IN my former Letters I made relation to your Reuerence , not onely of the state of this our Mission into Persia , and the bordering Kingdomes , where by the goodnesse of Almighty God , wee haue labourers who diligently trauell in the Vineyard of our Lord : but also I haue further signified vnto you , the fruit and increase which dayly proceedeth from our labours , sometimes by Preaching , Teaching and baptizing Mahometans , whose conuersion is most hard : Other sometimes by reducing the poore deceiued soules of the Armenians , Nestorians , Iacobites , and other such like , vnto the Faith of Christ , which are heere in great number ; and haue little of Christianity , more then the Name ; amongst whom wee doe much good , and gather great plenty of fruit into the storehouse of our Lord , which is the greatest comfort wee inioy in these Desarts of Infidelity .

This onely heretofore , hath beene a discomfort vnto vs , that this our Mission on our behalfes , hath gone on too fauourably , and hath not beene accompanied with tortures , torments , Imprisonments , and effusion of our Blood , for the Gospell of Christ which we professe , and desire to plant in these partes ; as we reade of in other Missions ; and are necessary for vs to suffer , aswell for the testimony of the Truth , as for the edification of others ; and incouraging them to bee constant in the Faith ; which hitherto God hath not bestowed vpon vs , though we often desire it at his hands , for confirmation of his Truth .

True , it is , that heretofore there hath not beene wanting , nor yet at this present there is wanting , occasions , and opportunities , to merit , and to offer something to our Lord : yet generally the King heere though a Mahometan , hath heretofore alwayes shewed towards vs , so great signes of affection and loue ; that for our sakes he hath not molested any Christian , vnder the name and title of a Christian : But if at any time hee hath constrained some of the Armenians to deny their Faith ; he hath done it vnder colour , that they haue otherwise displeased him , or for that they had not wherewithall to pay him , that which they ought , or vnder some other pretext ; vntill now of late within these few dayes , it hath pleased his Diuine Maiesty in part , to heare our Prayers , and to comfort his Children , by giuing them a taste of the sweetnesse , which those inioy , who shed their blood , and yeeld their liues for his loue , though it hath not beene fully accomplished in vs , yet so it is that he hath giuen vs a little taste , to strengthen our hopes , that hereafter it may be fully accomplished in vs ; for not many dayes agoe , he hath blessed this Mission with the happy Death of fiue Martyrs , and watered it with their Blood : so that now wee hope that it will yeeld a most plentifull haruest , to the great content of all our Congregation , but especially to your Reuerence who hath beene so great a fauourer of it .

Amongst other Persians which in these last Monthes we haue Baptized heere at Haspahan ; there were fiue ( that is to say ) Elia , Chassadir , ( his Cozen ) Alexander , Ioseph , and Hebrani . Elia hath serued vs sometimes in our house , and was the Husband of that Theresa , of which I made mention in my former Letters , who was likewise Baptized by our Fathers ; and after Baptisme God gaue her so great Zeale ; that like an Apostolike Woman , shee preached and published the Name of Iesus Christ in all places ; and trauailing into her Countrey , which is a Prouince of the Ringdome of Sciras , subiect to the King of Persia , she conuerted diuers , and with the rest the aforesaid Chassadir , and in those partes enkindled in them such a desire of Christianity , as that the Gouernour of that Prouince sent diuers times , and lastly his owne proper Sonne to our Fathers in Haspahan , earnestly intreating them to send two Fathers vnto them , to the intent to teach them the Faith of Iesus Christ ; which at that time could not be executed , because the King of Persia was then incensed against the Portugals , preparing to wage war against them in Ormus , ( being an Island of the King of Spaines in the East Indies , somewhat further distant from the firme land , then his other Kingdomes are ) as accordingly he shortly afterward performed .

These foresaid fiue Christians being Baptized at seuerall times , and instructed for some weekes , in the mysteries of the holy faith , departed to make their aboade in their owne houses . But we perceiuing the Kings indignation to increase against the Francans ( Francks in Persia are called the Christians that follow the custome of the Latines , to distinguish them from the Greekes , Armenians , and others ) thought it more safe , for them to retire themselues to Ormus ▪ thereby both to secure themselues from the Kings fury , and the better ▪ also to confirme them in the holy faith : To this effect Father Iohn of St. Eliseus ( who hath bin long times Vicar generall of the reformed Carmelits in these Countries ) wrote vnto our Fathers , who resided there ▪ and to a Captaine of Ormus , that they would entertaine them , and prouide for them there , vntill the Kings indignation was ouer-passed . Hee sent his Letters by Elia , as by one who best knew the wayes , and the practise of the Country , and in whom he put the more confidence , for that he had serued in our house . Elia trauailed onwards with great alacrity , although hee fore-saw the great perill , whereunto he was exposed , for at that time the Country was all in Armes , and Ormus was besieged by the Persians . But the ardent desire , which this seruant of God had to endure any thing whatsoeuer for his sake , made him set light by al dangers , and thence-forth chusing only for his Companion in the iourney , his aforesaid Cousin Cassadir , he went cheerefully forward , vntill that in his way , he was discouered by an English-man , whereof some are resident in Persia , to trafficke with the King for Silke , which they finde there , and brought to be accused before the Chan , that is to say ▪ the Duke that gouerned the said Kingdome of Sciras , in the name of the King of Persia , as his Vice-roy , who was going to the siege of Ormus , who presently shut him vp in prison , and searching him , found the Letters , which after he had perused , he caused him to be racked , and asked him what he was ? Elia answered that he was a Francke , whereupon the Chan or Duke commaunded him , that hee should speake in the language of a Francke , but being ignorant of the language , he pawsed a while , and then said , that he was a Christian Francke , ( which is as much as to say , in the Persian tongue , a Christian Catholique , or one that yeeldeth obedience to the Pope ) afterwards the Chan asked Cassadir , Cousin to Elia , what he was , and whither he went , and vpon what affaires ? and finding him to be a Christian newly Baptized , who went to accompany his Cousin , and that they had no other businesse , but to carie the Letters hee found about them , out of the hatred hee bore to Christians : the Chan begun to be enraged like a dogge , and endeauoured by diuers meanes , that is to say , by threatnings , torments , perswasions , and promises , to make these two new Disciples of Iesus Christ , to deny the holy faith , and to returne to the false obseruance of Mahomet : But GOD ( who neuer abandoneth those which trauaile for him , and put their trust in him ) fauoured them with so great aboundance of his graces , that they set light by the threats , and torments , and respected not the promises of the Tyrant ; but freely confessed that they were Christians , and that GOD had shewed his fauour vnto them , to draw them out of the darknesse of infidelity , and the false sect and doctrine of Mahomet , to the end they might know the true and onely faith of Iesus Christ , in which they were both of them resolued to liue and dye .

The words of Elia like darts pierced the heart of the Chan ▪ who inraged with new indignation , commaunded them to be caried into the sight of Ormus , ( eight dayes distant from that place where they were at that time ) and in the presence of the Christians of that Citie to bee put to death , in such manner , as heare after shall bee declared . In these eight dayes of trauaile they were most inhumanely handled and iniured , induring hunger , thirst , and watching , to which the cruell instruments of the diuell , fierce in heart , and sauage in behauiour , added another more greater , which was to labour diuers times , to take from them the precious treasure of the sacred faith ▪ sometimes by threats , other whiles by promises , now by flatteries , and againe by stripes , vnder pretext to make them Runnagates and Apostataes . But these true seruants of God , tried like fine gold in the midst of so many persecutions , suffered and indured all these cruelties , with ioy of spirit , and vnspeakeable constancie , yeelding thankes to our good Lord Iesus Christ , for the grace he bestowed on them , in making them worthy to suffer , and endure anything for his loue , and for the holy faith , which they had receiued in Baptisme . Being argued in sight of Ormus , these fierce and cruell ministers flayed an Asse , and sowed the Martyr Elia in the skinne , and afterwards nayled him on high to a great peece of wood : he liued in this most cruell torment some houres , praising and blessing God , and preaching the faith of Iesus Christ , after the best manner he could . Cassadir was alwayes present at this spectacle , who in stead of astonishment , and loosing his courage , for the torments that were inflicted vpon his Cousin , was the more animated , and remained alwayes constant , confessing Iesus Christ , and reiecting with an holy disdaine , all those that counsailed him to returne vnto the Sect of Mahomet , which was the cause that they tyed him to a Stake , and ripped vp his belly . Thus those two holy Martyrs finished their fraile life , to the end to possesse and begin another eternall , and happy ; insomuch as the ministers of cruelty , and those other Infidels that were there present , remained confused and astonished , at the constancie of those two Martyrs . I could not as yet vnderstand what became of the bodies of these two glorious Martyrs , but I hope that God will preserue and reserue so great a treasure .

The Chan of Sciras being informed by these two glorious Martyrs Elia , and Cassadir , what those three other Christians were , which according to the Fathers Letters , were to be sent to Ormus , and hauing notice both of their names , by which they were baptized , as for the others , they had when they were yet Mahometans , signified the whole proceedings by his Letters to the King of Persia , and sent him those Letters which the holy Martyr Elia was to carie to Ormus . The King hauing receiued this newes ( who at that time was three Leagues from the Citie ) commanded the foresaid three Christians to be apprehended , who were not as yet departed , and commanded the Daraga ( that is to say , the Gouernour of the Citie of Haspaphan ) and the Captaine of the Campe , to repaire vnto our Couent , and shut vs vp therein : which they punctually performed , locking , and sealing vp the Cells of the Couent , and shutting all of vs together in one Chamber : After this , they asked Father Iohn , whether hee thought he had done well , or that it were fitting , that hee should be the cause of such a matter , considering that the King had alwayes entertained , and honoured him ? Wherevnto the Father answered , that hee came not into Persia for the honours and fauours which the King had bestowed on him ; but for the only hope he had , not only to conuert the King , but his whole Kingdome to the faith of Iesus Christ . With this answer the Gouernour and the Captaine of Iustice , departed , leauing the Monastarie full of Souldiers : God so would that one of the Fathers was yet fasting ( notwithstanding that it was more then two of the clocke afternoone ) and thus consumated hee the holy Sacrament . That night they forbad vs to performe our accustomed spirituall exercises , beleeuing that we would set some Charmes , and Sorceries a worke . Yet did wee that which vpon such like occasion , the Prophet . Daniel did . Your Reuerence may consider in what estate we were , the house being full of Watchmen , and Sergeants that were Infidels , the gates of the Monastarie locked , when as we might not speake to any of our friends , or know what was done , but were all of vs closed vp in a Chamber , preparing our selues to giue our liues for Iesus Christ . One onely thing afflicted vs , which was , that wee could not giue succours to the new Christians ▪ knowing for certaine , that they suffered great necessity of all things , and for that wee could not counsell , and animate them , being doubtfull of their perseuerance in the faith .

At that time , wee betooke our selues to our prayers , beseeching our Lord to giue them force , and perseuerance , offering vp our prayers to the two holy Martyrs Elia , and Cassadir , to the end they should interceede , and pray for them . Wee remained prisoners thus , for three dayes space , during which time , each of vs prepared himselfe to dye , and made a generall confession after the best manner we could . The first day we read the life of St. Ignatius the Martyr , the second of St. Lawrence , and the third that of St. Katherine . I cannot expresse vnto you the consolation , and inward ioy that we felt , nor the feruour , or sensible apprehension and zeale of the Fathers : euery houre was vnto vs a thousand , whilst we expected to giue vp our liues for Iesus Christs sake , and no lesse able am I to expresse vnto you , the desire which we had , that our deaths might be accompanied with many torments , neither the feruent acts which we did to that effect . We tasted ( deare Father ) of the force , and efficacie of Gods grace ▪ and the fidelity which God vseth towards those who expose themselues to dangers , by the meanes of holy obedience ; in such sort , that mee thought I saw , that which in such like occations God operated in the Primitiue Church .

The second day of our imprisonment , the King sent these Letters to Father Iohn ( by a Secretarie , to the Gouernour of the Citie ) which hee had written by the holy Martyr Elia to Father Baltaser , and the Captaine of Ormus , with the interpretation of the same , but vnfaithfully and corruptly translated by the direction of the Chan of Sciras , commanding him to certifie him , whether these Letters were his , and whether they were well interpreted , and that hee should interpret them himselfe , and call to his remembrance what honours and fauours he had done him , and whether this was the acknowledgement which he ought him , and the reward of the bread and salt they had eaten together ; intending hereby , how often times the King had inuited our Fathers to eate with him , perticularly vpon the occasions of the arriuall of great Ambassadours , and at Feasts , at which time , the King is accustomed to make great banquets , to which hee alwayes inuited Father Iohn , with some other Fathers , honouring them very much vpon such like occasions , placing them alwayes neere himselfe , feasting them at his owne dish , and doing such like things : ( This is a phrase amongst the Persians to say , they inuite them to eate bread and salt , when they inuite to a banquet . ) Father Iohn read the interpretation of his owne Letters ▪ which the King had sent him , and finding them full of lyes , and falshoods ; hee interpreted them , and signified to the Messenger , which was sent vnto him by the King , that hee acknowledged the graces , and honours which he had alwayes receiued at his Maiesties hands , that those were his Letters ; and that it was true , that he had baptized those fiue . And being demanded why he Baptized them ? the Father answered : why doth the King inforce Christians to forsake their faith , and become Mahometans ? as his Maiestie endeauoureth for Mahomet , so will I doe my vttermost for Iesus Christ , in whose place I am here set : and for this cause , who so euer they be , that desire to become Christians , those will I freely baptize , being onely sent into these Countries , with these my Companions , to that intent . The Ministers deliuered the answere , which the Father sent to the King , who was highly contented , both with the interpretation which the Father had made of his owne Letters , which he had sent vnto Ormus , ( being much different from those which were sent him by the Chan of Sciras , translated wholy into a contrary sence , and as it may be thought , by some enemies of our holy faith ) as also with his constancie , and for that cause , the King said the Father had reason .

Full two hundred Mulaz ( which are the Doctors of Mahomets law ) were present with the King , when the Fathers answere was brought vnto him , who making some tumult , and noyse ; and almost mad with anger , were assembled there , to the end to complaine vnto his Maiestie , for that the law of Mahomet grew out of request , and for that we had sent more then fiue thousand baptized Persians into Christendome , inciting him to remedy the same , and prouoking his displeasure against vs . The King being much displeased , turning himselfe towards them ( after hee had heard the Fathers answere ) reuiled , and taunted them with bitter speeches , telling them , that the Father had reason ; but that they were villaines , and old crafty Foxes , commaunding them out of his presence : saying , for sixteene yeeres space , I haue frequented the Fathers company , yet hath he neuer told me any vntruth , neither haue I found any ill beseeming behauiour amongst the Fathers , and I hold them for honest men . Hereupon the Mulaz departed , confused : At this time the King expressed the affection which hee bare to Father Iohn , which truly is very great , whereupon wee suppose , that the seuerity which at this present he sheweth , and heretofore vsed towards the Christians his Subiects , as to the Armenians and others , euill intreating them , and permitting sometimes , that their children should be made slaues , and forcing some of them to deny their faith , is to no other end , but to giue some satisfaction to the Mulaz , and the people ; in that hee feareth some reuolt , hauing perticularly discouered diuers times conspiracies against himselfe , whereby he stoode in danger both of his life , and Kingdome , wherein one of his sonnes was intended to be placed , which hath beene the cause that he hath put two of his sons to death , and as it is presumed , hath caused the third in like sort to be slaine , to the intent to leaue one of his eldest sonnes children , to succeede him in the Kingdome , who as yet is a little Infant , and incapable of the Empire .

True it is also , that the King naturally is both angry and chollericke , both by reason of the conspiracies which haue beene also addressed against him , as for the death which he hath inflicted on his owne naturall children , so that this passion hath gotten so great power ouer him , that sometimes he seemeth to be out of his wits , and at that time acteth beastly resolutions . All these thinges being thus past betwixt the King , and the Father , the King commaunded those three prisoners to be brought before him , that were imprisoned in the Citie of Haspahan , by reason of the intelligence the Chan of Sciras had giuen him , together with these sixe other , who desired to bee Christians , and were ready to receiue sacred baptisme , being for this cause also committed to prison . The King himselfe asked them whether they were Christians or no ? to whom these Catechumen ▪ answered together , with two of the three other Christians , ( that is to say Ioseph , and Hebrain ) that they were none ; Alexander onely answered with great courage , that he was a Christian . The King commaunded him to forsake his faith , and to returne to Mahometisme : Whereupon Alexander , with greater feruour , and freenesse of spirit , said , that he would neuer commit such a sinne , as to seperate himselfe from the true faith of Iesus Christ , for the false Doctrine of Mahomet , and that he hoped through the mercy of God , to liue and die a Christian . The King ▪ being strangely moued by this free and confident answere ( as one who was vnaccustomed to heare replyes , and contradictions to his commaundements ) sentenced him to bee presently stoned to Death , and afterwards burned to Ashes . The ministers sodainly executed the Kings commaund , and happy Alexander publiquely confessing Iesus Christ , gaue him thankes , for that hee thought him worthy to loose his life for his sake . We cannot as yet , learne the other particularities of this glorious seruant of God , because the Execution was sodaine , and without the Citty : wee onely know that the Reliques are in the handes of the Christians , and are kept by them with honour and reuerence .

The other eight ( that is to say ) the two Christians and the sixe Catechumens , who had beene brought before the King , with the holy Martyr Alexander , were by his Maiesties commaundment led vnto Father Iohn , to know which were the two that were Baptized , for all of them had denyed themselues to be Christians . We thus locked vp as wee haue signified vnto you , the next day following about an houre within Night , whilest we were occupied in mentall Prayer which we vse to make for one houre in the Euening and another in the Morning ; behold the Eight inchayned Prisoners , together with the ministers of Cruelty , came vnto vs , commaunding the Father to certifie them , which of those were the two Christians . The Father animated and exhorted them , to confesse the true and holy Faith , which he had taught them , and that God had engraued in them by holy Baptisme , and which they , with so much gladnes , had at that time testified ; and also shewed vnto them , that it was not lawfull for Christians to deny the Name of Iesus Christ , at such time as they are constrained to confesse the same , and afterwards hee tolde these whom the King had sent , that Ioseph and Hebrain were the two , which he had Baptized ( for the Father knew that the King was well informed of all ) one of these two relented a little , because the Father had discouered him , vttering forth certaine wordes , whereby hee discouered his apprehension of the danger , the other spake not one word . Heere we haue an occasion , wonderfully to admire the meanes which his Diuine Maiesty vsed at this time , to assist those two soules , and to crowne them with the crowne of holy Martyrdome , prouoking euen the very ministers of Cruelty , who led them to Martyrdome , to animate them vnto Death for the loue of Iesus Christ ; for one of them said , be not afraid of Death , because it is our most assured heritage : Thou art a Christian , dye then in the Faith of Iesus Christ ; Another said this life passeth in a moment , you shall goe and liue with Iesus Christ : The last said , Iesus Christ is aliue , and is not dead as Mahomet is ; continue constant , and you shall ascend to the fourth Heauen of Iesus Christ .

The next day earely in the morning , they brought vs backe the Eight that were chayned together , and with them a Portugall called Sebastian Duz , taken Prisoner by the Kings Souldiers in his Warres , and for that cause detained in Prison in Haspahan ; this did God ordaine for his greater Glory , and the ayde of these new Christians : Father Iohn , issued out of the Gate , with Bread to distribute amongst them , and to refresh them a little , but the Catechumens would take none , yet did Ioseph and Hebrain receiue the same , and gaue thereof likewise to Sebastian Duz , entertaining Father Iohn with a ioyfull countenance , and great contentment , who called all the other Fathers and Religious , for the common consolation of all , and after he had exhorted the two Christians to perseuerance , and without feare to confesse their God and Sauiour , who gaue himselfe for our Redemption , and to esteeme it to bee a great grace and blessing to be reputed his Martyrs , and to remember themselues of the vertue , courage , and constancy , of their three companions , Elia , Cassadir , and Alexander , who like glorious Saints , enioy and for euer shall enioy Eternall glory : whose intercession he promised them , as also our prayers ; but aboue all the ayde and assistance of Iesus Christ in their passion , and that their torments would seeme sweet , and pleasant vnto them : After this each one with teares in our eyes , imbraced each other , enuying their happines , and reputing our selues not worthy of so great a fauour , we tooke our leaue of them , and they departed comforted , ioyfull , and inuested with a new Spirit ; but we remained sad and afflicted , for that we were depriued of the Crowne of Martyrdome , which wee so much desired : wee setled our selues to prayers , to assist them the best that wee could , considering that it was not permitted to vs , to doe otherwise , neither to accompany them as wee desired , and as we endeauored to doe . But Sebastian Duz sufficiently supplyed our places , heartning , comforting , and inciting them alwayes to behaue themselues like the true souldiers of Iesus Christ .

They two with the other seauen , which were in chaynes , that is to say , Sebastian Duz , with the sixe Catechumens in religion , were led through the Citty of Haspahan , and turned three times about the same , and were then conueyed to the Kings presence , meane while Sebastian Duz with the two new Christians , confessed alwayes ( both passing thorough the Citty , and in the way , with a loude voyce , and in the Kings presence ) the Name of Iesus Christ . The King seeing this , commaunded that Ioseph and Hebrain , should bee stoned to Death , and their Bodyes to be burned , and that Sebastian Duz , with the sixe Catechumens , should be led backe to Prison : and to this purpose it was Proclaimed throughout the Citty of Haspahan , that those that loued Mahomet should repaire to the Execution place , with Stones to chastice those , who had denyed the Faith of Mahomet . Being arriued at the place where this Execution of these two happy Christians , was to bee performed , The Gouernour of the Citty who is an Apostata , and hath abiured Christian Religion , alighted from his Horse , & taking the Mulaz with him to ass●●t him , enforced himselfe to perswade these two Martyrs , to make profession of the Law of Mahomet , attempting them , with their ordinary , carnall , and temporall reasons , promising them not onely their liues , and the Kings pardon , but also great Rewards , considering that not onely the matter concerned and hazarded their reputation , but also the credit of their Prophet Mahomet : Ioseph answered with great courage , saying ; That although he were the first that denyed himselfe to bee a Christian , at such time as the King questioned him thereupon , yet now in no sort hee would commit such an errour , for that the offence he had committed was too great already , when in the Kings presence hee had denyed himselfe to bee a Christian , hoping that our Lord Iesus Christ , who had shewed him so much fauour , as to call him to become a Christian , would now giue him grace and force to suffer Death for his loue : Whereupon they that were about him , and particularly the Mulaz tooke vp stones to stone him , which , whilest they performed , the Saint hauing his Head already broken and in peeces , cryed out with a loude voyce : Blessed bee the holy Name of Iesus , his Faith is holy and true ; and that of Mahomets is false , and no man can be saued thereby ; But Brethren God pardon you , and giue you his holy light : telling them further , that hee felt no paine . Hebrain , that was the last to dye for Iesus Christ , was tempted and likewise assaulted anew , to deny the holy Faith , and to professe and protest that of Mahomet , whereunto hee answered ; that he would not doe it , and that hee was a true Disciple of Iesus Christ , the true God , and true Man , wishing them , that they should not loose any more time to perswade him to such lyes , and that they should not delay any longer , to bestow that Crowne on him , which his companions enioyed in Paradice , and that he was disposed to shed his Blood for him , and for his Loue , who with so great excesse of loue ▪ had giuen his Corporall life for them and him , to the end to giue them an Eternall life : And whilest they bound and fastned him to the stake , he said to the Ministers of his Execution , that hee pardoned them , and desired that God would not demaund accompt of his Blood at their hands . It is impossible to expresse with what rage these Ministers of the Deuill stoned this holy Martyr , out of the dispite they had , for that they could not peruert him , whereupon they remained wholly confused and derided by all men . Hauing stoned these two Saints , they burned their Bodyes , and set a watch ouer the reliques and ashes of the Saints , yet notwithstanding the Christians gathered them all vp , so that nothing was left vnpreserued .

The Kings Ministers repented themselues for that they had Executed the Martyrs , because they did not beleeue , that so great a constancy could bee in the Saints , considering the torments which they suffered , and the rather , because they saw so great a murmure amongst the people , who flocked together in great multitudes , to see the spectacle they had neuer seene , and they openly said , that the faith of the Christians was more strong , and better then theirs : Whilst this Martyrdome was a doing , wee that were locked vp , and guarded by our ordinary Watchmen , prayed God that his holy name might be sanctified in these his Saints . Not long after this the King departed and went to Kanda , where his Army attended him ; but before his departure , hee caused the Catechumens in Christian Religion , to be set at liberty , and ordained , that not onely they should haue their free liberty , but that they should be honoured , and and left free as they were before , to doe their offices in our Church . Signifying hereby , that what hee had done , hee had done against his will . But as we remained in the Ministers hands , and the King was farre distant from vs , they left vs one of the guard in the ●●●ent , saying , that the King had so commaunded them , but this was not a guard but a Mamonda ( that is to say a guard of guests or strangers ) and for this cause the Christians frequented not our Church , as they were accustomed . But GOD draweth the best from all things , for by this persecution , wee haue gotten the loue of diuers Persians , and are in good reputation with them , and those that kept vs , testifie our pouerty in all places , and that we are good Christians , which wee could not haue obtained in our prosperity . The sensible apprehension that all the Citie sheweth , giues vs great occasion to praise God , because all of them thought , that wee should haue beene put to death , by diuers torments . For going once along the Citie , and making some little walke , presently after the death of these Martyrs , they all beheld vs , with ioy and contentment , and great reuerence , blessing GOD. Although as yet , wee are vnder the afore-said guard , and in a manner imprisoned , yet doe we say our offices in the Church , and we ring our bells ( which are very good ) as we did before , and as you doe in Europe , and notwithstanding our need of money , wherewith we are pressed , yet within these few dayes , wee haue bought a very good Bell , for feare least the other should bee broken , hoping in God that we shall one day see them , in the best Idolatrous Church in this Citie ( that is to say ) in the Synagogue of the Mahometans . Wee remaine very much comforted , and the rather because wee already see the efficacie of the intercession , which those fiue Martyrs make for this Mission , enioying the fruit of their bloud , wherwith it is watered , hoping to haue greater one day , and to see throughout this whole Kingdome , the holy Crosse triumphantly erected , which God graunt for his great and infinite mercy sake .

The Parents of the Martyrs are very well affected towards vs , diuers of the most Learned and Principals of Haspahan , send vs salutations , excusing themselues , that for the present they cannot come to salute vs in person , because as yet those thinges that are past , are new , and fresh in memory : And although we are thus closed vp , I will not say Imprisoned , yet some haue not failed to come vnto vs ( although with great danger ) importuning vs to Baptize them . The Forty three Territories of the Armenian Christians , who are vnder the Kings Obedience ( as at other times I haue certified your Reuerence by my Letters ) had playde the Apostataes , in another Persecution , and were for the most part become Mahometans , ( although as I beleeue it was not in heart ) by the example of these fiue Martyrs , they haue all of them declared themselues to bee Christians , and protest they are ready to dye for CRHISTS sake and his Loue . The King hath taken no notice hereof , but hath commaunded , that euery one should liue according to that Faith wherein hee was borne , and to the aforesaid Forty Territories , he hath made restitution of their Christian Bookes , which the Persians had taken from them , when they abjured .