Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 1

his mouth on both sides gushed out with blood, and disfigured his face monstrously. By the way they passed by an Hospital, where they willed him to worship the picture of S. Mary standing at the gate. But he turned his back as well as he could, and would not. For the which the blind people were so grieved, that they would have fall̄ upon him. After he was brought to the fire, they so smered his body with fat and brimstone, that at the first taking of the fire, all his skin was parched, & the inward parts not touched. With that the cords brast which were about his mouth, whereby his voice was heard in the midst of the flame, praising the Lord, and so y ^e blessed Martyr departed. Ex John Chrisp.

• A woman of Tolouse.
• The Officiall of the Bishop of Tolouse.
• The Inquisitor and Chancelor of the Bishop of Cozeran.

Peter Serre.

About Tolouse.

An. 1553.

Peter Serre first was a Prieste, then changing his religiō, he went to Geneva, & learned the shomakers craft, and so lived. Afterward upon a singular love he came to his brother at Tolouse, to the intent to do him good. His brother had a wife, which was not well pleased with his religiō, and coming. She in secret Counsel told another woman one of her neighbors, of this. What doth she, but goeth to the Officiall, and maketh him privy of all. The Officiall thinking to foreslacke no time, taking counsel with his fellows, laid hands upon this Peter, and brought him before the Inquisitor. To whom he made such declaration of his faith, that he seemed to reduce the Inquisitor to some feling of conscience, and began to instruct him in y ^e principals of true religion. Notwithstāding, all this helped not, but that he was condemned by the said Chancellor, to be degraded, & committed to the secular judge. The Judge inquiringe of what occupation he was, he said, that of late he was a shoomaker. Whereby the Judge understanding that he had been of some other faculty before, required what it was. He said, that he had been of another faculty before, but he was ashamed to utter it, or to remember it, being the worst & most vilest science of all other in the whole world besides. The judge and the people supposing that he had ben some thief or cutpurse, inquired to know what it was, but he for shame and sorrow stopped his mouth, & would not declare it. At last through their importunate clamor, he was constrained to declare the truth, & said, that he had been a priest. The judge thereupon was so moved, y ^t he condemned him, first enjoining him in his cōdamnation, to ask the king forgiveness, then judged him to have his tongue cut out, and so to be burned. Frō this sentence he appealed to the parliament of Tolouse: not for that he thought thereby to save his life, but because he was enjoined to ask the king forgiveness, whom he had never offended. Also because he was judged to have his tongue cut of, wherewith he would praise his God. Notwithstanding by the sentence of that parliament, he was likewise condemned to be burnt, only he was pardoned for asking forgiveness of the king, and the cutting of his tongue, so that he would say nothing against their religion. As he went to burning, he passed by the college of S. Martial, where he was bid to honor the picture of the virgins standing at the gate. Which because he refused, the Judge commanded his tongue to be cut of, & so being put to the fire, he stood so quiet, looking up to heaven all the time of his burning, as though he had felt nothing, bringing such admiration to the people, that one of the Parliament said, that way not to be best, to bring the Lutherans to the fire, for that would do more hurt then good. Ex John. Crisp. The governor of Marches.

• Stephen king.
• Petrus Denocheus.

At Chartres.

An. 1553.

Stephen king, after he had been at Strasbourg a while, returned again into his country, dwelling in atown bearing the name of S. George, not far frō Chaustors, where he served in the place of a notary, and had under him, a Clearke named Peter Denoche, who also had been at Geneva, & was there zealous in instructing the ignorant & rebuking blasphemous swearers, and other offenders. These two were not long together, but they were suspected both of Lutheranism: and so were apprehended by the governor of the Marches, or Marshall, and so were carried to Chartres: where after the constant confession upon their examination made, they were enclosed in prison, and there sustained long & tedious endurance. During the which mean time, Stephen king made many worthy songs and sonets in the praise of the Lord, whereby to recreate his spirit in that doleful captivity. At length, when after long persuasions & fair promises of the Bishop and of other, they could not be revoked from the doctrine of their confession, they were condemned. From that condemnation, they appealed to the Court of Paris. But the Council there confirming their former sentence, returned thē again to Chartres, from whence they came, where they were both executed with cruel punishment of fire. Ex hist. Gallic. per John Crisp. Priests of Burgess.

Antonius Magnus, or Magnaeus.

At Paris.

An. 1554.

Antonius Magne, was sent by the five which were in prison, at Lions, above mentioned, and by other also that were in captivity at Paris, unto Geneva to commend them to their prayers unto GOD, for them. Who after certain business there dispatched, returned again into France, & there within 3. hours of his coming was betrayed and taken by certain Priests at Burgess and there delivered by the said priests unto the Officiall. After a few days the kings Justices took him from the Official, and sent him to Paris, where after great rebukes and torments, he suffered in the prisō, and firmly persisting in the profession of the truth, by their capital sentence was adjudged to have his tongue cut out, & so was burned at Mulbert place in Paris. Ex John. Crisp. False brethren.

William Alēcon bookeseller.

A certain sherman.

At Montpelliers. An. 1554.

This Alencon did much good in the provinces of France, by carrying books. Comming to Montpelliers he was there circumvented by false brethrē detected, and laid in prison. In his faith he was firm and constant to the end of his Martirdome, being burned the 7. of January. 1554.

There was the same time at Montpelliers a certain sherman or clothworker, who had been long in duraunce for religion, but at length for fear, and infirmity, he revolted. To whom it was enjoined by the Judges to make public recantation, and to be present also at the burning of Alencō aforesaid. At the beholding of whose death and cōstancy, it pleased God to strike into this man such boldness, that he desired the Judges, that either he might burn with this Alencon, or else be brought again into prison, saying that he would make no other recantation, but so. Wherefore within three days after he was likewise condemned to the fire, and burned, in the town aforesaid. Ex John Crisp.

Paris Panier, a Lawyer.

At Dola.

An. 1554.

At Dola was beheaded a good & godly Lawyer named Paris Panier, for constant standing to the gospel of Christ. an. 1554. Ex Pantal.

Peter du Val, shoomaker.

At Nismes.

An. 1554.

At Newmans in Delphinate, Peter du Val sustained sore and grievous rackinges & torments: wherewith his body being broken, dissolved, and maimed, yet he notwithstanding manfully abiding all their extremity, would name and utter none. Then was he had to the fire, & there consumed. ann. 1554. Ex John. Crisp.

• Gilles le Pers, Lieuetenaunt for the marshall of S. Andrew, and Inquisitor for the province of Borbon.
• John. Bergeronius, another Inquisitor or counselor.

• Johannes, Filieul, or Filiolus Carpenter.
• Julianus Leuille, poyntmaker.

At Sanserre.

An. 1554.

These two blessed and constant martyrs, as they were going toward Geneva, with one of their sons and a daughter were apprehended by Gilles le Pers, who in the way ouertaking them and most wickedly & Iudaslye pretendinge great favor to them, and to their religion, which he (as he said) supposed them to be of, with these and many other fair words circumvented and allured them to confess what was their faith, whither they went with their children, and also that their wives were at Geneva. When they had declared this, the wretched Traytour gave a sign to his horsemen, and so were these simple saints of Christ entrapped, and brought to the Castle of Niuerne. Beyng in Prison, they were examined of many things: whereunto they answered uprightly, according to their faith.

First touching the sacrament, they affirmed the transubstantiation of the Bishop of Rome, to be against y ^e Article of the Creed, which saith, that Christ is gone up to heaven, & there sitteth at the hand of God: and therefore the bread and wine must needs remain in their properties, bearing notwithstanding a Sacrament, or a holy sign of the body & blood of the Lord. For like as by bread and wine the heart of man is comforted, so the body of Christ crucified, & his blood shed, spirituallye hath the like operation in the souls of the believers.

For the Mass, they said it was a thing most superstitious, and mere Idolatry. And if we put any part of salvation therein, they said, it was utterly a robbing of the Passion of Christ the son of God, & that it was not once to be named out of a Christian mouth. Also that they which say that Peter either was Pope, or Author of the said Mass, are far deceived. And as for turning bread into the body of Christ by the words of consecration, it was an error (they said) more of mad men, then any sad men: forasmuch as God is neither subject to men, nor to y ^e tongues or exorcisms of men. Purgatory they denied to be any, save only the blood of Christ Jesus.

Furthermore as they would not bereft the saints of God of their due honor, so neither the Saynts thē selves (said they) will be contented to rob God of his honor only due to him.

As touching confession, their opinion was, that the wounds and causes of conscience, belong to no man, but only to God.

After these answers given and written, they were sent to the Monastery of Sanpeter, there to be disputed with. That done, the matter came to be debated amog the Judges, what was to be done with them. Some would their goods to be taken by Inventory, and them to be banished. But Bergeronius at last caused to be determined, that they should be burned, and first to hear Mass. From that Courte, they apppealed to the Courte of Paris: but the matter there was nothing amended. Where behold the judgment of God: In the mean time, while they were at Paris, the wretched Persecutour Gilles le Pers, was suddenly stricken mad, and died in a frensy: which made many men to wonder, and especially the martyrs to be more constant.

At last the decree of the sentence was read against them. First for speaking against the Sacrament: which they denied.

Secondly for speaking against Baptism: which also they denied.

Thirdly, for speaking contumely against the Saints: which they in like manner denied.

After this, the officer to cause thē to recant threatened them with torments, which they sustained very extreme, the space from after dinner, til three of the clock. When all that would not turn them, he sent to them a Friar Dominic, a man captious & sophistical, to press them in disputation. But as he could do no hurt unto them, so could they do no good upon him. When the time of their execution did approach, the officer aforesaid put into their hands being tied, a wooden cross, which they took with their teeth, & flong it away: for the which the officer commanded both their tongues to be cut of. Wherein appeared another marvelous work of the y ^e Lord For nevertheless that their tongues were taken frō them, to the intent they should not speak, yet God gave them vtteraūce, their tongues being cut out, to speak at their death: saying, we bid sin, y ^e flesh the world, and the devil fare well forever, with whom never we shall have to do hereafter. Divers other words they spake besides, which the people did hear and note. At last when the tormenter came to smiere them with brimstone and gunpouder: Go to, said Filiolus, salt on, salt on the rotten and stinking flesh. Finally as the flame came bursting up to their faces, they persisting constant in the fire, gave up their lives, and finished their martyrdom. Ex Io. Crisp. & Henr. Pantal. & alijs.

• Will. Langloys, under Sheriff.
• John. Langloys, the kings procurator.

Dionysius Vayre.

At Rhoan.

ann. 1554.

In the same year suffered at Rhoan, Denis Uayre, who first leaving his Popish priesthood, went to Geneva, where he learned the art of bookbynding, & brought many times books into France. After that in the reign of K. Ed. 6. he came to Gerzey, & there was minister, & preached. After y ^e death of K. Ed. the time not serving him to tarry, thinking to return again to Geneva, he came into Normandy with his books, into a town, called Fueillie: Whereas he going out to hire a cart. William Langloys, with John Langloys his brother came in and stayed his books, and him also which had the custody of thē. Denis, albeit he might have escaped, yet hearing y ^e keeper of his books to be in trouble, came, & presēting himself, was committed, y ^e other was delivered. First after two months and a half imprisonment, he was charged to be a spy, because he came out of England. Then from that prisō he was removed to the Bishops prison, and then to Rhoan where sentence was given, that he should be burned alive, and thrice lifted up, and let down again into the fire. After the sentence given, they threatened him with many terrible torments, unless he would disclose such as he knew of that side. To whom he answered that the sounder part of all France, and of the Senate, was of that Religion: notwithstanding he would utter no man's name unto them. And as for their torments, he said he passed not, for if he wer killed with racking, then he should not feel the burning of the fire. When they saw him so little to pass for their torments, they left that, and proceeded to his burning: and first they put a cross in his hands which he would not hold. Thē because he coming by the Image of the virgins mary, would not adore the same, they cried, cut out his tongue: & so they cast him into the fire, where he should be thrice taken up but the flame went so hye, that the hangman being not able to come near him, cried to the people standing by, to help, and so did the officers with their staves, lay upon the people, to help their tormenters, but never a man would stir. And this was the end and martyrdom of that blessed Denys. Ex Henr. Pantal. lib. 10.

There was a riche marchaunt of Paris, who said in jest to the Friers of S. Frances. You wear a rope about your bodies, because S. Frances once should have been hanged, & the pope redeemed him upon this condition, that all his life after he should were a rope. Uppon this the Franciscan Friars of Paris caused him to be apprehended & laid in prison, and so judgment passed upon him, that he should be hanged: but he to save his life, was contented to recant, and so did. The Friars hearing of his recantation, commended him, saying if he continued so, he should be saved, and so calling upon the officers, caused them to make haste to the gallows, to hang him up, while he was yet in a good way (said they) least he fall again. And so was this marchaunt, notwithstanding, his recantation, hanged for jesting against the Friars. Ex. Pantal. lib. 7.

To this marchaunt may also be adjoined y ^e brother of Tamer, who when he had before professed the truth of the gospel, and afterward by the counsel and instruction of his brother, was removed from the same, fell in desperation, and such sorrow of mind that he hanged himself. Ex John. Manlio in dictis Phil. Melanct.

Tho. Galbergne, a Couerlet maker.

At Tourney.

Ann. 1554.

This Tho. had copied out certain spiritual songs out of a book in Geneva which he brought with him to Tourna & lent y ^e same to one of his fellows This book being espied, he was called for of the Justice, & examined of the book, which he said, contained nothing, but y ^t was agreing to the scripture, & that he would stand by Then he was had to y ^e Castle, and after xix. days was brought to the town house, and there adjudged to the fire. Whereūto he went cheerfully singing psalms. As he was in y ^e flame, the Warden of the fryers stood crying: Turn Thomas, Thomas, yet it is time: remember him y ^t came at the last hour. To whom he cried out of the flame with a loud voice, and I trust to be one of that sort, and so calling upon the name of the Lord, gave up his spirit. Ex Crisp. lib. 4. Add also to this, one Nicholas Paul beheaded at Gaunt. These two should have been placed among the Dutch Martyrs in the table before.

• Latrunculator, or under Marshal, or examiner of Dolphenie.
• The Lieutenant.
• His Attorney.
• His Scribe.

Rich. Feurus a goldsmith.

At Lions.

An. 1554.

Feurus a Goldesmith borne at Rhoan first being in England, and in London there received the taste and knowledge of God's word, as in his own Epistle he recordeth. Then he went to Geneva, where he remained 9. or 10. years. From thence returning to Lions, there was apprehended, and condemned. Then he appealed to the hye court of Paris, through the motion of his friends. Where in the way as he was led to Paris, he was met by certain whom he knew not, and by them taken frō his keepers, and so set at liberty, which was ann. 1551,

After the continuing at Geneva, about y ^e space of iii. years, he came upon business to the province of Dolphenie, and there as he found fault with the grace said in Latin, he wak detected and taken in his Inn in the night, by the vndermarshall, or him which had the examination of malefactors. The next day he was sent to the Justice, from him to the bishop, Who ridding their hands of him, then was he brought to the Lieuetenaunt, who sent his advocate w ^t a notary to him in the prison, to examine him of his faith. The whole process of his examinations, w ^t his adversaries and the fryers, in his story described, is long, y ^e principal contents come to this effect.

An Inquisitor monk.

Nicholas du Chesne.

At Gry by Bezanson.

Ann. 1554,

The cause and occasion why this Nicolas came in trouble, was for that he going from Lausāna (where he abode for his conscience) to fette his sister & her husband, & certain other of his friends, as he went from Bezanson, toward the town of Gry, did not homage to a certain cross in the way where a certain monk which was an inquisitour, ouertook him, and thereby suspected him. He was guyded by the same monk craftily dissēbling his religion, to a lodging in Gry: where the Justice of the place coming in, incontinent took him. Nicholas seeing how he was by y ^e monk his conductor betrayed: O false traitor, (said he) hast thou thus betrayed me? Then after examination, he was condemned. Being carried to the place of martyrdom, by y ^e way he was promised, that if he would knele down and hear a mass, he should be let go as a passenger. But Nicolas armed with perseverance, said he would rather die then commit such an act. Who calling upon the name of the Lord, took his death patiently. Ex Crisp. Lib▪ 6.

• The seniors or Lord's of Estnay and of Ciguongnes, dwelling by the town of Machenoir.
• Denys Barbes, Counselor of Bloys.

John Bertrand a fo •• er or keeper of the forest of Marchenoir.

At Bloys.

Ann. 1556.

For the religion & gospel of Christ, this John was apprehended by these persecutors here specified, and led bound to Bloys: where he was examined by Denys y ^e counselor, of diverse points as whether he had spokē at any time against God, against y ^e church & the he saints, & the she saints of Paradise Wherunto he said no. Item, whether at any time he had called the mass abhominable, which he granted, for that he finding no mass in all the Stripture, was commanded by S. Paul, That if an angel from heavē would bring any other gospel beside that which was already received, he should account it accursed. After his condemnation, they would have him to be confessed, and presented to him a cross to kiss. But he bad the Friars with their cross depart. That is not the cross (said he) that I must carry. Entring into y ^e cart before the multitude he gave thanks to God, that he was not there for murder, theft, or blasphemy, but only for the quarrel of our savior. Being tied to the post, he sang the 25. psalm. Of age he was young his countenance was exceeding cheerful & amiable, his eyes looking up to heaven. O the happy journey, said he (seeing the place where he should suffer) & the fair place that is prepared for me. When the fire was kindled about them, O Lord cried he, give thy hand to thy servant: I recommend my soul unto thee, and so meekly yielded up his spirit. Whose patient and joyful constancye so astonished the people, that of long time before, nothing did seem to them so admirable. Ex Gallic. hist. per. Crisp. Lib. 6. A brother in law of this Peter.

Peter Rouseau.

An. 1556.

Peter Rousseau coming from Geneva and Lausanna to his country, partly to communicate with certain of his acquaintance in the word of God, partly for other certain affairs, because he required his inheritance of his brother in law, was by him betrayed. Then being constant in his confession, which he offered up, he was put to the rack three times, which he suffered constantly with great torments. Afterward he had his tongue cut of, and a balle of iron put in his mouth. He was draw̄ upon a hurdle, all broken and maimed, to the fire, where he was lifted up into the air, and let down three times: And when he was half burned, the balle fell from his mouth, and he with a loud voice called on the name of GOD, saying, Jesus Christ assiste me. And so this blessed Martyr gave up his life to God. Ex John. Crisp. Antony de Lescure, the kings attourney.

• Arnauld Moniere.
• John de Cazes.

At Bordeaux.

An. 1556.

After that Arnald Moniere was taken and examined of the Justice, and so was laid in prison, John de Cazes resorting to the same town of Burdeaux, and hearing of him, and being admonished moreover, that if he went to him, he should be appeached of heresy, notwithstanding went to comfort him, and so was also imprisoned. After many examinations, sentence was given upon them to be burned. When the time came of their Martyrdom they were drawn thorough the dirt upon an hurdle, to the place accompanied with a number of bylles, and glayues, and gūners, and truēpeters. Moreover, albeit there was no such cause (they being two simple poor men) yet the Magistrates commanded (upon what occasion I know not) all the gates of y ^e Citty to be shut, and guarded with keepers. Whē the blessed martyrs were brought and bound to the post which was before the Palace, they much rejoicing that they were made worthy to suffer for Christ, made confession of their faith, and many earnest exhortations unto the people. But to stop the hearing of these saints, the trumpeters were commanded to sound, which during all the time of their suffering never ceased. The hangman preparing hymsel • first to strangle Cazes, chanced to fall down from the top of the post, to the pavement and brake his head in such sort, as the blood followed in great quantity. Notwithstanding he recovering himself, went to Monier, and him he strangled, who patientlye rendered up his life. Cazes which was the stronger of them both, being set on fire before the hangman came, suffered the extremity of the fire with great pains, but greater patience: for as his legs wer almost half burnt, yet he endured, crying: My God my father, and so gave up his life. And further, to note the work of God that followed when these two mild & martyred saints were almost consumed in the fire to ashes suddenly without matter or cause, such a fear fell upon them, at y ^e execution, that the iustices and the people, notwithstanding that they had the gates locked to them, & were defensed with all manner of weapons about them, not knowing wherefor, took thē to their legs, in such hast fleeing away, y ^t they ouerran one another. The prior of S. Antonies fell down, so y ^t a great number went over him. The judge Pontacke on his mule, w ^t his red robe, fleeing as the other did, was overthrown with the press in the street called Poet • uin in such sort, that he was fain to be carried to Pichons house a widow, and there cried within, Hide me, save my life, I am dead: I see even the like matter, as at the last commotion. My friends hyde my mule, that no man se her nor know her. Briefly such was the fear which came from them, that every mā shut up their houses. After the fear was past, every man asked what the matter was, but none could tell neither could the enemies of God's truth perceive, who was he that put them so to flight and fear, w ^t out any semblaunce of any adversary about them. This story is testified, and to be found both in the volume of the French martyrs, printed by John Crispine, lib. 6. also in the book of Dutch martyrs, written by Adrianus.

• A gentlemā called Perriere.
• M. Bartlemew Eme, President.
• M. Augustine de Eglise, Counselor.

Bartlemew Hector.

At Thurin.

Ann. 1556.

First this Hector was a traveler, about the country, and a seller of books, having his wife and children at geneua. As he came into the vale of Angroigne, in Piedmont to get his living with selling of books, he was taken by a certain gentleman, and there arrested & sent to Thurin: then examined, at last condemned. Beyng condemned, he was threatened, y ^t if he spake anything to the people, his tongue should be cut of. Neuerthlesse he ceased nothing to speak. After his prayers made, wherein he prayed for the Judges, that God would forgive them, and opē their eyes, he was offered his pardon at the stake, if he would convert, which he refused. Then he prepared himself to his death, which he took patiently. Wherat many of the people wept, saying, why doth this man die, which speaketh of nothing, but of God? Ex hist. Gal. per Crisp. lib. 6. The accusers appear not in the story.

• Phillip Cene.
• James his fellow.

At Dyion.

An. 1557.

This Phillip Cene was an Apothecary at Geneva. He was taken at Dyion, & there imprisoned, and in the same town of Dyion, he with one James his companion, was burned. As this Phillip went to his death singing psalms, the Friar standing by, stopped his mouthe with his hand. The most part of the people wept bitterly, saying, be of good courage brethren, be not afraid of this death. Which when one of the adversary part heard, he said to one of the magistrates. Do you not see how almost half part of the people is of their side, and doth comfort them? Ex John Crisp. lib. 6.

• Archambant Seraphon.
• M. Nicolas du Russeau.

At Dyion.

Ann. 1557.

These two were in prison together w ^t Phillip, and James abovesaid, at Dyion Archambant going about with a packet of pedlerye ware, to get his living and coming towards his wife, heard of certain prisoners at Dyion, to whom he wrote to comfort them with his letters. The next day after he was searched at Aussone, and letters of certain scholars of Paris found about him: then he was brought to Dyion, where he with the other called M. du Rousseau, constantly suffered. The same Archambant had been also condemned three years before at Tule, and as he was led to Bordeaux, he escaped. Ex eius Epist. ad vxorem, apud Crisp. lib. 6. The kings Attorney of Saints Ville.

Philbert Hamlin.

At Burdeaux.

Ann. 1557.

Philbert Hamlin first was a priest, then he went to Geneva, where he exercised printing, and sent books abroad. After that he was made a minister at the town of Allenart in Saintonge: In which and in other places moe, he did much good in edifying the people. At last he was apprehended at Saints Uille, and with him his host, a priest, whom he had instructed in the gospel, and after confession made of his faith, he with the said priest was carried to Burdeeux before the President. As he was in prison on a sondaye, a priest came in with all his furniture, to say mass in the prison: whom Philbert seeing to be reuested, came & plucked his garments from his back with such zeal and vehemency, that the mass garments, with the challice & candlesticks fell down, and were broken, saying: Is it not enough for you to blaspheme God in churches, but you must also pollute the prison w ^t youre Idolatry? The iaylour hearing of this, in his fury laid upon him w ^t his flaffe, and also complained of him: whereby he was removed to the common prison, and laid in a low pit, laden with great irons so that his legs were swollen withal, and there continued viii. days. A little before he perceiving the priest his host to decline from the truth, did what he could to confirm him in the same: but when he knew that he had flatly renounced Christ and his word, he said unto him. O unhappy and more then miserable, is it possible for you to be so foolish as for saving of a few days, which you have to live by the course of nature, so to start away, and to deny y ^e truth? Know you therefore, that although you have by your foolishness avoided y ^e corporal fire, yet your life shall be never the longer, for you shall die before me, and God shall not give you the grace, that it shall be for his cause, and you shall be an example to all Apostates. He had no sooner ended his talk but the priest going out of prison, was slain by two gentlemen which had a quarrel to him. Wherof when M. Philbert had heard, he affirmed that he knew of no such thing before, but spake as pleased God to guyd his tongue. Wherupon immediately he made an exhortation of the providence of God, which by the occason hereof, moved the hearts of many, and converted them unto God. At last the foresaid Philbert, after his condemnation, was had to the place of his martyrdom before the palace, and as he was exhorting the people, to the intent his words should not be heard, the trumpets blew without ceasing. And so being fastened to y ^e post, this holy martyr praying & exhorting the people, was strangled, and his body with fire consumed, on palm sunday even. Ex Gal. hist. Crisp. lib. 6.

• Ripet, a Secretary.
• Anthony Eschaux Bailey.

The kings Procurator.

Micholas Startorius.

At Ost by Piedmont. An. 1557.

Nicolaus Startorius of the age of 26. years, borne in Piedmont, came to the partes of Chamberye in Lent, where a certain warden of the Friars in the town of Oste had preched on good friday upon the passion. The report of which Sermon being recited to this Sartorius, by one that heard him, Sartorius reprehended the error and blasphemies thereof, which were against the holy scriptures. Shortly after, the party that told him, went to a Secretarye named Ripet, who covertly came to entrap Nicholas, demanding him of the Friers Sermon: And did not our Preacher (said he) preach well? No, said Nicholas, but he lied falsely. Ripet entering further w ^t him, demanded: And do not you believe the body of the Lord to be in the host? to whom Nicholas then answered again, that to be against our Creed, which saith, that he ascended up and sitteth. &c. Incontinent Ripet went to the Frier and his companions, to cause him to be apprehended. The friends of Nicolas perceiving the danger, willed him to avoid and save himself, and also accompanied him out of the town, about the space of three leagues. Then was great pursuit made after him to all quarters, who at length was taken at the town of S. Remy, at the foot of the mountain of great S. Bernard, where he was examined before Anthony Eschaux Bailife of the town, and other iustices, before whom he answered with great boldness, for his faith. Then they brought him to the rack, & when the Sergeant refused to draw the cord, the Bailiff himself & the Receiver, with a Canon did rack him with their own hands. Notwithstanding that the Lord's of Berne wrote for him to the town of Ost, requiring to have their own subject delivered unto them, they hastened the execution, and pronounced sentence, that he should be burned. Which sentence he received with such constancy, that neither the kings receiver, nor all the other enemies could divert him from the truth of the Gospel, which he manfully maintained while any spirit remained in his body. Ex John. Crisp lib. 6. The accusers be not named in the story.

• George Tardif, with one of Tours, a Broderer.
• Nicholas, a Shomaker of Ienuile.

At Tours.

An. 1558.

At Ienuile.

An. 1558.

The Printer of the story of the french martyrs named Crispine, among othermoe, maketh also memorial of George Tardif, a Broderer of Tours, and Nicholas of Ienuile, declaring that all these three together were in prison, and afterward were disseuered, to suffer in sundry places, one from the other: of whom first George Tardife was executed in Sens.

The Broderer of Tours, as he was coming with 5. or 6. other out of a wood, being at prayer, was taken, and thereupon examined. Before he should be examined, he desired the Judges, that he might pray. Which being granted after his prayer made, wherein he prayed for the Judges, for the king, and all estates, & for the necessity of all Christ's Saints, he answered for himself, with such grace and modestye, that the hearts of many were broken unto the shedding of tears, seeking (as it seemed) nothing else but his deliverance. Notwithstanding he at last was sent unto Tours, and there was crowned with martyrdom.

The third which was Nicolas, being but young of years, and newly come from Geneva, to his country, for certain money: by means of a Lady there dwelling, was caused to be apprehended. When he was condemned and set in the cart, his Father coming with a staff, would have beaten him, but the officers not suffering it, would have stricken the old man. The son crying to the Officers, desired them to let his father alone, saying, that his father had power over him, to do with him what he would: and so going to the place where he should suffer, having a balle of iron put in his mouth, he was brought at length to the fire, in the town of Ienuile, where he patiently took his death and Martyrdom. an. 1558. Ex Typogra. Crisp. Lib. 6.

• The Priests of the College of plessis.
• The doctors of Sorbone
• Doctor Democrates.
• Cenalis, Bishop of Auranches.
• Martin the kings Attorney. The Cardinal of Lorrane.
• Maillardus.
• Henry the second freēch king.

The congregation of Paris persecuted, to the number of three or four hundredth.

At Paris.

An. 1558.

AN. 1558. Sept. 4. a company of the faithful, to the mumber of 3. or 4. hundred, wer together convented at Paris in a certē house, having before it, y ^e college of Plessis in the strete of S. James, & behind it, the college of Sorbone. Who there assembled in the beginning of the night to the intent to communicate together the Lord's supper: but incontinēt that was discovered by certain Priests of Plessis: who gathering together such as were of that faction, came to beset the house and made an outcrye, that the watch might come and take them, so that in short time almost all the city of Paris was up in armor, thinking some conspiracy to have been in y ^e city. Who then following the noise, & perceiving that they were Lutherans, a great part of thē were in extreme rage, furiouslye seeking to have their blood, and therefore stopped the streets and lanes with cartes, and made fires to see that none should escape. The faithful albeit God hath givē them leisure to finysh their administration & prayers, with such quetnes, as they never had better, seeing the sodennesse of the thing, were stricken in great fear. Who then being exhorted by the governors of the congregation, fell to prayer. That done, through the counsel of some which knew the cowardly hearts of the multitude, this order was taken, that the men which had weapon, should adventure through the prese: only the womē and children remained in the house, and a few men with them, which were less bold then the other, to the number of six or seven score. Where appeared the admirable power of God in them that went out with weapon, which notwithstanding that y ^e lanes and passages were stopped, and the fires made, did all escape save only one, who was beat̄ down with stones, and so destroyed. Certain that remained in the house with the womē, afterward leaped into gardens, where they were stayed, till the Magistrates came. The women (which were all Gentlewomen, or of great wealth, only six or seven excepted) seeing no other hope, and perceiving the fury of the people, went up to the windows, crying mercy and showing their innocent intent, required justice ordinary. Thus as they were enclosed about 6. or 7. hours, at last came Martin the kings Attorney, with force of Commissaries and Sergeantes. Who with much ado appeasing the courage of the people, entered into the house, where he viewing the women & children, and the other furniture there being prepared for that congregatiō, perceived testimonies sufficient of their innocence, in so much, that in considering thereof, for pity of heart, his eyes could not refrain from tears. Notwithstanding proceeding in his office, he had them all to prison within the little Castle. I omit here the furious usage of the people by the way, how despitefully they plucked and hailed the women, tare their garments, thrust of their hoods frō their heads, & disfigured their faces with dust and dirt. Neither were they better entreated in the Prison, then they were in the streets: for all the villains and thieves there, were let out of their holes and stinking caves, and the poor Christians placed in their rooms.

Besides these manifold wrongs & oppressions done to these poor innocēts, followed thē (which was worst of all) the cruel & slanderous reports of the friers and priests, who in their railing sermons & other talk, cried out to the Lutherans, persuading the people most falsely, that they assembled together to make a banket in the night, and there putting out y ^e candles, they went together, Jack with Iille (as the said) after a filthy and beastly manner. Adding moreover (to make the lie more likely) that certain Nuns also & Monks were with them. Also that they should conspyre against the king, and other like heinous crimes, whatsoever their malice could invent, for defacing of the Gospel. With such like malicious misreportes & sclaūders, Satan went about to extinguish the ancient church of Christ in the primitive time, accusing the innocent Christians then of incest, conspiracy, killing of infantes, putting out of candles, & filthy whoredom. &c. Vide supra. pag. 36. These sinister rumors, & cursed defamations were no sooner givē out, but they were as soon received, and spread far, not only to thē of the vulgar sort, but also among the states of the Court, and even to the kings • ares. The Cardinal of Lorraine y ^e same time bare a great sway in the court, who then procured a certain Judge of the Castle, to come in declaring to the king that he found there lying in y ^e floor of the foresaid house, diverse couches & pallets, upon which they intended to commit their whoredom: also much other furniture and preparation appointed for a sumptuous feast or banquet: wherewith the king was mightily inflamed against them, neither was there any one person that durst contrary it.

Here the enemies began highly to triumph, thinking verily that the gospel, with all the friends thereof, were overthrown forever. On the other side, no less perplexity and lamentation was among y ^e brethren, sorowing not so much for themselves, as for the imprisonment of their fellows. Albeit they lost not their courage so altogether, but as well as they could, they exhorted one another, considering y ^e great favor and providence of God, in delivering them so wonderfully out of the danger. Some comfort they took unto them, consulting together in this order, that first they should humble themselves to God in their own private families. Secondly to stop the running brutes of their holy assembles, they should write Apologies, one to the king, another to the people. Thirdly, that letters of consolatiō should be written and sent to their brethren in prison.

The first Apology was written to the king, and conveyed so secretly into his Chamber, that it was found, and read openlie in the hearing of the king and of all his nobles. Wherein the Christians learnedly & discreetly both cleared themselves of those reports, and shown the malice of their enemies, especially of Satan, which ever frō the beginning of the Church, hath and still doeth go about to overturn the right ways of the Lord, declaring further by manifold examples and continual experience, evē from the primitive time, how the nature of the Church hath ever been to suffer vexations and sclaunderous reports and infamation by the malignant adversaries &c. And lastly coming to the king, they craved that their cause might not be condemned before it had indifferent hearing. &c. Nevertheless, this Apology to the king, served to little purpose, forsomuch as the adversaries incontinent denied all that was written to the king, making him to believe that all were but excuses pretensed, neither was there any person that durst reply again.

But the other Apology to the people, did inestimable good, in satisfying the rumors, and defending the true cause of the gospel. Wherupon certain doctors of Sorbō began to write both against y ^e Apology and the persons, of whom one was called Demochares, who taking for his foundation, without any proof, that they were all heretics, cried out for justice, with bills, glaues, fire, and sword.

An other Sorbonist more bloody then the first, not only exclamed against thē, for putting out y ^e candles in their detestable concourses & assembles, but also accused thē, as men which maintained that there was no God, and denied the divinity & humanity of Christ, the immortality of the soul, the resurrection of flesh, and briefly all the articles of true religiō. And thus he charged them without any proof, moouyng both the king and people, without any form of law to destroy and cut them in pieces. &c.

The third that wrote against thē, was Cenalis, bishop of Auranches, which debated the same marter, but w ^t less vehemency then the other, defending impudently, that their assembles were to maintain whoredom, cōplayning of the Judges, because they were no sharper with thē, saying that their softness was y ^e cause why the mumber of thē so much increased. Among other pointes of his book, this one thing he disputeth marvelous pleasauntly, touching y ^e signs & marks of the true Church: first presupposing this one thing which is true, that y ^e true Church hath his signs, by y ^e which it may be known frō y ^e false church: and therupō (making no mention at all, either of preaching or ministratiō of sacraments) thus he inferreth, y ^t their church which was the catholic church, had belles, by the which their assembles be ordinarily called together: & the other church, which is of the Lutherans, hath claps of harquebuses & pistelets for signs, whereby they (as it is commonly bruted) are wont to cōgregate together. Upon this supposal, as upon a sure foundation, he grounding his matter, vaunted & triumphed as one having gotten a great conquest, and made a long Antithesis, or comparison, by the which he would prove that bells were y ^e marks of the true church. The belles (said he) do sound, the harquebuses do crack or thunder. The belles do give a sweet tune and melodious, the signs of the Lutherans make a foul noise and terrible. The belles do open heaven, the other do open hell. Bels chase away clouds and thunder, the other gender clouds and counterfeit thunder: with many other properties moe, which he brought out, to prove that the Church of Rome is the true Church, because it hath those belles. Mark, good Reader, the profound reasons and arguments which these great doctors had, either to defend their own church, or to impugn the Apologies of the Christians.

Briefly, to finish the residue of this story: as the faithful Christians were thus occupied in writing their Apologyes, and in comforting their brethrē in prison with their letters, the adversaries again w ^t their faction were not idle, but sought all means possible to hasten forward the execution, giving diligent attendance about the prison and other open places, to satisfy their uncharitable desire with y ^e death of them, whose religion they hated.

Finally, the 17. day of September, commission was directed out by the king, and certain Presidentes and counselors appointed to oversee the expedition of the matter. Wherupō diverse of the poor afflicted Gospellers were brought forth to their judgment and martyrdom, as anon (Christ willing) you shall hear.

Henricus Pantal. lib. 11. partly touching this persecution of the Parisians, referreth the time thereof to the year of our Savior .1557. which the French Chronicles do assign to the year .1558. and addeth moreover, that the Germans being the same time in a certain colloquy at worms, diverse learned men resorted thither frō Geneva, and other quarters, desiring of the princes & protestants there, that they by their Ambassadors sent by the French king, would become suitors unto him for the innocent prisoners, which for the cause abovesaid, were detained in hands at Paris: by the means of whose intercession (saith he) and especially for that the french king was then in war (as GOD provided) with Philip king of Spain, a great part of the captives were rescued and delivered: albeit certain of the said number were executed before the coming of the German Ambassadors: the names and Martyrdom of whom here under do ensue. Ex Crisp. & Pantal. Lib. 11.

• Priests of the College of Plessis.
• Doctor Maillard. Sorbonist.

Nicholas Clinet.

At Paris.

An. 1558.

Of this godly company thus brought to judgment and to martyrdom, the first was Nicolas Clinet, of the age of 80. years, who first being a schoolmaster to youth at Sain • onge (where he was borne) was there pursued, & had his Image burned. From thence he came to Paris, where for his godly conversation he was made one of the Elders, or Governors of the Church. For his age he was suspected of the Judges to be a minister, & therefore was set to dispute against the chiefest of y ^e Sorbonistes, & namely Maillard, whom he did so confute both in the Scriptures, and also in their own Sorbonicall Divinity (wherein he had been well exercised & expert) in the presence of the Lieutenant civil, that the said Lieutenant confessed, that he never heard a man better learned, and of more intelligence. Doctor Maillard, Sorbonist.

Taurin Grauelle, a Lawyer.

At Paris.

An. 1558.

Taurin Grauelle first was a student of the law at Toulouse: after that, he was made an advocate in the Court of Paris: lastly for his godliness he was ordained an Elder to the said congregation, with Clinet above mentioned. This Taurin having in his hands the keeping of a certain house of one M. Barthomier his kinsman, and seeing the congregation destitute of a room, received them into the house. And when he perceived the house to be compassed with enemies, albeit he might have escaped with the rest, yet he would not, but did abide the adventure, to the intent he would answer for the fact, in receiving the said assemble into the house. The constancy of this man was invincible, in sustaining his conflicts with the Sorbonistes. With Doctor Maillarde especially he was of old acquaintance, whom he did know so well, even from his youth upward, that whensoever the said Doctor would open his mouth to speak against the Saints for their nightlye assembles, he again did approach him with so filthy acts of buggerye and infamous Sodomitry, that neither they which heard, could abide it, neither yet could he deny it, being so notorious, that almost all the children in the streets did know it: and yet that Sorbonicall Doctor shamed not to empeach good men of whoredom, for their Godly assembles in the night. Whose life was so far from all chastity, as were there holy assembles clear from all impurity, in • ine these twoe Godly Elders in cruel pains of the fire, finished their martyrdom.

• The Lieutenant civil.
• Doctor Maillard, Sorbonist.
• Mosnior, Lieutenant.
• Euil neighbors.
• Bertrand, Lord keeper of the seal, and Cardinal of Sens.
• The Marques of Tran.

Philip de Luns, G • tlewoman.

At Paris.

An. 1558.

Next unto these abovesaid, was brought out maistres Philip, Gentlewoman of the age of 23. she came first from the partes of gascoigne with her husband (who was Lord of Grauorō) unto Paris, there to join her self to the Church of God. Where her Husband also had been a Senior or Elder: who in the month of May before, was takē with an ag • e, and deceased, leaving this Philip a Widow, which nevertheless ceased not to serve the Lord in his Church, and also in the house was taken with the said compapany. Many conflicts she had with the Judges, and the Sorbonistes, namely Maillard. But she always sent him away with the same reproach, as the other did before, & bad him auaunt Sodomyte, saying, she would not answer one word to such a villain. To the Judges her answer was this, that she had learned the faith which she confessed, in the word of God, and in the same she would live and die. And being demanded, whether the body of Christ was in the Sacrament. How is that possible (said she) to be the body of Christ, to whom all power is given, & which is exalted above all heavens, when as we see the mice & rattes, apes, and Munkies play with it, and tear it in pieces? He • petition to them was, that seeing they had taken her sister from her, yet they would let her have a Bible o • Testament to comfort her self. Her wicked neighbors, although they could touche her conversation with no part of dishonestye, yet many things they laid to her charge, as that there was much singing of Psalms in her house, and that twice or thrice, an infinite number of persons were seen to come out of her house. Also when her husband was in dying, no Priest was called for, neither was it known where he was buried: Neither did they ever hear any word of their infant to be baptized, for it was baptized in the Church of the Lord. Among other her neighbors that came against her, twoe there were dwelling at S. Germain, in y ^e suburbs, between whō incontinent rose a strife, wherein one of thē sticked the other with a knife. The death of this gentlewomā was the more hastened of the Lord keeper of the Seal, Bertrand, Cardinal of Sens, and his son in law the Marques of Tran, for to have the confiscation of her goods.

These 3. holy martyrs above recited, were condemned the 27. of Sep. by the process of the cōmissioners and the Lieuetenaunt civil: and then being put in a Chapel together, certain Doctors were sent to them, but their valiant constancye remained immovable. After that they were had out of Prison, and sent everyone in a dung cart to the place of punishment, Clinet ever cried by the way, protestyng that he said or maintained nothing, but the veritye of God. And being asked of a Doctor, whether he would believe S. Agustine, touching certain matters, he said: yea, and that he had said nothing, but which he would prove by his authority.

The Gentlewoman seeing a Priest come to confess her, said, that she had confessed unto God, and had received of him remission: other absolution she found none in Scripture. And when certain Coūsellers did urge her to take in her hands the woden Cross, according to the custom of them that go to their death, alleging how Christ commanded everyone to bear his cross: she answerred, my Lord's (said she) you make me in very deed to bear my Cross, condemning me unjustly, and putting me to death in the quarrel of my Lord Jesus Christ. Who willeth us to bear our Cross, but no suth Cross as you speak of.

Grauelle looked with a smiling countenance, & shown a cheerful color, declaring how little he passed for his condemnation: and being asked of his friends to what death he was condemned, I see well (said he) that I am condemned to death, but to what death or torment I regard not. And coming from the chapel, when he perceived they went about to cut out his tongue, unless he would return, he said, that was not so contained in the arrest, and therefore he was unwilling to grant unto it: but afterward perceiving the same so to be agreed by the Court, he offered his tongue willingly to be cut, and incontinēt spake plainly these words: I pray you pray to God for me.

The Gentlewoman also being required to give her tongue: did likewise, with these words: Seeing I do not stick to give my body, shall I stick to give my tongue? No, no. And so these three having their tongues cut out, were brought to Malbert place. The constancy of Grauelle was admirable, casting up his sighs and groanings unto heaven, declaring thereby his ardent affectiō in praying to God. Clinet was somewhat more sad then the other, by reason of the feebleness of nature and his age. But the Gentlewoman yet sermoūted all the rest in constancy, which neither changed countenance, nor color, being of an excellent beauty.

After the death of her husband, she used to go in mourning weed, after the manner of the country. But the same day, going to her burning, she put on her French hood, and decked her self in her best array, as going to a new Marriage, the same day to be joined to her spouse Jesus Christ. And thus these three with singular constancy, were burned, Grauelle and Clinet were burned alive. Philippe the Gentlewoman was strangled, after she had a little tasted the flame with her feet, and visage, and so she ended her Martyrdom. Ex John Crisp. lib. 6.

• The Lieuetenant.
• Doctor Maillard.
• Counsellers.
• Friers.

• Nicolas Cene.
• Peter Gabert.

At Paris.

An. 1558.

Of the same company was also Nicholas Cene a Physician, Brother to Phillippe Cene above mentioned and martyred of Dyion, & Peter Gabart: which two about five or six days after the other three before, were brought forth to their death. Octob. 2.

Nicholas Cene was but new come to Paris the same day, when he was advertised of y ^e assēble which thē was cōgregate in the street of S. James? & (as he desired nothing more then to hear the word of God) came thither even as he was, booted, & was also with them apprehended, susteyning y ^e causee of God's holy Gospel unto death.

The other was Peter Gabart a Solicitor of processes, about the age of 30. years, whose constancye did much comfort to the prisoners He was put among a great number of Scholers in the little Castle. Whome when he heard to pass the time in talking of Philosophy. No, no, (said he) let us forget these worldly matters, and learn how to sustain y ^e heavenly cause of our God, which lie here in defense of the kingdom of Christ Jesus our savior: and so he began to instruct them how to answer to every point of Christian doctrine, so well, as if he had done no other thing in all his life, but only studied divinity: and yet was he but very simply learned. Then was he sent from them apart unto another Prison, full of filthy stinche and vermin: where notwithstanding, he ceased not to sing Psalms that the other might well hear him. He had a young nephew in another prison by, being but a child, of whom he asked what he had said to the Judges. He said that he was constrained to do reverence to a crucifix painted. O thou noughty boy (said he) have not I taught thee y ^e commandments of God? Knowest thou not how it is written. Thou shalt not make to thyself no graven Image. &c. and so began to expound to him the Commaundementes: whereunto he gave good attention.

In their examinations, many questions were propounded by the Doctors and Friers, touching matters both of religion, and also to know of them what Gentlemen and Gentlewomen were there present at the ministration of the Sacrament. Whereunto they answered in such sort, as was both sufficient for defense of their own cause, and also to save their other brethren from blame, saying that they would live and die in that they had said and maintained.

When the time of their execution was come, they perceived that the Judges had intended, that if they would relent, they should be strangled: if not, they should burn alive, and their tongues be cut from them. Which torments they being content to suffer for our Savior Jesus Christ, offered their tongues willingly to the hangman to be cut. Gabart began a little to sigh, for that he might no more praise the Lord with his tongue. Whome then Cene did comfort. Then were they drawn out of prison in the dōg cart, to the suburbs of S. Germane. Whom the people in rage and madness, followed with cruel injuries and blasphemies, as though they would have done the execution themselves upon them, Maugre the hangman. The cruelty of their death was such as hath not lightly been seen: for they were holden long in the air, over a small fire, and their lower partes burnt of, before that the higher partes were much harmed with the fire. Nevertheless these blessed saints ceased not in all these torments, to turn up their eyes to heaven, and to show forth infinite testimonies of their faith & constancy. In the same fire many Testaments and Bibles the same time, also were burnt.

Upon the sight of this cruelty, the friends of the other prisoners, which remained behind, fearing the tyranny of these judges, presented certain causes of refusal against the said judges, requiring other Commissioners to be placed. But the king being hereof advertised by his Sollicitour, sent out his letters patentes, commanding the said causes of refusal to be frustrate, and willed the former judges to proceed, all other letters and obstacles to the contrary notwithstanding: and that the Presidentes should have power to choose to them other counselors, according to their own arbitrement, to supply the place of such as were absent: amongst whom also the said Sollicitour was received, instead of the kings Procurator, to pursue the process. By the which letters patents it was decreed that these stubborn Sacramentaries (as they were called) should be judged accordingly, save only that they should not proceed to the executiō, before the king were advertised. These letters aforesaid, stirred up the fire of this persecution not a little, for that the Judges at this refusal took great indignation, and were mightily offended for that reproach. Notwithstanding so it pleased God, that a young man a Germane, called Albert Hartung, borne in the country of Brandeburge, and godsonne to Albert, Marques of Brandeburge, by the kings commandment was delivered through the importune suit of the said Marques. Ex John. Crisp lib. 6.

• 2. Presidentes.
• 25. Counsellers.
• The Lieuetenant civil
• Doctors.
• Friers.
• Sorbonistes
• Benedictus Iacobin.
• Demochares. Maillard.

• Fridericke Danuile.
• Frances Rebezies.

At Paris.

An. 1558.

Mentiō was made above of certain young scholars and students which were in the little castle with Peter Gabart. Of the which mumber of Scholers were these two, Fridericke Danuile, and Frances Rebezies, neither of them being past twenty years of age. How valiantly they behaved thenselves in those tender years, sustaining the quarrel of our Lord Jesus Christ, what confession they made what conflicts they had, disputing with the Doctors of Sorbone, their own letters left in writing do make record: y ^e effect whereof briefly to touch is this: And first touching Fridericke Danuile.

The Lieuetenant criminal, who before was half suspected, but now thinking to prove himself a right catholic, and to recover his estimation again, came to him beginning with these words of Scripture: Who so ever denieth me before men him will I deny before my father &c: That done he asked him, what he thought of the Sacrament. To whom Friderick answered, that if he should think Christ Jesus to be between the Priests hands after the Sacramental words (as they call them) then should he believe a thing contrary to the holy Scripture, and to the Creed, which saith, that he sitteth on the right hand of the Father. Also to the testimony of the Aungelles, which speak both of the ascending of Christ, and of his coming down again. Act. 1. After these questions with him touching Invocation of Saints, Purgatorye. &c. Wherunto he answered so that he rather did astonish the enemies, then satisfy them.

Furthermore, the 12. of September, the said Fridericke again was brought before Benedictus Iacobin, and his companion a Sorbonist, called Noster Magister. who thus began to argue with him.

• Rene Seau.
• John Almaricke.

At Paris.

An. 1552.

These two young men were also of the company above specified, and were in prison where they sustained such cruelty being almost racked to death that Almericke could not go when he was called to the court to be judged: and being upon the rack, he rebuked their cruelty, and spake so freely, as though he had felt no grief (and as they said which came to visit him) he testified unto them, that he felt no dolour so long as he was upon it. Both these died in prison, continuing still firm and constant in y ^e pure confession of Christ's church. Ibidem. Villegagnō a French captain.

• John Bordel. Math· Vermeil.
• Peter Bourdon.
• Andrew de Fou.

At the country of Bresill.

Ann. 1558.

Mention is made in the French story of one Uillegaignon, Lieuetenaunt for the French king, who made a vyage into the land of Bresill, with certain French ships and took an Ilande nere to the same adjoining, and made therein a fortress. After they had been there a while Uillegaignon, for lack of victuals (as he pretended) sent certain of them away in a ship to y ^e river of Plate toward the Pole Antarticke, a thousand miles of: in the which shipp were these four here mentioned: Who forsaking their shyp by occasion of tempest, were carried back again, and so came to the land of Bresill, and afterward to their own countreyman. Uillegaignon being much aggrieved thereat, first charged them with departing without his leave. Moreover, being terrified in his mind with false suspicion and vain dreams, fearing and dreaming least they had been sent as priuye spies, by the Bresilians, because they came from them, and had been friendly entertained of them: he began to devise howe he might put them to death vndersome color of treason: but the cause was religion: For albeit some time he had ben a professor of the Gospel, yet afterward growing in some dignity, he fell to be an Apostate, and cruel persecutor of his fellows. But when no proof or conjecture probable could be found to serve his cruel purpose, he knowing them to be earnest protestants, drew out certain articles of religion for thē to answer: and so intrapping them upon their confession, he laid them in irons and in prison, and secretly with one executor, and his page, he took one after another, beginning with John Bordell, & first brought him to the topp of a rock, and there being half strangled, without any judgment threw him into the sea, and after the like manner, ordered also the rest. Of whō 3. were thus cruelly murdered & drowned: to wit John Bordel, Mat. Uermeil, and Peter Burdon. The 4. which was Andrew de Fou, he caused by manifold allurementes, somewhat to inclyne to his sayings, and so he escaped the danger, not without great offense taken of a great part of the Frenchmen in that country. Ex Crisp. lib. 6. & Ex Cōmeant. Gallic. de statu Religions & Reipub. The kings Lieuetenaunt.

Geoffrey Varagle.

At Thurin in Piedmont

Ann. 1558.

In the same year 1558. suffered also Gefreye Uaragle preacher in the Ualley of Angroigne, at y ^e town of Thurin in Piedmont, who first was a monk • and said mass the space of xxvii. years. Afterward returning from Busque, toward Angroigne, to preach, as he had used before to do, sent by the ministers of Geneneua, and other faithful brethren: was apprehended in the town of Barges, & brought before the kings Lieutenant: Where he was questioned with, touching diverse Articles of religion: as of justification, works of supererogation, freewill, predestination, confession, satisfaction, indulgences, images, purgatory, the pope. &c. Whereunto he answered again in writing, w ^t such learning and reason, alleging against the popes own distinctions, namely, Distinct 19. cap. Dominus. Distinct. 21. cap. In nono. Dist. 21. cap. omnes. & cap. Sacrosancta, that as the story reporteth, the court of Thurin marueling at his learning condemned him more for reproach of shame, then upon true opinion grounded of judgment. When he was brought to the place of execution, the people which stood by, and heard him speak, declared openly that they saw no cause, why he should die. A certain old companion of his, a priest, calling him by his name M, Geoffrey, desired him to convert from his opinions. To whom he patiently answered again, desiring him, that he would convert from his condition. And thus after he had made his prayer unto God, and had forgiven his Executioner, and all his enemies, he was first strangled, and then burned. In the foresaid story, relation is made moreoouer, concerning the said Geoffrey, that at the time of his burning, a dove was seen (as was crediblye reported of many) flying & fluttering diverse times about the fire, testifying (as was thought) the innocence of this holy martyr of the Lord. But the story addeth, that upon such things, we must not stay and so concludeth he the Martyrdom of this blessed man. Ex. Crisp. lib. 6. Pag. 897.

• Lanteaume Blanc.
• De Lauris, Counsalor and son in law, to Minors lord of Opede, the cruel persecutor.
• Anthony Reuest, the Lieutenant.
• Barbosi judge, Ordinary of Draguignā.
• Joachim Partauier, the kings Advocate.
• Caual, and Caualieri, Consuls.
• The Official
• Gasper Siguiere Officer in Draguignan.
• A Frier obseruaunt.

Benet Romain a Mercer or Haberdasher.

At Draguinan in Province.

An. 1558.

The lamentable story of Benet Romain is described at large, among other french martyrs, by I. Crispine printer: the brief recital whereof, here followeth. Thys Benet having wife & children at Geneva, to get his living used to go about the country with certain Mercery ware, having cunning also among other things, how to dress Corals, As he was coming toward Marscile & passed by y ^e town Draguignan, he happened upon one of the like faculty, named Lanteaume Blanc. Who being desirous to have of his Corals and could not agre for the price, also knowing that he was one of Geneva, went to a coūsailor of the court of Aix, being then at Draguignan, whose name was de Lauris son in law to miners, Lord of Opede, the great persecutor against Merindoll &c. Thus Lauris consulting together with the foresaid Blanc, & pretending to buy certain of his Corall which he saw to be very fair, and knowing also that he had to the worth of 300. crounes incontinent after his departing from him, he sent to the officer of y ^e town to attache the said Benet, as one being the greatest Lutheran in the world. Thus whē he was arrested, for the kings prisoner Blanc and his fellows, which sought nothng but only the pray, were ready to cease upon his goods, and likewise of the other two men whō he hired to bear his merchandise. Then were these three poor men separated a sonder and Roman examined before the Consuls, and y ^e kings Advocate and other Counsellers, where he kept his Easter, whether he received at the same Easter whether he was confessed before, & fasted the Lent: also he was bid to say his Pater noster, the Creed & Ave Maria, which two first he did, but denied to say Ave Maria. Then was he asked for worshipping of saints, women saints, and men saints, and when he heard Mass: He said he would worship none but God alone. Mass he heard none these 4. years, nor ever would. Wherupon he was committed to a stinking house of easment, with iron cheynes upon his legs. Lauris thus having his will upon the poor man, sent for the Lieuetenaunt, named Antony Reuest, told him what he had done, and willed him to see the prisoner. The Lieuetenant being angry that he did so usurp upon his office, denied to go with him to the prisoner, excusing the filthy savor of the place. Notwithstanding the same day, the Lieuetenaunt with another went to the prison, and caused the said Romaine to come before him: of whom he inquired many things, of his dwelling, of his name and age, his wife and children of his faculty, and cause of his coming, also of his religion, and all such points thereto belonging. Unto whom he answered again simply and truly in all respects, as lay in his conscience, and thereunto being required (because he could write) he put to his mark. After his confession, being thrice made, and his answer taken, certain faithful brethren of that place, found means to come to him, & counseled him y ^t seeing he had sufficiently already made confession of his faith he would seek means to escape out from his enemies, which sought nothing but his death, & shown unto him what he should say to the Lieuetenant but he refused so to do, willing there to render accompt of his faith, and contented to die for y ^e same.

The fame of his constancy being known in the town, Judge Barbosi, a man blind and ignorant, and no less deformed, came to see him, and asked: what? do they believe (said he) in any God, in Geneva? Romaine looking upon him, what art thou said he) that so wretchedly doest blaspheme? I am (said he) y ^e Ordinary Judge of this place. And who hath put thee (said Romain) such a gross and deformed persō, in such an office? Thinkest thou that we be infidels, and no Christians? And if y ^e devils themselves do confess a God, suppose you, that they of Geneva do deny their God? No no, we believe in God, we invocate his name, and repose all our trust in him. &c. Barbosi took such grief with this, departinge from Romiane, that he ceased not to pursue him to death.

The Lieuetenaunt then being urged and much called upon, and also threatened by this Barbosi, and other prepared to proceed in judgment against him taking to him such Judges and Advocates, as y ^e order there required. There was the same time, an observant Frier, which had there preached all y ^e Lent. He being very eger and diligent to have the poor Christian burned: & seeing the judges intentiue about the business, to set the matter forward, said that he would go & say mass of the holy Ghost, to illuminate their intents to have the said Romian condemned, and burned alive at a little fire. Moreover he procured Caual and Caualieri the Consuls, to threaten the Lieuetenaunt, that they would complain of him to the high Court of parliament, if he would not after that sort, condemn him to be burnt. In the mean time, the faithful Christians of y ^t said town, fearing least by his racking, danger might happen to the brethren, sent to Romian again in the prison, certain instructions, and means howe he might be aided, such as should not be against God. But when the Lieuetenaunt came, the poor man forgot his instructions: so simple he was, and ignorant of the subtleties of this world.

When the time came that the Judges were set, and the process should be read, Barbosi, with other whō the Frier had procured, had agreed before y ^t he should be fired alive, and put to the rack, to disclose his fellows, & also gagged that he might not speak & infect the residue. On the other parte, one there was of the advocates (albeit a man wholly superstitious) seeing the rage of the other, gave contrary advise, saying that he should be sent home again, for that he was a town dweller of Geneva, neither had •• ught there any kind of doctrine, nor brought any books, neither had they any informations against him: & that which he had spoken, was as a thing constrained by his oath forced by the Justice. And as touching his opinion, it was no other, but as other young men did follow, which were either of the one parte, or of the other: and therefore that here remained no more but only the lieuetenaunt to give his verdict &c. Thus much being spoken, and also because the Lieuetenaunt was before suspected, and the time of dinner drew near, they arose for that time, differring the matter to another season. The Friar obseruaunt, in this mean while was not idle, incityng still the Consuls and the people: who at the ringing of a bell, being assembled together, with the Officiall and the priests, in a great route, came crying to the Lieutenaunt, to burn y ^e heretic or else they would fire him and all his family: and in semblable wise, did the same to the other Judges and Advocates: The Officiall moreover added that if it were not better seen to, then so, the Lutherans would take such courage, and so shut up their Church doors, that no man should enter in. Then, because the Liuetenant would not take to him other Judges after their minds, in all posthast, the people contributed together, that at their own charge, the matter should be pursued at the parliament of Aix, and so compelled the Liuetenāt to bring the process unto judgment, every man crying to y ^e fire to the fire, that he may be burned

The Lieuetenaunt being not able otherwise to appease the people, promised to bring the matter to y ^e high court of Aix, and so he did. They hearing the information of the cause, commanded the Lieuetenaunt, and the other Judges to deal no further therein, but to send up the process and the prisoner to thē. This went greatly against the minds of them of Draguignan, which would fain have him condemned there. Wherupon Barbosi was sent out to the parliament of Aix, where he so practiced and labored the matter, that the cause was sent down again to Lieuetenaunt, and he enjoined to take unto him such ancient Advocates, as their old order required and to certify them again within 8. days. And so Romiane by the sentence of thoso old Judges, was condemned to be burned alive, if he turned not if he did, then to be strangled, and before the executiō to be put upon the rack to the intent he should disclose the rest of his company. From the which sentence Romian then appealed, saying that he was no heretic. Wherupon he was carried unto Aix, singing the Commaundementes, as he passed by y ^e town of Draguignā. Which when the kings advocate did see, looking out of his window, he said unto him, that he was one of them that concluded his death: but desired God to forgive him. Romiane answered again and said: God will judge us all in y ^e last day of Iudgemēt. After he was come to Aix, he was brought before the Counsellers, before whom he remained no less constant and firm, then afore. Thē was a fumishe Friar sent, who being three hours with him, and could not remove him, came out to the Lord's, and said that he was damned: By reason whereof the sentence given before his condemnatiō was confirmed, and he sent back again frō whence he came.

At his return again from Aix, the Consuls of Draguignan sent abroad by Parishes, unto the Curates, that they should signify to their Parishners, the day of his death, to y ^e end that they should come: also caused to be cried through the town, by y ^e sound of a trompe, that all good Christians should bring wood to the great market place, to burn the Lutheran. The day being come which was saterday, the 16. day of May, the poor servant of God, first was brought to the rack or torture, where, at his first entre, were brought before him. The cords, irons, & waightes to terrify him. Then said they, he must utter his complices & renounce his religion, or else he should be burned alive. He answered with a constant heart, that he had no other complices, nor companions, neither would he hold any other faith, but that which Jesus Christ did preach by his apostles. Then was he demanded of his fellows taken w ^t him, whether they did hold y ^e faith of Rome, or whether he did ever communicate with thē, or did know them in the town, or in province to be of his faith. He said no. Item, what he had to do in that town. He said, to sell his Corall. Item, who gave him counsel to appeal. God, he said, by his spirit.

Upon this he was put upon the gynne or rack where he being torn most outrageously, ceased not still to cry unto God, that he would have pity on him, for the love of Jesus Christ his son. Then was he commanded to call to the virgin Mary: but that he would not. Wherupon his torture was renewed a fresh, in such cruel sort, that they thought they had left him for dead. For the which they sent him to the Barbers, and finding that he could endure no longer, were afraid least he had been past, and hastened to bring him to the fire. So after they had assayd him by priests and Friars, as much as they could to make him reuolte, they helped the hangman to bear him, all broken and dismembered, as he was unto the heap of wood: where they tied him to a chain of iron, which was let down upon the fagottes. Romian seeing himself to be alone, lying upon the wood, began to pray to God. Whereat y ^e fryers being moved, ran to him again to cause him to say, Ave Maria. Which when he would not do, they were so furious, that they plucked & tare his beard. In all these anguishes, the meek saint of God, had recourse still to God in his prayers, beseeching him to give him patience. Thē left they him lying as dead. But so soon as they descended down from the wood he began to pray to God again, in such sort, as one would have thought, that he had felt no hurt. Then another great Friar, supposing to do more with him then the rest, came up to the wood unto him, to admonish him. Romian thought at first that he had been a faithful Christian, by his gentle speech, but afterward, when he urged him to pray to the virgyn Mary, he desred him to depart and let him alone in peace. As soon as he was departed. Romiane lifted up his head and his eyes on hye, praying God to assyste him in his great temptation. Then a certain father, a Warden, to bring the people in more hatred cried out and said: he blasphemeth, he blasphemeth he speaketh against the blessed virgin Mary. Wherat Barbosi cried, stop his mouth, let him be gagged The people cried to the fire let him be burned. Then the hangman set fire to the straw, and little sticks that were about, which incontinent were set on fire. Romian still remained hanging in the air, till he died and was burned, all his nether partes well near, when he was seen to lift up his head to heaven, moving his lips without any cry: and so this blessed saint rendered his spirit to God.

Of this assemble there were diverse judgments & sundry brutes. Some said that if good men had been about him, it had gone better with him, & that those priests & monks, which were about him, were whoremaisters & infamous. Other said that he had wrong: and that an hundredth of that company there were, which more deserved death then he, especially among thē which condemned him. Other went away marueling, & disputing of his death and doctrine. And thus was the course finished of this valiant & thrice blessed martyr and servant of the Lord Jesus the son of God. Ex Crisp. lib. 6, pag. 902.

• The Conuent of the Iacobin Friers at Dyion.
• A Priest of Dyion.

Francis Ciuaux.

At Dyion.

Ann. 1558.

Thys Francis Ciuaux was Secretarye to the French Ambassador here in England, in Queen Mary's time. Who afterward being desirous to hear y ^e word of God, went to Geneva. Also he was placed to be Secretary to the Senate or counsel of Geneva: where he continued about the space of a year. Having then certain business, he came to Dyion.

There was the same time, a priest that preached at Dyion such doctrine, where at the said Francis being worthily offended, came friendly unto the priest and reasoned with him, touching his doctrine, showing by the Scriptures how and where he had erred. The priest excused himself, that he was not so well instructed to dispute, but he would bring him y ^e next day, to a certain learned man, whom he knew there in the town, and desired the said Francis to go with him to breakfast, where he would be glad to hear them two in conference together: Whereunto when Francis had consented, the priest incontinēt went to the Iacobine Friers, where the matter was thus contrived, that at the breakfast time, Frances there unawares, should be apprehended.

When the next day came, y ^e priest brought Francis, according to his appoyntmēt, to a Iacobine frier, who pretending much fair friendship unto him, as one glad & desirous of his company, besought him to take a breakfast with him the next morrow, and there they would enter conference together. Wyth this also Francis was content, & to prepare himself the better to that conflict, sat up almost all the night writing, with his fellow, The next morrow, as Francis with his fellow were preparing themselves toward the breakfast, the Iacobin in y ^e mean time, went to the Justice of the town to admonish him to be ready at the time and place appointed. Thus, as the Iacobin was standing at the Justices door, the companion of Francis seeing the Friar there stand, began to mistrust with himself, & told Francis, willing him to beware the Friar. Moreover, the same night Francis had in his dream, y ^t the said Friar should commit him to the Justice. But he, either not caring for his dreams, or else not much passing for the danger, committed himself to the hands of God, and went. As they were together disputing in the Convent of the Iacobines, Francis thus betrayed of the priest, was apprehended, by the Officers, carried to Prison, and within seven days after, being Saturday before the Nativity of the Lord, was brought to the place of execution, where first he was strangled, and then burned. Ex scripto testimonio Senatus Geneuesis.

And as touching the fellow & companion of this Francis above mentioned, he was also apprehended with him and put in prison, but because he was but a young novice, and yet not fully confirmed, he recanted and was delivered.

• Priests of Rochelle.
• Manroy, a priest.
• The Lieuetenaunt of Rochelle.
• The Cardinal of Lorraine.
• Magistri.
• S. Andre.

Peter Arondeau.

At Paris.

Ann. 1559.

The town of Rochelle, as it is a place of great commodity because of the Sea: so was it not inferior to other good Towns in France, for nourishing and suporting the holy assembles of the Lord. Unto the which town, about the year of our Lord 1559. resorted one Peter Arondeau, a mā of base condition, with a little packet of mercery ware, there to sel, who there being known, to adjoin himself to the church and congregatiō of y ^e faithful, was demanded of certain Ministers of Antichrist, whether he would go to hear Mass, or no. He said that he had been there to oste, to his great grief: and that since the time that the Lord had taken the veil from his eyes, he knew the Mass to be abhominable, forged in the shop of the enemy of all mankind. They to whom he thus answered, were Priests amongst whom was one named Monroy, who taking the other there present, for witnesses, brought him straight to the Lieuetenaunt. The depositiō being taken, and information made, it was decreed incontinent, y ^t his body should be attached, And although by one of his friends he was admonished to save himself, & to avoid their danger yet he ceased not to put himself in his enemies hands, & so was led prisoner. As he was in prison, many of the faithful came to comfort him: but rather he was able to comfort not only them, which came to comfort him, but also the other, which were there prisoners with him. The Priests left no diligence unsought, to stir up the Lieuetenaunt, which was of himself, to much inflamed in such matters.

Arondeau, after many interrogations & threatening words, and also fair promises of his pardon still continued one man. Then the Lieuetenaunt seeing his constancy condemned him to death. Arondeau praising God for his grace given, did not a little rejoice y ^t he might suffer in that quarrel, & in token of rejoicing, did sing a Psalm, being fully resolved to accept y ^t said condemnation, w ^t out any appeal. But his friends not pleased with his resolution, came to him, & so persuaded with him, not to give his life so good cheap, over to his enemies hands, that he was turned from that, & made his appeal. The appeal being entered, y ^e Lieuetenaunt, seeking to gratify the adversaries of y ^e gospel, and especially y ^e Cardinal of Lorraine, secretly, by y ^t backside of the town & out of the high way, conveyed y ^e poor prisoner unto Paris. Who being brought unto Paris, by privy journeys (as is said) was put into prison, committed to y ^e custody of two Presidentes: to wit, Magistri, & S. Andre. By the means of whom, the sentence of the Lieuetenant was confirmed, & also put in execution, the 15. day of November in they year abovesaid: on the which day, the said Arondeau was burned quick at y ^e place called S. John in Greue, at Paris. The constancy heroical which God gave him, & wherein he indureed victorious unto death, was a mirror or glass of patience to M. Anne du Bourge Counceller in the Parliament of Paris, & to diverse other then prisoners, & was to them a preparation toward y ^e like death, which shortly after they suffered.

Not long after the happy end of this blessed ma • tyr, the forenamed Monroy, which was the principal accuser, & party against him, was stricken with a disease called Apoplexia and thereupon sodeinly died.

By this and many other such like examples, the mighty judgment of God most evidently may appear: who albeit commonly he doth use to begin his judgment with his own household in this world: yet neither doth his adversaries always escape thē selves the terrible hand of his justice.

Also the Liuetenaunt, which was his condemner, tarried not long after the priest, but he was arrested personally to appear before the kings counsel, through the procurement of a certain Gentleman of Polonie, called Anthony de Leglise, against whom the said Lieuetenaunt had given false and wrong judgment before. By reason whereof the foresaid Gentleman so instantly did pursue him, before the Lord's of the counsel, that all the extorsions & polinges of the Lieuetenant were there openly discovered, and so he condemned to pay to the gentleman a thousand French crowns of the sun, w ^t in xiiii. days upon pain of double as much. Also he was deposed of his office, and there declared unworthy to exercise any royal office hereafter forever, with infamy and shame perpetual. Ex Crisp. Lib. 6. pag. 907.

A priest of Valencienes.

Thomas Moutarde.

At Valenciennes.

Ann. 1559.

In the town of Ualenciennes, not far frō France, the same yere which was 1559. in the month of October suffered Tho. Moutard. Who first being converted from a disordered life, to the knowledge of the Gospel, is to us a spectacle of God's great gracious mercy toward his elected Christians. This Moutarde was attached for certain words spoken to a priest, saying thus, that his god of y ^e host was nothing but abomination, which abuseth y ^e people of God. These words were takē first as spoken in his drunkenness. But the next day after, whē the same words were repeated to him again, to know whether he would abide by the words there uttered, or no, he said, yea. For it is an abuse (said he) to seek Jesus Christ any other where, then in heaven, sitting at the glory & right hand of God his father: and in this, he was ready to live & die. His process being made, he was condemned to be burned quick. But as he was carried from the town house, to the place of punishment, it was never seen a man with such constancy to be so assured in heart, & so to rejoice at that great honor, which God had called him unto. The hangman hasted as much, as was possible, to bind him, & dispatch him. The martir in the midst of y ^e flaming fire, lifting up his eyes unto heavē, cried to the Lord, that he would have mercy on his soul: and so in great integrity of faith and perseueraunce, he gave up his life to God. Ex John. Crisp. Lib. 6.

This Dutch story should have gone before, w ^t the Dutch Martyrs. But seeing Uallenciēnes is not far distant from France it is not much out of order, to adjoin the same with the French martyrs: who altogether at length, shall be joined in the kingdom of Christ: which day the Lord send shortly. Amen.

Thus have we (through the assistance of the Lord) deduced the Table of the French and also of y ^e Dutch martyrs, unto the time and reign of Queen Elizabeth, that is, to the year .1560. Since the which time, diverse also have suffered, both in France, & in the lower country of Germany, whose story shall be declared (the Lord willing) more at large, when we come to the time of Queen Elizabeth. In the mean season it shall suffice for this present to insert their names only, which here do follow.

The residue of the French Martyrs.

ANne du Burge, Counsailer of Paris. Andrew Coiffier, John Isabeau, John Indet, Martyrs of Paris, Geoffrey Guerien, John Morell, John Barbeuille, Peter Cheuet, Marin Marie, Margarite Riche, Adrian Daussi, Gilles le Court Phillip Parmentier, Marin Rosseau, Peter Milot, John Berfoy: Besides the tumult of Amboise, the persecution of Vassi, Austin Marlorat, Master Mutonis.

The residue of the Dutch Martyrs.

James de Lo, of the I will of Flaunders, John de Buissons at Antwerpe, Peter Petit, John Denys, Gymon Guilmin, Simeon Herme of the I will of Flanders, John de Lannoy at Tournay. Andrew Michell, a blind man, at Tournay, Frances Varlut, at Tournay, Alexander Dayken of Bramchastle William Cornu, in Henault, Antony Caron of Cambray, Renaudine de Francuile, Certain suffered at Tournay, Michell Robilert of Aras, Nicaise de le Tomb at Tournay, Roger du Mont.

To the Catologue of French Martyrs above rehearsed, the story of Merindoll and Cabriers, with the lamentable handling of them, were also to be annexed. But because the tractation thereof is prolixe, and cannot well be contracted into a short discourse therefore we have deferred the same to a more convenient room, after the Table here following next of the Spanish and Italian Martyrs. Where better opportunity shall be given, to prosecute more at full that Tragicall persecution, the Lord so permittyng.

A Table of such Martyrs, as for the cause of Religion, suffered in Spain. The Spanish Martyrs.

Spanish merchants in Antwerp The Friars of Antwerpe.	Franciscus San Romanus. At Burgess in Spain.	AN. 1540. Thys Frances was sent by certain Spanish Marchantes of Antwerpe, to Breme, to take up money due to be paid of certain Marchantes there. Where he being at a Sermon, hearing M. Jacobus, priour sometimes of the Agustine friers of Antwerp, preach, was so touched & drawn (thorough the marvelous working of God's spirit) at the hearing thereof, albeit having no perfect understanding of the Dutche tongue, that not only he understood all that there was said, but also coming to the preacher, & accompanying him home (all his other worldly business set apart) there recited the whole contents of his Sermon, everything, (as they said, which heard the said minister of Breme preach) in perfect form and order, as he had preached. After this little taste, and happy beginning, he proceeded further, searching and conferring with learned men, that in short space, he was grown in great towardness, & ripe knowledge in y e word of life. The Minister marueling at the sodayn mutation of the man, and also seeing the vehemency of his zeal joined withal, began to exhort him, howe to temper himself with circumspection, and discretion, still more and more instructyng him in the word and knowledge of the Gospel, which he so gredely did receive, as one that could never be satisfied: & so remained he with the minister 3. days together, committyng his worldly business and message that he was sent for, unto his fellow which came with him. Thus being inflamed with another desire, he ceased to seek for temporal trifles, seeking rather for such french or dutch books, which he could get, to read: and again, read y e same so diligently, that partly by the reading thereof, partly by M. Jacobus, and also by M. Maccabeus (which was there the same time) he was able in short time, to judge in the chief Articles of our religion: In so much, that he took vpō him to write letters unto his coūtrymen the Marchaunts of Antwerpe, in y t which letters, first he gave thanks to God for y e knowledge of his holy word, which he had received. Secondly he bewailed the great cruelty, & gross blindness of his countrymen, desiring God to open their eyes and ears, to see & understand the word of their salvation. Thirdly he promised shortly to come to thē at Antwerp, to confer with them touching the grace of God, which he had received. Fourthly declareth to them his purpose in going also to Spain, intēding there likewise to impart to his parents, and other friends at Burgess, the wholesome Doctrine, which the Lord hath bestowed upon him.
Beside this he addressed other letters also to charles the Emperor, opening to him the calamities and miserable state of Christ's Church, desiring him to tender the quietness thereof, especially that he would reform the miserable corruption of the Church of Spain. &c. Ouer and besides all this, he wrote there a Catechism, & diverse other treatises in the spanish tongue. And all this he did in one months space, In the mean time the Spanish Marchaunts of Antwerpe, understanding by his letters, both his change of religiō, & also his purpose of coming to Antwerpe, sent him letters again, pretending outwardly a fair countenance of much good will, but secretly practicing his destruction. For at the day appointed of his coming, certain Friers were set ready to receive him, which took him coming down from his horse, rifled his books, had him into a marchaūts house near hand, where they examined him: with whom he again disputed mightily, and when they found him not agreing to their faith they bound him hand and foot, crying out upon him, and calling him Lutheran, & burnt his books before his face, threatening to burn himself also. At this disputatiō within the house, diverse Spaniards were present, which made the Friers more bold. Being demanded to show, of what faith and religiō he was: my faith (said he) is to confess and preach Christ Jesus only and him crucified, which is the true faith of the universal Church of Christ through the whole world. But this faith and doctrine you have corrupted, taking another abhominable kind of life, and by your impiety have brought the most part of the world, into blindness most miserable: and to explain his faith to thē more expressly, he recited all the Articles of the Creed. Which done, thē the Friers asked whether he believed the Bishop of Rome to be Christ's Uicar, and head of the Church, having all the treasures of the Church in his own power, being able to bind and loose: also to make new articles, & abolish the old, at his own will & arbitrement. Hereunto Francis answered again, that he believed none of all this, but contrary did affirm, that the Pope was Antichrist, borne of the devil, being the enemy of Jesus Christ, transferring to himself God's honor: & which more over being incited by the devil, turned all things up side down, & corrupted the sinceritye of Christ's religion, partly by his false pretences beguiling, partly by his extreme cruelty destroying the poor flock of Christ. &c. With the like boldness he uttered his mind likewise against the Mass & Purgatory. The Friars could suffer him meanly well to speak, till he came to the pope, & began to speak against his dignity, & their profit: then could they abide no longer, but thundered against him words full of cruelty & terror. As they were burning of his books, and began also to cast the new testament into the fire. Francis seeing that, began to thūder out against them again. The Spaniards thē supposing him not to be in his right senses, conveyed him into a Tower 6. miles distant from Antwarpe, where he was detained in a deep cave or dungeon, with much misery, the space of 8. months. In which time of his imprisonment, many grave, and discreet persons came to visit him, exhorting him that he would change his opinion, & to speak more modestly. Francis answered again, that he maintained no opinion erroneous or heretical: & if he seemed to be somewhat vehement with the Friers, that was to be ascribed not to him so much, as to their own importunity: hereafter he would • rame himself more tempora •• y. Wherupon the spaniards thinking him better come to himself, discharged him out of prison. Which was about y e time whē y e Emperor was in his counsel at Ratisbone. an. 1541. San Roman thus being freede out of Prison, came to Antwerpe, where he remained above twenty days. From thence he went to Leuven, unto a certain friend of his, named Frāciscus Driander, (who also afterward died a Martyr) with whom he had much conference, about diverse matters of Religion: who gave him counsel not to alter the state or his vocation, being called to be a marchaūt, which state he might exercise with a good conscience, & do much good. And as touching Religion, his counsel was that he should say or do nothing, for favor of men, whereby the glory of God should be diminished: but so, that he required notwithstanding in the same, a sound and right judgment, conformed to the rule of God's word, lest it might chance to him, as it doth to many, who being carried with an inconfederate zeal, leave their vocations, & while they think to do good, and to edifye, they destroy, & do harm, and cast themselves needles into danger. It is God (said he) that hath the care of his Church, and will stir up faithful Ministers for the same: neither doth he care for such, which rashly intrude themselves, into that function without any calling. This advertisement of Dryander, Francis did willingly accept, promising hereafter to moderate himself more considerately. But this promise was shortly broken, as you shall hear. For passing from Dryander, he went to Ratisbone, and there having time and opportunity convenient to speak to y e Emperor, he stepped boldly unto him, beseeching him to deliver his country and subjects of Spain, frō false religion, and to restore again the sinceritye of Christ's doctrine, declaring and protesting that the Princes and Protestants of Germany, were in the truer part, and that the Religion of Spain being drowned in ignorance and blindness, was greatly dissonant from the true & perfect word of God, with many other words pertaining to y e same effect. The Emperor all this while, gave him gentle hearing, signifying that he would consider upon the matter, & so do, therein, as he trusted should be for the best. This quiet answer of the Emperor, ministered to him no little encouragement of better hope, albeit he might perceive there in the City, many examples to the contrary, yet all that discouraged not him, but he went the second, & also the third time, unto the Emperor: Who quietly again so answered him as before. And yet this our Francis not satisfied in his mind, sought with a greater ardency the fourth time, to speak to the Emperor, but he was repulsed by certain of the Spaniards about the Emperor, who incontinent without all further hearing or advising y e cause, would have thrown him headlong into the river of Danubius, had not the Emperor stayed them, & willed him to be judged by the laws of the Empire. By which commandment of the Emperor, he was reserved & detained with other malefactors, in bands, till the Emperor took his voyage into Aphrike. Thē Francis, with other captives following the Court, after that the Emperor was come into Spayn, was there delivered to the Inquisitors: by whō he was laid in a dark prison under the ground. Oft & many times he was called for to examination, where he suffered great injuries and contumelies, but ever remained in his conscience firm and immovable. The Articles whereupon he stood, and for which he was condemned were these. That life and salvation in the sight of God, c •• meth to no mā by his own strength, works, or •• rites: but only by the free mercy of God, in the blood and Sacrifice of his son our mediator. That the Sacrifice of the Mass, which 〈◊〉 Papists do recount auayleable, Ex opere operato, for remission of sin, both to the quick and dead, is horrible blasphemy. That auricular confession, with the numbering up of sins, that Satisfactiō, Purgatory, Pardons, invocation of Saints, worshipping of Images, be mere blasphemy against the living God. Item, that the blood of Christ is profaned and injured in the same aforesaid. After the Inquisitors perceived, that by no means he could be reclamed from his assertions, they proceeded at last, to the sentence, condemning him to be burned for an heretic. Many other malefactors were brought also with him to the place of executiō, but all they were pardoned & dismissed: he only for the Gospel, being odious to the whole world, was taken & burned. As he was led to the place of suffering, they put upon him a Miter of paper, painted full of devils, after the spanish guise. Furthermore, as he was brought out of the Citty gate to be burned, there stood a wooden cross by the way, whereunto Frances was required to do homage. Which he refused, answering that the manner of Christians is not to worship wood, and he was (said he) a Christian. Hereupon arose great clamor among the vulgare people, for that he denied to worship the wooden cross. But this was turned incontinent into a miracle. Such was the blind rudeness of that people, that they did impute this to the divine virtue, as given that Cross from heaven, for that it would not suffer it self to be worshipped of an heretic: and immediately, for the opinion of that great miracle, the multitude with their swords, did hew it in pieces, every man thinking himself happy, that might carry away some chip or fragment of the said Cross. When he was come to the place, where he should suffer, the Friers were busy about him, to have him recant: but he continued ever firm. As he was laid upon the heap of wood, and the fire kindled about him, he began a little, at the feeling of the fire, to lift up his head toward heavē: Which when the Inquisitors perceived, hoping that he would recant his doctrine, they caused him to be taken from the fire. But when they perceived nothing less in him, the adversaries being frustrate of their expectation, will led him to be thrown in again, and so was he immediately dispatched. After that the Martyrdom of this blessed man was thus consummate, the Inquisitors proclaimed openlie that he was damned in hell, & that none should pray for him: yea and that all were heretics, whosoever doubted of his damnatiō. Nevertheless certain of the Emperors Souldiors gathered of his ashes. Also the English Ambassador procured a portion of his bones to be brought unto him knowing right well that he died a Martyr. Yet this could not be so secretly done, but it came to the ears of the Inquisitors & of the Emperor. Wherefore the soldiers going in great danger of life, were committed to prison, Neither did the Ambassador himself escape clear frō the danger of the Popes scourge: For he was vpō the same sequestered frō the court & commanded to be absēt for a space. And thus much concerning the notable Martyrdom of this blessed San Roman▪ Ex Franc. Encena. Hispano, teste occulato.
An Inquisitor in Spain.	Rochus. At San Lucar in Spain. An. 1545.	Rochus was borne in Brabant, his father dwelling in Antwerpe. By his science he was a Carver or Grauer of Images. Who as soon as he began, first to taste the Gospel, he fell frō making such Images as use to serve for Idolatry in Temples, & occupied himself in making seals: save only that he kept standing on his stalle an Image of the virgin Mary artificially graven, for a sign of his occupatiō. It happened vnhappely, that a certain Inquisitor passing by in the street, & beholding the carved Image, asked of Rochus what was the price thereof. Which when Rochus did set (not willing belike to sell it) the Inquisitor • ad him scarce half the money. The other answered again that he could not so live of that bargayn. But still the Inquisitor urged him to take his offer. To whom Rochus again, it shall be yours (said he) if you give me that, which my labor and charges stand me in, but of that price I cannot afford it: yet had I rather break it in pieces. Yea saith the Inquisitor? break it, let me see thee. Rochus with that took up a Chisell, and dashed it upon the face of the Image, wherewith the nose or some other part of the face was blemished. The Inquisitor seeing that, cried out as he were mad, and commanded Rochus forthwith into prison. To whom Rochus cried again, that he might do in his own works, what he listed. And if the workmanship of the Image were not after his fantasy, what was that to them? But all this could not help Rochus, but with in 3. days after, sentence was given upon him that he should be burned, and so was he committed to the executers. As Rochus was entering the place, there to be burned, he cried with a loud voice, asking among the multitude, which there stood by, if any man of Flaunders, were there. It was answered, yea: and also that there were 2. ships already fraught and appointed to sail to Flaunders. Then said he, I would desire some of them to signify to my Father dwelling in Antwerpe, that I was burned here in this city, and for this cause which you all have heard. And thus after his prayers made to God, this good man being wrongfully condemned, after his godly life, made this blessed end. an. 1545.
And lease this so rare and strange example of cruelty shall seem to lack credit, in the fifth book of the history of Pantaleon, there is recorded that a certain Spaniard coming to Antwerpe, made diligent inquisitiō there among the Image makers to find out the parents of this Rochus, & signified to them what had happened toward their son, as hath been by his said parents and friends, declared: In so much that it is also testified, that his Father, at the hearing of the said message, for sorrow thereof, died shortly after. Ex Pantal. lib. 5. Furthermore besides these above recited, and also before their time, I hear and understand by faithful relation, that diverse other have been in the said country of Spain, whose hearts God had marvelously illuminate and stirred up, both before, and also since the coming in of the Inquisition, to stand in defense of his Gospel, and which were also persecuted for the same, and are said to have died in prison: Albeit their names as yet are unknown, for that the stories of that country be not yet come to light, but I trust shortly shall, as partly some intelligence I have thereof. In the mean time we will come now to the Inquisition of Spain, speaking something of the ceremonial pomp, and also of the barbarous abuse and cruelty of the same. The execrable Inquisition of Spain. THe cruel and barbarous Inquisition of spayne, first began by king Ferdinandus and Elizabeth his wife, and was instituted against the Jews which after their baptism, maintained again their own ceremonies. But now it is practiced against thē that be never so little suspected to favor the verity of the Lord. The Spaniards, and especially the great divines there do hold, that this holy & sacrate Inquisition cannot err, and that the holy Fathers the Inquisitors cannot be deceived. Three sortes of men most principally be in danger of these Inquisitors. They that be greatly rich, for the spoil of their goods. They that be learned, because they will not have their misdealings and secret abuses to be espied and detected. They that begin to increase in honor and dignity, least they being in authority, should work them some shame, or dishonor. The abuse of this Inquisition is most execrable. If any word shall pass out of the mouth of any, which may be taken in evil part: yea, & though no word be spoken, yet if they bear any grudge or evil will against the party, incontinent they command him to be taken, and put in an horrible prison, and thē find out crimes against him at leisure, and in the mean time no mā living so hardy once to open his mouth for him. If the Father speak one word for his child, he is also taken and cast into prison, as a favorer of heretics. Neither is it permitted to any person, to enter to the prisoner: but there he is alone, in such a place, where he cannot see so much as the ground, where he is, and is not suffered either to read or write, but there endureth in darkness palpable, in horrors infinite, in fear miserable, wrestling with the assaults of death. By this it may be esteemed, what trouble and sorrow, what pensive sighs & cogitatiōs, they sustain which are not thoroughly instructed in holy doctrine. Add moreover to these distresses and horrors of the prison, the injuries, threats, whippings and scourginges, irons, tortures, and racks, which they endure. Somtimes also they are brough out, & shown forth in some higher place, to the people, as a spectacle, of rebuke and infamy. And thus are they detained there, some many years, and murdered by long torments, & whole days together, entreated much more cruelly (out of all comparison) then if they were in the hangmās hands to be slain at once. During all this time, what is done in the process, no person knoweth, but only the holy fathers and the tormentors, which are sworn to execute the torments. All is done in secret, & (as great mysteries) pass not the hands of those holy ones. And after all these torments so many years endured in the prison, if any man shall be saved, it must be by gessing: For all the procedinges of the Court of that execrable Inquisition is opē to no mā, but all is done in hugger mugger, & in close corners, by ambages, by covert ways, and secret counsels. The accuser secret, the crime secret, the witness secret: whatsoever is done, is secret, neither is the poor Prisoner ever advertised of anything. If he can guess who accused him, whereof & wherefor, he may be pardoned peradventure of his life: but this is very seldom: and yet he shall not incontinēt, be set at liberty, before he hath endured long time, infinite torments (and this is called their penitence) and so is he let go: and yet not so, but that he is enjoined, before he pass the Inquisitors hands, that he shall wear a garment with yellow colors, for a note of public infamy, to him, and his whole race. And if he cannot guess right, showing to y e Inquisitors by whom he was accused, whereof, and wherefor (as is afore touched) incontinent the horrible sentence of condemnation is pronounced against him, that he shall be burned for an obstinate heretic: and so yet the sentence is not executed by and by, but after that he hath endured imprisonment in some heinous prison. And thus have ye heard the form of the Spanish Inquisition. By the vigor and rigor of this Inquisition, many good true servants of Jesus Christ have been brought to death, especially in these latter years, since the royal and peaceable reign of this our Queen Elizabeth. The names and stories of whom, partly we will here recite, according as we have faithful records of such as are come to our hands by writing. The other which be not yet come to our knowledge, we will defer, till further intelligence and opportunity, by the Lord's aid and leave, shall serve hereafter. An. 1559. Maij 21. In the town of Ualedolid, where commonly the counsel of the Inquisition is wont to be kept, the Inquisitors had brought together many prisoners, both of high and low estate, to the number of xxx. also the coffin of a certain noble womā, with her picture lying vpō it, which had been dead long before, there to receive judgment and sentence. To the hearing of which sentence, they had ordained in the said town, 3. mighty Theatries or stages. Upon the first was placed Dame Jane, sister to king Philip, and chief Regimēt of his realms: also Prince Charles, king Philippes son, with other Princes and States of Spain. Upon the other scaffold mounted the Archbishop de Seuille, Prince of the Synagogue of the Inquisitors, with the Coūsell of the Inquisition: also other Bishops of the lands, and the kings counsel with them. After that the Princes, and other spiritual judges, & coūsellers were thus set in their places, with a great garde of Archers, and Halberdiers, and harnessed soldiers: with 4. Herauldes also of arms, giving their attēdance to the same, and the Earl of Buendia bearing the naked sword, all the markette place where the stages were, being inuironed with an infinite multitude of all sortes of the world there standing, and gasing out of windows, & houses to hear & see the sentences & judgments of this Inquisition: then after all, were brought forth (as a spectacle and triumph) the poor servants and witnesses of Jesus Christ, to the number (as is aforesaid) of thirty, clothed with their Sanbenito, as the Spaniards do call it, which is a manner of vesture, of yellow cloth coming both before them & behind thē, spangled with read Crosses, & having burning Cierges in their hands: also before them was borne a Crucifix covered with black lynen cloth, in token of mourning. Moreover, they which were to receive the sentence of death, had Miters of paper vpō their heads, which y e Spaniards call Coracas. Thus they being produced, were placed in their order, one under another, according as they were esteemed culpable: So y e first of all, stood up Doctor Cacalla, an Austē Frier, a mā notable & singular in knowledge of divinity, preacher sometime, to Charles the 5. Emperor, both in higher and lower Germany. These things thus disposed, thē followed a Sermon, made by a Dominic Frier, which endured about an hour. After the Sermon finished, the Procurator general, with the Archbishop, went to the stage, where the Princes and Nobles stood, to minister a solemn oath unto them vpō the Crucifix painted in the Massebooke: the tenor of which oath was this. Your Majesty’s shall swear, that you will favor the holy Inquisitiō, & also give your consent unto the same: and not only that you shall, by no manner of way, hinder and impeach the same, but also you shall employ the uttermost of your help & endeavor hereafter, to see all them to be executed, which shall swerve from the Church of Rome, & adjoin themselves to the sect of the Lutheran heretics, without all respect of any person or persons, of what estate, degree, quality, or condition soever they be. And thus much for the first Article of the oath. The second was this, as followeth. Item, your Majesty's shall swear, that you shall constrayne all your subjects, to submit themselves to the Church of Rome, and to have in reverence all the laws and commandments of the same: and also to give your aid against all them, whosoever shall hold of the heresy of the Lutherans, or take any part with them. In this sort and manner, when all the Princes & states everyone in their degree, had received their oath, then the Archbishop lifting up his hand, gave them his benediction, saying: God bless your highnesses, and give you long life. This solemn Pageon thus finished, at last the poor captives and prisoners were called out, the Procurator fiscall, or the Popes great Collectour, first beginning with Doctor Cacalla, and so proceeding to the other in order, as here under in this Table followeth with their names, & their judgments described.
The Inquisitors of Spain. The Popes great Collector, or Procurator fiscall. The Archbishop of Senille. The bishop of Valence. The bishop of Orense.	1. Doctor Cacalla, a Frier Augustine.	Before the Popes great Proctor or Collector fiscall, first was called forth Doct. Agustine Cacalla. Thys Doctor was a Frier of Augustine's order, and Priest of the town of Ualledollid, and preacher sometimes to the Emperor Charles the 5. a man well accounted of for his learning. Who for that he was thought to be as the standert bearer to the Gospellers (whō they called Lutherās) and preacher and Doctor unto thē, therefore they being first called for, was brought from his stage, nearer to y e proctor fiscal, there to hear the sentence of his condemnation: which was, that he should be degraded, and presently burned, and all his goods confiscate, to the profit & auauncement of justice.
	2. Francis de Biuero, priest of Valledolid, and brother to the foresaid Cacalla.	The second prisoner & next to Doctor Cacalla, y t was called, was Francis de Biuero his brother, Priest also of Ualledolid, who received likewise y e same sentence of condemnation. And to the intent he should not speak anything to the prejudice, or against the abuse of the sacrate Inquisition, as he before had done both within and without the prisō, with much boldness, & also because he was much favored of y e people: to y e end therefore, y t no cōmotiō should come by his speaking, his mouth was so stopped & shut up, that he could not speak one word.
	3. Dame Blāche de Biuero.	The 3. was Dame Blanche, Sister to the other two, aforesaid, against whō also was pronounced the like sētense, as upon her brethren before.
	4. John de Biuero.	The fourth, was John de Biuero, brother to the same kindred, who was also judged an heretic, and condemned to perpetual prison, and to bear his Sanbenito all bys life long: which is an habillemēt of dishonor.
	5. Dame Constance de Biuero, sister to the same aforesaid.	Dame Constance de Biuero was the fifth, Sister to the other before specified, Widowe of Ferdinando Ortis, dwelling sometime, at Ualledolid: who was also condemned with the like sentence with her brethren, to be burned.
The Inquisitors of Spain.	6. The coffin with the dead corpse of Dame Leonore de Biuero, the mother of these aforesaid.	The sixth thunderbolt of condemnation, was thundered out against a poor coffine, with the dead corps of dame Leonore de Biuero, mother to these above named, being her self the sixth, & being already dead long before at Ualledolid. Above her coffin was her picture laid, which was also condemned with her dead corpse to be burned for an heretic: And yet I never heerd of any opinion that this picture did hold, either with, or against the Church of Rome. This good Mother while she lived, was a worthy maynteiner of Christ's gospel, with great integritye of life: and retained diverse assemblies of the saints in her house, for the preaching of the word of god. In fine, her corps and Image also being brought before y e Fiscall, was condemned likewise (as the Mother with her 7. chyldrē in the book of Maccabees) to be burned for a Lutheran heretic, and all her goods to be ceased to the behoove of the Superior powers, and also her house utterly to be rased & cast down to the ground: & for memorial of y e same, a marible stone was appointed there to be set up in y e house, wherein the said cause of her burning should be ingraued.
	7. Master Aflonse Perez Priest of Valence.	In the seventh place was condemned master Aflonse Perez priest of Valence: first to be degraded, & after to be burned as an heretic, & all his goods likewise confiscate and ceased, to the behoove of the superiority.
When these 7. aforesaid had received their sentence, then the Bishop of Ualence, in his pontificalibus, caused Doctor Cacalla, Francis his brother, and Aflonse Perez, to be appareled and reuested in priestly vesture. Which done, he took from them, first the chalice out of their hands, and so all their other trinckets, in order, according to their accustomed solemnity. And thus they being degraded, and all their priestly vnctions taken from their fingers, also their lips and their crowns rased, so were their yellow habits of Sanbenito put over their shoulders again, with their Miters also of paper upon their heads. This done, Doctor Cacalla began to speak, praying the Princes and the Lord's, to give him audience: but that being not granted to him, he was rudely repulsed, & returned again to his standing. Only thus much he protested clearly and openly, that his faith, for which he was so handled, was not heretical, but consonant to the pure and clear word of God. For the which also he was pressed and ready to suffer death, as a true Christian, and not as an heretic: Besides many other worthy sentences of great consolation, which he there uttered in y e mean space, while the Judges were busy in their sentences, against the residue of the Martyrs.
The Inquisitors of Spain.	8. Don Peter Sarmiento Knight of the order of Alcantara.	The viii. that was brought before y e foresaid Fiscall, was Don Peter Sarmiento knight of the order of Alcantara, dwelling at Ualence, and son of Marques de Poza, who was pronounced an heretic, & judged to bear the mark & habit of dishonor all his life, and condemned to perpetual prison, w t the loss of his order & of all his goods: To whom moreover it was enjoined never to wear anymore gold, silver, pearls or any precious stone about him.
	9. Dame Mencia wife of the said Don Peter.	Ninthly after him was called dame Mēcia de Figueroa, Wyfe of the foresaid Don Peter Sarmiento. Who likewise being proclaimed for an Heretic, was condemned to the same punishment as her husband was.
	10. Don Louys de Roxas, son and heir of the Marques de Poza.	Next after her was called & brought out, Don Louys de Roxas, son & heir of the Marques de Poza, who being also declared an heretic, for y e great suit and labor which was made for him, was condemned only to bear his Sambenito, unto the town house, and his goods to be confiscate.
	11. Dame Anne Henriques.	After whom in the xi. place, followed dame anne Hēriques, daughter of the marques Alcanszes, and mother to the forenamed Marques de Poza, & Wife to Lord Alfonsus de Fonseca: Who in like sort was declared an heretic and condemned to bear her Sambenito, to the town house, and her goods to be confiscate.
The Inquisitors of Spain.	12. Christopher Dell.	Christopher Dell, citizē of Samora was the xii. who after he was declared an heretic, was judged to be burned, and his goods to be ceased.
	13. Christopher de Padilla.	The like sentence was also given upon Christofer de Padilla citizen of Samora.
	14. Antony de Huezuello.	The 14. was Antony de Huezuello bacheler of divinity dwelling at Toro. Who after he was proclaimed heretic, & his goods confiscate, was condemned to be burned, and moreover had his mouth stopped, for y t he should not speak, & make confession of his faith unto the people.
	15. Katherine Romain.	Then followed Katherine Romain, dwelling in Pedrosa, called from her standing who receiving the like sentence was condemned to be burned, & all her goods confiscate.
	16. Francis Errem.	The 16. was Francis Errem, borne in Pegnaranda, whom they condemned to be burned alive, and all her goods likewise confiscate.
	17. Katherine Ortega.	After her succeeded in the next sentence of Martyrdom, Katherine Ortega dwelling in Ualledolid, daughter of Hernando Piazo Fiscall, & widow of captain Louys, pronounced with the other to be an heretic: and forsomuch as she was reckoned to be a Schoolemaistres to the rest, she was judged to be burned, and her goods confiscate.
	18. Isabell Strada. 19. Jane Valesques.	In the 18. and 19. place, stood Isabell de Strara, and Jane Ualesques, both dwelling in Pedrosa, which likewise were condemned to be burned & all their goods confiscate.
	20. A Smith.	A certain workmā of white iron, or smith for interteining assembles in his house, and for watching with thē received also with thē the like sentence, to lose both life & goods for the Gospels sake.
	21. A Jew.	With these also was joined a Portugale, named Goncalo Uaes of Lisbone, which was borne a Jew, afterward Baptized, & then returned again to his Judaism: Who for more shame to the other, was put also in the same tale and number, as the 2. thieves were joined w t Christ and was also with thē condemned to be burned, & his goods ceased.
The Inquisitors of Spain	22. Dame Jane de Sylua.	After these, was called dame Jane de Silua, wife to John de Biuero, Brother to Doctor Cacalla: to whom it was enjoined to bear a mantle all her life, for penance & token of her trespass, & all her goods cōfiscate.
	23. Leonore de Lisueros, wife of Huezuelo. 24. Marina de Saiauedra. 25. Daniel Quadra.	In like manner was called for, Leonore de Lisueros, wife of the foresaid Antony Huezuelo, Batcheler of divinity. Item, Marina de Saiauedra, wife of Cysueras de Sareglio. Itē, Daniel Quadra borne at Pedrosa: All which 3. persons were pronounced heretics and condemned to do penance in perpetual Prison, with their mantles & cōfiscatiō of all their goods.
	26. Dame Mary de Royas.	Dame Mary de Royas, sister of Marques of Royas, because she was in a cloister, & was come of a good house, was therefore judged to bear her mantle to y e town house, and all her goods confiscate.
	27. Antony Dominike.	Antony Dominic de Pedrosa being thē brought out, was judged and condemned to iii. years penance in prison, for his heresy, clothed with the mantle of yelow, and all his goods confiscate.
	28. Anthony Basor, an Englishman.	Last of all was produced Antony Basor, who for that he was an English man, he was judged to bear his mantle of yellow to the town house in penance for his crime, & incontinēt was thrust into a cloister for one year, to the intent he might there be instructed in y e catholic ordinances of the church of Rome as thei be called
After these sentences being thus pronounced, they which were condemned to be burned with the coffin of the dead Lady, & her picture upon the same, were committed to the secular magistrate, and their executioners, which were commanded to do their endeavor. Then were they all incontinent takē, and everyone set upon an Ass, their faces turned backward, with a great garrison of armed soldiers, unto the place of punishment, which was without the gate of the town called Del Campo. When they were come to the place, there were 14 stakes set up of equal distance one from another, whereunto everyone severally being fastened according to the fashion of Spain, they were all first strangled, and then burned and turned to ashes, save only Antony Huezuelo. Who for so much as he had both within and without the prison, vehemently detested the popes spiritualty, therefore he was burned alive, and his mouth stopped frō speaking. And thus these faithful Christians, for the verity & pure word of God, were led to death, as sheep to the shambles: who not only most christianly did comfort one another, but also did so exhort all them there present, that all men marvelled greatly, both to hear their singular constancy, and to see their quiet and peaceable end. It is reported that besides these aforesaid, there remained yet behind 37. other prisoners, at y e said town of Valledolid, reserved to another Tragedy & spectacle of that bloody Inquisition. Ex quinta parte Martyr. Gallic Impresse pag. 474. Furthermore, whereas the story of the said Inquisition being set out in the French tongue doth reckon the number of the martyrs above mentioned, to be thirty: and yet in particular declaration of them, doth name no more but xxviij. here is therefore to be noted, that either this number lacked two of thirty: or else that 2. of the said company were returned back without judgment, into the prison again. And thus much for this present, touching the proceeding of the church of Spain, in their Inquisition against the Lutherans, that is, against the true and faithful servants of Jesus Christ. Albeit there be other countries also besides Spain, subject unto the same Inquisition, as Neaples, and Sicily: in which kingdom of Sicily, I hear it credibly reported that every third year are brought forth to judgment and execution, a certain number after the like sort of Christian martyrs, sometimes 12. sometimes 6. sometimes more, and sometimes less. Amongest whom there was one, much about y e same yere above mentioned. an. 1559. who coming from Geneva, unto Sicily, upon zeal to do good, was at last laid hand of, and being condemned the same time, to the fire, as he should take his death, was offered there of the hangman to be strāgled, having the cord ready about his neck: but he notwithstanding, refused the same, and said that he would feel the fire: and so endured he, singing with all his might unto the Lord, till he was beriued both of speech and life, in the midst of the flame: such was the admirable constancy and fortitude of that valiant soldier of Christ, as is witnessed to me by him, which being there present the same time, did both then see that which he doth testify, and also doth now testify that he then saw. Now it remaineth further, according to my promise, in like order of a compendious table, to comprehend also such Martyrs, as suffered for the verity and true testimony of the Gospel, in the places and countries of Italy: which Table consequently here next ensueth to be declared.

A Table of such Martyrs as suffered for the testimony of the Gospel in Italy. * The Italian Martyrs.

Persecutors.	Martyrs.	The causes.
Certain popish Spaniards. at Rome.	N. Encenas otherwise called Dryander. At Rome. An. 1546.	THis Encenas, or Dryander, a spaniard borne at Burgess, was brother to Franciscus Encenas y e learned man, so oft before mentioned, & was also y e teacher or instructor in knowledge of religion, to Diazius the godly martyr above recorded. He was sent of his superstitious parents, being young unto rome. Who there after long continuance growing up in age & knowledge but especially being instructed by the lord in the truth of his word, after he was known to mislike the Popes doctrine, & the impure doings at Rome, was apprehended and taken of certain of his own countrymen, and some of his own household friends at Rome at the same time, when he was preparing to take his journey to his brother Francis Encenas in Germany. Thus he being betrayed and taken by his coūtrymen, was brought before the Cardinals, and there committed straight to prison. Afterward he was brought forth to give testimony of his doctrine, which he in the presence of the Cardinals, and in the face of all the Popes retinue, boldly and constantly defended. So that not only the Cardinals, but especially the spaniardes, being therewith offended, cried out upon him that he should be burned. The Cardinals, first before the sentence of death should be given, came to him, offering if he would take it (after the manner of the Spaniards) the badge of reconciliation, which hath the name of Sanbenites cloth, made in form of a mantle, going both before him and behind him, with signs of the red Cross. But Encenas still constant in the profession of truth, denied to receive any other condition or badge, but only the badge of the Lord: which was to seal the doctrine of his religion, with the testimony of his blood. At last, the matter was brought to that issue, that the faithful servant and witness of Christ was judged and condemned to the fire, where he in the sight of the Cardinals, and in the face of the Apostolical sea pretensed, gave up his life for testimony of the Gospel. Ex Pantal. lib. 6. Ex Crisp. & alijs.
And for so much as mention hath been made both in this story, and many other before of Franciscus Encenas his brother: here is not to be pretermitted, how the said Franciscus being a man of notable learning as ever was any in Spain being in the Emperors Court at Brussels, offered unto the Emperor Charles the fifth the new Testament of Christ translated into Spanish. For the which he was cast into Prison, where he remained in sorrowful captivity and calamitye, the space of fifteen months, looking for nothing more, then present death. At last through the marvelous providence of almighty God, the first day of February. ann. 1545. at viii. of the clock after supper, he found the doors of the prison standing open, and he secretly was answered in his mind, to take the occasion offered, and to shift for himself: and so he issuing out of the prison without any hasty pase, but going as leisurely as he could, escaped from thence and went straight to Germany.
Pope Julius the third.	Faninus. At Ferraria. An. 1550.	Faninus, borne in Fauentia, a town in Italy through the reading of godly books translated into the Italian tongue (having no perfect skill in the Latin) was converted frō great blindness to the wholesome knowledge of Christ, and of his word: Wherein he took such a sweetness and so grew up in the meditation of the same that he was able in short time to instruct other. Neither was there any diligence lacking in him to communicate, that abroad which he had received of the Lord: being so in his mind persuaded, that a man receiving by the spirit of God the knowledge and illumination of his verity, ought in no case to hide the same in silence, as a candle under a bushel: And therefore being occupied diligently in that behalf, albeit he used not publicly to preach, but by private conference to teache, he was at length by the popes clientes espied, apprehended and committed to prison. Albeit he remained not long in the prison: For by the earnest persuasions and prayers of his wife, his children, and other friends, he was so over come, that he gave over, and so was dismissed shortly out of prison. After this, it was not long, but he fell into horrible perturbation of mind: In so much that unless the great mercy of God had kept him up, he had fallen in utter desperation, for slipping from the truth, and preferring the love of his friends and kindred, before the service of Jesus Christ, whom he so earnestly before had professed. This wound went so deep into his heart, that he could in no case be quieted before he had fully fixed and determined in his mind to adventure his life more faithfully in the service of the Lord.
Wherupon he being thus inflamed with zeal of spirit, went about all the country of Romaigna, publicly preaching the pure doctrine of the Gospel not w t out great fruit and effect in places as he went. As he was thus laboring it so fell out, that he was apprehended again, an. 1547. in a place called Bagnacauallo, where also he was condemned to be burned, but he said his hour was not yet come, and the same to be but the beginning of his doctrine, and so it was, for shortly after he was removed unto Ferraria, where he was detained ii. years. At last y e Inquisitors of the popes heresies condemned him to death, an. 1549. and yet his time being not come, he remained after that to the month of September, an. 1550. In the mean time many faithful and good men came to visit him: for the which the pope commanded him to be enclosed in straiter custody: wherein he suffered great torments y e space of 18. months and yet had suffered greater, if the Dominick Friers might have got him into their house, as they went about. Thus Faninus removed from prison to prisō, many times changed his place, but never altered his constancy. At length he was brought into a prison, where were diverse great Lord's, Captains and noble personages there committed, for stirring up commotions and factions (as the country of Italy is full of such) who at first, hearing him speak, began to set him at light, and to deride him: supposing that it was but a melancholy humor that troubled his brain, whereupon, such as seemed more sage amongst them began to exhort him to leave his opinion, & to live with men as other men do, and not to vex his mind but to suspend his judgment, till the matter were decided in a general Council To whom Faninus again, first giving them thanks for their friendly good willes: wherewith they seemed to respect his well doing, modestly and quietly declared unto thē how the doctrine which he professed was no humore nor opinion of man's brain, but the pure verity of God, founded in his word, and revealed to men in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and especially now in these days, restored: which verity he had fully determined in his mind never to renye to believe the lying phantasies of men. And as in his soul, which was redeemed by the blood of the son of God, he was free from all bondage: so likewise as touching Counsels, he looked for no other sentence nor authority (he said) but that only which he knew to be declared to us by Christ Jesus, in his Gospel, which both he preached with his word, and confirmed with his blood &c. With these and such other words he so moved their minds, that they were clean altered unto a new kind of life, having him now in admiration, whom they had before in derision, and recounted him for an holy person. To whom he proceeded still to preach the word of grace declaring and confessing himself to be a miserable sinner, but by the faith of the Lord Jesus, & through the grace only of him, he was fully persuaded and well assured his sins to be forgiven: like as all their sins also shall be remitted to thē through their faith only in Christ, believing his Gospel. There were other also besides these, who having used before, a more delicate kind of life, could not well away w t the sharpness and hardness of y e prison These also received such comfort by the said Faninus, that not only they were quietly contented, but also rejoiced in this their captivity, by the occasion whereof they had received and learned a better liberty, then ever they knew before. When the prisonment of this Faninus was known to his parents and kinsfolk, his wife & sister came to him with weeping persuasions, to move him to consider and care for his poor family, To whom he answered again, that his Lord and master had commanded him not to deny him for looking to his family, and that it was enough for them that he had once for their sakes fallen into y e cowardliness, which they knew: Wherefore he desired them to depart in peace, and solicit him no more therein for his end (he said) he knew to draw near, and so he commended them unto the Lord. About the same time died Pope Paulus the 3. and after him succeeded Julius the 3. which then sent letters and commandment, that Faninus should be executed. Wherof, whē one of y e magistrates officers brought him word the next day, he rejoiced thereat, and gave the messenger thanks, and began to preach a long sermon to them that were about him, of the felicity and beatitude of the life to come. Then the mess̄ger exhorted him, y t in case he would change his opinion, he should save both this life, & enjoy that to come. An other asked him in what case he should leave his little children and his wife, or what stay should they be at, he so leaving thē: wherefor he desired him to have respect both to himself, and to them. Faninus answered, y t he had left them with an overseer, which would see unto them sufficiently. And being asked who he was, the Lord Jesus Christ (said he) a faithful keeper and a conseruer of all y t is committed to him. After that the messenger was thus departed from Faninus all full of tears and sorrow: the next day following he was removed into the common prison, and delivered to the secular magistrate. Who in all his ways, his words, his gestures and countenance, declared such constancy of faith, such modesty of manners, and tranquility of mind, that they which before were extreme against him, thinking him rather to have a devil, began now favorably to hearken to him, and to commend him. With such grace and sweetenes he cal • ed, ever speaking of the word of God, that diverse of the Magistrates wives in hearing him, could not abstain from weeping. The executioner also wept himself. One of the public Scribes then came to him and said, that if he would relent from his opinion, the Popes pleasure was, that he should be saved: but that he refused. This was marvelous, that he having but small skill in the Latin yet recited so many and sundry places of the Scripture without book, and that so truly and promptly, as though he had studied nothing else. One seeing him so iocound and merry going to his death, asked why he was so merry at his death, seeing Christ himself sweat blood and water before his passion? Christ (said he) sustained in his body, all y e sorrows and conflicts with hell and death, due unto us: by whose suffering we are delivered from sorrow and fear of them all. Finally, early in the morning he was brought forth where he should suffer. Who after his prayers moste earnestly made unto the Lord, meekly & patiently gave himself to the stake, where with a cord drawn about his neck, he was secretly strangled of the hangman, in the City of Ferraria, three hours before day, to the intent y e people should not see him, nor hear him speak: and after, about dinner time, his body in the same place was burned. At the burning whereof, such a fragrant and odoriferous sent came to all them there present, and so stroke their senses, that the sweetenes thereof seemed to refresh them no less, then his words would have done, if they had heard him speak. The custom is of that city, that the bones and ashes which be left, should be carried out of the city but neither the magistrate, nor the Bishop, nor his great Uicar or Chancellor, nor any Divine else, would take any charge thereof, every man transferring that burden from themselves, to him which was the cause of his death. Whereby it may appear, what secret judgment and estimation, all they had of that good blessed man. At last the people took his burned bones, with the cinders, and carried them out of the street of the City. Ex Henri. Pantal, lib. 7. Ex John Crisp. pag. 363.
The name of the persecutor in the story appeareth not.	Dominicus de Basana. At Placentia. Ann. 1550.	The same year y t the foresaid Faninus suffered in Ferraria, Dominicus also suffered in the City of Placentia. This Dominicus was Cittizen in Basana, and followed the wars of Charles the Emperor in Germany: where he received the first taste of Christ's gospel. Wherein he increased more & more by conferring & reasoning with learned men, so y t in short time he was able to instruct many, and so did, working and traueling in the Church till at length in y e year 1550. he coming to y e City of Naples, there preached the word, & from thence proceeding to Placencia, preached there likewise unto y e people, of true confession, of Purgatorye, & of Pardons. Furthermore, the next day entreated of true faith & of good works, howe far they are necessary to salvation, promising moreover y e next day to speak of Antichrist and to paint him out in his colors. When the hour came that he should begin his sermon, the magistrate of the cittye commanded him to come down from the chair in the market place, & delivered him to the officers. Dominicus was willing & ready to obey the commandment, saying that he did much marvel, that the devil could suffer him so long in that kind of exercise. From thence he was led to the bishops Chancellor, and asked whether he was a priest, and how he was placed in that function. He answered that he was no priest o • the pope but of Jesus Christ, by whom he was lawfully called to that office. Then was he demanded whether he would renounce his doctrine. He answered, that he maintained no doctrine of his own, but only the doctrine of Christ, which also he was ready to seal with his blood: and also gave hearty thanks to God, wbiche so accepted him as worthy to glorify his name with his martyrdom. Upon this he was committed to a filthy and stinking prison. Where after he had remained a few months, he was exhorted diverse times to revoke: otherwise he should suffer: but still he remained constant in his doctrine. Wherupon when the time came assigned for his punishment, he was brought to the market place, where he preached, and there was hanged. Who most heartily praying • or his enemies, so finished his days in this miserable wretched world. Ex Pantal. lib. 7.
The bishop of Santangelo, & his priests.	Galeazius Trecius. At the City called Laus Pompeia, in Italy. Ann. 1551.	Santangelo is a certain fortress or castle in Italy, within Lombardy, not far from the City called Laus Pompeia, belonging also to the same diocese In this sort of Santangelo was an house of Augustine Friers unto whom used much to resort, a certain fryer of the same order dwelling at Pauia, named Maianardus, a man well expert in the study of scripture, and of a godly conversation. By this Maianardus, diverse not only of the Friars, but also of other townesmen, were reduced to the love & knowledge of God's word, & to the detestatiō of the popes abuses. Amōg whom was also this Galeazius, a gentle man of a good calling, & wealthy in worldly substance and very beneficial to the p • ore. Who first by conference with y e fryers, and also with his brother in law, began to conceive some light in God's truth, and afterward was confirmed more thoroughly by Caelius Secundus Curio, who then being driven by persecution, came from Pauia, to the said place of Santangelo. In process of time, as this Galeazius increased in judgment and zeal, in setting forward the wholesome word of God's grace: as a light shining in darkness, could not so lie hyd, but at last, in the year of our Lord. 1551. certain were sent from the forenamed City of Laus Pompeia, to lay hands upon him, and brought him to the bishops Palace, where he was kept in hands, having under him but only a pad o • straw. Although his wife sent unto him a good fetherbed, with shetes to lie in, yet the Bishops chaplaynes and officers kept it frō him, deviding the pray among thenselves.
When the time came that he should be examined he was thrice brought before the Commissioners, where he rendered reasons and causes of his faith, answering to their interrogatories, w t such evidence of Scriptures, & constancy of mind, that he was an admiration to them that that heard him. Albeit not long after, through the importunate persuasions of his kinsfolks & friends, and other cold Gospellers, laying many considerations before his eyes: he was brought at length, to assent to certain points of the popes doctrine. But yet the mercy of God, which began with him, so left him not, but brought him again to such repentance, & bewailing of his fact, that he became afterward, according to the example of Peter, and S. Cyprian, and other, doublewise more valiant in defense of Christ's quarrel: neither did he ever desire anything more, then occasion to be offered, to recover again by confession, that he had lost before by denial: affirming that he never felt more joy of heart, then at the time of his examinations, where he stood thrice to the constant confession of the truth: and contrary that he never tasted more sorrow in all his life, then when he slipped afterward from the same, by dissimulation: Declaryng moreover to his brethren, that death was much more sweet unto him, with testimony of the verity then life with the least denial of truth, and loosse of a good conscience. Thus Galeazius mourning for his fall in prison, after he heard of his friends, that nothing was yet so far past, but that he might recover himself again, and that his infirmity was not prejudicial, but rather a furtherance to God's glory, and admonition to himself to stand more strongly hereafter, took thereby exceeding comfort: And when they would have left with him a book of the new testament, for his comfort: he refused it, saying y t he had it in his heart, whatsoever Christ there spake to his Disciples: Also what happened both to Christ himself and to his Apostles, for confessing y e word of truth. Furthermore, so comfortable was he after that, that they which talked with him, continued all the day without meat or drink, and would also have tarried all the night following, if they might have ben suffered. As Galeazius thus continued in the prison looking for some occasion to recover himself again from his fall, it followed in short time, that the Inquisitors and priests repaired to him again in the prison, supposing that he would confirm now that which before he had granted to them, and required him so to do. Galeazius renying all that he had granted to them before, returned again to the defense of his former doctrine: with much more boldness of spirit, confessing Christ as he did before: and detested Images, affirming and proving y e god only is to be worshipped, and that in spirit and verity: Also to be no mo mediators but Christ alone, and that he only and sufficiently by his suffering, hath taken away the sins of the whole world: & that all they which depart hence in this faith, are ascertained of everlasting life: they which do not, are under everlasting damnation: with such other like matter, which was repugnant utterly to the popes proceedings. With this confession made, as his mind was greatly refreshed, so the adversaries went away as much apaulled. Who at last perceiving that he in no case could be revoked, caused him to be committed to the secular judge to be burned. Thus Galeazius early in the morning, being brought out of prisō to the market place, there was left standing bound to the stake till noon, as a gazing stock for all men to look upon. In the which mean time, many came about him, exhorting him to recant, & not so to cast away his life, where as w t x. words speaking he might save it. And if he passed not for his life nor for his country where he should live nor for his goods and possessions, which should be confiscate, yet he should somewhat respect his wife whom he loved so well, and his young children: at least he should consider his own soul. This counsel gave they which more esteemed the commodities of this present life, thē any true souls health in the life to come. But to conclude, nothing could stir the setlet mind of this valiant Martyr. Wherefore fire was commanded at last, to be put to the dry wood about him, wherewith he was shortly extincted w t out any noise or crying, saving only these words heard in the middle of the flame: Lord Jesus. Thys was an. 1551. Nouemb. 24. Touching the story of this blessed Martyr, this by the way is to be given for a Memorandum. That a little before this Galeazius should be burned, there was a controversy between the Mayor of the city and the bishops clergy, for the expenses of the wood that should go to his burning. He hearing thereof, sent word to both the parties, to agree, for he him self of his own goods would see the cost of that matter discharged. An other note moreover here is to be added, that while Galeazius was in captivity, certain of the Papists perceiving that Galeazius had great goods and possessions, practiced with his wife, under color to release her husband, y t she should lay out a sum of money to be sent to the wife of the chief Lord of Milan (called Ferrarus Gonzaga) to the end y t she should entreat both with her husband, and with the Senate for Galeazius life. Which money when they had thus iugled into their hands, so was the seely woman robbed and defeated both of her husband, and also of her money. Ex Caelio.
Cornelius, professor of Bononie. Campeius Cardinal. Cardinal de Capo. Bonauentura General. Vi. Cardinals. Pope Julius the third.	D. Johannes Mollius, a gray Frier. A certain Weaver of Perusium. At Rome. Ann. 1553.	John. Mollius Montilcinus, being but 12. years old, with his brother Augustinus, was set of his parents in the house of y e graye Friars, where he in short time having a fresh wit, far excelled his fellows in all tongues and liberal sciences. So growing up to the age of 18. he was ordained priest, & sang his first Mass. After that he was sent to Ferraria to study, where he so profited in the space of 6. years, that he was assigned by Uigerius, General of y e order, to be Doctor and then reader in Divinity: who then w t his sophistry opposed himself as an utter enemy against the gospel. From thence he went to Brixia, & the next year following to Millayn, where he read or professed openly. Again, from hence he was taken by Franciscus, Sfortia, and brought to the University of Papia, there openly to confess Philosophy. Where he remained four years. After that he was called to the University of Bononie by Laurentius Spatha, General of that order, whereas he was occupied in reading the books of Aristotle De Anima. In the mean time God wrought in his soul such light of his word, and of true Religion, that he waxing weary of professing Philosophy, began secretly to expound the Epistle of S. Paul to the Rom. to a few which being known, his auditors increased so fast that he was compelled to read openly in the Tēple, Whereas the number of his audience daily augmented, so the eger fervency of their minds so mightily increased withal, that every man almost: came with his pen and ink to write, and great diligence was bestowed how to come betyme, to take up the first places, where they might best hear, which was about the year of our Lord. 1538. There was y e same time at Bononie, one Cornelius an arrogant babbler, who enueying the doings of this Johannes, took upon him, at the request of Cardinal Campeius, to expound the said Epistle of Saint Paul confuting and disprouing the explanation of y e said John, and extolling the pope withal his traditions. Contrary, John extolled and commended only Christ, and his merits to the people. But the purpose of Cornelius came to small effect. For the auditors which first came to him, began by little to fall from him and the concourse of the other man's auditors, more and more increased.
Which when Cornelius perceived, he persuaded Campeius, that unless he provided that man to be dispatched, the estimation of the Church of Rome would thereby greatly decay. But when they could not openly bring their purpose about, secretly this way was devised, that Cornelius & Johannes should come to opē disputatiō: which disputatiō endured til 3. of the clock after midnight. At length, when neither part could agree, Johannes was bid to return home to his house. Who as he was come down to the lower steps, where the place was most straitest so that his friends could not come to rescue him (although by drawing their swords they declared their good willes) was their taken and laid fast in prison. When the day came, such tumulte and stir was in the whole City, that Cornelius was driven to hide himself. Also Campeius the Cardinal, with the bishop there, were both contemned of the students. The next day, y e Bishop of Bononie sent his Chaūcelour to John in the prison, to signify unto him, y t either he must recant, or else burn. But he being of a bold & cheerful spirit, would in no wise be brought to recant. This one thing grieved him, that he should be condemned, his cause being not heard. In the mean season, Laurentius Spatha above mentioned, being general of that order, in most spedy wise posted up to Rome, & there so practiced with the Cardinal S. Crucis, the Proctor in the court of Rome, for the gray Friars, that the Pope wrote down his letters to Campeius, that he should deliver the said John out of prison: so that he notwithstanding, within 3. months after, should personally appear at Rome. Thus the 30. day of his imprysonment he was delivered: who but for coming of the popes letters, had been burned within 3. days after. Moreover, with the said Mollius, Cornelius also was cited, to make his appearance likewise at Rome, and there was detained in prison by the Cardinal S. Crucis, till his cause should be decided. The friends of Mollius gave him counsel not to go to Rome, & offered him money to go to Germany: but he would not, saying that the Gospel must also be preached at Rome. After he was come to Rome, & appeared before Pope Paul 3. humbly he desired, that the cause being so weighty, might come in public hearing, but that could not be obtained. Then was he commanded to write his mind in Articles, and to bring his proofs: which he dilligētly performed, entreating of Original sin, Justification by saith, Free will, Purgatory and other such like: proving the said articles by the authority of the Scripture, and of ancient fathers, and so exhibited the same to the bysh. of Rome. Upon this, certain Cardinals and Bishops were assigned to have the cause in hearing, who disputed with him 3. days, & could not refell that which he had proved. At last, answer was made unto him thus, that it was truth which he affirmed, nevertheless the same was not meet for this present time, for that it could not be taught or published, without the detriment of the Apostolic sea: wherefore he should abstain hereafter from the Epistles of S. Paul, and so return again safe to Bononie, & there profess Philosophy. Thus, as he was returned to Bononie, and all men there were desirous to know of his case, how he sped at Rome, openly in the pulpit he declared all things in order as they were done, and gave God thanks. Herewith Campeius being more offended then before, obtained of the Pope, that the general of the order should remove the said John Mollius from Bononie, and place him some other where. So Mollius from thence was sent to Neaples, & there was appointed reader and preacher in the Monastery of S. Laurence. But Petrus the Uiceroy there, not abiding his doctrine, so nearly sought his death that he had much ado to escape with life, and so departing frō thence, he went wandering into Italy from place to place, preaching Christ, wheresoerver he came. Not long after this, when Cardinal Cāpeius was dead he was called again unto Bononie by a good Abbot named De Grassis. an. 1543. where he renewed again y