clamour Sanguinis Martyrum, OR THE Bloody Inquisition OF SPAIN. Wherein is unfolded the Prodigious and Unparelell'd Cruelties of the Bloody-minded Spaniard, against the PROTESTANTS. Humbly presented to the serious consideration of all Protestant PRINCES and STATES. By a Friend to the Protestant Interest  Rev. 6.9, 10. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the Altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, and for the Testimony which they held, and they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long O Lord Holy and True! dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 
London, Printed by A. M. for Fr. titan at the three Daggers in Fleet street. 1656.   

To his HIGHNESS OLIVER LORD PROTECTOR OF THE Commonwealth OF ENGLAND.  
SIR,  
A Good Cause teacheth Confidence; Therefore it is, My Lord, that now steping by Providence on the stage of the World, and a world of censures, I humbly crave Your Highness's Signature at the entrance: The subject of this sad History, together with the great affairs now on foot, makes me believe that my poor endeavours fall directly under Your Highness's cognizance: And this, my Lord, is the only ground of my rude accost, next to the little ambition I have to die in debt to my own duty.  
Here is, my Lord, presented to Your special perusal, a dismal Story, a piece of such cruelty and impiety as reaches beyound example; such a piece of monstrous villainy, as hath not the least adumbration to shadow it from Divine Justice. Here may Your Highness behold the greatest cruelty and Tyranny, with splendid equipage, walk up and down without control: A place so loaded with fatal Butcheries, murders, and Massacres of many thousands of poor Protestants; so invested with Christian blood, that some eminent and unheard of vengeance cannot but threaten as the proper effects of so direful impieties: Oh! my Lord, How many poor Christians are here begging for death in a living Sepulchre! This, this is the place wherein Your Highness may perceive the crying and scarlet sin of murder hath made so ample a progression: Oh! let Your Highness think of those numerous tears that You may wipe away from flowing eyes, at the first sight of Liberty; That as a bide delivered from the snare, mounts with delight, so may the poor servants of the most High rejoice in their approaching happiness. For  
My Lord, who knows but Your Highness is now called out by the Great Jehovah to root out this Monster, and make inquisition for blood: What godly Protestant is there in this Nation, or beyond the Seas,( which beholding the grand Affairs now in agitation) cannot a little trace Divine footsteps, and conclude them to be greater pieces of Providence than ever yet ingros't the Worlds observance? To see the Victorious King of Sweden, with the no less courage of Your Highness against the Man of sin: Oh! how it rejoices the hearts, and swells the hopes of all good Protestants into a belief, that now God is setting his foot on the neck of Tyranny, and Popish cruelty: These are, my Lord, transactions, that fill the World with big expectations, and oh! that this Dagon of Cruelty may fall under the powerful Conquest of Your Highness acquests. As it is true, my Lord, 'tis pity that Greatness should ever be out of the road of Goodness; so is it as true, that it refreshes the hearts of all good Christians, to see Your Highness use Your Power to greaten Truth, and expatiate the bounds of the Protestant Interest: Let me therefore take the boldness to put Your Highness in mind of that good maxim, Verè magnum est magna facere, & teipsum putare nihil.  
And since, my Lord, we have entred on such a Just and Honourable war with the Spanish Nation, ( in which this Serpentine vegetable grows, a Nation so full of bloody resolutions against all Protestants) why may not Your Highness prove that blessed Agent in Gods hand, to reduce their Tyranny to obedience? There's no other way, my Lord, to kerb the rage of this Ocean of blood, but by Power to break their bands asunder; and it cannot be less then a sin of a crying nature, to be merciful to such cruel Tygars Happy shall they be that take and dash their little ones against the stones. 
Psal. 137.   
Some may say, and I must confess it is true, my Lord, That Peace and quiet is the Summum bonum in politics; and that freedom of Religion is the unum necessarium in the body of Liberty, is a Notion also that lieth uppermost in the understandings of all men; on these hinges hang our lower happiness; Peace and Liberty being inseparable companions to a sure fabric. That Peace is built on sand, that hath not Liberty for it's Foundation. And for the Spaniard, Your Highness very well knows, ( for it's out of the reach of question) that he is the grand enemy to the heart of our happiness; and it's good arithmetic to reckon our safety best guarded in a war with him; neither can I imagine it any other then a blasphemy against discretion, to follow the inconsiderate vogue of a clamorous peace; especially with such as shrowded treachery under it, as make Peace a pander to it. He that wisheth well to posterity, and rightly understands our quarrel, cannot grudge to contribute the best part of his estate, to the support of so good a Cause, nay he that is a true Protestant, and hath but his veins well fil'd with true English blood, will not I hope think it all lost, if it please God to call him to so great an honour. The Proverb is, He that makes a good war, makes a good Peace: And it is, my Lord, with the Spaniard, as with Nettles, that sting most violently, when handled most gently●: So as Your Highness may conclude, That it is a good Peace, to have none with him.  
For, my Lord, He that knows any thing of former transactions in Q Elizabeths daies, and considers what friends the Spaniards have always been, and now are, ( by a natural Antipathy) to England: If he yet doubts of the Justness and Legality of our Cause, 'tis pity but his Neck should hung in suspense with his Conscience. It cannot but be accounted a cruelty to posterity, for Your Highness to suffer such a liberty of Commerce, which the Spaniard only makes as a Trap for the thraldom of our Consciences. My Lord, If we must have a Peace, let it never be said( I had almost let my Pen deviate into that sinister path of boldness, as to say cursed be the day) that England shall stoop to any conditions with Spain, unless with such honour, as may not only make our Nation formidable in the Western World, but also that in Spain itself Liberty of Conscience shall usher in a Freedom of Trade, rather than a Trade draw down that hook of ruin, wrap't up in that bloody bait of the cruel Inquisition. Till then, my Lord, what Merchant can say, his Life, Estate, Ship, Goods, &c. when once arrived in Spain, are his own, if the bloody Inquisition please to call them theirs? Never let posterity be tied to so hard a bargain, as to pay their Lives and Liberties as the Interest of so sad a purchase. Therefore I may be so bold with Your Highness, as to affirm, That Peace without Liberty, is no other then a winding-sheet for both. So that, my Lord, if we look not about us, time and experience( the two great luminaries of Reason) may illustrate this assertion, and too sadly form it into a truth, if that be true, Qui ante non caveat, post dolebit. And  
Now, my Lord, when I call back the thoughts of my boldness with Your Highness, I remember the Italian Proverb, That Paper blusheth not, yet do I, till assured in hope of acceptance, from so grand a master-piece of Judgement and Prudence. Your Highness, I doubt not, will put on so much candour, as to forget the poverty of this sacrifice, whose only worth( if any) is lodged in the Zeal and Affection to the service of all true Protestants, and my own Country: and I hope to be the sooner forgiven, when I consider, that there's nothing in reason to excuse a fault more, then the intentions rightly fixed, though not successful.  
May it therefore please Your Highness to pardon my presumption, and give me liberty to leave my duty behind me, in a few good desires to the happiness of this Nation. May Your Highness press forward, and be as a standing example, a Monument of Zeal for God, even to Posterity; That Your Highness may be an Instrument of innobling the English Nation, in reviving it's ancient, and enroling its present Valour in the Records of famed: I will conclude, my Lord, with that commendable saying of one, concerning the Noble Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden, That he passed through the Temple of virtue, ere he arrived to that of Honour. Which without flattery cannot unfitly be affixed to the Crown of Your immortal Glory. Thus will the Lord crown the Industry of virtuous Actions, with the Illustrious laurels of his own blessing: That this may be Your Highness's Portion, it shall not want the Quotidian Orisons of,  
SIR, Your Highness humble Servant.   

TO THE MOST Ingenious & Candid READER.  
Candid Reader,  
IF Solomon( that great Antagonist to vanity) complained, that too much reading was a weariness to the flesh, when Printing was at non-age, and Manuscripts in only use: How much then would he have been tired in this age of Books, wherein the Press assumes so Epicurean a latitude! For my own part, I aim at no secular advantage, as the proper improvement of my own toil; and yet do I think also, that there is no garland given to the sluggard. I confess this work sets me in sight of censure, for as the Italian hath it,  
Who builds i'th' way where all go by,  
Shall make his House too low, or high.  
Yet( unless my indulgence betray my reason and judgement) I hope this sad History, may( by Gods blessing, especially at this time) be of good advantage. I know the most ingenious, the lovers of Truth and Industry, will rather commend my aim, then disdain my weakness: For as I am deeply conscious of the last, so would I not be married to the first. I would therefore, Courteous Reader, have thee not to look asquint on other mens Labours, till thou canst show better of thy own: Emulation is in nothing so much ennobled, as in striving to out-vy others in goodness: And he that says Grantham Steeple stands awry, let him set a straighter by it. I do confess this piece might better have been undertaken, by men whose Cabinets or head-pieces, enshrine better parts then my own; and that's one reason among others,( wherein I retain myself counsellor) why I do not agnize this piece with my hand, though with my heart I seal to it. But seeing I have levelled my mind at the Butt of Integrity, I may be the better excused if I hit not the white, since I intend the same; and this I reckon a privilege I can only boast of and be forgiven; so that when envy is struck blind, and detraction banished, posterity shall receive a badge of my industry.  
For this sad History of the Spanish Inquisition, 'tis not impossible( favourable Reader) but thou hast met with it in this or another Language, yet is it not out of date, though out of Print: Somewhat more there is added then what I found at first; and itis not discommendable if I affirm, there's also less: 'Tis gleanings, I confess, and who knows not that oft times they are the best Corn: I hope there is none expects a new Inquisition, this old one is enough for one world; and this I'll assure thee, That though I draw my water from sundry cisterns, yet they all come from the Fountain and Spring of Truth, so far as History hath remitted it to posterity. To furbish it into any other style then plainness, would obscure the Narrative, and put a gloss on vileness; and to comment were as needless, for the meaning of their impieties are understood in the reading; take it therefore in the true nature of the original, some few Parenthesis excepted: And kind Reader,( if thou wilt move within the sphere of reason) I hope it may be said, that upon a mature and deliberate balance, my endeavours, if summed up by candour, may have a Pass-port for their safe landing in the breast of the most rigid Censurer. Therefore I entreat thee to wink at the defects either of Press or Pen, and suffer thy kind acceptance to be my Errata.  
My purpose is not to defame the Nation of Spain, I leave the world to judge of their actions, which by their friends( I doubt) will be thought too full of infamy; nor do I hate a catholic because he is so, those I know to be ingenious, I therefore love and honour; I dislike indeed of their Religion, as they of mine; but their persons I wish as much happiness, in this and another world, as my own, and if possible, that they may go to heaven their own way: But oh ● to think, that Religion should be the foundation of cruelty, it's enough to astonish Heathens, and make Barbarians blushy.  
Courteous Reader, Thou maiest here bathe thyself in tears at the sad perusal of this Spanish cruelty. Here thou hast a little taste of the sad calamities and miseries of the poor Netherlands, occasioned by this bloody Inquisition, the unparalelled Butcheries and Massacres of poor innocent souls, with most exquisite cruelties, and only for their Religion: Here maiest thou see poor Protestants tormented with such strange cruelties as never durst be owned under the very Heathen Emperours: Here are poor Christians racked and torn with such strange diabolism, as they rack even cruelty itself, to make it confess a Bull of Phalaris, or some exquisite Torments in it's bowels yet incognita, knocking at the very gates of Hell for new Tortures: But alas! I am sorry to think, that whilst they Martyr others, they have too hot a bargain for themselves. Here do they make a trade of burning Christians alive and dead, with sad imprisonments, hunger, nakedness, could, racked, rent, and disjointed in their bodies, with sad Torments; many hundred Christians are here after a strange way of Triumph, brought forth in public, all clothed with garments painted with Devils, only to make them appear ugly to the world, all which is not only countenanced by the King of Spain, but this wicked Court erected with glorious Titles of Holiness, which under covert, do justify wickedness in the face of God and the world: But simulata pietas, duplex iniquitas. Oh! to hear the sad groans of the dying in this Cell of Misery! How tears in private call for pity from all true Christians, and aid from all Protestant Estates and Princes.  
These are they, that like Nero, Qui nullum non magnum bonum damnavit; That hated goodness for its own sake: These are they that can wade through all impieties, so they can but with Frederick, lay all the powers of the world under the Popes feet; who by blood and cruelties, do emasculate and dis-spirit the souls of men, turning the Image of God into the Nature of beasts; Nature itself blushes at their great villainies, and proclaims their impieties as prodigious; all the monstrous shapes 'twixt Affrica and India, cannot frame a likeness to this savage Inquisition; A place where such superlative wickedness reigns, as will no doubt in due time, pull down Gods just vengeance, as a coherent to their sanguinary cruelties: It's a wonder that Atlas his shoulders should not shrink under the depression of so shrewd a burden. There is nothing in the poor Nation of Spain, that doth not bend under the Authority of this bloody Inquisition; and it was, no doubt, the hand of Satans policy, that first hung this padlock on the Liberty of Spain; I do not think but the Spaniards themselves would be glad to follow the example of the people of Rome, who after the death of Pope Paul the fourth ( the first founder of the jesuits) broken into the Inquisition house, wounded the chief Lord, put the rest to flight, set fire on it, and released the prisoners; and I also think but that if the Indies were plucked from the King of Spain, this Inquisition would be found one of the best stakes in his hedge, the best Pillar to support his Throne. But  
To dissect this gulf of villainy, to wade in these miseries, and not be drowned in tears, will too much evidence obduracy; and oh! that this monstrous brat had continued in the embryo, or proved Abortive in the birth. But some may be ready( with the Poet) to say, Si vis me flere dolendum est, primum ipsi tibi: He that would draw tears from others, must first weep himself: 'Tis true, I confess tears drop often by example; Therefore give me leave to take up that expression of a good Author, made on the sad death of the Lady Jane Grey:  
Nescio tu quibus es, lector, lecturus Ocellis:  
Hoc scio quod sicco, scribere non potui.  
What eyes thou readest with Reader, know I not,  
Mine were not dry, when I this Story wrote.  
These cruelties almost stifle my Pen, they crowd in so fast upon it, that as sir Walter Raleigh said of King Henry the 8. so say I, If all cruelties were lost, they might be found in this Inquisition: For indeed they behave themselves like men of consummate impiety, barbarously bloody, even Cannibals, that live on the blood of the Saints: and if we do but look into the West Indies, we shall not need a grand Jury of examples to prove, not only this Court, but even Spain itself, so sanguinary, that through their blindness and cruelty, they have staggered with blood, even at noon-day; which I hope at last will clog the wheels of their motion, till they move like Pharaohs Chariots in the read Sea. Who will not conclude the King of Spain, according to the Proverb, as well Rex Diabolorum, as Rex Asinorum, for they do not only bear such burdens of Tyranny as are able to oppress, nay overwhelm the whole universe, but also, that such devils of men, should have a liberty for their villainy under the shelter of any Prince in the world, is strange, in so much that this bloody Inquisition, is from a little source, grown to such a rapid torrent, as threatens shipwreck to all Protestants, that sail in the Seas of Spanish cruelties. I cannot forget, how the Spanish ambassador once viewing the Venetian Treasury in St Mark, looks to the bottom, and says to the Duke of Venice, But my Masters Treasury hath no bottom,( meaning the 
* Where his cruelties and riches had one date.  Indies.) May we not alude this jest to the Inquisition in earnest, That their Cruelties, Blood, Torments, and all manner of villainies and Impieties, are here like a Mine that hath no bottom, though doubtless will have an end; for it's an effeminacy of unbelief to question it: and if such a faith and hope move not in the zodiac of every Protestants expectation, 'tis to me a wonder.  
I confess, Christian Reader, these are sad rehearsals of Spanish Tyranny and Cruelty over Bodies and Consciences: but who knows not that the glory is the sufferers; If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him; Is not that a Glorious exchange? In the times of the Roman Emperours, Christians choose rather to live in deserts, Caves, and Rocks, then bid adieu to Religion; and it's no less our duty in these times: The life of a Christian is chequered with vicissitudes, and afflictions are like crosses in the game of this life, but the inward and eternal advantages thereof( if sanctified) what are they? but to work out for us a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory: It's better to suffer afflictions with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season: The Lord hath been pleased to make the afflictions of this world, as a thorow-fair to glory and immortality: Having no abiding place, but must seek one to come. We may here delightfully( in the midst of a bloody Theatre) read, how these Saints and servants of the living God, went over their cruelties with valour, and under them with patience: These blessed Martyrs were like the Israelites, that boldly marched to heaven through the read Sea of blood: And indeed, Multi amant veritatem lucentem, oderunt redarguentem, we must love the truth, both shining and scorching. There is nothing so Hereditary to a Christian life as sufferings: He that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer. Now courteous Reader, to distil this sad History through a good Alimbeck, is the proper road to a right use; it's the only and true Index to find out the Quintessence of so sad, yet sweet dispensations. Oh! the great blessings of Liberty in Peace, it's the barrenness of our stony hearts, if plenty of mercies dull our affections, and blunt our senses: The poor Protestants of Spain, cannot enjoy a breathing under their own Vines, unless couched in a yoke of unexpressible Tyranny. And here as in a glass, may the catholics in England see their great engagements, that the Liberty they enjoy, is not in the midst of Fire and Faggot.  
Let all Protestants now unite in affection for our own preservation; let us lay aside our own interest for that of Gods; that as it was said of that grave 
* Lord Burleigh.  counsellor to that great Monarch Q. Elizabeth, when arming himself for repose, he cast off his night Gown, with these words; lye thou there Lord Treasurer: So do I wish, that we may say to our private animosities, Be butted in forgetfulness; then shall we be fit to advance forward in this Holy, Just, and Honourable war with Spain; A war that brings to mind the Noble spirits that filled the Veins of our English Gallantry in blessed Q. Elizabeths daies. Let us never be so sordid as to hug Lives or Estates so close, but that both may be ventured to the blessing of that wise God, who sitteth on the circled of the Heavens, and Governs the great transactions of the World; so shall we expect a blessed issue as the fruit of our labours, and posterity be guarded from the Tygar and the Wolf: And they that will not thus do for their own safety and the Nations; but like a swollen and turbulent Sea, roar at every action they handle not, blowing a Trumpet to Mutiny against their own happiness; What must( I say) be the issue? but rigorous and wholesome severity; for who reckons it not good in order to absolute security, to make such sit still in the Boat of the Commonwealth, when storms threaten shipwreck to the whole.  
Courteous Reader, I have too great reason to be jealous that I have exceeded the bounds of an Epistle; I shall therefore entreat thy pardon and so dismiss thee to the perusal; That as to thy Judicious approbation, and kind acceptance, I refer my affectionate endeavours; so do I both to the blessing of God, and Rest.   

Books Printed and Sold by Francis titan at the three Daggers near the Inner Temple Gate.  

In Folio.  
LOrd Herberts, Henry the 8th.  
English Law, by Charles George Cork.  
Habingtons History of Edward the fourth.  
Parr on the Romans.   

In Quarto.  
Baxters Saints Everlasting Rest.  
His Apology, with Answers to Mr black, Eyre, Dr kendal, Mr Crandon, Lodovicus Colvinus.  
His Confession of Faith.  
The Christian Concord.  
The Defence of the Worcestershire Petition.  
The Quakers Catechism.  
Hacwels Argument for the Liberty of the Subject.  
Buck on the Beatitudes.  
The false Brother.  
Drapes Gospel-glory, or Visible and Invisible Worship of God.  
The Discovery of some troublesome thoughts arising in the hearts of the godly: By Daniel King.  
A Collection of 30 select Sermons preached on special occasions: By William Strong: Published by Mr Row, Mr Manton, and Mr Griffith.  
Two other Sermons, one before the Parliament, the other the Lord Maior, Preached on the 5th of Nov.  
Mr Obadiah Sedgwicks Sermon, at Mr Strongs Funeral.  
Duke Hamletons case argued by Mr Steel now Lord chief Baron of the Chequer.   

In Octavo and Duodecimo.  
Baxter of the unreasonableness of Infidelity.  
Gospel-Mystery and Gospel-light and life: By Dornford.  
The Rise, Growth and Fall of Antichrist: By Haughton.  
Observations on History: By Habington.  
Henry the 7th in Verse: By Allen.  
Eurialus and Lucretia.  
The Word of Faith improved for the Grace of Faith, in a repetition of the morning Exercise at Martins in the Fields, on the Fast: By Mr Sanger.  
Heavenly Treasure, or Mans chiefest Good. Communion with God in Ordinances, the Saints privilege and duty: Both by Mr William Strong.  
Baxters Aphorisms of Justification.  
Sydenhams Arguments concerning the two grand Controversies, Baptism and singing of Psalms.  
Baxters Right Method for Spiritual Peace and Comfort in 32 Directions.  
A Collection of Orders for Regulating the Chancery.    

The Summary.  CHAPTER I. THE original of the bloody, barbarous and unparalleled Inquisition: the Popes confirmation and establishment thereof: The Waldenses suffer under the fury of this monster of impiety: It is imposed by the King of Spain in Arragon; and after great resistance, and no less effusion of Christian blood, is at length forcibly erected. CHAP. II. The great gulf of blood and misery, which followed the bloody Inquisition into the Netherlands; which occasioned the just and honourable Revolt from the King of spain. A bloody Edict, in French and Dutch, against the poor Protestants in the Netherlands; also to settle the Inquisition. The word Inquisition abominable in the Netherlands. The Emperour besieges Magdenbourg, which after much resistance yields on good terms. The Inquisition could not for forty years together be settled in the Netherlands: the Name is taken away, but the substance brought in, under another disguise. A Character of the Pope and King of Spaines grand Agent, in settling this Inquisition in the Low Countries: Deputies are sent from the Netherlands to the King of spain, with Addresses and Grievances. The Nobles divide. A godly Minister, with great Cruelty burned alive. The Protestants increase. The King of spain, orders the Edicts and Inquisition to be of force. The Prince of Orange in discontent, retires from the sad and unavoidable ruin threatened. Horrible confusion threatens the poor Netherlands: The Nobles assemble, and strictly bind their Lives and Liberties together, by an Oath sworn to in the presence of God. The bloody Inquisition exceeds all the cruelty of Tyrants, Infidels and Heathens. The Nobles confederacie strikes amazement to all their enemies. The strange and wonderful proceedings of the Inquisition. The Nobles petition the King of spain, but no better. They petition again. Another Petition. Four hundred Noblemen and Gentlemen petition; the duchess in person: all they can procure by petition, is, that those that are condemned to be burned, shall be with much favour hanged: ambassadors sent to the King of spain, and are detained. CHAP. III. A general Assembly of the Netherlands; they list such persons as shall be ready for the service of their country. A Tumult in Antwerp, and all over Flanders, Holland and Zealand, like an Inundation. Another more terrible uproar in Antwerp. Breaking down of Images over all the Provinces. The Governours terrified, and like Mariners in a storm, promise great things. The Prince of Conde, and Protestants in France, proffer to their aid eighty thousand Gentlemen, which the Netherlanders refuse out of Loyalty and hopes of Spanish clemency. The King resolves on the Netherlanders ruin. They petition again. A new Oath imposed, which breeds discontent. The Prince of Orange retire to his Castle. Strict command for Observance of the Edicts and Inquisition: whereupon a hot persecution: The bloody Duke D'Alva enters with fire and sword: The deplorable estate of the poor Netherlanders. The horrible and tyrannicall Articles concluded of by the Inquisition of spain against the Netherlanders: Great cruelties committed. earl Egmont, and horn beheaded. The Duke D'Alva's Son proves an inheriter of his Fathers Cruelties and Butcheries: murders, Rapes, villainies and Ravishments, are Spanish mercies. A godly Minister hanged, another beheaded. The Netherlanders declare against the King of spain, and revolt from his Tyranny. A Reward proclaimed by the King of Spain, to any that will destroy the Prince of Orange: He is shot with a pistol, the Agent slain, but the Prince escaped the danger. He is again shot, to death. His last words. An unparallelled piece of Cruelty. 130 burghers murdered in Brussels at one time. The great cruelties of the Duke of Alva. CHAP. IV. The strange manner of Apprehending, and Examination of the Inquisitors in spain, at their first summons of any Person before them: Their second summons, and strange ways to betray poor souls: Their hypocritical form of Justice, only to delude the world, selling poor souls to reap the bloody gains of their Estates. How they cunningly endeavour to find any that escape: The manner of sequestering the Goods of such as are in the Inquisition. Their sad condition in prison, and unworthy usage at the entrance. The manner of their Appearance, and strange way of Examination; persuading men to say what they never thought. The third time of Examination, and Audience, after such a strange manner as is not to be paralleled. They promise Liberty to those that confess their Opinions, whereby poor Christians are undone; for they promise with intention to break it. The fourth day of hearing: their manner of inditement, and Charge: for want of proof they suborn false witnesses, and concealed also: The Name of an Advocate is made use of, but not the substance; with their manner of pleading and accusation: poor creatures are in so sad a condition, as they wish for death rather then life: After strange questions to little purpose, they return the prisoner to his place of torment again. The sad and deplorable condition of poor Christians. Depositions examined, but their Accusers not known, nor witnesses name: A single witness enough to condemn: A pleasant passage of Providence: suspicion is cause enough for misery during life. CHAP. V. Perjury accounted no sin: The strange attire of the Tormentors, like Devils, to frighten poor Christians. Their cruel Torments of the Rack: the horrible Torment of the through and water, and the sad torment by Fire: The Inquisitors damnable hypocrisy, base Treachery and Perjury. Many godly Christians endure great torments, and at last are burned alive. Great cruelty and injustice. A wicked and cursed policy to betray Christians into the hands of violent death: Vile Treason under trust. CHAP. VI. The manner of their loathsome Prisons, and their cruel usage therein: The miserable Diet, and uncharitable stealing that little away, which is so miserable allowed. Great cruelty exercised upon one that was charitable to the necessity of poor Christians: The people of God not suffered to sing a Psalm or any way allowed to be cheerful. Savage cruelty to an English Merchants Son, who died with misery. A turk frighted from Christianity, by the Inquisitors inhumanity. Their dayes of Visitation, pretended charitable, do prove most miserable. The strange and secret way of the Lords of the Inquisition, in taking Bribes. Their horrible and execrable manner of public show, enough to astonish all that red or hear it. Christians attired in robes, all painted over like Devils, and so burned alive; all the people present at the show, forced to swear against God. The great cruelty in the act of degradadation: the miserable estate of poor Protestants, by the cruelty of Papists: Difference betwixt the liberty of Papists in England, and Protestants in spain, hold no comparison. CHAP. VII. The burning an English Merchant for his Religion. Sundry English Protestants suffer death for their Religion. Great injustice to an English man. One for profession of the gospel suffers seven years imprisonment. A Noble Lady of spain inhumanly murdered, with extremity of unspeakable torments. An example of injustice. The torments and death of John Poulio de Leon of a Noble Family in spain. The martyrdom of John Gonsalue. Four godly and zealous women suffer for the truth. A godly Christian suffers the extremity of death with extrem torments. The blessed martyrdom of Ferdinando à Sancto Joanne. Juliano Ferdinando a great sufferer for the Gospel of Jesus. Eight hundred and twenty Protestants betrayed by a false brother The great torments and sufferings of John de Leon, with his martyrdom. A godly Virgin, seals to the truth of the gospel with her blood. The martyrdom of christopher Losado. CHAP. VIII. The great sufferings of learned christopher Aretiano, who with patience and courage lays down his life for the gospel and truth of Jesus. The blessed death of Arias, being an example of the riches of Gods grace. Doctor Aegedio a great sufferer for the truth. The great persecution of that profound Scholar and zealous Christian, Doctor Constantio Fontio. Thirty Protestants suffer on one scaffold for Religion.  

The Introduction.  
READER;  
IN this sad History thou wilt find various objects of pity, but if thou dost balance their eternal advantage and gain, with the loss of Life, Estate, Liberty, and the World; thou wilt say, they saved their Lives in losing them: Who knows not, that the Advantages of suffering Saints, are as innumerable as profitable, Sanguis Martirum seemen Ecclesiae: They are the true Salamanders, that instead of being consumed, are preserved by the fire: The three Children seem not an unfit emblem of Christs Church; and that Persecution is no new thing, you may see Cain persecuting his Brother Abel, and he that knows not the reason is too ignorant in Divinity: Holy Lot in profane sodom, blessed Jacob by profane Esau; The poor Israelites how great were their sufferings under the Egyptian bondage, nothing but the Almighty arm of Jehovah could wrest them from the powerful hand and hard heart of Pharaoh; I am the Lord thy God that brought thee out of the Land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. And you may observe in the Scriptures, what a series of persecution they crept under, as if bondage and slavery had been their portion; and indeed by that did the most wise God reduce them to obedience. Who is not acquainted with the infinite Persecutions of holy David, the Prophets Elijah and Elisha? Blessed Isaiah sawn asunder: Who has not red of the revilings and taunts breathed from the profane spirits of Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem, against( that faithful servant of the living God Jeremiah? Innumerable are the examples of Gods Saints who underwent the rage and fury of their implacable enemies.  
In the reign of those Monsters of Nature the roman Emperours, was such a hot season for Professors of the gospel, that you could hardly set a foot in Rome, but to tread on the graves of the blessed Martyrs, which continued for three hundred years. St Paul and St Peter laid down their lives for the gospel under that Tyrant Nero, of whom Tertullian, in his apology for the Christians, says, That the gospel must needs be precious, because Nero hated it: Yet it is observed, that Popish cruelty, and bloody malice to Protestants, has outvied all the persecutions of ungodly Heathens, having for six hundred years acted all inhuman butcheries and tragical treacheries on the bobies of many thousands of Gods dear and faithful ones: and to this day let but the least gap be open, or the smallest opportunity( without danger) be offered, and we shall sadly see and feel, that their blood and treachery ends not where it begins: What plotting against( that heavenly instrument in Gods hand) the blessed Queen Elizabeth? Yet did she escape by miraculous providences: Who is not afraid to call back the thoughts of that horrid, impious and unparallelled Massacre of Paris? The great gulf of savage cruelty, blood rapes and villainies in Ireland, wherein died two hundred thousand Protestants,( and now I hope that report may be true, that no venomous creatures will live there; such is, and I hope will be the care of such as govern at the helm of this Common-wealth.) The late sad and bleeding condition of the poor Protestant Waldenses and Albigenses; Nay the poor Protestants in Zurick are no sooner instated in the truth of the gospel, but as surely and suddenly lose both Liberty and Estate, I wish they may save their lives: Yet let us sum up the short lives of Persecutors, and they seem to apologize for the Saints. Qu. Elizabeth of blessed memory, had the date of her life often renewed by Gods Providence, so that eight Popes dropped into their graves ere she stepped to Heaven.  
What seas of Protestant blood and misery has been  shed and spilled, in England, France, Germany, Italy, spain, and other places, from 1550,( when the croaking frogs from out of the pit had first their being,) 
The Jesui●s.  to the year 1580: wherein no fewer( by exact calculation) felt the rage of cruelty then nine hundred thousand Protestants: Yet, as before, we see how this blood is like seed sown, which multiplies and increases ad infinitum, for which the Name of the great Jehovah be for ever blessed: And I think I might here erect a challenge to all, that whereas many millions of souls have been split betwixt the Sylla and Carybdis of Popish rage and villainies, have felt the fury of Beasts invested with human shape, yet how few or no catholics ever suffered death for their Religion at the hands of Protestants, unless as evil doers, and transgressors against the laws of our Nation: we may bid defiance to all Papists, to instance one plot of treachery, one tittle of perjury, or any tolerable act of cruelty imposed on that Religion.  
Now truly though the persecutions of Gods Saints by many Tyrants and Popes, have swelled to a vast bulk, yet can I not say, that any have justled for priority with this monstrous, barbarous and bloody Inquisition: and though here is only a taste of the Impious cruelty of one Court in one City, yet may we with Pithagoras, trace the footsteps of this Hercules of cruelty, and by the print of his feet in seville, guess at the monstrous proportion of his whole Body in that kingdom of spain: Here you have cruelty and blood justified, only it puts on the countenance and face of holinesse; and we are so far from finding parvum in magno, a little good in such mountains of pretences, that we find an Abifs of impiety, wickedness to the brim, and when the reader has run through this large field of Inquisition, he will find too little good in such spacious volumes of pretences; I know not the threshold of my own house, if this be not the threshold to hell, the gate of Perdition, the Assembly of infernal spirits.  
A dismal place where is no light,  
'Tis always winter, always night,  
Where Vultures feed on men, and where  
The Screech-Owl crieth all the year;  
Their best music is the groans,  
And houlings of oppressed ones.  
Oh blessed God! be thou the guide,  
of thy dear Saints that there abide;  
In safety keep them, let thy arms  
preserve them from all popish charms,  
That as their miseries abound,  
so let them hear that joyful sound,  
Of come ye blessed, there and then  
to sing the praise of Christ. Amen.  
Now that this Nursery of horrid Cruelties, this brat of the devil( for I cannot cloath my thoughts in softer terms) had a beginning none doubt, and that it shall have as cursed and quick an end, I hope all good Christians not only expect, but daily pray for: The Lord knows the sad sufferings and great afflictions of his poor Saints; that though the thread of their expiration seem to bear no date, yet in his own due time he will no doubt put a Finis to such unparallelled cruelties: 
Eccl. 8.11 Psa 7.16.  Because sentence against an evil work is not executed presently, therefore the hearts of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.  
Who is it that doubts these cruelties shall not terminate with the wrath and vengeance of God upon the Inquisitors themselves: that the walls which are reared up, and cemented with the blood of Gods Saints, will not at last moulder away, and fly like dust before the breath of the Almighty? that this beautiful fabric, as its foundation is laid in the blood of many thousand souls, as their cruelties and impieties are insatiable, so no doubt will their fall be inevitable, and their punishment infinite; 
Psal. 137.  Happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. 
Psal. 140.8, 10, 11.  Grant not O Lord the desires of the wicked, further not his wicked device. Let burning coals fall upon them, let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits that they rise not up again. I know the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor, but evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.   

THE Horrid Cruelties of the Bloody INQUISITION.  

CHAPTER I. The beginning and occasion of the bloody and cruel Inquisition.  
THE Turks having by usurpation possessed the City of Granata and other places of the kingdom of spain for the space of seven hundred and eighty eight years, from the time of Roderico King thereof, and the last of the race of Goths, at length were violently expelled by the power and policy of Ferdinando and Isabella, who purchased much renown by their famous restauration of their country to its pristine splendour: for having settled the Nation in a sweet tranquillity, and placed their subjects under the shade of a good Government and secure protection, they at last resolve a Reformation, as the Crown of those great blessings and benefits, which Heaven showered down upon their Industry; and was indeed a good way of thankfulness for Gods goodness and mercies, if it had succeeded according to the first and primitive intent of so good founders; the fruits no doubt had been good, if the end had been the proper issue of so good a beginning; but we shall sadly find, that instead of grapes it brings forth wild grapes, alluding to that of the Prophet Isaich 5.2. and therefore it was, that so good purposes were diverted into a finister path, and such rare intentions of Piety drowned and ingulpht in blood and tyranny, as this doleful piece of cruelty will acquaint the world withall.  
The Moores thus conquered, had liberty to stay within the King of Spaines Territories, to enjoy the freedom of their Lives and Estates, provided they would abandon their Religion and turn catholics: Thus was it also with the poor Jews, who having remained with freedom of conscience in the kingdom of spain, ever find the destroying of Jerusalem by titus Emperour of Rome,( being sent thither to remain in misery and thraldom) were now troubled and molested for their Religion as well as the Moores; who both must now depart the kingdom, passing over the straits of Marrock it they did not submit to embrace the offers of the King: And poor creatures, happy had they been if they had suffered banishment from so cruel a soil, so contaminate with the blood of Christians, that there cannot but shortly be expected a flood of Gods vengeance, to period and reward such bloody tigers and Wolves in Sheeps clothing.  
Now the King of spain considering these people to be only nominal Christians, shrouding their lives, liberties and estates, under these pretexts of being turned Christians, thought it not amiss therefore to provide for their conversion another way; but alas we shall see these resolutions prove abortive, or not succeed their intentions, being perverted into a wrong current by ill Agents, and instead of mildness, the bloodiest cruelty and oppression that ever courted the habitable world, and acted with such strange shapes of deceit and diabolical delusions, that it may fitly be termed the very Epitome of Hell, the Engrosser of all Impieties and Cruelties; it's beyond admiration, almost beyond belief: and truly it is to be lamented, that men should prove such Tyrants and Devils incarnate, usurping human shape the better to delude and deceive; that men should have such seared consciences as not to perceive the foot-steps of Divine wrath attending as their doom, Hot to see what a fearful precipice, and brink of danger on which they most dangerously stand.  
To further this good purpose of the Kings there was an Order of Friars under the Name of Saint Dominick, who seemed as men overtaken with an ecstasy of joy for so good and heavenly inclinations, they therefore spur on these resolutions, that they may not perish in the embryo, but ripen to their birth: Now this spawn of Friars was so adored and worshipped even by Princes themselves( for that they were a pharisaical sect, professing much sanctity and mortification to the world) whereby they privileged their access to the very closest secrets of Kings and Princes, having constant recourse to their privy Chambers, ascending by that politic principle of pretences, thereby colouring their impious and reserved wickedness, and begetting such firm belief of their integrity in the hearts of Princes, as not only to ascend with facility the throne of the Kings secrecy, but step a little higher, even to the command of their counsels and desires into a Law.  
Having thus fixed their station in the bosoms of Kings and councils, they lay a foundation of charity, whereby to reduce( say they) all erring, and instruct all ignorant in the way of true Christianity; Pretending this holy Inquisition should be erected to no other end: and should also be provided with godly Ministers and Teachers, that with all gentleness and meckness they would proceed: on this account was the Inquisition first instituted, whereby under pretence of charity and sanctity, they proved only like horse-leeches, sucking blood from the veins of poor innocents: for these poor souls were put past hope of all future liberty, either of lives or estates, being robbed and spoiled of all their goods, and put to most cruel Torments and bloody deaths, leading their lives in a sad and doleful slavery; thus did they kill men under pretex●s of good usage: nor was this punishment inflicted only on those that denied Christ, but for the very least trifle or ceremony in the Jewish or Moorish Law; for the least error in Religion: and now the Lord knows the direful effects which this cursed Inquisition, has brought with it into the world, is sadly seen and felt even to this day. 
The Pope confirms and establishes this bloody Inquisition.   
To the more firm establishment of this new erected Consistory, Pope Sixtus, fourth of that Name, made good this invention, by aid of his confirmation, that in the end it became of such force, as at this present it seems to be a burden unsupportable; so ponderous for the hideous cruelty and impiety therein practised, as will astonish all that understand, and seriously peruse this mystery of Iniquity.  
About this time were the poor Waldenses persecuted, 
The Waldenses feel the fury of the Inquisition.  with hoar and violent assaults of cruelty from their bloody enemies; and to add to their load of ●fflictions, they punish these true hearted Christians, with this bloody inquisition; that although they had suffered greatly in body and goods, yet now were they begun afresh to be persecuted; that it seemed, as if the beginning of this bloody Inquisition, were but the beginning of their miseries in this life; but in this they were comforted, that through manifold tribulations they must enter into the kingdom of God.  
Now although these Dominicans, were the cursed Authors of th●s Inquisition, and although they had purchased and laid up a good stock of respect in the hearts of Princes,( being accounted the Patrons of the Christian Faith,) yet by reason of their boundless ambition and covetousness, guarded with unexpressible cruelty; they are now fallen to be the lowest in esteem, both by Prince and people; who at last saw their inexorable tyranny and oppression, and therefore were they degraded, and the charge put into the hands of the Clergy, yet do they retain the Name of Inquisitors.  
Now the bloody Inquisitors being thus established, and confirmed by Authority of King and ●ope, it seemed to carry along with it the approbation of all men, in regard of the holy ends it seemed to bear in the front, which served very well to cover their savage cruelties, as snow blown over deep pits, where men ere they are ware, are sadly ruined. The titles given to this Holy House, are not to be hide from the sight of the world; being called, The Holy Inquisition, The Fathers of the Faith, The Inquisitors of lewd heresy and apostasy; nay which is worse, the great Don's and Divines of spain, hold these Inquisitors so just and legal in their proceedings, that they cannot err; seeming hereby to settle an illegal kind of justice, so to palliate their great and impious cruelties, that the world might adore their Holinesse; yet they walk like Moles under ground, spinning out their damnable practices and purposes of fraud, making their good words and wishes swim, like oil above water, or like Snakes under Primrose leaves tempt to destruction; they tell the world it's to reduce the erroneous, to convince the obstinate, to convert the Infidels, but indeed is only to warp mens consciences to the crooked last of their idolatrous blasphemy. But courteous Reader, ere thou shalt( by perusal of this sad History) pass over the Alpes and mountains of horror and Cruelty, thou wilt find this goodly fabric of Holinesse fall down before thee, and perceive the vaults of deceit hide under it; their mantles whereby they cover all, will slide off, like vizards, or paint of Ladies: and as little reality to be found in their hearts, as swarms of mischief in their practices: and that whereas by reason of their fai● glosses on so bad a Text, the people adore this monster, and rather admire the invention, then strike at the foundation: yet now, would many be glad, to terminate the life of so bloody and cruel an enemy, lodged in the heart of so sweet a Coun●●ey. But alas, 'tis almost too late; for their power now is so great, as Princes themselves are in hazard, if they offer to whisper the least part of their unjust proceedings, although it be against catholics themselves; which if rich must suffer, nothing can hinder them from grasping both life or estate, although they do it on no other grounds but malice; for to be rich is as great a crime in this Court as heresy; and as it was with the Primitive Christians, so is it under these Tyrants; 
The Inquisitian is forcibly erected in Arragon, with loss of much blood and great resistance.  their onely crime was Christianity, Bonum virum, C●ium Seium, tanium quòd Christianum, was proverbial in ●ertullians time.  
Now for all the grandeur it seemeth to engross from all part, where it is planted, yet does not all fall down to this Dagon: for in the time of Ferdinando King of spain, it was thought a businefs of grand importance, to establish this Inquisition in Arragon,( which place was his own inheritance by his Father) but for all the holy ends which led the van of this Monster, yet did the Nobles perceive the sad effects which brought up the rear; though the beginning were glorious, yet was the exit ominous; and therefore did they humbly supplicate, that no such thing might defile their borders, or border on the precincts of their Territories: But this would not serve to stifle the Kings and Inquisitors Re●●●utions, but down it must by fair or foul means, being accounted not only as whloesome food, but physical and cleansing: like a strong vomit, would expel all nauseous humours, which lurked in the obscurest corner of the intellect; whereupon they offer violence and force, where entreaty would not prevail.  
The Nobles answer with the same weapons, and meet them with as strong resistance; withall Remonstrating to his Majesty; that it did bend its force only at the ruin of the place where ere it took root, would prove like a Canker in the heart of their country; and was not( say they) for Reformation of Religion, as the Motto of their pretences did allege: so that it was not received till forced; and then he must needs go that the devil drives: Yet was the establishment here of laid in the blood of many mens lives, and the hatred which to this day the Nobles have, towards this cursed weed of the world, may be seen in this lively instance; For Seignor Aepila, who came thither with a Commission to establish it, was nevertheless slain by the Noblemen at Sarragosa in the Cathedrall Church.  
The effects that this bloody Inquisition brought into the Netherlands, is felt by the King of Spain to this day, and I hope will daily know more and more, of the power of that Nation; their just revolt from his Tyranny was only caused through the violent imposition of the Inquisition, and was also the cause of all the Warres and combustions for many years; as also, of their Honourable shaking off that yoke of intolerable Bondage and Slavery: For at the first attempt, to settle this Hellish brat of blood and cruelty, they found a resistance impregnable, which began a war most cruel; then were Edicts thundered out against the Protestant Religion, who is so ignorant, as not to know what effusion of blood hath been  shed in the Netherlands, only to withstand this Inquisition, and to maintain the Liberties and Freedoms of their Religion and Lives, which I hope without digression I shall succinctly methodise in the second Chapter following; I hope it will only be taken for a necessary parenthesis, necessary interposed, but not to break the sense of my orderly procede; or like the River Arethuse, whose digressing streams runs under ground, yet meets again. Then we shall proceed to the manner and way of their horrid cruelties, and cursed villainies, committed without mercy, on all Protestants which come under the lash of their unparalelled Tyranny.   

CHAPTER II.  
THe vast Deluge of misery and Tyranny which broken in and over-spread the whole Netherlands, 
The great gulf of blood and misery which followed the bloody Inquisition into the Netherlands, which occasioned their revolt from the King of Spain.  as the Hand maids to this bloody Inquisition, is a task two tedious for an epitome, yet are the most remarkable circumstances and occurrences here inserted, and will no doubt fill the Reader with compassion, and yet rejoice to see the scene of so much misery and blood, turned on the necks of Spain; that whereas the poor Netherlands were once terrified into slavery and bondage, now through the great goodness and providence of the Almighty Jehovah, they stand as a terror to Tyranny, sitting safe in the lap of Neptune, from all alarums of Spanish pride and threatenings.  
To begin to remember, 
A bloody Edict in French and Dutch, dispersed all over the Netherlands against the Protestant Religion, and to settle the Inquisition.  what God so mercifully has ended, know, that in May 1550, A bloody Edict was proclaimed against the poor Protestants, with horrible threatenings to bring in the Irquisition: This being the fifth Edict against the Protestant Religion, was published in the French and Dutch Language, and so dispersed over all the Netherlands. The Merchants of Germany and England, for fear, shut up their Shops, and resolve to depart from Antwerp, and other places where they had settled a Commerce. The Senate and Burgesses of of Antwerp are full of perplexity, and different thoughts, what course to steer in so great an exigent, and threatening ruin; in the midst of which distraction the bloody Inquisition arrives, but is unanimously opposed, with the full force and common vogue of all the Netherlands; who speedily repair for redress, by laying open their grievances to the Queen of Hungary, their Governess; clearly unfolding the miserable thraldom their poor country would inevitably fall into, if a speedy kerb were not put into the mouth of such a foaming and raging Leviathan, which to all Countries was not only a terror, but an unsupportable yoke of cruelty, a part whereof could not be undergone, without loss of the whole: Further showing, that the Inquisitors Commission reached with full power to all Judges and Magistrates whatsoever; whereupon the Queen caused it to cease, in respect of foreign Nations, which at that time had recourse thither: She also takes journey into Germany, to her brother the Emperour Charles the fifth, where she requests that the Edict and Inquisition might take no place, to whose reasons the Emperour so harkened, that at last yielded to her earnest solicitations; 
The word Inquisition abominable in the Netherlands.  and so caused the word Inquisition( which was abominable) to be canceled, commanding the rest of the Edict to be observed; for which the Queen raised to her self enemies out of the Inquisition, in so much as they took the boldness to writ to her brother the Emperour, to have her accused for an heretic; and yet this good Queen by her better Government, so qualified the disorders of the Netherlands, as none were more willing to pay Taxes to the Emperour, then those that were under her Government.  
However, 
The Emperour besieges Magdonbourg, which after much resistance yields on good terms.  the Emperour causes Duke Maurice of Saxony, to besiege the Protestants in Magdenbourg; the Protestant Princes of the Empire endeavour a peace with the Emperour, but not obtaining such conditions as would consist with their Lives, Liberties and Honours, they withstand the Emperour, and maintain the siege with great Valour, until time wrought( by Composition) a Peace, both to the City and themselves. Now the Protestants, by Gods grace, growing numerous, and daily increasing in the Netherlands, did so vex and perplex the Pope, King of Spain, and bloody Inquisitors, that they begin afresh to impose, by force, the Inquisition; whereupon throughout all the Netherlands are appointed Commissioners to settle it, but the ill resentment it would give to the Netherlanders, being understood and feared by the Inquisito●s, d●d let the King of Spain understand, that it would prove unsufferable in those parts, 
The Inquisition assayed to be settled, but could not for forty years be brought to pass. The name is taken away, but the substance erected under a d●sguise.  nor could be with safety effected, without greater power and force then their persuasions or threatenings; and would also, if not well managed, spoil the undertaking both present and to come; this they backed with strong arguments and reasons, showing, that for the space of forty years it had been sundry times essaied, but could never yet be effected.  
Therefore Cardinal Granvelle( a cursed and bitter enemy to God and all good men) with the advice of his council of Inquisitors, did order Dr Francis Sonnius, to our ney to Pope Paul the fourth, whereby he procured an abarement of the name of Inquisition; that the people might not startle at the title, though they intend the substance: so that he most subtly and with diabolical policy, introduces the same cruelty under another disguise, and more specieos pretexes, whereby the people were willingly pleased with the bait, but saw not the hook of cruelty, and their own ruin wrap't up in it 〈◇〉 Now this Granvelle was a man of low birth, yet of great advancement, thereby( together with his show of Piety and Holiness) colouring his cursed and wicked heart, but God as he sees, so does he in his infinite wisdom discover the depths of deceit, though hide in ●ell. For I find it recorded of him, that he was more then suspected to be in heart an Atheist, and yet was the great Author of bringing in, and supporter of this Inquisition in the Low Countries.  
It will not be amiss to give a short character of him, 
A Character of the Popes gr●●● Agent, and the King of Spains for settling the Inquisitior.  whereby the world may see and judge by the wicked instruments, what this Inquisition is, although they pretend such mountains of Holiness and Zeal to Gods glory. Know therefore that this cardinal Granvelle was a Smiths son; the private part of his life, his closet conversation( for what a man is, he is betwixt God and himself in secret, that's the touchstone of mens souls, and the truest index to mens lives) his secret retirements I say, were dissolve, lascivions, and detestable of all good catholics themselves, that to his old age was nothing but deboist and wicked in the height; so as none could be produced for example; the dimension of his impieties were of a vast extent: His Adultery, Luxury, & caetera,( for they were of a large proportion) banished him from Rome, Millan and Naples; yet was not thought the worse in Spain: His house was a sink of all deboistness, and himself a very monster of filthiness; A great lover of such impieties, as to sport with, is no less danger then to play with a trap baited at both ends; such I account lewd women( the unnecessary Parenthesis of nature,) whom to lustful spirits, are as infectious and catching as the plague; which once touched, how few escape, is sadly experienced in our present age, and is no less generally believed by all, as known to some: For as one says well, No hell so low as lust and women cannot led unto. To which end this cardinal had drawn, case, and Printed most exquisite pieces of Lust and Lasciviousness; and in his secret retiring rooms( the true emblems of his heart) had under covert of the names of Venus, Pallas, Euno, &c. drawn to the life the best Ladies and beauties, which he had wickedly and violently prostituted to his lust; he was much given up to witchcraft and enchantments, with swoonings; one whom he had made essay on was that good and wise Prince Maximilian the second, at which time he was King of the Romans. 'Tis too tedious a digression to insert such a bad example to posterity, only he may stand as a Landmark for others, to beware and steer a better course for another world, then he did for this. But this as principal is not to be passed over; That this man so known for his notorious Atheism, and iniquity of all sorts, yet was thought by the Pope and King of Spain as a fit agent for their cursed purposes, in settling the Inquisition; and what could make this man fit, but that he was well qualified with cruelty,( an excellent and rare endowment for erecting Popery) according to the employment he was to execute.  
But to proceed to the History itself, This Gay erecting of this foul Inquisition, under a new disguise; as it did hoodwink the common people, so did it open the eyes of the Nobility; whom God had set as a watch over the rest of his people, and the more as being part of the Netherlands; yet were not called to council in any matter, a thing so contrary to their privileges, as looked rather ominous then any way supportable, for hereby they saw themselves wholly depriv●d of power to do the least good, or have a hand in smallest share of their own or country, Liberty; so that all fell in pieces again, and could not possibly be cemented in peace and union, unless this hoodwink't Inquisition were taken away root and branch, both in Name and Nature. 
Deputies are sent to the King of Spain with address & grievan●●s.   
Deputies are sent to the King of Spain, to unfold their grievances, as into the bosom of a father; showing, that under this new name lay hide the bloody Inquisition, at which the whole Nation began to murmur and would undoubtedly mutiny, if speedy redress were not applied; then follow Letters against the aforesaid limb of Satan the cardinal; good words and fair promises are the Kings answers: at length the persecutions grew so hot, 
The Nobles divide.  that the fire broke forth in flames, to the division of the Nobles: The cardinal retires to Spain, where he acted his part against the Protestants, as much to the life, as he did his own villainies; the common people are enraged at the practise of this Inquisition, which proceeded with great violence, so as the people fell to ston the executioners. 
A Godly Minister burnt alive most cruelly  At this time was persecuted a godly Minister, one G. Fabri, who was betrayed by a woman, under pretence of zeal to Religion, he suffered long imprisonment, and was at last condemned to be burnt alive; he is brought to the place of execution, where the people sing Psalms, and then cast stones at the executioner. This poor servant of Christ was bound, and then fire set to him, but not daring to stay, the executioners first knocked him on the head, and then stabbed him, so leaping off the Scaffold, ran away; the people supposing him alive, run to save him from the fire, but found him dead: After this none durst be publicly put to death, either by fire, water, sword, halter, &c. till the bloody Duke of Alva came, which in due place shall attend on this Narrative.  
Now for all this hot season of trials, the faithful servants of Christ, not only are constant, but increase in number, daily falling from Popery to the faith of the Gospel; herein most truly imitating the Cammomill, the more trodden under foot, 
Protestants increase.  the more it grows, so they grew more numerous, by how much the enemies of Christ did storm and threaten them.  
Now is dispatched to the Spanish Court the Earl Egmont, who returns with huge promises, as big in bulk as Kingship in power, and as voided of sincerity as themselves too often full of hypocrisy; so as the Nobles being puffed up with expectations, fell at last into a deep-despair, and the deeper, because their hopes were high. At length, 
The King of S●. orders the Edicts and Inquisition to be of force.  that the world might know the true dimension of his resolutions, this message arrives from his Majesty( which indeed had been more like the Majesty of a King to have sent at first)  
First, That all Edicts against Protestants should be put in speedy execution; and that if any Judges were timorous of the peoples hate or threats, new ones should be appointed.  
Secondly, The Inquisition should be put in execution, being according to the Laws of God, and therefore was his will and pleasure.  
Thirdly, That the council of Trent should fo low to be put in as speedy and effectual execution as the two former. This pleasure of the King was made known to all the Provinces by the duchess and Governess for the King.  
The Prince of Orange worthily answers the duchess Letters, 
The P. of O●an●e in discontent retires from the sad and unavoidable ruin threatened.  That the people res●●ted the pleasure of his Majesty, as unbecoming his care, and their own safety; That the Inquisition was imposed contrary to the privileges of the Netherlands granted, and also was odious to the people; a thing, the name whereof was hateful even to most catholics, as well as all Protestants. Whereupon the Prince refuses any charge, but retires to privacy. January 20. 1565.  
All now is in horrible confusion, every one stands amazed, not knowing the result of their different perplexities, and troubled thoughts; their lives and liberties were taking leave and farewell of them, or else they must bid them adue: In the midst of these perplexities, is( on December the 23 at night) fixed on sundry places in Antwerp, Papers complaining of the bloody Inquisition, requesting aid against so visible oppression, and bloody cruelty, as threatened the poor Netherlands. That it was against the Kings promise, that if any troubles arose, it could not be accounted rebellion; letting other seasons pass the King now thinks fit, to make these present calamities, servants to better opportunities: Therefore after the bloody battle of Drux in France, the Q. Mother of that Nation, the King and Duke of Aujon her sons, meets the Q. of Spain, and Duke D' Alva, on the Fronteirs of that Kingdom, where they resolve to root out all of the Religion within their Territories, concluding with this bloody saying, That it's but folly to busy themselves for frogs, they must first fish for the great Salmon.  
All the time of these Combustions, 
Horrible confusion threatens the poor Netherlands.  were great persecutions under hand, to all that could be known of the Protestants Religion, especially in places where their power was seated; The state of affairs at this time stood tottering, and a terrible aspect, did discover the mindes of the Nobles, and Commons, to be big swollen with discontent, whose uberous dugs laden with resolutions, knew not bounds, almost ready to break, yet knew not what harbour to make towards, betwixt hope and despair were their discontents supported, Tumults were like to ensue, as the most proper production of their sad condition; but that's the road of riot, rather then order, and seemed( to good subjects, willing for the yoke of just obedience) as a cure worse then the disease; and led into the path of ruin, unless it were wielded by a wise Conductor, in such confused affairs; A Head being the preservation of the body.  
Every man discourses of their inevitable danger, as men fearfully surprised in a sudden expectation of ruin; none propounds a remedy, or a way to quiet or settle their discontented mindes, and all this the fruits of so cursed a weed as the Inquisition, and the vigorous purposes of the King, to destroy the Netherlands, nothing would serve but the height of Tyranny: But see the end of violence, and the reward of Popish cruelty, as at this day, being now freed from this diabolical holy Court, though they have swom through a sea of blood to it. At this time Mr Francis Baudwin, one formerly banished for profession of the Gospel, was ordered in behalf of the Nobility and Commons of the Netherlands, to draw up a Representation, in order to some remedies, as a salue to these cruelties and oppressions intended by the King, which he performs most learnedly, soundly, and mildly, if the King of Spain would have listened thereunto: The prolixity of the Discourse will not suffer it to crowd for room in this Compendium, therefore I refer the Reader to the general History of the Netherlands, fol. 356.  
At this time was an occasional meeting of the Nobles, 
The Nobles Assemble and strictly bind their liberties & lives together, which they swear unto in the presence of God.  where they all bewailed the deplorable condition of their poor and languishing Country, being subject to so much cruelty, without hope of remedy, unless by a joint resolution to resist; whereupon they resolve, like Patriots and Fathers of their Country, to make a league with their Liberty, as firm as with their lives, never to forsake their Liberties, till they breath out their lives, till their souls took a farewell of their bodies; resolving to sacrifice their dearest blood, on the Altar of their public Liberties and Freedoms: They all therefore swear to this league, and promise in the presence of the eternal God, to observe, with the loss of their greatest and dearest enjoyments, since they could not be lost in a better Cause, nor their Liberty purchased on lower terms. Thus they all seeing this cloud of Misery and Tyranny afar off, before it fell, resolved to set a check, as a boundary thereunto, rather then suffer their Liberties to run the hazard of a check-mate; resolving rather to finish their lives as a sacrifice to their Countries Liberty, than to the intemperate and insatiate lust of Tyranny and Cruelty: And in regard it's singularly useful, I have here thought good to insert it, as it is emitted to us by Record.  
Whereas we have been lately duly informed and it is most true, 
The Compromise of the Nobles of the Netherlands.  that certain perverse creatures, cunning and malicious, making a counterfeit show of great zeal, which they have to the maintenance and increase of the Religion and catholic faith, and of the union of the people; but endeavouring only to satisfy their insatiate covetousness, ambition, and unsupportable pride, have by the sugared words, and false suggestions, so persuaded the King our Lord( notwithstanding any Petitions to the contrary that have been made unto him) that contrary to the Oath that his Majesty hath made unto God, and to his faithful subjects of the Netherlands, he would forcibly bring in, and plant that pernicious Inquisition; the which is not only unreasonable, and contrary to all Divine and human Laws, 
The bloody Inquisition exceeding in cruelty all Tyrants, Infidels & Heathens.  but also exceeding all the rigours and cruelties that ever were put in practise by the most cruel Tyrants, Infidels and Heathens: The which also cannot but redound to the great dishonour of the Name of God, and the loss, desolation, and total ruin of the said Netherlands, for that it doth subject all Authority and Jurisdiction, under the power of the Inquisitors, making all men perpetual and miserable slaves, exposing all good men to continual and apparent danger, both of body and goods, by their searches and visitations: so as if a Priest, a Spaniard, or some wicked instrument, means to do a mischief to any man, by means of the Inquisition he may accuse him, cause him to be apprehended, yea and put to death; be it justly or unjustly, and confiscate all his goods, were he the uprightest man in the world, without hearing of his cause, reasons, and lawful defence. Wherefore we that have subsigned, having duly weighed and considered all these things, have and do think it our duties, according unto reason, to prevent the said apparent and intolerable inconveniencies, and by all good means to provide for the safeties of our goods and persons, that we be not made a prey unto them, who under colour of Religion or Inquisition, would enrich themselves with the loss of our goods and lives. Whereupon we have resolved to make, and do make, a good, firm, and holy League and Confederation, binding ourselves, and promising one to another, by a solemn Oath, to hinder with all our Power, that the Inquisition be not brought in in any public sort whatsoever, either openly or secretly, under the name of Inquisition, Visitation, Edicts, Commandments, or any other pretexts whatsoever, but to abolish and root it out, as much as in us lieth, as the Spring and Fountain of all Injustice; Protesting notwithstanding before God and men, in the faith of a good conscience, that we have no intent to attempt any thing, that may turn to the dishonour of God, o● the diminution of the Kings greatness, or hi● Estates: but contrariwise, that our intention is to maintain the King and his Estate, and to preserve all good order, resisting as much as we are able, all Seditions, Popular Tumults and Revolts: Which Confederation we have promised and sworn, and do now promise and swear to entertain holy and inviolably. We call the Almighty God for a witness of our souls and consciences, that neither in dead nor word, directly nor indirectly, we shall not willingly go against it; and to ratify the said League, and to make it firm and stable for ever, we promise all assistance of body and goods one unto another, as brothers and faithful companions, holding jointly together, that none of us brethren and confederates, be not sought after, tormented nor persecuted in body nor goods, in any sort whatsoever, for any respect growing from the said Inquisition, or in any sort grounded upon the Edicts, tending thereunto, or by reason of this our League. And in case that any Molestation or Persecution happen to any of our said Brethren, Confederates and Allies, in any sort whatsoever, we promise and swear unto God, to assist in that case in all places with body and goods, not sparing any thing, without any delay or exception whatsoever, even as it were our own proper persons; meaning and specifying expressly, that it shall not avail to exempt and absolve us from our League and Duties, although the Persecutors would cover the persecutions and molestations with any other colour or pretext, as if they should intend only to punish Rebellion, or any such pretext whatsoever, so as it may appear unto us, that occasion grows from the abovesaid causes; for as much as we maintain, that in such causes there can be no crime of Rebellion pretended, seeing it grows from a holy zeal and commendable desire, to maintain the Glory of God, the Majesty of the King, and a public quiet, with an assurance of our bodies and goods, and the defence of our Families, Wives and Children, to whom God and nature doth bind us. Our meaning notwithstanding is, and we promise one unto another, that every one of us in the like exploits shall refer himself to the common advice of all his Brethren and Allies, or some of them, which shall be committed and deputed to that end; to the end that this holy Union may be always well and holily entertained, and that what shall be done by a common consent, may be firm and vailable.  
In Witness and assurance of our said League and Confederation, we Invocate the holy Name of the living God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, and of all that is in them, as Judge and searcher of our hearts, consciences and thoughts, who knoweth that such is our desire and resolution, beseeching him humbly, that he will give us the grace of his holy Spirit, to the end that all our enterprises may have a good and happy success, to the Honour of his most holy Name, and the quiet public tranquillity and health of our souls. Amen.  
This Confederation, 
The Nobles confederacy strikes amazement into al their enemies.  as it began with great resolution and joy to all the Protestants, so did with no less horror fill the hearts of their enemies with fear, some report one thing, some another, none knows what to think, yet all speak their mindes, which are as various as reports, every mans imaginations running a tilt at the next thing came into their distracted mindes, blowing as contrary as Aeolus upon the Trojan Fleet: But all center in this, that the Nobles were nobly resolved, to arm for the safety of themselves and Country, against the growing oppression and bloody cruelties, threatened from the sable clouds of Spanish Tyranny, and barbarous Inquisition: Now for all this was the Kings Commission to the duchess put in execution, and for the strangeness thereof, in regard of the Inquisition, I have inserted verbatim.  

The Instructions given by the King of Spain to the Inquisitors, the 11th of May 1565.  
That they shall make Inquisitions, proceedings, 
The strange and wonderful proceedings of the Inquisition.  corrections and punishments, degradations, deliverances to the Secular Power, to use imprisonments, and apprehensions of men, making of Process without any ordinary form of justice; choosing only some one of the Kings council, who shall be bound to give sentence as they shall require, according to the form and tenor of the apostolic Letters written touching that, without any attendance or requisition of the Ordinary, Judge, or Diocesian of the place, and that against those that are suspected of heresy, or that shall read forbidden Books, or shall make Assemblies, Dispute and talk of the holy Scriptures: To call before them as often as they please, all his Majesties Subjects, of what Authority, Power, State, Quality or Condition soever; be they Presidents, councillors, Bourgmasters, Aldermen, or other Officers, to swear them by Oath, against all those they shall name, upon pain to be punished as suspected and favourers of Heresies. That all Governours, Magistrates and Officers were enjoined to give all aid, assistance, and favour unto the said Inquisition, in the execution of their charge, whensoever they should be required upon the same penalties, &c.   
Now is all ready, by virtue of this monstrous cruelty, inroled in the Inquisitors Books, the names of many Noble men, Merchants, and richest Artisans, to be condemned both body and goods: The Priests in their preaching brag of what they will do, in so much that many Merchants pack up all to depart. What a sad condition was this poor Country brought into, which had but the beginning of this hellish brat! what a deplorable estate are they in, that have had it in the midst of their Land ever since, even to this day! Oh! who can but detest the thoughts of such damnable ways of Holiness, which is accounted only so, if bloody and base enough: Let the remembrance of Gods Saints, their sad condition in Spain come before every Christian, and let them present their case to the Lord who is able to bring to nothing the towering imaginations of vain man.  
In this heavy and sad condition, 
The Nobles Petitionthe King of Spain, but no better.  the Nobles repair to the Emperour, leading their expectations and hopes into thoughts of great relief; they entreat him therefore to mediate betwixt their languishing Country and the Kings fierce resolutions for their ruin, that there might be a mederation of Edicts, and taking away the Inquisition, and all things that might force their consciences to the ruin of their souls: without which, as they formerly had been, so would they still continue the Kings most faithful Subjects.  
The Governess charges the Nobles to break their late Confederation; she acquaints the King what the issue is like to be, no answer comes but doubtful and protracting delays, which bread the greater suspicion of fraud on the Kings side. 
Another Petition.  A Petition again is sent to the King of Spain, by the people of Brabant, which though very notable, and of great use, yet is too long for so short a Method as I propose. This Petition was not respected at all by the King, but slighted, whereby they sadly discovered the harvest of their hopes to be blasted. The poor Netherlanders might as well writ a Petition in sand and water, and presented it to one of their Images, as to their King; their very miseries petitioned for redress, they were visible enough to all, but the King was as deaf as they were miserable: Yet must it stand as a monument of Honour to that Nation, that they sought by Petition and Supplication, that which( one would think) might have been purchased in less time, and loss of less blood, if they had not loved Loyalty, as well as Liberty, but though they lost time and ground, by so often Petitioning, yet their Honour is not butted with their persons, but remains, a● a pattern for others to learn their duries, by their unparalleled subjection; and yet all this could produce no other fruits or effects from the King, than ambiguous delays, neither granting nor refusing, nothing could alloy the insat●are heat of his bloody appetite, but the ruin of his subjects, nothing quench his sury but their blood, and that in a large effusion or not at all.  
The poor Netherlanders are greatly moved, 
They Petition to little purpose, whereupon 400 Nobles and Gentlemen in person Petition the duchess.  that their ●etitions are not so much, as heard much less granted: To contemn great humility where there is power, is more dangerous then safe; Power will make that run, which by requests might take time to go at its own leisure. These afflicted people do again Petition,( as if they had been bound an Apprentice to that submissive trade) but seeing it fares no better then the former, and worse then they either desired or expected, they resolve with Divines and Lawyers, and so draw up another Petition, which they intend to present in person to the duchess: Whereupon Count Lodowick of Nassaw, the Lord Brederode, with about four hundred Noblemen and Gentlemen, all march unarmed, five in a rank: The duchess at first sight startles with astonishment, and is afraid at the thoughts of the issue; much troubled to see such a multitude of Nobles and Gentlemen, which were no● in themselves( though she had contracted them) her enemies; some about the duchess advice to have them murdered at their entrance or first approach, calling them a rabble of Greux, or Beggars; of which they were so little ashamed, as afterwards they ordered to be coined on medals of Gold and Silver, this inscription about the Kings Picture, faithful to God and the King, even to bear the Wallet: thereby hinting, that they refused not to be beggars, to do the King and Country service: Resolving the period of obedience, might be that of their lives also, if with Honour the King would grant them liberty.  
This Petition was by the Lord Brederode delivered, with an excellent Speech( too tedious to insert) tending to discover the miseries of the Netherlands, occasioned by the Inquisition, &c. For this Petition they were charged with Rebellion; she answers dissemblingly, covering her cruel purposes with the veil of courteous expressions, but they desire to have her words converted into actions: So to moderate persecutions, 
All they can procure by Petitions is that those that are condemned to be burned shall be hanged.  it was offered by her, that the Favourers of Religion, ●●arbourers of heretics, &c. should instead of being burned, be hanged, and those that recanted should lose their heads: and this must needs be enforced as a favour, and there must be a subjection thereunto, as unto an act of great clemency from the King; but alas, these people were not so ignorant, but to understand the old Proverb, That there's more ways to kill then hanging. Is it not as much loss of life, if hanged or beheaded, as burnt? And as they had the happiness to enjoy a rational being, so had they also so much reason, to know what it was to lose it; as if hanging or beheading were not loss of life: I wish they had all been to try the truth of that Paradox, then would they have had as little reason to judge thereof, as mercy left to these poor Protestants. 
Ambassadors sent to the King of Spain, and are detained.   
The Baron of Montigni advances to the Spanish Court; to him follows the marquis of Berghen, who both as ambassadors, treated with the King and council in behalf of the Netherlands, and all to abolish this Inquisition, as the cause of the troubles and plague of the place where ere it came. The King was deaf to such addresses, and resolved as much for, as they against, the Inquisition, that no exercise of the Protestant Religion should be, but all subject, either to his will or their own ruin: These ambassadors are detained, and not suffered to depart.   

CHAPTER III.  
THe Netherlanders at the Kings unkind dealings grow more and more enraged: 
A General Assembly meets, resolving to move privately, listing such as should be suddenly ready.  The King prepares a Fleet of Ships to suppress their growth, and wreak his fury on their( too much) loyalty: The Inquisition must be erected by force. Hereupon meets a general Assembly amongst the Netherlanders; some being of too hot spirits, were Friars grey, others with Foxes tails in their hats, and others carrying dishes like beggars, the rest crying, God save the beg gars: such forward spirits could not be avoided, in such a multitude; a Petition is presented to the Nobles and Lords in behalf of the Netherlands, as relying on their aid, resolutions and adherence to the common good of their Country: This Petition was sent to the duchess, yet nothing done, she puts off with a dilatory answer; they reply to it very pithily, lopping off all the branches thereof by the strength of reason: She is displeased with their answer, as one that knows not how to withstand the dint of reason, unless by power to repel it; she could not make her rigorous will to bow to the Arguments of Equity and Justice, therefore packs up all to fly to Brussels: The Prince of Orange assures her safety: The Nobles and Gentlemen had enrolled many to be suddenly at arms when need required.  
At this time Antwerp is divided ready for a tumult, 
A tumult in Antwerp.  the Prince of Orange is sent to govern and guide the City, but the sedition is so great, as his power or policy could not force or continue a mean betwixt both Factions: The duchess promises a mitigation of persecutions, and of the Inquisition, provided the confederate Nobles lay aside their Compromise: But alas, this is only a train of false fire; we shall not long tread in the path of these troubles, till we see all the hopes of the poor Netherlands blown up in a flamme, and involved in a labrinth of horror and confusion, subject to the wils of monstrous Tyrants, whose enraged resolves feel no kerb, nor find no bounds, till it pleases God to deliver his people from this great deluge of misery; before which Cord●all there; was so much of their best blood let out, as it was thought their faintings irrecoverable, and their often swoonings incurable. Well, these fair promises of the duchess persuades them to break promise with themselves, to ruin posterity; so that in hopes of a good bargain, they make a worse then their own fears could promise; yet was so well ordered, that the duchess was engaged to this condition, That if his Majesty consented not to her grant, all should be voided. This began their utter overthrow, though they could not see it, yet was principally occasioned through the faintness of some, and slackness of others, with indeed, a general desire to have a good peace, and secure their liberty: But alas! the issue succeeds their enemies desires; all arrives to the haven of their wishes, and the Noblemens ruin.  
Their Compromise thus broken, she takes liberty to break hers, the enemies laugh at this breach of the Nobles Confederacy: The troubles at Antwerp still increase; A Minister is affronted, which had proved of bad consequence, if the Prince had not interposed. They are forced to go to Church with weapons. 
A tumult all over Flauders, Holland & Zealand, like an Inundation.  The people in Flanders under Earl Egmont, could not be bridled, but great insurrections were daily threatened: A sudden tumult all over Flanders, breaking of Images, Altars, Crucifixes( although rare and exquisite pieces of Art and Industry.) The like happens in Brabant, Holland, Zealand, and other Provinces, no Town in all the Netherlands but it felt the smart of a furious and enraged multitude, which like a land flood, none could stop or avoid, unless such Towns as had power to resist, and strength to oppose: Thus were the Vulgar hurried to desperate actions, through the stream of popular discontent: and it is the more admitable and wonderful, that none could be found out to Head the Body of this terrible Tumult, nor none so foolish as to boast their Victory; yet were a mixed multitude, which one would think could not keep in such order, being composed of boys, girls, and dissolute people, nor could any know who instigated them.  
At Antwerp was a terrible uproar, 
A terrible uproar in Antwerp.  breaking into the great Church, crying Vive le Gr●ux. At least seventy Altars, adorned with riches and costly Pictures and Tables, are pulled down, and Images of great worth demolished and broken in pieces, such indeed as could not be seen in any place to parallel: Through this City this multitude crowds, breaks into the Churches of Franciscan Friars, St claroes, St James, St Andrews, St Georges, St Michaels, The Peter-pots, The Borcht, The Faulteus, The White sisters, The Black sisters, The Third Order, The Nuns, The Bogardeu, The Preaching-Friars, and all the Churches and chapels in the City, breaking all Images and superstitious Ornaments, lighting all the candles they found; and all this done before it was morning; yet none hurt, nor no strife, nor could the chief Leader be known, nor could any know whether they had a Leader or not, nor was there any that boasted of what they had done. All the Magistrates and Citizens stand amazed; their mindes are thronged with various and troublesome thoughts, which crowded into their memories, and could not be purged, till their hopes of a peaceable issue supported their trembling spirits: Fear of blood-shed caused them to unite in peace together, exhorting one another thereunto, because danger will wink no opportunity for preservation of the whole. The catholic party wonders at this tumult, as if the Protestants had been the cause; And the Protestants are as full of Admiration as Innocency? yet do they fare the worse, because suspected to be the main wheel in the motion of this confused body; They therefore Apollogize for their Integrity and Innocency, that they had no more hand in it, or knowledge of it, then the most innocent babe.  
Many other places felt the fury of this raging multitude, 
A tumult and breaking down Images over all the Provinces.  as did Hertogenbosch, Breda, Berghen ap Zoone, cypre, Oudenard, Valentia, Dernick, Utrecht, Amsterdam, Leyden, delve, Hague, Breil, and many places in Holland, as at Middlebrough, Campheir, Ulishing, at groaning, Leenwerden, at Campen, Deventer, Swol, Overyssell, Aruhen, Ruremond, Nimmegnen, Venlo, Harderwick● and over all the Provinces in small Villages numberless; such confusion over-spread the Netherlands, as if the clouds of rage and fury had been broken.  
The Regent perplexed with a swarm of 
The Governess terrifled is like Mariners in a storm, more in a minute of danger, then she intends to perform in an age of opportunities.  strange thoughts, stinging her mind at the sight of such sad disasters; fear is now the toil of her wandring and unfixed imaginations, being almost foundered through variety of perplexities; she accuses the Protestant Lords to the King of Spain, as the grand Authors of these disorders, yet through terror and fear, with all the conjuring words which authority can utter, or they request, smoothing the curled furrows of her discontent, with well placed words, baited with reasons not unplaucible, she earnestly protests, that the Inquisition should cease, and all Edicts should be qualified with moderation, if they themselves would be so: but this lucid interval proves only a weather-breeder; yet the Nobles promise submission to her assurances, if they answered in performance. But we shall sadly see this recluse of secret malice, will prove like fire only covered with ashes, it will break into a flamme, and be as turbulent as the enraged Ocean, or as the violent envelloping of the winds within the bowels of the earth, torments it with an Earthquake, so will the store-house of her cruelties display themselves to the full of the Kings Tyrannicall desires, her own direful revenge, and the poor Netherlands ruin.  
Whilst this poor languishing country lived in expectation of its last breath, 
The P. of Conde & Protestants of France offer eighty thousand Gentlemen, but out of hopes of the King of Spains clemency, is refused.  comes a message from the Prince of Conde, and admiral, with other Noble men of the Protestant Religion of France, signifying, That they were exceeding sensible of their sad condition, therefore thought it not fit, as Christian Brethren,( either by silence to assent, or by drawing back their hands, not to assist their craving condition) to have a hand in the midwifery of so monstrous a production, as threatened their undoing: and therefore( I say) they sent secret Letters to the Lord of Bredecode, and the confederate Nobles, not to depend on the duchess promises, which were only for the present through fear; but rather, to resolve on their aid, which in one month should be no less then eighty thousand Gentlemen, at their own charge. But being afraid, and having given promise, they refused the offers of the Protestants, resolving to wait and expect the issue to be good, according to the faith and assurance given by the duchess. But poor hearts they were deceived as well as the poor Protestants in France, who as I have shewed in that small piece of the Civill Warres of France, were all undone, on the same account of putting confidence in the Kings fair words; which proved a History too sad, the Lord knows, yet would fain court the acceptance of all ingenious and true-hearted Protestants.  
The Protestant Ministers vindicate themselves from that false report of their being instrumental to all the uproars and tumults: The King, Janus like, writes two sorts of Letters, one to be published, the other private instructions to the Regent, the last as voided of truth, as the first full of falsehood; The one deceitful, in that he promised what he never intended, the other true, because he intended nothing less then he promised, i.e. e. their utter ruin.  
He ceases not here, but writes also an alluring Letter to the ●rince of Orange, but the Prince is advertised of a contrary Letter secretly writ, which providentially kept him from running to his own death; which without a wise foresight, had hugged him into snares of destruction without remedy.  
The King and council reselve by force of arms to subdue and undo his poor subjects, 
The King resolves to force the Netherlands to ruin.  that were too ready to be at his command, without blows: They nominate Prince Charles( son to the King of Spain, and their own natural Prince) to command the Kings Army, but the Duke of Alva is the man that must be, although he being a stranger, could not be admitted according to their ancient privileges. Therefore Prince Charles in discontent says to the Duke of Alva, Beware thou dost not oppress my people, lest I seek revenge: To whom the Duke answers, I thank God I have a Master for the remainder of my life, and am not to be commanded by you.  
Now the Nobles too late( though Nunquam sera est) meet together to consult of their own and Countries safety, to defend themselves, and live out of fear, taking this result of the Kings affairs and resolutions, as an opiate, to alloy the fumes of all distempers amongst themselves, therefore they seize on some Towns and Forts. Hereupon the duchess arms, forbids all exercise of Religion, and the Inquisition to be put in execution. Vallenciene stands for the Protestants, but is besieged and taken on terms, 
Unworthy treachery.  but not kept; they behead, confiseate, and abuse the Souldiers, Merchants and Ministers: This puts a terror to all other places, who being not so well fortified, expected worse terms, so as they yield to the duchess commands, entertaining Garrisons for the King.  
The Netherlanders were yet industriously careful to shape their tongues like their actions, 
They Petition again.  and both in a dress of humility, according to the prospect they took in the glass of Loyalty, whereby they might demarque themselves subjects, and deface all symptoms of so horrid an impiety as Rebelli●●● the very thoughts whereof, as well as their sad condition, drives them to Petition again to the King, proffering to advance his affairs with three Millions of Florins, imploring also the German Princes for aid in this request to their King: But the King is deaf to all. The Lord Brederode desires to come to Court to utter their requests and grievances, but is denied: He writes, complaining that not their Petitions, but the bloody Inquisition, with delays, &c. is the cause of all their troubles: Thus does every day administer recent matter of discontent to this poor country. The Confederate Gentlemen request two things; To discharge the souldiers raised, and to give liberty of Conscience, so far as it had been formerly granted; but their words are wasted, and lost in their own sound, she very scornfully and proudly disdains their requests, that having before modeled all her passions and inclinations into a smooth dress, she now thinks to pass to execution, and so taking off the veil, she displays Tyranny in its colours; and now begins with a new Oath, 
Great discontent at a new Oath.  which she offers to all the Netherlands; the Prince of Orange, and Earl Hoochstraten refuse it, the Earl horn retires to his Castle of Waert: This ominous presage, like a cloud overshadows the whole country, as well as the mindes of the poor Netherlanders.  
Affairs being thus drawn to the very dregs of malice, and bloody Tyranny, she now breaths forth most direful revenge, acting a cruel ●ragedy on the Theatre of the poor Netherlands; so adding fue●● to the enraged will of the King of Spain, she causes all she knew was in the late Tumult to be hanged: But the most vallorous of the Protestants kept their Troops in fields, but they receive a defeat: Another Tumult in Antwerp arises.  
The Confederate Gentlemen, having little hopes, and finding their expectations shipwrack't in these turbulent storms and billows of confusion, leave all in despair; yet submit to Gods will, waiting the event of time. Liberty is now given to preach in Amsterdam; The like is desired of the duchess, by way of Petition, for Antwerp, which she will not harken to, much less grant; and the liberty of Amsterdam is put out, which proved only like lightning before death.  
The Prince of Orange seeing the Nobles unconstant, and little hopes of any good to be done, for want of power in those that had a resolution, and resolution in those that wanted not power; he therefore with a train of many Gentlemen, departs from Antwerp, and retires to his country of Nassaw, that during these torrents of combustions, and tempestuous storms of rapid Tyranny, he hoped( since he could not mend it) to cast Anchor in his own country, 
The Prince of Orange retires to his Castle.  where he resolves for a time to sit down in privacy, as in a safe and secure Harbour: Also advices the Gentlemen to do so, or stand on their defence against the treacherous cruelty, and bloody Tyranny intended by the King, a 'gainst their Lives, Estates and Liberties: further saying to the Earl Egmont( who came to take his leave) That seeing he would not resolve with him and others, to stop the entry of the Duke of Alva into the Netherlands( who was then in Italy) as it had been propounded in the Assembly at Deuremonde; That he should therefore be the Bridge, whereon the Spaniards should first march, to plant their Tyranny in these parts.  
The Governess now gives strict charge to prosecute the Inquisition, 
Strict charge for Persecution.  and perfecute the Protestants in all the Provinces.  
The Protestants, to satisfy the world, that might afterwards discourse of these transfactions, did print an Apology, to justify the Nobles and people.  
Now comes the unwish't monster, 
The bloody D. of Alva begins with fire and sword.  the Bloody Duke of Alva, into the Netherlands, whereby he puts all hopes out of doubt, exchanging Courtship for commands, stifles all expectations of Liberty, and puts all in a flamme of blood and cruelty; as if no other blood did run in his veins, but what he was resolved to mix with no less then Millions of Protestants: He foams and rages, letting loose the reins of a bloody mind; the direful effects whereof were too sadly felt, by the poor Protestants of the Netherlands; creating actions so barbarously cruel, that they swell above the bounds and banks of a short History, and stand no less recorded to his eternal infamy. He first shows himself a mortal and inveterate enemy to the Nobility, therefore he begins and proceeds with fire and sword against all his opposites; he levels mountains of difficulties, to attain to his bloody purposes, makes molehills of the Alps, and destroys them too, making all his opposites and those that submit, alike feel of his cruelty; makes them lye level to assaults of baseness and treachery; his cruelties make no difference betwixt the deserving and most vile; the bad find alike mercy with the good, he seemeth to be born an enemy to mankind. The Earl Egmont meets him, but pays for his confidence in the end; at first sight the Duke cries, Behold that great Lutheran. He tyrannizes after an inhuman manner, he marches no snails place in blood and villainy, nor is the blood he sheds fordable, but like a still and deep river, through which we may properly say a man must not pass without great hazard; None of the council of Estates are admitted in Court, he imprisons and execures with exquisite torments, all sorts of those he reckoned enemies or Protestants, which makes many choose a voluntary Exile, taking it as a mercy that they had escaped the Devils Paw. Their goods he confiscates, if they come not in to redeem them with their lives; 
The lamentable misery of the poor Netherlands.  and to such as run this hazard, he gives no time for second, thoughts, but as speedily, as surely, they suffer death by Fire, Water, Ditches, Gibbets, Sword, and sundry Torments: Nothing to be seen throughout this sad country, but Stakes, Wheels, Gibbets, and lamentable objects of pity, the cries of poor Orphans and Widows, for Fathers and Husbands, their goods confiscate, their sons glad to live in Woods, their daughters ravished, leading a deplorable life: And thus stood the state of the poor Netherlands, pitied by all, but aided by none, Tyranny having set up his standard, cruelly raging like the curled waves of a turbulent sea: The Earls of Egmont and horn, are prisoners, many other persons of quality secured: Infinite numbers fly to England, Germany, East-country, &c. A Commission is issued ou● for apprehending the Prince of Orange; He returns answer in a learned and wise Declaration: Thus did the Devil blow the coals of the Duke of Al●a's ambition and displeasure, to a flamme, which scorched all the poor Protestants, and made the whole Netherlands so tremble, as the adjacent Countries, like an Earthquake, reel'd at the shake thereof. 
Articles by the Inquifition breathed out against all the Netherlands.   
To make this country swell with misery and cruelty, even till it burst; or as if the poor Netherlands breathed no other air but its own misfortunes: The Inquisitors pronounce against all the Netherlands, these following Articles, on the 16th of February 1568. which was ten daies after confirmed by the King, and is as followeth:  
The most sacred Office of the Inquisition, 
These Articles were made by the Inquisition of Sp. and purposed to be put in execution in the Netherlands.  so often attempted in the Netherlands by his Majesty, and hindered until this time, shall be instituted and advanced by this manner, which is most expedient.  
1. They must persuade the Emperour, being gone astray, and wickedly confederatep with heretics, that he resign his Kingdoms unto his Son, with the whole administration of the Netherlands.  
2. That the Emperour with his two sisters, having given over all affairs, leaving the Netherlands, shall retire into Spain to us, being assured that they shall never return more● to do any harm.  
3. These being dispatched, we must also draw the King to us, and keep him for ever, that he part not, and not suffer any Flemings to have access or conference with him.  
4. That the King writ unto, and command the Clergy of the Netherlands, that with the Inquisition, they should accept of fifteen new Bishops, the which should be free from all secular Jurisdiction, yea in cases of Treason. 
Ob bloo●y wretches, that no impieties will stop the career of their cruelties!   
5. The subjects of the Netherlands, through their malice and waiwardness, will revolt and move seditions and tumults to all, but to our company.  
6. The Princes and Noblemen, Heads and Authors of this Faction with the subjects, must be taken away, and others reduced unto reason.  
7. 
Oh detestable villainies!  They shall hire at our charges, thieves, and spoilers of Churches and Images, whose offences shall be by all the world imputed to the Rebels, by some subtle means, and so we shall vanquish them.  
8. That all Negotiations, Liberties and privileges shall be rooted out, and that all be reduced to extreme pov●rty, whereby the Realm shall be permanent for us.  
9. No man of all those Countries( except he be of our Faction) shall be held worthy to live, and finally all to be rooted out, and all Goods, Possessions, Arts and Trades, and all Order to be taken away, until there may be a new Realm, and a new People.  
10. In this action, the wise and valiant Duke of Alva shall be employed in person, whereas any other( were he of the Blood royal, or a Prince should be of no esteem) so as being suspected, yea in the sinailest matters, they must be dispatched.  
11. No Contracts, Rights, Promises, Donations, oaths, privileges, and solemn Assertions of the Netherlands, shall be of any force for the inhabitants, as being guilty of high Treason.  
12. But above all, they must be careful, that in such grave matters of so great importance, they proceed not suddenly, and with violence, but moderately and with good order, to the end that the Princes, Nobles, and subjects may mutiny, and that one may persecute another, so that the executioner may fall into the snare, for there is not in Christendom a more foolish and indiscreet Nation, nor that is more easily abused, then is the Flemish, God punishing their Infidelity by this means.  
These are the Articles agreed on by the Inquisitors, to be presented to his Majesty, for consent, and was sent out of Spain, in latin, to James Hassell, attorney general of Flanders, and afterwards councillor of the Troubles, and were found( written by his own hand translated into French) amongst his Papers in Gaud, when he was taken prisoner, and afterwards hanged, without the Town in the year of Christ, 157●.  

This Sentence following was made by the Inquisition against the whole Netherlands, and Signed by the King of Spain.  
THe Office of the most Holy and Sacred Inquisition, 
The sentence of the Inquisitors against the whole Netherlands.  required by the presence of his royal Majesty to resolve upon the most abominable defection, apostasy and heresy, committed by his Majesties Subjects of the Netherlands; having viewed and diligently examined his Majesties Information thereupon, having also seen the Letters, muniments and documents, authentical and worthy of credit, added to the said information, by the Officers of the Holy Inquisition sent into the Netherlands: They say and resolve, so far as their theological profession and conscience can advice them, That all and every subject of the Netherlands, and the whole body thereof,( except such as are especially noted in the Information) as well in respect of those that are public and manifest Apostates, heretics, and fallen from God, and our Holy Church, and the commandment of the catholic King and their Obedience, as of such, as counterfeiting themselves to be catholics, have not done their duties, whereunto, and to God, and to his Majesty, for the respect of the catholic Religion, and the Oath taken by them, they are bound to resist, with all their force and might, the public and apparent Apostates, heretics, and Seditions persons, and to hinder their damnable and wicked factions, the which in the beginning of the troubles and tumults had been easily done, without any great difficulty, but contrary wise, have forborn from that godly and holy resistance, and therefore deserve to be esteemed and reputed favourers and adherents to those public and manifest Apostates, heretics and Seditious. Such also as among the Nobility, and in the subjects names, presenting Petitions, and Admonitions against the most holy Inquisition, have cunningly inflamed and incensed the heretics, Apostates and Seditious and therefore all guilty of High Treason, in the highest degree. So said and resolved in the City of Madrill, &c.   
Thus were the poor Netherlands intended to be destroyed, by deep fetched policy, even raled out of hell. The world may here ●aste a piece of the fruit that grows in the Inquisition: I fear I have transgressed in this epitome of the Netherlands miseries, but I hope it will not be reputed so by the courteous Reader; I shall now conclude without a Comment on this Sentence and Articles of the Inquisition, only showing some few, yet great cruelties of the Bloody Duke, and Don Frederick his son.  
This bloody and raging Tyrant, 
Great murders and cruelties.  cuts off the Heads of eighteen Gentlemen on Sandhill at Brussels, amongst whom was two Barons of Battenbourg, both young men, and much pitied and bewailed by all, but this Tyrant: Whilst some died at the stake for Religion, with great courage and constancy, the drums are commanded to beat, that they might not be heard speak: The next day he puts to death the signors of Villers, and Dhuy, with Quentin, Benoyt, and Cornelius of me Minister; afterwards also the signors, Antonio van Stralen, and John of Cassenbroot, who because he was counsellor to the Earl Egmont, they torture him almost in pieces. The Earl Egmont, 
Earl Egmont and Horn beheaded.  and Horn are also beheaded most traitorously, pitied by all, but none could help them: in whose deaths was lively demonstrated, that a little leaven of new distaste, commonly sowrs the whole lump of former merits; for they that faithfully acted for the King to his advantage, and their own honour, yet might( if they would have been disloyal) shined through the lustre of a general Libetty, to their poor country, but God in his Wisdom had otherwise determined to his own glory.  
Don Frederick, 
D. d' Alva's son as cruel as his father.  son to this bloody Duke D' Alva, proves himself an inheriter of his Fathers cruel nature, who being a man of an early, as well as an unplacable malice, does at Zupten, destroy all he can, as well children as virgins and godly Matrons. At Naerden, contrary to Covenant,( but equal to his barbarous and inhuman spirit of cruelty and blood) he commands all to Assemble in the hospital chapel, 
murder and ravishments is Spanish mercies.  murders all the men with variety of cruelties, the women of all degrees ravished, and then Massacred; children their throats cut, tying many to posts of houses, then set fire, burning them alive; none escaped this fury, and to complete all, the Town is razed to the foundation. Harlem is besieged, brought to extreme necessity; and with forty thousand Florins redeem their Liberty, yet Don Frederick imprisons burghers, Souldiers, and Women, whilst the bloody Spaniards pillage and ransack their houses: next day is three hundred Walloons hanged, and murdered, with Captain Riperda and his Lieutenant. 
A Godly Minister hanged, another beheaded.  Reverend Mr Stemback a godly Minister of the Gospel is hanged, five hundred forty seven souldiers drowned and murdered, Mr simon Symonson Minister beheaded, English and Scots murdered; and before the Hospitall-door are all the poor sick and wounded souls beheaded, many starved to death.  
Infinite cruelties might be enumerated, were it not that this would swell to a volume beyond the precincts of an Abridgement: He is not well skilled in the Netherlandish History, whose ignorance has kept him from the knowledge hereof: Much blood has been lost in the Netherlands to secure their consciences from( this Mortarpiece of cruelty and blood) the horrid Inquisition.  
After greater storms of combustions then I can enumerate, did the poor Netherlands sail through, as may be red at large in the general History; they had often been bridled yet were not well backed, and therefore as not used to so strong a kerb, they often essaied to throw their Tyrannical Riders, yet were beat into moderation, and had traces fixed to their unwilling mindes, thereby to force them to the King of Spain, and the Inquisitors place; yet at length by the good hand of an uncontrollable Providence, they cast off all yokes of bondage and slavery; so that the General Estates of the united Provinces of Holland, Vtrect, 
The Netherlands declare against the K. of Sp. & revolt from his tyranny.  Guelders, Zupten, Zealand, Overyssell, friesland and Groeuingen, take upon them their own preservation, in the Government thereof; before which, they declare the King of S●ain to be fallen from the signory thereof, by a solemn Edict; therefore they abjure him, break his Seals, absolve the Netherlanders of their Oath, making a new one, to which they swear Obedience to the Estates, and preservation of their own Liberties.  
The King of Spain publicly proffers a large sum of money to any that shall kill the Prince of Orange, 
A Reward offered by the K. of Sp. to destroy the P. of Orange  then Captain general of the united Provinces; a Prince concluded on, in the Spanish Court, to be a great hindrance to their progress of Tyranny, and thought of great purpose to be laid aside, by a homicide, or any way, so done: About this time it happens out, that a rich Merchant in Antwerp, Gasper de Anastro, felt his estate decaying, to uphold which, he promised hopes if he could purchase this reward, to destroy this Protector of the ●rotestants, the Prince of Orange, he reveals his purpose to Valentine of Pardeiu, signior of La Moit governor of gravelling, he reveals his mind also to his Accountkeeper, who pitied his estate, but refuses his proffer; he having a boy his servant also, name Jaan Jauvergui, alias Joanille, a desperate villain, and resolute to do mischief, refuse, not the proffer; the time and manner prefixed, Anastro retires from Antwerp to La mot at gravelling: on the way he writes word back to Joanille, Not to fail to put two rounds, and to take measure behind, i.e. charge with two bullets, and do execution behind in the head. Peter Timmerman a Jacobin Friar, confesses him, and promises he shall go invisible, giving him certain characters in paper, and bones of Frogs, which were found in his pocket, with sundry conjurations, written in Tables; this Monk accompanies him to the stairs of the Castle, gives him his benediction and departs; 
The shot with a pistol: The Agentslain.  the boy takes his opportunity, shoots the Prince in the throat, as he was showing to the Earl of naval the cruelties of the Spaniards, wrought in tapestry f● The boy is thrust through with a halberd and dies. The Prince recovers through Gods goodness: Another Plot is laid for his life by a French-man, who is drawn to pieces alive by four horses in Paris. At last one balthasar Gerard waiting with pretence to have a Pass Signed, shot the Prince through the body, 
The Prince is shot: His last words.  who feeling the hurt, spake only these words, Oh my God, take pity of my soul, I am sore wounded: My God, Take pity of my soul, and of this poor people; which no sooner said, but he began to stagger: The Countess of Swartzenbourg his sister, asked him in High Dutch, if he did not recommend his soul to Jesus Christ our Saviour, who answered Yea, which were the last words he said. He stands on Record for a most Wise, Constant, and virtuous Prince; and to speak in the character of his merit, is beyond the task of my weakness: only this, all men knew him to be a person of such renown and worth, that future times will remember as a debt due to the memory of virtue and Honour; the first of which he past through, ere he reached the last: and captious envy itself, stands mute( even in his enemies) at his great accomplishments of true worth. The murderer speeds away, but is apprehended, to whom one of the Princes servants said, Thou art a wicked traitor, he answers boldly, he was none, he had done the commandment of the King of Spain his Master. He was executed with great torments, though short of his crime and villainy, yet died most desperately, smiling in the midst of his torments.  
To recount the troubles, miseries, devastations and bloody cruelties committed on these poor people of the Netherlands, would pass my purpose and power; I have already exceeded the bounds and limits of my first resolutions, yet hope it will not prove amiss to my aim, being principally to show what miseries it pleased the Lord to let this afflicted and distressed people undergo, and all in resisting this bloody Inquisition, a thing so abominated by all, and that on just grounds, as it's a wonder to me, that the Lord suffers them to live, or that the earth should not be unhinged, with the heavy load of their monstrous impieties; but Gods paths are unsearchable, and his ways past finding out. The Lord will at last I hope confounded the supporters thereof in their own cruelties, that the pit they dig for others, they may fall into themselves. What Protestant cannot say, he rejoices to see the Netherlands thus redeemed from such a yoke of Bondage? it's worth the perusal to see, how in the Duke of Alva's time, the revolt of many places of consequence, whereof Enchusen had the pre-eminence to led the Van, as an example of Freedom and Liberty to all the rest.  
Let us view a few of this great Dukes cruelties, even beyond parallel: that as it is said of the Roman Emperour Caligula, He never spared man in his rage; so was it with this monster of men; as Lions are known by their claws, and cocks by their spurs, so he by his Tyranny, by his infinite murders, 
An unheard of piece of cruelty.  being the perpetual tormentor of virtue where ever he found it; He caused a piece of the greatest cruelty to be done on a Gentleman, that ever I red of, whom he chained to the stake, and encompassed with a gentle fire at a distance, the Spaniards sporting themselves therewith( like Indians about their fires) turning him about like a poor beast, which great and unheard of villainy was committed till the Officers, pitying his languishing tortures and pain, thrust him through, contrary to the purpose of the Duke and bloody Priests. He caused execution to be done on Noblemen and persons of quality, by abject and vile fellow: and yet not satiated with blood and cruelties committed on Nobles, Gentlemen, and Merchants, by tortures and banishments; but using those that committed their safety to his mercy, with as much cruelty as is imaginable, that all Princes pitied their deplorable and sad condition, being ranscokt, spoiled, ruined, expelled, destroyed imprisoned, chained, banished, burned, hanged, beheaded, broken on wheels, hanged alive by the feet, with horrible and incredible tortures; racking and murdering so many Nobles and Gentlemen, as to say a few, were to rob him of the glory of his cruelties; and not so, but young and old, poor and rich, orphans and widows, such infinite numbers of all sexes and conditions, suffered the rage of his tyranny, as it seemed like that Roman Emperours wish, that Rome had but one neck, the people of the Netherlands one throat, to be cut by the sharp razor of his bloody mind. He once boasted, That in the space of six years, he had executed by course of Justice, eighteen thousand men; yet the President of his council said he spoiled the Netherlands with too much mercy. Let all the world stand amazed at Popish and Spanish cruelties and blood: Could it be accounted mercy, when a man could not be master of his goods, life, or daughters chastity, but all must bend under the yoke of their villainies, and deboist impieties? Nobility, Riches, Honour, nor no kind of worth could privilege it's access to any kind of pity or civility. He suborned witnesses to swear what he commanded. The burning of many Towns are yet fresh in remembrance: 
130 burghers murdered in Brussels, and 60 in Gaud.  One hundred and thirty burghers are murdered at one time in Brussels: and in Gaud sixty burghers, with great number of men and women to boot.  
In cypre, at the execution of a Minister, there was twenty two burghers shot and murdered; at Dornick many slain: Miserable were the murders of many poor Innocent Protestants in Harlem and Naerden; when the City was surrendered on terms of life, he let some burghers and Souldiers starve to death, unworthily saying, He gave his promise for their lives, but not to give them meat: He made burghers pioners, on purpose to be slain; the children of this distressed people used to be affrighted by their parents at the naming of the Duke of Alva, such were his abominable and detestable courses: Thus he wallowed with the swine, in the filth of his own cruel nature, and surfeited on the pride of his full content, drinking the blood of poor Christians, like Nector and Ambrosia. I'll conclude all with some verses made of as great a Tyrant as himself, if possible, which in my judgement will fitly resemble some part of his ravenous disposition and nature to the life.  
Let's imagine his cruelties to breath thus,  
I love at leisure favours to bestow,  
And tickle men, by dropping kindness slow:  
But my revenge, I in one instant spend;  
That moment which begins it, doth it end.  
Half doing undoes many; 'Tis a sin  
Not to be soundly sinful, to begin  
And tyre: Ile do the work; they strike in vain,  
Who strike so, as the strucken may complain.  
These, these were a part of the cruelties committed on the poor Netherlands; thus by the violence, and exquisite methods of cunning and deceitful wickedness, these poor people were forced to follow the funeral of their own Liberties, God having decreed that Country to be the rendezvous of their own misfortunes. This great Tyrant( it's true) died in peace,( a wonder) but the great Judge of heaven and earth, sometimes assuages his present judgements, to greaten their future damnation; their punishments are forborn in this, that they may prove more perdurable in another world.  
Now let the whole world stand and prepare their astenishment, at such a Religion as stands on so bloody a Basis, as the ruin of thousands of Protestants. That such cruelty should reside or lodge in men professing Christianity: What is thought bad enough to advance Popery? murders, Treacheries, Plots, Perjuries: What so cruel, blasphemous and bloody? What so unnatural among men, and criminal before God, which they stumble at? if it may but advance them one step to their barbarous desires; if they can but accomplish their own ends, though they make Religion and Holiness a bawd to their wickedness.  
Thus have I endeavoured( I hope without breaking of gaps, or going out of the road of Method) succinctly, and in brief, to lay open the occasions of these sad miseries of the poor Netherlanders, with their just revolt from the King of Spain, and hereafter, as well as now, do I wish they may prove, not only a thorn in his side, but a stake in the hedge of all good Protestants, against the Tyranny and blood of Popery: They need not now be afraid of the Spanish threats, who seemed to be like that insulting brag of the Grand signior, who hearing of their success against Spain, said, If they troubled him as they did the Spaniard, he would sand an Army with shovels and fasting-days; and hurl it into the embraces of the merciless Sea. But blessed be God, that has set them free from such empty vaunts of the one, and real cruelties of the other: I wish their thankfulness may always be perspicuous, through their humble remembrance, and that as God hath tumbled down their towering enemies, and calm●d the raging billows of Spanish pride, so may they know what it is to enjoy such a sweet and miraculous deliverance, and learn to improve the advantages thereof to the Glory of the eternal God.  
I shall now proceed to the principal task of this Book, and show the way and manner of proceeding in this School of diabolical cruelties, the bloody Inquisition; the manner ●f Summoning, Accusing, Condemning and ●xecution, with their execrable torments, ●nd bloody usage of poor Christians; with what injustice and cruelties, even to be abhorred by all that know what 'tis to be compassionate, that bear or countenance the name of Christianity; the greatness of their wicked villainies, being almost as impossible, as innumerable. But I wind up with the good wish of a known Author; That all may see these rocks of perdition, and avoid them, detest Tyranny, though under a most specious covert, and nauseate sin, though robed in successses and Triumphs: is my quotidian prayer.   

CHAPTER IV.  
WE may justly account( courteous Reader) those great enormities, cruel Butcheries and impieties of the Netherlands, to be Cedars of an inferior growth, if we make comparison with this piece of horror, the Inquisition of Spain: And indeed there are no examples favourable to these so great and inhuman cruelties: Wickedness in itself, who can excuse or pled for? the devils themselves will not, yet will these bloody villains of the Inquisition: Here they turn injustice into a Law, 
The manner of Apprehending and examination at first summons.  and make sanctity patronise their unparalelled villainy.  
Upon information given against any,( though for never so small a matter) the Inquisitors proceed as follows. They subborn a familiar( one that belongs to the Office, and is a lewd and wicked fellow, the dregs of vengeance, and messenger of hell, of which this house swarms) to lay wait to entrap him, who purposely meets with this poor innocent soul,( whom they mean to betray into the pit of cruelty and perdition) and enters into discourse with him, saying, Sir, Yesterday happening to be with the Lords Inquisitors, who discoursing of you, commanded me to summon your appearance to morrow, at such an hour: The danger of deferring this particle of time, is great, therefore he is punctual, and coming to the place, and at the prefixed time, the porter advices them of his appearance; he is called in, and demanded of the Commissioners what his desire is, he acquaints them he was summoned, they further demand his name, and business, saying, We know not whether it be you we summoned, but since you are come, if you have any thing to inform this holy Court of, concerning yourself or any other, 'tis good to discharge your conscience: He either answers, he knows nothing, or else, if simply or timorously he says any thing of himself, or others, then are they glad and rejoice. The sord thus sounded they can the better wade through the depth of their wicked desires; therefore the more to terrify and affright him into a snare, they look one at another, as if they had seen into his heart, and espied what the poor soul never thought of( for God knows many a poor creature is accused of strange things, when indeed they know as little hurt, as they do good) they all at once fix a terrible aspect, and fierce countenance on him, and with wonderful earnestness whisper, as if Treason had been present; so without any more to do, command him to prison, if the matter be of moment. If he chance to confess nothing, he is dismissed till better information. So that to say little is the greatest security, for they plot to ensnare him by questions, for to undo him is their work. The Spanish Proverb is here of good use; Talk much, and err much; for silence is the best safety, where their questions are entanglements: and indeed in this case it's good to be parsimonious and frugal, disposing the tongue to the best disadvantage: Now all the time of this examination, the Informer is lying behind some tapestry, viewing the party, but unseen himself; so that in case the Lords Inquisitors forget him, yet it's his duty to remember; and therefore if he be an inhabi●ant, they summon him in two or three moneths, but if a stranger, his time is cut sh●r●er: These you must understand( courteous Reader) are but trains and introductions to what's further intended.  
At the next summons and appearance, 
The second summons, 〈◇〉 wherein is discovered their strange ways to betray poor souls.  they exhort him to discover what he knows, for( say they) we know you have dealt with some suspected for Religion, which to confess willingly, will be your best freedom. So pray take heed to your own safety, a thing we equally desire with yourself, we judge you so good a Christian as that you will endeavour the remembrance of what's past, then shall we not forget you in what's to come; for memory is brittle, and soonest breaks when most trusted to and we know you would fain tell what you can remember, concerning what we desire of you; therefore pray call to mind: But alas their minds too much resemble that river, which is reported to be salt at the bottom, but the lips, the outward part, is sweet and delectable; Oh painted sepulchers! Just as Magistrates deal with obstinate malefactors, endeavour to reclaim them from a second sin, by persuading to confess the first; so would they persuade poor souls, to betray themselves, with hopes of well-doing, which to do, proves their inevitable undoing, is too swiftly to pursue their own ruin: They now dismiss him, but not discharge him, that his mind may be perplexed: Some they forbear to summon for a whole year; but there must certainly in such a case, be some Officers appointed to haunt his ghost, where ever he go, so that he lies in the bosom of his secrets, and searches( as it were) his closet transactions, and all under the covert and cloak of friendship, and extreme familiarity, such is their damnable hypocrisy, that with daily visits, they have an eye over all his actions, observing his company, places of resort, venturing as nigh intentions as human policy can contrive; That unless the Lord sand his holy Angels to guard his servants from these fetters and entanglements, 'tis almost impossible to escape these traps of ruin. If the Inquisitors meet a man thus dismissed, they carry it with great demonstrations of favour, and innate courtesy, and all is to no other purpose, then to encourage his carelessness, for their cour●●sie is baited with treachery, and may be accounted no other, then as the Angler with the poor fish, suffer her to play with deceitful liberty; or as the cunning Cat with the innocent Mouse, give her a secret nip, and then with liberty that truccles under her, lengthens out the date of her life, which lasts not, but ends with misery; thus are these poor souls handled, enjoy a liberty at an end in the embryo, like Hebrew, where Finis is the beginning; which to begin is to run to the end; neither do they dally so with all their preys alike.  
For their manner of apprehending any that's accused, 
Their hypocritical way of apprchending with their counterfe●● form of justice to delude the world, and so sell poor souls, and reap tho bloody gains of their estates  the Bishops Deputy of the diocese is sent for, making him privy to the Depositions against the accused, then they all set their hands to a Warrant for apprehending him; and this is because the world may be gulled with a little piece of equity, as a mantle for their impiety; pretending they would advice with the Shepherd, ere they meddle with the Sheep, which( as my Author says) is commonly so Popishly ignorant and careless, as at the Inquisitors request, he gives way to their tyranny over body and goods, even to the loss of life to the bargain: and now it's so commonly used, as it is become customary and mercenary, only fitted to serve the humours, and attend on the lusts of these cruel Inquisitors, thereby shrouding their villainies under the shade of Justice and an orderly proceed: For their custom is to invite the Deputy to a Banquet, swallowing down the blood of his poor Lambs, so that it is a mere plot under the name of equity. Oh these bloody souls! What account do they one day think to give to Jesus Christ that great Shepherd? Nay sometimes the poor soul is apprehended and condemned, ere they sand for this Wolvish Shepherd, well knowing they will not, or dare not confront their proceedings, or stand in the way of their desires: and in this case they only read over the progress they made, who hearing, does also approve; and thus is the poor soul lead to the stake, or starved in a prison, or tortured in the slaughtering house, even as Sheep bought and sold at the Market.  
If any have the good hap to escape before he be apprehended, 
How they cunningly endeavour to sinned any that escape.  or afterwards, they speedily give the searchers tokens to know him by, and as if that were not enough, they have his Picture drawn, and disperse several thereof amongst these Catch-poles, that in case they never saw the man, yet may they with hopes, and to good purpose search for him. A certain Italian wounding an Officer of the Inquisition, fled to Rome, changed name and apparel, these searchers by his Picture suspect him, and suddenly call him by his own name, at which not suspecting the deceit, he as suddenly answered thereunto, and so was caught in the snare. Now besides, these Rogues will trace mens footsteps, as if the 
* Who doubts it?  devil took them by the hand: Others will wait in by-paths, in the dead of the night, when the least breath will break the silent air, so as a fly, nay a thought, if possible, can hardly escape them.  
The next thing they do after an arrest, 
The manner of sequestering their goods  is to secure the keys of his chests, sending the Alguazil with a notary to take an Inventory of all the goods in his house, what they find is delivered into the hands of some rich man that liveth nigh him, who is to see them ready on the least notice. Now these familiars are thievish knaves, the greatest part being the vildest of the people, so that if at this time there happen to be any Gold, Jewels, or any thing of small bulk, and great value, it's secured with as little doubt, as great speed; the reason given for sequestration, and securing mens estates is, that if the party be condemned to die( as he must be) they have then all they desire or aim at, such covetous blood-suckers are they: as soon as entred the first gate of the prison, 
Their sad condition in prison, and unworthy usage at entrance.  they strip both men and women, of Jewels, Rings, and all things of worth and value, whereby these poor souls may have nothing in prison to help them; they also take from them all Papers, Writings and Books, then are they put into prison, and shut up close as in a cabin, scarce any room to turn them, and that very noisome, wherein is little or no light at all. Some have no company, but are alone and close for two or three moneths, others all their lives. Thus are the Saints of the most high God, tormented with vile men; Oh bloody Inquisitors and Tormenters of poor innocent souls! know and remember, poor Dives and rich Lazarus, repent, repent, that your sins may be blotted out; happy will you be if God give in this mercy, you will( else) wish one day that you had never been born, to taste of that direful cup of Gods wrath and vengeance: But Christian and courteous Reader, thou wilt in perusal of this sad story, weep with the Author at the remembrance of the sad condition of Gods poor, afflicted and tormented ones; that ever such cruelty should peep out of any mortal bosom, and stand in defiance to Gods wrath, which cannot be avoided, that men should so strangely hurry themselves to their own damnation.  
These poor Christians are not long in prison, 
The manner of their appearance, and strange way of examination, persuading men to say what they never thought.  till by the Inquisitors dealing with the Jaylor, he persuades him to desire a day of hearing( who poor soul, thinks the Jaylor his friend, by his advice) so at dinner time he performeth; entreating him for his own good to follow his counsel, and beg a day of trial, and this advice he makes him believe is out of singular good-will: The poor distressed prisoner having none to advice with, makes a virtue of necessity, and is ruled by his Keeper, praying him to procure it in his behalf; the request is soon granted, and the poor prisoner brought into the Consistory before them; where they speak as follows:  
Sirrah, at the request of the Keeper on your behalf, we admit of your presence here, What you have to say, dispatch: He answers, he would be glad to have his condition unfolded, and if guilty of any crime to be detected. Others it may be are tempted with their sugared pills of allurements, joined with hopes in their assurances, together with the terrible thoughts and sad apprehensions of retiring to the loathsome Den, are therefore often wrought upon to confess; at which they rejoice, that his acknowledgement supplies their ignorance, confessing more then they could prove, they therefore strike whilst the iron is hot, and labour to persuade him more and more, adding to the end thereof, great promises of liberty, now if he answer not to their purpose, or not at all, then they desire him to discharge his conscience freely, entreating him to consider thereof against the next time: so this poor soul is remanded to prison. Was ever such cruelty and injustice hatched in the hearts of men? when they please he is sent for, they demand if he will confess ought; now whatever he answers, yet they bid him still discharge his conscience, and would persuade him all is out of tender love and bowels of Christian compassion, and care of his safety: which if he refuse, no doubt but he will find a time to repent it: These are the Protean shifts, these are the dubious paths they led poor innocent souls into.  
The third day of audience now come, 
The third time of examination and audience, which for the strange way is ●o● to be paralel●d.  they demand if yet he be resolved what to do, earnestly pressing for a willing confession, if not, they threaten extremity, according to( their) due course of Law, or rather the extremity of misery and cruelty itself; that's the true etymology of that phrase: yet here they leave not, but further say, That they may fully assure themselves, that none comes into their custody, into their holy Office, of whom they have not only proof, but sufficient to execute severity; yet are desirous to be so Christian-like, as to prefer clemency and mercy above the strictness of the letter of their Commission; for confession, say they, ties up the Law to be merciful, and it's just ground of mercy where they find a freedom of acknowledgement: Yet the Lord knows, their mercy is the greatest cruelty that ever trod Spanish ground, and is nothing but torturing and mangling the bodies of poor Christians, as if they had been made for that end; nor can the Law of Spain justify their injustice and crue●ties: Yet are these painted hypocrites so full of fine dressed allurements that many a poor Christian is catched in their cobwebs, and fettered in such entanglements, as leads through the broad road of ruin; so that those poor creatures that have to do with these Pharaohs of cruelty and blood, had need have a net at their girdle, for their tongues are tipped with golden words, but have poison in their hearts, which sting unseen, though sadly felt: Like a treacherous stratagem, and mortal instrument reported in Italy to be hide in a Prayer-book, that when the party,( poisoned with thoughts of revenge) has a mind to be the death of his enemy, it's but turning to such a page. of the book, and suddenly there flies out a dart, with such an impetuous force, as pierces through the body, and proves the arrow of death, if it hit right, where no doubt but malice levels at the heart, and makes life the white at which it aims.  
If persuasions, or threats will not effect their Cruelties, then they impose an Oath upon him,( a thing cursed in the intent) which in the Name of the Gods, he must perform; to which purpose they present him with an idol and Crucifix, covered with black lawn, together with certain other Idols, laying also before him a Massebook; for by this they know he must discover himself: and indeed this seemeth a subtle way to ensnare and destroy, for who is a Christian that doth not abhor Idols? But what will is advantage a man to gain the world, to save ones life( says our blessed Redeemer) and to lose the soul? therefore if the true servants of God, refuse to worship these idol gods, these stocks and stones, by taking this Oath, then do they find out what temper he is of, and so declare his Indictment, composed of sundry things, to terrify him into a Confession: Now if any take the Oath, then do they fall to Interrogatories, demanding of what country he is, under whose allegiance, of what Province, in what City, Town or Village, his Ancestors Names, his Kindred, as Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, and their several Names: what trade or employment they followed, if any of his Kindred have been in the Holy Inquisition, and on what occasion; then further, of his age, life, where and with what manner of men he has conversed withall; to this he is to answer extempore: the same also he must give under his hand, which they compare with what he delivered by word of mouth: Then they fall again to exhortations and entreaties, then with rigorous words, and whether he confess or not, he is remanded to prison. Many are wrought upon to confess on promise of freedom, 
They promise Liberty to those that coufess their Opinions, but they are undone by it without hope of redress.  and liberty to return home; and yet when they have consessed, these tyrannical oppressors say, they must have more, this is not all, and so instead of liberty, they rivet thraldom so sure on, that it is in vain to expect to escape extreme Torments, on the Rack, fire and through, if they escape the jaws of death. Oh! these damnable deceits, to ruin poor Christians, of what degree or sex-soever; for many deluded with their suggestions, fearing( as they say) that they know all, do divulge what they know of themselves, expecting as sure performance as big promises of mercy: so these bloody villains squeeze out that which none knows but the poor prisoner himself, which many times proves their own and others undoing, and all out of hopes to get liberty, as the issue of their-free confession, expecting to embrace the much desired benefit of freedom from misery and slavery: Thus the Inquisitors, that ama●e the world with the swelling words of Holiness, and must needs be called the Fathers of the Holy Inquisition, are no other then the supporters of grand Cruelty and Oppression, as will further appear, by grasping the Life and Estate of guiltless and guilty; grazing on the fat of others Estates, till they make a bare pasture; nay if life escape, Estate pays to the very loss of all: but as the Proverb is, A Holy habit, cleanseth not a foul soul: God can shorten their wire-drawn Cruelties and oppressions, and trace them through the devious meanders and labyrinths of detestable impiety.  
The fourth day of audience, 
The fourth day of hearing. Their manner of Indictmen●● and charge.  is attended with strong exhortations to free himself, and purchase liberty by a voluntary Confession, and then threaten again; if he confess not they then red an Indictment to terrify him, and bend his neck to their yoke, which Charge runs thus:  
First, That he being baptized into the Church of Rome, and now apostatised, is become a acciple of Luther, by harbouring his Heresies in his heart; and not alone content to be misled, but endeavour to led others into the same path of perdition with himself. Then they charge him with such crimes, that although they cannot prove, yet having him in great jealousy, they are so confident in their Indictment, as none that hears it, seemeth to doubt of the truth thereof, 
For want of proof they suborn false Witnesses, whose Names also are concealed.  and is therefore proved by Witnesses suborned( for they may do as they please; for they cannot err,) yet are the Witnesses concealed, and the Indictment framed so dubious, as men of indifferent judgments, may have their several interpretations accepted of, as reasonable with this compacted charge: Now if any thing be spoken that they say is heretical, then have they elbow-room to infer strange consequences, such as the premises will not admit; charging him with such crimes, as they are sure will shoot him beyond fear of death, and serve his turn, and theirs too. This example following, will too truly evidence the assertion. There was in seville, one who said There was no Purgatory, and that the blood of Christ alone purgeth from sin; he was a very simplo man, and living in the country, had for fashion-sake got some Divinity by heart, to pass him the better off in company; having tipped his tongue with this Doctrine, which he had got in discourse and believed at leisure; is now at last apprehended for it, and upon examination acknowledged, that he was only of that mind, according as he heard it, but if their Holinesses did not judge it sound Doctrine, he was resolved, never to draw it out into any use, and so entreated them to make a good Application of his too forward assertion; for he was resolved to pin his faith on their sleeves, and leave his judgement behind him: but they are not contented with this Answer, but must a little dally with their poor prey: so( concluding of this Antecedent) Ergo,( say they,) the Church of Rome( which in times past hath determined the contrary by Law) doth err, and the council also errs, and that Justification cometh by faith only, wherein a man is made free and absolved à poenâ & culpâ. Thus do they out of their wonderful way of inferences, draw a huge catalogue of heretical Opinions, and indite him for them as if he had really said a hundred times more then ever he thought or understood, and thus was the poor man punished for daring to meddle with such edge tools of Divinity.  
They have in this Court, 
Their manner of pleading, the shadow of a painted Advocate.  for a shadow of Justice, an Advocate to pled the Cause of the Prisoners, and it is indeed a mere vapour, that flies away with the name, it's only the word Advocate, you may find the meaning of it in an English Dictionary, but the poor Creature that most needs it, shall have least use of it; the Name is of an excellent use, but the substance hurts and damnifies their purposes. Nay they are yet more careful to do Justice, for they do not only choose an Advocate, but they select one themselves, which for fidelity, care and ability( say they) is most fit, and they also give their sober council,( the devil fees them) that such an one is a very wise, and prudent man, able to manage your Cause,( speaking to this poor Christian) with great acuteness, and honest industry. But( not to speak in the Spanish, but honest English Dialect:) they are no wiser nor better for this grave counsellor, the Client cannot speak a word with his Advocate in secret, nor dare the Advocate speak the least Iota of a word for his poor Client in public, unless he can bribe his own conscience with virtue, or sacrifice a larger offering to to the acceptance of the Lords of Inquisition, a greater reward then the estate of this poor Christian; so that this painted Advocate is resolved to warp no more then he can with safety wove: He is just like some Lawyers, that will be retained in two contrary causes; thus do they delude poor creatures with the authority of Law, and at last( which is worst) their own souls also: Oh sad will be the account of these souls, they must be forced with the Salamander to live in the flames of Divine wrath, which their horrid cruelties and extra-judiciall proceedings, have dearly purchased as their inheritance, and contracted as a debt due to their black enormities; compelled to live in everlasting burnings, if the riches of grace move not with pardon towards their unrighteousness.  
Two or three daies after the poor prisoner has received his Accusation, the Advocate stands up to defend his Cause, with a stout countenance and trembling heart( like that Actor, that said he was not afraid, but his heart trembled) and indeed to pled for this poor Christian, were to put himself into an equal capacity of misery, and be forced to hire an Advocate for himself; so as he is not only bribed to silence, through fear, but is truly and really bribed to be the Inquisitors Advocate, rather then the poor prisoners: Well, all this while the Advocate keeps sight on the Inquisitors countenance, reading his mind by the copy of his behaviour and visage, which is a true Index to calculate his business, and how to step forward or start backward: on the other side, the Inquisitors are afraid that the Advocate prates beyond his bounds, and their desire, though jump with equity, reason, and conscience; afraid their deceits come to the test of the light, therefore as a rudder to a ship, so are their looks to the Advocate, a guide to steer them direct to what Port they please, by which means( again) the Advocate quakes, for fear a word drop, which might make all their pastime bitter, and cause the plaster that keeps open the soar, fall off to their infamy: He therefore advices the poor prisoner to be of good comfort, bidding him tell truth, as the only quiet to a troubled conscience, and expect favour from so merciful and holy a Court: Thus the trembling Advocate( like the doubtful needle 'twixt two lodestones, at once inclining unto both, yet neither) fals off like like leaves in Autumn, proves only like the appses of Sodom, fair, but when touched, turn to dust: this Office of an Advocate proves only a bait to catch with greater security; it may put poor distressed Christians in mind, that they have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous, who pleads their Cause with God, to the great comfort and joy of their afflicted souls; although they undergo unexpressible torments of their bodies.  
The poor prisoner begins to be in hopes, 
The poor soul wishes death, is glad of it rather then die in a loathsome prison.  comforts himself with this, that though he shall lose his life, yet it will not be in a languishing and tormenting prison; all his hope is to have his Cause run to an issue, let the end be as it pleases God, rather then live without society, books, or any good means for the health either of body or soul; but alas! they cannot have liberty to be deprived of their lives, without torments almost unsufferable, 
Oh sad cruelty!  delighting with the Roman Emperour to see life depart with a long ceremony, rather then a quick dispatch; to see men miserable by degrees: some therefore lye in prison a year, others three or four years, and not a word spoken of their trial or deliverance.  
If any desire by reason of their loathsome prison, 
After many questions to no purpose, they are again sent to the noisome caves.  and sad condition, to be brought to answer with much ado perhaps they may have it, yet some are, and some are not, allowed that favour: Them that have are strangely handled with questions, and the Lord knows, out of the way and road of their present condition; as What they desire? What's their pleasure? answer is returned, an end of their trouble, We will( say they) do it as soon as we can, bidding them put to their helping hand, by a free and true confession of the truth: wondering they make no more conscience of stifling truth: Thus poor creatures, that had rather be at the stake, then in prison, must against their desire, go to this dungeon of darkness and misery; and if he have sundry daies of hearing, yet is the product nothing but returning to the place from whence he came, and where with great misery he must abide; till at length they exhibit the depositions against him, which they call the publication of the witnesses. But these are but infant mischiefs, cruelties in the cradle, when compared with torments of Rack, Fire, and Water, with the Pulley; cruelties more exquisite then the Bull of Phalaris, such sad prisons are in themselves voided of all comfort, but oh! the sweet peace of conscience, and Gods gracious presence sweetens all, and makes their hard fare a continual feast; to want this inward comfort, is to be like Dives in the midst of pleasures, but on a sudden to be hurried to the abyss of misery; it must needs be tedious to the flesh, that has not the comfort of the Spirit; such will be the sad fate of these bloody Inquisitors, if God have not more mercy for them, then they have for these poor souls.  
Now when these poor creatures have endured an unsufferable misery in loathsome prisons, worse then death, so that many choose to confess what they would desire, even against themselves, rather then languish away with unsupportable Torments, rather desiring a period to their doleful daies, then have the date of their lives renewed with daily cruelties, and consumptive miseries.  
In this sad condition( I say) they are brought before the Inquisitors, and there dealt with in hot and could language, furious threats, and earnest persuasions, 
The depositions examined, but their accusers not known nor witnesses name.  to be ingenious and confess. The next day the fiscal entereth his action, desiring a publication of the witnesses, now also are the depositions given to the prisoner, but with a sordid concealment of their names: the disorderly draft of which is so difficult, abrupt and abstruse, so twisted into such an ambiguous and dubious sense, that it confounds order, and puzzles method itself to disentangle; and indeed, a man must have more wit to understand it, then they that made it, for there is no way left for conjecture to travel, being as difficult to unfold, as an Oracle: which piece of juggling and witchcraft, is on purpose to drive the prisoner to a stand, that he might not by a plain sense understand or imagine the parties who are witnesses, least he might except against them: well knowing that the matter spoken may lead one to the parties accusing; especially if such a thing whereof he stands charged, was spoken in such a mans hearing: another reason is this, that in guessing at his accusers, and naming others, they by that means bring them in as his acquaintance, upon suspicion of the like crimes; but alas! who can have any clear scent of his accusers at such a distance?  
Thus we see, Witnesses, though the grand knaves of the Nation, or if suborned, are of force to do the dead they require, 
Pro. 11.28 A false witness shall perish.  which is the life and estate of the poor prisoner, though never so innocent: their depositions are proof enough, although they be his mortal enemies; whatever they can scrape together is matter of proof, let it come in at the door, or in at the window, Per fas aut nefas, right or worng. The form of registering will more fully illustrate it to our understandings.  
N. A. witness sworn and allowed, &c.( but not name) saith that he the said N, heard in such a place, in such a year, and in such a month, such a 
a Meaning himself only to avoid suspicion of being the accuser.  man report 
b Good justice to condemn by hearsay. , that such a man said thus and thus, &c.  
In their Records, which they vugarly term their original Process, these circumstances are at large for their advantage; but in the exemplified copy, which they give to the prisoner, they knavishly suppress all circumstances of time, place, or person, which may the better hood-wink the prisoner from imagining his accuser; supplying the defect of the accusers name, with a certain person, or another man, &c. so that the poor prisoner shall no more know who hits him, then he that plays at blind mans buft, knows who gave him the blow: now if this poor oppressed and distracted soul mention any that the Court has not yet been informed of, then must he be brought in as one that is a pestilent fellow, a favourer of heretics, as one that is culpable, and must come under their lash, because( say they) he knew this man and did not inform: Now if the depositions run that he heard it of a certain person already name, &c. you are then to understand, he heard it from another. What a sad condition is this poor soul brought to, whose perplexities and miseries, are like a gulf impossible to be shot, so surrounded with sadness and doleful misery, as it seems to promise no end? The Alcaidium, 
A single witness enough to condemn.  or keeper of the prison serves for two witnesses, so that if he accuse any for what he observeth in prison, it's enough to serve for condemnation on his single accusation. Oh! cursed cruelty, and more cursed villainy, Is this the holy Inquisition? Oh! the height of impiety as far from Justice, as their bloody souls from a good conscience; at as great a distance from truth, as themselves are deeply guilty of all the curses under heaven. Good Lord, when will thy anger and indignation wax jealous, and be avenged on such bloody and cruel oppressors! How long, how long, O Lord, holy and just, wilt thou suffer thy poor Saints and people to lye groveling under the burden of such an unsupportable yoke of cruelty! Surely, surely, the Lord will at last hear the cries and groans of the oppressed, that cry to him night and day for mercy: Oh! that the Lord would make an ejection of such vicious enormities as swarm like vermin to this carcase, this body of bloody cruelty. 'Tis true, they proceed with success, but that cannot legitimate a cause, nor the power that supports it, any more, then pretences warrant eruptions, and violent contingencies; if my pen could demolish such fabrics of injustice, and strike down the pillars of its foundation, he that reads may guess the length of its date. But it is God that suffers, and can set bounds to this great monster of amazement to all considerate men.  
But Reader, this is not all, we are but on the threshold of this proud aspiring Court of cruelty; I shall endeavour to lead thee into every room, but be not afraid, only weep at the sight of such sad conditions, wherein poor Christians are chained and remember it is the good will and pleasure of a gracious God, and forget not to prepare thyself, and be fitted when God shall call thee to undergo the fiery trial; for though the lion is not so fierce as he is painted, yet can I assure thee this Inquisition, as well as fire itself, is not able to be drawn so terrible and hot, as it is in its own nature.  
But to proceed, If a mad man, or any vile villain amongst this Court of camels bear any hatred to any man, though never so rich or learned, or if he be prompted to it for wages, at the instigation of any mans virulent or mortal foe, he is accepted of, and proves a sufficient promoter for their vile purposes; nay, if he forgetteth the very words he would say, then will the Inquisitors help him to remember what they desire of him for their purpose, although the villainous promoter never heard nor intended to speak any such thing, only what they prompt him to, he( being a slave and limb of the devil like themselves) dare not but fulfil their requests, nay it's well done if it please their holy Fathers: The day will come, it will certainly come, that they will know assuredly the value of immortality, and the complete enjoyment of endless misery, for this momentary affliction which they put the Saints of the most high God unto; But it is a blessed condition to have God in affliction, 'tis good to be disciplined in the School of patience, men understand not themselves so well in any condition, as adversity; it is an Index to find out the frame and temper of a man, how it stands with his soul for eternity. Now although these Inquisitors would feast their auditors with a noise of good and holy deeds, and yet practise such diabolical designs, and preach such damnable doctrines, as fills the mindes of people with horror and amazement, yet does the Lord many times blind their eyes, and benumb their besotted souls, so as they often grope at noonday, and with the dog in the fable, catch at the shadow, thinking they get somewhat, yet are miserable beguiled, and guled in their own devices; A lively instance to this purpose take as follows:  
In seville, 
A very pleasant passage of providence.  at the house of Francisco à Cafra, did meet privately, a Congregation of Gods people, being noted to be very zealous Christians, and holy Professors of the Gospel of Christ: they were in number three hundred, who lived dispersed up and down in many obscure places and corners of the City, yet did they often meet at this good mans house; amongst which number of Gods Saints and servants was a woman very eminent for zeal and knowledge( two excellent concomitants in the crown of virtue) and in other ways of Christianity, for which she was accounted one of the principal of her sex in this Assembly; she was expert in the holy Scriptures, and much found in the practise of a holy life, being very much valued of all those that professed the Gospel of our Lord Jesus, a woman indeed of singular accomplishments, even to the joy of all her Christian acquaintance. It pleased the Lord of his good-will and pleasure, to suffer this godly soul to be possessed with frenzy and madness, whereby her zeal was turned into rage; her condition struck a damp into the spirits of all that were godly, and their former joy was turned into present sadness: However this godly man Francisco, as he was bound, so did he perform his duty, took her into his house, and kept her in bonds besiring such a condition: She was indeed so far gone in rage( as one possessed with an evil spirit) that in the heat of her passion, her mouth was filled with bitter words, against the whole assembly of Gods people, crying out Fire and faggots, fire and burn them, endeavouring to overturn the happiness of so hard a purchase, being got with the hazard of life and estate. It so happened out that on a certain day, whilst under the discipline of so sad a providence, she got loose from the fetters wherein she was secured and bound, she presently runs to the Inquisitors, knocks at the gates, enters, and with hast requires audience, they are not deaf to such a business; so they come into the Parlour, she is sent for, and comes into them, who without any preamble, presently said, she had brought them a Catalogue of Lutherans, that were in the City in swarms, charging them of neglect, sitting still and letting them pass on unpunished: she began to reckon them, but the Inquisitors were struck into admiration, what the meaning should be, whether with an ecstasy of joy, that such a profitable nest was found( for they had not heard of a Lutheran a long time) or whether it was in regard of her strange gesture, in revealing her mind; but they hoped to make merchandise of this purchase: However to husband every minute of an opportunity, they silence her from prating, unless to better purpose, resolving to be vigilant, not forgetting what a great fire a little matter kindleth, and what great productions are the proper fruits of small beginnings, resolving to sound the ford to the bottom: They reserve her, and sand for this honest soul Francisco, in whose house she was kept, and from whose hands she had escaped; whom also she had intended as a frontier in this company, because he used to give her correction in the height of her frenzy. At their summons he appears, they demand what this woman did mean by what she had said of the Lutherans; if you know any thing( say they) I pray pull not back your hand from doing God so good service, as to reveal it to us: This godly man knew not at first what to say, being so sudden and unexpected, but here God graciously fulfilled his promise, Take no care what you shall say, &c, this Francisco is confidently careless in regard of a good conscience, that if death came he knew the uttermost was his happiness; he therefore boldly forces as well a laughter, to put them out of hopes, as that also he could not but smile at so strange an accident, and that if they knew all, they would laugh also at their good hap. But God in mercy had decreed it otherwise for the good of his poor Saints; he therefore tells them he could not but admire they should not understand her condition, saying that she had been so for two or three moneths, and so far she was gone in that sad estate, as he was forced for her good to bind her, and beat her, a lively testimony appearing by the prints of the irons; that he had in charity taken this poor creature into his house, from which place she had by her strength broken loose, in so much that fearing least she should undo her self by being her own executioner, he had for prevention been seeking her all over the City, little thinking she had been there, especially considering she had little reason, and less cause to guide her thither, but now he rejoiced he had found her safe; and as for the Lutheraus, which she prated of, he said, that in her fits, she had no other song, being usually known, that such people must have one thing or other whereby they will keep them in discourse with all, all which if they would not believe from his testimony, then might they have ample information and proof from the irons at his house, and the testimony also of his neighbours, entreating them to let her be bound by some of the servants, and sent to his house again: Which she no sooner perceived, but she raged so vehemently, as the Castle resounded with an echo, enough to astonish the auditors; saying and crying, She was not so mad, but that she well knew he was the greatest Lutheran in seville, and that he had cruelly abused her with irons and blows; at which words they all broken out into laughter, commanding their servants to bind her, and carry her home to his house, as a place most fit for her condition, giving large applause to this honest Francisco, for so tender charity to such an object of piety, entreating him to keep her 
* Ile warrant you so he would; A burnt child dreads the fire.  safe for fear of further trouble to them and him,( such a doctrine, no doubt, he would make good use of.) Thus were these Achitophels of cruelty, policy and blood, strangled in their own folly, thus were they infatuated and blinded by the wisdom and Providence of the Heavenly Father, who watches day and night for the preservation of his poor people, for which his holy Name be blessed and praised for evermore: Had not God preserved them with his high and outstretched arm of protection, this poor woman had been enough to plunge them all in trouble, and changed the scene of their prosperity into a sad adversity. But the Lord is good in all his ways, and just in all his dealings.  
To prosecute our purpose know, that the Promoter or Informer never speaks or appears in Court, but the fiscal( as our Attorney general in England) moves the Court, and takes all informations, so as the Promoter serves both to inform and witness: Three or four daies being past, the prisoner is summoned to put in his Answer to the depositions, who poor soul, to that purpose, is now come before them, and with him his dumb Advocate, having, as aforesaid, a name only; he draws forth no answer according to the duty of his place, but leaves the poor Client to do all himself as well as he can; so that this Advocate is only a resemblance of one, and serves for a piece of proof, to colour their unjust oppression, for under this notion of an Advocate, is couch't cruel treachery to betray poor Christians into the jaws of Tyranny, forgetting that blessed command, Prov. 31.8, 9. Open thy mouth for the dumb, in the case of all such as are appointed to destruction: Open thy mouth, judge righteousness, and pled the cause of the poor and needy. Now as aforesaid, the Advocate pleads, but full of doubt and fear, and after many words like wind, comes at last to this result, that it's his best course to guess his accusers, and to except against them, and that he may have liberty to refuse any that is his enemy; and that if he could produce witnesses to prove his conversation across to the accusation, his cause would be pleaded to good purpose: This is all the poor prisoner has from this high and mighty name of an Advocate; he is now again sent back to prison, with threatenings to utter the truth or expect to be forced by torments. In three or four daies he is called again, they demand if yet he be resolved on serious deliberation to speak the truth, the good Advocate he still insists on his usual method, demanding if he have guessed his accusers, and if the poor prisoner call to mind, then he entreats the Inquisitors to understand if it be not such and such a man with whom he hath formerly or is now at variance, and if it be not the man, then is his accusation still in force: Now if he guess him, the Advocate bids him show his exceptions, yet dare not say he guessed right: Now the Advocate examines him, if he have good proof to clear his purgation, viz. If he be of the Romish faith, a lover and honourer of the Monks and Friars, and familiarly acquainted with them, observing all the ceremonies of the Church of Rome, whether he go often to shrift, to receive his Maker, and doing due obeisance to Crosses and Images; all which and much more he must produce proof to testify, and that he is not of the Sect of the Lutherans: all which, if he can prove particularly by witnesses, then may he make his purgation in nine daies, but this is a favour granted only where the Inquisitors witness is of weak proof, else have they no favour, but must guess their witnesses and object, &c. This is all can be granted in this holy Court, unless his proof be of more force then their witnesses or accusers.  
Now when the prisoner cometh thus far on in his business, and it only remains to purge himself by proof of his faithful adherence to the Romish Religion; then if he be a catholic how easy is it for him to stand stiff, when it's according to conscience: But if a Protestant, then is this a try● all of his faith in Christ and the Gospel, whereunto it has pleased the Lord Jesus to call him to be a witness; therefore if he be strong in the faith of the Gospel, now is a time of trial, wherein he may remember the words of our Saviour, Matth. 10. He that denies me before men, him will I deny before my Father which is in heaven, &c. It's no less then treading the blood of the Covenant under foot, therefore he will utterly renounce those hidden deeds of darkness, in denying his Lord and Saviour that bought him, and not worship dumb idols, stocks and stones. How much better is it to suffer for his name, then hazard all for a moment of sinful pleasure. Happy are ye when you suffer all manner of evils for my Names sake: rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven: He that loses his life for Christ shall save it at the last day. It is a happiness not to be valued, that God( which shines not with borrowed light) should notwithstanding account it any service or honour done to his Name; and on the contrary, what a horror is it for a soul to deny the Lord that bought him, and to hug this flattering world with a sad and doleful apostasy; Spira's condition is too sadly delineared in that resation of his horror and disquiet, for denying to set to his hand and heart to the testimony of the truth of Jesus, but put life into the balance with immortal torments. The marquis of Vico, that famous Italian, may trample many a ●rofessor of these times under foot, by his unparalleled example of leaving all for Christ, and wading through a turbulent sea of huge temptations, and at last arrived in safety to that serene harbour of eternal joy with his blessed Redeemer.  
The poor prisoner having thus far proceeded, is now summoned again to appear, where they declare to him that his witnesses have been heard, so that now in this tragical Epilogue, he may see what he can say in his own defence, exhorting him to speak truth, but alas they have too much power in their hands, and cruelty in their hearts to be disputed with; they must expect the same success as men that writ on sand: However the poor prisoner he answers as God is pleased to direct him, at which, if they can, they quarrel, and invert the sense of his words to their lustful and cruel desires; yet the fiscal concludes on his answer, and so the Court proceeds to a Quietus est. Now if the party prove himself a true limb of Antichrist the Pope, and not tainted with the Doctrine of Luthers Heresies, yet do they not give a final Absolution; but if they have any suspicion of him, that he is not so clear a catholic as they wish, then according to the strength of their jealousy, he must have his goods Confiscated( which next to the damnation of his soul, 
Suspicion without proof is cause enough for misery during life. Strange justice.  is all these Hell-hounds care for.) Next to that is imprisonment during life, or the greater part: else a white linen garment with a read across, called a Sambenit,( which in due place shall more fully be demonstrated) or lastly, eternal ignominy and disgrace to him and all his posterity; but if the poor soul stand on terms, and neither except against the witnesses, nor subscribe to deny his Lord and Maker Jesus Christ, then must he, poor creature, go to the Rack of Torments, which as sure as sadly follows in the next Chapter.   

CHAPTER V.  
TO delineate and draw to life, the wicked and cursed devices of this Inquisition, exceeds my capacity, and indeed would involve me into a labrinth of sad studies, and not very pleasing to any Protestant Reader. The strange cruelties used are not only barbarism in the height, but like beasts voided of reason, raging with madness, being drunk with blood: Indian Tigers cannot exceed the great impieties, which these bloody butchers of men exercise on Gods Saints, without either remorse or pity. 
Hell and the Inquisition holds comparison.  Reader, thou wilt( it may be) ere thou hast perused fully their savage villainies, conclude with the Author, that there is little difference betwixt the torments of Hell and this place: Sure I am, greater cruelties on earth cannot be committed on the bodies of poor Christians, then the Inquisitors put in execution. 'Tis true, who can dwell with everlasting burnings! eternity only puts the difference, 'tis without hope of relief, there's no end. Again, the just judgements of an angry God are irresistible, and Christ bids us not fear men, but God, who can cast both body and soul into hell fire. Therefore this puts the difference, in Hell eternal, on Earth they terminate in time: And then, here it is only the malice of men, which the presence of God in the soul sweetens and turns all into Cordials; is only by Gods permission and proves like the Refiners fire, and Fullers soap; being for the trial of his Saints, and in order to their greater glory hereafter: He it is that can cause their pride and cruelty to cease in a moment. But to erect a Court under pretence of Justice, is to abuse the right end of its institution, to confront God and deceive their own souls, striving to deceive the world with the rest of innocency, yet cannot conceal the ugliness and blackness of their dark plors and a tempts, from the searching eye of the Almighty, for all things are naked and open before him with whom we have to do. To do injustice in the Name of God, is only to palliate cruelty with the vizard of holiness, it's greater then the evil itself; it's more hateful to God and men, to murder one in the arms of love, and pretext of friendship, then to run a tilt at a man; and kill him out of malice; The sin of Judas was aggravated by the betraying kiss: there is not only the cruelty, but the abuse of the name of virtue, under which it creeps, is hatched and shrouded: The prostitution of virtue to the bawd of 'vice, is The Evil.  
These sad relations of blood and horrible cruelty following, will certainly draw out the tears of any Christian, none can have a heart to read and not lament their miseries: These Butcheries of men can have no pretence to evade the dint of Gods vengeance, any more then it can his knowledge; although indeed they may pass by the eyes of men: The arrows of the Almighty will plerce through all oppositions, not only to discover, but to reward them according to the wickedness of their ways. But to proceed to these sad calamities.  
When once the sentence is passed, the prisoner cometh no more into their presence( unless it be to the Rack) until the general day of appearance in public view, every one to receive his doom according as they are pleased to pass it: Some are quit by Proclamation, and it's given out they were injured by false witnesses( yet no false witness ever known to be punished. 
Perjury accounted no sin. ) He that is condemned to the Rack, shall be sure to have it executed when he least expects it, which is done to drive greater terror into the hearts of poor souls: He is therefore brought before them, who are sitting in the Throne of a Tyrannous Majesty, and with them the Deputy ordinary of the diocese; where they declare, That they have put his cause into the balance of a serious and deliberate consideration, and find his obstinacy to cast the seals, by keeping back the truth, which in Conscience he ought to reveal: else to suffer the test of the severest Justice, which they must inflict, and he endure as the true demerits of his perverseness; where he must expect to be forced to a confession of the truth, and how much more better were it therefore for him to confess freely, then undergo the fruits of so heavy a punishment, which he forcibly pulls upon his own bead. Therefore, say they, consider with yourself, whether it is not better to avoid pain, thereby to case your Conscience and body at once, withall unfolding to him the sundry torments of the Rack. 
Great cruelty and injustice.  But which is saddest of all, confess or not, he must to the Rack; yet these devils informing human shape, would make the poor soul believe he shall escape with confession, when it's too far from their cruel intention. Dear God! what flesh alive hath power and not a heart to lose his life in so good a cause, as to pull these frogs of Egypt out of their Dungeon and Cell of damnable villainies?  
The Officer is new commanded to have him to the place of torment, which indeed is a place dark and under ground( for it's only day light that makes sin) with sundry doors to pass ere you come to the place of cruelty, that none might be astonished at the hideous and doleful cries of the poor and faithful servants of the living God so lamentably racked for his sake and truth; one would think it should pierce an Adamantine rock, and melt it like wax before the sun, if it could be capable of hearing the dolorous and direful shrieks and howlings of these poor tormented souls. These are deeds of darkness, and cannot endure the light of the sun, how then will they be able to stand or undergo the censure of the wrath and vengeance of an angry God; for with God is terrible Majesty, saith Job. Bonum quo communus eo melius. Truth needs no corners, nor faithful counsels the scarf-skin of secrecy. But they must act like their Fathers, whose work will be rewarded at that great day.  
In this place of darkness and horror, is erected a scaffold, where the whole Court of Inquisitors sits, to be both actors and spectators of this Tiagedy, worse then present death itself: the Torches are now lighted, then cometh the Executioner( who maketh all doors fast behind him as he marches, 
The Tormentor is arrayed like a devil, only to frighten poor souls which they are to punish. ) and is arrayed( like the patron of the place the devil) all in black canvas or as the habit of Stage-players when they act the Devils part( and I wonder it falls not out, as is reported once in London, where twelve men in a Play resembled Devils, and coming to tell the number, there was one to the dozen; who all astonished fled faster then they came, but the Devil himself vanished, and carried part of the house top with him:) being thus attired, his face also, only two holes for his eyes he is very terrible to behold, but Gods gracious presence is beyond the terrors of man, many Martyrs having been known to feel no pain by the comforting presence of the Lord in their souls.  
The Inquisitors being placed to behold this sad object of their own Tyranny, 
The Inquisitors command all to be done in their presence where they sit on a scaffold.  to feast their eyes with Cruelty, they begin afresh with Exhortations and threats, and all to get a voluntary acknowledgement; that then they may with more just confidence proceed to Torments; however they will not spare: therefore they tell him, that if Leg or Arm be disjointed( as falls out too often to the loss of life with great extremity) he must thank his own stubborn obstinacy, whereby they discharge their consciences: so they command him or her to be stripped in a manner stark naked, although it be Virgin or chast Matron( as too many such the Lord knows, falls into the n●t of their bloody shambles;) whose death would be more welcome, then such shane amongst such Rogues and villains, whose gray hairs and reverend beards, should ( one would think) bespeak as much modesty as gravity; the wreaths and laurels, which nature by age has bestowed upon them, do even blushy at their ignominy, being such a piece of impious pusillanimity, as the very Heathens under the crepusculous daies of nature would have started back at in amazement and detestation; how much then should those that bear holiness in their foreheads, blushy at their own impiety? I do expect all good Christians, by a medest sympathy, should be ashamed at this villainy; oh! that we could bring these sad afflictions of others, home to our own doors, by a fellow feeling of their sufferings.  
Being thus stripped of all, they cause to be put on a pair of linen drawers, their arme● bare to their shoulders: thus poor souls they stand ready for the Tormentors pleasure, in such a shameful posture, as is to be abhorred by all civil men: and in Spain it is accounted a brand of infamy, to those Husbands and Parents, that have their Wives or Children thus shamefully abused; insomuch that they are hated even of Papists themselves, because they have no greater regard or esteem to the chastity of their dearest relations: yet can they not avoid it though they should hazard their lives.  
Now do the Lords Inquisitors speak( in an obscure dialect) to the Officers and Tormentors, by signs and words, much like to the canting language used by Gipsies and Vagabonds, whereby they need not be known to any but themselves; and whatever Torment they please to begin with, is done exactly even to the highest pin of cruelty: and as there is several sorts of Cruelties and Torments, so are they more in number then is yet discovered; those known I have endeavoured to discover to the world, and pity of all Protestants, and truly I am persuaded that all ingenious Papists will abhor the thoughts, if he can but believe such wickedness to be acted in the Court, or if they have not too great a prejudice against the Author, who they must needs know is a Protestant, and therefore may make them stumble in their confidence of the truth; which being a thing I cannot avoid, shall not therefore perplex my thoughts to answer. But he has not the rational part of a man, and as little sense as the stoics, who drops not a tear( or is sorry that he cannot) at the perusal of this sad Relation following, he must not only be hardened in impiety, but utterly voided of true humanity.  
Now the usual torments is with the Gibbit, Pullie, Water, through, Cords, and Fire, 
The woeful Torment of the Rack, as is almost past belief as well as unsupportable.  all which waits on the Hearse of these sad mournful souls, and are the proper supports of this rare edisice of Blood and Cruelty: they therefore first, fall to the old trade of persuasions, whilst the Executioner binds his hands behind him with cords eight or ten times about, the bloody Inquisitors looking asquint on compassion and pity do call and command, to strain each twist harder then other, then his thumbs are tied as straight with a small cord, which said cords they fasten to a pullie that hangs at the gibbit; and to screw up their action to the height of Cruelty, ponderous weights of Iron are fastened to his feet; thus standeth the poor creature ready to receive the doom of their hellish pleasure; he is now speedily commanded to be hoisted up, which is done, and whilst the poor soul hangeth in this sad condition, they labour to persuade him to confess; then command him to be hoisted up till he touch almost the top: then if he will promise to confess, they promise to assuage their further resolutions of Torments; and not only so, but( if you will believe them) they will also free him from all further troubles, else must he hang till death be the issue: after he has hung a good space in this sorrowful and piteous manner, and confessed nothing, he is then let down, and more weights added to the former, then hoisted up to the top, thundering their threats against him if he confess not, commanding the Executioner to let him down, and then hoist him up so, that the load of Irons at his feet, 
Oh sad and unexpressible cruelty!  may disjoint all his body in a sad and cruel manner, which unexpressible pain pierces all the parts of his body, whereupon the poor soul houls and cries in a terrible manner, suitable to so unsupportable a torment. Now instead of remorse and pity, like Imps of satan, they clamour with their yelling noise, or like Hounds after a poor distressed Hare, saying, he shall come down with a vengeance if he submit not to their bloody wills; so presently the Officer is commanded to let him fall suddenly, and stop ere he arrive at the bottom which piece of horrid Cruelty is not to be imagined by any, the torture is unexpressible, for by reason hereof all the parts of his body are out of frame, 
Heavy weights hung on the feet of poor Christians, and though almost dead with Torments already, yet are hoisted up with unexpressible Cruelties.  the weight at his feet tearing one part of his body almost from another. These tortures though great, yet are but the forlorn part, the body followeth; these are but Pigmie-cruelties, we shall overtake Giants of men and Tyranny ere we terminate our task, for these will not serve to make an end of their boundless malice and bloody impieties, will not content their insatiable and barbarous appetites; so that if he confess not, they hang on more weights, and the third time rack this poor soul( half dead already) hoisting him up in a sad posture; so that I leave the Reader to judge, having neither pen nor spirit, to writ the least part of their hellish Cruelties, much less the great and horrid villainies done to the faithful servants of the Lord Jesus: They now fall a railing, calling him dog and heretic, and that his end will be no other then the same or worse torments: but this is the comfort of all Gods Saints, that the freedom of their minds cannot be touched, although they pierce every part of their body with most exquisite torments.  
Oh! bloody and wretched villains, voided of humanity, nay truly devoid of that good nature recorded of beasts: the Doggs have more love and pity, then these blood-suckers, that like horse-leeches, will no doubt one day burst with the blood of poor Protestants: The bloody and deceitful man shall not live out half his dayes: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. It is against the Laws of Christianity, in malo cujusquam acquiescere: or, Alieno dollar, quâ dolor est satiari, to take complacency merely in the sad miseries and sufferings of others.  
Now if this poor soul, in the extremity of his pangs, cry out to the Lord Jesus Christ, for his assisting and comforting spirit, under these cruel torments, wherein he is thus miserable used and slain for his Name and sake; then do the Fathers of the Inquisition, like Devils incarnate with hearts full of a●heisticall spleen, most like blasphemers, mock and deride at his calamity; and as the Jews did with Christ, so they cry, Jesu Christ, Jesu Christ; Let Jesu Christ alone, and tell 〈◇〉 the truth; what a do dost thou make of Christ. But doubtless there will a day come, when they will find it hard to kick against the pricks; The Lord says, He will mock at their ●alamity, and laugh when their fear comes. There is a God that can prepare vengeance according to their demerits: these are they, to whom all the curses in the book of God are due. Now if we may affirm the tongue to be the interpreter of the heart, then what fiends in human shape are these Inquisitors, one would think the pitiful condition of poor Christians should thaw their Icie souls, into a dissolving frame of tears, rather then laugh or scorn at the extremity of such unparalleled impiety: but what more obdurate then Tyranny larded with cruelty: they mind not that terrible place in Prov. 21.13. Who so stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he shall also cry himself and not be heard. And Ch. 1. v. 28. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer. But lets proceed. If the poor soul in this sad and doleful condition, desire to be let down, and promise to confess( even what they would have, except to deny Christ:) then though they promise him liberty and ease, yet do they( poor creatures) far worse then if they confessed not at all( as shortly shall be declared in some lively examples:) for they seek their ruin and nothing else, and the more they confess, the more they must endure Torments; what kind of barbarous cruelty is this! truly I cannot find fit words to cloath their impieties in, they seem to make it their trade to torment poor Christians, and to device cruelties to put men to the greatest misery. What is it they torture poor souls for? say they, to make them confess their Opinions; that they do, but we must have them( say they) yet further to confess, who they know of the like principles: that they do too: Well, is not this all? No, we must now Torment them, because they are such heretics, and put us to the trouble, and themselves to the pain of these punishments? Oh! that men would know, that there is a God to punish, and a Hell to torment, such Tormentors of mankind, nothing but Rack and Pullie, torturing and mangling of mens bodies, till there is hardly any breath left in them.  
The poor soul thus tormented for four or five hours together, they then demand of the Executioner, if he be ready with his other Tools of cruelty and torment, only to see if they can put a further fear into this poor foul; he answereth yea, they are ready, but he has not brought them: they then command them to be brought against next day, for say they, we will fetch these villainies out of this fellow, or he shall feel the smart of our power; so they depart, leaving this poor member of Christ, miserable distracted and undone in every part of his body; giving him these words for a farewell; How now sirrah, how like you this fare? have you enough of it or no? well, see you recollect your wits together; and either answer to our demands and tell the truth, else expect no other way to the gates of death then these Torments, as the Reward of your perverse spirit: further saying, that it's but a flay bite to the storm that shall ensue. Thus these miserable comforters deal with the poor servants of our Lord Jesus, who hears and sees, though he pleases to suffer it, for the trial of their saith and constancy: what can we do less then take his across as our comfort, since he did take away our sins for our salvation? Well, the gaoler puts on his clothes, and carries him back to the loathsome and comfortless dungeon, and sometimes he draggs him on the ground, either by arm or leg like a dead carrion, in a lamentable and cruel manner, promising a chirurgeon, which he never intends.  
Now if they intend him no more to the Rack, then they sand for him from prison, where he must pass in sight of the Torment and Tormentor, who stands there like the devil himself, to affright the poor prisoner, and bring his former Torments to remembrance: Now being come into the Court, he is solicited to confess, if he refuse, to prison again with him: 
Oh! horrible tigers in the shape of men.  if he declare his mind never so little, then must he to the Rack to make him confess more: Most commonly when they would add more weight to their persuasions, they sand for him even when he is not able to stir with pain and anguish, desiring him to make his confession, not only of his own heresies, but also of others, which he knows to be of the same mind; which if he still refuse, he is commanded to prepare for the Rack: wherein if he lose his life, let the blame lye at his own door: then do the Inquisitors repair again to their Dungeon of cruelty, and take their places on a scaffold as aforesaid. This poor creature, is again stripped of all his clothes, his hands bound behind him, and tied fast to the Pullie, binding his thighs together with small cords, so also the calves of his legs, twisting them with a piece of wood, till they are sunk into this poor souls flesh and cannot be seen: 
The very height of Torment and Cruelty.  which seems to be as great and terrible a torment as the devil himself could device: in this sad condition lies this poor creature for two or three hours, enough to melt a Rock, and turn it into water, and yet such is their obdurate hearts, that they can not only abide to see this Cruelty( a crime to think on it without tears) but they solicit him to confess, and yet is this soul thus sadly afflicted for what he last confessed; nay they mock and deride him in this mournful condition, if these be not Devils under the name of Holy Inquisitors there's none in Hell: Thus do they with Nero, ripp up the bowels of all humanity, and rak in Hell for tortures, great enough to screw up poor souls to the height of misery; they see the devil with the gauge of their souls, to undo others: these are they of whom Solomon says, Whose teeth are swords to devour the poor of the earth, and the needy from amongst men: thus are they forged into the shape of impiety, by the scarlet sins of shameless iniquity: The Lord in his due time, free his people from this thraldom, wherein they are plunged by the cruelty of ungodly and reasonable men.  
The poor soul thus miserable handled, satisfies not their avaricious cruelty, they are resolved to be semper eadem in their matchless torturing of poor mortals, of whom indeed the world is not worthy; a man may as well strive to turn the sun out of its course, as these Fathers of the Holy Inquisition, from their flagitious and libidinous Cruelties. I say they are not content with what they have done, but must act another tragical piece of torment, which is with Water; a sad thing I confess, and it may be will move the tender-hearted Protestants to weep at the perusal; yet good Reader, think it not amiss to know them, for these are the Hinges on which their power hangs, wherein their lives and fortunes are closely enshrined, and although men cannot pierce this hedgehog of Infamous Impiety and Cruelty, crept into the midst of a sweet soil, yet the Arrow of the Almighty will stick fast in it, like a Dart shot into the Liver, like a Hook into the Nostrils of this roaring Leviathan. 
The sad and heavy Torment in the through with water.   
They have a piece of Timber made hollow like a through, with a sharp bar across, in which this poor creature lying, the across bar is just under his back, that it lies hollow, and cannot come nigh the bottom; his thighs, arms and legs, are tied with small cords, and so cruelly twisted, that they cannot be seen, so deep, that they are almost at the bone; thou most inhumanly they take a piece of fine linen cloth or Lawn, and lay it over his mouth as he lieth on his back, that his Nostrils are also stopped, so as when the water is poured down, there can no breath come in at his Nose; then do they pour water upon this cloth into his mouth, in a long stream, which with its strength( being held up high) forceth the cloth into the lowest part of his Throat, so that the poor creature is even in as great a conflict, as if his soul were taking leave of his body, for he cannot draw his breath, so that when the cloth is snatched out, there cometh up so much water and blood, as if the very inward parts came along with it; thus he lieth, till they please to sand him to prison, and give him stronger torments, according to their bloody hearts and cruel threats, in which they too surely keep promise, and exceed each torment by degrees, as this following relation of Fire will illustrate.  
There is provided a pan full of Fire, 
The Torment by Fire a very cruel invention, and no less pain then the former.  which( before he go to the Rack again) they set his Feet over, and soakingly burn them, basting them with Bacon or grease: now of all these cruelties( like the surges of the sea roaring one on the neck of another) will not yet force this good soul to run himself on the shore, to take shelter under their merciless protection by a free confession: if he have a steady soul, so well balanced, as to bring his body under these cruel rests, yet not to shipwreck his conscience; then after he hath received such respite, as these bloody Inquisitors conceive may strengthen his body, they arm again to plant their mortarpieces of smooth and enticing persuasions, thereby thinking to batter his stout soul to a self-condemning; which if they find impregnable, they fall to subtle Questions, to entangle him in the fetters of his own mistakes; which are so damnably laid, that if he grant one, he must grant others, and deny the contrary; they device on purpose such things, as if granted, bring as in a link or chain, a whole train of deductions, suitable to their damnable intentions; so as all torments will not in sum, produce the effects of their desire, so soon as this hellish and devilish way will do; which if the prisoner answer unto, he cannot avoid the pit they dig for his fall.  
In seville a good Christian woman was tormented with the Rack, yet could they not condemn her to the stake, they laboured therefore to get from her only this, That what she had said, was contrary to the determination of the Church of Rome, which accordingly she did confess; so they got their wicked desires of her by drawing destructive doctrines from so sweet a confession. Her husband was before burned, and died a Martyr. Now if it please the Lord of his infinite grace and mercy, by the aid of his good Spirit, to help these poor souls, not only to resist the fiery darts of Satan, but to undergo the cursed cruelties of this Inquisition; that all their tortures and villainies, cannot bend their souls to their bloody wil●, then will these children of wrath and blood, try other ways, whereby their purposes of deceit and oppression shall not fall to the ground, tempting and persuading poor souls, to forsake the good way of the Lord, if that his blessed Spirit of Truth, have not fixed their souls to a strong resolution.  
They therefore tread in the steps of their father, 
Damnable hypocrisy under the v●il of mercy and pity.  and begin to tempt with the traps and bai●s of subtle insinuations, and merciful pretences; not much unlike that beast the Panther, whose body is reported to be spotted with pleasing and alluring objects, and a smell also, as fragrant and pleasing to the one sense, as the spots to the other; and this is the motive why many poor beasts draw nigh, and gaze on this wonder of natures dress, but the subtlety of this beast is such, that it hideth it's ugly and deformed head, the better to draw them into the snare of their own ruin, and so they are devoured with this feverish bait of a fair out-side: Thus I say do the bloody Lords of the Inquisition deal with poor souls, appear dressed in fair words and promises, but hid the monstrous intentions of their cruel hearts, whereby poor Christians are lead into the snare, as innocent Lambs into the slaughterhouse.  
They therefore labour to insinuate, that their torments cannot exceed their sorrow to see them, nay they even weep Crocodiles tears, that what they advice him to, is only a secret reserved for the best part of friendship, and cannot be with more truth of affection, then remorse and compassion; thus making speech clothed in soft raiments, a Pandar to treachery; their words being like barks to transport their occult cruelties to the Haven of acceptance; but they do not always step into the path of success, but sometimes lose the road of their wishes; for the people of God cannot but see, that all is as full of hypocrisy, as their own souls by Gods grace are free from apostasy: which when the Inquisitors perceive that their hopes are frustrate by an obdurate unbelief, they are then enraged, as a bear bereaved of her whelps: Yet have they too good success in these cursed practices, a lively instance follows.  
A Godly woman was apprehended and imprisoned, 
A sad example of treachery.  together with two of her daughters, and a sisters child, to all whom it pleased the Lord to give such strength, as with invincible courage and constancy they did undergo all the aforesaid torments; at last the Inquisitors perceiving their irresistible resolutions, fell to assault with the strong batteries of soft and gentle persuasions expressing as aforesaid, the sad sense of their sorrows, and laboured thus to persuade one to impeach the other, or confess somewhat of some others of their Christian brethren. One of the Lords Inquisitors sent for one of these maids into his presence, where he used many compassionate expressions, and then remanded her to prison: This flattering way he used many times, amongst which discourse he interlined sundry words of seeming familiarity, the better to insinuate; earnestly pressing that the sense of their sufferings could not be more felt by them, then by himself, their distress being his by sympathy; and therefore that she would well weight the good estate of her self and friends, and take his advice as from a father; often protesting with tears, as a testimony of the inward sorrow his heart felt for their sad afflictions, promising all aid for their help,( one may fathom from a Giams heart to his mouth, but cannot a hypocritical dissembler, thus do they banish truth and honesty with lies and treachery) at last taking advantage, he fals to persuade her, to confess unto him what she knew of her Mother, Sister, Aunt, and self, and by solemn Protestation and Oath, bound himself to work for their safety so effectually, as their liberty should be out of doubt given them, even to their returning in quiet to their own houses; hereby warranting her belief of his treachery, as a Sanctuary to privilege her from thraldom and misery: thus lies their treachery like dissembling lapwings, who by their natural policy, flutter as if they were nigh their nest, when indeed they are farthest off, so they would fain insinuate their great care, when indeed it is only the greatest treachery and baseness. That good Proverb is not wrong placed here, That no tie can oblige the perfidious. This poor believing soul, forcibly won by the smooth artifice of his slattering speeches, too much crediting these golden baits of liberty, couched in his alluring promises and perjuries, 
Base treachery and perjury.  does freely declare to him the points of Religion, whereon they used to erect their conference and discourse together, this cursed villain in the shape of holiness, makes much of this end, whereby he hoped to unravell the whole bottom; he therefore gives order to have her depositions entred accoridng to due course of Law, promising that at the last day of her hearing, her liberty should be granted: But O cruel Tyrants! the spawn of bloody villainy and unworthy perfidy: What is promised shall be not only performed with a breach,( a Popish performance) but this poor soul must now once more be tortured at the Rack, 
Cursed cruelty.  in hopes of a further discovery: Thus do they betray credulous Innocency, with the hazard of their souls by perju●y. Now is she poor Virgin once more hoisted upon the pully, and tormented with extreme pain, enduring also the water and the through, with as much strength as it pleased the Lord of his mercy to give her, till at last they forced from this poor creature all that she believed, who witnessed a good confession, and also constrained to accuse those which they so much thirsted after amongst which number was her own Mother, 
Many godly Christians tormented and burned enduring all with great joy and patience.  Sister, and many more, all which were cruelly tormented, and at last burned; this was the first time which they began to burn the Saints of God at seville: This godly Damosell being on the Scaffold with her Mother and Aunt, to hear the sentence of death by fire, with a cheerful countenance, thanked her Aunt for instructing her in the faith, which now she was not ashamed to confess, nor affrighted to deny; praying them all to forgive her what she had done, being at the door of hope ready to receive the Crown of Glory laid up for all those that suffer for the Lord Jesus: Her Aunt did comfort her and the rest, being all as confident of Glory in Heaven, as sure of the torments they had already received, as a badge of their faith in Jesus. And here Christian Reader, it is to be taken notice of, that this her Aunt was the same woman, which before we gave thee an account of, that was distracted, and ran to the Inquisitors to inform against the Lutherans; who now was through the grace of God reduced to such a quiet temper and magnanimity of spirit, as she witnessed to the truth of the Gospel with much boldness, enduring great torments, horrible and loathsome imprisonments, sealing the testimony with her death.  
Now let us, Christ●an Reader, a little peruse some few of their detestable ways, bringing poor souls into snares as the most compendious way to their utter destruction; nor are they such ways as seem to follow the road of an ordinary course of policy or invention, but unworthy the entertainment of any ingenious spirit: but what do I speak of ingenuity, where cruelty is their Religion: Therefore if any poor prisoner fall sick, they inquire of him if he please to receive the Sacrament of Confession,( which is sure to try whether he be of the Popish Religion or not) If he desire to confess, presently the Ghostly Father begins his work:( But observe, that behind the door lieth a Sir John and his Clerk, with pen and ink, who taketh notice of all that is confessed.) The Priest demands sundry things about the Iutherans,( for this confession is only an abuse of the Ordinance) now if he confess ought worthy their cognizance, he desires him to confess it publicly before a Notary, else is the Absolution unavailable; if he grants it, the Clerk is sent for,( being not far off; if he refuse,( for this confession is not Auricular, but vocal) the Priest repeating aloud, forces the Prisoner to answer him, so as the Devil in the box hears him, and pens all down, 
Unjust and merciless dealing.  now they proceed against him by this, or else to new torments, for a further confession: Thus they make use of the Name of Christ for their diabolical practices, but the Lord will one day judge the secrets of mens hearts, and reward them according to their iniquities. Oh! how little they strive to imitate that blessed example, Justice and judgement is the habitation of thy throne( says the Psalmist) mercy and truth shall go before thy face.  
There was once a Lord of the Inquisition, Bishop of Tarracon, who used to say, that those heretics had engraven the words of our Saviour very firmly in their hearts, viz.( Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,) because they would not betray their brethren, though put to endure extreme torments. These wicked fathers of the Inquisition use to jest with poor Christians, saying, Sure you are not strong in your faith that dare not confess; for in the Primitive times, the Apostles and Martyrs confessed whatever was laid to their charge concerning Christ: and thus they play with, and abuse the poor members of Christ, whose condition they will one day desire to enjoy, and shall not, unless God be very merciful to their unrighteous and cruel dealings.  
Another device these holy Fathers have, which seemeth a notable one, and as like the devil as themselves: they have as aforesaid many Officers( the very scum and vermin of a Nation, for all manner of villainies,( who like little Dogs start the Hare, but the great ones get him) amongst this number is a certain sort, that on purpose serve the lusts of their Masters, and are like Decoys to draw poor souls into the net of perdition, in this sordid manner following: 
A wicked and cursed policy to betray Christians into the hands of violent death.   
When any of Gods poor Saints are suffered together in one prison, in cometh one of these rascals( even like the devil that appeared before God against Job) and forsooth, there is he imprisoned on the same account with these poor persecuted Saints; but indeed is only set on purpose to betray these poor souls, so that when he enters, and is chained and fed with the bread and water of affliction, as the rest are, he begins with small wedges to make way for greater; and just as an hypocrite, he begins with seeming affection to discourse on the things of God,( not much unlike the jesuits in England, creeping into the affections and hearts of poor people under specious pretences only to deceive, as the generation of Quakers too evidently demonstrate) and because he can give his heart room to swing in all ways of hypocrisy, therefore it is that he seemeth to be most sincere, and thereby attracts the ears and hearts of these poor upright ones, to belieeve his treachery for truth; and herein the devil appears like an Angel of light: Thus are these poor Christians trapped and ensnared by this seeming Saint: Therefore having accomplished the ends for which he came thither, he desires a day of hearing, ( on purpose to confess what he hath heard) and then and there shall his witness be of as full proof against any of the prisoners, as if a hundred were present: Now what a wonder it is, that these Rogues for a little gain, should endure imprisonment, so loathsome and filthy, for two or three moneths together; and that is not enough, for they are no sooner come from one place, but into another, like the devil compassing the earth to and fro to accuse Gods Saints: Nay and that which seemeth beyond belief, this limb of hell declareth on Oath, 
The height of injustice.  what their judgement was concerning such and such a Point( which he name) even by their looks, although these poor souls spake not one word pro or con: Nay further, it often happens, that some which are not imprisoned for Religion, yet are in the same prison, these to work out their own ends, most basely accuse the servants of Christ, declaring what discourse they heard from their mouth; which argues a sad condition, that the liberty of their consciences is a snare for their lives.  
This is not all the wicked practices they use to betray under trust, 
Vile treason under trust.  but you shall have some that associate themselves with the people of God in their private assemblies, passing under the name of Lutherans, and indeed are by the common people, and those that know not the design, thought really to be no less then they profess: Many of these are no less then holy Fathers, Priests and Monks; so that if any poor Christian open, his bosom to any of these devilish hypocrites, they presently sand him to the Lords Inquisitors, where they are handled as aforesaid. Sometimes they disclose not their treachery, upon the fathoming and sounding the principles and practices of such innocent Lambs of Christ, as they betray into the hands of these Wolves, but will conceal their thoughts into a narrower compass then public discovery; desiring a further occasion of conference next day, which is only to have a more full and ample testimony against this poor soul. Again when they have found out and imprisoned any Teacher or Pastor to the private Assemblies of Gods people( some learned Doctor or Preacher) they then make a brute to be spread, that he being on the Rack, 
Detestable hypocrisy to betray poor Protestants.  had detected many sundry of his auditors, and have some ready suborned to swear, that they heard his lamentable and dolorous cries, which was forced from him in the extremity of Torments; now the vulgar being possessed, that who so cometh to the Lords Inquisitors, and freely confesseth, shall escape with little or no punishment, else if they be summoned according to the confession of him that is their reputed Doctor, they shall receive no less punishment then tortures and death: By this means they catch many poor souls into the net of destruction, who too readily believe their fallisies for truths. These are the execrable and impious deceits of ungodly men against the poor people of God, whose comfort it is that their souls are in the Lords hand, though their bodies subject to cruelties and miseries.   

CHAPTER VI.  
IT is as impossible to number the cruelties of Papists to Protestants, as it was for the Indian, who was sent over from a Sagamore of Virginia, to know the strength of England; who having a Cane on purpose to Register the number of all he saw, at last landed at plymouth, where he felt a sharp employment, having tired himself, he travels to exeter, and is put to a stand, but steping further, he arrives at London, where he is posed by the deep arithmetic of such a vast body, he could not find a Rule to number such a crowd of people; so finding with Aristotle, his mind drowned in the pursuit of his own information, his task too great to undergo, broken his Cane, and gives over his endless toil; truly may not I say( and I wish I had no reason) 'tis impossible to sound the depth of this gulf and abyss of horrible cruelty, not easy to measure the bulk of this Monster, you may( courteous Reader) guess, if you will promise to yourself, with the Indian, a Task ad insinitum: For to trade in reading the sad calamities of poor Christians, to unravell this work of this bloody Inquisition in all its labrinths and serpentine windings, is as much of labour and pains, as to power water into a barrel which has no bottom, and yet think to fill it full; or to empty the Sea with a thimble: And I doubt it may be thought by some, that I have waded too far already in such cruel impieties, enough to cloy the tender stomach of any godly and compassionate soul, and therefore may spare my pains as unnecessary, for 'tis a thing so copious of misery, as they can wade no further, unless they spoil the book with drops of tears, their very souls bleeding at the sad perusal of so tragical a History, scarce believing that this world can afford a place for such a Theatre to be erected, unless the Devil had made an agreement with the King of Spain, to set up his Kingdom in this world, to play the Mountebank with poor creatures, but if we consider well how this Spanish Nation is glutted with blood, we shall then the less admire at these hideous and execrable impieties, which none but the most vile would father.  
Now as these poor Saints of the most High God, are accounted the off-scouring of the world by wicked men, so are they no otherwise called by the inquisitors then Doggs, heretics, &c. and are proportionably handled in all manner of respects suitable to the rest of their unworthy dealings: Therefore to add weight and load to press down these poor Christians to the bottom and dregs of misery, they are basely and unworthily dealt withall concerning their imprisonment and diet, the Narrative whereof cannot altogether be unfit for the most serio●●●nowledge and perusal of all godly Pro●●stants.  
For the poor prisoners below, 
The manner of their prisons, their noisomeness and cruel usage therein.  in regard of the dampness and straightness, seem rather to be reclused and butted in a grave, then a prison; they are as it were butted alive, if their Prisons are above ground, it's like a scorching furnace, in regard of the hot climate: If plenty of prisoners be in their c●uell custody, two or three is crowded into one of these holes, wherein they have not above a foot of ground, hardly room to turn, only a place for ease, containing a foot also in compass, with a place of rest to lye down, a pitcher of water to drink, no light unless through a key hole, or little bigger: Prisons of a larger extent there are, but serve for less offenders, not for heretics or any suspected in Religion, which liberty is no less chargeable then convenient.  
Places there are worse then either, only a mans length, occasioning in a short time either death by consumption, or half rotten away, dying rather like carrion then Christians, or men that have the Image of God, or immortal souls, which these fathers of cruelty take no notice of.  
Now their diet corresponds to their other base and inhuman barbarisms, 
Their miserable and hunger-starved diet, and how that little allowance is minced ere it arrive to the poor prisoners hands.  the rich prisoners enrich and support their Office and Trade, by large fees exacted from them to the Officers; the rest must pay what the Lords Inquisitors please, out of which is set a part for allowance, almost 6d a day; if any desire more he must pay for it, and reckon it an unusual favour, as indeed it is, and but rarely permitted, and is only to such as are in for matters of smallest moment: If for Religion, brown bread and water is a favour, though the prisoner be never so eminent and able, because the less will come to their share when his goods are sequestered. If any poor prisoners have not wherewith to defray their charges, the King alloweth 3d a day, from which poor 3d is deducted the the charges of Stewards, Laundresses; it passeth also through the hands of men, that though great in place, yet are greater thieves then him that robs the Spittle, little considering how often hunger knocks at their doors; for a pitiful look asketh enough: they are such as are in the Treafury and Office of Receipt, who give account for all that cometh into their Exchequer; the Steward will steece this poor 3d also, the Cook he licks his fingers, and pinches their bellies to fill his hollow paunch, victuals his own camp, though he plunder others tents: the Jaylor he snatches at a piece, eat this poor soul sitteth down to this three penny ordinary; so as not above half, if so much; cometh to the poor prisoners fingering; poor creature, he has not so much as the happiness to see, much less to taste of the King of Spains great bounty: So as this poor three pence is tossed to and fro, and though it escape these thievish singers, like lime-twigs, yet it comes lame and maimed to the right owner. Prov. 22.22.23. Rob not the poor because he is poor, neither oppress the afflicted in the gate, for the Lord will pled their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoileth them. This hard dealing sometimes moves the hearts of some Officers, which once known, he must deatly pay for his pity and charity, which God so much commends and commands: which those Scythians and Barbarous beasts under the name of men, condemn to a bloody punishment; as this example gives lively demonstration.  
At seville in the Castle Triana, 
An example of cruelty only against charity itself.  a Keeper, not acquainted with cruelties, especially their unheard of dealings; this courteous man was moved to compassion, by the reflection and reverberating heat of their cruelties upon his good nature, whereupon he secretly permitted a godly woman and her two daughters, to private conference, and interview of their sad sufferings, for the space of half an hour, and so to their prisons again: suddenly after, seeing these poor creatures in torments, crying and howling in a sad and doleful manner, he fears their great extremity might force them to divulge his civil courtesy, as a crime, which to prevent, and purchase pardon by voluntary confession, this poor man reveals all to the Inquisitors, and pulls an old house on his own head; for no sooner do they understand, but they requited his acknowledgement with speedy punishment, by commitment to prison, where he fell distracted through fear and sorrow; remaining in this condition twelve moneths in a loathsome prison, from whence he is brought on a triumphing stage, with a Sambenit on his back, and a rope about his neck, where he receives the sentence to have two hundred stripes through the principal streets of the City, and to serve in the Gallies as a slave for six years; The day following he is brought in a solemn manner, to receive the reward of his compassionate and charitable heart; at which instant, one of his mad fits took him, whereby he casts himself off the Ass( which out of disgrace he was set on) and snatching a sword out of the Alguazil's hand, had there dispatched him, if sudden aid had not prevented; he is tied on the Ass again, and forcibly receives the rest of his stripes; and although he was distracted and knew not what he did, yet for this must this poor Petro à Herrera be sentenced a slave from six years to ten: Is not this a taste of some of their barbarous dealings beyond the Laws of humanity? But although this poor man proved courteous and paid for it, yet was his predecessor cruel and base beyond expression, and rather then punished commended, nay rewarded. The poor prisoners of Christ should have meat basely dressed, and miserable pinched by plunder of that bad and small fare, nay, he sold what he so stolen in the Triana would not allow clean linen, yet made them pay, which cursed profit he put in his purse: If any seemed to be offended at the abuse, then this cruel devil puts them into the lower dungeon, without any straw to lye on, no diet but bad, and so little, as should pine their bodies either to sickness or death, which cruelty occasioned the prisoners to desire a day of hearing, he tells them he had  told the Lords Inquisitors, and on their command he would suffer them to be heard: After fourteen or fifteen daies in this dungeon, he pretends clemency and pity, and that having moved the Lords Inquisitors with their sad condition, he had procured their liberty into their former prison: This mans cursed and cruel nature to poor prisoners in distress, pierced the tender heart of his maid-servant, who observing the great misery of these poor souls, and her Masters Jewish heart, did secretly administer, not only to their distress with meat stolen by her Master from them, but did comfort them very much( for she favoured the Gospel) with discourse, and letting them know of one anothers conditions;( her Masters daughter aiding her many times in her desires.) At length she was discovered, and after twelve moneths miserable imprisonment and cruel usage, she was at last brought on the public Theatre of their triumphant Scaffold, and sentenced to wear the Sambenit, and to receive two hundred stripes through the City, which they executed with as much pity as to a dog; which done, she was banished the City for ten years, writing on her forehead, A favourer and aider of heretics.  
When these poor Saints of God desire to entertain their solitary and pensive condition, 
The people of God are not suffered in prison to sing a Psalm, or be any way cheerful.  with singing a Psalm, these cursed villains will not allow of it, therefore they no sooner hear any cheering his soul in this sweet solace, but in cometh an Officer, with the Keeper, to command them to silence, charging in the Lords Inquisitors name, to make no noise or resemblance of mirth. Oh! cursed men, no cruel tyrants in the world would hinder such harmless mirth, but they would have mens souls damned as well as their bodies, it holds comparison with that cursed villain an Italian, who taking his adversary at advantage, sets his Rapier to his breast, and made him abjure God to save his life, which no sooner done, but he thrust him through the body and dispatched him; triumphing in this, that he had with the death of his body, endeavoured to damn his soul; so these cruel fathers of the Inquisition, will frustrate so good a piece of service to God, and comfort to these distressed souls, as not to suffer them to have that sweet solace they find in so harmonious a communion with God; the Saints of God that lived under the Heathens had more liberty, for they were commanded to sing. Psal. 137. There the Psalmist says, They that carried us away captive, required of us a song, and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing no one of the songs of Zion. Yet these that account themselves holy Fathers, will not be so merciful as Heathens. Now if the poor soul seem to slight their command, and will not be commanded to silence, he shall know to his cost, that violence is the next remedy: Thus that small comfort which they have by it, and the society of each others voice in a sweet Harmony, is debarred from prison to prison, which if suffered, would much sweeten their sad lives, in such dungeons and pits of destruction: and by this means it is that a Father and son, Husband and Wife, Parent and Child, may be in the next prison, and shall not know one of another for two or three years, or till the day of public calamity upon the Scaffold; and if they can learn of any conference or discourse one prisoner hath had with another, they are presently removed, and examined about their discourse, by way of Interrogatories; thus they exercise their indignation against the poor servants of God.  
This is the sad condition of Gods Saints, such is their sad dealing from these savage beasts in the shape of men, that such as are not condemned to death, hardly escape it, through this unheard of cruelty in prison; else live so miserable a life, that by degrees, they piue and consume away through the noisomeness of the prisons, and manner of ill diet; this example will too sadly evidence the proof hereof, which may stand as an unparalel'ld piece of barbarism to all ages.  
There was an English vessel, 
An example of savage cruelty to an English Merchants son.  which some certain years ago arrived at the Port of St Lucas; and before any of the company landed, the Familiars of this Office boards the vessel, to search for Religion; they apprehended sundry on suspicion, and imprison them; amongst whom there was a rich English Merchants son, ten or twelve years old, whose father was reported to be owner of most part both of Goods and Ship; this child they apprehended forsooth, because he had Davids Psalms in his hands( their hearts being unfit to be tuned to Davids Harp) the Goods and Ship are sequestered; the Child( being well educated) did often in prison lift up his soul to God in prayer, which these Pagans and Heathens perceiving, in derision said, This boy is become a pretty heretic already: After this poor child had been imprisoned about eight moneths, he now fals sick, from whence he is conveyed by order to the hospital, on purpose for such as( through extremity of sickness) are like to lose their lives, wherein none are suffered to visit them, but the servitors of the prison; and all the difference betwixt the hospital and other prisons is, that here they have physic to strengthen them for tortures, whereas 'twere better they ended their daies more speedily, as being a readier way to die suddenly, then by prolongation of life, to end their daies in pining misery. This child being, as aforesaid, extreme ill, was transported thither, being by reason of barbarous usage benumbed in his legs; and to this day no man, but these devilish Inquisitors knows what became of this poor Child, the merchandise and Ship was lost to boot. Such cruelties I would not fear to expect, if I were landed in any part of America amongst wild beasts. It is recorded of a Prince born dumb, that seeing the King his father ready to suffer the violence of bloody men, his affections redeem his tongue, and he that never spake but by a silent consent, by signs, had now his tongue at liberty, and in great rage and fury, breaks out saying, Oh men! kill not my father: And will not this barbarous Inquisition move the hearts of all that have power, and yet never spoken in behalf of Christians, now to put to their assistance, to the pulling down of this strong hold of the devil, to pull this house over their own heads; it behoves all Protestant Princes and Estates, especially such as have a Commerce with the Spaniard, since their safety is infringed, and their liberty entangled at the pleasures of unreasonable Tyrants; Oh! that they would value the freedom of Religion and Liberty before a Trade.  
At this instant also was imprisoned a Turk, 
A Turk frighted from Christianity by their cruel inhamanity  which had revolted from their Religion, and newly arrived from Marrock, the principal City of Mauritania, lying opposite to that part of Spain; but being untaught in the Christian faith he was by converse in this City discouraged to be of that Religion, which he saw so evidently deserved all good mens detestation, but thinking safety to be his guard, he one day said, the Moorish Religion was better then the Christians, for which he is put into the Inquisition, where I leave him and you, to imagine his miserable usage, yet boldly said, that he never repented of his Christianity, till he came among their Tygar-like cruelties, which it grieved him to see.  
Another way they have to deceive the world under the name of sanctity, 
They have daies of visitation of the prisoners which under colour of justice and pity is shrouded great cruelty.  but indeed is only to dissemble their villainy; for they order once a month a day of Visitation, pretending the cause to be, that Keepers should know they are looked to, whereby they dare not, in regard of a watchful eye over them, oppress or wrong any prisoner: This is indeed a thing commanded by God, commended by men, and no less agreeable to the Law of Nature and reason: But to pervert this only into a shadow and show of reality, is only like the picture of justice, but wants the power; for these daies, which they say are appointed for holy ends and purposes, and also to stop cruelties from being exercised on the poor prisoners, they in stead practise horrible hypocrisy, for we shall see this day as bad a day of torture, as any other season, whereby though they would have their spiritual Court to be sprinkled with holiness above all the justice of temporal Courts, yet are their cursed hearts more cruel under this vizard of Justice; for on the Sabbath day or some festival, they come about to visit these poor afflicted and distressed souls, desiring with seeming sense and affection to know how they are, and how their Keeper entreats them, whether civilly or not, either with bad words, threats, or reproachful gestures; if their full allowance of diet come duly to their necessities, if clean shifts, &c These are only words and no more, for if the prisoner be half naked, and pray his condition to be considered and his grievances redressed, what's their answer? Oh! I am ashamed to rehearse their infamous carriage, so much voided of the nature of man, as to distinguish them from beasts; nay so far beyond the beastiallity of rude and boisterous creatures without reason, that beasts most barbarous in themselves, are truly more voided of cruelty then these holy Fathers: What can their Answer be? Ile assure thee good Reader, thou canst not imagine it; but however let us know it, to beware and detest such inhuman cruelties: In sum, they deridingly Answer these poor naked souls in mild and fatherly terms, That the but season requires fewer garments then they seem to request, that in such a hot climate and time, clothes are a burden; and so leave them worse then they found them: If in Winter they desire their wants to be supplied, according to their miserable estate( which Turks would pity in their sla●es) they answer, The weather is now beginning to open, the frost is dissolved, further, desiring the prisoners to take care for the clothing of their souls, by disclosing of the truth, for which they they are in that condition. Thus is the end of their visitation converted into a jest, they are so far resolved, as not( like good Christians) to kerb their own disease of excess, to bestow it on the necessity of poor souls( whose sad countenances pled poverty,) but rather will run the hazard of that curse of our blessed Saviour, Go ye cursed, when I was hungry you did not relieve me, when I was naked you did not cloath me, &c. This will be a sad peal at the later day.  
If the poor prisoners desire any books, to recreate their weary mindes, toiled with sorrowful thoughts, and pensive apprehensions; or if they desire any other necessaries, that may add a little comfort to their sad recluse, the like jeering answer is the best return they can get from these Masters of cruelties: If they be very earnest and solicitous in any request, they had better be content with their too rigid and sad fate, then pled their just request, to such unjust and bloody men: Thus do these Tyrants make their innocency the Butt of their malice and cruelty, making a pastime of torments; like the Roman Emperours that used to cast Christians alive to be devoured of wild beasts: But this is worse, for if I were to be cast into such a condition, I could not expect to hope formercy, when I do but look on the countenance of wild creatures, but when I look on the face of a man, I may have hope that since he is a rational soul, he may make so much use of it, as to create a little hope of relief or pity, in the midst of Torments and Cruelties. But here we find these Inquisitors worse than that poor Lion, who had compassion on a poor slave thrown to be devoured, and did not only preserve his life from his own fury, did not only starve his own hunger, but saved the life of the poor man from the rage of other beasts, there ready to destroy him, hazarding his own life to save his.  
Now if it so please the Lord of his goodness, 
The strange way of taking bribes by the Lords Inquisitors themselves.  to raise friends who step so far into danger, as to intercede in their behalf, it's very dangerous, and not effected without a bribe; and that not facile neither; being done after a strange manner of deceit; for although the under officers, will( as secretly as you can imagine) refuse with one hand, and receive with the other, yet the Lords Inquisitors themselves, account it a happy thing to have it, but unhappy to have it known; like the Woodcock, that hiding his head thinks himself secure, because as he sees none himself, so doth wisely think that none see● him: therefore these Inquisitors will not taint their souls with so horrid a crime, nor suffer it to lodge, or have entrance over the threshold of their Court, much less to advance to the throne of their hearts; but alas! for all the smooth plain'd words, yet shall we see these gifts, enter without a wimble: for how they itch to have what they so strongly deny, is less to the ingenious reader to conceive; it's like to some Spanish beggars, of whom it's reported, that they seem to scorn begging, supplicating in a commanding posture, so that if you cast out a small matter, it rebounds with disdain, throwing it at you with a scorn of your bounty; yet no sooner are you gone, but they look for it with great earnestness, and if it tumble into obscurity, they make a diligent scrutiny, and if but to the value of a penny, they hug it and embrace it, yet would not by any means be known to need it:( these are they that strut in rags; the most courtesy and humility, is often found in true Gentlemen and persons of quality:) and that it is just thus with these superbious Inquisitors, let us see the way of accomplishing this so desired a benefit; how greedily they gape, and would fain grasp the excrements of the earth; this golden bait, that as one said well, is but mettall turned up trump. Now after they have thus strangely and strongly denied this Bribe, presently cometh one of the Officers to the poor Prisoners friend ( that would fain purchase some favour though with cost) and whispering him in the ear, says; It's not possible to tempt the Lords Inquisitors with transitory rewards, their Holinesses are balanced with such strong resolutions of resistance, that their hearts are impregnable, and their hands too fast for any persuasions to fasten bribes unto, their unspotted souls are like spring locks, 
As it locks of itself, so who doubts there is not a key to open it, and then it will shut of itself, i'le warrant you.  will shut of themselves against such horrid iniquities, unto which the curse of God is linked; they undervalue that which others over prise: But no doubt, but the Lords Inquisitors will take special cognizance of your respect to his friends, therefore the ●ighest way to lodge your wishes under a good success( if I may be retained your counsellor) is to present yonder young Gentleman,( who stands by my Lords Elbow, and is his Nephew) with what respect you treasured up for himself; this, says he, I advice you to, and if you fail in your purpose, Ile run the hazard.( There is always some Nephew or niece of the Lords Inquisitors, who serve like Pages to wait on their Uncles advantages) Now this is the straight way, 
Cursed is he that taketh a bribe to defraud the innocent.  which leads this prisoners friend to find entrance into the Cloister, this is the clew of thread to enter into the Bower of their desired liberty: Now is some hope procured, and case purchased; yet finds this poor prisoner favour no longer then the fresh remembrance of his bounty lasts, or as long as their pleasure is to grant it; thus they love Sacrificium ex rapinis; content to be bribed to silence for a part in the spoil. And truly it would be a great question( if the Fathers of this holy Court were squeezed) whether riches or blood would run out fastest, no doubt but they would struggle for pre-eminence, for they have sucked in both as a sponge doth water, being steeped in blood, and soaked in all manner of horrid impieties: Thus must the hard gains of others swear, court acceptance to wait at the table of their luxury, but I hope the time will come, that the Lord will expunge them out of all their power and cruelties, wherewith at present they are invested.  
To terminate this sad story of so much blood and cruelty, let us now view the last sentences published on a Triumphant Scaffold, in sight of many hundreds or thousands of spectators; who came flocking in heaps, many leagues from out of the country, some no less then twenty: And as it pleases the Inquisitors to glory over these poor souls as Trophies of their Honour, so does it no less justify the other, who weary of their lives in hope of a better, rejoice not only to suffer, but to die for the sake of Jesus Christ, and the testimony of his eternal Gospel; and indeed they have reason to account their enemies victorious cruelty, as the fruit of Gods mercy, whereby they are wafted from this vale of tears and misery, to that everlasting Kingdom prepared for the Saints of the most High; passing out of the Egypt, this valley of misery, to that land of promise; even from the afflictions of this life, to that blessed life with God, where all tears are wiped from their eyes. 
Preparation for rapabl●ck day of triumph and teach.   
Now before they enter on this public act, they summon the prisoners, and examine what estate they have, where it is, with strict charge to reveal all on pain of what shall ensue; so are returned to prison, assured of the loss of their estates, if not their lives: The night before this glorious day, all the men that are punishable below death, are brought into one room, and the women into another, and such as must die are kept in their own prisons; at ten a clock at night a Priest is sent to let them know the sad tidings, and to prepare for death, which they poor creatures rejoice at, and is the best news they heard since they knew the place, who poor souls feel their outward conditition so miserable, as they are glad to be put in mind that they are mortal; which opportunity is a true proof of their fidelity to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus, wherein( to the glory of Christ, the comfort of their own souls, together with the vexation and anguish of this Ghostly Priest) they confess and give glory to God, knowing their reward is in heaven, wherein is laid up a Crown of Glory, a certain inheritance, that shall never fade: And this indeed is a time of trial, and the hour of temptation: But the Lord will not forget his promise to all those that trust in him. 
The disgraceful attire which Christians are forced to wear pictured with devils, &c. their tongues pinched with an instrument, that they cannot speak.   
The morning by break of day, all Officers wait on their charge, preparing for the safe conduct of these prisoners of the Lord Jesus, and attiring them in their robes of dishonour and infamy, to render their persons and opinions more odious to the common people. Those as stand steadfast in the faith, with detestation of such Idolaters and worshippers of Idols for their God, they must wear the Sambenit, even to the stake, being a Vestment made of linen, coloured all over, pictured with black devils; his head is covered with a long crowned hat, where is drawn the image of a man burning in the fire, with many devils about him, feeding the fire with wood and faggots; all after an ugly manner, and only to render this poor soul reproachful to the vulgar: Their tongues are pinched, that they cannot speak a word against their slanderous accusations before the people, whereby they are disabled to divulge their innocency, or their doctrine; their hands tied fast behind, with cords about their necks. Thus come the Martyrs of the Lord Jesus, wearing the badge of their enemies cruelty, yet for Christs sake accounted the glorious Crown of Liberty to their immortal souls: Now those as revolt in hopes of life must die the same death, only with this difference, in stead of pictures of devils is the across.  
Next come those that are to suffer for the Name of Christ also, but at an easier rate then death, yet arrayed with the like garments of Devils. Now before they set forward from the prison, the Lords inquisitors( to blind the world and add to the weight of their own damnation, if Gods mercy prevent it not) seem before the common people to be very sad and heavy at such miserable objects of pity: now all being attired as aforesaid, and placed in their order, suddenly they are commanded to stand, and take part of a rich table with provisions for breakfall; only to make the world believe, such was their common fare: Oh! gilded sepulchers, and painted ruin: for if these poor Saints of God had an appetite, yet are they deceived, for the familiars, with as much impiety as insolency, like dogges, snatch away the meat in a rude and beastly manner, yet no check from their Lords; so little impression do their sad conditions take in the hearts of these cruel villains and limbs of the Devil; that as Diogenes the cynic, when he found a Mouse in his sachell, said, he was not so poor, but that some were glad of his leavings; so they are not so poorly furnished for heaven, but that they can go without such props of gluttony, and expect a richer table furnished in heaven, for their better entertainment and welcome, from their world of sorrows, hoping to be put beyond hope, in that eternal inheritance provided for their company.  
Now for the great magnificence, and stately pomp which they triumphantly promise to themselves, and show to the world, I cannot find in History a fit parallel; No Emperours Court, no Kings Palace, no sumptuous Nuptials of the greatest Potentates, 
The unparralel'd and glorious show which the Inquisitors make of their prizes, the manner of their deaths and cruel Martyrdoms.  or public Assembly of the grand Worthies of the world, can come nigh the splendid equipage of this holy Court, on the public Stage, both of Glory and Cruelty. Reader, I shall describe it at large, and draw it out into particulars, that thou mayst spend thy judgement on this piece of admiration.  
First the young children of the college, with their Vestments and singing,( by direction of certain Clerks that have the charge thereof) make some harmony, singing for their ditty the Le●●anies, the one part of the choir corresponding to the other, the foot thereof is, Ora pro illis. Then follow those that do Penance in order, the least offenders following the children, and have tokens of distinction from others; as Tapers in their hands unlighted, Barnacles on their tongues, about their necks a rope, with hats of paper bare headed, or their hats on, the better sort coming after the rest; then follow those that wear Sambenits, with Crosses of read, in their rank and degrees also; after them those that are condemned to the fire, 
apostasy unprofitable, though by repentance comfortable.  all covered with pictures of devils, as aforesaid; those that expected life by apostatising, no whit escaping: Every prisoner having his guard on each side, with two jesuits attending every one that suffers death, with persuasions to run the race of perdition with themselves: but God who is rich in mercy, has given his people more grace then to go to hell by worshipping dumb Idols, or to go to Heaven by their own merits, depending on the alone merits of our blessed Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ.  
Now after these prisoners follow the whole Train of the City Officers, Alguaziles, Governours of the twenty four Wards, the Judges of the Courts, the Viceroy, and Assistant, then a Troop of Noblemen and Gentlemen mounted on Horse-back; Next is the State ecclesiastical, whereof are the Clerks, Vicars and Curates, then the whole chapter of the Cathedrall, called Cabildum Ecclesia Majoris; after follow the Abbots and Priors, with their Covents; and to complete all, as the Cape-stone of this rare edisice, follow the Holy House, who this day are in their Glory and Splendour, being Trumpeters to their own same, and indeed may challenge work enough for a particular Narration, for before this Phaeton of Pride and Tyranny, is a way prepared, and distances kept, for the honour of their Holinesses, where the fiscal carrieth displayed, a Flag of read Damask made of turkey work, with the Picture of Pope Sixtus the fourth, that first granted the Charter to this Holy house; the other side is filled with King Ferdinando's Picture, that did first permit the holy Inquisition, all sumptuously embroidered with Silk and Purple, on the top whereof is a rich across of Silver-gilt, with the Crucifix, to which is done( by the vulgar) more homage then any other across, because it bears the holiness of the Name of Inquisition; now comes the Father hereof a soft majestic place, as prime of this Rout and Conquest: and as Gods vengeance creads on the heels of impiety, so after them come the familiars, and spirits of the devil, the slavish Officers of cruelty, as the devils are of Gods vengeance; rascals, that like the envenomed Spider, plucks in the industrious Bee from gathering honey, persons whose consciences( if mercy prevent not) must necessary hurry them, with horror and guilt, to the pit of despair: these I say, come following on Horse-back, all triumphing over their prisoners, as if they had cut out to themselves Trophies of honour, by a puissant Victory over the great Turk, then crowds a throng of vulgar spectators, crammed with big expectations of some wonderful sight; and all to behold this wonder of Gods patience and permission: Look I pray what will one day become of this illustrious piece of Glory, Isa. 5.4. Therefore hell hath enlarged her self and opened her mouth without measure, and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. However let all good Christians wait Gods time, for it is best, and he it is that will turn all to the good of his poor people; times of trial, are special times of comfort and joy, to those that overcome the devil, and follow the Lamb through all tribulations; it is the portion of all Gods Saints, to have an inheritance sweetened with Christs gracious presence, through all their hardships: To those that endure to the end, is provided a crown of immortal glory. These bloody Inquisitors, 'tis true, have had a large field of success, attending on their tall and huge impieties, but who knows how nigh it's at an end; I'll not venture to lay a prophesy upon their pride, but I hope it will terminate like a candle; we must not make actions robed in successses, an Index to the justness of a cause, for that's but holding the wrong end of the book upwards, there is few doubts that vengeance is a natural concomitant and attendant to such villainies: but times and seasons are in the hands of the Lord.  
Invested with this train of promising glory, pass these holy Inquisitors, from the Castle Triana, to a Scastold erected in public view, in the principal part of seville, where are ranked these poor souls in order as they came, ready to hear and receive the sentence of condemnation, against which Scaffold is reared up another, whereon the Lords Inquisitors sit, with their attendants, where with pride and insolence they behold their spoils as Trophies of their Conquest, like Aesops Crow, pranckt up with the feathers of others ruins; but as the Psalmist speaks, He will save the afflicted people, but will bring down the high look: Here they sit like Apes of the Devil, who in striving to imitate, excel their Tutor; these are the proud Nimrods, the mighty hunters of men, to day in their lustre, to morrow worse then the beast that perisheth; their memories are as hateful to the truly ingenious( as well catholic as Protestan) as the corrupt putrefaction to the smell; they are the very excrements of beelzeebub. The Psalmist says, 
Whilst the servants of Christ stand in public view with their tongues fastoned with an instrument, a Sermon is preached full of reproachful invectives and detestable impiety.  They that seek my soul to destroy it, shall go into the lowermost parts of the earth: God shall wound the head of his enemies, that thy feet may be dipped in the blood of thy enemies.  
Thus in order and silence a Sermon is begun, applauding so good a course, against such pernicious heretics; but indeed the best part of the Text is left, like cowards they run from it, and take liberty to reproach the servants of God, swerving from the principles of moral honest, in accusing those that are forced to hold their peace, with instruments put into their mouths on purpose, which piece of cruelty may not unfitly be compared, as to a Popish Magistrate, that before execution caused the tongue of a poor Protestant( which he had condemned to die) to be cut out, because he should not confess the truth: but mark the judgement of the Lord, the next child that was born unto this cruel Persecutor had no tongue; I leave the application to the ingenious Reader: Thus are these jesuits, by one fitly called, Concinnatores mendaces, the polishers and dressers of lies, their tongues being like sharp razors, fitted to slander: Thus are the faithful servants of the Lord patient under the across of Christ, and thus do the Inquisitors lay to their charge things they never knew, basely and dishonourably with virulent language, abusing the poor Saints of God, to make the world believe the worst of evils to be the greatest truths: lulling asleep, not only the vulgar and common sort of people, but the King and Nobles, even into a blind belief of admiring their cruelty for mercy.  
This railing invective, instead of a Sermon being ended, the sentences are red in order as the prisoners advanced, beginning with the least punishments first, which for brevity sake cannot have any grain of allowance to pass currant in this place, but in the examples of the particular sufferings of Gods Saints, shall in order be ranked among their glorious acts of piety and mercy.  
After these Sentences, the chief Commissioners for Inquisition sing some short prayer for those that through apostatising from the truth have the name of converts, yet must die also: The purport of this prayer is, That the Lord would vouchsafe strength in this day of trial, whereby they may proceed in the faith of Rome to their death; then it sung Miserere mei Deus, the 51 Psalm: begging mercy for them, and that absolution may be in Heaven far them, according to the tenor given by the Priests here on earth: Thus are they sentenced to death without mercy, or whipped with extremity, whereby usually this last proves the worst death: as also condemnation to the galley and forfeiture of Estates; this is the mercy the Church of Rome extends to converts, and those that repent of the true Religion to embrace the Doctrine of Devils; and in my judgement is a clear demonstration of Providence, that no soul may be encouraged in hope of life to deny their Lord and Saviour that purchased all those that believe with his dear and precious blood.  
This ended, 
All people present are forced to take an Oath against God and his people, by swearing to support this bloody brat of horrid cruelty.  the Lords Inquisitors sing some versicles, who are answered by the whole quire in a loud and strained voice: then the Inquisitor pronounces absolution to all such as are revolted from the faith to the Whore of Rome, yet not absolving à poenâ, but à culpâ tantum, and so endure the punishment without equity, mercy or conscience.  
Now one device more these Holy Fathers have, which seemeth strange, yet politic: all the people thronged together at this sight, must there publicly make a solemn Oath, in the presence of God, To live and die in obedience to the Church of Rome, defending it with hazard of life and goods: and as if this were not enough, they must forswear and curse whatsorver is contrary to the Articles of the said Church, and to defend this Holy House to their utmost power; and for witness and proof, they bear record before the face of God and his holy Angels one to another: which no sooner done, but the Nobles and common people, all like fools born under the Meridian of Ignorance, bend both bodies and souls to the Altar of these demigods, taking Oaths even against the eternal God of Heaven and earth, unworthily conspiring against Christ( as the Jews did,) to support this damnable Inquisition; which act is not much unlike those sauces which men praise wi●h tears in their eyes; for who knows not, that he that spits against Heaven, it falls in his face: The sruits of this blind zeal, is only a nursery of ●●a●hfull ignorance, under the clo●k of conceited knowledge; for demand a reason of these Cruelties, and abominable ways of the Inquisition, and you shall get no other answer from the highest in place, then that they are bound to maintain their power by a solemn Oath, and yet these simplo souls are as ready to be fetched into this net as any other, if the Lords Inquisitors have a spleen against them; thus are they hurried away with the tide of their own Imaginations, led by the hand of blind devotion, burning incense to the drag that hales them to perdition: One, he cries in the language of the Silver-smith that made shrines to Diana, Sirs ye know that by this trade we get our living; the people they echo, Great is the Goddess Diana, great is Diana of Ephesus: thus do the blind led the blind, I wish they may not both fall into the ditch.  
Now it falls out, that if any of these revolters from the cause of God( poor souls they are to be pitied, that such a transitory life as this poor world affords, should tempt them to forsake the sweet ways of our Lord Jesus, and embrace the horror of conscience, not to be appeased without the tender mercies of the Lord: These are the saddest souls I can espy amongst all these sufferers, it pities me to relate so sad a story) but I say, poor hearts, if it happen that any of them have been in any Priests orders, they must now undergo the act of degradation, which the Bishop that administered, arrayed in his Holy Robes, in sight of all the people, most strangely, barbarously, inhumanly and tragically performs, even to the pity and compassion, as well as admiration and detestation of all good and sober Christians. In order to this wonderful Cruelty, 
The act of degradation with great cruelty performed.  the party is dressed in the Holy apparel wherewith he used to give the Mass, then is despoiled of them again, using words of conjuration to every particle of this ornament, directly opposite to the words used at the putting them on, when he first received those Holy Orders. Next in order to this, they have a piece of broken glass or sharp knife, wherewith they cruelly scrape his hands, lips, and the crown of his head; denoting the taking off that Holy oil wherewith at his initiation he was anointed; At which sad spectacle some cannot but pity him, yet others curse him worse than Pagan or devil, every one judging as their fancy leads them: those that are not condemned to death, are degraded only verbaliter( as they phrase it) But this is some comfort, that they go not to their graves altogether without remorse of conscience for their sad apostasy.  
Now leave we this sad and doleful soul, and view another of their last parts of dissimulation, those that are thus as aforesaid termed penitent, are nevertheless mistrusted as if only in hopes of life; therefore they deliver him up to the secular power, with their humble request to use him courteously, without breaking any of his limbs, and yet all are already broken and the poor soul condemned to the fire: Nay if the Magistrates should let him escape, or else should not be burned according to their sentence given, they must supply his place, whose cause it was that he did not suffer: yet dissemblingly desire the Magistrates to deal with him in mercy. 
The miserable estate of poor Protestants by the Cruelty of Papists.  These poor creatures many of them have been brought to the scaffold with hardly a joint whole, with never a whole bone in their bodies; nay by cruel torments they have their guts, veins and sinews so disordered, that many have there died in their hands: A man would hardly believe this piece of hypocritical Impudence, that this poor wretch should be delivered to the secular Magistrate, with prayers and entreaties by the Lords Inquisitors, that neither bones should be broken in legs, arms, or any members of their bodies, and when they are delivered into their hands all are already broken, and the poor creature condemned to the fire: these are the wolves in sheeps clothing, who with the Peach, sheweth a rugged heart of ston under a smooth and soft coat: would one believe the Nobles and Magistrates of the kingdom, should cloud this fallacy and deceit with silence.  
Now the temporal Magistrate, 
The poor souls half dead with Torments, are lead to the stake burned alive, or killed first and then burned.  according to the desire of the Holy Fathers of the Inquisition, receive into their custody the Prisoners, carrying them to the place of execution, with Jesuits pressing them hard to forsake their Religion: Now as a device of this devilish Court, it is so ordered, that if any constantly persevere in the truth, and protest against their worshipping of Idols in stead of the living God, they often with a device on a sudden, break their neck against the stake, and bruit abroad that he died in the catholic faith; and thereupon the common people believe what they say, which is, that he felt no force of the fire, because he had turned to the truth of the Romish Religion.  
Now those that are to be otherwise punished then with death, are returned to prison, then next day whipped unmercifully, others sent to be galley-slaves, and the rest committed to perpetual imprisonment, with strict charge to reveal what shall come to their mindes concerning heretics, or at their peril; but especially that they never reveal any secrets of their Holy House, either of their useage one way or other; so that death would certainly be as welcome as this loathsome and cruel prison, and death is no less the assured wages which these poor souls must have for their disobedience: This argues guilt, that their Tyranny and Oppression should not come to the ears of the world: Now in this perpetual imprisonment, they are visited as before to little purpose, only to keep them in fear; and to find how they resent their punishment; if they find him faulty in revealing any secrets, or what they please to call crimes, he is then punished as they please.  
Many men of good reputation in Spain yet in prison, can have none allowed to speak with them, no nor shall they have the liberty to writ, unless they peruse and approve thereof; and all for fear least their allies and friends know of it, and so complain to his Majesty, who might haply know and then detest their abominations, and knavish Cruelty, bringing the Inquisition on their own heads; for indeed if the King and Court saw this mystery of Iniquity unveiled, I should admire how they could permit such a viper to grow in the Nation.  
Thus continuing in Prison two or three years, they now bring forth whom they please, and begin their old trade as at first; telling them, fresh Information is come in against them on evident proof, threatening the Rack and so to prison again; if that will not do, they fall to flattery, promising a release, and that not without a rehearsal of this as a great favour: and if any have a release, they have ghosts to smell their demeanour wherever they go, so as it soemeth only a liberty in order to future slavery.  
To close up all, As there are divers Sentences, so is the manner as various; those that are condemned to the fire to be burned alive, are termed Obstinate; and they are such as continue very resolutely: in the truth of God and faith of the Gospel; and some of these are strangled as aforesaid at the stake ere the fire be kindled, and then noised that they died in the faith of Rome: Some that through frailty of the flesh and extreme Torments, have confessed what they pleased, so seeming to change their belief( yet give good proof of suspicion that all was forced from their mouth, and not freely from the heart,) these are first to be strangled, and then burned. Yet of the same sort, some are to carry Tapers unlighted in their hands, with the Sambenite, and Ropes about their necks, all which are signs not only of guilt, but reconciliation; whereby they declare their sorrow, and are thereby purged from the evil of their fermer errors, and received into the bosom of the Church of Rome: and these vestments of dishonour must be worn during life, for some space or term of years, or else to perpetual imprisonment, or reclused in some Monastery: yet many that are so sentenced to perpetual imprisonment, get liberty in less time, especially if they can make friends to the King: and in a word, what ever the Sentence be, yet is all so left to the Inquisitors themselves, that what their pleasure is, must be. These poor prisoners thus condemned, are often redeemed with a good purchase; for there are young Gentlemen about the King at Court, that for their good services, and at their requests, are Pardons granted to sundry, which these young Gallants make merchant dize of, as their Holy Father the Pope does of his Bulls: for they speedily inquire out their Prisoners quality and judgement, and so accordingly contract at such a price as they can agree, selling the Kings Pardons at a dear rate, and yet cannot this be done without consent and notice given to the Inquisitors.  
Those which have sentence given of Imprisonment during pleasure, often pled and petition for liberty, but are put off with dilatory and cunning answers, referring the matter so one to another, that at last there is no hope, unless he can neatly slip a Bribe into some of the Officers hands; which once done, his lips are unlocked, his heart is open to pled according to the large bounty his hand has felt, more then any fellowfeeling of Christian bondage; now his Tongue being tipped with Silver, he begins to prattle and pled for his Client, and if this course be not taken, and that in a large manner, there is no hopes of Liberty.  
Now the Chief Inquisitors no sooner hear this Brother of this Holy Order prate in pleading, but he knows how squares go, nay and they understand his meaning by his gapeing, and the form of words he uses; however this poor Client is glad of Liberty, though the loss of his Estate has dearly purchased it. The customary pleadings in this Case, are usually as follows; My very good Lords, my humble svit to your good Lordships is, that this Prisoner may receive favour, of whose good life and conversation, together, with his patience in prison, I am fully informed of; therefore entreat your Lordships pleasure concerning his release: And this manner of purchase is so dear, as many times it's valued at half their Estates, sometimes all, so that it always provs a dearer purchase to the Protestants in spain, for the liberty of their bodies, 
The difference betwixt the Papists in England, and Protestants in Spain.  then it doth the catholics in England for both body and conscience. A catholic in England, known to be so, pays but a part of his Estate, which part is of less value then the liberty of conscience: but in Spain, the poor Protestant, if but suspected, is tortured beyond Christianity, nay all humanity: and if it can be proved that he is in the least rainted in his judgement, he must certainly lose both Life and Estate. Thus have we in part seen the Cruelty of Popish malice and rage against Protestants: Here may all catholics of England, see the Clemency of the Laws under which they live, the happy estate they enjoy, when compared with the sad afflictions of poor Protestants in Spain: If there were such a Court erected against Papists in England( as I wish from my soul I may never see) but I say, if it should be so, would not all the catholics endeavour, by all means to extirpate such a monster of impious Cruelty: Truly let such Ingenuous ●apists( as this book shall court perusal of) consider seriously whether they are not under the power of the Apostle, when he commands obedience even to Heathen Emperours, much more to Christians, and rather pray for, then plot against the Government of this Nation: Greater Liberty then they enjoy can they not desire; and I am sorry they are in conscience tied to such bloody Tenets, as to think it pardonable or meretorious, to kill, destroy, break covenant, what not, to such as they call heretics: I am sorry I say, that some of this Religion( otherwise ingenuous) yet in this, subject their Reason to their unsound judgments; this is that which makes them utterly uncapable of protection, or sufferance in a well constituted Government; were this the judgement of the I rotestants in Spain, France, &c. I would be the first with my vote for an Exile and banishment, where their rebellious judgement should be lost in a non-imployment, they should not have sooting in any place where Civil Government bears sway; Terra Incognita, should be their portions, and wild beasts and barbarians their companions: This is that which breaks society and friendly communion; for when men are bound in conscience to do mischief, what place they are fit to live in, I know not. What would we account of that man, that should hug a Snake in his bosom, which he knows will certainly sting him to death? Or what would be thought of that man, that hires servants into his family, which he knows are bound to kill him if they can? These considerations are too plain to descant upon, they are known to all that know any thing, I wish those that are ignorant of i●, may not find experience their sad Informer, and then remember the Scotch Proverb, To stick the door when the stead is stolen; then will we wish that those luxuriant branches of English indulgency, had been lopped before we had been cut by the root; then may we complain with the three that was hewn down with wedges cut out of its own bowels: Shall any Nation led us an example of rooting out such moles as dig under ground, and undermine the foundation of Government and society? Shall any Magistrates be more forward to suppress good, then we to supplant evil? Shall the Pope or King of Spain, be more forward to erect the babel of Confusion, then we the Gospel of truth? Are not, I say, their judgements of such a general and powerful influence, as to prove like worms in children, that devour the place of their birth, and at last themselves to; like envy, that together with the loss of its enemies, runs the hazard of his own life, and cares not for the later so he may accomplish the former. But really I hope and wish better from those in England, who if touched with the least part of an ingenious temper, will no doubt on serious deliberation, be thankful to God for such a mercy as the liberty of their consciences; a thing as hearty desired in Spain for Protestants, and certainly performed here for catholics.  
Thus, courteous Reader, have I led thee through the windings and turnings of this cursed and bloody Inquisition in seville, and I question not, but if any thing more be come to light of their practices in any other part of Spain, they may be communitable, and may serve as additional( by better and abler heads then mine) for time to come: But I say, here thou seest the cursedness of this Court in seville only; the unhappy beginning of the Inquisition, the doleful effects and products of its progress in the Netherlands, amongst the Waldenses, in Arragon; the bloody cruelties, torments, racks and miseries, which many of the true servants of the Lord have, and do endure to this day; the horrible effusion of blood, when essaied to be settled, and the gulf of misery where erected; let all true Protestants wish a speedy period to this engine of Tyranny, and nursery of Cruelty, this Leviathan of horror and confusion unto all places where it comes: the good Lord of his mercy deliver his poor servants out of this prison of diabolical slavery, and also free the world of such a crimson brat.  
We shall now proceed in order to the Conclusion, only let the world a little taste of their practices on particulrr persons in a few examples, not only the better to enliven our History, but to show that as the Theory of this mystery of iniquity has in part been discovered, so also may the practic part to the wonder of after ages, and to stir up this, not only to detest, but if possible, 
Gods justice on bloody persecutors by some notable and remarkable examples.  to divest these bloody Inquisitors, of their robes of hypocrisy and Cruelty, under the Vestments of sanctity and mercy. Only let us by the way observe the judgements of the Lord against some notorious Persecutors, that others may beware how they dally with blood and murders, under pretence of doing justice on offenders.  
See the woeful estate of Bishop gardener, to whom the wrath of God in this world was fully manifested, in striking him into such a wonderful disease, that before his death such a horrible stink came from his body, that none of his friends could come nigh him, his face had imprinted on it the terrible aspect of the wrath of God, his members all rotten, and in the midst of his torments blasphemed the Lord of Glory; so in the full breathing of the vengeance of the Lord, he ended his miserable and comfortless daies.  
In Piedmont in France( where was once a flourishing Sun-shine of the Gospel) at a place called Briquera●, lived one John Martin Trumbant, who to exercise the fury of his cruel nature, against the Saints of God,( the poor Waldenses and Albigenses) did at a certain time, in a vaunting bravadee, miserable cut off the nose of a faithful Minister of the Gospel at Angrone, but mark the just judgements of the Lord, for a Wolf( that was never known to molest any) did seize on him, and bite off his nose, and so like a mad man he ended his miserable life, which wonderful piece of heavenly justice, did so strangely amaze all the country thereabouts that heard of it, as it made them to tremble at the wrath and terror of the Lord against such wretched and cruel persecutors.  
There was in the City of Anvers, a cruel Magistrate, that loved to exercise his malicious designs against the people of God, and that in the various ways of great cruelties, who having for Religion condemned many godly and precious Christians, was now beholding some part of his cruelties, to be exercised on some Saints of God, which he had ordered to die, but just at the place where he was standing to take his view, the wrath of God did suddenly seize upon him, that ere he stepped from the place, he fell into a desperate condition, was lead away to his house in a distinacted frame, crying and howling in the pangs of a ●ormented conscience, That he had condemned the innocent, and  shed the blood of poor guiltless soul●●●: In this sad estate he immediately ended his cruel life.  
Felix Earl of Wartenburg Captain to the Emperour Charles the fifth, in a high rant at supper in ●usburge said, He would ride up to the spurs in the blood of the ●utherans; bu● th● judgements of the Lord are true and righteous, he will find out such bloody resolutions, and not only st●fle them in the cradle, but reward them also: This Earl is the same night strangled and choked with his own blood, that rose up in his throat, so that through a secret and providential way of God, by a judgement wherein he ●●ed no agents, or concurrents, whereby men might say 'twas the venom of such a mans malice, no, I say it was the direct finger of God that he should be bathed in his own blood.  
Let's see an example at home, Doctor Whittington chancellor to the Bishop in K. Henry the seventh's Reign, had most cruelly condemned to death a very godly woman of Chippingsadbury for Religion, a confluence of people resort to see her Martyrdom, the Doctor also is present to see execution; she suffers with great constancy, going in a fiery Chariot to her Fathers mansions, prepared for all his faithful Saints and servants. The people returning home in throngs as they came, were encountered with a Bull that had broken loose from the Butcher, runs through the midst of the people and hurt none, and overtaking the chancellor, being thrust with some supernatural motion, he r●ns at him, and with the first thrust gored him through the belly, and sundry times run his horns into his guts, which he pulled out and trailed on his horns through the Town, to the great amazement of all the beholders. Who says this was not a piece of Gods own pointing out?  
What other death had Charles the ninth King of France, who having died rivers with Protestant blood, did at last wallow in his own: Many might be brought into our view and observation; but Gods ways as they are often perspicuous, so are also many times invisible and past finding out.   

CHAPTER VII.  
COurteous Reader, Expect only as a conclusion, a few instances of the particular treacheries and cruelties of this bloody Inquisition; that thou mayst not only see the Doctrine of these rabbis of blood and confusion, but also taste the use they make of their time and power: Here shalt thou find some testimonies of Gods Saints to the Truth of his Everlasting Word, and blessed Gospel of our Lord Jesus, sealed with their blood in a constant suffering, and a joyful death in order to their eternal life, and Crown of heavenly immortality, where now all their bitter sufferings are sweetened, and made up abundantly, in the full fruition of their blessed Redeemer; yet are they branded by these fire-brands of bloody cruelty to have revolted from the truth, and died in the faith of the Church of Rome; but nevertheless, are not so accounted of by all that love and fear the Lord Jesus: Neither can I give thee a taste of any of their dealings, but such as have been practised in this Court of seville; those innumerable cruelties, and barbarous impieties, as are daily practised in other Courts of the bloody Inquisition all over the Kingdom of Spain, I am altogether ignorant of. But to our purpose.  
There was one Mr Nicholas Burton of England, that for his Religion was apprehended and imprisoned, who being a sober, godly and zealous Christian, constant to his Saviour, detesting their abominable Idolatry in worshipping Idols, was therefore burned alive most cruelly, as followeth:  
This Mr Nicholas Burton was a Citizen of London, 
The burning of an English Mer●hant for his Religion.  but now resided in Cadiz; he was imprisoned and laid in heavy irons for fourteen daies in a loathsome place, yet could nothing be laid to his charge whereof he was guilty; in prison he did good to others in whose company he was kept, on notice whereof he is removed to the Castle of Triana in seville, where he endures great misery; he is tormented with the rack and other cruelties, none could be admitted to see him, nor could he find means to writ or speak to any of his dear Countrymen of England; he is at last brought forth on the stage, arrayed with the Sambenit, his tongue secured from speaking a word to any, he is hurried away and burned alive, which he endureth with immovable constancy and patience in the Lords good will and pleasure.  
At the same time also an English man was burned with him for Religion: 
Sundry English Protestants suffer death for their Religion.  and it was not long after that Mr John Baker, and Mr William Burgate, both English men, were burned alive after their manner; also Mr. William burgess Master of an English vessel. Oh! these cruelties deserve to be engraven in the minds of all English Protestants as a horrible and detestable thing not to be suffered in the world.  
All the goods which the said Mr. Burton brought along with him from England, and also all other goods in his custody, which he was Factor for, were seized upon; news arriving at London, one Mr. John Framton, Citizen of bristol, speeds away for Spain, as an Attorney, to claim and recover the goods for which Mr. Burton was Factor, and in whose custody they were; where being landed, he demands restitution, they tell him he must retain an Advocate, which they pretended was of their favour and courtesy, he fees one, paying eight Rials for every Bill, and twice a day for three or four moneths together, did he pled on his knees for dispatch, but at last was  told his proof was insufficient, and without better evidence could not be restored. He speeds to London, and returns with ample testimony, he is put off with dilatory answers four moneths to no purpose; but at last growing earnest( especially having emptied his money out of his own purse into theirs) he was referred to the Bishop of Tarracon, then chief Inquisitor, he refers it to the rest of the House, that from one to the other he laboured in vain, and the more he stirred, the more he involved himself in a labirinth; the more he struggled, the more he is entangled in the quagmi●e of their subtle and crafty snares; at last through his importunity, they resolve his dispatch( but to his cost) for one Licentiato Gasco, a crafty Inquisitor, ordered him to come to his house after dinner, he rejoices in hopes of speedy redress, and so not doubting nor fearing, did at evening repair to his house, he is no sooner come, but order is given to the Jaylor to put him into a close prison, destined on purpose for this innocent soul. Now in a dark dungeon, solitariness, the mother of anxious though●s, drives him into a maze, he contemplates on his own misfortunes, which he little expected to be the natural production of their fair speeches, of seeming good infinuating baseness; but now too late to red●ess his own grievances, he is forced to bite on the bridle of his too rigid fate: Two or three daies after, he is brought before the Court, he demands his goods with a countenance becoming bold innocence, they answer him with a command to say his have Maria, who in much sincerity and plain simplicity, according to the English mode begins have Maria gratiâ plena Dominu● tecum, benedicta tu in mulieribus, & benedictu● fructus ventris tui Jesus. Amen. They pen it verbatim, with remanding him to prison, entering action against him as an heretic, and no other reason, but that he did not add, Sancta Maria matter Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus, by the omission whereof he rendered himself of the contrary judgement to the lawfulness of prayer to Saints; after long imprisonment, he is disgracefully brought with the rest of their prisoners as aforesaid in their triumphant manner, 
Great injustice to an English man.  where he received sentence to lose the poods he sued for( yet not his own) and to suffer the term of a year in prison.  
There did also arrive a rich Merchant, whose ship was valued high, in regard such another( before that time) never was seen in that River; and though there was proof brought, that the ship was not his own, yet being apprehended for Religion, his ship was confiscate as if they had been his proper goods. Thus like the frantic graecian Thrasilaus, who sate and counted all the ships that sailed into the Haven at Athens, and with no less joy then confidence, reports them to be his own: So here in this Inquisition, they imitate the King of Spain their Master, that challenges the Western World as his Inheritance, because the Pope by Donation entitles him thereunto, that none must trade in these Seas but by his leave and permission, so the Inquisitors show to all the world what they gape after, when for one mans offence others must suffer, when it may be, it was other mens goods that he undergoes these afflictions for, and not his Religion, but that is a brave Canopy to hid their intentions and cursed hearts: But these are the Achans, and accursed things that will secretly devour all the rest. The great spoil that Scipio's souldiers made of that Magnificent and Royal Temple of Thelouse, a City in France, situate near the Pyrene mountains, the remembrance of which is become hateful, in that all which had a hand in the sacking thereof, prospered to their own ruin; and therefore to this day is become proverbial, for if any fall low by any means in his estate, they presently say, he had some of the Gold of Tholouse. Just thus, no doubt, will God deal with these bloody Inquifitors, make these ill got goods a curse to themselves and posterity  
In this City of seville dwelled a very godly Christian, 
A godly Christia● for Religion suffers the loss of estate and ton years imprisonment.  whom they cruelly persecuted for Religion, and at last was condemned to the loss of his whole estate, and ten years imprisonment; having nothing but the benevolence of good people as a staff to support his life, who once lived in good rank and quality.  
About this time( my heart bleeds to relate) was imprisoned, and with great cruelties murdered, a Lady of Noble birth, her name Joanna Bohorquia, daughter to one Pedro Garsia Xeresio, being the Lady and Wife of Francisco Varquio, Baron of Higuera, a Gentleman of a Noble extract: the reason whereof was, that her own sister, Maria Boborquia( a godly Virgin that was burned for the sake of the Gospel) had( poor soul) in the extremity of torment, 
A Noble Lady inhumanly murdered with variety of cruelties & torments, enough to make any Christian abhor the thoughts and weep at the perusal.  confessed her conference with this Lady her sister, in matters of Religion: This Lady Joanna, was on her first imprisonment gone with child near six moneths, for which she received some favour, yet these cruel tigers after four daies of her delivery, took away the child, and in seven daies after she is close prisoner; no better usage allowed her then the worst of prisoners, her only comfort being in the good providence of God, that had provided a meet consort in prison, a young Virgin, who was not long there, but she was racked and tormented with great cruelty, and being returned to prison in great misery, did receive much compassion from this Lady, who was too sad a spectator of her sad miseries, but could not be a helper, wherein she also saw an emblem of her following misery, whereby she was freshly put in mind to seek for aid from heaven to undergo; and indeed so it proved: for this Virgin was hardly well recovered, till this godly and tender Lady was by these cruel tyrants tormented most terribly in the Burry and through, and by exceeding hard straining of the cords, they were sunk into the flesh, both of her arms, thighs, and shins, insomuch as she was returned to prison more then half dead; the blood flowing from out her mouth in so great a measure( poor Lady) that some of her inward parts were broken: Oh! who has a heart of a Christian and not to  shed a tear( at least) for this poor Ladies sad and miserable condition? What soul can read and not abhor these sad and unparalleled murdering cruelties? and if God had not declared himself long suffering, and slow to anger, I should here in admiration wonder that his patience should pass by these villains; these are Vultures that seize on men, endeavouring to destroy the likeness of God, which he hath( as the Psalmist says) wonderfully made. This great example of horrid impiety, and monstrous cruelty, fulfils the old adage and turns it into a truth, Homo homini Lupus, one man is a Wolf to another: But we all know that no brute beasts will prey upon its similitude; the Lion will not prey upon the Lion, nor the Bear tyramnize over its fellow; yet Man the noblest creature that God hath made, and endued also with reason, that great stamp of destruction, that any soul should destroy that standard of the Lord, it bodes nothing less, then the wrath of an eternal God; but let us not wonder at this piece of savage cruelty, What will not malice do, seeing it's the daughter of pride, and the natural parent of blood and slaughters? This is the slime and impostume of the soul, that breaks out upon others, and consumes itself; I have not one example of such a bloody slain to set beside it; no example that will favour this grand Barbarism, only one piece of envious wickedness, which though in itself truly cruel, yet may put a lustre on this piece of infamy, and set it off in its colours rather, then strive to stand on tiptoes with it; yet standing on the same ground, I cannot pass it by without special notice.  
A Noble Lady, too jealous of her Lords loyalty to her, and as much afraid of his dalliances with a beautiful Gentlewoman her Chamber-maid;( though not the least grounds to suspect either) her Lord once absent, she took occasion to act revenge on this poor Gentlewoman, and for a great crime pretended, was committed to prison; she therefore was forced to enter into a prison under the Castle, which was indeed a deep, obscure, desolate dungeon: which for many years together, had been kept shut with an iron gate, and by reason of the premises did mustiply and abound with all vermin as Toads, Adders, Snakes and other Serpentine creatures,( Oh! sad to think) here is this poor sweet Gentlewoman committed to the mercy of such Vultures, as will no doubt, be her companions and lodge in her bosom, she is no sooner in, and the doors shut, but from all corners of this vault these Adders, Toads, Suakes, and other vermin come apace, with horrible cro●king and hissing( a terror to hear or think of) they seize on all parts of her body within the reach of their power, she with terrible and lamentable, shrieks strikes with her hands to beat them off her innocent body, but it's fruitless: A servans with no less pity then humanity listeneth, and hearing this doleful Gentlewoman make a noise( enough to move these ravenous creatures, if possible, to forbear tormenting innocency) he repairs to his Lady, humbly supplicates to understand the wretched and miserable condition of her poor waiting Gentlewoman, she is so far from giving ease to his compassionate complaints, as she condemns him for boldness, and makes him feel the power of her rage in her blows; evening approached, so also the misery of this poor Gentlewoman, whose doleful noise made, not only an echo in the vault where she was, but in the hearts of all that listened to this sad noise of her doleful cries; he again fals on his knees before his Lady, who in a rage kicked him out of her sight. After supper at midnight he approaches, but hearing no noise, believed that silence proclaimed her death, he runs to his Ladies chamber, raps at the door, wakens her, tells her she had the desire of her bloody purposes, for he was too afraid the poor Virgin, had left this world for a better, she startles with sudden astonishment, and rising calls for lights, commands the Dungeon door to be opened, where they find a sad spectacle( I sigh to remember it, wishing I had not a fancy for imagination to dwell) the poor Gentlewoman dead, thrown upon her back, and no fewer then four great Snakes wrapped about her, one whereof being of an extraordinary size was about her neck, another had twisted it self-about both her legs, a third about her waste, a fourth stuck about her cheeks, stretching itself to its uttermost extent, which was no sooner taken off, but burst with blood it had sucked; the Lady is suddenly amazed and struck with such horror at the sight, fell into a sudden melancholy, from thence stepped into raging madness, and at last fell into her grave in that condition. And now when I have seriously considered this sad relation, I confess 'tis a cruelty of the greatest magnitude, yet will not strive for pre-eminence with this our Inquisitors cruelty; because they justify their injustice and barbarism, which nature would condemn in Beasts.  
But lot us return with sorrow to view this poor Lady in her blood, 
This poor Lady yields up her soul to God.  to whom the Lord in mercy afforded so much pity, as in eight daies time after this cruelty of devils incarnate, she ended her miserable daies, and was taken to that blessed and everlasting rest of our dear Lord Jesus, in whose Kingdom is joy, and at whose right hand are pleasures for evermore: That promise in Psal. 72. being fulfilled, He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence, and precious shall their blood be in his sight.  
Thus was this tender Lady torn in pieces with great inhumanity, and Lion like cruelty, and yet such is the power of these devils in stead of men, of the holy Inquisitors, that they may kill, destroy, murder, and do any such wickedness, without giving any account. But now because this sweet tempered and virtuous Lady, was of an untainted conversation and behaviour in the world, therefore it reflected with the more ignominy upon these holy Fathers; so that to stop the mouth of scandal, and reproach of famed, the first day of the next public Triumph, they caused this sentence to be published in hearing of all the people.  
Forasmuch as this Lady died in prison( oh cruel Murtherers!) and upon diligent hearing and consideration of her cause, is found innocent; therefore the Holy House doth wholly acquit and discharge her of all suits and quarrels, commenced against her by the fiscal; and do restore her to her sormer estate of estimation and bonour, absolving her clearly siom all guilt and crime, and thereupon do command that restitution be made of all such goods as were seized into the sequester, unto the hands of such persons as have right and title thereunto, &c. Oh! bloody and cursed Fathers of Cruelty, that first murdered this poor innocent Lady in a beastly and bloody way, now denounce her not guilty: then I pray let all the world judge what these blood thirsty villains are gu●●ty of, if she be not and yet murdered: these are Cruelties, whose altitude no doubt reaches Heaven, and pierces the hearts of the sons of men; this Court of Blood cannot but be loaden with ponderous weights of Cruelties, the boughs no question are ready to break with bending; they are full fraught by the devil their merchant, who no doubt also endeavours to unlade the burden at his own Whatfe, and bundle them up in his own Warehouse, if the wind and sweet gale of the blessed Spirit of God( that bloweth where it listeth,) do not interpose and fill their sails with a merciful blast, and cause them to arrive at a better Port then his terrible and unavoidable vengeance. The Lord the judge of all men will one day before all the world, before the face of Saints and Angels, render vengeance upon such barbarous Tyrants; and in thy good time oh Lord, put an end to the miseries of thy poor Saints in this world, that when thy blessed will is to punish for sin, let it be from thy own hand though in a greater measure, for the mercy of men is cruel, but thou remembrest mercy in the midst of thine anger.  
There was a certain Priest in seville, 
An example of Injustice.  that had detained a poor mans Wife by violence, him would not these Holy Fathers punish, but rather punish the poor man; for being once in company where a discourse was raised about Purgatory, this poor man simply replies, he had ●urgatory enough, that had his Wife violently detained from him by a knave: &c. This reiest accuses this poor man to the Inquisitors, that he held an ill opinion of. Purgatory; whereupon he is imprisoned, where he l●es the space of two complete years, and at last sentenced to the Sambenite for three years more, in some private prison; and after that three years imprisonment, to be dealt withall as the Lords Inquisitors should see cause; withall, taking from him all his Estate to a Penny: yet this lust full and beastly Priest, was suffered not only to go unpunished, but had this poor mans Wife still retained as his Harlot.  
A certain man at St Lucas, that dwelled in a chapel, hearing a rumour of many Lutherans that were daily imprisoned; 
Great punishment for a small fault.  as also of an Edict upon pain of Excommunication, that all such as knew any thing concerning that Sect, either of themselves or others, should not only free themselves by this voluntary confession, but should be well reputed of by the Lords Inquisitors; this poor man speedily repairs to the Office, acquaints them, that being once at Geneva, he heard a disputation about Justification by faith in Christ, which he thought pleased him, yet since that time he thought not any more thereof, but was steadfast in the Romish faith, and so he came to crave pardon for this mighty fault: Now for this only he is imprisoned three moneths, and to wear the Sambenite. Like that Knight of Rome, that for translating a Dream into words, was put to death: So this poor man had better suppress his thoughts, and taught another thought to have killed this, then to have thrown it out of his breast, by the violence of his tongue, and thereby prostrate his conscience, to the mercy of such cruel men: but alas how many are so frighted to condemn their thoughts, by a public confession, as if their thoughts were perspicuous, or as if they meant to make them their ghostly Fathers; but their Torments to some are warning enough to others. I cannot forget the fearful temper of one in seville, of whom the Inquisitors requested a few Pears which grew on a fruitful three in his Garden; he is so terrified, that he plucks up the three by the roots, and glad to give them Fruit and three and all; Such Tyrants requests are Laws, and to have refused this request, had been to beg his own death; if he had not plucked his three up by the roots, they would pluck him up root and branch. If the Lords Inquisitors desire thy riches or estate, woe be to thee, thy Land and Goods will undo thee: as it's reported of Q Aurelius a Citizen of Rome in Syllaes time, who stood neuter in the times of calamity, but yet lamented the great devastations and spoil of his poor Country, and coming to the marker-place, heheard his Name red amongst others that were proscribed to death: he presently cried out; Oh! unfortunate man that I am, my house at Alba is the cause of my death; and presently was openly slain.  
A Citizen of seville, for saying, 
Great Cruelty as a reward of Charity.  The great excess and expense used in Monuments on Holy Thursday and Corpus Christi day, were better bestowed on poor people, was imprisoned a whole year, brought on the stage without cap or cloak, a wax Taper in his hand, and forced to pay one hundred Duccats, towards the charge of the Inquisition.  
Another, for saying, That he thought God would not come down into the hands of such an idolatrous Priest, suffered with a Taper in his Hand, his hat off, a Barnacle on his Tongue, after a years imprisonment.  
A young Student having Verses found in his book, contrived, as they sounded to the praise or dispraise of the Lutherans, was therefore imprisoned two years, brought on the scaffold with hose and doublet, barehead, and Taper in his hand, and banished seville for three years: So also was another scholar served, only instead of banishment, he payed 100 Duccats, and only for having a copy of these Verses. Many such examples might be produced, whereby all the world might see by what means this Holy House support their cruelties, robberies, murders and villainies, even to the sad decay of many a godly man and his family.  
I shall Christian Reader, give thee a taste of their Bloody dealings with many of Gods Saints, who dying Martyrs, yet are basely slandered by them, as Apostatizers and Revolters from the true Religion Reformed, to papism, which they do by false reports affix to their Names after their deaths. It will not be amiss to give a short, yet particular account of them, that posterity may not be robbed of such Pil●ars, on which Gods truth stands; that their memories may not be lost with their lives, but that to the glory of God, and their own, they may stand as Monuments of Examples to succeeding Ages.  
At a public day of Triumph, 
The blessed Martyrdom of John Pontio de Leon of a Noble Family in Spain.  was brought forth on the Scaffold one John Pontio de Leon, son to Rhodcrico Pontio de Leon, Earl of Balen, of a Noble Family of spain, he was a very godly Christian, and endowed with Learning and knowledge of the Truth, and for many years had continued the profession thereof, in a holy and godly conversation: To poor needy Christians he was more then ordinarily charitable, the bowels of compassion moved him to the very exhausting of a good Estate, for which he was ( by those that loved not his person, nor charitable example) branded with prodigality. But we know, that envy like a dark shadow, always waits on a shining merit. For being taken notice of to be without hypocrisy( the bane of this formal Age,) it was therefore accounted in him a singular virtue, and accounted otherwise only from emulation: These( besides many other graces which God had given him) was he enriched withall; This, says my Author, was known to himself and many others to be true, which he attests to be so in the presence of the Lord.  
This poor heart was for his profession of the Gospel imprisoned, and after cruel and barbarous Tortures, and racking for the space of three moneths, was through the extremity thereof, with enticing words of flatterers, persuaded to embrace their enchantments for truth; thus through the frailty of the flesh, he shrunk and retired, by reason of their strong assaults and devilish Cruelty; whereas before he seemed invincible, not unfitly to be compared to blessed Peter, Ile die with thee before I deny thee, yet before the Cock crew thrice, who knows not how often he denied his Lord and Master? and as Peter, so shall we see this holy servant of Christ, show a testimony to his truth and integrity of his heart, both sealed with his best blood. Thus we see how the Lord will not leave nor forsake quiter, it's but for a time, and then shall his presence be renewed with more strength and comfort; and thus did the Lord show power in weakness: for the very night before execution, when a confessor approached, he refused his favour, 
A blessed Confession sealed with his blood with great constancy and zeal.  with a godly reproof and rebuk.  
Next day Sentence was pronounced against him; and first for that he abhorred from his soul the sinful Idolatry in adoration of the Bread; but principally he confessed the Merits of Jesus Christ were the only way of Salvation, and for the Popes Indulgencies and Pardons, they were only Parchment and led, and he himself the very Antichrist, &c. And for myself says he, I value this life and the things thereof at so low a rate, that if God please to call me to it, I have a life to testify the true undervalue of these mortal enjoyments; praying to the Lord Jesus for my dear Wife and Children, that they may continue in the same belief, to the loss of all they have in this world, and life withall. Thus with Moses, he choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. This holy servant of God they brand with an Infamous apostasy to his death, and yet contradict their own report in their Records, which runs thus: John Pontio de Leon, was burned as an obstinath Lutheran heretic. This was the godly end of this faithful servant of Jesus, who after he had endured the across, and despised the shane, 
John Gonsalue witness to the truth of Christ with his own blood.  sate down at the right hand of God in Heaven.  
At the same time of Triumph and Dersecution, was brought on the Scaffold a godly soul, by Name John Gonsalue, who formerly had been a Popish Priest, but now a servant of the Lord Jesus, and a faithful sufferer for his Name; who in time of his ignorance preached up the trash and trumpery of the Pope: But now the Lord in his mercy having opened his eyes, he preached the Faith of Christ, crying up the merits of his Saviour above all our own, being justified freely by his grace: His Confession was much to the purpose of his dear acquaintance and fellow sufferer John Pontio de Leon. To him the Priests resort the night before he suffered, but he refisted their strong temptations, with shane to themselves and comfort to his own soul, He now departs to the Scaffold with two of his own Sisters going thither to suffer also: he left in prison two of his Brethren and his Mother, one of which Brethren and Mother suffered death the next day of trial and triumph.  
He publicly shows himself steadfast, constant and cheerful, for the very first step he made out of the Castle gate, perceiving himself in view of all the people, he speaks with a loud voice unto them from the 106 Psalm, Praise ye the Lord, O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever: Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord, who can show forth all his praise? blessed is he that keepeth judgement and doth righteousness at all times, &c. condemning all Hypocrites as the scum of all wickedness; and thus he was carried to the Scaffold, where being mounted, with an undaunted countenance, he began to comfort one of his dear Sisters, of whose soft and flexible disposition he was well acquainted, whom he exhorted to constancy for the sake of Jesus Christ, and that nothing doubting a better reward was laid up in Heaven then the world could afford, &c. presently they stopped his mouth with an instrument on his Tongue, 
He receives the act of Degradation with as much constancy as they acted it with unexpressible cruelty.  then they red his Sentence, and so fell to that hideous manner of degradation, which was every part performed most miserable in si●ht of all the people: then they put on a Sambenite, a Cope, and Hat of paper with Devils painted( their own pictures being a lively copy) Now they must say the Credo, and when they came to say, I believe in the holy catholic Church, they were bid say the Romish Church, but they all refused, and the rest perceiving this godly and zealous Christian his mouth to be stopped, they took this occasion to open his lips, that they might set forth the p●aise of God; and some  told the Monks and Priests, they would do as John G●nsalue did; whereupon they opened his mouth, from whence flowed such an holy Confession of the true Doctrine of Justification in the Lord Jesus, as not only shamed and vexed the Holy Fathers and Priests, but also much comforted these Holy Christians ready to suffer: 
Their martyrdoms with great patience and comfort.  this done, contrary to their expectation, they unworthily and cruelly broken their necks, with a device they had, and rumourd it abroad, that they had added those words, the Church of Rome, thereby confessing the Church of Rome the true and catholic Church. Thus died this blessed Martyr, and holy Saint of the most High God, who witnessing a good Confession, sealed it with his blood; to the Lord be only praise, honour and glory for evermore.  
In the Assembly of Protestants in seville, 
Four godly and gracious women suffering as patterns of zeal and holiness.  there were amongst the rest four godly and zealous women, who come on the stage of observation to act the tragical part of these villains Cruelties, but indeed in the sight of God a sweet smelling sacrifice. The first was Isabella Vaenia, the second Maria Viroesia, the next Cornelia, lastly Bohorquia; This Isabella Vaenia's house, was a Nursery of virtue and godliness, a place of resort for the Saints of God to meet, and sing Psalms of praises day and night to his holy Name, wherein( says my Author) was no profaneness nor hypocritical dissimulation( too much the mode of these pharisaical times;) Oh! that our present age of Attainments, were not too much tainted with this sin of hypocrisy, a thing enough detested in former ages, though too much hugged in this; I am afraid too many professors of the Gospel, make the outward garb the cape-stone, the top of their acquests; having only a palate to digest the Advantages that accrue by outward comportment; love the golden shell of preferment, but have not a heart to relish the kernel of sincerity and upright godliness. These Saints that had little knowledge comparatively( yet according to the Candle of the Lord set up amongst them) will one day condemn many a glorious professor, that shines in the eyes of the godly like a Beacon on a hill: What is to be valued at the ra●e of sincerity, that little grain of truth, will surmount all the glorious titles of outward profession at the great day; the foolish Virgins will enough demonstrate this assertion, if the times were not guilty enough and ready to confess it; 'tis a truth too sadly to be considered and bewailed. Now for this Bohorquia, 
A godly example.  her godliness was above her age, having scarce seen twenty one years: she was very much red in the holy Scriptures( a rich and godly practise, too much slighted in this age of knowledge, for if Gods word be our counselor all day, it will be our comforter all night, in the dark night of affliction; daily experience is enough forcible to turn this assertion into a truth: Luther would not take all the world for one leaf of the Bible) which she attained to by conference with godly and holy men, and by continual studying therein; following that blessed Exhortation of our Saviour, Search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life, and they be they which testify of me. She often routed the learned Priests and rabbis which came to her in time of her imprisonment, where by their own confession, they were forced to yield and withdraw in admiration: all their temptations could not stir the mood of her calm thoughts. She had some knowledge of the latin; her Tutor Dr Giles( a man of integrity and upright conversation, and withall an excellent scholar,) often said, He never came into her society, but he was much bettered by somewhat he learned from her. The Dominicans often disputed with her, and wondered much at her excellent wit, in answering their sophistical Objections, and above all, cutting all their subtle Arguments asunder, with the often quoting of the Scriptures, which was always at her fingers ends.  
These patterns of Holiness, and patrons of the Truth, were at once with sundry others, caught in the Inquisition net: This sweet soul Bohorquia, was cruelly tormented with all extremity, and kept a long time in a dark and stinking dungeon, and in the midst of these Darts of the devil, she was so tormented with his Instruments of Cruelty, as she was forced to confess, that her own Sister was of the same Religion; 
A godly soul murdered with extreme Torment. Rev. 6.18. Joy in the Lord.  whereupon she was imprisoned, and by extremity of torment ended her daies, yielding up her soul to her Lord and Maker, where now she is praising his holy Name.  
Well, this holy Saint Bohorquia cometh to the Scaffold, with such joy and peace of conscience, with such praises of the most high God in her heart and mouth, as if she had been triumphing over the Inquisitors themselves; and may not unfitly be compared to that godly soul Anne Askew in Q. Maries daies, that subscribed to her confession: Written by me Anne Askew, that neither wisheth death, nor feareth his might, and as merry as one that is bound for Heaven: Thus was the Lord pleased to refresh this blessed Bohorquia, with his gracious presence in her soul: which joy in the Lord did so fret her bloody and cruel Persecutors, that instead of singing Psalms of praises, they forced her to sing in silence, by setting a Barnacle on her Tongue: But poor fools, are they so ignorant, as not to know that God accepts the heart as the only pledge of service, and that all men are accused or acquitted according thereunto: But when she came to the Scaffold it was taken off, their Judgments are red, and she demanded, Whether she will recant or persist in her obstinacy; but as godly Askew aforesaid, at the like demand answered, that she came not thither to deny the Lord her Master, so she boldly answered, She could not, nor would not by Gods grace, frustrate her own hopes, by apostatising from the truth and grace of God, to the idolising of stocks and stones: So they are all four carried to the stake, 
They are all strangled with halters, and then burned.  but these villains strangle these innocent souls with halters, and report they died in the belief of the Romish Church. The House of that holy Matron Vaenia, they ordered to be razed to the ground, and an infamous inscription graved in marble; but who ever fought against God and prespered? can any call that evil which God calls good? who can wipe off the blessed character that God graves to posterity on such souls as suffer for the truth of his Name? Thus do the dear Saints of the most high God, reap a joyful harvest of their past sorrows: they accounted not their live, dear, so as they might finish their course with joy. 
A young man a zealous sufferer for the Name of Jesus.  They overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death.  
The next in order which witnessed to the truth of our blessed Redeemer, was Fardinando a Sancto Joanne, a young man of the same Congregation and Assembly at seville, one fervently zealous of good works; He was elected President of the College of Children, by the founders thereof; wherein having continued with general applause for eight years, was at last suspected to be a Lutheran, and that he had instilled some drops of truth and piety, into the hearts of such scholars as he durst meddle withall, in such a ticklish time of hazard and persecution: Being apprehended, he suffered unexpressible Tortures on the Gibbit and through, so cruelly handled in all joints of his body, as when they had ended their bloody Cruelties, he was almost ready to end his weary life, being not able to stir any part of his body; yet such was these bloody villains unheard of baseness, that because he ●ould not go, they inhumanly drag him by the heels to prison, no more respecting the Image of God in man, then if he had none: 
inhuman Cruelty.  and as this cruelty demonstrated their mindes to be beasts in shape of men, so did they use him, rather like a beast then a man.  
Whilst this godly soul was in prison, he had to his fellow sufferer one Morzillio, a young man and Monk of the cloister of St Isidore, who was there for the profession of the Gpspel, yet had by Torments and allurements yielded to somewhat in matters of Religion, and gave some signs of relenting; which holy Ferdinando understanding, he accuses him before God of cowardice, and set upon him with exhortation and reproof, that it pleased God by his means to restore him to a confidence and boldness, to believe in the Lord Jesus, 
Gods great mercy to poor sinners  and repent for looking back: making good that Proverb, He that stumbles and falls not mends his place: Honest Morzillio desires now to come to his Answer, where he publicly and boldly confessed the truth, in a joyful recantation, for which he was then strangled and burned.  
Now Ferdinando being on the Scaffold, is demanded if he will recant or stand to his Heresies; 
He glorisies God in laying down his life for him.  he boldly and aloud answers, that what he had uttered and confessed, was the pure truth of Jesus Christ and his Gospel; presently they take away a across of wood which was betwixt his fingers, and the cord wherewith his hands were bound, and then clasped a Barnacle on his tongue, and so was burned alive, to the glory of God and joy of the Saints in Heaven; where he is blessing the Lord who accounted him worthy of losing his life for his sake.  
Next comes Juliano Ferdinando, 
Juliano Ferdinando a great sufferer for the Gospel of Jesus.  of whom we must now speak a little of his great acts and sufferings; though he was a very little man, yet had he a capacious soul; God of his infinite goodness and mercy, supplying the smallness of his outward, by his presence in the inward man, choosing slight instruments, that the wise men of the world may be the clearer sighted to discern the wisdom of God. This godly Saint was called by the Name of Juliano the little, on whose soul it pleased the Lord of his rich mercy to bestow a large measure of knowledge, and zeal proportionable: For being in Germany, he had the aid of many learned men, whereby he attained the true knowledge of Jesus Christ; the veil of Popery being rent away from before his eyes, to the enlightening of his soul.  
This resolute soul, for the glory and honour of God, set upon a piece of dangerous work, viz. to transport into Spain two dryfats of Bibles printed in the Spanish language, whereby the light of the Gospel might be advanced. This could not be so secretly done, but was noised in Spain; the prevention whereof was as carefully handled, as was Juliano's care for dispersing; if as many cart loads of Scorpions or venomous beasts, had been noised to come to spain, or an army of Devils, more care could not have been taken for prevention; for all Ports were beset with strict watch, lest the light should creep in any way, all this while harbouring the diabolical Inquisitors: Yet was the goodness of God such to this undertaking of Juliano, that they were not only landed in spain, but in the City of seville, notwithstanding Argus had not more eyes then Searchers had to seize on this Holy Burden: it was not long after, that one of a fearful and foolish disposition, discovered their landing, but afterwards a false brother, covering his malice with hypocrisy and pretence of Religion, did betray the whole Assembly into the hands of their grand Enemies the Inquisitors: they following the scent hard; found them out; which they had no sooner done, but they were afraid of their number at first: but as it's reported of Alexander the Great, that finding the knot of Gordius King of Phrygia too difficult to untie, he cuts it asunder by violence; so though they seized not on all, yet did they apprehended at this time in seville, to the number of eight hundred and twenty servants of the Lord Jesus, whereof this Juliano was one of the first, where he lay in prison loaden with heavy Irons for three years together, and such was the constancy of his soul, that the Tormentors were sooner weary with Cruelty, then he with Torments; he went from the Rack with as good conrage in mind, as his Torments would afford to express: nor could they make him shrink, or confess the least of their desires; being as free from fear of death as godly Rogers, who the morning before he suffered, was so fast asleep, that with much jogging he could hardly be awakened; so was this godly Juliano so little terrified, that when dragged from the Rack to prison, or carried by his fellow sufferers, he rejoiced singing Vencidos van los frayles, vencides van: Corrides van los lobes, corridos van. i.e. the Monks departed vanquished, they depart vanquished; the Wolves do fly with shane, they fly with shane. On the day of Triumph being brought into the Court, to put on such robes as may render them odious in the sight of men, he boldly and courageously exhorts them saying; My brethren be of good cheer, this is the hour wherein we must be faithful witnesses to God and his truth, before Angels and men; and shall not be long credit our blessed Lord will witness with us again, and shall within few hours triumph and rejoice with him for ever. Here they stop the progress of this resolute soul, putting a Barnacle on his Tongue, and so is hurried away to the place of execution. Now could he not speak with his Tongue, yet his countenance and gesture( the index of his mind) expressed somewhat he would have said: The step whereon he stood, he kissed, and much encouraged those that were to suffer: He was much solicited to recant by one D. Ferdinando Rodriguo a false Prophet, but he was prepared to resist all assaults, the very arrows of fierce temptations, found as stiff resistance from him, as if shot at an Adamantine rock: for this fellow persuading himself with false hopes, that this godly soul would recant, got leave to have his tongue loosened, which was accordingly granted, to the great glory of God; for Juliano protested then and there before God, men and Angels, against their abominable Idolatry, declaring his faith in Christ Jesus, in as full a manner as when he was not so nigh his death. Not much unlike that Philosopher Meredemus, his advice to Antigonus King Demetri●● his son; saying, Remember thou art a Kings son: so this godly soul, could not forget he was the King of Heaven's son, and therefore not born to deny his Lord and Master, concluding rather with godly Joseph, Shall I do this wickedness and sin against God? He spake also to this Apostate villain, in such a sharp way, as he retired with shane, yet fell a railing and exclaiming in these words; Oh! that Spain the Corquerour and Daue of so many Countries, should be thus troubled with such a caitiff, kill him, kill him. So the fire being kindled, he received his death, and their cruelties with great patience and magnanimity, and is no doubt glorifying God amongst the rest of the blessed Saints in heaven.  
Of John de Leon, 
The great torments and sufferances of John de Leon, with his Martyrdom tyrdom  we shall next in order treat, not only of his great sufferings by torments, but also by travels and dangers; and at last felt the force of a violent death from the hands of these bloody Inquisitors. He lived in that famous City of Mexico in America, who returning to seville, felt in his soul the powerful influence of Gods Spirit, which wrought with such a strong impulse, as his great zeal driven him into the Cloister of St Isidore in seville, there to remain as a Monk seclused from all outward enjoyments: this Cloister was well affencted to Religion, where remaining for three years in safety( not without wonder and the immediate assistance of extraordinary providence) he made way to a more public conversation, and to forsake the Cloister under pretence of sickness. Yet when out, desired to return again, out of his great desire to enjoy the sweet society of such as had been blessed Tutors to him in that recluse; but the thoughts thereof was to little purpose, for the birds were flown into Germany for security, 
England under the reign of blessed &. Elizabeth, proves a hi●ding place and shelter for many godly Christians from the tyranny of Papists.  he lays wait for information where they are gone to, at last traced them to Frank ford through much danger, and then to Geneva, where the rest were: At this time Queen Maries sudden death crowned, not only Englands hopes in blessed Queen Elizabeths Reign, but gave life also to the foreseeing of sundry good people in Germany, that had fled for Religion, and here settled their dispersed abode, yet now resolve for England in order to further security: so dividing into sundry parcels they march for England: the Inquisitors sand out their spies to lay wait for these blessed souls now flying for Religion, they watch at colen, Frankford, Antwerp, and all such places as necessary they must pass, great offers of reward being promised to the adventurers Now this honest soul John de Leon, with( a follow traveller and companion in sufferings) John Ferdinando of Vallidoli●, a godly Christian, both resolving for England; were snapped at a certain Port in Zealand, as they were taking ship to launch for their desired Harbour. That as it was said by Bishop laud in the High Commission, when he vaunted that their power could reach schismatics as far as New-England; so these Inquisitors will reach to other Countries as well as their own. Well, he is no sooner apprehended, but with an undaunted countenance said, Let us go in Gods Name, for he will no doubt be with us; they are brought to a Town and tormented with the rack, to force them to confess others of their fellow Christians; they are now shipped for Spain, being loaden with Irons, having a chain made like a net, wherein his head and his hands were put, also a sharp instrument put into his mouth to prevent his speaking, thus wearied with pain through heavy loads of shackles, they both arrive at Spain, John de Leon to seville, Ferdinando to Vallidolit prison, where he suffered the rage of cruelty, and laid down his life for the truth, being burned alive.  
John de Leon suffers all extremity in prison, both by torments and bad accommodations, at length he was arrayed in robes of dishonour, which, together with his over-grown and lean body( much like an Anatomy) was a sad spectacle, and would have moved pity from savage creatures, though none from the Inquisitors; and when they put a Barnacle on his tongue, 
Great cruelty in stead of pity.  the fleam from his stomach did rope from his mouth in a pitiful manner to the ground: sentence being pronounced, he witnessed a good confession, in a sober and Christian Majesty beyond expectation; a Monk of the same Cloister was ordered to tempt him to Recant; but the more they tried, the more they found his resolutions permanent, even to the death: They put him to death in a cruel manner according to their merciless dealing with him in his life. Thus did this sweet Christian soul triumph over their baseness, by a quiet submission to Gods will, in a patient suffering for his Name; who now as a sufficient proof of his godly life, wrote it in a holy death for his sake, and is now crwoned with glory and immortality.  
At this time also suffers a sweet Virgin, 
A virgin of a godly conversation seals to Gods truth with her blood.  who( for holiness of conversation, and purity of profession) comes not behind any that are gone before; her name Francisca Chavesia, a Nun of St Elizabeths Cloister; wherein she was so surrounded with iron bars and gates, as also overgone with superstition, that it's the greater wonder how she should be converted and brought home to the truth; but nothing is impossible with God, who doth all things according to the council of his own will: It was as great a miracle as God shewed to blessed Hunter the Martyr in Q Maries daies, who at the stake sweetly uttered these words, Son of God shine upon me, presently the Sun did so gloriously appear, as all the spectators were astonished. After long and cruel torments, as to others they had done, she was brought on the stage, where her countenance was so far from being changed, that she freely and boldly confessed the truth, and put some that discoursed with her to a stand, reproving the Priests and Fathers, giving them their own Name, and the Name that the Lord has put on them, even dumb Dogs, and a generation of Vipers: the constancy of her behaviour and countenance, to the very last in the midst of the fire, was a joyful sight and worthy to be seen by all good Christians, she was so far from fear of torments or threats that she seemed to be like Chrysostom, when he commanded them to tell the Empress Eudoxia, nile nisi peccatum timco, I fear nothing but sin: so this godly Virgin was more afraid to sin against God, then any way to fear those persecutors, that can only kill the body and no more, she trusted in Gods good pleasure, hoping for his grace and assistance to support her under all. Thus she died in the Lord resting from her labours that her works might follow. 
The Martyrdom of Christophoro. Losada.   
Christophoro Losada, a Physician and scholar to Doctor Aegedio, was trained up in Religion, and so principled with the gifts and graces of Gods holy Spirit, that all men who had to deal with him, felt a kind of impression of his holiness even upon their hearts; his heart was thoroughly steeped in the true understanding of Gods holy word, being soaked in the study thereof, whereby he became exceeding powerful in his Ministry, through the blessing of God, by the operation of his holy Spirit; and by reason of a great measure and portion of true knowledge from above, he was thought fit to be chosen superintendant over the Congregation, scattered up and down in corners, which he performed to the joy and comfort of all his Auditors: at length by means of the Bibles which Julians Parvo brought into Spain, he was apprehended, where he openly professed his faith in Christ Jesus, for which he suffered hard and sharp imprisonment, with cruel torments; then publicly disgraced with the Sambenit, at last committed to the fire, when having the liberty of his tongue in hopes of Recautation, but they were trustrate of their vain expectations: So at last he was burned alive as an obstinate heretic, but no doubt accounted in the eyes of God and all good Christians, as a glorious Confessor and Martyr for the truth of our Lord Jesus.   

CHAPTER VIII. 
The blessed & constant suffering of Christophoro Areliano, a man of profound learning, betrayed by false brethren, yet joyfully and with great patience laid down his life for Jesus Christ and his Gospel.   
NOw upon the stage of Inquisition cruelly must this good soul Christophoro Arelliano act his part to the life and death: He was Monk of the Cloister of St Isidoro in seville, his enemies confessed his abilities and parts in Learning to excel expectation or commendation; envy cannot detract from his worth, he was learned even to an example, he was betrayed into the hands of bloody and cruel men, by false friends, such as had received so much good from him, as one would think should privilege their mindes from worse actions, then evil for good; he is brought upon the Scaffold in the most disgraceful posture that the mistress of cruelty could invent, where, upon the open stage, for want of substance to lay to his charge, they affix a shadow which vanished as soon as appeared for want of truth, like meteors appear and vanish together, like sparks that threaten something but come to nothing; and therefore to render him odious to all the people, they charge him to have said that the Virgin Mary was no maid; thus laying to his charge that which he never knew; it pleased God he had the liberty of his tongue to answer, else might it have passed for truth amongst a crowd of errors; so he presently answered with a loud voice, That it was a most impudent and slanderous lye, and since he never was tainted with such thoughts he defied to prove against him such blasphemous words. But as the French Proverb is, He that would kill his dog, must first report he is mad: and indeed that which would have moved some, did not a whit stir him, unless to patience, which proved to him as a fair wind and prosperous gale, to convoy him out of this stormy sea of the world, to a serene and quiet calm, a safe and joyful harbour in heaven. The temptation was that there stood by him a Monk of the same Cloister, smiling and rejoicing at the misery of this Learned and Judicious soul; yet was he satisfied to suffer for, that he might also reign with Christ in glory; imitating that blessed Martyr Laurence Sanders, who hugged the stake whereunto he was chained, and sweetly kissing it said, Welcome the across of Christ, welcome everlasting life. This godly Areliano's life, was as a letter written full of learning and Religion, which he sealed with his death: Thus he patiently and comfortably laid down his life for Christ, who dying as his soldier, enjoys him as his Saviour.  
Garsias Arias vulgarly name signior Blanco, 
A rare example of Gods mercy to a great sinner, that now proves a great sufferer and standardbearer of the truth.  must crave leave to be ranked, in this Catalogue of holy Saints and Mar●y●s. This man was deeply drowned in superstition, and continued so after the light and knowledge of the Gospel, smothering the seeds of the truth with a cloak of holy pretences, yet as an example of Gods patience and mercy, he stands to comfort all such, that might through the sense of such sins, be swallowed up in the gulf of despair, so as the greater sinners( if God converts) prove the greater Saints: sense of sin brings holiness of life: the deep sense of Gods mercy is the natural product of the like foregoing sense of sin and misery.  
This Arias was of a piercing wit, very acute, and for his short standing well fortified with the study of Divinity: his mind was richly embroidered with the Ornaments of human Learning, had not 'vice way-laid his great parts, and stisted the growth of sincerity; for indeed the blemish of these virtues was, that he had a touch of inconstancy, yet so varnished with the pretexts of holiness, that he lead aside many good men to a better opinion of him that he did really challenge, whereby sundry were mistaken of him; so as he did not only delude himself, but deceive others.  
There was now in the City of seville a division of Preachers, and their Doctrines running in a line antarctic to each other, did drive parties to a head, as in Pauls time; I am for Paul, this for Apollo, a third for Cephas: for as one in the like manner observes, so let us suppose one for Paul, hoisting him upon the wings of applause, fitting his words according to the size of his fancy or affection; What says he? Are you such a stranger in Corinth, as not to know all Asia echoes with the noise of Pauls powerful preaching? Did you never hear down-right Paul that great adventurer for heaven? Did you never experience the strength of Gods two edged sword, wielded by the powerful influence of honest Paul? Oh! how he slides into the hearts of his covetous auditors; he speaks as if within a man; he reaches the utmost bounds of secrecy in the closet corner of the heart, as if he were in the room of conscience; nothing can retire or hid itself from the spiritual darts of his doctrine, he speaks as if he could tell a man all whatever he did; if any man seek to imprison the truth in unrighteousness, and so prove a Jaylor to that blessed light, yet must he yield to the irresistible beams of blessed Paul's preaching; such is the powerful operation of Gods Spirit in Paul. What man? Didst thou never hear him, nor hear of him? I confess I dare not speak against Apollo, nor Cephas, but prithe go hear Paul, and then thou wilt be able, not only to judge, but witness to this great wonder: Let the world adore whom they please, I profess, I am for Paul. Oh! but what's Paul to Apollo?( says the second) who dare say, Paul is not powerful even to the pulling down of strong holds of sin and Satan, or that honest Cephas is not as profitable, as Paul powerful? But alas! Didst never hear of Apollo? that golden tongued Orator, how sweetly he charms the soul into holy obedience; Oh! how he insinuates into the inward parts, by irresistible persuasions! How he bedews his auditors with tears, then breaths flames to thaw that frozen hardness contracted by sin! Oh! the soft and silken persuasions of Apollo; powerful violence will not so soon bend the soul, as the heavenly influence of sweet Apollo. Let who will be for Paul, as for me, I am captivated to fight under the banner of excellent Apollo.  
As it was thus with the wavering Corinthians, 
Pharisaical holiness abominable before God and men.  so was it at this time with the blessed Sivillians, one sect are perfect Pharisees, all in outward garbs and behaviour, but nothing in the inward practise of sanctity and holiness; nothing would serve but fasting, weeping, mortification, continual prayer, humiliation in countenance, vestments, and speech: Who being ignorant of Gods righteousness, went about to establish their own righteousness, so have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God. But disrobe them of these coverings, dismantle them of these things( in themselves good) and all was but an outward garb to be thought well of by men, but the Lord that knows the hearts of all men, discovered their secret deceits in the manifest neglect of Justice, Mercy, and Truth; by turning so manifestly from the large show of holiness, that they persecuted it in others.  
The opposite Sect were much more sincere in their profession, aiming at the truth in Righteousness, setting a greater value upon reality, then ability or outward decency; making that saying of the Apostle good, 2 Pet. 1.16, 19▪ For we have not followed cunningly devised fables.— We have also a more sure word of prophesy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day down, and the day star arise in your hearts. In a word, such purity in life and Doctrine, that they did not only dull the sparkles of their pharisaical famed, but brought the City under the name of just and holy; pious up to a Proverb: The props and pillars of this party were Doctors of singular wisdom, sobriety, and learning, viz. Constantio, Aegidio, and Varquio, whose light shined as in a dark place, whose blessed memories must not, nor will not be forgotten by after ages, so long as virtue and worth hath esteem in this world. These holy and just men by their pious lives and doctrines did contract to themselves sundry enemies, among whom Arias was so faire from being the least, that he was the greatest; and which was worst, would not disclose himself otherwise then as a friend, whereby he had access to their persons and practices with less suspicion; though with the greater hazard to these godly souls, then if he had been a public persecutor; he lay hide as a rock under water, on which a ship has no sign to avoid; and which was most to be lamented, the light that God had let shine into his soul, he fought against, therefore was the less excusable; but Gods ways are not as ours, they are past finding out  
Now happens an occasion of discovering Arias, a season to know his doubtful temper, for Gregorio Ruizio, being a man of good learning, was suspected for a Lutheran, on account o● some words which dropped from him at a Divinity Lecture in the Cathedrall Church in seville: A day is appointed for public disputation, but two daies before he meets with Arias, and in regard of the report of virtue in him, and that they both studied one science, he gave him hold of his weapons to destroy himself, letting him know all his Arguments and grounds of proceeding, laying himself open to the assaults of his battery; but as he unbosomed his thoughts with freedom, so did Arias no less hoard them up with as great secrecy; poor Ruizio little knowing that Arias was chosen by the Lords Inquisitors to bandy against him, and argue the case in defence of the Romish Church; when the day came, Arias appears as Disputant against him, which startled Ruizio into an amazement, yielding to his Arguments, which he had too readily prepared by treachery and policy. This was the practise of this wavering and inconstant soul; yet was the Lord so gracious unto his sinful and backsliding heart, that he was the very first of the monastery of St Isidore that preached against those foolish superstitions, in which they were all so deeply plunged: Whole daies and many nights, from two till four, were spent in exhortations to sincerity and truth in the inward man, yet not so expressly in downright terms, but at a distance, and under covert; whereby they were wrought upon to the true search of the holy Scriptures; and it pleased the Lord so to bless the Word with the presence of his holy Spirit, that many retired from their old superstitions, to this light of the Lord that shiend round about; these seeds sown by this godly Arias, were helped forward to bear fruit and fructify to the glory of God, for they sought to be better confirmed in the truth, which God of his mercy afforded unto them, by means of some Teachers, as also godly Books brought from Geneva; so that in this Cloister few there were but had some taste of the truth, yet carried closely, as it did indeed behove them. They endeavour to set this light on a hill, but with such care as it might not be blown out; for secretly they sent out into divers parts of the Country and City, such as both by private conference, and use of books, did greatly advance their godly desires. Danger daily approaching, fears and doubts growing least some should betray them, least their hopes of liberty should be stisted in the cradle, they bethought of escaping secretly to some City of refuge in Germany; the manner was thought unsafe, for so many and eminent persons for parts and learning, being also the principal of the fellowship, and of such a famous monastery, as the territories of Granata could not parallel: and it was thought almost impossible, without the special aid of God, to depart from the furthermost part of Spain into Germany, their own fear threatening shipwreck to their forward desires, yet all conclude to depart suddenly or expect death as the issue; But God of his mercy so provided for their safety, that twelve might escape at once, which they ordered by sundry ways to pass, and if God pleased, to meet at Geneva in one years time: Thus the Watchman of Israel, that neither slumbers nor sleeps, preserved the fruit of this well-conceived seed in its own shell, before it was thoroughly ripe, so that they could not pluck that which their cruelties so much thirsted after. Psal. 37. ult. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them from the wicked, and save them because they trusted in him: Lo, we have left all and followed thee.  
Those that stayed were afterwards, 
Persecution  three of them burned, and sundry punishments inflicted on several others; and to this day it is thought this Cloister has produced yearly one or two Lutherans; such was the blessing of God to this place of darkness, a great part of which is due to Arias his endeavours. Thus did the servants of God choose to endure the loss of all things in this life, for the enjoyment of their blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, accounting all things as loss in comparison of him; they with holy David, thought it better to live one day in the Courts of God, then a thousand elsewhere.  
But to return to our purpose, let us see this Arias, once a coward in Christs cause, now a strong Champion; once inconstant, now fixed; he is often suspected for a Lutheran, whereupon is as often summoned before the Lords to answer, which he doth, and yet is discharged: 
His repentance and godly sorrow.  But at last amongst others, this good soul must witness to the Truth of that God, that was so exceeding merciful to all, especially to himself. He now earnestly beseeches God to pardon his former iniquities, and accept of him graciously; he is now deeply drowned in godly sorrow, and sadly sits under the shade of true repentance, till at last the Son of Righteousness breaks into his soul with healing in his wings, whereby poor Arias that was timorous and fearful of the punishment of Inquisitors, now lays before himself the comfort and joy of a steadfast and constant sticking to the truth; so as now he most wonderfully cheers himself up in the light of Gods countenance; all torments of the Rack so little daunts him, that when he( poor creature) is upon the Rack of misery, and they sitting about him to see and command, he boldly( as one not in misery but liberty, like that of the Psalmist, In the day when I cried thou answered'st me, and strengthened'st me with strength in my soul.) He tells them freely his mind; how and what manner of judgements they must expect from God, for their cruel dealings to poor Innocents, and to Christs members; that they were not fit to sit in judgement, especially touching matters of Religion, wherein they were not only bold but blind, professing his godly sorrow for the times past, wherein he had wronged his own soul, in offending God, and impugning his truth, which now through Gods grace to the last drop of blood he would be a defender. Thus through many cruel torments, with much strength of mind and impregnable resolutions, he passes till he comes to the Scaffold of their Triumphant cruelties, where arrayed in robes of disgrace he ascends, and being reverend and aged with gray hairs, and( no doubt) of much grace also, 
He suffers and boldly confesses his sins, and lays down his life for the truth.  he leaneth upon a stast, and there not only bewails his former offences, but witnesseth a blessed confession of the truth before God and all the world; there out of his humble heart he dropped not only tears of repentance, but also out of his full stored soul, he drops precious pearls amongst a herd of swinish auditors. Thus departs he from this place, to the place of execution, from the Stage to the Stake, where having triumphed over the stage of human chances, who having gone under their cruelties with a glorious conquest, with a joyful and quiet mind, in a sweet and cheerful countenance he had his soul so sweetened with Gods gracious presence, that he was fully fitted for eternity, ere he received his pass-port from the hands of death: Oh! blessed and for ever happy Arias, but more blessed thou merciful and good God, who art found of those that seek thee not, who seekest those that love thee not, who bid'st us come to thee, and if we will not, thou wilt come to us, whose grace is as liberal and communicative as the sun that shineth on all: For ever blessed be thy Name for this example of grace and mercy to thy poor servant: This holy servant of the Lord Jesus, that once scorned the Truth, nay that persecuted it against his conscience, that thought it a dishonour to fight for his Name; now happy Arias accounts it his glory, his happiness to wear his Masters livery, though wrought with his own blood; Content to let his life prove a sacrifice to their wrath and malice, signing his faith with a seal of constancy, he can now triumph over their cruelties in a joyful death, not in the least so cowardly vallourous, as to wink at the blow of death, but rather with the blessed Apostle saying, Oh death where is thy sting! Oh grave where is thy victory! &c. Truly this is a singular pattern of grace and mercy in the midst of sin and iniquity: He may stand as a pillar or monument of the riches of free grace, let us give the Lord the only glory. If ye suffer for righteousness sake happy are ye: If you suffer with him, you shall also reign with him.  
Now ascends the stage of public observation, another worthy and blessed Saint of the Lord, who resolving to continue a faithful servant, proves also a faithful Martyr and sufferer for the Gospel, 
Dr Aegidio a great defender of the Truth to the death, and a great example of Gods mercy.  his Name is John Aegidio, a famous Doctor and Preacher in the Cathedrall Church of seville; but in his younger dayes was a contemner and blasphemer of the sacred Scriptures, therefore found himself very unfit for the public charge whereunto he was called, insomuch that he resolved to leave it again; but providence allotted him means of advice, from one, whose instructions took deep root, and whereby Dr Aegidio steered another course of life, studying to attain to the Truth in Righteousness.  
If I take liberty to digress a little, I shall with the River Arithuse appear again; yet I hope it will not be a direct digression from the thing in hand, to let the world know the person who under God was the author of so strange yet blessed change in this great Doctor: and it cannot be thought a derogation from the glory of God, to conceal so great a piece of his power, in such weak means, to so great purposes, as he often proved a good Agent. But least our Preamble, prove a greater digression then the body of the Story, know; that the Instrument in Gods hand, was one Roderico Valerio, who was long before condemned at seville by the Lords of the Inquisition for a false Apostle, &c. for which he lived in exile, and there suffered for the Gospel; he was a Citizen of Nebrissa in the territories of Granata; of a good extraction, being from the line of a good Family; the Estate God lent him, he employed worse then intended by the Donor, exceeding above all young gallants in the City, for all sports, recreations and rich attire, his equals, nay his superiors for estate, could not jump with his excess: suddenly by a strange instigation, he leaps from the top of all this glory, and descends to a contempt of all worldly vanities, disdaining to be moved at the reproach which famed fixed on this change: He not only leaves all these as sinful behind him, but he falls to contemplation on Divine things, and from thence to a holy and heavenly conversation; gradually mounting to such a degree of sanctity, that all stood amazed at this blessed-change; every thing of vanity( which before was sealed and fixed in his mind) is now shifted from its station, and put to shift for a living in another soil: his soul seemed to allude to that report of Irish wood, whereon no Spider will build, or like the River Danube, which will not mix itself with the muddy streams of Sava: So this blessed soul starved all his bad thoughts, and stisted their growth in his mind, no acceptance to sin or iniquity could be found in him; God changed his heart, gave him a new heart: he had in his younger years got a touch of the latin tongue, whereby it proved to his advantage of perusing the holy Word of God, which he laboured at day and night, not without Gods blessing in abundant measure( such blessings follow the study of Gods mind and will in his written word:) He often engaged in a war of disputation with Monks and Priests, which pharisaical generation admired how he should a●tain to that perfection in holy Scriptures, especially in so short a time. wondering at this arrogancy, they called him to account by examination of his parts? his commission and warrant for his work? by what Authority? who sent him? also after what manner he was called? to which Valerio replies; His knowledge he received from Heaven, through the assistance of Gods holy Spirit, who out of the flood-gates of mercy, did abundantly shower down of his grace into his soul: his boldness was the natural product and issue of a good cause; that in Christs name and by his authority he did what he did, &c. He is called before the Inquisitors, where he disputes about the true Church, the signs and marks of it of Justification by faith in Christ, which, says he, the Lord of his grace hath enlightened me to understand. They let him go, but with the loss of all his Estate, which he thanked God for, who honoured his own Name in such a vile wretch: he is two years after summoned again but he wore the Sambenite, and was adjudged to perpetual imprisonment; only suffered with others to go to St Salvators Church to hear Divine Service, where he often started up and spoken against the Minister, which was excused and passed by, through belief of his folly and madness: he was at last removed to a Religious House in St lucre; where he ended his daies in the 50th year of his age; the Sambenite which he wore was of the largest that any wore, and is now hanging in the Vestry of the chief Church in seville, as a monument of a notorious and special heretic, with an inseription of Great Letters thus; Roderico Valerio, a Citizen of Nebrissa, an Apostate, and a false Apostle of seville, who said he was sent from God.  
To return to our more immediate purpose, know, that this was the man that of slight esteem amongst men, found acceptance for his advice in holy Aegidio's heart: This learned Doctor, to recompense Valerio's favourable advice, did always stand a friend to him before the Inquisitors, which brought him at last into suspicion. Next unto this advice of Valerio, our good Doctor was familiarly acquainted with that holy sufferer and Martyr of Christ Constantio Fontio, of whom we shall next treat: he also had acquaintance with others of excellent parts, which together with hard study, reduced all knowledge and sincerity as servants to him; as inseparable companions to his mind, he became hereby exceeding learned, holy and zealous.  
Now the peoples affections flocked in heaps, to the approbation and commendation of this Doctors Ministry; as also of holy Constantino, with zealous Varquia Magno: and as love and affection flows in on one hand, so does envy( the hand-maid of deserts,) follow at the heels, daily complaints proceed as the issue of their attractive virtues, whereby hazard accrues to their persons, especially of this Saint: about this time the Emperour elected him as a fit man to be Bishop of Dortois, but his enemies that lurched for advantages, stop his progress, and city him before the Holy House, he is cast into prison; now is he examined concerning the principal heads of Religion, whereby he must of necessity( if he answer,) discover his judgement: He is charged as a favourer of that notable heretic Valerio de Nebrissa; to all which he answers and makes a good witness to the truth, but at that time they durst not for sundry reasons take away his life; there did many of quality appear in his behalf for favour; one Corrano an Inquisitor, by reason of acquaintance with him, stood his friend: Passing by many other occurrents of lesser moment, know; that one Dominico Asoto, a Sophister of magnitude in the University of Salamank, betwixt whom and our Doctor Aegidio, was appointed a public disputation; but ere they both appeared, they had agreed together upon Articles: to be declared publicly before the audience, which was pretended by this Asoto to be in favour of his Antagonist: Order is given forth by the Inquisitors to erect two Pulpits in the Cathedrall Church; Asoto ascends, preaches a Sermon, which done, immediately he produces a Declaration of his own devising, which he says are the Articles agreed on betwixt Dr Aegidio and himself; but was absolutely contrary to Truth, or that which they had agreed to: that which was agreed to, was nothing consonant to the truth, or knowledge of Aegidio's conscience; but in this, was a Recantation of all things which he had been accused of, and maintained for two years together, and whilst he suffered imprisonment; now good Aegidio expecting sincerity from such large professions, did little suspect their double dealing, and the pulpits being some distance asunder, together with the noise of the people, made him put diffidence so far off, as to believe Asoto further off from dissimulation then they were both in opinion, so that whatever Asoto red, 
Deceit and hypocrisy in the highest.  he demanded Dt Aegidio to give public testimony of assent, either by speech or gesture, which innocent Aegidio did denote by confessing all to be true which Asoto said, all which was as innocently spoken as traitorously interpnted; but he that trusteth in a lie shall perish in truth: now from hence they draw such conclusions as were stretched beyond the due limits of the premises; yet is he for this condemned to three years imprisonment, not suffered to read, preach or writ for ten years after, nor to depart spain in that time: all this while Aegidio knew not the meaning thereof, till he ●ame to prison again, which he understood by his friends that resorted to him; telling him of his revolting and inconstancy, denying the truth and starting back from the profession of the faith of the Gospel, by which he had often comforted the souls of many, who now too sadly and sorrowfully, grieved to see such a day: but to their comforts he  told them, it was not so, nor did he know of their Monkish dealing, nor should once have suspected it if he had not now received too evident proof of the truth thereof. whilst this good man endured with great patience as great imprisonment, died three of his grand Adversaries, who as they were eminent in malice to him and against the truth, so also as much for their places; and as my Author says, some did not leave this bad world, without horrible expectations of a worse to come. Thus this good soul lived in prison, with as much comfort, and more, then his Adversaries in a larger field of liberty; he did much good also after the time of three years was expired; being sent on an embassy, which journey drew on sickness, and therewith his death, enjoying the Lord as the Crown of his hopes, and testimony of his faith in Jesus: Two or three years after, they digged up his body, and butted in the same grave, and in his Name, a man of straw, bringing his body to the Scaffold, which they handled as they would have done if he had been on earth: but God that sitteth in Heaven laugheth them to scorn; and no doubt as he hath them in derision, so must they expect a day of confusion, and revelation of the justice of God on such hellish and heathenish Cruelties. I'll only end this with putting these Fathers of the Inquisition in mind of that of Ovid, to shane them to acknowledgement of their savage baseness; for that they cannot either endure the living above, nor the dead under ground.  
Lions vent not their rage upon the dead;  
and the fight ends when foes are vanquished:  
But savage Wolves and Bears, not only prey  
upon the living, but the dead assay.  
Leave we this godly Saint and Learned Doctor in Heaven with Christ, 
The constant suffering to the death of that great and learned Dr Constantio Fontie.  and let us see another of his faithful servants suffer for the sake of the Lord Jesus: that after Aegidio was foiled and overcome by death, he steps up as a successor for the truth, and as a fresh recruit of strength, supports it with a bold vindication and profession to the death; his Name is Doctor Constantio Fontie, a Canon and Preacher in the Cathedrall Church of seville, a man of profound knowledge in the things of God, one above the description of any pen, the most famous of his time; for which as he was exceedingly beloved of the truly godly, so was he no less hated by the Priests and jesuits: The exceeding love which his deserts contracted, came farther off to court him, then from the threshold of acquaintance: he was honoured by those that knew him not: his Name was Honourable, nay his report was famous: In his youth he was naturally addicted to be witty and cheerful, which lessened his esteem afterwards, but yet discretion approaching to its proper habitation, did banish and shane his former course to an utter detestation, so as now his sober mind stand exemplary to future ages: yet may we say of his witty mirth, that some may rather be said to be wise apothegms, then Pleasant speeches, for many such there are, that retain a grace in no other language, and such may we say were his. In the latin, Greek and Hebrew, he was so wonderfully knowing in that dull age, as he might be said to be a restorer of them to the world, then a supporter: He was an absolute Orator, all which meeting a mind desirous of more knowledge, did much fit him for the study of the holy Scriptures: furnished with these parts without comparison, he passes all with admiration: he was flocked to by an innumerable number of Auditors, that to hear him begin at Eight, would( to get room) come at Four in the morning: He affencted not the grand Idols of most ages, especially Covetousness and Ambition; refusing a profitable Canonship in Toledo, with a jest for the offer; also another Canonship in Quenca, situate in his native soil, and no less honourable then rich: at last he was chosen Bishop of Utica: He was the first that it pleased God to discover by him the Christian Religion in seville, decrying down the grossest part of superstition, &c. for which he was often laid wait for: It cannot be overlooked without praises to God, taking notice of his exceeding rich provision of mercy, that such lights appeared at one time in one place, as this Doctor Constantino, Aegidio, and Varquio; the last in the heat of persecution died; Constantino sent for to the Emperour, and Aegidio left for a tragical exit as aforesaid: After whose death Doctor Constantino returns from the Emperour, to erect the light of the Gospel, and keep it from extinguishing: A Divinity Lecture is placed in seville, whereof he is elected Reader, wherein to great advantage to all well disposed hearers, he made a large progress, being able enough to undertake the charge, and no less able to discharge his undertaking; yet was under a notion of zeal hindered in a future proceed: He was not to be dealt with in Disputations by any thereabouts, as might at large be shewed, but to avoid prolixity: His trouble begins with small wedges, they make way for greater, complaining of his marriage before entrance to his Orders; every one that maligned him, spurred him as hard as they could, to put him out of breath, but he withstood them all, his countenance amongst his enemies was a little terror, his answers were so well wrought, that they could not by any means bring him to an open protestation of his faith, which they covertly laboured to accomplish; yet at last, rather then deny, he confessed it to the glory of God. But to conclude, passing by the Manner, let us come to the Matter of an unexpected discovery, made of all the Books and Papers of this holy Doctor, found in a Religious Matrons house, who had hide them in a wall; we will imagine the Lords Inquisitors glad of this purchase, for who will not think so? there was found a large Volume of his own hand writing, wherein he had given his judgement concerning the true Church, and the Pope called by him the very Antichrist; and so run through the body of Popery, with a quick dissection and judgement; there they saw with what sagacity he wrote, and what a clean sense, and full sight he had of Divine things: he would not for a long time confess it to be his, till at last intending to give God the glory of all, he openly acknowledges all things therein contained, not only to be his own writing and doing, but that he was still the same man, and hoped to be so through Gods grace to the last breath; and so, says he, leave seeking of witnesses to produce against me, and use me as you please: he continued afterwards two years in prison, where by extremity of heat, base unworthy diet, noisomeness of the prison, together with sorrow for the estate of the Church of God, he underwent a bloody Flux; 
His death.  at length yielded up his sweet soul in this filthy and loathsome prison fifteen daies after. They caused it to be bruited abroad, that in his life on the Rack( which he never tasted of through Gods mercy and providence) he had detected sundry of his Scholars, and to strike these falsities home to the belief of all men, sundry persons of the next prison were suborned to swear, that they heard his sad echo of cries and shrieks, under that suffering torment, all which was only to get such under their lash, by a voluntary confession, in hopes thereby of pardon, which otherwise they could prove nothing against: after his death, this Reverend and Learned Doctor had opprobious songs made of him, and sung by boyes, and on their triumphant day his body was taken out of the grave, and a man of straw in the stead; which they set up artificially in the Pulpit, holding one hand directly up, and the other leaning on the Pulpit, 
Cruelty to his dead body.  resembling his person really as he was in such a posture alive: His sentence was red publicly in his defamation; for what might they not say of him being dead: Thus this glorious Saint of the most High, is exalted above the clouds, where he is with Christ in glory, freed from the fetters of the unjust Judges of this world, delivered from the cruelties of them that knew no mercy to any of Gods faithful ones, accounting all accursed that are by them accused.  
●550. 
Thirty Protestants suffer for Religion.  At Validolid are brought on the Scaffold no fewer then thirty prisoners at one time, together with the Coffin of a certain Noble Woman, her picture lying thereupon: For which great show are built three Scaffolds, one for the Lady Jane, sister to the King, and his eldest son Prince Philip, with many persons of Honour: Another Stage for the Lords Inquisitors; the last for the poor Christians ready to suffer death for Christ, or any dishonour, so they may be accounted worthy thereof: all of them aparelled with Sambenits, Tapers, &c. An invective under the name of a Sermon is made, and all the spectators sworn before God, to favour the holy Inquisition, and to compel their subjects to the faith of Rome, &c. Holy Dr Cacalla, who had been a Friar, is now degraded after a cruel manner, his brother Francis also; most of them were burned, the rest condemned to wear the Sambenit; The Ladies picture was condemned to the fire, her house pulled down, and a pillar erected with the cause thereof engraven: They are set upon Asses, riding backward to the stake, where they are strangled and burned, only one more bold against their Idolatry then the rest was burned alive, all of them making a patient, sweet and peaceable end, to the great glory of God and comfort to their own souls; counting all things with Paul as dung and dross that they might gain Christ.   

Conclusion.  
OH! that we could distil some few corollaries, from these bitter vegetables of Spain, and suck some comfort from the breasts of so sweet consolations as flow from the blessings of sanctified afflictions. What shall we say of these sad sufferings of poor Christians under these cruel Taskmasters, that if it be their pleasure to destroy men, die they must per fas, aut nefas: they must be heretics.  
These cursed Inquisitors for their horrid dealings and unparalelled impieties, are to be accounted no other then as schismatics from mankind; that have only the face of men but the heart of vultures: Oh! that we could tell how to draw forth these miseries of our brethren, to a right use, that we could bring them home to our own doors by a sweet sympathy: Who knows what his own condition shall be ere he depart this life and be seen no more: The Psalmist sets us a fair copy, By the rivers of Babylon there we sat down, yea we wept when we remembered Zion. Sufferings to the people of God are as natural concomitants in this life, as life itself: The death of the body is the life of the soul; that afflictions in this world, as well as everlasting joys in another, are the portion and lot of Gods Saints, I think there is none doubts; the chain of their happiness is made of both: And indeed he is a stranger in Israel that expects his way to heaven adorned with pleasure: What is it that sweetens mercies so much as afflictions? Who puts so great a value on the riches of grace, as those that receive in their own spirits the deep sense of sin? Mary Magdalen is a lively instance, She loved much, because much was forgiven her: What pleasure is sweeter then that which is purchased with difficulty. Bread eaten in secret( says Solomon) is pleasant: When is the Gospel of more esteem then when a torrent of afflictions, and flood of oppositions stand in the way? Oh, how sweet when snatched from the jaws of violence! Oh! the blessings of humility, the blessed frame of a contrite spirit, it's then, or never most fit for Divine impressions: It is better to go to the house of mourning, than feasting; afflictions make a man know himself, nay drive him out of himself; make a man as fit for God to work upon, as the fire doth the wax for the impression of the seal. Holy and blessed Bradford was in a heavenly posture under the trial of his adversaries cruelty; his soul melted under the deep sense of sin, which made him use very humble expressions at the subscription of his letters, whereof some were these: The most miserable, hard-hearted unthankful sinner, John Bradford: Again, A very painted hypocrite, John Bradford. Dost thou expect to enter in at that narrow gate, and not first through that broad road of many tribulations? To receive the word in much affliction was the portion of the blessed Saints in the Apostles time: Christians are most fruitful under the greatest burden, like Cypress, the more depressed, the more it grows. It's observed in Spain that the valleys are most fertile, and yield increase, when the hills are barren; such( says one) are the blessings of humility. How sweet was that terrible and blustering voyage of Paul's to Rome, whilst the Souldiers and Mariners are in a storm at Sea, and their spirits storm at it with fear and rage, honest and blessed Paul he is in a calm, and in a serene Harbour, he sleeps as if he were going to heaven; they are afraid that every blast will blow them over, and every rolling wave soop them up, and involve them in eternal misery, when good Paul lies and snores in the Cabin of rest, free from either care or trouble. Affliction exerciseth virtue at large, and often proves the touchstone of sincerity, whether true or adulterate: Oh how the presence of the Lord sweetens the sad and pensive hours of poor mortals! And that this is a certainty, experience is the truest proof. And as it is thus with the people of God in particular, so let us see how the Church of Christ in general thrives under restraint, lives in the flames of the hottest persecution: The truth of God persecuted in his Saints, is like seed sown in good ground, receiving Gods blessing to a vast increase; and very much resembles the Glow-worm, most splendid in obscurity: or as Diamonds sparkle most when the light shines least; like books that are not well bound, till well beat: like Grapes in the winepress, the extraction being the quintessence of so great violence. It's reported of a ston in the river Curia, that grows, and the more is cut off, the more it increases; Is ●or the Church of Christ so? nor may it unfitly hold comparison with perfumed wax, whose odiferous fragrancy attracts the sense, also is content to receive any stamp, yet neither till burned: or like iron, unfit for any forge or shape, till heat in the fire, and beat on the anvil. This, this is the portion of all Gods Saints: Therefore let us not think it strange when it courts our acceptance; for 'tis our joy and blessedness, if God smile upon us in such frowning providences; if God shower down such mercies, through the clouds of mens malice and hatred to the truth, and his people for the truths sake: He that will live godly in Christ Jesus, must suffer persecution. Oh the sweet harmony betwixt God and a soul in secrecy, and under a recluse! the sweet repose a soul has with Christ in a dungeon of darkness! They looked unto him and were enlightened, and their faces were not ashamed: This poor man cried and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles: Oh taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man that trusteth in him: Oh fear the Lord ye Saints, for there is no want to them that fear him. In such seasons of affliction, where can a soul be more freely, nay where any real welcome but with Christ, and then is the best welcome. It was the lot and portion of our dear Lord Jesus, to suffer ere he entred into glory; and though he was sine flagitio, yet not sine flagello.  
Now the sun shine of prosperity is the road to sinful adversity; adversity as the product of iniquity; and such a time must( in my judgement) be a sad affliction, wherein God estranges himself, and leaves the soul to the result of his anxious thoughts: 'Tis a great affliction for a soul to be in anguish of spirit, and God forsake him; the sweet sun-shine of Gods savour is clouded in such a pensive estate: A beautiful prosperity is more dangerous then a stormy adversity: A man will sleep and repose himself in his Cabin, when 'tis fair, but looks about him, rouses himself, and shakes off all sluggishness in a storm; if a storm rises he rises. 'Tis reported of the Oyster, that when she is pursued by the Crab, her mortal foe, she then claspeth her self with her shell, locks her self in her own house; but when without fear she lieth on the shore, dallying with delight under the beams of the sun, then the Crab taking opportunity by the foretop, puts little stones between the lips of her shell, and so picks out the very heart of the poor Oyster. Thus it fareth with poor creatures in this world, their worst daies are their best, though the sun shine not upon them, yet security is their Harbour; daies of affliction prove daies of communion; the greatest enemies to the Saints, prove( by the blessing of that great Chimist the Almighty Jehovah) their best friends. If we cast anchor here, where our hopes have no being, what will become of us when storms arise? Now truly on serious view, and review of things of this life( both in their true nature and productions) I cannot but wonder why we should be riveted to transitories, why our immortal souls should feed on mortal enjoyments, and seem to relish a happiness where they fall short in their promise? We build upon sand whilst we sport ourselves in hopes of any thing of worth here below; sure I am there's little reason in nature, and less in grace to intrude such a belief: For sublunary pleasures are like Epicurean dishes of cost, that arrive not to the value of one eternal thought: Like tough meats, that take more chewing then they yield nourishment: for we see in prosperous seasons, how ambition thirsts after greatness, to the loss of goodness; embracing only a snake, which suddenly ere he can start back, or recover his ground, seizes on him, from under the violet leaves of his ruined hopes: Who is so blind and cannot see, so hard and cannot melt, at the sight of many professors, how they soar above, when supported with a sudden exaltation; how ready, like tinder, to take fire of ambition from the spark of every occasion? if preferment pull them by the cloak, it will be sure to trip up their heels; if outward pleasures and profits look and stare them in the face, they are sure to have their pockets picked, and emptied of that which is of better worth, than all the Ledgerdemain of worldly attendants; yet, I say, such is the vain crop of many mens expectations, that if the world smile in their faces, and the sun shine of esteem court their acceptance, Oh! how( even professors of the Gospel) pride in this opportunity and with gay promises look big, till the impostume breaks, till the paint falls off like leaves in Autumn. It is my real trouble and grief to think, that I have observed some shrowd their deformities under the penthouse of a Church relation:( the bane of too many, though a blessing in itself) and once admitted, contemn others before above them, as now below them; who as men from a high mountain, see every one like crows to them, like Pigmies to the stature of their Giant-like deserts; nay which is worse, that which should privilege men from sin, rather covers their sin; they dare do that now they durst not before, and if reproved, What( think they) I am a Church-member, and if our variance come to be public, I am sure to get the better in the esteem of the godly, and let the wicked say what they will: Thus that which the very name of should put men( for shane) on the practise of fincerity, humility and true godliness, does now serve only as a mantle to profanness: The worst I wish to such, is the same I wish to myself, that God would open their eyes to see the dark path wherein they walk; that God would please to discover the principle of hypocrisy, too much( I fear) rooted in the hearts of professors of this age; the simplicity and humility of the Gospel is thrust too far off, Religion seems to be an easier task then formerly, less holiness will serve, if we have but the more esteem: Oh! sad daies of defection, that popular glory should make any man hazard his eternal soul; this is sadly to be lamented; but sure I am it was not so in times of persecution: such are the sad effects of prosperity, it putrefies true sanctity; whereas adversity sanctified purifies it, and makes men prove good alchemists to their own souls.  
This villainous and bloody Inquisition has no other shrowd for its Tyranny, but a Religious knavery( as I may so say) all is hide under the robes of sanctity, and shall Christians tread in the same road? shall Gods Saints and servants have less in their hearts, then on their tongues and countenances? the later tipped with nimble excuses, the former dead to all activity for God; I would never have a sober look without a sober heart, and serious thoughts: It's but deceit to look one way and think another; and as some men have dark shops, so these have light to put off their dark and bad wears; search the secret retirements and haunts of such professors, and you will find their Ware houses( their hearts) to be the sinks of all iniquity; alas 'tis but bad policy to think to deceive God, who searches the hearts, and trieth the reins, and as he detests, so will he( according to his wonted method) detect such impieties: For there is no greater sin then to cover it with the figge-leaves of piety, 'tis but sin aggravated; and he that would know something of the nature of hypocrisy, may( next to his own experience) find a succinct, yet true discovery of that leaven ( by that great dissecter of hypocrisy, that mirror of his age, one whose fresh remembrance makes many hearts bleed besides mine, as if by our sins we were guilty of his death) Mr. Guthbert Sidenham, in his small book on that subject. All that I would couch under these lines, is to learn us that prosperity and adversity are different tasks, they have different events; the fairest flower has not the sweetest smell: How many wild roots have sober operations, when the gay Tulip only serves for ornament. If I would wish a good to my own soul, give me adversity before purblind prosperity, which latter to look through, is but to turn the wrong end of the prospect, if I would see myself in my native colours, let me look in the glass of adversity; But if God link heaven and prosperity together, 'tis a mercy of a vast dimension; 'tis like a good harbour after a sore storm; and he escapes well from danger that gets to heaven over such rough and craggy mountains of oppositions and temptations. Now though all will conclude this true, yet it's he that writes as none ever did, that can storm assent so, as to follow the path which leads to life. However let me lay this down as an infallible maxim in Christianity; That he cannot go so pleasantly to heaven, cannot have such inward refreshments in his soul, that hurls the world like a foot-ball before him, that has the lower Orb at command; as he that loseth all things to gain Christ.  
Now, Courteous Reader, though I strike at others, yet think not that I intend not myself, amongst the multitude of profane and vicious: Like Ministers of the Gospel, that whilst they preach and exhort the Congregation, yet do they not exclude themselves from their own Doctrines; and I cannot but reckon it as a great mercy to any one, that humbly thinketh himself the greatest sinner and hypocrite in the world; for whilst he thinks so, 'tis a thousand to one that it ever proves so, if he walk under the deep apprehensions of it.  
I wish we that hear, and do not see, these sad calamities, may distil the sweetness of such a condition, and fetch comfort afar off, before misery come too nigh hand; and though not drawing it on our heads by forestalling the date of afflictions, yet to remember to use the world as though we used it not; we are dallying in the sun-shine of the Gospel, who knows how suddenly the night of affliction may, like an eclipse betray our hopes? let us prepare for futurity, let's labour to be fitted for all events of providence, hanging loose to the world, and grow in holiness, that we may be ready to be gathered into the Garner, as good wheat, when it shall please the Lord to cut the thread of our lives, that whilst others are like chaff before the wind, we may remain refined and pure wheat: This I desire and wish may be the fruits of a candid perusal of this book, that holiness may be writ upon the posts of our doors, that the lights of Gods people may so shine before men, as they may glorify our Father which is in heaven; that Gods people may have their souls adorned with the sweet graces of Gods holy Spirit: Then shall all thy Saints, oh God! bless thee, and all the ends of the earth worship towards thy holy Temple.  
Thus have we run through the several branches of this Piramide of savage cruelty, blood, inhumanity, and cursed tyranny, enough to estrange the influence of heavenly light, from that soil, so watered with the blood, and manured with the bodies of many thousand Christians. There were some in the Gospel that  told Christ of some Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices; so may not we say, These bloody Inquisitors, have mingled the blood of Gods Saints with their sacrifices; one soul whereof we may justly affirm to be of more value, than a million of Inquisitors, who for invention of barbarous deaths and torments, may justly challenge hell itself.  
Thus, Courteous Reader, have I given thee a taste( and but a taste) of their cruelties, which indeed are such, as suck their venom from the bowels of vengeance and fury: Thou hast seen a bad Prologue, a sad Interlude, and a tragical Epilogue; though indeed on the other side, a blessed and glorious Epilogue, for which the name of the great Jehovah be for ever praised. Oh! thou bloody brat of Satan, thou that art the Seminary of all miseries! the storehouse of the wages of iniquity! thou that hast long supported thyself with the blood and treasury of poor Christians! what account wilt thou one day give to the eternal God, for the blood of so many thousand of his dear and faithful servants? You will experience an eternity wherein you will wish yourselves into a Non entity: God will no doubt lay the Axe to the root of your cruelties. If he was to be condemned that melted a jewel of great worth in one cup to satisfy his Epicurean fancy, what then will be your portion, what account will you give at that great and terrible day, 
Jewels of great price.  for the millions of Christian blood you have  shed? which to recount, would grapple with faith to believe: You that carry as Trophies of Honour, the spoil of Nations and Christians, yet will you one day carry no more with you to your graves, then is said of Saladine Emperour of the East, who commanded only a white sheet to be carried before his Corps to the grave, with this Proclamation, This is all that Saladine carrieth to his grave, of all the spoils and riches which he had triumphantly attired his many victories withall. When you come to reap the harvest of your scarlet iniquities, what increase of woes will cleave to their unparalelled sins? The Ivy cleaves not closer to the Oak, than, by the rate of just proportion, Gods fiery indignation will pursue your infamous cruelties: When the dawning of that great day appears, where can you hid yourselves from the fierceness of Gods anger? Consider this, you that forget God, lest there be none to help you; Oh that you could set a higher rate on eternity, as not to purchase damnation with so high cruelties and flagitious enormities! You have fether'd your nests in the soft embraces of unrighteous Mammon, but you must with the unjust steward in the Gospel, give an account at the later day; The curse of God is lodged in every corner of your house, which will make you one day tremble and quake with Felix, when you hear of Judgement to come; God will not take a fee, nor can he be bribed from justice; you will then wish your place in hell to be amongst Heathens, and be even ambitious of ordinary damnation in that lake of horror. Let us all pray that these Caterpillars and Vermin of a Kingdom, that rak in the bowels of innocency and industry, that God would please to cut down such tall Cedars, as grow in this wild forest of pretended sanctity; and I account it no less then a dwarfing of belief, for any one to think that it shall not be destroyed.  
The great day of the Lord is near, 
Zeph. 1.14, &c.  and hasteneth greatly, that day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress.— And their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung● neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lords wrath: 
2.10, 11.  This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the Lord of hosts; The Lord will be terrible against them, he will famish all the Gods of the earth, and men shall worship him.   
FINIS.