THE PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH OF GOD IN FRANCE, Which began in the Year 1524.

 

 IN the year 12O9, there were certain learned men in France, disciples of one Almeric, at Paris, who, upon examination, was found to hold, "That God was no otherwise present in the sacramental bread, than in any other: That it was idolatry to build altars to saints, or to worship their images: That the pope was antichrist , and Rome Babylon: That God was not seen in himself, but by his creatures." When they could not be drawn to recant these tenets, they were condemned to be burnt at Paris; which was accordingly executed. The body of their master was digged up out of the church-yard, and buried in the field.

 

 In 1524, at Melden, in France, there was one John Clark, who set up a bill upon the church-door, against the pope's pardons, lately come thither; wherein he called the pope antichrist . For this he was apprehended, and adjudged to be whipped three several days, and then to have a mark burnt in his forehead, as a note of infamy. His mother, a good woman, when she saw her son so scourged and branded, encouraged him, crying with a loud voice, " Blessed be CHRIST, and welcome be these marks for his sake." Afterwards he removed from thence, and went to Metz, in Lorrain, where, for some time he followed the calling of a wool-carder. All the people of this city used, once a year, to go forth into the suburbs, to worship some idols there. John Clark, inflamed with zeal, went the night before, and broke down all those images. The next morning, when all the clergy and people came to the place to worship them, they found all their idols broken upon the ground. This set all in a tumult, and there was great searching after the author of this deed. John Clark was quickly suspected and apprehended; who, at once confessed the fact, and told them the reasons why he did it. The people hereupon cried out against him, in a great rage. He professed the pure doctrine of the Son of God before the judges; and therefore was condemned to a cruel death, which he sustained with admirable patience and constancy.

 

 Not long after, Mr. John Castellane, doctor of divinity, born at Tournay, being, through God's mercy, called to the knowledge of the truth, became a zealous, fervent, and faithful preacher of it in divers places. At last he was taken prisoner by the cardinal of Lorrain's servants, by whom he was carried to the castle of Nom-meny, where he endured much cruelty; yet still he persevered in confessing the true doctrine of the Son of Gul. Then he was carried to the castle of Vic, and af>er s;.me time was condemned, degraded, and delivered over to the secular power, with this speech: "My lend judge, we pray you as heartily as we can, for the love of GOD, and the contemplation of tender pity and mercy, and for respect to our prayers, that you will not in any point do any thing that shall be hurtful to this miserable mair, or tending to his death, or the maiming of his body." He was afterwards burnt alive; which death he underwent with patience and comfort.

 

 In the year 154O, one Claudius, endeavoring to convert his friends and kinsfolk in Paris, was betrayed by them, and adjudged to have his tongue cut out, and then burnt. Stephen Brune, at Rutiers, for the constant profession of his faith, was condemned to be burnt. When the fire was kindled, a great wind so drove the flame from him, that he stood for an hour, exhorting and instructing" the people. Then they brought oil, vessels, and more faggots, yet still the flame was driven from him. Whereupon the hangman thrust him through the belly with a pike, threw him down into the fire, and after he was burnt, scattered his ashes in the wind. At Roan four Christians were condemned to be burnt, and being carried to the stake in a dung-cart, they said, " Blessed be GOD, we are here reputed as the excrements of this world, but yet our death is a sweet savor unto God."

 

 In 1549, there was a minister, called Florent Venote, cast into prison at Paris, where he lay above four years, in which ti:i,3 there was no kind of torment, which he did not endure and overcome. Amongst other tortures, he was put into so narrow a place, that he could neither stand nor lie. He remained there seven weeks, whereas there was never any malefactor before that could endure it fifteen days, but he either grew mad or died. At last, when a great show was made at the king's coming into the city, and divers other martyrs in sundry places of it were put to death; Florent also, having his tongue cut out, was brought forth to see their execution, and lastly was himself burnt.

 

 About the same time, one Anne Audebert, as she was going to Geneva, was apprehended and brought to Paris, where she was adjudged to be sent to Orleans and burned there. When she was had forth to execution, a rope being put about her, she called it her wedding-girdle, wherewith she should be married to CHRIST. Being to be burned on a Saturday, she said, " On a Saturday I was first married, and on a Saturday I shall be married again." She rejoiced much when she was put into the dung-cart, and showed such patience and constancy in the fire, as made all the spectators wonder.

 

 In 1553, three godly men were apprehended at Lyons, and condemned for the truth. When they were led forth to execution, two of them had ropes put about their necks. The third, having served the king in his wars, was favored to have none: whereupon he said to the lieutenant, " I also desire to have one of these precious chains about my neck in honor of my Lord." This being granted, they all went singing to the fire, where, with much patience, they yielded up their spirits unto God.

 

Not long after, one Matthew Djmonet was apprehended in the same place. He formerly had lived a most wicked life, full of all filthiness and abominations. He had been also a searcher out of the professors of the gospel, and a great persecutor of them; yet at last it pleased God to show him mercy, and he was converted to the knowledge of the truth. Being apprehended and examined, he made a stout profession of his faith. During his imprisonment, he had great conflicts with the infirmity of his flesh, but especially with the temptations of his parents, kindred, and friends; yet the Lord so strengthened him, that he endured constant to the end. At his burning he spoke much to the people, and was hearkened to with great attention.

 

 Simon Laloe, coming upon some occasions from Geneva into France, was apprehended by the bailiff of Dyon, and by him imprisoned and racked, to force him to confess what fellows he had: but that not prevailing, he was condemned to be burned. At his death, the executioner seeing his faith, patience, and constancy, was so wrought upon' thereby, that he fell into great terrors of conscience, so that he was near to utter despair, and all the promises of the gospel could scarce comfort him. At last, through God's mercy, receiving comfort, he, with all his family, removed to the church of Geneva, where he afterwards lived till his death.

 

Nicholas Naile, carrying some good books to Paris, was there apprehended, and made a bold confession of the faith, for which he was cruelly tormented, and all his joints racked asunder. Being condemned, he was carried to the stake, where they put a gag into his mouth, which they tied in so hard with a rope about his head, that blood gushed out of his mouth. They also besmeared all his body with oil and brimstone, so that at the first taking of fire, all his skin was shrivelled together, whilst his inward parts were untouched. The cord being burnt asunder, and the gag falling out of his mouth, he praised God in the midst of the fire, till he yielded up his spirit unto him.

 

 Petek Serre was at first a priest, but GOD, of his mercy, revealing his truth to him, he went to Geneva, and there learned the shoemaker's craft, whereby he maintained himself. Having a brother at Thoulouse, he went thither to instruct him out of a singular love to his soul. His brother's wife not being well pleased herewith, revealed it to one of her companions, who informed the official against him. Hereupon he was apprehended and carried before the inquisitor, to whom he made an excellent declaration of his faith, and so was delivered to the judge. The judge asked him of what occupation he was He said, " I am of late a shoemaker." Then the judge asked him "of what occupation he had formerly been He said, " I am ashamed to utter it, or to remember it; it being the worst and vilest science of all others in the world." The judge and people supposing that he had been some cut-purse or thief, were more importunate to know what it was; but shame and sorrow so stopped his mouth, that he could not declare it. At last, through their importunate clamor, he told them, he had been a popish priest. This so incensed the judge, that he presently condemned him to be degraded, to have his tongue cut out, and to be burned; which was accordingly executed. In the fire he stood as quiet, looking up steadfastly to heaven at the time of his burning, as if he felt no pain at all. This caused wonderful admiration in the people; and one of the parliament said, " It is not the best way to bring the Lutherans to the fire, for it will do more hurt than good."

 

 In 1558, Nicholas of Jonville, a young man, that had lived at Geneva, coming into France to obtain some money that was owing to him, was betrayed, apprehended, and condemned. Being carried in a cart to execution, his father met him, and would have beaten him with a staff, but the officers, not suffering it, were about to have stricken the old man. The son seeing it, cried to them to let his father alone, saying, that he had power over him to do to him what he would. At the place of execution he had an iron ball put into his mouth 3 and so he patiently took his martyrdom at Jonville.

 

 In 1559, Henry 2: king of France, coming into the parliament at Paris, there was one Anne du Bourg, (a noble counsellor, a man of singular understanding and knowledge, and bred up in the bosom of the church of CHRIST,) who made a bold speech before him, wherein he rendered thanks to Almighty GOD, for moving the king's heart to be present at the decision of so weighty a cause as that of religion was; humbly entreating him to consider well thereof, seeing it was the cause of CHRIST himself, which of good right ought to be maintained by princes. But the king, instead of hearkening to this good advice, was so far incensed against him, that he caused him to be apprehended by the earl of Mongomcry, constable of France, and to be carried to prison, protesting to him in these words, " These eyes of mine shall see thee burnt." Presently after he sent a commission to the judges to make his process. During his imprisonment, there was a godly woman, who was a prisoner in a chamber just over against his, who, at her window, sometimes by words, at other times by signs, did much encourage him to persevere constantly in the truth, whereby he was so comforted, that when some of his friends persuaded him to recant, he said, " God forbid! for a woman has taught me my lesson, how I ought to carry myself in this business." He was often examined about sundry points of religion; and being once asked,. Whether he had conferred with any about them, he answered, " That he had conferred with his books; especially with the holy Scriptures."

 

 Having drawn up a confession of his faith, he intended to present it to the parliament; but some advocates belonging to the court, who pretended to have a great love to him, labored to draw him to make another confession, not contrary to truth; but in such ambiguous terms as might satisfy the judges. Du Bourg long resisted, but at last was prevailed with to draw up such a confession. As soon as this came into the hands of his judges, great hopes were conceived of his enlargement. But when the

 

Christian congregation had gotten a copy of it, they were much grieved: whereupon they ordered Master Augustine Marlorat, a learned and godly minister, (who afterwards, in 1562, together with three worthy counsellors, was hanged at Roan,) to write a large discourse concerning the duty of such as were called to bear witness to the truth of God before magistrates j exhorting him more highly to prize the glory of God than his own liberty; the truth of his gospel, than a short and transitory life; showing that the fame of his constancy was spread, not only through France, but all CHRISTendom over j that he had been a means to confirm many weak ones, and caused others to inquire after the way of salvation; that all men's eyes were fixed on him, so that if through fear he should do ought that should contradict his first profession, he would give much scandal and offence; and therefore he exhorted him to give glory to God; telling him, that then he might assure himself God would never leave nor forsake him. These letters brought Du Bourg to a sight of his sins, for which he asked pardon of GOD, and without any further delay wrote to the judges, retracting his last, and protesting to stand to his first confession; so that shortly after he was condemned.

 

 In the mean time great feasts were prepared in the court, for joy of the marriages of the king's daughter and sister, which were soon to be celebrated. The day whereof being come, the king employed all the morning in examining the president, and other counsellors of the parliament against Du Bourg, and other his companions, that were charged with the same doctrine; intending to glut his eyes in seeing their execution; and then went to dinner. After dinner, the king, (being one of the defendants at the tilting, which was near the prison where Du Bourg and his fellows lay,) entered the lists, and behaved himself valiantly, breaking many spears against count Montgomery and others; whereupon he was highly commended of the spectators; and all thinking that he had done enough, desired him to give over. But he, being puffed up with their commendations, would needs run another course with Montgomery, who, kneeling on his knees, craved pardon, refusing to run against him. The king being eagerly set on, commanded him on his allegiance to run, and put the spear into his hand. Montgomery, thus enforced, addressed himself to the course, and the king and he meeting, brake their spears, and the king's helmet falling down at the same instant, one of the splinters of Montgomery's spear entered just into his right eye, and so pierced his head, that his brains perished. This wound, being incurable, killed him within eleven days. Thus his hope of seeing Du Bourg burned was frustrated. Du Bourg's execution thereupon was deferred for six months longer; when he, having constantly persevered in the confession of his faith, was first degraded, and the next day carried out to execution. The judges appointed six or seven hundred horse and foot well armed, to guard him. He was first hanged, and then his body was burnt to ashes.

 

 Those of the Religion, (the name whereby the Protestants were commonly known,) seeing themselves destitute of all human "aid, resolved in all their dangers, instead of seeking to man for help, to pray to GOD, to hear his word, to continue in true obedience unto it. This they did, and by their living in great love and concord one with another, abundance of Papists were so edified, that whole troops of them left the mass, and made open profession of the Protestant religion.

 

 

 

THE PERSECUTION

 

IN THE TIME OF

 

THE CIVIL WARS.

 

 

 

 IN 1582, the duke of Guise passing towards Paris, and coming near to Vassy, heard a bell, which he understood rang to a sermon, which was to be preached in a barn, wherein were assembled about twelve hundred men, women, and children. He went presently with all his troops to the barn, and entering it, cried out, " Death of God! kill, kill these Huguenots!" Then some of them shot at those which were in the galleries, others cut in pieces such as they met with. Some had their heads cleft in twain, others had their arms and hands cut off, so that the walls and galleries were died with blood. The duke, with his sword drawn, stood amongst them, charging his men to kill without sparing, especially the young men. Some of thfse, getting upon the roof, hid themselves there; but at length some of his bloody crew espying them, shot at them, whereby many of them were slain. Then they fell to murdering all without distinction. Many men and women were slain. Others escaped, being sore wounded, but died shortly after. The minister, in the beginning of the massacre ceased not to preach, till one discharged his piece against the pulpit. Then falling upon his knees, he intreated the Lord to have mercy

 

 Upon him, and upon his poor persecuted flock; and so coming down from the pulpit, attempted to escape; but by the way he received divers wounds. Finding himself, as he thought, mortally hurt, he cried, " Lord, into thy hand I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord, you God of truth!" Before he was slain, some took him and carried him before the duke, who said to him, " Who made thee so bold thus to seduce the people" " Sir," said the minister, " I am no seducer, but have faithfully preached the gospel of JESUS CHRIST to them." Then the duke cursed and swore, saying, "Death of God! does the gospel teach sedition" He then called the provost, saying, " Take this varlet and hang him upon a gibbet." Then was he delivered to two pages, who basely abused him. The popish women also threw dirt at him, and could scarce be restrained from tearing him to pieces. He was kept close prisoner, none being suffered to bring him necessaries; yet at last, through God's mercy, he was released, at the earnest request of the prince of Portion. They broke down the pulpit and stripped the dead naked; and so the duke departed, sounding his trumpets as if he had obtained a great victory.'

 

 When he came to Paris, he, with the constable and marshal of St. Andrews, seized upon the king, overthrew the places where they of the Religion used to assemble j which so encouraged the popish party, that in every place they so abused the Protestants, as the most cruel barbarians would have been ashamed to do. This caused a civil war, wherein the duke of Guise, having taken Roan, sacked it for the space of three days, and executed many of the citizens. Not long after he went to Orleans, boasting that within twenty-four hours he would win the town, and spare neither man, woman, nor child in it; and that he would so destroy the town, that the memory of it should be extinct for ever. But man purposes, and God disposes. For the same night, a young gentleman, named John Poltrot, shot him with his pistol, so that he shortly after died. After his death, peace was concluded between the queen-mother and the Protestants. But before this peace took place, those of the Religion suffered much in sundry parts of the realm.

 

 In Chalons there was a minister, called Fourniery apprehended and spoiled of all that he had. They stripped him also of his apparel} instead whereof, they put on him a thread-bare cloak, and so carried him away in a cart, by reason of an hurt that he had gotten in one of his feet. By the way, they did nothing but scoff at him, and every moment he was in danger of his life. The rude people also had almost pulled him to pieces. But it pleased GOD, that he was preserved by those who had designed him to death. When he came to Munchon he was cast into prison, and after a while there came a captain to him with many soldiers, who, mixing mocks and threatenings together, sware that he should be hewn in pieces. After them came in some of the judges, who commanded the jailor to load him with irons, saying, " You art no better than St. Peter, whom they laid in irons. But if you have as much faith as he, God will deliver you as he did him, by sending an angel to you." " I will not," said Fournier, " compare myself with St. Peter; yet it is not twelve years ago, since for preaching the same doctrine that Peter did, I was imprisoned at Thoulouse, and there was admirably delivered. And though Peter was delivered out of prison, yet in the end he glorified God by his death. And if I should be counted worthy with him to suffer for the truth, may it not be said, that I have the like precious faith with St. Peter" When they were gone, the jailor forbore putting bolts upon him, because of his sore leg, yet he put him into a straiter prison.

 

 Afterwards, the duke of Guise being made governor in that place, he was put to the torture. First they strained his thumbs so hard with a small cord that blood came forth. Then turning his arms behind his back, they hoisted him up with a rope put between his thumbs, twitching him up and letting him down five or six times. They also tied great stones to both his great toes, and let him hang till his spirits failed. Then they let him fall with such violence upon his face, that he was grievously hurt thereby. Then he was thrown into prison, and they would not suffer him to have a surgeon to cure him of the gashes which the cords had made in his flesh, even to the bare bones. His torment and anguish was very great; neither could he lift his hands, (which he was likely to lose the use of,) to his mouth. But it so fell out, by God's providence, that after he was condemned, there came news of the duke of Guise's death. At this his enemies began to tremble; and some of his judges coming to him into prison, asked him, " If he did not bear them ill will" He answered, " Men of my religion ought not to bear malice to any; being enjoined of God to love and pray for those that persecute them." He added, "Whatsoever troubles have befallen me, were none other, but such as God had fore-ordained for the setting forth of his own glory, for which I esteem myself most happy. Yet I warn you to lay to heart the wrong you have done me, lest the vengeance of God should sooner or later overtake you for it." The next day, Bulsi, one of his persecutors, having received letters from the constable of France to release him, swore, that he should be delivered indeed, but into the hands of the populace. It pleased GOD, that, just at that time, the prince of Portion came by with his German soldiers, which were on the Protestants' side. They sent word that they would not let so much as a house stand in Chalons, except they would deliver Fournier. This so affrighted his enemies, that they released him out of prison, protected him from the violence of the multitude, and conveyed him in safety to the prince. He Avas kindly entertained, all grieving for the miseries which he had endured. Two days after he preached before the prince and his followers. The day after, at the earnest request of the Protestants of Vitry, he went to them to preach and baptize their children. Shortly after he was called to Ver, where he gathered a congregation,, and spent some time amongst them with wonderful fruit j but by reason that he was so extremely weakened by his strait imprisonment and tortures, (being above fifty years old,) he soon after finished his course.

 

 At Montargis, there lived the lady Rene, dutchess dowager of Feirara, and daughter to king Lewis 12: The duke of Guise sent thither one Malicorn, who entering the town, murdered some of the Religion, and committed other outrages. He then proceeded so far as to threaten the lady to batter her castle with cannon-shot, if she would not deliver up those of the Religion, which were with her. The princess answered, " I charge you, look what you enterprise; for no man in the realm can eom-mand me but only the king. If you proceed to batter, I will stand in the breach, to try whether you dare kill the daughter of a king. And take notice, I want neither means nor power to be revenged on your boldness; evea to the infants of your rebellious race-" This stout answer made Malicorn depart.

 

At Mans, 2OO persons, men, women, and children, were put to death. The houses of the Protestants were pillaged. Such as were fled, were executed by their pictures, their goods confiscated, and their children made incapable of their offices and estates; yea, of inheriting their lands. Some they beheaded, others they hung up or massacred, and being half dead, threw them into the river. Above 12O men, women, and children, were murdered in the neighboring villages. One captain threw above 5O persons into his fish-pond to feed his pikes, and above as many more were thrown into ditches.

 

 At Angers, a godly minister, and above 8O other persons were executed. A gentlewoman, aged 7O years, wa& beat to death, and afterwards they drew her body through the streets, and threw it into the river, saying, " These is the mother of the devil, that preached to the Huguenots," (the common name of the Protestants in France.) A counsellor's wife, that lay bed-rid, was murdered, and women and maids were ravished. All that were but suspected to be of the Religion, were massacred, and their houses pillaged. They broke a captain upon a cross, contrary to their faith given, and left him hanging, in great misery, till he died.

 

In 1562, a decree was made by the parliament of Paris, commanding all Catholics immediately to rise in arms, to sound the bells in every place, to destroy all those of the Religion without respect of quality, sex, or age, to spoil their houses, and utterly to root them out. This encouraged all sorts to rise in arms, forsaking their vocations, and to march against the Protestants.

 

 In Liguel they hanged up some, put out the minister's yes, and then burnt him in a small fire. In other places they committed infinite villanies. One young man they flayed alive. The village of Aze they burnt down, and.massacred 3O persons therein. A minister, called John de Tour, aged 75 years, was burnt by them.

 

 At Tours, 14O persons were murdered, and cast into •the river. Divers others were drowned, sparing neither man, woman, nor child. The president being suspected to favor them of the Religion, was beaten with staves, stripped to his shirt, hanged up by one foot, with his head in the water up to his breast; and whilst he was yet living, they ripped up his belly, plucked out his guts, and threw them into the river. Then sticking his heart upon the point of a lance, they carried it about, saying, " This is the heart of the president of the Huguenots." Shortly after, the duke of Monpensjer came thither, who caused gibbets, wheels, and stakes, to be set up, whereon some hundreds, especially of the richer sort, were murdered. When they put any man or woman to death, they entered their houses, murdered their children, and took.all -their goods.

 

 There was a poor woman, whose husband was drowned a little before, who had a young infant sucking at her breasts, and a beautiful daughter of about sixteen years old in her hand. These villains drew them all to the river. When they came thither, the woman falling on her knees, prayed ardently to God. Then she took her infant, and laid it upon the grass. In the mean time this hellish rabble endeavored, partly by threats, partly by fair promises, to seduce the "young maid. One of them, with more flattery than the rest, promised to marry her, if she would consent to his will. At this the poor girl stood in dismay. Her mother, who was ready to be thrown into the river, perceiving it, earnestly exhorted her daughter to persist in the truth. The daughter then cried out, " I will live and die with my mother, whom I know to be a virtuous woman. As for your threats and promises, I regard them not; do with me as you please." The mother was then thrown into the water, and before she-was dead they threw in the daughter after; who getting to her mother, they mutually embraced each other, and so yielded up their souls into the hands of God.

 

 In the same city, there was a godly matron, whose name was Glee, who was carried before the captain, to xvhom she gave a reason of her faith, and confirmed it by evident testimonies of Scripture. She disputed also with some friars, whom she so silenced, that they had nothing to say, but that " she was in a damnable condition." " It seems so indeed," said she, " being in your hands; but I have a GOD, that will not fail nor forsake me." She was then committed to prison, where she was much solicited to recant, but all in vain: for she spoke her mind freely, and comforted the prisoners which were in the same prison for religion. When she was condemned to be hanged, and the rope was put about her neck, she kneeled down, praising and magnifying the name of GOD, in that he showed her such mercy, as by this death to deliver her out of the troubles of this wretched world j as also, for that it pleased the Lord to honor her so as to call her to die for his truth. She then breakfasted with the company, and when she had given thanks to GOD, she exhorted them to be of good courage, and to trust to the end in his free mercy. As she went to execution, a kinswoman met her, with her little children, and persuaded her to recant; telling her, that thereby she might preserve her life, and see her babes provided for. This wrought so upon her motherly affection, that it made her shed plenty of tears; but presently taking new courage, she said, " I love my children dearly; yet neither for love to them, nor for any thing else in the world, will I renounce my GOD, or his truth. God will be a father to these my children, and will provide better for them than I could have done; and therefore I commend and leave them to his providence and protection." At the place of execution, having prayed to, and praised God with a cheerful heart and voice, she quietly resigned up her spirit.

 

In Valougnes, divers persons of good quality were massacred, and the houses of the Protestants were filled with soldiers, tha did what they listed therein. Amongst other outrages, they slew a godly minister, called Monsieur de Valougnes, whose body they stripped naked, and dragged it up and down his house with scorns and jeers. At last, bringing the corpse into the chamber where he used to preach to his people, they spurned at it, saying, " Now pray to GOD, and preach if you can." The priests that were present, stuffed his mouth and wounds with the leaves of his bible, saying, " Preach the truth of thy GOD, and call upon him now to help thee."

 

 One Monluc, having defeated a party of the Protestants near Blois, under Monsieur Duras, he took divers prisoners, most of whom he hanged, especially the ministers. Amongst the prisoners was a captain, called La Mothe, whom Monluc meeting with, gave him divers stabs with a dagger, and thrust him through with a rapier, saying, "Villain,, you shall die in spite of God!" But he proved a liar; for he being carried away, though he had many mortal wounds, yet was wonderfully cured, and lived afterwards.

 

 In Guillac, the murders committed upon the Protestants were many and horrible. Amongst others, this was one of their practices: There was the abbey of St. Michael near the city, built upon a high rock, under which ran a deep and rapid river, called Tar. They forced many of the Protestants to go up to the top of this rock, and then they threw them down headlong into the river. By the way there was another rock, upon which most of the bodies falling, were dashed to pieces. If any escaped with life into the river, there were cut-throats, waiting upon the river in boats, to knock them on the head. Amonst others, there was one Peter Domo, an apothecary's servant, who, seeing them bent to murder him, requested, that he might have leave to, cast himself down from the top of the abbey, provided, that if God should preserve him in the fall, that they would suffer him to escape with life; whereupon, having made bis prayers to GOD, he fetched his leap from the top of the abbey, and flew so far, that missing the rocks under him, he fell safely into the river. He then endeavored to swim out with life; but these perfidious villains, contrary to their promise, knocked him on the head, and slew him.

 

 In Souraize, there was one captain Dune, who, with his soldiers, going into the house of a godly widow, called Castille Roques, caused her to be bound with cords, and a rope to be put about her neck, by which he haled her up and down, almost strangling her. Then he asked her, how often she played the whore with those of her religion She answered, " That in their Christian meetings they had no such villanies committed." Durre fretting and faming at this answer, took her by both the cheeks, and often dashed her head with great violence against the wall. Then he required her to give him the 7OO pieces of gold, which she had hid. She told him, she was a poor woman, and had only one French penny. This enraged him more; whereupon he drew her up again by the neck, and applied burning-hot eggs to her armpits, till they were all blistered; bidding her, in derision, to cry aloud to her Father which was in heaven. She answered, " I will not cry aloud, and yet my God can hear me well enough; and when his pleasure is, he will deliver me out of thy hand." This made him blaspheme so, that the poor woman was more afflicted to hear his blasphemies, than with all her pain. Then calling her Huguenot whore, he told her, that these were but the beginning of her sorrows, except she fetched him out her gold: for he would draw her cheeks and breasts with lard, and so roast her quick, and afterwards throw her headlong from the highest steeple in the town. " Well," said she, " if you throw my body never so low, that shall not hinder my soul from ascending into heaven." This her courage and constancy did still further enrage him. Then he opened her mouth with a dagger, and crammed lime down her throat: after which he made her drink a glass of his own urine, and then threw the glass into her face. At last he carried her to his quarters, where he intended to have slain her; but some of the neighbors, pitying her condition, redeemed her from him with ten crowns, and conveyed her to her house, where she died shortly after.

 

 In Thoulouse, the papists fell upon the Protestants, hurt many, killed some outright, and threw divers into a well. Then some counsellors proclaimed, that they should not spare to kill and spoil all those of the Religion, for that they were licensed by the king and pope so to do. This soon ran through all the villages, and the papists rang their bells upon the news. There were in Thoulouse about 3O,OOO Protestants, so that there began one of the most horrible massacres that ever was in those parts.

 

 The prisons were presently filled, and many were knocked on the head at the prison doors, because they could hold no more. The river, in a short space, was covered with dead bodies. Many were thrown out of the windows into the street. If any sought to escape out of the water, they were presently slain with swords or stones. Some of the Protestants got into the town-house, where they stood upon their guard, and at last it was agreed, that, leaving their arms, they should depart in safety; so, after they had received the sacrament, and commended themselves to God with prayers and tears, they came forth. But, contrary to the faith and promise made to them, the popish party seized upon as many as they could, whom they cast into prison. Of such as got out of the city, some escaped to Montaubon; others, in the way, were spoiled and killed by the soldiers and peasants.

 

 In Limous the papists used all manner of cruelty, de-flouring the women, nay, even the very girls, in a most detestable manner. The minister was slain, and two gentlemen, together with sixty others, were hanged. A widow, of a great family, redeemed the virginity of her only daughter with a great sum of money; but the villain, that promised to defend her, ravished her in her mother's presence, and then killed them both.

 

 In Nonnay, Monsieur Chaumont having surprised the town, murdered many Protestants, spitting out horrible blasphemies against God himself. A locksmith was commanded to blaspeme GOD, and, on refusing to do it, was immediately hewn in pieces. Another, for the same cause, was brained with the butt-end of a musket. A nailor, because he would not give himself to the devil, was drawn about his shop by the ears; then, being laid on the anvil, they beat his head in pieces with hammers. Three of the principal in the town were thrown down from a high tower. Many others were thrown down to make sport. Some were burnt in their houses; others thrown out at windows; others stabbed in the streets; women and maids were most shamefully handled. A young woman, that was found hid in a house with her husband, was ravished before his face; they then forced her to hold a rapier, while one forcing her arm, made her kill her own husband therewith.

 

 In Foix, many Protestants were cast into prison, of whom some had their arms and legs cut off, and then were beheaded; some burnt, some hanged, and others sent to the gallies.

 

 In Orange, they killed the Protestants without distinction of age, sex, or quality. Some they stabbed; others they threw upon points of halberds; some they hanged; others they burnt in the churches; some had their privy-members cut off; neither old, nor bed-rid, nor the diseased in the hospitals were spared. Sucking children massacred at their mothers' breasts. Girls of five or six years old were ravished and spoiled. The wounds of the dead were filled with leaves torn out of the Bible. Those in the castle being 19O, that had yielded upon promise of safety, were all stabbed, or thrown over the walls.

 

 In Mascon, the bloody persecutors apprehended a godly and learned minister, called Bonnet Bob., who was of a very unblamable life, and had been twenty years in the ministry; during which, he had been put to his ransom three times. They carried him along the streets with a thousand scoffs and scorns, smiting him with their fists, and thrusting him up and down. As they passed along, they made this proclamation, " Whosoever will hear this holy man preach, let him come to the slaughter-house!" To this place he was led, where they again buffeted and mocked him two hours together. Seeing them bent upon his death, he requested them, that before he died they would permit him to pray to God. Then one stepping to him, cut off half his nose, and one of his ears, saying, " Now pray as long as you will, and then we shall send thee to all the devils." This holy man then kneeling down, prayed with such fervency of spirit, that he even drew sighs from some of the murderers. Afterwards directing his speech to

 

him that had cut off his nose, he said, " Friend, I am now ready to suffer what you have further to inflict upon Kie. But I entreat thee and thy companions to bethink you well of the outrages committed by you against this poor city; for there is a God in heaven, before whose tribunal you must shortly give an account of these your cruelties." A captain passing by, said, " Send that wretched man to the, devil." One of them, hearing this, took him by the hand, pretending to have him to the river, to wash off his blood; but when he came there, he threw him into it, and battered him with stones till he was drowned.

 

 

 

THE HISTORY

 

OF THE

 

MASSACRE AT PARIS.

 

 

 

 IN the year 1571, after the end of the third civil war in France, great means were used to draw the chief of the Protestants to Paris, under pretence of a marriage between the prince of Navarre, and the lady Margaret, sister to Charles 9: king of France. In the mean time, the papists in Roan murdered divers Protestants, as. they came from a sermon, and grievously beat others. This seemed much to displease the king, and three or four were executed for the mutiny. Then the articles of marriage were agreed upon. The place appointed for the celebration of it was Paris, and admiral Chatillon was sent to by the king, to be present at the wedding; and to prevent all jealousies, those of the house of Guise were sent away; whereat they seemed much discontented. The admiral was allowed to bring with him fifty gentlemen armed for his greater security. When he came to Paris, he was honorably received, and conducted to the king, who called him his father, protesting, That in all his life he had not seen a day more agreeable to his mind than that; wherein he assured himself to see the end of all troubles, and the beginning of firm peace and quietness in his reajm. The queen-mother, and the rest of the great courtiers, received him with greater favor than he expected. Then the king sent him 1OO,OOO franks out of his treasury, for the losses which he had received in the wars.

 

 Admiral Chatillon had divers advertisements of the intended treachery; yet he was so blinded at that time, though a very prudent man, that he gave little heed to them. Yea, such a general stupidity seized upon the Protestants, that their minds were wavering, and few there were that showed themselves zealously bent to religion; but all, both great and small, thinking deeply upon worldly matters, built them goodly castles in the air.

 

 The queen of Navarre was sent for by the king of France to Paris, to prepare all things against the wedding. Presently after her arrival, she fell sick of a fever. In her illness, she had much inward joy and comfort, and at five days' end died; not without suspicion of poison, from certain perfumes given to her. After her death, the surgeons were not suffered to open her head, where the mischief lay, whereby it was better concealed.

 

 The admiral was again advertised of his danger; but he, resting upon the testimony of a good conscience, and the providence of GOD, mis-interpreted those advices, as if they proceeded from men desirous of new troubles. Many lords and gentlemen of the Religion accompanied the king of Navarre and the prince of Conde to Paris. The king of France, the better to delude the Protestants, spoke openly, That he gave not his sister to the king of Navarre only, but, as it were, to the whole church of the Protestants, to join with them in an indissoluble union, and as a tie to their peace and safety.

 

 August 17, 1572, the king of Navarre and the lady Margaret were married by the cardinal of Bourbon, in the sight of all the people, and that day was spent in banquets, dances, and masks, with a strange mixture of Protestants and Papists together. In the mean time, the queen-mother, with the duke of Anjou and the Guises, consulted about killing the admiral, and dividing the Protestants. Five days after, as the admiral came from the court, accompanied with about fifteen gentlemen, reading a petition as he went, one shot at him with a musket. The bullet took away his right fore-finger, and hurt him in the left arm. The assassin had a Spanish jennet at the back door of his lodging, upon which, as soon as he had shot, he mounted and escaped. The door being burst open, it was found that the musket left behind was brought to the house the day before, by one Chally, steward to the king's house, and a great dealer for the duke of Guise. The admiral being conveyed to his lodging, showed most admirable piety, patience, and constancy. The king complained of the mischief, swearing and promising to execute such justice upon the offender, that the admiral and all his friends should think themselves well satisfied. He also caused all the gates of Paris to be shut; swearing and blaspheming, that he would not that they which had done the fact should escape. He also appointed many lords and gentlemen of the Protestants to lodge in the admiral's quarter, the better, as he pretended, to secure themselves against any danger.

 

 In the afternoon, the king went to visit the admiral, and there, with many oaths and protestations, assured him of his love to him, his care over him, and them of the Religion; and that he would severely punish the authors of his present hurt. Presently after, the vidame of Chartres, (John de Ferriers,) advised the king of Navarre, the prince of Conde, the admiral, and other chief lords of the Religion, immediately to depart out of Paris; assuring them, that that blow was but the beginning of the tragedy, which was soon to ensue; but they, trusting to the king's word, rested secure. The same day, also, the king wrote to the ambassadors of foreign princes, and to the governors of all his provinces, declaring how he was offended at the admiral's hurt, and how severely he would punish it; yea, desiring that all the world might know how much he was offended at it. And the queen-mother wrote the like.

 

 In the mean time, the dukes of Anjou and Guise employed some to go from house to house to take the names of all the Protestants, and to return the catalogue to them. By this, they of the Religion began to discover that some bloody intentions were hatching against the admiral and his friends. The king then set a guard at the admiral's gate. Great store of arms were carried into the Louvre, and about evening all the people were in.arms. The chief of the Protestants hereupon assembled again in the admiral's lodging, where the vidame of Chartres advised, as before, that they should essay presently to carry the admiral out of Paris, and that the rest should presently dislodge; yet all the rest refused his counsel, resolving to rely upon the king's word.

 

 In the evening some Protestant gentlemen proffered to watch with the admiral, but he would not suffer them. At night the duke of Guise sent for the captain of the Switzers, showing him his commission to kill the admiral and all his partakers, exhorting him and his men to be courageous. At midnight the provbst, sheriffs, and captains of every ward, had the same showed them, with assurance, That through the whole realm the like should be done to all the Protestants, and that the watch-word for the general massacre should be, the tolling of a bell in the palace, at break of day; and the badge of the executioners should be, a white handkerchief tied on their arms, and a white cross in their hats. The duke of Guise and his associates were to begin at the admiral's lodging.

 

 Some of the Protestants being awakened with the noise of men in the streets running up and down in arms, and with torches, got up to inquire what was the matter. Presently the bell rung, and the duke of Guise with his cut-throats hasted to, and knocked at the admiral's gates. He that opened them was presently stabbed. The admiral hearing a noise, got out of bed, and joined with Mr. Merlin, his minister, in fervent prayer; commending his soul into the hands of God. Then said he, " I have long disposed myself to die; save you yourselves, if it be possible, for you cannot save my life. I commit my soul into the hands and mercy of God." Then Merlin and the rest got to the top of the house, and crept out of the windows into the gutters to hide themselves; yet most of them were slain in the next house. Then seven or eight men brake into the admiral's chamber, and one of them went to him with his naked sword, offering him the point. To whom he said, " You oughtest to respect my age and infirmity." To which he replied by running him through the body; and all the rest laid at him so, that he fell to the ground, where he lay gasping. The duke of Guise below, called to them to throw his body out at the window, which they did. His face being all bloody, the duke of Guise wiped it, and looking on it, said, " I know him; it is he;" and so kicked him on the face with his foot, whom all the murderers in France feared so much when he was alive. Then he went out into the streets, crying, " Courage, my fellows, we have here made a good beginning. Let us fall upon the rest: the king commands it.' It is his express pleasure: he commands it." The admiral's head was sent to the king and queen-mother, and by them sent to the pope and cardinal of Lorrain as a grateful present. When the pope heard of it, he set apart a day of public thanksgiving to GOD, in the church of St. Lewis, and published a bull of extraordinary indulgences to such as should pray for heavenly assistance to the king and kingdom of France. The common people cut off the admiral's hands and privy members, drawing his body about the streets three days, and then hung it by the feet upon the gallows.

 

 All the attendants of the king of Navarre and prince of Conde, which lay in the king's palace, were massacred. The like was done to the lords and gentlemen that lay about the admiral's lodging. And then through all the city the Protestants were murdered; so that that night, and the two next days, there were slain in Paris about 1O,OOO persons, of all ranks, ages, and sexes; yea, they spared not children in the cradle, nor infants in their mother's wombs.

 

 There were at this time in Paris about 6O,OOO men, with pistols, pikes, poniards, knives, and such other bloody instruments, that ran up and down swearing and blaspheming the sacred majesty of GOD, cruelly massacring all they met with. The streets were covered with mangled bodies; gates and doors denied with blood. The shoutings and howlings of the murderers, mixed with the cries and groans of the dying, and the breaking open of doors and windows, with the firing of guns and pistols, made a terrible noise. Multitudes of dead bodies were thrown into the Seine, which was reddened with their blood. To colour this their villany, they gave it out, that the Huguenots had conspired to kill the king, They also boasted that they had in one day done that which processes, sentences of justice, and open war could not do in twelve years. The king certified the king of Navarre and the prince of Conde of all that was done, saying, " That he saved their lives upon condition that they should renounce their religion, and turn Papists." The king of Navarre desired him not to force his conscience, but to remember the alliance, so lately contracted between them. The prince of Conde, with more zeal, told him, that his body and estate were in his power, to do with them what he pleased; but for his religion he was fully pursposed not to forsake it, but to remain constant therein, to the loss of his life. He put the king in mind also that he had given his faith to him, and to those of the Religion,, and therefore he hoped he would not falsify his oath. This so enraged the king, that he called him rebel, and the son of a rebellious person, with horrible threatenings that he should lose his head, if within three days he altered not his mind.

 

 The king and his confidents, perceiving that this massacre would not quench the fire, but rather stir up the, Protestants in other parts of the kingdom to defend themselves, they presently despatched away letters to the governors of towns> with express commands to massacre all the Protestants. At the same time the king wrote other letters, wherein he laid the fault of the murder of the admiral upon the duke of Guise; pretending that he had quieted all things in Paris, and intended that his edicts of pacification should be held inviolable. Upon the receipt of these letters, the Papists fell upon the Protestants at Meaux, Trois, Orleans, and other places, and murdered them without all pity; besides such as were massacred in villages and fields, where they thought to save themselves; so that in a few weeks there were about 3O,OOO persons massacred in France.

 

 Besides this general account, some particulars deserve' remembrance, which are these that follow. Monsieur de la Place, president of the Court of Requests, had a captain armed, that came into his house, telling him that the duke of Guise had slain admiral Chatillon, at the king's appointment, with many other Huguenots,, and that he was come to protect him in this common destruction; only he desired a sight of the gold and silver that was in his house. The lord de la Place, amazed at his audaciousness, asked him whether he thought there was a king, or not The captain, blaspheming, willed him to-go with him to know the king's pleasure. Hereupon the lord went from him to secure himself. Then the captain rifled his house, taking above one thousand crowns out of it. The lord would have secured himself in three several houses, all which refused to entertain him, which caused him to go back to his own again. Here he found his wife very heavy, for which he rebuked her, and discoursing to her of the promises, told her, that we " must through many afflictions enter into the kingdom of God." Then calling his family together, he made an exhortation to them, went to prayer, and began to read a chapter in Job. Then he went to prayer again, resolving to suffer all torments, or death, rather than do any thing that might dishonor God. Then came the provost-marshal, with many archers, to his house, pretending to secure him, and to convey him safely to the king, who would speak with him. De la Place told him that he was very willing to do it, but saw it impossible. Presently after came the provost of merchants, who also would needs have him to the king. De la Place would have excused it, as before, but the provost would have no nay. Therefore, resolving upon death, which he saw he could not avoid, he embraced his wife; and wishing her, above all things, to continue in the fear of GOD, he went on his way boldly. In the street, some murderers, that attended there for his coming, stabbed him with their daggers, and the next day threw him into the river.

 

 Peter Ramus, the king's professor in logic, was not forgotten. The murderers breaking into the college of priests, where he was, massacred him, and then cast him out of the chamber window, so that his bowels gushed out upon the stones.

 

 A young man going early abroad on the Sabbath morning, and hearing of the death of the admiral, out of a singular affection to his mother, he hasted home, informed her of the danger, and secured her in a place of great secrecy. After which, he shut himself up in his study, in order by prayer to prepare himself for death. The murderers soon breaking in upon him with battle-axes and staves, killed him, and threw him into the river. Two ministers belonging to the king of Navarre were also murdered, and thrown into the river; but God miraculously preserved all the other ministers in the city. One of the murderers snatching up a little child in his arms, the poor babe began to play with his beard, and to smile upon him; but he, instead of being moved to compassion thereby, wounded it with his dagger, and cast it, all in gore blood, into the river.

 

 The king's letters being come to Meaux upon the same Sabbath, to Cosset, the king's attorney there, upon the sight of them he presently went about to his cut-throats, warning them to come to him armed at seven o'clock at night; withal causing the gates of the city to be shut up-The hour being come, he with his partisans went up and down, cruelly murdering the innocent servants of JESUS CHRIST; in which bloody employment they spent all that night. The next day they pillaged their houses, and took above 2OO Protestants more, and shut them up in prison. The day after, towards evening, Cosset, with his companions, went to the prison, where, having a catalogue of the prisoners' names, he called them out one by one, and they murdered them till they were weary. Then they went to supper, that so they might breathe and refresh-themselves. When they had filled themselves with wine, they went back to glut themselves with blood. They took with them butchers' axes, that they might despatch them the more easily. With these, as they called them forth, they knocked them down and murdered them. Amongst those that were thus butchered, was an elder of the reformed church, who prayed for his enemies; for which they laughed him to scorn. He having a buff coat on, which they were loath to spoil, they opened it before, and stabbed him in the breast. There was likewise an ancient man, that had been sheriff of the city, whom they were not content to kill out-right; but first they cut off his nose, ears, and privy members, and then gave him several small thrusts into the body, tossing him up and down, till,, through loss of blood, he fell down, calling

 

upon the name of the Lord; and so with many wounds he was slain.

 

 The king's letters being come to Troyes, the Protestants were all shut up in prison. Then the bailiff sent for the common hangman to murder them; but he refused, saying, " That his office was only to execute such as were legally condemned;" and so went his way. Then the keeper of the prison was sent for, who being sick, he sent one Martin to know what the business was. The bailiff imparted the whole matter to Martin, wishing him to murder all the prisoners; and that their blood might not run out into the street, he bade him make a great trench in the midst of the prison, and cause certain vessels to be set into it to receive the blood. This Martin went back with abhorrence of the fact, and concealed it from the jailer. The nexi day the bailiff came to the prison, and smiling, asked the jailer, "If it was done" He being ignorant of his meaning, asked him, " What should be done" Hereupon the bailiff was so enraged, that he was ready to strike him with his dagger, till he promised to perform his will. Then the jailer went to the prisoners, who were in the court, and shut them up one by one in their several cells; which made them suspect that they were destined to slaughter; and therefore they betook themselves to prayer. The jailer calling his companions about him, acquainted them what was given him in charge, and caused them to swear to execute it. But when they approached to the prisoners, they were so surprised with fear, that they stood gazing one upon another, not having hearts to act so horrid a deed. Then they returned to the jailer's lodge, and sent for eight quarts of the strongest wine, with other liquors, to intoxicate their brains. Having taken a catalogue of all the prisoners, they gave it to Martin to call them forth in order. The first prisoner being called for, presented himself with a cheerful countenance, calling upon the name of the Lord; and opening his breast to them, he deceived the mortal stroke, whereof he died, Another being called forth, one of them thrust at him several times with the point of his halberd, and wounded, but did not kill him. Then the prisoner took the point of the halberd, and set it against his heart, saying, with a steadfast voice, " Here, soldier, here: right at the heart; right at the heart;" and so finished his life. The rest were all murdered in the like manner. After which, the murderers made a great pit in the back side of the prison, into which they cast the bodies one upon another; some of them being yet alive: yea, one of them raised up himself above his fellows; whereupon they threw in earth, and so smothered him. But the bailiff's order of making a trench not being observed, the blood of the slain ran so abundantly out of the prison door, that thence, through the channel, it ran into the river, and turned it into the colour of blood, which bred an horror in the very Papists themselves.

 

 At Orleans, the king's edict for observing the treaty of peace was solemnly published, which made those of the Religion very secure; whereupon above 3OO of them, men, women, and children, met together at a sermon, the same night the king's letters came for the massacring of them all. Then the mayor and sheriffs raised the companies in arms to put it in execution. One of these murderers, with some of his companions, went to a counsellor's house, bidding themselves to supper. The counsellor, ignorant of their intents, made them good cheer. When supper was ended, uttering horrible blasphemies, they murdered him, and then plundered his house. Many of the Religion inhabited about the ramparts of the wall, amongst whom nothing was heard all night but shooting of guns and pistols, breaking open of doors, fearful outcries of men, women, and children that were massacred, trampling of horses, rumbling of carts, that carried the dead bodies away, and the ravings of the murderers, that went up and down, crying out, " Kill, kill them all; and then take the spoil." One night, some of the murderers came and knocked at the door of a doctor of the civil law, and when he opened it to them, they told him, "That he must die." Upon this he fell to prayer with such ardency and affection, that they, being amazed and over-ruled by a Divine power, only robbed him, and went away. The next day some scholars came to his house, desiring to see his library, which he showed them. Then they asked some for one book, some for another, which he gave them. They told him at last they were not satisfied, but they must kill him. Whereupon he betook himself to prayer, and when he had done, he desired them to kill him there; but they refused it. Then they forced him out into the streets, and led him by the schools. He again desired them to kill him in that place, where he had taught so long, but they still refused. When they had led him a little farther, they knocked him on the head. To fulfil the measure of their cruelty, such Protestants as through fear revolted to them, they placed them in the fore-front of their companies; putting weapons in their hands, and compelling them to give the first onset, crying, " Smite them, smite them: are they not your holy brethren and sisters" And if any refused, they presently slew them. In this massacre, which lasted a whole week, the Papists boasted that they had slain above 12,OOO men, besides women and children. Some of them said 18,OOO.

 

 In Lyons, Mandolet, governor thereof, hearing of the massacre at Paris, presently caused the city gates to be shut, and raised forces, commanding them, That if the Protestants came out of their houses, though but with swords, they should presently kill them. The Protestants, seeing a storm coming, which they knew could not arise without the special providence of GOD, set themselves to bear it with invincible patience. The day following, if any of them did but go abroad, about their necessary occasions, they were presently clapt in prison; and when night came, the murderers entered their houses, which they rifled and plundered: and pretending to carry the protestants to prison, they stabbed some of them in the streets, and others they threw into the river 5 some of whom were carried down the stream half a mile below the city, by which means they escaped. The day after, proclamation was made by sound of trumpet, That all of the Religion should appear at such a place, to know the Icing's pleasure concerning them. Many went, but as soon as they came, they were sent to several prisons. The night following, "every corner and part of the city was full of lamentable cries and shriekings, partly of such as were massacred in their houses, partly of such as were but half murdered, and so haled to be thrown into the river. From that time there were such horrible murders committed in the city, as if the devils, in the likeness of men, ran roaring about to do mischief. The Sabbath morning following, those that had hitherto escaped massacring were despatched. In the archbishop's house there were 35O prisoners shut up, and a crew of cut-throats appointed to murder them, to whom the keys were delivered; and they, rushing into the great court, gave notice to the prisoners with a loud voice, that they must die. Then, having first taken all the prisoners' purses, they fell upon them, hacking and hewing them in a furious manner; so that within an hour and an half, they were every one cut in pieces. The prisoners were all slain, with their eyes and hands lifted up to heaven, till their hands were cut off.

 

 There was a merchant, named Francis de Bossu, that had two sons: the father, seeing these horrible massacres, said to his sons, " Children, we are not now to learn that it has always been the portion of believers to be hated, persecuted, and devoured by unbelievers. If we suffer with CHRIST, we shall also reign with him. Let not therefore these drawn swords terrify us, they will be but as a bridge whereby we shall pass to eternal life. We have lived long enough amongst the wicked; let us now go and live with our GOD, Let us joyfully go after this company that is gone before us." When he saw the murderers come, he elapsed his arms about his two sons, and they theirs about him, as if they strove mutually to ward off the blows each from the other, and were afterwards found dead in their mutual embraces.

 

 The murderers went up and down the city, boasting that they had dyed their white doublets red in the blood of the Huguenot's. One bragged that he had killed an hundred 5 some more, and some less. When the people went into the archbishop's house, and saw the slaughter that had been made there, though they were Papists, yet they said, " Surely they were not men, but devils, that did this." The dead corpses were carried out, and spread like dung upon the earth; and when they were about to throw them into the river, an apothecary told them much money might be made of their grease. Then all the fat bodies were sought out, ripped up, and their grease sold for three shillings a pound; which being done, some were tumbled into a great pit, others thrown into the river. The countries which lay below upon the river, were amazed to see such multitudes of dead bodies come down the stream, some with their eyes pulled out, others their noses, ears, and hands cut off, and stabbed in every part of their bodies, so that some had no part of human shape remaining. 

 

 The news of the massacre at Paris coming to Thoulouse, the gates of the city were presently shut up. But it pleased GOD, that that morning most of the Protestants were gone out of the city to hear a sermon. The report of the shutting up of the gates coming to them, some of them thought it not fit to return 5 others would needs go back to take order about their affairs. These were suffered to enter peaceably, leaving their swords at the gates, the rather to draw in the rest, amongst whom were divers counsellors. Great means were used to entrap them: and indeed some of them were enticed to come back. But when they saw they could get in no more, the Wednesday morning following, soldiers -were sent to break into all the houses of those of the Religion, and to carry them to sundry prisons. The gates were watched that none should escape. Command also was given that none should conceal any of the Protestants. Amongst the prisoners were five or six counsellors, who much comforted and encouraged the rest. Then all the prisoners were brought together into one place, and letters procured from the king to massacre them. Accordingly, some lewd persons, armed with axes and butcher's knives, were sent to effect it; who calling them out, one by one, murdered them all; not permitting them so much as to speak, much less to pray. The number of the slain was above 3OO, who were stript stark naked, and their bodies left to the view of all for two days together. Then they were thrown naked into pits, one upon another. Only the counsellors were hung up in their long gowns upon an elm in the palace-yard. All their houses were also sacked and plundered.

 

 

 

THE PERSECUTION

 

OF THE

 

CHURCH OF GOD IN THE VALTELINE.

 

In the year of our Lord 162O.

 

 

 

 THE Grison lords, who were the sovereign magistrates of this country, had, by sundry decrees, granted liberty to the Protestants to exercise their religion freely. But when the minister of Tell, with his congregation, were met together in the service of GOD, the bloody Papists, rising in arms, set upon them, slew one, and beat others so cruelly with staves, that they were forced to desist from their purpose. Shortly after they murdered some others, and set guards upon all the passages of the valley, that none of the Protestants should escape them. Then they rang their bells, and raised all the country; and if any Protestants stirred out of their houses, they murdered them. They also broke into the houses of others, drew them out of their beds, and murdered them. Some of the Protestants retired to the houses of Papists that were near of kin, or otherwise engaged to them, to secure themselves; but there they were betrayed and murdered. Some they strangled, some they shot; beat out the brains of others, and others they drowned in the river Alba. A noble gentleman, that had hid himself, was found by them, who requested them to spare his life for his dear children's sake. But they told him, this was no time for pity, except he would abjure his faith. " Nay, (said he,) God forbid that, to save this temporal life, I should deny my Lord JESUS CHRIST, who with his precious blood upon the cross redeemed me at so dear a rate: and having, through his grace, so long and publicly professed him, that I should now hazard the loss of eternal life." Hereupon they murdered him. They brake also into the palace of the governor, and murdered him. Women and maids they deflowered: and of all the Protestants in that country, there were only three that escaped over the horrid and vast mountains of the Alps into Rhetia.

 

 Having despatched the Protestants in this place, they marched to another, just at the time when the Protestants were at church hearing a sermon. They were guided to the place by two friars. The Protestants seeing them coming, shut the church doors, and barricaded them up with benches. The villains labored to break open the door, but when they could not readily do it, they clambered up into the windows, through which they shot with their muskets at the people, and wounded and killed many. The minister being a man rarely endued with learning and piety, according to the shortness of time, exhorted them to persevere in the truth, notwithstanding all the danger. In the mean time, the Papists had forced open the door, where they fell to murdering of all without respect of quality, sex, or age. Some lords and gentlemen were here slain. The minister was shot to death. Divers ladies and children got into the belfry; but they set fire to the place, and burnt them all. The wretches, having thus glutted themselves with blood in this place, marched to Sondres. The Papists in that place, hearing of their coming, went to the justice, protesting, that they would guard him from any danger, and that they would not suffer such villanies to be committed amongst them. Then they beat their drums, rang their bells, and armed themselves, under pretence of securing the Protestants; who, trusting to their promises, mixed themselves amongst them to stand for their own defense. The Papists, concealing their intent, killed now one, then another, as if it had been by accident; so that divers of them were slain, yet they did not find out the iniquity of the practice. Some, both men and women, sought to escape; but all passages being shut up, they were met with and murdered. Then they discovered their practice more openly, killing the Protestants wherever they met them. Hereupon eighteen of the Protestants, together with some ladies and young children, got together; and the men being well armed, they marched close together, repulsing their enemies; and at last came to a church in the mountain of Sondres, unto which a minister and some others, in all about 73 men, were gathered together. After they had made their prayers unto GOD, they passed the Valley of Malaneo, which was beset by the enemy on both sides. But such as kept the passages were, by God's special providence, so astonished, that they fled away 5 and the Protestants, though they were pursued to the top of the mountains, miraculously escaped with safety. Them the peasants joined with these villains to rob and plunder the houses of the Protestants; and amongst them, divers noblemen's houses richly furnished. They also ran up and down through fields, woods, and mountains, searching every bush for the Protestants. And as they found any of them they immediately murdered them.

 

 There was an honorable lady, that not long before came out of Italy, to enjoy her liberty of conscience, whom they exhorted to change her religion; which she refusing, they advised her, That at least she would do it out of a care for her young infant, which she had in her arms; who otherwise, together with herself, would presently be slain. She answered, with an undaunted courage, " I have not departed out of Italy, my native country, nor forsaken all the estate I had there, now t<3 renounce the faith which I had wrought in me by the Lord JESUS CHRIST. I will rather suffer, if it were possible, a thousand deaths. How shall I have regard in this case to my infant, since GOD, my heavenly Father, spared not his own Son, my Lord JESUS CHRIST, but delivered him up to death for his love to me, and such sinners as I am" And so, giving her child to one, she said, " Behold my child! the Lord GOD, who has care of the birds of the air, is much more able to save this poor creature, although it should be left by you to these wild mountains." Then unlacing her gown, she opened her breast, saying, " Here is the body, which you have power to kill; but my soul, on which you have no power to lay your hands, I commend to God." Then she was presently slain, and hewn in pieces. One Dominico Berto, of sixteen years old, was set upon an ass, with his face to the tail, and led thus, with many jeers, to the market-place. Then they cut off his nose, ears, and cheeks, and burnt many holes in several parts of his body with hot irons; continuing these torments till they had killed him. Yet, through the wonderful goodness of GOD, some ministers, with their wives and children, by great travel, dangers, and difficulties amongst the craggy and high mountains, were delivered out of the hands of these bloody persecutors.

 

 A noble virgin, that came to Sondres, for the sake of religion, was seized upon by these villains, and carried through the streets with the greatest shame and disgrace. They put a mitre of paper on her head, besmeared her face with dirt, buffetted her on the cheeks, and then exhorted her to call upon the saints; but she, smiling thereat, said, " My trust and my salvation is only in my Savior JESUS CHRIST, and upon him only will I rest. As for the Virgin Mary, though she be blessed above all women, yet she is not omniscient, and therefore knows not our requests; yea, she herself had need of the merits of her Son, without which she could not have been saved." They still continuing to- deride her, she manfully said, " I willingly endure all this, as it becomes me to do, desiring no better usage; seeing the same was done to my Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST, to his apostles, and to thousands of the holy martyrs." Then she was carried away, and murdered in the fields.

 

 These murderers, having slain all in Tyrane, Bruse, Tell, Sondres, and Malenco, went to Berbenno, where they presently murdered sundry persons, of good rank and quality, and with great cruelty, contrary to their faith and promise given them. They did the like in Caspano and Trahen, and divers other places; showing neither pity nor favor to any. In one house they slew a man and his wife; and seeing an infant of three years old lying in the cradle, the child, being a girl of a sweet and amiable countenance, and seeming to smile upon them, they took her by the heels, and dashed out her brains. Then these villains marched to Bruse, where they also murdered many; shooting some, drowning, stoning, and burning others, and grinding their bones to powder. Amongst other cruelties, finding a poor matron, aged 8O years, they much solicited her to hear mass, wishing her to have respect to her age. To whom she answered, " God forbid that I, who now of a long time have had one foot in the grave, should forsake my Lord JESUS CHRIST, who has so long time preserved me in the knowledge and profession of his truth." Whereupon they instantly killed her.