the flesh Gal. 5 20. Scriptural examples Ahab and Zedekiah Jer. 29. 21. Shemaiah Jer. 29. 24 31 32. Hananiah Jer. 28. 13 27. Zedekiah 1 Kings 22. 11 24 25. Shemaiah Nehem 6. 10. Scribes and Pharisees Mat. 15. 3. 16. 6 12 Sadduces Mat. 22. 23. 16. 12. Herod Mark 8. 15. Hymeneus and Alexander 1 Tim. 1. 20. Philetus 2 Tim. 2. 17. Phygellus and Hermogenes 2 Tim. 1. 15. Balaam Revel 2. 14. Barjesus Acts 13. 6 8. Herodians Mark 3. 6. 12. 13. Noadiah Nehem. 6. 14. Jezabel Rev. 2. 20. The Arian Heresie having overspread the City of Antiochia whereupon arose a great Schisme and contention amongst the inhabitants the Lord sent a terrible Earth-quake which overthrew a great part of the City and with the Earth-quake fire also brake forth of the ground which consumed all the residue by both which multitudes of persons perished Evag. Arrius himselfe the father of that Heresie as he was easing nature in a secret place his bowels gushed our and so he died miserably Theod. Saint Augustine being to dispute with Pascentius the Ariâ—â— Pascenâ—ius requested that what passed betwixt them might not be set down in writing and afterwards made his bâ—â—gs that he had wâ—â—sted Augustine in the diâ—pâ—â—e which report was believed of all that desâ—â—ed â—t Aug. 〈◊〉 2 Ep. 17â— Simâ—n Magus after that he was so sharply reproved by â—eter wâ—nt tâ— Rome and taught many abominable heresies affirming himself to be the true God That the wâ—rlâ— was created by Angels that Christ was neither come noâ— did sufferâ— he denied the resurrection of the body brought in the promiscuous use of women used the company of one Hâ—lâ—na an harlot whom he affirmed to be the Holy Ghost and that he begat Angels of her he attempted to shew his power to the people by flying in the aire but falling down he brake his thigh and died miserably Jacks Châ—oâ— p. 186. Manas or Manicheus the Heretick denied the Old Testament called himselfe the holy Spirit and professed that he had power to work miracles whereupon he was sent for by the King of Persia to cure his sonne who lay sick of a dangerous disease but his impostures saiâ—ing and the childe dying under his hand the King caused him to be slaine and his skin taken off and to be stuffed full of chaffe and set up before the gâ—tâ— of the City Simps Nestorius the â—eretick who spake against the union of the Divine and humane nature of Christ making as it were two Christs had his blasphemous tongue â—orted in his mouth and consumed with wormes and at length the earth opened her mouth and swallowed him up Evag. Niceph. The Emperour Valence who was an Arian Heretick was overtaken by the Goths in a Village which they set on fire where in he was burnt to death leaving no successor and his name became a curse and execration to all ages Sozom. Under the reign of Adrian the Emperour there was one called Benchochab who professed himselfe to be the Messias that descended from Heaven in the likenesse of a starre to redeem the Jews whereby he drew a multitude of disciples after him but shortly after himselfe and all his followers were slaine which occasioned the Jews to call him Bencozba the sonne of a lie Eus. Gerinthus the heretick being in a Bath at Ephesus the Apostle John seeing him said to those that were with him Let us depart lest the house wherein the Lords enemy is should fall upon our heads and accordingly when he was gone it fell upon Cerinthus and his associats and killed them Eus. Montanus who denied the Divinity of Christ and called himselfe the Comforter or holy Spirit that was to come into the world And his two wives Priscilla and Maxilla he named his Prophetesses but shortly after God gave him over to despaire that he hanged himselfe Magdebur Niceph. Heraclius the Emperour infected with the Heresie of the Monothelites having raised a great Army against his enemies fifty two thousand of them died in one night whereupon he presently fell sick and died Simps Constance the Emperour a Monothelite was slaine by one of his own servants as he was washing of himselfe in a Bath Simps Constantius the Emperour a great favourer and supporter of the Arian Heresie died suddenly of an Apoplexie Socr. Cyril hath of his own knowledge recorded a wonderful judgement of God upon an Heretick in his time There was saith he presently after the death of Saint Hierom a bold and blasphemous Heretick called Sabinianus who denied the distinction of persons in the Trinity affirming the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost to be but one indistinct person and to gaine credit to his heresie he wrote a book to confirme his opinions which he published in the name of Saint Hierome whereupon Silvanus Bishop of Nazareth sharply reproved him for depraving so worthy a man now dead and to detect his falsehood agreed with Sabinianus that if Hierome did not the next day by some miracle declare his falsehood he would willingly die but if he did the other should die this being agreed upon the day following they went to the Temple at Hierusalem multitudes of people following them to see the issue and the day was now past and no miracle appeared so that Silvanus was required to yield his neck to the headsman which he willingly and confidently did but when he was ready to receive the blow something appeared like Saint Hierome and staid the blow and then vanishing presently the head of Sabinianus fell off and his carcase tumbled upon the ground Grimoald King of Lombardy an Arian Heretick being let blood for some distempers eleven dayes after as he was drawing a bowe the veine opening a new he bled to death Nestorius the Heretick being made Bishop of Constance by Theodosius bespake him thus in a Sermon O Caesar purge me the Land of Hereticks meaning the Orthodox Christians and I shall give thee Heaven Help thou me to root out them and I shall help thee to overcome thine enemies For which cause he was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or fling-fire in French Boutefeux Hist. Trip. About â—he yeere 1629. there lived at Cubbington in Warwick-shire a Gentleman called Master Griswould of a competent estate and a zealous prosessor of Religion familiarly acquainted with most of the godly Ministers and Christians thereabouts and well esteemed of by them till one Canne lately of Amsterdam falling into his acquaintance began to seduce him from his former opinions and practice causing him to scruple first joyning with our Congregations in Prayers and the Sacrament Secondly to question whether he might lawfully hear a conformable Minister though able and godly from thence he fell to separation and after a while he first questioned and after concluded that there was no true Church in the world to which he might adjoyne himselfe and therefore kept himselfe to duties with his own family and rejected all others yet staid he not long here but after
and contempt of the Word of God For which cause the Lord sent amongst them such a contagious plague that the living were scarce able to bury the dead and when by this judgement they were not reclaimed the Lord brought upon them the fierce and cruel Nations of the Saxons and Angli out of Germany who though at first they came to help them yet after a while they turned against them and after much blood-shed drave them out of their Countrey into the mountaines of Wales where they remaine unto this day See this more fully in my English Martyrologie Gildes a godly and learned man was at another time raised up by God to exhort the Britanes to repentance and amendment of life but they laughed him to scorn and took him for a false Prophet for which cause the Lord plagued them delivering them into the hands of their enemies on every side In the Reigne of King Edward the third God raised up John Wickliffs to preach repentance to the English to exhort them to turn from their Idolatry and supersticion But his Ministery was contemned and his body and books were burned after his death For which a heavy judgement befell them They slew their lawfull King and set up three Usurpers on a row by which most of the Nobles of the Land were slaine and one halfe of the Commons so that Cities and Townes were decayed and much of the Land turned to a wildernesse Nicholas Hemingius relates a story of a lewd fellow in Denmark Anno Christi 1550. which usually made a mock at Religion and the professors of it and on a time coming into a Church where a godly Minister was preaching by his countenance and gestures shewed a great contempt against the Word but as he passed out of the Church a tile fell upon his head and slew him in the place Anno Christi 1547. one Christopher Turk a Councellour of estate in Germany mocked a godly Noble-man that was taken prisoner saying See what hecomes of these gallants that use to sing when any one wrongs us God is our succour and defence but assoon as the words were out of his mouth God struck him with a grievous disease and being carried to his bed he died in despaire Beards Theat A profane Priest in Misnia that used to mock at the Sacrament of Baptisme and when a woman-childe came to be baptized would wish them that brought it to throw it into the river as he was looking over the bridge of Elbe at the boats that passed by by Gods just judgement he fell over the bridge and was drowned Beard Two schismatical Donatists at Thipasa in Mauritania commanded the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to be thrown to the dogs but immediatly the dogs growing mad fell upon them and rent them to pieces Optat. Melevit l. â— Theopompus a Philosopher being about to insert some of Moses writing into his profane works was immediately stricken with madnesse Joseph Theodectes a Poet that mingled his Tragedies with some of the holy Scriptures was stricken blinde Joseph A husbandman at â—tzsith in Germany being a great despiser of the Word of God on a time railing most bitterly against a godly Minister presently going into the fields to look to his sheep was found dead his body being burnt as black as a coal Luther in Col. Phil. Melancthon relates a story of a Tragedie that was to be acted of the death and passion of Christ But he that acted Christs part on the Crosse was wounded to death by one that should have thrust his sword into a bladder of blood and he with his fall killed one that acted a womans part lamenting under the Crosse His brother that was first slaine seeing this slew the murtherer for which himselfe by the order of justice was hanged February 3. Anno Christs 1652. a Play was acting at Witny in Oxfordshire at the White-Heart-Inne in a great long chamber supported by two strong and substantial beames the place having been formerly a maulting roome the matter of the play was scurrilous and blasphemous containing some bitter taunts against all godly persons under the name of Puritans and at religion it selfe under the name of observing fasting dayes But as they were acting of it it pleased God that the roome wherein the people was fell whereby five were slaine outright and above sixty were hurt and sorely bruised One woman had her leg broken which being cut off she died within three or four dayes besides there were about twelve broken armes and legs and others put out of joynt This is written at large by Mr. John Row a godly Minister and preacher in that place Apian scoffing at Religion and especially at circumcision had an ulcer rose at the same time in the same place Joseph A man in Queen Elizabeths Reigne for compiling a book wherein he had fastened some treasonable dishonours upon the Queen was condemned to die and before his death acknowledged that though he had not done any thing against the Queen which deserved death yet he deserved to die for that he had seduced many of her subjects from hearing the Word of life and though he saw the evil of it and reformed himselfe yet he could never prevaile to reclaime others whom he had seduced and therefore said he The blood of their soules is justly required at my hands He that despiseth despiseth not man but God who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit 1 Thes. 4. 8. CHAP. XLVI Gods judgements upon Dicers and Card-players BY the Elibertine and Constantinopolitan Councils under Justinian Dice-players were punished with Excommunication And the same Emperour made a Law That no man should use Dice-play either in private or publick no nor approve the same by his presence under paine of punishment Cod. l. 3. Tit. 43. Lewis the eighth King of France made a Law that no Cardes or Dice should be made or sold by any thereby to take away all occasion of gaming And surely in these dayes of light under the Gospel all Merchants and Tradesmen should forbear the sale of them lest ministring fuel to the fire of other mens lusts they make themselves guilty of their sinnes In a town of Campania a Jew playing at Dice with a Christian lost a great summe of money to him upon which occasion he belched out most bitter curses against Jesus Christ and his mother the blessed Virgin whereupon the Lord struck him dead immediately in the place and his fellow-gamester the Christian was also stricken with madnesse whereof he died shortly after Blas l. 1. c. 31. Anno Christi 1533. neere to Belissiâ—a in Helvetia three men were playing at Dice on the Lords day and one of them called Ulrick Schraeterus having lost much money at last expecting a good cast brake out into this cursed 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 drew his dagger and threw it against heaven
Dogs Domitian to prove him a lyar commanded him presently to be slaine and his body to be burnt but while it was in burning there fell out a great tempest that quenched the fire and so his body half unburnt was devoured by Dogs Suâ—t Constantine forbad all to ask Counsel at Witches oâ— to use the help of Charmers or Sorcerers upon pain of death Saul when he sought to the Witch at Endor instead of finding comfort was told of his utter ruine and destruction 1 Sam. 28. 19. Natholicus the 31th King of the Scots who had usurped the Crown sent a trusty friend to a famous Witch to know what successe he should have in his Kingdom and how long he should live The Witch answered that he should shortly be murthered not by an enemy but by his friend The Messenger instantly inquired by what friend By thy self said the Witch The Messenger at first abhorred the thought of any such villainy but afterwards considering that it was not safe to reveal the Witches answer and yet that it could not be concealed he resolved rather to kill the King to the content of many then to hazard the losse of his own head Thereupon at his return being in secret with the King to declare to him the Witches answer he suddenly slew him Bucâ—an Cleomedes a great Conjurer in Rome having practised the death of many little children the Parents of them at last sought revenge on him who to shun their fury shut himself up close in a Coffer but when they had broken it open the Divel had carried away the Conjurer Plut. Piso being accused by Tyberius for bewitching Germanicus to death instead of defending himself cut his own throat Taci There was in Denmark one Otto a great Magician and a great Pirat who used to passe the Seas without the help of a ship or any other Vessel and by his divellish Art to raise stormes and drown his enemies but at last being overmatched by one that was more expert in that Art then himself he was by him drowned in the Seas Olaus Mag. There was a Conjurer in Saltzburg who attempted to gather together all the Serpents there abouts into a Ditch and to feed them there but as he was practising of it the old Serpent the Divel drew him into the Ditch amongst them where he perished miserably The Governour of Mascon a great Magician as he was at dinner with some company was snatched away by the Divel hoisted up into the air and carried three times about the Town to the great astonishment of the inhabitants to whom he cried for help but all in vain Hugo de Cluni Anno Christi 1437. in the reign of Charles the 7th King of France Sr. Giles of Britane high-Constable of France was a wicked Magician having murthered above 160. Infants and women great with child with whose blood he wrote Books full of horrible Conjurations which being proved against him he was adjudged to be hanged and burned to death which was accordingly executed Picus Mirandula writes that in his time a great Conjurer promised a certain Prince that he would present to him the Siege of Troy with Hector and Achilles fighting together as when they were alive But as he was about his Conjurations the Divel carried him away that he was never heard of after The Lord of Orue in Lorraine when Noble-men or Gentle-men came to visit him used as they thought to serve them very honourbly with all sorts of daintie dishes and viands but when they departed they found their stomachs empty having eaten nothing On a time a Lords servant going from thence having forgotten some thing behind him went back and suddenly entering the Hall found a Munkie beating the Lord of the house that had feasted them others reported that he hath been seen through the chink of a door lying on his belly along upon a Table and a Munkie scourging him very strongly to whom he would say Let me al ne wilt thou alwayes thus torment me at last he fell into so great misery and beggery that he was fain to get into an Hospital in Paris where he ended his wrethed life Anno Christi 1530. there was in Nuâ—â—mburg a Popish Priest that studied the black Art who coveting riches the Divel shewed him through a Cristal treasures hidden in a part of the City Thither therefore did the Priest go with another companion and having digged an hollow pit he perceived in the bottom a Coffer with a great black Dog lying by it which whilest he beheld the earth fell upon him and crushed him to death Wierus Cornelius Agrippa was a great Necromancer and was alwayes accompanied with a familiar spirit in the shape of a black Dog But when his end approached he took off the Inchanted choller from the Dogs neck saying Get thee hence thou cursed beast which hast utterly destroyed me After which the Dog was never seen and he died a miserable death P. Jovius Zoroastres King of Bactria a great Astrologer and Magician was burned to death by the Divel Theat Anno Christi 1578. one Simon Pembrook of St. Georges Parish in London was suspected to be a Conjurer and used to erect figures for which he was called in question but whilest he was before the Judge he fell down and died having some Conjuring Books found about him Julian the Apostate sending to Delphos to enquire of the Divel the successe of his Parthian War whilest his Ambassadors were there fire came down from heaven and destroyed Apollos Temple and beat his Image all to pieces like to the lightest and smallest powder or dust Mr. Tindal being present in a roome where a Conjurer was hindred him that he could not play his pranks A Saints presence may hinder Satans elbow-roome from doing his tricks See Tindals Life in my first Part And the Like of Athanasius in his Life in the same Book CHAP. LXXIII Examples of Apparitions and Satanical delusions ANno Christi 1228. in a Synod held by the Popish Clergy at Paris in France there was one appointed to make a Sermon who as he was walking abroad and meditating upon what subject to preach the Devil appeared to him asking him what he needed to be so solicitous about that matter Say saith he in thy Sermon The Princes of hell salute you O ye Princes of the Church and gladly give you thanks for that through your default and negligence it comes to passe that so many soules come down to hell Adding that he was enforced by God to declare the same Yea and he gave this Priest a certain token whereby the Synod might evidently see that he did not lie On a time as Luther was walking in his garden the Devil appeared to him in the likenesse of a black Boar But Luther sleighting and not regarding him he vanished away See his Life in my first Part. Luther telleth us that when he was lodged in the Castle of Wartzhurg in a Chamber far from any company he was many times
A MIRROUR OR Looking-Glasse BOTH For Saints and Sinners Held forth in about two thousand Examples Wherein is presented as Gods wonderful Mercies to the one so his severe Judgments against the other Collected out of the most Classique Authors both Ancient and Modern with some late Examples observed by my self Whereunto are added the Wonders of God in Nature and the Rare Stupendious and Costly Works made by the Art and Industry of Man As the most famous Cities Structures Statues Cabinets of Rarities c. which have been or are in the WORLD By Sa. Clark Pastor in Bennet Fink London The second Edition much enlarged Sancti sunt honorandi propter imitationem August London Printed for Tho. Newberry and are to be sold at his Shop at the three Golden Lions in Corn-hill by the Royal-Exchange 1654. TO His dearly beloved Friends and Neighbours Members of the Church of Christ that meet in Bennet Fink London Dearly beloved Friends I Have much desired and longed for an opportunity to expresse and make known my gratefull heart unto you for those many favours and expressions of love which I have received from you For whereas by reason of the iniquities of the times and the cruelty of the common enemy I was banished from my home and that station wherein the Lord had seated mee with much comfort it pleased God to direct your hearts to make choyse of mee for your Minister and since that time being now eleven years I have never found your affections cooled but rather more and more inflamed and increased towards mee No small mercy in these giddy and unstable times and as a reall demonstration thereof you have been very solicitous to provide for my comfortable subsistence amongst you wherein I may use the Apostles expression 2 Cor. 8. 3. That to your power yea I bear record beyond your power you have been willing But that which especially hath ministred most comfort unto mee is your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ evidenced remarkably in this particular which I desire to speak of to Gods glory your credit and that your zeal may provoke others I never had occasion to move you in any just and honest businesse whether of publique or private concernment wherein I have not found your readinesse and forwardnesse to concur with and answer my expectation My hearts desire and earnest prayer to God for you is that you may yet abound more and more in every good word and work that so fighting the good fight of faith you may finish your course with joy For which end I beseech you in the bowels of Jesus Christ that you mark them which would cause divisions and offences among you contrary to the Doctrine which yee have learned and avoid them For many false Prophets are gone out into the world in Sheeps clothing which yet inwardly are ravening Wolves beguâ—ling unstable soules who like little children are carried about with every wind of Doctrine Ye therefore Beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastnesse 2 Pet. 3. 17. And the God of all grace who hath called us into his eternal glory by Jesus Christ after that yee have suffered a while make you perfect strengthen and settle you which shall ever be the hearty prayer and earnest endeavour of him who is Devoted to the service of your Faith Sa. Clark THE EPISTLE TO THE READER Christian Reader THis Book which I now present unto thee is the fruit of my spare houres it having been my recreation for these many years to read the best Histories which I could meet with and for the help of my memory I have collected the eminentest and most remarkable examples which did occur and reduced them under several heads distinguished into severall Chapters which I have found very useful profitable and pleasing unto me and presuming that they may be so to others also I have now this second time published them to the world that so they which neither have money to buy nor leisure to read many Volumes may find in this little Epitome the choisest and chiefest things that are contained in them I have also sometimes set down more pleasant stories which may have their use and prevent tediousnesse to the Reader though in such great variety of History I suppose there is no great danger of nauseousnesse But besides what I have collected out of the Authours themselves I have met with many examples in several Treatises and Sermons which have been lately published but what I have borrowed from them I hope I shall repay with interest by this insuing Collection I have also inserted some memorable examples from my own observation which were never before in Print I presume that it will be superfluous for me to tell thee what great benefit thou mayst reap by acquainting thy self with these Examples Dost thou live in places of danger and times of persecution here thou mayest see how powerful and merciful the Lord is in supporting or delivering his people in such times Doest thou see the enemies of Gods Church to thrive and proâ—per in their malice and cruelty here thou mayest see what the end of them is like to be if they speedily repent not Would'st thou see the amiablenesse and desireablenesse of vertues and Graces here thou mayst see it held forth unto thee in excellent Mirrours or Looking-Glasses Wouldest thou behold the uglinesse and danger of great and horrid sins Behold here Examples of the severity of Gods Judgments against them Would'st thou find out and propose some choyce Patterns and Presidents for thine imitation Here thou shalt find store and variety of them These with divers other uses and benefits may be made of these examples which I freely impart to thee with prayer for Gods blessing upon thee and them and desiring the like courtesie at thy hands I rest Thine in the Lord Sa. Clark From my Study in Thridneedle-street this 1. of April 1654. A Table of the CHAPTERS contained in this Book MIracles of Gods Mercies to his children Pag. 1 Examples fit for Gods Ministers to imitate Pag. 21 Of Christian courage and resolution Pag. 26 Of Gods Judgments upon Persecutors Pag. 35 Of the wicked lives and woful deaths of many Popes and Popelings Pag. 57 Of inhumane cruelties Pag. 68 Of Temperance Abstinence and Sobriety Pag. 84 Of Drunkennesse Pag. 90 Of Prodigality and Excesse Pag. 98 Of Gods Judgments upon Adulterers and unclean persons Pag. 101 Of Chastity and Modesty Pag. 112 Of Charity Pag. 116 Of Liberality Bounty and Munificence Pag. 122 Of Covetousnesse and Avarice Pag. 125 Of Sacriledge Pag. 132 Of Pride Arrogance Ambition and Vain-glory. Pag. 136 Of Humility and Self-denial Pag. 150 Of Anger Wrath Malice Hatred and Revenge Pag. 157 Of Patience Moderation and Meeknesse Pag. 161 Of Gods Judgments upon Apostates and Backsliders Pag. 168 Of Gods Judgments upon Atheists Pag. 180 Of Blasphemy and Gods Judgments
him that he would not perdere substantiam propter accidentia lose his life for learning he with a smile answered out of the Poet. Nec propter vitam vivendi perdere causas Baudisius a Dutch Divine being by his friends advised to favour himselfe I will said he do my duty whilst I can yea though I hasten my death by preaching Dr. Burges of Sutton Cofield immediately after he came forth of the Pulpit fell sick shortly after died Mr. William Perkins borne at Marston nigh Coventry in Warwick-shire was a painfull and powerfull Preacher in Cambridge whose Sermons were not so plaine but the piously learned did admire them nor so learned but the plaine did understand them He would pronounce the word Damne with such an emphasis as left a dolefull echo in his auditors ear esa good while after He had a rare felicity in speedy reading of books and as it were but turning them over would give an exact account of all considerables therein besides his frequent preaching he wrote many bookes and though lame of his right hand yet this Ehud with a left-handed pen did stab the Romish cause and as one saith Dextera quantum vis fuerat tibi manca docendi Pollebas mirà dexteritate tamen Though nature thee of thy right hand bereft Right well thou writest with thy hand that 's left Holy State in vita ejus St. Augustines wish was that Christ when he came might finde him aut precantem aut praedicantem either praying or preaching Melancthon was wont to say that none underwent such paines as Preachers Rulers and women in travell and Luther said that a master of a family hath something to do a Magistrate more and a Minister most of all When Chrysostome was like to be silenced all the people cried our Satius est ut sol non luceat quam ut non doceat Chrysostomus we had better want the shining of the Sunne then the preaching of Chrysostome Holy Melancthon being himselfe newly converted thought it impossible for his hearers to withstand the evidence of the Gospel but after he had been a Preacher a while he complained that old Adam was too hard for young Melancthon Mr. Bolton having much weakned his body by his indefatigable paines in his private devotions and publick preaching was advised by his Physitians for his healths-sake to break off the strong intentions of his studies but he rejected their counsell accounting it greater riches to enjoy Christ by those servent intentions of his minde then to remit them for the safeguard of his health Bishop Ridley offering to preach before the Lady Mary afterwards Queene she refused to heare him and being brought by Sir Thomas Wharton her Steward into the dining roome was desired to drink which when he had done he paused a while looking very sad and being asked the reason he said Surely I have done amisse in drinking in that place where the Word of God being offered was rejected whereas I should have departed presently and shaken off the dust from my shooes for a testimony against this house Bugenhagius a Dutch Divine was so joyfull when he together with Luther and some other learned men had finished the translation of the Bible out of the Originals into Dutch that ever after he invited his friends on that day wherein they ended their work to a feast which he called The feast of the Translation of the Bible See his Life in my first part Doctor Cramner being sent by King Henry the eighth to Rome about his Divorce in his voyage to and fro he learned all the New Testament by heart Baronius the compiler of those voluminous Annals of the Church yet for thirty yeares together preached three or foure times a week to the people Spond in vita Baro pag. 2. part 7. When a certaine Frenchman came to visit Melancthon he found him in his stove dandling his childe in the swadling clouts with the one hand and in the other hand holding his book and reading it A good Minister and a good father may well agree together Pantal de illust Germ in vita Melan A certain man causelesly disaffected to his Minister complained that he in his last Sermon had personally inveigâ—ed against him accusing him thereof to a grave religious Gentleman in the Parish Truly said the Gentleman I had thought in his Sermon he had meant me it so touched my heart which saying abated the edge of the others anger Holy State pa 94. At the disputation of Ratisbone where Melancthon was pressed with a shrewd argument by Ecchius I will answer thee said he to morrow Nay said Ecchius do it now or it s nothing worth yea said Melancthon I seek the truth and not my own credit and therefore it will be as good if I answer thee to morrow by Gods assistance Melch Adain vit Germ Theol p. 339. Latimer presented King Henry the eighth for a new years gift with a New Testament wrapped up in a napkin with this Posie about it Fornicatores adulteros judicabit Dominus Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge which was the sin that the King rers notoriously guilty of Frederick Bishop of Uarich sitting at dinner with the Emperour Ludovicus Pius the Emperour bade him execute his office without respect of persons The Bishop humbly thanked him and having a fish before him asked him whether he should begin with the head or taile The Emperour replied With the head which is the chiefest member It 's well said the Bishop Then break you off your Incestuous match with Judith And accordingly the Emperour did it for a time But the Pope a while after for some thousands of Crowns gave him a dispensation and made up the match again whereupon this Herodias for his free speech caused the Bishop to be slaine in his own Church Rand in Polychron Preach the Word be instant in season out of season reprove rebuk exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine 2 Tim. 4. 2. Blessed is that servant whom when his Lord comes he shall finde so doing Matth. 24. 46. Fructus honos oneris fructus honoris onus CHAP. III. Ezamples of Christian courage and resolution THe Naturalists write of the Eagle that she trieth her young ones by turning their eies upon the Sun when it shineth brightly so God doth his children who if they can outface the Sun of persecution they are sincere indeed not but that he knowes them sufficiently without such a triall but hereby he makes them known both to themselves and others for Grace is hid in nature here as sweet water in Rose-leaves the fire of affliction must be put under to distil it out and as trees fix their roots the faster the more they are shaken so comforts abound as sufferings abound yet lest any should think that he can stand by his own strength the Apostle Paul tells him that all our sufficiency is of God 2 Cor. 3. 5. who useth to proportion the burthen to the back and the stroke to
against our Religion Doctor Bennet Chancellor of London objected it as an hainous crime against one Richard Butler that divers times he did erroneously and damnably read in a great book of Heresie meaning the Bible certaine Chaptâ—rs of the Evangelists in English containing in them divers erroneous and damnable opinions and conclusions of heresie Act. Mon. The Jesuites at Dole in France set up an Edict publickly wherein they forbad all talke of God either in good sort or in bad Francis Ximenius Cardinal of Toledo in his preface before the Bible set forth at Complutum saith that he set the vulgar Latine between the Hebrew and the Greeke as Christ was set betwixt two theeves Jeroboam made Priests of the vilest of the people and indeed the vilest of the people if they were but men were too good to make Priests for Jeroboams gods which were but Calves Tecelius the Popes Agent in Germany perswaded the ignorant and common people that assoone as their tenne shillings which was the price of an indulgence ting'd in the Basin any friend they would name should be immediately delivered out of Purgatory etiamsi per impossibile matrem Dei vitiâsset Coâ— O-Neale Earle of Ulster in Ireland curâ—ed all his posterity in case they either learned to speake English or sowed wheat or built houses often saying that by these meanes they would make themselves slaves to the English Camb. Brit. Irel. p. 120. The wilde Irish account it no shame to commit robberies which they practise every where with exceeding cruelty and when they go to robbe they power out their prayers to God that they may meet with a booty and when they meet with it they account it as Gods gift neither will they be perswaded that God would present unto them the opportunity of rapine violence and murder if it were a sinne nay a sinne it were as they think if they should not lay hold upon the opportunity Camb. Brit. Irel p. 144. When one of these wilde Irish lieth ready to die certaine women hired on purpose to lament standing in crosse waâ—es and holding their hands all abroade call unto him with certaine out-cries reckoning up the commodities that he enjoyes of worldly goods wives beauty fame kinsfolk friends and horses demanding of him why he will depart whither and to whom c Camb. Brit. Irel. p. 147. Stephen Gardiner speaking to one Marbeck What the Devil said he made thee meddle with the Scriptures Act. Mon. In China the Inhabitants use to whip their gods if they help them not when they pray unto them An old man above sixty yeares of age who lived and died in a parish where besides the Word read there was constant preaching almost all his time both upon ordinary and extraordinary occasions and himself a constant hearer and one that seemed forward in the love of the Word on his death-bed a Minister demanding of him what he thought of God answered that he was a good old man And what of Christ that he was a towardly young youth And what of his soul that it was a great bone in his body And what should become of his soul after death that if he did well he should be put into a pleasant green Meddow c. Pemb. William Courtney Arch-bishop of Canterbury cited certaine of his tenants for an hainous and horrible trespasse as he stiled it which was for that they brought straw to litter his horses not on carts as they ought but in bags for which hainous offence after they had confessed their fault and submitted themselves to him he enjoyned them this penance That going leasurely before the Procession barefoot and barelegged each of them should carry upon his shoulder a bag stuffed with straw the straw hanging out whereupon were made these verses This bag full of straw I bear on my back Because my Lords horse his litter did lack If you be not the better to my Lords Graces horse Ye are like to go barefoot before the Crosse. When the inhabitants of Ilium anciently called Troy sent Ambassadours to Tiberius to condole the death of his father Augustus a long time after he was dead the Emperour considering the unseasonableness of it requited them accordingly saying And I also am sorry for your heaviness having lost so valiant a Knight as Hector who was slaine above a thousand yeares before Herodotus tells of the Psilli a foolish people who being displeased with the South-winde for dâ—ying up their waters would needs take up armes against it but whilest they marched upon the sands to seek their enemy it blew so strongly that raising a drift of sand it overwhelmed them whereby in stead of a victory they met with their graves as a just reward of their folly Cardinal Woolsey falling into disgrace with King Henry the eighth said Had I been as wise and careful to serve the God of heaven as I have been to serve my great Master on earth he would never thus have left me in my gray haires Themistocles being banished Athens fled to Artaxerxes King of Persia for refuge who was wonderfully overjoyed that he had by this means gotten so gallant a man praying to his gods that his enemies might be alwayes so infatuated as to banish their worthiest men Herod Caius Caligula the Romane Emperour had one of his horses which he loved best and called him Swift he invited him to supper and gave him his provender in a golden manger and drank wine to him in golden bowles He used to sweare by his health and fortune He promised him to make him Consul as before he had made him his Priest He built him a Marble stable an Ivory manger cloathed him with purple put a chaine of pearles about his neck besides he built him an house furnished it with housholdstuffe and servants that so they whom his horse invited might have the better entertainment Pez Mel. Hist. He pretended an expedition into Britaine made great warlick preparations led his Army to the sea-side and then commanded them to gather cockleshells with which he returned in triumph to Rome as if they had been the spoiles of his conquered enemies Sueto The Turks foolishly hold that man so soone as he comes out of his mothers womb hath his destiny written in his forehead by God and therein all the good evil that shall befall him and in particular what death he shall die and hereupon they are desperate in the Wars fear not infection of the plague so that if one dies of the Plague another presently weares his cloaths Turk Hist. p. 1302. Sir Roger Williams hearing a Spaniard foolishly bragging of his Country-sallats gave him this quick answer You have indeed good sauce in Spaine but we in England have dainty Beeves Veale and Muttons to eat with that sauce And as God made Beasts to live on the grasse of the earth so he made man to live upon them Examples of wise fooles A poot begger in Paris stayed so long in a Cooks
were witnesses of Pausanias reports that one Balthus a dumb man wandring in a desert met with a Lion and was struck with such exceeding fear and trepidation that thereupon the strings of his tongue were loosed and he spake ever after CHAP. LVII Examples of Constancy COmmanded 1 Chron. 28. 7. â—it 3. 8. Gal. 5. 10. 2 Tim. 2. 1. Heb. 13. 9. Jam. 1. 17. 2 Cor. 1. 17. 1 Cor. 15. 58. 2 Pet. 3. 17. 2 Tim. 3. 14. Rev. 2. 10. Commended Prov. 21. 28. Heb. 12. 3. Rom. 11. 22. Exhorted to 1 Cor. 16. 13. Eph. 4. 14 15. â— Tim. 3 14. Heb. 12. 1. 13. 9. Mat. 10. 22. 24. 13. Phil. 4. 1. Rev. 3. 11. Scriptural Examples Joshua ch 24 15. Ruth ch 1. 15. Levites 2 Chron. 11. 13. Josiah 2 Chron. 34. 2. Jewes Ezra 3. 3. David Psal. 119. 157. John Baptist Mat. 11. 7. Luke 7. 24. Paul Acts 20. 23 24. 2 Tim. 4. 7. Antipas Rev. 2. 13. Angel Rev. 2. 13. Disciples Luke 22. 28. Hebrews chap. 10. 32 34. Dionysius c. Acts 17. 34. Jewes and Proselytes Acts 13. 43. Other Examples Aristides is an admirable example of constancy of whom Phlutarch writes that amidst all the changes which befell the Athenians in his time he remained alwayes the same for honours never puffed him up with pride nor adversity never made him impatient For when AEschylus the Poet in the publick Amphytheater made verses in his commendation and thereupon the eyes of all the people were fixed upon him he was nothing affected or puffed up with it neither at other times was he afflicted at the reproaches and indignities of his enemies He used to say That it was the part of a good Citizen only to rejoyce in his good speeches and actions Plut. Nero being weary of his wife Octavia the daughter of Claudius by whom he had the Empire charged her with adultery and Pythias one of her women was miserably tormented upon the rack to extort a confession against her imperial Lady but she left this memorable Example of loyal constancy Nero's instrument of cruelty sitting in Commission at the rack demanded of her some immodest questions about her Lady Octavia But she being raised above fear or paine by honest courage did spit into his face saying that Octavia was honester in her womans parts then his mouth Suet. Phocion the Athenian was semper idem alwayes the same neither favour nor fear altering him the Oracle declaring that there was one man that was an enemy to the concord of the City when the enraged people enquired after him he said Pray you be quiet I am the man whom ye seek for there are none of your doings that please me Athens was at this time in her dotage Afterwards being chosen Captaine of the Athenians against the Macedonians he seeing that his cowardly souldiers were only valiant in their tongues wisely forbore fighting and made a peace afterwards being upbraided as if he had done it through cowardice he answered You are happy that you had a Captaine that knew you well enough otherwise you had all perished before this At another time when Demosthenes that rode the people by his flattery told Phocion that the Athenians would kill him when they began to be mad But said Phocion they will kill thee when they begin to be wise Lipsius Saint Ambrose Bishop of Millaine being besieged in his Church by the Emperour Valentinian junior at the instigation of Justina his mother an Arian the Emperour commanded him to come forth of the Church intending to deliver it to the Arians But Ambrose told him that he would never come out of it willingly neither would betray his sheepfold to the wolvs nor his Church to such as were blasphemers of God Therefore saith he if thou wilt kill me come in and thrust me through either with thy sword or speare which death will be very grateful unto me Theod. Valerianus Bishop of Hâ—benza in Africa being commanded by Genserick an Arian King of the Vandals to deliver up to him the books of the Sacred Scripture and other vessels belonging to the Church he rather chose being eighty years old to be stripped naked and driven out of the City where he lay amongst the dunghills till he perished Sige. Chron. Hormisdas a Nobleman of Persia professing Christianity in the time of a great persecution was called before the King Varanes who sharply chid him threatening him with death if he persisted therein To whom Hormisdas constantly answered That which you command me O King is wicked and therefore I may not abjure the God of the whole world to procure your Majesties favour For a crime committed against his Majesty is farre greater then disobedience to you Niceph. Constance the third could neither prevaile by promises nor threats with Martin Bishop of Rome to confirme the heresie of the Monothelites he choosing banishment rather then thus to sinne against God Fulgos. Publius Rutilius shewed his excellent constancy when being requested by a friend to do for him a thing which was unjust he refused to do it whereupon his friend said What am I the better for thy friendship if thou wilt not do for me so small a courtesie when it is desired of thee To whom he answered And what am I the better for such a friend as requests of me such unjust things Val. l. 6. c. 4. Pomponius a Knight of Rome fighting in the Army of Lucullus against Mithridates was wounded and taken prisoner and being brought before Mithridates he said to him If I take care for the cure of thy wounds wilt thou be my friend To whom Pomponius answered Not except thou beest a friend to the people of Rome Fulgos. Marc. Brutus warring in Lusitania when he had conquered almost the whole Countrey only the City of Cyania stood out against him he sent Ambassadours to them proffering them a great summe of gold to deliver up their City to him To whom they answered with admirable constancy Our father 's left us swords wherewith to defend our liberty not gold nor rich gifts wherewith to redeem our selves from our enemies Eras. Apoth C. Mevius a Captaine of Augustus Caesars having often fought valiantly against Mark Anthony was at last circumvented taken prisoner and carried before Anthony who asked him what he would have him to determine about him To whom Mevius most constantly answered Command my throat to be cut seeing I am resolved neither for the hope of life nor for the fear of death to forsake Caesar nor to serve thee Val. Max. See more in the Chapter of Valour and Magnanimity CHAP. LVIII Examples of Inconstancy Unstableness SPoken of Jam. 1. 8. 2 Pet. 2. 14. 3. 16. Reuben is said to be so Gen. 49. 4. The Athenians who a little before had given divine honours to King Demetrius and in a most base manner flattered him during his great victories when they heard of his overthrow by Ptolemy King of Egypt and that he was coming to
molested by noises made by the Devil in his Chamber and on his staires but I saith he encountred him with that sentence Omnia subjecisti pedibus ejus Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet and so I laid me down and slept in safety Collo Mens 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 wrote in it The Son of God came to dissolve the works of the Devil and so holding up that paper to the Devil he vanished Senerclaus tells of a plain Countrey man at Friburg in Germany to whom as he lay on his death-bed the Devil appeared in the shape of a tall and grimme man claiming his soul saying Thou hast been a notorious sinner and I am now come to set down all thy sins and thereupon drew out paper and ink and sitting down at a Table that stood by began to write The sick man said My soul is Christs and all my sins were nailed to his Crosse But if thou desirest to set down my sins write thus All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags The Devil set that down and bade him say on He did But thou Lord hast promised for thine own Names sake to blot out all our iniquities And to make our scarlet sins white as snow The Devill would not write these words but was earnest with the man to go on in his former confession Then said the sick man with great cheerfulnesse The Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the Devil whereupon the Devil vanished and shortly after the sick man dyed Mr. White of Dorchester being a member of the Assembly of Divines was appointed Minister of Lambeth but for the present could get no convenient house to dwell in but one that was possessed by the Devil This he took and not long after his maid sitting up late the Devil appeared to her whereupon in a great fright she ran up to tell her Master He bid her get to bed saying She was well served for sitting up so late Presently after the Devil appeared to Mr. White himself standing at his beds feet To whom Mr. White said If thou hast nothing else to do thou mayest stand there still And I will betake my self to my rest and accordingly composing himself to sleep the Devill vanished Not long since at Stetin a University in Pomerania there was a young Student that 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 whereupon he went to him and borrowed it of him the young man having forgotten that he had put this 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 Dr. Cramerus a Professor of Divinity in that University to ask his advice who wished him to keep the bond the other replied that he durst not Then said the Dr. bring it to me and I will keep it Some few nights after as the Dr. was in his study the Devill came rapping at his study door saying Cramer Cramer give me by bond for it belongs to me and thou hast nothing to do with it To whom the Dr. 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 this the Devil taking his Chamber-window with him went his way Crescentius the Popes Legate at the Councill of Trent as he was upon a time writing Letters till mid-night to the Pope being about to rise to refresh himself there came in a great black dog with flaming eyes and eares hanging almost to the ground which came to the Table where he sate and then vanished the Cardinal affrighted called in his servants caused them to look about the Chamber for the Dog and when they could not find him he immediately fell sick and in his sicknesse was alwaies calling upon those about him to drive away the dog that clumbe upon his bed and so continued till he dyed Sleid. Comment Anno Christi 1653. about the moneth of October came some Quakers out of the North into Wales about Vâ—rexham endeavouring to winne some professours to their party Their principal design was to disgrace the Ministry and all publick Ordinances They held universal Redemption Free-will and falling from Grace they published that all men have the pure seed of God in them boasting that themselves were perfect and without sin that they knew at the first sight sincere Christians from hypocrites At their meetings after long silence sometimes one sometimes more fell into a great and dreadfull shaking and trembling in their whole bodies and all their joynts with such risings and swellings in their bellies and bowels sending forth such shreekings yellings howlings and roarings as not onely affrighted the spectators but caused the Dogs to bark the swine to cry and the Cattell to run about to the astonishment of all that heard them By these artifices one VVilliam Spencer was drawn by them to leave the Church and to follow them whereupon at several times he fell into the same quaking fits And lying with one of them three severall nights the last night being much troubled and not able to sleep upon a sudden he heard something buzzing and humming about the Quakers head like an humble Bee which did sore affright him whereupon he sought to rise but the Quaker perswaded him to lie still and immediately there arose a great wind and storm which shook the house wherein they lay which adding much to his former fear he again attempted to arise but the Quaker still pressed him to lie still perswading him to expect the Power to come which they often promise to their Proselytes and thereupon he again heard the former humming noise which more and more terrified him so that he strove vehemently to rise but the Quaker laid his head upon Spencer's shoulder and did blow hard like the hissing of a Goose several times towards his face or mouth which made him leap out of his bed in a great astonishment crying for a light and guide to conduct him to a neighbours house and upon this occasion left them altogether testifying the truth hereof to the Quaker's face before many witnesses the Quaker not denying it Attested under several hands See the like in the Chapter of Heresies CHAP. LXXIV Examples of Dissimulation IT 's
his enemies Lipsius Portius Cato was of such an honest and blamelesse life that though he was often accused by his adversaries and forced to plead his cause fifty times yet he alwaies came off with credit and that not by favour friends or bribes but against all these And being again accused in his old age he desired that Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus who was his adversary might be made his Judge which being done he so cleared himself before him that Gracchus acquitted him Lipsius Godlinesse with contentment is great gain 1 Tim. 6. 6. CHAP. LXXXVII Prediction Prophecies THe same day that Alexander the Great was born in Macedonia Diana's Temple at Ephesus in Asia was burned down at which time divers Magicians being present they ran up and down tearing their hair and crying out that that day was born the great plague and Pest of Asia Diod. Sic. The same day that Philip King of Macedon had the City of Potidaea surrendred to him three Messengers one after another brought him word first of a great Victory that Parmenio his General had obtained over the Illyrians Secondly of a victory or prize that his horse had gotten at the Olympick Games Thirdly of the birth of his son Alexander whereupon his Southsayers told him that his son which was born at that tiwe wherein he had gotten three such victories should prove unconquerable Justin Domitius AEnobarbus when his son Nero was born his friends coming to congratulate him for the birth of his son said unto them There can be nothing born to me and Agrippina but that which is detestable and that which is born for the publick hurt Pez Mel. Hist. Nero sending to the Oracle at Delphos to know his final fortune received this ambiguous answer Beware of the 73 year which he understood to be meant of his own ages date but it proved Galba's who dethroned him Superstition is worthily fed with illusion and irreligion as worthily punished with credulity Suet. Learned Gerard tells us of a certain woman called Thoda in Suevia in Germany who Anno Christi 848. Prophesied that that year the world should end which as she said was revealed to her by an Angel Anno Christi 1526. there was an Anabaptist that ran up and down the streets in the City of St. Gallus in Helvetia crying with horrid gestures that the day of the Lord was come that it was present And Anno Christi 1530. upon the like Prophecie another so strongly prevailed with some that he perswaded them the last year of the world was come whereupon they grew prodigal of their goods and substance fearing that they should scarcely spend them in so short a time as the world was to continue An unknown woman came to Tarquinius Superbus in Rome and proffered him the nine books of the Sybils Prophecies at a very great rate which he refused to give her She burned three of them and offered him the other six at the same rate but he refused again whereupon she burnt other three and asked him the same rate for the three remaining which he then bought and layed them up in the Capitol where they continued as Oracles till both Temple and books were burnt Dionys. CHAP. LXXXVIII Examples of the power and prevalency of Prayer IS any sick amongst you Let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him and the prayer of Faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up and if he have committed sins they shall be forgiven him The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much Elias was a man subject to the like passions as we are and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six moneths And he prayed again and the heaven gave rain and the earth brought forth her fruit Jam. 5 14 c. Fervent prayers are effectual Psal. 34. 4 6 15 17. Matth. 7. 8. Mar. 11. 24. Jam. 1. 5 6. 5. 16. Psal. 3. 4. 107. 6 13. God is a Prayer-hearing God Psal. 65. 2. Delighting in it Cant. 2. 14. It 's as incense to him Psal. 141. 2. Promising to give if we ask Luk. 11. 10. Rom. 10. 12. which promise is sealed with the blood of Christ and back'd with an oath Mich. 7. 20. Joh. 15. 7. Commanding to ask in full â—ssurance Heb. 10. 22. Jam. 1. 6. Encouraging by Parables Luk. 11. 8 9 11 c. 18. 2 c. Sighs and groanes are prayers Exod. 2. 23 24. Psal 79. 11. 12. 5. 39. 12. 56. 8. Rom. 8. 26. Isa. 38. 5. Christ perfumes our prayers with his merits Rev. 8. 3 4. It obtains temporal blessings 1 King 18. 42 c. Zach. 10. 1. God will be sought to Ezek. 36. 37. We shall not seek him in vain Esay 45. 19. It must be tendered in the hand of a Mediatour Matth. 3. 17. Joh 14. 13 14. We must see that we belong to God if we will prevail Psal. 34. 17. 73. 1. Before we ask God heares Isa. 65. 24. Dan. 9. 23. Scriptural Examples of the efficacy of Prayer Abraham praying for Ishmael Gen. 17. 20. For Sodom Ch. 18. 23 c. For Abimelech Ch. 20. 17. Jacob Gen. 32. 24 c. Hose 12. 4. Moses Exod. 14. 15. 15. 25. 17. 11 c. Numb 14. 12 c. Exod. 32. 10. Numb 12. 13. 21. 7. Samuel 1 Sam. 7. 9. Josuah Ch. 10. 12. Elijah 1 King 17. 20. Elisha 2 King 4. 33. Solomon 1 King 3. 11. 9. 3 c. Asa 2 Chron. 14. 11. Hezekiah Isa. 37. 15 c. Jehosaphat 2 Chron. 20. 3 c. Amos Ch. 7. 2 c. the Syrophoenician woman Matth. 15. 22 c. Importunate widow Luk. 18. 2 c. Isaiah Ch. 62. 1 6 7. The persons of Saints are like secret pledges of common quiet and their mediations are a shield to the earth against the wrath of heaven Gregory Nazianzen reports of his sister Gorgonia that her knees seemed to cleave to the earth by reason of her often prayiag And Gregory of his aunt Trucilla that her elbow was as hard as an horn by often leaning upon a desk when she prayed And Eusebius of James Justus that his knees were as hard as a Camels knees bereaved of sense by often praying One reports of Joachim the father of the Virgin Mary that he used to say Cibus Potus mihi est Oratio Prayer is my meat and drink A Gentlewoman being in her Parlour exercised in meditation and prayer cryed out O that I might ever enjoy this sweet Communion with God The Queen-Mother of Scotland in her Warres against the first Reformers confessed openly That she feared more the fasting and Prayers of that man of God John Knox and his Disciples then an Army of twenty thousand men Looking-Glasse of the Holy War Leelin Prince of Wales being perswaded by some about him to make war against our King Henry