OR, A HISTORY OF THE LIVES, SUFFERINGS, AND TRIUMPHANT DEATHS, OF THE PRIMITIVE AS WELL AS PROTESTANT MARTYRS: FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF CHRISTIANITY, TO THE LATEST PERIODS OF PAGAN AND POPISH PERSECUTION. TO WHICH IS ADDED, FRANCE, AN ACCOUNT OF THE INQUISITION, THE BARTHOLOMEW MASSACRE IN "Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles."-Matt. vii. 18. ORIGINALLY COMPOSED BY THE REV. JOHN FOX, M. A. AND NOW IMPROVED BY IMPORTANT ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS, BY REV. CHARLES A. GOODRICH. EMBELLISHED WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS. ** HARTFORD: EDWIN IIUNT, No. 6 ASYLUM STREET. 1845.. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year, 1843. BY J. SEYMOUR BROWN, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut. Rower from Cira, Dept mahlenburg che DCT 4 1907 PREFACE. Few works in the English language have been read with deeper interest, where it has been circulated, than Fox's "Martyrology." It was the production of a most laborious, benevolent, and pious man, who devoted eleven years to the preparation of it; and who, in order that the enemies of Protestantism might be able neither to gainsay, nor contradict its statements, "weighed," as his biographer remarks, "with the most scrupulous attention, the certainty of the facts, which he recorded, and the validity of the authorities, from which he drew his information." On its appearance, the Papists were greatly alarmed, as well they might be, and resorted to every practicable expedient to injure the reputation of the work. Their artifices were, however, in vain. The facts they were unable to disprove, nor could they prevent the shock, which many a mind received, at the perusal of their cruelties. The work has always been an eyesore to Popery, and its circulation dreaded by its votaries. The present volume is an abridgment; but it contains the most interesting and important parts of the original work, which is too voluminous and expensive, for general circulation. The Editor has endeavored to execute his task with fidelity, and to give to the public such a volume, as the true history of the times would justify. The attention of the reader is particularly requested to the Introduction, prepared by the Editor, designed to show, in contrariety to the principles and practices of Rome, that the Gospel does not allow of persecution in any form whatever; and which, at the same time, may serve to display some of the causes, which have led Papists and Pagans to to show such a bitter hostility to the friends of a pure Christianity. No apology will be needed for the publication, and as wide dissemination of the present volume as may be. Rome is at work-openly and secretly-laboriously-assiduously-by night and by day-both here, and in protestant Europe-especially in England. It may be her last struggle, but it is strong and determined. Within a short time, disclosures have been made of the prevalence-in one branch of the Church of Christ-both in England and in the United States-of some of the worst errors of Papacy, and which has justly alarmed the whole Protestant world. A spiritual controversy has begun which seems likely to involve the Episcopal Church in all countries, where it ex ists; and which, it is devoutly to be wished, may be so managed by her spiritual dignitaries, as to result in her wider and more perfect separation from Papal forms and influence. To the American people this subject presents itself with peculiar interest. For some years the Papal authorities have turned a longing eye toward the United States. Vast sums have been, and are yearly being, expended to extend the Papal power. Magnificent cathedrals have been erected, and Catholic priests by hundreds have been sent over to establish their corrupt system in every unoccupied portion of the country. Publications, very numerous, and conducted with no small ability, are pouring forth from the press, to aid the Jesuit in bringing the ignorant and incautious in subjection to the "Man of Sin." The question presents itself with great force to the American people: "Shall this system find encouragement in the land of the pilgrims?" Who can wish to see such a root of bitterness planted here, to send forth branches, which may yield fruit full of spiritual poison? The friends of truth should not, indeed, be needlessly alarmed; but, on the other hand, they should not sleep. A holy vigilance should guard well the approaches of an enemy, whose triumphs here would be the ruin of that fair fabric, which cost our fathers so much toil to erect. What friend of Zion does not tremble at only the possibility, that Papal darkness and Papal thraldom may overspread even a portion of our country. The following work, it is believed, will present an antidote to the insidious poison attempted to be infused into the minds of the unestablished and ignorant, by the professors of Popery, and its self-styled “liberal abettors." It is only necessary that the volume should be carefully and candidly read, to convince every one that the Papal system is not that harmless, innocent thing, which some would represent. We wish not, indeed, that the Papists should be persecuted; we would say, protect them in their private capacity, wherever they exist in the land; but beware of so encouraging them, as to bring the American people under their temporal and spiritual domination. It may be said indeed it is said, that the persecuting spirit of Popery has passed away. But let it be remembered, that persecution is inseparable from it-is its very essence. A church, which pretends to be infallible, will always seek the destruction of those who dissent from it; and as a proof that its spirit is unchanged and unchangeable, we may refer to the persecutions in the south of France some few years since, of which a particular account will be found in this volume. Until some further proof is given to the world, than has yet been given, of the more mild and pacific spirit of Popery, we shall believe that it is still as intolerant, as when it spread its desolating ravages through the unoffending valleys of Piedmont; or, at a subsequent period, lighted up the consuming fires of Smithfield. THE LIFE OF THE REV. JOHN FOX. JOHN Fox was born at Boston, in Lincolnshire, in 1517, where his parents are stated to have lived in respectable circumstances. He was deprived of his father at an early age; and notwithstanding his mother soon married again, he still remained under the parental roof. From an early display of talents and inclination to learning, his friends were induced to send him to Oxford, in order to cultivate and bring them to maturity. During his residence at this place, he was distinguished for the excellence and acuteness of his intellect, which was improved by the emulation of his fellow-collegians, united to an indefatigable zeal and industry on his part. These qualities soon gained him the admiration of all; and as a reward for his exertions and amiable conduct, he was chosen fellow of Magdalen college; which was accounted a great honour in the university, and seldom bestowed unless. in cases of great distinction. It appears that the first display of his genius was in poetry, and that he composed some Latin comedies, which are still extant. But he soon directed his thoughts to a more serious subject, the study of the sacred Scriptures: to divinity, indeed, he applied himself with more fervency than circumspection, and discovered his partiality to the reformation, which had then commenced, before he was known to its supporters, or to those who protected them; a circumstance which proved to him the source of his first troubles. He is said to have often affirmed, that the first matter which eccasioned his search into the popish doctrine, was, that he saw divers things, most repugnant in their nature to one another, forced upon men at the same time; upon this foundation his resolution and intended obedience to that church were somewhat shaken, and by degrees a dislike to the rest took place. His first care was to look into both the ancient and modern history of the church; to ascertain its beginning and progress; to consider the causes of all those controversies which in the meantime had sprung up, and diligently to weigh their effects, solidity, infirmities, &c. |