CHAP. I.

NEver yet were any Nation or People so Bar­barous, who by the Instinct of Nature have not alwaies believed a certain Deity; and the denying thereof was accounted so detest­able, absurd, and contrary to Humane Rea­son, even among the Antient Heathen, that they reckon­ed it to be horrible Blasphemy. The Athenians banished Protagoras both from their City and Country, and cau­sed his Books to be openly burnt because in one of them he seemed to doubt of a Deity: 'Neither were they less severe toward Diagoras, sirnamed The Atheist, who being accused of Atheism, fled for fear of punishment; upon which they proclaimed, That whosoever did kill him, should have a Talent of Silver in Recompence, which is as much as six hundred Crowns: How much more then is the State of Christendom to be lamented, which is generally infect­ed with this Contagious Pestilence? And how many bold and impudent Atheists are there in these Times, who daringly and confidently deny the Providence of God! believe not the Immortality of the Soul! think there is no such thing as a Life to come! and conse­quently they live like Swine and brute Beasts in the [Page 2]world, wallowing in all manner of Lusts and Sensuality! But let such mad, and brutish Wretches know, that they shall one day be convinced of their folly, when it is too late: And they may likewise find by the following In­stances, which are of undoubted truth and certainty, that the Divine Justice doth sometimes execute his severe Judgments upon them in this world, and makes them Monuments of Vengeance, for deterring others, That they may hear, and fear, and do no more so wickedly.

I. A certain Blasphemous Wretch being drinking and merry at a Common Inn, among his Companions, asked them, Whether they thought a man was possessed with a Soul, or no? To which some replyed, That the Souls of Men were Immortal, and that some of them after their release from the Body, lived in Heaven, and others were condemned to Hell, as we are taught from the Writings of the Prophets and Apostles; but he replyed, and swore, He did not believe the Soul did survive the Body, but that Heaven and Hell were meer Fables, invented by the Priests to get money; and as for his part, he would sell his Soul to any who would buy it. Then one of his Companions took up the Cup, and said, Sell me thy Soul for this Cup of Wine, which he consented to, and drank it off: Now the Devil himself was there in the shape of a man (as he is commonly not far from such Debauchees) who bought it again of the other man at the same price; and soon after peremptorily demanded his Soul; the whole company affirming it was fit he should have it, since he bought it, not knowing who it was that asked it: But on a sudden this Infernal Merchant laid hold of this wretched Soul-Seller, and carried him into the Air before them all, toward his own Habitation, to the great astonishment and amazement of the Specta­ctors, and was never after heard of; but no question found to his cost that men had Souls, and that Hell was no Fable, contrary to his prophane and sensless Opinion. Discipul. de temp. Serm. 132.

II. Not inferiour to the former was the Impiety of one not many years since in this Nation, called Marlin, a Scholar by Profession, brought up from his Youth in the [Page 3]University of Cambridge, and afterwards a scurrilous Poet, and Play-maker, who giving the Reins to his Wit and Fancy, ran into such Extreams, that he denied God, and Jesus Christ, and blasphemed the Trinity, not onely in words, but as it is credibly reported, writ Books against it, affirming our Saviour to be a Deceiver, and Moses a Seducer of the People, and the holy Scriptures to be but vain and idle Stories, and all Religion to be only a Po­litick Cheat and Device: But Heaven, by an eminent Judgment, stopt the mouth of this Blasphemer; for it happened, that as he intended to have stabbed a person, whom he had malice against, the other perceiving it, a­voided the stroke; and withal catching hold of his wrist, he stabbed in his own Dagger into his own head, which wounded him in such a terrible manner, that notwith­standing all the help of Chirurgery, he died soon after, and that in a very sad condition; for he cursed and blas­phemed to the last gasp; and his last breath passed out of his body with an horrid Oath, to the terrour of all that beheld him; and herein did the Divine Justice remarkably appear, in that his own hand which had written those Blasphemies, was made an Instrument to punish that head and brain, which had wickedly devised them. Beards Theatre.

III. In the year 1527. A young Italian, esteemed a man very brave, and valiant in Arms, was to fight with another young man, who (because he was melancholy, and spake very little) was called Forchebene; they went together with a great company to the Place appointed, which was without the Port of St. Gall; whither being come, a friend to the former went to him, and said, God give you the Victory; the proud young man adding blas­phemy to his Temerity, answered, How shall he chuse but give it me: They came to use their weapons, and after many blows given and taken both by the one and the other; Forchebene being become as the Minister and Instrument of God, gave him a thrust in the mouth, with such force, that having fastened his Tongue to the Poll of his Neck (where the Sword went thorow, above [Page 4]the length of a Span) he made him [...], the Sword remaining in his Mouth, to the end that the Tongue which had so grievously offended, might even in this world endure punishment for so horrible a sin. L. Remys Consid. c. 59.

IV. Another of our own Nation is not to be over­passed, who for Atheism may be compared to the for­mer, and for God's severe Judgment upon him, may give place to none: It was a Gentleman in Bark-shire, whose Name I forbear to mention; This man had a great Estate, but was an open Scoffer, and Contemner of all Religion; a profest Atheist, and a Scorner of the Word and Sacraments, insomuch that I have heard it very credibly reported, that being Witness to the Bap­tizing of a Child, he would needs have it named Beel­zebub. He was likewise given to all manner of Debau­chery, keeping several notorious Strumpets openly in his House, without shame: He was so accustomed to Swearing, that he could scarce speak without an Oath. This miserable Man (or rather Brute) having continued long in this damnable course of life, at last Divine Ven­geance found him out, for going one day a hunting with one of his Companions: As they were discoursing of divers Idle Stories, it pleased Almighty God to strike him with sudden death; for falling suddenly on the Crupper of his Horse, backward, he was taken off stark dead, with his Tongue hanging out of his Mouth, in a very fearful manner, and became a terrible Example of God's Justice against all wicked Atheists. Beards Theatre.

V. Cluverius, an Author worthy of credit, who profes­seth that he had this Relation, not only by hear-say, but from Eye-witnesses, who saw it, gives this wonderful Ac­count, That in the Month of March, 1632, there lived in the Borders of Muscovia a Noble-man, by Office a ga­therer of Tribute, or Taxes, by name Albertus Peri [...]scius; his manner was, when poor men could not presently pay their Taxes, to distrain upon their Cattle, and drive them to his own home: Now it came to pass, that this Noble-man being from home, lost all his unjust gains in [Page]one [...] for all his Cattle, both those he had taken by Violence, and what he had bought with his Money, sud­denly dyed: This wretched man coming home, was told [...] his Wife and Servants what a fearful Judgment from God was befallen him, whereat he began to rage and rave extreamly; and taking his Musquet, shot it up against Heaven, breaking forth into these blasphemous speeches, Let him that killed my attle devour them; If thou wouldest not let me eat them, eat them thy self: Upon these furious barkings against God, there fell some drops of blood, and this wicked man was turned into a black Dog, and howling, he ra [...] to the dead Cattle, and began to feed upon them; and for ought I know (saith mine Author, who wrote this story presently after) is yet feed­ing upon them. His Wife great with Child, being asto­nished, and terrified with the strangeness of God's Judg­ments, shortly after died. Clark's Exam. 1 Part.

VI. Simon Churmay in 1201. having most subtilly and acutely disputed about the Trinity, some of his familiar friends persuaded him to put it into writing, that so the memorial of such excellent things might not be lost; whereupon he proudly brake forth into this Atheistical speech, O Jesule, Jesule, &c. O little Jesus, little Jesus, how much have I confirmed and advanced thy Law in this Que­stion! but if I had a mind to deal crosly, I know how with stronger Reasons and Arguments to weaken and disprove the same: Which was no sooner spoken, but he was strucken dumb; and not only so, but he became an Ideot, and ridiculously foolish, and was made a common hissing and mocking-stock to all that saw him. Mat. Paris. Not much unlike this, is that of Michael, a blasphemous Jew, who as he was banquetting with his Companions, fell to blas­pheming Christ, and his Mother, boasting, That he had gotten the Victory over the Christians God; but as he went down Stairs out of the Room, he fell down, and brake his Neck. Fincelius. Miserable was the end of Perieres, who writ a blasphemous Book, wherein he openly mock­ed at God, and all Religion; for he fell into most de­sperate despair; and notwithstanding strict watch was [Page]kept about him, yet he killed himself [...] the year 1502. there lived one Hermanus Biswick, a Grand Atheist, and a notable Instrument of the Devil, who affirmed, That the World never had a beginning, as foolish Moses dreamed; and that there were neither Angels, nor De­vils, nor Hell, nor future a Life, but that the Souls of Men pe­rished with their Bodies; and that Jesus Christ was nothing else but a Seducer of the People; and that the Faith of Chri­stians, and whatever else was contained in the Holy Scriptures, was meer vanity. These Opinions full of Atheism and Im­piety he was so hardened in, that he constantly avouched them to the death, and was for the same, together with his Books, deservedly burnt in Holland. Theat. Hist.

VII. A certain Rich man at Halterstadt in Germany, a­bounding with all manner of worldly happiness, he gave up his whole Soul in delighting therein; so that he had no sense of Heaven or Religion; yea, he was so Atheisti­cal as to say, That if he might lead such a life continually upon the Earth, he would not envy those that enjoyed Heaven, ner desire to exchange his condition with them: But soon af­ter it pleased God, contrary to his expectation, to cut him off by death, and so the pleasures which he doated on came to an end. But after his death there were seen such Diabolical Apparitions in his House, that no man durst inhabit it, so that it became desolate: For every day there appeared the Form of this Epicure, sitting with a great many Guests, drinking, carousing, and making good Cheer; the Table being furnished seem­ingly with all manner of Delicacies, and attended on by many Persons, together with Fidlers, Trumpeters, and the like; so that whatever he delighted in while he was alive, was there daily to be seen; God permitting Satan to deceive mens sight by such Appearances, to deter others from living in such a course of Atheism and Im­piety. Theat. Hist.

VIII. At a Village called Benarides in Spain, two young men (one whereof was noted to be an outragious Swea­rer, and Blasphemer of God's Holy Name) being toge­ther in the Fields, on a sudden there arose a terrible [Page]Tempest of Rain and Wind, accompanied with so im­petuous a Whirlwind, that it amazed all that beheld it; the two young men seeing it furiously coming toward them, to avoid the danger ran away as fast as they could possible; but notwithstanding their haste, it overtook them, and for fear it should carry them up into the Air, they fell flat down upon the ground, where the Whirl­wind whilked about them for some time, and then pas­sed forward; one of them arose so affrighted, and in such an Agony, that he was scarce able to stand on his feet; the other lying still without motion, some that stood under an hedge hard by, came to see how he did, and found him to be stark dead, not without some won­derful symptoms of Divine Justice; for all his bones were so crushed, that the Joynts of his Legs and Arms were to be turned every way, as though his whole Body had been made of Moss; and besides, his Tongue was pluckt out by the roots, and could not by any means be found, though it was diligently sought for; and this was the miserable end of this wretched youth, who was made an Example to the World, of God's Vengeance against Swearers and Blasphemers. Beards Theatre.

IX. Mirtiques, Governour of Brittany in France, in the War against the Protestants, persuaded them to yield to the King, since their strong God had now forsaken them, and scoffingly said, It was time for them to sing, Help us now O Lord, for it is time, but he soon found that their strong God was able to defend them, and to confound the Proud; he himself being presently after slain in the Siege. Acts & Mon. Remarkable is the Relation of one Libanius, who was a Sophistical Atheist; he being at Antioch, demanded blasphemously of a Learned and Re­ligious Shoolmaster, What the Carpenters Son did, and how he employed himself? To whom the Schoolmaster, full of the Divine Spirit, replyed, The Creator of the World, whom thou disdainfully callest the Carpenters Son, is making a Coffin for thee, to carry thee to thy Grave; at which the Sophister laughing, went away, and within few daies after died, and was buried in a Coffin, according to the Prophecy [Page 8]of that Holy Man. Beards Theatre. In the [...] an Arrian Bishop, called Olympius, being in the Baths of Carthage, openly scoffed, and blasphemed the Holy and Sacred Trinity; but Lightning fell down from Heaven upon him three times, wherewith he was burnt and con­sumed to Ashes. There was also in the time of Alphonsus, King of Arragon and Sicily, in an Isle toward Africa, a certain prophane Hermite, called Antonius, who impu­dently and impiously belched out blasphemous speeches against our Blessed Saviour, and the Virgin Mary his Mother, but he was struck with a most grievous and tor­menting Disease, so that he was eaten and gnawn to pie­ces with Worms till he died, Aeneas Sylvius.

X. Neither hath Divine Vengeance left itself without witness against Cursers, and those who by denying God give themselves to the Devil; as may plainly appear [...]y the following dreadful Examples. A Souldier travelling through Marcia, a Country of Almaign, and finding him­self not well, went to an Inn, where he lay, to recover his health, and delivered to his Hostess a certain sum of money, which he had about him: A while after being recovered of his Sickness, he demanded his money again, but the Woman, upon consultation with her Hus­band, denied the receipt of any, and accused him of wronging her, in demanding what she never received: On the other side, the Souldier was much enraged, ac­cusing her of cheating him; when the Man of the House heard the noise, though he was privy to all before, yet he dissembling the matter, took his Wife's part, and thrust the Souldier out of doors; who seeing himself thus abused, drew his Sword, and ran against the door with the point thereof, whereat the Host began to cry out, Thieves, Thieves, affirming, that he would have en­tred his House by force, and have robbed him; where­upon the poor Souldier was taken, and cast into Prison, and by process of Law, was ready to be condemned to death; but the very day wherein this heavy Sentence was to be pronounced, and Executed, the Devil entred into the Prison, and told the Souldier, That he was con­demned [Page 9] [...] dye; nevertheless, if he would give himself, Body and Soul to him, he would promise to deliver him out of their hands: The Prisoner replyed, That he had rather dye, being innocent, and without cause, than to be delivered upon that account. The Devil then represented to him the great danger of death wherein he was, and used all man­ner of craft to delude him; but finding all his Argu­ments uneffectual, he at length left his suit, but yet pro­mised him both assistance, and revenge upon his Enemies for nothing; advising him when he came to his Tryal, he should plead not guilty, and declare his innocence, and the wrong which he suffered, and to entreat the Judge to grant him the favour, That one in a Blew Cap, who was in the Court, might make his Defence for him; (now this one in the Blew Cap, was the Devil himself.) The Souldier accepted his offer, and being called to the Bar, and Indicted of Felony, he presently desired to have his Attorney, who was there present, to plead his Cause; which being granted him, this witty crafty Lawyer be­gan very cunningly to defend his Client, affirming him, To have been falsly accused, and consequently would be un­justly condemned, and that his Host did withhold the money, and had offered him violence; and to demonstrate the Truth of what he asserted, he reckoned up every Circumstance of the whole Action; yea the very place where they had hid they money. The Host on the other side very impudently denied all, wishing withal, That the Devil might take him Body and Soul if he had: This subtil At­torney in the Blew Cap, finding now the advantage which he had hitherto looked for, left off his pleading, and immediately seizing upon the Host, carryed him out of the Sessions-House, and hoisted him into the Air so high, that he was never after seen nor heard of. And thus was the Souldier wonderfully delivered from death, to the astonishment of all the Beholders, who were Eye-witnesses of this terrible Judgment upon this per­jured, cursing Host. Wierus of Spirits, lib. 3.

XI. Luther in his Exposition upon the Corinthians, gives this Relation; That a certain debauched Person, [Page 10]of a very wicked Life, and of such evil Education, that at every word he spake almost, the Devil was in his mouth; for which practice, though he was often re­proved by his Neighbours, and exhorted to correct and amend so vile and detestable a Custom, yet it was all to no purpose: Continuing therefore in this damnable practice, it happened, that as he was one time passing over a Bridge, he fell down, and in his fall, he cryed out, Hoist up with an hundred Devils, which he had no sooner uttered, but the Devil, whom he had called for so oft, was at his Elbow, who presently strangled him, and carryed him away with him.

John Wierus gives an Account also to this purpose, That in the year 1551. at Megalopole, near Voildstat, it hap­pened, that the People being drinking and carousing at Whitsuntide, a Woman in the company commonly na­med the Devil in her Oaths, till he that had been cal­led upon so often, came on a sudden, and carried her thorow the Gate aloft into the Air, before all the com­pany, who ran out in great astonishment, to see whether he would transport her, and observed her hanging in the Air without the Town; and then falling down on the ground, they found her stark dead. Wierus.

XII. The same Author affirms, That about this time there dwelt in a City of Savoy, a man who was of a very vicious conversation, and likewise a monstrous Swearer, who put many good men to much fruitless pains in ad­monishing and reproving him for his wicked behaviour; for he would give no ear to them, nor in the least re­form his waies; now it happened that the Plague was in the City, and he was infected therewith; and there­fore himself, his wife & kinswoman withdrew themselves apart into a Garden-house that he had; yet in this his Extremity did not the Ministers forsake him, but con­tinually exhorted him to Repentance, and to discover to him his grievous Offences; but he was so far from being moved with these Religious Admonitions, that he seemed daily more and more to harden himself in his ill course of life; therefore hastening his own de­struction, [Page 11]it happened one day as he was swearing, de­nying God, and giving himself to the Devil, and calling for him with horrid vehemency; behold the Devil ap­peared, and suddenly snatching him up, carryed him into the Air; his wife and kinswoman looking on, and seeing him fly over their heads: In this his swift trans­portation, his Cap fell off his Head, and was found at Rosne, but himself was never after seen, nor heard of. The Magistrate being advertised hereof, came to the place where he was taken up, to be better informed of the Truth, and took the Depositions of the two Women upon Oath, of what they had seen. By this we may see the terrible, yet just Vengeance of God upon such Wretches; and it may be a warning to those who are so inspired by Satan, that they cannot speak but they must name him, who is both an Enemy to God and Man, instead of commending themselves to God, and praying for his Grace and Assistance. John Wierus de Spirit.

XIII. Martin Luther in his Table-talk mentions this Remarkable History: There was a Popish Priest, who had formerly been a Protestant, and Apostatized to Po­pery, as Adam Budissina testifies: This Priest thunder­ed out most bitter curses against Luther in the Pulpit, Preaching at a Town called Ruthnerwald; and among the rest he wished, That if Luther's Doctrine were true, a Thunderbolt might strike him to death: Now about three daies after there arose a mighty Tempest with Thunder and Lightning, whereat this cursed Priest was extream­ly afraid, his guilty conscience accusing him, that he had spoken falsly and maliciously against the Truth, and thereupon he ran with all speed into the Church, and there fell to his Prayers before the Altar; but the Ven­geance of Heaven found out his Hypocrisie; for he was there struck with Lightning; and though they with much difficulty recovered life in him, yet as he was led homeward through the Church-yard, another flash fell upon him in such a manner, that he was burnt from the crown of the head, to the sole of the foot, as black as a Shoe, dying with a manifest mark of Divine Justice upon him. Luthers Col. Men.

XIV. Theodorus Beza gives an Account of two [...] [...]ble Instances of the severity of God's Judgment upon a Cur­ser, and a Perjured Person, of his own knowledge. I knew, said he, a man in France, of good understanding, well instructed in Religion, and a Master of a Family, who in his anger cursing, and bidding the Devil take one of his Children, had presently his wish answered; for his Child was immediately possessed with an Evil Spirit, from which, though by the fervent and continual Prayers of good Christians, he was at length released, yet ere he had fully recovered himself, he died. The like we read to have happened to a Woman, whom her Husband in great rage devoted with bitter Curses to the Devil, upon which Satan immediately assaulted her, and robbed her of her Wits, so that she could never be recovered. Another Example, saith he, happened not far from hence, even in this Country, upon a Perjurer, who forswore himself, intending thereby to prejudice, and deceive another; but he had no sooner made an end of his false Oath, ere a grievous Apoplexy seized upon him; so that without ever speaking one word more, he soon after miserably died. Beza, Homiliae.

XV. Strange and terrible is that which happened at Noeburg in Germany, to a Son who was cursed by his Mo­ther in her Anger, wishing, and praying to God that she might never see him return alive; which accord­ingly happened; for the same day the young man bathing himself in the Water, was drowned, and never returned to his Mother alive, according to her ungodly wish. Theat. Hist. Henry Earl of Schwartzenburg, through a corrupt custom, used commonly to wish he might be drowned in a Privy; and as he wished, so it happened to him; for in the year 1148. he being in St. Peter's Cloister, in the City of Erford, with Frederick Empe­rour of Germany; the Emperour had occasion to go to the Privy, whither he was followed by some of his Nobles, and Schwartzenbourg, among the rest, when sud­denly the floor that was under them began to sink, the Emperour immediately took hold of the Iron Grates of a [Page 13]window, whereat he hung by the hands till some came and succoured him; some of the Gentlemen fell to the bottom, and were drowned; and amongst others, this Henry, Earl of Schwartzenburg. Wanley Hist. Man. A young Courtier at Mansfield used upon any earnest asseveration to say, The Devil take me if it be not so; and the Devil in­deed took him while he slept, and threw him out of an high window, where, through by God's good Pro­vidence, be escaped with his life; yet he learnt by ex­perience to bridle his Tongue from all such cursed speeches; this being but a taste of God's Divine Wrath, which hath happened upon such Wretches as he. Cyria [...] Spangen.

XVI. In the year 1557. the day before Good-Friday, at Forchenum in Germany, there was a certain Priest who was crooked in body and mind, through Age, and ill nature; and likewise so infirm, that he could not go but upon Crutches, yet he would needs be carryed up into the Pulpit to Preach a Sermon; his Text was in the Eleventh Chapter of the first Epistle to the Corin­thians, from whence he took occasion to defend the Mass and other Errours of the Papists; and then break­ing forth into a rage, he uttered these or the like blas­phemous speeches; Oh Paul, Paul! If thy Doctrine touching the Receiving of the Sacrament in both kinds be true; and if it be a wicked thing to Receive it otherwise, then would, the Devil might take me; and then turning to the People, he said, If the Pope's Doctrine concerning this Point be not true, then am I the Devil's Bondslave; neither do I fear to pawn my Soul upon it: These, and many other horrible words he used, till the Devil came indeed tran [...]formed into the shape of a tall black man, terrible of countenance, and before him there was such a fear­ful noise and wind, that the People were afraid the Church would have fallen on their heads; but without do­ing the least hurt to any of the rest, he only took away the Old Priest, his Devoted Bondslave, and carryed him so far, that he was never heard of. The Bishop of Ru­genstine's Brother hardly escaped his hands; for he came [Page 14]to fetch him, but he defending himself with his Sword, wounded his own body, and very narrowly saved his life. After this, there were many Visions se [...]n about the City, as Armies of Men seeming ready to en­ter and surprize them, so that happy was he who could secure himself in a corner. At another time the like noise was heard in the Church, while they were Bapti­zing a Child, and all this for the abominable cursing and blasphemy of the prophane Priest. Beards Theatre.

XVII. At Oster, a Village in Germany, there happened a most strange and fearful Judgment upon a Woman who gave her self to the Devil, both Body and Soul, and used horrible Cursings and Oaths both against her self and others, which detestable Custom she practised upon all occasions, but more especially at a Marriage in that Village upon St. John Baptist's day; and though the whole company exhorted her to leave off that mon­strous Villany, yet she would not be persuaded, but con­tinued therein till all the People were set at Dinner, and very merry; when the Devil having got full possession of her, suddenly appeared, and taking her away before them all, transported her into the Air with most hor­rible out-cryes and roarings; and in that manner he carryed her round about the Town, so that the Inhabi­tants were ready to die for fear; and soon after tore her body into four pieces, leaving a quarter of her in the four several high-waies, that all who came by might be witnesses of her punishment; and then re­turning to the Marriage, he threw her bowels upon the Table before the Mayor of the Town, with these words; Behold these Dishes of Meat belong to thee, whom the like de­struction awaiteth, if thou dost not amend thy wicked life. The Reporters of this History were John Herman, the Minister of that Town, with the Mayor himself, and all the Inhabitants, they being desirous to have it known for Examples sake. Beards Theatre.

XVIII. Most dreadful is that Relation of Johannes Fincelius; That in 1553. near Bellisina, a City in Hel­vetia, there were three prophane Wretches that played [Page 15]at Dice upon the Lord's Day, without the Walls of the City, one of whom called Ʋlrick Schaeterus, having lost much Money, and offended God by many cursed speeches; at last expecting a good cast, he brake forth into this horrible and blasphemous speech, If fortune de­ceive me now, I will thrust my Dagger into the very Body of God as far as I can; and the cast miscarrying, he imme­diately drew his Dagger, and threw it up against Hea­ven with all his strength, when behold the Dagger va­nished out of sight, and five drops of blood fell upon the Table in the midst before them, and immediately the Devil came, and carryed away this blasphemous Wretch, with such a fury and noise, that the whole Ci­ty was amazed, and astonished thereat; the other two half distracted with fear, strove with all their might to wipe away the drops of blood from the Table, but all in vain; for the more they wiped them, the more clearly they appeared. The rumour of this dreadful Accident soon flew into the City, and multitudes flock­ed to the place, where they found the two other Game­sters washing the Board, whom by Order of the Senate they bound in Chains, and carryed toward the Prison; but by the way; as they were going thorow the Gate of the City, one of them was suddenly struck dead, with such a number of Lice, and Worms creeping out of him, as was wonderful and loathsom to behold: The Third, to avert the Divine Indignation which seemed to hang over their heads, the Citizens, without any fur­ther Inquisition or Tryal, put presently to death: The Table, with the spots of blood thereon, was taken, and reserved as a Monument of this fearful Judgment of the Almighty. Clarks Examples. 1 p.

XIX. It is notoriously known at Oundle in Northampton­shire, that one William Hacket, used upon occasion in ear­nest discourse, to curse himself in this manner; If it be not true, then let a visible confusion come upon me; and he wanted not his wish, as appears by the following Rela­tion. In the year 2591. and the 33. of Queen Eliz. Edmand Coppinger, and Henry Arthington, two Gentlemen [Page 16]associating themselves with this Hacket, who had for­merly been a prophane and lewd Person, but now pretended great Reformation; these three ran into very strange and dangerous Opinions, and at last came to think, that this Hacket was anointed to be Judge of the World; and coming to his Lodging one day in London, Hacket told them, that he had been anointed with the Holy Ghost; then Coppinger asked what his pleasure was to command them; Go, saith he, and pro­claim in the City, that Jesus Christ is come with his Fan in his hand, to judge the Earth; and if they will not believe you, let them come and kill me if they can: Coppinger answered, That it should be done; and thereupon he and Arthing­ton ran immediately into the Streets, and proclaimed their Message; and when by reason of the confluence of People, they could go no further, they got up into two empty Carts in Cheapside, crying, Repent, Repent, for Jesus Christ is come to Judge the World: And so pulling a Paper out of their bosoms, they read out of it many things touching the Calling and Office of Hacket; as how he represented Christ, by taking part of his glorified Bo­dy, &c. They likewise called themselves the Prophets, one of Justice, and the other of Mercy. The Citizens being amazed at them, took Hacket, and carryed him before a Justice of Peace, who after Examination, com­mitted him to Prison; and at the Sessions being found guilty of Sedition, and speaking Traiterous words a­gainst the Queen, he was condemned, and hanged on a Gibbet in Cheapside, uttering horrible Blasphemy against the Majesty of God. Coppinger, died the next day in Bridewell; and Arthington afterward made a publick Re­cantation. Thus the Curse of Hacket happened to him; for a visible confusion came upon him, according to his wish. Beards Theatre.

XX. In the City of Astorga, a Mother in her rage cursed one of her own Sons with detestable Maledicti­ons, wishing The Devils in Hell to take him; and that they would fetch him out of her presence; with many other horrible Execrations: This was about Ten a Clock at [Page 17]night, and very dark; the Boy at last, for fear of her, went into a little Court behind the House, from whence he was suddenly hoisted up into the Air, by Men, in ap­pearance, with grim countenances, of large stature, loth­som and horrible, and were indeed evil Spirits of Hell, who carryed him away with such swiftness (as he him­self after confessed) that it was impossible for any Bird in the World to fly so fast; and falling down amongst certain Mountains of Bushes and Briars, he was drawn thorow the thickest of them; and being all over torn and rent, both in his cloaths, face and body, he began to call upon God, and to beseech him for his help and assistance; upon which these cruel Feinds were forced to bring him back again thorow the Air, and put him thorow a little window, into a Chamber in his Fathers House, where after much search and grief for him, he was found in this pitiful condition, and almost distracted with fear: And thus, though they had not power to to deprive him of his life, as they have done to others; yet God suffered them to afflict the Parents in the Son, to warn them to forbear such horrid wickedness. But above all, that is most remarkable which happened in a the Town of Misina in the year 1552. Sept. 11. where a passionate Father observing his Son to be slack in his business, wished He might never stir from the place; which he had no sooner spoken, but his Son stuck fast indeed; nor could by any means possible be removed, no not so much as to sit or bend his Body, till by the Prayers of good Christians his pains were mitigated, though not remitted; three years he continued standing, with a post at his back, for his ease; and four years sitting; at the end whereof he died; nothing weakened in his understanding, but professing the Faith, and not doubt­ing of his Salvation through Jesus Christ: When he was demanded at any time how he did, his Answer usu­ally was, That he was fastened of God, and that it was not in Man but the Mercy of God only must release him. Clarks Exampl. 1 Vol.

XXI. John Peter, Son-in-law to Alexander the cruel [Page 18]Keeper of Newgate, being a most horrible Swearer and Blasphemer, used commonly to say, If it be not true, I pray God I may rot ere I die, which happened to him; for he rotted away indeed, and so died in misery. To this may be added a notable Example of a certain young Gallant, that was a monstrous Swearer, who riding in the company of divers Gentlemen out of Cornwall, in the daies of King Edward the Sixth; he began to curse and blaspheme most horribly, whom one Mr. Hains a Minister, with mild words reproved, telling him, He should one day answer for it; whereat the Gentleman be­ing in a fume, bid him, Take no thought for him, but pre­pare for his own winding-sheet; Well (saith the Minister) Amend, for Death gives no warning; as soon comes the Lambs Skin to the Market, as an old Sheeps; Gods wounds! (said he) care not thou for me, still raging worse and worse, till at length going on their Journey, they came to a great Bridge, which was made over an Arm of the Sea; in pas­sing of which this swearing Gallant spurred his Horse with such fury, that he leaped clear over the Bridge, with the Man on his back, who as he was falling, cryed out, Horse, and Man, and all to the Devil. This terrible Story Bishop Ridly preached and delivered in a Sermon at Pauls Cross, and Mr. Hains himself reported the Truth thereof to Mr. Fox, from whence this is taken. Acts and Monuments.

XXII. At a Town called St. Gallus, in Helvetia, a cer­tain Man that earned his Living by making clean foul Linnen; going into a Tavern, tasted so much of the Grape, that in his Drunkenness he used horrible Curs­ings, wishing, That if ever he went into the Fields again to his old Trade, the Devil might break his Neck; but when sleep had conquered Drink, and Sobriety had restored his Senses, he went to his business as formerly, remembring indeed his late words, but not regarding them; howbeit the Devil, to shew his double diligence, attended him in the likeness of a big swarthy Man, alk­ing him, If he had not forgot his promise and vow which he had made the day before; and likewise demanding whether it [Page 19]were not lawful to break his Neck? and withal struck the poor Man, trembling with fear, over the shoulders, that his feet and hands presently dryed up, and there he [...]ay, not able to stir till he was carryed home; the Al­mighty not giving Satan so much power over him, as he himself wished, but yet permitting him to punish him in this manner, for his amendment, and our Ex­ample. Beards Theatre.

XXIII. A Man in Lincolnshire, for every trifle used to swear by God's Precious Blood, and would not take warning from his Friends, till at length falling into a grievous Sickness, he was again much persuaded by his Friends to Repent, whose counsel he still rejected; and hearing the Bell Toll, in the very pains of death he started up, swearing, God's Wounds! the Bell Tolls for me, but he shall not have me yet; whereupon the Blood issued but in a most fearful manner from all the joynts and parts of his Body, as Mouth, Nose, Wrists, Knees, Heels, Toes, and every where else; and so he miserably end­ed his wretched life. Mr. Perkins. Another, for many years together, had a wicked custom of Swearing by God's Arms; in the end his own Arm being hurt with a Knife, could not by any means be cured, but rankled, and festered daily more and more, and at last rotted so much, that it fell away piecemeal, and himself through anguish and pain thereof died. Mr. Philip Stubs. At Tabinga in Germany, a desperate Boy used to invent such New Oaths, as were not common; but it pleased God to send a Canker, or some worse Disease, which eat out his Tongue, that Instrument wherewith he blasphemed, German. Hist. There was a certain wretch, who in his life-time was dreadfully inclined to the horrid sin of Swearing; and when he came upon his Death-bed, his heart was so set on fire of Hell, and so exceedingly filled with enraged madness against Heaven, that he despe­rately desired the standers by to help him with Oaths, and to Swear for him, though he himself in the mean [...]ime swore as fast and furiously as he could. Mr. Robert Bolton.

XXIV. One hearing Perjury condemned by a Mini­ster, and how it seldom or never escaped unpunished, he in a bravery said, I have often forsworn my self, and yet my Right Hand is no shorter than my Left; which words he had scarce uttered, when such an Inflamation arose in that Hand, that he was forced to have it immediately cut off, lest it should have infected the whole Body, whereby it soon became shorter than the other. Clarks Examples, 1 p. A young Lady of a considerable Estate in Saxony, promised Marriage to a handsom Young Man, but of a mean Fortune; he foreseeing that Wealth and Inconstancy might alter her mind, freely discover­ed his thoughts to her, whereupon she made a thousand Protestations of her Constancy to him, and as many Imprecations upon her self, wishing, That if ever she Married another, the Devil might take her away on the Wedding day; yet afterwards a Person of more Wealth making his Addresses to her, she was contracted, and Married to him; a great Marriage-Feast was provided, but while they were at Dinner, two Men on Horseback came to the House, and as Strangers, were invited to the Feast; after Dinner one of them desired to lead the Bride a Dance; and taking her by the Hand, led her a turn or two, and then in the presence of her Bridegroom, and all her Friends, he caught her up in his Arms, cry­ing in vain for help; and going out of the Gate, he hoisted her up into the Air, and vanished away toge­ther with his companions and Horses, so that she was never seen more. Sword for Swearers.

XXV. A Nobleman in Silesia having invited many Guests to Dinner, and prepared a Costly and Libera [...] Feast for them, it happened that instead of his Friends, he only received their Excuses for not coming, at which the Nobleman in great rage broke out into these words Since all these People have thus sailed me, I wish so many Devils of Hell would feast with me to day, and eat up m [...] Provision made for them; and so in fury left his Hous [...] and went to Church, where there was a Sermon: H [...] had not been long there, when a great Troop of Horse [Page]

A Blasphemer turn'd into a black Dog pa. 4.

A Woman torn in peices by the Devil. pa. 14.

[Page 21] [Page]men arrived at his House; they were all black, of ex­traordinary Aspect and Stature, who alighting in the Court, called a Groom to take their Horses, and bid another of the Servants to run presently to his Master, and tell him his Guests were come: The servant amazed, runs to the Church, and with short breath, and the little sense he had left, gave his Master an Account of what had fallen out; the Nobleman calls to the Preacher, and de­sires him to break off his Sermon, and to help him with his Spiritual Counsel and Advice; who persuades him to order all his Servants, with what speed they could, to depart the House. In the mean time the Nobleman with the whole Congregation, came within view of the House, which the Servants in great Affright had for­saken, but for haste had forgot, and left behind a young Child, who was the Nobleman's Son, sleeping in the Cradle. By this time the Devils were revelling in the Dining-Room, making a great noise, as if they had sa­luted and welcomed one another; they looked through the Casements, one with the Head of a Wolf; another of a Bear, a Cat, a Tyger, &c. taking Bowels, and quaffing, as if they had drank to the Master of the House? By this time the Nobleman seeing his Servants safe, remembred his Son, and asked, What was become of the Child; These words were scarce spoke, when one of the Devils had him in his Arms, and shewed him out of the Window. The Father at this sight, being almost without life, spying an Old Servant of his fetched a deep sigh, and said, Ah Me! What shall become of the Infant? The Servant seeing his Master in that Extasie replyed, Sir, by Gods help I will enter the House, and fetch the Child out of the power of that Devil, or perish with him; To whom his Lord said, God prosper thy Attempt, and strengthen thee in thy Purpose: The Minister then likewise blessing him, he goes into the House; and coming into the next Room where the Devils were then rioting he fell upon his knees, and commended himself to the Protection of Heaven: Then pressing in among them, he beheld them in their horrible shapes; some [Page 22]sitting; some standing; some walking; then they all came about him at once, and asked him, What business he had there; He in a great Sweat and Agony, yet re­solved in his purpose, came to the Spirit which held the Infant, and said, In the Name of God deliver this Child to me; who answered, No, But let thy Master come and fetch him, who hath most Interest in him; The Servant replyed, I am now come to do that Office and Service to which God hath called me; by virtue of which, and by his power, lo I seize upon the Innocent; and so snatching him from the Devil, took him in his Arms, and carryed him out of the Room; at which they clamoured, and called aloud after him, Ho thou Knave Ho thou Knave, leave the Child to us, or we will tear thee in pieces; but he unterrified with their Diabolical Threatnings, brought away the Infant, and delivered it to the Father. After some few daies the Spirits left the House, and the Nobleman returned to his Antient Possession. Now, though the Devils had no power to hurt any body, but only destroyed the Vi­ctuals; yet it may be a warning to prevent wicked and rash Wishes and Curses. This History, though it may seem very strange, yet is related by Beard in his Theatre, Heywood of Angels, and several other very credible Authors, for an undoubted Truth.

XXVI. Godwin Earl of Kent, in the Reign of Edward the Confessor, 1055. sitting at Table with the King, it happened that one of the Cup-bearers stumbled, but did not fall, whereat Godwin laughing, said, That if one Bro­ther had not helpt another (meaning his Leggs) all the wine had been spilt; With which words the King calling to mind his Brothers death, who was slain by Godwin, an­swered, So should my Brother Alfred have helped me, had it not been for Godwin; whereat Godwin fearing the King's new kindled displeasure, excused himself by many words, and at last said, If I be any way guilty of Alfred 's Death, I pray God I may never six allow down a morsel of bread more; but he swore falsly, as the Judgment of God de­clared; for he was immediately choaked in the presence of the King, before he stirred one foot from the place. [Page 23] Beards Theatre. In the daies of Queen Mary John Cooper, an honest Religious Man, was falsly accused by one Grimwood, for Treason, in speaking some words against the Queen, and was accordingly put to Death; but this Perjured Villain did not long escape divine Vengeance; for being shortly after about his Labour in the Har­vest, and in good health, his bowels suddenly fell out of his Body and so he miserably died. Acts. and Monuments.

XXVII. In the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, Thomas Lovelace, by forged Letters, sought to have three of his Cousin Germans brought into question for their Lives, about Matters of High Treason; but the Malice and For­gery, of this wicked business being found out, the false Accuser had Judgment to be carryed on Horse-back about Westminster-Hall, with his Face to the Horse Tail, and a Paper on his Back containing his Offence; from thence to be carryed in the same manner, and set on the Pillory in the Pallace Yard, and there to have one of his Ears cut off; also to be set on the Pillory on a Market day in Cheapside with the like paper, after that to be carried into Kent, and at the next Assizes there to be set on the Pillory with the like Paper, & his other Ear to be there cut off; al­so to stand in the Pillory one Market day at Canterbury, & another at Rochester; and in all these Places his Offence to be openly Read; which Sentence was accordingly Executed, and may be rather thought too mild against such Villains, as by Forgery, Perjury, and False Swearing shall endeavour to destroy Innocent Persons, Stows Annals.

XXVIII. Narcissus, Bishop of Jerusalem, though a man famous for his Virtues and Faithfulness in the Re­proof and Correction of Vice, was yet maliciously and falsly accused of Incontinency: There were three of these wicked and Suborned Varlets, who bound their Accusations with Oaths and fearful Imprecations upon themselves: The first of these, at the close of his Testi­mony, added, If I say not the Truth, I pray God I may perish by Fire: The second said, If I speak any thing of falshood, I pray God I may be consumed by some filthy and cruel Disease; And said the third, If I accuse him falsly, I pray God I may lose my sight, and become blind: This wicked charge, al­though [Page 24]it was not believed by such as knew the gre [...] Integrity of the Bishop; yet the good man, partly fo [...] grief to lye under such a scandal, and partly to reti [...] himself from worldly Affairs, left his Bishoprick, an [...] lived privately: But his forsworn Accusers escaped no [...] the All-seeing Justice of Heaven; for the first, accord­ing to his Imprecation, had his House set on fire (it [...] unknown how) and was therein himself, together with his Family, burnt to Ashes: The second languished a­way under a soul and loathsom Disease: The third see­ing the woful ends of his Companions, confessed all the complotted Villany; and lamenting his case and crime, be continued weeping so long, till he utterly lost his sight; and thus God said Amen to all that they had wickedly and presumptuously wished upon them­selves. Eusebius lib. 6.

XXIX. Ʋladislaus, King of Poland and Hungary, had fortunatey sought against the Turks at the Mountain Ha­mus, and taken Carambey, the General of their Army; by means of which Victory, he occasioned Amurath, Emp. o [...] the Turks, to sue for Peace, which was agreed to upon honourable and advantagious Terms, and was solemnly sworn to by the King of Poland, upon the Holy Evan­gelists, and by Amuraths Ambassadors in behalf of their Master, upon the Turkish Alcoran. This being known to the Pope, and other Christian Princes, they said, it was unseasonable, unprofitable, and dishonourable; whereupon the Cardinal Julian is s [...]nt by the Pope as his Legate, to break the Peace, and to absolve the King from his Oath: The young King therefore by their persuasion, breaks the League, and undertakes the War, with greater preparations and vigour than sormerly, advancing with his Army to Varna, a City upon the Pontick Shore, doing all the mischief he was able to the Enemies Country; which as soon as the Great Turk understood, he returns out of Cilicia, and enters Battel with the Christians; where at the first the Turks were beaten, and retired with great Slaughter, being almost ready to fly: Amu­rath seeing all brought into extream danger, beholding [Page 25]the Picture of Christ Crucified in the displayed Ensigns of the Christians, he pluckt the Writing out of his bo­som, wherein the late League was comprised, and hold­ing it in his hand with his Eyes cast up to Heaven, he said; Behold thou Crucified Christ, this is the League thy Christians in thy Name made with me, which they have with­out cause broken; now if thou be a God, as they say thou art, and as we dream, revenge the wrong now done unto thy Name, and Me, and shew thy Power upon the perjured People, who in their deeds deny thee their God; It was not long after this, but the fortune of the Battel was quite changed, for King Ʋladislaus was slain, his head cut off by a Janizary, and fastned to the end of a Launce; Proclamation was made that it was the head of the Christian Ring, by which the rest were so daunted, that they fled; Julian the Le­gate also, who exhorted to this War, was slain, and his dead body exposed to the scorn and contempt of the common Souldiers, for that being a Priest, he had con­trary to the Law of Nations advised, and persuaded to break the Peace. This battel was sought 1444. Turk­ish History.

XXX. In the year 1070, or thereabout, there arose so great a difference between the Emperor, Henry the 4th. and Pope Gregory the 5th, that the Pope excommunica­ted him, and depriving him of his Imperial dignity, cau­sed Rodulphus Duke of Swtvia to be made Emperor in his stead, after which, there happened a great Battel between them at the River Ellester, where the Emperor Henry had the victory; Rodulphus by a terrible blow, had his right Arm struck off from his Body, [...]t which he cryed out, Behold O ye Nobles, that right hand of mine which I gave to my Lord Henry, inconfirmation of the fidelity I had sworn to him; which Oath notwithstanding, contrary to all Justice ad Equity I have violated, and am now thus justly puni­shed. Zuing. Theat. vol. 2. lib. 7.

Burghard, Archbishop of Magdeburgh, though in regard of his place and profession he ought to have given good example, and to have punisht Perjury in others, yet he thrice broke his Promise, and Oath to his own Citizens, the Senate and People of Magdeburgh; for first he besieged them with a great Army, and though they re­deemed [Page 26]their liberty with a sum of Mony, he swearing not to be siege them any more, yet without any regard to Faith or Honesty he returned afresh to the Siege, but his per [...]diousnes did not prosper for he was taken Prisoner at the next assault; yet he so appeased them with his humble carriage and demeanour, together with h [...] repeated Oaths never to trouble them any more, but to continue their stedfast friend for the future, that they not only freed hi [...] from his Imprisonment, but restored him to all his dignities with great solemnity. Nevertheless the Traiterous Archbishop returning to his old vomit, procured a dispensation for his Oath from Pope John the 23. and began again to molest, vex, and murder the Citi­zens, whom he had vowed to protect; but vengeance at last o­vertook him, for being catched once again, and Imprisoned, while his Friends were treating for his liberty, the Jaylor beat him to death with the bar of a door, or as some say with an Iron rod o [...] of a window, and so at last his Perjury found its desert. Beards Thea.

XXXI. In the Reigh of Queen Elizabeth, there was one Am Avery a Widow, who forswore her self for a little Mony which she should have payed for six pound of Flax at a shop in Woodstreet, up­on which she was suddenly surprized by the Justice of God, and fell down immediately speechless, casting up at her mouth what na­ture had ordained to pass another way, and in this agony dyed. Clarks Examples. About the beginning of April, 1661. A Woman in Derbyshire having couzened a Boy of some Mony, was charged with it, but she stiffly denied it, and being further urged to confess the truth, she in a fearful manner prayed God, That the Earth might open, and swallow her up quick if she had it, and immediately the Earth under her opened, and she sank into it, and being afterwards digged for, they found her nine foot within the Earth, and that very Mony was found in her pocket. Clarks Examples, 2 vol.

XXXII. In the Year 1551. Five drunken men quaffing together in the Kingdom of Bohemia, prophaned the name of God with horrible Blasphemies, and the Picture of the Devil being painted upon the wall, they caroused healths to him, which the Devil pledg­ed soon after, for the next morning all five were found dead, their necks being broken, and quashed to pieces, as though a wheel had gone over them, blood running out of their mouths, nostrils, and ears, to the great astonishment of the spectators. Johan Fincel. Not many years since, two men contended together, who should pour forth most blasphemies against God, but whil'st they were exercising this devilish contention, one of them was strucken with madness, and so continued to his lives end. In the same manner several young men at Rome agreed together that he should have the victory, who could swear most, but as soon as they entred into this wicked strife, one of them was deprived of the use of his tongue, another of his reason and understanding, and the rest remained for some time as dead men, God reserving them alive for Repentance. Beards. Thea.

XXXIII. At Eslinga in Germany, a certain Nobleman having lost much Mony at play; fell into horrible Execrations and Blasphemies, and commanded his man to bring him his Horse, that he might ride home in a very dark night; his Servant diffuaded him from his Journey, affirming how dangerous the way was, by reason of the waters, and Fens that lay in the midst, whereat he began to rage and swear the more, and resolved to go; but as he was riding a­long, he was encountred by the way with an Army of Infernal Soul­diers, or Evil Spirits, who beset the Nobleman on every side, and threw him from his Horse; now there was in his Company a virtu­ous, and valiant Gentleman, whoset him again on his Horse, and held him on one side, whom when the Spirits durst not attempt, by reason of his Innocence, they vanished out of sight; the Nobleman was carried into a Monastery hard by, where he lay three days and died, such many times is the end of horrible, and fearful Blas­phemers. Lonicerus. A Vintner who accustomed himself to Blas­pheming, Swearing, and drunkenness, and delighted to entertain such as were like himself to swallow his Wine; upon the Lords Day standing at the door with a Pot in his hand, to call in more guests, there came suddenly a violent Whirlwind, and carried him up into the Air, in the sight of all men, and he was never seen more Beards Theatre.

XXXIV. Lamentable is, the Relation of what happened in Holland in June last 1681. as it is written by Theodorus Paludamus, a Protestant Minister at Lewarden in Freizland, which may serve for a Terror to all wretched Swearers and Drunkards; A Person na­med Dowee Sitses, a Mason in that Country, being reported ro be in a desperate condition, I accompanied a Gentleman, who was sent to him by Order from the Lords of the Provincial, where we found two Master Chirurgions, and their two Servants busie in making Plaisters, and dressing the Patient, and he in such a lamen­table condition, as we could not behold but with amazement, his Hair was burnt off his Head to his Ears; his whole Face burnt ex­cept his Eyes, his Arms burnt in several Places, his Hands to the ends of his fingers were burnt like a rosted Fowl, but could move all his fingers, his Breast and Back burnt in several places, and yet his shirt whole, his Belly under the Navel, for about the breadth of an hand was as black as a stock, in which place the Chirurgeons made several incisions, and he felt it not, his Privities, Hip Thighs, and Legs were terribly burnt, yet not his stockins, his feets were also burnt, and indeed no part was free, so that he was a wo­ful sight; after the Patient was drest, and had got a little breath, both he and his Wife gave a full account of the following passages upon Oath; Upon the 15 of June last at Evening, this Dowee Sit­ses came drunk into a Tavern, where he with the Man of the House, and another drank three Quarts of Wine, and coming home at ten at night, he lay down to sleep upon Cushions [Page 28]in the Kitchen, and fell into a dream about a Story he had read in a book of Simon de Ʋries, of a certain Company that danced in Masquerade, with every one a lighted Torch in their hand, where­with they burnt one another; whereupon he waked, and stood up, thinking to go into the yard to make water, and of a sudden he found himself of a light flame in the midst of the room, which burnt him thus dreadfully, and some part of his Cloaths; upon which he cryed out for help, but none came; then he began to faint, and in his distress cryed out; O God be gracious unto me a poor Sin­ner; and thereupon the flame ceased in the twinkling of an Eye, but he growing faint, laid his head upon a Cushion in the room; about two in the morning his Wife came down and found him in this sad condition, and felt something under her feet, which was like a parcel of red ashes and burnt rags, and taking hold of her Husband, had only a burnt piece of his Sleeve in her hand, where­open she cries out, O Lord! Dowee, Thou art grievously burnt: He answered, The Devil hath brought me in this Case; upon which she called in the Neighbours, and Chirurgions; his Wife said he had been much given to Drunkenness, and often reproved in vain by the Ministers, that he drank much Brandy, and other strong Li­quors, though he had often sworn against it, and usually cursed himself, Wishing that if he were drunk again, the Devil might tear him Limb from Limb, so that God made use of the Devil as an Ex­ecutioner of his Judgment to bring the miserable mans own curse upon him, not one Limb or Member being left upon him. Drunkard forewarned.

XXXV. Remarkable is the Relation, of undoubted credit, (and with which we shall conclude this Chapter) of the Dreadful Judg­ment that happened upon one John Duncalf, of Kings-Swinferd in Staffordshire, who in January 1677. coming to the House of Hum­phrey Baby at Grangewell, about three miles from Wolverhampton, He begged of the Woman Victuals and Drink, who formerly know­ing him, and compassionating his condition, freely gave it him; but while she was stooping to draw him some Drink, he stole her Bible, and sold it afterward for three Shillings, to a Maid not far off, whereby the Woman came to hear of it, and paying her the Money, received it again, but could not hear what was become of the Man; but a while after John Duncalf hearing it discoursed that he stole a Bible, grew very angry, and gave out threathning words against a young Man that Reported it; but being severely charged with it, he did not only deny it with some fierceness, but execrated, and cursed himself, wishing, his Hands might not off if it were true; which words he had no sooner uttered, but by his own confession to divers that came to see him in his miserable condition, he said, That immediately thereupon he had an inward horrour and trembling upon him, a dread and fear of the Divine Majesty and Justice of God; which fear and working of his Conscience, continued [Page 29]many daies after; and being asked upon this ingenuoas acknow­ledgment, Why he did not confess his wickedness, and endeavour that the Bible might be restored to the owner; he answered, The Devil and his own heart would not suffer him, but acknowledged, That withia a few days after his cursing himself, his slesh began to look black at the wrists of his hands, and so continued divers weeks before it did sensib­ly rot; when he finding himself weak and faint, and fearing an Ague, was going to his acquaintance, but not being able to go fur­ther, he laid himself down in a Barn, and there continued two daies and nights before he was found, from whence he was removed to another Barn near Wolverhampton, and had a Keeper appointed him: His flesh began first to rise in great knots and lumps at his wrists and knees, and to break and run, and after to shrink from the Bones; at which time white putrid matter came out abundantly, causing exquisite pain and torment; and the smell was so offensive for seve­ral weeks together, that those who came to visit him (who were many thousands) were not able to abide the place, nor stand near without door, except they had herbs, or other things to smell to: After this many little Worms came out of his rotten flesh, and soon after both his Leggs fell off at his knees, and then both his Hands; he constantly acknowledging it to be the just Judgment of God for this fearful cursing of himself, and for all his other sins; desiring the Prayers of some Reverend Divines, who came to vint him in his misery, That God would give him Repentance, and pardon his sins of Idleness, Stealing, Lying, Cursing, Swearing, Drunkenness, Ʋnclean Thoughts, and constant Prophaneness; and that he would save him for Christs sake, and give him patience in the mean time. Thus he con­tinued a dreadful Spectacle of Divine Justice for some weeks, and then died, and may be looked upon as a Monument of God's severi­ty; and that although Sentence against every evil work is not alwaies Executed speedily, yet God leaves not himself without Witness in this, as well as in former Ages against Atheism and Impiety; and particularly against Blasphemers, Scoffers, Swearers, Cursers, and Perjured Persons, as manifestly appears by the foregoing dreadful Examples.

CHAP. II.

THat there are really Magicians, Conjurers, and Witches, who have commerce, and familiarity with evil Spirits, is so clear, and plain, both from holy Scripture, Councils, Canon & Civil Laws in all Nations, that none but those Atheists who would endeavour to per­suade themselves there are no Spirits, and consequently no other Life after this, ever denied it, but since the re­ality of this converse with Demons, and their appearan­ces, and Possessions has been so clearly demonstrated in former Ages, but especially in this, by persons of most acute judgment and Learning, wherein they have fully answered all Objections to the contrary, I shall not now ingage in the least in the controversy, but shall only give an account of the miserable deaths of some Persons mentioned in History, who were concerned in these cur­sed Arts, and likewise of some remarkable Apparitions, and actions of evil Spirits, and their taking possession of the Bodies of several Persons, and tormenting them; with several other strange Feats, and illusions of Satan, as I have collected them from very credible and appro­ved Authors; together with the danger of those who are so vainly curious in knowing future events, as to enquire, or ask Counsel of any of these Sorcerers, which is so strictly forbid in the Law of Moses.

I. Saul, the first King of Israel, being much disturbed in mind for fear of the Army of the Philistines, which came against him, would by all means know aforehand the [Page 31]issue of this doubtful War; now whereas before whil'st he performed the duty of a good King, and obeyed the Commandments of God, he had cleansed his Realm of Witches and Inchanters; yet he is now so sensless, as in his extremity to ask Counsel of them, adding this wickedness to all the rest of his Sins, that the measure thereof might be full; he went there­fore to a Witch to know his Fate, who caused a Devil to appear to him in the shape of Samuel, and foretel him of Gods just Judgment upon him in the final ruine and destruction of himself and his Family. An example not much unlike this in the Event we find recorded of Natholicus the 31 King of the Scots, who after he had un­justly usurped the Crown and Scepter, and by much blood-shed had obtained the Throne of that Kingdom without any legal Right or Title thereunto, he endea­voured by the same means to confirm and establish the Government to himself, and therefore, as guilt is always accompanied with suspition and sear, he sent one of his trustiest Servants to a Witch, to enquire of things to come, both how long he should enjoy the Crown, and how many years he should live; the Witch answered, That he should not live long, but should shortly be murdered, not by his Enemy, but by his familiar Friend; and when the Messenger was very earnest to know who should kill him, she answered, He himself should do it; the man at first heard this with detestation, abhorring the thought of any such Villany, yet at length considering that it was not safe to discover the Witches answer, and on the o­ther side that it could not be long concealed, he resolved for his own security, rather to kill the Tyrant with the favour of many, than to save him alive with the hazard of his own head; therefore as soon as he was returned home, he desired the King that he might speak with him in private about the Witches answer, & there he suddenly slew him, & gave him his just desert, both for his horrible cruelty, and wicked Sorcery; let all those that make no conscience of running to Witches, either for lost goods, re­convery of their own or Friends health, or upon any o­ther occasion, remember this example, either for their [Page 32]instruction to amend, or for their terrour if they conti­nue that devilish practice, Buchan. Hist. Scot. lib. 4.

II. As divers very worthy Authors have credibly re­lated several wicked actions committed by Magicians, & Witches, so some of them have recorded the manner of their entring themselves into that cursed profession, and the Ceremonies thereof, as they have been discovered by those who have renounced those detestable practices, which it may not be improper here briefly to relate. The Wizards and Witches being met at a place and time appointed, the Devil there appears to them in hu­man shape, admonishing them to be faithful, and promi­sing them success and length of Life; then those that are present, recommend the Person who is to be entred; the Devil then requires him to renounce the Christian Faith, and Sacraments, and giving him his hand, tells him that this alone is not sufficient, but that he must worship him likewise, and give himself to him Body and Soul for ever, and bring as many as possibly he can into the same So­ciety, and that he must prepare himself certain Oint­ments, and then be confirmed therein. Manlius writes, that in the Year 1553, Two Witches stole a Neighbours Child, and murdering it, cut it in pieces, and put it into a Kettle to boil, when the sorrowful Mother looking for her Infant, came by chance into the house, & found the Limbs thereof horribly consumed; for which abominable Fact the Authors of it were burnt, having confessed this their villany. Another Author says, two other Witches are reported to have killed abundance of Children, and that in Germany Eight Witches were taken, who confessed they had murdered an hundred forty and five Children in making their Ointments; they are also reported to have each of them a Spirit or Imp attending on them, who are to assist and obey them in all things, and to give them notice of their solemn Meetings, or appointments, at which time it is said, they separate themselves from all company, and night being come, they strip them­selves naked, ane anoint themselves with their Ointments; then are they carried out of the house, either by the win­dow, [Page 33]door, or Chimney, mounted on their Imps, to their meeting place, which is sometimes many hundred miles from their dwellings, where they find great numbers of Wizards and witches arrived by the same means, who all make their accustomed reverence to Lucifer in his Throne, adoring him, proclaiming him their Lord and rendring him all honour, as their King; this Solemnity being finished, they fit at Table, where no delicate meats are wanting to please their appetites, after which they dance, and the Incubusses in the shape of proper men satisfy the lusts of the Witches, and the Succubusses serve for Whores to the Wizards; sometimes at their solemn Assemblies the Devil commands each to tell what wick­edness he hath done, and according to the detestableness thereof, he is honoured and applauded; these, and ma­ny other such wonderful things are mentioned by Au­thors of good credit, and several Persons have made Confession, and given an account thereof.

III. In the year 1645. One Rebecca Jones, being sus­pected for a Witch, was brought before Sir Harbottle Grimstone, and Sir Thomas Bows, Justices of the Peace for Essex, to whom she voluntarily confessed, That about 25 years before, living with one John Bishop in that County, there came one morning to the door a very handsom young Man, as she then thought, but now she thinks it was the Devil, who asked her how she did, and desired to see her left wrist, and then he took a pin from her sleeve, and pricked it twice, and there came out a drop of blood, which he took upon his finger and departed; and going a while after to St. Osyths, she met a Man in a ragged Suit, with such great Eyes, as much affrighted her, who came to her, and gave her three things like to Moles, having four feet apiece, but no tails, and black, and bid her nurse them till he desired them again, she asked what she must give them, he answered Milk, & that they would not hurt her, but would avenge her on her Enemies, and bid her mur­ther some, but not too many, and he would forgive her, and then went away; after which she said, She sent one of these Imps to kill a Sow of one Benjamin Hows, which was done accordingly; she then with one Joyce Boanes, did send [Page 34]each of them an Imp [...] to kill one Thomas Brunstead of S [...] Osyths, who dyed about three weeks after, and she believes the two Imps killed him; she confest likewise that she sent ano­ther of her Imps to Brunsteads house to kill his Wife, and that the reason of her offence against them, was be­cause they beat a Son of hers upon a small occasion; for these and other villanies this woman was arraigned at Chelmsford, and upon her own confession condemned and hanged. Inform of Witches.

IV. There was a Conjurer at Saltzburg in Germany, who boasted that he could gather together all the Ser­pents within half a mile round about, into a Ditch, and feed them, and bring them up there; and being about the Experiment, behold the Old and Grand Serpent came in the while, which whilst he thought by the force of his Charms to make enter into the Ditch among the rest, he set upon him, and inclosed him round about like a Girdle; so strongly, that he drew him by force in­to the Ditch with him, where he miserably died; and so this Jugler was couzened by the Devil, who was more cunning than himself. Beards Theatre. Lamentable was the Death of the Governour of Mascon, a Magician, whom the Devil snatched up while he was at Dinner, and car­ryed into the Air, three times round about the Town of Mascon, in the sight of many Spectators, to whom he cryed out, Help, Help my Friends: so that the whole Town stood amazed thereat; yea the remem­brance of this strange Accident continued in the minds of the Inhabitants in and about that Country long after with horrour: It was Reported, That this wretch had given himself to the Devil, and had provided store of Holy Bread (as they called it) which he alwaies carryed about with him, thinking thereby to secure himself from him; but it served to little purpose, as the sequel de­clared. About the year 1437. Charles the Seventh, be­ing King of France, Sir Gyles of Brittain, High Constable of France, was accused for having murdered above an hundred and threescore Infants, and Women with Child, with whose blood he writ, or caused to be written [Page 35]books full of Conjuration, hoping by such abominable practices, to obtain great perferment; but it happened quite contrary to his Expectation; for being convicted of these horrible crimes, (it being the Divine Will that such gross and horrid iniquities should not go unpu­nished) he was condemned to be hanged and burnt to death, which was accordingly executed upon him at Nants by the Authority of the Duke of Brittain, Beards Theatre. Johan. Mirandula saith, That there was in his Time a Conjurer, who promised to present to a curious but no very wise Prince, the Siege of Troy, and Hector & Achilles fighting together as if they were alive upon a Stage, but he could not be so good as his word; for while he was practising his Hellish Arts to this purpose, he was carryed away alive by the Devil, and never after heard of. It is not long since that there was a man cal­led Coulen, living in Lorrain, who was given over to this cursed Art of Necromancy; and amongst other won­derful feats, he would suffer Muskets and Pistols to be shot at him, and would catch the Bullets in his hands without receiving any hurt; but one time it happened, that one of his Servants being angry with him, struck him such a blow with a Pistol, that notwithstanding all his cunning, he was killed therewith. Beards Theatre.

V. There was within the memory of our-Fathers (saith Camerarius) John Faustus of Cundligon, a German, who had learned the Black Art at Cracovia in Poland; he meet­ing one day at the Table with some who had heard much of his Magical Tricks, was earnestly entreated by the Company to show them some sport; and being overcome in the end by the Importunity of his Pot-Companions, who were also well armed in the head promised to shew them whatsoever they would have; they with a general consent require him to bring into the place a Vine laden with ripe Grapes, ready to be ga­thered; for they thought because it was in the month of December, Faustus could not show them that which was not; yet he condescended to them, saying, That imme­diately before they stirred from the Table, they should see the [Page 36]Vine they desired; but upon this condition, that they should not speak a word, nor offer to rise from their places, but should all tarry till he did them cut the Grapes; and that whosoever should do otherwise, was in danger to lose his life: They ha­ving all promised to obey him Fanstus so charmed the Eyes of these drunken Revellers, that they saw, as it seemed to them, a marvellous goodly Vine, and upon the same so many bunches of Ripe Grapes, extraordi­nary fair, as there were men sitting at the Table, who be­ing inflamed with such rare Dainties, and very dry with much drinking, every man takes his Knife in his hand, looking when Faustus would give the word, and bid them cut the Cluster; but he having held them a while in suspence about this vain piece of Witchcraft, behold all the Vine and the Bunches of Grapes were in the turn of a hand quite vanished away; and every one of these drunken Companions, thinking he had a Cluster of Grapes in his hand, ready to lop off, was seen to hold his own Nose with one hand, and the sharp Knife with the other, ready to cut it off; so that if any of them had forgot the Conjurers Lesson, and had been never so little too forward, instead of cutting a Bunch of Grapes, he had whipt off his own Nose: This wicked wretch is reported to have led about with him an Evil Spirit, in the likeness of a Dog; and being at Wittenburg, an Order was sent from the Emperour to seize him, but by his Magical Delusions, he made his escape; and afterward being at Diner at Noremburge, he was secretly sensible by an extraordinary Sweat which came upon him, that he was beset; whereupon he suddenly paid his Reckoning, and went away, but was hardly out of the City Walls ere the Serjeants and other Officers came to apprehend him; yet Divine Vengeance followed him; for coming into an Inn, in a Village of the Dukedom of Wittenburg, he sate very sad, and his Host demanding the cause thereof, he answered, That he would not have him saf­frighted if he heard great noise and shaking of the House that night, which happened according to his own predi­ction; for in the morning he was found dead by his Bed­side, [Page 37]with his Neck wrung behind him, and the House wherein he lay was beaten down to the ground. Wanly Hist. Man.

VI. Fazelus writes, that a certain Sicilian called Lyodor, a most notorious Magician, got himself great repute in the City of Catania, by his wonderful Illu­sions, for he seemed by the Extraordinary working of his Charms and Spells, to transform Men into brute Beasts, and to bestow upon all things else such form and likeness as himself pleased; and by general Report he drew to him as soon & as easily Persons that were distant from thence many daies Journey, as those that were in the same Place; he did also many injuries and shameful outrages to the Citizens of Catania; so that the common People bewitched with a fearful and false Opinion fell to worshipping of him; and when for his wicked deeds he was condemned to die, he by virtue of his Charms escaped out of the Hangmans hands, causing himself to be carryed in the Air by Devils from Catania to Con­stantinople, and after that brought back again from thence into Sicilia: This made him admired of all the People, who imagining the Divine Power was laid up in him, they ran into an horrible Errour, offering him Divine Honour: But at last Leo, Bishop of Catania, inspired with a sudden Zeal, laid hands on this Devilish Magi­cian in an open place before all the People, and caused him to be cast alive into an hot burning Furnace, where he was consumed to Ashes. Schotus Phil. Curios.

VII. In the year 1558. in a Village near to Ihena in Germany, a certain Magician being instructed by the De­vil, in the Composition of divers Herbs, restored many to their Healths: he had daily commerce with Evil Spirits, and used their Counsels in the curing of Dis­cases; but it happened that there was some difference betwixt him, and a Neighbour of his a Carpenter, who so exasperated him by some urging words, that in few daies after he caused the poor Carpenter by his Magical Arts, to fall into a grievous Disease: The poor Carpen­ter sent for this Magician, and entreated him to help [Page 38]him in his extremity; the Magician under pretence of friendship, though with inward design of revenge gave him a Potion composed of such venemous Hearbs and Roots, that the man by taking it, soon after died; where­upon the Carpenters Wife accused the Magician of mur­dering her Husband, and the cause is heard before the Senate of Ihena, who upon examination of all circum­stances caused him to confess the murder, and many o­ther villanies; for which he was fastned to a stake, and burnt to death. Beards Theatre.

VIII. Delrio in his Magicaldiscourses gives this Rela­tion. Two Magicians met together in the Queen of En­glands Court, as I have it from unquestioned witnesses; these two agreed, that in any one thing they should in­fallibly obey one another; the one therefore commands the other to thrust his head out of the Casem. of a Win­dow which he had no sooner done, but a large pair of Stags Horns, were seen planted on his forehead, to the great pleasure of the Spectators, who joked upon him with a thousand abuses, and mocks; he resenting the dis­grace, and thirsting after revenge, when his turn came to be obeyed, he with a Charcoal drew the Lineaments of a man upon the wall, and then commanded the same Magician to stand under that Picture, that the wall should immediately give place to receive him; the other apprehensive of the extream danger he was in, began to beseech him that he would excuse him, but the other absolutely refused, being therefore compelled, he stands under it, and then the wall seemed to open, and he being entred therein, was never afterward seen more. The same Authors sets down another Relation as a mat­ter of undoubted truth; a notable Conjurer, for a tryal of his great skill, had cut off the head of the Inn-keepers Ser­vant, where he lodged, and when he was about to set it on again, he perceived he was hindred by the pre­sence of another Magician, that chanced to be by at that time; he therefore besought him that he would not op­pose him; but the other not regarding his request, the first Magician caused a Lily to spring out upon the top of the [Page 39]Table, and when he had chopped off the head of it, to­gether with its Flowers, upon the sudden down falls the Magician that had hindered him, headless to the ground; that done, he sets on the head of the Servant again, and speedily conveys himself away, lest he should be que­stioned for the murder of his Rival. Delrio, Disquis. Ma­gick.

IX. There was a young man at Friburg in Germany, who by the help of a Magician, hoped to enjoy a young woman whom he earnestly loved; the Devil appeared to him in the likeness of the same Maid, and the young man putting forth his hand without the inchanted Cir­cle to imbrace her, was presently grasped of the wicked Spirit, who crushed him against a wall, and made the pieces of him fly every way round about, and cast the remainder of the dead body so torn in pieces at the Conjurer, who therewith fell down in the place much bruised, and not able to stir from thence, till some hear­ing a cry and noise ran to him, took him up, and car­ried him away half dead. Camerarius Ox. Sul Bladud the Son of Lud, King of Brittain (now called England) who as our late Histories report, built the City of Bath and likewise made the Baths therein; this King addict­ed himself so much to the devilish Art of Necromancy, that he wrought wonders thereby, insomuch that he made himself wings, and attempted to fly (as it is related of Dedalus) but the Devil, who was alwaies a deceiver forsook him in his flight, so that he fell down, and broke his neck. Beards Theatre. Philip Melancthon reporteth that he had an account from twomen of good credit, & repute, that a certain young Woman of Bottonia, two years after her death, returned again in humane shape, and went up and down the House, and sat at meat with them, but eat little; this young Woman being one time in company among other Virgins, a Magician came into the place, who being skilful in Diabolical Arts, he told the People about her, That that Woman was but a dead Carkass, carryed about by the Devil and presently he took from under her right Arm-pit the charm; which he had [Page 40]no sooner done, but she fell down a dead Carcass. Phil. Melanct.

X. Not long since at Stetin, an University of Pome­rania, there was a young Student, who upon some discon­tent, gave himself to the Devil, and made a Bond upon the Contract; which that it might not come to the knowledge of any, he laid up in one of his Books; but it pleased God some time after, that another Student wanting that Book upon some occasion, knew not where to get it, at last he remembred that such an one had it, and thereupon went to him, and borrowed it of him; the young men having forgotten that he had put his Bond into it: The other, when he came home, began to turn over the Book, and there met with the Bond; and read­ing of it, was much affrighted; and not knowing what to do, he went to Doctor Cramerus, Professor of Divinity in that University, to ask his Advice; who wished him to keep the Bond; the other replyed, he durst not; then said the Doctor, Bring it to me, and I well keep it. Some few nights after, as the Doctor was in his Study, the Devil came rapping at his Study door, saying, Cramer, Cramer, Give me my Bond for it belongs to me, and thou hast nothing to do with it: To whom the Doctor answer­ed, Satan, Satan, Thou shalt not have the Bond; thou hast nothing to do with it; I have put it where thou canst not fetch it; for it is in my Bible, at the third Chapter of Genesis, where these words are, The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents Head: Upon which the Devil went his way, taking the Chamber window with him, and the young man never heard of him afterward. Beards Theatre.

XI. A young man at Wittenburg in Saxony, being kept short of Money by his Father, was tempted by the De­vil to yield himself Body and Soul to him, upon condi­tion to have his wishes satisfied, and his necessities sup­plied; which he being pinched with want, consented to, and confirmed it by a Bond, written with his own Blood: But presently after he began to decay in his bodily health; and being thereupon brought to Martin Luther, and by him examined, he at length confessed the [Page 41]whole matter to him; which when Luther heard, he Assembled the whole Congregation together; and all of them joyned together, and prayed for him, whereby the Devil at last was forced to bring the Bond, and to throw it into the window amongst them, bidding the young man to take it to him again. On a time as Luther was walking in his Garden, the Devil appeared to him in the likeness of a black Boar; but he slighting him, and not regarding him, he vanished away. Luther likewise telleth us, That when he was lodged in the Castle of Warteburg, in a Chamber far from any Company, he was many times molested by noises made by the Devil in his Chamber, and on the Stairs, But I (saith he) Encoun­tred him with that sentence, Omnia subjectisti pedibus ejus, Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet; and so I laid me down and slept in safety. Another of the German Divines in Luther's Time, as he was sitting at his Book in his Study, the Devil appeared looking over his shoulder, which the Minister perceiving, took a piece of Paper, and writ in it, The Son of God came to destroy the works of the Devil; and so holding up that Paper, he immediately vanished Luther, Colloq. Mensal.

XII. In the Life of Mr. Richard Rothwell (a famous Preacher at Mansfield, in the County of Nottingham, about the year 1627.) we have this remarkable Account, as it was drawn up by Mr. Stanly Gower of Dorchester: There was one John Fox, living about Nottingham, who had no more Learning than enabled him to Write and Read; this Man was possessed with a Devil, who would violently throw him down, and take away the use of every Member of his Body, which was changed as black as Pitch, while those Fits were upon him; and then spake with an audible voice within him, which seemed sometimes to sound out of his Belly, sometimes out of his Throat, and sometimes out of his Mouth, his Lips not moving; and thus he continued for a considerable time; many prayers were put up to God for him, and great resort was made to him, especially by several famous Ministers; as Mr. Bernard of Batcomb, Mr. Langly of Truswell, and others, [Page 42]betwixt whom and John Fox there passed many Papers in Writing, he discovering his Temptations, and they writing him Answers, because he was struck dumb, as ye shall find afterwards. Among the rest Mr. Rothwell went to see him and before he came, the Devil told all that were in the House of it, saying, Yonder comes Roth­well, but I will make a fool of him before he goes; where­upon the People looked out, and saw him coming about a quarter of a mile from the House: As soon as he en­tred the Room, the Devil said, Now Rothwell is come, and as some say added, Thou sayest there is no Possession; What thinkest thou now? Here is a man opens not his lips, and yet he speaketh: And after a while he said, Say no­thing to me of this man, for I tell thee he is damned; and he added thereto many fearful Blasphemies.

Rothwell; Thou art a Lyar, and the Father of Lyes; nor art thou so well acquainted with the mind of God concern­ing this man, which makes thee thus to torment him; there­fore I believe thee not; I believe he shall be saved by Jesus Christ.

Devil; He is a Murderer, and thou knowest, no Mur­derer, must come into Heaven.

Rothwell; Thou lyest again; for David murdered, and is in Heaven; and the Jews with wicked hands crucified the Lord of Glory; yet Christ prayed for them: And St. Peter exhorted them to Repentance, that their sins may be hlotted out.

Devil; But this man hath not, cannot, shall not Re­pent.

Rothwell; If he had not Repented, thou wouldest not have told him so: but if he have not, I believe God' will give him Repentance, and thou shalt not be able to hinder it.

Devil; Thou art a Murtherer thy self' and yet talkest thou thus?

Rothwell; Thou lyest again; I have fought the Lords Battels against his known Enemies, the Idolatrous and bloody Papists in Ireland, Rebels to Queen Elizabeth my Sovt­reign, by whose Authority I bore Arms against them, other­wise I have killed no man.

nehT the Devil swore, and Blasphemed, saying, thou [Page 43] [...]dst murther one this day as thou camest hither, and [...]here is one behind thee that will justify it; upon which Mr. Rothwell looking over his shoulder, the Devil set up [...]n hideous laughter, that nothing could be heard for a great while, and then said, look you now, did not I tell [...]ou I would make Rothwell, a Fool? and yet it is true [...]hou didst murther one this day; for as thou camest o­ [...]ver such a Bridge (which he named) there I would have [...]illed thee, and there thy Horse trod upon a Fly, and [...]illed it. It seems Mr. Rothwells Horse stumbled at that [...]lace, the Devil having power to cause it, though without [...]urt either to Horse or Man.

Mr. Rothwell then said, Thou hast often beguiled me, I hope God will in time give me wisdom to discern, and power to withstand all thy delusions, and he it is that hath delivered me [...]ut of thy hands, and I doubt not will also deliver this poor Man; The Devil then blasphemed fearfully, and quoted many Scriptures out of the Old and New Testament, [...]oth in Hebrew, and Greek, cavilling and playing the [...]ritick therewith, and backing his allegations with sayings [...]ut of the Fathers, and Poets in there own Language, which he quoted very readily, so that the Company [...]rembled to hear such things from one that understood [...]o learning, and neither moved tongue nor lip all the [...]while; but Mr, Rothwell was wonderfully enabled by Divine Power to detect the Devils Sophistry, upon which [...]he Devil said, What stand I talking with thee, all Men know thou art bold Rothwell, and fearest no body, nor carest, [...]or words, therefore I will talk to thee no more; This name [...]e carryed to his Grave, for the People would say, This [...]s he whom the Devil called bold Rothwell.

Mr. Rothwell turning to the People, said, Good People you [...]ee the goodness of our God, and his great power, though the [...]Devil made a fool of me even now through my weakness, God hath [...]ade the Devil dumb now, do but observe how the Man lies; [...]herefore let us go to Prayer, and that God who hath made him [...]umb, will I doubt not drive him out of this poor man.

The Devil hereupon raged, blasphemed, and said, [...]nd wilt thou go to Prayer, if thou dost, I will make [Page 44]such a noise, that thy Prayer shall be distracted, and th [...] knowest God will not hear a distracted Prayer; b [...] thou hast got a device, because thou wilt not be distra­cted, thou shuttest thy Eyes in Prayer, (for so he alway [...] did) but if thou pray, I will pull out thy Eyes.

Rothwell. I look to find thee as great an Enemy in this d [...] ­ty now, as I have done heretofore, but I fear not thy threats, [...] know thou art limited, God heareth the Prayers of the uprigh [...] and hath promised to give his Spirit to supply infirmities, the [...] fore in confidence of his promise, and powerful assistance of b [...] Spirit, and in the name and intercession of his Son Jesus Chri [...] we will go to Prayer; and accordingly they did so, M [...] Rothwell kneeling by the Bedside where the poor M [...] lay; the Devil for above a quarter of an hour made [...] most horrible noise: however Mr. Rothwells voice w [...] louder then his, and a while after the Devil roared ev [...] at the very face of Mr. Rothwell wherewith the Body [...] the man moved, and the hand was held up, which was th [...] first time he stirred; Mr. Rothwell took the hand, & held [...] down with much ease, two men being scarce able to ho [...] the other hand; yet Prayers were still continued, and length the Devil lay silent in the Man and soon after d [...] parted out of him, the Man then fetched several de [...] sighs, in somuch that they thought he had been d [...] ­ing, but his colour suddenly returned to him, and the [...] of all his Members, Senses, and understanding, and at [...] next Petition, to the Glory of God, and amazement, b [...] comfort of all the company, he said Amen; and so co [...] ­tinued to repeat Amen to every Petition: Prayers a [...] hereupon now turned into Thanksgivings, wherewi [...] the Company concluded.

After which, John Fox said, good Mr, Rothwell le [...] me not, I shall not live long, for the Devil tells me he will cho [...] me with the first bit of meat that Ieat, Mr. Rothwell answ [...] ­red, Wilt thou believe the Devil that seeks thy destruction, [...] ­fore thou will trust in God through Jesus Christ, that seeks t [...] Salvation; hath not God by his, Almighty Power dispossess [...] him, had he had his will, thou hadst been in Hell before now? [...] he is Lyar, and as he is not able to hinder thy Souls life, so neit [...] [Page 45]shall he be able to destroy the life of thy Body, wherefore get me something (saith he) ready for him, and I will see him eat be­fore I go, and will beg a blessing upon it.

When it was brought, tat (saith Mr. Rothwell) and fear not the Devil, and urged him to eat, as being a means appointed by God to preserve life, and quoted the exam­ple of Jairus's Daughter, whom our Saviour after he had restored her to life, Commanded to give her meat, St. Luke 8.55. With much ado, and great trembling, at last he took and eat; look you (says Mr, Rothwell) you all see that the Devil is a Lyar, the first bit hath not choaked him, nor shall the rest; Mr. Rothwell then left him; after which he was struck dumb for three years together, and continued to be tempted, though no longer possessed; at length by Prayer likewise, which was instantly put up to God for him, his mouth was opened, and his speech restored to him at that very instant, when a Minister praying for him in the Congregation, where he was present, used this ex­pression, Lord open thou his mouth, that his lips may shew forth thy praise; to which he presently answered Amen, and so continued to speak, and lived religiously and virtuously to his dying day, Clarks Martyrol. 2 p. 1.

XIII. In the year 1323, Frederick, D. of Austria, who was chosen Emp. against Lewis, was overcome by Lewis in a great Battel, and sent to be kept Prisoner in a strong Castle; it fell out afterward that a Magician coming into Austria, to Leopold his Brother, promised that by his Art and the assistance of his Spirits, he would free Frederick, and within the space of an hour, bring him into his pre­sence, if he would give him a good reward; the Duke replied, That if he performed his promise, he would worthily reward him. The Magician placed himself together with Leopold in a Circle, and by Conjurations called up that Spirit that was wont to obey him, who appearing in the shape of a man, he commanded that he should speedily go and free Frederick and bring him to him into Austria without hurt; the Spirit answered, I shall willingly obey thy Commands, if the Captive Prince will come with me; this said, the Spirit flew into Bavaria, and in the form of a stran­ger [Page 46]came to the Prince, to whom he said, If thou wilt be freed from thy captivity, mount this Horse, and I will carry thee safe into Austria, to Leopold thy Brother; who art thou said the Prince? Ask me not (said the Spirit) who I am, for that is nothing to the purpose; but do as I desire, and I will per­form what I say: Which heard, a certain horrour seized upon the Prince, though otherwise a man of a bold Spirit; so that blessing himself, the Horse disappeared and returned to the Conjurer, by whom he was chid for not bringing with him the Prisoner; he told him all that had passed: At last Frederick was freed out of Prison, and confessed, that upon the same day the same thing had happened to him: But Leopold (saith Came­rarius) was so affrighted with the Spirit he had seen, that within a while after he died. Camerarius Hor. Subses.

XIV. In a Treatise called Speculum Historiae, we have this strange Relation; An old Witch who had been ve­ry famous in her time for her Inchantments, kept a Jackdaw, which at a certain time spoke; at which the Woman let fall her Knife as she was at Dinner, and grew extream pale, and at length after many sighs and groans, she broke forth into these words, This day my Plough is come to its last period, and I shall certainly suffer some great evil: Whilst she thus spoke. a Messenger brought word that her Son was dead; upon which news she fell immediatly sick; and sending for her other two Children, who were a Monk, and a Nun, she with abundance of tears spake thus to them; I have by my wretched Fate followed Wit [...]raft these many years, and have given my Self Body and Soul to the Devil; who, as he was the Author of this my wickedness, by persuading me to it; so he will likewise be the punisher thereof; I desire you therefore that you would not cease to pray for me while I am alive; for I doubt the destruction of my Soul is irrevocable: You shall also sow up my Body in a Buck-Skin, and put it into a stone Coffia, making fast the top with Lead, and besides, you shall bind it with three great Chains; and if I lye securely three daies, the fourth you shall bury me: Moreover, let there be sung and said for me Psaims and Prayers, for fifty nights. [Page 47]All these things her two Children performed; but it prevailed nothing; for the first two nights when the Monks began to sing Hymns about the Body, the Devils opened the Church doors, which were shut with a great Bar, and broke two Chains; but the middlemost remained whole; the third night the noise of those Demons, who came to fetch the Body, was so great, that the very Foundation of the Church was shaken: But one Devil more terrible in shape than the rest, broke open the door, and went toward the Coffin, com­manding the Body to arise, which answered It could not for the Chain; Thou shall be delivered (replyed he) from that hinderance; and going to the Coffin, he broke the Chain, and with his foot thrust off the covering; then taking the Woman by the hand, he led her out of the Church, in the presence of them all, to the door, where stood a black Horse ready, and proudly neighing, upon which the Woman was placed, and all the Company of Devils went away with her through the Air; their noise being so great, that the Inhabitants thereabouts were no less astonished than the beholders. Spe. Hist. lib. 26.

XV. About the year 1644, the Lord Grandison, a Scottish Nobleman, took up his Habitation for some time at Berwick upon Tweed and brought his Family with him; in which, among others, was the Steward of his House, who was a very Religious man, But was then very much afflicted in mind: Among others, Mr. Robert Balsom, a very zealous Minister in those parts, came to visit him, and for the present somewhat satisfied him; but two or three daies after, being againg sorely afflict­ed, Mr. Balsom was sent for, who finding him Very much weakened by the violence of this Destemper of mind, began to speak comfortably to him; but perceiving he could fasten nothing upon him, he whispered to him in his Ear to this purpose, I doubt there is something with­in, which you would do well to discover: Hereupon the Man's Tongue swelled immediately, and came out of his mouth, so that he was not able to speak; Mr. Balsom continued to discourse with him, till at length, to the [Page 48]astonishment of all that were in the Room (who were many, and some of them Persons of good Quality) a shrill voice was heard, as coming out of his Throat, without any motion of his Tongue, saying, What dost thou talk to him of Promises, and Free Grace? He is mine; Mr. Balsom apprehending it to be the voice of the Devil, replyed, No Satan, thou dost not know any man to be thine while there is life in him.

Satan; But this is a notorious wicked wretch, and therefore he is mine.

Balsom; Yet the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.

Satan; If God would let me loose upon you, I should find enough in the best of you to make you all mine.

Balsom; But thou art bound Satan; and so turning himself to the standers by, he said with a cheerful coun­tenance, What a gracious God have we that suffers not Sa­tan to have his will upon us! The Devil hereupon began to curse, swear, and to blaspheme the Blessed Trinity in a most searful and horrible manner; to whom Mr. Balsom said, The Lord rebuke thee Satan.

Satan; But this Man is mine, for he hath given him­self to me, and sealed it with his own Blood.

Balsom; I do not believe that the Father of Lyes speak­eth Truth; and I do believ e, how consident soever thou art, that thou wilt lose thy hold before to morrow morning: The Devil then continued to curse and swear abominably, and said, How canst thou endure to hear thy God thus blasphe­med? I will never give over blaspheming as long as thou stayest in the Room.

Balsom; I will pray for the Man.

Satan; Wilt thou pray for a Man that is damned?

Balsom; I will go home and pray for him, and get all the force I can in the Town to joyn with me. After this there being no voice any more heard, Mr. Balsom went home about Eleven of the Clock at night, where he found in his House divers Christian Friends, which he intend­ed to have sent for, waiting for him; and upon the fight of them, he spoke to this purpose, Friends, I wonder at th [...] [Page 49]Brovidence of God in bringing you hither at this time; for otherwise I must have sent for you; and so declaring to them what had befallen the afflicted Person, he desired them to joyn their Prayers with his on his behalf; which they continued for some part of the night: And the next morning Mr. Balsom going to visit him again, found him in a very comfortable condition; and asking him how he did, he answered; Through the Goodness of God I have overcome Satan, and am now as full of Comfort as I was before of Trouble: Thus he continued cheerful (though very weak) all that day, and the next morning died, no Disease being apparent on him. Clarks Martyr.

XVI. Strange is the Relation of the Devil of Mascon in France, as it is translated by Dr. Peter du Moulin, at the Request of the Honourable Robert Boyle Esquire, who was fully satisfied of the certainty and reality thereof; that in the year 1612 one Monsieur Perreaud, a Pro­testant Minister, being from his own House one night, his Wife being in Bed, and in her first slee [...], was awa­kened by the noise of her Curtains, which were drawn violently; her Maid lying in the same Room, arose, and weat to see what was the matter, but could discern nothing: The night following the Maid lying with her Mistress, presently after they were in Bed, they felt something that palled off their Blankers; hereupon the Maid a rose, intending to go into the Kitchen, but found the Chamber door bolted on the outside; so that she could not get out till she had called a Boy that lay near, to unbolt the door; coming into the Kitchen, and lighting a Candle, she found the Pewter and Brass thrown all about the Room, which both that, and the night following, made a very great and confused noise: Mr. Perreaud coming home, was told of all this; and before he would go to Bed, he carefully searched every corner of the House, and set Bolts and Barricadoes to all the Doors and Windows, stopping every Cat-hole in the Doors, and left nothing that might cause suspicion of Imposture, and so went to Bed; scarce was he in his Bed when he heard a great noise in the Kitchen, as the [Page 50]rowling of a Billet, thrown with great strength; and al­so a knocking against a Partition of Wainscot, and things thrown against the Wainscot; and Musick was made with a Brass Cullen der; upon this Mr. Perreaud rose, took his Sword, and went into the room where the noise was, but found nothing. Next morning Mr. Per­reaud made it known to the Elders of the Church, and also to Mr. Francis Tornus, a Roy al Notary, after which the Notary, and some others sat up with him every night till midnight, during that affliction. The first night they came, and several others, all was quiet, but Septemb. 20. about nine a clock, in the presence of them all the De­vil began to whistle three or four tunes with a loud, and shrill tone, & presently spake (though somewhat hoarse) which seemed to be about three or four steps from them; singing a little tune of five notes, which Birds are taught to whistle, and after he often repeated this word Minister, Minister; then said Mr. Perreaud, get thee from me Satan, the Lord rebuke thee; but continuing to repeat the word Minister, Mr. Perreaud said, Yes indeed I am a Minist­er, a Servant of the living God, before whose Majesty thou trem­blest; the Devil replied, I say nothing to the contrary: Mr. Perreaud said, I have no need of thy testimony; yet did he continue to repeat the same; then he endeavoured to transform himself into an Angel of Light, saying over very loud the Lords Prayer, the Creed, the Morning and Evening Prayers, and the 10 Commandments, but he al­ways clipt, and left out some part of them, he also sung with a loud and audible voice the 81 Psalm; then he re­lated many things concerning Mr. Perreauds Family, as that his Father was poysoned, naming the man that did it, and the reasons why, and the place and manner of it; he further said, That very night he came from Pais de Vaux, and had passed through the Village of Allancogne, that at the door of Mr. Perreauds elder Brothers House, he had seen him with Mr. de Pau, Minister of Thoiry, who were ready to go to supper together, and that they were Neighbours, and dear Friends, that he had saluted them, and asked them whether they would command him any service to M. Perreaud, because he [Page 51]was going to Mascon; that they were very kind to him, and desired him to remember their love to Mr. Perreaud, and invi­ted him to drink with them; to this Mr. Perreaud replyed, Thou wicked feind, if thy had known thee, they would not have been so kind to thee; Mr. du Pau afterward told Mr. Perreaud that he remembered very well that at that very time, a man of a strange shape came riding on a very lean Horse, that hung down his head, and spoke to them to that purpose.

the Devil told them also of another Brother of Mr. Perreauds, living in the vale of the Lake de Joux, who one day, when some of their Kindred came to visit him, to give them some divertisement, carried them upon the Lake, upon a float of Wood, and that presently a storm arose, which overturned the float, and almost drowned them all; which stor [...] he affirmed to be of his own raising; he then told them also that the Man and his Wife, who had lived formerly in Mr. Perreauds house being fallen out, the Wife took her time, when her Hus­band was going down into his Shop, and pushed him with such violence, that her Husband fell down stairs stark dead, and that she going down a back pair of Stairs presently called her Servants, who finding their Master, judged him to die of some sudden disease; Another time the Devil told one that was present, of such private and secret things, that the Man affirmed never to have told to any one, and thereupon he judged that the Devil knew his thonghts; then he began to mock God, and all Religion, and said Gloria Patri, but skipped over the Se­cond Person, and made a foul, horrible, and detestable equivocation upon the Third Person of the Blessed Tri­nity; he also desired them earnestly to send for Mr. Du Chassin, the Popish Priest of St. Stephens Parish, to whom he would confess himself, and to desire him that he would not fail to bring Holy Water along with him, for that (said he) would send me packing presently; and there being a fierce Dog in the House, the Devil said, You wonder that the Dog barks not at me, when I make all this noise; it is because I made the sign of the Cross upon his head.

Then he fell a scoffing and jearing, saying, That he was one of those who scaled the walls of Geneva, and that the Ladder breaking, he fell from the wall into the Ditch, where he was like to be eaten up with the Frogs, and then he imi­tated their croaking; he said also, that Father Alexander, a Jesuit, stood at the foot of the Ladder, encouraging the Sa­voyards to go up boldly, assuring them that they should take the City, and thereby win Paradise, and that when the thirteen that were got upon the wall, and were taken by them of Geneva, were led to the Gallows, the Women of the City said to the Hangman, Courage Tabasou; thou shalt have mony to drink. Then speaking of Pais du Vaux, he said it was a Country where they made goodly Carbonadoes of Withes, and at that he laughed very loud.

He jested much with one Michael Repay, and told him he should go with him, and be a Souldier under the Marquess of St. Martins; what (said Repay) should I go to war with such a Coward as thy self, who confessest that thou didst fly at the Scalado of Geneva; the Devil answered, And do you think that I would go to be hanged with my Come­rades, no, I was no such fool; At another time he told them in a faint, and mournful tone that he had a mind to make his will, for he musts needs go presently to Chamberey, where he had a Law-suit, and that he might dye by the way, and therefore he bid the Maid to go for Mr. Tornus, the Notary, and declared to him what legacies he would leave, and to one present he said, he would bequeath five hundred pound, but he answered, I will have none of thy Mony, thy Mony perish with thee; he named another to be his HeirGeneral, who also answered, That he would not accept of the Inheritance; whereupon the Devil replied, I will free thee from it for six pence, and a piece of Bread. As he was once speaking, a man who used to be present, rushed in­to the place, whence the voice seemed to come, and searched it strictly, as many had done before him, but found nothing, except several odd things which he brought forth, and among them a small bottle, at which the Devil fell a laughing and said to him, I was told long since that thou wast a Fool, and I see now thou art one indeed, to [Page 53]believe that I am in the bottle; I should be a Fool my self to get into it, for so I might be catched by stopping the bottle with ones finger; He was once very angry, because Mr. Perreaud said to him, Go thou cursed into everlasting Fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels; whereupon he replied, Thou lyest, I am not cursed, I hope yet for Salvation, by the Death and Passion of Jesus Christ.

He threatned Mr. Perreaud, what he would do to him, as that when he was in bed, he would pluck off the the blankets, and pull him out of the bed by the feet; Mr. Perreaud answered, I will lay me down, and sleep, for the Lord maketh me to dwell in safety, thou canst have no power over me, but what is given thee from above; whereupon he said, it is well for thee, it is well for thee; the Devil at last confessed, That he could not prevail against them, because they did too much call upon the name of God, and indeed it was observed that as often as they kneeled down to Prayer, the Devil left talking, and often said, While you are at your Prayers, I'le go take a turn in the Street; but no sooner was Prayer ended, but he used to begin as before, urging them to talk with him, which course he continued till the 25th of November, at which time he spake these his last words, Alas, Alas, I shall speak no more; after which he was never heard to utter any word.

Mr. Perreaud told Mr. Du Moulin, that a grave Divine once coming to his house, and hearing the Devil speak profanely, rebuked him sharply for it, whereupon the Devil answered, Minister, you are very holy and zealous in this Company, but you were not so, when you were singing such a baudy song, in such a Tavern, and then the Devil sung the same song before them all; the Divine said, It's true Satan, I have been licentious in my younger years, but God of his Mercy hath given me repentance, and pardon for it, but for thy part thou art hardned in sin, and shalt never have repentance and pardon; he spake also of those that: professed the Reformed Re­ligion in France, saying, O poor Hugonots, you shall have much to suffer within a few years, O what mischief is intended against you.

An Officer, who was a Papist, belonging to a Court of [Page 45]Justice came out of curiosity to Mr. Perreauds house, and hearing that the Devil foretold future things, and some secrets, he would needs question him about many mat­ters; but Mr. Perreaud desired him to forbear, representing to him both the sin and danger of it; the Lawyer rejected his Council with scorn, bidding him Teach his own Flock, and let him have the Government of himself, and so proceeded to propound several questions to the Devil, as about absent Friends, private business, News, and State-Affairs, unto all which the Devil answered him, and then added, Now Sir I have told you all that you have demanded of me, I must tell you next what you demanded not, that at this very time you are propounding these questions to the Devil, such a man (whom he named) is doing your business with your Wise; and then he further discovered many secret, and foul practises of the Lawyer, which shewed his dishonesty; neither was this all; for in conclusion the Devil told him, Now Sir let me correct you for being so bold as to question with the Devil, you should have taken the Ministers safe Counsel; then upon a suddain the whole Company saw the Law­yer drawn by the Arm into the midst of the Room, where the Devil whirled him about, and gave him many turns with great swiftness, touching the ground only with his Toe, and then threw him down upon the floor with great violence, and being taken up, and carried to his house, he lay sick and distracted a long time after.

It seems at this time Satan was let loose in France; for about the same time the Devil appeared at Lyons in the shape of a fine Gentlewoman, to the Lieutenant of the Knight of the Watch, called La Jacquiere, and to two others of his Companions, which three had car­nal knowledge of her, and thereby came to a most Tra­gical and fearful end. At the same time a Person of Quality at Paris, had Cohabitation with the Devil in the shape of a beautiful Lady, who being visited by some Justices and Physicians, was found to be the Body of a Woman hanged some few daies before: And at this time the Prisons in Mascon were filled with a great num­ber of Men and Women, young and old, all Indicted of [Page 55]Witchcraft, who appealed to the Parliament at Paris; and as they went thither under a Guard, a Coach met them, and in it one like a judge, who asked the Cap­tain what Prisoners he conducted; the Captain having satisfied him, he called to one of them by name, saying, How now! Art thou one of them too? Fear nothing; for neither thou, nor any of thy Company shall suffer: And these words proved true; for soon after they were all released.

Likewise about the same time a Girl at Mascon, of about thirteen years old, who was Daughter to one of the Chief Citizens, lying with the Maid, perceived that she absented her self many times in the night, and there­fore asked her whence she came? the Maid answered, That she came from a place where there was good Company, gallant Dancing, and all kind of Sport and Merriment: The Girl desired the Maid to bring her also to that place, and accordingly she anointed her, and made her do the Ordinary Ceremonies prescribed by the Devil to Witches; after which the Girl was carried up into the Air; but seeing her self above the Convent of the Ca­puchin Fryers, she called upon God for help, who caused the Devil to lay her down in the Fryers Garden about midnight: The Capuchins hearing her lamenting voice went to her, to whom she related these Passages, where­upon two of them secretly conducted her to her Fathers House. At the same time also the Devil haunted the house of a Woman-Baker in Mascon, in the shape of a Man with a Red Cap on his head, and would often look out of the Window by Moon-light, and was seen by many. Also the Devil kept a great stir in St. Stephens Church in Mascon, overturning divers Graves, which many resort­ed to see. He did the like also in the Church of St. Al­ban, at the same time: And in a Widdows House not far from Mascon, he did much hurt, for three months together letting out the Wine in the Cellar, and beating several Persons outragiously: And among others a Lock-Smith, who coming drunk into the House, gave many ill and threatning words to the Devil, who pre­sently took one of the Andirons, and therewith grie­vously [Page 56]beat him, till in great hast he run away out of the House.

The ten or twelve last daies the Devil threw stones about Mr. Perreauds House continually, from morning to evening, and in great quantity some of them of two or three pounds weight: One of those last daies Mr. Tornus went to Mr. Perreauds House, to know whether the Devil was there still; and whistling several tunes, the Devil still answered him in the same; then the De­vil threw a stone at him, which falling at his feet, he took up, marked it with a Coal, and threw it into the back-side of the House, and presently the Devil threw it at him again; when he took it, up, he sound it very hot, whereupon he said, That he believed it had been in Hell since he handled it first. The 22th of December the De­vil went quite away; and the next day a great Viper was seen going out of Mr. Perreaud's House; which be­ing discovered by some Nailors that lived by, they seized it with long Pincers, and carryed it all over the Town crying, Here is the Devil that came out of the Ministers House, and then lift it with one Mr. Clark, an Apothecary, and it was found to be a True und Natural Viper; a Serpent rarely seen in those Countries. All the while the Devil haunted Mr. Perreauds House, God suffered him not to do the least hurt either to their Persons or Goods.

This is a brief Account of some particulars, the Nar­rative whereof was drawn up more at large by Mr. Per­reaud himself, a Reverend and Religious Divine, and is attested by so many, and those such credible Witnesses, as the Truth of it cannot rationally be questioned by any.

Considering therefore the notable Pranks played by the Devil and his Disciples, it might seem strange that there is no more hurt done in the world, did we not remem­ber that their Power, and that of their Black Master himself also is so limited and restrained by a Superiour hand of Goodness, that he cannot perform what his ma­ [...]ce would prompt him to commit; and for those who are resolved not to believe (or at least pretend not to [Page 57]believe) that there are Spirits, or any such Apparitions or Possessions as we have before related, because they have neither seen, nor been sensible of any such matter, I shall conclude with this short but True Account.

XVII. In the year 1599, there lived at Loim, in the Dutchy of Gulick, a certain Damsel called Helena, that was possessed by the Devil, whom the Popish Curate of the Place undertook to eject; but when he had used many Charms to cast him out, and all to no purpose, be­ing in a great rage, he spoke to the Devil in Latin say­ing, If thou hast any Power to enter into a Christians Body, depart out of the Damsel, and enter into me: To whom the Devil answered, Quid mihi opus est eum tentare quem novis­simo die jure optimo possessurus sum; What need I tempt him whom by good right Ishall be sure to enjoy at the last day? Chasson. Loci Commun.

CHAP. III.

HIstorians have made observation, that there have seldom been any remarkable Revolutions in the Fortunes of considerable Places or Persons, but that there were certain Previous Presages, and Presignifica­tions thereof: And though some of them may seem to be only casual and accidental, and afterwards adapted to the occasion by the Ingenuity of others; yet there want not many notable Instances of such as may seem to be sent on purpose from Heaven with no obscure inti­mations of what Divine Providence was about to bring [Page 58]to pass in the Places, or upon the Persons where they happened.

It is likewise very observable, that when men who sit in the Place of God, shall through corruption or malice wilfully prevaricate, and knowingly and presumptuously oppress the Innocent, in such cases the supream Judge oftentimes reserves the decision of the cause to be made at his own Bar; and thereupon hath inspired the injured Persons to give their Oppressors a summons of Appea­rance, which they have not been able to avoid, though they have sometimes been told of the Affixed daies wherein their Destiny should happen: Of both these kinds we shall briefly recite several very wonderful Ex­amples from Authors of undoubted Reputation.

I. Josephus sets down this as a Prodigy presaging the Destruction of the Jews; There was, saith he, one Jesus the Son of Ananias, a Country-man of mean Birth, who four years before the Siege of Jerusalem (at a time when all was in deep Peace and Security) coming up according to the Custom, to the Feast of the Tabernacles. began upon a sudden to cry out and say, A Voice from the East, a Voice from the West, a Voice from the four Winds, a Voice against Je­rusalem, and the Temple, a Voice against Bridegrooms and Brides, a Voice against all the People: Thus he went about all the narrow Lanes, crying night and day; and being ap­prehended and scourged, he still continued the same Language, even under the very strokes, without any other word; whereupon they supposing it some Divine Motion (as in deed it was) brought him before the Ro­man Prefect; and being by his command again wound­ed with whips, and his flesh torn to the bones, he neither shed one tear, nor entreated for mercy; but to every blow in a most lamentable, mournful tone cryed out, Wo, Wo to Jerusalem: This he continued to do till the time of the Siege, even for seven years together; and at last to this common saying of, Wo to the City, the People, the Temple &c. he added. Woe likewise to myself; and immediately a stone from the Battlements fell down [Page 59]upon him, and killed him. Josephus Hist. Jews, lib. 7.

II. I have spent some inquiry, saith Sir Henry Wotton, whether the Duke of Buckingham had any ominous pre­sagement before his end, wherein though ancient and modern Stories have been infected with much vanity, yet often times things fall out of that kind, which may bear a sober construction, whereof I will glean two or three in the Dukes case. Being to take his leave of the Bishop of Canterbury (then of London) after courtesies of course had passed between them, My Lord (saith the Duke) I know your Lordship hath worthily good access to the King our Soveraign, let me pray you to put His Majesty in mind to be good (as I no ways distrust) unto my poor Wife and Children; at which words, or at his countenance in the delivery, or at both, the Bishop being somewhat troubled, took the liberty to ask him whether he had ever any secret abodement or presage in his mind; No (said the Duke) But I think some adventure may kill me as well as another man. The very day before he was slain, feeling some indispo­sition of body, the King was pleased to give him the honour of a visit, and found him in his bed, where after much serious and private conference, the Duke at His Majesties departing, imbraced him a very unusual, and passionate manner, and in like sort his Friend the Earl of Holland, as if his Soul had divined he should see them no more; which infusions toward fatal ends, have been observed by some Authors of no light Authority. On the very day of his death the Countess of Denbigh his Sister, received a letter from him, whereunto all the while she was writing her answer, she bedewed the Pa­per with her tears; and after a bitter passion (whereof she could yield no reason, but that her dearest Brother was to be gone) she fell down in a swound; her said let­ter ended thus, I will pray for your happy return which I look at with a great Cloud over my head, too heavy for my poor heart to bear without torment but I hope the great God of Heaven will bless you; The day after his murder the Bishop of Ely (her devoted Friend) who was thought the fittest preparer of her mind to receive such a doleful accident, [Page 60]came to visit her, but hearing she was at rest, he atten­ded till she should awake of her self, which she did with the affrightment of a dream; her Brother seeming to pass through a Field with her in her Coach, where hear­ing a sudden shout of the People, and asking the reason, it was answered, to have been for joy that the Duke of Buckingham was sick; which natural impression she had scarce related to her Gentlewoman, before the Bishop was entred into her Bedchamber, for a chosen Messenger of the Dukes most sudden Death. Wottons Remains. The Continuator of Bakers Chronicle, mentions several other Presages of this Dukes untimely end; as that his Picture fell down in the High Commission Chamber, at Lambeth, on the same day that Doctor Lamb, his great Fa­vourite, was slain in the City of London for a Conjurer; also that the Lady Davis, who was reputed a great Prophetess, had in June foretold that the Dukes fatal time would not come till August; and lastly, that one Mr. Towerson, an Officer of the Custom-house, was charged by a Phantasme, or Spirit like the Dukes Father, to tell him, That if he changed not his Courses, he would shortly be­come a great Fairing to the City of London; which afterward was thought accomplished by his death, which happened Aug. 23. 1628. and the day before Bartholomew Fair which was occasioned by the treachery of John Felton, who waiting upon the Duke at Portsmouth, gave him with a back blow, a deep wound in his left side, which the Duke himself pulling out, sunk under the Table in the room, and immediately expired; one thing in this enor­mous accident (saith Sir Henry Wotton) is I must confess to me beyond all wonder, as I received it from a Gen­tleman of judicious, and diligent observation, and one whom the Duke much favoured; That within the space of not many minutes after the Dukes fall, and removal of the body into the first room, there was not a living creature in either of the Chambers near the Body, no more than if it had lain in the Sands of Ehiopia, whereas common­ly in such cases, you shall note every where a sudden conflux of People to the place to hearken and see; but [Page 61]it seems the horrour of the fact stupified all Curiosity. Reliquiae Wottonianae.

III. In the Reign of King Henry the Eighth, there was one Mr. Gresham, a Merchant of London, who was sailing homeward from Palermo, a City in Sicily, wherein was dwelling at that time one Antonio, sirnamed The Rich, who had at one time two Kingdoms morgaged to him by the King of Spain; Mr. Gresham crossed by contrary winds, was constrained to anchor under the Lee of the Island of Strombulo, where was a burning Mountain: Now about the Mid-day, when for a certain space the Moun­tain used to forbear sending forth flames; he with Eight of the Sailors ascended the Mountain, approaching as near the Vent as they durst; where amongst other Noises, they heard a voice cry aloud, Dispatch, Dispatch, the Rich Antonio is coming; terrified herewith, they hasted their return, and the Mountain presently vo­mited out fire; and from so dismal a place, they made all the haste they could; but desiring to know more of this matter (since the Winds still thwarted their course) they returned to Palermo, and forthwith inquiring for Antonio, they found that he died about that very Instant (so near as they could compute) when that voice was heard by them; Mr. Gresham at his return into England, reported this to the King; and the Mariners being cal­led before him, confirmed the same on their Oaths: This wrought so deep an impression upon Mr. Gresham, that he gave over all Merchandizing, and distributed his Estate, partly to his kindred, and partly to good uses, re­taining only a Competency for himself and so spent the rest of his daies in a solitary Devotion. Sandys Travels, lib 4.

IV. It is a very memorable thing which (from the mouth of a very credible Person, who saw it) George Bu­chanan relates concerning James the Fourth King of Scotland who intending to make a War with England, a certain Old Man, of a very venerable Aspect, and clad in a long Blew Garment, came to him at the Church of St. [Page 62] Michaels at Linlithgow, while he was at his Devotion, and leaning over the Canons Seat where the King sate, said, I am sent unto thee, O King! to give thee warning that thou proceed not the War thou art about, for if thou do, it will be thy Ruine: And having so said, he withdrew himself back among the multitude: The King after Service was ended, enquired earnestly for him, but he could no where be found, neither could any of the standers by feel or perceive how, when, or where he passed from them, having as it were vanished in their hands; but no warning could divert his destiny, which had not been destiny if it could have been diverted. His Queen also had acquainted him with the Visions and Affrightments of her sleep, that her Chains and Armlets appeared to be turned into Pearl; that she had seen him fall from a great Precipice; that she had lost one of her Eyes: But he answered, These were but Dreams arising from the many thoughts and cares of the day; and therefore marched on and fought with the English, and was slain in Flodden Field, with a great number of his Nobility, and common Souldiers, upon Sept. 9. 1513. Bakers Chronicle.

V. The Lord Hastings was arrested by Richard the Third (called Crook-back) because he would not joyn with him against the young King Edward the Fifth, and in making Richard King, who was already Protector: And being charged with High Treason; Richard wished him to make haste to be confessed; for he swore, by St. Paul (his usual Oath) That he would not touch Bread or Drink till his head was off; whereupon he was led forth unto the Green before the Chappel within the Tower, where his Head was laid upon a log of Timber, and there stricken off. In this man's death we may ob­serve how inevitable the blows of Destiny are; for the very night before his death, the Lord Stanly sent a secret Messenger to him at midnight, in all haste, to acquaint him with a Dream he had, in which he thought that a Bore with his Tushes so goared them both in the heads, that the blood ran about their shoulders: And because [Page 63] Richard Protector, gave the Bore for his cognizance in his Arms, the dream made so fearful an impression upon his heart, that he was throughly resolved to stay no longer, and had made his Horse ready, desiring the Lord Hastings, by all means, to go with him presently thereby to be out of the danger before day-light: But the Lord Hastings answered the Messenger, Good Lord! doth your Master lean so much to such Trifles, to put such faith in Dreams, which either his own Fear fancieth, or else do rise in the nights rest by reason of the daies thoughts; Go back therefore to thy Master, and commend me to him, and pray him to be merry, and have no fear; for I assure him, I am as sure of the man be thinketh of, as of mine own head: The man he meant was one Catesby, who deceived him, and was himself the first mover to rid him out of the way: Ano­ther warning he had the same morning, in which he was beheaded; his Horse twice or thrice stumbled with him, almost to falling, which though it often happen to such to whom no mischance is towards, yet hath it of old been observed to be many times a foregoing token of some great misfortune. Bakers Chronicle.

VI. There was an Italian called David Risio, who had followed the Ambassador of Savoy into Scotland; and in hope of bettering his Fortune, gave himself to attend the Queen, Mary, at first in the Quality of a Musician, af­terward growing into more favour, he was admitted to write her French Letters, and in the end was preferred to be Principal Secretary of State, had only the Queens Ear, and Governed all Affairs at Court: Yea to that ex­cess of Pride and Arrogancy was he grown, that he would out-brave the King in his Apparel, in his Hous­hold-furniture, in the number and forts of his Horses; and in deed in every thing else, This man had warning given him more than once by Joh. Damiot a French Priest, who was thought to have some skill in Magick, to do his business, and be gone, for that he could not make good his part, nor stand against those that opposed him; to whom he answered disdainfully, The Scots are given more [Page 64]to brag than fight. Some few daies before his death, be­ing warned by the same Priest, to take heed of the Bastard, he replyed, That whilst be lived, he should not have credit, nor Power enough in Scotland to do him hurt; for he thought the Earl of Murray to be the man of whom he was advertised to take heed; but being found one day in the Queens Bed-Chamber, the first stroke was given him by George Douglas, base Son to the Earl of Anges, after whom every man inflicted his wound till he was dispatched; this was in the year 1565. Sp [...]s­woods Hist. of Scotland.

VII. Dr. H [...]ylin in the Life of William Laud, Arch. Bishop of Canterbury, mentions these as the strange Pre­sages of his fall and death. On Friday night the 27th of Decemh. 1639. there happened such a violent Tempest, that many of the Boats which were drawn to Land at Lambeth, were dasht one against another, and broke to pleces; the Shafts of two Chimneys were blown down upon the Roof of his Chamber, and beat down both the Lead and Rafters upon his Bed, in which Ruine he must needs have perished, if the roughness of the Water had not forced him to keep his Chamber at Whitehall. The same night at Croydon (a retiring place belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury) one of the Pinnacles fell from the Steeple, beating down the head and roof of the Church above twenty foot square. The same night too at the Cathedral Church in Canterbury, one of the Pinnacles upon the Belfry Tower, which carryed a Vane with this Archbishops Arms upon it, was violently struc [...] down (but carryed a great distance from the Steeple) and fell upon the roof of the Cloister, under which the Arms of the Archbishops See it self were engraven in stone; which Arms being broken in pieces by the for­mer, gave occasion to one that loved him not, to collect this Inference, That the Arms of the present Archbi hop of Canterbury, breaking down the Arms of the See of Canter­bury, not only presaged his own fall, but the Ruine of the Metropolitical Dignity by the weight thereof. But of these [Page 65]he took not so much notice as he did of an Accident which happened on St. Simon and Judes Eve, not above a week before the beginning of the Long Parliament 1640. which drew him to his fatal Ruine: On which day going to his upper Study, to send some Manuscripts to Oxford, he found his Picture (which was at full length, and taken as near the Life, as the Pencil could express it) to be fallen on the floor, annd lying flat on its sace, the string being broke by which it was hanged against the Wall yet the sight whereof he took such a sudden ap­prehension, that he began to fear it as an Omen of that Ruine which was coming toward him, and which every day began to be threatned to him as the Parliament grew nearer and nearer, to consult about it: These things occasioned him to look back on a former mis­fortune which chanced Septemb. 19. 1633. being the ve­ry day of his Translation to the See of Canterbury, when the Ferry Boat transporting his Coach and Horses, with many of his Servants in it, sunk to the bottom of the Thames. Heylins Life, A.B. Land.

VIII. Duncan, King of Scots, had two principal Men, whom he imployed in all matters of Importance called Mackbeth and Banquo; these two travelling toge­ther through a Forrest, were met by three Witches, or Wizards, as the Scots call them, whereof the first Witch making obeysance to Mackbeth, saluted him by the name of Thane, or Earl of Glammis; the second Witch saluted him Thane or Earl of Cauder, the third saluted him King of Scotland. This is unequal dealing said Banquo, to give my Friend Mackbeth all the honours, and none to me; to which one of the Witches answered, That he indeed should not be King, but out of his Loins should come a Race of Kings that should over-rule the Scots; and having thus said, they all vanished; upon their arrival at Court, Mackbeth was immediately created Earl of Glammis, and not long after some new service requiring some new recompence, he was honoured with the Title of Earl of Cander; seeing then how happily the pre­diction of the three Wizards fell out in the two former, [Page 66]he resolved not to be wanting to himself in fulfilling the third; he therefore first killed the King, and after by reason of his Command among the Souldiers, he suc­ceeded in this Throne. Being scarce warm in his Seat, he called to mind the prediction given to his Compani­on Banquo, whom hereupon suspecting as his Supplanter, he caused to be killed, together with his whole posteri­ty, only Fleance, one of his Sons escaped with much difficulty into Wales, Mackbeth thus freed, as he thought of all fear of Banquo, and his Issue, he built Dunsinan Castle, and made it his ordinary residence; afterwards on some new fears, consulting with his Wizards, concerning his future State, he was told by one of them, That he should never be overcome till Bernane Wood (which was some miles distant) came to Dunsinan Castle, and by another, That he should never be slain by any Man that was born of a Woman; secure then as he thought from all future dan­gers, he gave himself up to all manner of debauchery, lasciviousness, and cruelty for the space of eighteen years, for so long he Tyrannized over Scotland; but ha­ving then made up the measure of his iniquities, Mack­duff, the Governor of Fife, with some other good Pa­triots of their Country, met privately one evening at Bernane Wood, and taking every one of them a bough in his hand, the better to keep them from discovery, they marched early in the morning toward Dunsinan Castle, which they took by storm; Mackbeth escaping, was pursued by Mackduff, who having overtaken him, urged him to the Combate, to whom the Tyrant half in scorn returned answer; That he in vain attempted to kill him, it being his destiny never to be slain by any Man that was born of a Woman; now then (said Mackduff) is thy fatal end drawing fast upon thee, for I was never born of a Woman; but violently cut out of my Mothers belly; which so daunted the Tyrant (though otherwise a valiant Man) that he was easily slain. In the mean time Fleance so prospered in Wales, that he gained the affection of the Princes Daugh­ter of the Country, and by her had a Son called Walter, who flying out of Wales, returned into Scotland, where [Page 67]his descent being known, he was restored to the Hon­ours, and Lands of his House, and preferred to be Steward to the House of Edgar (the Son of Malcolm the Third, firnamed Conmer) King of Scotland, the name of Stewart growing hence hereditary unto his posterity; from this Walter descended that Robert Stew­art, who succeeded David Bruce in the Kingdom of Scot­land, the Progenitor of nine Kings of the name of Stewart, which have reigned successively in that King­dom, Heylins Cosmography. p. 336

IX. The D. of Biron, a great Peer of France, when he was only Baron of Biron, being in some trouble, by rea­son of the death of the Lord Gerency, and others slain in a quarrel, is said to have gone disguised like a Carrier of Letters to one La Brosse, a great Mathematician, who was held to be skilful in Nativities, to whom he shewed his Nativity drawn by some other, and pretended it was not his, but a Gentlemans whom he served, and that he de­sired to know what end that Man should have; La Brosse having rectified this Figure, said to him that he was of a good house, and no elder than you are, said he to the Baron, asking him if it were his; the Baron an­swered, I will not tell you, but pray let me know what his life, and means, and end shall be; The old Man who was, then in a little Garret, which served him for a Study said unto him, My Son, I see that he whose Nativity this is shall come to great honour by his Industry, and Military Valour, and may be a King, but thut there is a Caput Argol which hin­ders it; and what is that said the Barron; ask me not (said La Brosse) what it is; I must know it, (replyed he;) in the end he answered, My Son it is this, that he will commit such things, as will make him lose his head; whereupon the Earon beat him cruelly; and leaving him half dead, went down, and carried the Key of the Garret door with him, as he brag'd afterward. Biron had conference like­wise with one Caesar, who was a Magician at Paris, who old him, That only a back-blow of a Burgonian, would hin­ [...]er him from being King; he remembred this prediction, being a Prisoner in the Bastile, and intreated one that [Page 68]went to visit him, to inquire if the Hangman of Paris were a Burgonian, and having found it so, he said, I am a dead Man; and soon after he was beheaded for his con­spiring against the King. De Serres Hist. France, p. 1051.

X. In the year 1279. There lived in Scotland one Thomas Lermouth, a Man very much admired; he may justly be wondred at, for foretelling so many Ages be­fore, the Union of England and Scotland, in the ninth degree of the Bruces blood, with the succession of Bruce himself to the Crown, being yet a Child; and many o­ther things, which the event hath made good; the day before the death of King Alexander, he told the Earl of March, that before the next day at noon, such a Tempest should blow, as Scotland had not felt many years before, the next morning proving a clear day, the Earl challen­ged Thomas as an Imposter, he replyed, That noon was not yet past; about which time a Post came to inform the Earl of the Kings sudden death, and then said Thom as, This is the Tempest I foretold, and so it shall prove to Scotland, as indeed it did, Spotswoods Hist. Scotland.

XI. Two Gentlemen, who were intimate acquain­tance, travelled together to the City of Megara where when they were arrived, the one went to lodge with a Friend of his, and the other betakes himself to an Inn; he that was at his Friends House, saw in his sleep his Companion, beseeching him to assist him, for he was set upon by his Host, and that by his speedy coming to him, he might deli­ver him from a very imminent danger; being awakened with what he had seen, he leaps from his bed, and intends to go to the Inn, but by an unhappy fate he desists from his compassionate purpose, and believing that his dream had nothing in it; he returns both to his bed and sleep; when the same Person appears to him the second time all bloody, and requested him earnestly, That seeing he had neglected him as to the preservation of his life, yet at least [...]e would not be wanting to him in the revenge of his death, de­claring That he was murdered by his Host. and that at this very time he was carried out in a Cart toward the Gate of the City, covered over with Dung; The Man overcome with [Page 69]these intreaties of his Friend, immediately runs out to the Gate, where he finds the Cart he had seen in his dream, which he seizes, and searching it, finds there the body of his Friend, and drags the Inn-keeper to his de­served punishment. Dr. More, Immortal. Soul.

XII. Mr. Morison, an English Gentleman, in his Tra­vels, gives this Relation; whil'st I lived at Prague, and had sate up very late one night drinking at a Feast, early in the morning the Sun-beams glancing on my Face, as I lay in my Bed, I dreamed that a shadow passing by me, told me That my Father was dead; at which awaking all in a sweat, and affected with this dream, I arose, and wrote the day and hour, and all circumstances thereof in a paper book, which book with many other things, I put into a barrel, and sent it from Prague to Stode, thence to be conveyed into England. And now being at Newem­burgh, a Merchant of a Noble Family, well acquainted with me and my Relations, arrived there, who told me that my Father dyed some months past; I design not to write any lies, but that which I write is as true as strange; when I returned into England some four years after, I would not open the Barrel I sent from Prague, nor look into the paper book, in which I had written this dream, till I had called my Sisters, and some other Friends to be witnesses, where my self and they were astonished to see my written dream answer the very day of my Fathers death. Morisons Travels. p. 1.

XIII. The night before Heury the Second, King of France was slain, Queen Margret his Wife dreamed, That she saw her Husbands Eye put out; there were Justs and Turnaments at that time, into which the Queen besought her Husband nor to enter, because of her dream; but he was resolved, and there did great things; when all was almost now done, he would needs run a tilt with a Knight who refused him, his name was Montgomery, but the King was bent upon it, whereupon they broke their Launces to Shivers in the encounter, and a splinter of one of them struck the King so full into the Eye, that he thereby received his deadly wound. It is observed of [Page 70]this King, That one Ann du Bourg, a Noble Councellor, and a man of singular understanding and knowledge, making a Speech before him a little before his Death, in defence of the Protestant Religion, and against persecu­ting the Professors thereof, he therein rendred thanks to Almighty God for moving the King's heart to be present at the decision of so weighty a Cause as that of Religion was, and humbly entreated him to consider thereof; it being the Cause of Christ himself, which of good Right ought to be maintained by Princes, &c. But the King, instead of hearkning to his good Advice, was so far incensed against him, that he caused him to be apprehended by the Count of Mont­gomery, Constable of France, and to be carryed to Prison, protesting to him in these words; These Eyes of mine shall see thee burnt; and presently after he sent a Commis­sion to the Judges to make his Process: In the mean time great Feasts were preparing in the Court for Joy of the Marriages that should be, of the King's Daughter and Sister: The day whereof being come, the King imployed all the Morning in examining the President, and other Councellors of the Parliament against Du Bourg (and other of his Companions who were charged with the same Doctrins) intending to glut his Eyes in seeing his Execution; but that very Afternoon he re­ceived that fatal blow in his Right Eye, which so pierced his head, that his brains were perished; which wound dispising all means of cure, killed him within eleven daies, whereby his hope of seeing Du Bourg burned, was frustrated, Clarks Martyr. P. 231.

XIV. There was one who dreamed that he was bitten to death by a Lion of Marble, that was set at the entrance of the Temple; and being the next morning to go to that Temple, and beholding the Marble Statue of the Lion, he jeastingly told his dream to those that went with him; and putting his hand into the Lions mouth, he said laughing. Bite now my valiant Enemy, and if thou canst, kill me: He had scarce spoke the words when he was stung to death with a Scorpion that there lay hid, and thereby unexpectedly found the Truth of his dream. [Page 71] Crescentius the Popes Legate at the Council of Trent 1552 was busie writing Letters to the Pope, till it was late in the night; whence arising to refresh himself, he saw a black Dog of a vast bigness, flaming Eyes, and Ears which hung down almost to the ground, enter the room, which came directly toward him, and laid himself down under the Table; frighted at the sight, he called his Servants in the Antichamber, and commanded them to look for the Dog, but they could find none: The Cardinal hereupon fell Melancholy, and afterward sick, dying in a short time at Verona, crying out on his death-bed, Drive away the Dog that leaps upon the Bed, Wanly Hist. Man.

XV. In the year 1154. Frederick Aenobardus being Emperour of Germany, Henry Archbishop of Mentz, a pious and peaceable man, but not able to endure the dissolute Manners of the Clergy under him, determined to sub­ject them to sharp censure: but while he thought of this, he himself was by them before-hand accused to Pope Eugenius the Fourth. The Archbishop sent Arnoldus, his Chamberlain to Rome, to make proof of his Inno­cency; but the Traitor deserted his Lord, and instead of defending him, traduced him there himself. The Pope sent two Cardinals as his Legates to Mentz, to determine the cause; who being bribed by the Canons and Arnoldus, deprived Henry of his Bishoprick, with great scorn and ignominy, and substituted Arnoldus in his stead, Henry bore all patiently, without appealing to the Pope, which he knew would be to no purpose; but openly declared, That from their unjust Judgment he made Appeal to Christ the Just Judge; there (said he) will I put in my Answer, and thither I cite you: The Cardinals jeastingly replyed, When thou art gone before, we will follow thee. About a year and an half after, the Archbishop Henry died; upon the hearing of his death, both the Cardinals said, Lo, he is gone before, and we shall follow after: But their Jeast proved in earnest; for both of them died in one and the same day; one in an House of Office, and the other gnawing off his own Fingers in the madness of his Di­stemper. [Page 72] Arnoldus likewise, who was accessary here­unto, was assaulted in a Monastery, butchered, and his Carcass thrown into the Town-Ditch. Chetwind. Hist. Collect. 1 part, p. 21.

XVI. One Philibert Hamlin, a Popish Priest in France, was in the year 1557. Converted to the Protestant Re­ligion, and thereupon went to Geneva, where he exer­cised the Art of Printing, and published many Books: After which he was made a Minister of the Reformed Religion, and Preached with good success at the Town of Aleuart, and other places: At last he with his Host, a Priest whom he had Instructed in the Protestant Pro­fession, were apprehended, and cast into Prison at Bur­deaux; and whilst they lay there, in came a Priest with all his Accoutrements, to say Mass: But Philibert inflam­ed with Zeal against such ridiculous Fopperies, went and pluckt the Garments from his back, and overthrew the Chalice and Candlesticks, saying, Is it not enough for you to blaspheme God in the Churches, but you must also pollute the Prison with your Idolatry: The Jaylor seeing this, fell upon him, and beat him with his Staff, and also remo­ved him into a Dungeon, loading him with Irons, which made his Leggs to swell, where he lay eight daies. The Priest his Host terrified with the Prison, and fear of Death, renounced his Profession, and was set at Liberty, whereupon Philibert said to him, O unhappy, and more than miserable man! is it possible that you should be so foolish, as for to save your life a few daies, you should so start away from, and deny the Truth? know you therefore, that although you have hereby avoided the Corporal Fire, yet your life shall be never the longer; for you shall die before me, and yet shall not have the honour to die for the Cause of God; and you shall be an Ex­ample to all Apostates. Having ended his Speech, and the Priest going out of Prison, he was presently slain by two Gentlemen, who formerly had a quarrel against him. Philibert hearing of it, protested seriously, That he knew [...]f no such thing before, but spoke as it pleased God to guide [...] Tongue: Philibert being condemned, and carryed to [...], they endeavoured to drown his voice, by [Page 73]sounding of Trumpets; and so in the midst of the Flames, praying and exhorting the People to Constan­cy in the Truth, he rendred up his Soul unto God. Clarks Martyrol. p. 228.

XVII. When by the counsel and persuasion of Philip the Fair King of France, Pope Clement the Fifth had con­demned the whole Order of the Knights Templars, and in divers places had put many of them to death: there was a Neopolitan Knight brought to suffer in like manner, who espying the Pope, and the K. of France looking out at a window, he with a loud voice spake to them as followeth; Clement, Thou cruel Tyrant, seeing there is none now left among Mortals unto whom I may make my Ap­peal as to that grievous Death whereunto thou hast most unjustly condemned me, I do therefore appeal unto the Just Judge, Christ our Redeemer, unto whose Tribunal I cite thee, together with King Philip, that you both may make your Appearance there within a year and a day, where I will then open and defend my cause. Pope Clement died within the time, and King Philip soon after him, in 1214. Lipsius Mon. l. 2.

XVIII. A Master of the T [...]tonick Order, whose name (saith our Author) I forbear to mention, proposed a Match between a young Merchant, and a Woman of a doubtful Fame in respect of her Chastity, the young Man refused the overture, and the rather, because he that persuaded the Marriage, was supposed to be no ha­ter of the Woman; the Master resented this refusal so ill, that he determined the life of the refuser should pay for it; he therefore contrived that the young Man should be accused of Theft, for which being condemned, he com­manded he should be hanged; prayers, and tears were of no avail, and therefore the innocent had recourse to the safest Sanctuary of innocency, and as he was led to Execution, said with a loud voice, I suffer unjustly, and therefore appeal to the supream Lord of Life, and Death, to whom he that hath so unjustly condemned me, shall render an ac­count thirteen days after this very day; The Master scoffed at this, but upon that same thirteenth day, being taken with a sudden sickness, he cryed out, Miserable Man that I [Page 74]am, behold I must dye, and this day must I appear before the All-seeing Judge; and so died presently after. Wanly. Hist. Man.

XIX. A poor Labourer at Calice, who had been an hearer of Mr. Adam Damlip (a famous Protestant Prea­cher at Calice, when it was in the hands of the English) said among some Company, That he would never believe the Priest could make the Lords Body at his pleasure; whereupon he was accused, and condemned by one Harvey, a Com­missary there, who also with opprobrious, and abusive words railed upon him, calling him Heretick, and saying He should die a vile death, the poor Man answered, That he was no Heretick, but one that held the True Faith of Christ, and whereas thou sayest (said he) that I shall die a vile death, thou thy self shalt die a vile death, and that shortly; The poor Man was burnt, and Harvey within half an year after was hanged, drawn, and quartered for Treason. Clarks Martyr. p. 427.

XX. In Sweden, Johannes Turso gave Sentence upon a cer­tain Man, that he should lose his head, who when all other defence was denied him, fell down on his knees, and with great earnestness spake as followeth, Behold I die unjustly, and I cite thee, unjust Judge, to Gods Tribunal, there to answer for my head within this hour; These were looked upon as frivolous words, but scarce was the Man beheaded by the Executioner, when the Judge himself fell down dead from his Horse. Delrio, Disquisit. l. 4. Otho the first Em­peror of Rome, being freely reprehended by his Son William (who was then Bishop of Mentz) for his Mar­riage with Adelaida, the Emperor was so offended, that he sent his Son to Prison; whereupon the Bishop cited his Father Otho to the Tribunal of Christ, And (said he) upon Whitsunday both of us shall appear before the Lord Christ, where by Divine Judgment it shall appear who hath transgressed the limits of his duty; In pursuance of this appeal, the Emperor Otho died upon Whitsunday suddenly in Saxony, his Son the Bishop deceasing some short time before. Drevel. Op.

XXI. Rodulphus, Duke of Ausiria, being grievously [Page 75]offended with a certain Knight, caused him to be appre­hended, and being bound hand and foot, and thrust into a Sack to be thrown into the River; the Knight being in the Sack, and it as yet not sown up, espying the Duke looking out at a Window (where he stood to behold that spectacle) cryed out to him with a loud voice; Duke Rodulph, I summon thee to appear at the dreadful Tribu­nal of Almighty God, within the compass of one year, there to shew cause wherefore thou hast undeservedly put me to this bitter and unworthy death. The Duke received this Summons with laughter, and unappalled and unconcerned, made answer; Well go thou before, and I will then present my self; the year being almost spent, the Duke fell in to a light Feaver, and remembring the appeal, said to the standers by The time of my death does now appreach, and I must go to Judgment; and so it happened, for he died soon after. Dinoth. lib. 8.

XXII. Ferdinand, the fourth King of Spain, was a great Man, both in Peace, and War, but somewhat rash and rigid in pronouncing Judgment, so that he seemed to incline to cruelty. About the year 1312. he com­manded two Brothers, Peter and John of the Noble Fa­mily of Carvialii to be thrown headlong from an high Tower, as being suspected guilty of the death of Benavi­dius, a noble Person of the first rank; and though they with great constancy denyed they were guilty of any such crime, yet it was to small purpose; when therefore they perceived that the Kings Ear was shut against them, they openly cryed out they died innocently, and since, they found the King had no regard to any Plea, or defence they could make, they did appeal to the Di­vine Tribunal, and turning themselves to the King, bid him Remember to make his Appearance there within the space of thirty days at the furthest; Ferdinand at that time made no reckoning of their words, but upon the thirtieth day after, his servants supposing he was asleep, found him dead in his Bed, in the flower of his Age, for he was but twen­ty four years, and nine months old, Wanly. Hist. Man.

34. Lambertus Schasnaburgenss, an excellent writer as [Page 76]most in these times tells, that Buchardus Bishop of [...]a [...] ­berstadt, in the year 1059 had an unjust controversy with the Abbot of Helverdense, about some Lands in Saxony, which the Bishop by force without Law sought to make his own; it was to small purpose to make any resistance against so powerful an Adversary; but the injured Ab­bot some few days before his death sent to Frederick Count Palatine, and intreated him to bear these his last words to the Prelate, That being too weak to contend (though the Law was on his side) he gave place, and was also departing this life, but that God would be the Judge, unto whom he made his Appeal; that therefore both of them should prepare to order their cause before his Tribunal, where favour and power set aside, only Justice should prevail; In a short time the Abbot died of a Feaver, and not long after him the Bishop al­so, for as he was one time mounting his Horse, he fell down, as one stricken with a Thunderbolt, and his last words were, That he was hurried away to the Judgment Seat of God there to be Judged. Delrio. Disquisit. l. 4.

XXV. Francis, Duke of Brittain, cast his Brother Aegidius into Prison, who was one of his Council, and falsely accused him of Treason, where when Aegidius was almost famished, perceiving that his fatal hour ap­proached, he spied a Franciscan out of the window of the Prison, and calling him to confer with him, he made him promise, That he would tell his Brother, that within fourteen days he should stand before the Judgment Seat of God; The Franciscan having found out the Duke in the Con­fines of Normandy, where he then was, told him of his Brothers death; and of his Appeal to the high Tribunal of God; the Duke terrified with this message, imme­diately grew ill, and his distemper increasing, he expi­red upon the very day appointed, Drixelius Oper. The Genoways sent out their Gallies against the Pyrates, and in the way took a small Ship of Sicily, together with the Mr. of it, whom in contempt of the Sicilians they hang­ed up; the poor man pleaded he suffered unjustly, since he had never done any the least injury to them, but per­ceiving all his plaints to be in vain, he appealed unto God [Page 77]for Justice, and cited the Admiral of the Genoese to make his Appearance at his Bar within six months, within which time he that was thus cited, died. Wanly. Hist. Man.

XXVI. Master Patrick Hamilton, of an Antient, and Honourable Family in Scotland, left his own Country, and went into Germany, where he became acquainted with those worthy Men, Martin Luther, and Philip Me­lancthon, then at the famous University of Wittenburg, from thence he went to the University of Marpurg, which was then newly erected, where he was intimate with other learned Men, and by reason of his Learning, and Integrity of life, he was had in admiration of many; however he could not rest till he had returned into his own Country, where the Doctrine of the Reformation be­gan then to break forth, as well in publick, as in private; which so disturbed the Popish-Clergy, that James Beaton, Archbishop of St. Andrews sent for Mr. Patrick Hamilton to St. Andrews, where after divers days conference he had his Freedom, and Liberty, the Bishop seeming to approve his Doctrine, acknowledging that in many things there needed a Reformation in the Church; but withal searing that their Kingdom of Darkness should be endamaged, they persuaded the King, who was then young, and much led by them, to go on Pilgrimage to St. Dothess, in Ross, that so by reason of his absence no application might be made to him for the saving the life of this innocent Gentleman, who not suspecting their malice, remained like a Lamb among Wolves; the King being gone, one night Mr. Hamilton was seized upon by the Bishops Officers, and carried to the Castle, and the next day was brought forth into Judgment, and Condem­ned to be burnt upon several Articles about Pilgrimages, Purgatory, Prayers to Saints, &c. After Dinner the fire was prepared, and being tyed to the Stake, he cryed out with a loud voice, Lord Jesus receive my Spirit; how long shall darkness overwhelm this Realm, and how long wilt thou suffer the Tyranny of these Men? The fire was slow, and there­fore put him to the greater torment; but that which most [Page 78]troubled him, was the clamour of some wicked Men, set on by the Fryers, who continually cryed, Turn thou Here­tick, call upon our Lady, say, Salve Regina, &c. To whom he answered, Depart from me, and trouble me not, thou Messen­ger of Satan; and speaking to one Alexander Campbell, a Fryer, with whom he had conferred about matters of Religion, and who had informed against him, and was now the Ringleader who roared against him, to recant; Mr. Patrick with great vehemency said to him, Wicked Man, thou knowest the contrary, and hast confessed the contrary to me, I appeal thee before the Tribunal of Jesus Christ, After which words he resigned up his Spirit unto God in the year 1527. Campbell was troubled at these words, and from that very day was never in his right mind, but soon after died mad. Clarks Martyr.

Thus, Though the Fool hath said in his heart there is no God, and because Justice is not presently inflicted upon Sinners, men harden themselves in Rebellion, and Wickedness against Heaven, yet we find that many times, The Lord is known by the Judgments which he execu­teth upon Impenitent, Unjust, and Profligate Wretches, as by the foregoing examples doth sufficiently appear.

CHAP. IV.

AFter the Bishops of Rome had tasted the sweetness of Power, Wealth and Prosperity, they at once lost their Humility and Purity of Religion, and assumed Politick and Tyrannical Principles, laying aside the Sword of the Spirit, and defiling their hands in the blood of Emperours, Kings, Princes, and all sorts of People; and hereby Apostatizing from Christianity; the Popes their Successors wallowed in all kinds of wickedness, as Usur­pation, Sodomy, Conjuration, and all manner of Op­pressions, and thereby from being poor persecuted Bi­shops, they became Persecutors of others: But Divine Justice hath oftentimes inflicted severe Vengeance both upon them, and their Instruments; since Apostacy is thought to be the sin of the Holy Ghost, the Apostle sayes, It is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly Gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good Word of God, and the Powers of the World to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again to Repentance, seeing they crucifie to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame, Heb. 6.4, 5, 6. therefore God hath not left himself without witness a­gainst them, but hath made them Examples of his Se­verity in this world, as the following Instances plainly demonstrate, both as to wicked Popes, Apostates and Persecutors.

I. Pope John the Thirteenth was accused of Witch­craft, and Using Magick, and was given to all manner of Debauchery, Perjury and Villany; he dismembred di­vers of his Cardinals for taking part with Otho against [Page 80]him, plucking out the Eyes of some, cutting off the Hands, and gelding others: He made Deacons in his Stables a­mong his Horses, and for Money made Boys Bishops; he lay with Reynora a Widow, his Fathers Concubine, and Anna another, with her Neice; put out the Eyes of his Ghostly Father Benedict, brake windows in the night, set houses on Fire, drank an health to the Devil, would say Mass, and not communicate; for which and other in­tolerable Rogueries, he was deposed by Otho, in a Coun­cil, and Leo the Eighth put into his place; but his Whores and other Friends, (as soon as Otho had turned his back) soon got him in again: From this Gallant our St. Dunstan with a round sum of Money, purchased a Prohibition of Priests Marriages, which caused no small disturbance in England at that time: At last being taken in the Act of Adultery, with a resolute mans Wife, he received such a deadly gash from the Husband, as in eight daies sent him packing into another world, Prideaux Introduct.

II. Pope Alexander the Sixth, was a cruel Tyrant, and a scourge of God to all Italy, and plagued especially that corrupt Colledge of Cardinals, who had chosen him not for his Virtues, but for the heaps of Gold which he had distributed among them; he was void of Sincerity, Faith, Truth, or Religion, unquenchably covetous, un­reasonably ambitious, and more than barbarously cruel, and had a burning desire to advance his Bastards, where­of he had many: He set Benefices and Promotions to sale: He poisoned John Michael, Cardinal of Venice, that he might obtain his Gold and Treasures: In Magick he was very learned, and therefore very wicked: He poi­soned his own Father: And likewise Zemes, Brother to the great Turk (being hired thereto for two hundred Duckets) after he had sworn to him that he would se­cure him; he procured Aid of the Turk against the French King: He caused the Tongue and Hands of Anthony Man­rivil, a learned and wise Man, to be cut off, for making an Oration in reproof of his wickedness: In Adulteries he was most filthy and abominable, and committed Incest with his own Daughter Lucretia, the Wife to three Prin­ [...]es, upon whom these Verses are extant.

This Pope never attempted any thing, but he first consulted the Devil, to whom he gave himself, and who at length fetched him, for being accustomed to poison any whom he disliked; he had prepared some poison­ed Wine to dispatch some of his Cardinals, which his Butler through a mistake, put into his own hand, and he drinking it off, with horrible cryes and groans imme­diately died; his Son Caesar Borgia as murdering a Vil­lain as himself, drinking of it likewise, whereby he fell into a sharp and dangerous disease. Symson Hist. Church.

III. Sylvester the Second, was a French man born, and bred up a Conjuring Fryer, in the Abby of Floriack, were Necromancy at that time was held an eminent piece of Learning; to perfect his skill that way, he goes to a Saracens in Sivil, and couzens him of his chief Con­juring Book, by being inward with the Magicians Daugh­ter; then he contracts with the Devil to be wholly his, upon condition he would conduct him back to France, and fit him with promotions in order to his advance­ment to the Popedom: Upon his return to France he became admirable for his deep Learning, and (amongst others of great State (had several Scholars in the Black Art; by the help of whom and his other Arts, he became first Bishop of Rheims, then Archbishop of Ravenna, [Page 82]and thence to be Pope; in which Seat he concealed, yet alwaies privately practised his Devilish Mystery, having in secret a Brazen Head, which he consulted instead of a Delphick Oracle; consulting with whom on a time when he should die, answer was given him, he should live until he said Mass in Jerusalem; this made him con­fident of a long continuance, but he was couzened by the Devil's Equivocation, though he dreamed of im­mortality, and that he should never die. For it happen­ed on a time, that as he was singing Mass at Rome in a Temple called St. Gross, otherwise Jerusalem (which was the place assigned him to die in, and not Jerusalem in Palestine, as he imagined) he heard a great noise of De­vils, who came to fetch him away even in the very time of Mass; he being very much terrified and tormented therewith, is said to have repented, and in token there­of, to have requested that his Hands, Tongue, and secret Members, might be cut off, wherewith he had offended God, and his Body to be cut in four pieces, and laid on a Cart, and the Beasts to draw it whither they would; which being accordingly performed, they of their own accord drew him to the Lateran Church, and (as some Authors write) the Body was immediately carried out of the Church by the Devil. Beards Theatre.

IV. Gregory the Seventh, without any Election of Em­perour or Clergy, but only by his own Intrusion, got into the Chair, having poisoned six or seven Popes before he could get the Popedom himself: He had a trick to shake out sparks of fire from his sleeve, and by some other waies brought it about, that the voice of the People was, Peter the Apostle hath made choice of Hildebrand to be Pope, which was his own name before he changed it to Gregory: He set himself with all his might against the Emperour Henry the Fourth, and had plotted his death; so that when he went to prayers at St. Marys in Aven­tine Hill, a Villain was set with a stone to roll down from the Roof to beat out the Emperours brains; but it fell out to the ruine and quashing of the Executioner, who fell down, and was killed therewith: He threw the Sa­crament [Page 83]into the fire, because it did not answer his de­mands (as the Heathen Gods did) concerning his success against the Emperor, whom he Excommunicated, and sent a Crown to Rodulphus, Duke of Suevia, with this verse upon it.

This Crown was sent to cause Rodulphus to Rebel a­gainst his Master, wherein he received an utter defeat, and dyed miserably by the hand of a Woman, tumbling down a Stone upon him, as he was besieging a certain Castle in Germany; at last he got the Emperor at such an advantage, that he was fain to come to his Castle at Canusium, with his Empress and Son bare footed in the cold of Winter, and there to wait three days fasting, till he might have Audience, which at length he obtained by the mediation of Madam Matilda, one of the Popes Wenches, or St Peters Daughter, (as they called her) who left her Husband to live with this Holy Father; when he pronounced Sentence of Excommunication a­gainst the Emperour, the new Seat whereon he sate, unexpectedly rent in pieces; he condemned Berengarius, his opinion against the corporal Presence, and was a­gainst Priests Marriages; he Sainted Liberius the Arrian Heretick, exercised what cruelty he pleased, especially against a Widdows Son, whose Foot he cut off; but at last vengeance overtook him; for in a Synod at Brixia he was deposed, and died miserably in banishment. Symson, Hist. Church.

V. Pope Paul the Third prostituted his Sister Julia Farnesia to Alexander the Sixth, that he might be made Cardinal, committed Incest with his own Daughter Con­stantia, and poysoned her Husband to enjoy her more freely; he likewise poysoned his own Sister, upon sus­pition she played false with him; Peter Aloysius, his [Page 84]Bastard Son, practised all manner of horrible Villanies, Robberies, Murders, Adulteries Incest, & Sodomy, think­ing that because his Father was Pope, therefore no wick­edness was unlawful for him to commit; he was by the report of Authors, one of the most notorious villains the world ever saw; he forced the Bishop of Favence to his unnatural lust, so that the poor Bishop with meer anger and grief, that he should be so abused dyed immediate­ly. Being afterward made Duke of Plaisence and Parma, he exercised most cruel Tyranny over many of his Sub­jects, insomuch that several Gentlem. resolved no longer to endure it, and therefore hired divers Ruffians to kill him, they themselves likewise joining with them; the Pope his Father by the Art of Magick, which he practi­sed, warned him carefully to look to himself upon the tenth day of September, in which, notwithstanding he was slain, for as he returned toward his Castle in the evening in an Horse-litter, with a great retinue about him, having been to see some Fortifications which he had made, the Conspirators to the number of 36, mar­ched before him, as if to do him honour, but as soon as he was entred the Castle, they drew up the Draw­bridge, for fear of his retinue that were without, and coming to him with their naked Swords, charged him with his Cruelties and Tyrannies, and then presently slew him in his Horse-litter, together with a Priest, the Master of his Horse, and five Almaigns that were his Guard; his dead Body they hung by a chain over the walls, and shaking it to and fro in the view of the Peo­ple, threw it down headlong at last into the Ditch, where the People to shew their detestation of him wounded the Carkass with daggers, and trampled it under their feet; this happened Septemb. 10. 1547. When Pope Paul was Legate at Ancona, he couzened the Mother of this Aloysius, by persuading her to yield to his Lust un­der the pretence of Marriage, who upon the discovery that he was a Priest, fell almost distracted, yet brought him this hopeful Son aformentioned, This Pope main­tained forty five thousand Whores, He was a great [Page 85]Conjurer, and conferred daily with Gauricus Servita, and others of that damned crew of Necromancers, who were alwaies at his Elbow; from this Popes piety we had the Council of Trent, and he confirmed the Order of Jesuits, who have since proved the Firebrands of the world; he likewise Excommunicated, and Cursed King Henry the Eighth, and gave away his Kingdom; but at last endeavouring to debauch his Neice Laura Farnesia, Ni­cholas Quercen, her Husband taking him in the Act, gave him a mark, that he carried with him to the grave. Beards Theatre.

VI. Pope Innocent the Fourth was a Genoese, he Ex­communicated and Cursed the Emperor Frederick, who had been his greatest Friend, and holding a Council at Lyons, deposed him, and set up Henry of Thuring in his Place, and after him William of Holland, who was assisted by a great company of Crusadoes or persons designed for the recovery of the Holy Land, whom the Pope had marked for his own Beasts, they wearing a Cross upon their Garments, but the Emperor crossed their Crowns as he met with them, and nobly defended himself until he was poisoned at length by the Popes means, and then smothered by his Bastard Manfred. This Pope was the only Patron of the four Orders of begging Locusts, Dominicans, Franciscans, Carmelites, and Augustines, who hatched under him those addle Eggs of Summaries, Sophisms, Exorcisms, Breviaries, and the like; he offered to sell the Kingdom of Sicily at a reasonable rate, being none of his own, to Henry the Third, and quarrelled with our Robert Grostead, Bishop of Lincoln, who withstood him stoutly, and contemned his Excom­munication; and after his death is said to have appeared to the Pope, and that he struck him with his staff on his side, and said, Surge Miser, & veni in Judicium; Arise wretched Man, and come to Judgment, after which the Pope in a few days ended his life, and so the world was eased of this Tyrant. Prideaux. Introduct.

VII. It was said of Pope Boniface the Eighth, that he entred like a Fox, reigned like a Lyon, and dyed like a [Page 86]Dog, he sent an Ambassage to Philip the fair King of France, to command him to take upon him an expediti­on against the Saracens in the Holy Land, upon pain of forfeiting his Kingdom into his hands, and having his Sword by his side, he had the Impudence to say, That he alone, and none else was Emperour, and Lord of all the world; and to make this good, he bestowed the Empire of Ger­many, and the Crown of France, upon Duke Albert, though none of his to give; and not content herewith, he was so insolent, as to charge Philip the Fair, to acknowledge him to be his Subject in all Causes, as well Temporal, as Spiritual, requiring him likewise to levy a Subsidy upon the Clergy for his Holinesses use, and denying his Authority in bestowing Church livings, which were vacant, as being a Prerogative challenged by the Holy See, and in the conclusion of this Bull, or Decree were these words, Aliud credentes fatuos reputamus; We count him a fool who is of another mind; whereunto the King re­turned this Answer, Philippus Dei Gratia, &c. Philip, by the Grace of God, King of France, to Boniface calling him­self Pope, little or no health, be it known to the exceeding great Foolishness, that we in Temporal Affairs are subject to none, and that the bestowing of Benefices belongs to us as our Royal Right, and [...]f there be any that think otherwise, we judge them to be erroneous, and doting Fools; an answer will beseeming a Prince, who in pursuance thereof, immediately assem­bled a National Council of all the Barons, and Prelates, within his Dominions, at Paris, wherein Pope Boniface was Condemned as an Heretick, a Simonist, a Manslay­er, and it was generally concluded, That the King should shew no obedience to him, nor take the least notice of whatever he should impose for the future, whereupon the King to pull down his Pride and Arrogance, dispatched two hundred Soldiers privately into the Kingdom of Naples, (whi­ther the Pope was fled for fear of divers Gentlemen who were resolved to be revenged on him, for causing their Houses, and Castles to be pluckt down) who by a stratagem surprised him, and carried him to Rome, where he dyed miserably; some Authors affirming, that [Page 87]the Extremity of his Torment brought him into such a terrible Frenzy, that he gnawed off his own hands for pain; and that at the hour of his death there were hor­rible Thunders, Lightnings and Tempests about the place where he died. Beards Theatre.

VIII. Adrian the Fourth was an English-man, whose name was Nicholas Brakespear before he was Pope: He would not suffer the Consuls of Rome to have any power, and condemned Arnold of Brixia for an Heretick in up­holding their Rights: He quarrelled with the Emperour Frederick, for not holding, (Hostler like) his Stirrup, and afterward excommunicated him for claiming his Rights, and writing his name before the Popes: He con­spired with his Cardinals to ruine the Emperour, and had sent a counterfeit Villain to stab him, and an Ara­bian to poison him; but while this proud Prelate design­ed the murdering of others, he lost his own Life by a very despicable and inconsiderable creature; for he was choakt with a Fly, which got into his Throat in drink­ing a glass of Wine, which verified what he was often wont to repeat, That there is no kind of life upon Earth more wretched than to be a Pope. Symson. Hist. church.

IX. Alexander the Third succeeded him, who likewise opposed his Sovereign the Emperour, for being chosen among strong Factions, wherein three or four more besides claimed the place; the Emperour comes to Pavia to appease this disorder, and sends for Alexander, who instead of obeying him, excommunicates the Em­perour, and his other Opposites, and by his own favour, and the French King's Purse, settles himself at Rome; the Emperour hereupon comes with an Army to cor­rect his Insolency; but Hartman Bishop of Brixia, by ef­fectual persuasions, turns him, and his Arms from the Pope against the Saracens, where being victorious, and returning homeward, he was surprized by the Popes Treachery who had sent his Picture exactly drawn to the Life, to the Emperour of the Saracens, that he might not miss in laying wait for him; being hereby appre­hended, with his Chaplain, as they went to bathe them­selves [Page 88]in a River of Armenia, and brought before the Em­perour, the Picture discovered him to be the man: The Emperour used him nobly, appoints his Ransom, and then guards him home as far as Brixia. The Princes of the Empire, to revenge this prodigious Treason, joyn together; the Pope flies to Venice, where Duke Sebastian protects him: Otho the Emperors Son, is sent with an Army to compass him in, with positive order not to fight till his Fathers coming; which the Young Man, ambitious of Glory, neglects, whereby he is overthrown and taken Prisoner: The good Father, to preserve his Son, is forced to submit: And in St. Mark's Church in Venice, he prostrates himself before the Pope, who setting his foot on his Neck, he repeated that of the Psalmist, Thou shalt tread upon Lions and Adders, the young Lion and the Dragon shalt thou trample under foot; which the Pope applied to the Emperor, who replying, Not to thee, but to Peter this power is given: The Beast answered, Et mihi & Petro, as well to me as to Peter: This end after much trouble had this remarkable business; the Pope, as he had reason, gratified the Venetians, and making what conditions he pleased with the Emperour, returned to Rome: Henry the Second our King, was much vexed by this Pope for the death of Thomas Becket, whom the Pope made St. Thomas for opposing his Soveraign, who being killed by some Persons at the Stairs of the Altar, in the Cathedral at Canterbury, the Murder was charged upon the King by the Popes Legate; and though he swore that he was no way concerned in his Death, yet he was forced to kiss the Legates knee, and submit to such pennance as should appoint him; one part whereof was, That he should absolutely submit to the Pope in Spiritual matters. And we read, that when King Henry came out of France, he went to Canterbury; and as soon as he was in sight of the Cathedral, he put off his Shoes and Stockins, and went bare-foot to Beckets Tomb; the waies being so sharp and stony that his feet bled as he pas­sed along; and when he came there, every Monk in the Cloister whipt the King's back with a Rod; yet a Popish [Page] [Page]

Emp: Germany 3 days at the Popes Gate pa. 83.

An Oivl in the Popes Council, pa. 39

[Page 89]Historian saith of this Becket, That he was worthy of death and damnation for being so obstinate against God's Mi­nister his King: Upon this Pennance the Pope granted to the King and his Heirs the Title of Kings of England. Hence it is observed (saith Platina) that all Kings of Eng­land must acknowledge the Pope for their Landlord. In this proud Popes time, the poor Waldenses stood up for the Truth, and increased, notwithstanding all manner of Cruelty and Persecution was exercised upon them. To this Pope Nicholas Maniacutius wrote mad verses extant in Onuphrius, where he concludes,

This Pope plagued the World about one and twenty years, and was then suddenly hurried out of it in the midst of his wretched and ambitious Contrivances. Symson Hist. Church.

X. Pope John the Twenty Third called a Council at Rome against the Protestants in Bohemia; when the Coun­cil was set, the Mass of the Holy Ghost sung, and the Pope placed in his Chair, there came flying in among them an ugly Owl, with an ill-favoured hooting, and set her self upon a cross Beam, just over against the Pope, casting her staring Eyes upon him, whereupon the whole com­pany began to marvel; and whispering each to other, said, Behold the Spirit is come in the likeness of an Owl: The Pope himself blushed at the matter, and began to sweat fret and fume; and being in great distraction, as looking upon it to be ominous, he dissolved the Council for that time; yet afterward calling another Session; when they were met, in came the Owl as before, still looking stedfastly upon the Pope; whereupon he was more ashamed, saying, That he could no longer abide the sight of her; and commanded her to be driven away; but with all the shouts and hollowings they could make, [Page 90]she would not be forced from her place, till with Clubs and Sticks thrown at her she fell down dead among them all. After this a Council was by his Consent As­sembled at Constance 1414. in which this Pope for divers Intolerable Villanies, was deposed, and afterward died miserably. Acts and Monum.

XI. Pope Julius the Second was more addicted to War than Writing, or Teaching his Flock: He excom­municated Lewis the French King, but he did not value it in the least; for he Coined Money with this Inscription, Perdam Babylonem, I will destroy Babylon. He is said to have thrown St. Peter's Keys into the River Tyber, of whom this Epigram was written,

This Pope breaking his Oath in not celebrating a Coun­cil, the Cardinals Assemble a Council at Pisa, to depose him, but he easily avoided that by a Counter Council at Lateran: He dispensed with our King Henry the Eighth, to Marry his Brother Arthur's Wife: He horribly abused [Page 91]two Ingenious Youths, who were sent by the Queen of France, to be bred in Italy, of which one wrote,

And this was written of the Pope himself.

He Sainted one Mother Francis, a Roman Matron, for preserving her Chastity by melted Lard, &c. In his time [...] Cistertian Monk preached at Mantua, that our Saviour was not conceived in the Virgins Womb, but in a place hear her heart, of three drops of blood: Of these Times Maximilian the Emperor used to say, Deus eterne nisi [...]igilares, &c. O Eternal God! if thou didst not watch over [...]s, how ill would it go with the World which we go­vern, I being a miserable Hunter, and wicked Pope Ju­sus, a beastly Drunkard? It is credibly reported of this Julius, that partly with his Wars, and partly with his Cursings and Excommunications, he destroyed Two hundred Thousand Christians within the space of Seven [...]ears: He was hurried away in the midst of all his De­ [...]aucheries. Prideaux Introd.

XII. Pope Julius the Third was Chosen not without [...]ome disturbance; as soon as he was Elected, he gave [...]is Cardinals Hat to a Sodomitical Boy, whom he had [...]bused, called Innocentius, at which the Cardinals repi­ [...]ing, and asking him the reason of it, What reason had [...]u (said he) to Chuse me Pope? Fortune favours whom she leaseth. John Casa, Archbishop of Beneventum, and Dean [...]f the Apostolical Chamber, in this Pope's Time Printed Book at Venice, in defence of Sodomy, by whom also Francis Spira was seduced to revolt to Popery, and died [Page 92]desperately. This Pope being sick, desired to have some Pork, which being forbidden by his Physicians, he said. He would have in despite of God; and having appointed a cold Peacock to be reserved for him; when he missed it the next Meal, he grew into a great rage; and being requested not to be so angry for such a trifle, he blas­phemously answered, That if God was so angry with Adam's eating an Apple, why might not he be as angry for his Peacock? From this Pope we had the Reconciliation, and Blessing of the Mother Church, so submissively taken from the hands of Cardinal Pool, in Queen Mary's daies, which cost the Lives of so many Innocents, by various Executions; whereupon Walterius describes the See o [...] Rome under him in these verses:

And Beza plays upon three evacuating Basons, which this Pope was wont to have in his filthiness; and thu [...] by letting fly at both ends, his Life went after it. Clark Examples.

XIII. John the Eighth, otherwise called Pope Joa [...] was a Lass of Mentz in Germany, that ran away with a [...] English Monk of Hulda, in Man's Apparel, and studie [...] with him at Athens till he died there; thence this Vi­rago came to Rome, and so learnedly trussed her Point [...] that after Leo's death, she was advanced to St. Peter Chair, where for two years and an half she celebrate Mass, gave Orders, frees the Emperour Lewis from h [...] Oath to Aldegisus, Crowns Charles the Bald, takes up th [...] Controversies between the two Hincmares, establishe [...] [Page 93]the Learned Photius, in the Patriarchship of Constanti­nople writ a Learned Letter to the Prince of Moravia, and wanted nothing requisite for a compleat Pope but the Right Gender; the defect of which discovered it self in her going to the Lateran, between Colosses and St. Cle­ments, where, without a Midwife, she was delivered of a Bastard, and her Life together; for which her Succes­sors have never since gone that unlucky way; and have provided a hollow Seat of Porphyry, to search the Popes, and prevent After-claps, This Story of Dame Joan, some of the Popish Writers would decry by all means possible; but we have fifty at least of their own Authors against them. Prideaux Introduct.

XIV. Pope Ʋrbane the Sixth was a most cruel and bloody man; at his first Election he was much graced by Jane Queen of Naples, and Otto of Brunswick her Husband, but the rude Beast soon forgot it: and after­ward was the cause of both their deaths; to make good that saying,

In the beginning of his Popedom he was much for Charles King of Naples, having an Eye to the making of his Roguish Nephew Francis Batillus a Prince; but this Friendship was soon turned into spight; and Batillus, after his Uncles death, was stripped of what he had heaped together, according to that Epigram,

The brutish Tyranny of this Pope to some of his Cardinals, whom he suspected, was very horrible; he caused one to be slain, five others of them to be sowed up in sacks, and thrown into the Sea, three others to be knockt on the head before all the People, and their Bodies to be dryed in an Oven, and carried in Chests about with him, with their red Hars upon the same; but shortly after as he was with great greediness gathering Mony, he fell from his Mule, and so bruised himself, that he languished thereof for twenty seven days, dy­ing by degrees, and so suffering the pains which he cau­sed the Cardinals to endure. Symsons Hist.

XV. Pope Sixtus the Fourth most unjustly vexed all Italy with Wars, and Dissentions; one of their own Wri­ters saith, That amongst all the Pimps of these latter days, that built Baudy Houses, this Pope surmounted them, all, for he erected Stews at Rome of double Abomination, one for Women, and another for Boys; he allowed the whole Family of the Cardinal of St. Lucia the use of unnatu­ral Lusts and Sodomy for the three hot months in the year, June, July, and August; he caused every Whore to pay him a certain rate, which amounted to the Sum of forty thousand Duckets a year, he provided Shoes for his Concubine Tyresia, covered all over with Pearls, and dyed suddenly in the midst of his Filthiness, Symsons Hist.

XVI. It would be too long to insist upon every par­ticular Pope, who after the first six hundred years were for the most part Monsters, rather than Men, and are therefore numbred by an ingenious Person under the several following heads, that is, Ʋsurping Nimrods, L [...]xu­rious Sodomites, Egyptian Magicians, Devouring Abaddons, and Incurable Babylonians, many of whom by the just Judg­ment of Heaven were cut off by strange, and prodigious Deaths, as Poyson, Stabbing, Plagues, Wars &c. It hap­pened that one Popes name was Bocco de Porco, Hogs, or Swines Face, which he being ashamed of, he changed it into Sergias, and ever since all Popes have taken up their name by the rule of contraries, the most Cruel being [Page 95]called Clement, or Merciful; the most Wicked Innocent, the most cursed Popes Benedict, or Blessed, the greatest Clowns, Ʋrbane, or Courteous, and the vilest Wretches Pius. Neither hath Divine Justice less appeared a­gainst Apostates and Persecutors, as by the following fear­ful examples it is evident,

XVII. Judas Iscariot, that wicked, and accursed wretch, was guilty of this horrid Sin, for he being a Disciple, nay an Apostle of Jesus Christ, moved with Covetousness, after he had conspired with the Enemy, Traiterously sold his Lord and Master, the Saviour of the World, into the hands of Thieves and Murderers, for thirty pieces of Silver, who sought only his destruction; after this vile creature had perpetrated this execrable deed, for which he was called the Son of Perdition, he could find no rest nor peace in his guilty conscience, be­ing horribly tormented with remorse for his wickedness, judging himself worthy of a thousand deaths, for be­traying that Innocent and Guiltless Blood; if he looked up, he saw the vengeance of God ready to fall upon him, and destroy him, if he looked down, he saw no­thing but Hell gaping for him, to swallow him up; the light of the Sun was dreadful to him, and he was even weary of his own life; so that being plunged into the bottomless pit of despair, he at last hanged himself, and burst in two in the midst, so that all his bowels gushed out, and his memory is abhorred to this day, as a dread­ful Apostate from Christianity.

XVIII. There are two memorable examples of Apostates; the one of Lucian, who having professed the Christian Religion for some time under Trajan the Emperor, fell afterwards away, and became so Prophane and Impious, as to mock at Religion, and the Divinity, so tha he was firnamed the Atheist; this wretch, who like a foul mouth­ed Dog, barked, and belched out bitter Jears, and Scof [...]s against the Religion of Christ, seeking to make it ridicu­lous, and thereby destroy it, was himself in Gods ven­geance torn to pieces, and devoured by Dogs. The other is Porphyrie, who after he had received the knowledge of [Page 96]true Religion, out of despight and anger, because he was reproved for his faults by the Christians, set himself against them, and published Books full of horrible Blas­phemies, to discredit and overthrow the Christian Faith; but when he observed how fully, and clearly all his wretched Arguments were answered, and consuted, and that he was accounted a villanous Atheist for his labour, in terrible despair, and anguish of Soul, he died. Beards T [...]eatre.

XIX. Julian the Emperor, notoriously known by the name of Apostate, fell into the same dreadful gulf; for having been brought up, and instructed from his Childhood in the Christian Religion, and afterward for some time a profest Reader thereof to others in the Church, as soon as he had obtained the Empire, he ma­liciously revolted from his Profession, and resisted with all his power the Faith, and Church of Christ; endea­vouring by all means possible, either by force to ruinate and destroy it, or by craft and subtilty to undermine it; and because he designed to do what mischief he could to the Christians, he therefore endeavoured by all means, to please, and oblige the Pagans their Enemies; and therefore he first ordered their Heathen Temples to be opened, which Constantine his Predecessor had cau­sed to be shut up; then he took from the Christian Chur­ches, and their Ministers those Liberties, Priviledges and Immunities, which Constantine had bestowed upon them; and not content herewith, he confiscated the Church Revenues, and imposed great Taxes, and Tri­butes upon all that professed the name of Christ, and forbid them to have any Schools of Learning to teach their Children; and used many of the Customs, and Or­ders of the Christian Religion in his Heathen Worship; after he had thus by all means laboured to beat down the Scepter of Christs Kingdom, it happened quite con­trary to his expectation, for instead thereof, the Scep­ter of his own Kingdom was destroyed, and broken; for, making War against the Persians, he furnished him­self with such Gallantry of Armour, Apparel, Soldiers, [Page 97]and all things else, that he thought of no less than to have overcome the whole world, continually belching out threatnings against the poor Christians, whom he had determined at his return out of Persia to have ut­terly destroyed, and to have left none alive, as was afterward discovered by one of his Council; the number of his Army was so great, and his strength (as he thought) so impregnable, that he doub­ted not in the least, but to have conquered all Persia in a short time; but behold how God overturneth the con­trivances and Plots of his Enemies! this great Army, (as St. Chrysostome writing against the Heathen observes) in which he put so much confidence, seemed in a little space to be rather a vast, and weak multitude of Wo­men and Children, than an Army of Warriors; for by the ill management, and conduct thereof, there arose so great a Famine amongst them, that their Horses which were provided for the Battel, were fain to be killed to save them from starving, yea and for want of that too, many hundreds dyed of hunger, and Thirst: so that when they had any skirmish with their Enemies, they were always put to the rout, doing more mischief to themselves than their Foes; and lastly, they were led so indiscreetly, that they could not by any means escape but were constrained after he was slain, to beseech the Persians to suffer them to retire, whereby as many as could, escaped, and fled away to save their lives; and thus this gallant Army was miserably discomfited, and destroyed, to the everlasting shame and infamy of that cursed Apostate, who was struck with an Arrow in the Battel, that was never known from whence it came, which pierced through his Armour, and wounded him, very deep in his side; and feeling his strength fail, by reason of his wound, he took some of his own Blood in his own hands, and throwing it up in great pride and malice, cryed out, O Galilean, thou hast overcome me; (meaning thereby our Blessed Saviour, whom he in scorn termed so) and soon after wretchedly gave up the Ghost. One of the Treasurers of this wicked Emperor [Page 98]who, to please his Master, forsook likewise the Religion of Christ, being on a time mocking and deriding the Ministry of Gods holy Word, died miserably on a sud­den, with vomiting blood out of his mouth, his privy parts, (as St. Chrysostome saith) being likewise so rotten, putrified, and consumed with lice, that he could find no remedy for the same, and so died. Symsons Ch. Hist.

XX. Arnold Bonelius, a Student in the University of Lovain, a Man much commended for an excellent wit, ripeness of Learning, and for favouring the Protestant Religion, but afterward Apostatizing to Popery, he be­gan to be much troubled in mind, and thence fell into despair, against which he wrestled a great while, but at length being wholly overcome by it, as he was drawn to walk in the Fields with some Schollars, his familiar Friends, he pretended himself weary, and so sate down by a Springs side, and his Friends being gone a little be­fore, he drew out a dagger, and stabbed himself into the breast; his Friends observing him to shrink down, and the water discoloured with his blood, ran to him, took him up, carried him to the next house, and searched his wound; but whil'st they were busie about him, he espi­ed a knife by one of their sides, whereupon he plucked it forth, and suddenly stabbed himself into the heart, whereby he miserably died. Acts & Monuments.

XXI. The Chancellor Oliver, having against his Consci­ence renounced the Protestant Religion in France, was re­stored to his former Estate, and afterward became a very violent Persecutor, shedding much innocent blood, but such a fearful Judgment was denounced against him by those innocent Souls whom he condemned, as struck him into so great dread, and terrour, that he presently fell sick, and was surprized with such extream melancholy, that sobbing out deep sighs, and murmurings continual­ly against God, he so afflicted his half dead body, that he was like a distracted Person, yea his fits were so ve­hement, that he would shake the Bed as if he had been young and strong; and when a certain Cardinal came to visit him in his extremity, he could not abide his sight, [Page 99]his pains increasing thereby, but cried out, That it was the Cardinal who brought them all to damnation; When he had been long tormented in this manner, at last in ex­tream anguish and terrour he gave up the Ghost. Beards Theatre.

XXII. King Henry the Fourth of France, who had all his life time before been a Protestant, yet after he came to the Crown of France, when he had almost sub­dued all his Enemies which opposed him therein, sud­denly turned Papist; not long after as he was taking his leave of his Nobles, to begin his progress, one John Ca­stile, influenced by the Jesuits, intended to have stabbed him into the Body with a Knife; but the King at the same instant stooping down to take up one of his Lords, who was on his knees before him, the blow happened upon his upper Jaw, cutting out one of his Teeth, and somewhat wounding his Tongue; it is reported that in his Progress, a Protestant Minister in private conference said unto him, Sir, you have denied God with your Tongue already, and have now received a wound in the same; take heed of denying him with your heart, lest you receive a wound in that also; which afterward proved a true Prophecy; for riding a­broad in his Coach to refresh himself, as he passed through a narrow Street, one Ravillack watched [...] portunity, and with a Dagger stabbed him first into the left Pap, and with a second blow struck him between the fifth and sixth Rib, cutting asunder the vein which leads to the heart, of which wound he immediately dyed. De Serres Fr. Hist.

XXIII. Among those who were most cruel in perse­cuting the poor Protestants at Valence in France, at the same time when two Ministers of that City suffered Martyrdom, there was one Lambespine a Councillor of the Parliament at Grenoble; and one Porsennas, the Kings Attorney, who had formerly been Protestants, but were now very active against them; but they were both made dreadful Examples of Divine Vengeance; for Lambespine falling in Love with a young Woman, was so extreamly passionate therein, that he left his Estate, and Imploy­ment [Page 100]to follow her up and down whithersoever she went; and still seeing his love and labour despised, and slighted, he pined away with grief, and grew so neglect­ful and careless of himself, that multitudes of Lice bred, and fed upon him, so that he could no way be freed from them, for they continually increased, and issued out from all parts of his Body, in such great numbers, as Worms upon a rotten Carkass; so that seeing his own misery, & feeling Gods heavy vengeance upon him, he began to despair of mercy, and was therefore desperately re­solved to starve himself to death; which purpose the Lice seemed to further, for they clustered so thick in his Throat, as if they would have choaked him every mo­ment, neither could he suffer any sustenance to pass down, by reason of them; and when some of his Friends being moved with compassion, were resolved to force him to eat, providing broths to that purpose, he re­fused and strove against them, so that they were forced to bind his Arms, and put a Gag into his Mouth, to keep it open, while they poured in the food; and being thus Gagged, he died like a mad Beast, the abundance of Lice that went down his throat choaking him; which was so terrible an example, that the very Papists them­selves said, As he had caused the Ministers of Valence, to have Gags thrust into their mouths, and so to be put to death, so likewise he himself died with a Gag in his mouth. Hist. Fr. Persecut.

XXIV. As for Porsennas, (commonly called Bourreel) who was indeed a very Butcher to the poor Protestants: After he had sold his own Estate, and likewise his Wives and Friends, to raise money to buy his Place, hoping soon to get a great deal more by his accursed Office, he found himself mightily disappointed, whereby he short­ly after fell into despair of God's Mercy; and likewise into a strange and unknown Disease; neither could those whom he had put to death depart out of his mind, but he still imagined they presented themselves before him; so that as one deprived of his reason, he denied and defied the Almighty, and called upon the Devil in [Page 101]a most horrible manner; which his Clerk hearing, he discoursed to him of the Mercies of God, out of several places of Scripture, to comfort and restore his decayed senses; but instead of Returning to God by Repen­tance and Prayer, he continued more obstinate, and called to his Clerk, saying, Stephen, Stephen, Thou art black; so I am and it please you, quoth he, but I am neither Turk nor Moor, but a Gascoigne, with red Hair; No, no, said he, not so, but thou art black with sin; That is true, quoth he, but I hope in the bountiful mercy of God, that for the Love of Christ who died for me, my black sins shall not be imputed to me: Upon which he being more inraged, cal­led his Clerk Lutheran, Hugonot, Villain. &c. desiring his Friends, who rushed in at the noise, that Stephen should presently have bolts clapt on his Legs; and be burnt for an Heretick: In brief, his Rage and Fury increased so much, that in a short time he died a fearful death, with horrible howlings and outcryes; his Creditors scarce giving time to draw his Carcass out of his Bed before they seized upon all his Goods, not leaving his poor Wife and Children so much as a Bed of Straw to lye on; so grievous was the Curse of God upon him and his House Hist. Persecut.

XXV. A Smith in King Edward the Sixth's Time called Richard Denson, was a zealous Professor of Reli­gion, and by his Christian Instructions, the happy Instru­ment of converting a Young Man to the Faith: After­ward in the Reign of Queen Mary this Young Man was cast into Prison for his Religion, who remembring his old Friend the Smith, to whom he alwaies carried a Reverend Respect for the good that he had received by him, sent to know whether he was not imprisoned also; and finding that he was not, desired to speak with him; & when he came, asked his Advice, whether he thought it comfortable for him to remain in Prison? and whe­ther he would incourage him to burn at a Stake for his Religion? To whom the Smith answered, That his Can [...] was good, and he might with comfort suffer for it; but for my part (saith he) I cannot burn: But he that could not [Page 102]burn for his Religion, by God's Just Judgment was burn­ed for his Apostacy; for shortly after, his Shop and House being set on fire, whilst he over-earnestly endeavoured to save his Goods, himself was burnt. Acts and Monum.

XXVI. In the year 1617. Marcus Antonius De Domi­nis, Archbishop of Spalato (though he was old and corpulent, and thereby unfit for Travel, being almost at his Journeys end by nature,) came into England, leaving Italy his own Country, as he pretended, for Religion and writ several Reasons thereof; whereupon being en­tertained, he preached and writ against Rome, extolling the Protestant Religion. so that he became Dean of Windsor, and Master of the Savoy, which he enjoyed for some time; but whether he had higher hopes at home, or the humour and fancy altering, after five years stay here, he retracted all that he had said and written, which so incensed King James, that he commanded him within three daies, at his peril, to depart the Realm; who thereupon went to Rome, and there inveighed as bitterly against the Protestants, as he had done in England a­gainst the Papists, hoping at least for Pardon, if not for preferment: But notwithstanding his Recantation, ac­cording to the Law of the Inquisition, having once re­volted, though now returned, he suffered the death of an Heretick, and an Apostate, though not the shame; and had the punishment of a Martyr, though not the Honour, being publickly Burnt at Rome, yet not Burnt alive; for dying in Prison, and then buried, it is said, his Body was afterward taken up and burnt. Bakers Coronicle.

XXVII. One James Latomus, a Divine of Lovain, some­times a Professor of the Gospel, but afterwards an Apostate, being one time got into the Pulpit to Preach before the Emperour Charles the Fifth, at Brussels, was at that very instant so amazed and astonished, that no body could understand him; so that he was laughed to scorn by the Courtiers; seeing himself thus disgraced, he return­ed to Lovain where in his publick Lecture he fell into such grief and sorrow of mind for the dishonour he had [Page 103]got, that at length it turned into an open frenzy and madness, uttering such words of Desperation, and blas­phemous Impiety, that by other Divines present, he was carried away raving, and shut up in a close Chamber; from which time to his last breath he cryed out, That he was damned, and rejected of God; and that there was no hope of Salvation for him, because that wittingly, and against his knowledge, and of meer malice, he had resisted and with­stood the manifest Truth of the Word of God; and soon after died in this miserable condition. Beards Theatre.

XXVIII. It is recorded of Trebellius, the First King of the Bulgarians, that he, with his People, being converted to the Christian Faith, that he might more quietly ap­ply his mind and Soul to the Exercises of Religion he resigned up his Kingdom to his Eldest Son, who when he was King, renounced the Christian Religion, and wor­shipped the Gods of the Heathen; whereupon the Fa­ther not only deprived him of his Royal Dignity, but likewise caused his Eyes to be put out fora punishment of his Apostacy, and bestowed the Kingdom upon his other Son, shewing thereby. That he who abandoneth and forsaketh the True Light of Salvation, is not worthy to enjoy the comfortable Light of the World. Beards Theatre.

XXIX. Peter Castellon, Bishop of Maston, having at­tained great Riches and Renown by means of the Gospel, yet notwithstanding, he afterward turned his back upon the Protestant Faith, and mightily inveighed a­gainst the Profession of that Religion, in his Sermons at Orleance, endeavouring to demonstrate that he had not only abjured and denied it; but likewise that he was a profest Adversary thereunto: This Man sitting one time in his Chair, fell into a strange Disease, which no Physician had ever seen, or could find the cause or re­medy thereof; for one half of his Body was extream hot, and burned like Fire, the other extraordinary cold, and frozen like Ice; and in this Torment, with horrible cryes and groans he ended his Life. Cardinal Pool, an English-man, had sometimes professed himself a Prote­stant, yet afterward was a zealous Papist, and a cruel [Page 104]Persecutor in Queen Maries daies; but he died within two or three daies after the Queen, in horrible grief and terrour of Conscience, without any visible token of Repentance. Beards Theatre.

XXX. But among all the Examples we read of, there is none more terrible than that of Francis Spira, a Lawyer of Cittadella, in the Territories of Venice, a man of great Credit and Authority in his Country, who imbraced the True Religion with extraordinary Zeal, and made open profession of the same, teaching the Doctrines thereof first to his Family, and then to his Friends and Familiar Acquaintance, which he continu­ed to do about six years, whereby he stirred up the malice of the Popish Clergy against him; so that they complained to the Pope's Legate thereof; which when Spira understood, & foresaw the danger wherein he was like to fall, after he had long debated and disputed the matter in his own Conscience, the Counsel of the Flesh and worldly Wisdom prevailing, he resolved at last to go to the Legate, and by doing whatever he should com­mand him, to appease his Anger; and coming accor­dingly to Venice, being over-ruled with immoderate fear, he subscribes to a Catalogue of all the pretended Er­rours which the Legate had drawn up; together with his Confession annexed, which he promised to declare in his own Town, and to acknowledge the whole Do­ctrine of the Church of Rome to be True, and Holy, and to abjure the Opinions of Luther, and all such Hereticks: As he was going home, to this purpose, he began to con­sider how wickedly he had denied Christ, and his Gos­pel at Venice, and what he had promised to do in his own Country; whereupon being confounded with fear and shame, he thought he heard a voice thus speaking to him; Spira, what dost thou here? Whither goest thou? Hast thou unhappy man, given thy Hand-writing to the Le­gate? yet see thou do not seal it in thy own Countrey; Dost thou think Eternal Life so mean a thing, as to prefer the pre­sent life before it? Remember Man, that the sufferings of this present Life are not comparable to the Glory that shall be [Page 105]revealed: If thou suffer with him, thou shalt also Reign with him: Thou canst not answer what thou hast already done; yet the Gate of Mercy is not quite shut; heap not sin upon sin, lest thou repentest when it is too late. Now was Spira in a Maze, not knowing which way to turn; and when he came home, he acquainted his Friends with what he had done at Venice, and what he had promised to do there, and how the terrours of God on the one side, and the terrours of the World on the other, did con­tinually torment him; they without more ado advised, and by divers Arguments persuaded him to do what he had promised; whereupon going to the Mayor, he offered to do what was enjoyned him by the Legate; but all that night the miserable Man was vexed with restless cares, without a minute of sleep; yet the next morning he gets up, and desperately went into the publick Congregation, and in the presence of the whole Assem­bly, he recited his infamous abjuration of the Protestant Profession; after which he was fined thirty pieces of Gold, and so restored to his Dignities, Goods, Wife and Children: As soon as he was departed, he thought he heard this dreadful Sentence; Thou wicked wretch, thou hast denied me; thou hast renounced the Covenant of thine Obedience; thou hast broken thy Vow; hence Apostate bear with thee the Sentence of thine Eternal Damnation: Spira trembling and quaking, afflicted in body and mind fell down in a swound, and from that time forward he ne­ver found any ease or peace in his mind, but professed, That he was captivated under the revenging hand of the Al­mighty God, that he continually heard the Sentence of Christ the just Judge against him; when his Friends brought him a­ble Physicians, he said, Alas poor men, how far are you wide! it is neither Plaister nor Drugs that can cure a wounded Soul, cast down with the sense of Sin, and the Wrath of God, it's Christ only that must be the Physician, and the Gospel the sole Antidote; he was about fifty years of Age, his under­standing active, quick of apprehension, witty in dis­course above his ordinary manner; he refused nourish­ment, which his Friends forcing upon him, he was very [Page 106]angry, crying out, You strive to make me tire out this misery, I would fain be at an end; O that I were gone from hence, that some body would let out this weary Soul. One asked what he conceived to be the cause of his disease; upon which he brake out into a lamentable discourse of the passages formerly related, and that with such passionate expressi­ons as made many weep, and most tremble; his Friends minded him of several promises out of the Scripture, and of many examples of Gods Mercy; My Sins, saith he, are greater than the Mercy of God, for I am one of those damned Reprobates whom God would not have to be saved, since I willingly, and against my knowledge denied Christ, and I feel that he hardens me, and will not suffer me to hope; one time seeing a knife on the Table, he snatched it up to have mischieved himself, had not his Friends prevented it, whereupon he said, I would I were above God, for I know that he will have no mercy upon me; in this condition he lay about eight weeks in a continual burning, neither desi­ring, nor receiving any thing, but by force, and that with­out digestion, & was like an Anatomy vehemently raging for drink, ever pining, and yet fearful to live long, dread­ful of Hell, yet coveting Death, in a continual Torment, yet his own Tormentor; and thus consuming himself with Grief and Horrour, Impatience, and Despair, like a living Man in Hell, he represented an extraordinary example of Gods Justice and Power, and thus he ended his miserable life. Clarks Mirrour.

XXXI. It is observable that most, or all of those Ro­man Emperors who raised those ten horrid Persecutions against the Christians, came to very untimely ends; nei­ther hath Divine Justice spared others since, who have set themselves to destroy poor innocent Christians, meerly upon the account of their Religion, of which Histories give many remarkable instances, and among the rest these that follow. A Councillor of the Parlia­ment of Provence in France, was so furious against the poor Protestants, that the sooner to dispatch them to the fire, he usually staid in the Judgment Hall from morning till night, causing his meat and drink to be brought him [Page 107]thither; but whilst he was thus wickedly industrious in these Affairs, there began a little sore to rise upon his Foot, which at first was no more than if a Wasp had stung the place, yet increased so extreamly the first day with redness, and pain, that his whole foot was in­flamed therewith, so that it was judged incurable, unless he would cut off his foot, and thereby save the rest of his Body, which he not yielding to, the next day his whole leg was infected, the third day his thigh, and the fourth his whole body was inflamed, of which he pre­sently died, his Corps being all parched, as if rosted by a Fire; thus he that was so hot in burning poor Christi­ans was himself by the secret flame of Gods Wrath, burnt and consumed to death, as if it had been by a fierce and tormenting fire. Hist France, lib. 2.

XXXII. John Mesnier, Lord of Oppede, was another chief instrument against the Protestants in France, and led his murthering Army against them, where they committed such horrid Cruelties, and Barbarities, as the most out­ragious Heathens in the world would have blushed at; insomuch that abundance of complaints were made a­gainst him, and he accordingly summoned to appear personally before the Parliament at Paris, there to an­swer those Murders, Extortions, Robberies, and other Villanies laid to his Charge; but being Convicted, and found Guilty thereof, he was not only released, but resto­red to his former Estate; but though he escaped the hands of Men, yet he was overtaken by the hand of God; for when he was in the height of worldly pros­perity and busier than ever in persecuting the distressed Protestants, even then a flux of blood came through his privy parts, which engendred a carnosity, and thick­ness of flesh therein, and thereby hindered his Urine, so that with horrible outcries; and raving speeches, he gave up the Ghost; feeling as it were a burning fire, broyling his Intrails, from his Navil upwards, and an ex­tream infection putrifying his lower parts, and begin­ning to tast even in this life, as it were, that vengeance of Eternal Fire both in Soul, and Body, which is [Page 108]prepared for the Devil and his Angels Hist. France.

XXXIII. The Cardinal of Lorrain, a Principal Pillar of the House of Guise, in France, and a crafty and cruel Persecutor of the Protestants, as he was coming from Rome, with a design to stir up the Kings of France, and Poland utterly to root them out of their Dominions, it pleased God, for the deliverance of the Christians, to strike him stark mad at Avignion by the way, where he died in the flower of his youth; at the instant of whose death, there happened such an horrible Tempest, that all the People stood amazed thereat. Acts & Monu.

XXXIV. Felix, Earl of Wurtemburg, one of the Cap­tains of the Emperor Charles the Fifth, being at Supper at Ausburg, with many of his Companions, they breath­ed out horrible threatnings of what Cruelty they in­tended to exercise upon the poor Protestants, and the Earl swore before them all, That before he died, he would ride up to his Spurs in the blood of the Lutherans; but it hap­pened the same night that vengeance overtook him, for he was strangled, and choaked in his own blood before morning, and so he did not ride, yet bathed himself, not up to the Spurs, but up to the throat, not in the Blood of the Lutherans, but his own blood, and so miserably ended his life. Flaccius Illyricus. John Martin of Piedmont, continually boasted how he would root out the Pro­testants, and in much Gallantry cut off a Ministers Nose of Angrogne; but immediately after, he himself was set upon by a Wolf, which bit off his Nose, as he had abu­sed the Minister, whereupon he grew mad, and died miserably; which strange Judgment was much discour­sed of by all the Country round about, because it was never known that this Wolf had done any hurt to any Man before. Acts & Monu.

XXXV. The Lord of Revest, who was President of the Parliament at Provence, and by whose means many innocent Protestants were Martyred, was a while after put out of his Office, and returning to his own house, he was visited with so dreadful a sickness, accompa­nied with such mad, and furious fits, that his Wife nor [Page 109]Friends durst never venture to come near him, and so like a furious Mad-man, he in a solitary inraged humor ended his wrerched Life. About the same time there happened a very strange Judgment upon one John Cranequin, an Antient Lawyer of Bruges, who was so vio­lent and furious in the Popish way, that he turned Pro­moter against the Protestants, informing Ovy, one of the cursed Inquisitors against them, whereby many were taken and martyred: But Divine Justice struck him with a very strange Phrensy, insomuch that what­soever his Eyes beheld, seemed in his Judgment to be crawling Serpents; and though all manner of means and Medicines were used for curing him; yea, though they used the help of wicked Conjuration and Sorcery, yet his Senses were quite benummed, and he was be­reaved of his Reason, and so miserably died. Beards Theatre.

XXXVI. John Morin, a cruel Enemy to the Profes­sors of the Truth, who busied himself continually at Paris, in apprehending and accusing the Protestants, whereby he caused multitudes daily to be sent to the High-Court of the Pallace: This Man himself soon af­ter died in most grievous and horrible torture; and the Chancellor Prat, who gave out the first Commissions to destroy them, died swearing and blaspheming the Name of God, his stomach being most strangely gnawn in pieces, and consumed with Worms. Poncher, Arch­bishop of Tours, pursuing with all violence the burning of the Protestants, was himself surprized with a Fire from Heaven; which beginning at his heel, could ne­ver be quenched, till one Member after another was cut off, whereby he miserably died. Gaspard of Renialine, one of the Magistrates of the City of Anvers in France having condemned certain poor faithful Souls to be burned, received ere he moved out of the place, the terrible Sentence of God's Judgment against himself, falling immediately into desperation, and was led home to his house half distracted, where roaring out, That he had condemned and destroyed the blood of the Innocent, he pre­sently died. French Hist.

XXXVII. Lambert, a Frier in Leige, a very cruel Persecu­tor, & one of the bloody Inquisitors for Religion, whilst he was one day bitterly inveighing against the Protestants, he was on a sudden, in the midst of his Sermon, struck speechless, so that he was fain to be carried out of the Pulpit to his Cloister in a Chair, and was shortly after found drowned in a Ditch. Albertus Pighius (a great E­nemy to the Gospel, insomuch that he was called The Lutherans Scourge) being at Bulloigne, at the Coronation of the Emperor, to behold the Pomp and Glory there­of, it happened that the Scaffold whereon he stood, fell down with the weight of the People, and Pighius came tumbling headlong amongst the Guard that stood below, and fell upon the points of their Halberds, which ran quite thorow his Body; the rest of the Company escaping without any great hurt. French Hist.

XXXVIII. In the Reign of King Henry the Eighth, one Adam Damlip, a very worthy Protestant Preacher, was condemned to be Executed as a Traitor, pretend­edly, though in truth for nothing but defending the Christian Religion against Popish Superstitions: Now there was one Sir Ralph Ellaker Knight Marshal of Ca­lice, who was to see him Executed there, and was a very great Enemy to him, so that he would not permit him to make any Confession of his Faith, nor the Cause for which he died, but still cryed out to the Hangman, Dispatch the Knave; make an end; not sufering him to speak a word in his own defence, nor clear himself from the Treason with which he was charged, but not proved a­gainst him; yea this bloody wretch swore, That he would not stir till he saw the Traitors heart out. A while after there happened a skirmish between the English and French, at Bulloigne, where this Sir Ralph was slain, with divers others, whose death only sufficed not his Enemies; for after they had stripped him stark naked, they cut off his Pri­vy Members, and pluckt the heart out of his body, and so left him a terrible Example to all merciless and bloody Men; for there was no cause ever known, why they should use him so, more than the rest, but only to [Page 111]discover the Just Judgment of Heaven upon him. Beards Theatre.

XXXIX. James the Fifth King of Scotland, by the Instigation of the Popish Bishops, was a great Persecu­tor of the Protestants, (the Light of the Gospel breaking forth in his time) and gave Commission to Sir James Hamilton his Treasurer, to prosecute all Persons which should be found guilty of Heresie, and to inflict punish­ments upon them, the King being also heard to say, That none of that sort should expect any favour at his hands; nay, not his own Sons, if they should be found guilty: But this continued not long; for Sir James Hamilton was accused of a Design against the King's Life, for which he was shortly after Executed: And a War afterward break­ing out with England, the King found his Nobility very averse in assisting him therein, which much discontent­ed him: These thoughts, with some fearful Visions which he had by night, much terrified him, and altered his Mind from those Extremities which the Clergy had put him upon: For one night as he lay at Linlithgow, it seemed to him that Thomas Scot, Justice Clerk, came to him a with Company of Devils, crying, Woe worth the day that ever I knew thee, or thy service; for serving thee against God, and against his Servants, I am now Judged to Hell Torments: Hereupon awaking, he called for Lights, and causing his Servants to arise, he told them what he had heard and seen: The next morning by break of day, word was brought him, that the Justice Clerk was dead, which fell out just at the same time, when the King found himself so troubled, and almost in the same manner; for he died in great terrour of mind, often repeating these words; By the Righteous Judgment of God I am condemned; and the manner of his death an­swering the King's Dream so exactly, made it yet more terrible to him. Another Vision he had in the same place, not many nights after, which did more affright him; for whilst he lay sleeping, he thought that Sir James Hamilton, whom he had caused to be Executed, came to him with a drawn Sword in his hand, and there­with [Page 112]cut off both his Arms, threatning also within a short time to return, and to deprive him of his Life; with which he awaked and as he lay musing what this Dream should signifie, news was brought him of the Death of his Two Sons, James and Arthur; the one dy­ing at St. Andrews, and the other at Sterling, at one and the same hour. The next year, which was 1542. being overwhelmed with grief, he died at Faulkland, in the Thirty second year of his Age; a little before he died, he had word brought him that his Queen was delivered of a Daughter, whereupon he burst forth into a passion, saying, It came with a Lass (meaning the Crown) and will go with a Lass; Fie upon it. Spotswoods History of Scotland.

XL. Drahomira Queen of Bohemia, was an im­placable Enemy to the Christians, and caused many of them to be slain; but as she happened to pass over a place, where the Bones of some godly Ministers (who had been martyred) lay unburied, the Earth opened its mouth, and swallowed her up alive, together with the Chariot wherein she was, and all that were in it: which place is to be seen before the Castle of Prague to this day. About the year 1488, some Popish Bishops in Bohemia, stirred up the Queen, who was then great with Child, to move King Ʋladislaus her Husband, severely to punish the Piccards, as the Protestants were then cal­led; and the Queen much pleased her self in thinking what grateful Spectacles she should have, when she should see some of them burnt, some beheaded, and others drowned in the River: But it pleased God, be­fore she could see it effected, she fell in Travel, and could by no means be delivered of her burden; where­upon the Physicians advised, that the Child should be cut out of her Womb; which being done accordingly, the Child lived, but the Mother died. Two years after the Bishops by their Importunity prevailed with the King to use sharp Remedies against this growing Reli­gion: whereupon an Edict was drawn up, That all the Piccards, or Protestants, without distinction of Age, Sex [Page]

K. Hen. 2. whipt by the Popes Order pa. 88

Q: Bohemia swallowed up alive. pa. 112

[Page] [Page 113]or Quality, should be murdered. This Edict was brought [...]o the Assembly of the States at Prague, to be confirmed by them; Many of the Nobles opposed it, but by sub­ [...]ilty of the Chancellor, and his bloody Associates, it was at last carryed by the Major part. The Chancellor, as [...]he returned from the Parliament, visited a Nobleman of his Acquaintance, and there with great rejoycing told him what was concluded against the Protestants: The Nobleman having a Servant by, who was a great favourer of them, asked him how, he liked this Decree? The Servant answered; That all Parties were not agreed: the Chancellor suspecting some Conspiracy, asked him, who durst oppose the States of the Kingdom? The Servant said, There is one in Heaven, who if he were not present at your Councils, you have but consulted in vain: The Chancellor replied, Thou Knave, thou shalt find that, as well as the rest of you; and so rising up in a fury, immediately a Car­buncle arose upon his foot, which turned to a Disease called Ignis Sacer, of which he died soon after in much misery. Clarks Martyr.

XLI. Another who was very forward in pro­moting this Decree, in his return homeward, as he was alighting out of his Chariot to make water, struck his Privy Member on a sharp Nail that was in the Boot, whereby, as he fell forward, he drew out his Guts and Entrails along with him, and not long after gave up the Ghost, Another Nobleman who promoted this cruel Decree, as he was Hunting, his Horse threw him, and one of his Arrows ran into his Thigh, and came out at his Loins, whereby he died a very painful death. The year after, two German Tradesmen were apprehended at Prague, and by the Monks accused of Lutheranism, for which they were condemned, and burnt: One of their Chief Persecutors was so violent against the Protestants, that he wished they were all hanged, burnt or beheaded by his hands, but it pleased God in his Just Judgment, that shortly after all these evils fell upon himself; for being exceedingly in debt, for very trouble and vexa­tion he went and hanged himself; and when his Friends [Page 114]had privately buried him; the common people hearing of it, digged up his Carkass, and threw it out, and by the Magistrates command, it was ordered to be burnt; but when the wood was consumed, and the Body only scorched, one came and cut off his head, Clerks Martyr.

XLII. Neither has Almighty God failed to shew his displeasure against wicked Persecutors in our own Coun­try; especially those in bloody Queen Maries Reign; of which we shall only collect some few. Alexander the Keeper of Newgate, was a cruel Enemy to those that lay there for Religion and used to go to bloody Bonner, Story, Cholmly, and the rest, crying out, Rid my Prison, Rid my Prison; I am too much pestered with these Hereticks: the wretch dyed a miserable death, his Body being so swoln that he was rather like a Monster than a Man, his In­trails also were so rotten, that none could abide the stink of them; his Son James, to whom he left a great Estate soon wasted it all, saying in a jeer, Ill gotten, ill spent; and as he went through Newgate-Market he fell down dead, John Peter, Son in Law to this Alexander, an horrible Blasphemer, who used upon every occasion to say, If it be not so, I pray God I may rot before I die; he was likewise very cruel to the poor Christians in Prison, but Divine Justice met with him for all; for his Body rotted away by peice­meal, and so he died miserably. Robert Baulding, as he was apprehending William Seaman the Martyr, was stricken with Lightning, and thereupon pined away, and died. Ralph Lardin, the Betrayer of George Eagles, was after­ward Arraigned and hanged; as he stood at the Bar, he said publickly, This is justly fallen upon me, because I be­trayed the Innocent blood of that good and just man, George Eagles, who was condemned by my means, and I sold his blood for a little mony; The like vengeance of God fell upon Richard Petto, and Justice Brown, both cruel Persecutors of George Eagles; one Dale, a Promoter, and Persecutor, was eaten up of Lice, and dyed. Dr. Dunning, Chancel­lor of Norwich, a bloody Persecutor in Queen Maries days, was suddenly taken sitting in his Chair, and dyed. Dr Berry, Commissary of Norfolk, another bloody Persecutor, [Page 115]as he was walking with one of his Concubines, fell down suddenly with an heavy groan, and never stirred after. A Persecuting suffragan of Dover having been with Car­dinal Pool for his blessing, coming out of the Cardinals Chamber, fell down stairs, and broke his Neck. Acts & Monu.

XLIII. Bishop Thornton, a cruel Persecutor, as he was looking upon his Men at Bowls, fell suddenly into a Palsy, and being carried to his bed, and bid to remember the Lord; yea so I do, said he, and my Lord Cardinal too, and so he dyed. Dr. Jefferies, Chancellor of Salisbury., a wret­ched Persecutor, having appointed to call before him 90 Persons to examine them by Inquisition, the day be­fore looking upon his Buildings, fell down dead. Sir Thomas More, Lord Chancellor of England, was a sworn Enemy to the Gospel, & a profest Persecutor by Fire, and Sword, of the Protestants, and as if he designed there­by to grow famous, and get renown, he caused a Sump­tuous Tomb to be erected, whereon to eternize the me­mory of his Cruelty, he caused among other worthy deeds, this principally, to be Ingraven thereon, That with all his might he had persecuted the Lutherans, but it fell out contrary to his expectation, for being Accused, Condem­ned, and Executed for High-Treason, his Head was ta­ken off, and his Body found no other burial, but the Gibbet. Beards Theatre. These and many more such examples are recorded by Mr. Fox in his Acts & Monu­ments, which makes good that of the Psalmist, God hath prepared for the Wicked the Instruments of Death, he ordaineth his Arrows against the Persecutors, Psal. 7.13.

If the Reader desire to know more of the Cruelties of the Papists in all Countries for above six hundred years past, and Gods judgments upon them, he may find it at large in a little book, called the Protestant Schoolmaster, of a shilliog price, and sold where this Book is to be had.

CHAP. V.

IT appeareth in History that there have been a mul­titude of proud, cruel, and vicious Princes, and Go­vernours in former Ages, who have thought that their Will ought to be their Law, and have gloried in Tyran­nizing over their poor Subjects, however it hath pleased the Divine Majesty many times to discover his abhor­rence and detestation of such practices, by his severe Judgments upon the Actors thereof: It is likewise as plain that God Almighty, as well to declare his detestation of that crimson sin of Murther, as to beget and retain in us a horrour thereof, hath most vigorously imployed his Providence by strange, and miraculous ways, to bring to light deeds of darkness, and to drag the bloody Authors of them out of their greatest privacies, and conceal­ment, to condign punishment; it were an infinite Labour to trace the several footsteps of Divine Providence in this matter; neither hath Lust, Revenge, and other notorious enormities, escaped Gods Justice many times in this world, as by the following relations it doth re­markably appear.

I. Ptolomeus Pisco, one of the Kings of Aegypt, caused his own Son Memphites (whom he had begot of his Wife & Sister Cleopatra) to be slain, and then commanded his Head, Hands, and Feet to be cut off, and to be shut up in a curious Casket, made for that purpose, and sent them to his Mother, as a present upon his Birth-day; and when afterward he perceived that by his barbarous Tyranny [Page 117]he was grown odious to all his Subjects, to prevent the danger thereof, he caused a School where most of the Children of the Nobility, and others were educated, to be beset, and incompassed round with fire, and men with drawn Swords, and then suddenly assaulted them, whereby they were all destroyed, not one of them esca­ping; but that which he thought to be his refuge, prov­ed his ruine, for the People were so extreamly incensed with this cruel Act, that with an unanimous consent they fell upon him, and tore him to pieces. The like, if not greater Cruelty was practised by a Woman, one Cycenis, the Daughter of Diogerides, King of Thrace, who took great delight in beholding living men cut in the middle, and invited Parents to feast upon their own murthered Children, cookt and drest several ways, but she was afterward deposed from her Government, and her Inhumanities were so hateful, that none of her Sub­jects would relieve her, whereby she was famisht to death, and dyed of hunger. Vitaldus, Prince of Lithua­nia, studied divers sorts of Tortures and Torments for men, whom upon every slight occasion he condemned to death; among the rest he would command them to be sowed up in Bear-skins, and then made it his sport to be­hold them torn in pieces with fierce Mastives; in all his warlike expeditions, he carried continually a Steel-bow, ready bent, and if any Souldier happened but to step out of his Rank, he instantly stroke him dead with an Ar­row, glorying to himself that he was so good a marks­man; but after these, and abundance of other Cruelties, he that delighted to see men die like Bears, was himself in the end torn in pieces with wild Wolves, being re­quited much in the same manner as he had exercised Barbarities upon others. Beards Theatre.

II. The Tyrant Periander usurped the Government over Corinth; after he had murdered the Principal men of the City, he put to death his own Wife, to content and please his Concubine; nay, he was so execrable, as to lye with his own Mother; he banished his Natural Son, and caused many Children of his Subjects to be [Page 118]guelded. Finally, he committed all manner of Villa­nies, which he was sensible had made him abhorred of his People; and therefore fearing that some miserable and monstrous death would be inflicted on him, and that he should not be buried: He gave Order to two of his stoutest Souldiers, that they should strictly guard a place by him appointed, and not to fail to kill the first that came in their way, and to bury his body, being slain: Now the first that met them was himself, who of­fered himself to them without speaking a word, and was therefore immediately killed, and afterward buried by them: These two were soon after encountred by four others, whom he had likewise appointed to kill them, as they had done him, which they performed accordingly. Sabellici opera.

III. In the year 830. Popiel the Second King of Po­land, careless of matters of State, gave himself over to all manner of Dissoluteness and Debauchery, so that his Lords and People scorned and despised him: He fear­ing therefore that they would set up one of his Kins­men in his stead, by the advice of his Wife, whom he furiously loved, seigned himself sick, and sent for all his Uncles Princes of Pomerania (being twenty in number) to come and see him; whom lying in his Bed, he ear­nestly desired, That if he chanced to die, they would make choice of one of his Sons to be King; which they willingly promised, in case the Lords of the Kingdom would con­sent thereunto. The Queen enticed them all, one by one, to drink a Health to the King; which as soon as they had done, they took their leaves: But they were scarce got out of the King's Chamber, before they were seized with intolerable pains, by the corroding of the Poi­son wherewith the Queen had intermingled their Drink; & in a short time they all died. The Queen gave it out as a Judgment of God upon them, for having conspired the death of the King, and prosecuting this Accusation, caused their bodies to be taken out of their Graves, and cast into the Lake Goplo, over a City called Crusphitz: But by a miraculous Transformation, an innumerable [Page 119]company of Rats and Mice did rush out of those Bodies, which gathering together in crouds, went and assaulted the King, as he was with great Jollity feasting in his Pal­lace: The Guards endeavoured to drive them away with Weapons and Fire, but all in vain: The King per­plexed with this extraordinary danger, fled with his Wife and Children into a Fortress, that is yet to be seen in that Lake of Goplo, whither he was pursued with such a number of these creatures, that the Land and the Wa­ters were covered with them, and they cryed, and hissed most fearfully; they entred in at the Window of the Fortress, having scaled the Walls, and there they de­voured the King, his Wife and Children alive, and left nothing of them remaining; by which means all the Race of the Polonian Princes was utterly extinguished; and Pyast a Husbandman at the last was elected King. Heylins Cosmography.

IV. Hatto the Second Duke of Franconia (Sirnamed Bo­nosus) Abbot of Fulden, was Chosen Archbishop of Mentz in 968. at which time was a grievous Dearth, and the Poor being ready to starve for want of food, he caused great companies of them to be gathered together, and put in­to Barns, pretending that they should receive Corn, and other Relief; but he caused the Barns unmercifully to be set on fire, and the Poor People to be miserably burnt therein, saying withal, That the Poor were like the Rats and Vermine, who did eat up the fruits of the Land: But not long after an Army of Rats gathered themselves together; no man can tell from whence, and set upon him so furi­ously, that into what place soever he retired himself, they would come and fall upon him; if he climbed on high into Chambers, they would ascend the Wall, and enter at the Windows, and other small chinks and crevises; the moremen attempted to destroy them, the more outra­gious they seemed, and the more to increase in number. The wretched Prelate seeing he could find no place by Land safe for him, resolved to seek some resuge on the Waters, and got into a Boat to convey himself to a Tower in the midst of the Rhine, near a little City called [Page 120] Bingen; but the Rats threw themselves by innumerable heaps into the Rhine, and swum to the foot of the Tower, and clambering up the Wall, entred therein, and fell upon him, gnawing and biting, and throtling, and tear­ing, and tugging him most miserably, till he died. This Tower is yet to be seen, and at this day called Rats Tower. It is also remarkable, that whiles the Archbishop was yet alive, and in perfect health, the Rats gnawed and razed out his Name written, and painted upon ma­ny Walls. Heylins Cosmog.

V. Clearchus, after he had put to death the greatest part of the Nobility, and men of chiefest Account in the City of Heraclea, usurped a Tyrannical Authority over them; and amongst other horrid Cruelties and Enormi­ties, he constrained the Widdows of those whom he had murdered, to marry those Villains his followers, whom he allotted to them; insomuch that many with grief and anger killed themselves. Now there were two Persons of a stout and couragious Temper, who pitying the mi­serable condition of their Country, were resolved to venture their Lives to deliver the miserable People out of his wretched hands; whereupon they came accom­panied with fifty others of the same mind and resolu­tion, pretending as if they would have him decide a private Quarrel between them; but as soon as they had opportunity, they all joyntly fell upon the Tyrant, and with their Swords hewed him to pieces, even in the very midst of his Guards. Beards Theatre.

VI. Andronicus was one of the most cruel Tyrants that ever lived; for he exceeded in all kind of wicked­ness, as Ambition, Murder, Adultery, Incest, and the like. He was so treacherous and disloyal, that he traiterously murdered the Son and Heir of Emanuel the Emperour, causing him to be tyed up in a Sack, and so drowned in the Sea: After which he by violence took possession of the Empire of Constantinople, and like a strong Thief, seized upon that which was none of his own: Having thus attained his desire, he began to rage and rave, com­mitting all manner of Villanies and Debaucheries; ravish­ing [Page 121]Women, and Virgins, and afterward giving them to his Pimps and Ruffians, to be abused; yea he committed a Rape upon one of his own Sisters; and to secure him­self in this Tyrannical Estate, he murdered most of his Nobility, and all others that had any shew of Civility or Honesty, living altogether by Robbery and Extortion; whereupon his Subjects, tyred out by the multitude of Evils which he daily committed, were no longer able to endure his vile Outrages and Indignities, and therefore rise up against him, and after besieging him for some time, they at last got him into their hands, whom they used with as much cruelty as he had exercised upon them: For having degraded him, and despoyled him of all his Imperial Ornaments they pluckt out one of his E [...]es, and then set him upon an Ass with his face to the Tayl, which he held in his hand, instead of a Scepter; and a Rope about his Neek, instead of a Crown; in this attire and order they led him through all the Streets of Constantinople, the people shouting, and reviling him on all sides, some throwing dung, others dirt and spittle upon him, and Women their Chamberpots upon his Head; lastly he was carryed to the Gallows, and there hanged. Beards Theatre.

VII. Pyrrhus, King of Epirus, was a restless Tyrant, his whole delight was in Murder and Bloodshed, but at last ha­ving cunningly gotten into the City of Argos, whil'st the Citizens made head against him, he was hurt with a Pike; whereupon he fell upon him that hurt him, who was a Person of a mean condition, whose Mother a poor old Woman, was at that time got upon the top of a House to see the Fight, and perceiving that it was her Son whom Pyrrhus assaulted, she was so affrighted to see him in that danger, that she took a Tyle, and with both her hands threw it at Pyrrhus, which glancing upon his Helmet, break his Neek bone, and slew him, Plutarchs Lives.

VIII. Aristippus a Tyrant of Argos, left not an Ene­my alive in the City, and had Antigonus, a Potent Prince for his Friend, yet was he so fearful, that he kept a great [Page 122]guard of Souldiers continually about him, causing them to watch night and day, and to lie about his Pallace in the Cloisters and Galleries adjacent; after Supper he u­sed to turn all his Men out of doors, and then shutting his Court Gates to him, he locked himself up only with his Concubine in a little high Chamber, with a Trap door, setting his bed every night over the door, as one that was continually afraid of his life; and when he was got up into his Chamber, his Concubines Mother used to take away the Ladder, and to look it up in another Cham­ber till the next morning, yet notwithstanding all this extraordinary care and cautiousness, his Enemies broke in upon him, and slew him. Plutarchs Lives.

IX. Alexander a Tyrant in Thessaly, was of so cruel a disposition, that he neither regarded Reason, nor Justice toward any; for he caused some to be buried alive, o­thers he put into the skins of Bears, and wild Boars, and then set his Hounds upon them, and one day as the In­habitants of a certain City in League with him, were assembled together in Council, he caused his Guard to inclose them round suddenly, and to kill them all, not sparing the very Infants; he consecrated the Dart, where­with he had slain his Uncle, and crowned it with Gar­lands, calling it the Happy Killer. Being one time at a Tragedy, where the miseries of Hecuba, and Andromache were represented, he could not forbear weeping, and therefore went out of the place, lest it should be obser­ved by the People that he pitied these feigned sorrows, who never had any compassion for the multitude of Citizens whom he had cruelly murdered; now though this Tyger was continually guarded with Troops of Souldiers, who kept watch about his Body night and day, and had also a most furious Dog constantly waiting on him, who was unacquainted with any but himself, his Wife, and one Servant who gave him his meat, and was tyed to his Chamber door every night; yet vengeance found him out, for by his Wises means he was killed, who taking away the Stairs of his Chamber, let in three or four of her own Brethren, with whom she had con­spired [Page 123]to murther him; who finding him fast asleep, one took him by the heels, and another by the hair of the head, and wrung his neck behind, the third thrust him through with a Sword, she all this while giving them light to dispatch their business; the Citizens of Pheres having notice hereof, got the dead body, which they drew a­bout the Streets, and having kicked, abused, trampled upon it, and drawn it through the mire and dirt, they threw it out to be devoured of the Dogs; so odious was the remembrance of his Tyranny among them. Plut. Lives.

X. Nero, that Monster of Men was well educated under Burrhus, and Seneca, and for the first five years be­haved himself very well, so that Trajan used to say, That all the Emperors came short of Nero's first five years; but af­terward he fell into all manner of Wickedness and De­bauchery; his manner was to come into the publick Theaters, and there to spend some days in singing, and he scarce took delight in any thing so much as the ap­plause of the Vulgar, and the Crowns which they gave him for his s [...]nging, and playing on the Harp. At other times he would have them come and see his skill & dexterity in driving of Chariots; at Naples he came with his Harp in­to the publick Theatre, afterward he used publickly to sing at Rome, and Athens, and would not suffer any to de­part out of the Theatre, whil'st he was singing, what ne­cessary occasion soever they had, insomuch that Women with Child were sometimes delivered in the Theatre; and others being tyred with hearing, and commending him, the doors being shut, would get over the walls, or seem to be dead, that they might be carried out; he caused his Statue to be made in the habit of an Har­per, and all his Coin with the like; he exercised his Lust, Luxury, Covetousness, and Cruelty at first private­ly, but soon after more openly; when it began to be dark, he would go to the Taverns, and Victualling-Hou­ses, and run about the Streets, doing mischief to many, by beating and abusing them, and sometimes if they re­sisted, throwing them into Privies; sometimes he would break open Shops, and rob them, and in his quar­rels [Page 124]often endangered his life; he was once beaten to death almost by a man, whose Wife he had abused, after which he had Tribunes following him at a little distance; he used to lengthen out his Feasts from the midst of the day, to the midst of the night, and would oftentimes sup in publick, being attended with the most famous Whores, and Women Pipers about the City: He was given to Sodomy, and caused the Genitals of a Boy called Sporus, to be cut off, and endeavoured to have made him a Wo­man, causing him to be dressed, and brought to him like a Bride; whereupon one merrily said, That it had been well for the world if Nero's Father had had such a Wife: He committed Incest with his own Mother Agrippina: He caused one Pythagoras to marry him, as he himself had married Sporus: He invented such Bestialities to be com­mitted by Men and Women, as are not fit to be named: He murdered his Wife Octavia, by whom he had the Empire, and soon after married Poppaea Sabina (whom he took from her Husband a Roman Knight) and loved her dearly; yet when she was great with Child, he com­ing home late one night from his Chariot-driving, and she blaming him for it, he so kicked her on the Belly, that he killed her: He was of a most cruel and bloody disposition; he hastened the death of Claudius by Poi­son, which he would often boast of afterward, and ex­ceedingly rail against him, though he received the Em­pire from him; before which Agrippina his Mother went to an Astrologer, to know the fortune of her Son Nero, who told her, He should be Emperour, but he should be the death of her; to which she replied, Let him kill me, so he does but Reign: The first part of the Prognostication she saw accomplished, and the last now followed; for ha­ving attempted by Poison, and divers other waies, to take away her life which did not succeed, he sent a Centu­rion to murther her; Agrippina seeing him coming to­ward her with his drawn Sword, took up her cloths, & exposed her naked Belly to him, bidding him strike that, since her womb had brought forth such a Monster into the world. After she was slain, Nero came to view her naked Body [Page 125]and her wounds, and without any concernment, villa­nously said, I did not think I had been born of so beautiful a Mother: He then caused her womb to be ript up, that he might see the place wherein himself had lain: After which horrid fact he was continually tormented with the sting of his own conscience, and protested, That his Mother often appeared to him with burning Torches, lashing him for that cruel Murder; yet he still continued his cur­sed Butcheries: He murthered his Aunt Domitia; and because Antonia the Daughter of Claudius, refused to marry him, he caused her to be slain, pretending that she went about to make some Innovations in the State. He hired Conjurers to lay the Ghost of his Mother: He caused Crisoinus his Son-in-law by Poppaea, to be drowned as he was fishing: He slew many others who by blood & affinity were near to him: He murthered Aulus Plancus a young man, after he had by violence committed So­domy with him: He forced his Master Seneca to mur­ther himself, though he had often sworn to him he would not do it; and that he would sooner perish himself, than do him any hurt; and he sent Poison to his other Ma­ster Burrhus. Divers of his Rich Freed men, and other Old men, who had helped him to the Empire, and fa­voured him therein, he murdered, by mixing Poison ei­ther in their meat or drink: Neither was he less cruel to others, especially after two Conspiracies were disco­vered against him; and some of the Conspirators con­fessed the Fact, saying, That they knew not how otherwise than by his death, to free him from all that wickedness where­with he had d [...]filed himself. And Nero asking Sulp [...]tius Aper a Centurion, why he conspired against him, he answered, Because I knew not how by any other means to do thee a kind­ness: After this he raged more extre [...]mly against all sorts of Persons, setting no bounds to his Cruelty, but murthering whom he pleased: He gave not above an hours space to any of those whom he commanded to ki [...] themselves to prepare for d [...]ath, and had Chirurgions ready to cut all their veins, if they made any delay; His Profuseness and Prodigality ans [...]ered his Cruel [...]y: [Page 126]for it was without all measure, saying often, That those who proportioned their Expences to their Incomes, were sordid and covetous, and that they only who most profusely and prodi­gally wasted their Estates, were magnificent and praise-wor­thy: He never put on the same Apparel twice; He was very extravagant in costly Buildings, and when his Trea­sury was exhausted, he endeavoured by Rapine and For­geries to enrich himself. He never conferred an Office upon any man, but he would say to him, Thou knowest what I want, let us make it our business that none may have any thing but our selves. He took the curious and costly Images of the Heathen Gods of Gold and Silver out of the Temple, and sold them; and as he spared not men, so neither did he spare the City of Rome; for being displeased with the Building, narrowness, and crookedness of the Streets, he sent some Villains, who made it their business to run up and down, and set the City on fire, and whilst it was all in a flame, he went up to the top of Moecenas his Tow­er, to feed his Eyes with that pleasant sight, and in a Play­ers Habit tuned his Harp and sung a song of the burning of Troy; and when he afterward heard how ill he was spoken of for this Act, he raised a Report, that it was done by the Christians, and thereupon used all manner of Cruelty toward them, and exposed them to the fury of the People, who horridly tormented them, as if they had been common Burners and Destroyers of Cities, and the deadly Enemies of Humane Society: Yea, Nero him­self caused some of them to be cloathed in wild Beasts skins, and torn to pieces with Dogs; others were cru­cified, some he made Bonfires of to light him in his night sports: In brief, such exquisite Torments he put them, to as caused their Enemies themselves to pity them; and whereas Tiberius used to say, After my death let the World be destroyed by Fire, Pestilence, Famine, &c. Yea, (said Nero) let it be destroyed in my Life time, that I may be a specta­tor of it. But Almighty Justice at last overtook him; for being adjudged by the Senate to be an Enemy to Mankind, it was condemned to be whipt to death through the streets of Rome, and all his Armies and Forces forsaking [Page 127]him, to avoid this shameful, and ignominious death, he fled and hid himself among Briers and Thorns, and be­ing weary of his life, desired some of his Attendants to kill him, which they refusing, he cryed out, I have nei­ther a Friend, nor an Enemy, miserable man that I am, and thereupon threw himself into a Pit four foot deep, and there desperately slew himself, Sueton.

XI. Tigellinus, one of the Captains of Nero's Guard, had been a principal abettor, and encourager of him in his Tyrannies, and the chief cause of the death of ma­ny great Personages in Rome, enriching himself with their spoils, and the Robberies he committed; After the death of Nero, (whom in his extremity he forsook) he plunged himself, & wallowed in all manner of filthi­ness and debauchery; now though he was worthy of a thousand deaths for his Cruelties toward many worthy Citizens, yet by bribing some of the chief Favourites of the succeeding Emperor Galba, he escaped being questioned; but as soon as Otho was installed in the Em­pire, his destruction soon followed, for to gratify the Romans, Otho sent to apprehend him, who was then in his Banquetting Houses in the Fields, rioting and sporting with his Harlots, and finding himself thus surprized, and that he had no way to make his escape, though he had prepared Boats on purpose to carry him away in any danger; and not being able to bribe the Messenger sent to take him, though he offered him great rewards, he intreated only the favour to shave his beard before he went, which being granted, he took a rasor, and instead of shaving, cut his own throat, Beards Theatre.

XII. Antonius Heliogabalus, Emperor of Rome was in­famous for Cruelty, Gluttony, Lust, and all manner of wickedness, and his death was answerable to his life; he had his name from an Idol of the Sun, whose Priest he had been in Syria, and being exceeding rich, by his pro­fuse gifts to his Souldiers, he procured himself to be cho­sen Emperor, and sending Messengers thereof to Rome, he was by the Senate accepted; such was the luxurious pomp of this Beastly Emperor, that he used Balm in his [Page]Lamps, and filled his Fishponds with Rosewater; his Garments were of the finest Gold, and the most costly [...]lk, his Shoes glistered with precious stones, curiously ingraven, he was never two days served with one kind of meat, nor wore one Garment twice, he doted excee­dingly upon his Mother, with whom he committed In­cest, and did all by her appointment, and was the first that brought a Woman into the Senate, causing his Mo­ther to sit in one of the Consuls Seats; he erected a Se­nate of Women, wherein many ridiculous Laws were made; he exercised all manner of filthiness in his Pal­lace, and exceeded all that went before him in Lust and Uncleanness, and being unapt by nature for the act of Generation, he would turn himself into a Woman, and sought through the world for those who were most pro­digious for Debauchery, that they might exercise their Lust upon him; he had some days at Dinner the Brains of Estriches, another time the Tongues of Popinjays, and other singing Birds; when he was near the Sea, he would never eat Fish, but in places far distant from the Sea, his House was served with the most delicate Fish, his Table was furnished with seven thousand Fishes, and five thousand Fowls at one Supper; in his progress he was usually attended with six hundred Chariots; he cruelly Sacrificed young Children, and conferred the best Offices upon the most debauched Persons, as Bawds, Fidlers, Players, and the like, in a word he was an utter Enemy to all honesty and Sobriety; and when he was foretold by his Astrologers, and Sorcerers, that he should die a violent death, he provided Ropes of Silk to hang himself, swords of Gold to stab himself, and strong Poysons in Jacinths, and Emeraulds to poyson himself, if he should on a sudden be forced thereto; he likewise made an high Tower, and covered the floor with Plates of Gold inlaid with precious Stones, and underneath the window the ground was covered with Sands of Gold, from whence he might throw himself down, if he were persued of his Enemies; but notwithstanding all this Provision, Divine Vengeance would not suffer [Page 139]him to dye as he desired, for his Souldiers abhorring his filthy carriage, they went to seize on him, upon which he fled into an house of Office, where they slew him, and because the Privy was not big enough to receive his body, they dragged him through the Streets of Rome, crying out, Behold a Whelp of Cruel, and Insatiable Lust, and then threw him into the River of Tyber, fastning a great stone to him, that he might be seen no more. Sue­tonius Hist.

XIII. Caligula, another Roman Emperour, began to shew his Cruelty to his own kindred as soon as he was setled in the Empire; di [...]inheriting, and then flaying Ti­berius, who was Co-heir with him; he compelled his Fa­ther in Law to murder himself, envying his Nobility, Vir­tues, and Affinity to him; his Adulteries were most a­bominable; abusing betrothed Virgins, and Married Wives, whom after he had defiled he hated, and abhor­red, he abstained not from the most Illustrious, and No­ble Women; he caused his Grand-mother to kill her self for reproving him for his wickedness, and accused his two Sisters, with whom he had committed Incest for Adulteresses, and Conspirators against him, and there­fore banished them; he caused the head of the Image of Jupiter to be taken off, and his own put in the place; he built his Pallace as far as the Market place, and set up the Images of Pollux and Castor at his door, and oft standing between them, would cause all that passed by, to worship him as a God, and some of his flatterers cal­led him Jupiter; he caused a Temple to be built for his God-head, and had Priests and Sacrifices; he used all sorts of Magistrates scornfully, and irreverently, he would reach forth his Hands, and his Feet to the Sena­tors to be Worshipped, and those who had this favour, must publickly thank him for it in the Senate; some of the Senators he privately murthered, and yet would have them called for, as if they had been living, and a few days after would declare that they had murdered themselves; many Persons of good quality he would stigmatize, or dismember, and then condemn them, some [Page 130]to the Mettal-mines, others to mend High-ways, some to be cast to wild Beasts, and others to be sawn asunder; he used to compel Parents to be present at the torments of their Sons, and one excusing himself by reason of his sickness, he sent his Litter for him; another asking whether he might not shut his Eyes, whil'st his Children were tormented, he caused him to be slain for it; ano­ther Father he brought home with him from seeing the miserable death of his Son, and would force him to laugh, jest, and be merry. A Roman Knight being cast to the wild Beasts, declared that he was Innocent, upon which he caused him to be brought back, and to have his tongue cut out, and then to be cast to them again. If he wanted Condemned Persons to be thrown to the wild Beasts, he would cause his Officers to seize any that stood near, and throw them to be torn to pieces, having first cut out their Tongues, that they might tell no tales; when he designed to destroy any one of the Senators, he suborned some Person to go into the Senate house, and there proclaim him a publick Enemy, and so presently murther him, neither would he be satisfied till his Mem­bers, Joints, and Bowels were drawn about the Streets, and then brought, and laid on an heap before him; he would not suffer any to be slain presently, but comman­ded the Hangman so to strike, that they might feel them­selves die; he had a Horse which he named Swift, whom he invited to Supper, and gave him Provender in a Gol­den Manger, and drank Wine to him in golden Bowls; he swore by his Horses health and Fortune, and promised to make him a Consul, as before he had made him a Priest; he caused a Marble Stable to be built for him, and a Manger of Ivory, with Horsecloaths of Purple, and a chain of precious Stones; he gave him likewise a House furnished with costly Houshold-stuff, and Ser­vants, that he might the more splendidly entertain those who in his name were invited to be his Guests; having by such mad profuseness, and prodigality exhausted his Treasury, he sought by all unjust and oppressive means to supply his wants; he disannulled many Mens Wills, [Page 131]because they had not made him their Heir; he slew ma­ny rich Men, and seized upon their Estates, and confis­cated the Estates of others, so that it was a Crime to be rich; he levied unheard of Taxes and Tributes; he proclaimed, that at New-years-tide he would receive New-years-gifts, and himself stood at the door to re­ceive all that were brought him, even by the Common People; he set up likewise a Bawdy house, or Stews in his own Pallace, and therein prostituted the chiefest Women, and the most noble Boys to the Lusts of all, and made gain, and advantage to himself thereby; he was so enamoured with a desire of handling Money, that he caused huge heaps of Gold to be spread over a large Room, and would walk bare-foot upon it, and some­times would strip himself naked, and roll himself upon it; he was an horrid Atheist, and desperate Blasphemer of the Deity, and yet when it thundered, he would wrap his head and face in his Garments; and if the Thunder were great, he would run under his Bed to hide himself, and yet he had caused an Engine to be made, wherewith to Thunder against Heaven, when it Thundered, and to Lighten against the Lightning, and when a Thunderbolt fell, he would throw up a Stone toward Heaven, saying, Either do thou destroy me, or I will destroy thee; and it was not long ere he met with his just reward; he designed a Progress into Alexandria, resol­ving before he went to murther all the chiefest Men in and about Rome, wishing, That all the People of Rome had but one Neck, that he might cut them off at one blow; be­iing fretted that no terrible Calamities had happened in his days, whereas there could hardly be a greater than himself; but in the midst of his rage and wickedness, two of the Tribunes conspired against him, and one asking him some question about his Office, received a very harsh Answer, whereupon he gave the Emperour such a stroke between the head and shoulders, that with it, and the blows of the Accomplices who rushed in upon him, he was slain amongst them, no man stirring in his defence, though many looked on, and might have aided [Page 132]him if they would; he was no sooner killed, but the Conspirators likewise slew his best beloved Wife Coesonia, a Woman of prodigious lust and filthiness; they took his younger Daughter, and dashed out her Brains against the Walls. After his death there were found in his Closet two Books, one called his Sword, the other his Dagger, wherein were contained the names of all those whom he had designed to slaughter; there was found al­so a great Chest stuffed with all sorts of the most deadly Poysons, which being thrown into the Sea, poysoned a multitude of Fishes. Sueton. Hist.

XIV. Commodus another Emperor of Rome, was a most wicked Son of a good Father, he exceeded if pos­sible Nero, and Caligula in Lust, Cruelty, and Rapine; he had three hundred Concubines, whom he chose out of the most beautiful Marrons, and Whores of Rome, among whom he spent his time in his Pallace in Feasting and Drunkenness; he killed his Sister Lucilla, and ravished his other Sisters; he used to fight among the Sword-play­ers, and often in soort killed some of them; he like­wise fought with wild Beasts, of whom he slew many thousands with his own hands; he was so impudent, that he came into the Senate in Womens Apparel, where he sat publickly, and drank unmeasurably; he endeavoured to scrape Mony together by selling Honours and Offices in all the Provinces; he rejected his own name, and would be called Hercules the Son of Jupiter, and despi­sing the Roman Habit, he went cloathed in a Lyons skin, carrying a Club in his hand, and so publickly fought with wild Beasts, and Men, whereof he killed some with Darts, others Gyant like with his Club; yet would this wretch be called a Pious, and Happy God: he commanded the City of Rome to be burnt down, and sent his Soul­diers, who slew multitudes of People that were met together in the Amphitheatre, and without any cause given, would slay all those of his Bedchamber; thus growing odious to all, some of his own Domesticks, and among them one of his Concubines, named Matria, (whom he loved above all the rest, and called [...]er [Page 133]his Amazon) conspired against him, and poisoned him. Clarks Mirrour.

XV. Bassianus Caracalla in his Childhood was merry and pleasant, and of a mild nature, so that it was hoped he would have proved an excellent Prince; but when he grew up he was strangely altered, and became fierce and cruel, that he did not seem the same person: His Father Severus left him such a large Roman Empire, as none before him had possessed, with a great and valiant Army to defend it; whereupon he began presently to discover his cruel and bloody disposition: For first, he slew his Physicians, because they had not obeyed his Command in killing his Brother-in-law soon enough: Then he murdered those who had educated him and his Brethren, because they endeavoured to make peace between him and his Brother Geta: He endeavoured to persuade his Captains to chuse him sole Emperour; whereas his Father had divided the Empire between them; and when he could not prevail with them, he goes to his Mother, and pretends great love to her, and her Son Geta, yet watches his opportunity, and breaks into Geta's Chamber, and murthers him in his Mothers Arms, defiling her all over with his blood, and then runs down into his Pallace, crying out, That he had escaped a every great danger from his Brother Geta: From thence he runs into the Camp, and tells the Souldiers, What a Conspi­racy Geta had made to take away his life, and how hardly he had escaped them by slaying him in his own defence; where­by and with large gifts, and larger promises, he won them to chuse him sole Emperour, and to declare his Brother an Enemy. Then began he to exercise cruelty without pity, upon every trifling occasion: He caused all his Brothers Houshold-servants, and Friends to be slain, not sparing their very Infants, whether they were Noble or Ignoble: He caused the Rich Citizens to be slain, and then seized their Estates; & among others, he murdered Papinian, a famous Lawyer, because he would not defend the murdering of his Brother, but saying, That it was easier to commit Parricide, than to excuse it: He [Page 134]used publickly to commend Sylla and Tyberius, two as bad as himself, and sought wholly to root out all that were a kin to the Imperial Family, or eminent among the Senators, and at length raged against the Common People, causing multitudes of them without cause to be slain when they were met together at Publick Plays: And being conscious of his own wickedness, and the Peoples hatred to him, he left Rome, and went into Germany, where he provided Guards, and clothed him­self like them; from thence he went to Macedonia, and at Alexandria caused the Schools of Aristotle to be de­stroyed, and his Books to be burnt, because he said Aristotle was of Counsel in sending Poison to kill Alexan­der; from thence he went to Troy, and sought out the Tomb of Achilles; then he went to Antioch, to behold Alexanders Tomb, which two he pretended to imitate; and then was revenged of the Alexandrians, for some Scoffs and Jeers they had cast upon him, for having married Julia his Mother-in-law, whose Son Geta he had slain in her Arms, which happened upon this oc­casion: Julia, who was very fair, being one time in his company, as it were by negligence, discovered a great part of her naked body, whereupon Bassianus said, I would it were lawful; Julia replyed, It is lawful if tho [...] pleasest; knowest thou not thy self to be an Emperour, and t [...] give, not to receive Laws. Hereupon he publickly married her, upon which the Alexandrians called him Oedipus, and her Jocasta; to be revenged on them for this Affront, he pretended that he would chuse a Legion of Alexandri­ans; and when multitudes of them were met together unarmed, he caused his Souldiers to incompass them, and cut them all to pieces, so that the River Nilus over­flowed with their blood: From hence he went to the East, and pretending to affect the Parthian name, he sent Ambassadours to Artabanus King of Parthia, to give him his Daughter in Marriage; Artabanus willingly em­bracing the motion, came to him as to his Son-in-law, bringing the Bride, and a multitude of unarmed fol­lowers, crowned with Flowers; and whilst they were [Page 135]offering Sacrifice to their Gods, giving the watchword to his Army, he slew them all, the King himself hardly escaping by flight: At length the People being wearied, by his Ravages and cruelties, as he was easing nature, Marcinus, Prefect of the Pretorian Souldiers stabbed him with a Dagger into his bowels, and slew him. Sue­ [...]onius Hist.

XVI. Aulus Vitellius being chosen Emperour by the Army in Germany, hastened toward Rome: He used no Government either in his Family, or among his Soul­diers; so that all places were filled with violence and rapine, which he turned into sport and joking: When he came into a Field where a late Battel had been fought, and all his followers were offended with the stench of the dead bodies, he uttered this detestable speech, That of all smells, he liked best the smell of a slain Enemy, but much more of a slain Citizen. When he entred Rome, he sacrifi­ced to the Ghost of Nero in Mars his Field, to shew what an excellent Pattern he would follow, and there prepa­red a Solemn Feast, sending for Musicians to sing Nero's Ver­ses, which himself first of all much applauded: For the most part he governed the Commonwealth by the advice of the basest Players, and Chariot-Drivers, and was ready upon every small occasion, to deliver men over to death and punishment: He spared not Usurers, who had for­merly called to him for their Debts; nor Publicans, who [...]ad exacted Tribute from him: One of them coming to salute him when he came to the Empire, he caused him to be slain in his presence, saying, That he would [...]eed his Eyes with his death. Two Sons of another coming to intercede for their Father, he caused to be killed: He [...]anisht all Mathematicians out of Rome, because they had given out that he was born under unhappy Planets: He was suspected to be guilty of his own Mothers death: Nei­ther was he only thus cruel, but likewise extreamly gi­ven to Luxury and Excess: He feasted at least thrice, and often four times a day, after each of them, disburthening his stomach by vomiting: He used the most curious and costly delicates, which could not be had from remote [Page 136]parts atex cessive charges both from Land and Sea, inso­much that it was commonly said, That if he had lived lon­ger, he would have undone the Roman Empire with his Luxu­ry and costly Table: He was so extrean [...]ly given to Glutto­ny, that he could not forbear eating while [...]e was sacri­ficing, or in a Journey: His whole life was spent in Glut­tony, Drunkenness and Cruelty, whereby he grew so hateful, that the Army chose Vespasian then in Judea, for their Emperour, whereupon Vitellius forced Flavius Sabinus, Vespasians Brother, and the rest of his Family and Kindred, to fly into the Capitol for shelter, which Vitellius caused to be set on fire, and so burned them in it; and himself being at a Feast, fed his Eyes with that pleasing spectacle; for he was resolved to eat and drink well, that he might not die without his Dinner, and that he might not be afraid of death nor disgrace: The day after, when news was brought him that Vespasian his E­nemey drew near, he sought out all private corners wherein to hide himself; all men forsaking him, but on­ly his Baker and his Cook: When his Enemies entred the City, they sought for him, and some of the Souldiers that knew him not, finding him, he denied his own name; and when others that knew him came, he pre­tended he had something to reveal to Vespasian, that con­cerned his safety; but this prevailed not; for casting a Halter about his neck, they dragged him half naked into the Market-place, where he received many scorns and reproaches; they then set a Dagger under his chin, that he might not hang down his head to hide his face: Some threw dirt and dung at him: Some reproaching him with one thing, and some with another; at last car­rying him to Tyber, they there cut him in pieces; and then fastening a hook to his Trunk, they threw it into the River. Suet. Hist.

XVII. Domitian was the younger Son of Vespasian; he behaved himself very wickedly in his Childhood, and Youth; and when he came to be Emperor, he retired him­self every day for an hour in secret, as if it were to meditate upon some secret Affairs, but he spent that [Page 137]time in catching of flies, and pricking out their Eyes with a Bodkin, so that one asking his Chamberlain whe­ther any body was with the Emperor, he wittily answe­red, No, not so much as a fly; he daily entertained the People with sumptuous, and costly Shows, wherein him­self sat as chief in the habit of one of the Heathen Gods, and like Caligula, commanded himself to be cal­led Lord, and God, and in his publick Edicts he used this Phrase, Our Lord and God commands this to be done; one while he set himself to reform abuses, and enacted some good Laws, but quickly returned to his former Cruelty, causing many Senators, and such as had been Consuls to be slain, and among them one, because he had a Map of the world in his Chamber, and because he read the Ora­tions of Kings and Princes, recorded by Titus Livius; he banished all Philosophers, and Mathematicians out of Italy, and sought out new ways to enrich his Coffers; his Cruelty was not only great, but crafty, and unexpected, for he would send some away merrily, and with assu­rance of safety, and presently send men to murther them; and that he might the more abuse mens patience, he would never pass any hard, and unjust Sentence, without a Preface to set forth his Clemency; his Trea­sury being exhausted, he contrived to recruit it by Rapine, and Oppression, suborning some to accuse both the living and the dead, that he might seize upon their Estates; he was extream cruel against the Christians, because they would not Worship him as a God, or his Idols at least, pretending that he was Brother to the Sun and Moon; and adorning his Shoes with Gold, and precious Stones, he commanded the People to kiss his feet; he ordered all the Churches of the Christians to be pul'd down, and destroyed, and the Book of the Holy Scriptures to be burnt, which was executed with all the rigour and con­tempt that could be; he then sent forth Edicts for displa­cing all Christian Magistrates, and put all others out of their Offices, imprisoning such of the common People, as would not abjure Christianity, and subscribe to the Heathen Idolatries; then were cruel Edicts sent abroad [Page 138]for Imprisoning the Elders and Bishops, and constrain­ing them by divers torments to Sacrifice to Idols, upon which there followed all manner of Cruelty against the Christians, by all kind of tortures; among the rest Gale­rius his General was sent to invade Antioch, and to force all the Christians to renounce Christ, at which time they were assembled together; whereupon one Romanus a Nobleman ran to them, declaring, That the Wolves wen [...] at hand, which would devour them, yet he exhorted them not to fear, by reason of the danger; and through Divine Grace the Christians were greatly encouraged by him, so that old Men and Matrons, Fathers and Mothers were all of one mind and resolution to shed their dearest blood in the [...]ro­fession of the Christian Faith, and unanimously offered their naked throats to the Soldiers; whereupon they sent their Captain word, That they could not inforce the Christians to deny their Faith, by reaso of one Romanus, who did mightily encourage them; The Captain commanded he should be brought before him, to whom he said, What, art thou the Author of this Sedition? Art thou the cause that so many lose their lives? By the Gods I swear, thou shalt an­swer for them all, and shalt suffer those torments that thou en­couragest them to undergo, Romanus answered, Thy Sentence O Emperor I jo [...]fully imbrace, I am most willing to be Sacrifi­ced for my Brethren, although I should suffer the greatest tor­ments that thou canst invent, the Captain being much inra­ged with this his stout answer, commanded him to be halled up, and his bowels to be pluckt out, whereupon the Hangman more pittiful, and tenderhearted than he, said, Not so Sir, this man is of Noble Parentage, and therefore may not be put to so ignoble a death scourge him then (quoth the Captain) with whips, having knots of Lead at the ends, which was done accordingly, but Romanus instead of Sighs and Tears, and Groans, sung Psalms during his suffering, desiring the tormentors not to favour him for the sake of his Nobility, for it is not (said he) the blood of my Progenitors, but the Christian Religion which makes me noble; then did he earnestly reprove the Cruelty, and Idolatry of the Captain, and derided his Idol Gods; which so [Page 139] [...]uch inraged him, that he commanded his sides to be [...]unced with knives, till the bones were laid open, yet still [...]id the Holy Martyr Preach the living God, and the [...]ord Jesus Christ to him, upon which the Tyrant com­ [...]anded to strike out his Teeth, that his Speech might [...]e hindred, his order was obeyed, his face was also buffe­ [...]ed, his Eyelids torn off, his cheeks cut and gasht with [...]nives, the skin of his beard by degrees pluckt off, and [...]is comely countenance wholly defaced, and deformed, [...]et for all this the meek, and patient Martyr said only [...]us, I thank thee O Captain that thou hast opened to me so ma­ [...] mouths to Preach my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for as [...]any wounds as I have, so many mouths I have to bless, and praise [...]y God, and Jesus Christ my Redeemer; the Captain astoni­ [...]ed at his constancy, bid them give over tormen­ [...]ng him, yet threatens more cruel Tortures, [...]nd in the mean time Blasphemed God and [...]hrist, saying, Thy Crucified Saviour is but a God of yester­ [...]ay; The Gods of the Gentiles are of great Antiquity: But Romanus taking occasion from hence, declared unto him [...]e Eternity of Jesus Christ, &c. and withal said, Captain, [...]ing me a Christian Child of seven years old, and you shall hear [...]hat he will say: Hereupon a little Boy was called out of [...]e multitude, to whom Romanus said, Tell me my Child, [...]hether thou think it reasonable that we worship one Christ, [...]d in him one Father; or that we worship many Gods? To [...]hom the Child answered, That surely what we affirm to [...] God, must needs be one; and since this Christ is one, in whom [...]e worship one God the Father, he must needs be the true God; [...]r that there be many Gods, we children cannot believe: The [...]aptain amazed at this, said, Thou young Villain and Trai­ [...]r, where, and of whom learnedst thou this Lesson? Of my [...]other (said the Child) with whose Milk I sucked in this [...]esson, that I must believe in Christ. The Mother was cal­ [...]d, and appeared, being glad to see the courage of her [...]hild: The cruel Captain commanded the Child to be [...]alled up, and severely whipt; at which cruelty the pi­ [...]ful spectators could not forbear tears; only the joyful [...]other stood by, and looked on with dry eyes; yea, [Page 140]she reproved her sweet Child for desiring but a little cold Water, charging [...]t to thirst after the Cup that the Bab [...] of Bethlehem once drank of; and bid him remember litt [...] Isaac, who seeing the Sword over his head, and the Altar upon which he was to be sacrificed, willingly offered his tender ne [...] to be cut off by his Father: Upon this the cruel Tormento [...] of a sudden pluckt the shin off the Childs head, hair and all; whereupon the Moth [...] cryed out, Endure and suff [...] it patiently, my Dear Child, and in a little time thou shalt g [...] to Jesus Christ, who will adorn thy naked he [...]d with a Crow [...] of Eternal Glory: Thus the Mother coun [...]ess her Son, and the Child is inccu [...]aged, and receives the stripes and scourges with a [...]ling countenance: The Captain per­ceiving the constancy of the Child to be invincible, and himself to be overcome, commandeth this precious soul▪ this Blessed Babe, this little Martyr, to be put into a filthy and stinking Dungeon: Then was Roman [...] brought forth again to receive new wounds upon his ol [...] sores; and the Captain raged against the Tormento for dealing so mildly with him, and then said, It is pain­ful for thee Romants, to be so long a dying; I do assure the [...] in a short time the floming fire shall dispatch thee, wherei [...] thou, and that Boy thy Fellow Rebel and Traitor, shal [...] be bur [...] to Ashes. As they were going to Execution, Roman [...] turned back upon the Captain. and said, I appeal from this thy Tyranny, Ch unjust Judge! to the Righteeus Thro [...] and Judgment of Jesus Chri [...] the up [...]lit Judge, where i [...] will appear that thou an a [...] and b [...]edy T [...]rant▪ to inflict such horrid Tortures [...] Innocent h [...]is [...]ians. When they were come to the [...] of Execution, the Torn ento [...] required the Child [...] Mother, who had carryed him in her Arms from [...] Prison, whom she freely and joyfully delivered to them, saying, Farewel my swe [...] Babe; and when the Hargr [...] put his Sword to the Childs neck, she sang chearfully in this manner;

The head of this blessed Innocent being cut off, the Mother wrapt in her Garment, laid it to her breast, and so departed: Then there was a mighty fire made, into which Romanus was cast; which being quenched with a great Storm of Rain, the Tyrant commanded his Tongue to be cut out, therefore the Executioner pulled it far out of his mouth, and cut it off by the roots, and yet for all this it is recorded (but with what credit I know not) that Romanus spake, saying, He that speaketh for Christ shall never want a Tongue; do not think that the voice which Preacheth Christ, must alwaies have a Tongue to be the Mini­ster: The Captain at this grew even distracted, suspect­ing that the Hangman had deceived him by some slight of hand, and had not cut his Tongue off; If you suppose so, (saith the Executioner) open his mouth, and you may see the Roots of his Tongue: Whereupon the Captain being even confounded at the courage and constancy of the Martyr, commanded him to be brought back to Prison, and to be strangled, where his sorrowful life and pains ended together, and he received the Crown of Martyrdom. Acts and Monuments. 1 Part.

About this time one Gordius a Centurion, upon pro­fessing himself to be a Christian, was apprehended, and boldly acknowledged, That he believed in Christ, and va­lued not what they could inflict on him for this his Profession, then did the Sheriff call for Scourges, Gibbets, and all manner of Torments; to whom Gordius said, That it would be a loss and damage to him, if he did not suffer divers tor­ments and punishments for Christ, and his Cause; The Sheriff more incensed hereby, commanded all those torments to be inflicted on him, with which Gordius was nothing disturbed, but sung, The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what Man can do unto me, I will fear no evil, because thou Lord art with me; Then he blamed the Tormentors for favouring of him, provoking them to do their utmost; the Sheriff not prevailing that way, sought by flattery to seduce him, promising him Preferment, Riches, and Honour, if he would deny Christ; but Gordius derided him as foolishly mad, saying, That he looked for greater [Page 142]preferment in Heaven, than he could give him here on Earth: He was then condemned, and carryed out of the City to be burnt; multitudes followed him; and some kissing him, intreated him with Tears to pity himself; to whom he answered; Weep not, I pray you, for me, but weep for the Enemies of God, who fight against the Christians; weep, I say, for them, who prepare a fire for us, purchasing Hell fire thereby for themselves in the day of vengeance; and cease, I pray you, thus to molest my setled and quiet mind; for truly, for the name of Christ, I am ready to suffer a thousand deaths. Others persuaded him to deny Christ with his mouth, and to keep his conscience to himself: My Tongue (saith he) which by God's goodness I have, cannot be brought to de­ny the Author and giver of the same; for with the heart we believe unto Righteousness, and with the Tongue we confess unto Salvation. And thus persuading and incouraging the People to be willing to die in the like Cause, with an unappaled countenance, he gave up his body to the Flames. Acts and Monuments. 1. P.

Menas also, a Souldier by profession, forsook all, and went into a Desart, where he gave himself to Fasting, Prayer, Meditation, and Reading of the Scriptures; at last returning into the City of Cotis, when the People were at their pastimes, he with a loud voice proclaim­ed himself to be a Christian, and thereupon was carryed before the President; and being demanded concerning his Faith, he said, It is convenient that I confess God, in whom is light, and no darkness; For with the heart we be­lieve to Righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made un­to Salvation: Then he was tormented with divers Tor­tures, which he regarded not, saying, There is nothing in my mind that can be compared to the Kingdom of Heaven; neither is all the world, if it were we [...]ghed in a ballance, com­parable to the price of one soul: And farther said, Who can separate us from the Love of Christ? Can Tribulation? or Auguish, &c. And again, I have learned of my Lord Christ, not to fear them that can kill the Body, and have no power to kill the Soul. Having endured a multitude of Torments, he received Sentence of Death; and at the place of [Page 143]Execution he said, I give thee thanks my Lord God, who hast aceepted me to be a partaker of thy precious Death, and hast not suffered me to be devoured of my fierce Enemies, but hast made me constant in thy True Faith unto the end: And so he lost his Head, but found a Crown of Glory. Acts and Monuments. 1. P.

Amongst others, forty young Gentlemen that were Souldiers, freely confessed themselves to be Christians, declaring to the Marshal their names, who being ama­zed at their boldness, was in doubt what to do; he en­deavoured with flatteries, and promises of preferment, to win them, persuading them to consider their youth, & not to change a pleasant life for a painful & untimely death: But they couragiously replied, They neither de­sired money, honour, nor life, but only the Coelestial Kingdom of Christ, for the love of which they were ready to endure the Wheel, Cross, Fire, or any other Torment: The Marshal be­ing much offended herewith, devised a new Torment; for espying a Pond in the Street, that lay open to the North-wind, it being in the cold Winter time, he cau­sed them to be put into it all night; but they being joy­ful, comforted one another as they put off their Cloaths, saying, We put not off now our Old Cloaths, but our Old Man (corrupted with the deceits of concupiscence) for which we bless and praise God; for by means of the Serpent we once put on the Old Man, but by the means of Jesus Christ we now put him off. Then were they brought naked, and put into the vehement cold water, where they were kept till the morning; so that all their Members were stark and stiff therewith; and as soon as it was day, they, having breath yet remaining in them, were brought to the fire, wherein they were consumed to Ashes, which were thrown into the Flood. It happened that one of the company being more lively, and not so near death as the rest, the Executioners pitied him, and delivered him to his Mother, who stood by, to save his life; but she led him to the piles of Wood, where the other starved creatures lay ready to be burnt, admonishing, and exhorting him to accomplish the Blessed Journey he [Page 144]had taken in hand, which accordingly he did, and was burnt with his Companions, Acts & Monu.

A noble Virgin also named Eulalia, suffered about this time, she was not above twelve years of Age, and had great offers of Marriage made to her, but she observing the courage of the Christians, was very desirous to join her self with them; for which end she prayed fervently to God for strength, and faith to enable her thereunto; but her Religious Parents fearing that her zeal might make her guilty of her own death, kept her close at their Country house, a great way from the City, where she continued for a while; but at last detesting any delay, she went from her Fathers house by night, and travelled all alone through by-ways with much danger, and wea­riness toward the City, whither she came in the morning, and going before the Judge, with a loud voice she said, What ashame is it for you thus wick­edly to take away mens lives, by dashing their Bodies to pieces against the Rocks, and all manner of Cruelties, and also to en­deavour to destroy their Souls, by compelling them to deny the Omnipotent God! would you know (O you ignorant Souls) what I am, behold I am a Christian, and an Enemy to your de­vilish Sacrifices, I scorn and despise your Idols, and tread them under my feet, and acknowledge only God Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, and Jesus Christ his only Son, and the Saviour of the World; but what are your Gods, but dead Idols, and the works of Mens hands, &c. Come on therefore, and let the Hangman burn, cut, and mangle this poor mortal Carkass; 'Tis very easy to break and destroy a weak, brittle, perishing body, but the mind and soul you cannot touch with all that you can do; the Judge enraged herewith, said to the Execu­tioner, Take her, and pull her out by the hair of the head to torments, let her feel the power of our Gods, and know what we can do, but yet O sturdy Girl, I would fain have thee before thou diest, to recant this thy wickedness, and to save thy self from a wret­ched death; consider what pleasures thou maist enjoy in the House of thy Honourable Parents, consider the Lamentations and Tears of thy miserable Family and Relations, which by thy [Page 145]perverseness will be brought to ruine; consider that thou art now in thy Youth, in the very flower of thine Age, in the way to Honour, and Preferment by an Honourable Marriage agreeable to thy Quality, and Estate; do not these glistering Glories, and the delights of the Marriage-Bed move thee, doth not the sor­row, and extream grief of thy dear Parents encline thee to pity thy self and them? Yea, who is there almost that doth nonlament thy madness and folly? If this doth not prevail, yet consider the terrible death that thou art like to suffer, consider what variety of torments are prepared for thee, for thou shalt either be behea­ded by this Sword, or thou shalt be torn in pieces by the teeth of wild Beasts, or else thou shalt be thrown alive into the burning flames, and there only attended with the lamentable bewailings of thy friends, and kindred, shalt be consumed to ashes; Now, how easy, and small a matter is required of thee to avoid all this punishment! for if thou wilt but take a little Salt, and Incense between thy fingers, and put it into the Censer, in honour of our Gods, thou shalt be set free, and dilivered from all further danger and trouble; When Eulalia heard him thus speak, being extreamly moved, she spit in the Tyrants face, and pre­sently threw down the Idols to the ground, and kicked about the Incense prepared for Sacrifice; whereupon without further delay the Hangmen took her, and with all their strength pluckt her Limbs out of joint, and then with the Claws of wild Beasts tore off her flesh to the bones, while she all the while not in the least daunted with their cruel Torments, fell a singing, and praising in this manner, O Lord I will never forget thy goodness and mer­cy, what a pleasure is it O Jesus to remember thy Triumphant victories, who by suffering hast attained to the height of Glory; Thus with great constancy, and courage she continued joyfully, and chearfully to sing praises to God, even when she was all over stained, and imbrued in her own blood, and cruelly tormented in all parts of her Body; they then proceeded to the last and final torture, which was the tearing, and rending of her Body with the Iron Grate, and Hurdle, and burning her Breasts and Sides with flaming Torches; but her Hair (which all this while hung down so low, that it covered her Modesty) [Page 146]at last took fire, and she being no longer willing to live, opened her mouth, and swallowed the flame, upon which she immediately gave up the Ghost; and is now one of those Souls under the Altar, who cry, how long, &c. Acts and Monu. 1. P.

Also Agnes an Honourable young Virgin being accused for a Christian, was brought before the Judge, who en­deavoured first by flatteries, and then by threatning her with cruel torments to draw her to the denyal of her Faith, but she valiantly answered; That she feared not his Tortures, as being willing to suffer all manner of Torments, yea, death itself for the sake of Christ; well, said the Judge, though thou valuest pain and torment so little, yet I suppose thou hast a great esteem for thy Virginity and Chastity, therefore I am fully determined, unless thou Sacrifice to our Gods, thou shalt im­mediately be put into the Common Stews, and Brothel-houses; Agnes hereupon inveighs vehemently against Minerva, and her Worshippers; upon which the loose and debau­ched Youths desired earnestly of the Judge, that they might have Agnes as a Prey to their lust and filthiness; then said Agnes, Jesus Christ is not forgetful of those that are his, neither will he leave me destitute of his help nor assistance, but is alwaies ready to protect and defend modest, and chast Virgins, and therefore O Tyrant thou maist freely bath thy Sword in my blood, but thou shalt never defile my Body with filthy Lust with all that thou canst do. She had no sooner spoke these words, but the Tyrant commanded her to be tied stark naked at the corner of a Street, where Strumpets commonly used to haunt; upon which the greatest part of the Peo­ple being both sorry, and ashamed to see so shameless, and unseemly a sight, some turning their heads, and some hiding their faces passed by; but one young Man among the rest with lascivious Eyes, and lustful thoughts behol­ding her, immediately a flash of Lightning struck out both his Eyes, and he falling down, wallowed in the Street; whereupon Agnes sung Praises to God; the [...]uel Tyrant inraged hereby, commanded the Executi­oner to draw out his Sword, and dispatch her, she seeing sturdy Soldier coming toward her with his drawn [Page 147]Sword, rejoiced, saying, This, O this is he that I love, I will make hast to meet him, and no longer protract my longing desires, I will willingly receive his Sword in my Breast; O Eternal Fa­ther vouchfafe to open the Gates of Heaven to my Soul, that see­keth thee; and so kneeling down in the midst of her Eja­culations, he at one blow cut off her head. Acts & Monum.

Domitian by his Cruelties grew terrible and hateful to his very Friends and Servants, yea to his own Wife; a certain Astrologer boasted to him, that by his Art he could foretel what should come to pass; Domitian asked him if he foresaw what his own end should be; he an­swered, That he should be torn in pieces of Dogs: Domitian to prove him a Lyar, commanded him presently to be slain, and his Body to be burnt to ashes; but as they were about to do it, so violent a shower happened, as quenched the fire, and immediately Dogs came, and tore him in pieces; this much increased the fear of Domitian, who had been told by a Chaldean when, and how he should die, which soon after happened, and the venge­ance of Heaven fell upon him for all his Tyranny, and Cruelty; for Stephanus, one of his Officers, desiring to speak with him in private, presented him with a writing, which whilst he was looking upon, he stabbed him with a Dag­ger into the lower part of his Belly; but not being quite dead, seven of his own freed men came about him, and dispatched him; it is said that a while before his death, a Chough spoke Greek from the Tarpeian Rock, which was in English, All shall be well; which could not be till the Tyrants Death; and Apollonius Tyaneus being at Ephesus in Asia, reading a Lecture in a Grove there, many hun­dred miles from Rome, he on a sudden began to speak low, and more slowly, and straight looked pale, and stood silent; at last stepping hastily some paces, he cryed out as one transported, O brave Stephanus, strike the Tyrant, kill the Murderer; thou hast struck him, thou hast wounded him, thou hast slain him; this being spoke in publick, it was care­fully taken notice of, and the time when it was spoken, diligently observed, and it was afterward found, and well [Page 148]known, that Domitian was stabbed in Rome that day, and the same hour of the day, by Stephanus, who was of his Bedchamber, Lipsius Monit. lib. 1.

XVIII. Maximinus the Emperour was born in Thra­cia; his Parents were Barbarians; but being of a vast body, and huge strength, so that he could lift a Cart loaden, he applied himself to the Wars, under the Emperour Severus, who observing his Strength, Activity and Industry, preferred him to divers Offices in the Army, insomuch that when Severus was slain, the Army made him Emperour: Having thus attained to this high Dignity, he slew all those that knew any thing of the baseness of his Birth; yea many of his friends, who in his low condition had often relieved him: He would not suffer any Nobleman to be about him: He cruelly murdered all the Servants of Severus his Predecessor, and executed many of the Souldiers, hanging some, knock­ing others on the head, and throwing others to wild Beasts: He hired and suborned some Villains at Rome to accuse divers of the Senators of Treason, whom he presently commanded to be slain: By which means he became so feared, and consequently hated, and abhorred, that the Senate, yea the Women daily in their Temples, made solemn Prayers and Supplications against him. He slew divers of his Captains; which so provoked the Souldiers, that one day as he with his Son, whom he had made partner with him in the Empire, were refresh­ing themselves in his Tent, they rushed in upon them, and slew them both, declaring publickly, That of a Dog of so base a breed, the Whelp ought not to be spared, but to be destroyed likewise. Sueton. Hist.

XIX. Charles King of Navar, was a cruel Oppressor and Tyrant over his Subjects, for he imposed upon them grievous Taxes and Tributes; and when many of the chief of them came to complain of their Poverty, and that they were not able to bear them, he caused them all to be put to death for their boldness; He was the kindler of many great mischiefs in France, and also of Fires, wherewith divers Places of Strength, and famous Build­ings, [Page 149]were burnt down: He counselled the Son of the Earl of Foix to poison his Father, and gave him the Poison to effect the Villany with his own hand: His Lechery likewise and Adulteries besotted his Soul even in his Old Age; for at threescore years of Age he had a Whore, upon whom he extreamly doted, and was hard­ly ever out of her company, who at length was the cause of his death: For returning from her, as he daily did, and entring into his Chamber, he went to Bed all quaking, and half frozen with cold; neither could he by any means recover his heat, until by Art they en­deavoured to revive Nature, which was by blowing up­on him with brazen Bellows, Aquavitae, and hot blasts of Air, but it happened that a spark of the fire by chance flew between the sheets, and inflamed the dry linnen, and the Aquavitae in an instant, so that e're it was quenched, his late quivering bones were now half burnt; he lived in great grief, and torment for fifteen days af­ter, finding no help nor asswagement of his Torture, by Physick or Chirurgery, and then miserably dyed; and thus, as while he lived, his mind constantly burned in Lust, and his defires were hot upon mischief, and op­pression, so his days were finished with cruel heat and burning. Beards Theatre.

XX. Luctack, King of Scotland, succeeded his Father Galdus in that Kingdom, but was so wretched and mis­chievous a Tyrant, that his Subjects hated him no less for his Vices, than they loved his Father for his Virtues; he murdered many Rich, and Noble Persons for no cause but only to inrich himself with their Estates; he committed the Government of the Realm to debauched & wretched Persons, in whose Company he chiefly delighted, he was so impudent as to deflour his own Aunts, Sisters, and Daughters, and to forsake his own Wife, and scorned the Advice and Council of his wife and grave Counsel­lors, calling them Old doting Fools, all which monstrous Villanies with a thousand more, so incensed his Nobility, that they slew him after he had reigned three years; but as the Proverb says, Seldom comes a better, for another Ty­rant [Page 150]as bad, if not worse, succeeded him, called Mogallus, Cosen German to Luctack, a Man notoriously infected with all manner of wickedness, for though at first he gave himself to follow the wisdom, and good Govern­ment of his Uncle Galdus, yet in his old Age, his vices abundantly discovered themselves, but chiefly in Op­pression, Lechery, and Cruelty; this King Licensed Theives and Robbers to take the Goods of their Neigh­bours without punishment, and he first ordained that the Goods of condemned Persons should be confiscate to the Kings use without respect either to their Wives, Chil­dren, or Creditors; but he also like his Predecessor was slain by his Nobles. There was likewise another King of Scots, called Athirco, in the year 240. who shewed him­self a most abominable wretch, for he wallowed in all manner of unclean, and effeminate Lusts, and was not ashamed to go along the Streets in sight of the People, playing upon a Flu [...]e, rejoycing more to be accounted a good Fidler, than a good Prince; from this he pro­ceeded at length to the deflouring, and ravishing of Women and Virgins, insomuch that the Noblemens Daughters could not be secure from his unsatiable, and intolerable lust; whereupon being pursued by the Nobili­ty, when he saw no means to escape, he desperately slew himself. Beards Theatre.

XXI. Theodorick, King of France, for his negligence, and sluggishness in his Government, was Deposed, and of a King was made a Fryar, being put into a Monastery, and Childerick succeeded him, who exercised Barbarous, and Inhumane Cruelty upon his Subjects; for he spared neither Noble, nor Ignoble, but sent them to their Graves without Justice, or Reason; among others, he caused a Nobleman to be fas [...]ned to a Stake, and beaten almost to death with Clubs; which monstrous Cruelty so incensed the People against him, that there wanted not hands to take part with this abused Nobleman against this Tyrant his Enemy, whereupon they laid wait for him as he came one day from hunting, and killed him, together with his Wife great with Child, no man either daring, [Page 151]or being willing to defend him. Beards Theatre.

XXII. John Cameron, Bishop of Glasgow, was much given to violence and oppression, and committed many deeds full of Cruelty, and Covetousness, especially upon his own Tenants & Vassals, & is reported to have made a fearful, and unhappy end; for in the year 1446. the night before Christmas day, as he lay asleep in his House, about seven miles from the City of Glasgow, he seemed to hear a voice summoning him to appear before the Tri­bunal of Christ; thereupon he awaked, and being great­ly terrified called to his Servants to bring lights, and fit by him; he himself took a Book in his hand, and began to read, but the voice being again heard, struck all the Servants with amazement; the same voice calling the third time far louder, and more fearfully, the Bishop af­ter an heavy groan, was found dead in the Bed, his Tongue hanging out of his mouth; this is reported by Buchanan almost in the same words, which I thought good to remember, as a notable example of Gods Judg­ment against the crying sin of Oppression. Spotswoods Ch. Hist.

XXIII. To conclude, Diomedes the Thracian King fed his Horses with Mans flesh, as with provender, but was made at last provender himself for his own Horses by Hercules. Clephes the Second King of the Lumbards, for his savage Cruelties toward his Subjects, was slaugh­tered by one of his Friends. Damasippus, that Massacred so many Citizens of Rome, was cut off by Scylla. Ecelinus, that played the Tyrant at Taurisium, gelding Boys, deflou­ring Virgins, cutting off Womens Breasts, ripping Chil­dren out of their Mothers Wombs, and killing twelve hundred Patavians at once, who were his Friends, was himself at last killed in a Battle; in a word if we read, and consult the Histories of all Countries and times, we shall feldom or never find any notorious Tyrant, or Op­pressor of his Subjects that came to any good end, but generally some notable, and fearful Judgment fell upon them. Beards T [...]eatre.

XXIV. In the aforementioned examples, we have [Page 152]given an Account of the flagitious actions, and ends of Murderers and Tyrants by whole-sale, as being Persons of great power, and without restraint, whereby they had opportunity to do the greater mischief to mankind; but Divine Justice has not spared those of meaner quali­ty, but hath both wonderfully discovered, and revenged those crying sins of Murder, and Cruelty, as the following instances do fully demonstrate.

XXV. Bothwell, who was the chief contriver, and actor of the Murther of King Henry of Scotland, Father to our King James, fled into Denmark, where being dis­covered, he was apprehended, and imprisoned by the King, and disparing of recovering his liberty, he fell mad, and ended his life most miserably; the Archbishop of St. Andrews also, who had a hand in the murther of that King, being taken in the Castle of Dumbarton, was carried to Sterling, and hanged publickly on a Gibbet erected for that purpose. In the year 1584. Whilst our King James was in Scotland, there were two Gentlemen of good credit, the one called John Cuningham, and the other Malcolm Douglas, who was much feared for his valour and manhood; these two were falsly accused by some about the King, and one Robert Hamilton was subor­ned to swear against them, when the Indictment of Doug­las was read, he denied all, and fully cleared himself by the unlikelyhood of the accusation, so that all that heard him, did in their minds believe him innocent; yet were they both condemned and hanged at Edenburgh; these Gentlemen were much pitied, especially Douglas; Ha­milton the false Accuser, lived ever after this in continual fear, and abhorred of all men, but at last he was slain by one James Johnston, who had vowed to revenge the death of Douglas. Spotswoods Hist. Scotland.

XXVI. Sir James Tyrril, John Dighton, and Miles Forrest, who were procured by Richard the Third, called Crack-back, to murder King Edward the Fifth, and his Brother in the Tower, by entring their Chamber about midnight, and wrapping them up in the cloths, keeping down the Feather-beds and Pillows hard upon their [Page 153]mouths, till they were smothered. These three Murderers did not long escape the Vengeance of God; for Miles For­rest rotted away by piecemeal. Dighton lived at Calais so disdained and hated of all men, that he died there in much misery: And Sir James Tyrril was beheaded on Tower Hill for Treason Act. & Mo. The Cardinal of Winch. com­monly called the Rich Cardinal) who procured the death of the good Duke of Glocester, in King Henry the Sixth's Time,) was shortly after struck with an incu­rable Disease; who understanding by his Physicians that he could not live, murmuring and repining thereat, he cryed out, Fie, Will not Death be hired? Will Money do nothing? Must I die that have so great Riches? If the whole Realm would save my life, I am able either by Policy to get it, or by Riches to buy it: But all would not prevail; for he died miserably soon after. Speeds Chron.

XXVII. The Duke of Suffolk also did not long escape unpunished; for in a Parliament holden soon after, he was accused as a Traitor to the Kingdom, a Murderer of the Duke of Glocester, and a Robber of the King's Trea­sury, for all which he was banished for five years; he took Shipping in Suffolk, intending for France, but by the way, being encountred by a Man of War, that be­longed to the Tower, he was taken and carryed into Do­ver Road, where on the side of a Ship-boat one cut off his head 1450. Speeds Chron.

XXVIII. In 1618. there lived a man at Perin, in Cornwall, who was blessed with ample Possessions, and a fruitful Issue, unhappy only in a younger Son, who grow­ing Extravagant, went to Sea in a small Vessel, with se­veral like himself, where they made Prize of all that they could master; and at last venturing into the Streights, they set upon a Turks Man of War, which they took, and got great booty; but their Pouder by chance taking fire, blew up the Ship; and our Gallant being a skilful Swimmer, got to shoar upon the Isle of Rhodes, with the best of his Jewels, where offering some to sale to a Jew, he knew them to be the Governours of Al­giers, whereupon he was seized, and condemned to [Page 154]the Gallys for a Pyrate, among other Christians, whose miserable Slavery made them use their wits to recover their Liberty; and watching their opportunity, they effected it by killing some of their Officers: After which this Young Man got aboard an English Ship, and came safe to London, where his former misery, and some skill he had gotten in that Art, preferred him to be a Ser­vant to a Chirurgeon, who after a while sent him to the East-Indies; there by his diligence and industry he got money, with which he returned home; and long­ing to see his native Country Cornwall, he sailed in a small Ship from London Westward; but ere he attain­ed to his Port, he was cast away upon that Coast, where once more his excellent skill in Swimming brought him safe to Shoar: But having been fifteen years ab­sent, he understood his Father was much decayed in his Estate, and had tetired himself to a place not far off, being indeed in debt and danger: His Sister he finds married to a Mercer, to whom he at first appears as a poor stranger; but after a while privately reveals himself to her, shewing her what Gold and Jewels he had concealed in a Bow-case about him; and they con­cluded that the next day he should appear to his Pa­rents; yet to keep himself unknown to them till his Sister and her Husband should come thither to him, to make their common Joy compleat; accordingly he goes alone to his Fathers house, where his humble beha­viour, suitable to his poor cloths, melted the old couple into so much compassion, as to give him shelter from the cold weather, under their outward roof, and by de­grees his Relations of his Travels and sufferings told with so much passion to the Aged People, made him stay so long by the Kitchen fire, that the Husband bid them Good Night, and went to Bed; and soon after his true Stories moving compassion in the Woman, she wept, and so did he: But taking pity on her tears, he comforted her with a piece of Gold, which gave her assurance that he deserved a Lodging; to which she brought him, and being in Bed, he shewed her his [Page 155]wealth, which was girded about him, which he told her was sufficient to relieve her Husbands wants, and to spare for himself; and so being weary, sell asleep: The Old Woman being tempted with the golden bait which she had received, and greedily thirsting after the en­joyment of the rest, went to her Hushand, and awaking him, told him this news, and what further she intended to do; and though with horrid apprehensions he often refused, yet her puling Elequence (Eves Enchantments) moved him at last to consent to be Master of all that wealth, by murdering the owner thereof; which ac­cordingly they effected, & afterward covered the Corps with cloths, till they had opportunity to convey it a­way. The early morning hastens the Sister to her Fa­thers house, where, with signs of great Joy, she enquires for a Sailor that should lodge there the last night: The Old People at first denied that they had seen any such, till she told them, that he was her Brother, her lost Bro­ther, whom she certainly knew to be so, by a scar upon his Arm, cut with a Sword in his youth, and that they had resolved to meet there the next morning, and be merry: The Father hearing this, hastily runs up into the Room, and finding the mark aforesaid, with the horrid regret of this monstrous Murther of his own Son, cuts his throat with the same knife wherewith he had committed that execrable deed: A while after the Mo­ther going up to consult with her Husband what to do; and being confounded to see him weltring in his own blood, she takes the same knife, and therewith rips up her own belly, so that the guts tumbled out. The Daughter wondring at their delay in coming down, goes up to them, and found too soon this bloody Tragedy; the Mother having time only to relate the foremen­tioned particulars, gave up the Ghost: The Daughter was struck with such a sudden horrour and amazement at this deluge of destruction, that she prefently sunk down and died. The truth of these things was frequent­ly known, and the fatal end of that Family quickly flew to the Court of K. James, clad with these circumstances; [Page 156]but the Printed Relation conceals their names, out of respect to some Neighbour of repute, of kin to the Fa­mily. Sandersons Hist. K. James.

XXIX. A Noble Gentleman lived very happily and lovingly with his Wife, who had a Chamber-Maid of very sweet and beautiful features, yet not taxed with the least incivility or wantonness; however, her Lady was jealous of her, and therefore when her Husband was gone some daies from home, she raised a quarrel with Maid, for letting a Child slip out of her Arms; which, though it were with little or no hurt, yet she pretended it was lame, past recovery; and being implacable a­gainst her, she committed her to Prison in a deep, dark, and desolate Dungeon in the bottom of the Castle, which for many years had been shut up with an Iron Grate, and wherein there were abundance of Snakes, Toads, Adders, and other Serpents, into which the worst Malesactor whatsoever, within the memory of man, had not been committed; yet into this noisom, stinking, dreadful place, the poor Innocent Virgin was forced to enter, and the doors were fast shut upon her: She was no sooner in, but these venomous vermine came from all corners of the Vault about her, with horrible hissings, and seized upon all parts of her body, which with loud and doleful cries and shrieks, she endeavoured to strike off, but all in vain: At noon one of the Servants, who had a kindness for her, goes to his Lady, and desired her, as she was a Christian, to have some pity upon the lamentable cries of the poor creature, but to no pur­pose; for she reviled him with boldness and sawciness, and gave him blows to boot: At length evening came, and her woful clamours still continued, able to have softened Flint or Marble; when the Young Man, not­withstanding his former ill success, was resolved to try once again, and falling upon his knees before his Lady, was more importunate with her than before; but the more he strived to pacifie her, the more furious she was, and kickt him out of her presence: Night came on, and they went to bed, but the Young Man could [Page]

A bloudy Villain murders 3 Children. pa. 160

A Virgin destroyed by venemous Serpents. pa. 156

[Page] [Page 157]not sleep; but rising at midnight, went to the Dangeon door, where, hearing no noise, nor so much as a sigh or groan, he thought she was dead, and therefore called boldly at the Ladies Chamber door; and awakening her, [...]old her, That she had now executed her cruel revenge; for [...]e doubted not but the poor Virgin was dead, since all was [...]lent: At which words, being startled; she presently [...]ose, and calling for store of Lights, she caused the Dungeon door to be opened, where she beheld a ter­rible spectacle; the Maid fallen flat on the ground, and four great Serpents wrapt about her; one of an extra­ordinary bigness about her neck; another had twined [...]t self round both her legs; a third like a Girdle had [...]mbraced her wast; and a fourth stuck upon her Jaws, [...]retching its self to its utmost length; which was no [...]oner taken off, but it died, having so gorged it self with her blood, that it swell'd, and burst in sunder, at which dreadful sight the Lady was struck with such a [...]udden horrour, that she in a short time grew into a deep [...]elancholy, which afterwards turned into absolute mad­ [...]ess, and in a raging fit she quickly after died. Beards [...]heatre.

XXX. In the time of Queen Elizabeth of Blessed Memory, there dwelt an old man and woman in Honey­ [...]ne, near Cheapside, the least of them 70 years of Age, who lived privately without any Servants, and having early means coming in, were thought by the Neighbours [...]o be rich, their house being likewise very neat, and well [...]urnished for People of their condition, which some [...]illains having notice of, they procured a false Key to [...]heir House, and entring at midnight, murthered the two [...]ld People asleep in their Beds, and then broke open [...]heir Chests, and carryed away what they were able, and [...]fterwards shut the doors upon the dead bodies; the [...]ext day neither of them being seen by their Neigh­ [...]ours, as they daily were, they began to suspect a little, [...]ut the second day when they found the door to con­ [...]nue shut, neither heard any noise in the house, they [...]eat at the door, and receiving no answer, sent for an [Page 158]Officer, who broke open the door, and found in the first Room all things out of order, and going up stairs, the Trunks and Chests were broke open; but looking to­ward the Bed, they discovered the Man and his Wife miserably murdered; upon which great search was made, and many taken upon suspition, but nothing could be proved against them; at length a poor Vagabond wretch was seized on, who being examined, could give no good account of himself, and being observed to haunt there­about two or three days before, he was upon those pre­sumptions committed to Newgate, and the next Sessions ar­raigned, & for want of making a discreet defence, was con­demned, and hanged for this supposed murther; but the Malefactor indeed, after that horrid Fact, escaped in the Low-Countries, where he set up a Trade, and got a great deal of mony, so that he was very considerable in the place where he lived; but after about twelve years con­tinuance there, being grown out of knowledge in his own Country, he could not rest, nor be quiet, but he must needs visit England, and came hither for no other business but to see London, and buy a piece of plate in Cheapside to carry over with him; to a Goldsmith he comes, and in a shop near the Standard, cheapens a Bowl, and whilst he was bargaining, it happened that a Gentleman was arrested just over against Bow-Church, who drawing his Sword, ran up Cheapside, the Serjeants and People crying, Stop him, stop him, all looking that way, the murderer not knowing the cause of the tumult, thought they looked at him, and that he was discovered, and so begins to run away; the People seeing him run, they ran after him, and stopt him, asking the cause of his flight; who in great affright, and terrour of consci­ence said, He was the Man; they asked him what man? He answered, The same Man that committed such a bloody murder so many years since; Upon which he was apprehended, and committed to Newgate, arraigned by his own Confession, condemned and hanged first on a Gibbet, and after at Milend in Chains. Thus we see the Devil seldom, or never leaves his Ministers, and Servants, especially in this hor­rid [Page 159]case of Murther, without shame and vengeance. Beards Theatre.

XXXI. Another strange, but true Relation, I shall instance of a young Gentleman of a good Estate and Parentage; whose name for the sake of his worthy Re­lations I shall conceal. This Gentleman being a Cambridge Scholar, and of a great Spirit, and very stout body; could not contain himself within his allowance, but being a Fellow Commoner, he spent much above it, so that to preserve his credit in the Town, he having a good Horse, would many times ride out, and take a Purse on the Highway, in which course he continued about a year without the least suspition; at length his quarterage not being come from his Father, and wanting mony to sup­ply his ordinary Riots, he puts himself, into a disguise, and riding over Newmarket Heath, he discovers a Prize, that is a Serving man with a Cloakbag behind him, and seeing him single, he made up, and bid him stand and de­liver; the other unacquainted with that Language, an­swered, He had but little mony, which he was loth to part with; Then thou must fight for it (said the Scholar;) content, saith the other; they both drew, and fought stoutly, but the honest Servingman was unhappily slain; the other being only slightly wounded, took away his Cloakbag, and binding it behind his own Horse, rid towards the Uni­versity, and having set up his Horse in the Town, carried the Portmantle to his Chamber, which he had no sooner opened, but he found a Letter directed to him from his Father, signifying that he had sent him his quarterly al­lowance by his own faithful Servant, whom he had lately entertained upon the commendation of a dear Friend, wishing his Son to entertain him kindly for his sake; which when he had read, and considered all the wicked circumstances of this adventure, he was strangely alte­red, and fell into a deep melancholy; in short the Rob­bery and Murther were both discovered, and the Lord Chief Justice Popham then riding that Circuit (whose near Kinsman he was) he was arraigned, and condem­ned at Cambridge Assizes, and though great Intercession [Page 160]was made for his Pardon, yet none could prevail; for the Judge forgetting all manner of Alliance, would nei­ther commiserate his Youth, nor want of discretion, but caused him without any respect of Persons, to be hanged among the common Malefactors. Beards Theatre.

XXXII. Johannes Pontanus, and Johannes Budeus, give a very strange account of a malicious Servant, whom the Devil had possest with his own cursed Spirit of Cruelty; this Person having taken a virulent spleen against his Master for some rough usage, was resolved to be reven­ged, and therefore watching his opportunity, when the Master, and the rest of the Family were abroad, he shut and barricado'd all the doors about the House, and then broke open the Chamber upon his Mistriss, and after he had abused, and affronted her, he bound her hand and foot, and so left her groveling upon the ground; then this limb of the Devil took her three Children, the eldest not being seven years old, and carried them up to the battlements, and when he espied his Master coming home, he called to him, and first threw down one Child, and then another, from the top of the House to the pave­ment, whereby their bodies were miserably shattered, & dasht to pieces; and then held up the other in his arms to do the like; at which sight the miserable Father being extreamly stupified (as well he might) fell upon his Knees, and humbly besought the bloody Villain, To spare the life of the third, and he would pardon him the death of the 2 former; to which the barbarous wretch replyed, There was but one way in the world for him to redeem its life; the indulgent Father with Tears, and intreaties, desired to know what that way was, who presently replyed, That he should in­stantly with his knife cut off his Nose, for there was no other ransom for the Child: The passionate Father, who dearly tendered the safety of his Child, having now no more left, agrees to the condition, and disfigured, and disho­noured his face according to the Covenant made betwixt them, which was no sooner done, but this inhumane Imp of Hell fell into a loud, & scornful laughter, at which while the Father stood amazed, he flung the Child which he held [Page 161]in his Arms after the rest, and then most desperately cast himself after, preventing a worse death, and such was the end of this arch limb of Satan, and the fruits of ma­lice, and revenge. Beards Theatre.

XXXIII. Joanes Gygas gives this following dreadful Relation: A Noble and Virtuous Lady had a Chamber-Maid of an idle and passionate disposition, and a very ill Tongue; it happened upon some great provocation her Mistress struck her a box on the Ear, at which she fell down, as if she had been slain, and using many despiteful words against her Lady, told her, That blow should ne­ver be forgot nor forgiven,; and the Devil took occasion from hence to tempt her to accuse her Lady of Adultery; thereupon taking a fit opportunity when her Lord was in private; she ab­ruptly began thus, Noble Sir, Pray pardon my boldness, I have a great se­cret to acquaint you with, were I assured you would not reveal it, and thereby that punishment should fall upon me which is deserved by others; wherewith this Crocodile wept; and her Lord being very desirous to know what it was, vowed secrecy; I know Sir (said she) that you are satisfied, and confident of the Modesty and Chastity of your Lady, but to my great sorrow I speak it, she violates your Bed, and that not with a Gentleman of any fashion or quality, but with one of the Grooms of your Stable; but I most humbly beseech your Honour to keep it private till I make you an Eye-witness thereof: And here she broke off abruptly, as if tears had prevented her dis­course. The Nobleman was herewith very strangely surprized, having observed nothing but tenderness, and affectionate kindness in his Lady toward him; nor could he ever tax her with the least wanton carriage, or lascivious glance; yet he remembred when he went out early to Hunt, or Hauk, or survey his Parks and Grounds, he found her many times hardly up, or ready to go to Breakfast when he came back, and his jealousie suggested to him, that in this time this wickedness might be committed; and grow­ing full of thoughts, he left her. The Wench, or Devils Agent, let slip no occasion to prosecute the mischief she had begun, & there­fore seeing her Lord coming towards his house from his sports early one morning, and knowing her Lady was then in Bed, she ran presently to the Stable, and told one of the Grooms, That he must run immediately into his Ladies Chamber, for She had extraordinary business with him; the Groom hereupon runs up, as if it had been for life and death, as indeed it proved; and finding his Ladies door open, rushes into it, wherewith she was so extreamly offended, that she flung the Bedstaves at him, and would not let him speak: In the mean time this wicked Woman calls her Lord, and tells him, now he may find them together; who thereupon runs up to the Room, with his Sword drawn, and met the Groom just coming out of the door, and with his Sword ran him thorow, so that with­out [Page 162]a word he fell down dead in the place: He then enters the Chamber, and without asking one question, or receiving any an­swer, ran his Sword through his Ladies heart, as she lay in her Bed, and sent her chast Soul into a better place: Now as he stood leaning on his Sword, so late imbrued in the blood of two Inno­cents, the Author of all this Villany seeing the horrible slaughter, she could keep her own devilish counsel no longer, but presently burst out into these words; Alas! my Lord, what have I done? never was Lady more chast or constant to the Bed and Imbraces of her Husband, than She who lyes here weltring in her own Innocent Blood; whatsoever I spake of her was false and untrue, and meerly suggested by the Devil, in revenge of a blow She deservedly gave me; I therefore, and only I, am the only cursed Author of these la­mentable disasters, which have been more bloody than I expected. These words being so mournfully and passionately spoken, filled his Soul with distraction, so that sometimes casting his Eye upon his honest and faithful Servant; and then upon his virtuous and chast Wife, it possessed him with a world of disturbance at once; so that having first dispatched this wretched creature, he then fell upon his own Sword, making up the fourth in this dismal Tragedy. Beards Theatre.

XXXIV. If you would hear further of Judgments upon this crying Sin of Murder, every Assizes and Sessions produce too too many such Presidents; I shall therefore add a few Instances more of the won­derful Discovery of Murders, though committed never so secretly: In the Reign of Christian the Second King of Denmark, when about twelve of his Courtiers were making merry in a Parlour, of a sud­den there happened a quarrel amongst them (one of whom was Post-Master to the King) and all the Lights being put out, one of them was slain with a Dagger; when Lights were brought in, and the Body found murdered, and breathless, the King required an Ac­count for his dead Subject; the Nobles lay all the guilt upon the Post-Master, who was then a great Favourite: But the King think­ing they spoke out of envy, would not believe him guilty; on the contrary they alledge, That he was the cause of that Meeting, and that there had been a former grudge and malice between them, and that when the Lights were brought in, he was found next to the dead body; so that they desired the dead Corps might be laid upon the Table, and every one singly to lay his hand upon the naked Breast of the Person murdered, with a deep protestation that they were innocent of the Fact; which was done accordingly in the Kings presence, and all in course laid their hands, but no change or al­teration was found in the body: At last the Post-Master came, and first imbracing his feet, kissed them with many tears, thinking thereby, if possible, to pacifie his angry Spirit; at length coming to lay his hand upon the Breast of the dead Body, a double Flux of Blood issued from his Wound and Nostrils, by which, finding him­self [Page 163]discovered, he confessed his malicious Act, and was by the [...]ing deservedly committed to the hand of the Hangman. Beards Theatre.

XXXV. Another like this we find in Doctor Otho Melander, who relates of a man that through rancour and [...]atred, had for some time watched his neighbour, till at [...]st he found him in the Woods and Thickets, which he [...]udging a place convenient for such a mischief, laid vio­ [...]ent hands upon him, and murdered him, and afterward [...]scaped, without being in the least suspected; but the [...]ody being afterward brought before the Senate, and [...]he Murderer not to be heard of, they commanded one [...]f his hands to be cut off, and hanged up over the Dining Table, in the common Gaol of the Town: It happened [...]hat the Malefactor some ten years after, was commit­ [...]ed for some small matter to that Prison, and brought [...]nto the same Room, and by accident, as he sate at Meat, was placed just under the Hand; which though it was withered and dried by hanging so many years, yet now [...]led afresh, and dropt upon his Trencher; at which all [...]he company being amazed, the Jaylor went presently [...]o inform the Senate thereof, who sent for him, and ex­ [...]mined him; and he being startled in his Conscience by [...]hat Divine Prodigy, soon acknowledged himself guilty [...]f that horrid Murder; and according to the Custom of [...]hose Countries, was broke on the Wheel for the same. Beards Theatre.

XXXVI. In the year 1656. A Woman in Westphalia [...]eing near the time of her Travel, went to the next Vil­ [...]age to confess her self; in her Confession she told the Popish Priest she had newly found a Purse full of Mo­ [...]ey, and therefore desired him that he would speak of [...] publickly, that it might be again restored to the right [...]wner; the Priest told her it was sent to her from Hea­ [...]en, and what she should reserve it to her self, and enjoy [...]t; the Woman thus informed, kept the Purse to her [...]elf; in her return home she was to pass through a Grove, [...]nto which she was no sooner entred, but the pains of Travel came upon her; in the mean time a Noble Per­son [Page 164]who had lost the Purse, rid up to her, and demanded if she had not found one; she be­seeches him, for the love of God to ride to the next Village for some Women to assist her in her labour, and that she would restor [...] him the Purse he sought for; The Nobleman rid as fast as he could to call some Women; in which time of his ab­sence came the wicked Priest, cuts off the Womans head, and seizes upon the Purse; the Nobleman returning with the Women, are witnesses of this Tragical Spectacle, but who had done it was unknown; it was a time when the Snow lay thick upon the ground, and finding some foot­steps, he pursued them till he overtook the Priest, whom he seized, & found the Purse about him, he tyed him therefore to the tail of his Horse, & so dragged him to the Magistrate to be punished; his Sentence was to be thrown into a Caldron of boyling Oyl, which was accordingly executed on him. Jan. 20. 1656 Wanlys Hist. Man.

XXXVII. Luther gives a Relation of a certain Almaig [...] who in travelling fell among Thieves, who being abou [...] to cut his Throat, the poor Man espied a flight of Crows, and said, O Crows, I take you for my witnesses, and revengers [...] my death; about 2 or 3 days after, these murdering Thieves drinking in an Inn, a company of Crows came, and ligh­ted upon the top of the House, whereupon the Thieves began to laugh, and one of them said, Look yonder are they which must revenge his death, whom we lately slew; the Tap­ster over-hearing their discourse, relates it to the Ma­gistrate, who caused them to be apprehended, and upon their disagreeing Speeches, & contrary Answers, urged them so far, that they confessed the Truth, and received their deserved punishment. Wanly, Hist. Man.

XXXVIII. Ibycus the Poet was set upon by Thieves in hope of prey, & seeing their knives at his throat, he called to some Cranes, which he then saw flying over his head, that they would revenge his death; these Murderers after­ward sitting in the Market place, a flock of Cranes again flew o­ver them, upon which one of them said, Behold the revengers [...] Ivycus;; this saying was catched up by some present, upon which they were suspected of his murder, examined by torture, confessed the Fact, and were executed Fitzherbert Rel. & Policies.

XLII. In the second year of King James, a strange accident happened to the Terrour of all bloudy mur­derers; John Waters of Lower Darwen, in the Coun­ty of Lancaster, Gardner, was by reason of his Trade much absent from his Family. In which his ab­sence, his Wife, not without cause, was suspected of incontinency with one Giles Haworth, of the same Town: This Giles Haworth, and Water's Wife con­spired, and contrived the Death of Waters, in this manner, they contracted with one Ribchester, a poor man, to kill Waters, and as soon as Waters came home, and went to bed, Giles Haworth and Water's Wife conducted the hired Executioner to the said Waters, who seeing him so innocently laid between his two small Children, (Twins about half an year old in bed,) repented of his Enterprize, and totally refused to kill him, Giles Haworth, displeased at the raint harted­ness of Ribchester, takes the Ax into his own hands, and dashed out his Brains; The murderer buried him in a Cow-house; Waters being long missing, the Neighborhoud asked his wife for him, she denyed that she knew where he was: Thereupon, publick search was made for him in all Pits round about, least he should casually have fallen into any of them. It happened that Thomas Haworth of that Town, was for many nights together much troubled with broken sleeps, and dreams of the Murder, he revealed his dreams to his Wife, but she labored to conceal them a long time: This Thomas Haworth had occasion to pass by the house every day, where the Murder was done, and did call, and inquire for Waters, as often as he went near the house: One day he went into the house to ask for him, and there was a Neighbor, who said to him, It's said Waters lies under this Stone pointing to the Hearth-stone, to which, Tho. Haworth replyed, And I have dreamed that he is under a Stone not far distant. The Constable of the Town being by accident there, urged Haworth to discover at large what he had dreamed, which he accordingly did; [Page 166]I have (quoth he) many a time within this eight weeks (for so long it was since the Murder) dreamed very restlesly, that Waters was murdered, and buried under a broad stone in the Cow-house; I have told my troubled dreams to my Wife alone, but she refuses to let me make it known, but I am not able to conceal my dreams any longer, my sleep departs from me, I am pressed and troubled with fearful dreames, which I cannot bear any longer, and they increase upon me; The Constable hearing this, made search immediately upon it, and found, as he had dreamed, the murdered body eight weeks buried un­der a flat stone in the Cow-house; Ribchester, and Giles Haworth fled, and never came again; Anne Wa­ters the Wife being apprehended, confessed the mur­der, and the former Circumstances, and was burned for the same. Webster of Witchcraft. 296.

XLIII. About the year 1623. One Fletcher of Rascal, a Town in the North Riding of Yorkshire, a Yeoman of a good Estate married a lusty young Woman from Thornton Brigs, who had formerly been kind with one Ralph Raynard, who kept an Inn, within half a mile from Rascal, in the high Road betwixt York and Thuske, his Sister living with him; This Raynard con­tinued in unlawful Lust with Fletchers Wife, and not content therewith, conspired the Death of Fletcher, one Mark Dunn being made privy, and hired to assist in the murther; which Raynard and Dunn accomplish­ed upon May-day, by drowning him, as they were travelling all three together, from a Town called Hu­by, and acquainting the Wife with the deed, she gave them a Sack, therein to convey his body, which they did, and buried it in Raynards Backside, or Croft, where an old Oak had been stubbed up, and sowed Mustardseed in the place, thereby to hide it; They then continued their wicked course of Lust and Drunkenness, and the Neighbours did much wonder at Fletchers absence, but his wife excused it, and said, he was only gone aside, for fear of some writs being ser­ved upon him, and so it continued till about July 7. [Page 167]after, when Raynard going to Topcliff-Fair, and set­ting up his Horse in the Stable, the Spirit of Fletcher in his usual shape and habit, did appear unto him, and said, Oh Ralph, repent, repent, for my revenge is at hand; and ever after, until he was put in the Goal, the spirit seemed continually to stand before him, whereby he became sad and restless, and his own Sister over-hearing his Confession, and Relation of it to another Person, did through fear of losing her own life, immediately reveal it to Sir William Sheffeild, who lived in Rascal, whereupon Raynard, Dunn, and the Wife, were all three apprehended, and sent to the Goal at York, where they were Con­demned, and Executed, near the place where Ray­nard lived; and Fletcher was buried; the two men being hung up in Chains, and the woman burned under the Gallows. I have recited this story punc­tually, as a thing that hath been very much fixed in my memory (being then but young) and a certain Truth, I being (with many more) an Ear-witness of their Cofessions, and an Eye-witness of their Execu­tions, and likewise saw Fletcher, when he was taken up, where they had buried him in his clothes, which were a green sustain Doublet pinkt upon white, gray Breeches, and his walking Boots, and brass Spurs, without rowels. Webster of Witchcraft. 298.

XLIV. About the year 1632. There lived one Wal­ker, near Chester, in the street, who was a Yeoman of a good Estate, and a Widower; He had a young Kinswoman to keep his house, who was by the Neigh­bours suspected to be with Child, and was sent away one Evening in the dark, with one Mark Sharp a Collier, and was not heard of nor little notice taken of her, till a long time after, one James Graham a Miller, who lived two miles from Walkers house, being one night alone very late in his Mill, grinding Corn, about twelve a Clock at night the doors being shut, there stood a Woman in the midst of the floor, with her hair hanging down all bloudy, and sive large [Page 168]wounds in her head; he was very much afrighted yet had the courage to ask her (after blessing himself who she was, and what she wanted, to whom she said, I am the Spirit of such a Woman, who lived with Walker, and being got with Child by him, he promised to send me to a private place, where I should be well look too, till I was brought a Bed, and well, and then should come again and keep his House, and accordingly (said the Apparition) I was one night late sent away with on [...] Mark Sharp, who upon a Moor, (naming a place which the Miller knew ( slew me with a Pick (such as me [...] dig coals withall ( and gave me these five wounds, an [...] after threw my Body into a Coal-pit hard by, and hi [...] the Pick under the bank. and his Shoes and Stocking being bloody, he endevoured to wash them, but seein [...] the blood would not wash off, he left them there; and th [...] Apparition) further told the Miller, That he must be th [...] man to reveal it, or else she must still appear, and hau [...] him. The Miller returned home very sad, and hea­vy, but spoke not one word of what he had see [...] yet eschew'd as much as he could to stay in the Mill i [...] the night without Company, thinking thereby t [...] escape the seeing this dreadful Apparition; But no [...] withstanding, one night when it began to be dark the Apparition met him again, and seemed very fierc [...] and cruel, threatning him that if he did not reve [...] the murder, she would continually pursue and hau [...] him; Yet for all this, he still concealed it, un [...] St. Thomas Eve before Christmas; when being soo [...] after Sun-set walking in his Garden, she appeare [...] again, and then so threatned and afrighted him, tha [...] he promised faithfully to reveal it the next morning. In the morning he went to a Magistrate, and discove­red the whole matter, with all the Circumstance and diligent search being made, the Body was fou [...] in a Cole-pit, with five Wounds in the Head, an [...] the Pick, and Shoes, and Stockings yet bloody, and i [...] every Circumstance, as the Apparition had related t [...] the Miller: Whereupon Walker, and Mark Sha [...] [Page 169]were both apprehended, but would confess nothing: At the Assizes following (I think it was at Durhan) they were arraigned, found guilty, and hanged; but I could never hear that they confessed the Fact; It was reported, that the Apparition did appear to the Judg, or the Foreman of the Jury, but of that I know no certainty, There are many persons yet alive that can remember this strange Murder, and I saw, and read the Letter that was sent to Serjeant Hutton about it, from the Judg before whom they were tryed, which makes me relate it with the greater con­fidence. Webster of Witchcraft. p. 300.

XLV. A Merchant of Lucea travelling to Roan in France, was in the way murdered by a French man, his Servant, and thrown among the Vines: As the Fact was doing, a blind man comes by, led with a dog, as is usual, and hearing one groan, asked who it was? The Murderer answered, That it was a sick man easing himself: The blind man thus deluded, the Villain, with his Masters money, and Bills of Exchange, sets up shop at Roan, in the mean time, the Merchant was expected at Lucca, and when he came not, a Messenger was dispacht to seek him, who after much inquiry, heard at an Inn, that six Months before, a Luquois Merchant lodged there, and was going toward Paris; But the Messenger hear­ing nothing of him there, began to suspect that he was murdered, and made his complaint to the Par­liament of Roan, who caused Inquiry to be made, if any about that time had set up a new shop, and find­ing that the person aforesaid had, they caused him to be arrested, but he upon Examination denyed the Fact, till the dead Corps was heard of; and the blind man also hearing of this inquiry, informed what he had heard about that place where the Corps was found, and what the Murderer answered, saying withal, That he knew that voice from any others; many Prisoners therefore were ordered to speak the same words to the blind man, together with the Murderer, [Page 170]but amongst them all he owned his voice; whereup­on the Villain possessed with abundance of horror con­fessed the Fact, and was deservedly executed. Beards Theatre.

XLVI. In Metz, a City of Lorrain, the Common Hang­man in the Night, and in the absence of the Master, got privately into the Celler of a Merchants house, where he first slew the Maid, who was sent by her Mistress to fetch some Wine, and then killed the Mistress likewise, who wondring at her Maids stay, came to see the rea­son; This done, he fell to rifling Chests and Cabinets; The Merchant upon his return finding the horrible Murders, and plunder of his house, with a soul full of troubles and grief, he complains to the Senate, and when there were divers discourses about the Mur­der, the Hangman also was got among the croud, and muttered out such words as these, That seeing there had been frequent brawls, and quarrels betwen the Mer­chant and his wife, there was no doubt but he was the Author of that Tragedy in his house, and said he, were he in my hands, I would soon make him confess it; By these, and the like words, it came to pass, that the Merchant was cast into Prison, and being tortured in a most cruel manner, by this wretched Hangman, he though Innocent, confessed himself the Murderer, and so was condemned to an horrible Death, which he suffered accordingly; Now was the Executioner secure, and seemed to be free from all danger: When the wakeful Justice of Heaven discovered the Villany, for he wanting Money, had pawned a Silver Bowl to a Jew, who finding upon it the Coat of Arms of the Merchant newly executed, sent it to the Magistrate, with notice thereof; whereupon the Hangman was immediately cast into Prison, and being examined how he came by the Cup, he there confessed all, as it had been done by him, and that he was the only Murderer: Thus the Innocency of the Merchant was discovered, and the Executioner had the due punish­ment [Page 171]of his wickedness, Wauly Hist. Mau. p. 92.

XLVII. In 1551. A young Woman at Paris had her Brains beaten out by a Man with a Hammer, near a Church, whither she was going to Mass at Midnight, and all her Rings and Jewels taken from her; The Hamme being left with the Corps, was known to be a poor Smiths hard by; who thereupon being suspect­ed of the Murder, was put to such Torture, as utter­ [...]y deprived him of the use of his Limbs, whereby to get his living, so that reduced to extream poverty; [...]he ended his life in great misery; All this while, which was the space of twenty years, the Murderer remained unknown, and the memory of the Murder seemed to be buried with the dead Woman in her Grave, but mark the Justice of God. One John Fleming being in a Village at Supper, chanced to say [...]he had left his Wife at home sick, and no body with her but a little boy; there was an old man then pre­sent, named Monstier, and a Son in law of his, who both went immediately away that night, and at ten in the Morning came to Flemings house, with each of them a Basket of Cherries, and a green Goose, as if presents from the Husband; they were let in by the boy, whom they presently murdered; yet not so, but the Woman heard his cry, and therefore lockt fast the Chamber door, and cryed for help out at the window; the Neighbours ran in, and took these two Villains, one in the Funnel of a Chimney, and the other in a Well in the Cellar, with nothing but his Nose above Water; These two being condem­ned; and brought to the place of Execution, Monstier desired to speak with the Smiths Widow, of whom he asked forgiveness, confessing that he had stollen his Hammer from him, wherwith he had murdered the young Woman aforementioned: Thus the Smiths innocency was cleared up, and the Murderer justly punished twenty years after the Commitment. Beards Theatre. p. 300.

XLVIII. At Tiguri a certain Vagabond Rogue had killed his Companion, that lay with him in the night in a Barn, and having first removed the dead Corps out of sight, fled away betimes in the morning, but the Master of the Barn seeing signs of a Murder, soon after found the dead Body; In the mean time the Murderer was got far away, yet by the noise of Crows and Jays which followed, and assaulted him, he was taken notice of by some Reapers then in the Field, who were somewhat terrified at the novelty of so unusual a thing, The Murderer for all this holds on his way, and now might he seem to be almost out of danger, when their came such as were ordered to make pursuit after him, who inquired of the Reap­ers, if any man had passed that way? who tell him, they had seen none besides one only fellow, who as he pas­sed, was ever and anon molested with the Crows and Jays, that they thence did conjecture he was some Vil­lain, and that if they made hast, they might undoubted­ly take him. The Wretch was soon after seized by them and broken upon the wheel; At his Executi­on, with Sighs and Prayers, I heard him acknow­ledg the Providence of God, as a clear instance of which he had recieved in so unusual a discovery of his Murder, Montanus de Provid.

XLIX. Parthenius Treasurer to Theodobert, King of France, had traiterously slain an especial Friend of his, called Ausanius, together with his Wife Papia­nilla, and when no man suspected him thereof, he discovered himself in this manner; as he slept in his Bed, he suddenly roared out, crying for help, or else he perished; and being demanded what he ailed, he half asleep answered, That his Friend Ausanius, and his Wife, whom he had murdered long before, did now summon him to answer it before the Tribunal of God, upon this Confession he was apprehended, and after due Examination, stoned to Death; Thus though all Witnesses fail, the Murderers own Conscience is sufficient to betray him. Beards Theatre. p. 285.

L. Plutarch reporteth, that a Souldier belonging to King Pyrrhus being slain, his Dog discovered him, for when the Dog could by no means be brought from the dead body, but fawned upon the King, as it were, desiring his assistance; the King commanded all his Army to pass by in good order, by two, and two, till at length the Murderers came, and then the Dog flew upon them so fiercely, as if he would have torne them in pieces, and turning to the King, ran again upon the Murderers; Whereupon being ap­prehended, and examined, they soon confessed the Fact, and received condign Punishment as they deser­ved; this we must apprehend to be the mighty power of God, who to deter men from shedding innocent bloud, doth stir up the dumb Creatures to discover this bloudy sin. The same Author reporteth the like, concerning the death of the Poet Hesiod, who being secretly slain, the Murderers, though unknown to all the world, save God, and their own Consciences, were likewise discovered by means of the Poets Dog. Beards Theatre.

LI. The like we read of, two French Merchants, who travelling together through a Wood, one of them slew the other, to get his money and buried him, but the Dog of the murdered Merchant would not depart from the place, but filled the Woods with howling and cryes; The murderer went for­ward on his Journey, and the Inhabitants near the Wood found out the dead Corps, and also the Dog; whom they kept, and fed, till the Fair to which peo­ple were going, was over, and the Merchants return­ed again; at which time they watched the High­ways, having the Dog with them; who seeing the Murderer pass by presently fell upon him without any provocation, as against his mortal Enemy, whereupon he was apprehended, confessed the Fact, and was justly executed for the same. Beards Theatre.

LII. The same Author mentions yet a more strange discovery of murder, as followeth; There was (saith [Page 174]he) a young Woman near Paris, who was beloved of two young men, one of whom, as he was going to visit his Mistress, was murdered by the way, and bu­ried, and having a Dog with him, he would not de­part from the Grave of his Master; At length the young man being mist by his Father and Brethren, they diligently sought him, and at last found his Dog lying on his Grave, who howled pitifully as soon as he saw his Masters Brother; the Grave was opened, and the murdered body found, which was brought from thence, and buried in another place, but the Murderer could not be found: It happened some time after, that the Dog (in the presence of his Bre­thren) espied him, and presently assaulted him with great fierceness: Upon which, the young man was apprehended and examined, and when by no means, nor policy he could be persuaded to confess, the Magistrate commanded that the Young man, and the Dog should fight together; the Dog was covered with a dry skin, instead of Armour, and the Murderer with a Spear, and a thin Linnen Garment about him, and so they both came out to fight, but behold the hand of Divine Vengeance, the Man offering to strike at the Dog with his Spear, the Dog presently leapt at his Face, and caught him fast by the Throat, and threw him down, whereat the wretch amazed, cry­ed out to the Spectators, Take pity on me, and pull off the Dog from my Throat, and I will confess all; which being done, he confessed the cause and manner of the murder, for which he received deserved punish­ment. Beards Theatre, p. 210.

LIII. Manlius in his common places says, That at Winsheim in Germany, there was a man, who had committed divers Murders some years before, who about Easter bought three Calves heads, and putting them in a Net, carried them along the Streets; As many as saw them, judged them to be mens heads, all bloudy; for so they seemed to them: Some that saw them, went, and informed the Senate, who im­mediately [Page 175]sent Officers to apprehend him, when he was brought to the Guild-Hall, and asked where he had those mens heads, He answered, That he bought them in the Shambles; The Butcher being sent for, said, He sold him Calves, not Mens heads; The Senate being amased at the thing, sent him to Prison, where being strictly examined, he confessed the for­mer Murders, whereof he was guilty; and suffered for the same; When the Heads were taken out of the Net; they were then seen to be but Calves heads. Clarks Mirrour, 2 Part p. 460.

LIV. A murderer at Tubing was betrayed by his own sighs, which were so deep and incessant for grief not of the Fact, but of the small booty, and being asked the question, readily acknowledged his Crime, and was Executed. Another Murderer in Spain was discovered by the trembling of his heart, for when many were suspected of the Murder, and denyed it, the Judg caused all their Breasts to be open'd and him, in whom he felt most trembling of his heart he was condemned, who could not deny the Fact, but presently confessed the same, and suffered Death ac­cordingly. Beards Theatre.

LV. At Isenacum, A Young man being in love with a Maid, and not having wherewith to maintain her used this unlawful means to accomplish his desire; One night he killed his Landlord, and throwing his body into a Celler, took away all his money, and then made hast away, but he had not gone many steps, when the Terror of his Concience, and the Judgment of God so stupified him, that he could not stir a foot further, till he was apprehended, Martin Luther, and Melanchton were eye witnesses of this mi­raculous Judgment, who likewise brought the murder to confession of his sins, and repentance for the same. Beards Theatre. p. 214.

By these Examples we see how hard it is for a Murderer to escape the Justice of God, though the Justice of man be not sometimes able to find them [Page 176]out, neither have lustful, nor lascivious Persons gone unpunished, as examples in all Ages testifie; and therefore we shall conclude this Chapter with a few Instances among many of the dreadful Effects which Lust hath produced upon those who have been overcome thereby.

LVI. Novellus Carrarius, Lord of Pavia, of great renown for his valour, but of great infamy for his wickedness; This Man, after many cruel murders, and bloudy Practices which he exercised in every place where he came, fell at last into this crime, for lying at Vincentia, he fell in love with a Virgin of excellent beauty, but more excellent Chastity, an ho­nest Citizens Daughter, whom he commanded her Pa­rents to send to him, that he might have his pleasure of her, but they more regarding the credit and mode­sty of their Daughter, than the Tyrants command, refused to send her, whereupon he took her violent­ly out of their house, and forced her to his Lust; after which, to add cruelty to his Villany: he chop­ped her into small pieces, and sent them to her Pa­rents in a Basket for a present, wherewith her poor Father astonished, carried it to the Senate, who sent it to Venice, desiring them to consider of the fact, and revenge the cruelty; The Venetians undertaking their defence, made War upon the Tyrant, and be­sieging him in his own City, took him at last Prisoner: and hanged him with his two Sons. Beards Theatre.

LVII. One principal motive of the Danes first ar­rival here in England, (who afterward conquered the whole Land, and exercised horrible cruelties on the Inhabitants) was by occasion of Lust; For Osbright a Deputy King, under the King of the West Saxons, as he was one time travelling, went into the House of one of his Nobles, who having a Wife of great beauty, the King dined with her, in the absence of her Hus­band, and after dinner being allured by her beauty, took her into a private Chamber, where he forcibly ravished her; the Lady was extrearly concerned, [Page 177]and made woful complaint of this outrage to her Husband at his return; The Nobleman forthwith stu­dies revenge, and going first to the King, and re­signed all his Lands and Offices into his hands, and then sailed into Denmark, where he had been brought up, and had great Friends and their making complaint to Codrinus the King, who was ready enough to en­tertain any occasion of quarrel against his Land: The King presently raises a mighty Army and sends it under the command of his two Brothers, into England, who landing first at Holdernes in Yorkshire, burnt up the Countrey, and slew Men, Women, and Children without Mercy; then marching toward York they met with wicked Osbright himself, where he, with the most part of his Army were slain, and destroyed; a just reward for his Villanous Act; and also one of the main causes of the Conquest of the whole Land by the Danes. Beards Theatre. P. 251.

LVIII. In the year 955. Edwin succeeded his Uncle Eldred, King of England, this man was so shameless, and impudent, that on the very day of his Coronation, he suddenly withdrew himself from among his Nobility, and in the sight of several per­sons, openly ravished his own Kinswoman, the Wife of a Noblemani of his Realm, for which Fact he be­came so odious to his Subjects and Nobles, that they joyntly rose against him, and deprived him of his Crown, when he had reigned only four years. Lan­quets Chorn.

LIX. A Nobleman of Piedmont married a Wife of mean birth and fortune, yet notwithstanding the Ho­nour she received by him, she shamelesly abused her Lords Bed, by continual Adulteries with a Gentle­man his Neighbour, which he having notice of, and designing to take them in the Act, caused a Packet of Letters to be brought him as from his Prince calling him to Court, and as if sending him in Embassage to a Forreign Countrey; Having imparted these Letters to his Wife, and providing all things necessary for [Page 178]his Journey, he departed with all his Train; but at night he stays at a Castle of his own, to the Gover­nour whereof he discovers his misfortune and design, and being only followed by him and a Groom of his Chamber in a dark night, they came to the Cham­ber where his Adulterous Wife was in Bed with her Gallant; The Governour called at the Gate, and told the Porter he had Letters from his Lord, which he must presently deliver to his Lady. The Porter opens the Gate, and they all suddenly enter; The Lord forbids the Porter to make any noise, but command­ing him to light a Torch, he presently got to his Ladies Chamber, where the governour knocking, told an old Woman her Baud, That he had Letters from his Lord, which his Lady must speedily answer; The Lady drunk with Lust, commanded the old Woman to open the door, and receive the Letters; The Lord, with the two others suddenly rushed in and presently siezed on the two Adulterers naked to­gether; and after some furious words he command­ed his Wife, with the help of the old Baud, to bind the Gentleman hand and foot, and afterwards to hang him up upon a great Hook, fastned into a Beam to that purpose; Then he caused the Bed to be burnt, and commanded all the others moveables to be carry­ed away, leaving only a little straw for this Whore and Baud to lie upon, and ordered the dead body should remain there shut up with them, until the stink there­of had choked them, and thus having past some few days in this miserable condition, they wrechedly ended their lives together. Beards Theatre.

LX. A Nobleman in Burgundy having in War taken a Gentleman Captive, his Wife being a beauti­ful Lady, came to redeem her Husband; The Noble­man promised to free him, if she would let him lie with her, which by the persuasion of her Husband, she consented to; But the Adulterous Nobleman the next day cut of the Prisoners head, and so deli­vered his Body to his Wife, which horrible Fact be­ing [Page 179]complained of by her to the Duke of Burgun­dy, he caused this Nobleman to marry her, but be­fore night he cut off his head, and gave her all his Possessions. Clarks Mirrour. P. 9.

LXI. In the year 1056. An Advocate of Con­stance extreamly lusted after the Wife of the Kings Procurator, and often enjoyed her, which the Pro­curator understanding, surprizing them sporting to­gether in a Bath, and afterwards retiring to an Old Womans house hard by, he got a sharp curry comb, and leaving three men at the door, that none might come in, he so curried the Advocate, that he tore out his eyes, and so miserable rent his whole body, that he dyed within three days after. Clarks Martyr.

LXII. A Nobleman in Thuringia, being taken in Adultery with another mans Wife, the Husband of the Adulteress layd hold of him, and bound him hand and Foot, and then cast him into Prison, and to quench his Lust, he kept him fasting, and the more to increase his misery, he daily set hot dishes of meat before him, that the sight and smell might the more provoke his Appetite, In this Torment the Letcher continued, till he gnawed off the Flesh from his own Shoulders, and so the eleventh day after his imprisonment, he ended his wretched Life. Euther.

LXIII. It was unnatural Lust which brought down Vengeance upon Sodom and Gomorrah, who burning with Fire from Hell, the Almighty burnt them up with Brimstone and Fire from Heaven; and even in this last Age we find dreadful Instances of Gods Wrath for that horrid Abomination; For in a little Treatise lately published, called The Adventurers of Mr. T. S. an English Merchant, taken Prisoner by the Turks of Algiers, and carried into the inland Countreys of Africa, we find this wonderful Relation, That near Tezrim, a Town in that Countrey in a Meadow, where excellent Grass grows: This Gentleman saw the perfect Stature of a man, buggering his Ass, which was so lively, that at a little distance he thought it to [Page 180]be real, but when he came near, he saw they were of perfect Stone; he inquired why the Moors or Arabs that naturally hate all sorts of Representations, should shew their skill, by making such beastly Figures, odi­ous to Nature, but was informed that this was ne­ver made by man, but that some Person formerly had been turned into that Image with the Ass, in the ve­ry moment of the Act, by the Mighty Power of God; the fleshly substance of the Man and the Ass being changed into firm Stone, as an eternal Reproach to Mankind, and Justification of his severe Judgments against us. he did further search into the appearances of this Report, and found the Stone to represent, not only the perfect shape, but also the colour of every part of the Man, and of the Beast, with the Sinews, Veins, Eyes, Mouth, in such a lively manner, that no Artist with all his colours could express it better; so that he was convinced of the truth of it; He endeavored to move it, but was forbid by some of the Company, who said, some that had laboured to carry from thence that Monument of mans shameful Lust could never do it; but either their Persons or Cattle were struck dead in the attempt upon the place; Divine Justice not suffering that to be hid or destroyed, which was placed there for an Example; it being necessary that the Moors should have such signal Testimonies of Gods displeasure always before their Eyes, who are inraged to commit such filthy Actions more frequent­ly than other Nations; This Gentleman was likewise informed by some of his Acquaintance who had been at Tripoly, that there is a Prodigy of Divine Wrath and Justice, about five days Journey from that Town, towards the South-East, amongst the Mountains cal­led Gubel, far more remarkable than this, an account of which was printed about Twenty Four years since, under the Name of Sir Kenelm Digby; and many of our English protest they have seen some peices of it brought by the Moors to Tripoly, and heard it confi­dently [Page 181]reported in that Town, as an undeniable Truth; Yea some of our English Merchants have had the curiosity to go thither, and they also protest it to be true; That in the place aforesaid, there is a whole Town full of those Representations, that is, Stones in the shape of all manner of Creatures belonging to a City, with the houses, Inhabitants, Beasts, Trees, Walls, and Rooms very distinctly formed: Our People have entred into the Houses, and have there found a Child in a Cradle of Stone, a Woman in a Bed of Stone, a man at the door, looking lice of Stone; Camels in several Postures of Stone; Cats, Dogs, Mice, and all that belonged to the place, of such perfect Stone, and so well expressing the seve­ral Shapes, Postures, and Passions, in which the Inha­bitants were at that time, that no Ingraver could do the like; Some may judg this Relation fabulous, but let them inquire of our Merchants and Traders, who have been in Tripoly, or that Country, and they will all agree in the Confirmation thereof; the report given by the Moors is, That this Town was once very populous, and fruitful, as may appear by the Trees of Stone, of several sorts of Fruits planted round about it, and in the places that retain the forms of Gardens and Orchards, but the Inhabitants giving themselves over to all manner of Vice, beastly Lust, and Debauchery, to the great scandal of humane Na­ture, God Almighty in a moment stopped all their Actions, and turned their Bodies into firm Stone, that future Ages might see and learn to dread his po­wer. At Athens there is another such like Figure; A Stone representing two men buggering one ano­ther; I know no reason why we should doubt of the possibility of these Relations, if we consider the Al­mighty power of God, by whose influence all things subsist; and who can easily alter and change them, as it seems good to his Divine Wisdom; Or, if we con­sider the necessity of such notable Examples of Gods Justice to be perpetuated to posterity, by expressing [Page 182]his displeasure in this dreadful manner to future ages, especially in this Countrey, where the people are ad­dicted to such like Villanies, which Nature it self ab­hors, any one may fully satisfie himself of the Truth of these prodigious Judgments from such as have Travelled in those places, they being like that of Lots wife, turned into a Pillar of Salt, which some ancient Historians do affirm to have seen remaining in their days many Hundred years after. Adventures of T. Sp. 238.

To Conclude, innumerable are the Examples in all Ages of Divine Vengeance against those crying sins of Cruelty, Murder, and Lust; which if men would seriously consider, it might cause them to fear the Lord, because of the Judgments which he executeth up­on those that continue in disobedience and Rebelli­on against his Holy Laws, and Commandments.

CHAP VI.

NOtwithstanding all these Judgments upon noto­rious, and impenitent Sinners; yet it suffici­ently appears, that God is always good to Isreal, even to those of an upright heart, for as he executeth his severity upon the one, so he defendeth those that call upon him, in truth, and put their whole Trust and Confidence in him, of which we may find many wonderful Instances in all Ages, and especially at Sea; so that they have real experience of what the Psalmist saith, They that go down to the Sea in Ships, that do bu­siness in great waters, these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep, for he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof; [Page 183]They mount to the Heavens, they go down again to the depths, their Soul is melted because of Trouble, they reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits end, then they cry unto the Lord in their trou­ble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses: He mak­eth the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still, then are they glad because they be quiet, so he bringeth them to their desired Haven; Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the Children of men. Psam 107.23, &c. And of the truth of this, I shall collect some few remarkable Re­lations, as I find them in History.

I. In the year 1640, Four Christian Slaves being in a Ship of an Algier Pirate, resolved to make their escape in a Boat, which one of them, who was a Car­penter undertook to build, the Carpenter set himself on work, making wooden pins, and other pieces ne­cessary for the fastning of the Boards, whereof the Boat was to consist; Having appointed a time for the Execution of their Design, they took off five Boards from the Room where the Provision was kept, where­of they used two for the bottom, two others for the sides, and the third for the Prow or Poop, and so made up somewhat that was more like a Trough than a Boat, their quilt served them for Tow, and having pitcht the Boat well, they set it into the water, but when they would have got into it, they found that two men loaded it so, that being in danger of sink­ing, two of the four desisted from that Enterprise, so that only two, an English-man, and a Dutch-man adventured in it; all the tackling they had, was two Oars, and a little Sail, all their provision, a little Bread, and fresh Water, and so they put to Sea, without either compass, or Astrolabe; The first day, a Tempest at every wave filled their Boat, and they were forced to go as the wind drove, they were continu­ally imployed in casting out the water, the Sea had spoiled their bread, and they were almost quite spent, when they were cast upon the Coasts of Barbary; [Page 184]There they found a little Wood, wherewith they somewhat inlarged their Boat, but narrowly escaping Death by the Moors, they got to Sea again: Thirst troubled them most, for which they made some shift by the bloud of some Tortoises which they took; at last, after ten days floating up and down, they arri­ved upon the Coast of Spain, at the Cape of St. Mar­tin, betwixt Alicant, and Valentia. Those of the Countrey seeing them at a distance, sent a Boat to meet them, carried them Bread, and Wine, treated them very civilly, and found them passage for En­gland. Mandeslo's Travels. p. 202.

II. Horrible was that Tragedie which the Western Indies beheld in the Persons of seven English-men, the Relation of it take as followeth. The forementio­ned seven being in St. Christophers Island, had prepared themselves for a Voyage of one night, and had taken with them Provisions for no longer a time, but a Tem­pest intercepted their return, and carried them so far off into the Sea, that they could not return home in less than seventeen days, in which time they were so sparing of their one nights provisions, that they made it serve them to the fifth day, that past, they must wrestle with meer Famine, which was so much the more grievous to them, in regard the Sun was extream hot, and that dryed up their parched Throats, exhaling the saltness from the troub­led Sea; they had now little hope of retrieving themselves from destruction, and were therefore forced by cruel necessity to cast Lots amongst them­selves, to see whose Flesh and Bloud should satisfie the hunger and thirst of the rest, the lot fell upon him, who first gave the Councel, who was not only unafrighted at his hard hap, but incouraged the rest, who had a kind of horrour, as to what they went about; he told them that there was no possibility of escape, unless they immediately stay'd their flying life by Humane Flesh, that for his part he was well content, and that be thought himself happy he could serve his Friends, [Page]

K: Poland his wife & children devoured by Rats pa 118

Seamen in great distress eat one another: pa. 184

[Page] [Page 185]when he was dead; with such words as these he so persuaded them, that one drawn out by Lot also, cut his Throat, of whose Carcass (I tremble to relate it) each of them was so desirous of a piece, that it could scarcely be divided quick enough; They fell to the flesh with eager Teeth, and sucked out the blood in­to their thirsty Stomachs; One only was found amongst them, who being nearly related to the dead person, resolved to indure all things, rather than to pollute himself with the blood of his Friend, but the next day his famine drove him into such a madness, that he threw himself overboard into the Sea: His As­sociates would not suffer so delicate a repast as his Car­cass to be so unseasonably snatched from them; but his madness had already so vitiated his blood, and the flesh all about the Veins, that in the whole body, there was scarce any thing fit to eat, save onely his bowels: At last it pleased God to shew them mercy in their wandring and distress, and brought their small Ship to the Island of St. Martin, in which they were kind­ly received by the Dutch Garrison, and sent back to the rest of their Friends, where they had scarce set foot on shore, but they were accused of Murder, but inevitable necessity pleading on their behalf, they were set free by the Magistrate. Wauly Hist. Man. p. 638.

III. It is a story altogether lamentable, and a cala­mity full of astonishment which hapned about the Cape de Bona Esperanza to Manuel Sousa Governour of Diu for the King of Portugal, and it is this. Having long enjoyed great honour and happiness in the East-Indies, he came to Cochin, not far from Calicut, where he imbarqued himself in January 1553. in a great Ship, laden with Riches, and about six hundred persons with him, amongst whom were his Wife, his Children, his Servants, and Slaves, and a great Retinue to come into Portugal, but the Ship being cast away upon the Coasts of Ethiopia, and the Sea [Page 186]having swallowed up almost all within it, except the Persons who saved themselves ashore half naked desti­tute of all hope to recover their losses again, having relyed upon the words of the crafty, and cruel Bar­barians; they fell at last (so many of them as yet re­mained alive, for the greatest part were now dead, what with fear, famine, and other miseries) into the hands of a petty King of Ethiop, who caused them to be disarmed, stript, and left stark naked upon the Sands, deprived of all necessaries, and succour; so that they that were left alive, were half dead with hunger and thirst, overwhelmed with fear and shame, cast­ing their Eyes upon the ground, as Persons transform­ed into so many Images; Elianor, the Wife of Gar­cius, an Honourable Lady, seeing the Barbarians busied about stripping, and snatching away the clothes from her Husband, her self, her Children, and the rest, forgetting her Dignity, and her Sex, fell upon these Filchers with her Fist, provoking them to kill her, but in vain; They left her stark naked upon the shore; The chast Lady seeing her self in such a case, and the day-light ministring to her more horrour and sorrow than Death it self, she cove­red her self with sand, casting abroad her hair confu­sedly upon her shoulders, and over her Breasts that were naked and bare, which done, she commanded the men that survived of her miserable company, to be gon, and shift for themselves as they could, her self remaining in that case without stirring, or speak­ing a word; if at sometimes she beheld her dear Children, the tears would flow from her Eyes like Rivers and she sent out deep sighs and sobs: As for Manual the Father and Husband, such an extream sadness and grief had closed up his heart, and his mouth, that he held his eyes along time fixed on the Earth, as one struck with a Tunderbolt; yet at last, the care of his little ones upon a sudden awa­ked him; he goes to a Forrest hard by, to seek for some food; at his return, he finds the youngest of his [Page 187]Chidren departed, and his Wife, (who had been three days without eating any thing) overcome with sorrow and tears; His child he burys with his own hands, and the next day returns to seek again, and coming back, he finds his Wife, and his other Son dead, and some women Servants lamenting with great cryes over their poor Bodies: Having put by the Servants, he lays himself down upon the Ground, and stretching out the right hand of his deceased wife, he leaneth a while with his head upon the some, and then calling his Servants again he hideth his Wife and Child within the Sand, without utter­ing a word, That done, he returns into the Forrest, where it is conjectured he was devoured by wild Beasts, for there was never any news heard of him afterward; About six score of these miserable Tra­vellers having escaped divers incredible difficulties; did at last recover a Port of the Sea, where they found opportunity to return into Portugal, who there declared the particular of this History, as it is here set down. Causins Holy Court. p. 111.

IV. Admirable is the Relation of Dr. William John­son, written by himself concerning a deliverance at Sea, which I shall briefly epitomize in his own words. We went aboard from Harwich, on Micha­elmas day, Sept. 29. 1648. in the William and John of Ipswich, Daniel Morgan, Master, and having a fair wind, we set sail; I being Sea-sick, went to bed, but about four a Clock in the afternoon, the Master of the Ship came into our Cabin with more hast than he was wont, which made me ask him whither all was well, who like a tender-hearted man, who is loth to tell his dying Friend, that he is so near his end, reply­ed, all is well; yet when I saw him shift himself with such hast, I rose from my Bed, and crawled up­on the Deck, where I saw a sad spectacle, the Ship having sprung a leak, or rather a plank, was ready to sink, upon which, every man was affrighted, one was at his Prayers, another wringing his hands, a [Page 188]third his eyes shedding of tears, when he had n [...] need of more salt water; but after this, they fell to work, but were busie in doing nothing: The Ma­sters Mate who went to search the Leak, told [...] with a sad countenance, trembling hands, gnashing of Teeth, a quivering Tongue, and words half spo­ken, That the Leak could not be stopt, and the wate [...] came in so fast upon us, that we must perish in this mo­ment; Upon which we presently cast out our Long boat, and shot off eight or nine Guns to anothe [...] ship, who came out with us, to come to our relief, the with some difficulty we all got into the Boat, and Go [...] be thanked, came clear of the Ship, whose sails now lay flat upon the water, and now we were roving we knew not whither, for the other ship came no [...] to our relief, which made us have hard thoughts o [...] them without cause, for we understood that both th [...] Ship, and all the men perished in the same hou [...] Now were we without all hope, for it blew half storm, and we were in a small Vessel, many League from the shore, without Compass, or provision to su­stain us, being starved likewise with cold, as well a for want of Victuals, having nothing in our Boa [...] but a small Kettle which served to cast out the wate [...] and three bags of pieces of eight of three hundre [...] pound Sterling, which would neither feed us, nor ke [...] us warm; In this distress we went to Prayers, and it plea­sed God to hear us, and sent a Ship to us, even in th [...] moment of death, which we endeavoured to come t [...] and he likewise to us, but the storm was so great, w [...] could not reach one another, though when it w [...] dark, he hung out a light, and we to let him kno [...] we were alive, ordered that when a wave took us u [...] we should give a great shout, which we did so lou [...] that I believe our cry was heard to Heaven, for [...] Gods miraculous assistance we got near the Ship, a [...] soon after, all safe into it; The next day it blew fa [...] for Norway, whither we were bound, and abo [...] twelve at noon we saw the Coast, which being ra­geing [Page 189]ragged, and full of Rocks, we resolved to stay till next morning before we went in, and then sate down to meat, and eat every heartily, being kindly entertained by the honest Norwegian; About ten a clock at night, we laid us down to rest, after having prayed, and set our watch, but immediately this our second Ship ran with full Sails upon a Rock, and gave so great a Crack, as was able to awake the Most dead-asleep among us, and the Marriners cryed out, Mercy, Mercy; it pleased God, that the Ship struck it self so fast in the cleft of a Rock, with her bow over the main Rock, that the for­mer part of her stood firm, but breaking in the stren, one of the Sea-men leaped from the bow of the Ship upon the Rock, with a Rope in his hand, which was festened to one of our Masts, and held it with so stiff a hand, that another slipt down by it, and so all our Company that escaped being Twenty Eight in number, came safe to the Rock; I was the last that came down the Ship that way, for in that very moment she gave way; which the Master percieving, who was still aboard, made lamentable moan to us, to help him, which we endeavoured to the utmost, but the Ship brake, and sunk immediately; there was this good man, and four of the Marrinners drowned; I saw the Master, with a light in his hand fall into the Sea, the saddest sight that I ever yet beheld in this world, and that which pierced my very Soul, to see him, that saved our Lives, lose his own: Now were we in the dark, upon the Rock, but knew not where, our feet being cut upon the sharp stones, at length, we happened in a hole in the Rock, which was a warm shelter against the wind; and when morning came, we could see no Land, only had a glimpse of the Coast of Norway at a great distance; We grew hungry, but had nothing to fish with, but our Arms, with which, we drew up some small Muscles, and they we eat heartily, but we burnt with thirst, and I would have given all I had for a draught of fresh-water, which would have been more welcome, [Page 190]than the Gold of Ophir, though nothing is so mean in our esteem; but we were forced to drink Salt-water which increased our thirst; we now saw a Ship com­ing toward us with full sails, and we waved our hats to them, but they went off, and never came near us; we betook our selves to our old Remedy, Prayers, the Danes first singing one of Luthers Psalms, fell to their Prayers, and I prayed as long as I was able to speak, and then layd my self down on the Rock, think­ing I should rise no more in this world, But I over­heard one of the Seamen say, Let us make a Raft, and venture to Sea, I had rather be drowned, than lie here and be starved; They all presently concluded of it though dangerous, and the Sea having fallen from the Rock, had left our Sails, Mast, and Anchors, with part of the Ship thereon, wherewith thy soon made a slight boat, and it being a great calm, the Raft pas [...] through the Breakers with four men in it, and had it touched only on them, they would have rent it in pieces, however through Gods goodness, they arriv­ed safe in Norway, and returned with several Boats so that we came all of us once more to Land; and were entertained at an honest Lutheran Parsons house, where after we had continued for some days, with little money and much thanks as we parted, and came to Frederic [...] Stadt, where the People run after us in the Street and with compassionate Eyes gave us what we wanted without asking, from thence we went to Ostersontd [...] and there went abroad an English Ship, we had no [...] been above two, or three hours at Sea, but there was a sad destraction, the Marriners again crying for Mercy, Mercy, for we had almost fallen foul on a Rock under Water, which we did not spie till we were up­on it, but by the mercy of God, we sailed close by it [...] and yet escaped it, the least touch of it had been ou [...] ruine; about noon we came clear of all the Rocks on the Coast of Norway, and were sailing for England with a fair Gale of Wind, but in this prosperity another sad accident befel us, this third Ship sprang [Page 191]a leak, and began to swim within, as well as without, and we had no way to relieve our selves, but by, pumping (for the leak could not be found) which we did day and night, for four or five days together, when it pleased God, we came safe, though in a great fleal of danger, because of our rotten Ship, into Yar­mouth Road, for the wind being very high, had like to have driven us upon a Scotch Vessel, who cryed out as well as we, but we happily mist him, and so safely arrived in Yarmouth Town, through the wonderful mercy of God. Deus Nobiscum.

V. Two Ships were bound for Newfound-Land, from the west of England, but by stress of weather were parted; some few days after, one of the Ships in fair weather sprung a leak, and foundred in the Sea, where every Soul perished, except one Old man, who having lasht himself on the main hatch, com­mitted himself to the mercy of God, and the Sea, where he floated three days, and three nights, in which time about the middle of the second day, the Devil in the shape of a Mermaid starts up before him, and bid him be of good heart, for if he would but make a contract with him, he would promise to deliver him in twenty Four hours: The Old man being sensi­ble it was the Devil, looking him in the face, said, Ah Satan! if thou canst Prophecy deliverance for me, know, my God, in whom I trust, will deliver me with­out thy help, but however know, I will not comply with thy wiles, therefore avoid Satan, avoid, upon which, he [...]mmediately vanished, and appeared no more to him; It happened that the other Ships being at the same time in the same latitude and danger, the Cab­bin boy dreamed that night, that such a Ship was cast away thereabout, and all the men lost, except this Old Man (which he named) who was saved upon a piece of the Ship, and floating in the Sea; which dream the Boy in the moming confidently tells to his Master, and the Company, and affirmed that it must needs be true, and was so impatient, that he [Page 192]recieved some checks from his Master, yet he conti­nued restless, running up sometimes to the fore to [...] Mast head, and then to the main top Mast head looking abroad; and at last cryed out aloud. Alo [...] there, I see him, I see him under our Lee-bow; He thu [...] confidently affirming it, some of the men stept up and espied some thing, at a distance no bigger than a Crow in appearance, floating, and advised the Master thereof, who presently commanded the helm to be borne up, and stood away to it, and when they came near, found it to be the Old man, as the Boy had said and hoisting out their Boat, they took him in, who was then speechless, and almost spent, but by the care of the Master and Chirurgeon, he with God blessing recovered, and gave this Account of his mis­fortune, and wonderful deliverance by word of Mouth [...] and the Ship wherein he was, landed him safe in New­found-Land, Remarkable Sea Deliverances.

VI. Richard Clark of weymouth in Dorset-shire, a skilful Pilot, was Master of the ship, called the De­light, which in 1583, went with Sir Humphrey Gil­bert for the discovery of Norembega; It happened that without any neglect or fault of his, the Ship struck on the ground, and was cast away Aug 29. th [...] same year. Of those that escaped Ship-wrack, sixteen got into a smal Boat of a Tun and a half, and had but one Oar to work withall: They were seventy Leagues from Land, and the weather so foul, that is was not possible for a Ship to brook half a course o [...] Sail. The Boat being overburdened, one of them Mr. Hadley made a motion to cast Lots, that those four who drew the shortest, should be cast over­board, provided if one Lot fell on the Master, h [...] notwithstanding should be preserved, in whom a [...] their safety was concerned: The Master disavowed the acceptance of any such Priviledg, replying, The would live and die together: On the fifth day, M [...] Hadley (who first motioned Lot-drawing) and ano­ther. Person dyed, whereby our Boat was somewhat [Page 193]alighted; Five days and nights together they saw the Sun and Stars but once, so that they only kept up their Boat with their single Oar, as the Sea did drive [...]t; They continued four days without sustenance, save what the Weeds which swam in the Sea, and the Salt-Water did afford: on the Seventh day, about Eleven a Clock, they had sight of New found-Land, and about Three, they came to the South­bart thereof: All the time of their being at Sea, the wind kept continually South, if it had shifted to any other point, they had never come to Land, but it turned to the North within half an hour after their Landing. Being all come to shore, they kneeled down, and gave God praise for their Miraculous De­ [...]iverance; There they remained Three days, and Three nights, making a plentiful repast upon Ber­ [...]les, and wild Pease; After five days rowing along [...]he shore, they happened of a Spanish Ship of St. John de Luz, who courteously brought them home to Biscay, where the Visitors of the Spanish Inquisition [...]ame aboard the Ship and put them upon Examina­ [...]ion, but by the Masters favour, and some general [...]nswers, they escaped for the present, but fearing a [...]econd search, they shifted for themselves, and going Twelve miles by night, got into France, and so safely [...]rrived in England, Hackluits Voyages. Vol. 3.

VII. The Admiral of St. Jago set out of Portugal [...] 1585. with a good speedy wind, she came Sailing [...]etwixt the Island of St. Lawrence, and the firm Land, that runs by the Coast of Mosambique, in which [...]assage there are certain shallows, called the India, which are of coral, very sharp, black, white and [...]reen, and very dangerous; The Pilot took the [...]eight, and made his account they were past the [...]hallows, and though many of the Sailors, and others a the Ship were against him, yet he commanded the Master to make all the Sail he could to Mosambique, without any let, or stay; They Sailed in that man­ [...]er till Mid-night, and then fell upon the Shallows, [Page 194]being of clear white Coral, and so sharp, that with the force of wind and water, that drove the ship up­on them, the Ship was cut in two pieces, as if it had been sawn asunder, so that the Keel, and two Oar­lops lay still upon the ground, and the upper part being driven somewhat further, at the last stuck fast the Mast being also broken; whereupon there was a mighty, and lamentable cry, for there were no less than Five Hundred Persons in the Ship; The Admi­ral Ferdinando de Mendoza, the Master, the Pilot and Ten or Twelve more presently entred into the small Boat, defending it with their drawn swords that no more should enter, saying, They would go see i [...] there were any dry place in the Shallows, whereon they might work to make a Boat of the pieces of the broken Ship [...] therein to sail unto the shore, and so to save their lives which put them that were left behind in some small comfort; But when they had rowed about, and found no dry place, they durst not return again to the Ship, least their Boat should have been overladen; they therefore rowed toward Land, having about Twelve boxes of Marmalade, with a Pipe of Wine and some Biskets which in haste they had thrown into the Boat, After they had been seventeen days at Sea, and had indured great hunger, thirst, and labour [...] they got to Land, and saved themselves; the rest who stay'd in the Ship, seeing the Boat not come again, it may be supposed in what trouble they were▪ At last, one side of the upper part of the Ship, be­tween both the upper Oar-lops, where the Boat lay, burst out, and the Boat being half burst, began to come forth; but because there was small hope, no man layd hand thereon, but every man sate looking one upon another; At last, an Italian called Cyprian Cantarido rose up, and taking courage, said, Why are you thus discouraged; let us seek to help our selves, and try, if there be any remedy to save our lives; where­with he presently leaped into the Boat, with an Instru­ment in his hand, and began to make it clean, wherea [...] others took heart, so that there leapt at least Four­score [Page 195]and Ten Persons into it, and many hung by the hands upon the Boat, swimming after it, but to pre­vent their sinking the Boat, those in it were forced to cut off the Fingers, Hands, and Arms of such as held thereon, and let them fall into the Sea, and many others they threw overboard, which done, they set for­ward, committing themselves to God, being followed with the most doleful and lamentable noise, from those they left in the Ship; In this manner having rowed cer­tain days, and having but small store of Victuals, because there were so many in the Boat, which was likewise ve­ry leaky, and ready to sink, and not likely to hold out long; They hereupon agreed to chose a Captain, and that they would absolutely obey his commands; they chose a Gentleman, a Mesticho of India, who presently commanded to throw some of them overboard, as the Lot directed, amongst these was a Carpenter, who not long before had helped to dress the Boat, who desired them to give him a peice of marmalade, and a Cup of Wine, after which, he willingly suffered himself to be thrown into the Sea, and was drowned; In this mi­sery and distress they continued Twenty days, and then got to Land, where they found the Admiral, and those that were in the other Boat; but having escaped this danger, those in the Boat fell into ano­ther, for they had no sooner set foot on shore, but they were robbed by the Moors of all their Clothes, so that they left not so much as a rag upon their Bo­dies: In the end, having indured great hunger, and others miseries, they came to a place, where they found a Factor of the Captain of Soffola, and Mo­sambique, and from thence they went to India, where (saith Linschoten) I knew many of them, though some dy­ [...]ed before they got to Mosambique; Of those that staid in the Ship, some took boards, and pieces of wood, and bound together every Man what he could catch, all hoping to save their lives, but there came only two men of them all ashore, so that of all the Five Hundred, there were but Threescore Persons saved, [Page 196]all the rest, (among whom were Fifty Women, some Jesuites and Fryers) were all drowned in the Ship, and all this through the wilfulness and pride of a Pilot, Linschotens Voyages.

VIII. One Gregory Crow, who dwelt at Malden in Essex, was going in [...] Boat with his man and boy to fetch Fullers Earth, but by the way meeting with a storm, his Boat was driven upon a bank of Sand, and there sunk; the men were glad to hang upon the Mast, but poor Crow seeing his New Testament in the water, which he highly prized, catcht it up, and put it into his Bosom: The Tyde being gone, they were left upon the Sand, at least Ten miles from Land: In this great distress they beseeched God to find out a way for their deliverance, for within half an hour it would be flood, but in this little time be­fore, they found a Chest, wherein was Five Pounds, Six Shillings, Eight Pence; which honest Crow cast it into the Sea again, saying, if God will please to save our lives, he will provide us a little food, and so they went again up to the Mast, where they to Admirati­on, hung by the Arms and Legs for Ten hours toge­ther, only the Boy was weary, that beaten with the Waves, he fell off, and was drowned; Now their fears increase upon them, and they know not what to do; but Crow advises his Man to cut down the Mast, and when the flood came again, to sit up­on it, and so says he, it may please God to drive us to some Ship; This Counsel was taken, they commit themselves to God upon this Mast, and thus continued Tuesday night, Wednesday, and Wednesday night, in which time the Man was so tired with Hunger, Watching, and Cold, that he died: Now was Crow left alone in this sad and deplorable condition, who prayed more earnestly for succour and relief, but durst not sleep, least the Sea should beat him off the Mast, and when this distressed Creature was almost spent, his flesh sodden with Sea-water, and his Eyes almost closed up with Salt: In this Extremity, Providence [Page 197]presents a Ship going for Antwerp, and the Wind not being favourable, they were driven out of the way thither, and espying something afar off in the Sea, they supposed it to be a Fisher-boy, and steered from it; Crow seeing this, held up his Cap, and shaked it over his head, whereby at lenght they were moved to go to him, and so they took him in; when he came into the Ship, though he was half dead, yet being careful of his New Testament, he pluckt it out of his Bosom, and gave it to some to dry; They in the Ship were careful of him, and with great diffi­culty recovered him, and carried him with them to Antwerp, where the fame of his being so miracu­lously preserved, drew many to see him, and re­lieve him with necessarys, Acts and Monuments.

IX. In the year 1630. May 1. The Moscovy Mar­chants of London sent a Ship, called the Salutation for Greenland, which arrived there in safety, June 11. following, together with two other Ships, all which were commanded by Captain William Goodler: The Captains Ship stayed at Belsound, The Salutation at the Foreland, the Captain having killed store of Whales, made a quick Voyage, and sent for the Salu­tation to take in part of her Train-Oyl; in the way meeting with cross winds, the Master sent Eight of his Men ashore to kill some Venison, who taking with them a brace of Dogs, a Firelock, two Lances, and a Tinder-box went on shore, and killed fourteen good Dear; night coming on, being weary, they went to rest, intending next day to end their hunt­ing, and return to their Ship; But the next day proved foggy, and much Ice being betwixt the shore and the Ship, the Ship was fain to stand so far off in­to the Sea, that they lost sight of her; They hunted on to Green Harbour, and there they found that the Ship was departed; they made all speed possible with their Shallop to Belsound to their Captain, and for fear of delay, heaved their Venison over-board, but having no compass, they wandred up and down [Page 198]so long, till the Ships were departed; This filled them with fear and astonishment, knowing that nei­ther Christian nor Heathen had ever Inhabited those desolate Climates, and they had heard, that the Mos­covy Merchants had once procured the reprieve of se­veral Malefactors condemned to Death here in Eng­land, to whom they promised pardon, with rewards, and Provision of all things necessary, if they would stay one winter there, but when they came thither and took a view of the desolatness of the place, they chose rather to return for England, and satifie the Law with the loss of their Lives, than to stay in so de­solate and darksome a Countrey; They remembred also a more terrible instance of Nine able men left there formerly by the same Master, who now left them, that all dyed miserably upon the place, and whose Bodies were wretchedly disfigured by the Bears and Foxes; All which made them stand like men amazed, looking one upon another; and that which increased their horrour was, their want of all ne­cessary provisions, no Clothes for Shift, or Warmth; no Food, no House for Shelter; After a while, consi­dering the danger of delay in Extremity, they advi­sed upon the most likely course for their Preservati­on; and resolved to go to Green Harbour, to hunt for Venison, where in their going, stay, and return, they killed nineteen Deer, and four Bears, with which they laded their Shallop, and finding another old Shallop left there, they laded it with the Greaves and Fritters of Whales that had been boyled there that year, and so took their way to Belsound to their Tent, where they intended to winter; In the way of their Passage, they had like to have lost all their Provisi­on, but saved it by a desperate Remedy, running into the high-wrought Sea, and by force drawing their Shallops to the shore; This done, they arrived at Belsound, where they took out their Provision, con­sidered their Tent, and with part of the Materials of a Tent thereby; pieces of old Caske, and old Shal­lops [Page 199](as'tis usual) they made up their House and Cab­bin, where they lodged two, and two; and with Marvellous Industry, provided themselves with Fire, Wood, and Shelter against the Extremity of the cold, their Beds were the Deer-skins dryed; Having thus fitted every thing in the best manner they could, on the Twelfth of September looking out into the Sound, they espied two Sea-Horses lying asleep on a piece of Ice, whereupon hasting to them, with an old Harp­ing Iron they slew them both, then flead, roasted, and eat them, not long after they killed another, but darkness and cold increasing upon them, and they viewing their Provision, found it too small by half, whereupon they agreed to eat one reasonable meal a day, and to fast Wednesdays and Fridays, except from the Greaves of the Whale, a loathsome meat, at which Diet they continued three Moneths; To re­pair their clothes and shoes, they made thread of Rope-yearn, and needles of Whalebone; Oct. 10. the night being grown very long, all the Sea was fro­zen over, and then grief and fear began to work up­on them, but they prayed to God for strenght, and patience in their miseries, and by his assistance cheer­ed up themselves to use the best means for their Pre­servation; Then for keeping their Venison, and sa­ving their firing, they thought best to roast every day half a Deer, which they stowed in Hogsheads, leav­ing as much [...]aw as would serve every Lords-day a quarter: Here another Tryal of their Patience befel them; their Whale-Fritters, which had been drench­ed in the Salt-waters, and lay close together, were grown mouldy, and spoiled, and again surveying their Bear and Venison, they found it would not af­ford them Five Meals a week, so they were fain to out off one meal more, and for Three Moneths after, they fed four days each week upon the mouldy Frit­ters, and the other Three they feasted on Bear, and Venison; Besides the want of Meat, they began to want Light, no Sun appearing from the Fourteenth [Page 200]Fourteenth of October, till the Third of February, but the Moon shined as here in England; against this trouble, having found a sheet of Lead in the Coopers Tent; with Rope-yarn and Oyl they made a Lamp, which they kept continually burning to their great comfort: In the beginning of January, as the days began to lengthen, the Cold strengthned to that Extremity, that it raised Blisters on their Flesh; and if at any time they touched Iron, it would stick to their Fingers like Bird-lime; if they went out to fetch water, it would so pinch them, that they were sore, as if they had been beaten? They drank no­thing but Snow-water from the Tenth of January, till the Twentieth of May, which they melted with hot Irons; The latter end of January they found their food would last but six weeks longer, but they had recourse to God for supply, and looking out on a bright day, they saw a great She Bear with her Cub, coming toward the Tent, her they slew with their Lances, the Cub escaped, they drew her into the Tent, and this Bear served them Twenty days: In March the days so lengthened, that the Fowl and Foxes came abroad, of which Foxes, they by Traps catcht fifty, and sixty Fowles as big as Pigeons, and killed Seven more Bears, so that now eating two, or three meals a day, their strength was much increased; The first of May the Weather grew Warmer, so that they went out to seek Provision; In this Month there came two Ships from Hull into the Sound, who knowing some men had been left there the year be­fore, and being desirous to be satisfied whither they were dead, or a live, the Master manned a Shalop to go as near the shore as they could, and so over the Ice to the Tent, when these men came near the Tent, they halled them with the usual word of the Sea, crying Hey, To which, one of them in the Tent an­swerd again, Ho, which sudden answer almost ama­zed them all, but percieving them to be the very men left there, with joyful hearts they imbraced one [Page 201]another; The men left their Tent, and went with them to their Ship, where they stayed till the London Fleet came, which was Three days after; They went aboard the Admiral, Captain Goodler, who made them very welcome, gave them Apparel, to the value of Twenty Pounds, and after Fourteen days refresh­ment, they grew all perfectly well, thus they conti­nued in the Fleet till the Twentieth of August, when they set Sail, and at last came safe into the River of Thames, and the Moscovy Merchants dealt well by them. The names of these Eight men were William Fakely Gunner, Edward Pelham Gunners Mate, that wrote this story; John Wise, and Robert Goodfellow Sea-men; Thomas Ayres Whale-cutter, Henry Bett Cooper, John Daws, and Richard Kellet Land-men, Stows Chronicle. p, 1017.

X. In the year 1636. A Ship being at New found-Land a fishing somewhat late in the year, the Ice came upon them in great pieces, and being ready to hoise Sail to return home, they sent out Six men in the Boat to weigh their Anchor, which whilst they were doing, a great flake of Ice comes between them and their Ship, and carries them a drift, so that by all the means they and the Vessel could use, they could not recover their Ship again, whereby they were expo­sed to inevitable ruine, having neither Food, nor any accommodation to keep them warm; after they had continued thus three days and three nights, they began to be hunger-starved, and accounting them­selves all dead men, they consulted one with another what course to take, at last, though with great regret and grief, they resolve one of them must die, to be­come food for the rest, each Person desired to die first, to be freed from that Torment they were in, so that they were forced to determine it by Lot; He upon whom the Lot fell, desired to go to end of the Boat, there to recommend his Soul to God by Prayer, before he dyed; the rest being in a deep Agony, upon apprehension of shedding the Bloud of [Page 202]one of their Comrades; But while they were sitting together, lamenting, and imploring Gods favour to prevent such a Fact; even as they wished and desi­red it happened; for the Person separated by Lot to be killed, dyed upon the place where he was praying, which occasioned great Joy to them in this their deplorable condition, that hereby they were prevented from taking away his Life, which they so much dreaded; And judging this a good Omen, they proceeded to satisfie their hungers upon the dead Body; the Boat was still adrift, not frozen up, so that by the time their food was spent, they were brought ashore many. Leagues to the Northward of New-England, where the Five landed alive, and the poor Barbarians pitying their Condition, helped them all they could, three of them dyed soon after, with the misery they had sufferred, the other two made a shift to get to New-England, and so at last by Gods mercy came to their Habitations in the West of Eng­land, having both lost their Heels, with the Extre­mity of the cold in the Boat. Remark. Sea Delive­rances.

XI. Great were the Dangers, and Wonderful the Deliverances of William Okeley and his Company, the Relation of which from his own Book (saith Mr. Wanly) I have thus contracted; In the Year 1639. We took Ship at Gravesend, in the Mary of London, Mr. Boarder Master, bound for the Isle of Providence, in the West-Indies, Five Weeks we lay in the Downs, waiting for a wind, and then we set Sail, and came to Anchor near the Isle of Wight, but by this time all the Beer in our Ship stunk, and we vvere forced to throw it overboard, and so take in Vinegar to mix vvith vva­ter for our Voyage; The next Lords day vve set Sail again, and comming betvveen the Island, and the main Land, vve stuck fast in the Sands, but the Tide com­ing in, heaved us off: The Sixth day after our setting Sail from the Isle of Wight, vve discovered Three Turks men of War, vvho chased us, and at break of day board­ed, [Page 203]and took us; having kept us close Prisoners a Sea, at the end of five or six Weeks, they brought us to Algiers, where I was sold for a Slave the first Market day, to a Patron, who told me, I must allow him two Dollars a Month, and live ashore where I would, and get it where I could; though I knew not where to levy the least Mite of it: Wandring up and down, I met with an Englishman in his little Shop, who traded with Tobacco, and a few other things; I became his Partner with a little money I had reserved, and a small Modicum my Patron had allowed me for my stock: Here I got Money, and hired a Cellar, were I laid up some other of my Goods; when wea­ry of my Slavery, I formed a design for my Liberty, and communicated it to John Anthony Carpenter, William Adams Brick-layer, John Jephs Sea-man John a Carpenter, and two others, men of able Bo­dies, and useful in the intended project, which was to contrive the Model of a Boat, which being form­ed in parcels, and afterward put together, might be the means of our escape: They approved the Propo­sal, and in my Cellar we began our work; we pro­vided first a piece of Timber of Twelve foot long to make the Keel, but because it was impossible to con­vey it of that length out of the City, but it must be seen and suspected; we therefore cut it in two pieces, and fitted it for jointing just at the middle, and then we provided Ribs, after which we made the Boat water-tite, and because Boards would require much hammering, and that noise was like to betray us, we bought as much strong Canvas as would cover our Boat twice over upon the Convex of the Carine; We provided also as much Pitch, Tar, and Tallow, as would serve to make it a kind of Tarpawling Cere­cloth to swaddle the Naked Body of our Infant Boat; of two Pipestaves sawed at the Corners, we made two things to serve for Oars, and for our provision, we had a little Bread, and two Leather Bottles full of fresh-water, we also remembred to buy as much Can­was [Page 204]was as would serve for a sail; we carried out these in parts and parcels fitted them together in the Valley about half a mile from the Sea, whither Four of our Company carried the Boat on their Shoulders, and the rest followed them, at the Sea-side we stript, put our clothes into the Boat, and carried it and them as far into the Sea as we could wade, and then all seven got into the Boat, but finding she was over­laden, two of the Sea-men were content to stay on shore; Having bid them farewel, we anched out June 30. 1644. The Bill of Lading was John Anthony, William Adams, John Jephs, John the Carpenter, and William Okeley; Four of us wrought continually at the Oar, the Fifth was to free the Boat of that wa­ter, which by degrees leaked through our Canvas; our bread was soon spoiled with soaking in the Salt­water; our Fresh-water stunck of the Tanned Skins and Owze, yet we complained not; Three days with good Husbandry our bread lasted us, but then pale famine stared us in the face, water indeed we might have, but it must be Salt, out of the Sea, or that which had been strain'd through our own Bo­dies, and that we chose of the two; but we must not have that after a while, unless we would accept of the other first; and the misery was, that did not as­swage our thirst, but increase it; The Wind too for sometime was full against us, but God rebuked it, and made it our Friend; a second inconvenience was, that our Labour was without intermission; and a third, the Extremity of the heat by day, the season raging hot, the beginning of July, and we wanted Fresh-water to cool the heat; our labour made it in­supportable to our Bodies, and our little hope made it as grievous to our Souls, one help we had, a poor one, he that emptied the Boat, threw the water on the Bodies of the other to cool them, but our Bodies thus scorched and cooled, rose up in Blisters all over; Great pain we felt, great dangers we were in, great miseries we indured, great wants we were un­der, [Page 205]and had nothing but a little hope, food, and strength; If any ask by what directions we steered our course to Mayorck, whither we designed to go; for the day a Pocket Dial did supply the place of a Compass, by night the Stars when they appear­ed, and when not, we guessed our way by the Moti­ons of the Clouds; Four days and nights were we in this woful plight, on the fifth all hope, that we should be saved, was perished, so that we let off our Labour, because we had no strenght left, only we emptied the Boat of water; But then God sent us some re­lief, for as we lay hulling up and down, we dicover­ed a Tortoise, not far from us asleep in the Sea, had Drake discovered the Spanish Fleet, he could not have more rejoiced, we took up our Oars, silently rowed to our prey, took it into the Boat with great Triumph, we cut off her head, and let her bleed into a pot, we drank the Bloud, eat the Liver, and sucked the Flesh: It wonderfully refreshed our Spirits, and we picked up some crumbs of hope: About Noon we thought we discovered Land, it's impossible to ex­press the joy of our raised Souls at this apprehension, we wrought hard, and after further labour were fully satisfied that it was Land, and proved to be Mayorck, which we kept within sight of all day: July 6. about 10 at night we came under the Island, and crept as near the shore as we could, and durst, till we found a convenient place, where we might thrust in our Weather-beaten Boat; when we were come to Land, we were not insensible of our deliverance; but, though we had escaped the Sea, we might die at Land; we had no food since we eat the Liver, and drank the bloud of the Tortoise; therefore John An­thony and my self were sent out to scout abroad for fresh-water, because we spak some Spanish; we came to a Watch-tower of the Spaniards, spake to them on the Watch, told them our condition, earnest­ly begged some fresh water, and some Bread, he [Page 200]threw us down an old mouldy Cake; but so long as it was a Cake, hunger did not consider its mouldiness; then he directed us to fresh water which was hard by; we stood not telling of storys, we remembred our Brethern left with our Boat, and observing the Centinels Directions, came to a Well, where there was a Pot with strings to draw with, we drank a lit­tle water, and eat a bit of our Cake, but the Pas­sage was so disused, that we had much ado to force our Throats to relieve our clamorous Stomachs; we return to our Boat, acquaint them with the good suc­sess of our Embassy, and all prepare to make to the Well; so tying our Boat as fast as we could to the shore, we left her to Mercy: Now we are at the well, which hath water therein, and we have some­thing to draw, but God must give us a Throat to swallow; for William Adams attempting to drink, after many Essays, was not able to swallow it, but still the water returned, so that he sunk down to the ground faintly saying I am a dead Man, but after much striving he took a little, So refreshed with our Cake and water, we lay by the Well side, till the morning; When it was clear day, we again went to the Watchman, intreating him to direct us the ready way to the next House or Town, where we might find relief; He civily pointed us to one about two miles off, and long it was, e're our blistring feet could overcome the tediousness of that little way; when we came thither, the honest Farmer moved with our Relation, sent us Bread, and Water, and Olives, and seeing us thankful Beggars, inlarged his civility to us, called us into his house, and gave us good warm Bean pottage, which seemed to me the most pleasant food that ever I eat in my life; Thence we advanced to the City of Mayork, about Ten miles from that place, that night we lay by a Well side, and in the morning we entred the Suburbs; The Vice Roy was informed of us, and we were commanded to appear before him, who after he had examined us, [Page 207]and heard our Story, ordered we should be maintain­ed at his own Cost, till we could have passage to our own Country; But our English Ships seldom tra­ding thither, we petitioned the Vice Roy for Passage in the King of Spains Gallies, which were in the Road bound for Alicant, which he graciously granted us; After some other troubles, we met with contrary winds, and it was five weeks e're we could reach the Downs, where we arrived in Sept. 1644. The Com­mander of the Ship was Captain Smith of Rotherhith, Mr. Tho. Saunders, my Wives Brother being in Mayork, not long after we came from thence, saw our Boat hung up for a Monument upon the side of the great Church there; and Mr. Robert Hales was there 1671, and assures me, that he saw the naked Ribs and Ske­leton of it then hanging in the same place. Wanly Hist. Man. p. 642.

XII. A Ship of New-England going from Boston, to some other parts of America, was through the con­tinuance of contrary winds kept long at Sea, so that they were in very great straights for want of Provi­sion, and seeing they could not hope for any relief from the Earth, nor the Sea, they apply themselves to Heaven in humble and hearty Prayers, but no calm insuing, one of them made this sorrowful Moti­on, that they should cast Lots which of them should die first, to satisfie the ravenous Hunger of the rest; after many a sad debate, they came to a result, the Lot is cast, and one of the Company is taken, but where is the Executioner to be found to act this Of­fice upon a poor innocent? It is Death now to them to think who shall act this bloody part in the Trage­dy; But before they fall upon this involuntary Exe­cution, they once more went unto their Prayers, and while they were calling upon God, he answered them, for there leapt a mighty Fish into the Boat, which was a double joy to them, not only in relieving their miserable hunger, which no doubt made them quick Cooks, but because they lookt upon it to be sent from [Page 208]God, and was a Token of their deliverance; But alas the Fish is soon eaten, and their former Exigencies come upon them, which sunk their Spirits in des­pair, for they know not of another Morsel: To Lots they go again the second time, which falls upon ano­ther Person, but still none can be found to sacrifice him; they again send their Prayers to Heaven, with all manner of fervency, when behold a second an­swer from above; A great Bird lights, and fixes it self upon the Mast, which one of the Company espies, and up he goes, and there she stands, till he took her with his hand by the Wing; this was Life from the Dead a second time, and they feasted them­selves herewith, as hoping this second Providence was a fore-runner of their compleat deliverance; but they have still the same disappointments, they can see no Land, they know not where they are, hun­ger again increases upon them, and they have no hopes to be saved, but by a third miracle; they are re­duced the third time to the former course and straight to cast Lots, and when they were going to the heart­breaking work to put him to Death upon whom it fell, they go to God their old Friend in Adversity, by humble and hearty Prayers; and now they look, and look again, but there is nothing; their Prayers are concluded, and nothing appears, yet still they hoped and stayed, till at last one of them espies a Ship, which puts new Life into all their Spirits, they bear up with the Vessel, they man their Boat, they desire, and beg like perishing humble Suppliants to be taken in, which they are admitted, and the Commander being acquainted with one of them, re­lieves them plentifully, and sets them all safe ashore, to the great rejoycing of their Souls, Sea Delive­rances.

XIII. In the year 1616. One Pikman a Fleming coming from Droutheim in Norway, with a Vessel laden with Boards was overtaken with a calm, during which, the current of the Sea carried him upon a [Page 209]Rock, or little Island toward the Extremities of Scot­land, to avoid a wreck, he commanded some of his men to go into the Shallop, and to tow off the Ship; coming near the Island, they saw something which was more like a Ghost, than a living Creature; a Bo­dy stark naked, black and hairy, a meager and de­formed countenance, and hollow and distorted eyes; he fell on his knees, and joining his hands together, begged relief; which raised such compassion in them, that they took him into the Boat: There was in all the Island no Grass, nor Tree, nor ought whence a man could derive either sustenance or shelter, besides the ruins of a Boat wherewith he had made a kind of Hut to lie down under; The man gave this Relation of himself; That he was an English man, and that about a year before being to go in the Passage Boat from England to Dublin, they were taken by a French Pyrate, who being forced by a Tempest that immedi­ately arose to let go the Passage Boat, left us to the mercy of the Waves, which carried us into the main Sea, and at last split the Boat upon the Rock, where you took me in; I escaped with one more into the Island, where we indured the greatest Extremities. Of some of the boards of the Boat we made the Hut you saw, we took some Sea-mews which dryed in the Wind and Sun, we eat raw; In the Crevices of the Rocks on the Sea-side we found some Eggs, and thus we had as much as served to keep us from starving; But our thirst was most insupportable, for having no fresh-water but what fell from the Sky, and was left in certain pits which time had worn in the Rocks, we could not have it at all seasons, for the Rock lying low, was washed over with the Waves of the Sea; we lived in this condition six weeks, comforting one ano­ther in our common misfortune, till being left alone, it began to grow in supportable to me; for awaking one morning, and missing my Companion, I fell into such deep despair, that I had thoughts of casting my self headlong into the Sea, I know not what became of [Page 210]him, whither despair forced him to that extremity, or that looking for eggs on the steepy side of the Rock, he might fall into the Sea; I lost with my com­rade the Knife wherewith we killed Sea Dogs, and the Mews upon which we lived, so that not able to kill any more, I was reduced to this Extremity, to get out of the Boards of my Hut a great Nail, which I made shift so to sharpen upon the Rock, that it serv­ed me for a Knife: The same necessity put me upon another Invention, which kept me last winter, du­ring which, I indured the greatest misery imaginable, for finding the Lock and my Hut so covered with Snow, that it was impossible for me to get any thing abroad, I put out a little stick at the Crevice of my Hut, and baiting it with a little Sea Dogs fat, I by that means got some Sea-mews, which I took with my hand from under the Snow, and so I made a shift to keep my self from starving; I lived in this condi­tion and solitude above Eleven Months, and was re­solved to end my days in it, when God sent you hi­ther to deliver me out of the greatest misery that ever man was in; The Sea man having ended his discourse, the Master of the Ship treated him so well, that within a few days, he was quite another Creature, he set him a shore at Derry in Ireland, and afterward saw him at Dublin, where such as had heard what had happened to him, gave him wherewithal to re­turn into England. Mandelsloes Travels. P. 280.

XIV. A Ship of Holland being driven against her Will came to a place called Nova Zembla, where the Pole is elevated seventy six degrees, among many de­lays and great dangers scarce reached the Orange Islands; where they were set fast in a consolidated body of continued Ice, which threatned them every moment; at last being reduced to their ultimate hope, they resolve to return the same way they came, but now they find the Ship quite frozen up, not far from the shore, and thereupon they were forced to winter in Zembla, and wait for a better Season, there­fore [Page 211]taking our Boards and Plankes, they built a poor shelter for themselves and their stuff, and by good providence the Tyde had thrown up a good quanti­ty of Timber, they not knowing from whence it came, which proved of great advantage to them, during their aboad; Here they had continual Fights with Bears, who sometimes were driven away by making great outcryes, other times with shooting of them, but they found their Flesh unwolsome meat; for in that Countrey the wild Beasts, or Fishes of the Sea are food to the wild Beasts of the Land, the fat of the Bears they made use of to burn for lights in the night; At last to increase their misery, the Sun left them, which was the chief humane benefit they had; Thus were they in a barren Countrey in dark­ness, and having no company but the wild Beasts; Vast mountains of Snow they with great difficulty were forced to remove, least their Habitation should be overwhelmed, and if at any time they went forth, their jaws were so benummed, they could scarce re­cover their former heat; The Bears being in the dark, and dull of sight, did not venture much abroad to disturb them; but there were a multitude of Foxes, which they catcht in Traps, and made of them food and Raiment, yet after all this the Al­mighty preserved them, for in the Spring the Ice breaking, they got their Ship again, and sailed safe to Amsterdam. Grotius Annals.

XV. And the same Providence that has appeared so wonderfully for the protection and diliverance of poor distressed Creatures at Sea, has likewise been ve­ry merciful in preservation from most eminent dan­gers at Land, as among many Thousand others (re­corded in the Holy Scriptures, and others Histories) it is exceeding manifest from the following Instances; In 1539, not far from Sitten in Germany, in the time of great Dearth and Famine, a certain Religious Matron having two Sons, and destitute of all manner of sustenance, went with her Children to a Fountain [Page 212]hard by; praying to Almighty God, That he would [...] his infinite goodness relieve their hunger; as she was go­ing, a Person unknown met her by the way, and sa­luted her very kindly, asking her whither she was go­ing, who confessed to him That she was walking to that Fountain there, hoping to have some relief from Al­mighty God, to whom all things are possible, for (said she) if he nourished the Children of Israel in the Wilder­ness forty years, it will not be difficult for him to besto [...] a draught of water upon me, and my Children, when she had spoken these words, the man (who doubtles [...] was an Angel of God) told her, That seeing her Faith was so constant, she should return home, and should there find six bushel of meal, for the support of her self, and her Children; the Woman returning home, found i [...] to be according to his word. Beards Theatre p. 442.

XVI. Philip Melancthon reporteth, that in a Vil­lage near Signea, a Woman sent her Son into the wood to fetch home her Cattle, in the mean while there fell so great a Snow, that the Boy could not re­turn home again, his Parents being much troubled went the next day to seek him, and within three days found him in the midst of the wood, in a place where the Snow had not fallen, They asked him why he did not make hast home, he answered, That he stay'd till it was Evening, being insensible both o [...] the time and the cold, They then demanded whither he had eat any Victuals; the Boy replyed, There we [...] a man brought him Victuals, which he did eat, which they supposed to be his good Angel, who had been thus kind to him, and preserved him from so great [...] danger. Beards Theatre. p. 440.

XVII. In the Year 1565. There fell so much rai [...] in Islebia, that the waters bore down all before them and particularly the house of a man, where a Chil [...] lay in the Cradle, which the Father, with the haza [...] of his Life brought forth, and carryed into a Neigh [...] hours house hard by; he then indeavoured to saw two more of his Children, and took them in his arm [...] [Page 113]arms to carry them out of his house, but the waters were so strong, that one of his Children sitting upon a beam, was carryed away, and himself and the other were carried into the Orchard, where finding some ground he stood up to the neck in water, with the Child in his arms, and looking about for his other Child, he saw it sitting upon the piece of Timber, swimming toward him, which he likewise took into his arms, and getting upon an high pile of Wood, he continued with them there all night, none being able to afford him any help; next morning, when the waters where decreased, he came down, and looked for two other of his Children, whom he had left in the upper Room of the house, where he found the two Innocents fast a sleep; he had no sooner taken them from thence but that part of the house fell also, which was a visible sign of Gods holy prote­ction over them all. Beards Theatre. p. 444.

XVIII. In the horrid and bloody Rebellion in Ireland, a Religious Gentlewoman (with some others in her Company) was forced to fly for her Life, she having three Children, whereof one was at her Breast, but alas, these poor trembling Travellers had not gone far, before they were stripped naked by the Irish, who to admiration spared their lives but pas­sing on, they came to a River where more of these bloody Villains met them, and would have drowned them therein; this virruous Gentlewoman being not in the least discouraged, desired a small time, to pray, and as she lay naked on the frozen Ground, she began to consider, and resolve within her self, not to go vo­luntarily to so injust a Death; upon which her refusal, these miscreants dragged her by the heels, along the ground, with the rest of the Company, upon which she turned upon them, and on her knees said, You should I am sure be Christians, and men I see you are; in taking away our miserable lives you do us a pleasure; but know as we never wronged you nor yours, you must dye also your selves, and one day give an Account of this [Page 214]Cruelty to the Judge of Heaven and Earth: Upon which, says an Irish Priest, Let us not take their lives, but we will put them into the Island of Lake; and a Boat being in the River, eight of them who were all then in Company, are put into the Island naked, and with­out meat, where after four dayes, some of them dy­ed of hunger and cold, but not this Woman, nor any of her Children; for the next day the two Boys sound the hide of a Beast which had been killed, this, they and the Mother indeavoured to cast over them, lying upon the snow; the day after, a Boat goes by them, whom the poor Woman beseeches for Gods sake to carry her out of that place, but they being Irish, refused it; she then desires a little bread, but they answer they have none; then she begs a coal of Fire, for she had some fuel in the Boat, and thus with some Chips they mad a Fire, and the Boys taking a piece of the Hide, layd it upon the Coals, and began to gnaw it, but alas, without an extraordinary divine support, what could this do? thus they lived ten days without any visible supplys, and that good Wo­man profest it was by Faith in God she lived; for she had no Bread, but Ice and Snow, nor any Drink, but Water; but she said, she thought God put more substance into it, for it seemed as it were clammy. The next day a Boat carryed her out to the side of the Bandwater where yet she had been lost, but that she could not indure to see her Children dye in her sight, and therefore though the Two Boys were young, and so famished with hunger, that they had no strength, she perswaded them to go out of her fight, under pre­tence of seeking some Fire; the poor Children had not gone far, but they saw two or three great Dogs cating a man that had been killed; the Children were afraid of the Dogs, who needed not to have feared any thing, but to live in such a Condition; but one of the Dogs came running, and leaped upon one of the Children, without doing him the least hurt; and would run a little before, and then tarry till the Chil­dren [Page 215]came to him, and so led them to a house where smoke appeared, which was an Irish mans, protected by the English in Antrum, where they were courteously received, and the Mother sent for, and were all thus miraculously preserved, through the great mercy of God. Remarkable Deliverances. P. 19.

XIX. A terrible Tempest happened at Turin, in 1558. which beat down Houses, tore up Trees by the Roots, and by a mighty inundation of water drowned above forty persons, yet in the midst of Judgment God remembred mercy? for a Woman, who was newly brought to bed was drowned but the Infant she was delivered of, lying in the Cradle, was carried with the Violence of the water a great way off, and at last the Cradle stopping at the bough of an Apple-Tree, stood there firm, till the waters decreas­ed, and after several days was sound alive. Another Child at Friburg in Misnia falling into the River, was violently carried a great way, till it came to a Mill, where it stopped, and was miraculously taken up alive, Beards Theatre P. 442.

XX. Queen Elizabeth of glorious memory was of­ten in very great dangers, and as often delivered, but especially in her Sister O, Maries Reign, for while she was a Prisoner at Woodstock, a Fire was kindled between the Boards of her Chamber, which was veri­ly supposed to be done on purpose to have burned her, but it was happily prevented: Likewise a Rufri­an, who was one of her Keepers was suborned to Murther her, but this was also prevented by Divine Providence; At another time, Stephen Gardner, Bi­shop of Winchester sent a Villain to dispatch her, but could not have admittance, because of the absence of Sir Henry Beningfield, whe had commanded his Brother not to suffer any man whatsoever, to come to her, till his return: Lastly, while she was a Prisoner in the Tower a Writ was sent for her Execution, by the procurement of Gardner, but the Lieutenant going presently to Q. Mary, she disowned the knowledge [Page 216]thereof, and thereby she was wonderfully delivered Clarks Exam. 2 Part. P. 614.

XXI. in the Reign of Queen Mary, Dr. Sands and Dr. Cox fled both out of England in the same Ship, and before the Ship was out of sight, two of the Queens Guard were upon the Sea-shore to have apprehended Dr. Sands; but they had so prosperous a passage, that they landed safely at Antwerp, and were invited to the house of one Mr, Lock to Dinner; as they were at Table, Mr, George Gilpia the English Secretary came to them, and whispering Dr. Sands, told him, That King Philip made search for him to apprehend him, whereupon he immediately rose ftom Dinner, and though it rained very fast, yet he went out of the Gate, which leads to Cleaveland, and so made his escape to Strasburg, Clarks Mirrour, 2.616.

XXII. In the year 1640. Dr. James Ʋsher, Lord Primate of Ireland came over into England, being in­vited thereunto by some eminent Persons, wherein the special Providence of God did manifest it self for his preservation, it being the year before the bloody Rebellion broke out in Ireland, as if according to the Angels speech to Lot, nothing could be done there, till he was come hither and escaped to this Zoar. Clark's Lives.

To Conclude, innumerable are the Examples of the Almighty's Protection, and deliverance of the in­nocent, and those that trust in him in all Ages of the world, for as he punisheth the wicked with most se­vere Judgments, so he protecteth those that fear him, by the extraordinary assistance of his Holy Angels, to fulf [...] the Truth of what the Apostles Write. Heb. 1.14. That they are ministring Spirits sent forth to mini­ster to them, who shall be Heirs of Salvation.

CHAP. VII.

VVE read in the Holy Scriptures, that the Al­mighty resisteth the proud, but he giveth Grace to the humble; and therefore how passionate­ly, and compassionately doth he exhort, and per­swade men to Repentance, and Reformation, decla­ring that whosoever cometh unto him, he will in no wise cast off; yea, though their Sins and Transgres­sions are of a Scarlet and Crimson dye, even of the greatest magnitude, yet if they will forsake their evil ways, he will have mercy upon them, and save them; How vain therefore, and foolish are those de­sperate men in our Age, who having long continued in wicked and evil courses, endeavour to incourage themselves therein, by perswading themselves, and their wretched Companions, that there is no future account to be given in another world; which wick­ed attempt is ridiculous, as well as dangerous; since besides the undeniable evidence of the Holy Scrip­tures, and the Divine Providence whereby the whole world was Created, and is Governed; it is al­so very apparent, that all sorts of Men, of all Condi­tions, as Emperours, Kings, Philosophers, States­men, &c. of all Religions, Heathens, Jews, Mahome­tans, Christians; Of all Opinions among Christians, and of all Tempers, whether strict and serious, or loose and debauched, in all Ages of the World, from the Creation, they have left this great Observation behind them, That upon Experience they have found, [Page 218]that what vain Thoughts soever men may in the heat of their Youth, and Lust, entertain of Religion, yet they will sooner, or later f [...]el a [...] Testimony which God hath given in­to every ones Breast, which will one day make them seri­ous, either by the inexpressible Fears, Terrours, and Ago­nies of a Troubled mind, or by the inconceivable Peace, Joy, and Comfort of a good Conscience; and of this we have many late, as well as former examples; some of which may be very necessary to be here inserted, to manifest the Truth thereof.

I. St. Augustin is a famous Instance of Repen­tance, as we find very lively discribed in his Confessi­ons; some few of which, I shall repeat in his own words, In my Youth, I even burnt to be satisfied in these lower pleasures, and what was it I delighted in, but to love, and be loved? yea, I boiled over in my Fornications, and thou heldest thy peace, then wan­dred I still further from thee, O my Joy, into other, and more fruitless seed-plots of sorrows with a proud dejectedness, and an untyred weariness, but didst thou indeed hold thy peace to me? No surely, for whose but thine were the words which my Mother, one of thy faithful Children sang in my Ears? for I will remember, she privately charged me, and with very much earnestness fore-warned me, That I should not commit simple Fornication, but especially that I should never defile another mans Wife: These seemed to me no better than Womens advices, which it would be a shame for me to follow; but they were thy Counsels indeed, and I knew it not; but ran headlong with such stupid blindness, that I was ashamed amongst my Equals to be guilty of less impudence, than they were, whom I heard to boast mightily of their De­baucheries, and glorying the more, the more beastly they had been; Yea, and I took pleasure in commit­ting of wickedness, not for the Pleasure of the Act only, but for the praise and credit of it also; What is worthy of dispraise, if Vice be not? But I made my self worse than indeed I was, that I might not be [Page 219]dispraised, and when I wanted opportunity to com­mit that naughtiness which should make me as bad as the worst, I would pretend I had done what I never did, that I might not be counted cowardly, in being inno­cent, nor faint hearted, in being more chast than they: Behold with what Companions I walked the Streets of Babylon, and I wallowed my self in the mire of it, as if I had reposed in a Bed of Spices, and most precious Ointments, and my invisible Enemy se­duced me to the very center of sin, so that I ran into all manner of dissoluteness, and practised whatsoever I affected; a mist in the mean time depriving my sight, O my God, of the brightness of thy Truth, and mine Iniquity came from me, as if swelling from fat­ness. Surely thy Law, O Lord, punisheth Thievery, yea, and this Law is so written in our hearts, that Iniquity it self cannot blot it out: For what Thief does willingly abide a man to steal from him? no not a rich Thief, though his follow be driven to steal upon necessity: Yet had I a desire to commit Thievery, and did it, compelled neither by hunger, nor pover­ty, but even through a cloyedness of welldoing, and a pamperdness of Iniquity; for I stole that, of which I had enough of my own, and much better; nor when I had done, cared I to enjoy the thing which I had stoln, but only rejoycing in the Theft, and [...] it self: A Pear Tree there was in the Orchard next our Vineyard, will laden with Fruit, though not much tempting, either for colour, or taste: To the robbing of this, a Company of lewd young Fellows of us went late on night, (having according to our idle custom, continued in our Gaming Houses till that time) from whence we came loaden with Fruit, not for our own liquorishness, but even to throw to the Hogs; and all this we did, not because we might do it but because we would: Behold my heart O Lord, behold my heart, which thou hast pity upon in the very bottom of the bottomless Pit: For I most wretched Young Fellow, unhappy that I was, I was unhappy in the [Page 220]very entrance into my Youth; It is true, I begged Chasti­ty at thy hands, and said, Give me Chastity, and Continency but do not give it me yet, for I was afraid that thou wouldst hear me too soon, and too soon deliver me from my Disease of Incontinency, which my desire was rather to have satisfied than extinguished; But now was the day come wherein I was to be set naked before my self, and when mine own Conscience was to convince me, for I found a vast Tempest in my own Soul which hurried me into a Garden, where I might be only with my self; at which time, I was most soberly mad, being sensible enough what piece of misery I at present was, but utterly ignorant how good I was shortly to grow; I sat me down fretted in Spirit, and angry at my self with a most Tempe­stuous Indignation, for that I went not about to make my Peace and League with thee, my God, which all my bones cryed out upon me to do, extolling it to the very Skies, upon which, giving liberty to my tears, the flouds of mine Eyes gushed out, which was an acceptable Sacrifice to thee, O Lord, and then I cryed out, How long? How long? O Lord, wilt thou be angry for ever, still to morrow, to morrow, why not now? Wherefore in this very hour is there not an end put to my uncleanness; Thus much I uttered weeping in the bitter contrition of my heart, when behold I heard a voice, as of a Boy or Child that seemed to come from some Neighbouring house, which said in a sing­ing Tune, Take up and read, Take up and read, which was often repeated; Instantly hereupon, I changed my Countenance, and began to consider whether Children were used to sing any such words, but I could not remember to have ever heard the like, whereupon drying up the violent Torrent of my Tears, I got me up, interpreting it no other way, but that I was from God himself commanded to open the book, and to read that Chapter which I should first light upon; Hastily therefore I went, where I [Page 221]had left the Apostles Book, and snatching it up opened it, and in silence read that Chapter which I first cast mine eyes upon; Not in riating and drunkenness, not in chambring and wanton­ness, not in strife and envying, but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the fl [...]sh, to fulfil the Lusts thereof; No further would I read, nor need­ed I, for instantly, with the end of this sentence, a Divine beam of Light, Comfort and Peace darted in­to my heart, and all the darkness of doubting vanish­ed away, and thou, O my dear Lord, didst thereby so throughly convert me to thy self, as that I have no other hopes, nor thoughts in this world but of thee; for which, let my heart praise thee, and my Tongue, yea, let all my Bones say, O Lord, who is like unto thee, and do thou answer me, and say unto my Soul, I am thy Salvation. St. Austins Confessions.

II. Wonderful is the Account which we find in Mr. Baxters Crucifying of the world, in these words; Sophronius, Bishop of Jerusalem delivereth the fol­lowing History as a most certain, and Infallible Truth to Posterity; That Leontius Apamipusis, a most fa­mous and Religious man, who lived many years at Cyrene assured them, that Synesius, who of a Philo­sopher became a Bishop, found at Cyrene one Evagri­us a Philosopher, who had been his old Acquaintance, Fellow Student, and Intimate Friend, but an obsti­nate Heathen: Synesius was earnest with him, (but in vain) to become a Christian, yet following his Argu­ments for Christianity very close, Evagrius discourses with him to this purpose, That to him it s [...]d but a meer Fable and deceit, that the Christian Religion [...]ach­eth men that this world shall have an end, and that all men shall rise again in these B [...]lies, and their Flesh be made immortal and incorruptible, and that they shall so live for ever, and shall receive the reward of all that they have done in the Body, and that he that hath pity on the poor, lendeth to the Lord, and he that giveth to the poor and needy, shall have Treasure in Heaven, and shall [Page 222]receive an hundred fold from Christ, together with eter­nal Life; Synesius assured him, and proved to him by very cogent Arguments, that these things were most true, and certain, insomuch that being converted thereby, he and his Family were baptized, Eva­grius soon after brought Three Hundred Pound in Gold to Synesius, to be distributed among the poor, upon condition that he would give him a Bill under his hand, that Jesus Christ would repay him in another World, which he did accordingly; Evagrius fell sick not long after, and thinking he should die, ordered his Sons, to put Synesius his Bill into his Hand, which was done, after which he died, and was buried: About Three days after the Philosopher seemed to appear to Synesius in the Night, and to say to him, Come to my Sepulchre where I lie, and take the Bill, for I have received the Debts, and am satisfied, and for thy assurance, I have written a discharge with my own hand. The Bishop told Evagrius his Sons what he had seen, though he knew nothing of the Bill put into his hand; whereupon they all go to the Sepulchre, and opening it, found the Bill in the Dead mans hand, thus sub­scribed, Ego Evagrius, &c. in English, I Evagrius the Philosopher, To the Holy Bishop Syn [...]us Greeting, I have received the Debt which in this Paper is written with thy hand, and am satisfied, neither have I any Action against th [...]e for the Gold that I gave thee, and by thee to Christ our Saviour: They that saw the thing, admired, and glorified God, who gave such wonderful Evidences of his fulfilling his Promises to his Servants; And saith Leontius, this Bill thus subscribed by the Philoso­pher, is kept at Cyrene most carefully in the Church to this day, to be seen of as many as desire it: And though (saith Mr. Baxter) we have a sure word of Pro­mise sufficient to build our hope upon, yet I thought it not wholly unprofitable to cite this History, from so credible Antiquity, that the Works of God may be had in remembrance. Baxter Crucifying the World, Preface.

III. C [...]sar Baronius tells, that there was an entire Friendship between Michael Mercatus the Elder, and Marsilius Ficinus; and this Friendship was the stron­ger between them, by reason of a mutual agreement in their studies; It happened that these two discour­sed together usually of the State of man after Death, and when they could not agree in some particulars, they concluded with this firm agreement, That which soever of them two should first depart out of this Life, should (if possible) give an account to the Survivor, of the State of the other Life, and whether the Soul be immortal, or not; This agreement being made, and mutually sworn to, they departed: In a short time after, it fell our, that while Michael Mercatus was one morning early at his study, upon a sudden, he heard the noise of a Horse opon the Gallop; and then stopping at the door, and immediately he heard the voice of his Friend Marsilius, crying out to him, O Michael, Mi­cheal, those things are true, they are true; Michael wondring to hear his Friends voice, rose up, and opened his Casement, where he saw the back part of him, whom he had heard speak, in white, and gal­loping away upon a white Horse; He called after him, Marsilius, Marsilius, and followed him with his eye, but he soon vanished out of sight; Michael amazed at this extraordinary accident, very strictly inquired if any thing had happened to Marsilius, (who then lived at Florence, some distance from thence, where he likewise breathed his last;) and he found upon strict, inquiry, that he dyed at that very time, when he was thus seen and heard by him. Wanly Hist. Man. P. 88.

IV. About the year 1060. There was a great Doctor buried at Paris, at the enterring of whom, when the Priest in the form then used, came to the words, Re­sponde mihi, Answer me, the Corps sat upright on the Bier, and to the amazement of all that were there, cryed out, Justo Dei judicio accusatus sum; At the just Tribunal of God I am accused, lying presently down [Page 224]again; The attendants being astonished, deferred the Funeral till the next day, to see the Issue of this strange accident, at which time a multitude met to observe the event; when at the same words again repeated, the disturbed Body riseth again, and with the like hideous noise cryed out, Justo Dei Judicio Judicatus sum: By the just Judgment of God I am judg­ed; The People being yet more amazed, deferred the Interment one day longer, when almost the whole City thronged to this strange Burial, and in the presence of them all, at the reciting of the same words, he rose up the third time, and cryed out Justo Dei Judicio condemnatus sum, by the just Judgment of God I am condemned, whereat as the whole City were affrighted, so Bruno, an eminent Doctor in that Uni­versity, was seriously affected, and told them, That as they had formerly heard, so now they saw, the Judg­ments of the Lord were unsearchable, and past finding out, for this Person whom we honoured for the strictness of his Life, the modesty, and unblamableness of his Conversa­tion, cryeth out now, that he is damned by the just Judg­ment of God: This dreadful Example he inforced up­on the minds of the Auditors, with so many prevailing Arguments, that by the Blessing of God, several of them retired themselves from the world, and spent the rest of their days wholly in the service of God, and preparing their Souls for an Eternal State in the world to come. Dying Mens words. p. 196.

V. Charles the 5th. Emperor of Germany, King of Spain, and Lord of the Netherlands, after Three and Twenty Pitcht Battles, six Triumphs, Four King­doms won, and Eight Principalities added to his Do­minions, which he ruled over Fourteen years, yet, at last resigned all these, retired to his Devotion in a Monastery, had his own Funeral celebrated before his face, and left this Testimony of Christian Reli­gion, That the sincere profession thereof had in it those sweets and Joys that Courts were Strangers to. And Philip the Third of Spain lying on his Death Bed in [Page 225]1621, sent thrice at Midnight for Florentius his Con­fessor, who with the Provincial of Castile discoursed to him of approaching Death, exhorting him to submit to Gods will, so gravely, that the King himself could not chuse but weep, and after some intermission from his tears, and thanks for his wholsome admonition, the King spake thus to him, Do you not remember that in your Sermon on Ash-Wednesday, you said that some of your Auditors might dye that Lent; this concerns me, for lo my fatal hour is now at hand but shall I obtain eter­nal felicity? which words he uttered with great grief and trouble, adding likewise to his Confessor, You have not hit upon the right way of healing, is there no other Remedy? Which when he observed the Con­fessor thought he meant of his Body, the King added, Ah, I am not solicitous of my Body, nor of my temporary Disease, but of my Soul; The Confessor mournfully an­swered, I have done what I could, I must commit the rest to Gods providence; Florentius then discoursed at large of Gods mercy, remembring His Majesty what he had done for the Honour and Worship of that God, to which the King replyed, Ah how happy were I, had I spent these Twenty three years, wherein I have held my Kingdom, in a retirement. Florentius answe­red, That it would be very acceptable to God, if he would lay his Kingdom, his Majesty, his Life, and his Salvation at the feet of his Crucified Saviour, Jesus Christ, and submit himself to his Will; Willingly, wil­lingly will I do this (said the Heart-sick King) and from this moment do I lay all that God hath given me, my Do­minions, Power, and my Life at the Feet of Jesus Christ my Saviour, who was crucified for me, and then among his last words he said to Florentius, Now really you have suggested to me very great comfort. Fair Warning P. 160.

VI. Prince Henry, Eldest Son to King James, and Queen Anne, was most zealous in his love to Religion and Piety, and his heart was bent, if he had lived, to have indeavoured to compound those unkind Jars [Page 226]and differences that were among Religious men; He told the Dean of Rochester, That he thought, that wherea [...] he, and others like him, did as usual look him in th [...] face when they came first into the Pulpit, their Counte­nance did as it were, say to him, Sir, you must hear m [...] diligently, you must have a care to observe what I say He used to say, he knew no sport worth an Oath, and that he knew not what they called Puritan Preaching [...] but he loved that Preaching which went next his heart, and spake, as if they knew the mind of God; His last words were; O Christ, thou art my Redeemer, and [...] know that thou hast Redeemed me, I wholly depend upon thy Providence, and Mercy from the very bottom of my heart; I commend my soul into thy hand: A Person o [...] Quality waiting on the Prince in his sickness, who had been his constant Companion at Tennis, and ask­ing how he did, he answered, Ah Tom, I in vain wish for that time I lost with thee and others in vain Re­creation, He then added, Now my Soul be glad, for at all parts of this Prison, the Lord hath set his aid to loose thee, Head, F [...]et, Milt, and Liver are failing; Arise therefore, and shake off thy Fetters, mount from thy Body, and go thy way O [...] of his Life, p.

VII. H [...]o Grotius, the greatest Schollar that his Age boasted of, after so many Embassys happily per­formed abroad, and as many Transactions well mana­ged at home; After an exact survey of all the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin Learning, after an unanswerable Treatise of the Truth of the Christian Religion, and many other Elaborate Discourses in Divinity, and other parts of Learning, concluded his Life with this Protestation, That he would give all his Learning, and Honour for the plain Integrity, and harmless innocence of John Urick; who was a devout poor man, that spent Eight hours of his time in Prayer, Eight in Labour, and but Eight in Sleep, and other necessaries, He also made this complant to another, who admired his astonishing Industry, Ah! Vitam perdidi, operose nihil agendo; Ah! I have lost my Life in doing nothing [Page 227]industriously, and gave this direction only to another, who desired it, as knowing his great Wisdom and Learning, Be serious. When he was on his Death-Bed, he sent for a Minister, professing himself to be the poor Publican, saying, That he had nothing to trust to, but the Mercy of God in Jesus Christ, and wishing that all the world saw as much reason in Religion as he did. Dying Mens words. p. 162.

VIII. Salmasius, that Excellent French Schollar (whom the Learned men of his time never mention without such Expressions as these, vir nunquam satis laudatus, &c. A man never enough to be praised, nor to be mentioned without admiration) went out of the World with these words in his mouth, Oh, I have lost a world of Time! Time that most precious thing in the world, whereof had I but one year longer, it should be spent in Davids Psalms, and St. Pauls Epistles; Oh Sirs (said he to these about him,) mind the World less, and God more: all the Learning in the world, without true Piety, and the Fear of God, is nothing worth; The fear of the Lord, that is Wisdom, and to depart from Evil, that is understanding. Ibid [...]m. p. 161.

IX. Sir Francis Walsingham, Secretary of State in Queen Elizabeths Reign, toward the latter end of his Life writ to the Lord Chancellor Burleigh to this purpose, We have lived enough to our Countrey, to our Fortunes, and to our Soveraign; it is high time we begin to live to our selves, and to our God; in the multitude of Assairs that passed through our hands, there must be some miscarriages, for which a whole Kingdom cannot make our peace: And being observed to be more melan­choly than usual, some Court Humorists were sent to di­vert him, Ah (said Sir Francis) while we laugh, all things are serious round about us; God is serious, when he pre­serveth us, and hath patience toward us; Christ is seri­ous when he dyeth for us; the Holy Ghost is serious when he striveth with us; the Holy Scripture is serious when it is read before us; Sacraments are serious when they are administred to us; The whole Creation is serious in serv­ing [Page 228]God and us; those that are in Heaven and Hell are serious, and shall a man that hath one foot in the grave, jest and laugh? Wanly Hist. Man. p. 646.

X. Sir Tho. Smith, after he had many years served Q. Elizabeth, also as Secretary of State, and done many considerable Services to the Kingdom; A quarter of a year before he dyed, layd aside all pub­lick Imployment, and discharging all his worldly Affairs, and Attendants, sent to two Reverend Di­vines, his singular good Friends, intreating them to draw him out of the word of God, the plainest, and axactest way of making his peace with God, and living Godly in this present world, adding, That it was great pity men knew not, (or at least did not seri­ously consider) to what end they were born into this world, till they were ready to go out of it. Fair warning. p. 168.

XI. Doctor Donne, a Person of as great Parts and Spirit as any this Nation ever beheld, when he was upon his Death-bed, took his solemn farewell of his most considerable Friends, leaving this with them, I repent of all my Life, but that part of it which I spent in communion with God, and doing good: That Person in a dying hour shall wish himself not a man, who hath not been a good Christian. Idem. p. 164.

XI. Arch-Bishop Ʋsher, that Famous, Learned, and most pious Divine, after his indefatigable pains, as a Christian, a Schollar, a Bishop and a Preacher, went out of the world with this Prayer, Lord forgive me my sins of Omission; and desired to dye as Mr. Per­kins did, imploring the mercy and favour of God. Idem. p. 164.

XIII. Sir Philip Sydney, a Subject indeed of Eng­land but they say chosen King of Poland, whom Q. Elizabeth called Her Philip, and the Prince of Orange called his Master, whose Friendship the Lord Brooks was so proud of, that he would have this to be part of his Epitaph, Here lyeth Sir Philip Sidneys Friend; whose Death was lamented in Verse by the then Kings [Page 229]of France and Scotland, and the two Universities of England, This great man lamented so much at his Death, the innocent vanity of his Life in writing his Arcadia, that to prevent the unlawful kindling of heats in others, he would have committed it to the Flames himself, and left this farewel among his Friends; Love my Memory, cherish my Friends, their Faith to me may [...]ssure you they are honest, but above all, govern your Will and Affections by the Will and Word of your Creator, and in me behold the end of this world, and all its vanities. Ibidem. p. 136.

XIV. Sir Henry Wotton, after his many years stu­dy, with great proficiency and applause in the Uni­versity, his near Relation to the great Favourite, the E. of Essex, his intimacy with the Duke of Tuscany, and James the 6th. King of Scotland, his Embassyes to Holland, Germany, Venice, &c. was only ambitious of the Provostship of Eaton, being exceeding desi­rous to retire thither, to injoy his beloved Study and Devotion, saying often, That this was the happiest time of his life, it being the utmost happiness which a man could attain to, to be at leasure to be, and to do good; never reflecting on the spending of his former years without tears, and would often say, How much time have I to repent of, and how little to do it in. Idem. p. 154.

XV. Sir John Mason, Privy Councellor to King Hen. 8. and K. Edw. 6. upon his death-Bed called for his Clerk and Steward, to whom he spake to this pur­pose, I have seen five Princes, and been Privy Coun­cellor to four; I have seen the most observable matters in Forreign parts, and been present at most Transactions for 30 years together, and I have learned this after many years experience, that Seriousness is the greatest wisedom, Temperance the best Physick, and a good Conscience is the best Estate, and were I to live again, I would change the Court for a Church, my Privy Councellers business, and bustle for an Hermits retirement, and the whole life I lived in the Pallace for one hours enjoyment of God in the [Page 230]Chappel, all things else forsake me beside my God, my du­ty, and my prayer. Idem p. 153.

XVI. Mr. Howard, (afterward the learned E. o [...] Northampton) being disturbed with Atheistical suggesti­ons, put them all off this way,, If I could give any ac­count how my self or any thing else had a being without God, how there came so uniform, and so constant a consent of mankind of all ages, tempers, and educations, (dif­fering so much otherwise in their apprehensions) about the being of a God, the Immortality of the Soul, and Religion, in which they could not likely either deceive so many, or be­ing so many, could not be deceived, I could then be a [...] Atheist. And when it was urged, that Religion was only a State Policy to keep men in awe; he replved, he could not believe it, since he was sensible that the great­est Polititians have sooner or later felt the power of Reli­gion in the grievous la [...]hes of their Consciences, and the dre [...]dfulness of their apprehensions about that state where­in they must live for ever. Idem p. 151.

XVII. Galeacius Carraciolus Marquess of Vico, a Noble Person of a great Estate, powerful Relations, both in the Emperour of Germany and the Popes Court, (the last of which was his near Relation) notwithstanding the great promises, and most endearing Letters of his kin­dred the bitter cryes and tears of his Parents, his wife and children, the loss both of his honour and estate; yet this worthy Person broke through all these temporal [...] engagements, forsook his Country and all that was dear to him, to go to Geneva, and imbrace a reproached des­pised, and persecuted Gospel, chusing rather with Moses (to whom he is compared) to suffer Afflictions with the People of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, estee­ming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of this world, because he had a respect to the recompence of reward, and endured, as seeking him who is invisible; He used to say, That he should not look upon himself to be worthy [...]o see the face of God, if he did not prefer one hours communion with Christ before all the riches and pleasures of the world. Galeacius's Life.

XVIII. Famous and remarkable is the instance of the late Earl of R [...]chester, who though he spent a great part of his life in the height of At [...]i [...]ne, and all manner of prophaness and debauche­ry, yet upon his dying bed God was graciously pleased to hear the prayers of his nearest Relations, and true friends, so that he became a most admirable Penitent, of which I shall instance some few particulars, as they are published by two Reverend Divines; He was the Son of the famous Lord W [...]mot, and was a great profici­ent in learning; in the year One thousand six hundred and sixty he went to the University, at which time the general joy which over­run the whole Nation upo [...] h [...]s Majesties Restoration, was not re­gulated wi [...] that [...]o [...]i [...]ry and t [...]mperance which became a serious gratitude to God for s [...]ch a [...]lessing, which had some ill effects in him, so that he [...]ga [...] to love those disorders too much: for after having travell [...]d [...]r some time, he returned back to the Court, where falling into company who loved those excesses, he was at length intirely subdued by intemp [...]rance, so that he confessed for five years together he was continually drunk, not all the while un­der the vi [...]ible effects of it, but his blood was so inflamed, that he was not in all that time cool enough to be perfectly master of him­self, which led him to do many wild and unaccountable things, and being a Person of extraordinary parts, his sins were like them, so that he seemed to affect something singular in his Impieties, as well as writings, above the reach of other men, taking all manner of pains to pervert others to wickedness, nay so confirmed was he in sin, that he lived, and almost oftentimes dyed a Martyr to it: The licenciousness of his temper, with the briskn [...]ss of his wit, disposed him to love the conversation of those who divided their time be­tween lewd actions, and irregular mirth, and so he came to bend his wit, and direct his studies, and endeavours, to support, and strengthen these ill principles of Atheism and irreligion in himself and others; An accident fell out about this time which confirmed him more in these courses, for going to Sea in the year 1665 there happened to be in the same ship with him Mr Montague, and ano­ther Gentleman of Quality, these two, but especially the last, seem­ed p [...]rswaded, That they should never return into England, and Mr. Montague said, he was sure of it, upon which the E. of Rochester entered into an engagement with the other Gentleman, not with­out Ceremonies of Religion, (Mr. Montague refusing it) That if ei­ther of them died [...]e should appear, and give the other notice of the future state, if there were any; After which in a fight with the Dutch, toward the latter end of the Action, the Gentleman afore­mentioned fell on a sudden into such a trembling, that he could scarce stand, and Mr. Montague going to hold him up, as they were in each others arms, a Canon Bulle [...] kild him out-right, and carried away Mr. Montagues Belly, so that he died in an hour after; but this Gentleman never appeared to the E. of Rochester afterward, [Page 232]which was a great snare to him during the rest of his life; after which he went on to commit all iniquity with greediness, and yet even this desperate Tinner, that one would think had made a Cove­nant with death, and was at an agreement with [...]ell, and just upon the brink of them born, yet even now God to magnifie the riches of his Grace and Mercy, was pleased to snatch him out of the fire; so that falling into a great fit of sickness, he laboured under strange trouble and conflicts of mind, his spirit being wounded, and his Conscience full of Terrour, and saying, If that God who dyed for great as well as lesser sinners, did not speedily apply his infinite mercies to his poor soul, his wound was such as no man could conceive or bear, crying out, That he was the vilest wretch and Dog that the Sun shined upon, or the Earth bore, that he now saw his error in not living up to that reason which God endued him with, and which he unworthily vili­fied and contemned, wishing he had been a starving Leper crawling in a Ditch, that he had been a Link boy or a beggar, or for his whole life time confined to a Dungeon, rather than to have sinned against his God, and acknowledged, that all the seeming absurdities of Religion, and the Holy Scriptures, and the contradictions thereof, framed by men of corrupt and reprobate Judgments were now vanished, and the excellency and beauty thereof appeared, he being now come to receive the truth in the love of it; And upon his death bed gave command to his Reverend Chaplain, to preach abroad, and to let all men know how severely God had disciplined him for his sins by his afflicting hand, that his sufferings were most just, tho he had laid ten thousand times more upon him; and how God had laid on him one stripe upon another, because of his grievous provocations, till he had brought him home to himself, and declaring, that from the bottom of his soul he did detest and abher the whole course of his former wicked life, and admired the goodness of God who had given him a true sense of his pernicious opini­ons and vile practises, warning all men in the name of God, and as they regard the welfare of their souls no more to deny his Being, or his providence, or despise his goodness, no more to make a mock of sin, or contemn the pure and excellent Religion of the ever Blessed Redeemer, through whose Merits alone he who was one of the greatest of Sinners, did yet hope for mercy and forgiveness; and in this Penitent and Religi­ous temper, and frame of Spirit, he sometime after gave up the Ghost. Rechesters Life and Sermon.

XIX. I shall conclude all with some brief remarks out of the Life of that Excellent and Worthy Person, the late Lord Chief Justice Hales, as lately published by a Reverend Divine. This Gentle [...]an was descended rather from a good, than a Noble Family, and about the Seventeenth year of his Age went to Oxford, where he was placed under an able Tutor, and was an extraordinary proficient; but the Stage-Plays coming thither, he was so much corrupted by seeing many Plays, that he almost wholly forsook his Studies, of which mischief being sensible, he at his coming to London, resolved [Page 233] [...]ver to see a Play again, to which he constantly adhered; but one [...]rruption of the mind draws on another, so that he fell into many [...]uthful vanities, and kept too much ill Company with some vain [...]eople, till a sad accident drove him from it, for he, with some other [...]oung Persons being invited out of Town to be merry, one of the [...]ompany called for so much Wine, and went on in such excess, that though Mr. Hale would have prevented it) he fell down as dead [...]efore them, so that all that were present, were not a little affrighted [...] it, who did what they could to bring him to himself again; This [...]d Particularly affect Mr. Hale, who thereupon went into another [...]om, and shutting the door, fell on his knees, and prayed earnestly [...] God both for his Friend, That he might be restored to life again, [...]nd that himself might be forgiven, forgiving such countenance to so [...]uch excess, and he vowed to God, that he would never again keep [...]mpany in that manner, nor Drink allealth while he lived:

His friend recovered, and he most Religiously kept his vow till his [...]ying day, and though he was afterwards pressed to drink healths, [...]rticularly the Kings, which was set up by too many as a distin­ [...]uishing mark of Loyalty, and drew many into great excess after [...]is Majesties happy Restoration; but he would never dispence with is Vow, though he was roughly treated for this sometimes, which [...]me hot and indiscreet men call obstinacy; This wrought such an [...]tire change on him, that now he forsook all vain Company, and [...]vid [...]d himself between the duties of Religion, and the studies of [...]s Profession, in the former whereof he was so regular, that for six [...]d Thirty years time he never once failed going to Church on the [...]rds day, & though he was acquainted with all sorts of Learning, [...]t he seemed to have made the study of Divinity the chiefest of all [...]hers; He was a very merci [...]ul and upright Judg, and would hear no [...]auses but in open Court, which a great Peer once complained of [...] the King, But his Majesty bid him content himself that he was no [...]rse used, and said, He verily believed he would have used himself no [...]tt [...]r if he had gone to sollicit [...] him in any one of his own Causes; He [...]ade it as a Rule to himself, That in the administration of Justice, [...] was intrusted for God, the King and Countrey, and therefore ought [...] do it uprightly, deliberately and resolutely, and yet was much con­ [...]rned that though it was his duty to serve in the Office he was cal­ [...]d to, yet was it a great consumer of that little time we have here, [...]ch he thought might be better spent in a pi [...]us Contemplative life, [...]d a due provision for Eternity J. Hales Life.

To conclude. The most learned, wise, and s [...]ious Persons in all a­ [...]es, have all concurred in their Judgments, as to a future State, and [...]ve thought it to be the greatest wisdom in this world, to be truly [...]eligious; and to work out their Salvation with fear and trembling.