of the Town of Dort and Ruwart of The Country of Putten at present Prisoner in the Voorpoort together with his Examination and Confession and the Allegations of the several Witnesses declare the said Prisoner to have forfeited all his Dignities and Imployments which he hath hitherto possest and banish him out of the Provinces of Holland and Westfriezland never to return into the same on pain of greater punishment And that he accordingly quit the said Countreys with the first and farther condemn him in the charges of his Tryal Actum by the Lords Adriaen Pauw Lord of Bennebrock President Aelbrecht Nierox William Goes Lord of Boekhorstenburg Frederick of Lieu Lord of Zoetermeer Cornelis Baen and Matheus Gool Counsellors of Holland and Westfriezland pronounced in the Voorpoort Gate of the same Court. August the 20th 1672. Before this sentence was published the Barbar Tichelaar being released out of Prison reported through the Town That he was the Person who had accused the Ruwart who was banished for ever when he as they might all see was set at liberty Immediately after this the sentence being Published occasioned great murmurings amongst the Burgers who judged it to be unjust since they saw the Barber was set at liberty and that consequently his Accusation against the Ruwart must be real which if it had been false the Barber would undoubtedly have been punished and the Ruwart van putten released upon which they argued that it appeared plainly that the Ruwart had sufficient knowledge of the Treason plotted against the Person of His Highness the Prince of Orange and therefore had justly forfeited his Life and deserved to dye The late Council Pentionary Mr. John de Wit coming the same day with his Coach and two Horses to fetch his Brother Rewart out of Prison he was no sooner alighted and gone in but the Burgers caused his Coach to drive away About 11 a Clock the two Brothers coming down to take Coach the Watch threatning to fire their Musquets on them forced them to retire into the Prison again Mean while the body of the Watch came to their Centinels Assistance and beating an Alarum in a short time raised six Companies of Burgers two whereof placed themselves round about and before the Prison Gate the rest were drawn out on the outward Court while the three Troops of Horse which were quartered in the Hague immediately mounted and one of them repaired to their appointed Station while the other two riding to the Burgers desired to pass through the Gate which they refused stopping them with their Pikes from going farther At this time it was reported that the Bores were coming in great numbers from several places to plander the Hague Whereupon all the Horse were sent to the Drawbridges and Trenches about the Town to oppose all outward Assaults but all this came to nothing About six a Clock in the Evening the Burgers which guarded the Prison Gate resolved to open the same by force and take out the two brothers they being jealous that either by subtle stratagem or violence they would be fetched from thence the approaching night Whereupon they began to discharge their Muskets against the door of the Prison which not opening they fetcht great Hammers and Chissels and therewith broke open the doors and locks being entred several of them ran up stairs and coming into the Chamber they found Ruwart in his Japan Night-Gown lying on his Bed and the Council Pentionary his Brother sitting at the Beds feet reading in a book which laying aside he asked the Burgers what this violence meant and what they would have To which no other answer was made but that they must both of them go down Hereupon they pulled Ruwart from the Bed not suffering him to put on any more cloaths but with bitter Curses and Exclamations pushed them down stâ—irs in such a violent manner that one of the Burgers wounded John de Wit in the Forehead with his Pike No sooner were they come out into the Street but the multitude fell a kicking and striking of them resolving to carry them to the Scaffold either there to shooâ— them or put them to a more cruel death as indeed it soon happened For some who could nor stay their furious and bloody hands so long First knocked down Ruwart Van Putten whilst aboue five or â—â—â—â—ces from thence John de Wit recieved a blow on his Forehead with the But end of a Musket and fell likewise down on the ground but being not quite dead he was shot through the head with a Pâ—â—â—ol which made him give up the Ghost Ruwart iâ— the mean time was stabbed in the body with several swords After which both their bodies having recieved several wounds as well by Musket shots as otherwise The rude multitude broke in among the Burgers tearing their cloaths from their dead bodies and dragged them naked by the Legs along the Streets to the Scaffold where Rewart not being quite dead breathed his last The Bodies thus mâ—ngled were hung up by the feet on a Gibbet where they were kickt and spit on On this bloody Stage the last part of this Tragedy was Acted by several inhumane and most barbarous people who first pluckt off the hair from the heads of their Massacred Bodies beat the Teeth out of their Mouths pulled out their Tongues cut off their Ears Noses and Privy parts chopped off their Fingers and Toes and that with such Hellish Oaths and Curses as were never before heard of But this not sufficing they ript up their Breasts and Bellies tore out their Hearts and Bowels so that their Bodies had more resemblance to slaughtered Beasts than of men At last the darkness of the night ended this horrible Tragedy and all returned to their several Habitations The bodies were by some certain persons who came in disguize taken from the Gibbet carryed home and some days after privately buried while the Members of the slain are sold up and down the Streets a Finger for 15 Stivers a Joint of a Finger for 12 an Ear for 25 a Toe for 10 and so proportionably Their cloaths were also sold by pieces and kept as Relicks of the Barbarity of popular rage and insolence XCIX To divert the Reader after this lamentable story I will here insert the famous Relation of the Ephesian Matron as it is written by Petronius and divers other remarkable Authors There was a Matron in Ephesus of so noted a chastity that the Women of the neighbouring parts flocked thither to behold her She when she buried her Husband was not content with the common usages to follow the Herse with dischevelled hair or in the sight of the Assistants to beat upon her bare breasts but she also followed the deceased into the very Monument and having seen it laid there in its peculiar apartment after the Greek manner she remained there to keep the Body and to lament it for whole nights and days together Her Parents nor Kindred could not prevail to get her
pleasant Appearance expected the Fish to be extraordinary and prepared their Stomachs to feed thereon neglecting others much better but tasting the Sauce they thought it a Sir reverence and all began to spew and spit I angered the King so much with this Master-peice of Cookery that he ordered I should recieve ten Bastinado's for my Sallary I vainly pretending Ignorance and our Countrey Fashion being forced to endure it with patience For this and being likewise Jealous of me about one of his Women who was indeed very kind to me he was resolved to part with me and gave order I should be led into the Market-place and there Sold When I saw my self with an ill-favoured Turk leading me with a Chain like a Horse or Bullock through the Streets I began to lament my hard Fate doubting what surly Master I should have next The Turk that led me cried before me in Lingua Franca Who will buy a Christian Who will buy a Christian It was a grievous change of Fortune to be reduced in one year from my Fathers Honourable Estate to the lowest misery even that of a Slave to be sold as a Beast in a strange Countrey where I had no Friends that durst own me Their manner of selling slaves is thus They lead them up and down the Market and when any bids Money they cry a Rache a Rache that is Here 's so much money bidden who bids more The buyers are very subtle and first look into their mouths and a strong set of Grinders will much advance the price arguing rationally That those who have no Teeth cannot eat and they that cannot eat cannot work and therefore are not for their turn nor their Money For they intend to keep them at hard meat all the year and therefore it must not be Gums but solid and if possible case hardned Teeth that must chew it and an Ostriches Stomach to digest it next they feel their Limbs whether any Fracture or Dislocation which will much lower the price and therefore to be clean Limbed close Coupled and well joynted will advance it as much The Age is also very considerable but the Slaves not being obliged to discover it and they not breeding them that sell them they judge by the Face Hair or Beard but a good set of Teeth will make one 10 years younger and a bad set as much older The seller commends his Goods to the sky O says he Mark what a Back he has what a breadth between the Shoulders what a Chest how strong set how fitted on purpose for Burdens He 'l do but e'ne too much work The Buyer on the other hand as much undervalues him Pish sayes he he looks like a Pilliard a very Meacock at his Provender and one that seems to be surfeited But they are very curious in examining the Hands for if they be hard and brawny they will shrewdly guess they have been inured to Labour if delicate and tender they will suspect him to be some Merchant and then the hopes of a good price for Redemption makes him saleable When any are sold they must be brought back once more to the Kings Palace that he may view them again and if he likes any at the prizes they went off at there is no more dispute they are his own When I was come into the Market-Place a Fellow offers my Keeper money for me and several others came about me and among the rest that ill-natured Englishman aforementioned I trembled for fear of falling into his hands knowing how cruelly he had handled some of my Comrades My keeper made advantage of the Croud and asked an 100 Dollars more for me than he was ordered The first who seemed by his looks to be a good Man though of no great appearance would not let me slip out of his hands but paid the Money and led me to a House next the Grand Mosque or Church of the City neer the Kings Palace My loving Lady having employed this Fellow to buy me for her Service became very devout after my coming to that place seldom missing a day without coming to her Devotions at the Mosquette from whence there was a Passage into my Lodgings By this frequent and constant attendance at Publick Prayer she purchased a great esteem with the People and a favour with her Husband and ever after she was counted a Saint I continued her Slave about two years imploying my self in some Slavish work but not above measure so that I had opportunity to view the City of Argiers and took special notice of many remarkable particulars It is a City not so large as populous Fortified by Art and Nature the Walls are sixty foot high and in some places 70 or 80 Built with square Stones or Flints about 12 foot broad It is not above a Mile round On the East-side on the top of an high Hill stands a strong Citadel very well Fortified built at first by the Spaniards having 40 or 50 Pieces of Ordnance and Garrisoned by 300 Renegadoes Another Castle somewhat less on the West overlooks the Town There is a very commodious Mold in the Harbor able to contain above 200 ships upon which stands a strong Fort threatning destruction to all Assaillants Three Tyer of Guns being planted in it the lowest is level with the water The Mold is so crooked that no ships can come in with full sail without turning so that it is very difficult to break the Chain and enter by force This Nest of Pyrates are very well prepared against the attempts of an enemy none can hardly do them any injury either by Land or Sea so that they retreat hither like wild Beasts to their Dens to enjoy their Thefts and Prey The Town is built on a Rock hard to be undermined The Emperor Charles the 5th attempted to drive them out of their nests but in vain though he came with a Navy by Sea and a puissant Army by Land to besiege the Town The violence of a Storm broke his vessels to pieces and forced him to raise the siege with the loss of an 100 ships and many Thousand men since which Argiers is much stronger and better Fortified daily so that unless the European Princes join together or some powerful Monarch lay siege to it by Sea and Land it will be one day Impregnable unless by Famine The Houses of the City are very pleasant and more beautiful within and without than in other parts of Africa the greater lye open in the middle with handsome Galleries and Turrets several Mosquets are built for Publick Devotion into which no Christian must enter unless he turn Turk or else he will be burnt or for handling the book of their Law before witness or repeating their Prayer Illa Alla Mahumet c. Others have a great Number of their Talubs or Religious men to read Publick Prayers and others to expound the Mahumetan Law Over all is placed a Marabut who is to Judge matters of Equity between Persons Besides
the King and Bashaw the Lagaw is the next chief man in this City who is the first Person of the Divan or Council and General of the Armies abroad under whom are the Chenses like our Sheriffs or Justices of Peace next are the Boulgebushes like our Bailiffs who are Servants to the Divan and remain 3 years in their places going out after with the Armies as Comptrollers of the rest There are also other Bushes Captains and Officers of the Militia who wear a badg of Honour on their heads and are distinguished from the rest by their Turbant which is wound about in the form of a Sugar-loaf behind which a Redcross falls down and is a badg of their Office which others must not wear as the Red-scarf is a sign of Command among Christians In the Camp are other Great Officers as Daventees Mouchees c. An Achabasha is an experienced man among them who hath been in several Encounters and commands a Party when it is separated from the main Body He must be an old Man and when he once comes to that Employment he can rise no higher as other Officers can There are most pleasant Gardens and Orchards about Argiers and very good Corn upon the Hills near it with plenty of all things but wine which is forbidden to the Turks and Moors yet those of Argiers have not such scrupulous Consciences but that they will be drunk with wine when they take good store of Prizes Toward the East of the City is a very strong House built and some souldiers to keep Guard it being the Publick Treasury House wherein they every year cast in vast sums of Money according to their success against the Christians which they never take out so that its thought there are many Millions in that Hold When the ships come in there is alwayes something for the Treasury and a good Portion for Mahomet and those that read Prayers which is put into the hands of a Treasurer whom if they find to have converted the least part thereof to his private use he is cruelly put to death in this manner He is stript naked and at the door of the Marabut he is impaled alive that is a stake is thrust into his Fundament and driven leasurely up through his body In this manner he is raised to the top of the steeple of a Mosquet or Church where he is exposed to Publick view for three dayes and then his body is carried out of the City to be given for food to the wild beasts and his Estate sold for the benefit of the Religious men There are excellent Orders to stir them up to their Worship they are often called to Prayers that is in the Morning at twelve a Clock at four afternoon at Sunsetting at Twilight and at Midnight at all which times great numbers of all sorts reâ—ort to their Mosquetts and there in an humble manner on their Faces pray to God and Mahomet Those that are negligent in coming to Prayers are taken notice of and if formerly Christians are excluded from all hopes of Imployment and for the least offence severely Treated The Ceremonies used at Consecrating their Priests are observable The Father of the young man brings him before the Marabut or Cheif Preist who sits in the Principal Mosquette of the City with a numerous attendance to be Witnesses of his Dedication to that Service entring the place the Father holding his son on the right hand they both approach the Marabut and kiss the Hem of his Garment who ask's the Father whether he can read He answers yes and a book is immediately brought usually the Alcoran who reads a page in it If he miss not a word but read it distinctly he is then admitted and his name inrolled in the Order Then a Fellow with a sharp Knife cuts in his right Arm the Figure of an half Moon into the wound is put Gun-powder which being blown up leaves a blue Impression that nothing can take away unless the place be cut off After some Prayers for Confirmation he is obliged to swear by Mahomets Lock to observe certain Rules He is then clothed in another manner before the People and the Marabut takes him into his Armes and gives him a Kiss which sanctifies him for ever The Solemnity ends in Musick and Dancing Their Marriages Circumcisions and other Customs are not much different from the Turks Many other particulars I observed during the Happy time of my Slavery having liberty to walk up and down my business and work being only to wait upon my Lady at the time of her Devotions But after two years she departed this Life leaving me sufficient cause to Lament Another of the Kings Wives was supposed to have poysoned her because he had a greater love for her by reason of her constant Devotions than for the other About six months before her Death she was brought to bed of a Girl somewhat whiter than ordinary which the old Fool thought himself to be the Father of During her sickness she sent to her Cosens house where I lay to speak with him whom she ingaged to release me after her Burial in requital of my good Service and sent me by her Gentlewoman a considerable present in Gold which I did not possess long After her death her Cosen did not perform her request but led me to the Market where I was sold for 300 Dollars I durst not anger him for fear he should publish the Mystery which would infallibly cost me my head My next Master was a Gardiner who put me into his Orchards and there with a good Cudgel made me understand a new Trade I never knew before I endured much with him for he made me labour above my strength and often threatned to stab and kill me therefore fear of Death made me endeavour my escape I was sometimes sent for Lime for a building he had in hand near the Seashore A Vessel was lately arrived from France to redeem the Captives and lay without the Mold at what time I was on the shore it was dusky a Frenchman offered me his assistance I accepted of it and went into his Boat but was discovered before I could get off the Mold and sent back to my Master who punished me with an 100 blows on the soles of my Feet whereby I became unserviceable many days He was soon weary of my Company and sold me to the English Renegado aforesaid I expected from him a kinder entertainment but found worse he was cruel severe to me making me work night and day I often treated for my ransom but his demands were so high that I could not comply with him He abused we wretchedly about five Months and then death put an end to his Tyranny His Executors sold me again among his Goods and Chattels I fell next into the hands of an Italian Renegado who was no kinder to me than my former Masters my work was painful my Diet mean my Labour continual and my Rewards the blows
where to prevent discovery its white colour was changed in an instant into that of the Bush which alteration gave us much trouble and we had never found it again if one of the Company had not discharged a Musket at the noise whereof it rose affrighted and run for its life we did not think it the same yet some ventured after it and others stay'd in the place seeking the white beast The Persuers shot off one of its Legs and then cried to us to forbear seeking and that the Counterfeit Lamb was caught It was the same shaped Beast but the colour was no more white as before but changed into a blackish Gray Its Coat was a Fine Wool the head like a Wolf but not quite so long with very sharp Teeth and a fierce look the hinder parts like a sheep we wondred at this change of colour and imagined it to be that Beast mentioned by by the Learned and is a good Emblem of a Hypocrite Having in three days got over these Mountains and lying down to refresh our selves in the Morning an Alarum was sounded at which we all ran to our Arms and put our selves in Order expecting the coming of the Arabs but no Enemy appeared only a Company of Apes persued by a few Jackalls who made such a noise in running about the branches of the Wood near us yet those upon the skirts of the Army thought them to be the Enemy who had taken the advantage of the place to fall upon us their needless fear did as soon appear as the nimble Creatures recovered the tops of the highest Trees to whose protection they durst commit themselves yet the Alarum continued and ran as nimbly as the Apes all over the Army which could not be stopt till every one was informed of the true cause of the Fright The Cruelties upon the Slaves at Argiers their manner of selling Christians c Page 33 After we had taken all the Country which was revolted we returned to the Maritime City of Argiers My Master was grown very rich and powerful and had got great honour and great wealth for his Services And I having likewise served him faithfully all this time and helped him out of many streights and difficulties by my Advice and Council with whom he constantly consulted in any Exigency according to his promise often made me he gave me my Liberty and a sum of Money to carry me home so that after so many strange Adventures and Discoveries which I had made in this my long time of Slavery I met with a French Vessel of Marseilles in the Harbour wherein I embarqued for my Native Countrey Adventures T. S. 1670. VIII The Adventures Dangers and Troubles of Katherine Dutchess Dowager of Suffolk are very remarkable as we find them recorded in the Book of Martyrs This Dutchess was the Widow of Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk and after his death was married to Richard Berty Esq In the first year of Queen Mary Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester knowing this Dutchess to be a zealous Protestant and no good Friend of his resolved to be revenged of her husband first and subpoena'd him before him alledging That it was the Queens pleasure he should presently pay 4000 pound due to her Father from D. Charles late husband to his Dutchess whose Executrix she was Mr. Berty replyed That Debt was already truly satisfied The Bishop answered The Queen would not be put off with payments in the time of Kets Government so he in scorn called King Edward the sixth's Reign Mr. Berty said It was acknowledged to be paid by K. Henry the Eighth If that be true said the Bishop I will shew you favour but Mr. Berty says he I must tell you another thing because I intend you well I hear ill of your Religion and pray is your Lady now as forward to set up Mass as she was to pull it down when she caused a Dog in a Rochet to be carried with her which she called by my name or doth she now think her Lambs as safe as when she saw me vail my Bonnet to her out of the Tower window at which time she said That it was merry with the Lambs when the Wolves were shut up And at another time when my Lord her husband invited me amongst other Lords to Dinner desiring every Lady to chuse him whom she liked best and so place themselves together your Lady taking me by the hand said That since she might not sit by her husband whom she loved best she had chosen me whom she loved worst To which Mr. Berty replyed My Lord Of the device of the Dog she was neither the Author nor Allower As for her words she can answer her self and for the Mass she hath been taught by learned men to abhorre it and therefore if she should outwardly pretend to it she would be a false Christian to Christ and a masquing Subject to her Prince you know my Lord one Judgment reformed is better than a Thousand Transformed Time-servers Yea marry says the Bishop deliberation is good if she were to come from an old Religion to a New but she is to return from a new one to an old one when I was her Ghostly Father she was as earnest a Papist as any My Lord said Mr. Berty she told a Friend lately That Religion went not by Age but by Truth and therefore she was to be converted by Argument and not by Compulsion Pray do you think it possible says the Bishop to perswade her I hope said Mr. Berty you will find no fruits of Infidelity in her The Bishop then perswaded Mr. Berty to take pains in her Conversion promising him large Favours to effect it and so dismist him When Mr. Berty came home he had frequent intimations from his Friends That the Bishop intended to call his Dutchess to an Account for her Faith and therefore they designed to go beyond Sea In pursuance whereof Mr. Berty made such Friends to the Queen as to obtain her License to pass and repass at pleasure to receive several summes of money due to Duke Charles from the Emperor of Germany Mr. Berty went beyond Sea accordingly but without his Dutchess who yet by agreement was to follow and made her escape from this desperate danger in the manner following She dwelt at that time in Barbiean and acquainted none of her Servants with her design but only one old Gentleman neither did she take any but the meanest of her Servants with her fearing the others would not run so dangerous an adventure she took also her young Daughter of a year old with her Upon New-years-day about four a Clock in the Morning she went from her own house and an Herald of the Queens who lay in her house to guard her hearing the noise rose up and came down with a lighted Torch in his hand so that for fear of discovery she was forc't to leave most of her Childs necessaries behind and ordered her Servants to make hast to
will abundantly satisfie for the trouble of this Relation still provided the Speculative Theist who beleives a God be not after all a Practical Atheist Natural Hist Oxfordshire pag. 206. XXII The same ingenious Dr. Platt gives a Relation of another strange and unaccountable accident which he delivers with the same certainty as the former That of the Family of one Captain Wood formerly of Bampton then of Brise Norton in Oxfordshire Captain in the late Wars for the King some of them have had signal warnings given them before their Deaths by a certain knocking either at the door without or on the Tables and Shelves within the number of Stroaks and distance between them and the place where for the most part respecting the Circumstances of the Persons to dye or their deaths themselves as will easily be collected from the following Instances The first knocking that was heard or at least observed was about a year after the Restauration of the King 1661 in the afternoon a little before night at or upon the door it being then open as it was apprehended by Mrs. Eleano Wood Mother to Captain Basil Wood who only heard it none being then by or about the house but her self at which she was very much disturbed thinking it foretold some ill to her or hers and within fourteen days after she had news of the death of her Son in Law Mr. George Smith who dyed in London About three years after that there were three great knocks very audibly given and heard by all then in the house who were Mrs. Eleanor Wood aforesaid Mr. Basil Wood and his Wife Mrs. Hester and some Servants which knocks were so remarkable that one of the Maids came from the Well which was about 20 yards from the place to see what was the matter and Mrs. Eleanor Wood and another Maid who was within the House saw three great Pans of Lard shake and totter so upon a shelf in the Milk-house that they were like to fall down Upon this violent knocking Mr. Basil Wood and his Wife being then in the Hall came presently into the Milkhouse to their Mother where finding her somewhat disturbed and enquiring the reason she replyed God Almighty only knew the matter she could tell nothing but she heard the knocking which being within doors Mr. Basil Wood concluded it was a fatal warning to some of the Family at home since the other upon the door without signified death to some Friend abroad which accordingly fell out for three of the Family according to the number of the knocks died within half an year after that is Mrs. Hester Wood Wife to Mr. Basil Wood a Child of Mr. Wood's Sister and Mrs. Eleanor Wood his Mother About August 1674 Mr. Basil Wood Junior Son of Basil aforesaid living at Exeter in Devonshire heard the same kind of knocking at which being disturbed he writ word of it to his Father at Bampton in Oxfordshire That one Sunday He his Wife and her Sister and his Brother did distinctly hear upon a Table in their Chamber as they stood by it two several knocks struck as it were with a Cudgel one of them before and the other after Morning Prayer a little before dinner which Letter was shewn by Mr. Wood Senior as the other knocking 's before the deaths of any that died were beforehand told to several Neighbouring Gentlemen after which within about fourteen dayes Mrs. Hester Wood a second Wife of Mr. Basil Wood Senior and about a quarter of a year after her Father Mr. Richard Lisset died both at Bampton since which time they have heard nothing more as yet Natural History Oxfordshire pag. 206. XXIII Of this kind of unaccountable Accidents we may reckon that which is related by Mr. Clark in his 2d Vol. of Examples which he intitles A True and faithful Relation of one Samuel Wallas who was restored to his perfect health after 13 years sickness of a Consumption taken from his own mouth who for the last four years lay bedrid and so weak that he could not turn himself therein without help by which Distemper his body was so parched and dryed that he was like an Anatomy but upon this cure he recovered his former health and strength whereby he was inabled to follow his Trade being a Shoemaker and living at Stamford in Lincolnshire whereof he gave this following Account with much affection and sensibleness of Divine Mercy and Goodness to him upon April 7. 1659. Upon Whitsunday last before the date hereof about six a Clock in the afternoon after evening Sermon he finding himself a little lightsome and able to get out of his Bed without help there being no body in the house then with him his wife being gone in the Countrey to her Friends to seek some releif he crept to the Fire-side and as he was reading in a book called Abraham's suit for Sodom he heard some body rap at the door and thinking it to be some stranger because he struck as it were with a stick and being on the Lords day thereupon taking his stick in one hand and holding by the Wall with the other he went to the door and opening it he saw a proper grave old man who said unto him Friend I pray thee give to an old Pilgrim a Cup of small Beer to whom Wallas said Pray Sir come in He answered Call me not Sir for I am none but yet come in I must for I cannot pass by thy door To whom Wallas thinking he had been very dry said Come in Sir and welcome which he did and Wallas with the help of his stick drew him a Cup of Beer who took it and drank a little and then walked two or three times to and fro and drank again and so a third time before he drâ—nk it all up and setting down the pot Wallas thought he was going but he walked again backward and forward three or four times neither of them speaking a word to each other At last the old Man coming up to Wallas said Friend I perceive thou art not well No truly said Wallas I have not been well these many years What is thy disease said he Wallas replied a deep Consumption and our Doctors say it is past cure They said well answered he but what have they given thee for it Truly nothing said Wallas for I am a very poor man and not able to follow the Doctors prescriptions and so I have been willing to commit my selâ— into the hands of Almighty God to dispose of me as he pleaseth The Old man answered in that thou sayst very well But I will tell thee by the Almighty power of God what thou shalt do only remember my words and observe them and do it But whatsoever thou dost fear God and serve him To morrow morning go into thy Garden and get there two red Sage Leaves and one leaf of Bloodwort and put these three leaves into a Cup of small Beer and let them lye therein three days and
dishonour of the Emperor Mincelius pleaded That he was enjoyned by the Senate to do it which the Magistrates also affirmed The Prefect appealed then to the Council of Prague and commanded that Mincelius should be kept under an Arrest till he had answered them The Consuls that came with him protested against this affirming That their City could not want his Ministry offering to stand bound for his appearance and at length they prevailed after having given a Bond of Two Thousand Crowns for his forth coming Hereupon the Prefect poured out all his Indignation upon Cotterus removing him from his former Prison into a Dungeon where Malefactors used to be Tortured wherein he lay in Hunger Dirt and Cold for above three Months Now a special Providence from Heaven appeared For Cotterus his Enemies understood that a compleat Book of all his Prophecies was in the hand of a Citizen of Sprotovia This they got and carried it to the Governour of Oppersdorf who after he had read it was much taken with Cotterus and would no more meddle against him He also perswaded the Prefect to have his cause heard in the City of Glogow and prevailed that Cotterus should have an Advocate allowed him In the mean time the Prefect married a Noble Virgin and at the weeks end his Office necessitated him to go Sagan and in his return he was to lye at Sprotovia but as soon as he came into the Suburbs of that City he was taken with a violent pain in his Bowels whereupon he sent for a Physitian who not knowing what to make of his Disease forbore to administer any thing to him till the next Morning that he might see farther But it pleased God the Praefect died that night and in that very place where he had sworn to see these men hanged This dreadful Judgment being known to the Enemies of Cotterus they removed him out of the Dungeon into a better Prison and after some Months space they sentenced him and brought him to the Town-Stocks fastened a Collar of Iron about his Neck and set over his head a Paper thus written This is the false Prophet which foretold such things as came not to pass There he stood an hour after which he was banished out of all the Emperors Dominions upon pain of death From hence he went to Lusatia under the Jurisdiction of the Elector of Saxony where he lived quietly till the day of his death which was in the year 1647. But before this that is in 1628 when the Persecution grew hot in Silesia there was in the City of Spretovia one Adam Pohl a good Friend to Cotterus who knowing the great want and necessity he was brought unto not through any fault of his own but by Gods Providence he entertained him at his house gratis and Cotterus continued with him by the space of half a year to the time of his Imprisonment During which time Adam Pohl fell dangerously sick and after a while had his Nerves and Sinews so shrunk up that he could make no use of his Legs but for a half a year together was confined to his Bed But it pleased God that the very morning before the Emperours Commissioners came with Armed Troops to reform the City as they called it his Wife being risen and gone down there appeared by his Bedside a young man in white Clothing who after he had saluted him said Adam This is the day wherein God hath decreed to take Vengeance upon the Citizens of this City for their Ingratitude Arise go in the name of the Lord put on thy Cloths take thy wife and young Daughter and fly from hence make hast and so he disappeared After which Pohl prayed earnestly and then began to move his hands and feet and trying to rise found that he could stand on his feet whereupon he called to his Wife for his Cloths which had been laid up in a Chest all that half year of his lameness and when he was drest he fell down on his knees and praised God Then taking his Wife and Daughter he hasted to the City-gate and having sent for Mincelius to meet him there who was astonished to see him with sighs and Tears they took Council together and resolved to go to Gorlits and by Gods strength and as he judged the Ministry of an Angel he and his little Daughter went afoot eight miles that day Historia Prophetarum pag. 22. XXV Linschoten in his Discoveries and Voyages to the East-Indies gives this Account That in the Island of Ceylon there is a high Hill upon the top whereof standeth a great House as big as a Cloyster In this place in time past shrined in Gold and precious Stones was kept the Tooth of an Ape which was esteemed the holiest thing in all India and had the greatest resort to it from all the Countries round about it so that it surpassed St. James in Gallicia and St. Michaels Mount in France by reason of the great Indulgences and Pardons that were there daily to be had For which cause it was sought unto with much Devotion by all the Indians within four or five hundred Miles round about in vast multitudes But it happened that in the year 1554 when the Portugals made a Road out of India and entred the Island of Ceylon they went up upon the Hill where they thought to find great Treasure because of the Fame that was spread abroad of the great resort and Offerings in that place They diligently searched the Cloister and turned up every Stone thereof yet found nothing but a little Coffer made fast with many precious Stones wherein lay the Apes Tooth This Relique they took with them to Goa which when the Kings of Pegu Siam Bengala Bisnagar and others heard of they were much greived that so costly a Jewel was in that manner taken from them Whereupon by Common Consent they sent their Ambassadors to the Vice-Roy of India desiring him of all Friendship to send them their Apes Tooth again offering him for a Ransom besides other Presents which they then sent to him seven Hundred Thousand Duckets in Gold which the Vice-Roy for Covetousness of the Money did intend to do But the Arch-Bishop of Goa disswaded him from it saying That they being Christians ought not to give it to them again being a thing wherewith Idolatry might be furthered and the Devil worshipped but rather were bound by their Profession to root out and abolish all Idolatry and Superstition By this means the Vice-Roy was perswaded to change his Mind and flatly denied the Embassadors Request having in their Presence first burnt the Apes Tooth the Ashes whereof he caused to be thrown into the Sea The Embassadors departed astonished that he refused so great a sum of Money for a thing which he so little esteemed Not long after there was a Benjane or Priest that had gotten another Apes Tooth and gave out that he had Miraculously found the same Apes Tooth that the Vice-Roy had and that it was revealed
under my hand for it Well said the Sheriff that is not sufficient to discharge me if I have not a Writ from the Superior Powers I will not burn them for any of you all Dr. Jefferies hearing this returned home and presently fell sick upon it Not long after came down a Writ from above to the under Sheriff for their Execution but he being a good Protestant cast the Writ into the Fire saying I will not be guilty of these mens blood Within four dayes after Jefferies dyed About which time Richard White and John Hunt being in a low and dark Dungeon were going to Prayer but on a sudden knowing no reason for it they burst forth into a great weeping so that they could not speak a word and the next Morning they understood just at the same time the Chancellor dyed Presently after the Bishop dyed also so that these two good men continued in Prison till Queen Maries death and by that means it pleased God to deliver them Clarks Martyr Pag. 510. XLVII In the time of Queen Mary's sickness one Cox a Promoter taking the Constable and some others with him went to the House of Mr. William Living a Minister in Shoo-lane and there searching amongst his books found a book of Astronomy made by Johannes de Sacro Bosco wherein were many Figures Cox taking this book and seizing Mr. Living and his Wife carryed them away to the house of one Darbyshire Chancellor to the Bishop of London and by the way opening the Book he said I have found him at last It 's no marvel though the Queen be sick when there are such Conjurers in corners but now I hope he shall conjure no more Then Darbyshire Examined him and told him that he was a Schismatick and a Traytor To whom Mr. Living answered I should be sorry if that were true but I know I am no Traytor for I have alwayeâ— Preached Obedience according to the Tenor of God's Word and when Tumults have been raised I have suppressed theâ— by God's word But said the Chancellor you deny thâ— Church of Rome And therefore he bid Cluny the barbarous Jaylor take him away and put him into the Cole-house Then did Cluny violently hale and draw him and carrying him to his house there robbed him of all his Money his Psalter and New Testament c. After which he carryed him to the Cole-house and there put both his Arms and Legs into thâ— Stocks saying That except he gave him Forty Shillings he would put a Collar of Iron about his Neck also I am never able to pay so much said Mr. Living and so he was left in the Stocks At Evening a Kinswoman of his brought him his Supper who seeing how miserably he was used told Cluny That she would give him Ten groats to let him loose Cluny took her Money and so let him eat his Supper but presently after set him in the Stocks again within a few dayes he was removed and put into Lollard's Tower and there laid in Irons where he remained a Prisoner but the sudden death of Queen Mary and the coming in of Queen Elizabeth of happy Memory prevented the cruel death designed to be inflicted on him Clarks Martyrology Pag. 511. XLVIII Leo Son to the Emperour Basilius Macedo was accused by a Monk as having designed upon the life of his Father and was thereupon cast into Prison in order to the taking away his life from which he was freed by this strange means The Emperour on a time feasted divers of the greatest Lords in his Court who being all sate a Parrot that was hung up in a Cage in the Hall cryed out in a mournful Tone Alas alas poor Prince Leo which words it is like he had frequently heard from Courtiers passing to and fro who bewailed the Princes mis-fortunes in those Terms And when the Parrot had often repeated these words The Lords at the Table were siezed with such a sudden sadness that all of them neglected their Meat The Emperour observed it and called to them to eat inquiring the reason why they did not When one of them with tears in his eyes replyed How should we eat Sir being thus reproached by this bird of our want of Duty to your Family The brute Creature is mindful of his Lord and we that have reason have neglected to supplicate your Majesty in behalf of the Prince whom we all believe to be innocent and to suffer under Calumny and false Accusation The Emperour moved with these words commanded to fetch Leo â—ut of Prison admitted him to his Presence and restored him first to his favour and then to his former Dignity of Caesar Wanly Hist Man Pag. 628. XLIX In the Year 1552 Francis Pelusius of Sixâ—y three Years old digging a Well Forty foot deep â—n the Hill of St. Sebastian the Earth above him fell in upon him to Thirty five Foot depth He was somewhat sensible before of what was coming and opposed a plank which by chance he had with him against the Ruines himself lying under it By this means he was protected from the huge weight of Earth and retained some room and breath to himself by which he lived seven dayes and nights without food or sleep supporting his Stomach only with his own Urine without any pain or sorrow being full of hope which he placed in God only Ever and anon he called for help as being yet safe but was heard by none though he could hear the motion noise and words of those that were above him and could count the hours as the Clock went After the seventh day he being all this while given for dead they brought a Bier for his Corps and when a good part of the Well was digged up on a sudden they heard the voice of one crying from the bottom At first they were afraid as if it had been the voice of a Subterranean Spirit the voice continuing they had some hope of his life and hastened to dig to him till at last after they had given him a glass of Wine they drew him up living and well his strength so entire that to lift him out he would not suffer himself to be bound nor would use any help of another Yea he was of so sound Understanding that jesting he drew out his Purse and gave them Money saying He had been with such good Hosts that for seven dayes it had not cost him a farthing Soon after he returned to his work again and was then alive when I writ this saith Bartholomew Aumulus Thus we see many have been providentially saved from death by very strange wayes and means And we likewise read that others have been as happily cured of very dangerous Diseases by very strange Accidents of which the following Relations give an account L. A certain Cardinal was sick of an Impostume and at last the Collected matter was got in such manner into his Throat that it caused great difficulty of breathing and threatned to strangle him immediately The
Kings Powderhouse that was out of the City but when they came thither found it all put in Water and so were disappointed In the mean time the Vice-Roy had strengthened his Guards with a Thousand Germans eight hundred Spaniards and a Thousand Italians fortifying all places about him He sent also for another Regiment of Germans from Pozzolo which the People hearing of met them slew some and took the rest Prisoners That morning also the Spanish Guard had Imprisoned two mean fellows for some Insolencies but the people set upon the Guard slew some and threatned to tear in pieces all the Spaniards in Naples if they were not released to prevent which they were set free Then the Vice-Roy sent some Lords to Massanello with an instrument wherein he granted as much as they desired the day before that is To take off all the Gabels but this satisfied not the people they would now have more and all his Officers and Nobles should oblige themselves to restore all their priviledges granted by King Ferdinand and Frederick and the Emperour Charles the fifth and also that a Law should be enacted That never any more Gabels should be imposed upon them The Vice-Roy perceiving that they still grew upon him sent amongst them the Lords that were most Popular who told them That his Excellency was ready to give them all satisfaction The people answered That by their forementioned Priviledges no New Tax was to be imposed without consent of the Pope and if any were that the City might defend their Liberties with the sword without any mark of Rebellion against their Prince and therefore they demanded the Original of those grants With which answer the Lords returned to the Vice-Roy who immediately summoned all the Councils to consider what return to make to them In the mean time New Processions were made by the Priests and the Sacrament and Reliques were laid forth in the Churches to implore the Divine Assistance in such an Exigency Then came a Lord from the Castle and brought a Copy of their Priviledges assuring them that it agreed with the Original this pleased them at first but when it was read it was found imperfect whereupon the people raged exceedingly saying That they were mocked and betrayed and that they would be revenged upon all the Nobility and taking the Duke that brought it they cast him into Prison who hardly escaped but by the intercâ—ssion of Peronne one of the Chiefs who with a Priest called Julio Genovino were joined in Assistance to Massanello The first order they made was to burn down the Houses of Sixty Persons who had been Projectors and Officers in the Custom-houses and had inriched themselves by the blood of the people This was performed so strictly that one for taking a little Towel out of those Houses was killed another for a Horse-crouper had Fifty lashes on his back and some others for small Trifles were hanged by the Command of Massanello and he that pityed the burning of those mens Houses or Goods was held no friend to the people the houses were very stately out of which they threw all sorts of Plate Dishes Stools Tables Chairs Carpets Tapestry and abundance of Money all which they carried into the Market place and burned crying out These goods are our blood and as these burn so the Souls of those Dogs that own them deserve to burn in Hell-fire In one of these Palaces besides all sorts of rich Furniture were brought out Twenty Three great Trunks which were full of Rich Cloth of Gold Tissue costly Embroideries that dazled the Eyes of the Beholders a Cabinet of Pearls and Precious Stones yet nothing was saved from the fire The Vice Roy being desirous to put an end to these Combustions and Burnings sent a Printed Instrument for abolishing all Gabels with a General Pardon which took no effect because the pardon was not so full as they desired but percieving that the Nobility in General were hated he resolved to employ two Advocates of the people committing to their care and prudence the quieting of them who told him nothing would quiet them unless the Original Charter of Priviledges granted by Charles 5 were delivered to them which he therefore ordered to be searcht out In the mean time Massanello commanded all the Merchants in the Name of the people to be ready in Arms for their service And himself went with his Train to all the Houses of the Gentry and others to search for Arms taking all they found of all sorts which were many Thousands with Nine Pieces of Ordnance Two Canons they took out of a Ship and Seven more out of another all which they planted at the mouths of Principal Streets Thus ended the second day the Sun scarce appearing on the third Morning when the enraged People ran to the house of a Rich Farmer of the Gabel upon Corn and it is incredible what a world of Goods very precious both for quantity and quality were found in his house all which they burned to Ashes only two Boxes of Gold were preserved and deposited in the King's Bank Then went they to the Palace of the Duke of Caivano who was Secretary of the Kingdom where they burned his Books Writings and Library with infinite store of Rich Moveables and Utensils Coaches Sedans Couches rare silver Vessels and Jewels of all kinds store of Curious Pictures all which were burned save some that they sent to Churches as counting them holy pieces yet burned their Rich Frames and harassed the house to the ground The fire was so great that it took hold of a Neighbouring Monastery of Nuns and burnt down a gallant Library The like Desolations were made in all houses that Massanello appointed to destruction which were many of the stateliest in all Naples In one of them was found an inestimable Wardrobe fit for a King which was all destroyed Others hid their Richest Moveables in Monasteries which were by the command of Massanello brought out and burned Whilst the People were thus revenging themselves on their supposed Adversaries by the diligence of those that were imployed the Original Charters of their Priviledges were found out which being carryed to the Vice Roy he immediately sent them word of it promising all satisfaction but they finding that delayes were made demanded to be Masters of the Tower where the great Bell hung to sound to war at any time as also of a Port which they thought might be prejudicial to them and to have the use of the Artillery and Arms of the City therein and before they could have an answer Ten Thousand of them Besieged and Assaulted the Tower forcing the Souldiers to depart leaving all their Arms behind them Then by the Command of Massanello the great Bell was rung and the Arms brought forth yet with a Protestation That they intended not to rebel but only to secure the people The Charter not yet appearing the People grew so furious that they drew forth other goods to be burnt amongst which they