NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
3 3433 06823291 1
»tfe||''i£nlt».i'ViiiH
THE NE^ ""^^^ ;
PUBLIC LIBRA*!
/ / / ^
i:?r
THE
MARTYRS,
OR A
HISTORY OF PERSECUTION-
FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF CHRISTIANITY TO THE
PRESENT TIME:
INCLUDING AN ACCOUNT OF THE TRIALS, TORTURES
AND TRIUMPlff ANT DEATHS OF MANY WHO
HAVE SUFFERED MARTYRDOM.
COMPILED FROM THE WORKS OF FOX AJ^D OTHERS.
Sir MARTIN EUTEH, S. T. B.
President of Augusta College,
CINCINNATI:
PUBLISHED BY R. ROBBINSr.
Printed at the Ctuoniole Ofi^ccr
18^0,
ii^: . :■ .■■■
I <-iK^
X*
_ , DISTRICT OF; PlaiO, SCT,
BE IT 'HEMEMBERED, that x)n the 14th day^xf' JVf arch, iir^^ifef^'i*;
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty, and in OTb/'.'^
54th year of the Independence of the United States of. Ameri(^- '".^
Robbins &, Deming, of said district, have deposited in , ttiis qffice;.tftp , •
title of a book, the right whereof they claim as proprietors,, .jnip^ ;
words and figures following— :*to -wit : , ".'"." ''•'■
^'■The MARTYRS, or a History of Persecution, /ram Xhelco^nmenctr^
mentof Christianity to the present time, including ariiCcauntsif. the trialsi,
tortures, and triumphant deaths of many whfi havv>^it^red%riicirtyrdom'. ..■
Compiled from the works of Fox andotheri.xjBy:'Mi^TIN. RUJlE^, ':
S. T. D. president of Augusta College.''' ."T - ' \
In conformity to the act of Congress of the UftiteS States entitled an
Qct for the encouragement of learning, jjggjj^^ng t.^ c6{)les of ma-figy 'r\*
charts and books, to authors and proprietors of such,, copies dtrffl^" ^,:
the times therein mentioned; and also an act entitled an act suppler /.
mentary to an act entitled an act for the encouragement of learpfng," *^*.
by securing the copies of maps, charts and books, to fhe authors an<jl' ' ?
proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned, and ex-
tending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engfavin^j c^jd
etching historical and Other prints. • ■•; .^
WILLIAM MINERv_ : '> vi;!
Clerk of the District of. Oh%4» •
■•<,■/.'.■.■•-■ %\
I-
•&^
PREFACE.
The firmness and integrity, the piety, patience, and
resignation of those who have suffered in the Christian
cause, have been subjects of admiration from the days of
our Saviour unto the present time. In view of such
irresistable evidence for Christianity, beUevers have been
comforted, the wavering confirmed in the truth, and con-
viction has seized the mind of the Skeptick. The history
of persecution presents to the world a scene of the deep-
est interest and astonishment; in which pious persons of
both sexes, of every age and condition, resolutely endured
the severest tortures, and met death in the most terrible
forms, for the sake of true religion.
When an immense army of witnesses had fallen victims
to Pagan malice, and persecution seemed almost ^eary
of its prey, it was renewed with increasing horrour by a
pf>np1/:» li^nring tli^ nnmo r^f CViricf An apOStatC church,
destitute of primitive Christianity, having mixed Pagan
rites with Christian forms of worship, assumed to herself
the prerogative of enforcing uniformity of opinion; and
with the Pope at her head, aided by the civil power, she
has, during several centuries, made dreadful havock of the
true Church, and added miUions to the list of martyrs.
That the spirit of intolerance is still abroad in the Earthy
we have abundant evidence ; but in America, and in some
parts of the Eastern continent, the enlightened policy of
civil government affords it but little encouragement, and
the rights of conscience are now more generally respected,-
than at any former period.
lY VREfACE.
The following work is intended to exhibit ii concise
view of the principal Christian martyrs, whose sufferings
have been recorded, and the diabolical intolerance under
which they suffered. In compiling it, I have had recourse
to several of the best authorities, but have copied chiefly
from Fox's Book of Martyrs. Among the works which
have been written on the subject, that of Mr. Fox has
been prepared with great labour, and possesses superior
merit; but being large, and expensive, it has a limited
circulation. The present work contains the most valuable
part of that, with many improvements, and a considerable
proportion of additional matter. In this form, it cannot
fail of being ijiteresting to the reader ; and should it prove
useful in extending light and knowledge, in discouraging
an intolerant spirit, and in advancing the true interests of
Christianity, my object in preparing it, will be fully ac?
complished.
M. R.
AucmsTAj January 1, 1830.
THE MARTYRS, AsCa
PART 1.
CHAPTER I.
BUFFERINGS OF CHRIST, HIS APOSTLES, EVANGELISTS, AND
DEACONS.
In surveying the history of the world, we find nothing
that furnishes a more striking evidence of human depravi-
ty, than the spirit of persecution displayed against Chris-
tianity, and the attempt of one man, or society of men, to
exercise authority over the consciences of others in mat-
ters of religion. This spirit has prevailed in different
ages and countries, and no wars have been conducted
with more perseverance and cruelty, than the wars waged
against the free exercise of religious principles.
Of the early sufferers in the Christian cause, the ac-
counts transmitted to us are brief^ including little more
than some principal events of their lives, and the circum-
stances of their n^artyrdom. In many instances we have
only the names and the history of their last moments ; and
there is good reason for believing that thousands have
died under the most dreadful tortures, whose names have
never been recorded.
The great Head of the Church was surrounded, du-
ring- the whole of his ministry, with the most bitter hostil-
ity, and with continual persecution, until he suffered the
death of the cross-. St. John the Baptist, and St.
Stephen, who were his faithful witnesses, were both the:
1*
X) HISTOnV OP THE MARTYRS.
victims of persecution; the one by being beheaded in
prison before the crucilixion of Christ, the other by being
stoned to death a short time after that event. For an
account of the sufferings and death of our Saviour, and
of the deaths of these two faithful v^^itnesses, the reader
is referred to the four Gospels, and the Acts of the Apos-
tles, as contained in the New Testament.
Upon the death of Stephen, a very cruel persecution
arose in Jerusalem and its vicinity, which was conducted
with the most horrid scenes of blood and outrao^e. The
prejudice of the Jews led them to unite with the Pagans
in attempting to destroy the Christian Churchyand dread-
ful tortures were inflicted on old and young of both sexes,
w^ho would not renounce their faith in Christ. Nicanor^
the deacon, together with two thousand Christians suffer-
ed martyrdom; many others finding no place of safety,
fled from the city, and the disciples were much scattered.
St. James the Great, was a Galilean, and brother to
Hi John. His father was a fisherman, and being one day
fishing with his father in the sea of Galilee, he and his
brother were called by their Lord and master to follow^
him. They obeyed tlic call, and were witnesses of his
miracles and sufferings. Herod Agrippa, raised a perse-
cution against the Church, and singled out James as a
particular object of revenge. He was apprehended and
condemned to death; but his faith sustained him in every
trial, and he rejoiced in the prospect of suffering for the
sake of Christ. Such was his firmness and intrepidity
under his sentence, that his accuser became a penitent
and a believer. This so enraged the magistrates, that
they condemned him also to death ; and James and his
converted accuser were slain with the same sword. About
the same time Timon and Parmenas, who were two of the
seven deacons^ suffered martyrdom ; the first at Corinth,
the latter at PhiVippi in Macedonia.
St. Philip was a native of Bethsaida, in Galilee. He
is said to have preached, after the resurrection of Christ,
in upper Asia, and to have laboured dilligently in his
apostleship. He afterwards travelled into Phrygia; and
when he arrived at Heliopolis. he found the inhabitants sa
IHSTOKY OP THE MARTYRS. '
5Uiik in iMorance and idolatry that they adored a hideous
serpent. After being instrumental in converting many ot
the inhabitants to Christianity, he succeeded in procuring
the death of the serpent. For this he was arrested, com-
mitted to prison, scourged with great cruelty, and after-
wards crucified. St. Bartholomew took down his body
from the cross, and had it interred; but this so enraged
the magistrates, that he was very near shanng tlie same
fate. This martyrdom happened eight years after the
death of James the Great, A. D. 52.
St. Matthew was a native of Nazareth, in Gahlee,
but resided during a part of h'f.f'"?,^' Capernaum Of
his early life, Uttle is known. (1) He was a collector of
tribute, and was sitting at the receipt of custom, when he
received the divine call to be a disciple and a mmister of
Christ. He obeyed the call, and accompanied his divine
Master through'various scenes of labour and sufferm^.
After Christ's ascension, he remained about mne years n
Judea, preaching to the inhabitants, and budding up the
cause of Christianity. Having determined on leaving
Judea, that he might visit other parts and preach among
the Gentiles, he wrote his gospel in Hebrew for the use of
the Jewish 'converts. (This work was translated into
Greek by James the Less.) He then departed foi Ethio-
^Tia! where he laboured with great succcss-ordaining
pre'achers and establishing churches in v^'nous p W
He visited Parthia, where he also beheld Chnstianit,
"reading, converts multiplying, and the church m prospei^
>fv. On his return to Ethiopia he was slam, it is said, by
a halberd,in the city of Nadabar, about the y^fjf-
St. Mark. This evangelist and martyr was by birth
1 Je^v of the tribe of Levi. After becoming a disciple,
he':;i^nded St. Peter in his apostolick f -F-^";-^^
When at Rome, the converts requested tnat ne wouta
commit to writing the instructions which they had receivea
from him and others who had preached to hem Ae gospel
n compliance with their request, he wrote ^^ f^Pf "l
the Greek language. Leaving Rome, he departed foi
Alexandria, and afterwards visited and made converts m
1 This may be said of allthe apostles, except St. Pa-iL
8 HISTORY CF THE MARTYRS.
Lybia, On his return to Alexandria, some of the Egyp-
tians, enraged at his si*ccess against idolatry, resolved on
his death. They dragged him through the streets, threw
Inm, mangled and bruised, into a dungeon, where he
remained during the night; and on the next day, they
burned his body. His bones were gathered up by the
Christians and decently interred. A seminary, which was
established at Alexandria under the patronage of Chris-
tians, and of high reputation for learning and piety, is said
to have been founded by this faithful and persevering ser-
vant of Christ.
The apostle James, called James the Less, to distinguish
him from the other disciple of the same name, was b>shop
of Jerusalem. He -vrote his epistle to suppress a danger-
ous crrour then spreading, viz. " That faitli in Christ was
alone sufficient for salvation, without good works." The
Jews being enraged that Paul had escaped from their
hands, by appealing to Rome, determined to wreak their
vengeance on James, who was then 94 years of age. — *-
They beat and stoned him, and afterwards dashed out his
brains with a club..
St. Matthias was called to the apostleship after the
death of Christ, to supply the vacant place o# Judas. —
Previously to this he had been one of the seventy disciples.
He was martyred at Jerusalem, being first stoned and then
beheaded.
St. Andrew was the brother of St. Peter, and a faithful
martyr. He preached the gospel in different parts of
Asia, labouring much to turn the multitudes from idolatr}-.
On arriving at Edessa, he was threatened and abused for"
preaching against the idols that were worshipped by the
inhabitants. The apostle persisting in his labours, was
ordered to be crucified on a cross, two ends of which wei e
transversely fixed in the ground. He told his accusers
that he would not have preached the glory of the cross, if
he had feared to die on it. He was not nailed to the cross,
but fastened to it with cords, that his death might be more
slow and painful. In this situation he is said to have
continued two days — sometimes preaching to the people in
the midst of his sufferings; after which he expired..
HISTORY OF THE MARl VRS. 9
St. PfJTER. This apostle was bom at Bctiisaida, in
Galilee, being the son of Jonah, a tisherman, — which
employment St. Peter himself followed. After becoming
a disciple, he gave evidence of great zeal for the service
of Christ, and appeared as the principal speaker among
the apostles. He had the weakness to deny his Master at
a time of great trial, but the sincerity of his repentance
was manifest through the whole of his subsequent life.
After the death of Christ, the Jews continued to perse-
cute the Christians ; and caused several of them, among
w^hom was Peter, to be scourged. This punishment they
bore with gladness, rejoicing that they were accounted
worthy to suffer for the sake of their Redeemer.
When Herod Agrippa caused St. James to be put to
death, and found that it pleased the Jews, he resolved that
Peter should fall the next sacrifice. He was accordingly
thrown into prison ; from which, however, he escaped by a
providential interposition. After various labours, miracles,
and much suffering, he is said to have retired to Rome,
where he was thrown into prison by order of Nero. —
Having been nine months in prison, Peter was brought out
for execution. After being severely scourged, he was
crucified with his head downwards. This manner of cru-
cifixion was what he had particularly requested, deeming
himself unvp-orthy to suffer as Christ had.
St. Paul was a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, born at
To reus in Cilicia. His education was of the best kind, both
in learning and morals, as far as they were then understood.
He was at first a most determined enemy to the Christian
cause, and a bitterjjersecutor of those who espoused it.
But after a miraculous conversion, he became a strenuous
supporter and an able minster of the gospels At Iconium,
Paul and Barnabas were near being stoned to death by the
enraged Jews. At Lystra, Paul was stoned, dragged out
of the city, supposed to be dead ; but afterwards he revived.
At Philippi, Paul and Silas were imprisoned and scourged.
Being afterwards taken at Jerusalem, he was sent to Cae-
sarea; but appealing to Caesar, he was sent to Rome. At
Rome he remained a prisoner at large for two years; but
•"ontinued to instruct and exhort all who came in his way,
10 HISTORY OF THE MARTVKS'.
and was useful to many. At length being released, he
visited the churches of Greece and Rome, and preached
in Gaul and Iberia. Returning to Rome, he was again
apprehended, and by order of Nero, received the crown
of martyrdom by being beheaded. His abundant l^ours,
extensive usefulness, and remarkable humility, are evident
from his own epistles, and from what is said in the Acts of
the Apostles concerning him.
St. Jude was the brother of James, and was sometimes
called Thaddaeus. Being sent to Edessa, he was exten-
sively useful, and made many converts to the Christian
cause. But the indignation of the Pagans was excited
against him, and he was crucified in the year 72.
Bartholomew, the apostle of Christ, is said to have
preached in several countries, and wrought miracles in
healing diseases. He translated St. Matthew's gospel into
the Indian language, and propagated it in that country. —
Persecution arose against him, and the idolaters becoming
exasperated, he was arrested, severely beaten, flayed, and
then crucified.
St. Thomas was called by this name in Syriack, but in
Greek he was called Didymus. He was an apostle of
Christ, and preached in Parthia and India; in which
places he was much persecuted — and in India he was
finally murdered, by being thrust through with a spear.
St. Luke, the evangelist, was the author of the gospel
that bears his name in the New Testament. He travelled
with St. Paul to Rome, and preached in various places to
the benighted Pagans, until he became the victim of their,
malice. The Pagan priests at G i e^ce hanged him upon a
tree. ^
St. Simon. This apostle and martyr was distinguished
by the name of Zelotes, on account of his zeal for Chris-
tianity. He preached with great success in Mauritania,
and other parts of Africa, and even in Britain, vrhere he
made many converts. He was crucified under Trajan, in
the year 74.
St. John was distinguished by being a prophet, apostle,
evangelist, and divine. He was a brother to James the
Great, and called the beloved disciple. He founded chur-
HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS. H
"^es m Smyrna, Pergamus, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodi-
cea, and Thyatyra, to whom, with the church at Ephesus,
he directs his book of Revelations. Beir.g at Ephesus, he
was ordered by the emperour Domitian to be sent bound
to Rome, where he was condemned to be cast into boiling
oil. But this sentence was executed without any injury
to him, and he was banished to the island of Patmos. He
was afterwards released from banishment by the empe-
rour Nerva. He was the only apostle who escaped a vio-
lent death ; and this seems to have been by miraculous inter-
position. He lived longer than any other apostle, and died
in peace, being nea»r one hundred years of age.
CHAP. n.
THE FIRST GENERAL PERSECUTION OF THE CHRISTIANS,
WHICH BEGAN IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD SIXTY-SEVEN,
UNDER THE REIGN OF THE E3IPER0R NERO,
This monarch reigned, for five years, with credit to
himself, but then gave way to the most extravagant and
atrocious barbarities. He ordered that the city of Rome
should be set on fire, by his officers, guards, and servants ;
and whilst the imperial city was in flames, he went up to
the tower of Maecenas, played upon his lyre, sung the song
of the burning of Troy^ and declared, "That he wished
the ruin of all things before his death." Among the no-
ble buildings burnt was the Circus, capable of accommo-
dating 100,000 spectators. Besides this, many palaces
and houses were consumed ; and thousands of the inhabi-
tants perished in the flames, being smothered with the
smoke, or buried beneath the ruins.
This dreadful conflagration continued nine days ; when
Nero, finding a severe odium cast upon him, determined
to lay the whole upon the Christians, at once to excuse
himself, and have an opportunity of glutting his sight
with new cruelties. Thus commenced the first general
persecution; and the barbarities exercised upon the
•Christians were such as even excited the conimiseration
12 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
of the Romans themselves. Nero even refined upon cru-
elty towards the Christians. In particular, he had some
sewed up in the skins of wild beasts, and then w^orried by
dogs till they expired; and others were dressed in gar-
ments made stiti" with wax, fixed to axle-trees, and set on
fire in his gardens, in order to illuminate them. This per-
secution was general throughout the Roman empire; but
it rather increased than diminished the spirit of Christi-
anity. In the course of it, St. Paul and St. Peter were
martyred.
Erastus, chamberlain of Corinth, converted through
the ministry o^^t, Paul, determined to follow the fortune
of that apospe. He therefore resigned his office, and ac-
companied 1§t. Paul in his voyages and travels, till the
latter left him in Macedonia, where he .was appointed
bishop of that province by the Christians; and afterwards
suflfered martyrdom, being tortured to death by the Pa-
gans at Philippi.
Aristarchus, the constant companion of St. Paul, hav-
ing accompanied him to Rome, suffered the same fate
as the apostle ; for being seized as a Christian, he was
beheaded by the command of Nero.
Trophimus, an Ephesian by birth, and a Gentile by re-
ligion, was converted by St. Paul to the Christian faith,
and was witness to the martyrdom of his master, wliich
was but the forerunner of his own; for being soon after
seized on account of his faith, he was beheaded by Nero's
express orders.
Joseph, commonly called Barsabas, was a primitive
disciple, and usually deemed one of the seventy. He was
related to our blessed Redeemer, and became a candidate,
together with Matthias, to fill the vacant place of Judas
Iscariot, the traitor.
During his life he was a zealous preacher of the gospel ;
and havingreceived many insults from the Jews, at length
w^s murdered by the Pagans in Judea.
Ananius, bishop of Damascus, celebrated in the sacred
writings for beirtg the person who cured St. Paul of the
blindness with which he was struck by the amazing bright-
ness which happened at his conversion, was one of the
HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS. 13
seventy, and martyred in the city of Damascus. After
his death a Christian church was built over the place of
his burial, now converted into a Turkish mosque.
CHAP. III.
THE SECOND GENERAL PERSECUTION OF THE PRIMITIVE
CHRISTIANS, UNDER THE EMPEROR DOMITIAN.
DoMiTiAN, naturally inclined to cruelty, first slew his
brother, and then raised the second persecution against
the Christians ; he even put to death many of the Roman
senators; some through malice, and others to confiscate
their estates. He then commanded all the lineage of Da-
vid to be put to death. Two Christians were brought
before the emperor, and accused of being of the tribe of
Judah, and line of David ; but, from their answers, he de-
spised them as idiots, and dismissed them accordingly.
Determined to be more secure upon other occasions, he
took away the substance of many Christians, banished
others, aad put several to death.
During this persecution, Simeon, bishop of Jerusalem,
was crucified ; and St. John was boiled in oil, and after-
wards banished to Patmos. Flavia, the daughter of a Ro-
man senator, was likewise banished to Pontus ; and a law
was made, that no Christian, once brought before the
tribunal, should be exempted from punishment without
renouncing his religion.
A variety of fabricated tales Avere, during this reign,
composed, in order to injure the Christians. They were
accused of holding indecent nightly meetings, and being
of a rebellious turbulent spirit to the Roman empire, of
murdering their children, and even of being cannibals.
The infatuation of the Pagans was so great, that if famine,
pestilence, or earthquakes, afflicted any of the Roman
provinces, it was laid upon the Christians. These perse-
cutions increased tlie number of informers: and many, for
the sake of gain, perjured themselves to destroy the inno-
cent Christians.
14 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
Another cruelty was, that when any Christians were
brought before the magistrate?^, a test oath was proposed,
and on refusal to take it, death was pronounced against
them; and the sentence was the same, if they confessed
themselves Christians, and they suffered the various kinds
of punishments of imprisonment, racking, searing, boiling,
burning, scourging, stoning, strangling, hanging, &c.
Some were torn piecemeal with red-hot pincers; and
others tiirown upon the horns of wild bulls! After hav-
ing suffered these cruelties, the friends of the deceased
Christians were refused the privilege of burying their
remains.
The most remarkable among the numerous martyrs,
who suffered during this persecution, were
DioNYsius, the Areopagite, an x\thenian by birth, and
educated in all the useful and ornamental literature of
Greece. He then travelled to Egypt to study astronomy,
and made very particular observations on the great and
supernatural eclipse which happened at the time of our
Saviour's crucifixion.
On his return to Athens he was highly honoured by the
people, and at length promoted to the dignity of senator of
that celebrated city. Becoming a convert to the gospel,
he changed from the Pagan magistrate to the pious Chris-
tian pastor.
The sanctity of his conversation, and purity of his man-
ners, recommended him so strongly to the Christians in
general, that he was appointed bishop of Athens. He dis-
charged his duty with the utmost diligence till the second
year of tliis persecution, A. D. 96, when he was appre-
hended and beheaded.
NicoMEDEs, a Christian of distinction at Rome, during
the rage of Domitian's persecution, sensed the afflicted,
by comforting the poor, visiting those confined, exhorting
the w^avering, and confirming the faithful. For these and
other pious actions, he was seized as a Christian, and
scourged to death.
Protasus and Gervvsius were martyred at Milan.
Timothy, the celebrated disciple of St. Paul, and bish-
op of Ephesus, w^as born at Lystra, in the province of
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 15
Lycaonia, his father being a Gentile, and his mother a
Jewess. But both his parents and his grandmother em-
braced Christianity, by which means young Timothy was
taught the precepts of the gospel from his infancy.
St. Paul sent to Timothy while he was in his last con-
finement at Rome, to come to him; and, after that great
apostle's martyrdom, he returned to Ephesus, where he
zealously governed the church till A. D. 97. At this pe-
riod the Pagans celebrating a feast called Catagogion, the
principal ceremonies of which were, that the people should
carry battons in their hands, go masked, and bear about
the streets the images of their gods. Timothy met the
procession, and severely reproved them for their ridicu-
lous idolatry, which so exasperated the people, that they
fell upon him with their clubs, and beat him in so dread-
ful a manner, that he expired of the bruises two days af-
ter.
CHAP. IV.
THE THIRD GENERAL PERSECUTION OF THE PRIMITIVE
CHRISTIANS.
Nerva succeeding Domitian, gave a respite to the
Christians ; but reigning only thirteen months, his succes-
sor, Trajan, in the tenth year of his reign, A, D. 108, be-
gan the third persecution against the Christians. Whilst
the persecution raged, the second Pliny wrote to the em-
peror in favour of the Christians ; to whose epistle Tra-
jan returned this ambiguous answer; '^The Christians
ought not to be sought after; but when brought before
the magistracy, they should be punished."
Such an absurd reply made TertuUian exckiim in the
following words, "O, confused sentence 1 he would not
have them sought for as innocent, and yet would have
them punished as guilty." The emperor's answer, how-
ever, occasioned the persecution in some measure to abate,
as his officers were uncertain, if they carried it on with
severity, how he might choose to wrest his own meaning.
Trajan, however, soon after wrote to Jerusalem, and gave
16 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
orders to his officers to exterminate the stock of David;
in consequence of which, all that could he found of that
race were nnurdered,
Sympiiorosa, a widow, and her seven sons, being com-
manded by the emperor, to sacrifice to the heathen deities,
unanimously refused to comply with such an impious re-
quest; tlie emperour,inarage, told her, that, for her obsti-
nacy, herself, and her sons, should be slain, to appease the
wrath of his offended deities: to which she answered,
'•That if he murdered her and her children, the idols he'
adored would only be held in the greater detestation."
The emperour, greatly exasperated at this, ordered her
to be carried to the temple of Hercules, where she was
scourged, and hung up, for some time, by the hair of her
head; then a large stone was fastened to her neck, and
she was thrown into the river, where she expired. The
sons were fastened to seven posts, and being drawn up by
pulhes, their limbs were dislocated. After being some
time under these tortures, they were stabbed in various
places, until they expired.
Phocas, bishop of Pontus, refusing to sacrifice to Nep-
tune, was, by the immediate order of Trajan, cast first in-
to a hot hme-kiln, and then thrown into a scalding bath
where he expired, '
Trajan likewise commanded the martyrdom of Ignatius,
bisaop of Antioch. This holy man was the person whom
when an infant, it has been said, Christ took into his arms
and shewed him to his disciples, as one that w^ould be a
pattern of humility and innocence. He received the gos-
pel afterwards from St. John the evangelist, and was ex-
ceedingly zealous in his mission. Having boldly vindica-
ted the faith of Christ before the emperour,he was cast into
prison, and tormented in the following most cruel manner.
After being dreadfully scourged, he was compelled to
hold fire in his hands; and at the same time, papers dip-
ped in 01 were put to his sides, and set on fire. His
flesh was then torn with red-hot pincers; and at last he
was dispatched by being torn to pieces by wild beasts.
Irajan being succeeded by Adrian, the latter contin-
ued this persecution with as much severitv as his predeces-
HISTORY OP THE MxVRTYRS. , 17
sor. About this time Alexander, bishop of Rome, and
his two deacons, were martyred; as were Quirinus and
Hermes, with their famihes ; Zenon, a Koman nobleman,
and about ten thousand other Christians.
In Mount Ararat many were crucified, crowned with
thorns, and spears ran into their sides, in imitation of
Christ's passion, Eustachius, a brave and successful Ro-
man commander, was by the emperour ordered to join in
an idolatrous sacrifice to celebrate some of his own victo-
ries ; but his faith (being a Christian in his heart) was so
much greater than his vanity, that he nobly refused it.
Enraged at the denial, the ungrateful emperour forgot the
services of this skilful commander, and ordered him and
his whole family to be martyred.
At the inartyrdom of Faustines and Jovita, brothers and
citizens of Brescia, their torments were so many, and
their patience so great, that Calocerius, a Pagan, behold-
ing them, was struck with admiration, and exclaimed, in
a kind of extasy, "Great is the God of the Christians!"
for which he was apprehended, and suffered a similar fate.
Many other similar cruelties and rigours were exercis-
ed against the Christians, till Quadratus, bishop of Athens,
made a learned apology in their favour before ihe empe-
rour, who happened to be there; and Aristides, a philoso-
pher of the same city, wrote an elegant epistle, which
caused Adrian to relax in his severities. He indeed went
so far as to command that no Christian should be punish-
ed on the score of religion or opinion only: but this gcive
other handles against them to the Jews and Pagans; who
began to employ and suborn false witnesses, to accuse
them of crimes against the state, or civil autliority.
Adrian dying in the year A. D. 138, was succeeded by
Antonius Pius, one of the most amiable monarchs that ev-
er reigned: his people giving him a title which he justly
deserved, viz. The Father of Virtues. Immediately
upon his accession to the imperial throne, he published an
edict, forbidding any farther persecutions against the
Christians, and concluded it in these words : "If any here-
after shall vex or trouble the Christians, having no other
cause but that they are such, let the accused be released,
18 IIISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
and the accusers be punished." This stopped the perse
cution; and the Christians enjoyed a respite from theii
sufferings during this emperor's reign; though their ene-
mies took all occasions privately to do them every injury
in their power.
CHx\P. V.
THE FOURTH GENERAL PERSECUTION OF THE PRIMITIVE
CHRISTIANS, A. D. ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-TWO.
The fourth persecution was commenced under Antoni-
nus, surnamed the Philosopher; who succeeded the former,
and was a strenuous Pagan.
The cruelties used in this persecution were such that
many of the spectators shuddered with horror, and were
astonished at the intrepidity of the sufferers. Some of
the martyrs were obliged to pass with their already
wounded feet over thorns, nails, sharp shells, &c. their
points being upwards; otiiers were scourged till their
sinews and veins were laid bare ; and, after suffering the
most excruciating torturs that could be devised, were de-
stroyed by the most terrible deaths.
Germanicus, a young Christian, being delivered to the
wild beasts on account of his faith, behaved with such as-
tonishing courage, that several Pagans became converts
to the faith which inspired such fortitude;
Polycarp, the pious and venerable bishop of Smyrna,
hearing that persons were about to apprehend him, es-
caped, but was discovered by a child. From this circunrt-
stance, he concluded that it was God's will that he sliould
seal his faith with martyrdom. He therefore would not
attempt to make a second e§cape, when he had an oppor-
tunity of so doing. Those who apprehended him, were
amazed at his serene countenance, and comely gravity.
After feasting them, he desired an hour in prayer, which
being allowed, he prayed with such fervency, that his
guards repented they had been instrumental in taking
him. He was, however, carried before the pro-consuL
v^^'
w^
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 19
condemned, and conducted to the market-place. Wood
being provided, the holy man earnestly prayed to heaven,
after being bound to the stake ; and as the flames grew ve-
hement, the tormentors gave way on each side, the heat be-
coming intolerable. In the mean time the bishop sang
praises to God in the midst of the flames. Twelve other
Christians, who had been intimate with Polycarp, were
soon after martyred.
Metrodorus, a minister, who had boldly preached, and
Pionius, who made some excellent apologies for the
Christian faith, were likewise burnt. Carpus and Papilus,
and Agathonica, a pious woman, suffered martyrdom at
Pargamopolis, in Asia.
Felicitatis, an illustrious Roman lady, of a considerable
family, and the most shining virtues, had seven sons, whom
she had educated with the most exemplary piety. The
empire having been, about this time, grievously troubled
with earthquakes, famine, inundations, &c. the Christians
were accused as the cause, and Felicitatis was included
in the accusation. The lady and her family being seized,
the emperour gave orders to Publius, the governor of
Rome, to proceed against her.
Publius began with the mother, thinking that if he
could prevail upon her to change her religion, that the
example would have great influence with her sons. Find-
ing her inflexible, he turned his intreaties to menaces, and
threatened destruction to herself and family, She des-
pised his threats as she had done his promises ; on which
lie began with the sons, whom he examined separately.
They, however, remained unanimously steadfast in their
faith, on which, the whole family were ordered for execution.
Januarius, the eldest, was scourged, and pressed to death
with weights: Felix and Philip had their brains dashed
out with clubs ; Silvanus was murdered by being thrown
from a precipice ; and the three younger sons, viz. Alex-
ander, VitaUs, and Martial, were all beheaded. With
respect to the mother, she was beheaded with the same
sword as the three latter.
Justin, the celebrated philosopher, fell a martyr in
Ihis persecution. He was a native of Neapolis^ in Sa-^
20 HISTORY OF Tilt: MARTVRS.
maria, and was born A. J). 103. Justin was a great lover
of truth, and a universal scholar. He investi^Jtted the
Stoic and Peripatetic philosophy, and attempted the
Pythagorean; but the behaviour of one of its professqrs
disgusting him, he applied himself to the Platonic, in
which he took great delight; and about the year 133,
when he was thirty years of age, he became a convert to
Christianity, and then, for the first time, perceived the
the real nature of truth.
He also wrote an elegant epistle to the Gentiles, to
convert them to the faith he had newly acquired; and
lived in so pure and innocent a manner, that it was evi-
dent he merited the title of a Christian philosopher.
r Having employed his talents in convincing the Jews of
the truth of Christianity, he spent a great^deal of time
in travelling, till he took up his abode in Rome, and fixed
his habitation upon the Viminal mount.
He kept a public school, taught many who afterwards
became great men. and wrote a treatise to confute here-
sies of all kinds. As the Pagans began about this time
to treat the Christians with great severity, Justin wrote
his first apology in their favour, and addressed it to the
emperour, to the two princes whom he had adopted as his
sons, and to the senate and people of Rome in general.
This piece displayed great learning and genius, and was
written with such manly elegance, that it occasioned the
emperour to publish an edict in favor of the Christians.
The apology of Justin, upon these severities, gave Cre's-
cens, tho Cynic, an opportunity of prejudicing the em-
perour against the writer of it: upon which Justin, and
six of his companions, were apprehended. Being com-
manded, as usual, to deny their faith, and sacrifice to the
the Pagan idols, they absolutely refused to do either. On
their refusal, they were condemned to be first scourged
and then beheaded; -which sentence was executed with
all imaginable severity.
In Ga^l, the tortures to which many of the Christian^?
were puf, almost exceed the powers of description. Thus
aspersions, ililse accusations, taunts, ^ireats, revilings,
mcnacings, were but forerunners to all manner of punish-
HISTORV OF THE MARTYRS. 2i
ments, torments, and painful deaths ; such as being ban-
ished, plundered, beaten, imprisoned, stoned, assasinated,
hanged, burnt, &c. and even the servants and slaves of
opulent christians were racked and tortured, to make
them accuse their masters and employers.
. Yetius Agathus, a young man, having boldly plead-
ed the christian cause, was asked if he was a christian?
To which, answering in the affirmative, he was condem-
ned to death. Many, animated by this young man's in-
trepidity, boldly owned their faith, and suffered as he had
done.
Bla.ndinia, a Christian, but of a weak constitution, be-
ing seized and tortured upon the account of her religion,
received so much strength from heaven, that her torturers
became frequently tired, and were surprised at her being
able to bear her torments with such resolution, and for so
great a length of time.
Sanctus, a deacon of Vienne, was put to the torture,
which he bore with great fortitude, and only cried, " I am
a Christian." Red-hot plates of brass were placed upon
those parts of the body that were tenderest, which con-
tracted the sinews ; but he remaining inflexible, was re-
conducted to prison. Being brought out from his place
of confinement a few days afterwards, he received the
crown of martyrdom by being beheaded.
Biblias, a weak wornan^ had been an apostate, but
having returned to the faith, was martyred, and bore her
sufferings with great patience. Attains, of Pergamus,
was another sufferer: and Pothinus, the venerable bishop
of Lyons, who was ninety years of age, was so unmerci-
iUUy treated by the enraged Pagan mob, that he expired
two days after in prison.
When the Christians upon these occasions, received
martyrdom, they were ornamented, and crowned with
garlands of flowers; for which they in heaven received
eternal crowns of glory.
The torments were various; and, exclusive of those
already mentioned, the martyrs of Lyons were compelled
to sit in red-hot iron chairs till their flesh broiled. This
was inflicted with peculiar severity on Sanctus, already
22 histohy op the martyrs.
mentioned, and some others. Some were sewed up m
nets, and thrown on the horns of wikl hulls; and the car-
cases of those who died in prison, previous to the appoint-
ed time of execution, were thrown to dogs. Indeed, so
far did the malice of the Pagans proceed, that they set
guards over the bodies Avhile the beasts were devouring
them, lest the friends of the deceased -should get them
away by stealth; and the offals left by the dogs were
ordered to be burnt.
The martyrs of Lyons, who suffered for the gospel, ac-
cording to the best accounts, were forty-eight in number,
and their executions happened A. D. 177. They all died
with great fortitude and serenity of mind, evidently dis-
playing, that they experienced the hope of an immortal
and happy hfe.
Epipodius and Alexander, were celebrated for their
great friendship, and their Christian union with each
other. The first w as born at Lyons, the latter in Greece.
They were of mutual assistance to each other, and pre-
pared themselves for receiving martyrdom in this world,
and a crown of glory in the next, by the continual prac-
tice af all manner of Christian virtues.
When the persecution began first to rage at Lyons, they
were in the prime of life, and, to avoid the effects of its
severities, they withdrew to a neighbouring village. Here
they were for some time, concealed by a Christian widow,
whose piety protected, while her obscurity gave a sanction
to their retreat.
But as they were eminent persons, the malice of their
persecutors sought them out with indefatigable industry
to their place of concealment. Dragged from their re-
tirement, they were committed to prison without examina-
tion: but their misfortunes did not oppress their spirits;
for, shielded by the Gospel, they were secure against the
woes incident to this life.
At the expiration of three days, they were brought
before the governor, and examined in the presence of a
crowd of Pagans. They confessed the divinity of Christ;
when the governor, being enraged at what he termed
nrSTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 23
their insolence, exclaimed "what signifies all the forn^er
executions, if some yet remain who dare acknowledge
Christ?"
Having , separated them, that they should not console
with, or fortify each other, he hegan to tamper with
Epipodius, the younger. With a dissembled kindness,
he pretended to pity his condition, and intreated him not
to ruin himself by obstinacy. "Our deities (continued
he) are worshipped by the greater part of the people in
"the universe, and their rulers ; we adore them with feast-
ing and mirth, W'hile you adore a crucified man; we, to
honour them, launch into pleasures; you, by your faith,
are debarred from all that indulges the senses. Our re-
ligion enjoins feasting; yours fasting; our's the joys of
licentious blandishments, yours the barren virtue of chas-
tity. Can you expect protection from one, who could not
secure himself from the persecutions of a contemptible
people? Then quit a profession of such austerit}^, and
enjoy those gratifications which the world affords, and
w^hich your youthful years demand."
To this illusive harangue Epipodius repHed; "Your
pretended tenderness is actually cruelty; and the agreea-
ble life you describe, is replete with everlasting death.
Christ suffered for us, that our pleasures should be im-
mortal, and hath prepared for his followers an eternity of
bliss. The frame of man being composed of two parts,
body and soul ; the first, as mean and perishable, should
be rendered subservient to the interests of the last. Your
idolatrous feasts may gratify the mortal, but they injure
the immortal part: that cannot therefore be enjoying life,
which destroys the most valuable moiety of your frame.
Your pleasures lead to eternal death, and our pains to
perpetual happiness."
Epipodius, upon this, was severely beaten, arjd then put
to the rack, upon which being stretched, his flesh, was
torn Avitb iron hooks. Having born his torments with in-
credible patience, and unshaken fortitude, he w^as taken
from the rack, and beheaded.
Alexander, his companion, was brought before the
Judge, two days after the execution of that excellent
"^4: HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
young man. On his absolute refusal to renounce Chris-
tianity, he was placed upon the rack, and beaten by three
executioners, who relieved each other alternately. He
bore his sufferings with similar fortitude as his friend, and
at length received the conclusion of his glorious martyr-
dom, by being crucified. These martyrs suffered A. D. 179.
Valerian and Marcellus, who were nearly related to
each other, were imprisoned at Lyons, in the year 177,
for being Christians. By some means, however,, they
effected their escape, and travelled different ways.
Marcellus made several converts in the territories oi
Besancon and Chalons, but being apprehended, was car-
ried before Priscus, the governor of the province.
That magistrate, knowing Marcellus to be a Christian,
ordered him to be fastened to the branches of a tree, which
were drawn down for that purpose, with a design, that the
suddenness of the jerks on their return to their former
position, might tear him to pieces.
This horrid invention failing in its proposed end, the
martyr was conducted to Chalons, to be present at some
idolatrous sacrifices, at which, refusing to assist, he was put
to the torture, and afterwards fixed up to the waist in the
ground ; in which position, after rcmainin<2j three davs, he
expired, A. D. 179. ^ '
Valerian was soon after apprehended ; and, being first
put to the rack, was then beheaded.
The emperor Antonious dying, was succeeded A. D.
180, by his son Commodus, who'did not copy his father
either in his virtues or his vices; he was without his learn-
ing and morality, and, at the same time, without his preju-
dices against Christianity. His principal foible was pride,
and to that are chiefly ascribed the errors of his reio-n;
for having taken it into his head to fancy himself Hercu?es^
he sacrificed those to his vanity who refused to subscribe
to his absurdity.
Apollonius, a Roman senator, became a martyr in his
reign. This eminent person was at once skilled in all the
polite hterature of those times ; and was, indeed, an ac-
complished gentleman, as well as a sincere Christian.
He was accused by his own slave, Severus, upon aijL
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 25
unjust and contradictory, but unrepealed, edict of the
emperor Trajan. This inconsistent law condemned the
accused to die, unless he recanted his opinion ; and, at the
same time, ordered the execution of the accuser for
calumny,
Apollonius, refusing to recant his opinions, was, by order
of his peers, the Roman senators, to whom he had appealed^
condemned to be beheaded. The sentence was executed
A. D. 186; his accuser having previously held his legs
broken, and been put to death,
Eusebius, Vincentius, Potentianus, Peregrinug, were all
martyred for refusing to worship Commodus.
Julius, a Roman senator, becoming a convert to Chris-
tianity, was ordered, by the emperor, to sacrifice to him, —
This Julius absolutely refused, and publicly professed
himself a Christian, On this account, after remaining in
prison a considerable time, he was, in the year 190,
pursuant to his sentence, beat to death with cudgels, and
died a glorious martyr to the truth.
CHAPTER VI.
THE FIFTH GENERAL PERSECUTION OF THE CHRISTIANS^
Commodus dying in 191, was succeeded by Pertinax,
and Julianus. On the death of the last, in the year 192,
Severus became emperour.
Having been recovered from a severe fit of sickness by
a Christian, he became a great favourer of Christians in
general; and even permitted his son Caracalla to be nursed
by a female Christian. H^nce, during the reigns of these
two emperours, the Christians were not persecuted; but
ha4 a respite of several years.
At length, in the latter part of the reign of Severus, the
progress of Christianity alarmed the Pagans, and they
revived the calumnies of placing accidental misfortunes to
ttic account of its professors. Fire, sword, scourges, wild
beasts, and cruel imprisonments, were now used; and
even the dead bodies of Christians were torn from their
graves to be mangled, and to satisfy popular fury,
o
'26 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
But though persecution raged, yet the gospel shone with
resplendent brightness; and, hnn as an impregnable rock,
withstood the attack of its boisterous enemies with success.
TertuUian, who lived in this age, informs us, *' that if the
Christians had collectively withdrawn themselves from the
Roman territories, the empire would have beeo greatly
depopulated."
Victor, bishop of Rome, suffered martyrdom in the first
year of the third century.
Leonidas, the father of the celebrated Origen, was be-
headed. Previous to the execution, the son, in order to
encourage him, wrote to him in these remarkable words:
" Beware, sir, that your care for us does not make you
change your resolution." Many of Origen's hearers like-
wise suffered martyrdom ; particularly two brothers, named
Plutarchus and Serenus : another Serenus, Heron, llera-
clides, were beheaded: Rhais had boiling pitch poured
upon her head, and was then burnt, as was Marcella her
mother, and her sister Potamiena; but Basilides, an officer
belonging to the army, and one ordered to attend her exe-
cution, became a convert.
This Basilides, as an officer, being required to take a
profane oath, refused, saying, that he could not swear by
the Roman idols, as he was a Christian. Struck with
surprise, the people could not, at first believe what they
heard ; but he had no sooner confirmed what he had saic^,
than he was dragged before the Judge, committed to
prison, and speedily beheaded.
Irenasus, bishop of Lyons, was born in Greece, and
received a polite and a Christian education. It is gener-
ally supposed, that the account of the persecutions at liVons
was written by him. He succeeded the martyr Pothinus
as bishop of Lyons, and ruled his diocese with great pro-
priety: he was a zealous opposer of heresies in general,
and about A. D. 187, wrote a celebrated tract against
heresy. This zeal in favour of Christianity, pointed him
out as an object of resentment to the emperour; and in A.
D. '302, he was accordingly beheaded.
The persecutions now extended to Africa, and many
were martyred in that quarter of the globe — among whom
were the following:
HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS. 2t
Perpetua^a married lady, of about twenty-two years of
age, with a young sucking child at her breast, was seized
for being a Christian. During her confinement, the father,
who tenderly loved her, went to console her; and at the
same time would fain have persuaded her to renounce
Christianity. Ferpetua, however, preserving all the re-
spect due to a parent, maintained the character of a Chris-
tian. Her resolution so much incensed her father, that he
now beat her unmercifully, and did not visit her for some
days after. This gave her, and some others who were
confined at the same time, an opportunity of being bap-
tized, as they were before only catechumens.
Being carried before the pro-consul Minutius, she was
commanded to sacrifice to idols; but refusing, she was
ordered to a dark dungeon. The gloom of this place was
of itself disgustful, but being deprived of her child was
much more so. Two deacons, Tertius and Pomponius,
who had the care of persecuted Christians, procured her
some few hours daily to breathe the fresh air, during
which time she had the satisfaction of being allowed to
suckle her child. Foreseeing, however, that she should
not long be permitted to take care of it, she recommended
it strongly to her mother's care.
The father of Perpetua paid her a second visit, and
again besought her to renounce Christianity. His beha-
viour now was all paternal tenderness, and endearing
humanity. If any thing worldly could have softened her,
this would; but inflexible to all things but Christ, she
knew she must leave every thing for his sake; and she
only said to him, " God's will must be done." With an
heart almost bursting he left her, and found his only con-
solation in his tears.
On her trial, Perpetua gave the greatest proofs of for-
titude, though of a sex naturally timorous ; and exhibited
to her friends, as well as a great number of spectators, an
amazing strength of mind.
The judge intreated her to consider her father's tears,
her infant's helplessness, and her own life ; but triumphing
over nature, she forgot the ideas of mental and corporeal
pain; and determined to sacrifice all transitory things to
that immortality offered by Christ,
28 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
Finding that she must die, the fathers parental tender-
ness returned; and in the eagerness of his anxiety, he
attempted to carry her off — on which account he received
a severe blow from one of the oihcers. The daughter now
showed that she had not lost all natural sentiments of
filial duty; she immediately declared that she felt that
blow more severely than if she had received it herself.—-
Being conducted back to prisoi>, she remained for the day
of execution, when several other persons were to be exe-
cuted with her. These were —
Felicitas, a married Christian lady, and Revocatus, a
catechumen of Carthage; Saturninus, Secundulus, and
Satur.
On the day appointed for the execution, they were led to
the amphitheatre. Satur, Saturninus, and Revocatus,
were bold enough to denounce God's judgments upon
their persecutors, and were ordered to run the gantelope
between the hunters, or such as had the care of the wild
beasts. The hunters being drawn up in two ranks, they
ran between, and were severely lashed as they passed.
Felicitas and Perpetua were thrown to a mad bull. — .
The bull made his first attack upon Perpetua, and stunned
her; he then attacked Felicitas, and wounded her much;
but not killing them, the executioner did that office with a
sword. Revocatus and Satur were destroyed by wild
beasts; Saturninus was beheaded; and Secundulus died
in prison. These executions took place in the year 205.
Speratus, and twelve others, were likewise beheaded;
as was Andoclus in France. Asclepiades, bishop of An-
tioch, suffered many tortures, but his life was spared.
Cecilia, a young Christian lady of Rome, having been
married to a gentleman named Valerian, soon persuaded
her husband to embrace the same faith ; and his conversion
was speedily followed by that of his brother Tiburtius.
These things drew upon them all the vengeance of the
civil magistrate. The two brothers were beheaded ; and
the maximus, or officer who led them to execution, becom
ing their convert, suffered the same fate.
The lady was doomed to be placed naked in a scalding
HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS. 29
bath, and having continued there a considerable time, her
head was struck off with a sword, A. D. 222.
Cahstus, bishop of Rome, was martyred A. D, 224;
and Urban, bishop of Rome, met the same fate, A. D. 232.
Agapetus, a boy of Prasneste, in Italy, only fifteen years
of age, absolutely refusing to sacrifice to the idols, was
severely scourged, and then hanged up by the feet, and
boiling water poured over him. He was afterwards
worried by wild beasts, and beheaded. The officer, named
Antiochus,^ who superintended this execution whilst it was
performing, fell suddenly from his judicial seat, cried out
*' that his bowels burnt him," and expired ; feeling mirac-
ulously, in this world, a sample of the torments due to
such cruelty in the next: while the martyr patiently suf-
fered, in hopes of a glorious resurrection..
CHAP. VII.
THE SIXTH GENERAL PERSECUTION OF THE CHRISTIANS^
UNDER THE ROMAN EMPEROURS,
M aximinus being emperour, A. D. 235, raised a perse-
cution against the Christians. In Cappadocia, the presi-
dent, Seremianus, strove all in his power to exterminate
the Christians from that province.
A Roman soldier, refusing to wear a laurel crown
bestowed on him by the emperour, and confessing himself
a Christian, was scourged, imprisoned, and put to death.
Pontianus, bishop of Rome, for preaching agamst idol-
atry, was banished to Sardinia, and slain in that island.
Anteros, a Greek,, who succeeded Pontianus, gave so
much offence to the government, by collecting the acts
of the martyrs, that he suffered martyrdom himself, after
having held his dignity only forty days.
Pammachius, a Roman Senator, with his family, and
other Christians, to the number of forty-two^ were all
beheaded in one day, and their heads set up on the city
gatesi
Simplicius, another senator, met with the same fate.
3*
30 IIISTOTIY OF THE MARTYRS.
Calepodius, a Christian minister, after being inhumanly
treated, and barbarously dragged about the streets, had
a mill-stone fastened about his neck, and was thrown into
the river Tiber.
Quiritus, a Roman nobleman, with his family and do-
mestics, were, on account of beiog Christians, put to the
most excruciating tortures, and the most painful deaths.
This nobleman suffered the confiscation of his effects,
poverty, revilings, imprisonments, scourgings, tortures,
and the loss of his life, for the sake of the great Redeemer.
Martina, a noble and beautiful virgin^ was variously
tortured, and afterwards beheaded.
Hippolitus, a Christian prelate, was tied to a wild horse,
and dragged through fields, stony places, bushes, &c. till
he expired.
During this persecution. Christians were slain without
trial, and buried indiscriminately in heaps; fifty or sixty
being cast into a pit together, without the least decency.
The tyrant Maximinus dying, A. D. 238, was succeed-
ed by Gordian, during whose reign, and that of his suc-
cessor Philip, the church was free from persecution for
the space of more than ten years ; but A. D. 249, a violent
persecution broke out in Alexandria, at the instigation
of a Pagan priest, but this was without the knowledge of
the emperour.
The mob broke open the houses of the Christiaifs, stole
away the best of their property, destroyed the rest, and
murdered the owners; the universal cry being, "Burn
'em, burn 'em; kill 'em, kill 'em." The names of only
three martyrs have been transmitted to posterity, who
suffered during this insurrection.
Metrus, an aged and venerable citizen, refusing to
blaspheme his Saviour, was beaten with clubs, pricked
with sharp reeds, and at length stoned to death.
Quinta, a devout female, being carried to the temple,
and refusing to worship idols, was dragged by her feet
over sharp flint stones, scourged with whips, and dispatch-
ed in the same manner as Metrus.
Apolonia, an ancient maiden lady, confessing herself
a Christian, the mob dashed out her teeth with their fists,
%
HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS. ul
and threatened to burn her alive. A tire was prepared,
for that purpose, and xVpollonia fastened to a stake ; but
requesting to be unloosed, it was granted, on a supposition
that she meant to recant, when, to their great surprise,
she immediately threw herself into the flames, and was
copisumed.
CHAP. VIIL
THE SEVENTH GENERAL PERSECUTION UNDER THE ROMAN
EMPEROURS.
Decius, emperour of Rome, began a dreadful persecu-
tion against the Christians, A. D. 249. This was occa-
sioned, partly by the hatred he bore to his predecessor
Philip, who was esteemed a Christian, and partly by his
jealousy of the amazing increase of Christianity; the
heathen temples being nearly forsaken, and the Christian
churches thronged.
These reasons stimulated Decius, to attempt the extir-
pation of the name of Christian; and it was unfortunate
lor the cause of the gospel, that many errours had, about
this time, crept into the church: the Christians were at
variance with each other; self-interest divided those whom
social love ought to have united; and the virulence of
pride occasioned a variety of factions.
The heathens, in general, were ambitious to enforce
the imperial decrees upon this occasion, and looked upon
the murder of a Christian as a merit in themselves. The
martyrs, upon this occasion, were innumcTable.
Fabian, bishop of Rome, to whom the deceased em-
perour Philip had, on account of his integrity, committed
his treasures, was seized A. D. 250, and suffered martyr-
dom, by being beheaded.
Abdon and vSemen, two Persians, were seized as stran-
gers; but being found Christians, were put to death, on
account of their faith; and Moyses, a priest, was behead-
ed for the sarae reason.
3Ji HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
Julian, a native of Celicia, as we are informed by St
Ghrjsostom, was seized upon for being a Christian. He
was frequently tortured, but still remained inflexible ; and
though often brought from prison for execution, was again
remanded, to be the object of greater cruelties. He, at
length, was ordered to travel for twelve months together,
from town to town, in order to be exposed to the insults of
the ignorant populace.
Finding all endeavours to make him forsake his religion
ineffectual, he wa«! again brouglit before his judge, strip-
ped, and whipped in a most dreadful manner; then put
into a leathern bag, in which were a number of serpents
and scorpions, and thrown into the sea.
Peter, an amiable young man, was apprehended for
being a Christian, at Lampsachus, and carried before
Optimus, pro-consul of Asia. Being commanded to sacri-
fice to Venus, he said, " I am astonished that you should
wish me to sacrifice to an infamous woman, whose de-
baucheries even your own historians record, and whose
life consisted of such actions as your laws would pun-
ish. — No! I shall offer to the true God the acceptable
sacrifice of praises and prayers."
Optimus now ordered the prisoner to be stretched upon
a wheel, by which all his limbs were broken.
His torments, however, inspired him with fresh courage:
and he smiled on his persecutors ; till the pro-consul, tired
out with tormenting him, ordered him to be beheaded.
Nichomachus, being brought before the pro-consul, was
ordered to sacrifice to the Pagan idols. Nichomachus
replied, " I cannot pay that respect to devils, which is only
due to the Almighty." This speech so much enraged the
pro-consul that Nichomachus was put to the rack. He
bore the torments for some time with patience, and
great resolution ; but at length, when ready to expire with
pain, he forfeited all the advantages he had gained in his
former sufferings, by abjuring his faith, and becoming an
apostate; but no sooner had he given this proof of his
frailty, than he fell into the greatest agonies, dropped
down, and expired.
Denisa, a young girl, only sixteen years of age, beheld
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 3g
this terrible judgment, and suddenly exclaimed, " O un-
happy wretch, why would you buy a moment's ease at
the expense of a miserable eternity?" Optimus upon this,
called and asked her if she was a Christian? She replied
in the affirmative ; and being commanded to sacrifice to the
idols, absolutely refused, and was soon after beheaded*
Andrew and Paul, two companions of Nichomachus
the martyr, on confessing themselves Christians, were
condemned to die, and delivered to the multitude to be
stoned, A. D. 251, and expired calling on their blessed
Redeemer.
Alexander and Epimachus, of Alexandria, being ap-
prehended as Christians, and confessing the accusation,
were beat with staves, torn with hooks, and at length
burnt; and Eusebius writes, that four female martyrs
suffered on the same day, and at the same place, by being
beheaded.
T^iician and Marcian, two wicked Pagans, becoming
converts to Christianity, to make amends for their former
errours, lived the lives of hermits, and subsisted upon
bread and water.
After some time spent in this manner, they reflected
that their lives were inefficacious, and determined to leave
their solitude in order to bring others to Christianity.
Pursuant to this resolution they became zealous preachers,
and made many converts. They were seized, and carried
before Sabinus, governor of Bithynia. On being asked
by what authority they took upon themselves to preach,
Lucian answered, " That the laws of charity and human-
ity obliged all men to endeavour the conversion of their
neighbours, and to do every thing in their power to rescue
them from the snares of the devil." Marcian said, that
" their conversion was by the same grace which was given
to St. Paul, who, from a zealous persecutor of the church,
became a preacher of the gospel." The pro-consul, find-
ing that he could not prevail with them to renounce their
faith, condemned them to be burnt alive.
Trypho and Respicius, two eminent persons, were
seized, and imprisoned at Nice. They were soon after
put to the rackvwhich they bore with admirable patience
34 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
for three hours, and uttered the praises of the Almighty
during the whole time. They were then exposed i;ai(ed
to the severity of the open air, in the depth of winter, by
which their hmbs were rendered torpid ; they were then
remanded to prison, where they remained a considerable
time ; after which the cruelties of their persecutors were
repeated. Their feet were pierced with nails; they were
dragged through the streets, scourged, torn with iron
hooks, scorched with lighted torches, and at length be-
headed, A. D. 251.
Agatha, a Sicilian lady, not more remarkable for her
personal and acquired endowments, than her piety, was
scourged, burnt with red-hot irons, and torn with sharp
hooks. She bore these torments with admirable fortitude ;
she was next laid naked upon live coals, intermingled with
glass, and being carried back to prison, she there expired,
Cyril, bishop of Gortyna, was seized by order of Lucius,
governor of that place, who exhorted him to obey the im-
perial mandate, perform the sacrifices, and save his vener-
able person from destruction ; for he was now eighty-four
years of age. The good prelate replied, that he could
not agree to any such requisition; but as he had long
taught others to save their souls, he should now only think
©f his own salvation.
The governor, finding his persuasions vain, pronounced
sentence against the venerable Christian, in these remark-
able words: "I order and appoint, that Cyril, who has
lost his senses, and is a declared enemy of our gods, shall
be burnt alive."
The prelate heard his sentence without emotion, walk-
ed cheerfully to the place of execution, and underwent
his martyrdom with great fortitude.
The persecution raged in no place more than in the
island of Crete ; for the governor, being exceedingly ac-
tive in executing the imperial decrees, that place stream-
ed with pious blood.
Theodulus, Saturnius, and Europus, inhabitants of
Gortyna, who had been instructed in the Christian faith
by Cyril, bishop of that city; with Eunicianus, Zeticus,
Cleomenes, Agathopas, Bastides, and Euaristus, were
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 35
brought from different parts of the island on accusations
relative to their professing Christianity.
Being brought into court, they were commanded to sa-
crifice to Jupiter, which they refused ; on which the J udge
threatened them with the severest tortures imaginable;
they unanimously answered, "That to suffer, for the sake
of the Supreme Being, would to them be the sublimest of
pleasures."
The judge then attempted to gain them by descanting
on and recounting mythological histories. This gave the
prisoners an opportunity of remarking on the absurdity of
such fictions, and of pointing out the folly of paying ado-
ration to ideal deities, and real images.
Irritated to hear his favourite idols ridiculed, the gov-
ernor ordered the prisoners to be put to the rack; the
tortures of which they sustained with surprising fortitude ;
they were beheaded on the same day, A. D. 251, tri-
umphing over the fear of death.
Babylas, bishop of Antioch, A. D. 237, on the demise
of Zebinus, acted with inimitable zeal, and governed the
church with admirable prudence during the most tempes-
tuous times.
The city having been besieged by Sapor, emperour of
Persia, it was plundered and the Christian inhabitants
used with greater severity than the rest.
His cruelties, however, were not lasting; for Gordian,
the emperour, appearing at the head of a powerful army,
Antioch was retaken, the Persians driven entirely out of
Syria, pursued into their own country, and several places
in the Persian territories fell into the emperour's hands.
But after Gordian's death, Decius, his successor, came
to Antioch, where, having a desire to visit an assembly of
Christiaas, Babylas opposed him, and absolutely refused to
let him come in. The emperour dissembled his anger at
that time ; but soon sending for the bishop, he sharply re-
proved him for his insolence, and then ordered him to sa-
crifice to the Pagan deities as an expiation for his offence.
On his refusal, he vvas committed to prison, loaded with
chains, treated with great severities, a id then beheaded,
together with three young men who had been his pupils.
36 HISTORV or THE MARTYRS.
As they went to the place of e^mution, the bishop ex-
claimed, "Behold me, and the ciiilJren that the Lord
hath given me." The chains worn by tiie bishop in pris-
on were buried with him.
Alexander, bishop of Jerusalem, was cast into prison,
where he died by the severity of his confinement.
Serapian, at Alexandria, had his hones broken, and w^as
then killed by being thrown from a high loft.
Julianus, a lame old man, and Cronion, were bound on
the backs of camels, severely scourged, and then thrown
into a fire and consumed. A person seeming to commis-
erate them, was ordered to be beheaded, as a punishment
for entertaining sentiments of tenderness.
Macar, a Lybian, was burnt ; Heron-ater and Isidorus,
Egyptians, Avith Dioschorus, a boy of fifteen, after suffer-
ing many other torments, met with a similar fate; and
Nemesion, another Egyptian, was first tried as a thief; but
being acquitted, was accused of Christianity ; and on his
confession, he was scourged, tortured, and burnt.
Isehyrian, the Christian servant of an Egyptian noble-
man, and magistrate, was run through with a pike by his
own master, for refusing to sacrifice to idols; Venantius,
a youth of fifteen, was martyred in Italy ; and forty Vir-
gins, at Antioch, after being imprisoned and scourged,
were burnt!
During this year, the emperour Decius having erected
a Pagan temple at Ephesus, commanded all who were
in that city to sacrifice to the idols. This order was nobly
refused by seven of his own soldiers, viz. Maximianus,
Martianus, Joannes, Malchus, Dionysius, Seraion, and
Constantinus.
The emperour, wishing to win these soldiers by intrea-
ties and lenity, gave them a considerable respite till he
returned from an expedition; but during his absence,
they escaped, and hid themselves in a cavern ; which the
emperour being informed of at his return, the mouth of
the cavern was closed up, and they all perished with
hunger.
Theodora, a beautiful young lady of Antioch, on refu-
sing to sacrifice to the idols, w^as condemned to the Stews,
HISTORY OF THE MAliTYRS. 37
Did}inus, a Christian, disguised himself in the habit of a
Roman soldier, went to the house, informed Theodora
who he was, and advised her to make her escape in his
clothes.
This being effected, and a man found in the brothel in-
stead of a beautiful lady, Didymus was taken before the
president, to whom confessing the truth, and owning that
he was a Christian, the sentence of death was immediate-
ly pronounced against him.
Theodora hearing that her deliverer was hkely to suf-
fer, came to the judge, threw herself at his feet, and
begged that the sentence might fall only on her, as the
guilty person; but deaf to the cries of the innocent, and
insensible to the calls of justice, the inflexible judge con-
demned both ; and they were executed, being first behead-
ed, and their bodies burnt.
Secundianus was conveyed to prison by soldiers. On
the way, Verianus and Marcellinus said, "where are you
carrying the innocent?" This interrogatory occasioned
them also to be seized, and all three, after having been
tortured, were hanged ; and, when dead, their heads were
cut oflT.
Origen, the celebrated presbyter and catechist of
Alexandria, at the age of sixty-four, was seized, thrown
into a loathsome prison, laden with heavy fetters, his feet
placed in the stocks, and his legs extended to the utmost
tor several successive days. He was threatened with fire,
and tormented by every means that the most infernal
imagination could suggest. But unappalled with dangers,
and unshaken by sufferings, his Christian fortitude bore
him through all. Such was the rigour of his judge, that
his tortures were ordered to be lingering, that death might
not too soon put a period to his miseries. During this
cruel temporizing, the emperour Decius died, and Gailus,
who succeeded him, engaging in a war with the Goths,
the Christians met with a respite. In this interim. Origen
obtained his e-dargement, and retiring to Tyre, he there
remained till his death, which happened when he was in
the sixty-ninth year of his age.
Gailus, having concluded his wars, a plague broke out
4
38 HISTORY OF THE MARTYR&.
in the empire: sacrifices to the Pagan deities were order-
ed by the cmperour, and superstition immediately bowed
the knee to idols.
The Christians refusing to comply with these rites, were
charged with being the authors of the calamity; the storm
of persecution spread, from the interior to the extreme
parts of the empire, and many fell martyrs to the impetu-
osity of the rabble, as well as the prejudice of tli« magis-
trates.
Cornelius, bishop of Rome, was seized upon this occa-
sion. He was first banished to Centum-Cella?, now Civita
Vecchia; and, after having been cruelly scourged, was,
A. D. 252, beheaded, after having been bishop fifteen
months and ten days.
Lucius succeeded Cornelius as bishop, was the son of
Porphyrins, and a Roman by birth. His vigilance as a
pastor, rendered him obnoxious to the foes of Christianity,
which occasioned him to be banished ; but in a short time
he was permitted to return from exile.
Not long after, however, he was apprehended, after
having been bishop about six months, and beheaded,
A. D. 253. He was succeeded by Stephanus, who held
the dignity a few years, and might probably have fallen a
martyr, had not the emperour been murdered by his gen-
eral iEmilian; a profound peace succeeded throughout
the empire, and the persecution of course ceased.
Most of the errours which crept into the church at this
time arose from placing human reason in competition with
revelation ; but the fallacy of such arguments being proved
by the most able divines, the opinions they had created
vanished away like stars before the sun*
CHAP. IX.
THE EIGHTH GENERAL PERSECUTION, UNDER THE ROMAN
EMPEROURS.
iEmilian, the general, not being properly supported
by the army, was slain, and Valerian elected to th^ empire^
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 39
For the space of four years this emperour governed
with moderation, and treated the Christians with lenity
and respect. But, A. D. 257, an Egyptian magician,
named Macrianus, gained a great ascendency over him,
and persuaded him to he a persecutor.
Edicts being pubHshed, the ungovernable rage of ig-
norance and superstition was let loose against the. Chris-
tians. This persecution continued for three years and
six months.
The martyrs that fell during this horrid period were
innumerable, and their tortures and deaths various and
painful. The most eminent martyrs were the following,
though neither rank, sex, or age were regarded.
Rufina and Secunda, two beautiful and accomplished
ladies, were the daughters of Asterius, a citizen of emi-
nence, in Rome. Rufina, the elder, was designed in mar-
riage for Armentarius, a young nobleman 5 and Secunda,
the younger, for Verinus, a person of rank and opulence.
The suitors, at the time of the persecutions commencing,
were both Christians •, but when danger appeared, to save
their fortunes, they renounced their faith, and took great
pains to persuade the ladies to do the same, but failed in
their purpose. Rufina and Secunda, though too just to
change their religious sentiments, were too diffident of
their own strength to remain longer the objects of such
solicitations ; therefore, they left the city.
The suitors were base enough, on their disappointment,
to inform against the ladies, who being apprehended as
Christians, were brought before Junius Donatus governor
of Rome, and having passed through several tortures,
sealed their faith, A. D. 257, by being beheaded.
Stephen, bishop of Rome, was beheaded in the same
year; and Saturnius, bishop of Thoulouse, being seized
by the rabble of that place, for preventing, as they
alleged, their oracles from speaking, and refusing to
sacrifice to the idols, was treated with every barbarous
indignity, and then fastened by the feet to the tail of a
bull. Upon a signal given, the enraged animal was driven
down the steps of the temple, by which the worthy martyr's
brains were dashed o\it. The small number of Christians
40 IIISTOUV OF Tim MARTi^RS.
in Thouiouse had not courage suilicicnt to carry oft" the
dead body, but two women conveyed it away, and deposit-
ed it in a deep ditch.
^ Sextus succeeded Stephen as bisliop of Rome, and had
lor some tmie served in the capacity of a deacon under
Stephen. His great fidehty, singular wisdom, and uncom-
mon courage, distinguished him upon many occasions; and
the happy conclusion of a controversy with some heretics
IS generally ascribed to his piety and prudence. '
In the year 258, Marcianus, who had the management
ol the Roman government, procured an order from the
emperour Valerian to put to death all the Christian clergy
m Rome. ^-^
The senate testifying their obedience to the imperial:
niandate, Sextus was one of the first who felt the severity
A ^^ l^'f'^t ^Fu^- ^^^^' "'' ^^^""^ ^^ -^^s beheaded
A. Lf. Zo^, fc>ix ol his deacons suffered with him of
whom the principal was — '
Laurentius, generally called St. Laurence, who followed
him to the place of execution ; when Sextus predicted that
he should three days after meet him in heaven. Lauren-
tius looking upon this as a certain indication of his own
approaching martyrdom, at his return, gathered together
all the Christian poor, and distributed the treasures of the
church, which had been committed to his care, among
them; thinking the money could not be better disposed of,
or less liable to fall into the hands of the Pagans. '
The persecutors seized on him to make a discovery
whence this liberality arose, and commanded him to give
an immediate account to the emperour, of the church
treasures.
This he promised, but begged a short respite to put
things in proper order; three days being granted him, he
was suffered to depart. Whereupon, with great diligence
he collected together a great number of aged, helpless, and
impotent poor, and repaired to the magistrate, to whom
he presented them, saying, "These are the true treasures
of the church."
Incensed at the disappointment, and thinking himself
ridiculed, the governor ordered him to be immediately
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 4i
scourged. He was then beat with iron rods, set upon /a
wooden horse, and his Umbs dislocated. These tortures
he endured with fortitude and perseverance 5 when he
was ordered to be fastened to a large gridiron, over a slow
fire, that his death might be more lingering.
His astonishing constancy during these trials, and under
such excruciating torments, gave the spectators so exalted
an idea of the dignity and truth of the Christian religion,
that many became converts upon the occasion.
After laying, for some time, upon this burning bed, he
lifted up his eyes to heaven, and with calmness yielded
his spirit to the Almighty, A. D. 258.
Romanus, a soldier who attended the martyrdom of
Laurentius, was one of the converts to his sufferings and
fortitude ; for he could not help feeling the greatest ven-
eration for that God who inspired his votaries with such
courage, and rendered his martyrs superior to all the cru-
elties of their persecutors.
The brave Romanus, when the martyr Laurentius was
remanded ta prison, took that opportunity of fully enqui-
ring into the nature of the Chistian faith ; and being en-
tirely satisfied by Laurentius, became firmly a Christian,
received his baptism from the captive, and seemed to
have his mind impressed with a lively idea of the king-
dom of Christ. The change of Romanus was soon known,
he was apprehended, severely scourged, and afterwards
beheaded.
Hypolitus was seized and suffered a similar death,
In-Africa the persecution raged with peculiar violence ;
arid thousands received the crown of martyrdom. The
most distinguished characters were —
Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, an eminent prelate, and a
pious ornament of the church.
It is said that this prelate was so perfectly a master of
the rules of rhetoric, and the precepts of logic, ahd so
complete in the practice of elocution, and the principles
of philosophy, that he was made professor of those sciences
in his native city of Carthage^ where he became so pop-
ular, and taught with such success, that many of his
students afterwards became ornaments of polite learning*
42 HISTORY OP tHe martyrs.
In his youth he was educated in the principles of Gentry
ism, and having a considerable fortune, he Hved in the
extravagance of splendour. Gorgeous in attire, luxurious
in feasting, vain of a numerous retinue, and fond of every
kind of fashionable parade, he seemed to fancy that man
was born to gratify all his appetites, and for pleasure.
About the year 246, Cuclius, a Chfistian minister of
Carthage, became the instrument of Cyprian's conversion 5
on which account, and for the great love that he always
afterwards bore for the author of his conversion, he was
termed Ccelius Cyprian. The best account of his conver-
sion is given in his own words :
'» While," says he, " I laid in darkness and uncertainty^
I thought on wnat I had heard of, a second birth, proposed
by the divine goodness; but could not comprehend how a
man could receive a new life from his being sprinkled
with water; cease to be what he was before, and still
retain the same body. How, said I, can such a change be
possible? How can he who is grown old in a worldly
way of living, strip himself of his former inclinations, and
inveterate habits? * * * I thought it was impossible for
me to leave my former course of life, and the habits I was
then engaged in, and accustomed to; but no sooner did
the life-giving water wash the spots of my soul, than my
heart received the heavenly light of the Holy Spirit,
w hich transformed me into a new,.^reature ; all my diffi-
culties were cleared, my doubts dissolved, and my dark-
ness dispelled. I was then able to do what before seemed
impossible ; could discern that my former life was earthly
and sinful, according to the impurity of my birth; but
that my spiritual birth gave me new ideas and inclinations,
and directed all my views to God."
Previous to his baptism he studied the Scriptures with
care ; and being struck with the beauties of the truths they
contained, he determined to practise the virtues therein
recommended. Subsequent to his baptism he sold his
estate, distributed the money among the poor, dressed
himself in plain attire, arid commenced a life of austerity.
He was soon after made a presbyter; and being greatly
admired for his virtues, and his works, on the death of
IIISTOHY OP THE MARTYRS. 43
Donatus, in A. D. i248, he was unanimously elected bishop
of Carthage. ^
Cyprian's care extended not only over Carthage, but
to Numidia and Mauritania.
A. D. 250, Cyprian was publicly proscribed by the em-
perour Decius, under the appellation of Coelius Cyprian,
bishop of the Christians; and the universal cry of the
Pagans was, "Cyprian to the lioips — Cyprian to the beasts."
The bishop, upon this, withdrew himself from the ragf^
of the populace, and his effects were confiscated.
In his retirement he wrote thirty pious and elegant let-
ters to his flock, on account of several schisms that had
crept into the church, which gave him great uneasiness:
but the rigour of the persecution abating, he returned to
Carthage, and did every thing in his power to expunge
those erroneous opinions.
A terrible plague breaking out at Carthage, it was, as
usual, laid to the charge of the Christians ; and the mag-
istrates began to persecute, which occasioned an epistle
from them to Cyprian, in answer to which he vindicates
the cause of Christianity.
A. D. 257, Cyprian was brought before the pro-consul
Aspasius Paturnus, when being commanded to conform to
the religion of the empire, he boldly made a confession
of his faith, and avowed his Christianity. This, however,
did not occasion his death, but an order for his banishment
to a little city on the Lybian sea. On the death of this
^ro-consul, he returned to Carthage, but was soon after
seized and carried before the new governor, who con-
demned him to be beheaded, which sentence was executed
on the 14th of September, A. D. 258.
The disciples of Cyprian martyred in this persecution
were, Lucius, Flavian, Victoricus, Remus, Montanus, Ju-
lian, Primulus, Donation.
At Utica a most terrible tragedy was exhibited. Three
hundred Christians were, by the orders of the pro-con-
sul, placed round a burning lime-kiln. A pan of coals
and incense being prepared, they were commanded either
to sacrifice to Jupiter, or to be thrown into the kiln. —
Unanimously refusing, they bravely jumped iato the pit,
and were immediately suffocated.
44 HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS.
Fructuosus, bisnop of Tarragon in Spain, and his two
deacons, Augurius and Eulogius, were burnt.
Alexander, Malchus, and Priscus,. of Palestine, with a
woman of the same place, \ oluntarily accused themselves^
on which account they were sentenced to be devoured by
t^'gers.
Maxima, Donatilla, and Secunda, three virgins of Tu-
burga, had gall and vinegar given them to drink, were
then severely scourged, tormented on a gibbet, rubbed
with lime, scorched on a gridiron, worried by wild beasts,
£ind at length beheaded.
Pontius,, a native of the city of Simela, near the Alps,
being apprehended, w-as tortured on the rack, worried by
wild beasts, half burnt, then beheaded, and lastly thrown
into the river. Protus and Hyacinthus suffered martyrdom
also for the sake of Christ.
But it is time to speak of the singular and miserable
fate of the emperour Valerian, who had so long and so
terribly persecuted the Christians.
This tyrant, through stratagem, w^as taken prisoner by
Sapores, emperour of Persia, who carried him into his own
country, and there treated him with the most unexampled
indignity, making him kneel- down as the, meanest slave,
and treading upon him as a footstool when he mounted
his horse, saying in a vaunting manner, " This posture is a
greater proof which way the victory went, than all the
pictures the Roman artists can draw%"
After having kept him,, for the space of seven years, in
this abject state of slavery, he caused his eyes to be put
out, though he was then eighty-three years of. age.
This not satiating his desire of revenge, he soon after
ordered his body to be flayed alive, and rubbed with salt,
under which torments he expired; and thus fell one of
the most tyrannical emperours of Rome, and one of the
greatest persecutors of the Christians.
Gallienus, the son of Valerian, succeeded him A. D.
263, and during his reign, the empire suffered many com*
motions, particularly earthquakes, pestilence, inundations)
incursions of barbarians, and intestine broils.
Gallienus, however, having reflected that when his
HISTWRY OP Til|! MARTYRS. 45
father favoured the Christians he prospered, and that
when he persecuted them he was unsuccessful, determin-
ed to relax the persecution ; so that (a few martyrs ex-
cepted) the church enjoyed peace for some years. The
chief of the few martyrs alluded to, was the following:
Marnius, a centurion, who being apprehended, had but
three hours allowed him to deliberate, whether he would
sacrifice to the Pagan deities, or become a martyr? Being
wavering during this interval, a Christian prelate placed
the gospel and a sword before him, and demanded which
he would choose. Marnius without hesitation took the
sword.
Going again to the Governor, he made a noble confes-
sion of his faith, for which he was beheaded, A. D. 262.
CHAP. X.
THE NINTH GENERAL PERSECUTION UNDER THE ROMAN
EMPEROURS.
The emperour Aurelian commenced a persecution a-
gainst the Christians A. D. 274 ; the principal sufferers be-
iiigthe following:
Felix, bishop of Rome, was the first martyr to Aure-
lian's petulancy, being beheaded in the year 274.
Agapetus, a young patrician who sold his estate, and
gave the money to the poor, was seized as a Christian,
tortured, and beheaded at Prceneste, a city within a day's
journey of Rome.
These are the only martyrs left upon record during this
short reign, the emperour being murdered by his own do-
mesticks, at Byzantium.
Aurelian was succeeded by Tacitus, Probus, and Cams;
this emperour being killed by a thunder storm, his son&,
Carnius and Numerian, succeeded him; and dunng all
these reigns the church had peace.
Dioclesian mounting the imperial throne A. D. 284, at
first showed great favour to the Christians. In the year
286 he associated Maximian with him in the empire; and
iij HISTORY OF THE M.VRTYRS.
some Christiani were put to death before any general
persecution broke out. Among tliese were —
Felician and Primus, two brothers, who were seized by
an order from the imperial court; having owned them-
selves Christians, wxre scourged, tortured, and behead-
ed.
Marcus and Marcellianus, twin brothers, were natives
of Rome, and of a noble descent. Their parents were
heathens; but the tutors to whom the education of the
children had been entrusted, brought them up as Chris-
tians. These youths being apprehended on account of
their faith, were severely tortured, and then condemned
to lose their heads.
Their friends obtained for them the respite of a month,
when their father, mother, and all their relations, attemp-
ted to bring them back to Paganism, but in vain ; the calls
of nature were overcome by piety, and religion got the
better of worldly feelings. Their constancy at length
subdued their persyiaders, and their parents and whole
family became converts to a faith they had just before
reprobated.
The father of the two young men, named Tranquillinus,
was sent for by the prefect to give him an account of the
success of his endeavours. Appearing before the magis-
trate, he confessed, that so far from having persuaded
his sons to forsake the faith they had embraced, he was
himself become a Christian, Here he stopped till the
magistrate had overcome his surprise, and then resuming
his discourse, he used such powerful arguments that he
made a convert of the prefect, who soon after sold his
estate, resigned his command, and spent the remainder of
his days in pious retirement.
The prefect who succeeded the above mentioned con-
vm't, had nothing of the disposition of his predecessor; he
was morose and severe, and soon seized upon the whole of
this Christian family, who w ere martyred by being tied
io posts, and having their {eet pierced with nails. After
remaining in this situation for a day and a night, their
sufferings were completed by thrusting lances through
their bodies.
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 47
' Zoe, the wife of the gaoler, who had the care of these
martyrs, being greatly edified by their discourses, had a
desire to become a Christian. This, as she was dumb with
a palsy, she could only express by gestures. Pitying her
condition, they gave her full instructions in their faith,
and told her to pray in her heart to God to relieve her
from her disorder. She complied with their request, and
was at length relieved ; for her paralytic disorder by de-
grees left her, and her speech was restored. This miracle
enforced her belief, and confirmed her in the Christian
faith; and her husband finding her cured, soon became a
convert to Christianity. These conversions made a great
noise, and the converts were soon apprehended. Zoe was
commanded to sacrifice to Mars ; and on her refusal, was
hanged upon a tree, and a fire of straw lighted under her.
When her body was taken down, it was thrown into a
river with a large stone tied to it.
Tibertius, a native of Rome, descended from a consid-
erable family, was accused as a Christian, and commanded
either to sacrifice to idols, or to walk upon burning coals.
He chose the latter, and passed over them without dread ;
when sentence was passed upon him that he should be
beheaded, A. D 286; his body was afterwards buried by
some Christians. '
In the year of Christ 286, a most remarkable circum-
stance occurred: a legion of soldiers, consisting of 6666
men, contained none but Christians. This legion was
called the Theban legion, because the men had been raised
in Thebais. They were quartered in the east, till the
emperour Maximian ordered them to march to Gaul, to
assist him against the rebels of Burgundy. They passed
the Alps into Gaul, under the command of Mauritius,
Candidus, and Exupernis, their worthy commanders, and
at length joined the emperour.
Maximain about this time ordered a general sacrifice,
at which the whole army were to assist; and likewise he
commanded that they should take oaths of allegiance, and
swear at the same time to assist him in the extirpation of
Christianity in Gaul.
Alarmed at these orders, each individual of the Theban
48 iiistorV of the martyrs.
legion absolutely refused either to sacrifice or take the
oaths prescribed. This so greatly enraged Maximian,
that he ordered the legion to be decimated, on which
every tenth man was selected from the rest, and put to
the sword.
This bloody order having been put into execution, those
who remained alive were still inflexible, when a second
decimation took place, and every tenth man of those
living were again put to death.
This second severity made no more impression than
the first had done ; the soldiers preserved their fortitude
and their principle; but by the advice of their oflicers,
drew up a remonstrance to the emperour, in which they
told him, " that they were his subjects and his soldiers,
but could not at the same time forget the Almighty ; that
they received their pay from him, and their existence from
God. While your commands (said they) are not contra-
dictory to those of our common master, we shall always
be as ready to obey, as we have been hitherto: but when
the orders of our prince and those of the Almighty differ,
we must always obey the latter. Our arms are devoted"
to the emperours use, and shall be directed against his
enemies; but we cannot submit to stain our hands with
the effusion of Christian blood : and how, indeed, could
you, O emperour! be secure of our allegiance and fidelity,
should we violate our obligation to our God, in whose
service we were solemnly engaged before we entered in
the army! you command us to search out and to destroy
the Christians: it is not necessary to look any farther for
persons'of that denomination, we ourselves are such, and
we glory in the name. We saw our companions fail with-
out the least opposition or murmuring, and thought them
happy in dying for the sake of Christ. Nothing shall
make us lift up our hands against our sovereign: we had
rather die wrongfully, and by that means preserve our
innocence, than live under a load of guilt; whatever you
command, we are ready to suffer; we confess ourselves to
be Christians, and therefore cannot persecute Christians^
nor sacrifice to idols."
A declaration like this, should have softened the em
niSTORY OT THE MART.YRS, 49
perour, but it had the contrary effect; for, enraged at their
perseverance and unanimity, he commanded that the
whole legion should be put to death, which was according-
ly executed by -the other troops, who cut them to pieces
with their sw^ords.
This affair happened A. Eh 286; and such was the in-
veterate malice of Maximian, that he sent to destroy every
man of a few detachments that had been drafted from the
Theban legion, and dispatched to Italy.
Victor, an old veteran soldier of another legion, met the
executioners of this bloody business. As they appeared
rather merry, he enquired into the cause of their jocularity,
and being informed of the whole affair, he sharply re-
proved them for their barbarity. This excited their
curiosity to ask him if he was of the same faith of those
who had suffered. On answering in the affirmative, sever-
al of the soldiers fell upon him, and immediately despatch-
ed him.
Alban, from whom St. Alban's received its name, was
the first British martyr. This island had received the
gospel during the reign of Lucius, the first Christian
king, and did not suffer by the rage of persecution for
many years after.
Alban was originally a Pagan, but naturally of a very
humane and tender disposition; he sheltered a Christian
ecclesiastic, named Amphibalus, when some officers were
in pursuit of him on account of his religion.
The pious example, and edifying discourses of the refu-
gee, made a great impression on the mind of Alban; he
wished to become a member of a religion which charmed
him, and to imitate what he admired. The fugitive min-
ister, happy in the opportanily, took great pains to instruct
him: and perfected Alban's conversion.
Alban now took a firm resolution to preecrve the senti-
ments of a Christian, or die the death of a martyr. The
enemies of Amphibalus having intelligence of the place
where he was secreted, came to the house of Alban in
order to apprehend him. Alban desirous of protecting
the guest by whom he had been converted, chan^rced clothes
with him, in order to facilitate his escape : and \viien the
.5
50 HISTORY OT THE MARTYRS.
soldiers came, offered himself up as the person they were
seeking for.
Being carried before the governor, the deceit was im-
mediately discovered ; and Amphibalus being absent, that
officer determined to wreak all his vengeance upon Alban.
The prisoner was accordingly commanded to advance to
the altar,and to sacrifice to the Pagan deities; or threatened
in case of refusal, with the vengeance intended to be exer-
cised against the person who had escaped by his contri-
vance'.
Unterrified by these menaces, he declared that he woul^
not comply with such idolatrous injunctions, but freely
professed himself to be a Christian ; upon this the governour
ordered him to be scourged, which he bore with great
fortitude, and seemed to acquire new strength by his suf-
ferings. He then was sentenced to be beheaded.
Faith was a Christian ferpale, of Acquitain, whilst Da-
cian presided as governour of Gaul, during the reign of
Maximian in Acquitain, and was very active in persecuting
the Christians.
Faith, being informed that there was a design to seize
her, forestalled the intention by surrendering herself up ;
and being inflexible in her faith, was ordered to be broiled
upon a gridiron, and then beheaded; which -sentence was
executed in the year 287.
Capacius concealed himself from the persecutors of
Christianity, but being informed of the fortitude of Faith,
openly avowed his religion, and delivered himself up to
the governour, who ordered him to be tortured, and then
beheaded.
Quintin, a native of Rome, determined to attempt the
propagation of the gospel in Gaul, and went to Picardy
attended by Lucian. They preached together at Amiens ;
after which Lucian went to another province, where he
was martyred.
Quintin remained in Picardy, and was very zealous in
his ministry. Being apprehended as a Christian, he was
stretched with puUies till his joints were dislocated. His
body was then torn with wire scourges, and boiling oil and
pitch poured on his naked flesh ; lighted torches were
HISTORY Of THE MARTYRS. Si
applied to his sides and arm-pits ; and after he had been
thus tortured, he was remanded back to prison.
Varus, the governour, being oblrged to repair to Ver-
mandois, ordered Quintin to be conducted thither under
a strong guard, where he died of the barbarities he had
suffered, A. D. 287, and his body was sunk in the Somme.
CHAP. XL
THE TENTH GENERAL PERSECUTION, OF THE CHRISTIANS5
UNDER THE ROMAN EMPEROURS, COMMONLY CALLED
THE iERA OF THE MARTYRS.
Many reasons have been assigned for this persecution ;
but the principal was the great increase of the Christians,
whose numbers had rendered them formidable; so that
many of them, by a false security, having lost their humil-
ity, and given themselves up to vanity, created the envy
and hatred of Galerius, the adopted son of Dioclesian,
who being stimulated by his mother, a bigoted Pagan,
never ceased persuading the emperour to enter upon the
persecution.
The fatal day fixed upon to commence the bloody work,
was that in which the Terminalia were celebrated (about
February 23) A. D. 303, on which, as the Pagans boasted,
they hoped to put a termination to Christianity.
The persecution began in Nicomedia, in the morning of
which, the Prefect of that city repaired, with a great
number of officers and assistants, to the church of the
Christians, where having forced open the doors, they
seized upon all the sacred books, and committed them to
the flames.
The whole of this transaction was encouraged by the
presence of Dioclesian and Galerius, who, not contented
with burning the books, caused the church to be levelled
with the ground. This was followed by a severe edict
commanding the destruction of all other Christian church-
es and books; and an order succeeded to render Christians
of all denominations outlaws, and consequently to make
i>'Z HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
them incapable of hoidiiig anj place of trust, protit, oi^
dignity, or of receiving any protection from the' legal in-
stitutions of the real™.
The publication of this edict occasioned an immediat<3
martyrdom; for a bold Christian not only tore it down
from the place to which it was aflixed, but execrated the
name of the emperour for his injustice.
Such a provocation was sufficient to call down Pagan
Viengeance upon his head ; he v^as seized, severely tortur-
ed, and then burnt alive.
All the Christian prelates were apprehended, and im-
prisoned; and Galerius privately ordered the imperial
palace to be set on tire, that the Christia; s might be
charged as the incendiaries, and a plausible pretence
given for carrying on the persecution with the greatest
severities.
A general sacrifice was then commanded, which occa-
sioned various martyrdoms. Among others, a Christian,
named Peter, was tortured, broiled, and then burnt ; several
deacons and Presbyters were seized, and executed by
various means; and the bishop of Nicomedia, named Ail-
thimus, was beheaded.
No distinction was made either to age or sex; the
name of Christian was so obnoxious to the Pagans, that
all fell indiscriminately sacrifice* to their opinions. Houses
w^ere set on fire, and whole Christian families perished in
the flames, others had stones fastened about their necks,
and being tied together were driven into the sea. The
persecution became general in all the Roman provinces,
but nriore particularly in the east ; and as it lasted ten years
it is impossible to ascertain the numbers martyred, or to
enumerate the various modes of martyrdom. Some were
beheaded in Arabia; many devoured by wild beasts in
Phoenicia; great numbers were broiled on gridirons in
Syria; others had their bones broken in Cappadocia, and
in that manner were left to expire; and several in Me-
sopotamia were hung with their heads downward over
slow fires, and suffocated.
In Pontus, a variety of tortures were used, pins were
thrust under the nails of the prisoners, melted lead was
HISTORY Of THE MARTVRg. 53
poured upon them: and modes "adopted in tormenting the
Christians, the indecency of wlikh could be only equalled
by the savage barbarities practised in their execution.
In Eo-vpt some of the Cliristians were buried alive m
the eartJi. others drowned in the waters of the Nile, many
were hung up in the air till they perished, aiid great
numbers received their death by being thrown into large
fires. . J
Racks, scourges, swords, daggers, crosses, poison, and
famine, were made use of in various parts to despatch the
Christians; and invention was exhausted to devise tortures
against such as had no crime, except thinking differently
from the votaiies of superstition. , ' ^,, . ,.
\ city of Phry2;ia, consisting entirely of Christians, was
surrounded by a number of Pagan soldiers, to prevent any
from escaping; who setting it -on hre, all the inhauitants
perished in the ilames. But though the sutlerings of
Christians were many, their souls were serene; a pertect
resignation being one of the greatest Christian duties.
Tired with slaughter, at length, several governors of
provinces represented to the imperial court that, ^'i was
unfit to pollute the cities with the blood of the mhaoi ants,
or to defame the government of the emperours wich the
death of so manv subjects." Hence many were respited
from execution, but though they were not put o death,
every possible method was used to render ttieir lives mis^
^'Thus, as marks of infamy, many of tiie Christians had
their ears cut off, their noses slit, their right eyes put out,
their limbs rendered useless by dreadful dislocations, and
their flesh seared in conspicuous places with red-hot irons.
Sebastian, who was born at Narbonne in Gaul, instruct-
ed in the principles of Christianity at Milan alter-
wards became an officer of the emperour's guard at Kome.
He remained a true Christian in the nndst of idolat.> ,
unallured by the splendours of a court, untamted by evil
examples, and uncontaminated by the hopes of Fefejm;:"-
Esteemed by the most eminent, beloved by his equnls,
and admired b^ his infeViors, he lived happily, and kept
j4 history of the martyrs.
his faith and place, till the' rigour of the persecution pur-
sued him to destruction. • •
He was betrayed to Fabian, the Roman pretor, by
Torquatus, a pretended Christian •, but being of a rank
too considerable to be put to death without the emperour's
express orders, Dioclesian was acquainted with the ciiv
cumstance.
The emperour, on hearing the accusation, sent for Se^
bastian, and charged him with ingratitude "in betraying
the confidence reposed in him, and being an enemy to the
gods of the empire and to him."
Sebastian rephed, "that his religion was of a good,,
not a pernicious tendency, and that it did npt stimulate
him to any thing against the welfare of the empire in
general, or the emperour in particular, and that the great-
est proof he could give of his fidehty, w^as the praying to
the only true God for the health and pro^erity of his
imperial person." Incensed at 'this reply, the emperour
ordered him to be taken to a field near the city, termed
the Campus Martins, and there to be shot to death with
arrows.
Some pious Christians coming to the place of execu-
tion, in order to give his body burial, perceived signs of
iife in him, and immediately removed him to a place of
security, and in a short time they effected his recovery,
))ut they only prepared him for a second martyrdom; for
as soon as he was able to go out, he placed himself inten-
tionally in the emperour's way as he was going to the
temple.
The appearance of a person supposed to be effectually
dead, greatly astonished the emperour, nor did the words
of the martyr less surprise him,, when he began with great
severity to reprehend him for his various cruelties, and
for his unreasonable prejudices against Christianity.
As soon as Dioclesian. had overcome his surprise, he
ordered Sebastian to be carried to a place near the palace,
and beat to death; and that the Christians should not
either use means again to recover, or bury his body, he
ordered that it should be thrown into the common sewer.
JMevertheless, a Christian lady, named Lucina, found
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS, 55
means to recover it from the sewer, and bury it in the,
catacombs, or repositories of the dead.
About this period the Christians, upon mature con*
siderations, thought it unlawful to bear arms under a
heathen emperour. Their reasons were many and sub-
stantial; the principal being:
1. *' That they thereby were frequently under the neces-
sity of profaning the Christian sabbath.
2. " That they were obliged, with the rest of the army,
frequently tob€ present at idolatrous sacrifices, before tiie
temples of idols.
3. " That they were compelled to follow the Imperial
standards, which were dedicated to heathen deities, and
bore their representations."
These reasons induced many to refuse entering into the
Imperial army, the Roman constitution obliging all your^g
men of a certain stature, to make several campaigns.
However mistaken such a notion migiitbeina civiJsense,
it was a religious scruple, and did not merit the dreadful
persecution which ensued. The first victim of this re-
fusal, was Maximilian, the son of Fabius Victor, who be-
ing pointed out as a proper person to bear arms, was or-
dered by Dion, the pro-consul, to be measured, in order to
be enlisted in the service. Maximilian, however, abso-
lutely refused to be enlisted, arid boldly declared himself
a Christian.
Being found of the standard height, Dion gave direc-
tions that he should be marked as a soldier according to
the usual custom. He, however, strenuously opposed this,
and told Dion that he could not possibly engage in the
service.
Incensed at his conduct, the pro-consul plainly told
him, that he should either serve as a soldier, or die for his
disobedience. " Do as you please with me (replied Max-
imilian;) behead me if you think proper; I am already a
soldier of Christ, and cannot serve any other power."
Perceiving Uie inflexibility of the young man, Dion
commanded his father to use his authority over him, in
order to persuade him to comply; but Victor coolly re-
plied, "my son knows best what he has to do."
C)6 HISTORY OF THE MARTYitS.
The pro-consul again demanded of Maximilian, with
some acrimony, if he was yet disposed to receive the
mark? to which the young man replied, he had already
received the mark of Christ, "llave you! (exclaimed
the pro-consul in a rage) then I shall quickly send you to
Christ.*' " As soon as you please (answered Maximilian,)
that is all 1 ^vish or desire."
Dion then seeming to soften, represented to him that it
•\as a great pity he should be lost in the prime of his
ears. Maximilian replied, that he might die, hut should
not be lost; for though he left the world, his immortal
soul would reside eternally with the xWmighty. On which
the pro-consul pronounced this sentence upon him, '• that
for disobedience in refusing to bear arms, and for profes-
ing tile Christian faith, he should loose his head." This
: cntence he heard with great intrepidity, and exclaimed,
with apparent rapture, " God be praised !"
At the place of execution, he exhorted those who were
Cliristians to remain so; and such as were not, to embrace
a faith which led to eternal glory.
Then turning to his father, with a cheerful countenance,
he desired that the military ha])it intended for him might
be given to the executioner; and, after taking leave of
fiiai, said, he hoped they should meet again in the other
world, and be happy to all eternity. lie then received
the fatal stroke, and crown of martyrdom.
The father beheld the execution with amazing fortitude,
and saw the head of his heroic son' severed from the body,
without any visible emotions, but such as seemed to pro-
ceed from a conscious pleasure, in being the parent of one
whose piety and courage rendered him so shining an ex-
ample for Christiri.' s to imitate.
Vitus was a Sicilian of a considerable family, whose
virtues increased with his years, his constancy supported
hin^i under all afflictions, and his faith was superior to the
most dangerous perils.
His father Hylas, a Pagan, finding that his son had been
instructed in the p inciples of Christianity, by the nurse
who brougl'.t him up, used all his endeavours to bring him
back to Paganism. Faihng in his design, he forgot all the
I
HISTORY OF THE MARTVRjf. 57
feelings of a parent, and impeached his son to \ alerian,
governor of Sicily, then very active in persecuting the
Christians.
Vitus, at the time of his apprehension, was little more
than twelve years of age ; Valerian, therefore, on account
of his tender age, thought to terrify him out of his faith.
He was, with great anger, accordingly threatened, and or-
dered to he scourged severely.
Having received his punishment, the governor sent him
back to his father, thinking that what he had sutfered
would certainly make him change his principles; but in
this he was mistaken : and Hylas, finding his son inflexible,
suftered parental feelings to be subdued by superstition,
ajiid determined to sacrifice his son to the idols.
Vitus, on being apprized of this horrid design, escaped
to Lucania, where he was discovered, seized, and by cfider
of Valerian, put to death, A. D. 303. Crescentia, the
nurse who brought him up as a Christian, and a person
who escaped with him, named Modestus, were martyred
at the same time.
Victor resided at Marseilles^ in France ; and spent a
great part of the night in visiting the atflicted, and con-
firming the weak; which pious work he, consistently with
his own safety, performed in the night; and his fortune he
spent in relieving the distresses of poor Christians.
At length he was seized by the emperours orders, and
carried before two prefects, who advised him to embrace
Paganism, and not forfeit the favour of his prince on ac-
count of a dead man, as they styled Christ. In answer, he
replied, "that he preferred the service of that dead man,
who was in reality the Son of God, and was risen from
the grave, to all the advantages he could receive from the
emperour's favour: that he was a soldier of Christ, and
would therefore take care that the post he held under an
earthly prince should never interfere with his duty to the
King of heaven ; and that as for the gods, whose worship
they recommended to him, be could not think them any
better than evil spirits."
For this reply he was loaded with reproaches, but be-
ing a man of rank he was sent to the emperour, who com-
manded him to sacrifice to the Roman idols.
58 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
On his absolute refusal to comply, Maximian ordered
him to be bound and dragged through the streets, where
he was treated with all manner of cruelties and indigni-
ties bj the enraged populace.
Remaining inflexible, he was ordered to be stretched
upon the rack, when turning his eyes towards heaven, he
prayed to God to endue him with patience ; after which
he underwent the tortures with admirable fortitude. The
executioners being tired of inflicting torment on him, he
was taken from the rack, and conveyed to a close dark
dungeon.
His confinement, however, became a fortunate circum-
stance, for he converted his gaolers, Alexander, Felician,
and Longinus. This coming to the ears of the emperour,
he o.rdered them immediately to be beheaded.
T Victor was then again put to the rack, and unmerciful-
ly beaten with batoons, and then again remundcd to pri-
son.
' Being a third time examined concerning his religion, he
persevered in his principles; a small altar was then
brought, and he was commanded to oflfer incense upon it
immediately. Fired with indignation at the request, he
boldly stept forward, and with his foot overthrew both al-
tar and idol.
This so enraged the emperour Maximian, who was pre-
sent, that he ordered the foot with which he had kicked
the altar, to be immediately cut off; and Victor was after-
wards sentenced to be thrown into a mill, and crushed to
pieces with the stones.
This cruel sentence was in some measure put into exe-
cution ; Victor was thrown into the mill, but part of the
apparatus breaking, he was drawn from it terribly bruis-
ed; and the emperour not having patience to stay till it
was mended, ordered his head to be struck off, which was
executed A. D. 303.
Maximus, governor of Silicia, being at Tarsus, three
Christians were brought before him by Demetrius, a mili-
tary officer.
: Tarachus, the eldest, and first in rank, was addressed
I
hlSTOR\ or THE MARTYRS. 59
first by Maximus, who asked him what he was? The pri-
soner repUed, " a Ctiristian." This reply oifended the
governor; who again made the same demand, and was an-
swered in a similar manner.
The governor then told him, that he ought to sacrifice
to the gods, as that was the only way to promotion, riches,
and honours; and that the emperours themselves did what
was recommended to be done by him.
To this Tarachus replied, " that avarice was a sin, and
gold itself an idol as abominable as any other; for it pro-
moted frauds, treacheries, robberies, and murders; it in-
duced men to deceive each other, by which in time they
deceived themselves, and bribed the weak to their own
eternal destruction. As for promotion he desired it not,
as he could not in conscience accept of any place, office,
or post, which would subject him to pay adoration to idols ;
and with regard to honours, he desired not greater than
the honourable title of Christian !"
For this boldness, his jaws were ordered to be broken,
that the parts which uttered the words should suffer for
their supposed impropriety. He was then stripped,
scourged, loaded with chains, and thrown into a dismal
dungeon, to remain there till the trial of the other prison-
ers.
Probus was then brought before Maximus, to whom the
prisoner boldly declared, that the most valuable name he
could boast of was that of a Christian ; but that the usual
appellation by which he was distinguished was Probus;
that his father was a Thracian, and that himself was born
at Sida, in Pamphylia.
Maximus replied to this in the following words: '
"Your name of Christian will be of little service to you,
be therefore guided by me; sacrifice to the gods, engage
my friendship, and the emperour's favour."
Probus nobly answered, "that as he had relinquished a
considerable fortune to become a servant to Christ, it
might appear evident, that he neither cared for his friend^
ship, or the emperour's favour.
He was, by the governor's order, then scourged ; and
Pemetrius, the officer, observing to him how his blood
CO HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
tlowed, advised him to comply ; but his only answer was,
-that those severities were agreeable to him." "What!
(cries Maximus,) does he still persist in his madness?" To
which Probus rejoined, "that character is badly bestow-
v.d on one who refuses to worship idols, or what is worse,
devils."
He was then committed to gaol, loaded with irons, and
his hands and feet stretched upon the stocks.
Andronicus was next brought up, w^hen being asked the
usual questions, he said, "1 am a Christian, a native of
Iiiphesus, and descended from one of the first families in
that city." After much altercation, in which the gover-
nor was unsuccessful In endeavouring to dissuade him
from his. faith, he was ordered to undergo punishments si-
milar to those of Tarachus and Probus, and then remand-
'^d to prison.
After being confined some days, the three prisoners
were brought before Maximus again, who began first to
reason with Tarachus, saying, "that as old age was hon-
oured from the supposition of its being accompanied by
wisdom, he was in hopes that what had already past must,
upon deliberation, have caused a change in his sentiments."
Finding himself, however, mistaken, he ordered him to be
tortured by various means ; fire was placed in the palms
■jf his hands; he was hung up by his feet and smoked
with wet straw; a mixture of salt and vinegar was poured
into his nostrils ; and he was then again remanded to pri-
son.
Probus being then called for, and asked if he would sa-
crifice, replied, "I come better prepared than before; for
what I have already suffered has only confirmed and
Strengthened me in my resolution. Employ your whole
power upon me, and you will find, tliat neither you, nor
your masters, the emperours, nor the gods whom you serve,
nor the devil who is your father, shall oblige me to adore
gods whom I know not."
The governor then attempted to reason with him on
religious subjects: for having a slender education he was
proud of showing his talents. He launched forth into the
most extravagant praises of the Paga» deities, and as he
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 6l
enumerated them, described their respective pov>'ers, and
separate virtues; and inferred, from what himself had
said, that such deities, possessed of such admirable quali-
ties, ought to be worshipped. "However," continues he,
"asyour chief objection is against a plurality of Gods, I
will not press you to sacrifice to all of them: sacrifice on-
ly to Jupiter, the chief, the most powerful, and most in-
vincible of our deities."
Probus easily confuted his arguments, turned his casu-
istry to ridicule, and in particular said, "shall I pay di-
vine honours to Jupiter, to one who married his own sis-
ter to an infamous debauchee, as is even acknowledged
by your own poets and priests?"
Incensed at this speech the governor ordered him to be
struck upon the mouth, for uttering what he called blas-
phemy: his body was then seared with hot irons; he was
put to the rack, and afterwards scourged ; his head was
shaved, and coals placed upon the crown ; and after all
these tortures, he was again sent to confinement.
These three worthy Christians were brought to a third
examination, when they retained their constancy, were
again tortured, and at length ordered for execution.
Being brought to the amphitheatre, several beasts were
let loose upon them: but none of the animals would touch
them. This so greatly irritated Maximus, that he severe-
ly-reprehended the keeper, and ordered him to produce a
beast that would execute the business for which he was
wanted. The keeper then brought out a large bear, that
had that very day destroyed three men; but this creature,
and a fierce lioness, both refused to touch the prisoners.
Finding the design of destroying them hj the means of
wild beasts ineffectual, Maximus ordered them to be slain
^y a sword, which was executed A, D. 303.
Romanus was a native of Palestine, and deacon of the
church of Cagsarea, at the time of the commencement of
Dioclesian's persecutioji. Being at Antioch when the
Imperial order arrived for sacrificing to idols, he was
greatly afflicted to see many Christians, through fear, sub-
mit to the idolatrous mandate, aid deny *^hV;r faith to
preserve their lives; be censured some of the recreants
6
iQiZ HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
for their conduct, for which they informed against him to
the governor. Before the tribunal, he boldly confessed
himself a Christian, and said he was ready and wilKng to
suffer any thing inflicted upon him on account of his faith.
Being condemned, he was scourged, put to the rack,
his body torn with hooks, his flesh cut with knives, his
face scarified, his teeth beat from their sockets, and his
hair plucked up by the roots. Thus cruelly mangled, he
turned to the governor, and very calmly thanked him for
what he had done, and for having opened so many mouths
to preach the doctrines of Christianity. He was then stran-
gled ; dying in hope of endless life in heaven, A. D. 303.
Marcellinus, an ecclesiastick at Rome, being apprehen-
ded on account of his religion, was ordered to be privately
beheaded in a forest.
Peter, a Christian, apprehended for the same cause, was
executed at the same time and place.
Much about this period Smaragdus, Largus, and Cyria-
ous, a deacon of the Christian church, were martyred.
Susanna, niece of Caius, bishop of Rome, having been
solicited by the emperour Dioclesian to marry a noble Pa-
gan, who was nearly related to him, refused the honour
intended, on account of her religion, which so greatly en-
raged the emperour, that he ordered her to be beheaded.
Dorotheus, high chamberlain of the household to Dio-
clesian, was a Christian, and took great pains to make
converts. In his rehgious labours he was joined by Gor-
gonius, another Christian, and one belonging to the palace.
They were both high in the emperour's favour, but soon
had an opportunity of evincing, that worldly honours and
temporary pleasures were nothing when set in competition
with the joys of immortality; for being informed against,
they were first tortured and then strangled.
Peter, an eunuch belonging to the emperour, was a
•Christian of singular modesty and humility. His humility
caused him to undertake any menial office to serve ihe
afflicted; and his benevolence occasioned him to give
whatever he possessed to those who needed assistance;
convinced that riches did not constitute happiness, and
that want could give instructions that wealth could never
bestow.
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 63
Being informed against as a Christian, and confessing
the charge, he was scourged till his flesh was torn in a most
terrible manner; and then salt with vinegar was thrown
upon his wounds. Having endured these tortures with
the utmost patience, he was laid on a gridiron, and broiled
over a slow fire, till he expired.
Cyprian, known by the title of the Magician, to distin-
guish him from Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, was a native
of Antioch. He received a liberal education in his youth,
and particularly applied himself to astrology; after which
ke travelled for improvenient through Greece, Egjpt,
India, &c.
Having finished his studies, he settled near Babylon^
^«id, being skilled in the. Chaldean mysteries, he perverted
his talents in endeavouring to draw Vomen from chastity
and conjugal faith, in persecuting the Christians, and in
ridiculing their faith.
He became acquainted with Justma, a young lady of
Antioch, whose birth, beauty, and accomplishments, ren-
dered her an object of admiration.
This laQj had been Gducp.ted in idolatry; but being
happily converted to Christianity, she induced her father
and mother to embrace the same faith. Her modesty and
her prudence were extremely commendable. A Pagan
gentleman falling in love with her, an'd not being able to
obtain a favourable return to his addresses, applied to
Cyprian for assistance.
Cyprian undertook the design with a treacherous intent;
and, under the pretence of acting for his friend, deter-
mined, if possible, to possess the lady himself. To effect
this, he employed all his skill, and essayed a variety of
infernal contrivances; but his endeavours proving ineffec-
tual, he was fully convinced that a superior power protec-
ted her from his machinations.
His reflections, on this account, awakened him to search
into the truths of Christianity ; and his research became
so beneficial, that he renounced the errours of Paganism,
and embraced a faith, of the excellency of which he could
not fail to be convinced.
The repentance of Cyprian was sincere. He deter-
64 HISTORY OF Tin: i^fARTYRS.
mined to reform his conduct, and to make all ainends
in his power for the crimen he had committed. Eusebius,
a Christian, confirmed iiim in this resolution, and preven-
ted him from falling into despair f<jr his past follies.
Cyprian burnt his books ot" astrology and magic, receiv-
ed baptism, and became animated with a powerful spirit
of grace. The conversion of Cyprian had a great effect
on the Pagan gentleman who paid his addresses to Jus-
tina, and he, in a short time, embraced Christianity.
During this persecution, Cyprian and Justina were seized
upon as Christians; when the former was torn with pin*
cers, and the latter cruelly scourged; and after suffering
otiier torments, both were beheaded.
Sergius, an officer in the Roman army, attended the
emperour Maximian' into Syria. Being accused as a
Christian, he was ordered to sacrifice to Jupiter; but re-
fusing to perform apy such idolatrous command, he was
stripped of his military habit, and, by way of derision,
ifressed in women's clothes. He was then forced to walk
a considerable way with nails in his sandals, and a conclu-
sion was put to his sufferings by beuig beheaded.
Bacchus, an officer of the same rank as Sergius, being
apprehended at the same time, underwent similar suffer-
ings, and was beheaded on the same day, A. D. 303.
lEulalia, a Spanish lady, of a Christian . family, was re-
markable, in her youth, for a sweetness of temper, and
solidity of understanding. Being apprehended as a
Christian, the magistrate attempted, by mild means, to
bring her over to Paganism ; but she answ^ered him in so
determined a manner, and ridiculed the Pagan deities with
such asperity, that the judge, incensed at her behaviour;,
ordered her to be tortured.
Her sides were torn by hooks, and her breasts burnt in
the most shocking; manner, till the fire catching her head
and face, she expired by the violence of the flame.
In 304, the emperour Dioclesian falling ill, the persecu-
tion was deputed to Galerius, and the governours of the
several provinces, when the following fell victims to the
infernal malice of the persecutors:
Vincent, a Spanish Christian, educated by Valerius,
HISTORY or THE MARTYRS. 65
bishop of Saragossa, who, on account of his great merit,
ordained him a deacon. When the persecution reached
Spain, Dacian, the governour of Tarragona, ordered Va-
lerius, the bishop, and Vincent, the deacon, to be seized,
loaded witli irons, and imprisoned.
Tiiey were examined with great asperity, and threaten-
ed with death, unless they renounced their principles. — -
Vincent, undertaking to speak for both, as Valerius had
ai^ impediment in his speech, delivered himself with great
freedom, and avow^ed their full determination to persist in
the faith.
Dacian, in a rage declared, that, unless he immediately
burnt incense to the gods, he should fall a sacrifice to the
contempt he had expressed.
The prisoners being firm in their resolutions, Valerius
was banished, and the whole of the governour's rage di-
rected against Vincent, who was racked, his limbs disloca-
ted, his flesh torn with iron hooks, and being laid on a
gridiron, had not only a fire placed under it, but spikes at
the top, which run into his flesh. In this situation, while
broiling over the fire, he was tormented with red-hot irons,,
or salamanders; and then salt w^as thrown over the wounds
and scarified places.
These torments neither destroying him, nor changing
his resolutions, he was remanded to prison, and confined in
a small loathsome dark dungeon, w*hich, to make it the
more disagreeable, was strevred with sharp flints, and
pieces of broken glass. Orders were given not to suffer
him to have any provisions whatever, and that the news of
his death should be carried to Dacian as soon as known.
The keepers, by the time they thought him famished,
entered the dungeon, when, instead of seeing only a
corpse, as they expected, they beheld, to their great as-
tonishment, Vincent at prayers, his w^ounds healed, and his
body in tolerable health.
This speedy recovery and preservation had such an
effect upon the keepers, that it became the happy means
of their conversion.
Dacian, however, abandoned to the hardness of his
heart, and impenetrable to convictioD. instead of being
^
t)G HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS*
softened by these uncommon circumstances, was enraged
at the triumph of Vincent over bis cruelties; and gave
orders for new tortures to be prepared for him, of so severe
a nature, as to make him sink under them.
Here, however, malice was again disappointed ; for, be-
fore the instruments could be prepared, God took him to
himself; and he died with all the serenity of a good con-
science, and with as much calmness, as if he had only sunk
into a gentle slumber. ' •
The persecution of Dioclesian began particularly, to '
rage in Africa in this year, when many Christians were
put to cruel tortures, and the most painful and ignominious
deatlis. The most eminent of whom are thus enumerated :
Saturninus, a priest of Albitina, a town of Africa, was
aecttstonied to officiate in his clerical capacity, preach, and
administer the sacrament to a society of Christians, pri-
vately assembled at the house of Octavius Felix; the
severity of the times being such, that they could not pub-
licly perform their religious duties.
Saturninus, with four of his children, and several other
persons, were apprehended; and that their punishment
might be the more exemplary and public, they were sent
to Carthage, the capital of Africa; where they were ex-
amined before Anulinus, the pro-consul of the province.
Saturninus gave such spirited answers, and vindicated
the Christian religion with such force of eloquence, as
showed that he was worthy to preside over an assembly
that professed a faith of purity and truth. Anulinus, en-
raged at his superior arguments, which he could not con-
fute, ordered him to be stopped from saying any more, bj
being put to a variety of tortures, such as scourging,
tearing his flesh with hooks, burning with hot irons, &c.
All this he bore with the most manly patience.
After being tortured, he was remanded to prison, and
there starved to death.
The four children of Sattirninus, after being variously
tormented, remained steady in their faith, on which they
were sent back to the dungeon in which their father was
confinecJ, and shared the same fate as their parent.
Eight other Christians were tortured oq the same day
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.* Q7
as Saturninus, and much in the same manner. Two expi-
red on the spot through the severity of their sufferings;
and the other six being sent back to prison, were suffoca-
ted by means of the closeness of the dungeon.
Dativus, a noble Roman senator, Thelico, a pious
Christian, Victoria, a young lady, with some others of less
consideration, who had been all auditors of Saturninus,
were seized at the time he was, tortured in a similar man-
ner, and perished by the same means ; sealing their testimo-
ny with their lives, and receiving the glorious crown of
martyrdom, as a reward for their sufferings in this transi-
tory life.
Agape, Chionia, and Irene, three sisters, were seized
at Thessalonica, when Dioclesian's persecution reached
Greece. They had been educated in the Christian faith,
but had taken great precautions not to* be seized on that
account, being, from the softnesss of their natures, unwil-
ling to meet the rage of the times.
Hence they retired to a solitary place, and spent their
hours in performing religious duties. Being, however^
discovered and seized, they renounced their former timid-
ity, blamed themselves for being so fearful, and begged of
God to strengthen them against the great trial they had
to undergo.
Agape, being examined before Dulcatius, the governour,
was asked whether she was disposed to comply with the
laws of the land, and obey the mandates of the emperour?
h>he answered, " that, being a Christian, she could not
comply with any laws which recommended the w^orship
of idols and devils; that her resolution was fixed, and
nothing should deter her from continuing in it to the last
moment of her life,"
Chionia replied in the same manner as her sister had
done ; when the governour, not being able to draw them
from their faith, pronounced sentence of condemnation on
them; pursuant to which they were burnt, A. D, 304.
Irene w^as then brought before the governour, who fan-
cied that the death of her sisters would have an effect
upon her fears, and that the dread of similar sufferings
would engage her to comply with his proposals, Hf
G8 .lySTORV OF THE MARTYRS.
therefore exhorted her to acknowledge the heathen dei-
ties, to sacritice to tliem, to partake of the victims, and to
deUver up her books relative to Christianity.
She heard these propositions with indignation, and pos-
itively refused to comply with any of them. The gover-
iiour asked her, "who it was that persuaded her and her
sisters to keep those books and writings?" She answered,
"It was that God who commtiiided them to love him to
the last; for which reason she was resolved to submit to
be burned aUve, rather than give them up into the hands
of his professed enemies."
The governour, finding that he could make no impres-
sion on her, ordered her to be exposed naked in the streets,
which shameful order having been executed, she was
burnt at the same place where her sisters had but a few-
days previously sulfcred.
Agatho, a man of pious mind, with Cassice, Phillippa,
and Eutychia, were martyred about the same time.
Marcellinus, bishop of Rome, who succeeded Caius in
that see, was greatly perplexed during this pe*ecution;
and having strongly opposed paying divine honours to
Dioclesian, who wished to exact them from the people,
and to appear as a god, he was at leng:tli seized, and com^
mitted to prison.
In this situation his conduct was steady, his constancy
immoveable, and his patience great. He suffered mar-
tyrdom, by a variety of. tortures, in this year; comforting
himself till he expired, with the prospect of those glori-
ous rewards he would receive by the tortures sliffered in
the body.
Theodotus, a Dalmatian, kept an inn at Ancyra. 'Be-
ing a Christian, and of a very humane disposition, he de-
voted a great part of his time to visit the afflicted, and a
great part of his property to relieve the poor.
Theotecnus, the governour of these parts, whose cruelty
could be equalled by nothing but his bigotry, received
the mandate for persecuting the Christians with great
satisfaction, and wrote the emperour word, that he .would
do his utmost endeavour to root out Christianity from eve-
ry place where he had the least power.
HISTORY OF THK MARTY Rfc. 69
The Pagans, being encouraged by the goveiiiour, began
to inform against, abuse, and persecute the Christians.
Great numbers were seized upon, and imprisoned ; their
goods destroyed, and their estates confiscated. Many fled
into the woods, or retired to caves, where some supported
themselves by feeding upon such roots as they could casu-
ally find, and others perished by famine. Indeed, many
were starved in the city, by means of the following singu-
lar stratagem. The governour gave strict orders that no
provisions whatever should be exposed to sale in the mar-
kets, without haying been first consecrated tcr the idols ;
hence the Christians were compelled to eat what had
been ofifered to the devil, or to refrain from food and perish.
The latter dreadful alternative was chosen by many, who
heroically gave up their lives to preserve the purity of
their faith.
During these critical times, Theodotus did all that he
could to comfort the imprisoned, and buried the bodies of
several who had been martyred ; though it was forbidden,
on pain of death. He likewise privately assisted many
with such fnod as they might use with a safe conscience :
for, having laid in a great stock of corn and wine, he sold
it out at prime cost.
A Christian, named Polychronicus, being seized, for-
feited his faith, in order to preserve his life, and compoun-
ded for a frail existence, by informing against his friend
Theodotus, who hearing of this treachery, voluntarily sur-
rendered himself to the governour.
On his arrival in the court, he surveyed the divers in-
struments of torture with a smile, and seemed totally re^
gardless of their effect.
Being placed at the bar, the governour informed him,
that it was still in his power to save himself, and to escape
the torments prepared for disobedience, by sacrificing to
the gods of the empire ; " and (continued he) if you re-
nounce your faith in Christ, I promise you my friendship,
and the emperour's protection, and will constitute you one
of the magistrates of the town."
Theodotus, in his answer, discovered great courage and
eloquence. He absolutely refused to renounce his faith,
70 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
declined the friendship of tlje governour, and protecfion
of the emperour, upon the terms proposed, and treated
the Pagan idols with the greatest ridicule.
On hearing this, the Pagans, in general, were extreme-
ly clamorous for the prisoner to be immediately punished ;
and the priests, in particular, rent their clothes, and tore
their chaplets, the badges of their offices, through rage.
The governour, without hesitation, complied with their
desire; when Theodotus was scourged, torn with hooks,
and then placed upon the rack. After this, vinegar was
poured into his wounds, his flesh was seared with burning
torches, and his teeth were knocked out of their sockets.
He was then remanded to prison, and, by the way, point-
ing to his mangled body, he said to the people, "it was but
just that Christians should suffer for him who suffered for
us all."
At the expiration of five days, he was brought from pri-
son, tortured, and then beheaded.
Victor, a native of Ancyra, was accused by the priests
©f Diana, of having 'abused their goddess. For this im-
puted crime he was seized upon, commififtrl in piibuu, his
house plundered, his family turned out of doors, and his
estate confiscated.
Being put to the rack, his resolution failed him, and he
tegan to waver in his laith, through the severity of his
torments. Being carried back to prison, in order to make
a full recantation, God punished him for his intended
apostasy; for his wounds mortified, and put an end to hi«
life in a few days.
Seven aged women of Ancyra, being apprehended for
their faith, were examined before the governour, who, on
finding them steadfast in their religious principles^ reviled
their belief, ridiculed their age, and ordered them to be
delivered over to some young libertines, that their virtue
might be insulted.
One of the debauchees, more bold and forward than the
rest, seized upon the eldest of the women, whose name
was Tecusa, who thus addressed him: "What designs,
child, can you have on us, who are worn out with age and
infirmities? I am now more than three-score and ten
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 71
years old; my companions are not much younger. You
may look on us as so many rotten carcases, as we shall
soon be ; for the governour after death refuses us burial."
Then lifting up her veil, she shewed him her grey hairs,
and then went on; "You may, perhaps, have a mother of
nearly the same age as myself; this should give you some
respect to us." The young men, though entire libertines,
were so affected with this speech, that they desisted, and
went their ways.
The governour, having failed in his design, determined
to compel them to assist in the idolatrous' rites of washing
the goddesses Minerva and Diana: for it is to be under-
stood, that, in Ancyra, it was the "custom annually to wash
the images of those heathen goddesses,- and that the wash-
ing was considered as a material part of the adoration of
them.
These seven Christian women, whose names were Te-
cusa, Phamme, Claudia, Alexandria, Julitta, Euphrasia,
and Matrona, were forced to the temple ; but absolutely
refusing to wash the idols, the governour was so enraged,
that he ordered them all to have stones tied about their
necks, and to be pushed into the water intended for the
washing, in which they gloriously expired.
Timothy, being carried before Urban, governour olf Pa-
lestine, was sentenced to be burnt to death by a slow fire
at Gaza.
Philip, bishop of Heraclea, had, in every act of his life,
appeared as a good Christian. The chief of his disciples
were Severus, a priest, and Hermes, a deacon ; and these
three did all in their power to promote the cause of Chris-
tianity.
The worthy bishop was advised to secrete himself, in or^
der to avoid the storm of the persecution; but he reprov-
ed those who counselled him so to do, telling them, that
their merit would be enhanced by their sufferings, and
that death had no terrour for the virtuous.
An officer named Aristomachus, being employed to shut
up the Christian churches in Heraclea, Philip took great
pains to convince hi n, that the shutting up building
made by hands, could not destroy Christianity, while the
72 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
iiving temples of the Lord remained ; for the true faith
consisted not in the places where God is adored, but in
the hearts of those who adored him.
Being, however, denied entrance into the church where
he used to preach, Phihp took up his station at the door,
rind there exhorted the people to patience and persever-
ance.
These things caused him to be seized and carried be-
fore the governour, who severely reprimanded him, and
then continued to speak sternly in these words: "Bring
all the vessels used in your worship, and the scriptures,
which you read and teach the people, and surrender them
to me, before you are iorced thereto by tortures." "If,"
replied the bishop, "you take any pleasure in seeing us
suffer, we are prepared for the worst you can do. This
Infirm body is in your power; use it as you please. The
vessels you demand shall be delivered up; for God is not
honoured by gold and silver, but by the fear of his power:
the ornaments of the souls of his servants are more pleas-
ing to him than the decorations of churches: but as to the
sacred books, it is neither proper for me to part with
them, nor for you to receive them." This answer so
much incensed the governour, that he ordered Mucassor,
a person particularly distinguished for inhumanity, to tor-
ture the prelate. Hermes, expressing himself freely
against such barbarities, was likewise ordered to be scour-
ged.
Proceeding to the place where the scriptures and the
church plate were kept, both were seized by the Pagans.
The clmrch was unroofed, the doors were walled up, the
plate was embezzled, and the scriptures w^ere burnt.
Philip being taken to the market-place, was ordered to
sacrifice to the Roman deities in general, and to a very
handsome image of Hercules in particular; Xq which com-
mand, "alas!" replied the prelate, "how unhappy are you,
who are thus grossly mistaken in the nature of the deity,
and so ignorant in the truth, as to worship your own work-
mo r>ship. What value is there in gold, silver, brass, iron,
or lead, which are dug out of the earth? You are unac-
quainted with the divinity of Christ, which is incompre-
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 73
nensible to human capacities: but what power can your
idols boast, which are made by base mechanics, a drunk-
en statuary, or a debauched carver, and tricked up by the
arts of the taylor and the goldsmith? and yet these are
your gods." And after some other observations on the
absurdities of the Pagan religion, he concluded, that *»from
what he had already said, it appeared that the heathens
worshipped what might lawfullybetrodenon, and made
gods of such things as Providence had designed for their
use."
The governour then tried the constancy of Hermes,
but finding him as inflexible as the bishop, he committed
them both, to prison. Soon after this, the governour's
time of ruling these parts being expired, a new governour,
named Justin, arrived ; but he was to the full as cruel as
his predecessor.
Philip was dragged by the feet through the streets, se-
verely scourged, and then brought again to the governour,
who charged him with obstinate rashness, in continuing
disobedient to the Imperial decrees: but he boldly repli-
ed, "my present behaviour is not the effect of rashness,
but proceeds from my love and fear of God, who made
the world, and who will judge the living and the dead,
whose commands I dare not transgress. I have hitherto
done my duty to the emperours,* and am always ready to
comply with their just orders, according to the doctrine
of our Lord Christ, who bids us give their due both to
Cassar and to God : but I am obliged to prefer heaven to
earth, and to obey God rather than man."
The governor, on hearing this speech, immediately passed
sentence upon him to be burnt, and the martyr expiree!
singing praises to God in the midst of the flames.
Hermes, for behaving in a similar manner, and Severus,
who had surrendered himself up, in order to suffer with
his friends, both met with the same fate. Such were the
effects of a diabolical zeal for the adoration of idols, and
such the consequences of the bhndness of Pagan super-
stitions.
Agricola, we are informed by St. Ambrose, was a Chris-
tian of so very amiable a disposition, that he even gained
74 HISTORY OF THE MARTVRS.
the esteem and admiration of many Tagans; but beiug
apprehended, lie was cruciried, in imitation of the death
of our Saviour; and his body, with the cross, was buried in
one grave, at iJologna, in Italy.
VitaUs, the servant and convert of Agricola, being put
to the torture, died under the haiids of his tormentors.
Victorius, Carpophorus, Severus, and Severianus, broth-
ers, were employed in places of great trust and honour
in the city of Rome. Having exclaimed against the wor-
ship of idols, they were apprehended, and tormented with
scourges, to the ends of which were fastened leaden balls.
This punishment was exercised with such excess of cruel-
ty, that the pious brothers fell martyrs to its severity.
Chrysogonus, of Aquileia, was beheaded by order of
Dioclesian, for having instructed a young lady of that city
in the Christian faith.
Anastacia, the young lady whom he had brought up,
was descended from an illustrious Roman family. Her
mother, named Flavia, was a Christian, and dying while
her daughter was an infant, she bequeathed her to the
care of Chrysogonus, with a strict injunction to instruct
her in tlie principles of Christianity. This Chrysogonus
punctually performed: but the father of the young lady,
who was a Pagan, gave her in marriage to a person of his
own persuasion, named Publius.
The husband was of a good family, but ba'd morals;
and having spent his wife's and his own patrimony, he had
the baseness to inform against her as a Christian.
Publius, however, dying soon after, his wife was releas-
ed ; but continuing to perform many charitable actions to
distressed Christians, she was again apprehended, and
delivered up to Florus, governour of lllyricum. I lorus
commanded that she should be put to the torture, when
finding her constant in the faith, he ordered her to be burnt ;
this event took place about a month after the martyrdom
of <^3hrvsogonus, her instructer.
Mouris and Thea, two Christian women of Gaza, were
martvred in that city some time in this year. The former
died under the hands of her tormentors; and the latter
perished in prison, of the wounds she had received in
bei^ig tortured.
IIISTORY OF TlIC MARTVRS. 75
Timothy, a deacon of Mauritania, and Maura, his wife,
had not been united together by the bands of wedlock
above three weeks, when they were separated from each
other by the persecution.
Timothy, being apprehended as a Christian, was carried
before Arrianus, governourof Thebais, who did all in his
p9wer to allure him from his faith, and induce him to
embrace idolatry.
Finding his endeavours vain, and knowing that Timothy
had the keeping of the Holy Scriptures, the governour
commanded him to deliver them up, that they might be
burnt: to which Timothy answered, " Had I children, I
would sooner deliver them up to be sacrificed, than part
from the word of God." Tlie governour, much incensed
at this reply, ordered Ms ejes lu be put out with red-hot
irons, saying, "the books shall at least be useless to you;
for you shall not see to read them."
•His patience under the operation was so great, that the
governour grew more exasperated. He therefore, in
order if possible to overcome his fortitude, ordered him
to be hung up by tlie feet, with a weight tied about his
neck, and a gag in his mouth.
Timothy underwent this severity with the greatest cour^
age, when some busy person acquainted the governour
that he had been but newly married to a wife, of whom
he was extremely fond. Arrianus was glad to hear this,
thinking that conjugal regard might effect what menaces
could not; and that an affection for his wife might prevail
over that intrepid spirit, which could sustain so many
torments with such resolution.
Maura was sent for, and promised a handsome reward,
with the life of her husband, if she could prevail upon
him to sacrifice to the idols. This was a severe attack
upon the principles of Maura: weak by nature, wavering
in her fiiith, tempted by a bribe, and impelled by an un-
bounded affection for her husband, she undertook the inv
pious task.
Being conducted to him, she assailed his constancy with
all the persuasive language of real affection. When the
p-ao- was taken out of hY? mo^^ih. in order to give him
76 HIS roil Y or* tiil' martyr^,
an opportunity of replying, instead of consenting to fiia
wife's intreaties, as they expected, he greatly blamed her
mistaken love, and declared his resolution of dying for
the faith. The consequence of which was, that Maura
repeated her importunities, till the martyr, her husband,
reproached her so strongly with her weakness, that she
returned to his way of thinkhig, and resolved to imitjrte
his courage and fidelity, and either to accompany, or follow
him to glory. She went to Arrianus, and told him, that
she was united to her husband in opinion as well as by
love, and was ready to suflfer any thing to atone for har
late crime in wishing to make him an apostate.
The governour, after trying in vain to alter her resolu-
tion, ordered her to be tortured, which was executed with
great severity. Timothy and Maura were then crucified
near each other, both receiving the crown of martyrdom
with the greatest intrepidity.
Sabinus, bishop of Assissium, refusing to sacrifice to
Jupiter, and pushing the idol from him, had his hands cut
off by the order of the governour of Tuscany. After pa-
tiently suffering this barbarity, he was committed to pri-
son, where he remained a considerable time, without any
assistance or relief but what he received from a Christian
widow, whose blind grand-son had been by him restored
to sight.
The governoitr, himself, afflicted with sore eyes, on
hearing this intelligence^ revolved its singularity in his
mind, and began to consider the behaviour of the Chris-
tians, and the tenets of Christianity, in a more candid
light than he had hitherto done. Sending for Sabinus, he
informed him that he now entertained very different sen-
timents to what he had hitherto done, both with respect
to him and his faith: then throwing himself at the feet of
Sabinus, he intreated him to afford assistance both to his
inward and outward ailments, and to undertake the cure
of his soul and body.
The fervency with which he spoke, convinced Sabinus.
of his sincerity. Having received proper instructions
concerning the principles of Christianity, he was baptized^
and the disorder in his eyes soon disappeared.
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 77
The conversion of the governour was followed by that
of his whole family, and some of his friends.
The tyrant Maximian, being informed of these circum-
stances, immediately sent one of his principal officers,
named Lucius, and Assassium, who, according to his in-
structions, ordered the goveniour, and all his family, to be
beheaded.
Soon after their execution, Sabinus himself was scourg-
ed to death. *
Marcellus and Experantius, two ecclesiastics, who offici-
ated under Sabinus, were scourged in a most dreadful
manner; but remaining constant in their faith, their flesh
was torn with hooks till they expired.
Tired with the farce of state, and public business, the
emperours Dioclesian and Maximian resigned the imperial
diadem, and were succeeded by Constantius a Briton, and
Galerius ; the former a prince of the most mild and hu-
mane disposition, and the latter equally remarkable for
his cruelty and tyranny.
These divided the empire into two equal governments ;
Galerius ruling in the east, and Constantius in the west;
and the people in the two governments felt the effects of
the different dispositions of the two emperours ; for those
in the west were governed in the mildest manner: but
such as resided in the east, felt all the miseries of op=-
pression.
With respect to the Christians, to whom Galerius bore
a most prejudicial and implacable hatred, we are informed,
that he not only condemned them to tortures, but to be
burnt in slow fires, after this horrible manner:— They
were first chained to a post, then a gentle tire put to the
soles of their feet, which contracted the callus till it fell
off from the bone: when flambeaux, just extinguished,
were put to all parts of their bodies, so that they might
be tortured all over; and care was taken to keep them
alive, by throwing cold water in their faces, and giving
them some thereof to wash their mouths, lest their throats
should be dried up with thirst, and choak them. Thus
their miseries were lengthened out whole days, till, at last^
their skins being consumed, and they. ju?t ready to expire.
78 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
were thrown into a great fire, and had tlieir bodies burnt
to ashes ; after which they were ground to powder, and
thrown into rivers.
Among the manj martyred by the order of Galerius,
the most eminent were: —
Amphianus, a gentleman of eminence in Lucia, and a
scholar to Eusebius. Pressing through the crowd whilst
the proclamation for sacrihcing to idols Was read, he
caught the governour Urbianus by the hand,* and severely
reproved him for his impiety.
The governour, being highly incensed at this freedom,
ordered him to be put to the torture, and then thrown in-
to the sea.
iEdesius, his brother, was, for nearly the same offence,,
much about the same time, martyred at Alexandria.
Julitta, a Lyconian lady of royal descent, brut more
celebrated for her virtues than noble blood, when the edict
for sacrificing to idols was published at Iconium, withdrew
from that city to avoid the bigoted rage of Domitian, the
governour, taking with her, her young son, Cyricus, and
two women servants. She was, however, seized at Tarsus,
and being carried before Alexander, the governour, ac-
knowledged that she was a Christian.
For this confession her son was taken from her, and she
was put to the rack, and tortured with great severity;
but she bore all her sufferings with fortitude.
Young Cyricus cried bitterly to get to his mother; when
the governour observing the beauty, and being melted at
the tears of the child, took him upon his knee, and en-
deavoured to pacify him. Nothing, however, could quiet
Cyricus ; he still called upon the name of his mother, and
at length, in imitation of her words, lisped out, " I am a
Christian." This innocent expression converted the go-
vernour's compassion into rage: he lost the man in the
bigot, and throwing the child furiously against the pave-
ment, dashed out its brains.
The mother, who, from the rack, beheld the whole
transaction, thanked the Almighty that her child was
gone before her; and she should be ^vithout any anxiety
concerning his future welfare, and certain that now no
HISTORY OF THE MAUTVRg. 79
advantage could be taken of his tender year?, to pervert
his principles, and defraud him of his salvation.
To complete the execution^ Julitta had boiling pitch
poured on her feet, her sides were torn with hooks, and
the conclusion of her miseries was by being beheaded,
A. D. 305.
Pantaleon, a native of Nicomedia, was taught most
branches of human learning by his father, who was a Pa-
gan; and the precepts of the gospel by his mother, who
was a Christian.
Applying to the study of medicine, he became eminent
in the knowledge of physrck, and in process of time, was
appointed physician to the emperour Galerius.
He assisted the poor, to the utmost, with his fortune:
and his skill in phjsick was attended with the most aston*
ishing success.
His reputation roused the jealousy of the Pagan phy-
sicians, and they accused him to the emperour. Galerius,
who finding him a Christian, which he had not before
known, ungratefully ordered him to be tortured, and then
beheaded.
Hermolaus, a venerable and pious Christian, and an
intimate acquaintance of Pantaleon's, suffered martyrdom
for his faith on the same day, and in the same manner, as
Pantaleon.
Julitta, of Cappadocia, a lady of distinguished capacity,
great virtue, and uncommon courage, was martyred on
account of a law-suit, of which Basil, bishop of Coesarea,
gives the following particulars:
" She had a troublesome law-suit with one of the prin-
cipal men of Caesarea, who was unjustly possessed of a
considerable part of her estate, and had seized both her
servants and cattle. This oppressive usurper had found
means to bribe the judges in his favour, and hired persons
to swear, that the land and goods in dispute were his
property. Julitta, supported by the justness of her cause,
thought that she had nothing more to do, but to give the
magistrates a plain and ingenuous account of her title. —
When the cause came to be tried, the defendant, instead
of supportmg his claimvor giving any answer to the plain-
80 HIS roil V OF THE MARTYRS.
tiff's plea, urged that the law would not suffer liim to
engage at that har with one of a different religion; so
that he could not proceed in his defence, unless the lady,
who was the plaintiff, renounced Christianity.
" The judge was too well instructed not to second the
motion, and gave it as his opinion, that what he insisted on
was according to the laws of the empire. He then order-
ed an altar to be brought in, and" some fire to be put on
it, and incense to be prepared, and then told the parties,
that if they expected, either of them, to enjoy any benefit
of the laws, they must both of them offer incense to the
gods.
" The usurper, who was a heathen, immediately com-
plied ; but Juhtta made it appear, that her faith was much
dearer to her than her goods, or even than life itself." "No
(said she) my affection to v/hat is undoubtedly my own,
shall never hinder me from sacrificing my all, and even
my life, if required, rather than violate my fidelity to my
God and 8aviour."
This declaration greatly incensed the judge; but Ju>
litta went on with the same intrepidity, and thanked God
for the assurance she had of an eternal inheritance, while
what was her own upon earth was disputed, and unjustly
taken from lier. Tlie magistrate made several attempts
to persuade her to renounce her fai-th, but was always
answered that she was the servant of Christ, and as such
she could not listen to his proposals without horrour ; upon
this she was condemned to be burnt.
Eustratius, secretary to the governour of Armenia, was
thrown into a fiery furnace, for exhorting some Christians,
who had been apprehended, to persevere in their faith.
Auxeutius and Eugenius, two of Eustratius's adherents,
were burnt at Nicopolis. Mardarius, another of his
» friends, expired under the hands of his tormentors; and
Orestes, a military officer, for wearing a golden cross at
his breast, was broiled to death on a gridiron.
Theodore, a Syrian by birth, a soldier by profession,
and a Christian bv faith, set fire to the temple of Cybele,
in Amasia, through an honest indignation at the idolatrous
worship practised therein; for which, being apprehended,
be was severely scoiirgerf, and tlien burnt. A, D. 306.
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. ' 81
Dorothy, a christian of Cappadocia, by the governour's
order, was placed under the care of two women, who had
become apostates to the faith, with a view that she might
be induced to follow their example.
Her discourses, however, had such an effect upon the
two apostates, that they became reconverted, and were
put to death for not succeeding. Soon after Avhich, Dor-
othy herself was tortured, and then beheaded.
Pancratius, or Pancras, a native of Phrygia, being con-
verted, and brought to Rome by his uncle, suffered
martyrdom in that city by being beheaded, soon after the
decease of his uncle, who had died a natural death.
Basilides, Nabor, Nazarius, and Cyrinus, four officers
at Rome, were thrown into prison for their faith; and,
being condemned, were scourged with rods of wire, and
beheaded.
Nicander and Marcian, two Roman military officers,
were apprehended on account of their faith. As they
wprft hckth mt^n rkf erf^i*i aKilUips in their profession, the
utmost endeavours were made to induce them to renounce
Christianity; but these endeavours being found ineffectual,
they were ordered to be beheaded.
Crowds of people attended the execution, among whom
were the wives of the two sufferers. The consort of Ni-
cander was a Christian, and encouraged her husband to
meet his fate with fortitude; but the wife of Marcian
being a Pagan, intreated her husband to save himself, for
the sake of her and her child. Marcian reproved her for
her idolatry and folly, but embraced her and the infant
before the stroke was given. Nicander likewise took
leave of his wife in the most affectionate manner, and
then both, with great willingness, received the crown of
martyrdom.
In the kingdom of Naples several martyrdoms took
place: in particular Januarius, bishop of Beneventum;
Sosius, deacon of Misene; Proculus, another deacon;
Eytyches and Acutius, two laymen, Festus, a deacon;
and Desiderius, a reader; were all condemned by the
governour of Campania, to be devoured by wild beasts.
The savage animals, however, not touching them, thev
were ordered to be beheaded.
B'2 • IlfSTOIlY OF THE MARtVRS.
Marcellus, a certurioii of the Trajan legion, being post-
ed at Tangier*, suflered martyrdom for Christianity, of
■■.vhich we have the following account:
" It happened that while he was there, the emperour's
birth-day was kept with great solemnity, and the sacrifices
to the Pagan idols made a considerable part of that so-
lemnity. All the subjects of the empire were expected,
on that occasion, to conform to tlie blind religion of their
prince; but Marcellus, who had been well instructed in
tile duties of his profession, expressed his detestation of
those profane practices, by throwing away his bell, the
badge of his military character, at the head of his compa-
ny, declaring aloud, that he was a soldier of Christ, the
Eternal King. lie then quitted his arms, and added,
that, from that moment, he ceased to serve the emperour;
and that he thus expressed his contempt of the gods of
the empire, which were no better than deaf and dumb
idols. If (continued he) their imperial majesties impose
the oblij3jation of sacrificing to them and their srods, as a
necessary condition ol their- service, 1 here throw up my
commission, and quit the army."
His behaviour and speeches occasioned an order for his
being beheaded, on a double score — \\z. desertion from
the army, and impiety against the gods of the empire. —
He heard the sentence with intrepidity, and received the
crown of- martyrdom with pleasure.
Cassian, secretary to the court which tried Marcellus,
expressing his disapprobation of such severe proceediigs,
was ordered ir^o custody, and met with the same fate.
Quirinus, ILhop of Siscia, being carried before Mate-
nius the governour, was ordered to sacrifice to the Pagan
deities, agreeably to the edicts. To which he replied,
" The emperours insist upon our sacrificing to their deities,
against the express prohibition of God ; to deities which
we can by no means own, because they are, m reality,
nothing: whereas the power that I serve is every where,
above all things — supports, governs, and disposes of all
tilings, as he pleases: for he is the sovereign master, and
sole author of the universe." For this speech he was or-
dered to be severely beaten.
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 80
Wliile he was uiider t\ie hand of the executioner, the
governour was urgent with him to sacviHce, and oifered to
make him a priest of Jupiter. To which Quirinus repUed,
that fie Avas already engaged in the priestly office, while he
thus offered a sacrifice" to the true God: " I (says he)
scarce feel my torments, and am ready to suffer still great-
er, that my example may show those whom God has com-
mitted to my care, the way to the glory which we desire."
The governour perceiving his constancy, .sent him to
gaol, and ordered him to be heavily ironed; flatterinsj
himself, that the hardships of a gaol, and the weight of
his chains, might overcome his resolutions.
Being deceived in his expectations, he sent him to A-
ma'itiu?, the principal governour of Parmonia, now Hun-
gary, who loaded him with chains, and carried him through
the principal towns on the Danube, exposing him to ridi-
cule wherever he went.
Arriving at length at Sabaria, and finding that Quirinus
would not renounce his faith, he ordered him to be cast
into a river, with a stone fastened to his neck. This sen-
fence being pitt into execution, Quirinus exhorted the
people in the most pious terms, concluding his admonitions
with this prayer;
"It is no new thing, O all-powerful Jesus, for you to
stop the course of rivers, or to cause a man to walk upon
the water, as thou didst thy servant Peter. The people
have already seen the proof of thy power in me: grant
me now to lay down my life for thy sake, O my God."
On pronouncing the last words, he immediately sunk
and died, A. D. 308. His body was afterwards taken up
and buried by some pious Christians.
Five Egyptian Christians, who were upon a visit to
their afflicted brethren in Caesarea, were apprehended
and carried befoi^ Firmilian, governour of Palestine,
who, on questioning them concernins; whence they came,
^nd 'vhat t'ncy were, was answered by one, in the name
of the rest, tiiat they were Christians, and beloi'ged to
the glorious citv of Jerusalem, speaking allegorical! v of
the heavenly Jerusalem. The governo'.ir was surpnsed
at the answer, as he knew Vespasian, and his son Titus,
84 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
had destroyed the ancient Jerusalem; and that the incon-
siderable town erected by Adrian upon the spot, was
called JElia Capitolina: he therefore enquired more par
ticularly concerning it. The Christian, who had spoken
before, again replied, and pursuing the allegory, described
with great force of imagination, the great beauty, riches,
and strength of the place. Firmilian, still mistaking the
Christian's meaning, by understanding his words in a lite-
ral sense, was dreadfully alarmed ; for not dreaming that
a heavenly city was alluded to, he fancied that the Chris-
tians were strengthening and fortifying some place, in
order to revolt from their allegiance to the emperour.
Full of this mistake, and enraged at the supposed disloy-
alty, he condemned the five prisoners to be cruelly tor-
mented, and then beheaded, A. D. 309.
Pamphilus, a native of Phoenicia, and of a considerable
family, was a man of such extensive learning, that he was
called a second Origen. He was received into the body
of the clergy at Caesarea, where he established a publick
library, and spent his time in the practice of every Chris-
tian virtue. He copied the greatest part of the works of
Origen with his own hand; and, assisted by Eusebius,
gave a correct copy of the Old Testament, which had
suffered greatly by the ignorance or negligence of former
transcribers. He likewise gave public lectures on reli-
gious and literary subjects, in an academy which he had
erected for that purpose, till the year 307, when he was
apprehended, and carried before Urban, goverhour of
Palestine.
Thinking that a man of his abilities must be of great
importance to any party, Urban did all in his power to
induce him to embrace Paganism. Finding his endeav-
ours vain, he changed persuasions into menaces, and, from
intreating, began to threaten. ,
Pamphilus maintaining his resolution, was ordered to
be tortured, and then sent to prison, which was immediate-
ly put into execution.
Soon after Urban, having displeased the emperour, was
displaced and beheaded; but another was appointed in his
room, who was equally prejudiced against the Christians.
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. S5
Under the new governour, Pamphilus suffered martyr-
dom, by being beheaded ; together with Valens, a deacon
of the church of Jerusalem; and Paul, a layman of Jam-
nia, in Palestine.
Porphyrins, servant of Papiphilus, was martyred by
means of a straw lire, for only requesting leave to bury
the bodies of his master and the other martyrs.
Theodulus, a venerable and faithful servant to Firmili-
an, the governour, being accused as a professor of the
Christian faith, confessed the charge, and was, by order
of his cruel master, crucified, A. D. 309; and Julian, a
Cappadocian, was burnt on the same day,
Marcellus, bishop of Rome, having been banished on
account of his faith, fell a martyr to the miseries he suf-
fered in exile, A. D. 310.
In A. D. 310, the emperour Galerius was seized with
a most violent disorder, arising from an ulcer, which made
him loathsome to all about him, and racked him with in-
supportable pains, greater than any he had exercised on
the Christians, insomuch that he made several attempts to
kill himself; and had caused several physicians to be put
to death, because their medicines were ineffectual.
In thi^ dreadful misery he had languished for a full
year, when his conscience being at last av/akened, he was
forced to own the hand of the Almighty in his punish-
ment ; and in the intervals of his torments he often cried,
"that he would rebuild the church of Nicomedia, and re-
pair the mischief he had done to the Christians."
In his last agonies, having, consulted witli Constantine
and Licinius, he published an edict in favour of the Chris-
tians, whereby "he allowed them to continue in their reli-
gion, and permitted them to hold assemblies for their wor-
ship, provided they acted nothing contrary to their estab-
lished discipline; enjoining them, at the same time, to
pray for the health of the emperour, and the prosperity of
the commonwealth." This edict was published at Nico-
media, the place where this persecution began eight years
before, when the prison-doors were set open, and a great
number of Christians \vere set at liberty, A. D. 311.
Yet all this did not avert the judgments of God from
8 ^
86 IIISTORV OP THE MART\R?.
Galerius, who, in a few days after, died, leaving tiie em-
pire divided among four. Constantine had Gaul, Spain.
Britain, and Germany; Licinius the provinces of lllyri-
cum, Greece, and Asia Minor; Maximus Caesar, Egypt,
and the east; and Maxentius, the tyrant, Italy and Afri-
ca ; though the latter was partly possessed by an usurper,
named Alexander.
Peter, the sixteenth bishop of Alexandria, was martyred <
A. D. 311, by order of Maximus Caesar, who reigned ir
the east.
Lucian, a learned and eloquent Syrian, was a man Oi
so benevolent a temper, that he disposed of the greatest
part of his fortune in charitable actions; advanced to the
clerical character in Antioch, he became a true servant
o£ Christ, and a zealous pastor of the church. At length
he was apprehended, imprisoned for the space of nine
years, put to the rack, rolled upon sharp flints, nails, &c.
and tortured to death; his body was then thrown into the
sea; but it was afterwards cast on shore, and buried.
Agnes, a child only thirteen years of age, wa^ behead-
ed: Valentine, a priest, suffered the same fate at Rome:
and Erasmus, a bishop, was martyred in Campania.
Cosmus and Damian, x\rabians, and brothers, were mar-
tyred in Cilicia: Adrian, an imperial officer, was behead-
ed; Barbara, a young* lady, was martyred at Nicomedia;
Lucy, a Christian virgin, was put to death at Syracuse:
and even Serena, who had been the empress of Dioclesi-
an, was beheaded for being a Christian.
Gordius, a native of Cassarea, and a centurion m the
Roman army, was first tormented, and then burnt : Me^
nas, an Egyptian soldier, was beheaded: and Barlaam, a
noble martyr, as we are informed by Basil, having endur-
ed the torments of the executioners, even to the very point
of death, the tormentors at last brought him, and laid him
upon the altar where they used to offer sacrifices to their
idols, and put frankincense into his hand, which they light-
ed, imagining that the heat and force of the fire would
oblige him to scatter the burning incense on the altar,
that they might thereby say that he had sacrificed. But
fn this they were disappointed ; for the flame went round
THE NEW ^<*^^V.
5? ^** "'^'k
"■ws*--^
' 'iM.'r.M.m n !:' -r'r^[i^^_ i'r;OPII'
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 87
lus hand, which appeared as if it had been covered with
hot embers, while he uttered this exclamation of the
Psalmist, " blessed is the Lord my God, who teacheth my
hands to war, and my fingers to fight." After which, he
surrendered his soul into the hands of Christ his Saviour.
Power being given to the Pagans to use the Christians
as bad as they thought proper, the doors of a church, in
which were a Christian congregation, were shut up, and
the buildi-ng being set on fire, every person perished in
the flames ! Many were severely beaten with sticks, cords,
rods, whips, scourges, &c.
St. George, was a native of Cappadocia, and of Chris-
tian parents. His father dying when he was young, he
travelled with his mother into Palestine, her native coun-=
try. Here she claimed a patrimonial estate, which after-
wards descended to her son. St. George Ijeing strong,
active, and of a great spirit, took up the profession of a
soldier, and was made a tribune or colonel. In this post
he exhibited great proofs of his courage, and was accord-
ingly promoted in the army of the emperour Dioclesian.
During the persecution, St. George threw up his command ;,
went boldly to the senate-house, and avowed his being a
Christian; taking occasion, at the same time, to remon-
strate against Paganism, and point out the absurdity of
worshipping idols. This freedom so greatly provoked the
senate, that St. George was ordered to be tortured, which
he underwent ^vith great constancy, and without any
change in his religious principles. Exasperated at his
fortitude, they dragged him through the streets with great
cruelty, and on the following day he was beheaded.
After a reign of terrour and indescribable cruelties,
which lasted during ten years, the surviving part of the
church began to experience relief. Persecution seemed
to grow weary of its toil ; the army of martyrs was swel-
led to an astonishing number, and thousands more stood
ready to join it, if called upon; deeming it an honour and
a glory to die for him who died for the world. While
the Pagans triumphed over the lives and fortunes of
Christians, the latter triumphed over the Pagan religion ;
evincing a composure, a felicity of mind, and a firmness
in suffering, which no Pagan ever enjoyed^
IirSTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
Upon the accession of Constantine the Great, who es-
poused the cause of Christianity, and who finally possess-
ed tlu) eastern and western empire, persecution ceased,
Paganism fell, and Christianity was exaltedi
CHAP. XII.
PERSECUTIONS AGAINST THE CHRISTIANS IN PERSIA, AND
VARIOUS OTHER PLACES, FROM THE END OF THE TENTH
GENERAL PERSECUTION TO THE CLOSE OF THE FIFTH
CENTURY,
When the gospel spread into Persia, the Pagan priests
were alarmed for the consequences, lest they should lose
the influence which they had maintained over the minds
and properties of the people. They complained to the
emperour, that Christians were obnoxious to the welfare
of the empire, and held a treasonable correspondence with
Constantine the Great, and with the Romans, who were
their enemies. The emperour believed the representa-
tions, or pretended to believe them, and gave orders to
persecute the members of the Christian Church in all
parts of his dominions. A most bloody scene of cruelty
and murder ensued. Simeon, Bishop of Seleucia, and
other ecclesiasticks to the number of a hundred and
twenty-eight, were apprehended and accused of having
betrayed the affairs of Persia to the Romans. They were
commanded to worship the Sun, agreeably to the Persian
customs; and as they unanimously refused to do it, they
were all beheaded. After these executions, an edict was
published to put to death all who confessed themselves
Christians; on which occasion great multitudes fell.
About this time the empress of Persia falling sick, the
sisters of Simeon, the bishop of Seleucia, were accused
by some of the magi of being the occasion of it. This
absurdity was received as a fact, and they were by the
emperour's order sawed in quarters, and the quarters
placed upon poles.
This time of oppression and astonishing cruelty towards
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 89
the disciples of Christ in the Persian dominions, continued
with unabated fury until it was checked by the exertions
and influence of Constantine the Great-
After the death of Constantine, the Arians found means
to ingratiate themselves into the favours of Constantius,
his son and successor in the East; and a persecution was
thereby raised against those of the Church who would
not espouse the Arian system. The celebrated Athana-
sius and other bishop* were sent into banishment. In
Egypt and Lybia, thirty bishops were martyred, and many
other members of the Church cruelly tormented.
In the year of Christ 336, a persecution was commenced
iii Alexandria and in its environs, which was conducted
with great severity. The flame was also lighted up in
other parts, and many fell victims to the rage of the
dominant party.
Constantius dying A. D. 361, was succeeded by Juhan,
the nephew of Constantine the Great. Though a Chris-
tian when he ascended the throne, he immediately re-
nounced Christianity and embraced Paganism. He re-
stored idolatrous worship, by opening several temples that
had been shut, rebuilding such as had been destroyed, and
ordering the magistrates and people to follow his example.
He made no pubhck edicts against Christianity, but tried
to do that privately which other emperours had done
openly. He allowed the free exercise of religion to every
sect, but deprived all Christians of offices at court, in the
magistracy and in the army. He endeavoured to under-
mine Christianity by artifice, instead of expelling it by
force ; and to make his measures more effectual, ^ he pro-
hibited any Christian from keeping a school or publick
seminary of learning, and deprived all Christian clergy
of the privileges granted them by Constantine the Great.
When Julian came to Constantinople, he oflfefed sacri-
fice to the goddess of fortune, in the Cathedral Church.^
Maris, the blind bishop of Chalcedon, caused himself to
be led to the emperour, whom he sharply rebuked, calling
him an impious person and an apostate. The emperour
called the bishop a fool, telling him, that his God of Gali-
lee would not restore him his sight. To which Maris
8*
1
90 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
replied, " I thank God who has made me bUnd, lest I should
see such an ungrateful countenance as tliine."
In several cities Julian placed his own statue among those
of the heathen gods. This he did because it was custo-
mary for the people to bow to the emperour"'s statues, from
respect to the emperour; and he hoped thereby to make
Christians that paid any such respect to him, bow also to
the statues of the- gods. If they omitted this kind of
homage, they were accused of disrespect to the emperour.
He ordered that Christians should be treated with cold-
ness on all occasions, and employed several witty persons
to turn them and their principles into ridicule. Many
were martyred in his reign ; for though he did not openly
persecute them himself, he connived at their being mur-
dered by his governours and other officers. While he
affected never to patronise them for their murders, -he
never offered to punish them for such crimes. Basil,
Donatus, Gordian, Hilarinus, and many others were put
to death, and some of them with the most dreadful tortures.
In Palestine many were burnt alive, others were drag-
ged through the streets naked until they expired. Some
were scalded to death, many were stoned, and great num-
bers had their brains beat out with clubs. In Alexandria,
innumerable sufferers fell by the sword, by burning, cruci-
fixion, and being stoned. In Arethusa, several had thei'r
bodies cut open and filled with corn. Swine were then
brought to feed on the corn, and in doing that they de-
voured the entrails of the martyrs.
Theodoras was seized and tortured upon the rack, though
not to death. After being taken from the rack, he was
asked how he could so patiently endure such exquisite
torments? his answer was remarkable. He said, "At first
I felt some pain, but afterwards there appeared to stand
by me a young man, who wiped the sweat from my face,
and frequently refreshed me with cold water; which so
delighted me, that I regretted being let down from the
rack." "
Marcus, bishop of Arethusa, destroyed a Pagan temple
in that city, and erected a Christian church in its room;
on which he was accused to Julian, as a Christian. His
HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS. 91
persecutors stripped, and cruelly scourged him. He was
then thrust into a filthy sink until he was almost suffocated.
Afterwards he was goaded with pointed sticks ; and lastly,
having been besmeared with honey, he was hung up in a
basket in the heat of the sun, and stung to deatii by wasps,
Julian was at length called to his final retribution.
This notorious apostate died of a wound which he re-
ceived in his Persian expedition, A. D. 363 ; and even while
expiring, he uttered the most horrid blasphemies. He
was succeeded by Jovian, who restored peace to the
church. After the decease of Jovian, Valtinian succee-
ded to the empire, and associated to himself Valens, who
had the command of the east.
Valens being favourably inclined towards the Arians, did
all in his power against the Christian Church. On a certain
day, he ordered that all in Edessa who should attend or
publick worship should be slain while at their devotions.
The Christians were informed of this order, and advised
to keep themselves in safety by neglecting public devo-
tions. This advice they treated with entire indifference,
and assembled in crowds. While they were gathering, a
woman with a child in her arms broke through the ranks
of the troops, that had already been put in motion to de-
stroy them. The commanding officer ordered her to be
brought before him, and inquired whither she was going?
She answered, "to church^whither others are gathering."
She was then asked if she had heard of the emperour's
order, to put air such as were found there to death? She
replied that she had, and added, that on account of that
order she made the more haste. The officer inquired why
she took her child with her? She answered, "I take him
with me that he maybe reckoned among the martyrs."
Upon this, the officer returned to the emperour, and repre-
sented to him how rash it would be to murder so great a
raulti-tude of his subjects; and entreated him to relinquish
the design, until he at length complied.
Menedemus, Theodorus, and Urbanus, with several
other clergymen to the number of eighty, at Constantino-
pie, petitioned the emperour in the most humble terms,
to relieve them from the persecutions and cruelties of the
92 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
Arians. The tyrant, instead of redressing their grievan-
ces, ordered them all to embark in a ship ; ^md then having
iire set to the ship, it was put under sail, and they all per-
ished in the flames.
Eusebius, a distinguished prelate and historian, was sent
into banishment, and soon after his restoration he was slain
by a tile which was thrown at him from the roof of a
house. The tile fractured his skull, and he died in the
year 380. Marcellus, bishop of Apamea, and a minister
of great merit, was so zealous in the Christian cause," that
he endeavoured to hasten the destruction of some Heathen
temples by assisting the magistrate in the work. While
at a place called Aulo, some Pagans privately seized him
and committed him to the flames.
In the fifth century, the Vandals passing through Spain
to Africa, committed astonishing cruelties upon the Chris-
tians, persecuting them wherever they came. Churches
were plundered, ministers were murdered, and the scene
was rendered more horrible by a variety of tortures.
They poured oil and stinking vinegar down the throats
of some until they expired, suffocated others by filling
their mouths with mud, and put others to death by stretch-
ing their limbs with cords. Numbers were scourged, and
banished. Others were fastened to chariots by their feet,
and dragged about until they were dashed to pieces.
Pampinian was tortured to death with plates of hot iron.
The bishop of Urice was burnt ; the bishop of Habensa
was banished; and a whole congregation who were as-
sembled in a church at their devotions, were all indiscrim-
inately murdered. Dionysia, a widow, and her son who
was a young lad, were tortured, and both died under cruel
sufferings. Many others of all ages, and of both sexes
were called, during this century, to endure the severest
tortures, and joyfully received the crown of martyrdom.
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 93
CHAP. XIII.
PERSECUTIONS OP THE CHURCH IN VARIOUS PLACES, FROM
THE FIFTH, TO THE END OF THE ELEVENTH CENTURY.
The first account delivered to us is from Alexandria,
where, amidst the civil and ecclesiastical disorders of the
place, the spirit of persecution arose -with great bitterness..
Proterus, a pious prelate, perceiving a violent rage ex-
cited against him, fled to a church for refuge. He was,
nevertheless, pursued thither and slain. The murderers
dragged his body through the streets, cut it in pieces,
burned it, and scattered the ashes in the air.
Julia, a Carthagenian lady, was taken prisoner when
the Vandals sacked that city; and after being cold twice
as a slave, she became the property of a Syrian Pagan,
Her master could not but admire a religion which inspired
the resignation and patience, which she manifested, in a
state of slavery. He frequently took her with him in his
voyages; and in one of these, touching at the island of
Corsica, he joined in an idolatrous festival. During the
ceremonies, Julia kept at a distance, which the people ob-
serving, complained of her conduct, as disrespectful to the
gods ; and gave information, of it to the governour. The
governour, on making enquiry, and finding that she was a
Christian, offered to purchase her of her master, that he
might put her to death. Her master refused to part with
her at any price, and the governour determined to obtain
her by artifice. To effect this, he invited her master to
an entertainment, and having made him drunk, he sent
for Julia in the name of her master. The innocent slave,
not suspecting the intended mischief, came immediately.
The governour required her to sacrifice to the gods ; and
on refusing to do it, she was severely beaten, which she
bore with the utmost patience. She was offered her lib-
erty if she would worship the gods; to which she replied,
" that while she was permitted to enjoy her religion, she
was as free as she desired." The hair of her head was
then pulled out, but this barbarity had no greater effect -
than the former, and she was then sentenced to be hanged ;
94 HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS.
which sentence was quicklj put in execution. JuHa wa«
scarcely dead when her master recovered from his intox-
ication. Finding what was done, he was greatly afflicted,
and returned home full of vexation and disgust.
Hermenigildus, son of the Gothick king in Spain, was
put to death by order of his own father.
Anastasius, a Persian, having embraced Christianity,
was seized by the governour of Cassarea, which was at
that time under the Persians, and sent to prison. Having
refused to make any retraction, he was sent to Persia, to
he punished by the king. All attempts to reclaim him to
Paganism proving ineffectual, the king ordered him to be
scourged, then hung up by one of his hands with a weight
fastened to his foot, and after being strangled he was
beheaded.
Martin, u bishop of Rome, was arrested and sent
a prisoner to Constantinople. Many witnesses were pro-
duced against him, who swore as they were directed,
charging him with pretended crimes that had been in-
vented for the purpose. Martin began his defence by
noticing certain errours which he thought it his duty to
oppose, but was immediately stopped by one of the court ;
who told him that he was only examined in relation to
civil affairs. The judge prevented him from proceeding;
and having dismissed the court, reported the trial to the
emperour, who patronised a particular sect, and who had
ordered the bishop to be arrested. Martin was now ex^
posed in various places to publick ridicule, treated with
scorn, and thrown into prison. He bore his degradation
and sufferings with great fortitude and patience. After
remaining some months in prison, Martin was conveyed
to an island at some distance from the city, and cut to pieces.
Boniface, bishop of Mentz, was a pious and faithful la-
bourer in the vineyard of his Lord and Master. After
labouring extensively and with great success in Germany,
and other parts of Europe, being enfeebled by age and in-
firmities, he resigned his charge at Mentz to Sullus whom
he consecrated for that purpose. Having relieved him-
self of his charge, and feeling unwilling to omit any labours
he had strength to perform, he travelled to Friezland^
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 95
where lie was instrumental in the conversion oi several
thousands of the barbarous inhabitants, and formed chur-
ches. Having appointed a meeting in the open air, upon
a plain near the river Bourde, he repaired to the place on
the day preceeding, and pitched a tent for the purpose of
remaining during the night, that he might be on the
ground early in the morning. Some Pagans who were his
inveterate enemies, having intelligence of this, gathered
around him and the companions of his mission, in such
numbers during the night, as clearly to evince their hostile
intention. The servants of Boniface were for repelling
the barbarians by force ; but he opposed their intention,
telling them and the ministers that w^ere with him, that
the moment he had long wished for w^as now come, and
exhorted the ministers to prepare for martyrdom. While
he was thus engaged, the Pagans rushed upon them, and
killed him, together with his companions, A. D. 755,
In the year 845, forty-two persons were martyred in
Upper Phrygia; resigning themselves to their sufferings,
in hope of eternal blessedness. In the reign of Theophi-
lus, the Saracens ravaged many parts of the eastern em-
pire, gained several advantages over the Christians, and
at length laid siege to the city of Armorian, The garri-
son bravely defended the place for a time, until it w^as
basely betrayed into the hands of the enemy by a renega-
do. Great numbers were put to the sword; and two ge-
neral officers with some other persons of distinction, w^ere
carried prisoners to Bagdat, where they were loaded with
heavy chains, and thrown into a dark dungeon. Here
they were informed, that nothing could preserve their lives
but renouncing Christianity and embracing Mahometan-
ism. Money, clothes, and offers of promotion were sent to
them as inducements to become enemies to the cross of
Christ. But being resolute in their minds, and proof
against all these temptations, they were continued in their
confinement in dungeons, during seven years. After in-
expressible sufferings during this tedious term, they were
on a day appointed, brought forth for execution. As soon
as they came from their dungeons, they were again solici-
ted to join the Mahometan standard. But neither threats
96 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
nor promises could induce tiiem ^> renounce a religion,
that had sustained and comforled their minds during the
tedious years of t'leir persecution. Finding them firm in
their resolution, and that their faith could not be shaken,
the caliph ordered them to be executed. Flora and Ma-
ry, two ladies of distinction, were executed about the same
time, because they also refused to renounce the Christian
religion.
Perfectus was skilled in all the polite literature of
tlie age in which he lived, and was admired for his
piety. Having entered into orders as a minister, he la-
boured with great constancy and zeal to advance the
Christian cause. The Mahometans arrested him, and ac-
cused him before a magistrate of blaspheming their great
prophet. The allegation having been heard, the judge
orded him to be put in chains and confined in prison, until
the time of a celebrated feast called the feast of Ramaden,
when he should be made a victim to Mahomet. Perfec-
tus heard with joy the determination of the judge, and
prepared for his martyrdom with great fervency. When
the time arrived, he was led to the place of execu-
tion, where he made an open declaration of his faith in
the Saviour of the world, and declared Mahomet to be an
impostor. He pronounced the Alcoran an absurdity, full
of blasphemies, and proclaimed the way of life and salva-
tion by Jesus Christ. He was then beheaded, cheerfully
surrendering his life, in full hope of immortality.
Wenceslaus, duke of Bohemia, a pious and valiant
prince, was surrounded by numerous and powerful ene-
mies, who sought not only his destruction, but the total ex-
tirpation of Christianity throughout the country. In this
situation he was faithful in the discharge of his duties^,
watchful over his morals, and diligent in all the means of
grace. He passed much time in prayer, and made great
efforts to establish peace, justice, and religion, throughout
his dominions. His mother and brother being Pagans,
were among his most violent enemies, and stirred up ma-
ny factions among the people. Being determined on his
destruction, and with a view to the accomphshment of
their wicked purpose, they invited him to partake of aB
HISIXJRY OF THE MARTYRS. W7
entertainment. Not suspecting any evil design, he re-
paired to the place appointed, where they received him
with the appearance of friendship. After the prince had
remained a sufficient time, and the entertainment being
over, he retired to his dwelling. His mother now advised
that his brother should follow him immediately and put
him to death! In conformity with this advice, his broth-
er pursued him, but not finding him on the way, he re-
paired to his chamber. Wenceslaus had previously en-
tered and was on his knees in fervent prayer to Almighty
God; when his brother entering, fell upon him in all the
rage of Pagan malice, and murdered him, A. D. 929.
From this time to the end of the eleventh century mar-
tyrdoms became less frequent; the spirit of intolerance,
though raging at times with violence, was confined to par-
ticular places, and no longer possessed its former influ-
ence. Yet there were instances of cruel persecution and
torture, and a considerable number of the pious sealed
their testimony with their blood.
Among those who suffered death during this period, we
may mention Alphage, archbishop of Canterbury in Eng-
land. The Danish Pagans made incursions into this king-
dom during the Saxon governments, and nothing could
exceed the inveteracy which they manifested towards
Christianity and its professors. They laid siege to Can-
terbury, took it by storm, murdered above seven thousand
of the inhabitants, siezed Alphage, dragged him through
the streets, scourged him with great cruelty, and .put him
to death. During his sufferings he prayed for his ene-
mies, manifested much patience and firmness, and joyful-
ly resigned his life for a crown of righteousness, A. D. 1012.
Having taken a brief view of persecution during sever-
al ages among the Pagans, and chiefly under their influ-
ence, we proceed to consider the same spirit of intolerance
and oppression, and the same inhuman cruelties, under
the sanction of an apostate church, bearing the name of
Christ, but having departed from the faith.
:9
PART 2.
CHAPTER 1.
CHURCH, BY
MEANS OF PAPAL INFLUENCE.
When the darkness of popery had overspread the
Christian world, so that kings and princes employed their
authority to estahhsh the Romish idolatry, appointing to
slaughter such as denied transubstantiation, adoration of
the host, bowing the knees before it, &c. many Christians
loathing this superstition, as unknown to the apostles and
primitive church, God raised up Peter Valdo, a citizen of
Lions, in France, who courageously opposed the numerous
inventions and popish innovations, which had been intro-
duced into the church of Rome. Being in high esteem
for his learning, piety, and his liberality to the poor, he
was eagerly followed by multitudes who were ready to
receive and obey the truth. The archbishop of Lions
being informed that Valdo (or Waldo) thus instructed the
people, and boldly condemned the vices, luxury, and
pride of the pope and his clergy, forbade him on pain of
excommunication; and proceeded against him as being a
heretick.
Valdo replied, "that he could not be silent in a cause
of so great importance as the salvation of men's souls,
wherein he must obey God, rather than man." The arch-
bishop then sought to have him apprehended, but could
not effect it. Valdo's friends being numerous and power-
ful, and being generally beloved, he continued in Lions
^hree years in obscurity.
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS, 99
Pope Alexander the Third, having been informed that
divers persons in Lions questioned his supremacy over the
whole church, cursed Valdo and his adherents ; command-
ing the archbishop to proceed against them by ecclesias-
tical censures, to their utter extirpation; whereupon they
were wholly driven from Lions. From Valdo, his follow^
ers were called Waldenses, who spread themselves into
divers countries and companies.
The opinions of the Waldenses, for which they were
declaimed against, and cruelly persecuted by the Roman-
ists, were these :
L That holy oil is not to be mingled in baptism.
2. That all such prayers are superstitious and vain^
which are made over the oil, salt, wax, incense, boughs
of olives and palms, ecclesiastical garments, chalices,
church-yards, and such like things.
3. That time is spent in vain, in ecclesiastical singings,,
and saying the canonical hours.
4. That flesh and eggs may be eaten in Lent; and that
there is no merit in abstinence at such times.
5. That when necessity require?, all sorts of persons
may marry, ministers as well as others.
6. That auricular confession is not necessary.
7. That confirmation is not a sacrament.
8. That obedience is not to be performed to the pope,
9. That ministers should live upon tithes and offerings.
10. That there is no difference between a bishop and a
minister.
IL That it is not the dignity, but deserts of a presby-
ter, that makes him a better man.
12. That they administer the sacrament, without the
accustomed form of the Roman church.
13. They said that images were to be taken out of
churches, and that to adore them was idolatry.
14. They contemned the pope's indulgences, and «aid.
that they were of no virtue*
15. They refused to take any oafh, whereby they
should be enforced to accuse themselves, or their friends.
16^^hey maintained their ministers out of their own
Durses, thinking it unreasonable that such should be di-
iOO HISTORY OF TIUE MARTYRS.
verted from their studies, whilst they were forced to get
their livings with their own hands.
17. They held, that the miracles done in the church of
Rome were false miracles.
18. That the religion of the friars- mendicant was in-
vented by the devil.
19 ThaJ no species of wickedness should be licensed
by law, under pretence of avoiding adultery.
20. That there is no purgatory, wherein the souls of
the deceased are to be purged, before they be admitted
into heaven.
21. That a presbyter, falling into scandalous sin, ought
to be suspended from his office, till he had sufficiently tes-
tified'his repentance.
22. That the saints deceased are not to be worshipped
and prayed unto.
23. That it matters not, for the place of their burial,
whether it were holy or no.
24. They admitted no extreme ujiction amongst the
sacraments of the church,
25. They said, that masses, indulgences, and prayers,
do not profit the dead.
26. They admitted no prayers, but such as did corres-
pond with the Lord's Prayer; which they made the rule
of all their prayers.
27. Lastly, though their adversaries charged them with
holding that every layman might freely preach to the peo-
ple, yet they had bishops and orders among themselves;
as the order of Bulgary, the order of Druguria: and they
who were their ministers, were ordained thereunto, though
they were not of the Romish institution, as Nicolaus Vi-
guierius, and others, report of them.
Valdo himself went into Dauphiny, conversing in the
mountains of the same province with the rude peasantry,
capable of receiving his belief: his disciples also spread
into Picardy, whence they were called Picards. Against
these, king Philip, enforced by the ecclcsiasticks, took
arms, and overthrew three hundred gentlemen's houses,
destroyed some walled towns, and pursued these ^Ig-otes-
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 101
fants into Flaiiders, and caused many of them to be burnt
to death.
This persecution urged their flight into Germany and
Alsatia, where they spread their doctrine; and shortly
after, the bishops of Mayence and Strasburgh raised up a
great persecution against them, causing five and thirty
burgesses of Mayence to be burnt in one fire, and eighteen
in another, who with great constancy suffered death.
At Strasburgh eighty were burnt, at the instance of
the bishop ; yet multitudes of people received such edifi-
cation by the exhortations, constancy, and patience of the
martyrs, that, A. D. 1315, in the county of Passau, and
about Bohemia, above eighty thousand persons made pro-
fession of the faith of those martyrs,
A. D. 1160, some came into England, and at Oxford
were punished in the most barbarous and' cruel manner
for religion's sake. Three years after, in the council of
Tours in France, Pope Alexander the Third caused a de-
cree to be made, " that the gospellers, and all their fa-
vourers, should be excommunicated : and that none should
sell them any thing, or buy an}' thing of them."
In 1194, Alphonsus, King of Arragon, by the instiga-
tion of Pope Celestine, and misinformation of his clergy,
published the following edict against this persecuted peo-
ple.
*' Alphonsus, by the grace of God, King of Arragon, &c.
To all archbishops, bishops, and the rest of the prelates
of the church in his^kingdom; to earls, viscounts, knightv
and all the people of his kingdom; and to all that are in
authority, health, &c. Because God would have us to
be over his people, it is a worthy and just thing that we
take continual care, as far as in us lies, of the salvation
and defence of them: wherefore, being imitators of our
predecessors, and in obedience to the canons, we judge,,
that all hereticks cast out of the sight of God, and of all
catholics, are to be condemned, and persecuted every
where, namely, the Waldenses, or poor men of I.ions,
whereof there is no small number, who being Ctsr^'ed by
his holy church, we also command to depart, and fly
Irom all cur kingdoms, and places within oilr pb'wer. rr,
*/
lOa HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
enemies to the cross of Christ, ourselves, and this kingdonii
Therefore, whosoever from this day forward shall presume
to receive the foresaid Waidenses into their houses, or to
hear their doleful preaching, or to give them meat, or any
other relief; let him know, that he hath incurred the in-
dignation of God, and of us,, and that he shall be punished
as a traitor, and all his goods shall be confiscated without
remedy or appeal. And this our edict, we command to
be published upon Sundays, by bishops, and all rectors oi
churches, &c. through all our dominions. And we com-
mand that the foresaid punishments be inflicted upon all
transgressors of it, by our bailiffs, justices, &c. And if
any of the foresaid naughty people, whether noble or igno-
ble, shall presume to stay three days after the publication
hereof, and not hast« their removal ; we will and command
all men to bring upon them all mischief, disgrace, and ag-
grievance (except death, or cutting off their members)
which shall be grateful and acceptable to us ; neither shall
they fear any punishment for the same, &c."
But, by the just retribution of God, Alphonsus the very
next year lost part of his kingdom to the Moors, and his
son,fifty thousand of his men slain in one battle*
But Valdo, notwithstanding all the curses of the Pope,
continued tO' publish, " that the pope was Anti-Christ, the
mass an abomination, the host an idol, and purgatory a fa-
ble." Upoft this, Pope Innocent the Third, A. D. 1198,
finding that other remedies were insufficient to suppress
these hereticks, as he called them, authorised monks as in-
quisitors, who by process should apprehend and deliver
them to the secular power, by a far shorter, but much
more cruel way than was formerly used. By these means
the people were delivered by thousands into the magis-
trates' hands, and to the executioners; and in a few years
all Christendom was moved with compassion, to see num-
bers burnt and hanged, for trusting only in Christ for sal-
vation.
This measure of the Pope did not suppress, but rather
increased the number of his enemies; he therefore sent
bishops an(J monks to preach among the Waidenses; but
their prea^Jiing <:on verted none from their former opinions;,
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. , 103
Amongst those monks was Dominic, a zealous persecu-
tor of the saints of God ; who instituted an order of beg-
ging monks, called Dominicans ; this order was confirmed
by the Pope, for their zealous assistance against the Wal-
denses ; and Dominic laboured in the inquisition so much
to the pope's salisfaction, that thence forward the monks
of his order have always been employed in the Inquisition.
The power of these inquisitors was without limitation;
they could assemble the people by the sound of a bell,
whenever they pleased; proceed against bishops; im-
prison and release without control; any accusation was
sufficient with them; a sorcerer, a debauchee, was a suffi-
cient witness in the case of pretended heresy: it mattered
not who accused, or whether by word of mouth, or ticket
thrown in before the inquisitor; for process was thereby
framed without party, without witness, or without other
law than the pleasure of the inquisitors.
To be rich was a crime allied to heresy, and he that had
any thing to lose was in the way to ruin, either as a he-
retick,or as a favorer of heresy: bare suspicion stopped the
mouths of parents, kinsfolk, and friends, that they durst
not intercede for each other! If any person conveyed a
cup of cold water, or some straw to the poor sufferers,,,
who lay in stinking dungeons, he was condemned as a fa-
vorer of the hereticks, and brought to the same or worse
extremities.
No advocate dared to advocate the defence of his near-
est kinsman, or friends: nor any notary to receive any act
in their favour; even death itself made not an end of
their punishment, for some times they passed sentence
against the bones of the dead, to disinter and burn them,,
thirty years after the death of the party accused.
Such as were heirs had no certainty of their estates, for
if their fathers or kindred were accused, they durst not
undertake the defence of their own right, or possess their
inheritance, without the crime or suspicion of heresy.
The greatest and richest amongst the people were con-
strained even to adore those inquisitors, and to give them
great sums for the building of their convents and houses^^
hr fear of being accused as hereticks.
104 HISTORY or THE MARTYRS.
And the better to keep the people in awe, the inquisT'
tors would sometimes lead in triumph their prisoners in
their processions, enjoining some of them to whip them-
selves, others to go in their shirts bare- foot and bare-head-
ed, having a withe about their necks ; and a torch in
their hands, for the greater terror to- thei* beholders, see-?
ing persons of all estates and sexes in so miserable a con-
dition.
Some of the accused persons were sent into the Holy
Land, or enrolled for some other expedition against the
Turks and infidels, where they were to serve for a certain
time at their own charge: in the mean time the fathers in-
quisitors took possession of their houses and goods, and
when they returned home, they must not so much as in-
quire whether these monks had in their absence lain with
their wives, lest they would be condemned as backsliders,
and unworthy of favor.
A knight, one of these Waldenses, called Enraudus, A.
D. 1201, whom Henry, earl of Nevers, had made gover-
nour of his land, was accused of heresy, and brought be-
fore the pope's legate, who called a council at Paris
against him, consisting of archbishops, bishops, and min-
isters of Paris ; who, after examination of witnesses, con-
demned him for a heretick, and delivered him to the
secular power, by whom he was burned.
Between the years 1176 and 1228, there was such
havock made of the Christians, that the archbishops of
Aix, Aries, and Narbonne, being assembled at the request
o( the inquisitors, to confer with them about divers diffi-
culties in the execution of their offices, had compassion on
the great number that were accused and cast into prison,
saying, " We hear that you have apprehended such a
multitude of the Waldenses, that it is not only impossible
to defray the charge of their food, but to provide lime and
vStone to build prisons for them; we therefore advise you
to forbear this rigour till the pope be a^lvertised, and di-
rect what he will have done in this case," Az:c. Yet with
all this cruelty, in the year 1260, according to MorrePs
Memorials, p. 54, above eight hundred thousand persons
had made profession of the faith of the Waldenses.
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 105
Besides the churches in Valantinois, where tlie faith
was propagated from the father to the son, the true reli-
gion spread beyond the Alps into the valley of Pragela,
within the jurisdiction of the archbishop of Turin, from
whence were peopled the Waldensian valleys of Piedmont,
La Perouse, St. Martain, Angrogne, &c. The valley of
Pragela was one of the safest retiring places that the
Waldenses had, being environed on all sides by mountains
almost inaccessible. Into the caves of that valley they re-
tired in the times of persecution: and though they were
weakened on all sides^ environed with enemies, and in
danger of being apprehended, yet was there never any
worldly respect that had power to alter their holy resolu-
tion.
The pastors also not only preached on the sabbath days,
but went in the week days to instruct them in the villages
and hamlets, not sparing themselves for the roughness of
th-e rocks, the coldness of the air, and the cragginess of
the country, where they were obliged to climb up high
mountains to visit their flocks.
Holy discipline was also exercibed among them: the
people prayed with fervency at night when they went to
their rest, and in the morning before they went about their
labour; they also had schools wherein their children were
taught and nurtured.
Whilst they thus busily sought the advancement of
God's glory, and their own salvation, a persecution was
raised against them, A. D. 1380, by an inquisitor named
Francis Boralli^ who had a commission to enquire after the
Waldenses in Aix, Aries, Ambrun, Vienne, Geneva, Am-
bone. Savoy, the Venetian county, the principality of
Orange, the city of Avignon, &c. from Pope Clement the
seventh.
This monk cited to appear before him at Ambrun, all
inhabitants of Frassiniere, Argentier, and of the valley
Pute, upon pain of excommunication : but when they did
not appear, they were condemned for contumacy, and ex-
communicated : and for the space of thirteen years, as he
caught any of them, he delivered them to the secular pow-
er to be burnt at Grenoble. The number of these
too HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
amounted to a hundred and fiity men, many women,
their sons and daughters, besides about eighty persons
of Argentier.
The inquisitors also adjudged to themselves two parts
of all their goods, and tlie third part to the temporal
powers. They forbade all their bordering neighbours to
assist, receive, visit, or defend them, or to converse with
them in any sort, upon pain of being attainted, and pun-
ished as favourers of hereticks, &c.
The Waldenses of the vaUey of Pragela, in 1400, were
assaulted by their enemies on the side of Susa in Pied-
mont : but most of their assaults proved in vain, as the
Waldenses retired into high mountains, hiding themselves
in caves and hollow places, from whence they resisted
those that came to assail them.. Their enemies then
came upon them unsuspected in the depth of winter,
when all the mountains were covered with snow; the
persecuted then retired into the highest mountain of the
Alps, with their wives and children, the mothers carrying
some in their cradles, and leading others by the hand : but
the enemy followea them till night, and slew many before
they could recover the mountain; and they which were
slain had the best fortune : for night coming on, these
poor people being in the snow, without any means to make
a fire for their infants, in the morning above eighty of
them were discovered frozen to death in their cradles ;
most of their mothers also died, and divers others were
at the last gasp: their enemies lay all night in these
people's houses, which they ransacked and pillaged, and
so returned to Susa; but, by the way, meeting with a poor
Waldensian woman, they hanged her upon a tree, and so
departed.
The Waldenses of the valley of Frassiniere were much
persecuted by the Archbishop of Ambrun, in 1460, who
made a monk called John Vayleti his commissioner against
them. This monk proceeded with such diligence and
violence, that scarcely any person could escape his hands,
but was either apprehended for a heretick, or a favourer
of hereticks, by which means many papists suffered
amwgst the rest, which caused them to petition king
HISTORY OP THE MAIirV'RS. 107
Lewis the eleventh of France, by his authority to stay the
course of th it persecution. The king wrote to the gov-
ernour of Dauphine, signifying, " that whereas the inquis-
itors had daily sent forth their process against many poor
people in those parts without reasonable cause, putting
some to the rack, and condemning them for matters
whereof they were never guilty, and whi<^h they could
not prove by any witness: and of others they had ex-
acted great sums of money, and divers ways had unjustly
vexed and molested them: he therefore decreed that for
the time to come all such process should be void, and of
none effect, nor any wrong done to them in body, goods,
or good name, except there were any that obstinately
maintained and affirmed any thing against the holy catho-
lic faith."
Notwithstanding this, the archbishop prosecuted them
to the uttermost of his power, and caused most of them
to flee the country, except James Pateneri, who averring
before the court that he was unjustly vexed, contrary to
the king's letters, demanded a copy of the proceedings,
that he might have his remedy by law: upon this tlie
archbishop left him, and fell upon those whom he supposed
to want similar courage, citing the consuls of Frassiniere
to answer for themselves, and all the inhabitants of their
valley: but they also refused, observing, "that they had
nothing to say before the archbishop, seeing their cause
was now depending before the king and his council, pro-
testing against the archbishop's power, and demanding a
copy of the king's letter." But the archbishop, notwith-
standing this protestation, condemned them to the flames,
without any other indictment. Shortly after, however,
the archbishop died by the stroke of God's justice, and
so ended his persecution, A, D. 1487.
The villany of the inquisitor on these occasions is not
to be forgotten, when he examined any of the Waldenses^,
" wliether they believed that the bread in the sacrament,
after the consecration, was changed into the real and i-at-
ural body of Christ which hung upon the cross?" If the
Waldenses answered, ^' No," he set down his tmswer thus,
"that they believed not in God." When he asked,
I
108 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
"whether we ought not to pnij to saints?" If they an-
swered, ''No," he set down, ''that they railed upon, and
spoke evil of the saints." When he enquired, "whether
we ought not to pray to the Virgin Mary in our necessi-
tiesf if they answered, "No," he set down, "that they
spoke blasphemy against the Virgin Mary," &c. By God's
providence those records were kept in the archbishop of
Ambrun's house, till the city and their records fell into
the hands of the protestants a hundred years after, and
all their knavery was discovered.
The first persecution in Piedmont was occasioned by
the priests, who complained to the archbishop of Turin
that these people lived not according to the manner and
belief of the church of Rome ; that they offered not for
the dead, cared not for masses, absolutions, or to get any
of theirs out of the pains of purgatory, &c. The arch-
bishop complained of them to the prince to make them
odious: but he, enquiring of their neighbours, found the
accusation to be a mere calumny. He therefore purposed
•not to molest them: but the priests and monks delivered
them to the inquisitors, and the inquisitors to the execu-
tioners, so that there was scarcely a town in Piedmont
where some of them had not been put to death.
To recite all the outrages, cruelties, and villanies prac-
tised against them, would be tedious: many fled, and their
houses and goods were ransacked and spoiled. One of
their ministers was apprehended, and put to a shameful
and cruel death, but he evinced such admirable patience
as astonished his very adversaries. Some were taken and
sent to be galley-slaves ; yet others yielded to their adver-
saries, and were more cruelly handled than those that re-
mained constant in the truth.
Three of the most cruel persecutors of these faithful
servants of Jesus Christ, were, Thomas Jacomel, a monk,
an apostate, that had. renounced the known truth, and
pertecuted mortally and maliciously the poor Christians
against his own conscience: he was a debauchee and
given over to all villanies. His delight was to spoil, rob,
and torment the captive Waldenses, The second was a
collateral, called Corbis, who, in the examination of the.
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 1D9
prisoners, was very rigorous, and burnt many: but in the
end, feeling remorse of conscience, he protested, "that
he would meddle with them no more.'' The third was
the provost of justice, who lay in wait in the hi^h-ways
to apprehend them, when they went abroad in the morning
to the market.
The m.onks of Pignerol also persecuted the churches
near them, took the clergy prisoners, and kept them in
their abbeys: then they assembled a company of ruffians,
sending them to spoil the churches, and to take prisoners
men, women, and children ; of whom some by torments
they forced to abjure; some they sent to the galleys;
others they burnt. ♦
These poor people were so harrassed that they were
compelled to forsake their houses, and fly into the moun-
tains, leaving their estates to the pillage of the robbers;
so that many who had lived in comfort, and relieved oth-
ers, were now obliged to crave relief and succour in
return.
The monks, with their troops of ruffians, continuing to
molest and persecute these people, they asked their min-
isters, " whether it were not lawful for them to defend
themselves against such violence?" the ministers answered,
"that it was, only they advised them to avoid bloodshed
as much as might be." This question being resolved,
their neighbours of Luserne and Angrognc sent aid to
their friends of St, Germain against the monks.
In the summer, many of these Waldenses went into the
fields to reap their harvest, and were all taken prisoners;
but they escaped out of prison, to the great astonishment
of their adversaries. At the same time, others, who had
been long in prison, and expected nothing but death,
through divine provid<|nee, were delivered in a surprising
manner.
During this time the inhabitants of Angrogne, being at
their harvest, perceived a company of soldiers spoiling-
the inhabitants of St. Germain: upon which, the people
of Angrogne ran thither; some by the valley, others
over the mountain: those who went by the valley, to the
number of fifty men, met with the spoilers, who were a
10
1 10 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS,
hundred and twenty men well armed, whom they fouglit
and overthrew. Some were drowned, and but few es-
caped ; not one of the Angrogne men being hurt in the
fight.
This defeat so affrighted the monks, that they ran away
from their abbey to Pignerol, to save their relics and im-
ages, which they carried thither: and if the protestant
ministers would have suffered their people to have at-
tempted it, they might easily have freed their brethren
who were imprisoned in the abbey.
After this the monks, being assisted by a martial ofhcer,
took many of the inhabitants of the valley of Luserne
J)risoners, spoihng their goods, driving away their cattle^
and causing them to be ransomed for great sums of money.
CHAP. II.
THE PERSECUTION OF THE ALBIGENSES.
The Albigenses were people of the reformed religion,
who inhabited the 'country of Albi, now Languedoc ; and
were condemned in the council of Lateran, for their re-
hgious principles, by order of Pope Alexander the Third.
Nevertheless, they increased so prodigiously, that many
cities were inhabited by persons of that persuasion, and
several eminent noblemen embraced their doctrines.
Among the latter were — Raymond earl of Thoulouse,
Raymond earl of Foix, the earl of Beziers, &c. The
pope, at length, pretending that he wished to draw them
to the Romish faith by sound argument and clear reason-
ing, ordered a general disputation, in which, however, the
popish doctors were entirely overcome by the arguments
of Arnold, a reformed clergyman, about which period a
friar, named Peter, having been murdered in the domin-
ions of the Earl of Thoulouse, the pope made that murder
a pretence to persecute the earl and his subjects. To effect
this he sent persons throughout all Europe, in order to
raise forces against the Albigenses, and promised paradise
to all that would engage in this war (which he termed a
Holy War) and bear arms for forty days. The same in-
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. Ill
dulgences were likewise held out to all who should enter
themselves for this purpose, as to such as engaged in cru-
sades to the Holy Land.
The pope then sent orders to all archbishops, bishops,
&:c. to excommunicate the Earl of Thoulouse every sab-
bath and festival ; at the same time absolving all his subjects
from their allegiance to him, and commanding them to
pursue his person, possess his lands, destroy his property,
and murder such of his subjects as continued faithful to
him, &c. &c.
The Earl of Thoulouse hearing of these mighty prepa-
rations against him, wrote to the pope in a submissive
manner, desiring not to be condemned unheard, and as-
suring him, that he had not the least hand in Peter's death ;
for that fiiai was killed by a gentleman, who immediately
after the murder fled out of his territories, or otherwise
he would have punished him as the crime deserved.
But arguments were in vain, the pope being determined
on his destructiom A formidable army, with several
noblemen and prelates at the head of it, began their march
against the Albigenses. The earl had only tlie alterna-
tive, to oppose force to force, or submit.* As he despaired
of success in attempting the former, he determined on the
latter. The pope's legate being at Valence, the earl re-
paired thither, and expressed his surprise, " that such a
Dumber of armed men should be sent against him, before
the least proof of his guilt had been deduced. He had,
therefore, come voluntarily to surrender himself, armed
only with the testimony of a good conscience, and hoped
that the troops would be prevented from plundering his
innocent subjects, as he thought himself a suflicient pledge
for any vengeance they chose to take on account of the
death of the friar."
To this reasonable proposal the legate replied, "that he
was very glad the earl had voluntarily surrendered, but,
with respect to the proposal, he could not pretend to
countermand the orders to the troops, unless he would
consent to deliver up seven of his best fortified castles, as
securities for his future behaviour."
. This demand made the earl perceive his errour too late,
il'i IIISTORV OP THE MARTYRS.
in submitting; but coiisidering bimsclf a prisoner, he sent
an order for r .- delivery of the castles, which the pope's
lej^utc had to sooner garrisoned, than he ordered the re-
spective governours to appear before him. When they
came, he said, " that the Earl of Thoulouse having deliv-
ered up his castles to the pope, they must consider that
they were now the pope's subjects, and not the earl's;
and that they must act conformably to their new allegi-
ance."
The governours were astonished to see their lord thus
in chains, and themselves compelled into a new allegiance,
so much against their inclinations and consciences. But
what afflicted theni stili more, were the affronts afterwards
put upon the earl ; for he was stripped to his drawers, led
nine times round the grave of friar Peter, and severely
scourged before the lowest populace. Not contented with
this, they obliged him to swear that he would be obedient
to the pope during the remainder of his life, conform to
the church of Rome, and make irreconcilable war against
the Albigenses. The legate even went further than this,
and ordered him, by the oaths he had newly taken, to join'
the troops, and inspect the siege of Beziers. But think-
ing this too hard an injunction, he took an opportunity
privately to quit the army, and determined to go to the
pope, and relate all the ill usage he had received. The
army, however, proceeded to besiege Beziers; and the
Earl of Beziers, who was likewise governour of that city,
thinking it impossible to defend the place, came out, and
presenting himself before the pope's legate, implored mer-
cy for the inhabitants ; intimating, at the same time, that
there were as many Roman catholicks as Albigenses in the
city. The legate replied, that " all excuses availed noth-
ing; that the place must be delivered up at discretion, or
the most dreadful consequences should ensue."
The Earl of Beziers returning into the city, told the in-
habitants he could obtain no mercy, unless the Albigensefe
would abjure their religion, and conform to the worship of
the church of Rome. The Roman catholicks pressed the
Albigenses to comply with this request; but the Albigen-
ses nobly answered, "that they would not forsake their re-
lirSTOUY OF THE 3IARTVRa. 113
iigion for the base price of their frail life: that God was-
able, if he pleased, to defend them; but if he would be
olorifted by the confession of their faith, it would be a great
honour to them to die for his sake. That they had rather
displease the pope, who could but kill their bodies, than
God, who could cast both body and soul into hell."
The popish party finding their importunities ineffectuah
sent their bishop to the pope's legate, beseeching him not
to include them in the chastisement of the Aibigenses;
and representing, that the best means to win the latter
over to the Roman catholick persuasion was by gentle
means, and not by rigour. The legate, upon hearing this,
flew into a violent passion with the bishop, and declared,
that "if all the city did not acknowledge their fault, they
should taste of one curse, without distinction of religion,.
sex, or age."
The inhabitants refusing to yield upon such terms, a
general assault was given, and the place taken by storm;
when it is impossible for the imagination to paint a more
horrid scene than that which ensued. Every cruelty that
barbarity and superstition could devise was practised;
nothing was to be heard but the groans of men who lay
weltering in their blood, the lamentations of mothers who
were doublv wounded, wounded in the body by the spears
of the soldiers, and to the soul, by having their children
taken from them, and dashed to pieces before their
faces. The plaints of violated maidens and ravished mat-
rons^the cries of helpless infants, and the execrations of
the barbarians who committed these cruelties, rdded to
the sounds of horrour. The city being fired in various parts,
new scenes of confusion arose ; in several places the streets-
were streaming with blood; lofty buildings appeared in
clouds of smoke, and large ranges of houses were seen in
flames. Those who had hid themselves in the recesses of
their dwellings had only the dreadful alternative to re-
main and perish in the flames, or rush out and fall by the
swords of the soldiers. The blood-thirsty legate, during
these infernal proceedings, seemed to enjoy the carnage,
and even cried out to the troops, "kill them, kill them all,
ku man, woman, and child; kill Roman catholicks a? wel-
n.A HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
13 'vibigenses, for when they are dead the Lord knoA\s
how to pick out his own." Thus the beautiful city of
Beziers was reduced to a heap of ruins; and 60,000 per-
sons of both sexes, and dilferent ages, were inhumanly
massacred.
The Earl of Beziers and a few others made their escape j
and went to Carcasson, w^iich they put into the best pos-
ture of defence they could. The legate, unwilling to lose
an opportunity of spilHng blood during the forty days
which the troops were to serve, led them immediately
against Carcasson, As soon as the place was invested, a
furious assault was given, but the besiegers were repulsed
with great slaughter; upon this occasion the Earl of Be-
ziers gave the most distinguished proofs of his courage,
saying, to encourage the besieged, "we had better die
fighting than fail into the hands of such bigoted and
merciless enemies."
It is to be observed, that two miles from the city of
Carcasson there w^as a smali town of the same name,
which the Albigenscs had likewise fortified. The legate,
being enraged at the repulse he had received from the
city of Carcasson, determined to wreak his vengeance up-
on the town. The next morning he made a general as-
sault; and, though the place was bravely defended, the
legate took it by storm, put all the inhabitants to the sword,
and then consumed the town by fire.
During these transactions the King of Arragon arrived
at the camp, and after paying bis obedience to the legate,
told him, he understood the Earl of Beziers, his kinsman,
was in the city of Carcasson, and that if he would grant
him permission he would go thither^. and; endeavour to
make him sensible of the duty he owed both to the pope
and church. The legate readily acquiesehig, the king
immediate^ repaired lo the earl, and, among other ques-
tions, asked him "from what motives lie shut himself up in
that city, and against so great an army?" The earl an-
swered, "it was to defend his life, goods, and subjects;
that he knew the pope, under pretence of religion, resolv-
ed to destroy his uncle,.the Earl of Thoulouse, and him-
self; that he saw the cruelty which they bad used at B-^
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 115
siers, even against the priests: adding also what they had
done to the town of Carcasson, and that they nriust look
for no mercy from the legate or his army; he, therefore,
rather chose to die, defending himself with his subjects,
than fall into the hands of so inexorable an enemy as the
legate ; that though he had in his city some that were of
another religion, yet they were such as had not wronged
any, w^ere come to his succour in his greatest extremity,
and for their good service he was resolved not to abandon
them; that his trust was in God, the defender of the op-
pressed ; and that he would assist them against those ill-ad-
vised men, w^ho forsook their own houses to burn, sack, and
kill other men without reason, judgment, or mercy."
The king reported to the legate what the earl had said:
the legate, after considering for some time, replied, " for
your sake, sir, I will receive the Earl of Beziers to mercy,
and with him twelve others shall be safe, and be permit-
ted to retire with their property; but as for the rest, I am
determined to have them at my discretion."
This answer displeased the king; and when the earl
heard it, he absolutely refused to comply with such terms.
The legate then commanded another assault, but his troops
Were again repulsed with great slaughter, and the dead
bodies occasioned a stench that was exceedingly offensive
both to the besieged and the besiegers.
The legate, chagrined at this disappointment, determm-
ed to act by stratagem, and sent one of his attendants,
well skilled in dissimulation and artiftcc, to the Earl of
Beziers, with a seeming friendly message. The design
s^as, by any means, to induce the earl to Laave thecity in
o>4er to have; on int'ervietv • with the. , legate; ; and to tins
MndXbe messengerwas to- promise, or swear, whatever he
thought ;proper; '^for," says the legate, "swear to what
falsehoods you; choose, in such a cause, I will give you ab*
solution."
U'>Unfortunattrlyv this infamous plot succeeded: for the
^arl, believing thie promises' made him of personal securi-»
iy^., aaid crediting the solemn oaths that the perjured agent
^wore upon the occasion, left the city, and went with him.
The legate :r.o- sooner saw him,, than he told him, "he was
il6 HISTORY OF TilE MARTYRS.
a prisoner, and must remain so till Carcasson was surren-
dered, and the inhabitants taught their duty to the pope."
The earl, on hearing this, cried out that he was betray-
ed, and exclaimed against the treachery of the legate, and
the perjury of the person he had employed. His com-
plaint?, however, availed- him nothing, for he was ordered
into close confinement, and the place summoned to sur-
render immediately.
The people, on receiving the summons, and hearing of
the captivity of the earl, were thrown into the utmost con-
sternation, -when one of the citizens, begging to be heard,
informed tlie rest, "that he had been formerly told by some
old men, that there was a very capacious subterraneous
passage, which led from thence to the castle of Cameret,
at three leagues distance. If (continued he) we can find
this passage, we may all escape before the legate can in
the least be apprized of our flight."
This information was joyfully received ; ail were em-
ployed to search for the passage, and, at length, it was
happily found. In the beginning of the evening the in-
habitants began their flight, taking with them their wives,
children, a few days provisions, and such moveables as
were most valuable and portable. They reached the cas-
tle by the morning, and escaped to Arragon, Catalonia^^
and such other places as they thought would secure them
from the power of the bloody legate.
In the morning, the troops were strangely astonished,
not hearing any noise, or seeing any man stirring in tlie-
city ; yet they approached the walls with much fear, lest
it should he but a stratagem to endanger them; but find-^
ing no opposition, they mounted the walls, crying out, that
the Albigenses were fled; and thus was the city, with all
the spoils, taken, and the Garl of Beziers committed to
prison in one of the strongest towers of Carcasson, where
be soon after died.
The legate being now in possession of the city, called
all the prelates and great lords of his army together, tel-
ling them, that though it v/as requisite there should be
always a legate in the army, yet it was likewise necessary
that there should he a secular general, wise and valiant,
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 117
to command in all their affairs, &lc. This charge was
first offered to the duke of Burgogne, then to the earl of
Ennevers, and thirdly, to the earl of St. Paul: but they
all refused it. At length it was offered to Simon, earl of
Montfort, who, after some excuses, accepted it.
Four thousand men were left to garrison Carcasson, and
the deceased earl of Beziers was succeeded in title and
dignity by earl Simon, a bigoted Roman catholic, who
threatened vengeance on the Albigenses, unless they con-
formed to the worship of the church of Rome.
CHAP. III.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE HORRID MASSACRE OF THE PROTES-
TANTS IN PARIS AND OTHER PARTS OF FRANCE.
Henry, the prince of Navarre, was, on. August 17, A.
D. 1572, married to lady Margaret, sister to the king of
France ; and the admiral Coligni, who was present at the
wedding, was so far deluded, as to call it "not a marriage
of individuals, but a marriage between the churches of
the Roman catholics and protestants." Immediately after
the marriage, the king of France took Coligni aside, and
said, "Sir, I am sensible that you will carry yourself hon-
ourably towards the family of Guise ; but I am not sensible
that the individuals of that family will act with equal
candour towards you : therefore, as they have brought a
great number of armed men into Paris, under pretence of
gracing the nuptials, although I did not require their at-
tendance ; I hope you will think it owing to my affection
for you, if I introduce some troops for your protection."
Coligni, through the honesty of his own heart, still un-
suspecting the fraud in that of another, believed the royal
dissembler, and thanked him for introducing an armed
force, which was designed to cut the throats of the pro-
testants, and to perform one of the bloodiest tragedies
ever recorded in history.
The day after this conference, Coligni was wounded as
he was coming from the Louvre, by three musket ball*'
118 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
discharged from a window ; one ball broke the fore-finger
of his right hand ; the other two entered his left arm. —
He bore this affliction with admirable patience, and in-
stead of repining, said, "If God had dealt with me ac-
cording to my deserts, 1 should have been more severely
treated; but blessed be his holy name, who hath dealt
with me so lovingly and so kindly." The king of France
and queen-mother visited Cohgni on the occasion, and sit-
ting by his bedside, condoled with him, and acted with
their usual dissimulation. The protestant nobility like-
wise assembled, when one of them told him, that the best
thing he could do was to leave Paris immediately; "for,''
said he, " this is only the prologue to a bloody tragedy,
which I expect will shortly ensue. Many circumistances
give me reason for the surmise : in particular, many pa-
pists, on the wedding-day of the king of Navarre, had
been heard to say, that more blood should be spilt soon
after, than wine had been drank at the nuptial feast. —
The president of the senate advised a protestant noble-
man for whom he had a friendship, to retire for a few
days into the country with his family ; and the bishop of
Valentia, previous to his setting off on his embassy to Po-
land, said to the Count de Rochefoucault, a protestant
nobleman. Be not blinded with the smoke of a court., but
withdraw yourself and friends in time^ thai you may be out
of danger. These particulars give me just reason to ap-
prehend some impending mischief." After, however, can-
vassing the matter fully, the motion for removing from
Paris was unhappily overruled, and the chief persons of
the reformed religion determined to remaia in the city.
The next day a gentleman went to the king, and in-
formed him of several suspicious circumstances, but more
particularly of the great quantity of warlike weapons
which were carrying to the houses of certain Roman
catholick gentlemen; and therefore he humbly begged,
that Coligni might be provided with a guard, to secure
him from any insult. The king morosely replied, " Let
Cossen, with fifty men, guard him." The gentlemen ob-
jected to this for two reasons; because Cossen was a big-
oted Roman catholick, and because he was an enemy to
HISTORY OF THE 3IARTYRS. 119
the admiral. 1 he king, however, in a peremptory tone,
said, '-it shall be so," and the gentleman, not daring to
contradict him, departed.
Cosscn, agreeably to the royal mandate, at the head of
fifty men, took possession of the two houses adjoining that
in which Coligni resided ; and most of the other houses
in the street were soon after tilled with Roman catholick
troops, who occupied them under various pretences. A
council was then held at the palace, in which were present
the king of France, the queen mother, the duke of Anjou,
the duke of Nevers, the bastard of Angoulesme, and sev-
eral others; and the general massacre of all the protes-
tants of Paris was now fully determined on, exempting
only two by name, viz. the king of Navarre, and the young
prince of Conde. (2)
A few hours previous to the massacre, the young duke
of Guise, who was to be principally entrusted in the affair,
called together the French and Swiss officers, and told
them, "that the time was come in which the king was to
be revenged of the protestants ; the beast is caught," said
he, "let him" not therefore escape ; your triumph will be
glorious, your victory easy, and the spoils great." The
duke then sent to the provost of the city, and commanded
him to assemble the aldermen of the respective wards,
that they might be ready to receive the king's commands :
when they met together, the same orders were given to
them as to the officers ; and they were told, that the sig-
nal for beginning the bloody business, w^as to be the ring-
ing of a bell in the Louvre ; and the tokens, by which to
know each othei , were to be white crosses in their hats.
The dreadful hour arrived, and the fatal bell was tolled
about twelve o'clock at night, on the eve of the solemnity
of St. Bartholomew, 1572, which that year happened to be
on a sabbath. The signal thus given, the duke of Guise
hastened to Coligni's house, at the head of a body of
troops, and joined Cossen, who, with his guard, it was pre-
tended, were to defend the admiral. They knocked vio-
(2) The queen dowager of Navarre was destroyed by poison, before
this massacre was begun ; and was a noble martyr to the protesta^t
cause.
120 HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS.
lently at Coligni's door, when Labornius,. one of his,
servants, immediately opened it, and was instantly stabbed
by Cossen. A num))er ol troops, with Cossen at the h^ad
of them, then entered the house ; but the duke of Guise
remained in the court-yard. These assassins ranged
through the several apartments, murdered all they met,
and at length came to Coligni's chamber. That brave
devoted martyr, when he saw them, said, " I have long pre-
pared myself for death, and now that 1 shall find it, com-
mend my soul to the Almighty God." A German soldier,
named Besme, first wounded him ; after which Cossen, and
several others, completed the murder. The duke of Guise
called out from below, " Is the business done?" The mur-
erders replied it was; and, to convince him, threw the
body out of the window. The corpse was then treated
with great indignity ; and a person belonging to the duke
of Nevers cut off the head, and carried it to the king. —
The cruel monarch appeared pleased with the sight, and
^he bloody-minded queen-mother ordered it to be embalm-
.ed, and sent as a present to the pope. The headless corpse
was dragged about the streets, with great indignity, for
several days, indecently mangled, and then hung upon a
gibbet, with the shoulders downw ards. This was the end
of one of the greatest men France ever produced; who,
by a glorious martyrdom, concluded a life spent in the
service of the Almighty. •
Immediately after the murder of Coligni, the attendants ]
and domesticks of the king of Navarre and the young
prince of Cond6 were basely butchered, and the streets
of Paris streamed with protestant blood. In some meas-
ure, to palliate their cruelties, the Roman catholicks, while
they were murdering the innocent people, cried out,
" Vile wretches, this is for wanting to overturn the consti-
tution of your country; this is for conspiring to murder
the king." Rank, sex, or age, were no protections; no-
bles sunk beneath the daggers of ruffians; the tears vtS"
beauty made no impression on the hearts of bigotry; the
silver hairs of venerable age, and the piteous cries of
helpless infancy, were alike disregarded. Malignity steel-
ed the hearts of the papists ; and infatuation directed the
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 121
sword of fcilse zeal, to pierce the bosoms of piety and in-
nocence. The lamentations of distress, the siirieks of
terrour, and the groans of the dying, were music to the
ears of the furious murderers: they enjoyed the horrours
of slaughter, and triumphed over the mangled carcases of
those whom they had so inhumanly butchered.
Upon this dreadful occasion, swords, pistols, muskets,
cutlasses, daggers, and other instruments of death, had
been p«t into the hands of above sixty thousand furious
and bigoted papists, who, in a frantic manner, ran up and
down the streets of Paris, uttering the most horrid blas-
phemies, and committing the most unaccustomed barbari-
ties. It is almost beyond the power of imagination to
paint, or of language to describe, the cruelties that were
acted on that fatal night, and the tw^o succeeding days, —
The infirm were murdered in the bed of sickness; the
aged stabbed while tottering on there crutches ; children
snatched from their mothers, and tossed on the points of
spears; infants strangled in their cradles; women ripped
open, and men indiscriminately murdered by various
means. The confusion and horrours of the scene were
dreadful! Oaths, shoutings, shrieks, and the discharge of
lire-arms, were heard in all quarters: houses w^ere defiled
with the blood of their owners; the streets strew^ed with
carcases ; and the waters of the Seine appeared of a crim-
son colour, froni the number of mangled bodies which had
been throw n into that river.
Several ruffians entered the house of Monsieur De la
Place, president of the court of requests, and having plun-
dered it of above a thousand crowns, they took that gen-
tleman into the street, stabbed him with their daggers,
laid his body in a stable, covered his face with dung, and
the next day threw him into the Seine.
Peter V amus, the royal professor of logick, was seized
in the college over w^hich he presided, for professing pro-
testant tenets; and after being murdered, his body was
thrown out of the window, and trailed about the streets in
derision, by several boys, who were ordered so to do by
their popish tutors.
Some soldiers entering the house of a doctor of civil
^ 11
122 HISTORY 01 Till] MARTYUS.
law, demanded a sight of his hbrary. With this he com-
pUed, when finding some proteslant books, tliey took him
into the street, and beat out his brains with a club. A
cook, who had hid himself on the first alarm, being pressed
by thirst, came from his lurking-place to procure food,
but was immediately murdered; and an apothecary, who
was carrying some medicines to a patient, met witii the
same fate.
Three hundred and fifty Protestants were confined in a
place called the Archbishop's Prison. To this place a
number of soldiers repaired, picked their pockets of what
money they had, took from them such garments as they
thought proper to appropriate to their own uses, and then
drawing their swords, cut them to pieces without the least
remorse.
A Protestant merchant, named Francis Bassu, cxpecl-
ing to share the fate of other Protestants, thus addressed
his two sons: "Children, be not terrified at M^iat may
happen: it is the portion of true believers, to be hated and
persecuted by unbelievers, as sheep are devoured by
wolves. But remember, that if we suffer for Christ, we
shall reign with him: therefore let not drawn swords ter-
rify you, they will be but a bridge over which to pass to
eternal life." He had scarcely uttered these words, ere
the murderers broke in, and cut to pieces the father and
both his sons.
' After the massacre had subsided, the inhuman assassins
paraded the streets, boasting that they had dyed their
white cockades red with the blood of the Huguenots, On
seeing a multitude of dead bodies lay about, a popish
apothecary suggested that money might be made of the
fat contained in them ; the plumpest bodies were accor-
dingly selected, and the fat being extracted from them,
was sold for three shillings per pound: A shocking in-
stance of the most depraved cruelty! The inhabitants of
the villages which lay below Paris, on the borders of the
Seine, were astonished to see the number of dead bodies
that floated down the stream; and even some of the Ro-
man catholicks were so much touched with compassion, as
to exclaim, " It surely could not be men, but devils in their
HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS. 123
appeararice, who transacted these cruelties." The pope's
legate, soon after, gave all who v/ere concerned in these
murders a general absolution, plainly evincing that the
Roman catholicks themselves thought these transactions
criminal.
The King of France gave a formal account to the King
of Navarre and the Prince of Conde of the whole affair;
and told them, at the same time, "he expected they should
renounce their religion, as he had saved their lives with
that expectation only." The King of Navarre only an-
swered, / ^e^ you zoill rccoU(^ct our late alliance^ and not
think of forcing my conscience, but the Prince of Conde^
with more spirit, replied, i/oit may seize my estates, property,
nnd life, but my religion is out of your poicer. This answer
so much enraged the king, that he fell into a vehement
passion, and threatened him violently; but becoming cool
again, he thought proper to let his resentment subside,
and suffered anger to give way to policy.
It was now represented to the king by his council, that
the massacre would be ineffectual, if it did not extend to
every part of the kingdom; for though all the protestants
of Paris were murdered, yet if any were suffered to live
in other parts of France, they would again increase in
numbers, and spread to the metropolis. This occasioned
the massacre to become more general, for the king sent
orders to all the provinces to massacre the protestants.
At Meaux, the king's attorney. Cosset, having received
the bloody mandate, ordered a number of ruffians to at-
tend him at seven o'clock in the evening. At the ap-
pointed time, he commanded the city gates to be shut,
and all the Protestants to be seized, which was immedi-
ately executed ; many were murdered that night, and about
two hundred of the principal persons were confined till
the next day. On the ensuing morning. Cosset, and his
murderers, went to the prison, and having a list of the
confined protestants, called them one by one, and murder-
ed them as they answered. They then plundered the
houses of those who had been murdered, divided the spoil,
gave an entertainment upon the occasion, and concluded
fbe evonincj with illuminations.
124 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
At Troyes^ Oie protesta.it? were all seized, and put into
dungeoas. Ihe provost then commanded the common
€ixecunoner to go and murder them all. Shocked, how-
ever, at the inhumanity of the thing, the executioner had
spirit e-iough to refuse, with this remarkable expression:
My office obliges mc to execute none bid such as are legally
coudemnecl. But this did not save the protestants, for the
pjovost engaged the gaoler to perform what the execu-
tioner had refused; they were all murdered, and their
bodies buried in pits, dug on purpose, within the prison.
While the bloody tragedy was performing, one of the
*'uffians struck at a protestant two or three times without
killing him: the protestant then taking hold of the point
of the halberd with which he had been wounded, placed
it close to the left side of his breast, and then boldly cried,
'' Push it to my hearty fellov^^ push it to my heart,^'^
At Orleans, the massacre continued for a week, and a
prodigious number of men, women, and children, were
murdered; the general cry being, ''kill the Hvguenotsand
lake the spoiW^ Some v/ho w^ere weak enough to aposta-
tize from their faith to save their lives, had weapons put
into their hands, and were compelled to kill those of the
religion they had forsaken, or to be murdered themselves;
the Roman catholicks crying, in derision, all the time,
" Smite them smite them^
At Lyons^ all the protectants' houses were plundered,
and the slaughter almost incredible ; at Rouen, six thou-
sand were massacred ; at Thoulouse, about three hundred
were martyred; many were drowned at Anglers, and
several were butchered at Bourdeaux, though happily, at
the latter place, several escaped on board ship to England,
As a corroboration of this horrid carnage, the following
interresting narrative, written by a learned and sensible
Roman catholick, appears in this place, with peculiar
propriety.
" The nuptials (says he) of the young king of Navarre
with the French king's sister, were solemnized with pomp;
and all the endearments, all the assurances of friendship,
all the oaths sacred among men, were profusely lavished
by Catherine, the queen-mother, and by the king; during
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 125
which, the rest of the court thought of nothing but festiv-
ities, plays, and masquerades. At last, at twelve o'clock
at night, on the eve of St. Bartholeraew, the signal was
given. Immediately all the houses of the protestants
were forced open at once. Admiral Coligni, alarmed by
the uproar, jumped out of bed; when a company of as-
sassins rushed in his chamber. They were headed by one
Besme, who had been bred up as a domestick in the fam-
ily of the Guises. This wretch thrust his sword into the
admiral's breast, and also cut him in the face. Besme was
a German, and being afterwards taken by the protestants^
the Rochellers would have bought him, in order to hang
and quarter him; but he was killed by one Bretanville.
Henr}', the young Duke of Guise, who afterwards framed
the cathoHck league, and was murdered at Blois, standing
at the door till the horrid butchery should be completed,
called aloud, ' Besme ! is it done ?' Immediately after which,
the ruffians threw the body out of the window, and Coligni
expired at Guise's feet.
" Count de Teligny also fell a sacrifice. He had mar-
ried, about ten months before, Cohgni's daughter. His
countenance was so engaging, that the ruffians, when they
advanced in order to kill him, were struck with compas-
sion; but others, noore barbarous, rushing forward, mur-
dered him.
" In the mean time, all the friends of Coligni were as-
sassinated throughout Paris: men, women, and children,
were promiscuously slaughtered ; every street was strewed
with expiring bodies. Some priests, holding up a crucifix
in one hand, and a dagger in the other, ran to the chiefs
of the murderers, and strongly exhorted them to spare
neither relations nor friends.
"Tavannes, Marshal of France, an ignorant, super-
stitious soldier^ who joined the fury of religion to the rage
of party, rode on horseback through the streets of Paris,
crying to his men, 'Let blood! let blood! bleeding is as
wholesome in August as in May.' In the cnemoirs of the
life of this enthusiastick, written by his son, we are told,
that the father, being on his death bed, and making a
general confession of his actions, the priest said to him^
II *
126 HISTORY OF THE MARTYKS.
with surprise, 'What! no mention of St. Bartholemew'ci
massacre?' to which Tavannes replied, *I co)isider it as a
meritorious action, that will wash away all my sins.' Such
horrid sentiments can a false spirit of religion inspire !
" The king's palace was one of the chief scenes of the
butchery: the King of Navarre had his lodgings in the
Louvre, and all his domesticks were protestants. Many
of these were killed in bed with their wives ; others, run*
ning away naked, were pursued by the soldiers through
the several rooms of the palace, even to the king's anti-
chamber. The young wife of Henry of Navarre, awaked
by the dreadful uproar, being afraid for her consort, and
for her own life, seized with horrour, and half dead, fiew
from her bed, in order to throw herself at the feet of the
king her brother. But scarce had she opened her cham-
ber-door,, when some of her protestant domesticks rushed
in for refuge. The soldiers immediately followed, pur-
sued them in sight of the Princess, and killed one who
had crept under her bed. Two others, being wounded
with halberds, fell at the queen's feei^ so that she was
covered with blood.
" Count d^ la Rochefoucault, a young nobleman, great-
ly in the king's favour for his comely air, his politeness,
and a certain peculiar happiness in the turn of his con-
versation, had spent the evening till eleven o'clock with
the monarch, in pleasant familiarity; and had given a
loose, with the utmost mirth, to the sallies of his imagina-
tion. The monarch felt some remorse ; and being touch-
ed with a kind of compassion, bid him, two or three times^
not go home, but lie in the Louvre. The count said, he
must go to his wife ; upon which the king pressed him no
farther, but said, 'Let him go! I see God has decreed his
death.' And in two hours after he was murdered.
" Very few of the protestants escaped the fury of their
enthusiastick persecutors. Among these was young La
Force (afterwards the famous Marshal de la Force) a
child about ten years of ?ige, whose deliverance was ex-
ceedingly remarkable. His father, his elder brother, and
himself were seized together by the Duke of Anjou's^
soldiers. These murderers flew at all three, and struck
HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS. 127
them at random, when they all fell, and lay one upon an-
other. The youngest did not receive a single blow, but
appearing as if he was dead, escaped the next day; and
his life, thus wonderfully preserved, lasted fourscore and
five years.
"Many of the wretched victims fled to the water-side,
and some swam over the Seine to the suburbs of St. Ger-
maine. The king saw them from his window, which
looked upon the river, and fired upon them with a carbine
that had been loaded for that purpose by one 'of his
pages: while the queen-mother, undisturbed and serene
in the midst of slaughter, looking down from a balcony,
encouraged the murderers, and laughed at the dying
groans of the slaughtered. This barbarous queen was
fired with a restless ambition, and she perpetually shifted
her party in order to satiate it.
" Some days after this horrid transaction, the French
court endeavoured to palUate it by forms of law. They
pretended to justify the massacre by a calumny, and ac-
cused the admiral of a conspiracy, which no one believed.
The parliament w^as commanded to proceed against the
memory of Coligni; and bis dead body was hung in chains
on Montfaucon gallows. The king himself went to view
this shockmg spectacle; when one of his courtiers ad^
vising him to retire, and complaining of the stench of the
corpse, he replied, 'A dead enemy smells well.' — The
massacres on St. Bartholomew's day are painted in the
royal salloon of the Vatican at Rome, with the following
inscription: Pontifex Coligni necem p'obaL i. e. 'The pope
approves of Coligni's death.'
^^ The young king of Navarre was spared through poli-
cy, rather than from the pity of the queen-mother, she
keeping him prisoner till the king's death, in order that
he might be as a security and pledge for the submission
of such protestants as might effect their escape.
"This horrid butchery was not confined merely to tlie
city of Paris. The like orders were issued from court to
the governours of all the provinces in France ; so that, in
a week's time, above one hundred thousand protestants
were cut to pieces in different parts of the kingdom ! Two
128 HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS.
or three governours only retused to obey tlie king ■ borders.
One of thesey named Montmorrin,,governour of Auvergne,
wrote the king the following ktter^ which deserves to be
transmitted to the l^atest posterity.,
"Sire — I have received an order, under your majesty's
seal, to put to death all the Protestants in my province. I
have too much respect for your majesty, not to believe
the letter a forgery: but if (which God forbid) the order
should be gemine,. I have too much respect for your ma-
jesty to obey it."
These barbarities Inflamed such protestants as escaped
rather with rage than terrour: their irreconcilable hatred
to the court supplied them with fresh vigour, and the spir-
it of revenge increased their strength. The Kmg, Charles
IX., under whose influence this dreadful havoc had been
committed, never afterwards enjoyed his health, but, be-
ing in the prime of his youth, about twenty-four years old,
fell sick of a languishing disease; his physicians let him
blood and purged him, but to no purpose ; for by degrees
he so wasted away, as caused great astonishment. He
iong struggled against his disease, but at last betook to his
bed, and during the last two weeks of his sickness, much
blood issued from divers parts of his body, so that he lit-
erally rolled in his own blood, and a little before he died,
he desired his mother to pursue his enemies to the utter-
most, with great vehemency reiterating his speeches; say-
ing, " Madam, I pray you lieartily to do it." He wretch-
edly died on the 30th of May, 1574.
CHAP. IV.
THE SIEGE OF SANCERRE.
A. D. 1573, Sancerre, a city chiefly inhabited by pro-
testants, was besieged by the Lord of Chartres with a
considerable army. He planted his cannon judiciously,
and played incessantly on the place ; so that more were
woanded by the fragments of stones, and splinters of tim-
ber, broken by means of the artillery^ than by the balls
themselves.
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 129
Besides cannonading the city almost continually, the
Lord of Chartres frequently gave furious assaults, in or-
der to take it by storm ; but was as often repulsed, with
loss, by the besieged. The conflict was dreadful, and
each side appeared resolved in their several purposes; the
one to succeed in compelling the city to surrender; the
other in defending it to the last extremity.
The want of provisions now seemed to threaten what
the arms of the besiegers could not perform; the long con-
tinuance of the siege had caused a great scarcity of the
necessaries of life, and the bravest of the besieged began
to fear they must either give up the place, or fall victims
to famine. So great, indeed, were the distresses of the
people, that the flesh of horses, mules, and asses, was pur-
chased at a great price ; and many were compelled to live
only upon the flesh of dogs, cats, mice, moles, &c. Even
these disagreeable resources at length failed, and the se-
verity cf hunger forced them to put up with leather,
parchment, beasts' hoofs, and horns stewed dovri^ to a jei-
}y, or boiled sufliciently soft to be swallowed. The wild
roots in the few gardens of the city, the grass and house-
leek which grew on the tops of houses, walls, and sheds,
were sought for with avidity, and devoured as delicacies.
The substitutes for bread were dried herbs and bran,
straw-meal, powdered nut-shells, and even pounded slates,
made into cakes with grease.
During this extremity, a poor man and his wife were
apprehended, for having eaten a part of their own daugh-
ter, a child three years old, who died of hunger: they had
already devoured the head and entrails, and when taken
were dressing some of the hmbs. In their excuse they
pleaded the horrid severity of the hunger with which they
were tormented, and that they had not murdered the child:
it was, however, proved against them, that on the very
day when they began to eat their offspring, some humane
person had charitably sent to their house a mess of pot-
tage, made with herbs and some w ine, which might have
enabled them to refrain, at least another day, from the un-
natural meal. The governour, therefore, to make an ex-
ample which might deter others from practising any thing
130 HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS.
SO atrocious, ordered them to be hanged. , Their fate,
however, drew compassion from many, \\*o, from what
themselves felt, and considering the desperate circumstan-
ces of the persons, could not help sympathising with the
criminals, though they abhorred their crime.
A labouring man and his wife, who had a little vine-
yard within the city walls, and who had fed themselves, for
some time, with the leaves and branches of the vines, were
found dead, and two young children crying by them. The
children, however, were taken by a charitable widow, and
sustained with as much care as her present circumstances
would permit. Several others were found 4€ad in their
houses; many dropped down in the streets; the sorrowful
lamentations of the living for the dead were equally min-
gled with the cries of hunger, and, in conjunction, formed
the most doleful sounds of horrour.
A boy falling, through weakness, at the feet of his father
and mother, they bitterly lamented over him, when he he-
roically said, "don't weep to see me die with hunger; I do
not ask you for food ; I know you have none to give me :
it is the will of God I should die, and, therefore, I cheer-
fully submit." He expired the moment he had uttered
these words, leaving his parents astonished at his fortitude,
and happy in his religious resignation.
Several soldiers and citizens, iather than stay and be
starved, chose to escape from the place, and run all haz-
ards: some were immediately killed in the attempt, and
the rest put into prison, tried as traitors, and afterwards
executed.
Charles IX. was so much exasperated at the long and
valiant defence of the besieged, that he sent word to his
general, the Lord of Chartres, " if he took the place, to
massacre all within it; and if he could not, to block them
up till they devoured each other." But the full comple-
tion of this cruel order was providentially defeated by the
following circumstance: there being an election for a king
of Poland, the Duke of Anjou, brother to the king of
France, was elected, upon condition that the king of
France should cease the persecution against his protes-**
^ant subjects: these conditions were, for political reasons^
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 131
complied with; and Sancerre, among other places, had
immediate relief. Eighty-four persons were killed during
the siege ; near six hundred perished by famine ; and sev-
eral were so emaciated from the same cause, that they
died soon after the siege was raised. Thus, when we
deem ourselves at the very last extremity, are we some-
times suddenly relieved by the most unexpected means:
so inscrutable are the ways of that Providence, on which,
in all emergencies, we ought to depend.
In the year 1684, persecution again broke with great
cruelty, and soldiers were spread all over France to en-
force the arbitrary maxims of popery. The dragoons
were particularly employed in this service, as the most
resolute and bloody of the troops; for none were admitted
into the dragoon service, but such as were known to be
rigid Roman cathohcks. As Louis XIV. publicly declared
he would exterminate the protestants from France, a gen-
eral panic seized the devoted victims. Orders were sent
to the intendants of provinces, to summon the protectant
inhabitants of their respective districts, and inform them
that they had only this alternative, to turn papists volun-
tarily, or be forced to it. Many resolutely replied: "Our
lives and fortunes are due to the king, and our consciences
to God; therefore we cannot dispose of them in any such
manner." The consequence of such replies was a general
persecution, or, as it was called, dragooning the protes-
tants ; for the dragoons seized all the gates and avenues of
the cities and towns; guards were posted on the public
roads, and the general cry was, "turn papists or die."
The dragoons, who were quartered upon protestants,
had orders to live at discretion; but the w^ord discretion
was left to their own interpretation, and they, by way of
exposition, deemed it acting discreetly to eat up the pro-
visions, steal the property, and force the wives and daugh-
ters of those upon whom they were quartered.
All protestants were prohibited from leaving home, and
commanded neither to hide or remove their effects ; and
all Roman catholicks received strict orders, neither to
countenance, conceal, or assist them. The dragoons took
a pleasure in the most wanton cruelties against ^e protes-
132 HISTORY OF THE MARTYllS.
tants. Some were hung Ly tiie hair of their heads, and
by ilieir feet to the cciHiigs of their respective apartments.
Many were made insensible with intoxicathig hquors, and.
persuaded in that state to renounce their rehgion; but on
the return of their reason, if they recanted what they had
done, a funnel was placed in their mouths, and brandy
poured into their throats till they were choaked.
Several had their brains beat out with clubs, or other-
Avise ill-treated and mangled till they died. Many exam-
ples are recorded of fathers, husbands, and brothers being
fastened to bed-posts, while their daughters, wives, or sis-
Jers, were forced before their faces.
In order to make some change their religion, they were
told they should not sleep till they consented ; and to pre-
vent them from sleeping, the following mode was pursued:
a number of dragoons watched the victim night and day,
relieving each other alternately ; and hindered those they
guarded from falling asleep, by pinching them., throwing
water in their faces, scorching them, or by beating upon
brass kettles over their heads ; till their spirits being ex-
hausted they either changed their religion, grew delirious,
or sunk under the oppression and died.
Protestants who were ill, they tormented, by ordering a'
number of drummers successively to beat their drums as
loud as possible in the chambers of the sick, and indeed,
practised such cruelties as none but the most infernal im-
aginations could suggest. Those who were not put to
death suffered imprisonment, had their houses pulled
down, their lands laid waste, their property stolen, aiid
their wives and daughters, after being violated, sent into
<;onvents.
If any fled from these cruelties, they were pursued
through the woods, hunted and shot like wild beasts. —
Some presented petitions to the king, and were sent to
the Bastile, others were transported to Canada, as it was
falsely pretended, but in reality the officers of the ships
had orders to throw them overboard in the passage.
At the head of the dragoons, in all the provinces of
France, marched the bishops, priests, friars, *&c. the clergy
being ordered to keep up the cruel spirit of the military.
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS'. 133
An order was published for demolishing all protestant
churches, the execution of which was begun by pulling
down the noble protestant church of Charenton. The
oldest protestant minister in Paris was ordered to leave
that city in twenty-four hours, and the kingdom in a few-
days; this was the celebrated Monsieur Claude, author of
Plaintes des Protestants, or Protestant Lamentations, by
whom most of these facts are recorded. Many others
w^ere proscribed, and received the sentence of baniehtnent;
and, concerning these. Monsieur Claude, says, " Iii. the
frontier places many were stopt and imprisoned on ridicu-
lous pretences; such as the obliging them to prove them-
selves tha identical persons specified in the certificates;
the inquiring whether they were not subject to some
criminal information, or prosecution; and obliging them to
prove, that they did not carry off their effects. Some-
times, after thus detaining and amusing them, they were
fold, that the time allowed by the edict was expired, and
that they were no longer at liberty, but must go to the
gallies. — In a word, every chicane, every iniquity, w^as
employed, in order to plague them."
Exclusively of those who were murdered, and kept in
long imprisonment, it is computed, that about five hun-
dred thousand persons were banished, or escaped from the
kingdom. The refugees retired to England, Germany,
Holland, Denmark. Sw^eden, and America.
CHAP. V.
\N ACCOUNT OF THE MARTYRDOM OF M. JOHN CALAS AND
FOUR OTHERS, AT THOULOUSE, IN 1761—2.
Calas and his wife were protestants of the city of Thou-
louse, and had five sons, whom they educated in the
same religion; but Lewis, one of the sons, became a Ro-
man catholick, having been converted by a maid-servant,
who had lived in the family above thirty years. The fa-
ther, however, did not express any resentment or ill-will
upon the occasion, but kept the maid in the family, and
-settled an annuity upon the son. In October, 1761, the
12
134 HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS.
family consisted of John Calas and his wife, one woman
servant, Mark Anthony Calas, the eldest son, and I'eter
Calas, the second son. Mark Anthony was bred to the
law, but could not be admitted to practice, on account of
hisprotestanism: hence he grew melancholy, read all the
books he could procure relative to suicide, and seemed
determined to destroy himself. To this may be added,
that he led a dissipated life, was greatly addicted to ga-
ming, and did all which could constitute the character of
a hbertine. On which account his father frequently
reprehended him, and sometimes in terms of severity,
which considerably added to the gloom that seemed to
oppress him. •'
On the 13th of October, 1761, M. Gober La Vaisse, a
young gentleman about nineteen years of age, the son of
M. La Vaisse, a celebrated advocate of Thoulouse, having
been sometime at Bordeaux, came back to Thoulouse to
see his father; but finding that he was gone to his countrj--
house, at some distance from the city, he went to several
places, endeavouring to hire a horse to carry him thither.
No horse, however, was to be Hired; and, about five
o'clock in the evening, he was met by John Calas the fa-
ther and the eldest son Mark Anthony, who was upon
terms of friendship with him. Calas, the father, invited
him to supper, as he could not set out for his father's that
night, and La Vaisse consented. All three, therefore,
proceeded to Calas's house together, and when they came
thither, finding that Madame Calas was still in b.er own
room, which she had not quitted that day. La Vaisse went
up to see her. After the first compliments, he told her,
he was to sup with her, by her husband's invitation, at
which she expressed satisfaction, and a few minutes after
left him, to give some orders to her servant. She then
went to look for her son Anthony, whom she found sitting
alone in the shop, very pensive: she gave him some money,
and desired him to go and buy some Roquefort cheese, he
being always the market-man for cheese, in the family. —
She then returned to her e^uest I -a Vaisse, who very soon
after went again to the liverystable, to inquire if any
horse was come in. that ho might secuje it for the nexi
morning.
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 135
Anthony very soon returned, with the cheese, and La
Vaisse also coming back about the same time, the family
and their guest sat down to supper, in a room up one pair
of stairs; the whole company consisting of Calas the fath-
er and his wife, Anthony and Peter Calas the sons, and
La Vaisse the guest, no other person being in the house,
except the maid-servant, who has been already mentioned.
It was now about seven oVlock: the supper was not
long; but before it v/as over, or, according to the French
expression, "when they came to the dessert" Anthony left
the table, and went into the kitchen, which was on the
same floor, as he was accustomed to do. The maid-ser-
vant asked him if he w^as cold? He answered, "quite the
contrary, I burn;" and then left her. In the mean time
his friend and family left the room in which they had sup-
ped, and went into a bed-chamber; the father and La
Vaisse sat down together on a sofa; the younger son, Pe-
ter, in an elbow-chair; and the mother in another chair;
and, without making any inquiry after x\nthony, continued
in conversation together till between nine and ten o'clock,
w^hen La Vaisse took liis leave, and Peter, who had fallen
asleep, was awakened to attend him with a light.
On the groundfloor of Calas's house was a shop and a
warehouse ; the latter of which was divided from the shop
by a pair of folding-doors. When Peter Calas and La
Vaisse came down stairs into the shop, they were extreme-
ly shocked to see .\nthony hanging in his shirt, from a bar
which he had laid across the top of the two folding-doors,
having iialf opened them for that purpose. On discovery
of this horrid spectacle, they shrieked out, which brought
down Calas the father, the mother being seized with such
a terrour as kept her trembling in the passage above. The
unhappy old man rushed forward, and taking the body in
his arms, the bar, to which the rope that suspended him
was fastened, slipped off from the folding-door of the ware-
house, and fell down. Having placed the body on the
ground, he lo<>sed and took off the cord in an agony of
grief and aii^^iiisVi r;nt to be expressed, weeping, tremb-
linG:, and deplo.ing himself and his child. The two young
men, his second son and La Vaisse, who had not had pre-
SS^ HISTORY OF THE MARTYRSo
sence of mind enough to attempt taking down the bod^,
were standing by, stupid with amazement and horrour.
In the mean time the moilier, hearing the confused cries
and complaints of her husband, and finding no one come
to her, found means to get down stairs. At the bottom
she saw La Yaisse, and hastily demanded what was the
matter. This question roused Calas in a moment, and
instead of answering her, he urged her to go again up-
stairs, to which, with much reluctance, she consented ; but
the conflict of her mind being such as could not be long
borne, she sent down the maid to know what was the mat-
ter. When the maid discovered what had happened she
continued below, either because she feared to carry an
account of it to her mistress, or because she busied her-
self in doing some good office to her master, who was still
embracing the body of his son, and bathing it in his tears.
The mother, therefore, being thus left alone, went down,,
and mixed in the scene, with such emotions as her intense
feelings most naturally produced. In the mean time Pe-
ter had been sent for La Moire, a surgeon i- the neigh-
bourhood. La Moire was not at home, but his appren-
tice, M. Grosse, came instantly. Upon examination, he
found the body quite dead; and upon taking off the neck-
cloth, which was of black tafTeta, he saw the mark of the
cord, and immediately pronounced that the deceased had
been strangled. This particular had not been told, for
the poor old man, w hen Peter was going for La Moire,
cried out, "save at least the honor of my family; do not
go and spread a report that your brother has made away
with himself."
By this time a crowd of people were gathered about the
house, and one Casing, with another acquaintance or two
of the family, were come in. Some of those who were in
the street had heard the cries and exclamations of the fa-
ther, the mother, the brother, and his friend ; and having
by some means heard that Anthony Calas was suddenly
dead, and that the surgeon, who had examined the body,
declared he had been strangled, they took it into their
heads he had been murdered ; and as his family were pro-
testants, they presently supposed that the young man. be*
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 137
mg about to change ills religion, had been put to death for
that reason. The cries they had heard they fancied Avere
those of the deceased, while he was resisting the violence
that was offered him. The tumult in the street increased
every moment: some said that Anthony Calas was to have
abjured the next day; others, that protestants are bound
by their religion to strangle or cut the throats of their
children when they are inclined to become catholicks.
Others, who had found out that La Vaisse was in the
house when the accident happened, very confidently af-
firmed, that the protestants, at their last assembly, ap-
pointed a person to be their common executioner upon
these occasions, and that La Vaisse was the man, who, in
consequence of the office to which he had been appointed,
had come to Calas' house to hang his son.
The poor father, therefore, who was overwhelmed with
grief for the loss of his cliild,was advised by his friends to
send for the officers of justice, to prevent his being torn in
pieces by the multitude, who supposed that he had mur-
dered his son ; a messenger was dispatched to David, the
capitoul, or principal civil magistrate of the place ; and
another to an inferior officer, called an assessor. The ca-
pitoul had already set out, having been alarmed by the ru-
mour of a murder, before the messenger sent from Calas'
got to his house. He entered Calas' house with forty
soldiers, took the father, Peter the son, the mother. La
Vaisse, and the maid, all into custody, and set a guard-
over them. He sent for M. De la Tour, a physician, and
M. La Marque and Perronet, surgeons, who examined the
body for marks of violence, but found none except the
mark of the ligature on the neck: they found also the hair
of the deceased done up in the usual manner, perfectly
smooth, and without the least disorder: his clothes were
also regularly folded up, and laid upon the counter, nor
was his shirt either torn or unbuttoned.
Notwithstanding these appearances the capitoul thought'
proper to agree with the opinion of the mob, and took it
into his head that old Calas had sent for La Vaisse, tel-
ling him he had a son to be hanged 5 that La Vaisse had
12*
138 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS
come to perform the office of executioner; and that he had
received assistance from the father and brother.
In consequence of these notions the capitoul ordered
the body of the deceased to be carried to the town-house,
with the clothes. The father and son were thrown into
a dark dungeon; and the mother, La Vaisse, the maid,
and Ca.sing, were imprisoned in one that admitted the Hght.
The next day what is called the process verbal was taken
at the town-house, instead of the spot where the body was
found, as the law directs, and was dated at Calas' house
to conceal the irregularity. This process verbal is some-
what like the coroner's inquest in England: witnesses are
examined, and the magistrate makes his report, which is
the same there as the verdict of the coroner's jury in Eng-
land. The witnesses examined by the capitoul were the
physician and surgeon, who proved Anthonj^ Calas to have
been strangled. The surgeon, having been ordered to ex-
amine the stomach of the deceased, deposed also, that the
food which was found there had been taken four hours be-
fore his death.
As no proof of the supposed fact could be procured, the
capitoul had recourse to a monitory, or general informa-
tion, in which the crime was taken for granted, and all
persons were required to give such testimony against it as
they yi-erc able, particularizing the points to which they
were to speak. This monitory recites that "La Vaisse
was commissioned by the protestants to be their execu-
tioner in ordinary, when any of their children were to be
hanged for changing their religion:" it recites also, that
*'when protestants thus liang their children, tliey compel
them to kneel,'* and one of the interrogatories was, "wheth-
er any person had seen Anthony Calas kneel before his
father when he strangled him:" it recites likewise, that
" Anthony died a Roman catholick, and requires evidence
of his Catholicism."
Such ridiculous and scandalous opinions being thus pub-
lished by the principal magistrate of a considerable city,
the church of Geneva thought itself obhged to send an at-
testation of its abhorrence of opinions so abominable and
absurd, and of its astonishment that they should be sus-
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 139
pected of such opinions by persons whose rank and office
required them to have more knowledge and better judg-
ment.
But before the monitory was pubHshed, the mob had
entertained a notion that Anthony Calas was the next day
to have entered into the fraternity of the White Penitents.
The capitoul immediately adopted this opinion also, with-
out the least examination, and ordered Anthony's body to
be buried in the middle of St. Stephen's church, forty
priests, and all the White Penitents, assisting in the funer-
al procession.
A {ew days after the interment of the deceased, the
White Penitents performed a solemn service for him in
their chapel: the church was hung with white, and a
tomb raised in the middle of it; on the top was placed a
human skeleton, holding in one hand a paper, on which
was written, "abjuration of heresy," and in the other a
palm, the emblem of martyrdom.
The next day the Franciscans performed a service of
the same kind for him ; and it is easy to imagine how much
the minds of the people were inflamed by this strange in-
fatuation of their magistrates and priests.
The capitoul continued the prosecution with unrelent-
ing severity; and though the grief and distraction of the
family, when he first came to the house, were alone suffi-
cient to have convinced any reasonable being that they
were not the authors of the event which they deplored,
yet having publicly attested that they were guilty in his
monitory without proof, and no proof coming in, he thought
tit to condemn the unhappy father, mother, brother, friend,
and servant, to the torture, and put them all inio irons on
the 18th of November. C'asing was enlarged upon proof
that he was not in Calas* house till after Anthony was
dead.
From these dreadful proceedings the sufferers appealed
to the parliament of Thoulouse, which immediately took
cognizance of the affair, and annulled the sentence of the
capitoul as irregular; but yet the prosecution was con-
tinued with unremitting severity.
Wlien the trial came on, the hangman, who had been
iJtO HISTORY OF TflE MMtTYRS.
takci'i to Caias*:^ hou: . ,: doors and.
the !)ai\ t.icpojed, tiial il -y^.: u.upt.;i3iOivi .^.ttuojijy siiouid
h^ng iiimself as was pretended. Another witness swore,
that slie looked' through the key-hole of Cala^'s door ii to
a room, where she saw mcii runijing hastily to aud iro.
A third swore, that his wife had told i»im, a woman named
Maandril had told her, that a certain woman unknown,
had declared^ she heard the. cries of Anthony Galas at the
farther end of the city.
Upon such evidence the majority of the parliament
imbibed the opinion, that the prisoners were guilty, and
therefore ordered them to be tried by the criminal court
of Thoulousc.
Among those who presided at the trial was one La
Borde, who had zealously espoused the popular preju-
dices; and though it was manifest to demonstration that
the prisoners were either all innocent or all guilty, he
voted that the father should first suffer the torture, ordi-
nary and extraordinary, to discover his accomplices, and
be then broken alive upon the wheel; to receive the
last stroke when he had laid two hours, and then to
be burnt to ashes. In this opinion he had tlie concur-
rence of six others; three were for the torture alone: two
were of opinion that they should. endeavour to ascertain
upon the spot whether Anthony could hang himself or
not; and one voted to acquit the prisoner. After long
debates the majority were for the torture and wheel, and
probably condemned the father by way of experiment,
whether he was guilty or not>, hoping he would, in the
agony, confess the crime, and accuse the other prisoners,
whose fate, therefore, they suspended.
Poor Galas, however, a worthy old man, of sixty-eight,
was condemned to this dreadful punishment alone. He
suffered the torture with great constancy, and was led to
execution in a frame of mind which excited the admira-
tion of all that saw him.
Two Dominicans, father Bourges and father Coldagues,
who attended him in his last moments, wished "their
latter end might be like his;" and declared, that they
thought him jiot only wholly innocent of the crime laid to
HISTORY OF TliE MARTYlcS. 141
his charge, but an exemplary instance of true Christian
patience, fortitude, and charity.
One single shriek, and that not very violent, escaped
him when he received the tirst stroke ; after that he ut-
tered no complaint. Being at length placed on the wheel,
to wait for the moment which was to end his life and his
misery together, he expressed himself with an humble
hope of a happy immortality, and a compassionate regard
for the judges who had condemned him. When he saw
the executioner prepared to give him the last stroke, he
made a fresh declaration of his inno(!ence to father Bour-
ges; but while the words were yet in his mouth the infa-
mous David, the capitoul, the promoter of this catastrophe,
and who came upon the scaffold merely to gratify his de-
sire of being a witness of his punishment and death, ran
up to M. Calas, and bawled out, " Wretch, there are the
fagots which are to reduce your body to ashes; speak
the truth." The martyr made no reply, but turned his
head a little aside, and that moment the executioner did
his office.
The popular outcry against this family w^as so violent
in Languedoc, that every body expected to see the chil-
dren of Calas broke upon the wheel, and the mother burnt
alive. Even the attorney general expected it. So weak,
it is said, had been the defence made by this innocent
family, oppressed by misfortunes, and terrified at the sight
of lighted piles, wheels, and racks.
After the popular fury had abated, some friends of this
most unlbrtunate family applied for a revision of the pro-
ceedings of the judges at Thoulouse, before the king's
council, and the petition was granted. Fifty masters of
the court of requests unanimously declared the whole
family of Calas innocent, and recommended them to the
benevolent justice of his majesty. The Duke de Choiseul
not only assisted them with money, but obtained for them
a gratuity of thirty-six thousand livres from the king.
On the 9th of March, 1765, the arret was signed, which
justified the family of Calas, and changed their fate. The
9th of March was the very day also on which the inno-
cent and virtuous father of that family had been execu-
14*2 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
ted. All Paris ran in crowds to see them come out of
prison, and clapped their hands for joy, while the tears
streamed from their eyes.
To the honour of British benevolence, a very liberal
subscription, at the head of which was Queen Charlotte,
the principal nobility, bishops, &c. was formed for the
support of the much-injured and worthy family of Calas.
Thus have we traced, through all its circumstances, one '
of the most singular affairs that ever the annals of super-
stition, or the history of bigotry, produced; and lament,
that a worthy and ftinocent man fell a sacrifice to that
narrowness which a popish education bestows, and which
settled prejudices always convert to cruelty. Hence we
may perceive, to what a depraved state the human mind
may be reduced, when left to the guidance of the passions,
or suffered to be the slave of enthusiasm. A sect which
would propagate its doctrines in blood, cannot be the
favourer of truth; that persuasion alone can merit the-
sacred name of religion, which wishes to reform mankind.
During November 1761, M. Francis Rochette, a min-
ister of the protestant persuasion, a young gentleman only
twenty-seven years of age, of the most amiable disposition,
and generally esteemed, having occasion to go to a village
at a small distance from Montauban, where he resided,
to drink the mineral waters, he was met by the guard
belonging to Caussade, a small town about three leagues
from Montauban, and carried before the judge. He de-
clared, without any hesitation, who he was; whereupon
he was loaded with irons, and conducted to prison.
Some short time after, several persons belonging to
Caussade, having had intimation of the intended imprison*
ment of this minister, assembled in a riotous manner, lay-
ing hold of the first fire-arms they could find.
In this interval Messrs. Greniers (that is the name of
tlie three brothers) ignorant of this tumult, and being at
that juncture at Caussade, went with a few persons in.
order to try if M. Rochette could not get away by their
means: in their way thither, they had to pass over a
bridge, which they found {guarded by fourteen or fifteen
men. They endeavoured to return; but were pursued.
HISTORY hv THE MARTYRS. 143
by some butchers' dogs, who tore their legs, and thus were
stopped. Intnis condition the three brothers were conduc-
ted to prison, and some time after tliey and the minister
were removed to Tlioulouse, where, having remained for
about four months, they were brought out on the 19th of
February, 176*2, in order to suffer their sentence.
When conducted to the gate of the catliedral of Tbou-
louse, the minister was desired to step out of the wagon,
and to ask pardon, on his kneess, of God, the king, a. d
the law, in that he had wickedly persevered in performing
the functions of his ministry in opposition to the Royal
Edicts. This he twice refused to do. He was told that
tliis was no more than a formahty ; to which he answered,
" That he neither would acknowledge nor submit to any
formality that was contrary to the dictates of his con-
science."
At length, however, being obKged, by force and violent
treatment, to leave the wagon, he fell upon his knees and
expressed himself thus: "I humbly ask of Almighty God
the pardon of all my sins, in the full persuasion of obtain-
ing the remission of them, through the blood of Christ. With
respect to the king, I have no pardon to ask of him, having
never offended him. I always honoured him as the Lord's
anointed; I always loved him as the father of my country;
I have always been to him a good and faithful suSiect,andof
this my judges themselves have appeared to be fully convin-
ced ; I always recommended to my flock patience, obedi-
ence, and submission, and my sermons have always been
confined to the two great objects contained in these words
of Holy Writ, ' fear God, and honour the king.' If 1 have
acted in opposition to the laws, that prohibited our reli-
gious assemblies, I did this in obedience to the laws of
him who is the king of kings. With respect to pubHck
justice, 1 have nothing to say but this, that I never offend-
ed it, and I most earnestly pray that God will vouchsafe
to pardon my judges." This was the only confession that
the officers of justice, after much importunity and contes-
tation, could obtain from Monsieur Rochette; and, though
it did not ansvver their purpose, yet they were obliged to
be satisfied with it, perceiving the imincible resolution
144 HISTORY OF THE MARTYllS.
with which this noble mart} r protested against going an;^
farther.
No such acknowledgment was required of the three
noblemen who suffered with him, as hy the laws of France
it is never demanded of such as are beheaded. They
were, however, conducted wdth Monsieur Rochette to the
place of execution. The ordinary place appointed for
the execution of criminals was not chosen upon this occa-
sion, but one much les^ spacious, that this glorious instance
of martyrdom might have the fewer spectators. All the
streets which led to it were lined with soldiers, on account
of the pretended apprehension of a rescue^ this, however,
they could only fear from the Roman catholicks, on whom
indeed the shedding thus deliberately the blood of the
innocent seemed to make a lively impression, for the small
number of protestant families that lived in that city, filled
with consternation at this unrighteous sentence, had shut
themselves up in their houses, where they were wholly
employed in sending up their prayers and lamentations to
heaven, while this terrible scene was transacting.
In the streets, which led to the place of e-xecution, the
windows were hired at very high prices; wherever the
martyrs passed they were accompanied with the tears and
lamentations of the spectators. One would have thought
by the expressions of sorrow that appeared every where,
that Thoulouse was, all of a sudden, become a protestant
city. The curate of Faur could not bear the affecting
spectacle. Yielding to the power of sympathy, and per-
haps of conscience, he fainted away, and one of his vicars
was sent for, to supply his place. The circumstance most
affecting, and that made every eye melt into tears, was
the inexpressible serenity that appeared in the counte-
nance of the young clergyman as he went on to death.
His graceful mien, the resignation and fortitude that
reigned in his expressions, his blooming youth, every thing,
in short, in his conduct, character, and appearance, inter-
ested all ranks of people in his favour, and rendered his
fate the subject of universal affliction. This affliction was
augmented by one particular circumstance, even its being
universally known, that Monsieur Rochette might have
HISTORY OF THE MAilTYUSs. 145
saved his Jife by an untruth, but refused to hold it at so
dear a rate ; for as his being a minister was his only crime,
and as there were no complaints made against hijn, no
advertisements describing his person, nor any witnesses to
prove his pastoral character, he had only to deny his being
a minister, and his life was saved; but he chose rather to
lose his life than deny his profession. He was the first
of the four that were executed; and in the face of death
he exhorted his companions to ..perseverance, and sung
those sublime verses of the 118th psalm, ^' This is the day
which the Lord hath made, we will be glad," &c. When
the executioner, among others, conjured him to die a Ro-
man catholick, the minister ansAvered him in this gentle
manner: "Judge, friend, which of the two is the best re-
-ligion, that which persecutes or that which is persecuted.'*
He added, that his grand-father, and one of his uncles,
had died for the pure religion of the gospel, and that he
Avould be the third martyr of his family. Two of the
three gentlem.en that suffered with him, beheld him tied
to the gibbet with an amazing intrepidity; but the third
covered his eyes with his hand, that he might not see
such a terrible spectacle. The commissaries of the par-
liament, and the deputies of the other courts of justice,
discovered by their pensive looks and downcast eyes, how
deeply they were affected upon this occasion. The three
brothers embraced each other tenderly, and recommend-
ed mutually tlieir departing souls to the father of spirits.
Their heads were struck off at three blows. When the
scene was finished, the spectators returned to their res-
pective homes, in a solemn silence, reflecting on the fate
of innocence and virtue, and scarcely able to persuade
themselves, that the world could present such a spectacle
of magnanimity, and such an instance of cruelty, as they
had been just beholding^ *
13
PARTS.
CHAPTER I.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE RISE, PROGRESS, 6CC, OP THE INQUISI|
TION.
When the reformed rehgion began to diffuse the gospel
light throughout Europe, pope Innocent the third enter-
tained great fear for the Romish church. Unwilhng that
the spirit of free enquiry should gain ground, or that the
people should attain more knowledge than the priests
were wilhng to admit, he determined to impede, as much
as possible, the progress of reformation. He therefore
instituted a number of inquisitors, or persons who were to
make enquiry after, apprehend, and punish hereticks, as
the reformed were called by the papists.
At the head of these inquisitors was Dominic, who had
been canonized by the pope, in order to render his author-
ity the more imposing. Dominic, and the other inquisi-
tors, spread themselves into various Roman catholick
countries, and treated the protestants with the utmost
severity. , In process of time, the pope not finding these
roving inquisitors so useful as he had iniagined, resolved
upon the establishment of fixed and regular courts of in-
quisition. After the order of these regular courts, the
first oflice of inquisition was established in the city of
Thoulouse, and Dominic became the first regular inquisi-
tor, as he had before been the first roving inquisitor.
Courts of inquisition were now erected in several coun-
tries ; but the Spanish inquisition became the most power-
ful, and the most dreaded. Even the kincs of Spain
148 HISTORY OP THE MAKTVIie.
themselves, though arbitrary in all other respects, wer*^
taught to dread the power of the lords of the inquisition;
and the horrid cruelties they exercised, compelled multi-
tudes, who diflfered in opinion from the Roman catholicl^s,.
carefully to conceal their sentiments.
The most zealous of all the popish monks, and those
who most implicitly obeyed the church of Rome, were
the Dominicans and Franciscans: these, therefore, the
pope thought proper to invest with an exclusive right of
presiding over, and mai:taging the different courts 6(
inquisition. The friars of these two orders were always
selected from the very dregs of the people, and therefore
were not much troubled with the. punctilios of honour:
they were obliged, by the rules of their respective orders,,
to lead very austere lives, which rendered their manners
unsocial and brutish, and, of course, the better qualified
them for the horrid employment to which they were
destined.
The pope gave to these inquisitors the most unlimited
powers, as judges delegated by him, and immediately rep-
resenting his person: they were permitted to excommuni-
cate, or sentence to death, whom they thought proper,
upon the most slight information of heresy. They were
allowed to publish crusades against all whom they deemed
hereticks, and enter into leagues with sovereign princes,
to join those crusades with their forces.
In 1244 their powers were farther increased by the
emperour Frederick the second, who declared himself the
protector and friend of all inquisitors, and puWished two
^ery cruel edicts, viz.
1. That all hereticks, who continued obstinate, should
be burnt.
2. That all hereticks, who repented, should be impris-
oned for life.
This zeal in the emperour for the inquisitors, and the
Roman catholick persuasion,arose from a report which had
been propagated throughout Europe, that he intended to
renounce Christianity, and turn Mahometan; the empe-
rour, therefore, attempted, by the height of bigotry, to
contradict the report, and to show bis attachment to pope-
ry by cruelty.
JilSTORY OF :rHE MARTYRS. 149
t
ilccording to the latest establishment, the officers of
the inquisitions are, three inquisitors, or judges, a fiscal
proctor, two secretaries, a magistrate, a messenger, a
receiver, a gaoler, an agent of confiscated possessions,
several assessors, counsellors, executioners, physicians,
surgeons, door-keepers, familiars, and visitors, who are all
sworn to secrecy.
The principal accusation against those who are subject
to this tribunal is heresy, which comprises all that is spo-
ken, or written, against any ©f the articles of the Romish
ritual, or the traditions of that church. The other arti-
cles of accusation are, renouncing the popish persuasion,
believing that persons of any other religion may be saved,
or even admitting that the tenets of any but papists are,
in the least, reasonable or proper. Two principal things,
however, which incur the most severe punishments, and
show the inquisitors, at once, in an absurd and a tyranni-
cal light, are. First — To disapprove of any action done by
the inquisition. Secondly — To disbelieve any thing said
by an inquisitor.
The grand article heresy Is.comprised in many &ubdi-
visions ; and, upon a suspicion of any of these, the party
is immediately apprehended: advancing an offensive pro-
position; failing to impeach others who may approve such
contemning church ceremonies j defacing idols; reading
books condemned by the inquisition ; lending such books to
read ; deviating from the ordinary practices of the Romish
church ;' letting a year pass without going to confession ;
eating meat on fast-days; neglecting mass; being present
at a sermon preached by a heretick; not appearing when
summoned by the inquisition; lodging in the house of,
contracting a friendship with, or making a present to an
a heretick; assisting a heretick to escape from confine-
ment, or visiting one in confinement, are all matters of
suspicion, and strictly prosecuted. Nay, all Roman cath-
olicks are commanded, under pain of excommunication, t»
give immediate information, even of their nearest and
dearest friends, if they judge them to be what are called
hereticks, or in the smallest degree inclining to heresy.
Those who give the least countenance or assistance to
150 HISTORY OF THE MARTVRS.
protestants, are called abettors of iiercsy, and the accusa-
tions against these usually turn upon some of the follow-
ing points: comforting such as the inquisition have began
to prosecute; assisting, or not informing against such, if
they should happen to escape ; concealing, abetting, ad-
vising, or furnishing heretici<:s with money; visiting, wri-
ting to, or sending them subsistence; secreting, or burning
books and papers which migiit serve to convict them.
The inquisitors likewise take cognizance of such as are
accus.ed of being magicians, witches, blasphemers, sooth-
sayers, wizards, and common swearers: and of such who
read, or even possess the bible in the vulgar tongue, the
Talmud, or the Alcoran.
The inquisitors carry on their processes with the utmost
severity, and punish those who offend them with the most
unbounded cruelty. A protestant has seldom any mercy
shown him; and a Jew, who turns Christian, if he is known
to keep company with another new-coverted Jew, a
suspicion immediately arises that they privately practise
together some Jewish ceremonies ; if he keeps company
with a person who was latel)' a protestant, but now pro-
fesses poper}', they are accused of plotting together; but
if he associates with a Roman catholick, an accusation is
often laid against him for only pretending to be a papist,
the consequence is, a confiscation of his effects as a pun-
ishment for his insincerity, and the loss of his life if he
complains of ill usage.
A defence in the inquisition is of little use to the pris-
oner, for suspicion only is deemed sufficient cause of con-
demnation, and the greater the wealth the greater the
danger. The principal part of the cruelties practised by
the inquisitors, is owing to their rapacity: they destroy the
life to possess the property; and, under the pretence of
zeal, plunder the obnoxious individual.
A prisoner to the inquisitors is never allowed to see the
face of his accuser, or of the witnesses against him ; every
method being taken, by threats and tortures, to oblige
him to accuse himself, and by that means corroborate
that evidence. If the jurisdiction of the inquisition is not
fully, alio wed, vengeance is denounced against such as call
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 151
it in question; or if any of tlie ofticers are oppoged, those
who oppose them are almost certain to be sufferers for
their temerity; the maxim of the inquisition being, to
strike terrour, and awe those who are the objects of its
power, iiito obedience. High birth, distinguished rank,
great dignity, or eminent employments, are no protections
from its severities; and the lowest officers of the inquisi-
tioii can make the highest characters tremble.
Such are tne circumstances which su!)ject a person to
the rage of the inquisition, and the modes of beginning
the process are,
1. To proceed by imputation, or prosecute on common
report.
2. By the information of any indifferent person wha
chooses to impeach another.
3. On the information of those spies who are regularly
retained by the inquisition.
4. On the confession of the prisoner himself,
Wlien a person is summoned to appear before the inqui-
sition, the best method (unless he is sure of escaping by
flight) is Immediately to obey the summons; for though
really innocent, the least delay increases his crimin«lity in
the eye of the inquisitors, as one of their maxims is, that
backv/ardness to appear always indicates guilt in the per-
son summoned; and if he escapes, it is the same as per-
petual banishment, for should such ever return, the most
cruel death would be the certain consequence..
The inquisitors ..never forget nor forgive ; length of time
cannot efface their resentments; nor can the humblest
concessions, or most liberal presents, obtain a pardon:
they carry the desire of revenge to the grave, and would
have both the property and lives of those who have
offended them. Hence, when a person once accused to
the inquisition, after escaping, is re-taken, he ought se-
riously to prepare himself for martyrdom, and arm his
soul against the pangs of death. Every person, in such a
situation, ought to be composed for the awful occasion,
without expectation of remedy.
When a positive accusation is given, the inquisitors
direct an order under their hands to the executer, who
152 HISTORy OF THE MARTYRS.
takes a certain number of familiars with him to assist in
the execution. The calamity of a man under such cir
cumstances can scarcely be described, he being probably
seized when surrounded, by his family, or in company with
his friends. Father, son, brother, sister, husband, wife,
must quietly submit; none dare resist or even speak;
either would subject them to the punishment of- the devo-
ted victim. No respite is allowed to settle the most im-
portant affairs, but the prisoner is instantaneously hurried
away.
When the inquisitors have taken umbrage against an
innocent person, all expedients are used to facilitate con-
demnation ; false oaths and testimonies, founded on per-
jury, are directed by the virulence of prejudice to find the
accused guilty; and all laws, divine and human, all insti-
tutions, moral and political, are sacrificed to bigoted re-
venge.
When a person accused is taken, and imprisoned, his
treatment is truly deplorable. The gaolers first search
him for books or papers which may tend to his conviction,
or for instruments that might be employed in self-murder,
or breaking from confinement.^ But it is to be observed^
that the obvious articles of the search are not the only
things taken from a prisoner; for the conscientious gaolers
make free with money, rings, buckles, apparel, &:c. under
various pretences, such as, that money or rings may be
swallowed, to the great detriment of the prisoners health,
the prongs of buckles may be used to take away life, by
means of a neckcloth or a pair of garters a prisoner may
hang himself, &:c. <fec. Thus is he robbed under the
plausible pretext of humanity, and maltreated through
pretended tenderness.
When the prisoner has been strictly searched under
the name of care, and robbed beneath the mask of justice,
he is committed to prison by way of security. "Here
(says an authentic writer ) he is conveyed to a dungeon,
the sight of which must fill him with horrour, torn from
his family and friends, who are not allowed access, or even
to send him one consolatory letter, or take the least step
iii his favour in order to prove his innocence. He see&
IlISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 53
fiimself instantly abandoned to his inflexible judges, to
melancholy and despair, and even often to his most invet-
erate enemies, quite uncertain of his fate. Innocence on
such an occasion is a weak reed, nothing being easier than
to ruin an innocent personJ'
Death is usually the portion of a prisoner, the mildest
sentence being imprisonment for life ; yet the inquisitors
proceed by degrees, at once subtle, slow, and crueL The
gaoler first of all insinuates himself into the prisoner's fa-
vour, by pretending to wish him well, and advise him well,
and, among other hints falsely kind, tells him to petition
for a hearing.
This is the worst thing a prisoner can do, for the mere
petition is deemed a supposition of guilt, and he is persua-
ded to it only with a view to entrap him. When he is
brought before the consistory, the first demand is, " what
is your request?"
The prisoner very naturally answers that he would have,
$i hearing.
One of the inquisitors replies, your hearing is this — con-
fess the truth — conceal nothing, and rely on our mercy.
If the prisoner makes a confession of any trifling affair,
they immediately found an indictment on it: if he is mute,
they shut him up without hght, or any food but a scanty
allowance of bread and water till he overcomes his obsti-
nacy, as they call it; and if he declares he is innocent,
they torment him, till he either dies with the torment, or
confesses himself guilty.
Upon the re-examinations of such as confess, they con-
tinually say, "you have not been sincere, you tell not all ;
you keep many things concealed, and therefore must be
remanded to your dungeon." When those who stood
mute are called for re-examination, if they continue silent,
such tortures are ordered as will either make them speak,
or kill them ; and when those who proclaim their inno-
cence are re-examined, a crucifix is held before them, and
they are solemnly exhorted to take an oath of their con-
fession of faith. This brings them to the test, they must
either swear they are Roman catholicks, or acknowledge
they are not. If they acknowledge they are not Roman
154 HISTORV OF THE MARTYRS.
catholicks they are proceeded against as hereticks. If
they acknowledge they are Roman catholicks, a string of
accusations is brought against them, to which they are
obliged to answer extempore, no time being given even to
put their answer into proper method.
After they have verbally answered, pen, ink, and paper
are given them, in order to produce a written answer,
which it is required shall in eviery degree coincide with
the verbal answer. If the verbal and the written answer
differ, the prisoners are charged with prevarication, if one
contains more than the other with wishing to conceal cer-
tain circumstances; if they both agree, thf^y are accused
with premeditated artifice.
When the person impeached is condemned, he is either
severely whipped, violently tortured, sent to the gallies, or
sentenced to death ; and in either case his etfects are coi>-
fiscated. After judgment, a procession is performed' to
the place of execution, which ceremony is called, an Au-
to de F6, or Act of Faith.
The following is an account of an Auto de F^, perform-
ed at Madrid in the year 1682.
The officers of the inquisition, preceded by trumpets,
kettle-drums, and their banner, marched, on the 30th of
May, in cavalcade, to the palace of the great square, where
they declared by proclamation, that on the 30th of June
the sentence of the prisoners would be put in execution.
There had not been a spectacle of this kind at Madrid
for several years before, for which reason it was expected
by the inhabitants with as much impatience as a day of
the greatest festivity.
On the day appointed, a prodigious number of people
appeared dressed as splendidly as their respective circum-
stances would admit. In the great square was raised a
high scaffold; and thither from seven in the morning till
the evening, were brought criminals of both sexes; all the
inquisitions in the kingdom sending their prisoners to Ma-
drid.
Of these prisoners twenty men and women, with one
renegade Mahometan, were ordered to be burned; fifty
Jews and Jewesses, having never before been imprisoned*
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 155
and repenting of their crimes, were sentenced to a long
f onfinement, and to wear a yellow cap ; and ten others,
indicted for bigamy, witchcraft, and other crimes, were
sentenced to be whipped, and then sent to the gallies:
these last wore large pasteboard caps, with inscriptions on
them, having a halter about their necks, and torches in
their hands.
The whole court of Spain was present on this occasion.
The grand inquisitor's chair was placed in a sort of tribu-
nal far above that of the king. The nobles here acted
the part of the sheriffs' officers in England, leading such
criminals as were to be burned, and holding them when
fast bound with thick cords : the rest of the criminals were
conducted by the familiars of the inquisition.
Among those who were to suffer was a young Jewess of
exquisite beauty, and but seventeen years of age. Being
on the same side of the scaffold where the queen was seat-
ed, she addressed her, in hopes of obtaining pardon, in the
following pathetic speech: "Great queen! will not your
royal presence be of some service to me in my miserable
condition? have regard to my youth: and, oh! consider,
that I am about to die for professing a religion imbibed
from my earliest infancy!" Her majesty seemed greatly
to pity her distress, but turned away her eyes, as she did
not dare to speak a word in behalf of a person who had
been declared a heretick.
Now mass began, in the midst of which the priest came
from the altar, placed near the scaffold, and seated him-
self in a chair prepared for that purpose.
The chief inquisitor then descended from the amphi-
theatre, dressed in his cope, and having a mitre on his head.
After bowing to the altar, he advanced towards the kinc^s
balcony, and went up to it, attended by some of his offi-
cers, carrying a cross and the gospels, with a book contain-
ing the oath by which the kings of Spain oblige them-
selves to protect the catholick faith, to extirpate hereticks,
and support, with all their power, the prosecutions and
decrees of the inquisition.
On the inquisitor's approach, and presenting this book
to the king, his majesty rose up, bare-headed, and swore
i5b HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS.
to maintain the oath, which was read to him by one of his
councillors: after which the king continued standing till
the inquisitor was returned to his place; when the secre-
tary of the holy office mounted a sort of pulpit, and ad-
ministered the like oath to the councillors and the whole
assembly. The mass was begun about twelve at noon, and
did not end till nine in the evening, being protracted by a
proclamation of the sentences of the several criminals^
^vhich were all separately rehearsed aloud one after the
other.
After this, followed the burning of the twenty-one men
and women, whose intrepidity in suffering that horrid death
was truly astonishing: some thrust their hands and feet in-
to the flames with the most dauntless fortitude ; and all of
Ihem yielded to their fate with such resolution, that many
of the amazed spectators lamented that such heroic souls
had not been more enlightened.
The king's near situation to the criminals rendered their
dymg groans very audible to him: he could not, however,
be absent from this dreadful scene, as it is esteemed a reli-
gious one ; and his coronation-oath obliges him to give a
sanction by his presence to ail the acts of the tribunal.
Another Auto de Fe is thus described by the Rev. Doc-
tor Gedde. "At the place of execution there are so many
stakes set as there are prisoners to be burned, a large
quantity of dry furze being set about them.
"The stakes of the protestants, or, as the inquisitor's
call them, 'the professed,' are about four yards high, and
have each a small board, whereon each prisoner is to be
seated within half a yard of the top. The professed then
go up a ladder betwixt two priests, who attend them the
whole day of execution. When they come even with the
board, they turn about to the people, and the priests spend
near a quarter of an hour in exhorting them to be recon-
ciled to the see of Rome. On their refusing, the priests
eome down, and the executioner ascending, turns the pro-
fessed from off the ladder upon the seat, chains .^ijv bo-
dies close to the stakes, and leaves them. ;, ' . -"^ • i
"The priests then go up a second time to renew their
exhortations, and if they find them ineffectual, usually tell
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS, 157
them at parting, 'that they leave them to the Devil, who
is standing at their elbow ready to receive their souls, and
carry them with him into the flames of hell tire, as soon as
they are out of their bodies.'
"xV general shout is then raised, and when the priests
get off the ladder, the universal cry is, ' let the dog's beards
he made,' which implies, singe their beards, this is accor-
dingly performed by means of flaming furzes thrust against
their faces with long poles, g
"This barbarity is repeated till their faces are burnt,
-and is accompanied with loud acclamations. Fire is then
set to the furzes, and the criminals are <:onsumed."
Numerous are the martyrs who have borne these rig-
ours with the most exemplary fortitude.
What we have already said may be applied to all Pop-
ish inquisitions, as well as to that of Spain. The inquisi-
tion belonging to Portugal is exactly upon a similar plan,
having been instituted much about the same time, and put
under the same regulations, and the proceedings nearly
resemble each other; we shall, therefore, introduce an ac-
count of it in this place. The house, or rather palace of
the inquisition, is a noble edifice. It contains four courts,
each about forty feet square, round which are about three
hundred dungeons, or cells.
The dungeons on the ground-floor are allotted to the
lowest class of prisoners, and those on the second story to
persons of superior rank. The galleries are built of free-
stone, and hid from view both within and without by a
double wall of about fifty feet high, which greatly increas-
es the gloom.
The whole prison is so extensive, and contains so many
turnings and windings, that none but those well acquaint-
ed with it can find the way through its various avenues.
The apartments of the chief inquisitor are spacious and
elegant; the entrance is through a large gate, which leads
into a court-yard, round which are several chambers, and
some large saloons for the king, royal family, and rest of
the court, to stand and observe the executions during an
.\uto deFe.
With respect to the dungeons where the prisoners are
14
153 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRfc,
confined, they are not only gloomy in themselves, but ai'
miserably furnished as can be imagined ; the only accom-
modation being a frame of wood by way of bedstead, and
a straw bed, mattrass, blankets, sheets, and urinal, wash-
hand-basons, two pitchers, one for clean the other for foul
water, a lamp, and a plate.
A testons or seven-pence halfpenny English, is daily
allowed to each prisoner; and the principal gaoler, ac-
companied by two other officers, monthly visits every pris-
oner, to enquire how he would have his allowance laid
out. This visit, however, is only a matter of form, for thq
gaoler usually lays out the money as he pleases, and com-
monly allows the prisoner daily, a porringer of broth ; half
a pound of beef; a small piece of bread ; and a trilling
portion of cheese.
The above articles are charged to the prisoner at the
pate of seventeen testons in the month ; four are allowed
for brandy, or wine ; two for fruit, making in the whole
twenty-three ; and the rest of the money, to make up the
number of testons for the month, is scandalously sunk
in the articles of sugar and soap.
Some, who find their allowance too little, petition the
lords inquisitors for a greater portion, when the petition
is frequently granted ; and iti this particular the only mark
of humanity that hath been casually shewn: in all other
circumstances they are inhuman, cruel, and severe. They
not only exclude the prisoners from every intercourse with
their relations or friends, make them suffer every inclem-
ency of a gaol, or torture them in confinement, but even
prohibit them from making the least noise by speaking
aloud, singing psalms or hymns, exclaiming, or even utter-
ing the sighs of affliction.
Guards walk about continually to listen; if the least
noise is heard they call to, and threaten the prisoners; if
the noise is repeated, a severe beating ensues, as a punish-
ment to what is deemed the offending party, and to intimi-
date others. As an instance of this is mentioned the fol-
lowing fact: a prsioner having a violent cough, one of the
guards came and ordered him not to make a noise ; to
which he replied, that from the violence of his cold, it
was not in his power to forbear. The cough increasing,
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 159
the guard went into the cell, stripped the poor creature
naked, and beat him so unmercifully, that he soon after
died of the blows. •
This enforced silence prevents thie prisoners from re-
ceiving any consolation, by conversing and condoling with
each other: some, indeed, who are lodged in contiguous
cells, have contrived to make holes in the partition, and
communicate their thoughts through them; but as soon
as this was discovered, they were removed to cells at a
greater distance from each other.
In this inquisition, as in that of Spain, if the prisoners
plead their innocence, they are condemned as obdurate,
and their effects embezzled ; if they plead guilty, they
are sentenced on their own confession, and their effects
confiscated of course; and if they are suffered to escape
with their lives (which is but seldom the case) as penitent
criminals who have voluntarily accused themselves, they
dare not reclaim their effects, as that would bring on them
an accusation of being "hypocritical and relaxed peni-
tents," when a most cruel death would be the certain con-
sequence.
A prisoner sometimes passes months without knowing
the cause for which he is accused, or having the least idea
when he is to be tried. The gaoler at length informs him,
that he must petition for a trial. This ceremony being
gone through, he is taken bareheaded for examination.
When they come to the door of the tribunal, the gaoler
knocks three times, to give the judges notice of their ap-
proach. A bell is rung by one of the judges, when an
attendant opens the door, admits the prisoner, and accom-
modates him with a stool.
The prisoner is then ordered by the president to kneel
down, and lay his right hand upon a book, which is pre-
sented to him close shut. This being complied with, the
following question is put to him: "Will you promise to
conceal the secrets of the holy office, and speak the
truth?"
If he answers in the negative, he is remanded to his
cell, and cruelly treated. If he answers in the affirmative,
he is ordered to be again seated, and the exammation
1^) HISTORY OF THE 3IAllTYKr;.
proceeds; when the president asks a variety of question?*
and the clerk minutes both them and the answers.
After the examination is closed, Ihe bell is again rung,
the gaoler appears, and the prisoner is ordered to with-
draw, with this exhortation ; " Tax your memory, recollect
all the sins you have ever committed, and when you are
again brought here, communicate them to the holy office."
The gaolers and attendants being apprized that the
prisoner hath made an ingenuous confession, and readily
answered every question, make him a low bow, and treat
him with an affected kindness, as a reward for his candour.
In a few days he is brought to a second examination,
with the same formalities as before. It is then demanded
of him, *'If he has taken a serious review of his past life,
and will divulge its various secrets, and the crimes and
follies into which he has run at different times," If h^
refuses to confess any thing, many ensnaring questions are
put to him, and the arts of casuistry are exhausted to
draw some secret from him. But if he accuses himself
of any crimes o^r follies, they are written down by the
secretary, and a process extracted from them. The in-
inquisitors often overreach prisoners, by promising the
greatest lenity, and even to restore their liberty, if they
will accuse themselves. The unhappy pei-sons who are
in their power frequently fall into this snare, and are
sacrificed to their own simplicity, and ill-placed confi-
dence. Instances have been known of some, who, relying
on the faith of the judges, and believing their fallacious
promises, have accused themselves of what they were to-
tally innocent. In expectation of obtaining their liberty
speedily; and thus, being duped by the inquisitors, they
become martyrs to their own folly, and suffer death for
fictitious transgressions.
Another artifice used by the inquisitors is, that if a
prisoner has too much resolution to accuse himself, and
too much sense to be ensnared by their sophistry, they
exhibit the copy of an indictment against the prisoner, in
which, among many trivial accusations, he is charged with
the most enormous crimes of w^hich human nature is ca-
pable. This, of course, rouses his temper, and he exclaims
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 161
against such falsities. He is then asked which of the
crimes he can deny? He naturally singles out the most
atrocious, and begins to express his abhorrence of them,
when the indictment being snatched out of his hand, the
president says, " By your denying only those crimes which
you mention, you implicitly confess the rest, and we shall
therefore proceed accordingly."
The inquisitors make a ridiculous affectation of equity,
by pretending that the prisoner may be indulged with a
counsellor, if he chooses to demand one. Such a request
is sometimes made, and a counsellor appointed, but upon
these occasions, as the trial itself is a mockery of justice,
so the counsellor is a mere cipher; for he is not permitted
to say any thing that might offend the inquisitor, or to ad-
vance a syllable that might benefit the prisoner. Amazing
profligacy, to turn that to a farce which ought to be rev-
erenced as a superiour virtue.
It is evident, that a prisoner to the inquisitors is re-
duced to the sad necessity of defending himself against
accusers he does not know, and of answering to the evi-
dence of witnesses he must not see. The only person he
is permitted to have a sight of upon his trial, exclusive of
the judges and secretary, is the fiscal, who acts officially
as the ostensible accuser, from the collected information
of others. A desire of being informed of the real accu-
ser's name, or to see the actual witnesses avail nothing, those
things he is told are always kept secret. Thus is he con-
tinued in suspense respecting his fate, and frequently in-
terrogated, perhaps for years together, before his trial is
finally concluded. When that fatal time comes, if he is
condemned to die, death is deferred for a considerable
time. To put him out of his misery immediately would
be too great a favour, and prevent the inquisitors from in-
dulging their sanguinary dispositions with other sufferings
which they intend to inflict. They begin by putting him
to the torture, under the pretence of making the poor
wretch discover his aecoraplices. For this purpose the
tortures are various, and the torments inflicted excrucia-
ting to the last degree. Well might a late writer, jn speak-
ing of these cruelties, exclaim, " O, that I was able to give
11*
162 HISTORY OF THE MARTYH&.
some faint idea of that variety of tortures which the mis-
erable victims are here forced to suffer; but no language
can represent such a complicated scene of horrours. It is
utterly impossible for any words to describe which of them
is the most cruel and inhuman. Every one is so exquisite
in its kind as to surpass all imagination. What detestible
monsters then must those judges be who are the inventors
and perpetrators of such misery? they are shaped, it is
true, like other men, but surely they seem to have a dif-
ferent kind of souls. They appear as little affected with
the groans and agonies of their fellow-creatures as the
cords, chains, and racks and tortures, which are Jipplied to
their wi'ithing limbs. The hearts of these ecclesiastical
butchers are grown callous, and like those of common
butchers,are so inured to the shedding of blood, and the hor-
rid sight of mangled carcases, as to have lost all the impres-
sions of sensibility, and every touch and feeling of human-
ity. Perpetual scenes of horrour and distress become so
familiar to their minds, that what would rend the very
heart-strings of some men, make no more impression on
theirs than on a rock of adamant. Indeed, without such
a fiend-like temper, it would be impossible for any man to
act the part of an inquisitor.
The inquisitors allow the torture to be used only three
times, but it is so severly inflicted, that the prisoner eith-
er dies under it, or continues always after a cripple, and
suffers the severest pains upon every change of weather.
An ample description of the severe torments occasioned
by the torture from the account of one who suffered it
the three respective times, but happily survived the cru-
elties he underwent, is the most accurate mode of des-
cription.
" On refusing to comply with the iniquitous demands of
the inquisitor^, by confessing all the crimes they thought
proper to charge him with, he was immediately conveyed
to the torture-room, where no light appeared but what
two candles gave. That the cries of the sufferers might
not be heard by the other prisoners, this room is lined with
a kind of quilting, which covers all the crevices, and deac^
ens the sound.
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 163
" Great was the prisoner's horrour on entering this in-
fernal place, when suddenly he was surrounded by sis
\vretches, who, after preparing the tortures, stripped him
naked to his drawers. He was then laid upon his back
on a kind of stand, elevated a few feet from the floor.
" They began the operation by putting an iron collar
lound his neck, and a ring to each foot, which fastened
him to the stand. His limbs being thus stretched out,
they wound two ropes round each arm, and two round
each thigli ; which ropes being passed under the scaffold
through holes made for that purpose, were all drawn tight
at the same instant of time, by four of the men, on a
given signal.
^•It is easy to conceive that the pains which immediate-
ly succeeded were intolerable; the ropes which were of
a small size cut through the prisoner's flesh to the bone,
making the blood gush out at eight different places thus
bound at a time. As the prisoner persisted in not making
any confession of ^vhat the inquisitors required, the ropes
w^ere drawn in this manner four times successively.
" It is to be observed, that a physician and surgeon at-
tended, and often felt his temples, in order to judge of the
danger he might be in ; by which means his tortures were
for a small space suspended, that he might have suflftcient
opportunity of recovering his spirits, to sustain each ensu-
ing torture,
" In all this extremity of anguish, while the tender
frame is tearing, as it were, in pieces, while at every pore
it feels the sharpest pangs of death, and the agonizing soul
is just ready to burst forth, and quit its wretched mansion,
the ministers of the inquisition have the obduracy of heart
to look on w^ithout emotion and calmly to advise the poor
distracted creature to confess his imputed guilt, in doing
which, they tell him, he may obtain a free pardon, and re-
ceive absolution. All this, however, was ineffectual with
the prisoner, whose m.ind was strengthened by a conscious-
ness of innocence, and the divine consolation of religion.
" Whilst he was thus suffering, the physician and sur-
geon were so barbarously unjust as to declare, that if he
died upder the torture he would be, guilty, by bis obsti»
I6^i HISTORY or THE MARTYRS.
nacy, of self-murder. In short, at ttie last time of the
ropes being drawn tight, he grew so exceedingly weak, by
the circulation of his blood being stopped, and the pains
he endured, that he fainted away; upon which he was un-
loosed, and carried back to his dungeon.
" The barbarous savages of the inquisition, finding that
ail the torture indicted, as above described, instead of ex-
torting a discovery from the prisoner, only served the
more fervently to excite his suppHcations to heaven for
patience and power to persevere in truth and integrity,
were so inhuman, six weeks after, as to expose him to
another kind of torture, more severe, if possible than the
former; the manner of inflicting which was as follows:
they forced his arms backwards, so that the palms of his
hands were turned outwarcf behind him; when, by means
of a rope that fastened them together at the wrists, and
which was turned by an engine, they drew them, by de-
grees, nearer each other, in such a manner that the back
of each hand touched, and stood exactly parallel to the
other. In consequence of this violent contortion, both
his shoulders became dislocated, and a considerable quan-
tity of blood issued from his mouth. This torture was
repeated thrice; after which he was again taken to the
dungeon, and put into the hands of the physician and sur-
geon, who, in setting the dislocated bones, put him to the
most exquisite pain.
"Two months after the second torture, the prisoner,
being a little recovered, was again ordered to the torture
room; and there, for the last time, made to undergo ano-
ther kind of punishment, which was inflicted twice without
any intermission. The executioners fastened a thick iron
chain twice round his body, which, crossing upon his stom-
ach, terminated at the wrists. They then placed him
with his back against a thick board, at each extremity
whereof was a pulley, through which they run a rope that
catcbed the ends of the chain at his wrists. The execu-
tioners then stretching the end of this rope, by means of
a roller placed at a distance behind him, pressed or bruised
his stomach in proportion as the ends of the chain were
drawn tighter. They tortured him in this manner to such
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. iG5
a degree, that his wrists, as well as his shoulders, were
quite dislocated. They were, however, soon set by the
surgeons; but the barbarians, not yet satisfied with this
series of cruelty, made him immediately undergo the like
torture a second time ; which he sustained (though if poe-
sible attended with keener pains) with equal constancy
and resolution.
" After this he was again remanded to his dungeon, at"
tended by the surgeon to dress his bruises and adjust the
parts dislocated ; and here he continued till their Auto de
Fe,* or gaol delivery, when he was happily discharged.
* One of these Auto de F6's was appointed to be held at Lisbon on
All Saint's day, the 1st of November, 1755, when a great number of
nrisntiprs. who hafl hoor. o inng- time in Confinement, were to have been
Drought to execution. It was prevented, however, from taking place,
by a dreadful parthqnake which happened on the morning of the day
appointed, whereby the greatest part of the city was thrown into a
heap of ruins. The shock happened just at the time of •elebrating
their first mass, so that thousands were assembled in the churches, the
major part of whom were killed, for the great buildings, particularly
those situated on eminences, suffered the most damage; and indeed very
few of the churches or convents escaped. But what greatfy added to
to the calamity was, that some time after the shock, almost a general
conflagration took place, the city being in flames in various parts at
the same time. It continued burning for eight successive days, so that
the greater part of the buildings that had escaped the earthquake, were
consumed by fire. The surviving inhabitants fled to the neighbouring,
fields, almost naked, where they lived for some time in tents, and were
relieved by the munificence of the king of Spain. There was no
distinction of persons, for the wealthy before were now become' paupers,
all property being entirely lost. The convulsions of the earth were
repeated, at diflferent times, for eight days, when they happily subsided.
It was computed, that upwards of fifty thousand souls perished in the
ruins of Lisbon; and among those that escaped, many of them had
broken limbs, or were greatly bruised. In this calamitous circum
stance, Providence seems to have particularly distinguished the protes-
tants, (for amongst the numbers of them settled in Lisbon, only about
twelve or fourteen were missing) some of whom were saved in a very
strange and miraculous manner.
Mr. Baretti, who visited Lisbon soon after this dreadful accident,
mentions the follo^ving particulars: ^'As far as I can judge," says he,
"after having walked the whole morning, and the whole afternoon,
about these ruins, so much of Lisbon has been destroyed as would
make a town more than twice as great as Turin. Nothing is to be seen-
but vast heaps of rubbish, out of which arise, in numberless places, the
miserable remains of shattered ■walls and broken pillars. Along a
street, which is full four miles in length, scarce a building stood the
shock; and I see, by the materials in the rubbish, that many of the
166 iHSTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
*' From the before mentioned relation, it may easily be
judged what dreadful agony the sufferer must have la-
boured under, at being so frequently put to the torture.
Most of his limbs were disjointed; and so much was he
bruised and exhausted, as to be unable, for some weeks,
to lift his hand to his mouth; and his body became greatly
swelled from the inflammation caused by such frequent
dislocations. After his discharge, he felt the effects of
this cruelty for the remainder of his life, being frequently
seized with thrilling and excrutiating pains, to which he
had never been subject, till after he had the misfortune ta
fall under the merciless and bloody lords of the inquisition.
" Females, who fall into the hands of the inquisitors,
have not the least favour shown them on account of the
Softneee of their ecs, b«t ctic IvilureQ WlOl US mucll SeVCr*
ity as the male prisoners, with the additional mortification
of having the most shocking indecencies added to the
most savage barbarities.
" If the above mentioned modes of torturing force a
confession from the prisoner, he is remanded to his horrid
houses along that street must have been large and stately, and inter-
mixed with noble churches, and other publick edifices ; nay, by the
quantities of marble scattered oW every side, it plainly appears, that
oB.e-fourth, at least, of that street, ^as built of marble. The rage of
the earthquake (if I may call it rage) seems to have turned chiefly
against that long street, as almost every edifice on either side is in a
manner, levelled with the groimd : whereas, in other parts of the town,
houses, churches, and other buildings, are left standing, though all so
cruelly shattered as not to be repaired without great expense; nor is
there, throughout the whole town, a single building of any kind, but
Avhat wears visible mat ks of this horrible concussion. As I was thus
rambling over those ruins, an aged woman seized me by the hand with
some eagerness, and pointing to a place just by, * Here, stranger,' said
she, 'do you ?ee this cellar? It was only my cellar once, but now it is
my habitation, because I have none else left ! My house tumbled as I
was in it, and in this cellar was I shut by the ruins for nine whole days,
I had perished with hunger but for the grapes that I had hung to the
ceiling. At the end of nine days I heard people over my head, who
were searciung the rubbish ; I cried as loud as I could, when hearing
me, they removed the rubbish, and took me out.' Another deliverance,
no less singidar was the following : a gentleman was going in his calash
along a kind of terrace, raised on the brink of an eminence, which
conitnands the whole town. The frightened mules leaped down the
eminence at the first shock ; they and the rider were killed on the spot.
and the cala?h broke to pieces; Imt tbo gentleman escaped unhurt."
HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS. 167
dungeon, and left a prey to the melancholy of his situation,
to the anguish arising from what he has suffered, and to
the dreadful ideas of future barbarities. If he still refuses
to confess, he is in the same manner remanded to his dun-
geon, but a stratagem is used to draw from him what the
torture fails to do. A companion is allowed to attend
him, under the pretence of waiting upon and comforting
his mind till his wounds are healed. This person, who is
always selected for his cunning, insinuates himself into
the good graces of the prisoner, laments the anguish he
feels, sympathizes with him, and taking an advantage of
the hasty expressions forced from him by pain, does all he
can to dive into his secrets.
" Sometimes this companion pretends to be a prisoner
like himself, and imprisoned for similar charges. This is
to draw the unhappy person into mutual confidence, and
persuade him, in unbosoming his grief, to betray his pri-
vate thoughts.
" These snares frequently succeed, as they are the more
alluring by being glossed over with the appearance of
friendship, sympathy, pity, and every tender passion. In
fine, if the prisoner cannot be found guilty, he is either
tortured, or harassed to death ; though a few have some-
times had the good fortune to be discharged, but not with-
out having, first of all, suffered the most dreadful cruelties.
If he is found guilty, all his effects are confiscated, and he
is condemned to be whipped, imprisoned for life, sent to
the gallies, or put to death. These sentences are put in
execution at an Auto de F6, which is not held annually,
or at any stated periods, but sometimes once in two, three,
or even four years."
After having mentioned the barbarities with which the
persons of prisoners are treated by the inquisitors, it will
be necessary to recount the severity of their proceedings
against books.
Immediately on the publication of a book, it is scru-
tinously read by some of the familiars belonging to the
inquisition. These wretched criticks are too ignorant to
have taste, too bigoted to search for truth, and too mali-
cious to relish beauties. They pursue, not for the merits,
168 HISTORY OF THE MAHTYRfe.
but lor the defects of an author, and pursue the slips of
his pen with unremitting dihgence. Hence they read
with prejudice, judge with partiahty, pursue errours with
avidity, and strain that which is innocent into an ofifensive
meaning.
They misunderstand, misapply, confound, and pervert
the sense; and when they have gratified the mahgnity of
their disposition, charge their blunders upon the author*
that a prosecution may be founded upon their false con-
ceptions, and designed misinterpretations.
The most trivial charge causes the censure of a book;
but the censure is three-fold,
1. When the book is wholly condemed.
2. When thp book is partly condemed, that is, when
certain passages are pointed out as exceptionable, and or-
dered to be expunged.
3. When the book is deemed incorrect; the meaning
of which is, that a few words or expressions displease the
inquisitions. These, therefore, are ordered to be altered,
and such alterations go under the name of corrections.
Thus the inquisitors check the progress of learning, im-
pede the increase of arts, nip genius in the bud, destroy
xiational taste, and continue the cloud of ignorance over
the minds of the people.
A catalogue of condemned books is annually published,
under the three different heads of censure already men-
tioned, and being printed on a very large sheet of paper,
is hung up in the most public and conspicuous places. Af-
ter which, people are obhged to destroy all such books as
come under the first censure, c.nd to keep none belonging
to the other two censures, unless the exceptionable passa-
ges have been expunged, and the corrections made, as in
either case disobedience would be of the most fatal conse-
quence, for the possessing or reading the proscribed books
are deemed very atrocious crimes.
The publisher of such hooks, probably ruined in his
circumstances isoften obliged to pass the remainder of his
life in the inquisition.
iflSTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 16^
CHAP. II.
INSTANCES OF BARBARITIES EXERCISED BY THE INQUISI-
TIONS OF SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, FROM THE MOST GENU-
INE HISTORIANS AND THE BEST AUTHENTICATED RE-
CORDS,
Francis Romanes, a nnerchant of Spain, was employed
by those of Antwerp to transact some business for them at
Breme. He had been educated in the Romisli persuasion,
but going one day into a protestant church, he was struck
with the truths which he heard, and began to perceive the
errours of popery.
He read the sacred scriptures attentively, and perusing
the writings of some protestant divines, he plainly percei-
ved the errours of the principles he had formerly embrac-
ed ; and, therefore, renounced the impositions of popery
for the doctrines of the reformed church.
He now studied religious truths more than trade, and
purchased books rather than merchandise, convinced that
the riches of the body are trifling to those of the soul.
He then resigned his agency to the merchants of Ant-
werp, giving them an account at the same time of his coi>-
version; and resolving, if possible, to convert his parents,
he went to Spain for that purpose. But the Antwerp
merchants having given information to the inquisitors, he
was seized, imprisoned, and condemned to be burnt as a
heretick.
He was led to the place of execution in a garment pain-
ted with the representations of devils, and had a paper
mitre put upon his head, by way of derision. As he pas-
sed by a wooden cross, one of the priests bade him kneel
to it; this he absolutely refused to do, saying, "it is not
for Christians to worship wood."
Being placed upon a pile of wood, the fire quickly reach-
ed him, when he suddenly lifted up his head ; the priests
thinking he meant to recant, ordered him to be taken down.
Finding, however, <^hat thev were mistaken, and that he
still retained his constancy, he was placed again upon the
15
170 HISTORY OF THE MARTVRs.
pile, where, as long as he had life and voice remaining, he
repeated verses of the seventh psalm.
Rochus, a carver at St. Lucar, in Spain, was usually
employed in making images of saints and other Popish
idols. Becoming, however, convinced of the errours of the
Romish persuasion, he embraced the protestant faith, left
off carving images, and for subsistence followed the busi-
ness of a seal engraver only. He had, however, retained
one image of the Virgin Mary for a sign ; when an inqui-
sitor passing by, asked if he would sell it; Rochus men-
tioned a price; the inquisitor objected to it, and offered
half the money: Rochus replied, I would rather break it
to pieces than take such a trifle. "Break it to pieces!"
said the inquisitor, "break it to pieces if you dare !"
Rochus being provoked at this expression, immediately
snatched up a chisel, and cut off the nose of the image.
This was sufficient, the inquisitor went away in a rage, and
soon after caused him to be apprehended. In vain did he
plead that what he defaced was his own property, and
that if it was not proper to do as he would with his own
goods, it was not proper for the inquisitor to bargain for
the image in the way of trade. Nothing, however, avail-
ed him; his fate was decided: he was condemned to be
burnt; and the sentence was executed.
Doctor Cacalla, his brother Francis, and their sister
Blanch, were burnt at Yalladolid, for having spoken
against the inquisitors. Doctor Cacalla, who was very
old, when at the place of execution, repeated the words
of Solomon, which Prior thus beautifully translated: —
*' Behold where age^s wretched victim lieg,
See his head trembling, and his half-clos'd 63^03;
Frequent for breath his panting bosom heave?, i
To broken sleep his remnant sense he gives, V
And only by his pains, awaking, finds he lives, V
LoosM by devouring time, the silver cord
DisseVer'd lies, unhonor'd from the board ;
The crystal urn, when broken, is thrown by,
And apter utensils their place supply :
These things and I must share one common lot ;
Die, and be lost ; corrupt, and be forgot ;
While still another, and another race.
Shall now supply, and now give up the place.
From earth all came, to earth must all return ;
Frail as the cord, and brittle as the urn,"
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 171
At Seville, a gentlewoman, with her two daughters, and
her niece, were apprehended for professing the protestant
religion; put to the torture; and when that was over, one
of the inquisitors sent for the youngest daughter, pretend-
ed to sympathize with her, and pity her sufferings; then
binding himself with a solemn oath not to betray her, he
said, "if you will disclose all to me, I promise you I'll pro-
cure the discharge of your mother, sister, cousin, and your-
self."
Made confident by such an oath, and entrapped by his
promises, she revealed the whole of the tenets they pro-
fessed ; when the perjured wretch, instead of acting as he
had sworn, immediately ordered her to be put to the rack,
saying, "now you ]:^ve revealed so much, I will make you
reveal more." Refusing, however, to say any thing far-
ther, they were all ordered to be burnt, which sentence
was executed at the next \uto de Fe.
The keeper of the castle of Triano, belonging to the
inquisitors of Seville, happened to be of a disposition more
mild and humane than is usual with persons in his situa-
tion. He gave ever;) possible indulgence to the prisoners,
and showed them every favour in his power with much
secrecy. At length, however, the inquisitors became ac-
quainted with and determined to punish him severely for
his kindness, that other gaolers might be deterred from
showing the least traces of such compassion in future.
With this view they superceded him, threw him into a dis-
mal dungeon, and used him with such dreadful barbarity
that he was bereaved of his senses.
This deplorable situation, however, procured him no fa-
vour, for he was brought, frantick as he was, from prison,
at an Auto de F6, to the usual place of punishment, cloth-
ed with a sambenito (or garment worn by criminals) and a
rope about his neck. His sentence was then read, "that
he should be placed upon an ass, led through the city, re-
ceive two hundred stripes, and then be condemned six
years to the gallies.'^
The poor frantick wretch, just as they were about to be-
gin his punishment, suddenly sprung from the back of the
ass, broke the cords that bound him, snatched a sword from
172 mSTOliV OF Till; MAUTViih*
one of the guards, and dangerously wounded an officer of
the inquisition. Being overpowered by multitudes, he
was prevented from doing farther mischief, seized, bound
more securely on the back of the ass, and punished accor-
ding to his sentence. But so inexorable were the inquisi-
tors, that for the rash effects of his madness, four years
were added to his slavery in the gallios.
A maid-servant to another gaoler belonging to the in-
quisition was accused of liumanity, and detected in bidding
the prisoners "keep up their spirits." For these heinous
crimes, as they were called, she was publickly whipped,
banished her native place for ten years, and had her fore-
head branded by j'ed-hot irons, with these words, "a fa-
vourer and aider of hereticks."
John Pontic, a Spaniard by l)irth, a gentleman by edu-
cation, and a protestant by persuasion, was, principally on
account of his great estate, apprehended by the inquisitors,
when the following charges were exhibited against him: — -
That he had said he abhorred the idolatry of worship-
ping the host. — That he shunned going to mass* — That ik
asserted, the merit of Jesus Christ alone was a lull justifi-
cation for a christian. — That he declared there was no
purgatory. — That he affirmed the pope's absolution not to
be of any value.
On these charges his effects were confiscated to the ava-
rice of the inquisitors, and his body burnt to gratify their
revenge.
John Gonsalvo, originally a priest, having embraced the
reformed religion, was seized by thq inquiyitors, as were
his mother, brother, and two sisters. Being condemned,
they w ere led to execution, where they were ordered to
say the creed, which they immediately complied with, but
coming to these words. The holy Catholick church, they
were commanded to add the monosyllables "of Rome,"
which absolutely refusing, one of the inquisitors said, "put
an end to their lives directly;" which the executioners
obeyed, by strangling them.
Four protestant women were tortured and ordered for
execution at Seville. On the way they began to sing^
psalms ; but the officersof the inquisition, thinking that the
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 173
words of the psalms reflected on themselves, put gags into
all their mouths. They were then burnt, and the houses
in which thej resided were ordered to be razed to the
ground.
Ferdinando, a protestant schoolmaster, was apprehend-
ed for instructing his pupils in the principles of protestant-
ism ; and, after being severely tortured, was consigned to
the flames.
A Monk, who had abjured the errours of popery, was
imprisoned at the same time as Ferdinando; but through
the fear of death, and to procure mercy, said he was wil-
ling to embrace his former communion. Ferdinando, hear-
ing of this, got an opportunity to speak to him, reproach-
ed him with his weakness, and threatened him with eter-
nal perdition. The monk, sensible of his crime, returned
to, promised to continue in the protestant faith, and de-
clare to the inquisitors, that he solemnly renounced his in-
tended recantation. Sentence of death w^as therefore pas-
sed upon him, and he was burnt with Ferdinando.
Juliano, a Spanish Roman catholick, became a convert
10 the protestant religion in Germany ; and being zealous
for the faith he had embraced, undertook to convey from
Germany into his own country, a great number of Bibles,
concealed in casks, and packed up like Rhenish wine.
This dangerous commission he succeeded in so far as to
distribute the books. A pretended protestant, however,
who had purchased one of the Bibles, betrayed and accu-
sed him to the inquisition.
Juliano was immediately seized, and strict enquiry be-
ing made for the respective purchasers of the Bibles, eight
hundred persons were apprehended, who were all indis-
criminately tortured, and most of them sentenced to vari-
ous punishments. Juliano was burnt, twenty were roast-
ed upon spits, several imprisoned for life, some were pub-
lickly whipped, many sent to the gallies, and a few dis-.
charged.
John Leon, a protestant tailor, of Spain, travelled to
Germany, and from thence to Geneva, where hearing that
a great number of English protestants were returning to
their native country, he, and some more Spaniards, deter-
15 *
174 illSTORY OP THE MARTYRS.
mined to go with them. The Spanish inquisitors, appnz-*>
ed of their intentions, sent a number of famihars so expe-
ditiously in prursuit of them, that they overtook them at a
sea-port in Zealand, one of the United Provinces, then un-
der the jurisdiction of Spain, just before they had embark-
ed. The prisoners were heavily fettered, handcutfed, gag-
ged, and their heads and necks covered with a kind of iron
net-work. In this miserable condition they were convey-
ed to Spain, thrown into a dismal dungeon, nearly famish-
ed with hunger, barbarously tortured, and then cruelly
burnt.
A young lady, having been put into a convent, absolute-
ly refused to take the veil, or turn nun. On leaving the
cloister she embraced the protestant faith, which being
known to the inquisitors, she was apprehended, and every
method used to regain her to popery. This proving inef-
fectual,her inexorable judges condemned her to the flames,,
and she was burnt, persisting in her faith to the last.
Christopher Losada, an eminent physician, and learned
philosopher, having become extremely obnoxious to the
inquisitors, on account of exposing the errours of popery,
and professing the tenets of protestantism, was apprehend-
ed, imprisoned, and racked ; but those severities not bring-
ing him to confess the Roman catholick church to be the
only true church, he was sentenced to the fire; the flames-
of which he bore with exemplary patience, and resigned
his soul to that Creator by whom it was bestowed.
Arias, a monlc belonging to the monastery of St. Isidore
at Seville, was a man of great abilities, but of a vicious dis-
position. He sometimes pretended to forsake the errours
of the church of Rome, and become a protestant, and soon
after turned Rom.an catholick. Thus he continued a long
time wavering between both persuasions, till God thought
proper to touch his heart, and show him the great danger
of inconstancy in religious matters. He now became a
true protestant, and bewailed his former errours with con-
trition. The sincerity of his conversion being discovered,
he was seized by the oflftcers of the inquisition, severely
tortured, and burnt at an Auto de Fe.
Maria de Coceicao, a young lady who resided with heR-
HISTORY OF niE MARTYRS. 175
brother at Lisbon, was seized by the inquisitors, and or-
dered to be put to the rack. The exquisite torments she
felt staggered her resolution, and she fully confessed the
charges against her.
The cords were immediately slackened, and she was
re-conducted to her cell, where she remained till she had
recovered the use of her limbs; she was then brought
again before the tribunal, and ordered to ratify her con-
fession, and sign it. This she absolutely refused,, telling
them, "That what she had said was forced from her by
the excessive pain she underwent." Incensed at this re-
ply, the inquisitors ordered her again to be put to the
rack, when the 'weakness of nature once more prevailed,
and she repeated her former confession. She was imme-
diately remanded to her cell till her wounds were again
healed, when being a third time brought before the in-
quisitors, they, in a stern manner, ordered her to sign her
Jirst and second confessions. She answered as before, but
added, " I have twice given way to the frailty of the flesh,
and perhaps may, while on the rack, be weak enough to
do so again ; but depend upon it, if you torture me an
hundred times, as soon as I am released from the rack I
shall deny what was extorted frorh me by pain." The in-
quisitors ordered her to be racked a third time; and,
during this last trial, she exceeded even her own expecta-
tions: bore the torments inflieted with the utmost forti-
tude, and could not be persuaded to answer any of the
questions put to her. As her courage and constancy ii>
creased, the inquisitors imagined that she would deem
death a glorious martyrdom, and therefore, to disappoint
her expectations, they condemned her to a severe whip-
ping through the publick streets, and a ten years' banish-
ment.
Jane Bohorquia, a lady of a noble family in Seville,
was apprehended on the information of her sister^ who
had been tortured, and burnt for professing the protestant
religion. While on the rack, through the extremity of
pain, that young lady confessed that she had frequently
discoursed with her sister concerning protestanism, and
uppn this extorted confession was Jane Bohorquia seized
170 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
and imprisoned. Being pregnant at the beginning, they
let her remain tolerably quiet till she was delivered, when
they immediately took away the child, and put it to nurse,
that it might be brought up a Roman catholick.
The lady was not perfectly recovered from the weak-
ness caused by her labour, when she was ordered to be
racked, which was done with such severity, that she ex-
pired a week after of the wounds and bruises she rer
ceived. Upon this occasion the inquisitors affected some
remorse; and, in one of the printed acts of the inquisition,
which they always publish at Auto de F6, they thus men-
tion this young lady: — ^
^* Jane Bohorquia was found dead in prison ; after
which, upon reviving her prosecution, the inquisitors dis-
covered that she was innocent. — Be it therefore known,
that no farther prosecutions shall be carried on against
her, and that her effects, which were confiscated, shall be
given to th^ heirs at law. Thus have the lords of the
holy office of inquisition generously restored to her inno-
nocence, reputation, and estate." Strange inconsistency!
to take the property, and torture the person, before con-
viction of guilt, and then to compliment themselves for
moderation, in returning what they had no right to seize,
and forgiving one, who, by their own acknowledgment,
had never offended them. One sentence, however, in the
above ridiculous passage wants explanation, viz. " That
no farther prosecutions shall be carried on against her."
This alludes to the absurd custom of prosecuting, and
burning the bones of the dead ; for when a prisoner dies
rn the inquisition, the process continues the same as though
the accused were living; the bones are deposited in a
chest, and if a sentence of guilt is passed, they are
brought out at the next Auto de Fe; the sentence is read
against them with as much solemnity as against a living
prisoner, and they are at length committed to the flames.
In a similar manner are prosecutions carried on against
prisoners who escape; and when their persons are far
beyond the reach of the inquisitors, they are burnt in
effigy.
Dr. Isaac Orobio, a learned "physician, having beaten aL„
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 17^
Moorish servant for stealing, was accused by him of pro-
fessing Judaism. Without considering the apparent maUce
of the servant, the inquisitors seized the master upon the
charge. He was kept three years in prison before he had
the least intimation of what he was to undergo, and then
suffered the following six modes of torture: —
First, a coarse linen coat was put upon him, and then
drawn so tight that the circulation of his blood was nearly
stopped, and the breath almost pressed out of his body.
After this the strings were suddenly loosened, when the
air forcing its way hastily into his stomach, and the blood
rushing into its channels, he suffered the most incredi-
ble pains.
Secondly, his thumbs were tied with small cords, so
hard that the blood gushed from under the nails.
Thirdly, he was seated on a bench with his back against
a wall, wherein small iron pulHes were fixed. Ropes
being fastened to several parts of his body and Hmbs,
were passed through the pullies, and being suddenly
drawn with great violence, his whole frame was forced
into a distorted heap.
Fourthly, after having suffered for a considerable time
the pains of the last-mentioned position, the seat was
snatched away, and he was left suspended against the
wall in the most excruciating misery.
Fifthly, a little instrument with five knobs, and which
went with springs, being placed near his face, he sudden-
ly received five blows on the cheek, that put him to such
pain as caused him to faint ciway.
Sixthly, the executioners fastened ropes round his wrists,
and then drew them about his body. Placing him on his
back with his feet against the wall, they pulled with the
utmost violence, till the cords had penetrated to the bone.
The last torture he suffered three different times, and
then lay seventy days before his wounds were healed. He
was afterwards banished, and in his exile wrote the ac-
count of his sufferings, from which the above are ex-
tracted.
An excellent penman of Toledo, in Spain, and a pro-
testant, was fond of producing fine specimens of writing,
178 HISTORY OF TH£ MARTYRS.
and having them framed, to adorn the different apartments
of his house. Among other curious examples of penman-
ship was a large piece, containing the Lord's Prayer,
Creed, and Ten Commandments, thrown into verse, and
finely written. This piece, which hung in a conspicuous
part of the house, was seen by a person belonging to the
inquisition, who observed that the versification of the com-
mandments was not according to the church of Rome, but
according to the protestant church, for the protestants re-
tain the whole of the commandments as they are found in
the Bible, but the papists omit that part of the second
commandment which forbids the worship of images. The
inquisition soon had information against this ingenious
gentleman, who was seized, prosecuted, and burnt, for or-
namenting his house with a specimen of his skill and piety.
CHAP. III.
.IJIE SUFFEEINGS OF ?,IR. WiLLiAM LiTHOOW, A NATIVE Of
^ SCOTLAND.
This gentleman descended from a very respectable fam-
ily ; having a natural propensity to travelling, had rambled,
when very young, over the northern and western islands;
after which he visited France, Germany, Boliemia, Swit-
zerland, and Spain. He again set out on his travels in the
month of March, 1609, and the first place he went to was
Paris, where he i^tayed for some time. He then prosecu-
ted his travels through Germany, and at length arrived at
Malaga in Spain.
During his residence here, he contracted with the mas-
ter of a French ship for his passage to Alexandria, but
was prevented from going by the following circumsiances.
In the evening of the 17th of October, 1620, the English
fleet, at that time on a cruise against the Algerine rovers,
came to anchor before Malaga, which threw the people of
the town into the greatest consternation, as they imagined
them to be Turks. The morning, however, discovered
the mistake, and the governour of Malaga perceiving the
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 179
cross of England in their colours, went on board Sir Ro-
bert Manseil's ship, who cammanded on that expedition,
and after staying some time returned, and silenced the
fears of the people.
The following day many persons from on board the fleet
came ashore. Among these were several well known by
Mr. Lithgow, who, after reciprocal compliments, spent
some days together in festivity and the amusements of the
town. They then invited Mr. Lithgow on board, to pay
his respects to the admiral. He accepted the invitation,
was kindly received by him, and detained till the next day,
when the fleet sailed. The admiral would willingly have
taken Mr. Lithgow with him to Algiers ; but having con-
tracted for his passage to Alexandria, and his baggage,
&c. being in the town, he could not accept the oflfer.
As soon as Mr. Lithgow got on shore he proceeded to-
wards his lodgings by a private way (being to embark the
same night for Alexandria) when, in passing through a
narrow, uninhabited street, he found himself suddenly sur-
rounded by nine sergeants, or ofticers, who threw a black
cloak over him, and forcibly conducted him to the gover-
nour's house. After some little time the governour ap-
peared, when Mr. Lithgow earnestly begged he might be
informed of the cause of such violent treatment. The
governour only answered, by shaking his head, and gave
orders that the prisoner should be strictly watched till he
(the governour) returned from his devotions ; directing, at
the same time, that the captain of the town, the alcaid-
major, and town notary, should be summoned to appear at
his examination, and that all this should be done with the
greatest secrecy, to prevent the knowledge thereof reach-
ing the ears of the English merchants then residing in the
town.
These orders were strictly discharged, and on the gover-
nour's return, he, with the officers, having seated them-
selves, Mr. Lithgow was brouglit before them for examina-
tion. The governour began by asking several questions,
namely, of what country he was, whither bound, and how
long he had been in Spain. The prisoner, after answering
these, and other questions, was conducted to a closet,
1
180 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRiJ
where, in a short space of time, he was visited by the towii-
captain, who enquired whetlier he had ever been at Sev-
ille, or was lately come from thence ; and patting his cheeks
with an air of friendship, conjured him to tell the truth;
"for (said he) your very countenance shows there is some
hidden matter in your mind, which prudence should direct
you to disclose." Finding himself, however, unable to ex-
tort any thing from the prisoner, he left him, and reported
the ill success of his visit to the governour and the other
officers ; on which Mr. Lithgow was again brought before
them, a general accusation was laid against him, and he
was compelled to swear that he would give true answers
to such questions as should be asked him.
The governour then proceeded to enquire the quality
of the English commander, and the prisoners opinion what
were the motives that prevented his accepting an invita-
tion from the governour to come on shore. He demand-
ed, likewise, the names of the English captains in the
squadron, and what knowledge he had of the embarkation,
or preparation for it before its departure from England.
The answers given to the several questions asked were set
down in writing by the notary; but the junto seemed sur-
prised at his denying any knowledge of the fitting out of
the fleet, particularly the governour, who said he bed, that^
he was a traitor and spy, and came directly from England
to favour and assist in the designs that were projected
against Spain; and that he had been for that purpose nine
months in Seville, in order to procure intelligence of the
time the Spanish navy was expected from the Indies.
They exclaimed against his familiarity with the officers of
the fleet, and many other English gentlemen, between
whom, they said, unusual civilities had passed, but all
these transactions had been carefully noticed.
To sum up the whole of the accusation, and put the
truth, as they said, past all doubt, he came from a council
of war, held that morning on board the admiral's ship, in
order to put in execution the orders assigned him. They
upbraided him with being accessary to the burning of the
island of St. Thomas, in the West Indies; ^'wherefore
(said they) these Lutherans, and sons of the devil, ought
to have no credit given to what they say or swear,"
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 181
In vain did Mr, Lithgow endeavour to obviate every ac-
cusation laid against him, and to obtain belief from his
prejudiced judges. He begged permission to send for his
cloakbag, which contained his papers, and might serve to
show his innocence. Tliis request they complied with,
thinking it would discover some things of which they
were ignorant. The cloak-bag was accordingly brought,
and being opened, among other things, was found a license
from king James I. under the sign manual, setting forth the
bearers intention to travel into Egypt ; which was treated
by the haughty Spaniards with great contempt. The
other papers consisted of passports, testimonials, &c. of
persons of quality. All these credentials, however, seem-
ed rather to confirm than abate the suspicions of tliese
unjust judges, who, after seizing all the prisoners papers,
ordered him again to be withdrawn.
A consultation was then held to fix the place where the
prisoner should be confined. The alcade,^or chief judge,
was for putting him in the town prison; but this was ob-
jected to, particularly by the corrigidore, who said, in
Spanish, " in order to prevent the knowledge of Ms con-
finement from reaching his countrymen, I will take the
matter on myself, and be answerable for the consequen-
ces;" upon which it was agreed, that he should be confined
in the governours house with the greatest secrecy.
One of the sergeants went to Sir. Lithgow, and beg-
ged his money, with liberty to search him. As it was
needless to make any resistance, the prisoner quietly com-
plied, when the sergeant (after rifling his pockets of elev-
en ducatoons) stripped him to his shirt; and searching his
breeches found, enclosed in the waistband, two canvass
bags, containing one hundred and thirty-seven pieces of
gold. The sergeant immediately took the money to the
corrigidore, who, after having told it over, ordered him to
clothe the prisoner, a id shut him up close till after supper.
About midnight the sergeant and two Turkish slaves
released Mr. l>ithgow from his then confinement, but it
was to introduce him to one much more horrible. They
conducted him through several passages to a chamber in
a remote part of the palace, towards the garden, where
16
182 niSTOUY OF THE MARTYRS.
Ihey loaded him with irons, and extended his legs by means
of an iron bar above a yard long, the weight of which was
30 great that he could neither stand nor sit, but was obli-
ged to lie continually on his back. They left him in this
condition for some time, when they returned with food, con-
sisting of a pound of boiled mutton and a loaf, with a small
quantity of wine; which was not only the first, l)ut the
best and the last of the kind, during his confinement in
that place. After delivering these articles, the sergeant
locked the door, and left Mr. Lithgow to his sufferings.
The next day he received a visit from the governour,
who promised him his liberty, with many other advantages,
if he would confess being a spy ; but on his protesting that
he was entirely innocent, the governour left him in a rage,
saying, he should see him no more till farther torments
constrained him to confess; commanding the keeper, to
whose care he was committed, that he should permit no
person whatever to have access to, or commune with him:
that his sustenance should not exceed three ounces of
musty brep-d, and a pint of water every second day ; that
he should be allowed neither bed, pillow, nor coverlet. —
"Close up," said he, " this window in his room with lime
and stone; stop up the holes of the door with double mats:
let him have nothing that bears any likeness to comfort."
These, and several other orders of the like severity, w ere
given, to render it impossible for his condition to be known
to those of the English nation.
In this wretched and melancholy state did this unhappy
gentleman continue, without seeing any person for several
days, in which time the governour received an answer to
a letter he had written, relative to the prisoner, from
Madrid; and, pursuant to the instructions given him, be-
gan to put in practice the cruelties devised, which they
hastened, because christmas holydays approached, it being
then the forty-seventh day of his imprisonment.
About two o'clock in the morning of that day, he heard
the noise of a coach in the street; and some time after
heard the opening of the prison doors; he had been de-
prived of sleep for two nights; hunger, pain, and melan-
choly reflection liaving pri^vented him from taking any
HISTORY OF THE MAUTYRS. 183
iepose. Soon after the prison doors were opened, the nine
sergeants, who had first seized him, with the notary, enter-
ed the place where he lay, and, without uttering a word,
conducted him in his irons through the house into the
street, where a coach waited, and into which they laid
him at the bottom on his back, not being able to sit. Two
of the sergeants rode with him, and the rest walked by
the coach side, but all preserved the most profound si-
lence. They drove him to a vine-press house, about a
league from the town, to which place a rack had been
privately conveyed; and here they shut him up for that
night.
At day-break the next morning arrived the governour
and the alcade, into whose presence Mr. Lithgow was
imnaediately brought, to undergo another examination. —
The prisoner desired he might have an interpreter, which
was allowed to strangers by the laws of that country, but
this was absolutely refused, nor would they permit him to
appeal to Madrid, as being the superior court of judica-
ture. After a long examination, which lasted A'om morn-'
till night, there appeared in ail his answers so exact a con-
formity with what he had before said, that they declared
he had learned them by heart, there not being the least
prevarication. They, however, pressed him again to
make a full discovery; that is, to accuse himself of crimes
never committed, the governour adding, " You are still in
my power; I can set you free if you comply: if not, I
must deliver you to the alcade.*' Mr. Lithgow still per-
sisting in his innocence, the governour ordered the notary
to draw up a warrant for delivering him to the alcade to
be tortured.
In consequence of this, he wlas conducted by the ser-
geants to the end of a stone gpJlery, where the rack was
placed. The encarouador, or executioner, immediately
struck off his irons, which pi:t him to very great pain, the
bolts being so closely rivettcd, that the sledge hammer tore
away above half an inch of his heel, in forcing off the
belt; the anguish of which, together with his weak condi-
tion (not having had the least sustenance for three days)
occasioDed him to groan bitterly; upon which the merci-
184 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
less alcade snid, " Villain! traitor! this is but the earnest
of what you shall endure."
When his irons were off he fell on his knees, uttering
a short prayer, that God would be pleased to enable him
to be steadfast, and undergo courageously the grievous
trial he had to undergo. The alcade and notary having
placed themselves in chairs, he was stripped naked, and
fixed upon ttie rack, the office of these persons being to
be witness of, and set down the confessions and tortures
endured by the delinquent.
It is impossible to describe all the various tortures inflic-
ted on him. Suffice it to say, that he lay on the rack for
above live liours, during which time he received above
^■ixty different tortures of the most hellish nature; and had
they been continued a few minutes longer, he must h&ve
inevitably perished.
These cruel persecutors having glutted their infernal
appetites, for the present, the prisoner was taken from the
rack, and his irons being again put on, he was conducted
to his former dungeon, having received no other nourish-
ment than a little warm wine, given him rather to prevent
liis expiring, and to sustain him for future punishments,
than from any principle of charity or compassion.
As a confirmation of this, orders were given for a coach
to pass every morning before day by the prison; that the
noise made by it might give fresh terrours and alarms to
the unhappy prisoner, and deprive him of all possibility of
obtaining the least repose.
He continued in this horrid situation, almost starved for
want of the common necessaries to preserve his wretched
existence, till Christmas-day, when he received some relief
from Mariane, waiting woman to the governour's lady. —
This woman, having obtained leave to visit him, carried
with her some refreshments, consisting of honey, sugar,
raisins, and other articles: and so affected was she at be-
holding his situation, that she wept bitterly, and at her
departure expressed the greatest concern at not being able
to give him farther assistance.
In this loathsome dungeon was Mr. Lithgow kept till
he was nearly devoured with vermin* They crawled
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 185
about his beard, lips, eyebrows, &c. so that he could
scarcely open his eyes ; and his mortification was increased
by not having 'the iise of his hands or legs to defend him-
self, from his having been so miserably maimed by the
tortures. The miscreant governour, to heighten his cru-
elty, even ordered the vermin to be swept on Mr. Lithgow
twice in every eight days. He, however, obtained some
little mitigation of this part of his punishment, from the
humanity of a Turkish slave that attended him, who, at
times, when he could do it with safety, destroyed the ver-
min, and contributed every refreshment to him that laid
in his power.
From this slave Mr. Lithgow at length received that
information which gave him little hopes of ever being re-
leased, but, on the contrary, that he should finish his life
under new tortures. The substance of this information
was, that an English seminary priest, and a Scot's cooper,
had been for some time employed by the governour to
translate from the English into the Spanish language, all
his books and observations: and that it was commonly
said in the governour's house, that he was an arch heretick.
This information greatly alarmed him, and he began, not
without reason, to fear that they would soon finish him,
more especially as they could neither, by torture, or any
other means, bring him to vary from what he had all along
said at his different examinations.
Two days after he had received the above information,
the governour, an inquisitor, and a canonical priest, ac-
companied by two Jesuits, entered his dungeon, and being
seated, after several idle questions, the inquisitor asked
Mr. Lithgow if he was a Roman catholick, and acknowl-
edged the pope's supremacy? He answered, "that he
neither was the one, nor did the other: adding, that he
was surprised at being asked such questions, since it was
expressly stipulated by the articles of peace between
England and Spain, that none of the English subjects
should be liable to the inquisition, or any way molested by
them on account of diversity in religion, &:c." In the
bitterness of his soul, he made use of some warm expres-
sions not suited to his circumstances : "As you have almost
16*
186 HISTOnV OF THE MARTYRS.
murdered me (said he) for pretended treason, so now you
intend to make a martyr of me for religion." He also
expostulated with the governour on the ill return he made
the king of England (whose subject he was) for the
princely humanity exercised towards the Spaniards in
1588, when their armada was shipwrecked on the Scotish
coast, and thousands of the Spaniards found relief, who
must have otherwise miserably perished."
The governour admitted the truth of what Mr. Lithgow
said, but replied with a haughty air, " That the king,
who then only ruled Scotland, was actuated more by fear
than love, and therefore did not deserve any thanks." —
One of the Jesuits said, " There was no faith to be kept
with hereticks." The inquisitor then rising, addressed
himself to Mr. Lithgow in the following words: " You
have been taken up as a spy, accused of treachery, and
tortured, as we acknowledge, innocently (which appears
by the account lately received from Madrid of the inten-
tions of the English); yet it was the divine power that
brought those judgments upon you, for presumptuously
treating the blessed miracle of Loretto with ridicule, and
expressing yourself in your writings irreverently of his
holiness, the great agent, and Christ's vicar upon earthy
therefore you are justly fallen into our hands by their
special appointment: thy books and papers are miracu-
lously translated by the assistance of Providence influ-
encing thy own countrymen."
This trumpery being ended, they gave the prisoner eight
days to consider and resolve whether he would become a
convert to their religion ; during which time the inquisitor
told him, he, with other religious orders, would attend to
give him such assistance thereto as he might want. One
of the Jesuits said (first making the sign of the cross upon
his breast) " My son, behold, you deserve to be burnt
alive; but by the grace of our lady of Loretto, whom you
have blasphemed, we will both save your soul and body."
In the morning the inquisitor with the three ecclesias-
ticks returned, when the former asked the prisoner what
difficulties he had on his conscience that retarded his con-
version. To which he answered, " He had not any doubts
HISTORY OF THE MAHTVRS. 187
iii his mind, being confident in the promises of Christ, and
assuredly beHeving his revealed will signified in the gos-
pels, as professed in the reformed catholick church, being
confirmed by grace, and having infallible assurance there-
by of the true Christian faith." To these words the in-
quisitor replied, "Thou art no Christian, but an absurd
heretick, and without conversion a member of perdition."
The prisoner then told him, " It was not consistent with the
nature and essence of religion and charity, to convince by
opprobrious speeches, racks, and torments, but by argu-
ments deduced from the scriptures; and that all other
methods Avould v/ith him be totally inelfectual."
The inquisitor was so enraged at the replies made by
the prisoner, that he struck him on the face, used many
abusive speeches, and attempted to stab him, which he
had certainly done had he not been prevented by the Je-
suits ; and from this time he never again visited the pris-
oner.
The next day the two Jesuits returned, and putting on
a very grave supercilious air, the superior asked him,
" What resolution he had taken?" To which Mr. Lithgow
replied, " That he was already resolved, unless he could
show substantial reasons to make him alter his opinion."
The superior, after a pedantic display of their seven sac-
raments, the intercession of saints, transubstantiation, &c.
boasted greatly of their church, her antiquity, universality
and uniformity; all which Mr. Lithgow denied: "For (said
he) the profession of the faith I hold hath been ever since
the first days of the apostles, and Christ had ever his own
church (however obscure) in the greatest time of your
darkness."
The Jesuits, finding their arguments had not the
desired effect, that torments could not shake his con-
stancy, nor even the fear of the cruel sentence he had
reason to expect would be pronounced and executed
on him, after severe menaces, left him. On the eighth
day after, being the last of their inquisition, when sentence
is usually pronounced, they returned again, but quite al-
tered, both in their words and behaviour. After repeat-
ing much the same kind of arguments as before, they^
IHH HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
with seeming tears in tiieir eyes, pretended they were
sorry from their hearts he must be obliged to undergo a
terrible death; but above all, for the loss of his most pre-
cious soul; and falling on their knees, cried out, "Convert,
convert, O dear brother, for our blessed Lady's sake con-
vert!" To which he answered,"! fear neither fire nor
death, being prepared for both."
The first effects Mr. Lithgow felt of the determination
of this bloody tribuiial was, a sentence to receive that
night eleven dilTeret t tortures, and if he did not die in
the execution of them (vvhich might be reasonably expec-
ted from the maimed and disjointed condition he was in)
he was, after Easter holydays, to be tarried to Grenada,
and there burnt to ashes. The first part of the sentence
was executed with great barbarity that night; and it
pleased God to give him strength of body and mind, to
staiid fast to the truth, and to survive the horrid punish-
ments inflicted on him.
After these barbarians had glutted themselves with
exercising on the unhappy prisoner the most distinguished
cruelties, they again put irons on, and conveyed him to
his dungeon. The next morning he received some little
comfort from the Turkish slave (before-mentioned) who
secretly brought him, in his shirt sleeve, some raisins and
figs, which he licked up in the best manner his strength
would permit with his tongue. It was to this slave Mr.
Lithgow attributed his surviving so long in such a wretch-
ed situation ; for he found means to convey some of these
fruits to him twice every week. It is very extraordinary,
and worthy of note, that this poor slave, bred up from his
infancy, according to the maxims of his prophet and pa-
rents, in the greatest detestation of Christians, should be
be so affected at the miserable situation of Mr, Lithgow,
that he fell ill, and continued so for upwards of forty days.
During this period Mr. Lithgow was attended by a negro
woman, a slave, who found means to furnish him with re
freshments still more amply than the Turk, being conver-
sant in the house and family. She brought him every day
some victuals, a«id with it some wine in a bottle.
, The time was now kg far elapsed, and the horrid situa-
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS, 189
tion so truly Toathsome, that Mr. Lithgow waited, with
anxious expectation, for the day, which, by putting an
end to his life, would also end his torments. But his me-
lancholy expectations were, by the interposition of Provi-
dence, happily rendered abortive, and his deliverance ob^
tained from the following circumstances.
A Spanish gentleman of quahty came from Grenada to
Malaga, who being invited to an entertainment by the go-
vernour, was informed by him of what had befallen Mr.
Lithgow", from the time of his being first apprehended as
a spy, and described the various suiferings he had endur-
ed. He likewise told him, that after it was known the
prisoner was innocent, it gave him great concern. That
on this account he would gladly have released him, restor-
ed his money and papers, and made some atonement for
the injuries he had received; but that, upon an inspection
into his writings, several were found of a very blasphemous
nature, highly reflecting on their religion. That on his
refusing to abjure these heretical opinions, he was turned
over to the inquisition, by whom he was finally condemned.
While the governour was relating this tragical tale, a
Flemish youth (servant to the Spanish gentleman) who
waited at table, was struck with amazement and pity at the
suiferings of the stranger described. On his return to his
master's lodgings he began to revolve in his mind what he
had heard, which made such an impression on him that he
could not rest in his bed. In the short slumbers he had,
his imagination painted to him the person described, on
the rack, and burning in the fire. In this anxiety he pas-
sed the night; and when the morning came, without dis-
closing his intentions to any person whatever, he went into
the town, and enquired for an English factor. He was
directed to the house of Mr. Wild, to whom he related
the whole of what he had heard pass, the preceding even-
ing, between his master and the governour; but could not
tell Mr. Lithgow's name. Mr. Wild, however, conjec-
tured it was him, by the servant's remembering the cir-
cumstance of his being a traveller, and his having had
some acquaintance with him.
On the departure of the Flemish servant, Mr. Wild ina
190 ftlSTOUY OF THE mahtyrs.
mediately sent for the other English factors, to whom he
related all the particulars relative to their unfortunate
countryman. After a short consultation, it was agreed
that an information of the whole affair should be sent, by
express, to Sir Walter Aston, the English ambassador to
the king of Spain, then at Madrid. This was accordingly-
done, and the ambassador having presented a memorial to
the king and council of Spain, he obtained an order fop
Mr. Lithgow's enlargement, and his delivery to the Eng-
lish factory. This order was directed to the governour of
Malaga; and was received with great dislike and surprise
by the whole assembly of the bloody inquisition.
Mr. Lithgow was released from his confinement on the
eve of Easter Sunday, when he was carried from his dun-
geon on the back of the slave that had attended him to
the house of one Mr. Busbich, where all proper comforts
were given him. It fortunately happened, that there was
at this time a squadron of English ships in the road, com-
manded by Sir Richard Hawkins, who being informed of
the past sufferings, and present situation of Mr. Lithgow,
came the next day ashore, with a proper guard, and re-
ceived him from the merchants. He was instantly carried
in blankets on board the Vanguard, and three days after
was removed to another ship, ]3y direction of the General
Sir Robert Mansel, Avho ordered that he should have pro-
per care taken of him. The factory presented him with
clothes, and all necessary provisions, besides which they
gave him two hundred reals in silver; and Sir R. Haw-
kins sent him two double pistoles.
Before his departure from the Spanish coast, Sir R.
Hawkins demanded the delivery of his papers, money,
books, &c. but could not obtain any satisfactory answer
on that head.
After lying twelve days in the road, the ship weighed
anchor, and in about two months arrived safe at Deptford.
The next morning Mr. Lithgow was carried on a feather-
bed to Theobalds, in Hertfordshire, at that time the resi-
dence of King James L and royal family. His majesty
happened to be that day engaged in hunting, but on his
"etnrn jn the evening Mr, T^itligow wns prespntod to him,
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 191
and related the particulars of his sufferings, and his happy
delivery. The king was so affected at the narrative, that
he expressed the deepest concern, and gave orders that he
should be sent to Bath, and his wants properly supplied
from his royal munificence. By these means, under God,
after some time, Mr. Lithgow was restored, from the most
wretched spectacle, to a great share of health and strength;
but he lost the use of his left arm, and several of the smal-
ler bones were so crushed and broken, as to be ever after
rendered useless.
CHAP IV.
SOME PRIVATE ENORMITIES OF THE INQUISITION LAID OPEN,
BY A VERY SINGULAR OCCURRENCE.
"When the crown of Spain was contested in the begin-
ning of the last century, by two princes who equally pre-
tended to the sovereignty, France espoused the cause of
one competitor, and England of the other.
The Duke of Berwick, a natural son of James II. who
abdicated England, commanded the Spanish and French
forces, and defeated the English at the celebrated battle
of Almanza. The army was divided then into two parts ;
the one consisting of Spaniards and French, headed by the
Duke of Berwick, advanced towards Catalonia ; the other
body, consisting of French troops only, commanded by the
Duke of Orleans, proceeded to the conquest of Arragon^
As the troops drew near to the city of Arragon, the ma-
gistrates came to offer the keys to the Duke of Orleans;
Sut he told them, haughtily, they were rebels, and that he
would not accept the keys, for he had orders to enter the
city through a breach.
He then made a breach in the walls with his cannon,
and entered the city through it, with his whole army.
When he had made every necessary regulation, he depar-
ted to subdue other places, leaving a strong garrison, at
once to overawe and defend, under the command of his
iiieutenant-general M, De Legal. This gentleman, t,hough
192 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
brought up a Romaii catholick, was totally free from the
tra.ri.Ticls oi superstition: he united brilliaat talents with
great bravery; and was, at once, the skilful officer, and
accomplished gentleman.
The duke, before his departure, had ordered that the
following heavy contributions should be levied upon the
city :
" 1. That the magistrates and principal inhabitants
should pay a thousand crowns per month for the duke's
table.
" 2. That every house should pay one pistole, which
would monthly amount to eighteen thousand pistoles.
" 3. That every convent and monastery should pay a
donative, proportionahly to its riches and rents.
The two last contributions to be appropriated to the
maintenance of the army."
The money levied upon the magistrates and principal
inhabitants, and upon every house, was paid as soon as de-
manded ; but w^hen the proper persons applied to the heads
of the convents and monasteries, they found that the eccle-
siasticks were not so willing, as other people, to part from
their treasure.
Of the donatives to be raised by the clergy:
The College of Jesuits were to pay 2.000 pistoles.
Carmelites 1.000
Augustins 1.000
Dominicans 1.000
M. De Legal sent to the Jesuits a peremptory order to
pay the money immediately. The superior of the Jesuits
returned for answer, that for the clergy to pay money to
the army was against all ecclesiastical immunities; and
that he knew of no argument which could authorize such
a procedure. M. De Legal, by way of conviction, sent
four companies of dragoons to quarter themselves in the
college, with this sarcastick message: "To prove to you
the necessity of paying the money, I have sent four sub-
stantial arguments to your college, drawn from the system
of military logick; and, therefore, hope you will need no
farther admonition to direct your conduct."
Such proceedings greatly perplexed the Jesuits, who
HISTORY OP THE MAttTYKfe. 193
dispatched an express to court to the king's confessor, who
was of their order; but the dragoons were much more ex-
peditious in plundering and doing mischief, than the cou-
rier in his journey: so that the Jesuits, seeing every thing
going to wreck and ruin, thought proper to adjust the mat-
ter amicably, and paid the money before the return of their
messenger. The Augustins and Carmelites taking warn-
ing by what had happened to the Jesuits, prudently went
and submitted to the contribution, and by that means es-
caped the study of military argument, and of being taught
logick by the dragoons.
But the Dominicans, who were all familiars of, or agents
dependent on, the inquisition, imagined, that that very cir-
cumstance would be their protection; but they were mis-
taken, for M. De Legal neither feared nor respetted the
inquisition. The chief of the Dominicans sent word to the
military commander, that his order was poor, and had nc
money whatever to pay the donative; "for," says he, "the
whole wealth of the Dominicans consists only in the silver
images of the apostles and saints, as large as life, which
are placed in our church, and which it would be sacrilege
to remove."
The insinuation was meant to terrify the French com-
mander, who, the inquisitors imagined, would not dare to
be so profane as to wish for the possession of the pre-
cious idols ; but he sent word that the silver images would
make admirable substitutes for money, and would be more
in character in his possession, than in that of the Domini-
cans themselves, " for," says he, " while you possess them
in the manner you do at present, they stand up in niches,
useless and motionless, without the least benefit to man-
kind, or even to yourselves; but, when they come into my
possession, they shall be useful, I wijl put them in motion ;
for I intend to have them coined, when they may travel
like the apostles, be beneficial in various places, and cir-
culate for the universal service of mankind."
The inquisitors, astonished at this treatment, which
they never expected to receive, even from crowned heads,
determined, from necessity, to deliver their precious ima-
ges in a solemn procession, that they might excite the peo-
17
194 HISTORY OP THE MARTYRi^.
^le to an insurrection. The Dominican friars were order-
ed to march to De Legal's house, with the silver apostles
and saints in a mournful manner, having lighted tapers
with them, and bitterly crying all the way, "heresy,
heresy."
M. De Legal hearing of these proceedings, ordered four
companies of grenadiers to line the street which led to
his house; each grenadier was ordered to have his leaded
fuzee in one hand, and a lighted taper in the other; so
that the troops might either repel force by^ force, or do
honour to the farcical solemnity.
The friars did all they could to raise a tumult, but the
common people were too much afraid of the troops under
arms to obey them ; the silver images were, therefore, de-
livered' up to M. De Legal, who sent them to the mint, and
ordered them to be immediately coined.
The project of raising an insurrection having failed, the
inquisitors determined to excommunicate M. De Legal,
unless he would release their precious silver saints from
imprisonment in the mint, before they were melted down,
or othei'wise mutilated. The French commander abso-
lutely refused to release the images, but said they should
certainly travel and do good; upon which the inquisitors
drew up the form of excommunication, and ordered their
secretary to go and read it to M. De Legal.
The secretary punctually performed his commission,
and read the excommunication deliberately and distinctly.
The French commander heard it with great patience, and
politely told the secretary he would answer it next day.
When the secretary of the inquisition was gone, M. De
Legal ordered his own secretary to prepare a form of ex-
communication, exactly like that sent by the inquisition ^
but to make this alteration, instead of his name, to put in
those of the inquisitors.
The next morning he ordered four regiments underarms,
and commanded them to accompany his secretary, and
act as he directed.
The secretary went to the inquisition, and insisted upon
admittance ; which, after a great deal of altercation, was
granted. As soon as he entered, he read, in an audible
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 19cr
voice, tfee excommunication sent by M. De Legal, against
the inquisitors. The inquisitors were all present, and
heard it with astonishment, never having before met with
any individual who had dared to behave so boldly. They
loudly cried out against De Legal, as a heretick; and
said, this was a most daring insult against the catholick
faith. But, to surprise them still more, the French secr-e-
tary told them, they must remove from their present
lodgings; for the French commander waited to quarter
the troops in the Inquisition, as it was the most commo-
dious place in the whole city.
The inquisitors now exclaimed stlill more incessantly,
when the secretary put them under a strong guard, and
sent them to a place appointed by M. De Legal to receive
them. The inquisitors, in this predicament, begged that
they might be permitted to take their private property,
which was granted, and they immediately set out for
Madrid, where they made the most bitter complaints to
the king; but the monarch told them, he could not grant
them any redress, as the injuries they had received were
from his grandfather, the king of France's droops, by whose
assistance alone he could be firmly established in his king-
dom. "Had it been my own troops," said he, "I would
have punished them ; but as it is, I cannot pretend to exert
any authority."
In the mean time, Monsieur De Legal's secretary sat
open all the doors of the inquisition, and released the pris-
oners, whq amounted, in the whole, to four hundred; and
among these were sixty beautiful young women, who
appeared to form a seraglio for the three principal in-
quisitors.
This discovery, which exhibited in their true colours
the enormities of the inquisitors, greatly alarmed the
archbishop, who desired M. De Legal to send the women
to his palace, and he would take proper care of them ; and
at the same time he published an ecclesiastical censure
against all such as should ridicule, or blame, the holy office
of the inquisition.
The French commander sent word to the archbishop
that the prisoners had either ran away, or were so secure-
190 HISTORY OF THfi MARTYRF.
Ij concealed by their friends, or even by lis own officers,
that it was impossibte for him to send them back again;
an'^. therefore, the inquisition having committed such
atrocious actions, must now put up v»ith their exposure.
One of the ladies, thus happily delivered from captivity,
was afterwards married to the very French officer who
opened the door of her dungeon, and released her from
coniinement. This lady related the following circumstan-
ces to her husWind, and to M. Gavin, from the latter of
whom are selected the following material particulars: —
" 1 went one day," says the lady "with my mother, to
visit the Countess of * Attarass, and I met there Don Fran-
cisco Tirregon, her confessor, and second inquisitor of the
holy office.
'' After we had drank chocolate, he asked me my age,
my confessor's name, and many intricate questions about
religion. The severity of his countenance frightened me,
whicii he perceiving, told the countess to inform me, that
he v/as not so severe as he appeared. He then caressed
me in a most obliging manner, presented his hand, which
I kissed with great reverence and modesty; and, as he
went away, he made use of this remarkable expression:
*Mv- dear child, I shall remember you till the next time.'
I did not at the time mark the sense of the words ; for I
was inexperienced in matters of gallantry, being, at that
time, but fifteen years old. Indeed, he unfortunately did
remember me, for the very same night, when our whole
family were in bed, we heard a great knocking at the
door.
" The maid, who laid in the same room with me, went
to the window, and inquired who was there. — The answer
was, The Holy inquisition. On hearing this I screamed
out, 'Father! father! dear father, I am ruined for ever!'
My father got up, and came to me to know the occasion of
my crying out; I told him the inquisitors were at the door.
On hearing this, instead of protecting me, he hurried down
stairs as fast as possible ; and, lest the maid should be too
slow, opened the street door himself; under such abject
and slavish fears are bigotted minds ! A s soon as he knew
they came for me, he fetched me with great solemnity, and
delivered me to the officers with much submission*
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS, l97
*' I was hurried into a coach, with no other clothing
than a petticoat and a mantle, for they would not let me
stay to take any thing else. My fright was so great, I ex-
pected to die that very night; but judge my surprise,
when I was ushered into an apartment decorated with all
the elegance that taste, united with opulence, could be-
stow.
'* Soon after the officers left me, a maid-servant appear-
ed with a silver salver, on which were sweetmeats and
cinnamon-water. She desired me to take some refresh-
ments before I went to bed; 1 told her I could not, but
should be glad if she could inform me whether I was to
be put to death that night or not.
" ' To be put to death !' exclaimed sjie, *you do not come
here to be put to death, but to live like a princess, and you
shall want for nothing in the world, but the liberty of go-
ing out; so pray don't be afraid, but go to bed and sleep
easy; for to-morrow you shall see wonders within this
house ; and as I am chosen to be your waiting-maid, I
hope you'll be very kind to me.'
" I was going to ask some questions, but she told me
she must not answer any more 'till the next day, but as-
sured me that no body would come to disturb me; I am
going then, said she, about a little business, but I will
come back presently, for my bed is in the closet next
yours ; so she left me for about a quarter of an hour, and
then returned. She then said, ' madam, pray let me know
when you will be pleased to have your chocolate ready
in the morning."
" This greatly surprised me, so that without replying to
her question, I asked her name; — she said, 'my name is
Mary.' — ' Mary, then,' said I, ' for heaven's sake tell me
whether I am brought here to die or not?' — ' I have told
you already,' replied she, ' that you come here to be one
of the happiest ladies in the world.'
" We then went to bed, but the fear of death prevent-
ed me from sleeping the whole night; Mary waked, she
was surprised to find me up, btit soon rose, and after
leaving me for about half an hour, she brought in two
cups of chocolate, and some biscuits on a silver plate.
' 17* '■• ■•
198 HISTORV OF IHE MARTYRS.
" I drank one cup of chocolate, and desired her to drink
the other, which she did; when wehaddone,! said, 'Well,
Mary, can you give me any account of the reasons for my
being brought here?' To which she answered, 'Not yet,
madam, you must have patience,' and immediately slipped
out of the room.
" About half an hour after, she brought a great quan-
tity of elegant clothes, suitable to a lady of the highest r^k,
and told me, I must dress myself. Among several trinkets
which accompanied the clothes, I observed, with surprise,
a snuff-box, in the lid of which was a picture of Don
Fracisco Tirregon. This unravelled to me the mystery
of my confinement, and at the same time roused my im-
agination to contrive how to evade receiving the present.
If I absolutely refused it, I thought immediate death must
ensue ; and to accept it, was giving him too much encour-
agement against my honour. At length I hit upon a me-
dium, and said to Mary 'pray present my respects to Don
Francisco Tirregon, and tell him, that, as I could not
bring my clothes along with me last night, modesty per-
mits me to accept of these garments, which are requisite
io keep me decent; but since I do not take snuff, I hope
his lordship will excuse me in not accepting his box.'
" Mary went with my answer, and soon returned with
Don Francisco's picture elegantly set in gold, and richly
embellished with diamonds. This message accompanied
it: 'That his lordship had made a mistake; his intent not
being to send me a snuffbox, but his picture.' I was at a
great loss what to do; when Mary said, pray, madam,
take my poor advice; accept of the picture, and every
thing else which his lordship sends you ; for if you do not,
he can compel you tc what he pleases, and put you to
death when he thinks proper, without any body being able
to defend you. But if you are obliging to him,' continued
she, 'he will be very kind, and you will be as happy as a
queen; you will have elegant apartments to live in, beau-
tiful gardens to range in, and agreeable ladies to visit
you: therefore, I advise you to send a civil answer, and
even not to deny a visit from his lordship, or perhaps you
may repent of your disrespect.'
HISTORY QJ? TH« MAHTVR*. 199
"O, my God! exclaimed I, must I sacrifice my honour
to my fears, and give up my virtue to his despotick power?
Alas! what can I do? To resist is vain. If I oppose his
desires, force will obtain what chastity refuses. I now fell
into the greatest agonies, and told Mary to return what
answer she thought proper.
" She said, she was glad of my humble submission, and
ran to acquaint Don Francisco with it. In a few minutes
she returned, with joy in her countenance, telling me his
lordship would honour me with his company to supper.
'And now give me leave, madam,' says she, ' to call you
mistress,' for I am to wait upon you. I have been in the
holy office fourteen years, and know all the customs per-
fectly well; but as silence is imposed upon me, under pain
of death, I can only answer such questions as immediately
relate to your own person. But I would advise you never
to oppose the holy father's will; or if you see any young
ladies about, never ask them any questions. You may
divert yourself sometimes among them, but must never
tell them any thing: three days hence you will dine with
them; and at all times you may have musick, and other
recreations. In fine, you will be so happy, that you will
not wish to go abroad; and when your time is expired,
the holy fathers will send you out of this country, and
marry you to some nobleman.' After saying these words
she left me, overwhelmed witli astonishment, and scarce
knowing what to think. As soon as I recovered myself, I
began to look about, and finding a closet, I opened it, and
perceived that it was filled with books: they were chiefly
upon historical and profane subjects, but not any on
religious matters. I chose out a book of history, and so
passed the interval, with some degree of satisfaction, till
dinner-time.
" The dinner was served up with the greatest elegance,
and consisted of all that could gratify the most luxurious
appetite. When dinner was over, Mary left me, and told
me, if I wanted any thing I might ring a bell which she
pointed out to me.
"I read a book to amuse myself during the afternoon,
and at seven in the evening Don Francisco came to visit
200 HISTORY OP THE M\HTY11S.
me in his night-gown <tnd cap, not with the g^iviiy of an
inquisitor, but with thegayetyofa gallant.
" lie saluted me with great respect, and told me, Hhat
he came to see me in order to shew the great re^-pect he
had for my family, and to inform me, that it was my lovers
who had procured my confmement, having accused me in
matters of religion; and that the infoimations were taken,
and the sentence pronounced against me, to he burnt
alive in a dry pan, with a gradual fire; but that he, out of
pity and love to my family, had stopped the execution
of it.'
"These words were like daggers to my heart; I drop-
ped at his (eet, and said, ^\h, my lord! have you stopped
the execution for ever?' He replied, Hhat belongs to
yourself only,' and abruptly wished me good night.
" As soon as he was gone I burst into tears, when Mary
came and asked what could make me cry so bitterly. To
which I answered, *0h, Mary, what is the meaning of the
dry pan and gradual fire? for I am to die by them.'
" ' Madam,' said she, 'never fear, you shall see, ere long,
the dry pan and gradual fire ; but they are made for those
that oppose the holy father's will, not for you that are so
good as to obey it. JBut pray, said she, was Don Francisco
very obliging?' — 'I don't know,' said I, 'for he frightened
me out of my wits by his discourse: he saluted me with
civility, but he left me abruptly.'
" ' Well, said Mary, you do not yet know his temper:
he is extremely obliging to them that are kind to him; but
if they are disobedient, he is as unmerciful as Nero: so,
for your own sake, take care to oblige him in all respects;
and now, dear madam, pray go to supper, and be easy.' 1
went to supper, indeed, and afterwards to bed ; but I could
neither eat or sleep, for the dry pan and gradual fire de-
prived me of appetite, and banished drowsiness.
" Early the next morning, Mary said, that as no body
was stirring, if I would promise her secrecy, she would
show me the dry pan and gradual fire; so taking me down
stairs, she brought me to a large room, with a thick iron
door, which she opened. Within it was an oven, with
fire in it at the time, and a large brass pan upon it, with
^ cover of the same, and a lock to it. In the next room
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 201
there was a great wheel, covered on both sides with thick
boards ; opening a little window in the centre, Mary de-
sired me to look in with a candle : there I saw all the
circumference of the wheel, set with sharp razors, which
made me shudder,
" She then took me to a pit, which was full of venomous
animals. On my expressing great horrour at the sight,
she said, * Now, my good mistress. Til tell jou the use of
these things. The dry pan is for hereticks,and those whoop-
pose the holy father's will and pleasure : they are put alive
into the pan, being first stripped naked, and the cover
being locked down, the executioner begins to put a small
fire into the oven, and by degrees, he augments it, till the
body is reduced to ashes. The wheel is designed for
those who speak against the pope, or the holy fathers of
the inquisition ; for they arc put into that machine through
the little door, which is locked after them, and then the
wheel is turned swiftly, till they are cut all to pieces. The
pit is for those who contemn the images, and refuse to
give proper respect to ecclesiastical persons; for they are
thrown into the pit, and so become the food of poisonous
animals,"
" We went back again to my chamber, and Mary said,
that another day she would show me the torments de-
signed for other transgressors; but I was in such agonies
at what I had seen, that I begged to be terrified with no
more such sights. She soon after left me, but not without
enjoining my strict obedience to Don Francisco ; ' For if
you do not comply with his will,' says she, Hhe dry pan
and gradual fire will be your fate.
" The horrours which the sight of these things, and
Mary's expressions, impressed on my mind, almost berea-
ved me of my senses, and left me In such a state of stu-
pefaction, that I seemed to have no manner of will of my
own.
" The next morning Mary said, now let me dress you
as nice as possible, for you must go and wish Don Fran=
cisco good-morrow, and breakfast with him. When I was
dressed, she conveyed me through a gallery into his apart-
ment, where I found that he was in bed. He ordered
•i02 . illSTOllY OF THE martyhs.
Mary to withdraw, and to serve up breakfast in about two
hours time. When Mary was gone, he connmanded me
to undress myself, and come to bed to him. The manner
in which he spoke, and the dreadful ideas with which my
mind was filled, so terribly frightened me, that 1 pulled off
my clothes, without knowing what I did, and stept into
bed, insensible of the indecency I was transacting: so to-
tally had the care of sell-preservation absorbed all my
other thoughts, and so entirely were the ideas of delicacy
obliterated by the force of terrour!
"Thus, to avoid the dry pan, did I entail upon myself
perpetual infamy; and to escape the so much dreaded
gradual fire, give myself up to the flames of lust,-~
Wretched alternative, where the only choice is an excru-
ciating death, or everlasting pollution!
"Mary came at the expiration of two hours, and se rved
us with chocolate in the most submissive manner ; fo. she
kneeled down by the bed-side to present it. When J was
dressed, Mary took me to a very delightful aparti lent,
which I had never yet seen. It was furnished with the
most costly elegance-, but what gave me the greatest as-
tonishment was the prospect from its windows, of a beau-
tiful garden, and a fine meandering river. Mary told me,
that the young ladies she had mentioned would come to
pay their compliments to me before dinner, and begged
me to remember her advice^ in keeping a prudent guard
over my tongue.
"In a few minutes a great number of very beautiful
young ladies, richly dressed, entered the room, and suc-
cessively embracing me, wished me joy. I was so sur-
prised, that I was unable to answer their compliments;
which one of the ladies perceiving, said, 'Madam, the soli-
tude of this place will effect you in the beginning, but
when you begin to feel the pleasures and amusements we
enjoy, you will quit those pensive thoughts. We, at pres-
ent, beg the honour of you to dine with us to-day, and
henceforward three days in a week.' I returned them
suitable thanks in general terms, and so we went to dinner,
in which the most exquisite and savoury dishes, of various
kinds, were served up, with the most delicate and pleasant
HISTORY OF THF. MARTYRS, 203
fruits and sweetmeats. The room was long, with two ta-
bles GO each side, and a third in the front. I re<koned
fifty-two young ladies, the eldest not exceeding twenty-
four years of age, Tliere were five maid-servants^ besides
Mary, to wait upon us; but Mary confined her attention
to me alone. After dinner we retired to a capacious
gallery, where some played on musical instruments, a few
diverted themselves with cards, and the rest amused them-
selves with walking about, Mary, at length, entered the
gallery, and said, ' Ladies, this is a day of recreation, and
so you may go into whatever rooms you please, till eight
o'clock in the evening,'
" They unanimously agreed to adjourn to my apartment.
Here we found a most elegant cold collation, of which all
the ladies partook, and passed the time in innocent con-
versation, and harmless mirth: but none mentioned a word
concerning the inquisition, or the holy fathers, or gave the
least distant hint concerning the cause of their confine-
ment.
" At eight o'clock Mary rang a bell, which was a signal
for all to retire to their respective apartments, and I was
conducted to the chamber of Don Francisco, where I slept*
The next morning Mary brought me a richer dress than
any I had yet had ; and as soon ,as I retired to my apart-
ment, all the ladies came to wish me good-morning, dressed
much richer than the preceding day. We passed the
time till eight o'clock in the evening, in much the same
manner as we had done the day before. At that time the
bell rung, the separation took place, and I was conducted
to Don Francisco's chamber. The next morning I had a
garment richer than the last, and they accosted me in ap-
parel still more sumptuous than before. The transactions
of the two former days were repeated on the third, and
the evening concluded in a similar manner.
. " On the fourth morning Mary came into Don Francis-
co's chamber, and told me I must immediately rise, for a
lady wanted me in her own chamber. She spoke with a
kind of authority that surprised me ; but as Don Francisco
did not speak a syllable, I got up and obeyed, Mary then
conveyed me into a dismal dungeon, not eight feet in
204 HISTORY OP THE MARTY life.
leagth; and said sternly to n.e, 'This is your room, and
this lady your hed-iellow and coir.panion.' At which
words she bounced out of the room, and left me in the ut-
most consternation.
" After remaining a considerable time in the most dread-
ful agonies, tears came to my relief, and 1 exclaimed,
* What is this place, dear lady! Is it a scene of enchant-
ment, or is it a hell upon earth? Alas! I have lost my
fother and mother; and, what is worse, I have lost my
honour, and my soul, for ever.'
" The lady took me by the hand, and said, in a sympa-
thizing tone of voice. ' Dear sister, for this is the name I
shall henceforth give you, forbear to cry and grieve, for
you can do nothing by such an extravagant behaviour, but
draw upon yourself a cruel death. Your misfortunes,
and those of all the ladies you have seen, are exactly of a
piece: you suffer nothing but what we have suffered before
you ; but w^e dare not show our grief, for fear of greater
evils. Pray take courage, and hope in God, for he will
surely deliver us from this hellish place ; but be sure you
discover no uneasiness before Mary, who is the only instru-
ment either of your torments, or comfort. Have patience
till we go to bed, and then I- will venture to tell you more
of the matter.'
" My perplexity and vexation were inexpressible ; but
my new companion, whose name was Leonora, prevailed
on me to disguise my uneasiness from Mary. I dissem-
bled tolerably well when she came to bring our dinners ;
but could not help remarking, in my own mind, the differ-
ence between this repast and those I had before partook
of. This consisted only of plain, common food, and of
that a scanty allowance, with only one plate, and one
knife and fork for us both, which she took away as soon as
we had dined,
"When we were in bed, Leonora was as good as her
word ; and, upon my solemn promise of secrecy, thus be-
gan to open her mind to me :
" My dear sister, you think your case very hard, but, I
assure you, all the ladies in the house have gone through
the same. In time you will know all their stories, s^s
HISTORY OF THE MARTYKS. 205
they hope to know yours. I suppose Mary hns been thie
chief instrument of your fright, as she has been of ours;
and 1 warrant she has shown you some horrible places,
though not all ; and that, at the very thought of them, you
were so terrified, that you chose the same way we have
done, to redeem yourself from death. By what hath
happened to us, we know that Don Francisco hath been
your Nero, your tyrant; for the three colours of our
clothes are the distinguishing tokens of the three holy fa-
thers. The red silk belongs to Don Francisco, the blue
to Don Guerrero, and the green to Don Aliaga; and they
always give those colours (after the farce of changing gar-
ments, and the short-lived recreations are over) to those
ladies whom they bring here for their respective uses.
"We are strictly "commanded to express all the demon-
strations of joy, and to be very merry for three days, Ivhen
a young lady first comes amongst us, as we did with you,
and as you must nov/ do with others. But afterwards we
live like the most wretched prisoners, without seeing any
body but Mary, and the other maid-servants, over whom
Mary hath a kind of superiority, for she acts as house-
keeper. We all dine in the great hail three days in a
week; when any one of the inquisitors hath a mind
for one of his slaves, Mary comes about nine o'clock, and
leads her to his apartm.ent.
^' Some nights Mary leaves the doors of our chambers
open, and that is a token that one of the inquisitors hath
a mind to come that night; but he comes so silently, that
we are ignorant whether he is our patron or not. If one
of us happens to be with child, she is removed into a bet-
ter chamber till she is delivered; but during the whole of
her pregnancy, she never sees any body but the person
appointed to attend her.
'* As soon as the child is born it is taken away, and car-
ried we know not whither; for we never hear a syllable
Mentioned about it afterwards. I have been in this house
six years, was not fourteen w,hen the officers took me from
my father's house, and have hac| one child. There are,
at this present time, fifty-two young ladies in the house;
but we annually lose six or eight, though w^e know not
18
206 HISTORV OF THE MARTVRS.
what becomes of them, or whither they are sent. Thib^
however, does not diminish our number, for new ones are
always brought in to supply the place of those who are
removed from hence ; and 1 remember, at one time, to
have seen seventy-three ladies here together. Our con-
tinual torment is to reflect, that when they are tired of
any of the ladies, they certainly put to death those they
pretend to send away ; for it is natural to think, that they
have too much policy to suffer their atrocious and infernal
villanies to be discovered, by enlarging them. Hence oujr
situation is miserable indeed, and we have only to pray
that the Almighty will pardon those crimes which we are
compelled to commit. Therefore, my dear sister, arm
yourself with patience, for that is the only palliative to
give you any comfort, and put a firm confidence in the
providence of Almighty God.'
"This discourse of Leonora greatly affected me ; but 1
found every thing to be as she told me in the course of time,
and I took care to appear as cheerful as possible before
Mary. In this manner I continued eighteen months, du-
ring which time eleven ladies were taken from the house ;
but in lieu of them we got nineteen new ones, which
made our number just sixty at the time we were so hap-
pily relieved by the French officers, and providentially
restored to the joys of society, and to the arms of our pa-
rents and friends. On that happy day, the door of my
dungeon was opened by the gentleman who is now my
husband, who, with the utmost expedition, sent both Leo-
nora and me to his father's; and (soon after the campaign
was over) when he returned home, he thought proper to
make me his wife, in which situation I enjoy a recompense
for all the miseries I before suffered."
From the foregoing narrative it must be evident, that
the inquisitors were a set of libidinous villains, lost to ev-
ery just idea of religion, and totally destitute of humanity.
Those who possessed wealth, beauty, or liberal sentiments,
were sure to find enemies in them. Avarice, lust, and
prejudice, were their ruling passions; and they sacrificed
every law, human and divine, to gratify their predominant
desires. Their supposed piety was affectation ; their pre-
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 207
tended compassion hypocrisy; their justice depended on
their will; and their equitable punishments were founded
on their prejudices. None were secure from them; all
ranks fell equally victims to their pride, their power, their
avarice, or their aversion.
CHAP. V.
AN ACCOUNT OP THE SUFFERINGS OP JOHN COUSTOS.
Mr. John Coustos, a native of Berne, in Switzerland,
was by trade a jeweller and lapidary; and as he intended
to settle in England, got himself naturalized, and lived in
London, twenty-two years. He then went to Paris, where
he resided five years ; after which he removed to Lisbon
in Portugal, where he obtained the acquaintance of sever*-
al substantial jewellers, and other persons of credit, who
made him the kindest and most generous offers, in case he
would reside among them; w^hich he accepted, and set-
tled in the above-mentioned city, equally to the satisfaction
of his friends, his employers, and himself.
The officers of the inquisition were sent after Mr, Cous-
tos; and they seized him in the name of the Holy Inquisi-
tion, in a coffee-house, between nine and ten at night.
L^pon their seizing him, they divested him of his sword ;
then handcuffed him, and forced him into a chaise drawn
by two mules, and in this condition he was hurried away
to the prison of the inquisition.
Upon arriving at the prison, he was delivered up to the
officer of this pretended holy place : who called four guards,
and he was conveyed to an apartment, until such time as
notice should be given to the President.
He was next searched, and stripped of every thing, and
led to a lonely dungeon, and forbidden to speak loud, or
knock at the walls, but, in case he wanted any thing, to
beat against the door, with a padlock that hung on the
outward door, and which he could reach by thrusting his
hands through the iron grates.
1 He passed one day and two nights in great agitation of
208 IIISfORY Ol' THE MARTYRS.
mind, heightened, at every Httle interval, by the eoiii-
plaints, the dismal cries, and iiollov^^ groans of several oth-
er prisoners. It was now that time seemed to have lost
all motion, and these three-score hours appeared to him
like so many years.
His innocence, however, had so calmed his mind, that
neither tlie supposed partiality of his judges, nor the
dreadful ideas of their cruelty, could intimidate him at
that time.
He was next shaved, and led bare-headed to the Presi-
dent and four inquisitors, who, upon his coming in, bid him
kneel down and lay his right hand on the Bible, and swear,
in the presence of Almighty God, that he would speak tru-
ly with regard to all the questions they should ask him.
They then asked him his christian and surname, those of
his parents, the place of his birth, profession, religion, and
how long he had resided in Lisbon.- — These questions he
duly answered 5 and then they proceeded to address him
as follows: —
" Son, you have offended and spoken injuriously of the
Holy Office, as we know from very good hands ; for which
reason we exhort you to make confession, and accuse your-
self of the several crimes you have committed, from the
time you was capable of judging between good and evil,
to the present moment; in doing this, you will excite the
compassion of this Tribunal, which is ever merciful and
kind to those who speak the truth."
In answer to this solemn chaxge and admonition, he be-
sought them to let him know the cause of his imprison-
jnent; that having been born and educated in the protes-
tant religion, he had been taught from his infancy not to
confess his sins before men, but to God, who, as he only
can see into the inmost recesses of the human heart, knows
the sincerity or insincerity of the sinner's repentance ; and
being his Creator, it was he alone who could absolve him.
Three days after, they brought him forward again, and
asked him if b<? intended to confess his sins to them or not;
upon which he replied as before. They then asked him
if he was a Freemason; to which he answered in the af-
firmative. They then told him " that Freemasonry was
'history op the martyrs. 209
forbidden in Portugal; and that it was a great crime to
be a Freemason; and all who belonged to the society
were, by the laws of that kingdom, liable to be severely
punished.
Some time afterwards they sent for him again, and read
the sentence they had fixed on, which was —
"That he was adjudged to suffer the tortures employed
by the Holy Office, being a heretick, and for refusing to
discover the secrets of Masonry."
He was thereupon instantly conveyed to the torture-
room, built in the form of a square tower, where no light
appeared but what two candles gave ; and to prevent the
dreadful cries and shocking groans of the unhappy victim
from reaching the ears of the publick, the doors were lin-
«ed with a sort of quilt.
He was seized with horrour, when, at his entering this
infernal place, he saw himself surrounded by six wretches,
who, after preparing the tortures, stripped him naked (all
except his linen drawers) and laid him on his back on a
kind of table, when they began to lay hold of every part
of his body. First, they put round his neck an iron collar,
v/hich was fastened to the scaffold ; they then fixed a ring
to each foot; and this being done, the inquisitors asked
}iim "if he would now reveal those secrets?" he told them,
'^' he would never reveal them."
Upon which the signal was given; and these six wretch-
es pulled with all their might, and stretched his limbs.
He was then asked again, "if he would reveal those
secrets?" but he answered as before.
They next tied two ropes round each of his arms, and
two round each of his thighs; which ropes passed under
the scaffold, through holes made for that purpose, and be-
ing drawn tight at the same time by these men, u})on a
signal given for that purpose, the cords cut throughthe
flesh to the bone, making the blood gush out at the eight
different places that were thus bound.
By this time they thought they had so far overcome him
with pain, that he would now certainly confess, and they
put the question to him again, but he still persisted in- re-
lusing. Whereupon a fresh signal was given, and the
18*-
210 HISTORY OP THK MARTYRS.
ropes were drawn tight four different times, piercing to
tlie bone each time; and Mr. Coustos, with the fortitude
of a christian, constantly persisted in his refusal, and de-
clared that he would lose his life sooner than divulge any
thing belonging to his fraternity ; to which they replied,
that, " he had only himself' to thank for the sufferings he
had endured, and if he were to die under the torture, he
would be guilty, through his own obstinacy, of self-mur-
der." However their wish was not to kill him immedi-
ately, for they placed a physician and surgeon at his side,
who often felt his temples, to judge of the danger he
might be in, by which means his tortures were suspended
at intervals, that he might have an opportunity of recov-
ering himself a little.
After having endured this torture three times in the
course of half an hour, they again asked him if he were
still determined to persist in his refusal, when poor Cous-
tos gave the same answer as before: the signal was then
given by the president and the ropes were immediately
drawn tight once more, making the fourth time, upon
which he grew so weak, occasioned by the excessive* pain
and loss of blood, that he fainted away, and the doctors
declared he could bear no more at that time, so he was
supported between two men, and taken to his dungeon in
a state of insensibility; nor did he come to himself until
the next morning, wh'en he found himself unable to walk
or stand; the surgeon, however, attended him to dress his
wounds, and in the course of a month he found himself
fast recovering, and hoped, after such cruelty, they would
have set him at liberty; but in this he found himself mis-
taken, they cured him merely to have further revenge,
when he was more able to endure a fresh torture; for it
seems they were determined to put him in a more severe
torture shortly, hoping thereby to get at the desired infor-
mation, as the tortures he had already suffered seemed to
make no impression on his fortitude. Thus, the more they
made him suffer, the more fervently they heard him ad-
dress his supplications to heaven, for patience and strength
to go through the operations. In about six weeks he was
60 far recovered as to be thought able to undergo another
I
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 21 1
torture, more grievous, if possible, than the former; he
was accordingly brought again into the torture-room; and
the president then addressed him, and endeavoured to
convince him that "it was through his own obstinacy that
he had suffered so much, but that if he continued obstin-
ate, there were still greater tortures for him to go through,
and that he had better comply with the injunctions of the
holy office; that in respect to the oath he had taken, it
was nothing before them, for they could free and absolve
him from his oath; and if he would turn from his own, and
embrace the Roman catholick religion, his eyes would so
far be opened, that he would be able to see right from
wrong, and discover his own rashness in all the arguments
he had used ; that the holy office was merciful to such as
would confess and speak the truth, and turn from their re-
ligion.
Coustos was in a trying situation : he had life and death
placed before his eyes, and he was to choose which he
would accept; but he told the wicked and barbarous in-
quisitors the same as he had repeatedly told them before,
that **they might hang, burn, torture, or in any other man-
ner destroy him, if they chose ; for although he had suffer-
ed the torture many times already, and although another
and more horrid torture now stared him in the face, ready
to torture him afresh, yet all this gave him only more for-
titude, and that he would smile at the executioners whilst
they accomplished their bloody ends ; he told them he
would meet the fresh tortures with a smile.
This language did not obtain any lenity, but, on the
contrary, irritated the inquisitors to such a degree, that
they immediately proceeded with a fresh torture, in the
following manner: —
They mad^ him stretch his arms in such a manner, that
the palms of his hands were turned outward, when, by the
help of a rope that fastened them together at the wrist,
and which they turned by an engine, they drew them
gently nearer to one anpther behind, in such a manner,
that the back of each hand touched, and stood exactly pa-
rallel one to the other; whereby both his shoulders were
dislocated, and a considerable quantity of blood issued
212 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
from his mouth. This torture was repeated thrice, mak-
ing the seventli torture he iiad undergone; after which he
was again taken to his dungeon, and put into the hands of
physicians and surgeons, who, in setting liis bones, put him
to exquisite pain.
Two months after, being a Uttle recovered, he was again
conveyed to the torture-room, and there made to undergo
another kind of torture. The reader may judge of its
horrour, from the following description: —
The torturers turned a thick iron chain twice round his
body, which, crossing upon his stomach, terminated after-
wards at iiis wrist; they next set his back against a thick
board, at each extremity whereof was a pulley, through
which there was run a rope that caught the ends of the
chains at his wrist. The tormentors tiien stretching these
ropes, by means of a roller, pressed or bruised his stomach
in proportion as the ropes were drawn tighter: they now
tortured him to such a degree, that his wrists and shoul-
ders were put out of joint. The surgeons, however, set
them presently after; but the barbarians not having yet
satiated their cruelty, made him undergo this torture a
second time, making the ninth torture, which he sustained
with fresh pains, though with equal constancy and resolu-
tion. He was then sent back to his dungeon, attended by
the surgeons, who dressed his bruises; and here he con-
tinued till their Auto de Fg.
The reader may now judge of the dreadful anguish this
worthy protestant had laboured under, the nine differ-
ent times they put him to the torture. Most of his limbs
were put out of joint, and bruised in such a manner, that
he was unable, during some weeks, to put his hand to his
mouth, his body being vastly swelled, by the inflamma-
tions caused by the frequent dislocations.
The day of the Auto de F6 being come, he was made
to walk in the procession with the other victims of this
tribunal. Being come to Saint Dominick's church, his
sentence was publickly read ; by .which he was condemn-
ed to the galley during four years.
He was accordi!igly conveyed to tliis galley, which was
a prison, standing by the river-side, consisting of two very
HISTORY OF THE MARTVRS. 21S
spacious rooms, built one over the other; that on the
ground-floor for the slaves, and the other for the sick and
officers of the prison. The slaves fastened two and tw^o,
by one foot only, with a chain eight feet long. At their
girdle was an iron hook, by which they shortened or
lengthened their chain to make the weight less trouble-
some. Their heads and beards were shaved once a month ;
and they wore coarse blue clothes, caps and coats.
Mr. Coustos was now obliged to join in the painful oc-
cupations of his fellow-slaves: however, the liberty he had
of speaking to his friends, after having been deprived of
even the sight of them during his tedious wretched abode
in the prison of the inquisition ; the open air he now breath-
ed ; with the satisfaction he felt in being freed from the
dreadful apprehensions which always overspread his mind
whenever he reflected on the uncertainty of his fate ; these
circumstances united, made him find the toils of the galley
much more supportable.
As Mr, Coustos had suffered greatly in his body by the
tortures, he was quite unfit to go about the painful labour
that was immediately allotted him, such as carrying wa-
ter to the other prisons of the city ; and exerting himself
beyond his strength, so that he shortly fell grievously sick.
He was then sent to the infirmary, where he continued
two months, during which time he was offered his release
provided he would turn Roman cathohck; but all these
endeavours were fruitless, as he was determined not to
become an apostate.
But he soon after found friends, who interceded with
one of the principal secretaries of state of Great Britain,
who supplicated for leave from his Sovereign that his
minister at Lisbon might demand him as a subject of this
country, which was granted, and the King of Portugal or-
dering him to be discharged ; he soon afterwards received
his liberation, and embarked on board a ship that was
then about to sail for England ; and he arrived at Ports-
mouth, after a long and dangerous voyage of about a
week. Immediately on landing, he set off* for the metro-
polis, and arrived in London on the 15th December, 1744»
an object of commiseration; for although his bones were
'214 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
set, and his wounds cured, vet his constitution was so im-
paired, that at intervals he felt the most excruciating pains,
which never totally left him until the day of his death, a
few years since, near Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire.
i
PART 4*
CHAPTER I.
FIRST PERSECUTIONS UNDER THE PAPACY, IN ITALY.
In the twelfth century the first persecutions began in
Italy, at the time that Adrian IV. an Englishman, was
pope, occasioned by the following circumstances.
A learned man, and an excellent orator of Brixia, na-
med Arnold, came to Rome, and boldly preached against
the corruptions and innovations which had crept into the
church. His discourses were so clear, consistent, and
breathed forth such a pure spirit of piety, that the sena-
tors, and many of the people, highly approved of, and ad-
mired his doctrines.
This so greatly enraged Adrian, that he commanded
Arnold instantly to leave the city, as a heretick. Ar-
nold, however, did not comply, for the senators and some
of tiie principal people took his part, and resisted the au-
thority of the pope.
Adrian now laid the city of Rome under an interdict,
which caused the whole body of clergy to interpose ; and,
at length, persuaded the senators and people to give up
the point, and suffer Arnold to be banished. This being
agreed to, he received his sentence of exile, and retired
to Germany, where he continued to preach against the
pope, and to expose the gross errours of the church of
Rome.
Adrian now thirsted for his blood, and made several at-
tempts to get him into his hands; but Arnold, for a long
time, avoided every snare laid for him. At length, Fre^-t
216 HISTORY or THE MARTYRS.
erick Barbarossa arriving at the imperial dignity, request*
ed that the pope would crown liim with his own hand.
This Adrian complied with, and at the same time asked
a favour of the emperour, which was, to put Arnold' into
his hands. The emperour very readily delivered up the
unfortunate preacher, who soon fell a martyr to Adrian's
vengeance, being hanged, and his body burnt to ashes, at
Apulia. The same fate attended several of his friends
and companions.
Encenas, a Spaniard, having been sent to Rome^to be
brought up in the Roman catholick faith; by conversing
with some of the reformed, and reading several treatises
which they had put into his hands, he became a protes-
tant. This being discovered, one of his own relations in-
formed against him, when he was burnt by order of the
pope, and a conclave of cardinals. The brother of En-
cenas had been taken up about the same time, for having
a New Testament, in the Spanish language, in his posses-
sion; but before the time appointed for his execution, he
found means to escape out of prison, and retired to Ger-
many.
Faninus, a learned layman, by reading controversial
books, -became of the reformed religion. An information
being exhibited against him to the pope, he was apprehcn-
<^ed, and cast into prison. His wife, children, relations,
and friends, visited him in his confinement, and so far
wrought upon his mind, that he renounced his faith, and
obtained his release. But he was no sooner free from
confinement, than his mind felt the heavy weight of a
guilty conscience. His horrours were so great, that he
found them insupportable, till he had returned from his
apostasy, and declared himself fully convinced of the
errours of the church of Rome. To make amends for
his falling off, he now openly and strenuously did all he
could to make converts to protestantism, and was success-
ful in his endeavours. These proceedings occasioned his
second imprisonment; but his life was offered him if he
would again recant. This proposal he rejected with dis-
dain, saying, " that he scorned life upon such terms." —
Being asked "why he would obstinately persist in his
HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS. 21T
opinions, and leave his wife and children in distress ;" he
replied, "I shall not leave them in distress, I have re-
commended them to the care of an excellent trustee." —
""What trustee?'' said the person who had asked the
question, with some surprise: to which Faninus answered,
" Jesus Christ is the trustee I mean, and I think I could
not commit them to the care of a better." On the day
of execution he appeared remarkably cheerful, which
some one observing, said, " It is strange you should appear
so merry upon such an occasion, when Jesus Christ him-
self, just before his death, was in such agonies, that he
sweated blood and water." To which Faninus replied ;
" Christ sustained all manner of pangs and conflicts, with
hell and death, on our accounts; and thus, by his suffer-
ings, freed those who really believe in him from the fear of
them," He was then strangled, and his body burnt to
ashes.
Dominicus, a learned soldier, after reading several
controversial writings, became a zealous protestant, and
retired to Placentia, where he preached the gospel in its
utmost purity, to a very considerable congregation. At
the conclusion of his sermon one day, he said, "If the
congregation will attend to-morrow, I will give them a
description of Anti-Christ, and paint him out in his proper
colours."
A vast concourse of people attended the next day ; but
just as Dominicus was beginning his sermon, a civil magis-
trate went up to his pulpit, and took him mto custody. —
He readily submitted; but, as he went along with the
magistrate, made use of this expression: "I wonder the
devil hath let me alone so long." When he was brought
to examination, this question was put to him: "Will you
renounce your doctrines?" He replied; "My doctrinesl
I maintain no doctrines of my own; what I preach are
the doctrines of Christ, and for those I will forfeit my
blood, and even think myself happy to suffer for the sake
of my Redeemer." Every method was taken to make
him reca it, and embrace the errours of the church of
Rome; but when persuasions and menaces were found
19
2tS HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS,
ineffectual, he was sentenced to death, and hanged in the
market-place.
Galeacius, a protestant gentleman, whose residence was
near the castle of St. Angelo at Rome, was apprehended
on account of his faith. Great endeavours having been
used by his friends, he recanted, and subscribed to several
of the superstitious doctrines propagated by the Romish
church. Becoming, however, sensible of his errour, he
publicly renounced his recantation ; on which he was again
apprehended, and condemned to be burnt; agreeably to
this order, he was chained to a stake, where he was left
several hours before the fire was put to the fagots, in
order that his wife, relations, and friends, who surrounded
him, might induce him to give up his opinions. Galeaciusj,
however, now retained his constancy of mind, and entrea-
ted the executioner to put fire to the wood that was to
burn him. This, at length, was done, and Galeacius was
«oon consumed in the flames, which burnt with amazing
rapidity, and deprived him of sensation in a few minutes.
Soon after this gentleman's death, a great number of
protestants were put to death in various parts of Italy, on
account of their faith, giving a sure proof of their sincer-
ity in their martyrdoms.
The state of Venice having been free from the power
of the inquisition, many of the protestants fixed their res-
idence there, and many converts were made by the purity
of the doctrines they professed, induced by the inoffen-
siveness of their lives and conversation.
The pope being disturbed by the great increase of pro-
testantism, sent inquisitors in the year 1542, to Venice, to
apprehend such as they might deem obnoxious persons. —
Thus commenced a severe persecution, by which many
worthy persons were martyred for serving God with
purity, and scorning the trappings of idolatry.
Various were the modes by which the protestants were
deprived of life ; but a particular method was invented
upon this occasion: as soon as sentence was passed, the
prisoner had an iron chain, which ran through a great
stone, fastened to his body. He was then laid flat upon
a plank, with his face upwards, and rowed between two
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS* 219
boats to a certain distance at sea, when the boats separa-
ted, and he was sunk to the bottom by the weight of the
stone. This was, however, a more merciful mode of de-
struction than many we have been compelled to describe.
If any denied the jurisdiction of the inquisitors at Ve-
nice, they were sent to Rome, where, being committed
purposely to damp prisons, and never called to a hearing,
their flesh mortified, and they died miserably in their con-
finement.
A citizen of Venice, named Anthony Ricetti, being ap-
prehended as a protestant, was sentenced to be drowned
in the manner we have described. A few days previous
to the time appointed for his execution, his son went to
him, and begged him to recant, that his life might be
saved, and himself not left fatherless. To which the fa-
ther replied, "A good Christian is bound to relinquish not
only goods and children, but life itself, for the glory of his
Redeemer: therefore, I am resolved to sacrifice every
thing in this transitory v/orld, for the sake of salvation in
a world that will last to eternity." The senators of V^e-
nice likewise sent him word, that if he would embrace
the Roman catholick religion, they would not only give
liim his life, but redeem a considerable estate which he
had mortgaged, and freely present it to him. This, how-
ever, he absolutely refused to comply with, sending word
to the senators, that he valued his soul beyond all other
considerations ; and being told that a fellow-prisoner, na-
med Francis Sega, had recanted, he answered," If he has
forsaken God I pity him 5 but I shall continue steadfast in
my duty." Finding all endeavours to persuade him to
renounce his faith ineffectual, he was executed according
to his sentence, dying cheerfully, and commending his
soul fervently to the Almighty.
What Ricetti had been told concerning the apostasy
of Francis Sega was absolutely false, for he had never
offered to recant, but steadfastly persisted in his faith, and
was executed, a few days after Ricetti, in the same
manner.
Francis Spinola, a protestant gentleman of very great
Jeacning, being apjMreheaded by order of the inquisitors.
230 HISTORY OF THE MARTVRS.
wiis carried before their tribunal. A treatise on the
Lord's Supper was then put into his hands, and he was
asked if he knew the author of it. To which he rephed,
•'I confess myself to be the author of it, and at the same
time solemnly affirm, that there is not a line in it but what
is authorized by, and consonant to, the holy scriptures."
On this confession he was committed close prisoner to a
dungeon for several days.
Being brought to a second examination, he charged the
pope's legate and the inquisitors with being merciless
barbarians, and then represented the superstitions and
idolatries practised by the church of Rome in so glaring
.1 light, that not being able to refute his arguments, thcj
sent him back to his dungeon, to make him repent of what
he had said.
On his third examination, they asked him if he would
not recant his errours? To which he answered, that "the
doctrines he maintained were not erroneus, being purely
the same as those which Christ and his apostles had taught,
and which were handed down to us in the sacred writings."
The inquisitors then sentenced him to be drowned, which
was executed in the manner already described. He met
death with the utmost serenity, seeming to wish for disso-
lution, and declaring, that the prolongation of this life
did but tend to retard that real happiness which could be
only expected in the world to come.
A. D. 1555, Algerius, a very learned student in the
university of Padua, having embraced the reformed re-
ligion, did all he could to convert others. For these
proceedings he was accused of heresy to the pope, and
committed to the prison at Venice, where being allowed
the use of pen, ink, and paper, he wrote to his converts,
at Padua the following celebrated epistle:
"De\r Friends: — I cannot omit this opportunity of
letting you know the sincere pleasure I feel in my confine-
ment; to suffer for Christ is delectable, indeed; to under-
go a little transitory pain in this world, for his sake, is
cheaply purchasing a reversion of eternal glory in a lif©
that is everlasting,
. " Hence, I have found honey in the carcass of a lion ; a
HISTORY OF THE MARTVRS. 221
paradise tn prison; tranquility in the house of sorrow:
where others weep I rejoice; where others tremble and
foint, I find strength and courage. The Almighty alone
confers these favours on me; be his the glory and the
praise.
" How different do I find myself from what I was before
I embraced the truth in its purity; 1 was then dark, doubt
Jul, and in dread ; I am now enlightened, certain, and full
of joy. He that was far from me is now present with me ;
he comforts my spirits, heals my griefs, strengthens my
uiind, refreshes my heart, and fortifies my soul. Learn,
therefore, how merciful and amiable the Lord is, who
supports his servants under temptations, expels their sor-
rows, lightens their afflictions, and even visits them with
his glorious presence in the gloom of a dismal dungeon.
Your sincere friend,
ALGERIUS."
The pope, informed of Algerius's great learning, and
surprising natural abilities, thought it would be of infinite
service to the church of Rome, if he could induce him to
forsake protestantism. He, therefore, sent for him to
Rome, and tried, by the most profane promises, to win
him to his purpose. But finding his endeavours ineffec-
tual, he ordered him to be burnt, which sentence was
executed accordingly.
A. D. 1559, John Alloysius, being sent from Geneva to
preach in Calabria, was there apprehended as a protestant,
carried to Rome, and burnt by order of the pope ; and
James Bovellus, for the same reason, was burnt at
Messina.
A. D. 1560, pope Pius the fourth ordered all the pro-
testants to be severely persecuted throughout the Italian
states; the consequence was, that numbers of every age,
sex, and condition, suffered martyrdom. Concerning the
cruelties practised upon this occasion, a learned and hu-
mane Roman catholick thus speaks of them, in a letter to
a noble lord: " I cannot, my lord, forbear di closing my
sentiments, with respect to ithe persecution now going on:
. I think it cruel and unnecessary : I tremble at the manner
- 19*
^122 HISTORY OF THE MARTVRS.
o{ putting to death, as it resembles more the slaughter of
calves and sheep, than the execution of human beings. I
will relate to your lordship a dreadful scene, of which I
was myself an eye-Avitness: seventy protestants were
cooped up in one tiltliy dungeon together; the execution-
er went in among them, picked out one from among the
rest, blindfolded him, led him out to an open place before
the prison, and cut his throat with the greatest composure.
He then calmly walked into the prison again, bloody as
he was, and with the knife in his hand selected another,
and despatched him in the same manner; and this, my lord,
he repeated, till the whole number were put to death. I
leave it to your lordship's feelings to judge of my sensations
upon the occasion; my tears now wash the paper upon
which I give you the recital. Another thing I must
mention, the patience with which they met death: they
seemed all resignation and piety, fervently praying to God,
and cheerfully encountering their fate, I cannot reflect,
without shuddering, how the executioner held the bloody
knife between his teeth; what a dreadful figure he ap-
peared, all covered -^vith blood, and with what unconcern
ne executed his barbarous ofiice!"
A young Englishman, who happened to be at Rome,
was one day passing by a church, when the procession of
the host was just coming out. A bishop carried the host,
which the young man perceiving, he snatched it from him,
threw it upon the ground, and tramped it under his feet^
crying out, " Ye wretched idolaters, that neglect the true
God to adore a morsel of bread." This action so pro-
voked the people, that they would have torne him to pie-
ces upon the spot; but the priests persuaded them to let
him abide by the sentence of the pope.
When the transaction was represented to the pope, he
was so greatly exasperated that he ordered the prisoner
to be burnt immediately; but a cardinal dissuaded him
from this hasty sentence, saying, " it were better to punish
him by slow degrees, and to torture him, that they might
find out if he had been instigated by any particular per-
son to commit so atrocious an act."
^ This being approved, he was tortured with the most
HISTORY OF THE MARTVRS. 223
exemplary severity, notwithstanding which they could
only get these words from him, " it was the will of God
that I should do what I did."
The pope then passed this sentence upon him:
1. Tliat he should be led by the executioner, naked to
the middle through the streets of Rome.
2. That he should wear the image of the devil upon
his head.
3. That his breeches should be painted with the repre-
sentation of flames.
4. That he should have his right hand cut off.
5. That after having been carried about thus in pro-
cession, he should be burnt.
When he heard his sentence pronounced, he implored
God to give him strength and fortitude to go through it.
As he passed through the streets he was greatly derided
by the people, to whom he said some severe things ve^
pecting the Romish superstition. But a cardinal, who
attended the procession, over-hearing him, ordered him
to be gagged.
When he came to the church door, where he trampled
on the host, the hangman cut off his right hand, and fixed
it on a pole. Then two tormentors, with flaming torches,
scorched and burnt his flesh all the rest of the way. At
the place of execution he kissed the chains that were to
bind him to the stake. A monk presenting the figure of
a saint to him, he struck it aside, and then being chained
to the stake, fire was put to the fagots, and he was soon
consumed to ashes.
Soon after the last-mentioned execution, a venerable
old man, who had long been a prisoner in the inquisition,
was condemned to be burnt, and brought out for execu-
tion. When he was fastened to the stake a priest held a
crucifix to him, on which he said, "If you do not take
that idol from my sight, you will constrain me ^o spit
upon it." The priest rebuked him for this with great
severity; but he bade him remember the first and second
commandments, and refrain from idolatry, as God himself
commanded. He was then gagged, that he should not
speak any more, and fire being put to the fagots, he suf-
fered martvrdom in the flames.
i24 HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS.
CHAP. II.
PERSECUTIONS IN THE VALTOLINE.
This tine district composed part of the possessions of
the Grison lords, who, as petty sovereigns, had granted
several decrees in favour of tlie protestants. The papists,
however, of the Valtoline, hore them great maUce, which
first appeared pubUckly at the village of Tell, where they
broke into a protestant congregation whilst the minister
was preaching, and murdered several of the people.
They afterwards surrounded the village, and guarded
all the avenues: then parading the streets, they immedi-
ately shot every protestant they met. Many that were
sick were strangled in their beds; others had their brains
beat out with clubs; and several were drowned in the
river Alba.
Among others, a nobleman^, who had hid himself behind
some bushes in the river, being discovered, implored their
pity on account of his family, having a great number of
children. The papists, however, told him, that this was
no time for mercy, unless he would renounce his faith.
To which he replied, " God forbid, that to save this tem-
porary life, I should deny my Redeemer, and perish eter-
nally." These words were scarcely out of his mouth,^
than they cut him to pieces.
They broke into the house of the chief magistrate of
the village, who was a protestant, and murdered him and
his family. Women and girls they detiled, and put them
to death by various means, viz.
Hanging, broiling, ripping open, -cutting the throat,
worrying with dogs, worrying by fastening cats to several
parts of the body, drowning, frying in a dry pan, stabbing,
beheading, stoning, boiling in oil, pouring hot lead down
the throat, racking, &c. &c.
In short, in Tell and its neighbourhood, there only es-
caped, with their lives, three persons, who providentially
passed the Alps.
The papists, having thus exterminated the protestants
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 225
at Tell, now marched in triumph to a town at some miles
distance, and persuading the popish inhabitants to join
them, they determined to repeat the same bloody tragedy.
Being informed by two friars, that a protestant congrega-
tion was then assembled in the town, they went to the
place, surrounded it, siiot many through the windows,
knocked others on the head who attempted to run out,
and then setting the town on fire, burnt the rest.
After thus destroying those who had met together to
serve God, they visited the private houses of protestants,
and having murdered all they could find, proceeded with
drums beating, and colours flying, to the town of Sondres.
On their approach, the papists of the town pretended
they did not approve of the proceedings of those who
were coming: and, therefore, if the protestants thought
proper to put confidence in them^ they would guard them
from" the impending danger. Most of the protestants in-
discreetly believed them, and the papists arming them-
selves, surrounded the intended victims, under the pretence
of protecting them; but no sooner did their bloody breth-
ren appear, than they treacherously murdered those whom
they had promised to defend. However, eighteen men,
who suspected the sinister designs of the Roman catholicks,
had well armed themselves, and taking their wives and
children with them, they determined to attempt an escape.
They marched with great regularity, and were frequently
attacked by the papists, but they repulsed them with
great bravery, and kept in so compact a body, that the
papists could not break them. They proceeded in this
manner till they came to a church, where they found
seventy-three men armed, who were all protestants. This
body they joined, and both proceeded together through
the valley of Malone, where the papists made several un-
successful attacks upon them; for, by the providence of
God, they passed the Alps, and arrived in places of safety.
The property of those who were murdered, or made
their escape, became the plunder of the papists who had
committed these cruelties; and they paid themselves for
their inhumanity, by stealing th^ effects of those they
had destroyed.
226 HISTORY OP THE MAHTYHS.
In another place they seized a lady of very considerable
fortune, and of the most eminent virtues, telling her, they
insisted upon her renouncing her religion: this she abso-
iutely refused to do, when one of the papists said, "If you
won't recant for your own sake, do it for the sake of the
child you hold in your arms ; or else both yourself, and
that too, shall be put to death." The lady, remaining
inflexible, was hewn to pieces ; but the child being remark*
ably pretty, they changed their resolution, and instead
of killing it, put it to a popish nurse.
In a little town, from which the men had made their
escape, a number of protestant women were seized, and
taken to the top of a high precipice, when they were told
that their only alternative was to be hurled down, or go to
mass. One woman, through fear, consented ; but the rest
retained their resolution, when the papists suddenly pushed
them all down the cragged rocks, saying to her that con-
«Jented, " As we know you are not sincere, you shall go with
the rest."
Dominico Berto, a protestant youth aged only sixteen,
was set upon an ass with his fece to the tail, and the tail
in his hand for a bridle. In this manner he was led round
the town for the derision of the populace ^ when being
taken to the market-place, they cut off his nose and ears,
bored holes in his cheeks, and scarified his body with red-
hot pincers ; so that he expired under the excess of his
torments.
Theophilus Messina was shot with a musket-ball, but
the wound not proving mortal, they GiTetch«d open bia
mouth, filled it with gunpowder, and setting fire to it,
blew his head to pieces I
The papists stripped s(?veral of their victims naked,
gave them many wounds, carried them into the woods,
and there left them to perish. They threw many into the
Adda, from the bridges over that river; some had their
mouths slit to their ears, and numbers had slices of their
flesh cut off till they expired.
A noble protestant lady was seized, and carried almost
naked through the streets, with a paper mitre upon her
head, and her face besmeared with dirt. A priest struck
HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS. 225^
her on the cheek, and said, " why don't you implore the
mercy of the saints?'' to which she replied, ** my trust and
salvation is in Jesus Christ only; 'tis not the saints, nor tiie
Virgin Mary, but my Redeemer alone that can save me."
Exasperated at this speech, they carried her into the iields,
and stoned her to death.
The pope sent a letter to these bloody papists of the
Valtoline, approving of their conduct in what they had
done, and recommending them not to leave a protestant
alive, if they could possibly help it. This gave the ruffians
new spirits, and redoubled their ardour for blood: they
sought their prey with the greatest avidity, killing the
protestants in the streets, murdering them in their houses,
and hunting them in the woods; or^i f they fied to caves
for shelter, shutting up the moutBH|f the caves till they
were famished. By these means, they totally extermina-
ted the protestants from the towns and villages of Tell,
Bruse, Malenco, Caspano, Tyrane, Sondres, Berbenno,
and Trahen.
Patience under sufferings, and perseverance in the faith,
are the true signs of pure religion: these poor persecuted
protestants met their martyrdoms with fortitude; con-
scious, that for. the barbarities they underwent here, a
glorious reward was reserved for them, in a life which
should last to eternity.
CHAP. III.
PERSECUTIONS IN THE VALLIES OF PIEDMONT, DURING THE
SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
Pope Clement the Eighth, sent missionaries into the
rallies of Piedmont, to induce the protestants to renounce
their religion ; and these missionaries having erected mon-
asteries in several parts of the vallies, became exceeding-
ly troublesome to those of the reformed religion, where
the monasteries appeared not only as fortresses to curb,
but as sanctuaries for all such to fly to, as had any ways
injured them.
228 HISTORY OP THE MARTVRS.
The protestants petitioned the Duke of ^avoy against
these -missionaries, whose insolence and ill usage were
become intolerable; but instead of getting any redress,
the interest of the missionaries so far prevailed that the
duke published a decree, in which he declared, " that one
witness should be sufficient in a court of law against a
protestant; and that any witness, who convicted a pro-
testant of any crime whatever, should be entitled to a
hundred crowns."
It may be easily imagined, upon the publication of a
dewee of this nature, that many protestants fell martyrs
to perjury and avarice; for the papists would swear any
thing against the protestants for the sake of the reward,
and then fly to their own priests for absolution from their
false oaths. If anyjttlman catholick, of more conscience
than the rest, blamed these fellows for their atrocious
crimes, they themselves were in danger of being informed
against, and punished as favourers of hereticks.
The missionaries did all they could to get the books of
the protestants into their power, in order to burn them ;
when the protestants, doing their utmost endeavours to
conceal their books, the missionaries wrote to the duke
of Savoy, who, for the heinous crime of not surrendering
their bibles, prayer-books, and religious treatises, sent a
number of troops to be quartered on them. These mili-
tary gentry did great mischief in the houses of the pro-
testants, and destroyed such quantities of provisions, that
many families were ruined.
To encourage, as much as possible, the apostasy of the
protestants, the duke of Savoy published a proclamation,
wherein it was declared, that, " To encourage the here-
ticks to turn catholicks, it is our will and pleasure, and
we do hereby expressly command, that all such as
shall embrace the holy Roman faith, shall enjoy an exemp-
tion from all and every tax for the space oif five years,
commencing from the day of their conversion.'' The
duke of Savoy likewise established a court, called, "The
council for extirpating the hereticks." This court was
to enter into enquiries concerniTig the ancient privileges
of the protestant churches, and the decrees which had
HISTORY OF THE 3IARTYRS. ^!JJ9
been, irom time to time, made in favour of the protestants.
But the investigation of these cases was carried on with
the most manifest partiality; old charters were wrested to
a wrong sense, and sophistry was used to pervert the mean-
ing of every thing which tended to favour the reform.
As if these severities were not sufficient, the duke, soon
after, published another edict, in which he strictly com-
manded, "that no protestant should act as a school-nriaster,
or tutor, either in publick or private, or dare to teach any
art, science, or language, directly or indirectly, to persons
of any persuasion whatever."
This edict was immediately followed by another, which
decreed, "that no protestant should hold any place of pro-
fit, trust, or honour;" and to wind up the whole, the cer-
tain token of an approaching persecution came forth in a
final edict, by which it was positively ordered, "that all
protestants should diligently attend mass."
The pubhcation of an edict, containing such an injunc-
tion, may be compared to unfurling the bloody flag; for
murder and rapine were certain to follow. One of the
first objects that attracted the notice of the papists was
Mr. Sebastian Basan, a zealous protestant, who was seiz-
ed by the missionaries, confined, tormented for fifteen
months, and then burnt.
Previous to the persecution, the missionaries employed
kidnappers to steal away the children of the protestants,
that they might privately be brought up Roman catholicks;
but now they took away the children by open force, and
if they met with any resistance, murdered the parents.
To give greater vigour to the persecution, the Duke of
Savoy called a general assembly of the Roman caiholick
nobility and gentry, when a solemn edict was published
against the reformed, containing many heads, and includ-
ing several reasons for extirpating the protestants ; among
Kf^hich were the following:^ —
^^ 1. For the preservation of the papal authority.
"2. That the church livings may be all under one
mode of government.
" 3. To make an union among all parties.
20
230 HISTORY OF THE MAllTVliS.
** 4. In honour of all the saints, and of the ceremonies
pf the church of Rome."
This severe edict was followed by a most cruel Qrdcr,
published on January 25, A. D. 1G55, under the duke's
sanction, by Andrew Gastaldo, doctor of civil laws. This
order set forth, " that every head of a family, with the indi-
viduals of that family, of the reformed religion, of what
rank, degree, or condition soever, none excepted, should,
within three days after the publication thereof, depart,
and be withdrawn out of the country.
" And all this to be done on pain of death, and confis-
cation of house and goods, unless within the limited time
they turn Roman catholicks."
A flight with such speed, in the midst of winter, must
be a dreadful task, especially in a country almost surroun-
ded by mountains. The sudden order affected all, and
what would have been scarcely noticed at another time,
now appeared in the most conspicuous light.
The papists, however, drove the people from their hab-
itations at the time appointed, ^thout even suffering
them to have sufficient clothes v. cover them; and many
perished in the mountains through the severity of the
weather, and for want of food. Many who remained
behind after the decree was published, met with the se-
verest treatment, being murdered by the popish inhabi-
tants, or shot by the troops quartered in the valhes. A
particular description of these cruelties is given in a
letter, written by a protestant upon the spot, and who
happily escaped the carnage. "The army," says he,
"having got footing, became very numerous, by the addi-
tion of a multitude of the neighbouring popish inhabitants,
who finding we were the destined prey of the plunderers,
fell upon us with an impetuous fury. Exclusive of the
duke of Savoy's troops, and the popish inhabitants, there
were several regiments of French auxiliaries, some com-
panies belonging to the Irish brigades, and several bands
formed of outlaws, smugglers, and prisoners, who had been
promised pardon and hberty in this world, and absolution
in the next, for assisting to exterminate the protestants
from Piedmont.
I *^ This armed multitude being encouraged by the Rp^
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS. 231
man catholick bishops and monks, fell upon the protestants
in a most furious manner. Nothing now was to be seen
but the face of horrour and despair; blood stained the
floors of the houses, dead bodies besti:ewed the streets,
groans and cries were heard from all parts. Some armed
themselves, and skirmished with the troops ; and many,
with their families, fled to the mountains. In one village
they cruelly tormented one hundred and fifty women and
children after the men were fled, beheading the women,
and dashing out the brains of the children. In the towns
o{ Villa ro and Bobbio, most of those that refused to go to
mass, who were upwards of fifteen years of age, they cru*
cified with their heads downwards ; and the greater num-
ber of those who were under that age were strangled."
Sarah Rastignole Des Vignes, a woman of sixty years
of age, being seized by some soldiers, was. ordered to pray
to saints; which she refusing, they thrust a sickle into her
bowels, ripped her up, and then cut off her head.
Martha Constantine, a handsome young woman, was
treated with great indecency and cruelty by several of the
troops, who killed her, by cutting off her breasts. These
they fried, and set before some of their comrades, who ate
them without knowing what they were. When they had
done eating, the others told them what they had made a
meal of, in consequence of which a quarrel ensued, swords
were drawn, and a battle took place. Several were kil-
led in the fray, the greater part of whom were those con-
cerned in the horrid massacre of the woman, and who had
practised such an inhuman deception on their companions.
Some of the soldiers seized a man at Thrassiniere, and
ran the points of their swords through his ears and through
his feet They then tore off the nails of his fingers and
toes with red-hot pincers, tied him to the tail of an ass,
and dragged him about the streets; and, finally, fastened
a cord round his head, which they twisted with a stick in
so violent a manner as to wring it from his body.
Peter Simons, a protestant, about eighty years of age,
\Vas tied neck and heels, and thrown down a precipice.
In the fall the branch of a tree caught hold of the ropes
that fastened him, and suspended him in the mid-way, so
^i3'2 HISTORY OF THE MAllTVfeS.
that he languished for several days, and at length misera^
blj perished ol' hunger.
Esay Garcino, refusing to renounce bis religion, was cu^
into small pieces ; the soldiers, in ridicule, saying, the y
had minced him. A ^yoman, named Armaud, had every
limb seperated from each other, and then the respective
parts hung upon a hedge. Two old women were ripped
open, and left in the tieids upon the snow, where they per-
ished 5 and another aged matron, who was deformed, had
her nose and hands cut off, and was left to bleed to death,
A great number of men, women, and children, were
fltmg from the rocks, and dashed to pieces. Magdalen
Bertino, a protestant v/oman of La Torre, was stripped
naked, her head tied between her legs, and thrown down
one of the precipices \ and Mary Raymondet, of the same
town, had her flesh sliced from her bones till she expired.
An inhabitant of. La Torre, named Giovanni Andrea
Michialin, was apprehended, with four of his children;
three of them were hacked to pieces before him, the sol-
diers asking him, at the death of every child, " if he would
renounce his religion?" which he constantly refused. One
of the soldiers then took up the last and youngest by the
legs, and putting the same question to the father, he re-
plied as before, when the inhuman brute dashed out the
child's brains. Th« father, however, at the same moment
started from them, and fled: the soldiers fired afterhim,
but missed him; and he, by the swiftness of his flight es-
caped, and hid himself in the Alps.
Giovanni Pelanchion, for refusing to turn papist, was
tied by one leg to the tail of a mule, and dragged through
the streets of Lucerne, amidst the acclamations of an in-
human mob, who kept stoning him, and crying out, "he is
possessed with the devil, so that neither stoning, nor drag-
ging him through the streets, will kill him, for the devil
keeps him alive." They then took him to the river side,
chopped off his head, and left that and his body unburied,
upon the bank of the stream.
Magdalen, the daughter of Peter Fontaine, a beautiful
child of ten years of age, was ravished and murdered by
i}iQ soldiers. Another girl, of about the same age, they
,1
HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS, 23S
roasted alive at Villa A'ova; and a poor woman, hearing the
soldiers were coming towards her house, snatched up the
cradle in which her infant son was asleep, and fled towards
the woods. The soldiers, however, saw and pursued her,
when she lightened herself bj putting down the cradle
and child, which the soldiers no sooner came to, than they
murdered the infant, and continuing the pursuit, found the
mother in a cave, where they first ravished, and then cut
her to pieces.
Jacopo Michelino, chief elder of the church of Bobbio,
and several other protestants, were hung up by hooks fix-
ed in their bodies, and left to expire in the most excrucia-
ting tortures.
Giovanni Rostagnal, a venerable protestant, upwards of
fourscore years of age, had his nose and ears cut off, and
slices cut from the fleshy parts of his body till he bled to
death.
Seven persons; Daniel Saleagio and his wife, Giovan-
ni Durant, Lodwick Durant, Bartholomew Durant, Daniel
Revel, and Paul Reynaud, had their mouths stuffed with
gunpowder, which being fired, their heads were blown to
pieces.
Jacob Dirone, a school-master of Rorata, for refusing to
change his religion, had the nails of his toes and fingers
torn off with red-hot pincers, and holes bored through his
hands with the point of a dagger. He then had a cord
tied round his middle, and w^as led through the streets
with a soldier on each side of him. At every turning, the
soldier on his right-hand side cut a gash in his flesh, and
the soldier on his left-hand side struck him with a blud-
geon, both saying, at the same instant, "will you go to
mass? Will you go to mass?" He still replying in the
negative, he was at length taken to the bridge, w here they
cut off his head on the balustrades, and threw both that
and his body into the river.
Paul Gamier, a very pious protestant, had his eyes put
out, was then flayed alive, and being divided into four parts,
his quarters were placed on four of the principal houses
of Lucerne. He bore all his sufferings with the most ex-
emplary patience, praised God as long as he could speak^
-334 HISTORV O? THE MARTYRS
and plainly evinced what contiderice and resignations
good conscience can inspire.
Daniel Cardon, of Rocappiata, was seized by some sol-
diers, who cut his head off, and having fried his brains,
ate them. Two poor old blind women, of St. Giovanni,
were burnt alive; and a widow of La Torre, with her
daughter, were driven into the river, and stoned to death.
Paul Giles, on attempting to run away from some sol-
diers, was shot in the neck: they then slit his nose, sliced
his chin, stabbed him, and gave his carcass to the dogs.
Some of the Irish troops having taken eleven men of
Garcigliana prisoners, they made a furnace red-hot, and
forced them to push each other in till they came to the
last man, whom they pushed in themselves.
Michael Gonet, a man of ninety, was burnt to death j
Bapj;ista Oudri, another old man, was stabbed ; and Bar-
tholomew Frasche had holes made in his heels, through
ivhich ropes being put, he was dragged by them to the
gaol, vrhere his wounds mortified, and killed him,
Magdalene De La Peire, was thrown down a precipice
by the soldiers, and dashed to pieces. Margaret Revella,
and Mary Pravillerin, two very old women, were burnt
alive; and Michael Bellino, with Ann Bochardino, were
beheaded.
The son and daughter of a counsellor of Giovanni were
rolled down a steep hill together, and suffered to perish in
a deep pit at the bottom, A tradesman's family, viz. him-
self, his wife, and an infant in arms, were cast from a rock,
and dashed to pieces; and Joseph Chairet and Paul Car-
nie^'o were flayed alive.
Cypriania Bustia, being asked if he would renounce his
religion, and turn Roman catholick, replied, " I would ra-
ther renounce life, or turn dog:" to which a priest answer-
ed, "for that expression you shall both renounce life, and
be given to the dogs." They, accordingly, dragged him
to prison, where he continued a considerable time without
food, till he was famished ; they then threw his corpse in-
to the street before the prison, and it was devoured by
dogs in a most shocking manner.
Margaret Saretta, was stoned to death and thrown into
HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS. '235
the river; AntoLio bertina had his head cleft asunder;
and Joseph Pont was cut through the middle oi His body.
Daniel Maria, and liis whole family, being ill of a fever,
several papist ruflians broke into his house, telhng him
they were practical physiciar s, and would give them all
present ease, which they did, by knocking the whole fami-
ly on the head.
Three mfant children of a protestant, named Peter Fine,
were covered witii s: ow, and stifled; an elderly widow,
named Juditli, was beheaded; and a beautiful young wo-
ma was stripped naked, and a stake driven through her
boJy, of whicli she expired.
i^'rancis Gros, the son of a clergyman, bad his flesh slow-
ly cut from his body into small pieces, and put into a dish
before him: two of his children were minced before his
sig'U; and his wife fastened to a post, that she might be-
hold all these cruelties practised on her husband ard off
spring. Tiie tormentors, at length, tired of exercisir.g
their cruelties, cut off the heads of both husbard and v ife^
and then gave the flesh of the whole family to the dogs.
The Sieur Thomas Marcher, fled to a cave^ when the
soldiers shut up the mouth, and he perished v/ith famii-eo
Judith Ravelin, with seven children, were barbarously
murdered in their beds; and a widow, of nearly fourscore
years of age, was hewn to pieces by the soldiers. *
Jacob Roseno was ordered to pray to the saints, which
lie absolutely refused to do: some of the soldiers beat him
violently with bludgeons to maj^e him comply, but he still
refusing, several of them fired at him, and lodged a great
many balls in his body. As he was almost expiring, they
cried to him, "wiH,you call upon the saints? Will you
pray to the saints?" To which he answered, "No! no!
no!" when one of the soldiers, with a broad-sword, clave
liis head asunder, and put an end to bis sufferings.
A soldier, attempting to ruin a beautiful young woman,
named Susannah Giacquin, she made strong resistance,
and in the struggle pushed him over a precipice, when he
was dashed to pieces by the fail. His comrades, instead
of admiring the virtue of tlie young woman, and applaud-
ing her for so nobly defending her chastity, with their
swords cut her to pieces.
236 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS,
Giovanni Pullius, a poor peasant of La Torre, was or-
dered, bj the iSiarquis of ji'ionossa, to be executed in a
place near the convent. >V iien he canie to the gallows,
several Monks attended, and tried to persuade hinn to re-
nounce his religion. iJut he told them, he never would
embrace idolatry, and that he was happy in being thought
worthy to sutfer for the name of Christ. They then put
him in mind of what his wife and children, who depended
upon his labour, would suffer after his decease: to which
he replied, "I would have my wife and children, as well
as myself, to consider their souls more than their bodies,
and the liext world before this: and with respect to the
distress I may leave them in, God is merciful, and will pro-
vide for them while tiiey are worthy of his protection."
Finding the inflexibility of this poor man, the monks cried,
"turn him off, turn him off:" which the executioner did
almost immediately, and the body being afterwards cut
down, was flung into the river.
Paul Clement, an elder of the church of Rossana, being
apprehended by the monks of a neighbouring monastery,
was carried to the market-place of that town, where some
protestants having just been executed by the soldiers, he
was shown the dead bodies, in order that the sight might
intimidate him. On beholding the shocking objects, he
said calmly, "you may kill the body, but you cannot pre-
judice the soul of a true believer; but, with respect to the
dreadful spectacles which you have here shown me, you
may rest assured, that God's vengeance will overtake the
murderers of these poor people, and punish them for the
innocent blood they have spilt." Th.e monks were so ex-
asperated at this reply, that they ordered him to be hung
up directly; and while he was hanging, the soldiers amus-
ed themselves in standing at a distance, and shooting at
the body as at a mark.
Daniel Rambaut, of Villaro, the father of a numerous
family, was apprehended, and, with several others, com-
mitted to prison, in the gaol of Paysana. Here he was
visited by several priests, who, with continual importuni-
iies, endeavoured to persuade him to renounce the protes-
itant religion, and turn papist; but this he peremptorily
HISTORY OF THE >iAi:'i i 2tg, 237
refused, and the priests finding bis resolution, pretended
to pity his numerous family, and told him, that he might
yet save his life, if he would.subscribe to the belief of the
following articles:
" 1 , The real presence in the host.
"2. Transubstantiation.
*'3. Purgatory.
"4. The pope's infallibility.
" 5. That masses said for the dead will release souls
from purgatory.
"6. That praying to saints will proT;ure the remissioB
of sins."
M. Rambaut told the priests, that "neither his religion,
his understanding, or his conscience, would suffer him to
subscribe to any of the articles, for the following reasons:
"1. That tobeheve the real presence in the host, is a
shocking union of both blasphemy and idolatry,
"2. That to fancy the words of consecration performs
what the papists call transubstantiation, by converting the
wafer and wine into the real and identical body and blood
of Christ, which was crucified, and which afterwards as-
cended into heaven, is too gross an absurdity for even a
child to believe, who was come to the least glimmering of
reason ; and that nothing but the most blind superstition
could make the Roman catholicks put a confidence in any
thing so completely ridiculous.
'^3. That the doctrine of purgatory Wcis more incon-
sistent and absurd than a fairy tale.
"4. That the pope's being infallible was an impossi-
bility, and the pope arrogantly laid claim to what could
belong to God only, as a perfect being.
"5. That saying masses for the dead was ridiculous,
and only meant to keep up a belief in the fable of purga-
tory, as the fate of all is finally decided, on the departure
of the soul from the body.
"6. That praying to saints for the remission of sins, is
misplacing adoration ; as the saints themselves have occa-
sion for an intercessor in Christ. Therefore, as God only
can pardon our errours, we ought to sue to him alone for
oardon.'*
^238 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
The priests were so highly offended at M. Rambaut's
answers to the articles to which they would have had him
subscribe, that they determined to shake his resolution by
the most cruel method imaginable: they ordered one joint
of his fingers to be cut off every day, till all his fingers
were gone: they then proceeded in the same manner with
his toes 5 afterwards they alternately cut off daily a hand
and a foot ; but finding that he bore his sufferings with
the most admirable patience, increased both in fortitude
and resignation, and maintained his iaith with steadfast re-
solution, and unshaken constancy, they stabbed him to the
heart, and then gave his body to be devoured by dogs.
Peter Gabriola, a protestant gentleman of considerable
eminence, was seized by a troop of soldiers ; and refusing
to renounce his religion, they hung a great number of little
bags of gunpowder about his body, and then setting fire
to them blew him up.
Anthony, the son of Samuel Catieris, a poor and ex-
tremely inoffensive dumb lad, was cut to pieces by a par-
ty of* the troops; and soon after the same ruffians entered
the house of Peter Moniriat, and cut off the legs of the
whole family, leaving them to bleed to death, as they were
unable to assist themselves, or to help each other,
Daniel Benech had his nose slit, his ears cut off, and
was then divided into quarters, each quarter being hung
upon a tree ; and Mary Monino had her jaw-bones broke,
and was then left to languish till she was famished.
Mary Pelanchion, a handsome widow, belonging to the
town of Villaro, was seized by a party of the Irish brigades,
who having beat her cruelly, and defiled her, dragged her
to a high bridge which crossed the river, hung her by the
legs to the bridge, with her head downwards towards the
water, and then going into boats, they firjed at her till she
expired.
Mary Nigrino, and her daughter, an idiot, were cut to
pieces in the woods, and their bodies left to be devoured
by wild beasts: Susanna Bales, a widow of Villaro, was
immured till she perished through hunger; and Susanna
Calvio running away from some soldiers, and hiding her*
self in a barn, they set fire to. the straw and burnt her,
HISTORY OP THE MARTYRS. !239
Paul Armand was hacked to pieces; a child named Dan-
iel Bertino urts burnt; Daniel Michialino had his tongue
plucked out, and was left to perish in that ccndition; and
Andrea Bertino, a very old man, who was lame, was man-
gled in a most shocking manner, and at length had his bo-
dy ripped open, and his bowels carried about on the point
of a halberd,
Constantia Belhone, a protestant lady, being apprehend-
ed on account of her faith, was asked by a priest if she
would renounce the devil and go to mass ; to which she
replied, "I was brought up in a rehgion, by which I was
always taught to renounce the devil, but should I comply
with your desire, and go to mass, I should be sure to meet
him there in a variety of shapes." The priest was high-
ly incensed at what she said, and told her to recant, or she
should suffer cruelly.. The lady, however, boldly answer-
ed, that she valued not any sufferings he could inflict, and
in spite of all the torments he could invent, she would
keep her conscience pure and her feith inviolate. The
priest then ordered slices of her flesh to be cut off from
several parts of her body, which cruelty she bore with the
most singular patience, only saying to the priest, "what
horrid and lasting torments will you suffer in hell, for the
trifling and temporary pains which I now endure." Ex-
asperated at this expression, and willing to stop her tongue,
the priest orded a file of musketeers to draw up and fire
upon her, by which she was soon despatched, and sealed
her martyrdom with her blood.
A young woman, named Judith Mandon, for refusing to
change her religion and embrace popery, was fastened to
a stake, and clubs thrown at her from a distance. By this
inhuman proceeding, the poor creature's limbs were beat
and mangled in a terrible manner, and her brains were at
last dashed out by one of the bludgeons.
David Paglia and Paul Genre, attempting to escape to
the Alps, with each his son, were pursued and overta-
ken by the soldiers in a large plain. Here they hunted
them for their diversion, goading them with their swords,
and making thtem run about till they dropped down with
fatigue. When they found that their spirits were quite
240 HISTORY OF THE MARTYRS.
exhausted, and that they could not aiford ihein auy more
barbarous sport, by runnhig, ttic soldiers hacked tiicm to
pieces, and left their mangled bodies o i the spot.
A young man of Bobbie, named Michael G.reve, was
apprehended in the town of La Torre, and being led to
the bridge, was thrown into the river. As he could swim
well, he swam down the stream, thinking to escape, but
the soldiers and mob followed on both sides the river, kept
stoning him, till receiving a blow on one of his temples,
he was stunned, consequently sunk, and was drowned.
David Armand was ordered to lay his head down on a
block, when a soldier, with a large hammer, beat out his
brains. David Baridona being apprehended at Villaro,
was carried to La Torre, where refusing to renounce his
religion, he was tormented by means of brimstone matches
tied between his fingers and toes, and set on fire ; and af-
wards, by having his flesh plucked off with red-hot pin-
cers, he exoired;" and Giovanni Barolina, with his wife,
were thrown into a pool of stagnant water, and, by means
of pitch-forks and stones, there heads were forced under
the water till they were suffocated.
A party of soldiers went to the house of Joseph Gar-
niero, and before ^they entered, fired in at the window, to
give notice of their approach. A musket ball entered
one of Mrs. Garniero's breasts, as she was suckling an
infant with the other. On finding their intentions, she
begged hard that they would spare the life of the infant,
which they promised to do, and sent it immediately to a
Roman catholick nurse. They then took the husband and
hanged him at his own door, 
