Foxe - The Book of Martyrs
The mystery of history is not completely dark, since it is a veil which only partially conceals the creative activity and spiritual forces and the operation of spiritual laws. It is commonplace to say that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church yet what we are asserting is simply that individual acts of spiritual decision bear social fruit …For the great cultural changes and historic revolutions that decide the fate of nations or the character of an age is the cumulative result of a number of spiritual decisions … the faith and insight, or the refusal and blindness, of individuals. No one can put his finger on the ultimate spiritual act that tilts the balance, and makes the external order of society assume a new form… Persecution, powerless to destroy or even to shake this new community, made it only the more sensible of its own strength, and pressed it into a more compact body.
The mystery of history is not completely dark, since it is a veil which only partially conceals the creative activity and spiritual forces and the operation of spiritual laws. It is commonplace to say that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church yet what we are asserting is simply that individual acts of spiritual decision bear social fruit …For the great cultural changes and historic revolutions that decide the fate of nations or the character of an age is the cumulative result of a number of spiritual decisions … the faith and insight, or the refusal and blindness, of individuals. No one can put his finger on the ultimate spiritual act that tilts the balance, and makes the external order of society assume a new form… Persecution, powerless to destroy or even to shake this new community, made it only the more sensible of its own strength, and pressed it into a more compact body.
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<strong>Foxe</strong>’s <strong>Book</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Martyrs</strong><br />
1. For the preservation <strong>of</strong> the papal authority.<br />
2. That the church livings may be all under one mode <strong>of</strong> government.<br />
3. To make a union among all parties.<br />
4. In honor <strong>of</strong> all the saints, and <strong>of</strong> the ceremonies <strong>of</strong> the Church <strong>of</strong> Rome.<br />
This severe edict was followed by a most cruel order, published on January 25, A.D.<br />
1655, under the duke's sanction, by Andrew Gastaldo, doctor <strong>of</strong> civil laws. This order set<br />
forth, "That every head <strong>of</strong> a family, with the individuals <strong>of</strong> that family, <strong>of</strong> the reformed<br />
religion, <strong>of</strong> what rank, degree, or condition soever, none excepted inhabiting and possessing<br />
estates in Lucerne, St. Giovanni, Bibiana, Campiglione, St. Secondo, Lucernetta, La Torre,<br />
Fenile, and Bricherassio, should, within three days after the publication there<strong>of</strong>, withdraw<br />
and depart, and be withdrawn out <strong>of</strong> the said places, and translated into the places and limits<br />
tolerated by his highness during his pleasure; particularly Bobbio, Angrogne, Vilario,<br />
Rorata, and the county <strong>of</strong> Bonetti.<br />
"And all this to be done on pain <strong>of</strong> death, and confiscation <strong>of</strong> house and goods, unless<br />
within the limited time they turned Roman Catholics." A flight with such speed, in the midst<br />
<strong>of</strong> winter, may be conceived as no agreeable task, especially in a country almost surrounded<br />
by mountains. <strong>The</strong> sudden order affected all, and things, which would have been scarcely<br />
noticed at another time, now appeared in the most conspicuous light. Women with child, or<br />
women just lain-in, were not objects <strong>of</strong> pity on this order for sudden removal, for all were<br />
included in the command; and it unfortunately happened, that the winter was remarkably<br />
severe and rigorous.<br />
<strong>The</strong> papists, however, drove the people from their habitations at the time appointed,<br />
without even suffering them to have sufficient clothes to cover them; and many perished in<br />
the mountains through the severity <strong>of</strong> the weather, or for want <strong>of</strong> food. Some, however, who<br />
remained behind after the decree was published, met with the severest treatment, being<br />
murdered by the popish inhabitants, or shot by the troops who were quartered in the valleys.<br />
A particular description <strong>of</strong> these cruelties is given in a letter, written by a Protestant, who<br />
was upon the spot, and who happily escaped the carnage. "<strong>The</strong> army (says he) having got<br />
footing, became very numerous, by the addition <strong>of</strong> a multitude <strong>of</strong> the neighboring popish<br />
inhabitants, who finding we were the destined prey <strong>of</strong> the plunderers, fell upon us with an<br />
impetuous fury. Exclusive <strong>of</strong> the duke <strong>of</strong> Savoy's troops, and the popish inhabitants, there<br />
were several regiments <strong>of</strong> French auxiliaries, some companies belonging to the Irish<br />
brigades, and several bands formed <strong>of</strong> outlaws, smugglers, and prisoners, who had been<br />
promised pardon and liberty in this world, and absolution in the next, for assisting to<br />
exterminate the Protestants from Piedmont.<br />
"This armed multitude being encouraged by the Roman Catholic bishops and monks fell<br />
upon the Protestants in a most furious manner. Nothing now was to be seen but the face <strong>of</strong><br />
horror and despair, blood stained the floors <strong>of</strong> the houses, dead bodies bestrewed the streets,<br />
groans and cries were heard from all parts. Some armed themselves, and skirmished with the<br />
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