TO MR. FOX'S ACTS AND MONUMENTS OF THE CHRISTIAN MARTYRS. 

 

EXTRACTED FROM MR. SAMUEL CLARK'S GENERAL MARTYROLOGY.

 

VOL. 4:

 

A NARRATIVE OF THE BLOODY CRUELTIES,

 

Exercised egalamt the

 

PROTESTANTS OF THE VALLEYS OF PIEDMONT, In Apri1, 1655.

 UPON Saturday, April 17, 1655, whilst- the deputies of the Protestants were detained at Turin, there arrived a great army at St. Giovanni, which was now, with La’Torre, and all the lower parts, unpeopled by a late edict of the Duke of Savoy. This army continued there for some hours, and in the dusk of the evening fell into La Torre, where they met with none of the Protestants; only eight or ten persons, not thinking of an enemy, were seeking up and down for something to satisfy their hunger. As soon as they came near the convent, they were saluted with a volley of shot, which killed Giovanni Combe, and hurt Peter Rostain, whereupon the rest, seeing the danger, fled for their lives. The next day, being the Sabbath, the enemy ranged about, plundering, and pillaging all before them. The day after, their number being increased to about 15,OOO, they set upon the Protestants in several quarters, amongst the little hills of St. Giovanni and La Torre. The poor people at length stood in their own defense, and the enemy was vigorously opposed on every side; in one place by Captain Jahier, and in other places by the officers of St. Giovanni, Angrogne, Roccapiata, and their troops.

 

 Tuesday, April 2O,-the Popish army made three several attempts to take away the bell of St. Giovanni, and to burn the church; but the people did so courageously resist them, that they were driven to a shameful retreat, with the loss of 5O men; and had not the cavalry defended the plain, they had been utterly routed. Only two of the Protestant party were slain. Wednesday, the 21st, which was the fatal day to the Protestants, the Marquis of Pianessa held the deputies of the valley of Lucerne in parley till noon, and then entertained them with a large dinner, and sent them away with many fair promises, that there' should be no hurt done to any. Hereupon the agents of Angrogne bestirred themselves to dissuade their own party from making the least resistance. The same did the agents of Villars and Bobio. But no sooner were those troops entered, than they put all to fire and sword, slaying all they met with, and that in the most barbarous manner they could possibly devise. The following extract of a letter, written by some of those poor Protestants, contains a brief account of the barbarities exercised upon them.

 

The army having gotten footing, became very numerous by the addition of a multitude of the neighboring inhabitants; who, hearing that we were given for a prey to the plunderers, fell upon us with an impetuous fury, To these were added a great number of out-laws, prisoners, and other offenders, who thought hereby to have saved their souls, and filled their purses, We were also forced to receive five or six regiments of the French army, besides some Irish, (to whom, as it was said, our country was promised,) and several troops of vagabonds, under a pretence of coining into the valleys for fresh quarters. The multitude being licensed by Pianessa, encouraged by the monks, and led by our wicked neighbors, fell upon us with such violence on every side, and in so treacherous a manner, especially in Angrogne, Villars, and Bobio, that in a moment all was turned into a confused heap, and the inhabitants constrained to flee for their lives, together with their wives and little children; and that not only the inhabitants of the plains, but of the mountains also. Yet all their diligence was not sufficient to preserve very many of them from destruction. For in many places they were so hemmed in, on every side, that there was no way left for their flight, but they were most inhumanly massacred. In one place they most cruelly tormented 15O women and children, and afterwards chopped off the heads of some, and dashed out the brains of others against the rocks. They took multitudes of prisoners; and such of them, from 15 years of age and upwards, as refused to go to mass, they cruelly butchered, hanging some, and nailing the feet of others to trees, with their heads hanging downwards; all which torments they constantly endured. They made such havoc of all, that there was neither any cattle nor other provision left in the valley of Lucerne, in the commonalties of St. Giovanni, La Torre, &e. A Franciscan friar, and another priest, set fire to houses and churches, so that they left not one of them unburnt. In these desolations the mother was bereaved of her child, and the husband of his wife. Those that were richest amongst us, are forced to beg their bread. Some are weltering in their own blood, and deprived of all outward comforts. There were some churches in St. Martin's, that were formerly reckoned a sanctuary to the persecuted; but they are now commanded to quit those places, and every soul of them immediately to depart, without any respite, and that under pain of death. The pretence of these strange massacres and cruelties, are that we are rebels to the duke's commands, in not performing a pure impossibility, by immediately departing from our habitations in Bubiana, Lucerne, Fenile, Bricheras, La Torre, St. Giovanni, and St. Secundo."

 

In a word, the cruelties which were there executed, would exceed the belief of any man, were they not so fully proved by the formal attestations of eye-witnesses, and by the woful cries of so many desolate and poor wretches, who have been miserably robbed of their relations, houses, lands, and all other comforts; yea, the formal oath of one of the chief commanders of the army that acted these cruelties, signed with his own hand in the presence of two authentic witnesses, and the voluntary confession of one of the soldiers, who told some of his comrades, that many times he had surfeited himself with eating the boiled brains of the Protestants, is sufficient to confirm the truth of what is here related.

 

 The declaration of Monsieur du Petit Bourg, first captain of the regiment of Gransey, subscribed with his own hand, at. Pignerol, Nov. 27, 1655, in the presence of two other commanders. " I Sieur du Petit Bourg, being commanded by prince Thomas, to go and join myself with the Marquis of Pianessa, who was then at La Torre; upon my departure, I was requested by the ambassador to speak to the marquis, and to use my endeavor to accommodate the troubles which were amongst those of the Religion, in the valleys of Piedmont, which accordingly I did, entreating him with much earnestness that he would give way thereunto, and I doubted not but I should be able to effect it. But he refused this my request, and that divers times, notwithstanding all the endeavors I could possibly use to persuade him thereto; and instead of the least mitigation, I was witness to many great violences, and extreme cruelties, exercised by the soldiers of Piedmont, upon all sorts, of every age, sex, and condition, whom I saw massacred, dismembered, banged up, burnt, and ravished, together with many horrid confusions, which I beheld with horror and regret. And without any distinction of those that resisted, and such as resisted not, they were used with all sorts of inhumanity, their houses burnt, their goods plundered; and when prisoners were brought before the said marquis, I heard him give order to give them no quarter at all, saying, ` His highness was resolved to have none of the Religion within his dominions.' And whereas in his declaration he protests, that there was no hurt done to any, but during the fight, nor the least outrage committed upon any persons that were not fit to bear arms; I will maintain that it is not so, having seen with my eyes many persons killed in cold blood; as also women, aged persons, and young children, miserably murdered."

 

 The ensuing barbarous cruelties, which were exercised upon divers members of the evangelical churches, in the valleys of Piedmont, in the late massacre, in 1655, are attested by divers persons of honor and integrity, who were, for the most part, eye and ear witnesses thereof.

 

 SARAH RASTIGNOLE DES VIGNES, about 6O years of age, being overtaken by divers soldiers, was commanded to say her prayers, and when she had done, they bade her say, " Jesus, Maria!" which the poor woman refusing, one of the soldiers thrust a sickle into the lower part of her belly, and ripped her up to her navel, and then dragged the poor creature upon the ground being half dead, till another came and cut off her head. The daughter-in-law of this poor woman, who hid herself in the snow for two days after, without any succor, was an eye-witness thereof.

 

 MARTHA CONSTANTINE, of Giovanni, after she had seen several others most cruelly put to death, was herself first -.ravished, and afterwards had her breasts cut off; with other shameful acts of barbarity used upon her, by some of the soldiers. These inhuman wretches fried her breasts, and set them before some of their comrades, making them believe they were tripes. When they had eaten a good part thereof, they told them what it was, which caused a quarrel amongst them; and they that had eaten thereof were so sick, that some of them died soon after. This was certified by a Papist, to one Andrea Javel, of Einachia.

 

 A man of Thrassaniere, being taken prisoner, received divers stabs in the soles of his feet, and in his ears, by two of the soldiers, who afterwards more severely mangled him, and then applied a burning candle to the wound, frying it with the flame thereof, that so the blood might be stopped, and the torments of that miserable creature prolonged. Then they tore his nails off with burning pincers to force him to renounce his religion. When nothing would do, they tied one of his legs to a mule, and dragged him through the streets, till he was almost dead; and then binding a cord about his head, they twisted it with a staff till his eyes and brains dropped out, and then they cast his carcass into the river.

 

 PETER SIMOND, of Angrogne, about eight years of age, was tied neck and heels together, and in this posture violently thrown down a fearful precipice. By the way he fell upon a cragged branch of a tree, and hung there in a most languishing condition for several days together, (a most lamentable spectacle,) being neither able to help himself, nor capable of receiving help from others; the precipice being inaccessible.

 

 GIOVANNI ANDREA MICHIALIN, of La Torre, being taken prisoner, escaped miraculously, having first seen three of his children torn in pieces limb from limb before his eyes, and the fourth, being about six weeks old, snatched out of the mother's arms, stripped of its swaddling-clothes, and its brains dashed out against the rocks.

 

 JACOB PERRIN, an elder of the church of Villars, and David, his brother, being taken prisoners in their beds, were carried to Lucerne, and cast into the marquis's prison, where they were most barbarously and cruelly handled. The soldiers stripped off the skin of their arms and legs, in long slices like leathern points, till the flesh was left quite bare. After which they were starved to death in the prison, and their carcasses left to rot there,

 

GIOVANNI PELANCHION, a young man, about 25 years old, having been taken prisoner, had made his escape; but being taken again by the soldiers, they tied one of his legs to the tail of a mule, and so dragged him through all the streets of Lucerne. And because the poor wretch sometimes lifted up his hands and head, through pain and anguish, that he suffered by the grating of his body against the ragged flints, the merciless villains battered and bruised his body with stones and brickbats, crying, " He is possessed with the devil, which keeps him from dying." Then, after many strange, shameless, and unheard of cruelties, they chopped off his head, and so dragging him to the river's bank, they left him there unburied.

 

 MAGDALEN, the daughter of Peter Fontana, a beautiful girl, about ten years old, being taken by some of these brutes, they tore her in so inhuman a manner, that she was afterwards found half dead, wallowing in her own blood.

 

 A poor woman, apprehending her danger, having a sucking child in the cradle, took the child and cradle upon her head, and fled. Some of the soldiers seeing this, pursued her; and she perceiving that she was like to be overtaken, left her cradle in the way, supposing that those butchers could not have such hearts as to hurt her innocent babe, and so hid herself in the cleft of a rock not far off. But these hell-hounds finding the infant in the cradle, took it out, and tore it in pieces; and afterwards finding the mother, they first ravished her, and then cut off her head, and left her dead body in the snow.

 

 At Villa Nova, the daughter of Moses Long, about ten years old, as she was fleeing upon the snow, some soldiers of Piedmont took her, b: oached her upon a pike, and roasted her alive with a fire made upon a broad stone; and after a while they cut off a slice of her flesh, intending to have eaten it; but finding it not well roasted, their stomachs would not serve them to eat it. JACOBO MICJELINO, one of the chief elders of the church of Boby, being taken prisoner, was hung upon a gate in a shameful posture. But the shame was nothing to the torments; the whole weight of his body hanging upon a tender part, which caused most exquisite and almost incredible pain. And this they did to force him to renounce his religion. When this prevailed not, they took him down, and carried him away amongst other prisoners. Afterwards, having with incredible constancy endured a world of other cruelties, he at last exchanged this' life for a better.

 

 GIOVANNI ROSTAGNAL, of Boby, being 8O years old, had his nose, ears, and other parts of his body, cut off, and was left languishing upon the snow for a long time, till at last he gave up the ghost. DANIEL SALVAGIO and his wife, GIOVANNI DURANT, DANIEL REVEL, LODOWICK and BARTHOLOMEW DURANT, all brothers, and PAOLO REYNAUD, being taken by the soldiers, had their mouths and throats stuffed full of gunpowder, and then fire being set to it, their heads were torn all,to pieces.

 

 JACOB Di RONE, a school-master of Roras, being stript stark naked, after they had torn off his nails with pincers, and made a thousand holes in his hands with the point of a dagger, they dragged him, by a cord fastened about his middle, through Lucerne. At almost every step, one soldier on one side cut off a piece of his flesh with a faulchion, and another on the other side gave him a great blow with a staff, crying, " What sayest you now, Barbet Wilt you go to mass" To which the poor creature, with admirable constancy, as long as he was able to speak, answered, " Rather death than the mass. Despatch me quickly, for the love of God." A while after came a notorious cut-throat, who, as soon as he saw him, cried out, "Lo! here is the minister of Roras." With that he gave him a deadly blow athwart the head with a back-sword. From thence they dragged him to the bridge; there they cut off his head, and then threw him into the river.

 

 PAOLO GARNIER, of Roras, being taken by these murderers, they first violently pulled out his eyes, and in this state they exposed him to public scorn for several days together. Afterwards they flayed him alive, and then cutting his skin in four parts, they hung it in the windows of four of the principal houses of Lucerne.

 

DANIEL CARDON, of Roccappiata, being taken by some of the soldiers, they cut off his head, took out his brains, and frying them in a pan, eat them up. They had cut open his breast also, and were taking out his heart to fry and eat, but being frighted by some of the poor people's troops that were coming that way, they made off. MARGARET REVEL, of La Cartere, aged 85 years; MARY DI PRAVILLERM, of St. Giovanni, who was blind, aged 9O years; as also MADONA LENA, a blind woman, aged 8O years; and JEANNA BATZAN, aged 9O years, were taken, and in a most barbarous manner burned alive.

 

to them also, " God will assuredly avenge (he innocent blood that you have spilt." Having by some ejaculations prepared to resign up his soul unto GOD, he desired the hangman to do his work, which he accordingly did. Arid three or four days after, the Marquis of Pianessa coining that way, one of the soldiers discharged a musket at his dead body, whereupon there gushed out a stream of fresh blood. The marquis observing this, said to some that were present,’1 This blood cries for vengeance." Afterwards they took both these dead bodies, and hung them up naked by one foot near to La Torre, and when any prisoner of the Protestants passed that way, they forced him or her to go and kiss those parts of them as might put a like scorn upon the living as had been put upon the dead: but by reason of the multitude of bullets that were shot through them by the soldiers, they at last fell to pieces.

 

 MARY, the widow of Daniel Pelanchion, of Villars, being taken by the soldiers, after they had basely abused her, they shot her, and then threw her into the river. This poor woman not being quite dead, with much pains, got out of the river again. Hoping to be somewhat revived by the warm sun, she laid her down where it shone. Some of these bloody villains espying her, they fastened a rope to her feet, and dragged her to the bridge, where they hung her up by the legs, and shot her to death, afterwards leaving her stark naked upon the rock.

 

 MARY, the wife of Daniel Monino, was taken by the soldiers, who having broken her jaws in pieces, they gave her a deep cut in the neck, and left her in that languishing condition, till, after having endured extreme torments for divers days together, she at last yielded up the ghost.

 

 JACOB BARIDONO was taken prisoner at Villars, and from thence carried to La Torre. There the tormentors cruelly afflicted him with burning matches placed between his fingers, to his lips, and other parts of his body, till he died with the intolerable pain. Then they caused his

 

dead corpse to be carried out by two of his fellow prisoners, and thrown into the river Pelice. But thinking that too honorable a burying-place for an heretic, they forced them to fetch it out again, and to lay it on the brink of the river; where, after they had exposed the same to all manner of ignominies, it was at last eaten up by dogs.

 

 ISAIAH MONDON had a long time hid himself in the cleft of a rock, where, for many days together, he had nothing but a few leaves of unwholesome herbs to eat. At last he was found out by the soldiers, and most unmercifully handled by them. From thence they drove him to the town of Lucerne, being half dead. At last, when the poor creature could march no further, he fell down-upon his knees, and besought them to despatch him at once; which they accordingly did.

 

GIOVANNi BARROLINO and his wife were cast alive into a pool, and often plunged and thrust under the water with staves and pitchforks, and at last despatched with stones. MARY REVEL, receiving a shot in her body, fell down in a manner dead, yet afterwards she recovered so much strength as to get upon her knees; and as she was praying to GOD, the bloody enemies despatched her.

 

 GIOVANAI SALVAGIOT, as he was returning from Bagnol, after the peace was concluded, passed by a chapel; and because he put not off his hat, and made obedience thereto, was murdered, and his body left unburied. GIOVANNi GAYO, and divers other men, women, and children, hid themselves in a cave, where for a time they continued in safety. At last, they were discovered by some of these blood-hounds; most of whom had been their neighbors and familiar acquaintance, and such as had pretended great friendship to them, whereupon they fell upon their knees, and begged their lives of them. But the kindest salute they could afford their old acquaintance was with swords, muskets, and pistols. The poor people perceiving this, and not desiring to behold the lamentable misery of each other, they kneeled down in a ring, in which posture they were all shot to death, and their dead bodies cut in pieces.

 

 There were very many others, besides those here mentioned, which might have been inserted, whereof some were drowned, some burnt, some slain with the sword, some shot to death, some starved, some smothered in the snow, some pined, some killed with staves, some cut in pieces; but I am weary with reckoning up their names, and I suppose the reader is tired also with these cruelties. But though their names are not here, they are written in the calendar of heaven, which their popish adversaries would have written in the dust.

 

 

 

A NARRATIVE

 

OF

 

THE WAR IN THE VALLEYS OF PIEDMONT,

 

On Occasion of the Massacre.

 

 

 

 IN the former part you have a faithful narrative of the bloody cruelties exercised in the valleys of Piedmont, from April 17, 1655, the day that the Marquis of Pianessa's forces arrived at St. Giovanni, to the 21st day of the same month. During which time they made such havoc of the poor Protestants, that there was now only the little commonality of Roras which was left entire and untouched. But that they also might in all things be made like unto their suffering brethren, and that it might appear the destruction was designed to be universal, the Earl of CHRISTophle upon that very day, April 21, sent 3OO soldiers secretly by the way of Villars, to surprise them of Roras, and to put them all to the sword. This party being got upon a little hill called Rumer, belonging to Roras, it pleased God that they were met by some soldiers belonging to Captain Joshua Gianavel, (whom God raised up at that time as a choice instrument for the preservation of the poor scattered remnant of his people.) These soldiers were but seven or eight in number, yet having been beforehand placed at a convenient post to prevent the inroad of the enemy, they fired upon them, and plied them so hard, that many of them were killed upon the place, and the rest, supposing by the great number of bullets that flew about their ears, that the ambuscade consisted of six times more men than there really were, they fled back in great disorder. The others, perceiving this, fell upon their rear, and chased them at least three quarters of a league, amongst the rocks and woods, doing notable execution upon them in their flight.

 

 The members of this little church of Roras, to take away all occasions of exceptions, presented their complaints to the Marquis of Pianessa; who, that he might b have the better opportunity to deceive and surprise them, answered,’1 That those of his soldiers that went to Roras, were but robbers and outlaws, that had wholly disobeyed his orders;" adding, a That they had done him a singular favor in driving them out of their country; and that he would take a course to prevent their being disturbed for the future." He then published an order, whereby he straitly charged his soldiers not to molest them in any kind hereafter. Yet he perfidiously sent a party of 5OO chosen men the very next day to put his first bloody design in execution. As these men were passing over a little hill of Roras, they were so saluted by eleven Protestant musqueteers, and six men with slings, under the conduct of Captain Gianavel, who had divided them into three squadrons, that the enemy was soon put to flight. This poor handful of despicable men pursued them for a whole league, slaying a great number of them, without the loss or hurt of any one of themselves; which spews the admirable providence of God.

 

 The Marquis of Pianessa, though he had failed this second time, yet he was resolved to make a third attempt. And still to deceive them, he made new promises and protestations, that no injury should be offered them, and that in regard of the intercession of the Earl of CHRISTOPHLE, their lord and patron, he would protect and defend them. Yet, the very morrow after, he sent a party of 7OO men, who first seized upon, and secured all the passes, that none might escape their bloody hands, and then most barbarously burnt and destroyed whatsoever they met with through all the commonalty of Roras. Hereupon, seventeen house-keepers, (whose hearts God had marvelously strengthened and encouraged for their poor brethren's preservation, seeing what they must expect, and that nothing but death and destruction waited for them, unless sonic admirable providence prevented it; as also calling to mind those singular deliverances which God had vouchsafed to his ancient people the Jews,) unanimously resolved to cast themselves with their lives and estates into the hands of the same God; resting upon his gracious promises, and freely submitting to his good will and pleasure for the issue of their undertaking. The captain of this valiant party was the aforesaid Gianavel, who marching up with this little band, suddenly surprised and carried away their court of guard with their sentinel from off a hill where they were placed, The enemy being not a little amazed at this bold attempt, withdrew from the place where they were, resolving to march through a little meadow, and so to get to Villars or La Torre. But being not nimble enough, the others met with them at Piampra, and there slew many of them, without the loss of one of their own men, and took from

 

them besides, all the cattle and other things which they had plundered from the neighboring places.

 

 Pianessa, seeing all his designs thus frustrated, and that his specious promises were but so many watch-words to bid these poor people stand upon their guard, he speedily sent to all those of Lucerne, Bubbiana, Barges, Bagnol, Famolas, Cavors, and the adjacent places, who were able to bear arms, to come and join with a good part of his own army, to environ these poor people on every side. But though the time of their rendezvous was punctually assigned them, yet they all came two hours too late, except the troop of Bagnol, which was conducted by one Mario, an inveterate enemy to the reformed churches. Mario, with his regiment of thieves, outlaws, and a great number of Irish rebels, assaulted these poor people on the upper and lower part of the canton of Runner, who were not above seventeen in number; yet the Lord was pleased so to encourage them, that they presently got upon the top of the mountain, and there, after a long skirmish, forced their enemies to retire, and flee as far as the cliff called Pairo Capello. In this fight and pursuit they killed above sixty of the enemies, and wounded many more; and many of them being laden with plunder, fell down, as they fled amongst the precipices of the rocks, and were dashed in pieces. Those of them that were lighter and nimbler, got safe to Pairo Capello. But when they came thither, they found greater difficulties to contest with than before, for being closely pursued, and compassed in on every side, they were forced to take the ropes wherewith they had bound up their plunder, and tying them to shrubs, slid down the rocks by them, and fell into the river that ran below. By this means they thought to make their escape; but by reason of the violence of the torrent, and the great con

 

fusion that was amongst them, which occasioned one to fail on the neck of another, and such as could not swim, catching hold of them that could, the greatest part of them were drowned. Captain Mario threw himself into the river amongst the rest, and had not several of the soldiers, that could swim excellently well, ventured their lives to fetch him out, he had gone with the rest to receive present pay from his master, whom he so diligently served. Mario, having thus escaped, was carried to Lucerne in his shirt, without either hat or shoes, like a man bereaved of his wits. Shortly after he fell into a desperate disease, whereof he died. Before his death, he oft cried out, in a despairing manner, that he felt a grievous burning in his bowels, as a just judgment upon him, for having burnt so many innocent persons, and their habitations.

 

 As the Protestants were marching back to refresh themselves after this gallant action, being somewhat weary with their hard service, they espied another company of murderers coming from Villars; whereupon, forgetting their weariness, they placed themselves in ambuscade. When the enemy drew near the place, they perceived some of them; but not being able to discern what party they were of by their colors, they called-to them for the word. The Protestants answered not; but beckoned to them to come'nearer, which they did, in a careless posture, supposing them to be friends; and when they came near, the others suddenly discharged upon them, and slew many of them upon the place, and the rest they pursued almost to La Torre and Villars. After this victory, Captain -Gianavel rallied his men on an high ground, not far off, and caused them to kneel down in the very sight of his enemies, while he, with a loud voice, gave thanks unto the Lord for his great mercy in their deliverance.

 

 Three day after, the Marquis of Pianessa, being highly incensed by this success of the Protestants, sent to the people of Roras, expressly charging then to change their religion, within the space of twenty-four hours, and that upon pain of death, and having their houses burnt to the ground. To' this they answered, " That they would much rather choose death, than obey any such order!" The marquis, vexed at this resolute answer, immediately despatched away 8OOO men, besides the. Militia forces of the neighboring commonalties, who, according to his order, were divided into three squadrons; the one to set upon the poor people of Villars; another upon the mountains of Bagnol; and the third on that part which looks towards Lucerne. They accordingly did so, and not only murdered every man, woman, or child they met, but exercised all manner of cruelties upon them; taking much pleasure in torturing these poor creatures, and in tossing their little infants from off their pikes and halberts, and dashing out their brains against the rocks. The rest almost miraculously escaped their bloody hands. When they had thus shown their valor upon naked men, women, and infants, and were glutted with the prey that they found in the country, they turned their houses into ashes. Such as survived, they sent prisoners to Turin, amongst whom, was the wife and children of Captain Gianavel. Then they marched back to Lucerne with great joy and acclamations.

 

Shortly after, Pianessa wrote to Captain Gianavel, promising him great preferment, if he would change his religion; otherwise he threatened, that his wife and children should be burnt. He also promised a great sum of money to any that should bring him, the said Gianavel, either alive or dead. Captain Gianavel returned the marquis this answer:’1 There is no torment so violent, nor death so cruel, that I do not much prefer before the abjuration of my religion. All these promises and threats do but the more fortify me and strengthen my faith: as for my wife and children, though you have gotten them into your power, you can but kill their bodies, and as for their souls, I recommend them, together with my own, into the hands of GOD, if he shall suffer me to fall into your power."

 

 Gianavel having gotten together a small party of men upon part of the Alps, called La Pella des Jamies, on May 22, went out in the evening to a place about three leagues off, not far from Bubiana. He there first sought God by prayer, and afterwards informed himself of the number and strength of the enemy. Finding them too many to be attacked by such a handful of men, he turned towards Lucernetta, where he was furiously assaulted by the garrison of Lucerne, but he courageously encountered them without the loss of one man; only himself was shot in the leg, by a soldier that hid himself behind a tree, with a purpose to have slain him. The captain, perceiving whence the shot came, lame as he was, he made to the place, where he quickly despatched him for his pains. Whilst these things were acting, the Irish rebels in the marquis's army, thought to make themselves masters of Bubiana, under a pretence of protecting the inhabitants against the Barbets, (as they called the Protestants in scorn). The peasants of the place perceiving their drift, took occasion to quarrel with them, and drove them out, killing a great number of them.

 

May 26, 1655, Captain Gianavel wrote to Captain Jahier and the rest that were retired into the valley of Lucerne, to meet at a rendezvous at Angrogne, which

 

they accordingly did. The day after, they marched together to a place in the plain called Garcigliana, thinking to have entered the "town but they met with a great party of horse and foot, with whom they disputed the pass a long time, and at’last, being overpowered, they were forced to retreat. They got six yoke of oxen, with several small cattle, and some prisoners in the skirmish, and that with the loss of only one man in the retreat.

 

 May 28, they marched to St. Secondo. As soon as they came thither, they first kneeled down, and prayed for a blessing upon their undertaking, and having encouraged one another, they attacked the place with incredible valor. And the better to secure themselves against their enemies, who had fortified themselves in houses, they got planks, barrels, and such other things as they, met with, to keep off the bullets, which were poured out upon them out of the houses. They quickly made themselves masters of the doors of those houses, to which they immediately set fire, and forcing their entrance, put all the soldiers they found to the sword. Then they set the town onn fire, and emptied the churches, which they found full of their own goods and cattle, and carried away seven of their mass-bells. At this time they slew about 45O of their enemies, and, amongst others, a whole company of Irish rebels, who chose rather to be burnt, than to crave quarter. There were only seven of the Protestants slain, and six or seven slightly wounded.

 

 Monday, June 1, the Captains Jahier, Laurentio, Gianavel, Genolat, Benet, and other officers of the Protestants, went to Angrogne, and having called a council of war, they concluded the next day to alarm the enemy at Briqueras and St. Giovanni. Accordingly, the Captains Laurentio and Jahier went by the way of Roccapiatta, that by the help of the thick woods, wherein they shrouded themselves; they might the better approach Briqueras. Having got upon a little hill near the town, Captain Laurentio made a stand, to hinder any relief that might be sent them from St. Secondo; and Captain Jahier marching down, set fire to several houses and barns. At the sight of this fire, they of Briqueras gave notice to those of Cavors, Penile, Bubiana, Campiglione, and other neighboring places, whereupon the enemy- quickly advanced towards them, and were as soon beaten back. In the mean time there came a party of horse, and stood at St. Secondo, lest the reformed party should sally out that way, really believing that they had a design upon Briqueras. But Jahier marched with his company by the way of Giovanni, and Laurentio went an higher way, yet both met at the place appointed, where Captain Gianavel was engaged with the enemies from Lucerne and La Torre, against whom he had defended himself very’stoutly. Then Jahier charged them on the flank, and Laurentio on the front, seasonably interposing his company in that place, where the enemy thought to have surrounded Gianavel. The popish party was soon routed, leaving 15O men behind them, besides many that were wounded, the reformed party having but one slain upon the place.

 

 June 2d, three hundred of the enemies went from La Torre, to fetch a convoy, into the fort of Mirebuc, that lay between the frontiers of Dauphiny and Piedmont. Gianavel, being at Malbec, fell upon them, though he had but nine soldiers with him, and fought a great while with them, to the great astonishment of his enemies: but at last he was forced to retreat, yet without the loss of a man; only four were slightly wounded. Afterwards Gianavel, with a small party, marched to La Pella des Guienets, from whence he sent to some that were retired into Villars, requiring, that all those of the reformed religion should’come within twenty-four hours, out of the said place, where mass was `celebrated; and that, upon the pain of being dealt with as enemies: and that such, as through weakness had abjured, and would persist in their abjuration, should depart thence upon the same penalty. Hereupon all the papists fled presently out of Villars, and the Protestants carne to Gianavel, and such of them as were able to bear arms, followed him cheerfully. The rest contributed according to their abilities, towards the maintenance of him and his troops. Those, which through frailty had abjured their religion, went over the mountain into the valley of Queires; yet not long after they returned, like so many wandering sheep, to the true Shepherd of their souls, and testifying their repentance, were again received into the bosom of the church.

 

 After those of Lucerne were retreated, the Captain Jahier and Gianavel, with some officers, called a council of war, wherein they resolved to sally out, and if it were possible, to surprise those of La Torre, most of which were Irish. But the enemy having timely notice, were so prepared; that they killed some, who had passed the bridge at Angrogne. This so encouraged them, that they thought to have enclosed the small body of the Protestants, and to have cut them off: but after many assaults to no purpose, they were forced to retreat to La Torre, with the loss of many of their soldiers, besides many others that were dangerously wounded. The next day Jahier and Gianavel went before La Torre, against whom many of the soldiers came out, but not sallying forth in a full body, they were all slain upon the place. Their captains seeing this, they thought fit to send out no mere. The Protestants then retreated towards Angrogne, to a place called La Verne, -where a few houses were yet left unburnt.

 

 They spent the next day in reviewing the army, and holding a council of war, in which it was resolved to send a party against the commonalty of Crusol; the inhabitants whereof had made incursions upon them, and committed many outrages in the beginning of the massacre. Accordingly they marched all night, with 495 men, and passing by La Torre undiscovered, a little after midnight they arrived at Crusol, where they took 4OO head cattle, 6OO sheep and goats, with much other booty, an that without the least resistance. For the inhabitants of Crusol, being terribly affrighted, had cast themselves into the mouth of a most fearful rock, whence they could not be gotten out. The Protestants returned over one of the Alps of Villars, and the next day, towards evening, they divided the spoil amongst the soldiers. Presently after their departure, the enemy from Lucerne, Cavors, Briqueras, and other places, to the number of 8OO, having heard of their design against Crusol, marched to their relief. But finding that they were gone too far to be overtaken, they resolved not to lose-their labor, and so fell a plundering the poor people (though their friends) much worse than the Protestants had done; and afterwards falling out amongst themselves about dividing the spoil, they destroyed one another. The very same day that this enterprise was had against Crusol, the enemy at St. Secondo advanced to burn the rest of the houses at Roccapiatta; and being advanced as far as to the little hill of Angrogne, they thought to have surprised the rest of, the forces, left under the command of Laurentio and Jahier's brother. But they, having timely intelligence of it, marched immediately to the top of the mountain, with one half of the soldiery, leaving the other half under the command of Captain Benet, of St. Germains, who also took his post with all possible expedition upon the said little hill, with seventeen of his men, and placed the rest in ambuscade. But the enemies' hearts misgiving them, they shamefully retreated.

 

 June 8, Captain Gianavel, being left at Angrogne, with only his own company, and some few others, was assaulted early in the morning by the soldiers of LaTorre, and some others. Of these one part got upon the top of the mountain, and the other part went to the lower passage to possess themselves of the gate of Angrogne by the way of St. Bartholomew, intending suddenly to fall upon Gianavel and his small company, having already devoured them in their hopes. But it pleased God that at the sound of the trumpet, when all should have fallen on, Gianavel soon awaked, and having first sought God by prayer, he fell upon the enemy, and got the advantage of the place from them, and after a short dispute, forced them to turn their backs, though there were at least 25OO of them. And though all the captain's company was not above 3OO, yet that handful of men pursued the enemy as far as to the descent of Angrogne, into the woods,

 

and steep places of the rocks, where they slew a great number of them.

 

 Gianavel seeing it impossible to make any further at tempt for the present, entreated Jahier to give over for that day, and to refresh himself and his soldiers: but he, being at that time more resolute than prudent, refused his good counsel, and picking out 15O choice men, marched down into the plain, where he burnt several of the houses of those who had formerly burnt and destroyed so many of the Protestants, and brought them away with a good booty of cattle and other goods. In the close of the day, when he thought to have put the finishing stroke to all his former undertakings, a squadron of horse surrounded him and his 45 men, (for at this time he had no more with him,) at a country-house, not far from Ossac. He and his men did all that could possibly be expected from them, killing three captains, with the commander in chief of the squadron; but at last, he and 35 of his followers lost their lives. The enemies, in great triumph, cut off Captain Jahier's head, and the heads of his sons, and carried them to Turin.

 

 Captain Jahier deserves to be renowned for his great piety and zeal for the service and honor of GOD, and the preservation of his poor afflicted church. He was of so undaunted a spirit, that the terrors of death, and the most cruel torments, could never affright him. He was as bold as a lion in his enterprises, but meek and humble as a lamb in the midst of his victories. In all his ent prises he looked up to heaven, from whence he ackn ledged all his help to come; and always recited fit and comfortable passages out of the Scriptures, (wherein he was admirably versed,) for the encouragement of all his followers, and the strengthening of their faith upon all occasions.

 

 The death of so brave a commander as Jahier, and the wound of Gianavel, did not a little startle the Protestants; but yet they did not wholly despond, nor lose their courage; but assembling shortly after in a mountain of Angrogne, they from thence descended into the plain, where they were twice assaulted with violence. The last assault was by a dangerous ambuscade of at least 6OOO of the enemies, and they were not above 1OO. But God of his infinite goodness so encouraged their hearts, that they slew very many of their enemies, and amongst them many principal officers. The Reformed lost only one Michael Bertino, a sergeant of Angrogne, and had but one common soldier wounded. The son of Bertino, seeing his father fall dead at his feet, was so far from being discouraged, that he immediately stepped into his father's place, and said, "Though my father be dead, yet be of good courage, my fellow soldiers; for God is a Father to us all." On Monday following they had a very sharp dispute at La Torre, and Dear Tagliaretto, where they killed and wounded a great number of their enemies, without the loss of any of their own men. At this time, the enemies were reaping their corn in the plains of St. Giovanni, but they could not carry it away without the loss of many of their lives. About the same time, there came to the Protestants one Monsieur Andrion, a major of a regiment of horse, with Uvo other gentlemen that were strangers, who were followed with some volunteers, whose friendly visit of their poor afflicted brethren, and their good advice in such a juncture of time, was taken very kindly; and God made it a singular means to uphold the fainting spirits of some weak brethren; who seeing others come in " to the help of the Lord against the mighty," went on with a great deal more cheerfulness and alacrity. These stayed with them till peace was concluded.

 

 July 11, Sieur John Leger, pastor of the church at St. Giovanni, (who deserves to be remembered for the great pains and many services he performed in behalf of the churches of the Valleys,) having notice that the enemies were of opinion that he was come back from his journey, with arms, ammunition, and money, and thereupon presuming that they would suddenly make some notable attempt to prevent what they so much feared, went to Colonel Andrion, and pressed him to put his design in execution. The poor people had as yet no standing army: but the bands of each commonalty were quartered at a great distance the one from the other; and they had certainly been cut off every man of them within a few days, had not the centinels been very watchful; and above all, if Captain Charforan had not on the one side timely discovered the enemy, and the poor people on the other side been exceedingly heartened to the battle by the great valor and singular conduct of the Sieurs Andrion, Michelin, and Leger.

 

 The enemy was very numerous, having been lately reinforced with many troops. They encamped themselves within half a league of the Reformed, and early in the morning they divided themselves into four brigades, three whereof fell on the Protestants with a marvelous resolution, in three several places at once: the fourth

 

stood still, ready to succor their friends if there were need. The fight continued at least four hours, without intermission, and was the sharpest that ever was fought

 

in the open field. That which made the enemies more fierce, was, their hopes to have beaten back the Protestants from their post, called the Castelas; which if

 

they could have effected, they had been certainly masters of the Valleys of Perosa, St. Martin, and Lucerne. But the poor people having lifted up their hearts by earnest supplications to the Lord of Host, (as they used to do upon all such' occasions,) Andrion, and the two other captains which he had brought with him, gave forth such orders as were necessary, encouraging their men exceedingly, so that they kept their ground, all save a few, who were either quite tired, or faint for want of food, or that wanted powder, or flints in the fire-locks. But these the Sieurs Mechelin and Leger employed in rolling down great stones upon their enemies' heads as they came to attack them, which proved very successful, doing much execution upon the enemy, and causing them to abate much of their fury. In the beginning of the fight, the enemy cried always, "Advance, advance, ye relicts of Jahier." And the Protestants now began to cry as fast, "Advance, advance, ye relicts of St. Secondo:" and withal they ran upon those murderers like so many lions, and caused them to turn back, and flee towards La Torre and Lucerne as fast as they were able, leaving behind them 55 upon the place, and about 4O that were killed in the flight; besides many others who were carried either dead, or dangerously wounded, to Lucerne. They themselves confessed, that in this encounter they lost at least 3OO men, amongst which were many officers of a Bavarian regiment. When such multitudes of dead, wounded, and dying men were brought into Lucerne, the syndick, who was a Papist, but not so superstitious as many, said to some, " Hitherto the wolves deavoured the barbets, but now the barbets devour the wolves." Which words being reported to Monsieur Marolles, the commander of Lucerne, he threatened to imprison him, and to give him the strappade, for them, which so terrified the poor man, that he presently sickened, and within a few days died.

 

 Two days after this, the enemy being much enraged for their loss, spread themselves all over Angrogne, and began to set the corn on fire; which being seen by the company of La Torre, who at that time were upon the mountain of Tagliaretto, they speedily gave notice to those of St. Giovanni and Angrogne, who basted thither, and charged them so fiercely, that they forced them to flee, and leave most of their ammunition behind them. In the mean time, Captain Berlin assaulted the town of La Torre, killed the centinel and soldiers upon the works, and gave the town such a hot alarm, that most of them fled towards the river of Pellice; and probably, if he had had a few more men with him, he had made himself master of La Torre. July 18, the general of the Protestants gave order to fall upon the town of La Torre, which accordingly was put in execution. Berlin gave the first onset, who being followed with many other officers and soldiers, they quickly made a considerable breach in the garden-wall, next to the convent, which so encouraged the rest, that they fell on with an invincible resolution, and in a short space burnt both the convent and most of the town down to the ground.

 

 In May, 1655, letters were brought to Oliver Cromwell, who then held the title of Lord Protector of England, of the above-mentioned massacre, whereupon he invited all the people of England to seek the Lord by humiliation and prayer, and withal moved them to a liberal contribution for the succor of these poor people. He sent also Mr. Samuel Morland, as his envoy to the King of France, and the Duke of Savoy, to mediate on their behalf. He also wrote to the King of Denmark, to the States of the United Provinces, and to the Evangelical Cantons of the Switzers, requesting all their mediations in behalf of these poor people. May 26, Mr. Morland set out on his journey, and on the 1st of June he came to the King of France, at La Ferre, to whom he delivered the Lord Protector's letters, wherein he solicited his majesty to improve his power and interest with the duke, that the cruel order might be recalled, and the poor people restored to their ancient liberties and habitations. Three days after, the King of France returned an answer to the Lord Protector's letter, and Mr. Morland proceeded on his journey to the court of Savoy, and arrived at Rivole, where the court was, June 21, and demanded audience as the Lord Protector's envoy; which accordingly was granted. At his appearing, he made a speech in the behalf of the poor people, and delivered the Lord Protector's letter. Madam Royal, the duke's mother, answered, That she could not but extremely applaud the singular charity of his highness, the Lord Protector, towards their subjects, whose condition had been represented to him so exceeding sad and lamentable, as she perceived by Mr. Morland's discourse it was; yet withal, she could not but extremely admire, that malice should proceed so far as to clothe their father-like chastisements of their rebellious subjects with so black a character; thereby to render them odious to all their neighboring princes and states; especially with so great and powerful a prince as the Lord Protector. She further added, That she doubted not, but when the truth of all passages should be made known to him, he would rest satisfied with the duke's proceedings; yet, for his highness's sake, they would pardon their rebellious subjects, and grant them

 

such privileges and graces as would spew the Lord Protector how great respect they bare both to his person and mediation. Mr. Morland was requested withal to go to Turin, where, by the duke's order, he was entertained with all outward demonstrations of civility and respect imaginable. After a while, Mr. Morland pressed for his despatch; and when he had got it, according to the Lord Protector's order, he went to Geneva.

 

 There was collected in England and Wales, towards the relief of these poor people, 38,O971. 7s. 3d. the greatest part whereof was, at several times, transmitted to them. What remained, being about 9OOO1. was put out to interest, that so both the principal and the improvement might be disposed of for their best advantage. The Lord Protector's intercession had such an effect, that presently after, the King of Sweden, the King of Denmark, the States of the United Provinces, the Prince Elector Palatine, the Elector of Brandenburgh, the Duke of Wittenberg, and many other Protestant princes, especially the Land-rave of Hesse, either by their letters to the Duke of Savoy, or otherwise, declared their deep resentment of the bloody massacre. They had also many consolatory letters, written to them from sundry particular churches; viz. from Frankfort, Zurick, Hanau, Flushing, Middleburg, &c. and large contributions were raised for them, according to their respective abilities. Divers coimnissioners were also sent from England and Holland to join with those of the Evangelical Cantons for the procuring a well-grounded peace. But before they came, the Switzer ambassador had concluded a treaty with the French ambassador; and between them they huddled up a peace; the woful effects whereof these poor people were quickly sensible of; and to this day they labor under heavy burdens, laid upon their shoulders by their popish task-masters. They forbid them all manner of traffic for their sustenance: they rob them of their goods and estates: they drive them from their abitation, and force them to sell their a birth-right for a mess of pottage." They banish their ministers, that the shepherds being gone, they may the more easily devour the flock: they ravish their young women and maidens: they murder the innocent as they pass along the highways on their business: they continually mock and revile them, and threaten another massacre, seven-fold more bloody than the former. Through the malice and subtlety of their popish adversaries, their valleys are no other than a dungeon, to which the fort of La Torre serves as a door, whereby, at their pleasure, they may let in a troop of murderers, utterly to destroy and extirpate those innocent people. And notwithstanding all those large supplies that have been sent them from England, and other states, yet so great are the necessities of those poor, hungry creatures, and so grievous are the oppressions of their popish adversaries, who he in wait to bereave them of whatsoever is given them, that some of them are yet ready ever and anon to eat their own flesh for want of bread. Their miseries are more sad and grievous than can be expressed. They are dying, even whilst they live. When that which is collected for them is spent, they must inevitably perish, unless the Lord, in whose hands are the hearts of princes, shall incline the heart of their prince to pity those his poor, harmless, and faithful subjects, who are so far from thoughts of rebellion, that could they but enjoy the freedom of their consciences in peace, they would be the first that would be ready to sacrifice their lives for the good and safety of his royal highness.

 

 A fuller account of these things, together with the letters and transactions about them, may be found fully and faithfully set down by Mr. Samuel Morland, in his History of the Evangelical Churches in the Valleys of Piedmont.

 

 

 

A RELATION

 

OF THE.

 

DISTRESSED STATE OF THE PROTESTANTS

 

IN THE GREAT DUKEDOM OF

 

LITHUANIA

 

Presented to the view of all compassionate Christians.

 

 

 

 THE fatal and bloody tragedy which, with a great deal of confusion, was acted on the theatre of Europe for near forty years, or upwards, having dashed most potent kingdoms, nations and provinces, one against another, at last reached that most flourishing kingdom of Poland, but especially the great dukedom of Lithuania; wherein it so destroyed many populous cities, towns, and villages, without number; and that in such a manner, that there were not so much as any marks left where they stood before.

 

 In the year 1648, when the first rebellion of the Cossacks broke forth, to whom the Tartars readily associated themselves, the nobility was sought out with much diligence, by the furious rebels, to be slaughtered. All such as were not of the Greek religion, were put to death without distinction. There were many numerous congregations of the Reformed Protestants, whose ministers were not spared. The cruelty of the furious Cossacks was more barbarous than that of their associates, the Tartars themselves. Insomuch, that they pulled the skins of many over their ears, whilst they were alive. Others had their shin-bones bored through. They made wounds in the heads or bodies of some, and poured melted lead into them. The eyes of many were plucked out. There is no numbering those that were hanged. And it was accounted a great mercy, if any had his head cut off, or if they were sent away as perpetual slaves to Turkey. Poor parents and husbands were forced to look on whilst their wives and daughters were ravished.

 

 This was the miserable condition of our country and church for several years together, during the civil wars. But afterwards, when we all began to hope for better things, there fell a new and more strange calamity. For the Muscovites, having taken notice of the distraction and devastation, which by the just hand of God befel us, and that the strength of Lithuania was decayed by continual intestine wars, they presently took an opportunity to invade it. Having found out some pretences of war, they came with an army of 2OO,OOO men, and associated to themselves 6O,OOO of the rebellious Cossacks;. who carried all before them, like a flood, spoiling, burning, and destroying all that they met with, sacking the strong holds and cities, and leaving not one corner in all Lithuania unsearched. Never was greater tyranny committed in those parts before. There was no regard of tears and lamentations. No pity spewed to yielding persons. All, without distinction, were cut to pieces. The common multitude were slaughtered out of hand. The gentry and nobility were carried away; and, upon deliberation, either hanged or burnt alive. Every corner was filled with massacres, and the blood ran like streams through the streets of towns and cities.

 

 But the condition of the ministers of CHRIST was most miserable; for as many as were taken, were, with most exquisite torments, put to several kinds of death. ADRIAN CHYLINSEY, a very aged man, and most conspicuous for his piety and learning, being surprised at his own house, had his legs and hands tied together, and was then roasted alive by_ slow degrees, there being only some chips and straw gathered about him. One, named Smolsky, together with his son, both ministers of CHRIST, near Vilna, the chief city of Lithuania, had their heads cruelly sawed off with a sickle. Another minister, in a town called Holocyzn, whose name was Slawinskie, had a new kind of torment put upon him. They cut him piece-meal till he died. Many other ministers were exposed, bound and naked, to the snow and extreme cold air amongst the high mountains, which made their noble souls forsake their miserable tabernacles. By this kind of death, this last winter, 15OO innocent persons were destroyed; who, seeking for shelter, were in their flight overtaken. Those that were most healthy and strong were sent away to be made slaves,• but others were either flayed alive, or cut in pieces. The number of those that were thus miserably put to death, as also the several kinds of torments, which poor innocent creatures were put to, no history can describe.

 

 One would think that the land had been by this time.chastised sufficiently, and that the sharp rod of our correction should have been broken. But God was not yet pleased to put a period to our calamities; for every year our country had a new enemy raised upon it; and so that little which the former had left, the succeeding enemy devoured. In the year 1655, the multitude of our enemies was augmented by the coming of the Swedes; whose armies (by reason of the vicinity of these three provinces, Prussia, Courland, and Liefland, which they had in their power,) have, for the space of five years, afflicted our country also. without any respect of the Protestant religion, they used us as enemies; and by their coming into the country, they also made us liable to be more hated by those of the Roman religion than before.

 

 What our native country, the church, and every member thereof have suffered, in such a long continuance of our troubles, amongst so many eastern, western, northern, and other enemies, cannot be sufficienty lamented, muchless uttered. The dead and unborn were then accounted blessed: the weaker sex was reputed as the most unfortunate. For we have seen so many illustrious and noble families so exhausted, and brought to extremity, that they have not had bread to eat. We have seen noblemen and matrons, virgins, and children of great parentage, under the servitude of the Muscovites, Tartars, Cossacks, and others; under which, both they, and many ministers of the gospel, to this day do groan heavily. In consideration of those extremities, however, which indeed are extraordinary, we cannot but adore the just judgments of GOD, thus poured upon us by reason of our sins, and deplore our sad condition: and the more, by reason of the small hopes of restitution or deliverance from such a devastation. For, though we are brought very low already, having been made subject to many wastings, great terrors and troubles, as having had death before our eyes continually; yet there is still matter of new troubles at home, especially to those that desire to serve God in simplicity and purity. To these particularly one calamity followeth another, as the waves in a tempestuous sea come one upon another. For our parts, we have no other recourse but to the goodness of our God; and the sympathy of the members of the church; and therefore, following the practice of the apostles of CHRIST, and the example of the churches in the Palatinate, Bohemia, and others, which being in the same condition, some few years ago, implored the aid of their fellow members of the Reformed Protestant church, we do likewise make our recourse to your goodness and charity. For we are persuaded that God has in these times made these kingdoms, and churches more happy and flourishing than others; that they might be a place for refuge, and a port of safety to those that suffer- shipwreck for the name of Jesus elsewhere.

 

JOHN DE KRAINO KRAINSKI, minister of God's Word, and the messenger of the churches

 

 

 

ACTS AND MONUMENTS.

 

THE PERSECUTION

 

OF THE CHURCH OF GOD IN POLAND 

 

In the Year of our Lord 1656.

 

 

 

 THE all-wise and holy GOD, whose ways of Providence are always righteous, though secret and unsearchable, has made it the constant lot and portion of his people in this world to follow his Son in bearing his cross, and suffering persecutions. For "they that are born after the flesh," do always persecute " them that are born after the Spirit." But scarcely have any sort of the churches' enemies more clearly followed the pernicious way of Cain herein, than Rome, "that mother of harlots and abominations, whose garments are died red with the blood of saints." Amongst those faithful witnesses, the Lord seems very signally to have raised up those Christians, who (though dispersed in divers countries,) have been commonly known by the name of Waldenses, who for some centuries have lived amongst their enemies as lambs amongst wolves, to bear their testimonies to the truths of CHRIST, against the apostasies and blasphemies of Rome; for which they have been "killed all the day long, and accounted as sheep for the slaughter."

 

 One part of this little Flock are scattered partly in the Valleys of Piedmont, of whose sufferings you have had an account in the preceding pages. The other part, in the kingdoms of Bohemia and Poland, whose sufferings, together with the Lord's signal providences about them, are now to be spoken of. These some time flourishing churches were by degrees worn out by the constant underminings and open outrages of the antiChristian party. They were first driven out of Bohemia into Poland: then, after their taking root, and spreading in Poland, they were forced out of their cities there. At last, by the popish army, they were persecuted in their few hiding places with fire and sword. Their ministers were tortured to death, by cutting out of the tongues of some, pulling out the eyes, and cruelly mangling the bodies of others. Yet did not their rage reach only to the ministers, but to private persons also; yea, even to women and to young children, whose heads they cut off, and laid them at their dead mothers' breasts. Nay, their rage broke out, not only against the living, (not one of whom they spared that fell into their hands,) but also against the dead, plucking the bodies of honorable persons and others out of their graves, tearing them to pieces, and exposing them to public scorn. But the chief object of their fury was the city of Lesna. Only the Lord in mercy having alarmed the city by the report of their enemies' approach, the greatest part of the inhabitants saved themselves by flight, and are now wandering up and down, poor, destitute, afflicted, and naked; the relation whereof you have in the ensuing narrative.

 

 Above 7OO years ago, Mieczislaus, then Duke of Poland, took to wife the daughter of Bolislaus, Duke of Bohemia, and, together with her, received the Christian faith. It happened then that, among those of the Bohemian nobility that accompanied him, there was one Peter de Bernstein, whom, because he was a person endowed with many virtues, Mieczislaus was willing to detain in Poland; and to that end bestowed upon him rich possessions, the chief whereof was a village called Lezsyna, (i. e. a grove of hasle-trees,) upon the very confines of the Lower Silesia, twelve miles distant from Wratislavia, five from Glagow, and ten from Posnania. Peter de Bernstein taking his denomination from this place of his residence, according to the custom of the nation, he and all his posterity were called Lezsynii, and were afterwards admitted to all sorts of dignities in the realm; so that of this family there have always been some or other that were captains, governors of castles, palatines, marshals, chancellors, bishops, or archbishops, even to this day. And besides this, for their noble management of affairs in several embassies to the Roman emperor, they were adorned with the title of earls of the empire, which they still enjoy. But Lezsyna itself begun by little and little to change its name, and by contraction was called Lesna, and their German neighbors called it Lissa. This village, something above 1OO years ago, had the dignity of a market-town granted to it by King Sigismund, and tradesmen were invited hither out of Silesia, and the use of the German tongue was brought in with them.

 

 As for religion, it was reformed at Lesna about the same time, by Count Andrew, Palatine of Bernstein, according to the rites of the Bohemian confession, which it has retained to this day, and became the metropolis of the churches of that confession throughout all the Greater Poland. After the year 162O, a very sharp persecution was raised against the professors of the gospel in Bohemia; and not long after the ministers and nobility being banished, they were fain to seek refuge in

 

Poland, whom the Lord Raphael de Lesna, Palatine of Belse, received under his protection, appointing Lesna, Woldavia, and Baranavia for their places of refuge. But forasmuch as the greater part seated themselves at Lesna, because of the nearness thereof, and not long after, a far greater company flocked thither out of Silesia, (for there also the butchery grew wonderfully fierce, in the years 1628 and 1629,) it came to pass, that Lesna, by the addition of many streets, grew into a large city, having three market-places, four churches, a large school, above 2O streets, 16OO houses, 2OOO freemen of the city, and abundance of other company. There was built also a very fair church for the service of GOD, according to the rites of the Augustine confession, which had over it three pastors, and a school for the mother-tongue, with some school-masters, besides the free-school, which had a learned man of the forementioned confession appointed over it, by the title of protector.

 

 The citizens, having ordered themselves according to the best policy they could, were able for some years to maintain workmen for the compassing of the city about with a bulwark and trench, and for the building the gates with walls and fair turrets. Lastly, there was built a very fair court-house in the middle of the market-place of the old city; there was scarce the like in all Great Poland, except at Posnania. In a word, civility, trading, merchandize, (for all things were here bought and sold,) and religion so flourished here, that this city did not come behind any city in Poland for its admirable pleasantness. All this was matter of joy, not only to those pious Christians that were scattered out of several places for the gospel's sake, and here gathered together under the protection of GOD, but to others also that came hither from all parts as strangers. But it galled the enemies of the gospel extremely, so that it made them leave no design unassayed for the overthrow of this city.

 

 At the first, in the years 1628 and 1629, they made use of several accusations and slanders to King Sigismund 3: suggesting, that it was a confluence of men, that were enemies and traitors to his majesty. But through the prudence of that great senator, the lord of the place, whose wisdom went beyond their envy, and who knew well enough how to counter-work all projects of that kind, all these arts were at that time used in vain. But in 1653, after the Swedes were broken by the emperor's army in (;ermany, and were driven out of Silesia, new plots were hatched at Glogaw to send one or two of the emperor's regiments, who should suddenly invade Lesna, sack the town, and put the inhabitants to the sword. But it pleased God so to order it, that this plot was discovered by some of themselves, two days before the appointed time, and so vanished into smoke; though the smoke of their devices did not yet cease to rise. For after the death of the Prince Palatine of Belse, when his estate was divided amongst his sons, and the county of Lesna fell to the Lord Boguslaus, his third son, then newly returned from traveling, the plotters were not wanting so to he in wait, that at last they enticed him to profess popery. But however they heaped many honors upon him, yet could they not procure his hatred of the professors of the gospel, and the dissipation of his subjects, which was the thing they hoped for; but he still preserved entire to his Lesna those privileges, both civil and religious, which his father had promised or confirmed to them. They attempted therefore this other device the Bishop of Posnania ventured to redemand the old parish-church, because it was of ancient foundation, and pretended that it might not any longer be left to the use of heretics. The Lord Boguslaus answered, that his grandfather, (Andrew, Palatine of Brenstein,) had built another church for the Catholics, (whose number was very small in the town, scarce ever above three or four citizens,) to exercise their religion in, and endowed it with revenues to that purpose, that the greater citizens might enjoy the greater church. But all was in vain, though he doubled the maintenance of the Roman parish priest. For in 1652, they brought the lord count before the tribunal of the realm. The cause must needs go against him, for the very same persons were accusers, witnesses, and judges; yet he obtained that this church should not suddenly be taken from his subjects, the inhabitants of old Lesna, until they had built themselves a new one. They presently set about the building with the help of foreign churches: but when the adversaries saw that it went on apace, and that this was like to be bigger than the other, (for so great now was the mutitude of

 

citizens of this confession, that the old church was not able to contain them,) they began to mutter again, "That this might not be endured, that the heretics

 

should have a bigger church than the Catholics." At length the irruption of the Swedes into Poland, in 1655, gave them the long wished-for occasion of rooting

 

out, not only the Lesnians, but all the professors of the gospel throughout Poland. For while the King of Sweden was slowly and dangerously busied in Prussia, they took counsel together for the resuming their arms, to fight for the liberty of their country, and the Catholic religion, (as they call it,) to drive out the Swedes, and to root out all the Dissenters, (as they styled the Protestants,) in gross that this their purpose might make the quicker progress, and be set on the more strongly, there were Jesuits and monks sent out every way, to intimate these things to the multitude, and to encourage them to so glorious an undertaking, compelling those that were slow with the thunderbolt of excommunication, and promising the relaxation of the pains of purgatory, and eternal rewards to them that were forward. To this end, King Casimere being, recalled out of Silesia, they commanded the no bility to flock to him, and to give the King of Sweden a meeting in his return out of Prussia. And such was their success, that in Lower Poland a great number of families, almost within the compass of a month, (in February and March,) were miserably butchered: men and women, young and old, being murdered without distinction, all, save such as could escape into the neighboring parts of Hungary. Most of the nobility of the Greater Poland having retired into Silesia, began there to gather themselves into small companies, in the beginning of April, and to break forth: by whose coming, the rest being encouraged, made a great slaughter of the Swedes that were garrisoned in the small towns, so that General Muller was fain to go forth with an army of Swedes to restrain them.

 

 The hereditary Lord of Lesna was gone into Prussia to salute the King of Sweden. But about the beginning of April he’returned into Lesna without seeing him, the king being full of action, and ranging up and down. This business procured much more envy both to himself and the city; as if he had plotted with the Swedes against his country. Therefore they breathed out. flames so much the more fiercely both against him and his city. However there were not wanting such as by private messages gave him hope of pardon, if he would withdraw himself from them. But the enemies prepared themselves to destroy the city, furnishing themselves with many sorts of weapons for that purpose. The inhabitants of Lesna indeed had notice by several messengers, yet a fatal security prevailed with them to think that there was no fear of such an enemy. Upon Easter-day a party of Poles broke into some territories belonging to an eminent professor of the gospel, near Lesna, for whom they made diligent search; but finding he was from home, (for he had retired to Lesna,) they plundered all his goods, and took his servant, and hanging a great stone about his Wreck, threw him into the river that ran by.

 

 On the third holiday in Easter, the report was very hot that the Swedes had lost all, and that the king was slain. Upon this news, the Lord Boguslaus betook himself to Wratislavia, in Silesia, wherefore the citizens of Lesna were something afraid, although the commanders of the Swedes that were there in the garrison, (being three colors of horse,) encouraged them: as did also the administrator of the city and county of Lesna, who promised them to stay with them. Being lifted up with this hope, and the promises of new forces to come very suddenly to them, no man took any care to get out of the way, or carry any of his goods to a safer place: yet they kept strong guards night and day; sometimes the third part of the citizens, and sometimes half being upon duty. The Swedish horse also ever and anon made excursions to see what the enemy was doing, and whether they were near. They never brought back any other news, but that there were no signs of the enemy appearing. Yea, even that very day in which the Poles came in the afternoon, the Swedes returned with good booty, but said not a word of the enemy.

 

About three days after, upon Thursday, April 27, an army of the Polonian nobility, mixed with a rout, of peasants, skewed themselves unexpectedly out of the

 

woods, drew into the open field, and set themselves within sight of the city, above five or six furlongs from the suburbs. When this was perceived, the alarm was

 

given, and the citizens placed themselves on the walls; yet not knowing who they were, and wondering much, why, according to custom, they did not send forth a trumpeter. At length they began their work with firing a brick-kiln that stood not far from the suburbs. Then about 15O of the Swedish troopers which were already mounted and gone out of the city, encountered with the enemy in little skirmishes, for the space of two hours, in which many of the Poles, and some of the Swedes, were slain. But while the Swedes were earnest. with the citizens for help to defend the suburbs from burning, about 7O of the younger citizens were drawn forth, who mixed themselves rashly and confusedly among the horsemen. When the Poles saw this they feigned a flight, returning towards the wood: but as soon as they perceived they had drawn them far enough from the walls, they wheeled about; some fetching; a compass to get behind them and home, and the rest returning straight, fell on in a full body. When the Swedish horse saw this, they turned their backs, leaving the foot to the mercy of the enemy; but the Poles followed them so close, that two colours (which were about 4OO men,) passed through the suburbs to the very gate, and had entered the city with them, had not a bold fellow ten

 

tured to step in between, and bar the gate against them, while others of the citizens sent a shower of bullets among them, and so beat them back. The Poles being glad to retire, (just at sun-set,) they set fire to the outward parts of the suburbs, and burnt some granaries and windmills; while themselves returned through the wood to Oseczno. The city being thus filled with fear, spent the whole night without sleep; the men in watching upon the walls, and the women in gathering themselves.together in the market-places, church-yards, and other open places.

 

 When the morning came, and no enemy appeared, the citizens went out to fetch in the slain to bury them; among whom were found about 4O citizens, but above 1OO Poles, and among them their chief commander himself, Cresky, who formerly had taken pay under the Swedish General Banier, and was accounted more expert than the rest. In the mean time it was hotly reported, that the administrator of the country, and many of his retinue were gone. Upon this news the courage of the citizens began to fail, and they went to the senate, to desire leave to send away their wives and children, that if the enemy should come again, they might be the more courageous in defending themselves, not being daunted with the outcries and tears of the women. Some dissuaded them with good reasons, saying, " That those that should be sent forth under pretence of convoying the rest, would not return again, and so the rest of the citizens should be left in greater fears." But all was in vain. The Swedish commanders endeavored to hinder the flight of the richer sort, which they could not do, being overcome with the cries of the multitude. There were some ecclesiastics also, who desired leave to depart for a few days, because the antichristian fury was bent chiefly against them. The senate left it to their consciences, whether in such a case they could leave the people, when they would most need instruction and comfort; especially if wounded and dying. But the others persisted in their importunity, and there went out, before noon, 3OO waggons, which were all that could be got in the city. After this, there followed some quietness, with hopes that the enemy would return no more, having found by experience, how well able the Lesnians were to defend themselves; and perhaps they had never returned, (as it was known afterwards,) had they not been encouraged by that flight of the citizens. Two days after, April 28, there was a letter delivered to the consul from the commanders of the Polish forces, in which they demanded the surrender of the city, and gave them hope of good usage; but if they would not embrace that offer, they threatened to destroy them with fire and sword, having now such an addition of foot-soldiers, that they were able to take the city by storm. They added, moreover, that they had received a letter from the Lord Boguslaus, wherein he intreated them to spare Lesna upon their submission, saying, that he had already given them a command to set open their gates. If ever there were any such command, it must needs have been suppressed by some one, so that the citizens never knew of it; otherwise they would have provided a little better for the safety of themselves and their goods. But so it must needs be, that our sins (through others' treachery,) should be brought to punishment.

 

 This message of the Poles to the senate, wonderfully daunted the citizens. For these things were not kept secret, but before the council could call together the senate, and the commanders of the soldiery, the report thereof had run through the whole city; as also that there was very little gunpowder left, and that they had not wherewithal to defend themselves; so that the. citizens being taken with a panic fear, cast away their weapons and courage together, and betook themselves to flight; especially when presently after, they; who were on the guard, discovered the body of the enemies. coming the same way they came before. These, forsaking every man his station, hastened home, advising their wives, children, and neighbors to flee, themselves leaving their weapons on the walls or gates, or afterwards casting them away in the fields, that they might not be a burden to them. When the Swedish soldiers saw the citizens thus in amaze, and running away, they also soon mounted, not to meet the enemy, (as before,) but to run away from them also. Then followed the senate, in such a trembling fit of fear, that every one run out at the gate that was next him, or over the very forts and ditches; so that in one hour's space, a most populous city was left destitute of inhabitants; save a company of sick and aged people, and a few others that could not so suddenly get away, or that for some other cause were obliged to wait the issue. All hastened to the Moorish woods, by which Poland is parted from Silesia, in such confusion, that, when the nearest passes were not wide enough, they tumbled by troops to other passes, that were more remote.

 

 The Swedish troops went to Fraustad, and from thence, taking the garrison along with them, towards Meseritz. But the passage through the Moors was very difficult, because the company crowded one upon another, as if the enemy were just at their heels, so that not only many of them stuck in the deep mud, (crying out in vain for help to those that passed by, every one being solicitous only for his own preservation,) but were also mired and lost. Here children lost their parents, and parents their children, wives their husbands, and one friend another; so that they could scarce find one another again, in two, three, and four days time. The enemy, by a trumpeter, who was sent to Posnania-gate, inquired, what the citizens meant to do John Kolechen, a learned citizen, and well acquainted with many of the nobility (who in confidence of this, having sent away his wife, adventured to stay,) came forth, and answered, "That the gates stood open, the Swedish enemies were gone, and the rest of the citizens stood to their courtesy, and desired their favor."

 

 A little after that, the illustrious Grzymaltowsky, with many of the nobility, came to the same gate, and when Kolechen, with another of his company, had gone out to them, and scarcely persuaded them, that there was no treachery, they went in. Being disposed in the next fair houses, they were entertained with a noble supper, and had plenty of wine out of Dlugosse's cellar, who was a rich senator. When they were half drunk, they set upon Kolechen with threats, and would have made him their prisoner; but that he escaped wonderfully out of their hands, and saved himself by flight. But they durst not stay all night in the city, for fear the Swedes and citizens should set upon them unawares out of some ambuscade; so they returned to their own company, and in the morning they came back, with many hundred waggons, killing all they met, and setting themselves to plunder the city. Here you might have seen strange examples of barbarous cruelty on one side, and blockish folly on the other. For though no man made resistance, yet like mad dogs they flew upon all that either came out, or were drawn out of their holes wherein they had hid themselves. Of all that they laid hold on, they gave not one man quarter, but put them to death with most exquisite tortures. They endeavored to force Mr. Samuel Clarke, pastor of the church of Czuertzinen, to renounce his religion, after they had taken him, and miserably handled him with all manner of cruelty; but he stoutly resisting, they put out his eyes, and led him about for a spectacle; then they pulled off his finger ends with pincers; but he not yet condescending, they poured molten lead into his mouth, and at length, while he was yet alive, they clapped his neck between folding doors, and violently pulling them together, severed his head from his body.

 

 They took JOHN JACOBIDES, pastor of the church of Dembnick, and ALEXANDER WARTENS, his colleague, and another that was in company with them, and hurried them up and down for divers hours, and grievously handled them; last of all they cut their throats, and threw them headlong into a pit, while they were yet breathing, which had been before-hand prepared, and stifled them by throwing down dung and dirt upon them. A great while they pursued ANDREW OxLrrIUS, a young man designed for the ministry. After long seeking, they at last found him in the open field, and having taken him, they cut off his head with a scythe, chopping it into small pieces; and the dead carcass also they slashed in a barbarous manner. The same fate befell ADAM MILTA, a citizen of Lesna. But they more grievously handled an old man of above 7O years of age, whose name was SIMON PRITEN, and many others, whose names it were too tedious to relate. Of that barbarous execution which they did upon the weaker sex, there were besides other examples, horrid trophies of cruelty erected. A pious. matron there, who was the mother of three children, not being able quick enough to leave the city, and being slain in the open street, they cut off her hands and feet, and cutting off her children's heads, they laid two of them at her breasts, and the third by her side. In like manner, another woman having her hands and feet

 

cut off, and her tongue cut out, being inclosed and bound in a sack, lived the space of two days, making most miserable lamentations.

 

 They pulled out the eyes of some. Of others they cut off their noses and tongues, and their hands and feet. Others they stabbed, and slashed, and so butchered with innumerable wounds, that it could not be known who they were. They spared not his highness Frederic, Land grave of Hesse, though dead, whom they had slain half a year before at Costena. He being decently embalmed, was kept laid up in the chapel of the new church, upon a scaffold, till he could be conveniently transported to his own country. They first rifled his coffin, which was handsomely adorned, taking away his silver and gilt keys, and all the silk that was about it. Then they set upon the prince's corpse, and took away his silk robe, lined with ermines, and so left him once again naked, and lying on the ground. After the burning of the city, his body was found in the same place, untouched by the fire: so he was clothed again by the ancient Lesnians, put up in his coffin, and buried in a certain place, where he is still honorably kept.

 

 The mad rabble, though they might have made Lesna their nest, and enriched themselves with plunder; such was their over eager desire of destroying this hated city, that the very same day, before noon, they set fire to the city and suburbs, in every street, (for they brought waggons with them, loaded with torches, pitch, straw, and other combustible matter,) and so destroyed that most pleasant city, together with all that abundance of things that were in it. This fire lasted three whole days, and there were those that took care that nothing should escape it. For when the new buildings of the new churches did not easily take fire, they brought straw, pitch, and dry wood, and put under the roofs and inside of the steeples, and so forced them to take fire. Upon the third day, (May 1,) they came again, and whatsoever was left they set fire to again. They burnt also the very windmills, whereof there were seventy about the city; and a very pleasant park of the countess's, which lay close by the castle; that every place might be filled with spectacles of cruelty, and at length it might come to be said, En cineres ubi Lesna fuit! “Where fairest Lesna stood of old, Now nought but ashes we behold! "