shall deliver into their Hands take heed of them and cleave fast to Christ For they will leave no corner of his Conscience unsearched but will attempt by all guileful and subtle means to corrupt him and to cause him to fall from God and his Truth The Night after he had Subscribed he was greatly troubled and through Affliction of Conscience could not Sleep neither could his Mind be eased till he had procured his Subscription and tore out his Name Being Condemned to be Burned he thus said My Mind and Conscience I Praise God is now quiet in Christ and I by his Grace am very willing and content to give over my Body to the Death for a Testimony of his Truth and pure Religion against Antichrist and all his false Religion and Doctrine Ibid. p. 28. 7. In Suffolk among others there was one Peter Moon and his Wife who were Charged for not coming to Church and for neglecting other Popish Ceremonies Moon was first Examined Whether the Pope was not the Supreme Head of the Church Whether the Queen were not the right Inheritrix of the Crown Whether Christ's Body was not Really Present in the Sacrament c and being of a timorous Disposition he so answered as his Adversaries were satisfied His Wife also by his Example was drawn into the same Dissimulation and so they were dismissed But when they came home and began to bethink themselves what they had done they fell into such Trouble and Horror of Conscience that they were ready wholly to Despair And Moon seeing a Sword hanging in his Parlor was tempted to have slain himself with it which yet the Lord was pleased to prevent and afterwards upon their unfeigned Repentance to restore and comfort them Ibid. 8. Sir John Check who had been Tutor to King Edward VI. in the Reign of Queen Mary was cast into the Tower and kept close Prisoner and put to this miserable choice either to forego his Life or that which was more precious his Liberty of Conscience Neither could his Liberty be procured by his great Friends at any lower Rate than to Recant his Religion This he was very unwilling to accept of till his hard Imprisonment joyned with threats of much worse in case of his refusal and the many large promises made upon his Submission with what other means humane Policy could invent wrought so upon him whilst he consulted with Flesh and Blood as drew from him an Abrenuntiation of that Truth which he had so long Professed and still Believed upon this he was Restored to his Liberty but never to his Comfort for the Sense of and Sorrow for his own Apostacy and the daily sight of the cruel Butcheries exercised on others for their constant adherence to the Truth made such deep Impressions upon his broken Spirit as brought him to a speedy yet through God's Mercy and Goodness to a comfortable end of his Miserable Life A. C. 1557. ibid. p. 28. 9. There was one Ralph Allerton who coming into his Parish Church of Bently in Essex and finding the People idle or ill imployed he exhorted them to go to Prayers and after he had read to them a Chapter out of the New Testament for which being Apprehended he was carried before Bishop Bonner who by his subtle perswasions and flatteries so prevailed with this poor Man that he drew him to Recant his former Profession and so dismissed him But this base Cowardice of his brought him into such Bondage and Terrors of Conscience and so cast him down that if the Lord had not been exceeding gracious unto him he had Perished for ever But the Lord looking upon him with the Eyes of Mercy after he had Chastned raised him up again giving him not only hearty and unfeigned Repentance of his Back-sliding but also a constant boldness to profess his Name and Gospel even unto Death ibid. 10. In the City of Bristol there was one Richard Sharp a Weaver who being Apprehended for Religion was carried before Doctor Dalby the Chancellor who after he had Examined him about the Sacraments of the Altar so wrought upon him by Perswasions that he drew from him a promise to make a publick Recantation and the time and place were appointed for it But after this Promise Sharp felt such an Hell in his Conscience that he was not able to follow any Business and he decayed in his bodily Health and wholly lost his Colour Whereupon on a Sabbath going to his Parish-Church he pressed to the Quire-door and with a loud Voice said Neighbours bear me Record that yonder Idol pointing to the Altar is the greatest and most abominable Idol that ever was and I am sorry that ever I denied my Lord God For this he was carried to Prison and Sealed the Truth with his Blood Ibid. p. 29. 11. When Jerome of Prague came to the Council at Constance they sent him to a Town where they tied him fast to a great Block and set his Legs in the Stocks his Hands also being made fast unto them the Block being so high that he could not possibly sit thereon but his Head must hang downward where also they allowed him nothing but Bread and Water But within eleven days hanging thus by the Heels he fell very sick Yet thus they kept him in Prison almost Twelve Months and then sent to him requiring him to Recant and to Subscribe that John Huss was justly put to Death which he did partly out of fear of Death and hoping to escape their hands Yet they sent to Examine him again but he refused to Answer except he were brought in Publick before the Council and they presuming that he would openly confirm his former Recantation sent for him May 25. 1416. subborning False Witnesses to Accuse him But he so learnedly cleared himself and refuted his Adversaries that they were astonished at his Oration which he concluded with this That all such Articles which Wickliff and Huss had written against the Enormities Pomps and Disorders of the Prelates he would firmly Hold and Defend even unto Death And that all the Sins he had committed did not so much gnaw and trouble his Conscience as did that most Pestiferous Act of his in Recanting what he had justly spoken and to the consenting to the wicked Condemnation of Huss and that he repented with his whole Heart that ever he did it For this he was Condemned and Burned Ibid. p. 30. 12. Some of the Friends of Galcacius Garacciolus Marquess of Vico having promised to accompany him in his voluntary Exile but afterwards looking back and turning again to their Vomit they were Apprehended and cast into the Inquisition were they were forced publickly to Recant and to Abjure their Religion and so they became the Subject of Misery and Infamy and were equally Odious to both Parties Ibid. p. 30. 13. Tho. Bilney A. C. 1531. of Cambridge Professor of both Laws Converted Thomas Arthur and Mr. Hugh Latimer but after recanting his Principles for the space of two
Toaklys Son Languished and Died calling and crying out upon her that she was the cause of his Death She also declared that about eight days before Susan Cock Margaret Landish and Joyce Boanes brought to her House three Imps which Joyce taking her Imp too carried them all four to Robert Turners to Torment his Servant because her refused to give them some Chips his Master being a Carpenter and that he forthwith fell Sick and oft barkt like a Dog and she believed those four Imps were the cause of his Death Rose Hallybread was for this Wickedness Condemned to be Hanged but Died in Chelmsford Goal May 9. 1645. Ibid. p. 16. Susan Lock was another of the Society concerning whom see more in the Chap. of Satans Permission to hurt the Innocent in their Estates 6. Much about the same time in Huntingtonshire Elizabeth Weed of great Catworth being Examined before Robert Bernard and Nicholas Pedley Esq Justices of the Peace March 31. 1646. Said that about Twenty one years before as she was one Night going to Bed there appeared to her three Spirits one like a young Man and the other two in the shape of Puppies one white and the other black He that was in the form of a youth spoke to her and Demanded Whether she would deny God and Christ which she agreed to The Devil then offered her to do what mischief she would require of him provided she would Covenant he should have her Soul after Twenty one years which she granted She confest further that about a week after at Ten a Clock at Night he came to her with a Paper asking whether she were willing to Seal the Covenant she said she was then he told her it must be done with her Blood and so prickt her under the left Arm till it bled with which she scribled and immediately a great lump of Flesh rise on her Arm in the same place which increased ever since After which he came to Bed and had Carnal Knowledge of her then and many times afterwards The other two Spirits came into the Bed likewise and suckt upon other parts of her Body where she had Teats and that the Name of one was Lilly and the other Priscil One of which was to hurt Man Woman or Child and the other to destroy what Cattel she desired and the young Man was to lye with her as he did often And saith that Lilly according to the Covenant did kill the Child of Mr. Henry Bedel of Catworth as she required him to do when she was angry tho she does not now remember for what and that about two or three days before she sent him to kill Mr. Bedel himself who returned and said he had no Power and that another time she sent the same Spirit to hurt Edward Musgrove of Catworth who likewise returned saying He was not able And that she sent her Spirit Priscill to kill two Horses and two Cows of Mr. Musgroves and Thomas Thorps in that Town which was done accordingly And being askt when the one and twenty years would be out she said To the best of my Remembrance about low Sunday next Being further demanded why she did so constantly resort to Church and to hear the Sermons of Mr. Pool the Minister she said She was well pleased with his Preaching and had a desire to be rid of that unhappy Burthen which was upon her VVitches of Huntington p. 2. 7. About the year of our Lord 1632. As near as I can Remember having lost my Notes and the Copy of the Letter to Serjeant Hutton but I am sure that I do most perfectly remember the substance of the Story near unto Chester in the street there lived one VValker a young Man of Good Estate and a Widower who had a young Woman to his Kinswoman that kept his House who was by the Neighbours suspected to be with Child and was towards the Dark of the Evening one Night sent away with one Mark Sharp who was a Collier or one that digged Coals under Ground and one that had been born in Blakeburn-Hundred in Lancashire And so she was not heard of for a long time and no Noise or little was made about it In the Winter time after one James Graham or Grime for so in that Countrey they call them being a Miller and living about two Miles from the place where Walker lived was one Night alone very late in the Mill grinding Corn and as about twelve or one a Clock at Night he came down the Stairs from having been putting Corn in the Hopper the Mill doors being shut there stood a Woman upon the midst of the Floor with her hair about her head hanging down and all Bloody with five large Wounds on her head He being much affrighted and amazed began to Bless him and at last asked her who she was and what she wanted To which she said I am the Spirit of such a Woman who lived with Walker and being got with Child by him he promised to send me to a private place where I should be well lookt to until I was brought to Bed and well again and then I should come again and keep his House And accordingly said the Apparition I was one Night late sent away with one Mark Sharp who upon a Moor Naming a place that the Miller knâ—w slew me with a Pike such as Men dig Coals withal and gave me these five Wounds and after threw my Body into a Coal-Pit hard by and hid the Pike under a Bank And his Shoes and Stockings being Bloody he endeavoured to wash but seeing the Blood would not wash forth he hid them there And the Apparition further told the Miller that he must be the Man to reveal it or else that she must still appear and haunt him The Miller returned home very sad and heavy but spoke not one word of what he had seen but eschewed as much as he could to stay in the Mill within Night without Company thinking thereby to escape the seeing again of that frightful Apparition But notwithstanding one Night when it began to be dark the Apparition met him again and seemed very fierce and cruel and threatned him that if he did not reveal the Murder she would continually pursue and haunt him Yet for all this he still concealed it until St. Thomas's Eve before Christmas when being soon after Sun-set walking in his Garden she appeared again and then so threatned him and affrighted him that he faithfully promised to reveal it the next Morning In the Morning he went to a Magistrate and made the whole matter known with all Circumstances and diligent search being made the Body was found in a Coal-Pit with five Wounds in the Head and the Pike and Shoes and Stockings yet Bloody in every Circumstance as the Apparition had related unto the Miller Whereupon Walker and Mark Sharp were both apprehended but would confess nothing At the Assizes following I think it was at Durham they were Arraigned and found guilty
of Somerset had this Testimony given against her by Catharine Green alias Cornish of Brewham Widow Before the aforesaid Robert Hunt That on Friday in the Evening in the beginning of March last Margaret Agar came to her and was earnest she should go with her to a Ground called Husseys-knap which she did and being come thither they saw a little Man in black Cloaths with a little band As soon as they came to him Margaret Agar took out of her Lap a little Picture in blackish Wax which she delivered to the Man in black who stuck a Thorn into the Crown of the Picture and then delivered it back to Agar Upon which she stuck a Thorn towards the heart of the Picture cursing and saying A Plague on you which she told the Examinant was done to hurt Eliz. Cornish who as she hath been told hath been very ill ever since that time That a little above a year since Jos Talbot late of Brewham being Overseer for the Poor did cause two of Agars Children to go to Service Upon which she was very angry and said in the Examinant's hearing a few days before he fell Sick and Died that she had trod upon the Jaws of three of her Enemies and that she should shortly see Talbot rot and tread on his Jaws And when this Examinant desired her not to hurt Talbot she swore by the Blood of the Lord she would confound him if she could The Day before he died she said to the Examinant God's Wounds I 'll go and see him for I shall never see him more and the next Day Talbot died That she heard Margaret Agar curse Mary Smith and say she should live to see her and her Cattle fall and rot before her Face Joseph Glanvil Saducismus Triumphatus p. 368. Taken upon Oath before Robert Hunt Other Witnesses against this Agar were Elizabeth Talbot Jos Smith Mary the VVife of William Smith Mary Green all of Brewham 13. Julian Cox aged about 70 Years was indicted at Taunton in Somersetshire about Summer Assiizes 1663 before Judge Archer then Judge of the Assizes there for Witchcraft which she practised upon a Young Maid whereby her Body languished and was impaired of Health by reason of strange Fits upon account of the said Witchcraft The Evidence against her was divided into Two Branches First to prove her a VVitch in general Secondly to prove her guilty of the Witchcraft contained in the Indictment For the proof of the first particular the first Witness was an Huntsman who swore that he went out with a Pack of Hounds to hunt a Hare and not far from Julian Cox her House he at last started a Hare The Dogs hunted her very close and the third Ring hunted her in view till at last the Huntsman perceiving the Hare almost spent and making towards a great Bush he ran on the other side of the Bush to take her up and preserve her from the Dogs But as soon as he laid Hands on her it proved to be Julian Cox who had her Head groveling on the Ground and her Globes as he express'd it upward He knowing her was affrighted that his Hair on his Head stood on end and yet spake to her and ask'd her what brought her there But she was so far out of breath that she could not make him any Answer His Dogs also came up with full cry to recover the Game and smelt at her and so left off Hunting any further And the Huntsman with his Dogs went home presently sadly affrighted Secondly Another Witness swore that as he passed by Cox her Door she was taking a Pipe of Tobacco upon the Threshold of her Door and invited him to come in and take a Pipe which he did And as he was smoaking Julian said to him Neighbour look what a pretty thing there is he look'd down and there was a monstrous great Toad staring him in the Face He endeavoured to kill it by spurning it but could not hit it Whereupon Julian bad him forbear and it would do him no hurt But he threw down his Pipe and went home which was about Two Miles off of Julian Cox's House and told his Family what had happened and that he believed it was one of Julian Cox's Devils After he was taking a Pipe of Tobacco at home and the same Toad appeared betwixt his Legs He took the Toad out to kill it and to his thinking cut it in several Pieces but returning to his Pipe the Toad still appeared He endeavoured to burn it but could not At length he took a Switch and beat it The Toad ran several times about the Room to avoid him he still pursuing it with Correction At length the Toad cried and vanish'd and he was never after troubled with it Thirdly After another swore that Julian past by his Yard while his Beasts were in Milking and stooping down scored upon the Ground for some small time During which time his Cattel run mad and some ran their heads against the Trees and most of them died speedily Whereupon concluding they were bewitched he was after advised to this Experiment to find out the Witch viz. To cut off the Ears of the bewitched Beasts and burn them and that the Witch would be in misery and could not rest till they were plucked out Which he tried and while they were burning Julian Cox came into the house raging and scolding that they had abused her without cause but she went presently to the Fire and took out the Ears that were burning and then she was quiet Fourthly Another VVitness swore That she had seen Julian Cox fly into her own Chamber Window in her full proportion and that she very well knew her and was sute it was she Fifthly Another Evidence was the Confession of Julian Cox her self upon her Examination before a Justice of Peace which was to this purpose That she had been often tempted by the Devil to be a Witch but never consented That one Evening she walk'd about a Mile from her own house and there came riding towards her Three Persons upon Three Broomstaves born up about a Yard and an half from the Ground Two of them formerly knew which was a Witch and a Wizzard that were hanged for Witchcraft several Years before The Third Person she knew not He came in the shape of a black Man and tempted her to give him her Soul or to that effect and to express it by pricking her Finger and giving her Name in her Blood in token of it and told her that she had Revenge against several Persons that had wronged her but could not bring her purpose to pass without his help and that upon the Terms aforesaid he would assist her to be revenged against them But she said she did not consent to it This was the Sum of the general Evidence to prove a Witch But now for the Second particular to prove her guilty of the VVitchcraft upon the Maid whereof she was indicted this Evidence was offered It
by his whole Army and afterward in process of time was confirmed in a miraculous manner He said moreover that in his sleep Christ appeared unto him with the former sign of the Cross And bid him make the like Figure to wear in his Banner Euseb in Vit. Constant l. 1. c. 22 23. See the next Chap. I dare not insist upon the Truth of that Relation that when this Emperour gave the Tithes to the Church a Voice was heard in the Air saying Nunc venenum infaesum est Ecclesia now Poison is poured into the Church though Hermannus Gigas Reports it for true Melleolus Relates it thus When Constantine gave to Pope Sylvester the Palace of the Laterane the City of Rome and Provinces of Italy a Hand was seen writing upon a Wall of the Laterane Hodie vacuum Ecclesia infusurus Centur. Magdeb cant 4. c. 13. 5. Voices Extracted from the Miscellanies of John Aubery Esq In the Life of King Henry IV. of France writ by the Arch-bishop of Paris it is recorded That Charles IX who caused the Massacre was wont to hear Screaches like those of the Persons Massacred 6. St. Augustine heard a Voice saying Tolle lege He took up his Bible and dipt on Rom. 13.13 Not in rioting and drunkenness not in chambering and wantonness c. and Reformed his Manners upon it 7. One Mr. Smith a Practitioner of Physiek at Tamworth in Warwick-shire an understanding sober Person reading Hollinshead's Chronicle found a relation of a great Fight between Vortigern and Hengest about those Parts at a place call'd Colemore A little time after as he lay awake in his Bed he heard a Voice that said unto him You shall shortly see some of the Bones of those Men and Horses slain that you read of He was surprized at the Voice and ask'd in the Name of God who it was that spoke to him The Voice made answer That he should not trouble himself about that but what he told him should come to pass Shortly after as he went to see Colonel Archer whose Servants were digging for Marle he saw a great many Bones of Men and Horses and also Pot-sherds and upon a view it appeared to be according to the description in Hollingshead's Chronicle and it was the place where the Fight was but it is now called Blackmore This was about the Year 1685. and I had the account from my worthy Friend and old Acquaintance Tho. Mariett of Warwickshire Esq who is very well acquainted with Mr. Smith aforesaid 8. It was since the Restauration of King Charles II. that Martin Luther's Table Talk was Translated into English by but about half a Year before as he lay in his Bed awake he heard a Voice which did bid him Translate that Book but by reason of some Business he neglected it The Voice demanded Why he had not done it he replyed he had not leisure Said the Voice You shall have leisure enough shortly And shortly after he was Arrested and put in the Gate-house at Westminster where he remained many Months and there was the Translation finished See the Preface before the Book Thus far I 'm beholden to Mr. Aubrey's Collections 9. Philip Vp-John the Son of a Reverend Divine being about 11 Years of Age whilst he lived with Dr. Annesley in Spittle-yard in the Year 1686. being alone reading the Bible he thought he heard a Voice Bidding him prepare for Death for he should die in a short time Upon which this Boy being surprized he came down Stairs and acquainted the Family with it Two or three days after he heard this Voice he went to one Mr. Mallerye a Joyner who work'd to the Family and seeing him making a Coffin he told Mr. Mallerye he should die shortly and desired he would make for him such a Coffin as that was which passage Mr. Mallerye acquainted the Family with the same Day and though then in perfect health in a few days after fell sick of which sickness he died This remarkable Passage I received from a Person who was at Dr. Annesley's House when this hapned 10. Mrs. Elizabeth Dunton as she was walking through Moor-Fields to see her Reverend Father Dr. Annesley who then lay dangerously ill she fancied she heard a Voice saying to her You need not be so much concerned for your Father for as near as he is to death you shall go before him This made a great Impression upon her Mind and in a few Days after she fell Sick and her Recovery is much doubted This happened about the latter end of October 1696. CHAP. VI. The Discovery of things Secret or Future by Signs common Sounds and Voices THis Title is near a-kin to the fore-going and differs only in this that there an Articulate Voice and Express words were heard here only some Inarticulate sound of no natural signification or particular sence is requisite or some noise in General which can be supposed to import nothing move then the Presence and Agency of some Invisible being Of which it will not be necessary to give many Instances because of the Affinity this hath to several other Heads or Titles in this Book 1. A. D. 1630. A very Miraculous thing happened at Geismar in Hassia two Souldiers lying for safety in that Town one of them complained to the other who was in Bed with him that he was very cold the other Answer'd he could not believe it in regard that his own Body was very hot and wet intreating him to touch and feel his side which when he had done finding his hands exceeding wet and as it were glued and congealed together he suspected something extraordinary and looking on his hands by the light of the Moon he Judged them to be Bloody and endeavouring to wash off the Blood from his side presently more Blood issued out at length after the space of an hour it ceased of it self About three handfuls of Blond were taken out of the Sheets this with the Relation of other Circumstances they presented in the Morning to the Commander who enquired of him how he had felt himself that Night the Souldier Answered That he had been extream ill for some time but was afterwards restored to his former Health The two next years after this Prodigy this goodly Countrey of Hassia was miserably harassed by several Armies and the Inhabitants were Barbarously and Inhumanely treated by the Emperours Army and if the Prince or his Poor Subjects did at any time complain and Petition for Justice or Redress they were only scorned and rejected for their labours so that they were forced to endure Quarterings Taxations Burnings Robberies and Sacking of their Towns and Villages yea the Slaughter of Innumerable innocent Subjects of all sorts without being able to obtain any Pity or Compassion from their Enemies The same Year 1630 in May the Noremberg Carrier and several Passengers in their Journey towards Hamborough passing by the Town of Coburg at Night they observed with great Admiration a Prodigious fire going in
brought them home to Biscay Here the Vistiors of the Inquisition came aboard the Ship put them on Examination but by the Master's Favour and some general Answers they escaped for the present But fearing a second search they shifted for themselves and going twelve Miles by Night into France and so safely arrived in England Thus as the Psalmist speaks They which go down into the Sea and occupy in great Waters these Men see the Works of the Lord and his Wonders in the Deep Hackluit's English Voyages Vol. 3. Pag. 163. Full. Worth Pag. 282. in Devonshire 5. Dr. VVilliam Johnson late Chaplain and Subalmoner to King Charles I. going aboard from Harwich on michaelmas-Michaelmas-Day Sep. 29. 1648. was seized presently with a dull sadness of Spirit and was to use his own Words in a strange Anguish and Propassion so that he suffered Shipwreek in his Mind and all the terrors thereof before it came so really sick that to be drown'd in his Thoughts had been no Affliction to him After some time and not long about four a Clock in the Afternoon the Ship sprung a leak the Doctor crawled upon the Deck sees the sad Sight one fell to his Prayers another wrung his Hands a third wept after all they fell to work but in vain for the Wound was incurable At last they cast out their Long-boat shot off eight or nine Guns to give notice to the Master of the Ship that went out with them leap'd all into the Boat and in leaping the Doctor had like to have been drown'd No Mr. Cook who was Master of the Ship came to their Relief he and all his Men perished at the same time Now it blew half a Storm and they in a small Vessel many Leagues from any Shoar without Compass to guide them or Provision to sustain them starved with Cold and Night growing upon them without any thing in their Boat but a small Kettle which serv'd as a Scoop to cast the Water out and three Bags of pieces of Eight to the value of 300 l. sterling nothing to help them but their Prayers In this extremity of Danger see the Goodness of God a Ship made towards them and they with their two Oars towards it but the Sea was boisterous the Waves raging so that they were fain to keep out the Sea with their Backs sitting close to one another and to make use of their Kettle and for a long time were not able to reach the Ship nor the Ship them Tho' the good Man the Skipper hung on the Lee and did what he could to retard the Course of his Ship and hung out a Light to them at last they got into the Ship but the Doctor being weak and his Hands made useless and numb with cold and wet was left in the Boat till with the help of a Rope the Seamen pull'd him up Now they began to think over their Losses in the Shipwreck but they were not considerable when God had so graciously spared their Lives The next day Thursday it blew very fair for Norway whither their Ship was bound and about 12 a Clock at Noon they came within view of it but to escape the Rocks they thought to keep off the Coast till Morning and so sat down to eat the Doctor not having made a Meal in five Days About ten a Clock at Night when they had set their Watch and prayed with secure Thoughts they laid themselves to rest some of them upon their Bed but God appointed a harder Lodging for them such a one as for Jacob in his Journey to Padan Aram Gen. 28.11 for the Ship with full Sails ran upon a Rock and gave such a Crack that it was able to have awaken'd the most dead asleep among them The Mariners cried out Mercy Mercy Mercy the Master bid the Doctor pray for them pray for them for they should certainly perish The Ship stuck so fast in the Cleft of the Rock and brake in the hinder parts and one of the Seamen with a Rope in his Hand fastened to one of the Masts leaped from the Bow of the Ship to the Rock the rest following him 28 in number the Doctor being left alone upon the Deck began to wonder what was become of his Company and perceiving that they had all crowded to the Head of the Ship he went to see and there found a Dane who took pity on him and help'd him to get down with hird and being got down the Rope with much difficulty and danger he climb'd up on all four to his Company on the Rock Immediately the Ship began to decline and the Master being left last of all in the Ship made lamentable Moan to them to help him but too late for the Ship brake and sunk immediately and he good Man with a Light in his Hand who had been so kind in saving others but a little before was now with four of the Mariners drown'd himself Now the rest were upon a little Rocky Island unhabitable where they passed a sad Night the Country People call the Rock Arn-scare next Morning they were hungry one of the Boys brought the Doctor a Leaf of Scurvy-Grass some of them went a Fishing with a long Arm and a bended Finger and drew up some small Muscles Fresh Water was not to be had the Doctor being in a Fever was forced to lap salt Water which he still vomited up again and this he was told was both a present Cure of his Sickness and future Preservation of his Health A Danish Ship passed by but tho' they waved their Hats to them came not near them Then to their Prayers and singing Psalms after which some of them made a Raft and ventured to Sea upon it and it proved to be then a great Calm and the Goodness of God appear'd miraculous in that after the Loss of two great Ships he should save them by a swimming Plank for by this means several Shawls came rowing towards them before Night and brought Provision with them so that they got all once more to Land in Waller-Island where they were lodged in the Parson's House who was a Lutheran and shewed them no little kindness the People weeping bitterly at the Relation of their misfortunes and setting before them Meat and Drink Rye-Pancakes for Bread and good Lubeck Beer and after Sermon a doubtful Meal full of Variety in one Dish as Beef Mutton Lard Goat Roots and so many of God's Creatures that it seem'd the First Chapter of Genesis in a Dish From Ostersound they came for England in a Ship which presently had almbst fallen foul upon a Rock afterward sprang a Leak so that they were forced to pump for their Lives till at last they got safe but thro' Dangers and Troubles to Yarmouth See the Narrative it self called Deus Nobiscum with a Sermon by W. Johnson D. D. 6. Dr. Baily of St. John's Colledge in Oxford had a Son who was Servant to Sir John Robinson Alderman of London and afterwards Lieutenant of the
long as might be The seven in the Boat apprehended themselves to be in a condition little better than that of them in the Ship having neither Sail nor Oars neither Bread nor Water and no Instrument of any sort except a Knife and a piece of Deal-board with which they made sticks and set them up in the sides of the Boat and cover'd them with some Irish-Cloth of their own Garments to keep off the spray of the Sea as much as could be by so poor a matter In this condition they drave with an hard VVind and high Sea all that day and the night following But in the next Morning about six a Clock they saw a Ketch the Master was Mr. Edmund Henfield of Salem in New-England under Sail which Ketch coming right with them took them up and brought them safe to New-England And it is yet further remarkable that when the Ship Foundred the Ketch which saved these Persons was many Leagues to the VVestward of her but was by a contrary VVind caused to stand back again to the Eastward where these distressed Persons were as hath been said met with and relieved 11. January 13. 1670. Three VVomen viz. the VVives of Lieut. Filer and of John Drake and of Nathaniel Lomas having crossed Connecticut-River upon a necessary and neighbourly Account and having done the work they went for were desirous to return their own Families the River being at that time partly shut up with Ice new and old and partly open There being some Pains taken aforehand to cut a way through the Ice the three VVomen abovesaid got into a Canoo with whom also there was Nathaniel Bissel and an Indian There was likewise another Canoo with two Men in it that went before them to help them in case they should meet with any Distress which indeed quickly came upon them for just as they were getting out of the narrow passage between the Ice being near the middle of the River a great part of the upper Ice came down upon them and struck the end of their Canoo and broke it to pieces so that it quickly sunk under them The Indian speedily got upon the Ice but Nathaniel Bissel and the abovesaid Women were left floating in the middle of the River being cut off from all manner of humane Help besides what did arise from themselves and the two Men in the little Canoo which was so small that three Persons durst seldom if ever venture in it they were indeed discern'd from one Shoar but the dangerous Ice would not admit from either Shoar one to come near them All things thus circumstanced the suddenness of the Stroke and Distress which is apt to amaze Men especially when no less than Life is concern'd the extream Coldness of the Weather it being a sharp Season that Persons out of the Water were in danger of freezing the unaptness of Persons to help themselves being mostly Women one big with Child and near the time of her Travel who was also carry'd away under the Ice the other as unskill'd and unactive to do any thing for self-preservation as almost any could be the Waters deep that there was no hopes of footing no passage to either Shoar in any Eye of Reason neither with their little Canoo by reason of the Ice nor without it the Ice being thin and rotten and full of holes Now that all should be brought off safely without the loss of Life or wrong to Health was counted in the day of it a Remarkable Providence To say how it was done is difficult yet something of the manner of the Deliverance may be mentioned the abovesaid Nathaniel Bissel piercing their Danger and being active in swimming endeavour'd what might be the preservation of himself and some others he strove to have swum to the upper Ice but the Stream being too hard he was forced downwards to the lower Ice where by reason of the slipperiness of the Ice and disadvantage of the Stream he found it difficult getting up at length by the good Hand of Providence being gotten upon the Ice he saw one of the Women swimming down under the Ice and perceiving an Hole or open place some few Rods below there he waited and took her up as she swum along The other two VVomen were in the River till the two Men in the little Canoo came for their Relief at length all of them got their Heads above the water and had a little time to pause tho' a long and difficult and dangerous way to any Shoar but by getting their little Canoo upon the Ice and carrying one at a time over hazardous Places they did though in a long while get all safe to the Shoar from whence they came 12. Very memorable was the Providence of God towards Mr. Ephraim How of New-Haven in New-England who was for an whole twelve Month given up by his Friends as a dead Man but God preserved him alive in a desolate Island where he had suffer'd Shipwreck and at last return'd him home to his Family The History of this Providence might have been mention'd amongst Sea-Deliverances yet considering it was not only so I shall here Record what himself being a godly Man did relate of the Lord 's marvellous Dispensations towards him that so others might be encouraged to put their trust in God in the times of their greatest Straits and Difficulties On the 25th of August in the Year 1676. the said Skipper How with his two eldest Sons set sail from New-Haven for Boston in a small Ketch Burden 17 Tun or thereabout After the Dispatch of their Business there they set Sail from thence for New-Haven again on the 10th of September following But contrary winds forced them back to Boston where the said How was taken ill with a violent Flux which Distemper continued near a Month many being at that time sick of the same Disease which proved mortal to some The Merciful Providence of God having spared his Life and restored him to some measure of Health he again set Sail from Boston Octob. 10. By a fair wind they went forward so as to make Cape Cod but suddenly the weather became very Tempestuous so as that they could not seaze the Cape but were forced off to Sea when they were endanger'd in a small Vessel by very fearful Storms and outragious VVinds and Seas Also his eldest Son fell sick and died in about Eleven Days after they set out to Sea He was no sooner dead but his other Son fell sick and died too This was a bitter Cup to the good Father It is noted in 1 Chron. 7.22 that when the Sons of Ephraim were dead Ephraim their Father mourned many days and his Brethren came to comfort him This Ephraim when his Sons were dead his Friends on Shoar knew it not nor could they come to comfort him But when his Friends and Relations could not the Lord himself did for they died after so sweet gracious and comfortable a manner as that their Father
Tongue before he learned Latin and as his years encreased so he much improved in all sorts of Learning to her great Joy so that she committed to his care the Government of her whole House And afterwards when he had retired into a Monastery under Faustus she impatiently running to the Bishop cried out Restore the Son to his Mother the Master to his Servants and Houshold it becomes you to comfort such disconsolate Widows not to destroy my forlorn House Filling the Air with her Exclamations ever calling upon the Name of Fulgentius Ibid. p. 90 91. 3. Monica the Mother of S. Augustine was very sollicitous for the Conversion and Reformation of her Son admonishing him and spending many Prayers and Tears upon that score consulting with S. Ambrose about him who told her it was impossible a Child of so many Prayers and Tears should miscarry And afterwards when he was converted rejoycing at it she desired to be dissolved as being satisfied mightily in her Mind as to that which she desired most in this World the Conversion of her Son and according within a few days she fell sick and died August Confess 4. Ant. Wallaeus and his Wife were both careful in the Education of their Children and their first care was to train them up in Piety and good Manners for which end their Father read to them daily some Chapters and made some Application thereof unto them His next care was to bring them up in Learning neither would he wholly trust their Masters therein but many times examined them himself to see their Proficiency nor did he train them up to Science only but also to Prudence for which cause when they were come to Years of Discretion he used to impart to them the Affairs of Church and State asking their Judgments therein He sought not to advance his Children to high places knowing the danger thereof but rather desired a middle and competent Estate for them wherein they might live honestly and comfortably and according to his desire he lived to see his eldest Son John a Doctor of Physick and Professor thereof and employed by the States into France to fetch that Miracle of Learning Salmasius to Leyden his Daughter Margaret married to John of Breda Doctor of Both Laws his Daughter Katherine married to Anthony Clement a Learned and Pious Divine his Son Anthony a Lawyer his Son Baldwin a Student in Divinity only his youngest Daughter Susan remained at home to be a Comfort to her aged Mother Clark's Eccl. Hist p. 489. 5. It was a Saying of Ignatius that Parents ought to afford these three Things to their Children Correction Admonition and Instruction both in Humane Arts and God's Word all which preserve them from Idleness and Folly give them Wisdom and learn them Subjection and Obedience to their Superious Clark 's Examples p. 495. 6. In the Reign of Queen Mary there was one William Hunter a young Man of Brentwood in Essex who being condemned by Bishop Bonner to the Fire for his Religion and was sent down to Brentwood to be burnt there His Father and Mother came to him desiring heartily of God that he might continue constant to the end in that good way which he had begun His Mother added That she thought her self happy that she had born such a Child who could fine in his Heart to lose his Life for Christ's sake William answered For the little Pain that I shall have which is but for a moment Christ hath promised me a Crown of everlasting Joy His Mother kneeling down said I pray God to strengthen thee my Son to the end I think thee as well bestowed as any Child that ever I bore Ibid. 7. If I can but once find the Fear of God in those about me said Reverend Claviger Satis habeo satisque mihi Vxori filiis filiabus prospexi I shall have enough for my Self Wife and Children they will be all cared for Sel. CHAP. LVI Good Servants Remarkable THE Faithfulness of Abraham 's Servant is recorded to his everlasting Praise and so is Joseph 's Fidelity to his Master and the Apostles have laid down their Offices so expresly that now under the Evangelical Oeconomy a sincere discharging the Duties of that Relation is accounted an honourable Badge to the Person Good nature hath prevailed far with some but Grace with more only this is to be said by way of Apology for them of this lower Orb that they who take upon them to write Histories for the Benefit of future Ages are too apt to overlook this lower Class of People and pass them over in a careless Silence But God will not be forgetful 1. Publius Catienus Philosimus was left by his Master the Heir of his Estate yet did he resolve to die with him and therefore cast himself alive into that Funeral Fire which was prepared to burn the dead Body of his Master Sabellic l. 3. c. 8. p. 161. 2. M. Antonius an excellent Orator being accused of Incest his Servant the Witness deposing that he carried the Lanthorn before his Master when he went to commit this Villany was apprehended and to extort a Confession from him he was torn with Scourges set upon the Rack burnt with hot Irons all which notwithstanding he would not let fall a word whereby he might injure the Fame or Life of his Master although he knew him guilty Val. Max. l. 6. c. 8. p. 169. Lips Monit l. 2. c. 13. p. 331. 3. The Servant of Vrbinius Panopion knowing that the Soldiers commissioned to kill his Master were come to his House in Reatina changed Cloaths with him and having put his Ring upon his Finger he sent him out of a Postern-door but went himself to the Chamber and threw himself upon the Bed where he was slain in his Master's stead Panopion by that means escaped and afterward when the Times would permit it erected a noble Monument with a due Inscription in memory of the true Fidelity of so good a Servant Val. Max. L. 6. C. 8. p. 180. Lips Monit L. 2. C. 131 332. Dinoth L. 4. p. 300. 4. Antistius Restio was Proscribed by the Triumvirate and while all his domestick Servants were busied about the Plunder and Pillage of his House he conveyed himself away in the midst of the Night with what privacy he could his Departure was observed by a Servant of his whom not long before he had cast into Bonds and branded his Face with infamous Characters this Man traced his Wandring Footsteps with such Diligence that he overtook him and bare him Company in his Flight and at such time as the other were Scrambling for his Goods all his Care was to save his Life by whom he had been so severely used and though it might seem enough that he should forget what had passed he used all his Art to preserve his Patron for having heard that Pursuers were at hand he conveyed away his Master and having erected a Funeral Pile and set Fire to it he slew
an idle Person walking in the Streets but their Doors and Windows close shut the People within exercised in serious and grave Discourses reading of the Scriptures Repetition of Sermons Catechising Praying Singing of Psalms c. In the other the Doors open the Streets too much frequented with idle Company and licentious Exercises And even in Whitchurch where the Plague first and afterwards a Fire had the greatest Influence the Rector or Minister of the Parish did often enough and very plainly admonish them Inhabitants of that particular Street called the New-Town of their careless observance of the Lord's-Day as if that in his Judgment were the distinguishing Sin of that Street above any others in the Town 4. I have taken Notice elsewhere of Ministers and others who have been delighted and expended themselves in Sabbatical Devotions have been called to their Rest upon that Day As for instance 1. The Divine Poet nad Preacher Mr. Herbert 2. Mr. Edw. Deering 3. Theodore Beza 4. Arch-Bishop Abbot soon after he came out of the Pulpit fell sick and shortly after died 5. Dr. Rob. Harris died between Twelve and One a Clock on Saturday Night 6. Dr. Preston at Five a Clock on the Lord's-day Morning 7. Dr. Thomas Tailour of Aldermanbury Mr. Edward West the Lord's-Day-Night after having Preach'd there 8. Mr. Julius Herrings 9. Mr. Thomas Wadsworth and Mr. Richard Vines 10. Sir Matthew Hale upon Christmas-Day a Day which he used to Celebrate with great Devotion and much Spiritual Joy leaving behind him no less than Seventeen Poems which he had Composed upon that Day to the Honour of his Saviour Cum multis aliis c. On the same Day died Mr. Sam. Crook Minister See the Head of Sudden Death for more Relations of this nature 5. Mr. H. Burton after his Sufferings and Exile having an Order sent him from the Parliament for his Enlargement and his Return for England makes this Observation and in these Words Blessed Tidings indeed and the more because it comes from a Parliament and the more because it comes from a Parliament's Handsel presenting much Good but promising more The News filled Guernsey Castle with Joy and so the Island The First Observation I made of it was of the Day on which this Tidings came First I noted it was the Lord's-Day which Day I had mightily propugned and defended both by Preaching and Writing against the Malignant and Prophane Adversaries of the Sanctification thereof and of its Morality And when the Book for Dispensations and Allowance of Sports on that Day came with an Injunction to be publickly read in my Church upon the Lord's-Day that ery Day instead of Reading of it I turned my Afternoon Preaching into an opening of the Fourth Commandment therein proving the Lord's-Day both for Sabbath and Sanctification under the Gospel now the Order for my Liberty came on that Day See his Life p. 38. CHAP. LXXV Present Retribution to them that have been Obedient to Parents HOnour thy Father and Mother saith the Apostle which is the first Commandment with Promise And the particular Promise annexed to it is Length of Days viz. That thy Days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee And the Reason is obvious and natural and plain to any Man of Common Sence for besides that the Dutifulness of Children is the likeliest may to engage the Favour of God and the Divine Conduct and Blessing on their sides it obligeth the Children who are temselves green in Years and unexperienced in the World and obnoxious to many Temptations and Snares of Ill Company Idleness Rashness Licentiousness c. to keep close to wiser Counsels and the grave Instructions of their faithful aged and experienced Parents by which means they oftentimes fare better than such rash and refractory Phaetons who throw off the Yoke of Parental Discipline and are left like Sons of Belial to do whatsoever seems good in their own eyes How many in the World have escaped the Stings of Poverty and the Ignominy of the Gallows and a violent Death and other Dangers by this means 1. Tho' Lamech had several other Children as Jabal Jubal Tubal-Cain c. yet none that we read of trod in the Steps and proved so dutiful and comfortable to his Parents as Noah Gen. 5.29 And he was remarkably blessed and rewarded for it for when all the rest of the World was destroyed He found Grace in the sight of the Lord Gen. 6.8 2. Noah had Three Sons Shem Ham Japhet but Ham dishonoured his Father and made a Scorn of his Nakedness and therefore was accursed by him Shem and Japhet joyned together and took a Garment to cover their Father's Infirmity and therefore Blessed saith Noah be the Lord God of Shem c. Gen. 9.26 3. Abraham had Two Sons Ishmael and Isaac the one scornful and disinherited and turned out of the House the other dutiful and his Father's Favourite and Heir 4. Isaac had Two Sons Esau and Jacob the one a cunning Hunter a profane Fellow that made light of his Birth-right and therefore forfeited his Blessing the other a plain Man and pious and according procured the Blessing 5. Jacob had many Children but Reuben the First-born unstable as Water went up to his Father's Bed and defiled it and therefore Gen. 49.4 Thou shalt not excel Simeon and Levi had Instruments of Cruelty in their Habitations in their Anger they slew a Man and in their Self-will digg'd down a Wall and therefore ver 7. Cursed be their Anger for it was fierce c. They were to be divided and scattered in Israel Judah to save Joseph's Life who was his Father's Fondling and the Son of his Old Age advised his Brethren to sell him and afterwards offered himself to be Joseph's Bondman for his Brother Benjamin out of Tenderness to his Aged Father Gen. 44.34 For how shall I go up saith he to my Father and the Lad be not with me lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my Father And therefore see how this Piety of Judah and Dutifulness to his Father was at last rewarded chap. 49.8 9 10. Judah thou art he that thy Brethren shall praise thy Hand shall be in the Neck of thy Enemies thy Father's Children shall bow down before thee Judah is a Lion's Whelp c. The Sceptre shall not depart from Judah c. 6. I have read saith my Author of a young Man hang'd at Four and twenty Years whose curled Black Locks upon the Gallows instantly turned White many enquiring into the Cause of such a strange Event a grave Divine assigned this Reason Had this young Man saith he been dutiful to his Parents obedient to his Superiours he might have lived so long 'till that in the Course of Nature his Black Hairs had become White Mr. Quick in his relation of the Poisoning of a whole Family in Plimouth c. p. 87. 7. Mr. Paul Baines of Christ's-College in Cambridge was at first very
this Story concerning Charms that himself had an Horse which it he had stood sound had been of a good Value his Servants carried him to several Farriers but none of them had the skill to Cure him At last unknown to their Master they led him to a Farrier that understood some tricks more then ordinary and dealt in Charms or Spells or such like Ceremonies by Vertue of these he made the Horse sound The owner of him after he had observed how well his Horse was ask'd his Servants how they got him cured whence understanding the whole matter and observing also that there was an S. branded on his Buttock which he conceited stood for Satan chid his Servants very roughly as having done that which was unwarrantable and impious Upon this profession of his dislike of the Fact the Horse forthwith fell as ill as ever he was insomuch as for his unserviceableness he was fain to be turned loose to the Pasture But a Kinsman of the Owner's coming to his House and after chancing to see the Horse in the Grounds took the advantage of so low a Price for so fair a Gelding and bought him the Horse had no sooner changed his Master but presently changed his plight of Body also and became as sound as ever Ibid. p. 164 165. 4. The Jews use the Zizith for an Amulet against Sorceries and Preserver from Dangers Some superstitious Christian Women in St. Hierom's time wore Parvula Evangelia or short Sentences of the Gospel to the same purpose and the Papists at this Day permit the wearing about their Necks the beginning of St. John's Gospel Dr. Addison 5. The Chinese some of them invoke the Devil at this Day and use Incantations Many also in Guinea and the East-Indies wear Rings made by their Fetissero for Gods next their Bodies for Preservatives View of the English Acquisitions in Guinea 6. Martin Del-rio gives us the Relation of several Demons expulsed out of possessed Persons by the recital of the Lord's Prayer the Angels Salutation Ave Maria the beginning of St. John's Gospel The Word was made Flesh the Name of Jesus the Sign of the Cross the Apostles Creed the Rosary the Litanies of the Saints Salve Regina c. the Relicks of the Saints Holy Water Agnus Dei's pious Sentences Psalms Ringing of Bells c And is very angry with those Hereticks as he calls them who have no more Modesty or Grace than to laugh at these as superstitious Fancies Delrius Disquis Mag. L. 6. C. 2. § 3. Q. 3. 7. Most of the common Charms used by our Country-people and old Women and ignorant Quacks are nothing else but a certain Jargon of hard Words designed on purpose to cheat the Fancies of the credulous Patient into a strong Imagination and Confidence of the Effect promised as I remember a Friend of mine told me once when he was at the University he wrote on a Piece of Paper those words Barbara Celarent Daris Fario Baralipton which when he had done he chewed the Paper in his Mouth and made it in the form of a Pill and gave it to his Bed-maker an old Woman then afflicted with an Ague with this assurance That if the would take that and swallow it down it would certainly cure her Ague she did as she was directed and as my Friend told me was afterwards effectually cured 8. This which follows was not so innocent an application When I was at Oxford one Smith Apprentice to Mr. John Knibb Clock-maker still living in that City out of Curiosity went to an old Vagrant Fortune-Teller then in Town to know his Fortune he receives from her a Scroli of Paper which he was to wear under his Heel that Day and at Night to put under his Head in the Night he was disturbed with an unexpected Storm of Wind which threatned to blow down the House upon which he awaked lay sweating in Bed and dreading the Effects of it 'till near Morning when the Tempest ceasing he fell asleep and dreamed That a Coach with two or three Gentlewomen in it all in Mourning came to the House where they made a stop and one of them looks out of the Coach and invited him into them I came to the House next Day where his Master and he both told me and others the Story with some Concernment and Passion About half a Year after the young Man removes to London and there in a short time fell sick and died CHAP. LXXXIX Satan Hurting by Interposing with Melancholly Diseases 'T IS no Point of Generosity or Bravery to set upon Persons when they are infeebled with any Calamity or afflicting Circumstances yet the Devil who cares for nothing so much as the satisfying of his malicious Appetite hath this cowardly Trick with him that he takes opportunity from our Weaknesses to attack us with double Wickedness to surprize us with Assaults when Nature most fails us to countermine the Divine Goodness which is most abundant to us at such times For as Man's Extremity is God's Opportunity for shewing of Mercy so it is the Devil 's for the discovery of his Malice 1. Aug. 24. 1662. saith Mr. Baxter a Gentlewoman of London came to me secretly with her Sister an Witness Persons as commonly called of Quality and Moderation to be resolved how to expound a strange thing that had befallen her which was That as she was Praying in secret she begg'd for the Deliverance of the Church and Religion and Ministers from the dreaded Sufferings that were determined and the sad Effects of Persecution Division and Publick Dangers and it was suddenly given her as an Answer That there should he a speedy Deliverance even in a very short time She desired to know which way and it was by somewhat on the King which I refused to hear our whether it was Change or Death it being set strongly on her as a Revelation she earnestly prayed That if this were a Divine Impulse and Revelation God would certifie her by some visible Sign and she ventured to choose the Sign herself and laid her Hand on the outside of the upper part of her Leg and begging of God That if it were a true Answer he would make on that place some visible Mark and there was presently the Mark of black Spots like as if a Hand had burnt it which her Sister witnessed she saw presently and after there being no such thing before But the Woman's strange Impulse and Mark proved but a Delusion Hist Disc Appar Witches p. 181. 2. Mr. Clark gives this Account of the Sickness of Mr. Rich. Rothwell He had a Vertigo capitis Forty Fits in an Hour and every one of them accompanied with mischievous Temptations which when the Fit was over he dictated and writ down these held about three Weeks in which time he had the Advice of learned Physicians from London York New-Castle Durham and other places they all jumped in their Judgments imputing it to be much Study Fasting and inward Trouble of Spirit
utterly unable to declare any thing Anne Baldwin deposed the same VII Jane Bockin who was too weak to be at the assizes but her mother testified That her Daughter having formerly been afflicted with Swooning Fits and recovered of them was now taken with a great Pain in her Stomach and new Swoooning Fits That she took little Food but every Day Vomitted crooked Pins In her first Fits she would extend her Arms and use Postures as if she catched at something and when her clutched Hands were forced open they would find several Pins diversly crooked unaccountably lodged there She would also maintain a Discourse with some that were invisibly present when casting abroad her Arms she would often say I will not have it but at last say Then I will have it and closing her Hand which when they presently after opened a Lath-Nail was found in it but her great Complaints were of being Visited by the Shapes of Amy Duny and Rose Cullender VIII As for Susan Chandler her Mother testified That being at the Search of Rose Cullender they found on her Belly a thing like a Teat of an Inch long which the said Rose ascribed to a Strain but near her Privy Parts they found three more that were smaller than the former At the end of the long Teat there was a little Hole which appeared as if newly sucked and upon straining it a white Milky Matter issued out The Deponent further said That her Daughter being one Day concerned at Rose Cullender's taking her by the Hand she fell very sick and at Night cry'd out That Rose Cullender would come to Bed unto her Her Fits grew violent and in the Intervals of them she declared That she saw Rose Cullender in them and once having a great Dog with her She also Vomited up crooked Pins and when she was brought into Court she fell into Fits She recovered herself in some time and was asked by the Court Whether she was in a Condition to take an Oath and give Evidence She said she could but having been Sworn she fell into her Fits again and Burn her burn her were all the Words that she could find power to speak Her Father likewise gave the same Testimony with her Mother as to all but the Search IX Here was the Summ of the Evidence which was not thought sufficient to Convict the Prisoners For admitting the Children were Bewitched yet said he it can never be apply'd unto the Prisoners upon the Imagination of the Parties only afflicted inasmuch as no Person whatsoever could then be in safety Dr. Brown a very Learned Person then present gave his Opinion that these Persons were Bewitched He added That in Denmark there had been lately a great Discovery of Witches who used the very same way of afflicting People by conveying Pins and Nails into them His Opinion was That the Devil in Witchcrafts did work upon the Bodies of Men and Women upon a Natural Foundation and that he did extraordinarily afflict them with such Distempers as their Bodies were most subject unto X. The Experiment about the Usefulness yea or Lawfulness whereof Good Men have sometimes disputed was divers Times made that though the Afflicted were utterly deprived of all Sence in their Fits yet upon the Touch of the Accused they would so screech out and fly up as not upon any other Persons And yet it was also found that once upon the Touch of an innocent Person the like Effect followed which put the whole Court unto a stand altho' a small Reason was at length attempted to be given for it XI However to strengthen the Credit of what had been already produced against the Prisoners one John Soam testifi'd That bringing home his Hay in three Carts one of the Carts wrenched the Window of Rose Cullender's House whereupon she flew out with violent Threatnings against the Deponent The other two Carts passed by twice loaded that Day afterwards but the Cart which touched Cullender's House was twice or thrice that Day overturned Having again loaded it as they brought it through the Gate which leads out of the Field the Cart stuck so fast in the Gate 's Head that they could nor possibly get it through but were forced to cut down the Post of the Gate to make the Cart pass through altho' they could not perceive that the Cart did of either side touch the Gate-post They afterwards did with much Difficulty get it home to the Yard but could not for their Lives get the Cart near the place where they should unload They were fain to unload at a great Distance and when they were tired the Noses of them that came to assist them would burst forth a Bleeding so they were fain to give over 'till next Morning and then they unloaded without any difficulty XII Robert Sherringham also testified That the Axle-tree of his Cart happening in passing to break some part of Rose Cullender's House in her Anger at it she vehemently threatned him His Horses should suffer for it And within a short time all his four Horses died after which he sustained many other Losses in the sudden dying of his Cattle He was also taken with a Lameness in his Limbs and so vexed with Lice of an extraordinary Number and Bigness that no Art could hinder the Swarming of them 'till he burnt up two Suits of Apparel XIII As for Amy Duny 't was testifi'd by one Richard Spencer that he heard her say That the Devil would not let her Rest until she were Revenged on the Wife of Cornelius Sandswell And that Sandswell testifi'd That her Poultry dy'd suddenly upon Amy Duny's threatning of them and that her Husband's Chimney fell quickly after Duny had spoken of such a Disaster And a Firkin of Fish could not be kept from falling into the Water upon suspicious Words of Duny's XIV The Judge told the Jury They were to Inquire now First Whether these Children were Bewitched And Secondly Whether the Prisoners at the Bar were guilty of it He made no doubt there were such Creatures as Witches for the Scriptures affirmed it and the Wisdom of all Nations had provided Laws against such Persons He prayed the God of Heaven to direct their Hearts in the weighty thing they had in hand for to condemn the Innocent and let the Guilty of free were both an Abomination to the Lord. The Jury in half an Hour brought them in Guilty upon the several Indictments which were Nineteen in Number The next Morning the Children with their Parents came to the Lodgings of the Lord Chief Justice and were in as good Health as ever in their Lives being restored within half an Hour after the Witches were Convicted The Witches were Executed and Confessed nothing which indeed will not be wondred by them who consider and entertain the Judgment of a Judicious Writer That the unpardonable Sin is most usually committed by Professors of the Christian Religion falling into Witchcraft We will now proceed says Mr. Mather unto several of
cast his Child into the Fire and the Child afterwards sicken'd and died The Leper cleansed p. 17. For this Act he was suspended again Ibid. 37. James Naylor a Blasphemous Quaker was burnt in the Tongue at Bristol 38. Jo. Collins and Tho. Reeve Ranters for calling a Cup of Ale the Blood of Christ and saying They could go into the House of Office and make a God every Morning c. were in the Old-Bailey Fined and Sentenced to Six Months Imprisonment Tho. Kendal in Drury-Lane affirming there was no God or Hell fell down dead See the Tryals Printed by B. Alsop 1651. Muggleton was condemned to the Pillory and â—ined 500 l. 1676. CHAP. CXXXIX Divine Judgments upon Wizards Witches and Charmers c. IT is worthy of a very serious Consideration That those very People who leave the God of Israel and think to better themselves by Idols or Corrivals and a superstitious Adbesion to them either the World or the Devil or any other Pretender never got any thing by such Methods but to be deluded in their Hopes and sink under the Vanity of their foolish and wicked Curiosity When did we ever see a Wizard Rich Or a Curioso Prosperous I mean a Curioso in the worst sense Or an Atheist make a Comfortable Exit out of the World I grant sometimes by the Leave of him that Rules the World and the Industry of Satan present Advantages may possibly accrew and do too often to be Worshippers of Mammon but generally when the Blot is great and the Criminal notorious God looks upon it as conducive to his Honour and necessary in point of Justice and Wisdom to strike openly and leave a Mark of Ignominy upon such gross Delinquents Read what follows and ye will agree with me in judgment 1. Concerning John Faustus Dr. d ee and Edward Kelley c. See the Chapter of Divine Judgments upon Curiosity 2. A. C. 1553. Two Women were taken who with a Tempest Hail and Frost design'd to destroy all the Corn in the Country but being found cutting a Neighbour's Child in pieces to boil in a Cauldron in order to the making of a Magical Ointment for the purpose were put to Death Beard 's Theatr. p. 419. 3. At Ihena in Germany or near it An. 1558. a Magician that had used to cure Diseases by the Composition of Herbs was for poisoning of a Carpenter whom he had a Quarrel with a little before examined before the Senate confessed the Murder and was burnt at a Stake Ibid. 4. Cleomandes a Conjurer in Rome for practising Death upon many little Children was sought for by the Parents but having shut himself up close in a Coffer and they breaking it open the Devil carried him away Plutarch 5. Piso being accused by Tiberius for bewitching Germanicus to Death cut his own Throat Tacit. Ann. 6. One Otto a Dane who by his Devilish Art used to raise Storms was at last by one more Expert drowned in the Seas himself 7. A Conjurer in Saltzburg attempting to draw all the Serpents in the Country into a Ditch and feed them there was by the old Serpent the Devil drawn in amongst them and perished miserably Clarks Exampl Vol. I. c. 8. 8. The Governour of Mascon a great Magician as he was at Dinner with some Company was snatched away by the Devil 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 Ibid. Ex Hug. de Clun An. 1437. Sir Giles Britaine Hight-Constable of France having murdered above 160 Infants and Women great with Child and wrote Conjuring-Books with their Blood which was proved against him was adjudged to be hanged and burnt to Death Ibid. p. 37. 10. 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 Hercules and Achilles fighting together as when alive but being at his Conjurations the Devil carried him away that he was never heard of after Ibid. 11. The Lord of Orve in Lorrain used to feast Noblemen splendidly but fraudulently with all sorts of Dainties so that at parting they found their Stomachs empty having eat nothing was often seen scourged by a Monkey sometimes lying along upon his Table and begging of the Monkey Let me alone Wilt thou always torment me at this rate At last in great Misery and Beggary he was forc'd to get into an Hospital in Paris where he ended his wretched Life Ibid. 12. An. 1530. A Popish Priest digging for a Treasure in a hollow Pit of the City which the Devil had directed him to found at last a Coffer with a black Dog lying by it which whilst he was looking upon the Earth fell upon him and rushed him to death Wierus 13. Cornelius Agrippa a great Necromancer always attended with a familiar Spirit like a black Dog his End approaching he takes off the inchanted Collar from the Dog's Neck saying Be gone thou cursed Beast thou hast utterly undone me After which the Dog vanish'd and he died miserably Clark ex Paul Jovio 14. An. 1578. Simon Pembroke of St. George's Parish in London being suspected for a Conjurer and one that used to erect Figures being questioned for it as he was before the Judge he fell down and died having some Conjuring-Books found about him Clark Ibid. 15. A Sicilian called Lyodor for using Charms and Spells transforming Men into Beasts and other Shapes doing Mischief to the People of Catania charming himself out of the Hangman's Hands being carried in the Air to Constantinople and back again c. was at last by Leo Bishop of Catania seized before all the People who admired him and burnt alive in a hot Furnace Schot Phil. Curios c. 16. Ann. Bodenham of Fisherton-Anger near Salisbury a Witch for predicting things to come helping People to stolen Goods c. was executed at Salisbury 1653. Edm. Bowyer 's Narrative 17. An. 1642. One Mother Jackson for bewitching one Mary Glover in Thames-street a Merchant's Daughter was arraigned and condemned at Newgate 18. John Contius an Alderman of Pentich in Silesia near 60 Years of Age being invited to the Mayor's Supper after the ending of a certain Controversie between some Waggoners and a Merchant gets leave first to go home to order some Concerns leaving this Sentence behind him It 's good to be Merry whilst we may For Mischiefs grow fast enough e'ry Day Going home and looking upon the Hoof of one of his Geldings he was so struck that he complained he was all on fire fell sick complained loudly and despairingly of his Sins but would have no Divine to come to him The Night he died a Black Cat opened the Casement with her Nails scratched his Face and Bolster and so vanishing away he breathed his last A violent Storm of Wind arose a Spirit in the shape of Contius appeared in the Town that would have ravish d a
thee to Morrow Sigismund the Second King of Poland because of his perpetual delay and heaviness in weighty Affairs was called the King of to-morrow Such are we certainly Men of to-morrow we delay all things most willingly also if we could to put off Death it self but the business of dying admits of no delay suffers no put-offs Francis the First King of France being taken by Charles the Fifth when he had read at Madrid Charles's Impress upon the Wall Plus ultra Farther yet added thereto To day for me to morrow for thee The Victor took it not ill but to shew that he understood it wrote underneath I am a Man there is no Humane Accident but may befal me Barlaam the Hermit an Old Man of Seventy Years when Jehosaphat the King asked him how Old he was Answered Forty five at which when the King admired He reply'd that he had been absent rom his Studies Twenty five Years as if those Years which he had spent upon the Vanity of the World had been quite lost Sir Tho. Moor that no Age might delude a Person with the hopes of a longer Life gives this Admonition As he that is carried out of a Prison to the Gallows though the way be longer yet fears not the Gallows the less because he comes to it a little the later and though his Limbs are firm his Eyes quick his Lungs sound and that he relish his Meat and Drink yet this is still his Affliction that he is upon his Journey Thus are we all carried to the Gibbet of Death we are all upon the way only parted by some little Intervals The Elector of Brandenburg came to Visit Charles the Fifth being Sick of the Gout and advised him to make use of his Physicians To whom Charles replied The best Remedy in this Disease is Patience The compleat Armour of a Sick Man is Patience being so guarded he need fear neither Sickness Pain nor Death He is Proof against the blows of his Enemies and shall certainly overcome for Patience overcomes all things St. Austin Bishop of Hippo went to visit another Bishop of his Familiar Acquaintance lying in Extremity to whom as he was lifting up his Hands to Heaven to signifie his Departure St. Austin replyed That he was a great support of the Church and worthy of a longer Life To whom the sick Person made this Answer If never 't were another thing but if at any time why not now Thus Sitenus being taken by Midas and asked what was the best thing could happen to Man For a while stood silent At length being urg'd to speak he answer'd That the best thing was never to be born the next to die the soonest that might be This I must not omit very wonderful unheard-of and pleasant in the Relation Lodowick Cortusius a Lawyer of Padua forbid to his Relations all Tears and Lamentations by his Will And desir'd that he might have Harpers Pipers and all sorts of Musick at his Funeral who should partly go before partly follow the Corps leaving to every one of them a small Sum of Money His Bier he ordered to be carry'd by Twelve Virgins that being clad in green were to sing all the way such Songs as Mirth brought to their remembrance leaving to each a certain Sum of Money instead of a Dowry Thus was he buried in the Church of St. Sophia in Padua accompanied with a Hundred Attendants together with all the Clergy of the City excepting those that wore black for such by his Will he forbid his Funeral as it were turning his Funeral-Rites into a Marriage-Ceremony He died the 17th of July 1418. Admirable was the saying of St. Bernard Let them bewail their Dead who deny the Resurrection They are to be deplor'd who after Death are buried in Hell by the Devils not they who are plac'd in Heaven by the Angels Cyrus being about to die My Son said he when I am dead close up my Body neither in Silver nor in any other Metal but return its own Earth to the Earth again His last words were Be grateful to your Friends and you will never want the Power to punish your Enemies Farewel my dear Son and tell these my Words to your Mother also Wisely said Theophrastus upon his Death-Bed Many fine and pleasant things doth Life impose upon us under the pretence of Glory than the love of which there is nothing more vain Hither may be referred the saying of Severus the Emperor I was all things but nothing avails Alexander after many and great Victories overcome at length he fell not only into his Bed but into his Tomb contented with a small Coffin Peter Alphonsus reports That several Philosophers flock'd together and variously descanted upon the King's Death One there was that said Behold now four Yards of Ground is enough for him whom the spacious Earth could not comprehend before Another added Yesterday could Alexander save whom he pleas'd from Death to Day he cannot free himself Another viewing the Golden Coffin of the deceased Yesterday said he Alexander heaped up a Treasure of Gold now Gold makes a Treasure of Alexander This was their Learned Contention yet all ended in this Then he fell sick and died Lewis King of France gave these his last Admonitions to his Son Beware my Son that thou never commit any deadly Sin rather suffer all manner of Torments First chuse such about thee as will not be afraid to tell thee what thou art to do and what to beware To thy Parents give all Obedience Love and Reverence Ferdinand the Great King of Castile falling sick of his last Sickness caused himself to be carried to the great Church in all his Royal Robes where putting off all his Royal Ornaments and as it were restoring God his own he put on a Hair-Clâ—â— and casting himself upon the Ground with Tears in his Eyes Lord said he the Kingdom which thou gavest me I return to thee again seat me I beseach thee in Eternal Light Charles King of Sicily spoke these words Oh the Vain Thoughts of Men Miserable Creatures we are delighted with Honour heap up Treasure and neglect Heaven O the happy Fate of the Poor who content with little sleep in Tranquility What does now my Kingdom what do all my Guards avail me I might have been miserable without all this Pomp. Where is now the power and strength of my Empire The same necessity involves me as hampers the meanest Beggar Of so many Thousands of Clients Servants and Flatterers there is not one that will or can accompany me to the Tribunal of God Go Mortals go and swell your Breasts with great Thoughts to Day or to Morrow ye must die Farewel Earth would I could say welcom Heaven Dionysius the Areopagite being condemned to lose his Head with a Christian Generosity contemning the Reproaches of the Spectators Let the last words of my Lord upon the Cross said he be mine in this World Father into thy Hands I commend my Spirit
His honour or profane this ground Let no black-mouth'd breath'd rank Curr Peaceful James his Ashes stur Princes are Gods O do not then Rake in their Graves to prove them Men. 56. Vpon the King of Sweden Upon this Place the great Gustavus died While Victory lay weeping by his side 57. Vpon Sir Francis Vere When Vere sought Death arm'd with his Sword and Shield Death was afraid to meet him in the Field But when his Weapons he had laid aside Death like a Coward struck him and he died 58. Another Here lieth Richard A Preene One Thousand Five Hundred Eighty Nine Of March the xx day And he that will die after him may 59. Another Here lieth he who was born and cryed Told Threescore Years fell sick and dyed 60. At Farlam on the West Marches toward Scotland near Naworth-Castle John Bell broken brow Ligs under this stean Fovr of mine een Sons Laid it on my weam I was a Man of my Meat Master of my Wife I lived on my own Land With mickle strife 61. In St. Paul 's was this Here lies John Dod a Servant of God to whom he is gone Father or Mother Sister or Brother he never knew none A Headborough and a Constable a Man of Fame The first of his House and last of his Name Died buryed and deceas'd the Fifteenth of May One Thousand Five Hundred and Fifteen being Whitson-Monday 62. On Mr. Burbidge the Tragedian Exit Burbidge 63. On Mr. Weymark a constant Walker in Paul ' s. Defessus sum ambulando 64. In St. Mary Saviours this Here lies William Emerson Who lived and died an honest Man 65. In the North-Country this Here ligs John Hubberton And there ligs his Wife Here ligs his Dagger And there ligs his Knife Here ligs his Daughter And there ligs his Son Heigh for brave John Hubberton 66. Vpon JOhn Death Here lies John Death the very same That went away with a Cousin of his Name 67. Vpon Mr. Parsons Organist at Westminster Death passing by and hearing Parsons play Stood much amazed at his depth of Skill And said this Artist must with me away For Death bereaves us of the better still But let the Quire while he keeps time sing on For Parsons rests his Service being done 68. On Mr. Charles Wray When I in Court had spent my tender Prime And done my best to please an Earthly Prince Even sick to see how I had lost my Time Death pitying mine Estate removed me thence And sent me mounted upon Angels Wings To serve my Saviour and the King of Kings 69. Many and sundry Opinions were conceived of Joan of Arck some judging her miraculously raised up by God for the good of France others that she was but a meer Impostor We will suspend our Judgment herein and referr you to the Epitaph which we find thus written on her Here lies Joan of Arck the which Some count Saint and some count Witch Some count Man and something more Some count Maid and some a Whore Her Life 's in question wrong or right Her Death 's in doubt by Laws or might Oh Innocence take heed of it How thou too near to Guilt dost sit Mean time France a Wonder saw A Woman Rule ' gainst Salique Law But Reader be content to stay Thy censure till the Judgment-day Then shalt thou know and not before Whether Saint Witch Man Maid or Whore 70. An Epitaph upon Sir Philip Sidney England Netherland the Heavens and the Arts All Soldiers and the World have made six Parts Of the Noble Sidney for none will suppose That a small heap of Stones can Sidney inclose England hath his Body for she it bred Netherland his Blood in her Defence shed The Heavens his Soul the Arts his Fame All Soldiers his Grief the World his Good Name 71. The following Epitaph was written upon the Tomb-stone of JOHN WHITE Esq a Member of the House of Commons in the Year 1640. and Father to Dr. Annesley's Wife lately deceased Here lies a John a burning shining Light Whose Name Life Actions all alike were WHITE 72. Mrs. Wilkinson with her Child went to Heaven from her Childbed on whose Tomb-stone a learned Doctor wrote the following Lines viz. Here lies Mother and Babe both without sins Next Birth will make her and her Infant Twins See Mr. Adams 's Sermon in the Continuation of Morning Exercise Questions and Cases of Conscience 73. Vpon Richard Howkins Here lies Richard Howkins who out of his store Gave Twenty good Shillings for the use of the Poor Upon condition his Body shoul'd ne'er be removed Until the appearing of our dearly Beloved 74. On the Tomb-stone of a great Scold was written Her Husband prays if by her Grave you walk You gently tread for if she 's wak'd she 'll talk 75. Vpon Mr. West Here lies Ned West of Men the best Well loved by his Wife But Oh he 's gone his Thread is spun And cut off by the Knife Of cruel Atropos Oh Jade Rokcy and flinty hearted Maid To kill so good a Man Take from my Wooff two Inches off And let him live again 76. On the Tomb of the Electeress Dowager of Saxony are to be seen the following Devices and Motto's I. Piety with an Heart in which some Beams from the Name Jehovah are centered with this Motto From him and to him II. Clemency with a Cloud of Dew hanging over the Land with this Motto Water is common to all III. Friendliness with a Sun piercing a dark Cloud over-against a Rainbow and this Motto He enlightens and makes glad IV. Magnanimity with a Rock upon which some Thunderbolts are darted with this Motto They don't terrifie V. Liberality with a Fountain from whence some Hands were taking out Water with this Motto So much the more plentiful VI. Patience with a Crucible full of Gold standing in the Fire with this Motto I burn but I am cleansed from my Dross or I shall come out more pure VII Pity or Compassion with a Silk-Worm beginning to Spin with this Motto I will serve you with my Bowels And VIII Humility with a Violet Flower growing in the Grass with this Motto The more humble the more fragrant Flying Post Nov. 21. 1696. 77. I find I have inserted in my Paper-book an Epitaph upon the Tomb of the Earl of Warwick in whose Death the Family was extinct Within this Marble doth Entombed lie Not one but all a Noble Family A Pearl of such a price that soon about Possession of it Heaven and Earth fell out Both could not have it so they did devise This fatal Salvo to divide the Prize Heaven shares the Soul and Earth his Body takes Thus we lose all while Earth and Heaven part stakes But Heaven not brooking that the Earth should share In the least Atom of a Piece so rare Intends to sue out by a new revize His Habeas Corpus at the Grand Assize Mr. Barker's Flores 78. I have read of a certain Prince who would have
that they might well School and Catechise some of our old Professors Grey-hair'd Christians for Seven Years together It would be too large a Task now to tell you what Lessons they learn'd from the Contemplation and Study of these Things Their Books of Moral Philosophy writ by Aristotle Plato Cicero Seneca Isocrates c. where they preach'd in our Pulpits were enough to fill some Number of Years with Sermons strong enough for our Auditors of the Lower Form And convictive enough to shame the Major part of Christians among us into Blushing and Confusion Read over but the Roman Twelve Tables Plato's Republic the Laws of the several Heathen Nations about Religion Sobriety Justice c. And you 'll find Reason to fear lest the Queen of the South and the Inhabitants of Tyre and Sidon the Greek Scythian and Barbarian will escape better some of them at the Day of Judgment than many of Christendom that have both the Books wide open before them all the Days of their Life Rom. 2.14 15. 3. What might they learn Answ All the Articles of our Christian Creed and all the Precepts of our Christian Religion except those which refer to the Cause and Cure of our Misery viz. The Fall of Adam and the Intercession of the Second Adam That there was a God one only Supreme Maker of Heaven and Earth Infinite in the Attributes of Wisdom Power Truth Justice Mercy worthy to be worshipped with a Holy Life Prayer Praise Obedience and a pure Heart and Affection one that had a Good Will to save us one that would reward us with excellent Rewards or Punishments according to our Actions in the other World All this and more than this they might have discerned by their Glimmering Light of Nature in only the Frontispiece of Heaven if they had but used their Eyes And so much many of them did not only learn but teach and make a publick and stout Profession of it to the World The Existence of One Supreme God the Divine Governance of the World the Immortality of the Soul a Mediation between God and us and almost all the Moral Duties of the Law in Substance the Distribution of Rewards and Punishments after this Life distinct Places and Times of Worship Priests and Priestly Maintenance and Attonements and Purifications and something like the Dedicating of their Infants to God by Baptism with secret Devotions and Family-Worship as well as that which was publick in the Temples All these and much more were adopted into the Body of the Heathen Religion and excepting only some few Articles of our Creed referring to the Trinity and especially the Business of our Redemption and the true Notion of our Two Sacraments and it may be the Resurrection of our Bodies it were not very hard to make out all the rest of our Religion demonstrable by the meer Light of Reason The invisible Things of GOD from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the Things that are made 4. What Practical Deductions may be made from hence How great is God A Contemplation of the Heavenly Fabrick will directly lead us to this Point viz. an admiration of the Divine Eternal Power of the Godhead For Rom. 1.19 That which may be known of God is manifest to all the World for God hath shewed it to them He hath shewed his Face in the Glass of his Works and his Features there appear so glorious that 't is a Wonder it doth not fill our Apprehensions with a pregnant and awful Conceit of his Infinite Majesty and Power The Splendour of the Divine Attributes gives Shine to all the World So that now all the Inhabitants of the round World have Scope enough for Spiritual Contemplation and the Exercise of their Rational Faculties and the Turk and Pagan both have a Book large and voluminous enough being wide open before them to employ all their Studies in all the Days of their Life Who that considers a while the Nature of that God that made the Heavens how he must stretch his Compass over the whole Vniverse how he must mete out the Heavens with a Span and comprehend the Dust of the Earth in a Measure and weigh the Mountains in Scales and the Hills in a Ballance and take up the Isles as a very little thing and measure the Waters in the Hollow of his Hand and make the Clouds his Chariot and ride upon the Wings of the Wind and climb up to the highest Orbs and extend every Globe with the present Thought and hang not only the Earth but the Heavens upon nothing and this in the exactest Order and Perfection that no remarkable Fault shall appear in 6000 Years in any part of all this magnificent Building Who that considers a little the Nature of the Supreme Architect shall not be ready to cry out with the Psalmist Psal 8.1 9. O Lord our Lird how excellent is thy Name in all the Earth who hast set thy Glory above the Heavens O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy Name in all the Earth 2. What little low worthless Creatures are we That God who is the Author of such excellent Handy-work that dwells in that inaccessible Light in such a glorious Palace who can make Heavens at his pleasure and garnish them in a moment and fill the whole World with the Beams of his Glory should yet place his Affections so much on such little silly things as we are Psal 8.3 When I consider thy Heavens the Work of thy Fingers the Moon and the Stars which thou hast ordained What is Man that thou art mindful of him and the Son of Man that thou visitest him Shall I speak my Opinion freely in this Matter I do conceive that one great Reason why God hath laid out so much of his Excellency and bestowed so much of his Infinite Wisdom and Power upon the Creation of the Things that are above us especially the Heavens over our Heads was on purpose to astonish proud Man into a Religious Admiration of his God and an humble Detestation of himself For that 's the very Frame and Temper which disposeth Man for the Impressions of Religion and the Exercise of a devout Affection Isa 66.1 2. Thus saith the Lord The Heaven is my Throne 3. A due Consideration of the Creation of the World and especially of the Heavens belongs unto us all Os homini sublime c. If God doth preach to us by these Things that are seen and thereby reveal to the World the invisible Properties of the Divinity then we ought to hearken to this Voice and make some good use of their Language The Curious Spectator looks up to the Heavens and examines every particular there Quidni quaerat Scit illa ad se pertinere Tunc contemnit domicilii prioris angustias Seneca And as he goes on what is all the distance from the utmost Coasts of Spain to the Indies But a Voyage of a very few Days if thou sail with a good
Wind But that heavenly Country above for many Hundreds of Years affords space for the swiftest Stars to travel in without let or molestation In short the very Natural Propensity of Mankind to enquire into those upper Regions and peer amongst the Stars is some Argument of our Concernment that way 4. Let us beware of Idolatry the fault of the old Pagan World Who when they saw those Lights hung out at the Windows of Heaven which should have been but ministerial to help them in the Search of him that made them fell down and worshipped the Servants instead of the Master the Candles at the Door instead of the Lord of the House Deut. 4.19 Yet the Jews themselves were so forgetful of this Precept that we find them often taxed for burning Incense to the Queen of Heaven and worshipping the Star Rempham And 't is too well known that the Heathens generally worshipped the Sun Moon and Stars becoming vain in their Imaginations and though they professed themselves Wise they became Fools changing the Glory of the incorruptible God into the Image of his corruptible Creatures 5. By this Law they who want a Special Revelation shall be judged Rom. 2.12 13 14 15. Let no Man then whether within or without the Pale of the Church think to shroud his Guilt under the Cloak of Ignorance There 's no Corner of the World so remote no People so dark where this Voice hath not been heard the Musick of the Spheres is soft and still but such as shortly will make even both the Ears of the guilty Sinner tingle The Language wherein these Sermons are preach'd to the World is temperate and equal it makes no great Noise at present to them who are busie digging low in the Bowels of the Earth but it hath a sharp and heavy Accent at the end Let no Man then upbraid the Almighty as if he were a severe Judge for calling all Men to the same Judgment for damning Men that never had the knowledge of his Laws Fear not God will be just he 'll vindicate his Righteousness from the foul Aspersions and Abuses of a scandalous World Hast thou sinned without Law without Law then thou shalt be tried And a Hundred to One but condemned too and yet God clear from thy Blood and just in all this What a black List of Sins doth the Apostle present thee with Rom. 1.29 c. all chargeable upon all Nations of the World Jew and Christian and Turk and Heathen and damnable by the very Law of Nature Vnrighteousness Fornication c. But that which affects us most in all this is that not only the poor Infidel is guilty in this Case but a great part of Christendom also not only they that have no other Law to read in no other Rule to go by but the Book of the Creation but they also who have the Bibles in their Hands and the Creed upon their Tongues-end and have all the Advantages of Nature and Revelation both When these very Sins and as bad or worse walk bare-fac'd within the Confines of the Church and Men of the best Creed and Profession in the World are not ashamed to commit the foulest Sins and sometimes accounteit their Glory to boast of such Vices which ought not so much as to be named amongst Christians There are several live amongst us it may be in this place now whose ordinary Conversations are stain'd with such Blots as both the Lights both that of Positive Religion and that of meer Natural Reason too do abhor and condemn And yet which is mighty strange these very Men do please themselves with the hopes of escaping safely the Sentence of the Judge at the Last Day And upon their Repentance they may but else I cannot think of any plausible Argument that will stand their Friend at the Day of Judgment And to drive the Nail farther yet It will not be enough for Men to plead their Interest in a Church or Party in such Cases let the Church be never so pure nor the Profession never so good nor the Advantages of Knowledge and Information never so great if under all these Pretensions thou shouldst play the Hypocrite and live ill thy own Mouth would condemn thee and a whole Cloud of Witnesses depose Evidence against thee And yet notwithstanding all this we may take up the Complaint of the Prophet Jer. 18.13 Ask now among the Heathen who hath heard such Things The Virgins of Israel have done very horrible Things Thy poor Men are tenacious of their superstitious Vanities 't is hard to make a Proselyte to Christianity amongst them they will dispute fight die for their meer Shadow of Faith but Christians will barter away thier Conscience their Creed their Heaven their God for meer Vanities Ver. 14 15. In short if it be true what some of the poor ignorant Gentiles fancied that the Sun Moon and Stars do all look upon us and are daily Spectators and Witnesses of all we do it were well for many If the Sun were indeed turned into Darkness and the Moon into Blood and the Stars would leave off their Shining and the whole Face of the Heavens were reversed than thus to stand over our Heads and remark our Actions in order to a Solemn Convictive Testimony against us Jer. 2.9 10 11. 8. Of the Glorious Body of the Sun COnsider we next the Sun 1. In its Motion 1. Its Terms à quo ad quem 2. It s Swiftness 3. Continuance 4. It s Light 5. It s Heat 1. It s Motion Concerning which and the rest of its Attributes I shall have the less to say now because I have spoken so much of it in the General Notion of the Heavenly Bodies Yet for Order-sake consider we 1. Its Terms or Bounds from whence and to which the Sun moves From the one end of the Heavens to the other i. e. according to our Apprehension and Common Sence of Things For in truth the Heavens have neither Beginning nor End but are of a perfect Round Figure Indeed this Notion was so long hid from the World that not many Hundred Years agone a German Bishop was Excommunicated for broaching this Doctrine viz. That there were Antipodes and that the Earth in answer to the Heavens was inhabited round whereas now 't is generally agreed upon with good Reason by all the Learned of late Ages 2. It s Swiftness I need say little more upon this Point than what I said before viz. That the Sun according to the Judgment of some Astronomers goes in its Motion 1000000 German Miles in the Judgment of others 261905 in one Hour Whether either of them are in the right or no I am not much concerned to determine This is certain 't is of a vast Body 166 times bigger than the Earth say Astronomers who by the Eclipses say they have found its Diameter and by its Diameter its Compass Periphery and by that its Motion Indeed its Course is so swift so incredibly quick that
Spirit he struck the Door with a vehemency as if he had knock'd upon it with a hammer to signify his dislike of the matter If he took an ill Book into his hand to Read the Spirit would strike it that he might lay it down and so likewise would hinder him from Writing and Reading over-much Bodinus enquiring whether he ever saw the shape and form of the Spirit he told him that whilst awake he never saw any thing but a certain light very bright and clear and of a circular Figure but that once being in Jeopardy of his Life and having heartily pray'd to God that he would be pleased to provide for his safety about break of Day amidst his slumberings and wakings he espied on his Bed where he lay A young Boy clad in a white Garment tinctured with Purple and of a Visage admirably Lovely and Beautiful to behold This he confidently affirmed to Bodinus for a certain Truth H. More Antid against Atheism Edit 2d p. 245 c. 2. Ruffinus in his Ecclesiastical story reports that one Theodorus a Martyr told him that when he was hanging ten hours upon the Rack for Religion under Julian's Persecution his Joynts distended and distorted and his body exquisitely tortured with change of Executioners so as never Age could remember the like he felt no pain at all but continued all the while in the sight of all Men singing and smiling for there stood a comely young Man by him on his Gibbet which with a clean Towel still wip'd off his sweat and poured cool Water upon his Limbs wherewith he was so refreshed that it grieved him to be let down So far Dr. Joseph Hall Socratis scholasticus adds that Ruffinus had Acquaintance with this Theodorus and discoursed him upon 't to whom he said he was so comforted and confirmed in the Faith thereby that the hour of Torment was unto him rather a delectable Pleasure than a doleful Pain Socrat. Schol. Hist Eccl. l. 3. c. 16. 3. Edwyn King of Northumberland then a Pagan being by himself alone and Solitary there appeared to him One who said I known well the cause of thy heaviness what wouldst thou give to him that would deliver thee from this fear I would said Edwyn give all that ever I could make And what said the other if I make thee a mightier King than any of thy Progenitors Edwyn answered as before Then said the other What if I shew thee a better way and kind of Life than was ever known to any of thy Ancestors Wilt thou obey and do after may Counsel Yes said he with all my Heart Then the other laying his Hand on his Head said When this Token happens unto thee then remember this time of thy Tribulation and the Promise that thou hast made and the Words I have spoken and so he vanished out of his sight But afterwards being over-born by the Counsel of his Nobles he deferred to perform his Promise Afterwards being struck at with the envenom'd Sword of a certain Ruffian sent by the King of the West-Saxons to assassinate him but escaping by the interposition of one of his Servants who received the Sword through his own Body being himself wounded only with the Sword 's Point with which Wound he lay long Upon Recovery he goes against those West Saxons promising Jesus Christ upon Victory to be Baptized Which tho' he obtained yet still he was slow to be Baptized Only he left off his Idolatrous Services and heard Bishop Paulinus Preach 'till the Bishop came to the King at a fit Season and laying his Hand on his Head ask'd him if he remembred not that Token upon which he was presently Baptized and destroyed his Idols with their Altars Clark's Exampl and Martyrol c. 4. When Theodosius Jun. sent his Army under Ardubarius against the Persians and for the Relief of the Persecuted Christians and the Citizens were sad and heavy fearing the Event of the War a Company of Angels appeared to certain Christians in Bythinia that were travelling to Constantinople and willed them to be of good Cheer and to Pray and put their Trust in God and then to expect confidently the good Success and Victory of Ardubarius For God had sent them as Governors and Sovereign Captains of that War Idem 5. Cotterus accounted by Comenius as a Prophet of Silesia and persecuted stoutly by the Emperor's Praefect was A. C. 1628 entertained by Adam Pohe a Sadler of Sprattovia for half a Year gratis till the time of his Imprisonment The next Year Adam falling Sick and Lame his Nerves shrank up and was confined to his Bed for half a Year A Day before the Emperor's Commissioners came to reform the Town as they called it a Young Man appeared by his Bed-side in white Cloathing saying Adam this is the Day wherein God hath decreed to take Vengeance on this City Arise Go in the name of the Lord put on thy clothes and with thy Wife and Young Daughter fly away make hasie upon which he recovered and escaped Hisi Prophet p. 22. 6. Cutbert Symson Deacon of the Congregation in London in Queen Mary's Reign being imprison'd in the Stocks the Day before his Condemnation about Eleven of the Clock toward Midnight heard one coming in first opening the outward Door then the Second then the Third and so looking into the said Cutbert having no Candle or Torch that he could see but giving a comfortable Brightness and Light joyful to the Heart and saying Ha! unto him departed again Fox Martyrol 7. Samuel Wallace of Stamford in Lincolnshire a shoe-maker having been 13 Years sick of a Consumption upon Whitsunday after Sermon 1659 being alone in the House and reading in a Book called Abraham's Suit for Sodom he heard somebody wrap at the Door upon which he rose and went with his Stick in one Hand and holding by the Wall with the other to see who was at the Door where he found a proper grave Old Man with Hair as white as Wool curled up and a white broad Beard of a fresh Complexion with a fashionable Hat little narrow Band Coat and Hose of a Purple Colour pure white Stockings and new black Shoes tied with Ribbons of the same colour with his Cloaths without Spot of Wet or Dirt upon him though it rained when he came in and had done all that Day Hands as white as Snow without Gloves Who said to him Friend I pray thee give to an Old Pilgrim a Cup of thy small Beer Samuel Wallace answering I pray you Sir come in To which he replied Friend call me not Sir for I am no Sir but yet come in I must for I cannot pass by thy Door before I come in Wallace with the help of his Stick drew a little Jug-Pot of Small-Beer which the Pilgrim took and drank a little then walked two or three times to and fro and drank again and so a Third time before he drank it all And when he had so done he walked Three
Devil appeared to her in her House in the likeness of a white Dog and that she called this Imp or Familiar Spirit Elimanzer and that she often fed it and that the Spirit spoke to her very audibly and bid her deny Jesus Christ which she did then assent to but denied that she killed the young maid She was Executed at Mannintree Apr. 15. 1645. 4. Anne West and Rebecca her Daughter were likewise of this black Society against whom Prudence the VVife of Thomas Hart of Lawford in Essex deposed upon Oath that about Eight weeks before going on Sunday to the Parish-Church about half a mile from her House being about Twenty weeks gone with Child and to her thinking very well and healthy upon a sudden she was taken with great Pains and miscarried before she came Home And about Two months after one Night when she was in Bed something fell down upon her Right Side but being dark she could not discover its shapes and that she was presently taken lame on that side with extraordinary Pains and burning and was certainly perswaded that Anne and Rebecca West were the cause of her Pains having expressed much Malice toward her and counted her their greatest Enemy Mr. John Edes a Minister deposed That Rebecca West confessed to him that about Seven Years before she began to have familiarity with the Devil by the instigation of her Mother Anne West and that he appeared in several Shapes As once like a proper young man who desired to have familiarity with her promising that he would then do what she desired and avenge her on her Enemies requiring her also to deny God and put her faith and trust in him which being agreed to she order'd him to avenge her on one Thomas Hart of Lawford by killing his Son who was soon after taken sick and died VVhereupon Rebecca told the Minister she thought the Devil could do like God in destroying whom he pleased After which she gave him Entertainment and he lay with her as a man She likewise confest to him that when she lived at Riverhall in Essex her Mother came and told her The Barley Corn was picked up meaning that the Son of one George Francis a chief Inhabitant of that Town was Dead and his Father very much suspected he was bewitched to Death and her Mother hearing of it said Be it unto him according to his Faith Mr. Matthew Hopkins deposed upon Oath that going to the Prison where Rebecca West and five others were he asked her how she first came to be a Witch who told him that her Mother and she going one Evening after Sunset toward Mannintree her Mother charged her to keep secret whatever she saw which she promising to do they went both to the House of Elizabeth Clark where they found her together with Ana Leach Elizabeth Gooding and Hellen Clark and that Instantly the devil appeared in the shape of a Dog then came two Kitlins and after them two Dogs more who all seemed to reverence Elizabeth Clark skipping into her lap and kissing her and then Kist all in the Room except her self Whereupon one of the Witches askt her Mother if her Daughter were Acquainted with the Business who assuring them of her secrecy Ann Leach pulled out a Book and Swore her not to reveal any thing she saw or heard and if she did she should endure more torments than there could be in Hell Whereupon she again ingaged to be silent They told her she must never confess any thing tho the Rope were about her Neck and she ready to be Hanged To which after she had given her absolute Ingagement the Devil leapt up into her Lap and Kissed her promising to perform whatever she would desire About halt a year after the Devil appeared as she was going to Bed and said he would marry her which she could not refuse whereupon he Kissed her but was as cold as Clay and then took her by the Hand Leading her about the room and promised to be her Loving Husband till Death and to avenge her of all her enemies She likewise obliging her self to be his Obedient Wife till Death and to deny God and Christ Jesus She confest that after this she sent him to kill the Son of Thomas Hart who died within a Fortnight and thereupon she took the Devil for her God and thought he could as God Rebecca West being likewise Examined before the Justices at Mannintree confessed that all was true concerning their Meeting at Elizabeth Clarks where they spent some time in Praying to their Familiar Spirits and then every one made their desires known to them Elizabeth Clark requested her Spirit that Mr. Edwards might be met withal at a Bridge near her House and that his Horse might be frighted and he thrown down and never rise again Mr. Edwards deposed that at the same place his Horse started and greatly indangered him and he heard something about the House Cry Ah Ah much like a Polecat and that with great difficulty he saved himself from being thrown off his Horse Elizabeth Gooding desired her Imp to kill Robert Jaylors Horse for suspecting her to be a Witch which was done accordingly Hellen Clark required to kill some Hogs of a Neighbours Ann Leach that a Cow might be Lamed and Ann West her Mother desired her Spirit to free her from all her enemies and to have no trouble And she her self desired that Thomas Harts Wife might be taken Lame of her right side after which they departed appointing the next Meeting at Elizabeth Goodings House for these and several other Notorious Crimes Ann West was Sentenced and Executed at Mannintree Elizabeth Gooding at Chelmsford and the Bill found against Rebecca West by the Grand Jury but was acquitted by the Jury of Life and Death Ibid p. 14. 5. Rose Hallybread was another of this black Regiment against whom Robert Turner of St. Osyth in Essex deposed that about eight days before his Servant was taken Sick shaking shrieking and crying out of Rose Hallybread that she had bewitched him and that he sometimes Crowed like a Cock sometimes barked like a Dog and sometimes Groaned violently beyond the ordinary course of Nature and tho but a youth struggl'd with so much strength that four or five lusty Men were not able to hold him down in his Bed and sometimes he would Sing several strange Songs and Tunes his Mouth not being opened nor his Lips so much as stirring all the time of his Singing She being examined confest That about sixteen years before one Goody Hagtree brought an Imp to her House which she entertained and fed it with Oat-Meal and Suckled it on her Body a Year and a half and then lost it She confessed likewise that about half a year before one Joyce Boanes brought to her another Imp in the likeness of a small gray Bird which she received and carried to the House of one Thomas Toakly of St. Osyths and put it under his Door after which
Bohemian Language signifies an Hundred Years after God would raise up a Swan in Germany whose Singing would affright all those Vultures Which was exactly fulfilled in Luther just an hundred Years after Clarks Marrow of Ecclesiast History p. 119. Fuller Abel Rediv. p. 30. 2. Luther speaks thus of the Covetousness of Germany and the Dearth there We fear Famine and we shall suffer it and find no Remedy for it And whereas we are without Necessity we are sollicitous to prevent Famine like Wicked and Incredulous Heathens and neglect the Word of God and his Work He will permit shortly a dismal Day to come upon us which will bring with it whole Wain-loads of Cares which we shall neither have Power or Means to escape And likewise he foretold the combustion which arose in Germany saying I am very much afraid that if the Princes give ear to Duke George's ill Counsel there will arise some Tumult which will destroy all the Princes and Magistrates in all Germany and engage in it all the Clergy Fuller Abel Rediv. p. 49. 3. In May 1631. at Hull in Saxony the Water was turn'd into Blood and about the middle of this Month this Town was taken by Tilly and afterwards retaken from him by their natural Lord and presently again repossessed by Tilly's Forces and he himself after the Battle of Leipsick made his Escape thither that Night and had his Wounds dress'd by the Town-Barber whilst Tilly's Army lay in the Twon one of his chief Officers saw Blood prodigiously dropping from the House wherein he lay whereupon he said What Must we bleed Will the King of Sweden bleat us That is impossible But it happen'd otherwise for Hull was not above Seven Dutch Miles distant from the place of Battle wherein the Imperial Army was utterly routed and miserably destroyed in the Chase and if the King had had but three Hours more of Daylight it was judged that hardly a Thousand of the Enemy had escaped one of their own Relations affirming that there were Fifteen Thousand of the Imperialists slain upon the place in the Pursuit that Night and the next day following it 's said Tilly's couragious Heart could not refrain from Tears when he perceiv'd such woful Destructions among his brave old Soldiers his Army consisting of Forty-four Thousand stout Men being usually termed Invincible The next day the King besieged Hull which was yielded to him and soon after the Castle But a while after Papenheim and the Imperialists again retook this City exercising all manner of Barbarism upon the Inhabitants This Year likewise in the time of the Siege of Magdeburgs a City Captain's Wife dying in Child-bed desired to be ript open which being done they found a Boy almost as big as one of 3 Years old who had an Head-piece and an Iron Breast-Plate on his Body great Boots of the French Fashion and a Bag on his Side with two things therein like Musquet Bullets This horrible Prodigy no doubt portended the deplorable Desruction of the City which happen'd May 10. 1631. when a general Assault was made upon the Town by the Imperialists the Walls were mounted in an instant the Town entred and the Soldiers fell to killing At the same instant a Fire none knew how broke out and it being a windy day on a sudden all became one mighty Flame the whole Town being in Twelve Hours time turn'd to Cinders except some few Fisher-Houses Six goodly Churches were burnt the Cathedral by the Diligence of the Monks and Soldiers being preserved There were at least Twenty Thousand People killed besides Six Thousand drowned in the River Elbe Two days after Tilly came into the Town and finding some Hundreds of Women and Children in the great Church he gives them their Lives and some Bread to maintain them Surprizing Mirac of Nature p. 109. 4. About the Year 1679 or 1680 there was a noise like the shooting off or the bursting Crack of a Gun heard I believe all over England I heard it my self as I lay in Bed near the Town of Shrewsbury about Seven or Eight a Clock in the Morning it was all over that Country and several other adjacent Counties at London in Sussex and the North of England and did strangely amuse People where-ever it was heard but this I wonder at that in some places it was heard in the Afternoon about One say some others about Three a Clock c. Surely it was significative the rather because the great Comet succeeded it and the Mutations in England But I leave it to the Consideration and Judgment of the Ingenious Reader 5. Octob. 5. 1682. There was born at Exeter a Monster having two perfect Heads one standing right as it should the other being in the Right Shoulder it liv'd not long but was buried and taken up again the tenth Instant many hundreds resorting to see it I propound it here for an Aenigma to exercise my Reader 's Judgment 6 Days Lucky and Vnlucky Extracted from the Miscellanies of John Aubrey Esq Is this thy Day Luk. 19.42 That there be Good and Evil Times not only the Sacred Scriptures but Prophane Authors mention See 1 Sam. 25.8 Esth. 8.17 and 2.19 22. Ecclus 14.14 The Fourteenth day of the First Month was a Memorable and Blessed Day amongst the Children of Israel See Exod. 12.18 40 41 42 51. As to Evil Days and Times see Amos 5.13 and 6.3 Eccles 9.12 Psal 37.19 Obad. 12. Jer. 46.21 And Job hints it in cursing his Birth-day Cap. 3. v. 1 10 11. 7. The Romans counted Feb. 13. an Unlucky Day and therefore then never attempted any Business of Importance 8. The Jews accounted August 10. an unfortunate day for on that day the Temple was destroyed by Titus the Son of Vespasian 9. And not only among the Romans and Jews but also amongst Christians a like Custom of observing such Days is used especially Childermas-day or Innocents-day Cominus tells us that Lewis XI used not to debate any Matter but accounted it a sign of Misfortune towards him if any Man communed with him of his Affairs and would be very angry with those about him if they troubled him with any Matter whatsoever upon that day But I will descend to more particular Instances upon Lucky and Unlucky Days 10. Upon the Sixth of April Alexander the Great was born Upon the same Day he conquer'd Darius won a great Victory at Sea and died the same day 11. Upon the Thirtieth of September Pompey the Great was born Upon that day he Triumph'd for his Asian Conquest and on that day he died If Solomon counts The day of ones Death better than the day of ones Birth there can be no Objection why that also may not be reckon'd amongst ones Remarkable and Happy Days 12. Sir Kenelm Digby that Renowned Knight great Linguist and Magazeen of Arts was Born and Died on the Eleventh of June and also fought fortunately at Scanderoon the same day Hear his Epitaph composed by Mr. Farrar and recited in
last of January they found their Food would last but six Weeks longer but they had recourse to God for a Supply and looking out one bright day they saw a great She-Bear with her Cub coming towards the Tent her they slew with their Lances the Cub escaping they drew her into the Tent and this Bears served them 20 Days In March the Days so lengthned that the Fowl and Foxes came abroad of which Foxes by Traps they catched fifty and sixty Fowl as big as Pidgeons and they had killed seven more Bears so that with two or three Meals a Day their Strength was much increased In May the First the Weather grew warm so that they went out to seek Provision In this Month there came two Ships of Hull into the Sound who knowing some Men had been left there the Year before and being desirous to know whether they were dead or alive the Master manned a Shallop to go as near the Shoar as they could and so over the Ice to the Tent. When these Men came near the Tent they haled them with the usual word of the Sea crying Hey to which one of them in the Tent answered again Ho which sudden Answer almost amazed them all but perceiving them to be the very Men to their Ship where they stay'd till the London Fleet came which was three Days after They went aboard the Admiral where Captain William Goodler was who made them very welcome gave them Apparel to the Value of Twenty Pounds and after fourteen Days Refreshment they grew all perfectly well Thus they continued in the Fleet till the 20th of August when they set sail and at last came safe into the River of Thames and the Muscovy Merchants dealt very well by them The Names of these eight Persons were VVilliam Fakely Gunner Edward Pelham Gunner's-Mate that wrote this Story John VVise and Robert Goodfellow Seamen Thomas Ayres Whale-cutter Henry Beer Cooper John Dawes and Richard Kellet Land-men Clark's Mirr C. 105. P. 512 513. c. Stow's Annals P. 1017. 3. Horrible was that Tragedy which the Western Indies beheld in the Persons of seven Englishmen the Relation of it take as followeth The fore-mention'd seven being in St. Christopher's-Istand had prepared themselves for a Voyage of one Night and had taken with Provisions for no longer a time but a Tempest intercepted their Return and carried them so far off into the Sea that they could not find Land in less than seven Days in which they were so sparing of their one Nights Provision that they made it serve them to the fifth day that past they must wrestle with meer Famine which was so much the more grievous to them in regard the Sun was extream hot that dried up their parched Throats exhaled the Saltness from the troubled Sea They had now little Hope of retrieving themselves from their intricate Error and were therefore forced O cruel Necessity to cast Lots among themselves to see whose Flesh and Blood should satisfie the Hunger and Thirst of the rest The Lot fell upon him who first gave the Counsel who was not only unaffrighted at his hard Fortune but encouraged the rest who had a kind of Horror as to what they went about he told them that Fortune was a Favourer of the Bold that there was no possibility of Escape unless they immediately staid their slying Life by humane Flesh that for his part he was well content and that he thought himself happy if he could serve his Friends when he was dead With such Words as these he so perswaded them that one drawn out by Lot also cut his Throat of whose Carcass I tremble to relate it each of them was so desirous of a piece that it could scarce be divided so quickly They fell to the Flesh wirh eager Teeth and sucked out the Blood into their thirsty Stomachs One only was found amongst them who being nearly related to the dead Person resolved to endure all things rather than to pollute himself with the Blood of his Friend but the next day his Famine drove him into such a Madness that he threw himself over-board into the Sea His Associates would not suffer so delicate a repast as his Carcass to be so unseasonably snatched from them But this Madness had already so vitiated his Blood and the Flesh all about the Veins that in the whole Body there was scarce any thing found fit to eat save only his Bowels At last it pleased God to shew them Mercy in their wandering and distress and brought their small Ship to the Isle of St. Martin in which they were kindly receiv'd by the Dutch Garrison and sent back to the rest of their Friends where scarce had they set Foot on the Shoar but they were accused of Murder but inevitable Necessity pleading in their Behalf they were set free by the Magistrate Nich. Tulpii Observ Med. L. 1. C. 43. P. 81. Wanley's Wonders of the Little World P. 638. 4. Richard Clark of Weymouth in Dorsetshire was a known Pilot and Master of the Ship called the Delight which Anno Dom. 1583. went with Sir Humphrey Gilbert for the discovery of Norembege It happened that without any Neglect or Default of his the Ship struck on Ground and was cast away on Thursday August 29. in the same Year Of them that escaped Shipwrack sixteen got into a small Boat of a Tun and a half which had but one Oar to work withal they were seventy Leagues from Land and the weather so foul that it was not possible for a Ship to brook half a Course of Sail. The Boat being over-burden'd one of them Mr. Hedley made a Motion to cast Lots that those four which drew the shortest should be cast over-board provided if one Lot fell on the Master he notwithstanding should be preserved in whom all their Safety was concerned The Master disavowed the Acceptance of any such Priviledge replying They would live or die together On the fifth day Mr. Hedly who first mention'd Lot-drawing and another died whereby their Boat was somewhat alighted Five Days and Nights they saw the Sun and Stars but once so that they only kept up their Boat with their single Oar as the Sea did drive it They continued four Days without sustenance save what the Weeds which swam into the Sea and salt Water did afford On the Seyenth Day about Eleven of the Clock they had sight of and about Three they came on the South part of New-found-land All the time of their being at Sea the Wind kept continually South if it had shifted to any other Point they had never come to Land but it turn'd North within half an Hour of their Arrival Being all come to Shoar they kneel'd down and gave God praise for their miraculous Deliverance There they remained three Days and Nights having their plentiful Repast upon Berries and wild Pease After five Days rowing along the Shoar they happened on a Spanish Ship of Sir John de Luz which courteously
refreshed with Meat some with Cloathing some with Shooes others with Houshold-stuff A poor Woman being Delivered and wanting a Bed to lye on he brought her his own Bed contenting himself to lye on the Straw 27. Dr. Taylour Martyr used at least once in a Fortnight to call upon Sir Henry Doile and others of the Rich Clothiers in his Parish to go with him to the Alms-houses and there to see how the Poor lived what they lacked in Meat Drink Apparel Bedding or other necessaries Ministring to them himself according to his Power and causing his Rich Neighbours to do the like 28. Mary the Wife of Alexander Farnese Prince of Parma being Childless conceived an hope that if she took up some Orphan or Beggars Boy and bred him for Charities sake God would bestow a Son upon her she therefore took up one in the Street and bred him in her Court and according to her Expectation at Nine Months end she was Delivered of a Son whom she called Ranucio Strada 29. Master Fox never denied to give to any one that asked for Jesus sake And being asked whether he knew a poor Man that had received Succour of him answered I remember him well I tell you I forgot Lords and Ladies to remember such 30. The young Lord Harrington gave the Tenth of his Allowance which was One Thousand Pounds per Annum during his Minority to the Poor and good Uses besides what he gave in the way as he walked which was often and much 31. Master Whateley the late painful and powerful Preacher of God's Word at Banbury for the space of many Years together set apart the Tenth part of his Revenues both Ecclesiastical and Temporal which he used to give to the Poor Clark's Marr. c. 19. p. 66. 32. Dr. Hammond Mr. Joseph Mede and Mr. Jo. Parker of London all gave the Tenths of their yearly Incomes to the Poor So did Judge Hales See his Life by Doctor Burnet Doctor W. Gouge gave the Seventh part 33. The late Countess of Warwick gave and laid aside the Third part of her Estate constantly for the Poor For young Scholars Ministers of both Dominions that had none or but small Preferments Foreigners c. and borrowed Money sometimes to give to the Poor Dr. Walker 34. Chrysostom tells of the Church of Antioch tho' the Revenues of it were small in his time yet besides its Clergy besides Strangers Lepers and Prisoners it daily maintained above Three Thousand Widows and Maids Hom. 67. in Matt. 35. Cyprian upon his turning Christian sold his Estate to Relieve the Wants of others and not be Restrained from it by Perswasions or Considerations After his Entrance on the Ministry his Doors were open to all Commers from whom no Widow ever returned empty to the Blind he would be a Guide to Direct them a Support to the Lame and a Defence to the Oppressed See my History of all Religions 36. The Jews have no Beggars such as go from House to House tho' in Barbary many indigent Persons With great Insulting they upbraid the Moor and Christian with their Common Beggars Their way of Relieving the Poor is By Copies of the Law bought and laid up in the Synagogue till the Buyer's Family or any of them be in Poverty and then sold for their Use By Legacies of dying Persons For none Dye safely say they who Bequeath not something to the Corban Contributions out of which they raise Portions and provide for Orphans And to avoid Sophistication the poorer Females are provided for by Lot those on whom the Lot falls are first placed in Marriage Private Alms on Fridays and Holy-days By Kibbus or Letters of Collection from Synagogue to Synagogue Dr. Addison 37. Amongst the Chinese were a particular Judge in every City appointed for the Poor the first day of his Office Publishes an Order that all that have any Children Lame Sick c. should come by a certain Day and make their Cases known If able they are put to Learning of a Trade if not to Hospitals where they are brought up at the King's Charge None are permitted to go abroad The Blind are not accounted as unable for Work Mandelslo Their good Works which they believe Meritorious are Building Monasteries and Churches and giving Alms besides which they do nothing whereby a Man may Judge of their Faith by their Works D. of Holstein 's Emb. Travel No Muscovite almost but as he goes to Church or about his occasions buys Bread to distribute among the Poor Idem In China few or no Beggars are found for a young Beggar hath the Whip the Old Lame and Blind are provided for in the Hospitals Sir Th. Herbert The Baniams or Priests of the Indians Hindoes have Spittles to Recover lame Birds and Beasts The Mogut Relieves many poor People A Musselman will give the Seventh part of his Estate towards the Relief of the Poor 'T is one of Mahomet's five Precepts to give yearly to the poor the Fortieth part of their Substance M. de Thevenot 38. Some of the Mahometans in their Life time Relieve the Poor with their Goods and others at their Death leave great Estates for the founding of Hospitals Building of Bridges Kirvanseraies Inns for the Caravans bringing Water to the High-ways c. Others at their Death give their Slaves Liberty They who want Purses employ themselves in mending High-ways filling the Cisterns by the Road with Water shewing Travellers the foard for God's sake refusing Money when offered Some buy Birds to set at Liberty others leave confiderable Means to Bakers or Butchers to distribute meat among so many Dogs and Cats Sultan Amurah seeing a Man one Day stoop at the Corner of a Street in Constantinople to Dine on a piece of Bread and bit of Roast which he had bought hard by and held his Horse that was loaded with Goods he had to sell by the Bridle he ordered the Horse to be unloaded and the load to be put on the Master's Back obliging him to continue so all the while that the Horse was eating a Measure of Oats M. de Thevenot At the chief Temple in Fez the Priest takes charge of the Poor's Money and Orphens and deals to them Corn and Money every Holy-day Rosse The Hospital at Milan is a Royal Building I was told it had 90000 Crowns Revenue The old Court is large and would look Noble if it were not for the new Court that is near it which is 250 Foot Square and there are three Rows of Corridors or Galleries all round the Court one in every Stage a Gallery before every Door It is true these take up a great deal of Building being ordinarily Ten or Eight Foot broad but then here is an open space that is exstream cool on that side where the Sun doth not lye for it is all open to the Air the Wall being only supported by Pillars at the distance of fifteen or twenty Foot one from another In this Hospital are not only Galleries full
visited the Dungeons attended the Places of Execution studied the Languages profited much in the Hebrew taught first a Grammar-School then the Catechist-School at Alexandria reading daily Lectures scarce allowing him Rest at Night but for a very few Hours and that not on a Bed but the bare Ground often Fasting going Barefoot abstaining from Wine making himself an Eunuch c. never affecting Wealth tho' having many and great Friends continuing above Fifty two Years in Teaching Writing Confuting Exhorting and Expounding the Scriptures Ibid. One saith of him Origeni nullae pars aetatis periit à studiis And another Origenis ingenium sufficiebat ad omnia pardiscenda Ibid. 3. Isidore Bishop of Sevil was very painful and so macerated his Body with Labours and enriched his Soul with Divine Learning and Contemplations that he seemed to live an Angel's Life upon Earth Ibid. p. 99. 4. Mr. Gregory of Christ-Church studied Sixteen Hours a Day constantly scarce allowing himself sufficient time for Sleep little for Meals none for Society or Recreation In his Life He arose every Morning at Four a Clock and seldom went to Bed before Ten. 5. Sir Edward Coke Author of the Institutes and Chief-Justice in King James's Days was very regular in his Hours especially of going to Bed at Nine a Clock and rising at Three in the Morning insomuch that when a Messenger came from the King to his House at One a Clock in the Night to give Orders for the Issuing out a Writ for the Seizing the then Earl of Somerset for the Murder of Sir Thomas Overbury his Son told the Messenger If he came from Ten Kings he could not disturb his Father 'till Three a Clock and so Inviting the Messenger in to Drink a Glass of Wine with Mr. Coke and his Company at Three a little Bell was rung to call up the Servants upon which Sir Edward arose Detection of the Court and State of England 6. Bishop Latimer rose Summer and Winter ordinarily at Two a Clock in the Morning to his Studies Fox's Martyrology 7. Mr. Julius Palmer a Martyr in Queen Mary's Reign was so indefatigable in Study that the arose ordinarily every Morning at Four a Clock and went not ordinarily to Bed 'till Ten. Fox's Martyrology 8. Bishop Jewel was so industrious that he hid himself the greatest part of the Day in his Studies and so much recalled his Senses from exteriour Objects that Chrysippus-like he had need of a Melissa to put him in mind of his Meat In his Life 9. Mr. Bradford slept not commonly above Four Hours in the Night and in his Bed 'till Sleep came his Book went not out of his Hand Ibid. 10. Erasmus in a Letter to Paracelsus professeth that for some Days he had not been at leisure either to take Physick or be Sick or Die he was so overwhelmed with the Toyls of Study 11. Our late Queen Mary of Sacred Memory usually rose at Six a Clock in the Morning and even whilst she was a dressing had some good Books read over to her at least afterwards betook to her Study and Devotions where she continued often 'till Publick Prayers or other Important Business called her away 12. Renatus Deschartes was Educated and Taught in the Schools of Flexia and had run through the whole Course and Race of his Study at Seventeen Years of Age. He was for Three Years a Voluntier in the Dangers of War twice present at the Siege of Breda and in the Battle of Prague from whence he visited Italy discoursed with Galileus c. came back to the Siege of Capha and so to France again to the Siege of Rochel Afterwards to Holland and then into Denmark Tyrol Venice Amsterdam Paris c. Whilst he followed the War in the Winter he employed his vacant Hours in Philosophical Contemplations he studied Twenty five Years in a Desart in Holland He was slenderly stored with Books because he understood they were not true the Mathematical only excepted wherefore being ask'd by a Friend Whether he had a Library and desired to shew it lifting up the Cloth he discovered to him a Calf dissected See his Life by Borellus p. 14 15 c. 13. Hen. Zebertus Th. D. testifies That Delrius in the Adversaria which he publish'd for the Illustration of Seneca he had quoted One hundred thousand divers Authors in divers Sciences and Languages with very great Labour and Judgment and all this at Nineteen Years of Age. Drexel Aurisod He read over more than once with close Reading all the Fifteen Volumes of Tostatus Ibid. 14. Thuanus tells of a Country-man of his Franc. Victa who was so bent upon his Studies that sometimes for Three Days together he would sit close at it without Meat or Sleep more than what for meer necessity of Nature he took leaning on his Elbow without moving out of his place Wanley's Wonders c. l. 3. c. 41. 15 St. Augustine sitting one time in a solitary place meditating upon the Trinity a poor Woman coming to Advise with him about a weighty Matter presented her self before him but he took no Notice of her she spake to him but neither yet did he observe her upon which the poor Woman went away angry with the Bishop and her self supposing her Poverty to be the occasion of the neglect Afterwards being at Church where he Preached she was wrapt up in Spirit and in a kind of Trance thought she heard St. Austine discoursing concerning the Trinity and was informed by a private Voice that she was not neglected as she thought by the humble Bishop but was observed by him upon which she goes again and was resolv'd in her Doubt Idem ex Sabell ex l. 2. c. 6. 16. Dr. Reynolds when the Heads of the University of Oxford came to Visit him in his Sickness which he had contracted meerly by his exceeding Pains in Studies whereby he brought his withered Body to be a very Skeleton they earnestly perswaded 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 perde causas Nor to save Life lose that for which I live Clark's Marr. c. 82. p. 358. 17. Thomas Aquinas sitting at Dinner with Philip or as Campanus saith with Lewis King of France was on a sudden so transported in his Mind that he struck the Board with his Hand and cried out Adversus Manichoeos conclusum est The Manichees are confuted At which when the King admired Thomas blushing besought his Pardon saying That an Argument was just then come into his Mind by which he could utterly overthrow the Opinion of the Manichees Zuing. Theatr. Vol. 1. L. 1. p. 23. Fulgos L. 8. C. 2. p. 1044. And again he was so very intent upon his Meditations and in his Reading that he saw not such as stood before him heard not the Voices of those that spoke to him so that the Corporeal Senses seemed to have relinquished
Things He could not endure to be put to Bed without Family-Duty but would put his Parents upon Duty and would with much Devotion kneel down and with great Patience and Delight continue 'till Duty was at an end When he had committed any fault he was easily convinced of it and would get into some Corner and Secret Place and with Tears beg Pardon of God and Strength against such a Sin He had a Friend that oft watched him and listned at his Chamber-door from whom I received this Narrative A Friend of his asked him Whether he were willing to die when he was first taken sick he answered No because he was afraid of his State as to another World Why Child said the other thou didst pray for a new Heart for an humble and a sincere Heart and I have heard thee Didst thou not pray with thy Heart I hope I did said he Not long after the same Person asked him again Whether he were willing to die He answered Now I am willing for I shall go to Christ He still grew weaker and weaker but carried it with a great deal of sweetness and patience waiting for his Change and at last did cheerfully commit his Spirit unto the Lord and calling upon the Name of the Lord and saying Lord Jesus Lord Jesâ—â— in whose Bosom he sweetly slept dying as I remember when he was about Five or Six Years old 8. Of a little Girl that was wrought upon when she was between Four and Five Years old Mary A. when she was between Four and Five Years old was greatly affected in hearing the Word of God and became very solicitous about her Soul and Everlasting Condition weeping bitterly to think what would become of her in another World asking strange Questions concerning God and Christ and her own Soul So that this little Mary before she was full Five Years old seemed to mind the one thing needful and to choose the better part and sate at the Feet of Christ many a time and oft with Tears She was very Conscientious in keeping the Sabbath spending the whole time either in Reading or Praying or learning her Catechism or teaching her Brethren and Sisters See took great delight in Reading of the Scripture and some part of it was more sweet to her than her appointed Food she would get several choice Scriptures by heart and discourse of them savourly and apply them suitably A little before she died she had a great Conflict with Satan and cried out I am none of his Her Mother seeing her in trouble asked her what was the matter she answered Satan did trouble me but now I thank God all is well I know I am none of his but Christ's After this she had a great Sence of God's Love and a Glorious Sight as if she had seen the very Heavens open and the Angels come to receive her by which her Heart was filled with Joy and her Tongue with Praise Being desired by the Standers-by to give them a particular Account of what she saw she answered You shall know hereafter and so in an Extasie of Joy and holy Triumph she went to Heaven when she was about Twelve Years old Hallelujah 9. Of a Child that began to look towards Heaven when she was about Four Years old A certain little Child when she was about Four Years old had a Conscientious Sence of her Duty towards her Parents because the Commandment saith Honour thy Father and thy Mother And though she had little advantage of Education she carried it with the greatest Reverence to her Parents imaginable so that she was no small Credit as well as Comfort to them She would be very attentive when she read the Scriptures and be much affected with them and would by no means be perswaded to prophane the Lord's Day but would spend it in some good Duties When she was taken sick one asked her Whether she were willing to die she answered Yes if God would pardon her Sins Being asked How her Sins should be pardoned she answered Through the Blood of Christ. There were very many observable Passages in the Life and Death of this Child but the Hurry and Grief that her Friends were in buried them 10. Charles Bridgman had no sooner learned to speak but he betook himself to Prayer His Sentences were wise and weighty and well might become some ancient Christian His Sickness lasted long and at least Three Days before his Death he prophesied his Departure and not only that he must die but the very Day The last Words which he spake were exactly these Pray pray pray nay yet pray and the more Prayers the better all prospers God is the best Physician into his Hands I commend my Spirit O Lord Jesus receive my Soul Now close mine Eyes Forgive me Father Mother Brother Sister all the World Now I am well my Pain is almost gone my Joy is at hand Lord have mercy on me O Lord receive my Soul unto thee And thus he yielded his Spirit up unto the Lord when he was about Twelve Years old This Narrative was taken out of Mr. Ambrose 's Life's Lease 11. Of a poor Child that was awakened when she was about Five Years old A certain very poor Child that had a very bad Father but it was to be hoped a very good Mother was by the Providence of God brought to the sight of a Godly Friend of mine who upon the first sight of the Child had a great pity for him and took an Affection to him and had a mind to bring him for Christ It was not long before the Lord was pleased to strike in with the Spiritual Exhortations of this good Man so that the Child was brought to a liking of the things of God He would ask very excellent Questions and Discourse about the Condition of his Soul and Heavenly Things and seemed mightily concerned what should become of his Soul when he should die so that his Discourse made some Christians even to stand astonished He was greatly taken with the great kindness of Christ in dying for Sinners and would be in Tears at the mention of them and seemed at a strange rate to be affected with the unspeakable Love of Christ After the Death of his Mother he would often repeat some of the Promises that are made unto Fatherless Children especially that in Exod. 22.22 Ye shall not afflict any Widow or the Fatherless Child if thou afflict them in any wise and they cry at all unto me I will surely hear their cry These words he would often repeat with Tears I am Fatherless and Motherless upon Earth yet if any wrong me I have a Father in Heaven who will take my part to him I commit myself and in him is all my trust Thus he continu'd in a Course of Holy Duties living in the fear of God and shewed wonderful Grace for a Child and died sweetly in the Faith of Jesus My Friend is a Judicious Christian of many Years Experience who was
ever open to all that he thought Objects of Charity Thus did this pious Gentleman honour God with his Substance and adventure upon the Royal Prophet's Words to cast his Bread upon the Waters which though the unbelieving World accounts Folly and usually reckon it among their Losses yet he to his advantage according to the Promise thereto annexed found it again not after many Days This Bread like the Loaves which Christ fed the Multitude with was multiplied in his Hands and his Oyl increased by pouring out He was but a younger Brother and the Etate setled upon him was but 800 l. a Year or thereabouts and yet notwithstanding I had almost said this Excess of Charity his Estate was so far from being ruined or impaired as that not only the same bare Measure he received but much greater pressed down and running over was meeted out to him and his Posterity There is now left to his Heirs an Estate of more than the double value of what he received from his Father besides the Portions which he gave to all his Daughters Five in Number which were very considerable to some of them more than 2000 l. 15. Dr. William Gouge late Pastor of Black-Fryars a Man eminent as in other Graces so in this of Charity used to say That the Tenth part of a rich Man's Estate was a fit Proportion to be devoted to God for charitable Vses but himself as his Son tells us he collected from his own Papers gave the Seventh part of all his yearly Comings-in towards the Maintaining poor Scholars at the University and the Relieving poor Families and distressed Persons And how wonderfully God blessed as his Ministry so his outward Estate is so well known to all who lived in his Days that as his Son saith it is needless to say any thing of it only there may be truly applied to him the Words of the Psalmist He was ever merciful and lending and his Seed is blessed Mr. Tho. Gouge 's Surest and Safest Way of Thriving p. 16 17 18 19 20 c. From whence I have extracted all this Chapter almost entirely It were easie to multiply Instances of this nature but we will pass to another of somewhat a different kind The Story of SYNESIUS and EVAGRIUS LEontius Apamiensis a most faithful religious Man that had lived many Years at Cyrene assured them that Synesius who of a Philosopher became a Bishop found at Syrene one Evagrius a Philosopher who had been his old Acuquaintance Fellow-Student and intimate Friend but an oâ—â—â—â—ate Heathen and Synesius was earnest with him to become a Christian but all in vain yet did he follow him with those Arguments that might satitfie him of the Christian Verity and at last the Philosopher told him That to him it seemed but a meer Fable and Deceit that the Christian Religion teacheth Men that this World shall have an end and that all Men shall rise again in these Bodies and their Flesh be made immortal and incorruptible and that they shall so live for ever and receive the Reward of all that they have done in the Body and that he that hath pity on the poor lendeth to the Lord and he that gives to the poor and needy shall have treasures in heaven and shall receive an hundred-fold from Christ together with eternal Life these things he derided Synesius by many Arguments assured him That all these things were certainly true and at last the Philosopher and his Children were baptized A while after he comes to Synesius brings him 300 l. of Gold for the Poor and bid him take it but give him a Bill under his Hand that Christ should repay it him in another World Synesius took the Money for the Poor and gave him under his Hand such a Bill as he desired Not long after the Philosopher being near to Death commanded his Sons that which they buried him they should put Synesius's Bill in his Hand in the Grave which they did The Third Day after the Philosopher seemed to appear to Synesius in the Night and said to him Come to my Sepulcher where I lie and take thy Bill for I have received the Debt and am satisfied which for thy assurance I have subscribed with my own Hand The Bishop knew not that the Bill was buried with him but sent to his Sons who told him all and taking them and the chief Men of the City he went to the Grave and found the Paper in the Hands of the Corps thus subscribed Ego Evagrius c. I Evagrius the Philosopher to Thee most Holy Sir Bishop Synesius Greeting I have received the Debt which in this Paper is written with thy Hands and I am satisfied and have no Action against Thee for the Gold which I gave to Thee and by Thee to Christ our God and Saviour They that saw the thing admired and glorified God that gave such wonderful Evidence of his Promises to his Servants And saith Leontius this Bill thus subscribed by the Philosopher is kept at Cyrene most carefully in the Church to this Day to be seen of such as desire to see it Baron Annal. ad An. 411. Ex Sophron. Praet Spir. c. 155. See the Story of the Lord Cromwel's Gratitude to Frescobald a Florentine Merchant mentioned in the Chapter of Remarkable Gratitude CHAP. LXXIV Present Retribution to the Observers of Sabbaths AS God hath inflicted remarkable Judgments upon those that have profaned his Sabbaths so he hath remarkably blessed them who have been careful to observe them according to his Promises made upon that point Isa 58.13 14. If thou turn away thy Foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy Day and call the Sabbath a Delight the Holy of the Lord Honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own ways nor finding thy own pleasure nor speaking thy own worlds then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride upon the High places of the Earth and feed thee with the Heritage of Jacob thy Father for the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it 1. Bishop Jos Hall observed that according to his Care of observing the Lord's-Day he commonly prospered in his Undertakings the Week following 2. The Lord Chief Justice Hales hath made the very same Remark upon himself See my Christian's Companion where both these Examples are cited And if I mistake not the late Lord Delamere did the same 3. Towns and Families that have been more strict and regular upon that Day have commonly fared better than their Neighbours who have been profane and licentious Even within the Circuit of my own Knowledge the Town of Whitchurch in Shrop-shire escaped Publick Calamities better than some of her Sister-Towns as Draiton Wem Newport c. where frequent and sometimes dreadful Faires made great Devastations And which deserves not to pass without a Nota Bene the Difference of their Devotions upon that Day was notable to a common Eye In the former you should scarce see
into the Pond as afore-mentioned and I desire he may be ever mindful of this wonderful Deliverance 2. About two Years after thus escaping from Drowning he in the middle of the Day gets a Leaden Bullet and unawares swallows it down and had certainly been choaked with it if his Aunt Reading with whom he then Boarded had not by violent means caused him to bring it up again 3. A third time whilst he lived at the same place he had like to have been choaked by putting a bearded Ear of Corn into his Mouth the Prickles stuck in his Throat after biting it unawares so hard and so fast that if his Aunt had not couragiously thrust her Fingers down his Throat and so by degrees got them our he had then lost his Life I think these three remarkable Deliverances from Death ought not to be forgotten by him to his dying Day I have only to add that I am Your Servant to Command c. London Nov. 16th 1696. 4. A Child of Mr. Collins now living in the Old Baily swallowed a large Corking Pin of near an Inâ—h and half it lay in the Child's Body for near six Weeks at length it appeared with the Point in the Fundament and by that means was pulled out and by its long lying in the Child's Body 't was Cankered the Child afterwards recovered and is now well and hearty 5. The same Gentleman had a Child about two Months since going to ease himself fell backwards into Fleet-ditch which is about four Yards deep into a Lighter of Deals and a Danish Man being then in the Lighter took him up and found he had received no manner of Hurt tho' 't was a Thousand to one the Fall being so high and backwards that it had not dash'd out the Child's Brains or at least bruised his Limbs 6. My eldest Son Samuel Wesly has had a fair scape of his Life he swallowed a Brass Counter last Saturday which had like to have choaked him in the passage of his Throat and starve him afterwards for it lay in the Mouth of his Stomach which made him throw up all he eat But yesterday it came out again at the other end and blessed be God he 's very well Sent us in a Letter from the present Rector of Ormesly in Lincoln-shire 7. Mr. Samuel Fairclough upon a Saturday about four of the Clock in the Afternoon had his heart much enlarged in Prayer but especially for that little one who was his youngest and then about Two Years Old This Child at that Hour a Servant had taken up with her into the highest Garret of the House and set him by the Window of the Room while she swept it and so carelessly neglected to have her Eye upon the little one as that the Child looking out of the Window upon a company of young Ducks which were swiming in a Vessel of Water right under the Casement thrust its Body so far out as it fell down and pitched first upon the Eaves of the next Floor with that force that it brake above a Dozen Tiles off from the place and with them fell down to the ground but not into the Vessel of Water which stood perpendicular to the Window but exactly between that Vessel and a large Door which lay very near it and upon which the Meat for those Ducks was laid Had it fallen a quarter of a Yard on either Hand its Brains had been dashed out either by the Door or Vessel But god by the Ministration of his Angels so ordered it that although the beighth of the place caused a Dizziness and a Swoon for a few Moments yet the child was no sooner taken up but immediately it came to Life again and there was not the least Bruise or Hurt inward nor outward no not the least Razing of the very Skin by any of the Tiles that fell with it but within a quarter of an Hour it went up and down the House as it had formerly done Ibid. CHAP. LXXX Guidance of the Good through Difficulties THis Subject is near a-kin to the former and therefore needs but a short Preface As God is a Son and Shield so he is a Shepherd and Captain and Guide to these that love him and dare put their Trust in him 1. Athanasius being in danger at Alexandria through the Attempts of the Arians against him in the Reign of Constantius and one Gregory sent to be Bishop there in his room when Athanasius and his People were assembled there to prepare for the Sacrament which was to be administred next Day the Captain and the Soldiers beset the Church Athanasius gave Orders to the Deacons to read the Collects for the Day and then to sing a Psalm which was so sweetly sung that all the People went out at one of the Church-doors and Athanasius in the midst of the Singers escaped without any hurt from the soldiers Dr. Clark's Marr. of Eccl. Hist 2. Athanasius another time being sought for by order of the Emperor in one of the Churches of Alexandria by a Divine Revelation had made his escape out of the Church a little before the Enemy broke in to search for him The like happen'd before when being grievously threatned by Constantius in the Life of Constance he had retired himself to a Friend and there lay hid in a Cave that formerly used to be full of Water there he continued long and a certain Maid used to minister to his Necessities but the Arians enquired diligently after him corrupted the Maid with large Promises yet were disappointed for God discover'd the Danger to him a little before so that he made his escape Ibid. 3. Athanasius another time being forced to flee from Alexandria entred a Pinace went up the River Nile was pursued by his Adversaries but by Divine Admonition turn'd back and having the Stream with him he swiftly passed by them and returning to Alexandria hid himself amongst his Friends Ibid. 4. Athanasius in the Reign of Julian flying a way in a Ship from the Governour of Egypt and the Enemy making haste to pursue him and his Friends in the Ship advising him to make haste to Shoar and hide in the Desart by direction from Heaven he required the Pilot to sail back to Alexandria upon which being met by the Pursuers and ask'd If they had not seen Athanasius to whom answer being made If they made haste they might soon overtake him By which means he escaped and hid in Alexandria with a most beautiful chast and pious Virgin and the very Night that Julian died appeared in his Church to the great Joy of his Friends and Astonishment of his Adversaries Ibid. 5. Another time in the Reign of Valence and Valentinian he flies again sought for but not found to the wonder of his Enemies Some say he hid Four Months in his Father's Sepulchre but whether he were there or in the Tomb of some of his Friends he was quickly invited home again by the Emperour's Letters Ibid. 6. In
upon Reason p. 179. out of Mr. Gage 's New Survey of the West-Indies c. 20. 2. One called John Gondalez in the County and Town aforesaid was reported to change himself into the shape of a Lion and in that shape was shot in the Nose by a poor barmless Spaniard who chiefly got his living by going about the Woods and Mountains and shooting of Wild Dear and other Beasts to make Money of them He espied one day a Lion and having no other aim at him but his Snout behind a Tree he shot at him the Lion run away the same day this Gondalez was taken sick I was sent for to hear his Confession I saw his Face and Nose all bruised and asked how it came he told me then that he had failen from a Tree and almost killed himself yet afterwards accused the poor Spaniard for shooting at him the business was examined by a Spanish Justice my Evidence was taken for what Gondalez told me of his fall from a Tree the Spaniard was put to his Oath who swore that he shot at a Lion in a thick Wood where an Indian could scarce be thought to have any business The Tree was found out in the Wood whereat the Shot had been made and was still marked with the Shot and Bullet which Gondalez confessed to be the place and was examined how he neither fell not was seen by the Spaniard when he came to seek for the Lion thinking he had killed him to which he answered that he ran away least the Spaniard should kill him indeed But his Answers seemed frivolous the Spaniard's Integrity being known and the great suspition that was in the Town of Gondalez his dealing with the Devil cleared the Spaniard from that which was laid against him Idem p. 186. 3. The same Author adds That one John Gomez the chiefest Indian of that Town of near fourscore Years of Age the Head and Ruler of the principallest Tribe among the Indians whose Advice and Councel was taken and preferred before all the rest who seemed to be a very godly Indian and very seldom missed Morning and Evening Prayers in the Church and had bestowed great Riches there This Indian very suddenly was taken sick I being then in my other Town of Mixco the Mayor-domos or Stewards of the Sodality of the Virgin fearing that he might die without Confession and they be chid for their negligence at Mid-night called me up at Mixco desiring me presently to go and help John Gomez to die whom also they said much to see me and receive some comfort from me I judging it to be a Work of Charity though the time of the Night were unseasonable and the great Rain might have stopped my Charity rid nine Miles in the dark and wet visited the sick Gomez who lay with his Face all mufled up thanked me for my Pains and Care confessed wept and shewed a willingness to die and to be with Christ I comforted and prepared him for Death I went home streight to refresh my self was presently called up again to give Gomez the extream Unction As I anointed him on his Nose Lips Hands Eyes and Feet I perceived he was swelled Black and Blew I went home again after a small nap some Indians came to my Door to buy Candles to offer up for John Gomez his Soul whom they told me was departed and that Day to be buried solemnly at Mass I arose with drowsie Eyes went to Church found the Grave preparing met with two or three Spaniards who told me of a great stir made in the Town concerning Gomez his Death I amused at this Information desired a true Account of it They told me that Gomez was the chief Wizard in the Town that he was often changed into a Lion and so walked about the Mountains that he was ever an Enemy to Sebastian Lopez an Ancient Indian and Head of another Tribe and that both of them had two days before met in the Mountain Gomez in the shape of a Lion and Lopez of a Tyger that they fought cruelly till Gomez the older and weaker was tired much bit and bruised and died of it Lopez was then in Prison and the two Tribes striving about it I mightily wondring at this and resolving never more to believe an Indian if Gomez had so much dissembled with me and deceived me went streight to the Prison where I found Lopez in Fetters called Alguazil Major my great Friend and one of the Officers of the Town and enquired of him the cause of his Imprisonment he loath to tell me for fear of the Indians at last being pressed by me and made to know that I had received some notice of it from the Spaniards before at last told me the whole matter This struck me to the very Heart to think that I should live amongst such People whom I saw were spending all they could get upon the Church Saints and in Offerings and yet were so privy to the Counsels of Satan it grieved me that the Word I Preached did then no more good At last came twenty of the chiefest of the Town with the two Majors Jurates and all the Officers of Justice desiring me to forbear that day the Burying of John Gomez for that they had resolved to call a Crown Officer to view his Corps and examine his Death I made as if I knew nothing upon which they related all unto me viz. That there were Witnesses in the Town who saw a Lion and a Tyger fighting and presently lost the sight of the Beasts and saw John Gomez and Sebastian Lopez parting one from another that immediately John Gomez came home much bruised and upon his Death-bed declared to some of his Friends that Sebastian Lopez had killed him whereupon they had him in safe Custody That they had never known much Wickedness of those two chief Heads of their Tribes and prayed me not to conceive the worse of all for a few The Crown Officer came and found the Body all bruised scratched bitten and sore wounded Lopez upon this was had to Guatemala and there hanged Dr. Burthogge ibid. p. 190 191 192. out of Mr. Gage The following Relations are to be found in Mr. Increase Mather's Book of Providences THere have been many in the World who have upon conviction confessed themselves guilty of Familiarity with the Devil A multitude of Instances this way are mentioned by Bodinus Codronchus Delrio Jacquerius Remegius and others Some in this Country have affirmed that they knew a Man in another part of the World above fifty Years ago who having an ambitious desire to be thought a wise Man whilst he was tormented with the Itch of his Wicked Ambition the Devil came to him with promises that he should quickly be in great Reputation for his Wisdom in case he would make a Covenant with him the conditions whereof were That when Men came to him for his Counsel he should labour to perswade them that there is no God nor Devil nor Heaven nor
the like Trials among our selves He relates five Tryals but for brevity's-sake I 'll only insert one of 'em viz. The Tryal of Susanna Martin at the Court of Oyer and Terminer held at Salem June 29. 1692. I. SVsanna Martin pleading Not Guilty to the Indictment of Witchcraft brought in against her there were produced the Evidences of many Persons very sensibly and grievously Bewitched who all complained of the Prisoner at the Bar as the Person whom they believed the Cause of their Miseries And now as well as in the other Trials there was an extraordinary Endeavour by Witchcrafts with cruel and frequent Fits to hinder the poor Sufferers from giving in their Complaints which the Court was forced with much Patience to obtain by much waiting and watching for it II. There was now also an Account given of what passed at her first Examination before the Magistrates The Cast of her Eye then striking the afflicted People to the Ground whether they saw that Cast or no. There were these among other Passages between the Magistrates and the Examinate Magistrate Pray what ails these People Martin I don't know Mag. But what do you think ails them Mar. I don't desire to spend my Judgment upon it Mag. Don't you think they are Bewitch'd Mar. No I do not think they are Mag. Tell us your Thoughts about them then Mar. No my Thoughts are my own when they are in but when they are out they are anothers Their Master Mag. Their Master Who do you think is their Master Mar. If they be dealing in the Black Art you may know as well as I. Mag. Well what have you done towards this Mar. Nothing at all Mag. Why 't is you or your appearance Mar. I cannot help it Mag. Is it not your Master How comes your Appearance to hurt these Mar. How do I know He that appeared in the Shape of Samuel a glorified Saint may appear in any one's Shape It was then also noted in her as in others like her that if the Afflicted went to approach her they were flung down to the Ground And when she was asked the Reason of it she said I cannot tell is may be the Devil bears me more Malice than another III. The Court accounted themselves alarm'd by these Things to enquire further into the Conversation of the Prisoner and see what there might occur to render these Accusations further credible Whereupon John Allen of Salisbury testified That he refusing because of the weakness of his Oxen to Cart some Staves at the Request of this Martin she was displeased at it and said It had been as good that he had for his Oxen should never do him much more Service Whereupon this Deponent said Dost thou threaten me thou Old Witch I 'll throw thee into the Brook Which to avoid she flew over the Bridge and escaped But as he was going home one of his Oxen tired so that he was forced to Unyoke him that he might get him home He then put his Oxen with many more upon Salubury Beach where Cattel did use to get Flesh In a few Days all the Oxen upon the Beach were found by their Tracts to have run unto the Mouth of Merimack River and not returned but the next Day they were found to have come ashoar upon Plum Island They that sought them used all imaginable gentleness but they would still run away with a violence that seemed wholly Diabolical 'till they came near the Mouth of Merimack River when they ran right into the Sea swimming as far as they could be seen One of them then swam back again with a swiftness amazing to the Beholders who stood ready to receive him and help up his tired Carcase but the Beast ran furiously up into the Island and from thence through the Marshes up into Newberry Town and so up into the Woods and there after a while found near Amesbury so that of Fourteen good Oxen there was only this sav'd The rest were all cast up some in one place and sonne in another drowned IV. John Atkinson testified That he exchanged a Cow with a Son of Susanna Martin's whereas she mutter'd and was unwilling he should have it going to receive this Cow tho' he Ham-string'd her and Halter'd her she of a tame Creature grew so mad that they could scarce get her along She broke all the Ropes that were fastned unto her and tho' she were ty'd fast unto a Tree yet she macle her escape and gave them such further trouble as they could ascribe to no Cause but Witchcraft V. Bernard Peachâ— testifi'd That being in Bed on the Lord's Day at Night he heard a scrabbling at the Window whereat he then saw Susanna Martin come in and jumpt down upon the Floor she took hold of this Deponent's Feet and drawing his Body up into an heap she lay upon him near two Hours in all which time he could neither speak nor stir At length when he could begin to move he laid hold on her Hand and pulling it up to his Mouth he bit three of her Fingers as he judged unto the Bone whereupon she went from the Chamber down the Stairs out at the Door This Deponent thereupon called unto the People of the House to advise them of what passed and he himself did follow her The People saw her not but there being a Bucket at the Left-hand of the Door there was a Drop of Blood found upon it and several more Drops of Blood upon the Snow newly fallen abroad there was likewise the print of her two Feet just without the Threshold but no more sign of an Footing further off At another time this Deponent was desired by the Prisoner to come unto an Husking of Corn at her House and she said If he did not come it were better that he did He went not but the Night following Susanna Martin as he judged and another came towards him One of them said Here be a but he having a Quarter-staff made a Blow at them The Roof of the Barn broke his Blow but following them to the Window he made another Blow at them and struck them down yet they got up and got out and he saw no more of them About this time there was a Rumour about the Town that Martin had a broken Head but the Deponent could say nothing to that The said Peache also testifi'd the Bewitching the Cattle to Death upon Martin's Discontents VI. Robert Downer testifi'd That this Prisoner being some Years ago prosecuted at Court for a Witch he then said unto her He believ'd she was a Witch whereat she being dissatisfied said That some She-Devil would shortly fetch him away Which Words were heard by others as well as himself The Night following as he lay in his Bed there came in at the Window the likeness of a Cat which flew upon him took fast hold of his Throat lay on him a considerable while and almost killed him At length he remembred what Susanna Martin had threatned the Day
two Guises the Duke and Cardinal were Assassinated by Command of King Henry the III. The Queen a few Days after them died of Grief lamented of none but hated by every Body as the Bishop of Rhodez affirms and the Duke of Anjou who after the King's Decease came to the Crown under the Name of Henry the III. was slain by a Stab from a Jacobin Friar Author of the Interests of Princes and States 6. Philip King of Spain the II. having once escaped a great Danger at Sea at his Arrival in Spain appointed two Days of Thanksgiving one at Validolid the other at Sevil whither he caused those in Prison for Religion to be brought from several Places of his Kingdom Upon which Days Scaffolds being made which a Distinction of Seats for Spectators according to their Quality the Prisoners were with triumphant Ceremonies and dress'd in Antick manner led to the Fires and burnt before them c. The King also himself put to Death his eldest Son Charles partly upon Suspicion of being a Favourer of them but he died also of Blood issuing from all the Passages of his Body with a continual Vomiting of Vermin as the Bishop of Rhodez in his History of Henry the IV. relates Ibid. 7. George Eagles Martyr hang'd at Chelmsford in Essex was cut down before he was dead and sadly mangled by the Bailiff William Swallow his Body opened his Heart pulled out and his Quarters set up in several Places But shortly after Swallow's Hair fell from his Head his Eyes were so closed that he could scarce see the Nails fell off from his Fingers and Toes a Leprosie overspread his whole Body and his Estate so wasted that he soon fell into Beggery and died wretchedly Fox's Martyrol 8. One Robert Baldwyn a Neighbour having searched the House of Will. Seaman and finding him at home very unneighbourly carried him to Sir Jo. Tyrrel in order to the Prosecuting of him but on the way a strange Light fell from Heaven betwixt them upon which Baldwyn though then in the Flower of his Age was so struck that he pined away till he died Ibid. 9. Mr. Swingfield a Deputy in Thames-street with three others carried one Mrs. Angel a Midwife from a Woman in Labour her self being with Child too to Bishop Bonner who put her into Lollard's Tower but within ten Weeks Swingfield and his three Companions were all dead Ibid. 10. Burton Bailiff of Crowland in Lincolnshire a Protestant in King Edward's Time a Papist in Queen Mary's goes to Church speaks to the Curate then Reading the English Service Sirrah will you not say Mass Buckle your self to it you Knave or by God's Blood I 'll sheath my Dagger in your shoulder Shortly after riding with a Neighbour over Fen-Bank a Crow flew over his Head with her usual Note voided her Excrements on his Nose which ran down upon his Beard and set him so a Vomiting that he hastened home and to Bed where he continued Vomiting Swearing and Cursing at the Crow till at last he died Ibid. CHAP. CX Divine Judgments upon Uncharitableness Covetousness c. WITH what Measure ye mete it shall be meted to you again saith our Saviour and 't is but just and reasonable that those People who shut up their Bowels and Streams of Charity from their Neighbours should suffer by a Retaliation Sometimes Man himself and sometimes God Almighty in a more immediate way remembers and recompenseth the Vnkindnesses of these Men and repays them in their own Coin As they sowed sparingly they shall reap so too and as themselves were not merciful so they shall find no mercy 1. John Cameron Bishop of Glasgow was a very Covetous Man given to Violence and Oppression especially towards his poor Tenants and Vassals but God suffered it not long to go unpunished For the Night before Christmas-day as he lay asleep in his House at Lockwood seven Miles from the City of Glasgow he heard a Voice summoning him to appear before the Tribunal of Christ and give an Account of his doings Whereupon he awaked and being greatly terrified he called to his Servants to bring a Light and sit by him he himself also took a Book in his Hand and began to read But the Voice calling the second time struck all the servants into an Amazement The same Voice calling the third time far louder and more fearfully the Bishop after a heavy groan was found dead in his Bed his Tongue hanging out of his Mouth A fearful Example of God's Judgment against the sin of Covetousness and Oppression Spotswood's History of the Church of Scotland See the Story of Gresham and Rich. Antonio under the Chap. of Discov of things secret by Omens c. Of Hatto Archbishop of Mentz under the Chap. of Divine Judgments upon Murder 2. Sir Walter Rawleigh a Man otherwise of Excellent Parts and a great Soul yet not being able to look Poverty in the Face when he was set at Liberty out of the Tower procures a Commission from King James to make a Voyage to Guiana in hopes of finding there Mines of Gold to enrich both the King and himself though at that time in the 76th Year of his Age sets out for the Indies where the Spaniards having notice before-hand had raised several Fortifications he with Sir Nicholas Kemish and others finding things otherwise than they expected Sir Nicholas kills himself and Sir Walter Storms the Town of St. Thomas where he lost his Son Walter returns home disappointed finds the Court disgusted the King offended and notwithstanding his Commission from the Royal Hand Anno 1618. Octob. 28. after some Months Imprisonment lost his Head Detection of the Court and State of England during the four last Reigns p. 56 57. 3. Cromerus an Author of good Credit tells us of a certain rich Man a Polonian who was very Covetous much given to Rapine and Oppression who falling Sick and being like to die was admonished by his Friends to sue to God for Mercy which he refused to do saying That there was no hope of Salvation for him no place of Pardon left No sooner had he thus spoken but immediately there was heard of the standers by a noise of most vehement Stripes and Blows which appeared manifestly upon the Body of this dying Wretch who presently gave up the Ghost to the great Terror and Amazement of all who were many then present Eye-witnesses of this Tragical Story Clark's Examples Vol. I. p. 115. Anno Christi 1570. at Rye in Sussex there was a strange Example of God's Judgment upon a Covetous Gentleman who living near the Sea had a Marsh wherein upon Poles Fishermen used to dry their Nets for which he received of them Yearly a sufficient Sum of Money But at length being not content with it he caused his Servants to pluck up the Poles not suffering the Fishermen to come upon his Ground any longer except they would compound at a larger Rate But it came to pass the same Night that
They brought to me the Man himself and when we ask'd him how he dared to sin again after such a Warning he had no Excuse But being a Person of Quality for some special Reason of Worldly Interest I must not name him Hist Disc of Apparitions and Witches p. 60. 27. Mr. William Rogers an Apothecary of Crancbrook in Kent exceeding much given to Drinking and Sabbath-breaking though a Young Man of a sweet and pleasing Temper was often admonished and perswaded by Mr. Robert Abbot Minister of the Place to come to Church but had often promised and failed But one lord's-Lord's-day in the Morning when he said he was ready to come he was taken sick and betook him to his Bed but it proving only an Ague next Morning he betook him to his old course again Next Week the Messenger of Death came in earnest Mr. Abbot addressed himself to him in his Chamber with these words Oh! how often have you deceived God your own Soul and me and what is now to be done I fear you will die and then what will become of you His Sickness prevailed and there was too great a Fire kindled in his Breast to be smothered it burned in his own Soul and it lightened from his Heart and Lips into the Ears and Hearts of those about him One while he cries out of his sins saying I have been a fearful Drunkard pouring in one Draught after another till one Draught could not keep down another I now would be glad if I could take the least of God's Creatures which I have abused I have neglected my Patients which have put their Lives in my hands and how many Souls have I thus murdered I have wilfully neglected God's House Service and Worship and tho' I purposed to go God strikes me thus before the day of my Promise comes because I am unworthy to come among God's People again Another while he falls to wishing Oh! that I might burn a long time in that Fire pointing to the Fire before him so I might not burn in Hell Oh! that God would grant me but one Year or a Month that the World might see with what an heart I have promised to God my Amendment Oh! that God would try me a little but I am unworthy Another while to his Companions Be warned by me to forsake your wicked ways lest you go to Hell as I must do Calls his young Servant tells him that he had been a wicked Master to him But be warned by me saith he you have a Friend that hath an Iron Furnace which burns hot a long time but if you give your self to my sins you shall be burned in the Furnace of Hell an hotter Furnace Millions of Millions of Ages The Minister propounding to him the Gospel-Promises of the largest size he cried It is too late I must be burned in Hell He pressed him with Tears not to cast away that Soul for which Christ died c. He answered He had cast off Christ and therefore must go to Hell In short at last in idleness of Thoughts and Talk he ended his miserable Life See the Narrative published by Mr. Abbot the Minister Or A Pamphlet called A Warning-piece to Drunkards p. 31 32. 28. Nathanael Butler was first addicted to Drunkenness Gaming Purloining and Fornication before he committed that Murder upon his Friend John Knight in Milk-street London 1657. for which he was afterwards condemned to the Gallows and executed 29. Tho. Savage used to spend the Sabbath at an Ale-House or a Base House and was that very Morning made Drunk by his Harlot with burnt Brandy when perswaded to Murder his Fellow-Servant for which he was executed at Ratcliff 1668. CHAP. CXXIV Divine Judgments upon Uncleanness Inordinate Love c. BIshop Latimer is said to have presented King Henry the VIII a new Testament wrapp'd up in a Napkin for a New Year's Gift with this Poesie about it Fornicators and Adulterers God will judge 'T was boldly done and the Admonition tho' very biting and pungent yet had the Word of God for its Basis and Foundation For to touch a little upon the History of this Sin 1. Eli's Sons 1 Sam. 2. David 2 Sam. 11. The two Women 1 King 3.16 may go for Scriptural Examples all faulty this way and all punished yea Solomon himself no doubt paid dear for his Polygamy and Concubinage not to except Jacob among the Patriarch's who was most crossed in his Children of any as I have noted before in this Book 2. Henry the VIII and our late King Charles the II. may be worthy of the Reader 's Remark 3. A. C. 1544. Henry Duke of Brunswick had for his Wife the Sister of Vlrick Duke of Wirtemberg who had for one of her Wairing-Maids one Eve Trottin with whose Beauty the Duke was so desperately smitten that after some Sollicitations he had several Children by her But after some time unknown to his Wife and her Friends he shut her up in his Castle of Stauffeburg and appoints two Women to lay a wooden Image representing her in her Bed giving out that Eve was sick at last this Image was laid up in a Coffin and it was pretended that Eve was dead The Counterfeit Corps was carried forth to be buried with all the usual Pomp and Ceremonies of a Funeral Prayers and Sacrifices The Dutchess and her Maids and other Companies of Virgins were present at the Solemnity all in mourning Apparel In the mean time Eve was kept in the Castle and the Duke had seven Children by her afterwards But at last the Imposture was brought to light to the perpetual Shame and Ignominy of the Duke with what ill Consequences more I cannot inform my self Sleidan's Commentar l. 15. 4. Childeric King of France was so odious for his Adulteries that his Nobles conspired against him and drove him out of the Kingdom Clark's Exampl Vol. I. c. 2. 5. Sir Robert Carr made afterwards Viscount Rochester a Minion of King James the I. and one of the Privy-Council falling in Love with the Countess of Essex who being married with Robert Earl of Essex both at Twelve Years of Age had lived above Ten Years without any carnal Knowledge one of another to make way for a Marriage with the same Countess procures the Commitment of Sir Tho. Overbury to the Tower because he discouraged Rochester from the said Match and at last his Death Upon which followed a Divorce between the Countess and the Earl her Husband a Creation of Rochester Earl of Somerset a Consummation of the Marriage between Rochester and the Countess of Essex a Celebration of the Wedding with the presence of the King Queen Prince and a great Confluence of Bishops and Nobles a gallant Masque of Lords and afterwards another Masque of the Princes Gentlemen which out-did this a Treat afterwards at Merchant's-Hall where the Mayor and Aldermen in their Gowns entertained the Bride and Bridegroom with the Attendance of the Duke of Lenox the Lord Privy-Seal the Lord-Chamberlain
would resolvedly renew his Baptismal Covenant and renounce the Devil and live as truly devoted to God and our Redeemer I have heard from him no more but must not name him Historical Discourse of Apparitions and Witches p. 62. 2. Dr. John Dee an excellent Scholar and Mathematician of the University of Oxford who published many Treatises for the Benefit of his Country at least Eight in number being afterwards earnestly desirous of more Knowledge and making it his serious Prayer to God to make him wiser than the rest of Mankind was by the Divine Judgment given over to strong Delusions and sadly imposed upon by the Apparition of Evil Spirits under the Disguise of Good Angelâ— who promised to help him to the Philosopher's Stone who never left him till they had dreined him of what Wealth he had so that at last he died very poor and every way miserable at Mortlack near London All Men may take warning by this Example how they put themselves out of the Protection of Almighty God either by presumptuous unlawful Wishes and Desires or by seeking not unto Devils only directly which Dr. d ee certainly never did but abhorred the very Thought of it in his Heart but unto them that have next relation unto Devils as Witches Wizzards Conjurers Astrologers that take upon them to foretel humane Events Fortune-tellers and the like yea and all Books of that subject which I doubt were a great Occasion of Dr. Dee's Delusion I might have added amongst the Miseries that befel this Doctor That he was Banished out of England out of the Emperor or Germany's Territories by the Interposition of the Pope Robbed of his Houshold-Plate by his own Sons c. Dr. Mer. Casaubon 's Relat. of Dr. Dee 's Actions with Spirits Preface 3. Edward Kelly Dr. Dee's Skryer a Necromancer of Lancashire by clambering over a Wall in his own House in Prague which bears his Name to this day and sometimes was an old Sanctuary he fell down from the Battlements broke his Legs and bruised his Body of which hurts within a while after he departed this World Ibid. 4. There was within the Memory of our Fathers saith Camerarius John Faustus of Cundligen a German who had learned the Black Art at Cracovia in Poland This wicked Wretch is reported to have led about with him an Evil Spirit in the likeness of a Dog and being at Wittenburg an Order was sent from the Emperor to seize him but by his Magical Delusions he made his escape and afterwards being at a Dinner at Norimberg he was secretly sensible by an extraordinary Sweat which came upon him that he was beset whereupon he suddenly paid his Reckoning and went away but was hardly out of the City Walls ere the Sergeants and other Officers came to Apprehend him Yet Divine Vengeance followed him for coming into an Inn in a Village of the Dukedom of Wittenburg he sat very sad and when his Host demanding the cause thereof he answered that he would not have him affrighted if he heard great noise and shaking of the House that Night which happened according to his own Prediction for in the Morning he was found dead by his Bed-side with his Neck wrung behind him and the House wherein he lay was beaten down to the Ground Wanly Hist Man 5. An Officer who was a Papist belonging to a Court of Justice came out of Curiosity to Mr. Perreaud's House and hearing that the Devil fore-told future things there and some Secrets he would needs Question him about many matters but Mr. Perreaud desired him to forbear representing to him both the sin and danger of it The Lawyer rejected his Counsel with scorn bidding him Teach his own Flock and let him have the Government of himself and so proceeded to propound several Questions to the Devil as about absent Friends private Business News and State-Affairs unto all which the Devil answered him and then added Now Sir I have told you all that you have desired of me I must tell you next what you demanded not That at this very time you are propounding these Questions to the Devil such a Man whom he named is doing your Business with your Wife And then he further discovered many secret and foul Practices of the Lawyer which shewed his dishonesty Neither was this all for in conclusion the Devil told him Now Sir let me Correct you for being so bold as to Question with the Devil you should have taken the Ministers safe Counsel Then upon a sudden the whole Company saw the Lawyer drawn by the Arm into the midst of the Room where the Devil whirled him about and gave him many turns with great swiftness touching the Ground only with his Toe and then threw him down upon the Floor with great violence and being taken up and carried to his House he lay sick and distracted a long time after See the Narrative of the Devil of Mascon CHAP. CXXIX Divine Judgments upon Gaming SPorting and Gaming is not simply and absolutely unlawful but rather a whet to cut Studies and Lawful Employments as eating drinking and sleeping moderately and seasonably rather refresheth our Spirits and makes us more fit and brisk for Care and Business But the immoderate use or abuse of them is of evil Report and tends to the dissipation of the Powers of the Soul the effeminating of the Mind the loss of Time and all the ill Effects and Consequences of an Idle and Licentious Life And therefore no wonder if God Almighty do often Punish those Persons with some visible Tokens of his Displeasure who give up themselves immoderately and without any check to such Courses In short where Games are not used with these Cautions soberly seasonably ingenuously inoffensively prudently and religiously they are naught and daugerous and there are but very few People that are careful thus to govern themselves when they are engaged in Play Voluptates ut mel summo digito degustandae non plena manu sumendae Dionys Soph. apud Philostr 1. In a Town of Campania a certain Jew playing at Dice with a Christian lost a great Sum of Money unto him with which great Loss being enraged and almost beside himself as commonly Men in that case are affected he belched out most bitter Curses against Christ Jesus and his Mother the Blessed Virgin in the midst whereof the Lord deprived him of his Life and Sense and struck him dead in the place As for his Companion the Christian indeed he escaped sudden Death howbeit he was robbed of his Wits and Understanding and survived not very long after Discip de tempor Ser. 12. 2. Anno 1533. Near to Belissana a City in Helvetia there were three Profane Wretches that played at Dice upon the lord's-Lord's-day without the Walls of the City one of which called Vlrich Schraeterus having lost much Money offended God with many cursed speeches At last presaging to himself Good Luck he burst forth into these terms If Fortune deceive me now I will thrust
Monster yet often viewing will make it familiar and free it from distaste Walk every day with Joseph a turn or two in thy Garden with Death and thou shalt be well acquainted with the Face of Death but shalt never feel the Sting of Death Death is black but comely Philostrates lived Seven Years in his Tomb that he might be acquainted with it against his Bones came to lie in it Some Philosophers have been so wrapp'd in this Contemplation of Death and Immortality that they discourse so familiarly and pleasingly of it as if a fair Death were to be preferâ—◠〈◊〉 a pleasant Life 1. King Xerxes standing on a Mountain and having many Hundred thousand of his Soldiers standing in the Plain fell a weeping to think upon it how in a few Years he and all those gallant valiant Men must die Adam he lived 930 Years and he died Enoch he lived 965 Years and he died Methusalem lived 967 Years and he died Oh the longest Day hath its Night and in the end Man must die Maximilian the Emperor made his Coffin always to be carried along with him to this end that his high Dignity might not make him forget his Mortality Joseph the Jew in his best Health made his Stone Coffin be cut out in his Garden to put him in mind of his Ego abeo I go hence The Persians they buried their dead in their Houses to put the whole Houshold in mind of the same Lot Semel mori once to die Simonides when commanded to give the most wholsome Rule to live well willed the Lacedoemonian Prince ever to bear in mind Se tempore brevi moriturum E're long he must die I have read of a sort of People that used dead Mens Bones for Money and the more they have they are counted the more Rich Herein consists my richest Treasure to bear that about me that will make me all my Life remember my End Great Sultan Saladin Lord of many Nations and Languages commanded upon his Death-bed that one should carry upon a Spear's point through all his Camp the Flag of Death and to proclaim for all his Wealth Saladin hath nought left but this Winding-sheet An assured Ensign of Death triumphing over all the Sons of Adam I uncloath my self every Night I put off all but what may put me in mind of my Winding-sheet Anaxagoras having Word brought him his only Son was dead his Answer was Scio me genuisse mortalem I know he was born to die Philip of Macedon gave a Boy a Pension every Morning to say to him Philippe memento te hominem esse Philip remember thou art a Man and therefore must die When I was a young Man saith Seneca my care was to live well I then practised the Art of Well-living When Age came upon me I then studied the Art of Dying well Platonius in Stobelas 'T is not enough saith he to spend the present Day well unless thou spendest it so as if it were to be thy last Caesar Borgias being sick to Death said When I lived I provided for every thing but Death now I must die and am unprovided to die A Man saith Luther lives Forty Years before he knows himself to be a Fool and by that time he sees his Folly his Life is finished So Men die before they begin to live When dying then sin if you can said Picus Mirandula In Sardis there grew an Herb called Appium Sardis that would make a Man lie laughing when he was deadly sick Such is the Operation of Sin Beware therefore of this Risus Sardonicus Laughter of Sardis Commonly good Men are best at last even when they are dying It was a Speech worthy the Commendation and frequent Remembrance of so divine a Bishop as Augustine which is reported of an aged Father in his time who when his Friends comforted him on his Sick Bed and told him they hoped he should recover answered If I shall not die at all well but if ever why not now Surely it is Folly what we must do to do unwillingly I will never think my Soul in a good case so long as I am loath to think of dying There is no Spectacle in the World so profitable or more terrible than to behold a dying Man to stand by and see a Man dismanned Curiously didst thou make me in the lowest part of the earth saith David But to see those Elements which compounded made the Body to see them divided and the Man dissolved is a rueful sight Every dying Man carries Heaven and Earth wrapped up in his Bosom and at this time each part returns homeward Certainly Death hath great dependency on the course of Man's Life and Life it self is as frail as the Body which it animates Augustus Caesar accounted that to be the best Death which is quick and unexpected and which beats not at our doors by any painful Sickness So often as he heard of a Man that had a quick passage with little sense of pain he wished for himself that Euthanesie While he lived he used to set himself between his two Friends Groans and Tears When he died he called for his Looking-glass commanded to have his Hair and Beard kembed his rivelled Cheeks smoothed up then asking his Friends if he acted his part well when they answered Yes Why then says he do you not all clap your hands for me Happy is he who always and in every place so lives as to spend his every last moment of Light as if Day were never to return Epictetus most wisely teaching this Death saith he and Banishment and all that we look upon as Evils let them be daily set before thy Eyes but of all most chiefly Death So shalt thou think upon nothing that is too low nor too ardently covet any thing The Day-Lily is a Flower whose Beauty perishes in a Day There is also a Bird haunts the River Hypanis called Haemorobios or the Bird of one Day ending its Life the same Day that it begins dying with the dying Sun and travelling thro' the Ages of Childhood Youth and Old Age in one Day In the Morning it is hatch'd at Noon it flourishes in the Evening it grows old and dies But this is more to be wonder'd at in that winged Creature that it makes no less Provision for one little Day than if it were to live the Age of a Crow or a Raven To this little Animal the Life of Man is most fitly to be compar'd It inhabits by the River of Gliding Time but more fleet than either Bird or Arrow And often only one Day determines all its Pomp oft-times an Hour and as often a Moment We ambitiously desire great Names and without any prejudice to our Ears we hear the Titles of Magnificent most Illustrious Happy Pious Most Potent Most August Most Invincible the Best the Greatest What can we do more unless we should imitate Sapor King of the Persians in an Epistle which he thus began to Constantine the Emperor Sapor King
sometime seen the Courage and Constancy of the Laird of Grang. See this Passage under the Head of Discovery of Things secret or future by Impulses The next Day Knox gave Order for the making of his Coffin continuing all the Day in fervent Prayer crying Come Lord Jesus sweet Jesus into thy hands I commend my Spirit Being ask'd whether his Pains were great he answered That he did not esteem that a Pain which would be to him the end of all Troubles and the beginning of Eternal Joys Oft after some deep Meditation he used to say Oh! serve the Lord in Fear and Death shall not be troublesome to you Blessed is the Death of those that have part in the Death of Jesus The Night before his Death he slept some Hours with great unquietness often sighing and groaning And being ask'd why he mourned so heavily he answered In my Life-time I have been assaulted with Temptations from Satan and he hath oft cast my Sins into my Teeth to drive me to Despair yet God gave me Strength to overcome all his Temptations But now the subtil Serpent takes another course seeking to perswade me that all my Labours in the Ministry and the Fidelity that I have shewed in that Service hath not merited Heaven and Immortality But blessed be God that brought to my Mind these Scriptures What hast thou that thou hast not received And Not I but the Grace of God in me With which he is gone away ashamed and shall no more return And now I am sure that my Battle is at an end and that without pain of Body or trouble of Spirit I shall shortly change this Mortal and miserable Life with that Happy and Immortal Life that shall never have end After which one Praying by his Bed asked him after he had done If he heard the Prayer Yea said he and would to God all present had heard it with such an Ear and Heart as I. Adding Lord Jesus receive my Spirit With which words without any motion of Hands or Feet he fell asleep aged 62. A. C. 1572. The Earl of Murray when the Corpse was put into the Ground saying Here lies the Body of him who in his Life-time never feared the face of any Man Fuller Abel Rediv. p. 323 324. 41. Henry Bullinger in his last Sickness endured the sharpest Pains for four Months with an admirable Patience caused the Pastors and Professors of the City to come to him unto whom he delivered a large Oration wherein he thanked them for their Love opened to them his Faith freely forgave all his Enemies exhorted them to Constancy and Unity commended the Care of the Church and Publick School in Writing to the Senate desired that Rodolphus Gualterus might be his Successor c. And so in the midst of his Extremities sometimes repeating the 16 sometimes the 42 and sometimes the 51 Psalms sometimes the Lord's Prayer sometimes other Prayers at the last as one going to sleep he quietly yielded his Soul into the hands of God Sept. 18. 1575. aged 71. Ibid. p. 339. 42. Mr. Edw. Deering to his Friends on his Death-bed upon occasion of the Sun shining said There is but one Sun in the World nor but one Righteousness one Communion of Saints if I were the most Excellent of all Creatures in the World equal in Righteousness to Abraham Isaac and Jacob yet had I reason to confess my self to be a sinner and to expect Salvation only in the Righteousness of Jesus Christ for we all stand in need of the Grace of God As for my Death I bless God I feel so much inward Joy and Comfort that if put 〈◊〉 my choice whether to die or live I would a Thousand times rather chuse Death if it so stand with the Holy Will of God Ibid. p. 342. 43. Boquine in the Year 1582. on a lord's-Lord's-day preached twice and in the Evening heard another Sermon then supped chearfully and after Supper refreshed himself by walking abroad then went to visit a sick Friend and whilst he was comforting of him he found his own Spirits begin to sink and running to his Servant he said unto him Pray adding Lord receive my Soul and so departed in the Lord. Fuller Abel Rediv. p. 349. 44. Mr. Gilpin finding Death to approach him commanded the Poor to be called together unto whom he made a Speech and took his leave of them he did so likewise by others made many Exhortations to the Scholars and to divers others and so at last fell asleep in the Lord Anno 1583. aged 66. Ibid. p. 360. 45. Olevian in his Sickness made his Will and by Pious Meditations prepared for Death declared that he had learned by that Sickness to know the greatness of Sin and the greatness of God's Majesty more than ever he had done before To John Piscator coming to visit him he said that the day before for four hours together he had been filled with ineffable Joy for said he I thought I was in a most pleasant Meadow in which as I walked up and down I was besprinkled with a Heavenly Dew and that not sparingly but plentifully where both my Body and Soul were filled with unspeakable Joy To whom Piscator made answer That good Shepherd Jesus Christ lead thee into fresh Pastures yea said Olevian to the Springs of Living Waters Afterwards having repeated some Sentences full of Comfort out of Psal 42. Isa 9. and Mat. 11. he often said I would not have my Journey to God any longer deferred I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ And so bidding Farewel to his Colleagues and Friends in the Agony of Death Alsted asking if he were sure of his Salvation in Christ He answered Most sure and so gave up the Ghost Anno 1587. aged 51. Ibid. p. 376. 47. George Sohnius of Fribourg in Wetteraw bore his last Sickness with much Patience and with fervent Prayer often repeating O Christ thou art my Redeemer and I know that thou hast redeemed me I wholly depend upon thy Providence and Mercy from the very bottom of my Heart I commend my Spirit into thy Hands And so he slept in the Lord Anno Christi 1589. aged 38 Ibid. p. 385. 48. James Andreas born in Waibling at Wittenberg falling sick sent for James Herbrand saying I expect that after my Death many Adversaries will rise up to asperse me and therefore I sent for thee to hear the Confession of my Faith that so thou mayest witness for me when I am dead and gone that I died in the True Faith The same Confession he made also before the Pastors and Deacons of Tubing The Night before his Death he slept partly upon his Bed and partly in his Chair When the Clock struck Six in the Morning he said My â—our draws near He gave Thanks to God for bestowing Christ for revealing his Will in his Word for giving him Faith and the like Benefits And when ready to depart he said Lord into thy Hands I commend my Spirit
to call for it and I desire to offer up my All to him it being but my reasonable Service and also the first Terms that Jesus Christ offers That he that will be his Disciple must forsake all and follow him and therefore let none think hard or be discouraged at what hath happened unto me for he doth nothing without cause in all he hath done to us he being Holy in all his ways and Righteous in all his works and 't is but my Lot in common with poor desolate Sion at this day Neither do I find in my heart the least regret for what I have done in the Service of my Lord and Master Jesus Christ in succouring and securing any of his poor Sufferers that have shewed favour to his Righteous Causeâ— which Cause though now it be fall'n and trampled upon as if it had not been anointed yet it shall revive and God will plead it at another rate than ever he hath done yet and reckon with all its Opposers and malicious Haters And therefore let all that love and fear him not omit the least Duty that comes to hand or lies before them knowing that now it hath need of them and expects they shall serve him And I desire to bless his Holy Name that he hath made me useful in my Generation to the Comfort and Relief of many desolate Ones and the Blessing of those that are ready to perish has come upon me and help'd to make the Heart of the Widow to sing And I bless his Holy Name that in all this together with what I was charged with I can approve my Heart to him that I have done his Will tho' it does cross Man's Will and the Scriptures that satisfie me are Isaiah 16.4 Hide the Outcasts bewray not him that wandereth And Obad. 13.14 Thou shouldst not have given up those of his that did escape in the day of his distress But Man says You shall give them up or you shall die for it Now who to obey Judge ye So that I have cause to rejoyce and be exceeding glad in that I suffer for Righteousness sake and that I am accounted worthy to suffer for Well-doing and that God has accepted any Service from me which has been done in Sincerity tho' mixed with manifold Infirmities which he hath been pleased for Christ's sake to cover and forgive And now as concerning my Fact as it is called alas it was but a little one and might well become a Prince to forgive but he that shews no Mercy shall find none And I may say of it in the Language of Jonathan I did but tast a little Honey and lo I must die for it I did but relieve an unworthy poor distressed Family and so I must die for it Well I desire in the Lamb-like Gospel Spirit to forgive all that are concerned and to say Lord lay it not to their Charge but I fear he will not Nay I believe when he comes to make Inquisition for Blood it will be found at the Door of the furious Judge who because I could not remember things through my dauntedness at Burton's Wife and Daughter's Vileness and my Ignorance took advantage thereat and would not hear me when I had called to mind that which I am sure would have invalidated their Evidence though he granted something of the same nature to another yet denied it to me My Blood will also be found at the door of the unrighteous Jury who found me Guilty upon the single Oath of an Out-law'd Man for there was none but his Oath about the Money who is no legal Witness though he be pardoned his Outlawry not being recall'd and also the Law requires two Witnesses in point of Life And then about my going with him to the Place mentioned 't was by his own Words before he was Out-law'd for 't was two Months after his absconding and though in a Proclamation yet not High-Treason as I have heard so that I am clearly murder'd by you And also Bloody Mr. A. who has so insatiably hunted after my Life and though it is no Profit to him through the ill-will he bore me left no stone unturn'd as I have ground to believe till he brought it to this and shewed favour to Burton who ought to have died for his own Fault and not bought his Life with mine and Capt. R. who is cruel and severe to all under my Circumstances and did at that time without all Mercy or Pity hasten my Sentence and held up my Hand that it might be given all which together with the Great One of all by whose Power all these and a multitude more of Cruelties are done I do heartily and freely forgive as against me but as it is done in an implacable Mind against the Lord Christ and his Righteous Cause and Followers I leave it to him who is the Avenger of all such Wrongs who will tread upon Princes as upon Mortar and be terrible to the Kings of the Earth And know this also that though ye are seemingly fix'd and because of the Power in your Hand are writing out your Violence and dealing with a despiteful hand because of the old and new Hatred by impoverishing and every way distressing of those you have got under you yet unless you can secure Jesus Christ and all his Holy Angels you shall never do your Business nor your Hands accomplish your Enterprizes for he will be upon you e're you are aware and therefore O that you would be wise instructed and learn is the Desire of her that finds no Mercy from you ELIZABETH GAVNT POSTSCRIPT SUch as it is you have it from her who hath done as she could and is sorry she can do no better hopes you will pity and cover weakness shortness and any thing that is wanting and begs that none may be weakned or humbled at the lowness of my Spirit for God's Design is to humble and abase us that he alone may be exalted in this Day and I hope he will appear in the needful time and it may be reserves the best Wine till last as he hath done for some before me None goeth to Warfare at his own Charge and the Spirit bloweth not only where but when it listeth and it becomes me who have so often grieved quenched and resisted it to wait for and upon the Motions of the Spirit and not to murmure but I may mourn because through want of it I honour not my God nor his blessed Cause which I have so long â—â—ed and delighted to love and repent of nothing about it but that I served him and it no Latter 7. The Earl of ARGYLE â—â—E must now take a step over into Scotland that poor Country which has been harrass'd and tired for these many Years to render them perfect Slaves that they might help to enslave 〈…〉 prevent which and secure the Protestant Religion which 't was grown impossible 〈…〉 but by Arms this good Lord embark'd from Holland about the same time with the
Duke 〈…〉 in Scotland with what Forces he could make to which were added some others who 〈…〉 which after several Marches and Counter-Marches were at length led into a Boggy sort of a place on pretence or with intention to bring him off from the other Army then upon the Heels of 'em where they all lost one another dispers'd and shifted for themselves the Earl being taken by a Country-man and brought to Edinburgh where he suffer'd for his former unpardonable Crime requiring Care shou'd be taken of the Protestant Religion and explaining his taking the Test conformable thereto for the Legality of which he had the Hands of most of the eminent Lawyers about the City He suffer'd at Edinburgh the 30th of June 1685. His Speech has a great deal of Piety and Religion nor will it be any Disgrace to say 't was more like a Sermon 'T is as follows The Earl of Aâ—gyle's Last Speech June 30. 1685. JOB tells us Man that is born of a Woman is of few days and full of trouble and I am a clear Instance of it I shall not now say any thing of my Sentence or Escape about three Years and a half ago nor of my Return lest I may thereby give Offence or be tedious Only being to end my Days in your presence I shall as some of my last Words assert the Truth of the Matter of Fact and the Sincerity of my Intentions and Professions that are published That which I intend mainly now to say is To express my humble and I thank God chearful Submission to his Divine Will and my Willingness to forgive all Men even my Enemies and I am heartily well satisfied there is no more Blood spilt and I shall wish the Stream thereof may stop at me And that if it please God to say as to Zerubbabel Zech. 4.6 Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts I know Afflictions spring not out of the Dust God did wonderfully deliver and provide for me and has now by his special Providence brought me to this Place and I hope none will either Insult or stumble at it seeing they ought not for God Almighty does all things well for good and holy Ends tho' we do not always understand it Love and Hatred is not known by what is before us Eccles 9.1 and 8.11 12 13. Afflictions are not only foretold but promised to Christians and are not only tolerable but desirable We ought to have a deep Reverence and Fear of God's Displeasure but withal a firm Hope and Dependance on him for a blessed Issue in compliance with his Will for God chastens his own to refine them and not to ruine them whatever the World may think Heb. 12.3 to 12. Prov. 3.11 12. 2 Tim. 1.8 2 Tim. 2.11 12. Matth. 10.18 to 40. Matth. 16.24 to 28. We are to imitate our Saviour in his Sufferings as 1 Pet. 2.23 and 1 Pet. 4.16 to 20. We are neither to despise our Afflictions nor to faint under them both are extreams We are not to suffer our Spirits to be exasperated against the Instruments of our Trouble for the same Affliction may be an effect of their Passion and yet sent by God to punish us for Sin Tho' 't is a Comfort when we may say to them with David Psal 59.3 Not for my transgression nor for my sin O Lord. Nor are we by fraudulent pusillanimous Compliances in wicked Courses to bring Sin upon our selves Faint Hearts are ordinary false Hearts choosing Sin rather than Sufferings and a short Life with eternal Death before temporal Death and a Crown of Glory Such seeking to save a little loses all and God readily hardens them to proceed to their own Destruction How many like Hazael 2 Kings 8.13 run to Excesses they never thought they were capable of Let Rulers and others read seriously and weigh Prov. 1.10 to 20. 2 Chr. 28.6 to 17. Prov. 24.11 12. and 28.10 And avoid what is Bad and follow what is Good For me I hope by God's strength to joyn with Job chap. 13. 15. and the Psalmist Psal 22.4 and 167. and shall pray as Psal 74.19 to 24. and Psal 122.6 to 9. and Luke 1.74 75. and shall hope as Psal 94.14 15. I do freely forgive all that directly or indirectly have been the Cause of my being brought to this Place first or last and I pray God forgive them I pray God send Truth and Peace in these Three Kingdoms and continue and encrease the glorious Light of the Gospel and restrain the Spirit of Profanity Atheism Superstition Propery and Persecution and restore all that have back-slidden from the Purity of their Life or Principles and bless his whole People with all Blessings spiritual and temporal and put an end to their present Trials And I entreat all People to forgive me wherein I have offended and concurr with me to pray That the Great Good and Merciful God would sanctifie my present Lot and for Jesus Christ his sake Pardon all my Sins and receive me to his Eternal Glory It is suggested to me That I have said nothing of the Royal Family and it remembers me that before the Justices at my Trial about the Test I said That at my Death I would pray That there should never want one of the Royal Family to be a Defender of the True Ancient Apostolick Catholick Protestant Faith which I do now And that GOD would enlighten and forgive all of them that are either luke-warm or have shrunk from the Profession of it And in all Events I pray God may provide for the Security of his Church that Antichrist nor the Gates of Hell may never prevail against it 8. Colonel RVMBOLD AT the same Place died Colonel Richard Rumbold June 26. 1685. Two or three Passages there are worth Remarks in his Speech and Tryal as Arguments of his Sense and Courage For this Cause he says were every Hair of his Head and Beard a Life he 'd joyfully sacrifice 'em all That he was never Antimonarchical in his Principles but for a King and Free Parliament the King having Power enough to make him Great and the People to make 'em happy That he died in the Defence of the just Laws and Liberties of the Nations That none was mark'd by God above another for no Man came into the World with a Saddle on their Backs nor others Booted and Spurr'd to ride upon 't And being ask'd if he thought not his Sentence dreadful answer'd He wish'd he had a Limb for every Town in Christendome The Last Speech of Colonel Richard Rumbold at the Market-Cross of Edinburgh with several Things that passed at his Tryal June 26. 1685. ABout Eleven of the Clock he was brought from the Castle of Edinburgh to the Justices Court in a great Chair on Mens shoulders where at first he was asked some Questions most of which he answer'd with silence at last said He humbly conceived it was not necessary for him to add to his
and died Chetwind 's Hist Collections In the Year 1559. Henry the Second King of France was slain in the midst of his Pastimes and Triumphs and in publick Joy of the People For while he Celebrated the Nuptials of his Daughter at Paris in a Tilting the Splinter of a broken Lance flew with such violence and pierced his Eye that he died immediately In the Year 1491. Alphonsus the Son of John the Second King of Portugal being about Sixteen Years of Age a Prince of great Hopes and Wit took to Wife Isabella the Daughter of Ferdinand King of Spain whose Dowry was the ample Inheritance of her Father's Kingdoms The Nuptials were celebrated with the preparations of Six Hundred Triumphs Plays Running Racing Tilting Banquets So much Plenty so much Luxury that the Horse-boys and Slaves glistered in Tissue But oh immense Grief hardly the Seventh Month had passed when the young Prince sporting a Horse-back upon the Banks of Tagus was thrown from his Horse to the Ground so that his Scull was broken and he wounded to Death He was carried to a Fisher's House scarce big enough to contain him and two of his Followers there he lay down upon a Bed of Straw and expired The King flies thither with the Queen his Mother There they behold the miserable Spectacle their Pomp turn'd into Lamentation The growing Youth of their Son his Vertues Wealth like Flowers on a sudden disrobed by the North-winds blast and all to be buried in a miserable Grave O the sudden Whirlwinds of Human Affairs O most precipitate Falls of the most constant Things What shall I remember any more Basilius the Emperor was gored to death by a Hart while he was entangled in a troublesome Bough The ancient Monument in the Camp of Ambrosius near Aenipontus witnesses That a Noble Youth though under Age set Spurs to his Horse to make him leap a Ditch twenty foot broad The Horse took it but the Rider and the Horse fell by a sudden and almost the same kind of death That the Spoils of the Horse and the Garments of the Youth speak to this Day But this sudden Fate is common as well to the Good as to the Bad neither does it argue an unhappy Condition of the Soul unless any Person in the Act of burning Impiety feel himself struck with the Dart of Divine Vengeance Such was the Exit of Dathan and Abiram whom the gaping Earth miserably swallowed up obstinate in their Rebellion against Moses Such was the End of those Soldiers whom for their Irreverence to Elijah Heaven consumed with Balls of Fire Such was the End of the Hebrew whom the Revengers Sword pass'd thorough finding him in the Embraces of the Midianitess turning his Genial into his Funeral Bed So many Pores of the Body so many little Doors for Death Death does not shew himself always near yet is he always at hand What is more stupid than to wonder that that should fall out at any time which may happen every Day Our Limits are determined where the inexorable necessity of Fate has fix'd them But none of us knows how near they are prefixed So therefore let us form our Minds as if we were at the utmost extremity Let us make no Delay Death has infinite accesses So it is indeed and to what I have said I add It is reported that a certain Person dream'd that he was torn by the Jaws of a Lion He rises careless of his Dream and goes to Church with his Friends In the way he sees a Lyon of Stone gaping that upheld a Pillar Then declaring his Dream to his Companions not without Laughter Behold said he this is the Lyon that tore me in the Night So saying he thrust his Hand into the Lyon's Jaws crying to the Statue Thou hast thy Enemy now shut thy Jaws and if thou canst bite my Hand He had no sooner said the Word but he received a deadly Wound in that place where he thought he could have no harm for at the bottom of the Lyon's Mouth lay a Scorpion which no sooner felt his Hand but he put forth his Sting and stung the young Man to death Are Stones thus endued with Anger Where then is not Death if Lyons of Stone can kill In the same manner died the young Hylas who was kill'd by a Viper that lay hid in the Mouth of a Bear 's resemblance in Stone What shall I mention the Child kill'd by an Isicle dropping upon his Head from the Penthouse whom Martial laments in the following Verses Where next the Vipsan Pillars stands the Gate From whence the falling Rain wets Cloak and Hat A Child was passing by when strange to tell Vpon his Throat a frozen drop there fell Where while the Boy his cruel Fate bemoan'd The tender point straight melted in the Wound Would Chance have us adore her lawless Will Or tell where Death is not if Drops can kill 'T is the Saying of Annaeus Uncertain it is saith he in what place Death may expect thee therefore do thou expect Death in every place We trifle and at distance think the Ill While in our Bowels Death lies lurking still For in the moment of our Birth-day Morn That moment Life and Death conjoin'd were born And of that Thread with which our Lives we measure Our Thievish Hours still make a rapid â—â—â—zure Insensibly we die so Lamps expire When wanting Oil to feed the greedy Fire Though living still yet Death is then so nigh That oft-times as we speak we speaking die Senccio Cornelius a Roman Knight a Man of extream Frugality no less careful of his Patrimony than of his Body when he had sate all Day till Night by his Friend sick a Bed beyond all Hopes of Recovery when he had Supp'd well and cheary was taken with a violent Distemper the Quinsey scarcely retained his Breath within his contracted Jaws till Morning so that he deceas'd within a few Hours after he had performed all the Duties of a sound and healthy Man What follows is extracted from Mr. Increase Mather's Book of Remarkable Providences I Shall only add says he at present That there have been many sudden Deaths in this Countrey which should not pass without some Remark For when such Strokes are multiplied there is undoubtedly a speaking Voice of Providence therein And so it hath been with us in New-England this last Year and most of all the last Summer To my Observation in August last within the space of three or four Weeks there were twelve sudden Deaths and it may be others have observed more than I did some of them being in respect of sundry Cirrumstances exceeding awful Let me only add here that sudden Death is not always a Judgment unto those who are taken out of an evil World It may be a Mercy to them and a Warning unto others as the sudden Death of the Prophet Ezekiel's Wife was Many of whom the World was not worthy have been so removed out of it Moses died suddenly and
Happiness Death and Judgment Arch-bishop Tenison 's Sermon preached at the Funeral of Her late Majesty 41. In this Princess Authority Majesty and Humility met together That dwelt in her to such a degree that in her Presence or within her Hearing the speaking of this which I have said or any thing like this would have been exceedingly offensive But the Justice of Nations gives those Praises to the Merit of good Princes which their own Modesty would not bear An ordinary Instance may suffice for the shewing her averseness not only to Flattery but to Praise Of a Book addressed to her she said She had read it and lik'd it well but much the better because the Epistle was a bare Dedication Ibid. 42. Her Graces and Vertues were not blemished by Vanity or Affection Had that been so she would scarce have made such a Profession as this a little before her Death I know said she what loose People think of those who pretend to Religion they think it is all Hypocrisie Let them think what they will I may now say and I thank God I can say it I have not affected to appear what I was not Ibid. 43. Seeing God had determin'd this good Queen must die the Christian Manner in which she went out of the World is in some sort an Alleviation of the Grief of those whom she has left behind her who have indeed Reason more than enough to mourn but yet not as Persons without hope Ibid. 44. I will not say that of this Affliction she had any formal Presage but yet there was something which look'd like an immediate Preparation for it I mean her choosing to hear read more than once a little before it the last Sermon of a Good and Learned Man now with God upon this Subject What! shall we receive Good from the Hand of God and shall we not receive Evil Job 2.10 Ibid. 45. She fix'd the Times of Prayers in that Chamber to which her Sickness had confin'd her On that very Day she shewed how sensible she was of Death and how little she fear'd it She required him who officiated there to add that Collect in the Communion of the Sick in which are these Words That whensoever the Soul shall depart from the Body it may be without Spot presented unto Thee I will said she have this Collect read twice every Day All have need to be put in mind of Death and Princes have as much as any Body else Ibid. 46. She seem'd neither to fear Death nor to covet Life There appear'd not the least Sign of Regret for the leaving of those Temporal Greatnesses which make so many of high Estate unwilling to die It was you may imagine high Satisfaction to hear her say a great many most Christian Things and this amongst them I believe I shall now soon die and I thank God I have from my Youth learned a true Doctrine that Repentance is not to be put off to a Death-bed Ibid. 47. On Thursday she prepared herself for the blessed Communion to which she had been no Stranger from the Fifteenth Year of her Age. She was much concern'd that she found herself in so Dozing a Condition so she expressed it To that she added Others had need to pray for me seeing I am so little able to pray for my self 48. When a Second Portion of a certain Draught was offer'd her she refus'd it saying I have but a little Time to live and I would spend it a better way Ibid. 49. In all these Afflictions the King was greatly afflicted how sensibly and yet how becomingly many saw but few have Skill enough to describe it I 'm satisfied I have not At last the Helps of Art and Prayers and Tears not prevailing a Quarter before One on Friday Morning after two or three small Strugglings of Nature and without such Agonies as in such Cases are common having like David serv'd her own Generation by the Will of God she fell on sleep Thus far Arch-bishop Tenison 50. Before the Queen had exceeded the Age of Childhood when in the midst of her Play she was imitating the Dutch March with her Hands upon the Cover of a Chest and was admonish'd not to mind the Dutch the King her Uncle's Enemy but on the other side France and the Dauthin were commended to her with a Divine and Prophetic Utterance she made answer I care not for France 't is Holland I desire Not many Words indeed but certainly Prognosticating and apparently then foretelling that fame Wedlock from Heaven conferr'd upon us and upon all Europe Dr. Perizonius 's Oration on the Queen in Holland 51. She had a greater Regard to the Dignity of those on whom she conferr'd her Bounty than to her own Fame in so fruitful a Field of Honour nor would she endure it should be spread abroad how many or who they were whom she supported by her Liberality Therefore she sate by herself and four times a Year alone in her Closet carefully computed what she had formerly determin'd to give to every one She view'd the Accompts of her Beneficence herself and distributed it from those Notes to several parts of the World by Letters written with her own Hand no Body being admitted to assist her in so Noble an Office because it was not her pleasure that any Body should be concern'd in the Testimony of her Conscience This was that which the ancient Stoics so studiously inculcated but very difficulty perswaded either others or themselves to observe That Vertue was to be desir'd for its own sake without any respect of Profit Praise or in hopes of great Advancement Ibid. 52. After the Expedition for England the Queen being tyr'd out with Grief and Mourning she order'd a Lady to be sent for of approved Probity and Illustrious Quality into whose Breast she might discharge the Sighs and Afflictions which then oppress'd her And then it was that she poured forth these Expressions sad indeed but worthy to be Engraven in Gold or carv'd in Cedar That if the only thing contended for were the Right which her Birth and the Laws of the Land had given her to the Inheritance of three Kingdoms she would never assent that it should be justify'd and recover'd by Arms from her Father but that she was over-rul'd by this Perswasion alone that the Laws of her Country and the Safety of the true Reformed Religion were in apparent danger Otherwise that she would reddily and patiently acquiesce and be satisfi'd with the Fortune which she had obtain'd in this Country with the Love and good Will of all Men which was dearer to her than a Kingdom And that she could not but extol the wonderful Goodness of God toward her that tho' she spent her brittle Years in a Court besieg'd with Vice and Impiety and tho' after the Death of her Mother she grew up under a Step-Dame and a Father devoted to the Church of Rome and were little minded by her Vncle yet she had so
hither to the King giving him an Account That she had ordered a Fleet of Forty Men of War to sail away for the Coast of France and burn the Enemies Ships which were reported to be design'd to infest the English Shoar What Symphony could produce a more harmonious Harmony of Notes than this of the Opinions and Counsels of the King and Queen when the one knew nothing of the other's Mind Insomuch that Similitude of Manners and Consent of Minds not Fortune seem'd to have joyn'd William and Mary together Ibid. 60. It wos a Saying of the King before he thought of Marriage to Charles the Second's Embassador at a time when there happen'd an accidental Discourse about the Choice of Wives That of all the Qualities to be sought for in a Wife his first Care should be to find out the Best-Condition'd And he himself made himself the Master of his Wish for he could not have found to better Wife had the Sun itself according to the Proverb been to have sought her out But as the King met with his chief Help and Assistance in the Queen's Love so not only her Subjects but all others for whom it was in her Power to do Good found more than ordinary Succour in her bountiful Nature She thought the Day lost wherein she had not an Opportunity to do good to several Ibid. 61. How many experienc'd the Bounty of the her Munificent and Liberal Hand as well in England as in Germany the Low Countries Piedmont but more especially the French Exiles who rather chose to lose their Estates than to hazard the Loss of their Souls And the Splendour of this Benevolence shin'd forth in Mary's â—â—st coming into this Country For the Prince of Orange so soon as Mary became his Consort order'd such a Sum of Money to be paid her for the necessary Expences of her Apparel and Princely Ornaments What did the Divine Princess do with it at those Years She did not stifle the Money in close and dark Chest nor did she lavish it out in gorgeous Attire upon Pearls and Gems which other Women far distant from her degree are so mad after that they never cease this Fury 'till they have quite ruin'd their Husband's Patrimonies But moderate in her Layings-out considering the Grandeur of her Fortune upon her Apparel and other Ornaments which the Dignity of so great a Princess requir'd she introduc'd into the Court-Diligence Frugality Pasirmony Vertues most commonly unknown in Courts The rest of that large Allowance she consum'd in Relieving the Distresses of honest and worthy People who labour'd under great Necessities not through their own Extravagancy but reduc'd thereto by Misfortune and the Hardness of the Times Ibid. 62. What her Innoceny and Temperance was in the midst of so much Wealth your selves cannot be ignorant who know how pious she was nor have I any thing to add as to her Chastity when your have heard how entirely she lov'd the King She could not endure a wanton Word nor the sight of a Woman who was reported or suspected to have violated her Modesty Ibid. 63. As she excell'd all in Majesty so she suffer'd none to out-do her in Humanity I will give you one rare Example of her extraordinary Affability and Goodness An Embassador of a great Prince after he had paid his Duty to Mary at the Hague retiring out of the Chamber lest he should turn his back to the Princess went backward stopping and bowing two or three times By chance it happen'd that after he had bow'd a second time still retreating backward his Perriwig caught hold of a Branch that hung in the Room which either he had not seen or else had forgot and pulling it off discover'd his bald Head The Embassador blush'd and the Ladies and Maids of Honour could not forbear laughing only the Princess did not so much as smile but kept her Countenance with the same Gravity as when she heard the Embassador's Address After the Embassador was gone one of the Ladies who was greatly in her favour admiring the Reservedness of the Princess upon such a Jocular Accident made bold to ask her how she could hold laughing To whom the Princess I should have done the Embassador an Injury said she should I by an unseasonable Fit of Laughter added to the Shame and Trouble of a Person who was in Confusion and Perplexity enough at what had unhappily and through no Fault of his befall'n him No Madam that had been ill done and against my Duty Ibid. 64. Now as she was always like herself through the whole Course of her Life so neither did she swerve from herself at her Death Ibid. 65. When the Right Reverend Arch-bishop of Canterbury sent for some few Days before she expir'd gave her to understand the certain Approach of Death that she was to prepare for the Journey which all Mortals early or later are to take placidly without any sign of a sick Mind thô extreamly weakned in Body by the force of the Disease she made answer That that was not the first Day of her Learning to prepare for Death for that she had serv'd God during the whole Course of her Life A Saying truly worthy of so great a Queen worthy the Remembrance of all Ages She had learn'd that then we begin to live when we die We die as soon as born every Day something is imperceptibly cropt from our Lives 'till by degrees the whole be lopt away And that this most pious Queen neither deceiv'd herself nor the Arch-Bishop is apparent from that memorable Saying of hers about Six Years before her fatal Day when she sate by the Bed-side of a Noble Person 's Wife whom she highly lov'd and valued to confirm and comfort her then drawing her last Breath They who were present desir'd her that she would turn away her Eyes from the expiring Lady But the Queen refus'd saving withal That it rarely fell out for Persons of her Rank and Quality to see such a Spectacle as now was offered her by the design'd Favour of Heaven to make advantage of it in better understanding the Vanity of our Life What advantage she made of it the Conclusion of her Days sufficiently taught us Ibid. 66. She bid the King Farewel in these Words I leave the Earth I hope dear King you never mistrusted my Fidelity and Love Moderate your Grief I wish that with the same Joy that I depart with the same Easiness you may set Bounds to your Sorrow Soon after the Divine Mary expir'd in the Hands and Embraces of the King who never left her nor stirr'd out of her Chamber Day or Night whilst she lay labouring under three most cruel Diseases and Small-Pox an Erisipelas and a Pestilential Fever either of which was enough to have carried off the strongest of Men. Ibid. 67. Never any Man whatever were the Madness of raging Disaster could perceive any change of Countenance in the King But this same Grief he was not able to withstand vanquish'd