written a volume, containing
the same hints of the most notable Apostates, Blasphemers, and wicked
Persecutors, Jew and Christian, in all the different kingdoms and
countries wherein the true religion and knowledge of the true God hath
been professed, from the earliest ages to this present century; and
which may be yet attempted, if this meet with the approbation of the
Public, and a call and farther encouragement be given for that purpose.

THE INTRODUCTION.

I presume, that any person, who has diligently perused the history of
the lives of our noble Scots worthies, will by this time be able to form
some idea in their own minds of the religious, virtuous and faithful
lives, joyful and comfortable deaths of a certain number of Christ's
noble witnesses, confessors and martyrs, who through much tribulation
emerged forth of all their difficulties in much faith and patience, and
are now inheriting the promise in that land and celestial Jerusalem
above, _where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary be at
rest_.

It now follows of course, that I should present another scene unto the
reader's view, _viz._ a short index or memorial of the wicked, apostate,
perfidious and flagitious lives, and miserable and lamentable deaths of
some of the most particular persons that opposed and oppressed the
church of Christ, and mal-treated and persecuted them. But previous to
the opening of this tragical train of examples, (of the Lord's righteous
justice and judgment on his and his church's enemies) let the following
few particulars be observed. And,

_1st_, Let none think that this is a subject foreign or remote to either
scripture, apocrypha, or history. No; I might instance Cain, the
proto-persecutor and murderer; Pharaoh, who was drowned in the Red sea;
Corah and others, who were swallowed up quick and burnt before the Lord;
Saul, who finished his own regicide; wicked Joram, whose bowels fell
out; apostate Joash and Jehoiakim, who burnt the roll, came to
ignominious ends: Ahab and Zedekiah, false prophets, whom the king of
Babylon roasted in the fire; Haman, who was hanged: Antiochus Epiphanes,
who was eaten of vermin, and rotted while alive; Melenaus the apostate,
who was smothered to death in ashes; Herod, who killed the children of
Bethlehem, and had the same fate with Antiochus; Herod Antipas, who
killed John Baptist; Herodias and Salmon the dancer came to fearful
ends: Judas and Caiaphas became their own