suspicions; and, to prove his zeal, resolved]ed the villains; who, finding they could not to persecute the unoffending Waldenses. execute their first intent, stabbed the poor He, accordingly, issued express orders for gentleman, and, leaving him weltering in all to attend mass regularly, on pain of his blood, made a precipitate retreat. His death. This they absolutely refused to do, parishioners did all they could to recover on which he entered Piedmont with a great him, but in vain; for he expired as they body of troops, and began a most furious per- were carrying him home. secution, in which great numbers were The monks of Pignerol having a great dehanged, drowned, ripped open, tied to trees, sire to get into their possession a minister pierced with prongs, thrown from precipices, of the town of St. Germain, hired a band of burnt, stabbed, racked to death, worried by ruffians for the purpose of seizing him dogs, and crucified with their heads down- These fellows were conducted by a treachwards. Those who fled had their goods erous servant to the clergyman, who knew a plundered and their houses burnt. When secret way to the house, by which he could they caught a minister or a schoolmaster, lead them without alarming the neighborthey put him to such exquisite tortures, as hood. The guide knocked at the door, and are scarcely credible. If any whom they being asked who was there, answered in his took seemed wavering in their faith, they own name. The clergyman, expecting no did not put them to death, but sent them to injury from a person on whom he had heaped the galleys, to be made converts, by dint of favors, immediately opened the door; perhardships. ceiving the ruffians, he fled, but they rushed In this expedition the duke was accompa- in, and seized him. They then murdered nied by three men who resembled devils, all his family; after which they proceeded viz. 1. Thomas Incomel, an apostate, brought with their captive towards Pignerol, goading up in the reformed religion, but who had re- him all the way. He was confined a connounced his faith, embraced the errors of siderable time in prison, and then burnt. popery, and turned monk. He was a great The murderers continuing their assaults libertine, given to unnatural crimes, and about the town of St. Germain, murdering most particularly solicitous for the plunder and plundering many of the inhabitants, the of the Waldenses. 2. Corbis, a man of a reformed of Lucerne and Angrogne sent very ferocious and cruel nature, whose busi- some armed men to the assistance of their ness was to examine the prisoners. 3. The brethren. These men frequently attacked provost of justice, an avaricious wretch, anx- and routed the ruffians, which so alarmed ious for the execution of the Waldenses, as the monks, that they left their monastery of every execution added to his hoards. Pignerol, till they could procure regular troops for their protection.

These three monsters were unmerciful to the last degree; wherever they came, the The duke of Savoy, not finding himself so blood of the innocent was shed. But, be- successful as he at first imagined he should sides the cruelties exercised by the duke be, augmented his forces, joined to them the with these three persons and the army in ruffians, and commanded that a general detheir different marches, many local barbari- livery should take place in the prisons, proties took place. At Pignerol was a monas-vided the persons released would bear arms, tery, the monks of which finding they might and assist in the extermination of the Walnjure the reformed with impunity, began to denses. plunder their houses, and pull down their No sooner were the Waldenses informed churches: and not meeting with opposition, of these proceedings, than they secured as they next seized upon the persons of those much of their property as they could, and unhappy people, murdering the men, con- quitting the valleys, retired to the rocks and fining the women, and putting the children caves among the Alps. to Roman Catholic nurses.

The army no sooner reached their destiIn the same manner the Roman Catholic nation than they began to plunder and burn inhabitants of the valley of St. Martin did the towns and villages; but they could not all they could to torment the neighboring force the passes of the Alps, gallantly deWaldenses; they destroyed their churches, fended by the Waldenses, who in those atburnt their houses, seized their property, tempts always repulsed their enemies; but carried away their cattle, converted their lands to their own use, committed their ministers to the flames, and drove the people to the woods, where they had nothing to subsist on but wild fruits, the bark of trees, roots, &c. &c.

if any fell into the hands of the troops, they were treated in the most barbarous manner. A soldier having caught one of them, bit his right ear off, saying, "I will carry this member of that wicked heretic with me into my own country, and preserve it as a rarity." He then stabbed the man, and threw him

Some Roman Catholic ruffians having seized a minister, as he was going to preach, into a ditch. determined to take him to a convenient place At one time, a party of troops found a ven and burn him. His parishioners hearing of erable man upwards of a hundred years o this, armed themselves, pursued, and attack-age, accompanied by his granddaughter, a

maiden, of about eighteen, in a cave. They taken; for the pope's nuncio, the bishops, murdered the poor old man in a most inhu- monks, and other ecclesiastics, who attended man manner, and then attempted to ravish the army and encouraged the war, sunk the the girl, when she started away, and being greatest part of the wealth that was taken, pursued, threw herself from a precipice and under various pretences. For these reasons, was dashed to pieces. and the death of his duchess, of which he Determined, if possible, to expel their in- had just received intelligence, and fearing vaders, the Waldenses entered into a league that the Waldenses, by the treaties they had with the Protestant powers in Germany, and entered into, would become too powerful for with the reformed of Dauphiny and Pragela. him, he determined to return to Turin with These were respectively to furnish bodies his army, and to make peace with them. of troops; and the Waldenses resolved, This resolution he put in practice, greatly when thus reinforced, to quit the mountains against the wish of the ecclesiastics, who by of the Alps, where they soon must have per- the war gratified both their avarice and their ished, as the winter was coming on, and to revenge. Before the articles of peace could force the duke's army to evacuate their na- be ratified, the duke himself died; but on tive valleys. his death-bed he strictly enjoined his son to perform what he had intended, and to be as favorable as possible to the Waldenses.

But the duke of Savoy himself was tired of the war, it having cost him great fatigue and anxiety of mind, a vast number of men, Charles-Emanuel, the duke's son, succeedand very considerable sums of money. It had ed to the dominions of Savoy, and fully ratibeen much more tedious and bloody than he fied the peace with the Waldenses, accordexpected, as well as more expensive than he ing to the last injunctions of his father, though at first imagined, for he thought the plunder the priests used all their arts to dissuade him would have discharged the expenses of the from his purpose. expedition in this, however, he was mis

SECTION IV.

Persecutions in Venice.

BEFORE the terrors of the inquisition were execution, his son went to him, and entreatknown at Venice, a great number of Pro-ed him to recant, that his life might be testants fixed their residence there, and saved, and himself not left an orphan. To many converts were made by the purity of this the father replied, “A good Christian is their doctrines, and the inoffensiveness of bound to relinquish not only goods and chiltheir conversation. dren, but life itself, for the glory of his Re

The pope no sooner learned the great in- deemer." The nobles of Venice likewise crease of Protestantism, than he, in the year sent him word, that if he would embrace the 1542, sent inquisitors to Venice, to appre- Roman Catholic religion, they would not hend such as they might deem obnoxious. only grant him life, but redeem a consideraHence a severe persecution began, and many ble estate which he had mortgaged, and persons were martyred for serving God with freely present him with it. This, however, sincerity, and scorning the trappings of su- he absolutely refused to comply with, saying perstition. that he valued his soul beyond all other conVarious were the modes by which the siderations. Finding all endeavors to perProtestants were deprived of life; but one in particular, being both new and singular, we shall describe: as soon as sentence was passed, the prisoner had an iron chain, to which was suspended a great stone, fastened to his Francis Šega, another Venetian, stedbody; he was then laid flat upon a plank, fastly persisting in his faith, was executed, with his face upwards, and rowed between a few days after Ricetti, in the same mantwo boats to a certain distance at sea, when ner. the boats separated, and, by the weight of the Francis Spinola, a Protestant gentleman stone, he was sunk to the bottom.

If any dared to deny the jurisdiction of the inquisitors at Venice, they were conveyed to Rome, where being committed to damp and nauseous dungeons, their flesh mortified, and a most miserable death ensued.

suade him ineffectual, they ordered the execution of his sentence, which took place accordingly, and he died recommending his soul fervently to his Redeemer.

of very great learning, was apprehended by order of the inquisitors, and 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 replied, "I confess myself its auA citizen of Venice, pamed Anthony Ri- thor; and solemnly affirm, that there is not cetti, being apprehended as a Protestant, a line in it but what is authorized by, and was sentenced to be drowned in the manner consonant to, the Holy Scriptures." On this above described. A few days previous to his confession he was committed close prisoner

to a dungeon. After remaining there sev-maintained were not erroneous, being purely eral days, he was brought to a second exami- the same as those which Christ and his nation, when he charged the pope's legate, apostles had taught, and which were handed and the inquisitors, with being merciless down to us in the sacred scriptures. The barbarians, and represented the superstition inquisitors then sentenced him to be drownand idolatry of the church of Rome in so ed, which was executed in the manner alstrong a light, that, unable to refute his ar- ready described. He went to death with guments, they recommitted him to his dun- joy, thinking it a happiness to be so soon geon. Being brought up a third time, they ushered to the world of glory, to dwell with asked him if he would recant his errors, to God and the spirits of just men made perwhich he answered, that the doctrines he fect.

SECTION V.

Martyrdoms in various parts of Italy.

"DEAR FRIENDS,

JOHN MOLLIUS was born at Rome of a re- Francis Gamba, a Lombard and a Protestspectable family. At twelve years old his ant, was apprehended, and condemned to parents placed him in a monastery of gray death by the senate of Milan, in the year friars, where he made so rapid a progress 1554. At the place of execution, he was in his studies, that he was admitted to priest's presented by a monk with a cross. "My orders at the early age of eighteen years. mind," said Gamba, "is so full of the real He was then sent to Ferrara, where, after merits and goodness of Christ, that I want six years' further study, he was appointed not a piece of senseless stick to put me in theological reader in the university of that mind of him." For this expression his tongue city. Here he began to exert his great tal- was bored through, after which he was coments to disguise the gospel truths, and to var-mitted to the flames. nish over the errors of the church of Rome. About the same period Algerius, a learned Having passed some years here, he removed and accomplished student in the university to the university of Bononia, where he be- of Padua, embraced the reformed religion, came a professor. At length, happily read- and was zealous in the conversion of others. ing some treatises written by ministers of For these proceedings he was accused of the reformed religion, he was suddenly heresy to the pope, and being apprehended, struck with the errors of popery, and became was committed to the prison at Venice, in his heart a zealous Protestant. He now whence he wrote to his converts at Padua determined to expound, in truth and sim- the following celebrated and beautiful episplicity, St. Paul's epistle to the Romans, in tle:a regular course of sermons; at each of which he was attended by a vast concourse of people. But when the priests learned his doc- "I CANNOT Omit this opportunity of letting trines, they dispatched an account thereof you know the sincere pleasure I feel in my to Rome; upon which the pope sent Corne- confinement; to suffer for Christ is delectalius, a monk, to Bononia, to expound the same ble indeed; to undergo a little transitory epistle, according to his own tenets, and to pain in this world, for his sake, is cheaply controvert the doctrine of Mollius. The purchasing a reversion of eternal glory, in a people, however, found such a disparity be- life that is everlasting. Hence I have found tween the two preachers, that the audience honey in the entrails of a lion; paradise in a of Mollius increased, while Cornelius preach- prison; tranquillity in the house of sorrow: ed to empty benches. The latter on this where others weep, I rejoice; where others wrote of his bad success to the pope, who tremble and faint, I find strength and courimmediately ordered Mollius to be appre-age. The Almighty alone confers these fahended. He was seized accordingly, and vors on me; be his the glory and the praise. kept in close confinement. The bishop of "How different do I find myself from Bononia sent him word that he must recant what I was before I embraced the truth in or be burnt; but he appealed to Rome, and its purity! I was then dark, doubtful, and in was in consequence removed thither. Here dread; I am now enlightened, certain, and he begged to have a public trial; but this the full of joy. He that was far from me is prespope absolutely denied him, and commanded ent with me; he comforts my spirit, heals him to explain his opinions in writing, which my grief, strengthens my mind, refreshes accordingly he did on scripture authority. my heart, and fortifies my soul. Learn, The pope, for reasons of policy, spared him therefore, how merciful and amiable the for the present; but, in 1553, had him Lord is, who supports his servants under hanged, and his body afterwards burnt to temptations, expels their sorrows, lightens ashes. their afflictions, and even visits them with

his glorious presence in the gloom of a dis- slaughter of calves and sheep, than the exe

mal dungeon.

"Your sincere friend,

"ALGERIUS."

cution of human beings. I will relate to your lordship a dreadful scene, of which I was myself an eye-witness: seventy Protestants were cooped up in one filthy dunThe pope being informed of Algerius's geon together; the executioner went in great learning and abilities, sent for him to among them, picked out one from among the Rome, and tried, by every means, to win him rest, blindfolded him, led him out to an open to his purpose. But finding his endeavors place before the prison, and cut his throat hopeless, he ordered him to be burnt. with the greatest composure. He then calmIn 1559, John Alloisius, a Protestant ly walked into the prison again, bloody as he teacher, having come from Geneva to preach was, and, with the knife in his hand, selectin Calabria, was there apprehended, carried ed another, and dispatched him in the same to Rome, and burnt, by order of the pope; manner; and this, my lord, he repeated till and at Messina, James Bovellus was burnt the whole number were put to death. I for the same offence. leave it to your lordship's feelings to judge

In the year 1560, pope Pius the Fourth of my sensations upon the occasion; my commenced a general persecution of the tears now wash the paper upon which I give Protestants throughout the Italian states, you the recital. Another thing I must menwhen great numbers of every age, sex, and tion, the patience with which they met condition, suffered martyrdom. Concerning death: they seemed all resignation and piety, the cruelties practised upon this occasion, a fervently praying to God, and cheerfully enlearned and humane Roman Catholic thus countering their fate. I cannot reflect withspeaks in a letter to a nobleman : out shuddering how the executioner held

"I cannot, my lord, forbear disclosing my the bloody knife between his teeth; what a sentiments with respect to the persecution dreadful figure he appeared, all covered with now carrying on. I think it cruel and un-blood, and with what unconcern he executed necessary; I tremble at the manner of put- his barbarous office!" ting to death, as it resembles more thel

SECTION VI.

Persecutions in the Marquisate of Saluces.

THE marquisate of Saluces, or Saluzzo, is the duke, but, at length, he sent them word, situated on the south side of the valleys of that they must either conform to his former Piedmont, and in the year 1561 was princi- commands, or leave his dominions in fifteen pally inhabited by Protestants; when the days. The Protestants, upon this unexpected marquis began a persecution against them edict, sent a deputy to the duke to obtain his at the instigation of the pope. He com- revocation, or at least to have it moderated. menced by banishing the ministers; if any Their petitions, however, were vain, and of whom refused to leave their flocks they they were given to understand that the edict were imprisoned and severely tortured: he was peremptory. did not, however, put any to death.

Some, under the impulse of fear or worldA little time after, the marquisate fell into ly interest, were weak enough to go to mass, the possession of the duke of Savoy, who sent in order to avoid banishment, and preserve circular letters to all the towns and villages, their property; others removed, with all that he expected the people should all go to their effects, to different countries; many mass. Upon this the inhabitants of Saluces neglected the time so long, that they were returned a submissive yet manly answer, en- obliged to abandon all they were worth, and treating permission to continue in the prac- leave the marquisate in haste; while some, tice of the religion of their forefathers. who unhappily staid behind, were seized, This letter for a time seemed to pacify plundered, and put to death.

SECTION VII.

Persecutions in Piedmont, in the Seventeenth Century.

POPE CLEMENT the Eighth sent missiona-[ed, to whom the monasteries appeared not ries into the valleys of Piedmont, with a view only as fortresses to curb, but as sanctuaries to induce the Protestants to renounce their for all such to fly to as had injured them in religion. These missionaries erected monas- any degree.

teries in several parts of the valleys, and The insolence and tyranny of these missoon became very troublesome to the reform-sionaries increasing, the Protestants peti