An expositio[n] upon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…An expositio[n] vpon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…

You have heard what numbers of late have been persecuted and put to death among us. Wherefore? because they turned from idols to serus God as he hath commanded, and did put their trust in him. You have heard how patiently and meekly they went to their death, and what a plentiful harvest God hath raised of their blood. For the death of his saints is precious in the sight of the Lord. Their blood cannot be spent in vain. We must remember their patience and zeal, and the cause why they suffered. We must not despise, or set light by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for which they so joyfully gave their lives.

You haue heard what numbers of late haue béene persecuted and put to death among vs. Wherefore? because they turned from idols to serus God as he hath commanded, and did put their trust in him. You haue hearde how patiently and méekely they went to their death, and what a plentiful haruest God hath raised of their bloud. For the death of his saintes is precious in the sight of the Lorde. Their bloud cannot be spent in vaine. Wee must remember their patience and zeale, and the cause why they suffred. We must not despise, or set light by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for which they so ioyfully gaue their liues.

And it is not enough that we be mindful of such examples as we have had at home. We must also carefully consider of other Churches abroad. God hath kindled a fire: he will have it burn. O what formentes do our brethren daily suffer? What cruelty is devised daily against them? I speak not of death only but of rackings, and wonderful extremities, more painful than death. Wherefore are ⟨p. 76⟩these things done unto them? Because they are turned to the true and living God, and believe in the name of Jesus Christ. Some they hang by the hands, and draw up with a pulley, and bind great weights of lead at their heels to rent them, and tear their bodies asunder. Some they have tied unto great pieces of timber, and have put fire at the soles of their feet. They have opened their mouths, and made them draw in Lawn into their body. A thing most cruel, and yet which they have practised, the manner whereof hath been thus reported. They lay it so far in the mouth, that a mans breath easily draweth it into his body, and so it is conveyed into the stomach. When it is well settled, then cometh the tormentor and taketh the Lawn by the other end, and rasheth it suddenly with such a force, as it seemeth, he doth pluck out the very heart and entrails: such a rare & strange kind of cruelty as is not practised upon most notorious rebels and traitors. As for death, 40 or 50 at one time have been heaped together, and burnt in one fire. They have set upon the servants of God, and compassed the Church where they have assembled together to pray unto God, and murdered them in their innocency, whiles they lifted up pure hands unto God. The French king, by the