, he whined  
This answer out, With Peter I denied  
The Lord, but there is somewhat else beside  
Wanting in me: Alas! I never spent  
A tear, nor can (as Peter did) repent.  
Morgan St. David's Bishop, who (high base)  
Condemned Ferrar, and usurped his place,  
Did vomit up his meat through mouth and nose  
(O horrible) until his life did close.  
Then Mr. Leyson high Sheriff, set away  
This Martyr's cattle int'his own ground: they  
No meant would eat, nor touch a blade of grass,  
But bellowed and roared 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 spoke.  
Dunnings the Norwich Chancellor for's hate  
To the truth, died as in his chair he sat.  
Berry of Norfolk Commissary, one  
Burned 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'er his men, to see them play  
At Bowls, on him did the dead palsy fall;  
Carried to bed, he was desir'd to call  
The Lord to mind: Yea, said he, so I do,  
Not only so, but my Lord Card'nal too:  
So desperately died. Another tool  
Of Hell at Greenwich went to Card'nal Pool  
To get his blessing; but returning fast,  
He fell down stairs, and broke his neck for haste.  
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 Salisbury sudden deaths. Mr. Woodroffe  
Sheriff of London died 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 died of louse. One Troling Smith, a great  
Foe to the truth, died suddenly ●'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  
Died as 'twas thought. Dr. Foxford, Blomefield,  
And Leland too, to sudden deaths did yield.  
One Dr. William's Chanc'llour of Gloucester,  
Died the death before he was a ware.  
One Lever said he had at Oxford been,  
And that ill-favoured knave, Latimer seen,  
Toothed like an horse: but mark we what did follow.  
His son soon hanged 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, enemies of George Eagles,  
D'yd a dogs shameful death (three pretty Beagles!)  
A Sheriff's man, who cruelty had acted  
Against James Abbes, despaired & died distracted.  
In Lincolnshire, Burton who Bailiff was  
Of Crowland, laboured to set up the Mass;  
But the Parishioners with wise delay  
Still put him off; upon a Sabbath-day  
This Burton went to Church, (when all men failed)  
And on the Service-reading Curate railed:  
Sirrah (said he,) a Mass, (what?) mayn't we have?  
Buckle yourself to it, you whoreson knave,  
Or by Gods-Blood I'll sheathe, I that I will,  
My dagger in your shoulder; vex me still  
Do? you had best. Th'affrighted Curate made  
No more ado, but Mass in Latin said.  
Soon after this, as Burton with one more,  
Road on the road, a cro●king Crow flew o'er  
His head, and dunged; which falling on his nose,  
Ran down his slab'ring beard, but in the close  
Burton was so perfumed, that one would think  
No Jakes could yield so horrible a stink  
As he good man! Sweet Burton go thy way  
Contented, thoust enough; such luck they say  
As thine is good: if the best luck betid  
To fools, thou art not on the wiser side.  
Hast Burton, hast what need I bid thee haste  
Whom mischance drives? Oh, Oh, cries he, at last,  
My very bowels up such reachings make,  
My head even break, ough, ough, and heartstrings ache:  
A plague upon, a vengeance take the crow  
That poisoned him, and made him vomit so:  
And so he died. The black-eyed night inters  
Bonner's corpse amongst thiefs and murderers.   
Job 313.  Is not destruction to the wicked, and strange Judgements to the Workers of iniquity? 
2 Thess. 1. 6, 7.  It's a Righteous thing with God, to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you that are troubled, rest with us. 
Roma diu titubans, varijs erroribus acta,  
Corruet, & mundi desinet esse Caput.  
Rome tot'ring long laden with Errors store,  
At last shall fall, and Head the World no more.  
AMEN.   
FINIS.