too great a freedom and liberty coming once to the House of Omulus his Friend and beholding there at his entrance divers Pillars of Porphry he inquired whence they were brought Omulus told him That it became him that set his foot into another mans House to be both deaf and dumb He meant he should not be curious and inquisitive The Emperor was delighted with this freedom so far was he from resenting it in such a manner as some others would have done Wanly Hist Man p. 204. XLVIII Such has been the invincible patience of some men that the incredible strength of their minds hath not only prevailed over the weakness of their flesh but reduced it to a temper capable of induring as much as if it had been of Brass or something that if possible is yet more insensible Of such a temper Janus Auceps a wicked Person seem'd to be who dwelt in a lone house by the highway side without the East-gate of the City of Copenhagen in Denmark this man in the night had murdered divers Persons and knocked them on the head with an Ax at last he was discovered taken and condemned to a terrible death he was drawn upon a sledge through the City he had pieces of flesh plucked off from his Body with burning Pincers his Legs and Arms were broken his Tongue was pulled out of his Mouth thongs of his skin were cut out of his back his breast was opened by the speedy hand of the Executioner his heart was pulled out and thrown at his face all this the stout-hearted man bore with an invincible courage and when his heart lay panting by his side in the midst of such torments as he yet underwent he moved his head and looked upon the By-standers with a frowning aspect and seemed with curiosity to contemplate his own heart till such time as his Head was cut off Bartholin Anat. XLIX William Collingborn Esq being condemned for making this Rhime on King Richard the Third The Cat the Rat and Lovel the Dog Rule all England under a Hog Alluding to Catesby Ratcliff and Lovel the three great Favourites of Richard in whose arms there was pictured a Hog the poor Gentleman was put to a most cruel death for being hanged and cut down alive his bowels ript out and cast into the fire when the Executioner put his hand into the bulk of his body to pull out his heart he said Lord Jesus yet more trouble and so died to the great sorrow of much people Fabians Chro. p. 519. L. When we were come within sight of Buda in Hungary saith Busbequius there came by the command of the Turkish Bassa some of his Family to meet us with divers great Officers but in the first place a Troop of young men on Horseback made us turn our Eyes to them because of the Novelty of their Equipage which was thus upon their bare heads most of which were shaven they had cut a long line in the skin in which wound they had stuck Feathers of all kinds and they were dewed with drops of blood yet dissembling the pain they rid with as much mirth and cheerfulness as if they had been void of all sense just before me there walked some on foot one of these went with his naked arms on his side in each of which he carried a Knife which he had thrust through his Arms just above the Elbow another walked naked from his Navel upward with the skin of both his Loins so cut above and below that he carried a Club which stuck therein as if it had hung at his Girdle another had fastened a Horse-shoe with divers nails upon the crown of his Head but that was done a long while the nails being so grown in the flesh that the Shoe was made fast in this pomp we entred Buda and were brought into the Bassa's Pallace in the Court of which stood these generous contemners of Pain as I chanced to cast my Eye that way What think you of these men said the Bassa Well enough said I but that they use their flesh in such a manner as I would not use my Cloths being desirous to keep them whole The Bassa smiled at this answer and dismissed us Busbequius Epist p. 226. LI. There is a notable example of tolerance which happened in our times in a certain Burgundian who was the Murderer of the Prince of Orange this man though he was scourged with rods of Iron though his flesh was torn off with red hot and burning Pincers yet he gave not so much as a single sigh or groan nay further when part of a broken Scaffold fell upon the head of one that stood by as a Spectator this burned Villain in the midst of all his Torments laughed at the Accident although not long before the same man had wept when he saw the curls of his hair cut off Wanly Hist Man p. 206. LII It was also an Example of great patience in this kind which Strabo mentions in his Geography that Zarmonochaga the Ambassadour from the Indian King having finished his negotiation with Augustus Caesar according to his own mind and having sent an account thereof to his Master because he would have no further trouble for the remaining part of his life after the manner of the Indians he burnt himself alive preserving all the while the countenance of a man that smiled Fulgosus Ex. p. 348. LIII Most eminent was the example of Hieronimus Olgiatus a Citizen of Millain who was one of those four that did assassinate Galeacius Sforza Duke of Millain being taken he was thrust into Prison and put to bitter Tortures now although he was not above two and twenty years of Age and of such a delicacy and softness in his habit of body that was more like to that of a Virgin than a man though he was never accustomed to the bearing of Arms by which it is usual for men to acquire vigour and strength yet being fastened to that Rope upon which he was tormented he seemed as if he sate upon some Tribunal and free from any expression of grief with a clear voice and an undaunted mind he commended the Exploit of himself and his Companions nor did he ever shew the least sign of Repentance in the times of the intermissions of his Torments both in Prose and Verse he celebrated the Praises of his Confederates being at last brought to the place of Execution beholding Carolus and Francion two of his Associates to stand as if they were almost dead for fear he exhorted them to be couragious and requested the Executioners that they would begin with him that his Fellow-sufferers might learn patience by his Example being therefore laid naked and at full length upon the Hurdle and his Feet and Arms fast bound down to it when others that stood by were terrified with the shew and horrour of that death that was prepared for him he with specious words and assured voice extolled the gallantry of their Action and appeared
himself yet he rated the Bassa with sharp language What saies he dost thou think it handsome to complain thus grievously of my Son Knowest thou not that both thy self and this Wife of thine are my Slaves and accordingly at my dispose If therefore my Son has imbraced her and followed the inclinations of his mind he has but imbraced a Slave of mine and having my approbation he hath committed no fault at all think of this and go thy way and leave the rest to my self This he said in defence of his absolute Empire but being unsatisfied in his mind and vexed at the thing he first sends for his Son examines him touching the Fact and he having confessed it he dismissed him with outragious Language and threatnings three days after when paternal love to his Son and Justice had striven in his Breast love to Justice having gained the Superiority and Victory he commanded his Mutes to strangle his Son Mustapha with a Bowstring that by his death he might make amends to injured and violated Chastity Turkish Hist p. 411. LXXXIV King Henry the second of France commanded that an Italian Lacky should be put into Prison without telling why whereupon the Judges set him at liberty having first delivered their opinion to the King who again commanded that he should be put to death having as he said taken him faulty in a foul and heinous Crime which he would not have to be divulged yet the Judges for all this would not condemn him but set open the Prison doors to let him go forth it is true that the King caused him to be taken afterwards and thrown into the River Seine and drowned without any form of Law to avoid Tumult but the Judges would not condemn a Person where no proof was made that he was guilty Camerarius Medit. p. 472. LXXXV Otho the first Emperor of Germany being upon a Military expedition a Woman threw her self at his feet beseeching a just revenge according to the Laws upon a Person who had committed a Rape upon her the Emperor being in hast referred the hearing of the cause till his return But who then replied the Woman shall recall unto your Majesties mind the horrid injury that hath been done to me The Emperor looking up to a Church there by This Church saith he shall be a witness betwixt me and thee that I will do thee Justice and so dismissing her he with his retinue set forward at his return seeing the Church he called to mind the Complaint and caused the Woman to be summoned before him who at her appearance thus bespake him Dread Soveraign the man of whom I heretofore complained is now my Husband I have since had a Child by him and have forgiven him the injury not so said the Emperor by the head of Otho he shall suffer for it for a collusion among your selves doth not make void the Laws And so he caused his head to be struck off Lonic Theat p. 475. LXXXVI Chabot was Admiral to King Francis the first of France a man most nobly descended of great Valour and in high favour with his Prince but as in other men the Passion of love grows cold and wears out by time so the Kings affection being changed toward the Admiral had charged him with some Offences which he had formerly committed The Admiral presuming upon the great good Services he had done the King in Piemont and in the defence of Marseilles against the Emperor gave the King other language than became him and desired nothing so much as a publick Tryal hereupon the King gave commission to the Chancellor Poyet as President and other Judges upon an information of the Kings Advocate to question the Admirals life the Chancellor being an ambitious man and of a large conscience hoping to please the King wrought so cunningly upon some of the Judges threatned others so severely and drew in the rest with fair promises that though nothing could be proved against the Admiral worthy of the Kings displeasure yet the Chancellor subscribed and got others to subscribe to the forfeiture of his Estate Offices and Liberty though not able to prevail against his Life But the King hating Falshood and though to any that should bewail the Admirals Calamity it might have been answered that he was tryed according to his own desire by the Laws of his Country and the Judges of Parliament yet I say the King made his Justice surmount his other Passions and gave back the Admiral his Honour his Offices his Estate his Liberty and caused the wicked Poyet his Chancellor to be Indicted Arraigned Degraded and Condemned Rawleighs Hist World p. 471. LXXXVII Totilas King of the Goths was complained to by a Calabrian that one of his Lifeguard had ravished his Daughter upon which the accused was immediately sent to Prison the King resolving to punish him as the Fact deserved but the Soldiers came about him desiring that their Fellow-Soldier a man of known Valour might be delivered back to them Upon which Totilas sharply reproved them What would you have said he know you not that without Justice neither any Civil nor Military Government is able to subsist do not you remember what slaughters and Calamities the Nation of the Goths underwent through the injustice of Theodahadas I am now your King and in the maintenance of Justice we have regained our ancient Fortune and Glory would you now lose all for the sake of one Villain Look to your selves ye Soldiers but for my part I proclaim it aloud being careless of what shall happen thereupon that I will not suffer it and if you are resolved to do so then first strike at me behold a Body and a Breast ready for your stroke The Soldiers were so moved at this Speech that they deserted their Client the King sent for the man from Prison condemned him to death and gave his Estate to the injured and violated Woman Lipsius Monit p. 250. LXXXVIII In the Reign of King James 1612. June 25. the Lord Sanquer a Nobleman of Scotland having upon private revenge suborned Robert Carlile to murther John Turner a Fencing Master thought by his greatness to have carried it off but the King respecting nothing so much as Justice would not suffer Nobility to be a shelter to Villany but according to the Law upon June 29. the said Lord Sanquer having been Arraigned and Condemned by the name of John Creighton Esquire was executed before Westminster-Hall Gate where he died very penitent Bakers Chronicle p. 464. LXXXIX The Chronicle of Alexandria relateth an admirable passage of Theodorick King of the Romans Juvenilis a Widow made her complaint that a Suit of hers in Court was drawn out for the space of 3 years which might have been dispatched in few days The King demanded who were her Judges she named them they were sent unto and commanded to give all the speedy expedition that was possible to this Womans Cause which they did and in two days determined it
Child that we are Baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity let us not lose the Garment of our Salvation lest it be said cast them into utter darkness where is weeping and wailing and gnashing of Teeth for that pain is to be dreaded that never endeth and that life to be desired that always lasteth The Youth was so incouraged hereby that he persevered patient in all his sufferings till in the midst of his Torments he gave up the Ghost and many by this Ladies Exhortations and Example were converted to Christianity and animated in their sufferings Not long after Cyrillus the Arrian Bishop of Carthage stirred up Hunrick the Tyrant against the Christians telling him That he could never expect to enjoy his Kingdom in peace so long as he suffered any of them to live hereupon he sent for seven eminent Christians to Carthage whom he first assaulted with flattery and large promises of Honour Riches c. if they would imbrace his Faith but these Servants of Christ rejected all his offers crying out One Lord one Faith one Baptism saying also do with our Bodies what you please torment them at your will it is better for us to suffer these momentary pains than to indure everlasting Torments Before this Hunrick sent his Commissioners to impose the following Oath upon them under the utmost penalty You shall swear that after the death of our Lord the King his Son Hilderick shall succeed him in the Kingdom whereupon some cryed out we are all Christians and hold the Apostolical and only True Faith and seeing further into the subtlety of this Oath refused it other well meaning men offered to take it whereupon they were divided asunder and committed to custody the names of both Parties and of what Cities they were being taken in writing and soon after the King sent them this Message As for you that would have taken the Oath because you contrary to the rule of the Gospel which saith swear not at all would have sworr the Kings Will is that you shall never see your Churches nor Houses more but be banished into the Wilderness and there shall till the ground But to the refusers of the Oath he said Because you desire not the Reign of our Lord the Kings Son you shall therefore be immediately sent away to the Isle of Corse there to hew Timber for the Ships Clarks Martyr XXXII In the eighth Primitive Persecution under Valerianus Sixtus Bishop of Rome with his six Deacons were accused for being Christians whereupon being brought to the place of Execution they were all beheaded St. Lawrence also another Deacon following Sixtus as he went to Execution complained that he might not suffer with him but that he was secluded as the Son from the Father to whom the Bishop answered That within three days he should follow him bidding him in the mean time to go home and if he had any Treasures to distribute them among the Poor the Judge hearing mention of Treasures supposing that Lawrence had great store in his Custody commanded him to bring the same to him Lawrence craved three days respite promising then to declare where the Treasure might be had in the mean time he caused a great number of poor Christians to be gathered together and when the day of his answer was come the Persecutor strictly charged him to make good his promise but valiant Lawrence stretching out his Arms over the poor said These are the precious Treasures of the Church these are the Treasures indeed in which Christ hath his Mansion But O what Tongue is able to express the fury and madness of the Tyrants Heart how he stamped stared raved like one out of his wits his Eyes glowed like Fire his Mouth foamed like a Boar he grindeth his Teeth like an Hell-hound and then he bellows out Kindle the fire make no spare of Wood hath this Villain deluded the Emperor Away with him whip him with Scourges jerk him with Rods buffet him with Fists brain him with Clubs what doth the Traytor jest with the Emperor Pinch him with fiery Tongs gird him with burning Plates bring out the strongest Chains and Pireforks and the grate of Iron set it on the fire bind the Rebel hand and foot and when the grate is red hot on with him rost him broyl him toss him turn him upon pain of our high displeasure do every man his Office O ye Tormentors Immediately his command was obeyed and after many cruel Tortures this meek Lamb was laid I will not say upon a Bed of fiery Iron but on a soft down Bed so mightily did God work for his Servant and so miraculously did he temper this Element of Fire that it was not a Bed of consuming pain but of nourishing rest unto Lawrence so that the Emperor and not Lawrence seemed to be tormented the one broyling in the flesh the other burning in his heart when this Triumphant Martyr had been pressed down with Fire-forks for a great while in the mighty Spirit of God he spake thus to the Tyrant This side is now roasted enough Turn up O Tyrant Great And try whether roasted or raw Thou thinkst it's better meat By the couragious Confession of this worthy and valiant Deacon a Roman Soldier was converted to the same Faith and desired to be Baptized whereupon he was called before the Judge Scourged and afterward be headed Acts and Mon. XXXIII In the Arrian Persecution in Africa there was one Saturus a Nobleman eminent for Piety whom the Tyrant much laboured to withdraw from the Christian Profession but he refusing the King told him that if he presently consented not he should forfeit his House his Lands his Goods and his Honours that his Children and Servants should be sold and his Wife should be given to his Camel-driver or one of the basest of his Slaves but when threats prevailed not he was cast into Prison and when his Lady heard her doom she went to her Husband as he was praying with her Garments rent and her hair dishevel'd her Children at her heels and a sucking Infant in her Arms and falling down at her Husbands feet she took him about the Knees saying Have compassion O my sweetest of me thy poor Wife and of these thy Children look upon them let them not be made Slaves let not me be yoaked in so base a Marriage consider that what thou art required to do thou dost it not willingly but art constrain'd thereunto and therefore it will not be laid to thy charge But this valiant Soldier of Christ answered her in the words of Job Thou speakest like a foolish Woman thou actest the Devils part If thou truly lovedst thy Husband thou wouldst never seek to draw him to sin that may separate him from Christ and expose him to the second death know assuredly that I am resolved as my Saviour Christ commands me to forsake Wife Children House Lands c. that so I may enjoy him and be his Disciple And accordingly he was
comforted not only in Spirit but also in Body for he received a certain Tast of the Holy Communion of Saints whilst a most pleasant refreshing did issue from every part of the Body to the seat and place of the Heart and from thence to all the parts again Clar. Mar. p. 94. LIII Bishop Latimer being brought before the Privy Council was there entertained with many scoffs and scorns and from thence was sent Prisoner to the Tower where God gave him such a valiant Spirit that he did not only bear the terribleness of his Imprisonment with admirable patience but he derided and laughed to scorn all the doings and threats of his Enemies Ibid. p. 528. LIV. Mr. John Philpot having lain for some time in the Bishop of Londons Cole-house the Bishop sent for him and among other questions asked him why they were so merry in Prison Singing saith he and rejoicing in your naughtiness as the Prophet speaks whereas you should rather lament and be sad Mr. Philpot answered My Lord the mirth that we make is but in singing certain Psalms as we are commanded by St. Paul to rejoice in the Lord singing together Hymns and Psalms for we are in a dark comfortless place and therefore we thus sollace our selves I trust therefore your Lordship will not be angry seeing the Apostle saith If any be of an upright heart let him sing Psalms And we to declare that we are of an upright mind to God though we are in misery yet refresh our selves with such singing After some other discourse saith he I was carried back to my Lords Cole-house where I with my six Fellow-Prisoners do rouze together in the straw as cheerfully I thank God as others do in the Beds of Down And in a Letter to a Friend he thus writes Commend me to Mr. Elsing and his Wife and thank him for providing me some ease in my Prison and tell him that though my Lords Cole-house is very black yet it is more to be desired of the Faithful than the Queens Pallace the World wonders how we can be so merry under such extream miseries but our God is Omnipotent who turns misery into felicity believe me there is no such joy in the world as the People of God have under the Cross of Christ I speak by experience and therefore believe me and fear nothing that the world can do unto you for when they imprison our Bodies they set our Souls at liberty to converse with God when they cast us down they lift us up when they kill us then do they send us to everlasting life what greater glory can there be then to be made conformable to our Head Christ and this is done by Affliction O good God what am I upon whom thou shouldst bestow so great a mercy This is the way though it be narrow which is full of the Peace of God and leadeth to eternal bliss oh how my heart leapeth for Joy that I am so near the apprehension thereof God forgive me my unthankfulness and unworthiness of so great Glory I have so much Joy that though I be in a place of darkness and mourning yet I cannot lament but both night and day am so full of Joy as I never was so merry before the Lords name be praised for ever our Enemies do fret fume and gnash their Teeth at it O pray instantly that this Joy may never be taken from us for it passeth all the delights in this world this is the peace of God that passeth all understanding this peace the more his chosen are afflicted the more they feel it and therefore cannot fail neither for fire nor water Ibid. p. 534. LV. Thus the Lyon of the Tribe of Juda puts into his Servants his own Spirit from whence proceeds their transcendent zeal and courage for the Truth from this Spirit it was that John Rabeck a French Protestant being required to pronounce Jesu Maria and to join them together in one Prayer answered That if his Tongue should but offer to pronounce those words at their bidding himself would bite it asunder with his Teeth Another Martyr said If every hair of my head were a man I would suffer death in the Opinion and Faith I am now in This Spirit was in St. Athanasius Ambrose Favel and that noble Army of Martyrs one of them told the Persecutors That they might pluck the Heart out of his Body but could never pluck the Truth out of his Heart another said That the Heavens should sooner fall than he would turn a third said Can I die but once for Christ Thus did they undervalue life and despise death through that Divine Valour wherewith they were inspired though death in itself is the King of Terrours and very dreadful to man naturally as by the following Example is demonstrated with which I shall conclude this particular LVI A Christian King in Hungary being on a time very sad his Brother a Jolly Courtier would needs know of him what ailed him O Brother said he I have been a great sinner against God and I know not how to die nor to appear before God in Judgment These said his Brother are melancholy thoughts and withal made a jest at them the King replied nothing for the present but the custom of the Country was that if the Executioner came and sounded a Trumpet before any mans door he was presently to be led to Execution the King in the dead time of the night sends the Hangman to sound his Trumpet before his Brothers door who hearing it and seeing the Messenger of Death flies pale and trembling into his Brothers presence beseeching him to tell him wherein he had offended O Brother replied the King you have never offended me and is the sight of my Executioner so dreadful and shall not I that have greatly and grievously offended God fear to be brought before the Judgment Seat of Christ Clarks Mirrour p. 138. LVII Thus far we have seen the excellent effects of Natural and Christian Magnanimity Courage and Faithfulness there is yet another sort of Fidelity which is exceeding Praise-worthy which is the Faithfulness of some men to their Engagements and the Trust reposed in them the Syrians were looked upon as men of no Faith and not fit to be trusted by any man and that besides their curiosity in keeping their Gardens they had scarce any thing in them that was commendable The Greeks also laboured under this imputation as being as false as they were Luxurious and Voluptuous It is strange that those who were so covetous after all other kinds of improvement and knowledge should in the mean time neglect that which sets a fuller value upon man than a thousand other accomplishments namely his fidelity to his Promise and Trust LVIII Ferdinand the first King of Spain left three Sons behind him Sanctius Alphonsus and Garcius amongst whom he had also divided his Kingdoms but they lived not long in mutual Peace for soon after the death of their Father Sanctius
up in his Gown and Shoes as he was and laying his Body by that of his Wives burnt them both together the Sepulcher of these Two is yet to be seen at Tarentum and is called The Tomb of the Two Lovers Valer Max. lib. 4. XVI And though the Female be the weaker Sex yet such has been the fidelity and incredible strength of affection in some that they have oft-times performed as great things as the most generous Men they have despised death in the most dreadful shapes and all sorts of difficulties by an invincible Love to their Hushands in the greatest extremity Of which Histories are not silent for we râ—ad that Eumenes burying the dead that had fallen in the Battel of Gabine against Antigonus amongst others there was found the Body of Ceteas the Captain of those Troops that had come out of India this man had two Wives who accompanied him in the Wars one which he had newly married and an other whom he had married some years before but both of them bore an intire love to him for whereas the Laws of India require that one Wife shall be burnt with her dead Husband both these offered themselves to death and strove with that ambition as if it had been some glorious prize they sought after before such Captains as were appointed their Judges the younger Wife pleaded That the other was with Child and that therefore she could not have the benefit of that Law The elder alledged That whereas she was before the other in years it was also fit that she should be before her in Honour since it was customary in other things that the Elder should have place The Judges when they understood by Midwives that the Elder was with Child passed Judgment that the younger should be burnt which done she that had lost the cause departed rending her Diadem and tearing her Hair as if some grievous calamity had befallen her the other full of Joy at her Victory went to the Funeral Fire magnificently drest up by her Friends and led along by her Kindred as if to her Wedding they all the way singing Hymns in her Praises When she drew near the fire taking off her Ornaments she delivered them to her Friends and Servants as tokens of Remembrance they were a multitude of Rings with variety of precious Stones Chains and Stars of Gold c. This done she was by her Brother placed upon the combustible matter by the side of her Husband and after the Army had thrice compassed the Funeral Pile fire was put to it and she without a word of complaint finished her life in thell ames Diod Siculus lib. 9. XVII Arria the Wife of Cecinna Paetus understanding that her Husband was condemned to die and that he was permitted to chuse what manner of death liked him best she went to him and having exhorted him to depart this life couragiously and bidding him farewel gave her self a stab into the Breast with a Knife she had hid for that purpose under her Cloaths then drawing the Knife out of the wound and reaching it to Paetus she said The wound I have made Paetus smarts not but that only which thou art about to give thy self Camer Spare hours Whereupon Martial hath an Epigram to this purpose When Arria to her Husband gave the Knife Which made the wound whereby she lost her life This wound dear Paetus grieves me not quoth she But that which thou must give thyself grieves me XVIII The Prince of the Province of Fingo in the Kingdom of Japan in the East-Indies hearing that a Gentleman of the Country had a very beautiful Woman to his Wife got him dispatched and having sent for the Widow some days after her Husbands death acquainted her with his desires she told him she had much reason to think her self happy in being honoured with the Friendship of so great a Prince yet she was resolved to bite off her Tongue and murder her self if he offered her any violence but if he would grant her the favour to spend one month in bewailing her Husband and then give her liberty to make an entertainment for the Relations of the Deceased to take her leave of them he should find how much she was his Servant and how far she would comply with his affections it was easily granted a very great Dinner was provided whither came all the Kindred of the deceased the Gentlewoman perceiving the Prince began to be warm in his Wine in hopes of enjoying her promise she desired liberty to withdraw into an adjoyning Gallery to take the Air but as soon as she was come into it she cast her self headlong down in the presence of the Prince and all her dead Husbands relations and so put an end to her life Mandelsloes Travels XIX In the Reign of the Emperor Vespasian there was a Rebellion in France the chief Leader of which was Julius Sabinus they being reduced the Captain was sought after to be punished but he had hid himself in a Vault or Cave which was the Monument of his Grand-father he caused a report to be spread of his death as if he had voluntarily poysoned himself and the better to persuade men of the truth of it he caused his House to be set on fire as if his body had therein been burnt he had a Wife whose name was Eponina she knew nothing of his safety but bewailed his death would not be comforted there were only two of his freed men who were privy to it they pitying their Lady who was determined to die and in order thereunto had abstained from all manner of meat for three days together thereupon they declared her purpose to her Husband and besought him to save her that loved him so well it was granted and she was told that her Sabinus lived she came to him where they lived with secrecy and undiscovered for the space of nine years together she conceived and brought forth Children in that solitary Mansion at last the place of their abode came to be known they were taken and brought to Rome where Vespasian commanded they should be stain Eponina producing and shewing her Children Behold O Caesar said she these I have brought forth and brought up in a Monument that thou mightest have more suppliants for our Lives O cruel Vespasian that could not be moved with such words as these well they were both led to death and Eponina joyfully died with her Husband who had been before buried with him for so many years together Lipsius Monitor lib. 2. XX. Portia the Daughter of Cato and Wise of Marcus Brutus when she conjectured by the fleepless and disturbed nights of her Husband that he had conceived some great thing in his mind and concealed it from her in suspition of her weakness she to give her Husband an instance of her Constancy and Secrecy made her self a deep wound in her Thigh with a Razor upon which there followed a stream of blood weakness and a Feaver When Brutus
angrily said First let me know before I suffer myself to be imbraced by you whether I am come to a Son or an Enemy and whether I am a Captive or a Mother in your Camp Much more she added after this manner with tears in her Eyes he moved with the tears of his Mother Wife and Children imbracing his Mother You have conquered saith he and my Country hath overcome my just anger being prevailed upon by the intreaties of her in whose Womb I was conceived And so he freed the Roman Fields and the Romans themselves from the sight and fear of those Enemies he had led against them Plutarchs Lives p. 230. XXXII There happened in Italy sath Causin as it often happens a great irruption of Mount Aetna nowcalled Mount Gibel it murmurs burns belches up flames and throws out its fiery Entrails making all the world to fly from it it happened then that in this violent and horrible breach of flames every one flying and carrying away what they had most precious with them Two Sons the one called Anapias the other Amphinomus careful of the wealth and goods of their Houses reflected on their Father and Mother both very old who could not save themselves from the Fire by flight and where shall we said they find a more precious Treasure than those who begat us The one took up his Father on his Shoulders the other his Mother and so made passage through the flames it is an admirable thing saith my Author that Almighty God in consideration of this Piety though Pagans did a miracle for the Monuments of all Antiquity witness that the devouring flames stayed at this spectacle and the fire wasting and broiling all about them the way only through which these two Sons passed was tapestried with fresh verdure and greenness and called afterward by Posterity The Field of the Pious in memory of this Accident Causins Holy Court Tom 1. XXXIII There were three Brothers whoupon the death of the King their Father fell out amongst themselves about the Succession in the Kingdom at last they agreed to stand to the judgment and determination of a Neighbour King to whom they fully referred the matter he therefore commanded the dead body of the Father to be fetcht out of his Monument and ordered that each of them should shoot an Arrow at his heart and he that hit it or came the nearest to it should succeed the Elder shot first and his Arrow past through the Throat of his Father the second Brother shot his Father into the Breast but yet missed the heart the youngest detesting this wickedness I had rather said he yield all to my Brothers and utterly resign up all my pretences to the Kingdom than to treat the body of my Father with this Contumely this saying of his considered the King passed Sentence That he alone was worthy of the Kingdom as having given evidence how much he excelled his Brothers in Virtue by the Piety he had shewed to the dead body of his Father Leon. Theat p. 278. XXXIV A Roman Praetor or Judge had sentenced to death a Woman of good birth for a Capital Crime and had delivered her over to the Triumvir to be killed in Prison the Jaylor that received her moved with compassion did not presently strangle her but permitted her Daughter to come often to her being first diligently searched lest she should convey in any sustenance to her the Jaylor expecting that she should die of Famine when therefore divers days had passed wondring within himself what it might be that might occasion her to live so long he one day set himself to observe her Daughter with greater curiosity and then discovered how with the milk in her Breasts she allayed the Famine of her Mother the news of this strange spectacle of the Daughter suckling her Mother was by him carried to the Triumvir and from him to the Praetor who brought the cause to the Judgment of the Consul who pardoned the Woman as to the Sentence of death passed upon her and to preserve the memory of that act where her Prison stood they caused an Altar to be erected to Piety Plinys Nat. Hist XXXV When the City of Troy was taken the Greeks did as became gallant men for pitying the misfortune of their Captives they caused it to be proclaimed that every free Citizen had liberty to take along with him any one thing that he desired Aeneas therefore neglecting all other things carried out with him his Houshold Gods the Greeks delighted with the Piety of the man gave him a further permission to carry out with him any other thing from his House whereupon he took upon his shoulders his Father who was grown old and decrepit and carried him forth the Grecians were extreamly affected with this fight and deed of his and thereupon gave him all that was his own confessing that nature itself would not suffer them to be enemies but Friends to such as preserved so great Piety toward Heaven and so great a Reverence to their Parents Aelian Var. Hist XXXVI Otho the second Emperor of Germany had a Son named Luitolphus a valiant and haughty young man who taking offence at his Fathers second Marriage rebelled against him being assisted by many considerable Persons hereupon Otho raised a great Army to suppress them but Luitolphus not finding himself able to encounter his Father in the Field betook himself to the City of Mentz where his Father besieged him for the space of threescore days and severely battered the City which yet was as valiantly defended against him but at last the Besieged made a motion for Peace whereupon a Truce was granted during which Luitolphus and his Partizan found an opportunity in the night to leave Mentz and betake himself to Ratisbone the Emperor without one days delay followed them to Ratisbone which was better fortified and provided than Mentz and so the Siege was more difficult and doubtful and in the Assaults and Sallies many brave men perished on each side yet soon after Luitolphus sued to his Father for Peace and Pardon which the Emperor at length by the mediation of some Prelates limited to a certain time wherein his Sons faults and offences should be examined and a Treaty should be held to conclude all matters upon which Luitolphus surrendred the City and absented himself from his Fathers presence till he saw the issue but before the time prefixed was expired the Emperor being hunting Luitolphus having been convinced and really sensible of his Fault without any security from his Father came before him in the Fields bare-headed and bare-footed and kneeling at his Fathers feet wept the Father being amazed at this strange and unexpected rencounter stood still and the Son at last recovering his Spirits intreated him to have compassion on him acknowledging his faults and offences to have been very great and rather deserving a thousand deaths than any pardon but being heartily sorry for the same he like the Prodigal Son presented himself
Augustus had taken Adiatoriges a Prince of Cappadocia together with his Wife and Children in War and had led them to Rome in Triumph he gave order that the Father the elder of the Brothers should be slain The designed Ministers of this Execution were come to the place of restraint to this unfortunate Family and there inquiring which of the Brethren was the eldest there arose a vehement and earnest contention between the two young Princes each of them affirming himself to be the Elder that by his death he might preserve the life of the other when they had long continued in this pious Emulation the Mother at last not without difficulty persuaded her Son Dyetentus that he would permit his younger Brother to die in his stead as hoping that by him she might be more probably maintained Augustus was at length certified of this great example of Brotherly love and not only lamented that act of his severity but gave an honourable support to the Mother and her surviving Son Heywoods Hist Women XLIII Heliodorus the Brittain had afterward the Sirname of Pius upon this occasion the People provoked with the Cruelty and Avarice of Archigallus had deposed him and raised Heliodorus to the Throne of his Brother one time when the King went on hunting he accidentally met with his Brother Archigallus in a Wood whose altered visage and ragged cloths gave sufficient evidence of his afflicted condition as soon as the King knew him though he was not ignorant how he had sought his Restoration both by force and fraud yet he lovingly imbraced him and caused him privately to be conveyed into the City The King pretended he was sick and giving forth that he would dispose of the Affairs of the Realm by his last Will and Testament he called his Nobles together he then signified that he would confer in private with each of them singly and as every man entered into his Chamber he caused him to be laid hold on threatning him with death if he would not consent to the sparing of his Brother and that he should resign the Throne and Kingdom to him having by this means gained an universal assent he then opened the business in the presence of them altogether so that Archigallus was restored to the Kingdom and he dying in few years Heliodorus succeeded him with equal Justice and Glory Fulgosus Examples p. 634. XLIV There was a Soldier in the Camp of Pompeius who in the War with Sertorius perceiving a Soldier on the other side to press hard upon him he sought with him hand to hand and having slain him he went about to strip him of his Arms which when he had done he found it was his Brother who had fallen under him whereupon having a long time curst his unhappy Fate he carried his dead Brother into the Camp and having covered the Body with a precious Garment he laid the Corps upon the Funeral Pile and put fire to it which done he immediately drew the same Sword wherewith he had slain his Brother and thrust it into his own Breast and so falling prostrate upon the dead Body of his Brother they were both burned together Valerius Maximus p. 146. XLV There was a report though a false one that Eumenes King of Asia was slain by the fraud of Perseus upon the news whereof his Brother Attalus seized upon the Crown and married the Wife of his Brother but being informed of Eumenes his return he went forth to meet him not without apprehensions of fear in regard of what he had done in his absence Eumenes made no shew of his displeasure only whispered him in the Ear That before he married another Mans Wife he should besure her Husband was dead This was all and not long after dying though by his Wife he had a Son of his own yet he left the Kingdom to his Brother together with the Queen his Wife Attalus on the other side that he might not be surpassed in Brotherly love though he had many Children by his own Wife yet he educated that Son she had by Eumenes to the hope of the Kingdom and when he came of sufficient Age freely resigned up all to him and lived a private life many years after Burtons Melancholy p. 564. XLVI Darius King of Persia being extreamly provoked by Crimes of an extraordinary nature had pronounced Sentence of death upon Ithaphernes his Children and the whole Family of them at once the Wife of Ithaphernes went to the Kings Pallace and there all in tears was so loud in her mournful Lamentations that her cries coming to the Kings Ear moved him in such manner to compassion that the King sent her word That with her own he gave her the life of any single Person whom she would make choice of among the condemned the Woman begged the life of her Brother Darius wondred that she should rather ask his life than that of her Husband or any of her Children and therefore asked her the reason who replied That since her Father was dead she could never hope for a Brother more if she should lose this but that her self being but young as yet might hope for another Husband and other Children Darius was moved with this answer and being inclined to Brotherly love as well as prudence he gave her also the life of her eldest Son Heywoods Hist Women XLVII Tiberius being at Ticinum and hearing that his Brother Drusus lay sick in Germany he immediately put himself on an hasty Journey to give him a visit he passed the Alps and the Rhine and changing his Horse night and day he travelled outright two hundred miles with only one Person in his Company as his Guide Drusus though at that time labouring for life being informed of his coming commanded his Legions with their Ensigns to march out and meet him and to salute him by the Title of Imperator or Emperor he ordered a Praetorial Tent to be erected for him on the right hand of his own and gave him the Confular and Imperial name at the same time yielding this honour to his Brother and his Body to death Valerius Maximus p. 146. XLVIII Great was the love of Timolaeon the Corinthian to his Brother for when in a Battel with the Argives he saw his Brother fall down dead with the wounds he had received he leaped over the dead body of his Brother and with his Shield he protected the body as it lay and though in this enterprize he was sore wounded himself yet would he not retreat into any place of safety till such time as he had seen the dead body of his Brother carried off from the Field Fulgosus lib. 5. XLIX Neither has the extraordinary Love of Servants toward their Masters wanted great Examples some of whom have discovered eminent Fidelity and Virtue so that Fortune may seem to have treated them injuriously not to allot them as great advantages as their Masters they lived under for we read that the Servant of Vrbinius Panopion knowing
that the Soldiers commissioned to kill his Master were come to his House at Reatina changed cloths with him and having put his Masters Ring upon his Finger he sent him out at a postern door but went himself to the Chamber and threw himself upon the Bed where he was slain in his Masters stead Panopion by this means escaped and afterwards 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 Lipsius Monitor p. 332. L. The Hungarians had conspired against Sigismund King of Hungary and Bohemia but the Plot being discovered the principal persons were all taken brought to Buda and there beheaded Stephanus Contius was the chief of these Conspirators who having thereupon lost his Head Chioka his Esquire lamented the death of his Lord with such outcries that the King took notice of him and said unto him I am now become thy Lord and Master and it is in my power to do thee much more good than can be expected from that headless Trunk To whom the young man replied I will never be the Servant of a Bohemian Hog I had rather be torn into a thousand pieces than to desert a Master of so great Magnanimity as all the Bohemians together are not able to equal And thereupon he voluntarily laid down his Head on the block and had it severed from his Shoulders that he might no longer survive his Master Zuinglius Theat p. 215. LI. Grimoaldus Duke of Benevento was invited by Gondibert King of the Lombards to assist him against Partharis his Brother he came accordingly and having thrown out the one he slew the other Brother he came to defend and so made himself King of Lombardy and when he knew that Partharis was retreated to Calanus Duke of Bavaria he wrought so that he was expelled from thence Partharis not knowing whither to betake himself in safety comes as a suppliant and commits himself to the faith of Grimoaldus but he observing that numbers of his Subjects flocked daily to visit him and fearing lest by the favour of the People he should some time or other recover the Kingdom not regarding his Oath he resolved to make him away and that he might perform it with less noise and tumult he intended first to make him drunk and then send his Guards to cut his Throat while he lay buried in Wine and sleep This Counsel of his was not so privately carried but that it came to the ear of Partharis he therefore commands his Cup-bearer to give him Water constantly instead of Wine lest his troubled head should prove unmindful of the danger he was in nor could he abstain altogether from drinking lest Grimoaldus his Spies should discover that he had intimation of his Intentions the better therefore to colour the matter after large drinking he caused himself to be carried by his Servants into his Chamber as if to sleep out his debauch there he consults with Hunulphus his most faithful Servant who thought it not safe to go forth since the Servants of Grimoaldus stood watching at the Gate but in regard necessity compelled and that there was no other way of escape he orders it thus he covers his Head and Shoulders with the skin of a Bear which was there by chance after the manner of a Country Clown and lays upon his back a Mattress as if he was a Porter to carry it away and then with good blows of a Cudgel drove him out of the Chamber by this Contrivance he passed unknown through the Guards and accompanied with one Servant got safe into France about midnight the Guards came to kill Partharis but were opposed by Hunulphus who besought them not to disturb the rest of his Master now sleeping but to suffer him to sleep out the large drinking he had that night twice they were thus put back but the third time they broke by force into the Chamber and not finding Partharis whom they had determined to kill they inquire of Hunulphus what was become of him who told them plainly he was fled and confessed that himself was the contriver of his flight Grimoaldus admiring his fidelity who to save his Master had cast himself into such manifest danger of his life freed him from that punishment that all cried he was worthy of and with many promises allured him that from thenceforth he would change Masters and serve him with the like fidelity as he had done the former Dinoth Memorab p. 301. LII There was a Citizen of Rome condemned by the Sentence of the Triumvirate who for fear of his life fled and hid himself in a Cave of the Earth one of his Servants observed the approach of them that came to murther him and having thereupon advised him to retire to the lowest and most secret part of the Cave he himself put on his Masters Gown pretending to the Pursuers that he was the Person they sought after being desirous to save the life of his Patron with the loss of his own but one of his fellow Servants betrayed him in this officious Design so that the Master was fetched out of his hiding place and slain when this was known to the People of Rome they would not be satisfied till the betrayer of his Master was Crucified and he that attempted to save him was set at liberty Dinoth p. 293. LIII The Tyrians having maintained long Wars against the Persians were much weakned thereby which occasioned their slaves being many in number to rise against their Masters whom they put all to the Sword together with their Children and then seized upon their Houses together with their Wives whom they Married only one of these slaves being more merciful than the rest spared his Master Straton and his Son and hid them the slaves having thus got possession of all consulted together to chuse a King and concluded that he who could first discern the Sun at his rising should be King whereupon the forementioned slave consulted with his Master about the business who advised him when others looked into the East that he should look into the West for which he was well scoffed at by his Companions but presently he espied the Sun-beams shining upon the high Towers and Chimnies in the City and so challenged the Kingdom his Companions would needs know who taught him his wit at last he told them whereupon fetching out old Straton they gave him not only his life but elected him their King who having once been a Master and free born they thought was fittest to rule all the rest that were slaves Justin Hist lib. 18. LIV. Menenius was in the number of those that were condemned by the Triumvirate and when a Servant of his perceived that his Masters House was inclosed with a company of Soldiers that came to kill him he caused himself to be put into a Litter wherein his Master used to be carried and ordered some of his fellow Servants to carry him forth in it the
Succours or Victuals John Lord of Vienna who there commanded for the King began to treat about the surrender of it desiring only that they might give it up with the safety of their Lives and goods which conditions being offered to Edward the Third King of England who by the space of eleven months had straitly besieged it he being exceedingly inraged that so small a Town should alone stand out against him so long and withal calling to mind that they had often galled his Subjects by Sea he was so far from accepting their Petition that contrariwise he resolved to put them all to the Sword had he not been diverted from that Resolution by some grave Counsellors then about him who told him That for having been faithful and Loyal Subjects to their Soveraign they deserved not to be so sharply dealt with Whereupon King Edward changed his first parpose into some more clemency promising to receive them to mercy upon condition That six of the principle Townsmen should present him the Keys of the Town bare-headed and bare-footed and with Halters about their Necks and to leave their lives to his mercy Hereof the Governor having notice he presently goes into the Market-place commanding the Bell to be tolled for assembling the People who being met he acquainted them with the Articles which he had received touching the yielding up of the Town and the assurance of their lives which could not be granted but with the death of six of the Chief of them with this news they were exceedingly cast down and perplexed when on a sudden there rises up one of their own Company called Stephen Petre one of the richest and most sufficient Men of the Town who thus spake aloud to the Governour Sir I thank God for the Goods he hath bestowed upon me but more that he hath given me this present opportunity to make it known that I prize the lives of my Countrymen and Fellow-Citizens above my own At the hearing of which Speech and sight of his forwardness one John Daire and four others after him made the like offers not without abundance of Prayers and Tears from the common People who saw them so freely and readily sacrifice their Lives for the publick good and instantly without more ado they address themselves to the King of England with the Keys of the Town with no other apprehension but to be put to death to which though they held themselves assured thereof they went as cheerfully as if they had been going to a Wedding yet it pleased God to turn the heart of the English King and at the request of the Queen and some of the Lords they were all sent back again safe and sound Daniels Hist Engl. p. 240. XCVII When Charles the Seventh King of France marched toward Naples they of the City of Florence set open their Gates to him as supposing they should thereupon receive the less damage by him in their City and Territories adjoining but the King being entred with his Army demanded the Government of the City and a sum of Money to secure their Liberties and Estates in this strait four of the principal Citizens were apppointed to transact and manage this affair with the Kings Ministers amongst these was Petre Caponis who having heard the rigorous terms of their composition recited and read by the Kings principal Secretary he was so moved that in the sight and presence of the King he snatched the Paper out of his hands and tore it in pieces crying out Now sound you your Trumpets and we will ring our Bells Charles astonished at the resolution of the man desisted from his design and thereupon it became a Proverb Gallum a Cock or a Frenchman a Capo victum fuisse The French Cock was overcome by a Capon Zuinglius Theat p. 256. XCVIII The Tartars in their invasion of China were prosperous on all sides and had set themselves down before the Walls of the renowned and vast City of Hunchen the Metropolis of the Province of Chekiang where the Emperor Lovangus was inclosed Lovangus his Soldiers refused to fight till they had received their Arrears which yet at this time he was not able to pay them it was upon this occasion that his heart not able to bear such a desolation of the City and Subjects as he foresaw he gave such an illustrious example of his humanity and tenderness to his People as Europe scarce ever saw for he mounted upon the City Walls and calling to the Tartarian General upon his Knees he begged the life of his People Spare not me said he I shall willingly be a Sacrifice for my Subjects And having said this he presently went out to the Tartars Army and was by them taken by which means this noble City was preserved though with the destruction of the mutinous Army for the Tartars caused the City to shut the Gates against them till they had cut in pieces all that were without and then entred triumphantly into it not using any force or violence to any Martinius Hist China p. 281. XCIX In the year 393. from the building of Rome whether by an Earthquake or other means it is uncertain but the Forum or Market-place of Rome was opened and almost half of it was fallen in to a very strange depth great quantities of Earth were thrown into it but in vain for it could not be filled up the Soothsayers therefore were consulted with who pronounced That the Romans should devote unto that place whatsoever it was wherein they most excelled Then Martius Curtius a Person of admirable valour affirming That the Romans had nothing besides Arms and Virtue wherein they excelled he devoted and gave up his own life for the safety of his Country and so armed on Horseback and his Horse well accoutred he rode into the gaping Gulf which soon after closed itself upon him Livys Hist p. 122. C. When the Graecians of Doris sought counsel from the Oracle for their success in the Wars against the Athenians it was answered That then undoubtedly they should prevail and become Lords of that State when they could obtain any victory against them and yet preserve the A thenian King living Codrus the then King of Athens by some intelligence being informed of this answer withdrew himself from his own Forces and putting on the habit of a common Soldier he entred the Camp of the Dorians and killing the first he encountred was himself forthwith cut in pieces falling a willing sacrifice to preserve the liberty of his Country Rawleigh's Hist World p. 420. CI. Cleomenes King of Sparta being distressed by his Enemy Antigonus King of Macedon sent to Ptolomy King of Aegypt for help who promised it upon condition to have his Mother and Child in pledg of his Fidelity Cleomenes was a long time ashamed to acquaint his Mother with these conditions and though he went oftentimes on purpose to let her understand it yet when he came he had not the heart to discover it to her which she
not enduring delay caught up a Ladder and rearing it against the wall and holding his shield over his head began to mount it all which he performed with that celerity that before the Guard of the place had observed it he had gained the top the Enemy durst not approach to deal with him hand to hand but at a distance threw Javelins and Darts at him in such number that he was much oppressed by them the Macedonians endeavoured to mount upon two Ladders they had advanced but their number and weight that ascended caused them to break under them then was Alexander left destitute of any assistance but scorning to retire by the way that he came armed as he was he leaped into the midst of his Enemies and made a bold and couragious resistance on his right hand he had a Tree that grew near the wall and on the left the wall itself to keep him from being inviroroned and there he fought it with the stoutest of them many a blow he received upon his Helmet and Shield at last he had a wound under the Pap with an Arrow with the pain of which he was struck to the ground then the Indian that had given him the wound carelesly approaching too near him to strike him as he lay received Alexanders Sword into his Bowels and tumbled down by his side The King catching hold of a Bough that hung downward again recovered his standing and then began to challenge the best of them to the Fight in this posture he was found by Peucestes who by this time had got over the wall and after him a multitude of others by which means the Castle was taken and most of them put to the Sword Justin Hist lib. 12. XII Sir Robert Knowls was born but of mean Parentage in the County of Chester yet for his valiant behaviour was advanced from a common Soldier in the French Wars under King Edward the Third to be a great Commander and being sent General of an Army into France in despight of all their power he drove all the People before him like so many Sheep destroying Towns Castles and Cities in such a manner and number that long after in memory of this Act their sharp Points and Gable ends of overthrown Houses and Minsters were called Knowls his Miters after which intending to make himself as much beloved of his Country as he was feared of Forreign Nations he built the goodly fair Bridge of Rochester over the River of Medway with a Chappel and a Chancery at the East end thereof He founded also a Colledge with an Hospital adjoining thereto in the Town of Pontfract in Yorkshire He likewise built an Hospital in the City of Rome for the entertainment of English Travellers and Pilgrims which since is turned into a Seminary for our English Fugitives he died at his Mannor of Scone-Thorp in Norfolk in 1407. Clarks Mirrour p. 217. XIII In a dangerous battel against the Danes at a place called Longcarty the Scots beginning to retreat there was living hard by one Hay a man of exceeding strength and of an excellent Courage who suddenly caught up an Ox Yoak and together with his Sons flew into the Battel and so valiantly and fortunately behaved himself that what by frighting the Enemy and incouraging his Friends he reinforced the Scots who were ready to shrink and fly and obtained for them a great and glorious Victory The King with the States of the Kingdom ascribed the Victory and their own safety to his Valour and Prowess whereupon in that very place the most fruitful grounds were assigned to him and to his Heirs for ever who in testimony hereof have set over their Coat a Yoke for their Crest Camb. Britt XIV Gunhilda the Daughter of King Canutus was Married to the Emperor Henry the Third who being accused of Adultery and none sound to defend her cause at last an English Page a meer Boy and Dwarf who for the littleness of his stature was generally and jestingly sirnamed Mimecan this Champion adventured to maintain her innocency against a mighty Giantlike Combatant who in the fight at one blow cutting the sinews of his Adversaries Legs with another felled him to the ground and then with his Sword taking his Head from his Sholders he redeemed both the Empresses life and Honour Bakers Chronicle p. 17. XV. In a bloody Fight betwen Amurath the Third Emperor of the Turks and Lazarus Despot of Servia many thousands fell on both sides but in conclusion the Turks had the Victory and the Despot was slain Amurath after that great Victory with some few others of his chief Captains taking a view of the dead bodies which without number lay on heaps on the Field like Mountains a Christian Soldier sore wounded and all gore blood seeing him in a staggering manner arose as if it had been from death out of a heap of slain men and making toward him for want of strength fell down many times by the way as he came as if he had been a drunken man at length drawing nigh to him when they that guarded the Kings Person would have stayed him he was by Amurath himself commanded to come nearer supposing that he would have craved his life of him This magnanimous half dead Christian pressing nearer to him as if he would for honour sake have kist his feet suddenly stabbed him in the bottom of his Belly with a short dagger which he had under his Coat of which wound that great King and Conqueror presently died the name of this man was Miles Cobeletz who shortly after was hewn in pieces Turk Hist XVI King William the Second called Rufus being reconciled to his Brother Robert he assisted him to recover the Fort of Mount St. Michael which their Brother Henry did forcibly hold in Normandy during which Siege stragling one time alone upon the shoar he was set upon by three Horsemen who assaulted him so fiercely that they drove him from his Saddle and his Saddle from his Horse but he catching up his Saddle and withal drawing out his Sword defended himself till rescue came and being afterward blamed for being so obstinate to defend his Saddle It would have angred me said he to the very heart that the Knaves should have bragged they had won the Saddle from me Bakers Chron. p. 50. XVII George Castriot or Scanderbeg Prince of Epirus was inspired with such a Spirit of valour by God in defending his Country from the barbarous Turks that in fighting against them for very eagerness of Spirit his blood would usually burst out of his lips and he struck with such violence that he clave many of them asunder from the head to the middle and usually he cut off an Arm with Armour on at one blow and with his own hands he slew above two Thousand of them at several times he was such a mirrour of Manhood and so terrible to the Turks that nine years after his death as they passed through Lyssa where his body lay
with many and cruel blows and threatned to be beheaded to which he answered You worship such Gods as will perish like dung upon the Earth but as for me come life come death I will worship none but the God of Heaven and Earth Acts and Mon. Vol. 1. XXVI St. Origen when he was but seventeen years old his Father being carried to Prison had such a fervent mind to suffer Martyrdom with him that he would have thrust himself into the Persecutors hands had it not been for his Mother who in the night time privately stole away his Cloths and his very shirt also whereupon more for shame to be seen naked than for fear of death he was forced to stay at home yet he writ thus to his Father Pray Sir be sure you do not change your Resolution for my sake Clarks Mar. XXVII Valence the Emperor being an Arrian sent Messengers to St. Basil to persuade him to imbrace that Heresy they gave him good words and promised him great Preferment if he would do it but he answered Alas Sir these Speeches are fitter to catch little Children that look after such things than such as me who being taught and instructed by the Holy Scriptures had rather suffer a thousand deaths than that one syllable or tittle of Gods Word should be altered the Governor being in a rage threatned him with confiscation of his Goods Torments Banishment and Death Basil replied He need not fear Confiscation that had nothing to lose nor Banishment to whom Heaven only is a Country nor Torments when his Body may be dashed in pieces by one blow nor Death which is the only way to set him at liberty and I wish it would fall out so well on my side that I might lay down this Carcase of mine in the Quarrel of Jesus Christ and in the defence of his Truth The Praefect told him that he was mad I wish said he that I may be for ever thus mad Clarks Examples XXVIII The same Emperor Valence coming to the City of Edessa perceived that the Christians did keep their Assemblies in the Fields for their Churches were pulled down and demolished whereat he was so inraged that he gave the President Methodius a box on the Ear for suffering such their Meetings commanding him to take a Band of Soldiers and to scourge with Rods and knock down with Clubs as many as he should find of them this his order being proclaimed there was a Christian Woman who with a Child in her Arms ran with all speed toward the place and was got amongst the ranks of those Soldiers that were sent out against the Christians and being by them asked whither she went and what she would have she told them That she made such hast lest she and her little Infant should come too late to be partakers of the Crown of Christ amongst the rest of those that were to suffer When the Emp. heard this he was confounded desisted from his enterprize and turned all his fury against the Priests and Clergy Wanly Hist Man p. 214. XXIX St. Chrysostom stoutly rebuked the Empress Eudoxia for her Covetousness telling her That she would be called a second Jezabel and when she sent him a threatning Message Go tell her said he I fear nothing but Sin and when she confederating with his other Enemies had procured his banishment as he went out of the City he said None of these things trouble me for I said before within my self if the Queen will let her banish me the Earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof if she will let her saw me asunder the Prophet Isaiah was so used if she will let her cast me into the Sea I will remember Jonah If she will let her cast me into a burning fiery Furnace or to the wild Beasts the three Children and Daniel were so dealt with If she will let her stone me or cut off my head I have St. Stephen and John the Baptist for my blessed Companions If she will let her take away all my goods and substance naked came I out of my Mothers Womb and naked shall I return thither again He was so beloved that on a time when he was like to be silenced the people cried out we had better want the shining of the Sun then the Preaching of Chrysostom Clarks Lives p. 78. XXX In the persecution of the Church under the Arrian Vandals who committed all manner of Cruelties upon the true Christians there were a great number condemned to be burnt in a Ship to which they were accompanied by a multitude of their Brethren being led like innocent Lambs to the Sacrifice and looking upon their weighty Chains and Irons wherewith they were loaded as rare Jewels and Ornaments they went with all cheerfulness and alacrity to the place of Execution even as though they had gone to a Banquet singing praises with one voice unto the Almighty as they went along the Streets saying This is our desired day more joyful to us then any Festival behold now is the accepted time now is the day of Salvation when for the faith of our Lord God we suffer death that we may not lose the Garment of Faith and Glory The People likewise with one voice cried out Fear not O Servants of God neither dread the Threats of your Enemies die for Christ who died for us that he might redeem us with the price of his saving blood Amongst them was a little Boy to whom a subtle Seducer said why hastest thou my pretty Boy unto death let them go they are mad take my Counsel and thou shalt not only have life but great advancement in the Kings Court to whom the Lad answered You shall not get me from the fellowship of these Holy Men who bred me up and with whom I have lived in the fear of God and with whom I desire to die and with whom I trust I shall obtain the Glory to come and so being all put into the Ship they were burnt together Clarks Martyr XXXI Among others who were terribly tormented they tortured Women and especially Gentlewomen stark naked openly without all shame and particularly a young Lady called Dyonisia whom they saw bolder and more beautiful than the rest they first commanded her to be stripped stark naked and made ready for the Cudgels who spake stoutly to them saying I am assured of the love of God vex me how you will only my Womanhood disclose you not But they with the greater rage set her naked upon an high place for a publick spectacle then did they whip her till the streams of blood did flow all over her body whereupon she boldly said Ye Ministers of Satan that which you do for my reproach is to me an honour And beholding her only Son that was young and tender and seemed fearful of Torments checking him with a Motherly Authority she so incouraged him that he became more constant than before to whom in the midst of his terrible Torments she said Remember O my
dwells Tranquillity and hope of life in an infernal Cave I have joy of Soul where others weep I rejoice where others tremble there I find strength and boldness all these things the sweet hand of the Almighty doth minister unto me behold he that was once far from me whom I could scarce feel before I now see apparently whom I once saw afar off I behold now near at hand whom once I hungred for he now approaches and reaches his hand to me He doth comfort me and fills me with gladness he drives away all sorrow strengthens incourages heals refreshes and advances me O how good is the Lord who suffers not his Servants to be tempted above their strength O how easy and sweet is this yoak Learn therefore how amiable and merciful the Lord is who visiteth his Servants in temptation and disdains not to keep them company in such vile and stinking Dungeons And in conclusion he subscribes his Letter From the delectable Orchard of the Leonine Prison Clarks Martyr p. 270. XLVI Henry Voes and John Esch who had been sometimes Augustine Fryers being converted they were condemned for the Protestant Religion for which they gave thanks to God their Heavenly Father who of his great goodness had delivered them from the false and abominable Religion making them Priests to himself and receiving them to himself as a Sacrifice of a sweet savour they went joyfully to the place of execution protesting that they died for the glory of God and the Doctrine of the Gospel as true Christians and that it was the day which they had long desired they joyfully imbraced the stake and endured patiently the Torments of the fire singing Psalms and rehearsing the Creed in Testimony of their Faith when the fire was kindled at their Feet one of them said Methinks you do strew Roses under my feet Clarks Martyr p. 279. XLVII Peter Spengler a pious and learned Minister in Germany being condemned to death as he was going to Execution said I shall be an acceptable Sacrifice to my Saviour Jesus Christ who hath given me a quiet conscience as knowing my self innocent from the Crimes objected against me as for my death it is all one to me whether I die thus or no for if you had let me alone I must shortly have forsaken this skin which already scarcely hangs to my Bones I know that I am a mortal and corruptible Worm I have long desired my last day and have oft prayed that I might be delivered out of this mortal body to be joined to my Saviour Jesus Christ Another Godly Martyr in that Country feeling the violence of the flames said O what a small pain is this if compared with the Glory to come One Audebert a French Protestant being condemned to be burnt when she was brought forth to Execution and had a Rope put about her she called it her Wedding Girdle wherewith she would be Married unto Christ and being to be burned upon a Saturday she said On a Saturday I was first Married and on a Saturday I shall be Married again She much rejoyced when she was put into the Dung-cart and shewed such patience constancy in the fire as made all the Spectators to wonder at it Clarks Martyr p. 320. XLVIII Mr. John Rogers the first Martyr in Queen Maries days the Lords day before his death drank to Mr. Hooper who lay in a Chamber beneath him bidding the Messenger to commend him to him and tell him That there was never little Fellow would better stick to a Man than he would to him supposing that they should be both burned together though it fell out otherwise Clarks Martyr p. 489. XLIX Mr. Lawrence Saunders whilst he was in Prison writ thus to his Wife I am merry and trust through Gods mercy I shall be merry in spight of all the Devils in Hell Riches I have none to endow you with but the Treasure of tasting how sweet Christ is to hungry Consciences whereof I do thank my Christ I feel my part this I bequeath unto you and to the rest of my beloved in Christ And again Oh what worthy thanks can be given to our gracious God for his unmeasurable mercies so powerfully poured out upon us and I most unworthy wretch cannot but bewail my great Ingratitude toward so gracious a God and so loving a Father I beseech you all as for my other sins so especially for my sins of unthankfulness to crave pardon for me in your earnest prayers to number Gods mercies in particular were to number the drops of Water in the Sea the Sands on the shore and the Stars in Heaven O my dear Wife and Friends rejoice with me I say rejoyce with Thanksgiving for this my present promotion in that I am made worthy to magnify my God not only in my life by my slow mouth and uncircumcised lips bearing witness to his Truth but also by my blood to seal the same to the glory of my God and to the confirming of his True Church I do profess to you that the comforts of my sweet Christ do drive from me the fears of death Clarks Martyr p. 509. L. When Dr. Rowland Taylor was brought before Stephen Gardiner Lord Chancellor he said to him Art thou come thou Villain How darest thou look me in the face for shame Knowest thou not who I am To whom Dr. Taylor answered with Courage How dare you for shame look any Christian man in the face seeing you have forsaken the Truth denied our Saviour Christ and his Word and done contrary to your Oath and Writing And if I should be afraid of your Lordly looks why fear you not God the Lord of us all As he was going to Hadly to be burnt when he came within two miles of it he desired to alight and when he was down he leapt and fetcht a frisk or two saying God be praised I am now almost at my home and have not above two stiles to go over and then I am even at my Fathers House Clarks Martyr p. 509. LI. Bishop Ridly in a Letter to Mr. Bradford writes thus Sir blessed be God notwithstanding our hard restraint and the evil report raised of us we are merry in God and all our care is and by Gods Grace shall be to please and serve him from whom we expect after these temporary and momentary miseries to have eternal joy and perpetual felicity with Abraham Isaac and Jacob c. The night before he suffered he said Though my breakfast will be somewhat sharp and painful yet I am sure my supper shall be more pleasant and sweet Clarks Martyr p. 521. LII Mr. Bradford said I thank God more for this Prison and dark Dungeon than for any Pardon yea than for any pleasure that ever I had for in it I find God my most sweet God alwaies He also told a friend that lay with him in the same Bed in Prison that even in the time of his Examination before Stephen Gardiner he was wonderfully
confessed the Fact and when he asked who she was I am said she the Sister of that Theagines who died fighting valiantly against thy Father in the Fields of Chaeronea the generous Prince hearing her resolute answer freely dismissed her without punishment Plutarchs Lives p. 670. VI. There was a Maid called Lucia who lived a Virgin among many others and whose exquisite beauty was sought unto with vehement sollicitation by a powerful Lord who having Command and Authority in his hands sent Messengers to seize on this innocent Lamb and whilst they were at the Gate threatning to kill her and set all on fire if this poor Creature was not delivered into their hands the Virgin came forth What is it said she you demand I beseech you tell me whether there be any thing in my Power to purchase your Lord and Masters Love Yes answered they in a flouting manner your Eyes have gained him nor can he ever have any rest till he enjoy them Well go then said she only suffer me to go to my Chamber and I will give satisfaction in this point The poor Virgin seeing her self between the Hammer and the Anvil she spake to her Eyes and said How my Eyes are you then guilty I know the reservedness and simplicity of your glances nor have I in that kind any remorse of Conscience but howsoever it be you appear to me not innocent enough since you have kindled fire in the heart of a man whose hatred I have always more esteemed than his love quench with your blood the flames you have raised Whereupon with a hand piously cruel she digged out her Eyes and sent the torn Relicks imbrued in her blood to him that sought her adding Behold what you love he seized with horrour and astonishment hastened to hide himself in a Monastery where he remained the rest of his days Causins Holy Court p. 106. VII When King Demetrius was at Athens there was a young Boy of so lovely a Countenance that he was commonly called Democles the Fair whom Demetrius sent for and courted with fair speeches large promises and great gifts and at other times he sought to terrify him with Threats and all that he might gain the abominable use of his Body but the chast Lad was proof against all these and to avoid the importunity of the King he resorted not to the publick places of exercise or to the Baths with his Companions as before but used to wash himself in private and alone Demetrius was informed of it and finding his time rushed in upon him being alone the Boy perceiving he could not now avoid the lust of this Royal Ravisher had such extream horrour at the apprehension of it that he snatched off the cover of the Caldron where the water was boyling and leaping into it soon choaked himself chusing rather to die than to outlive the violation of his Chastity Plut. Lives p. 377. VIII Cyrus had taken Captive the Wife of Tigranes Son to the King of Armenia and then asked him at what price he would redeem his Wife At the price of my life said he rather than she should live in servitude Cyrus well pleased at that answer gave liberty to his Wife her Father and the rest of the Captives and when amongst them there was great discourse of the Virtues of Cyrus some also extolling the compleat shape of his Body And said Tigranes to his Wife did he not seem to thee very beautiful Really said she I did not look upon him Vpon whom then said he Vpon him replied she that said he would redeem my Captivity at the price of his life Burtons Melan. p. 563. IX Zenophon writes of Cyrus that when Pantheae a most beautiful Lady was taken Captive by him and was now about to be brought into his presence he expresly forbid it lest he should violate his own and her chastity though but with his Eyes when Araspes one of his familiar Friends persuaded him to go to her Tent and confer with her alledging That she was of incomparable excellency and a Lady worthy of a Kings Eye Vpon that account replied he there is the greater reason that I should forbear for should I now make her a visit while I am at leisure she may peradventure so order the matter as to occasion my return to her when I have very much business Lipsius Mon. p. 369. X. Acciolin a Tyrant of Padua in Italy in 1253. surprized by Treason a little Neighbour City called Bassian at which surprizal Blanch Rubea was taken with her Sword in her hand her Husband having been slain fighting valiantly she was disarmed and dragged by violence before the Tyrant who extreamly taken with her beauty laboured both by promises and threatnings to corrupt her chast mind but finding the fortress not to be overcome this way he resolved to carry it by plain force but Blanche made shift by some pretence to rid her self out of his hands and recovering a Window threw her self from thence headlong to the ground where she lay weltring in her own blood she was taken up half dead carried to a Bed and carefully looked after when some days were passed over and she was perfectly recovered she was again brought before Acciolin where she still continued in her chast resolution but the shameless Villain caused her to be bound and held so fast by certain Grooms the furtherers of his Debaucheries that notwithstanding all the resistance she could possibly make he defiled the Body of this excellent Lady a mortal grief seized upon her for this execrable outrage yet having dissembled it some few days she gained leave of her Friends to see the body of her Husband being then all putrified at her desire the Tomb-stone was lifted up and Blanche discovering the body suddenly fell down upon it drawing after her the stay that held up the stone by the fall whereof her head was so bruised and crushed that death soon followed and she was laid in the same Tomb with her beloved Husband Camer Medit. p. 224. XI Under this head may be likewise comprehended that Modesty and Shamesacedness that is in the nature of some Men and Women which is generally an argument of a Soul ingenuously and virtuously inclined as we may collect from the following Examples and we may also pitty those whose Fate had been kinder if their Faces had not been altogether so tender Maximilian the first Emperor of Germany forbid expresly that his naked body should be seen after he was dead he was the Modestest of all Mortals none of his Servants ever saw him obey the necessities of nature nor but few Physicians his Urine Camer Medit. p. 160. XII The Milesian Virgins were in time past taken with a strange distemper of which the cause could not then be found out for all of them had a desire to die and a furious longing to strangle themselves many finished their days this way in private neither the Tears nor Prayers of their Parents nor the
Suits of rich Apparel fifty thousand Aspers and a yearly Pension of two thousand Duckets but short was his Joy for after he had a few daies vainly triumphed in the midst of Amuraths favours he was suddenly gone and never after seen or heard of being secretly made away as was supposed by Amurath whose noble heart could not but detest the Traytor although the Treason served well for his purpose Turk Hist p. 320. XXVIII Ladislaus Kerezin an Hungarian Traiterously delivered up Hiula a strong Place to the Turks when he looked to receive many and great Presents for this his notable piece of Service certain Witnesses were produced against him by the command of Selymus the Turkish Emperor who deposed that Ladislaus had cruelly handled certain Turks who had been Prisoners with him whereupon he was delivered to some Friends of their's to do with him as they should think good they inclosed this Traytor stark naked in a Tun or Hogshead set full of long sharp Nails within side and rolled it from the top of an high Mountain full of steepy downfalls to the very bottom where being run through every part of the Body with those sharp Nails he ended his wretched life Camerar XXIX The Venetians put to death Marinus Falienus their Duke for having Treacherously conspired against the State and whereas the Pictures of their Dukes from the first to him that now liveth are represented and drawn according to the order of their times in the great Hall of the general Council yet to the end that the Picture of Falienus a perfidious Prince might not be seen amongst other of those illustrious Dukes they caused an empty chair to be drawn and covered over with a black veil as believing that those who carried themselves disloyally to the Common wealth cannot be more severely punished than if their names be covered with perpetual silence and secret detestation Camerar Op. XXX In the French Persecution there was one Peter Serre who at first was a Popish Priest but God of his mercy revealing the truth of the Protestant Religion to him he went to Geneva and there learned the Shoemakers Trade whereby he maintained himself and having a Brother at Tholouse in France out of a singular love to his eternal happiness he went thither to instruct him but his Brothers wife being displeased thereat Treacherously betrayed him and he was apprehended and carried before the bloody Inquisitors before whom he made an excellent declaration of his faith for which he was condemned and delivered to the Judg who asked him what imployment he was of he answered That of late he had been a Shoemaker but was formerly or another Profession which he was ashamed to remember or discover it being the worst and vilest of all other sciences in the World The Judg and the auditors supposing that he had been some Pickpocket or Thief were the more importunate to know what it was but shame and sorrow so stopped his mouth that he could not declare it yet at last being overcome by their importunate clamour he told them That he had been a Popish Priest this unexpected reply so desperately incensed the Judg that he presently commanded him to be burnt Clarks Martyrol p. 45. XXXI Solyman the Magnificent Emperor of the Turks imployed a Treacherous Christian in the conquest of the Isle of Rhodes promising the Traytor to give him for his wife one of his Daughters with a very great Dowry after the Isle was taken by his assistance he demanded that which was promised him whereupon Solyman caused his Daughter to be brought in most Royal Pomp in order to marry her according to his desert the Traytor could not keep his Countenance he was so transported with Joy Thou seest said Solyman I am a man of my word but for as much as thou art a Christian and my Daughter thy wife that shall be is a Mahometan by birth and profession you cannot so live in quietness and I am loth to have a Son in Law that is not a Musselman and true believer both within and without and therefore it is not enough that thou abjure Christianity in word only as many of thy Sect usually do but thou must immediatly pluck off thy Skin which is Baptized and uncircumcised having so said he commanded some that stood by to flea alive the pretended Son in Law and that afterward they should lay him upon a Bed of salt commanding that if any Mahumetâ—n Skin came over him again in place of the Christian that then and not before his promised Spouse should be brought unto him to be married the wretched Traytor thus shamefully and cruelly flouted disappointed died in most horrible Torments Camerar Opera XXXIV In the war with the Falisci Camillus the Roman general had beseiged the Falerians but they being secure in the sortifications of their City were so regardless of the seige that they walked gowned as before up and down the streets These People after the manner of Greece sent their Children to a Common School and the Treacherous Master of them used to walk with them dayly without the walls he did this often and by degrees trained them so far onwards that he brought them unawares into the danger of the Roman Camp where they were all taken he bids them lead him to Camellus he was brought into his Tent where standing in the middle I am said he the Master of these Boys having a greater respect to you than to my Relations I am come to deliver you the City in the pledges of these Children Camillus heard it and judging it to be a base action turning to his Souldiers about him War said he is a cruel thing and draws along with it a multitude of injuries and wrongs yet to good men there are certain Laws of War nor ought we so to thrist after victory as to purchase it at the price of such unworthy and impious actions a great Captain should rely upon his own virtue and not attain his ends by the Treachery of another then he commanded his Officers to strip the School Master and having his hands tyed behind him he delivered rods into the hands of his Schollars to whip and scourge the Traytor back into the City The Falerians had before perceived the Treason and there was an universal mourning and outcry within the City for so great a Calamity so that a concourse of nâ—ble Persons both men and women like so many mad creatures were running to and fro upon the walls soon after came the Children driving with lashhes their Master before them calling Camillus their Preserver and Father The Parents and the rest of the Citizens were astonished at what they beheld and having the Justice of Camillus in great admiration they called an assembly and sent Ambassadors to let him know that being subdued by his virtue they rendred up themselves and theirs freely into his hands Plutarch XXXV Rhomilda was the Wife of Prince Sigulphus her Husband being slain by Cacanus
the mistake of a Servant he his Father were both poysoned by deadly Wine prepared for the Guests and so he was rewarded for his Ambition and intent of Murther both at once Clarks Mirrour IX Staveren in Holland was the chief Town of all Friezland rich and abounding in all wealth the only staple for all Merchandize whither Ships came from all parts The Inhabitants thereof through ease knew not what to do nor desire but shewed themselves in all things excessive and licentious not only in their Apparel but also in the furniture of their Houses gilding the Seats before their Lodgings c. So that they were commonly called The debauched Children of Staveren but observe the just punishment of this their Pride There was in this Town a Widow who knew no end of her wealth which made her proud and insolent she freighted out a Ship for Dantzick giving the Master charge to return her in exchange of her Merchandize the farest stuft he could find The Master of the Ship finding no better Commodity than good wheat freighted his Ship therewith and so returned to Staveren this did so discontent this foolish glorious Widow that she said to the Master That if he had laden the Corn on the Starboard side of the Ship he should cast it into the Sea on the Larboard which was presently done and all the wheat poured into the Sea but the whole Town yea all the Province smanted for this one Womans errour for presently in the same place where the Marriners had thrown the Corn there grew a great Bar or Bank of Sand wherewith the Haven was so stopt that no great Ship could enter and at this day the smallest Vessels that will anchor there must be very careful least they strike against this flat or Sand bank which ever since hath been called Vrawelandt that is the Womans Sand hereby the Town losing its Traffick in a little time declined the Inhabitants also by reason of their Wealth and Pride grew intellerable to the Nobility who in sumptuousness could not endure to be brayed by them so that this Town is now become one of the poorest of that Province though it hath the greatest Privitedges of all the Hanse Towns Hist Netherlands X Deminicus Sylvius Duke of Venice Married a Gentlewoman of Constantinople she was plunged into sensuality with so much prosusion that she could not endure to lodge but in Chambers full of delicious persurnes of the Fast she would not wash her self but in the dews of Heaven whell must be preserved for her with much skill her Garments were so pompous that nothing remained but to seek for new Sâ—…s in Heaven for she had exhausted the Treasures of the Earth her Viands so dainty that all the mouths of Kings tasted none so exquisite nor would she touch her meat but with Golden Forks and precious Stones God to punish this cursed pride and superfluity cast her on a Bed and assailed her with a malady so hideous so stinking and frightful that all her nearest Kindred were forced to forsake her none staid about her but a poor old Woman throughly accustomed to stench and death this delicate Lady was poysoned with her own perfumes in such a manner that from all her body there began to drop a most stinking humor and a kind of matter so filthy to behold so noysom to the â—…ell that every many ainly perceived that her dissolute excessive Pride and daintiness had caused this Infection in her which brought her to such a miserable and tragical end Causins Hely Court FINIS There are lately published Seven very useful pleasant and necessary Books which are all sold by Nath Crouch at his Shop at the Sign of the Bell in the Poultry near Cheapside I SVrprising Miracles of Nature and Art in two parts Containing 1. The Miracles of Natre or the wonderful signs and prodigious Aspects and Appearances in the Heavens Earth and Sea With an account of the most famous Comets and other prodigies since the Birth of our blessed Saviour particularly the dreadful Apparitions before the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple The terrible Presages during the Wars and Desolations in Germany as several Suns appearing at once the water in Ponds and Conduits turned to blood and blood rained from Heaven Armies of Crows Dogs and other Creatures fighting and destroying each other Intermixt with Remarks on the Life of the renowned Gustavus Adolphus K. of Sweden Also a particular Description of the 5 Blazing Stars seen in England since 1663. A Relation of the burning of Mount Aetna with the horrid River of Fire and Brimstone which issued thence in 1669. burning near 20 Towns and Villages with abundance of other unaccountable Accidents and Productions of all kinds to 1682. Likewise a true account of the Groaning Board II. The Miracles of Art describing the most Magnificent Buildings and other curious Inventions in all Ages as the Seven wonders of the world and many other excellent Structures and Rarities throughout the Earth Beautified with Sculptures Price One Shilling EXtraordinary Adventures of several Famous Men with the strange Events and many signal Mutations and Changes in the Fortunes of many Illustrious Places and Persons in all Ages Being an account of a multitude of stupendious Revolutions Accidents and observable Matters in many Kingdoms States and Provinces throughout the whole World Namely the Adventures of Christ Columbus and the manner of his Discovery of America or the New World the Cruelties used by the Turks upon the Christians at Argiers their manner of selling Slaves c. The dreadful Mutiny in the City of Naples about their Priviledges in 1647. and how Messanello a Fisher-Boy ruled there for 10 days with greater Power than any King or Emperour An Account of several Nations destroyed or driven from their Habitations by Gnats Moles Pismires Sparrows Locusts Hares Conies Fleas Frogs Mice Grashoppers Serpents Worms and other inconsiderable Creatures The Tragical Deaths of John and Cornelius de Wit at the Hague in Holland Remarks on the Life and Death of Sir W. Rawleigh with his last Speech and behaviour on the Scaffold with Pictures Price One Shilling III. Admirable Curiosities Rarities and Wonders in England Scotland and Ireland Or an Account of many remarkable persons and places and likewise of the Battles Sieges prodigious Earthquakes Tempests Inundations Thunders Lightnings Fives Murders and other considerable occurrences and accidents for many Hundred years past and among others the Battle of Bosworth and the miserable Death of Crookbackt Richard The beheading of the Lord Cromwel and the Earl of Essex with their last Speeches the Rebellion of the Papists in Cornwal c. against the Common-Prayer in King Edward 6 time and the Kings Letter to them The Rebellion under Ket the Tanner and his Laws and Ordinances in the Oak of Reformation near Norwich The Association in Qu. Elizabeth's time The proceedings against Mary Queen of Scots Mother to K. James with her last words on the Scaffold
The Lady riding naked through Coventry Together wit the natural and artified rarities in every County in England with several curious Sculptures Price One Shlling IV. VVOnderful Prodigies of Judgment and Mercy discovered in above 300 memorable Histories containing 1. Dreadful Judgments upon Atheists Blasphemers perjured Villains c. As of several forsworn Wretches carried away by the Devit and how an horrid Blasphemer was turned into a black Dog c. 2. The miserable ends of many Magicians Witches Conjurers c. with divers strange apparitions and illusions of the Devil 3. Remarkable predictions and presages of approaching Death and how the event has been answerable with an account of some Appeals to Heaven against unjust Judges and what vengeance hath fallen upon them 4. The wicked Lives and woful Deaths of several Popes Apostates and Persecutors with the manner how K. Hen. 2. was whipt by the Popes order by the Monks of Canterbury and how the Queen of Bohemia a desperate Persecutor of the Christians was swallowed up in the Earth alive with all her followers c. 5. Fearful Judgments upon bloody Tyrants Marderers c. also how Popâ—el King of Poland a cruel Tyrant his Queen and Children were devoured by Rats and how a Town near Tripoly in Barbary with the Men Women Children Beasts Trees Walls Rooms Cats Dogs Mice and all that belonged to the place were turned into perfect Stone to be seen at this day for the horrid crimes of the Inhabitants c. 6. Admirable Deliverances from imminent Dangers and Deplorable Distresses at Sea and Land Lastly Divine Goodness to Penitents with the dying Thoughts of several famous Men concerning a future state after this Life Imbelliâ—hed with divers Pictures Price One Shilling V. HIstorical Remarks and Observations of the Ancient and present state of London and Westminster shewing the Foundations Wills Gates Towers Bridges Churches Rivers Wards Hâ—…s Companies Government Courts Hospitals Schools Inns of Court Charters Franchises and Priviledges thereof with an account of the most remarkable Accidents as to Wars Fires Plagues and other occurrences for above Nine hundred years past in and about these Cities and among other particulars the Rebellion of Wat. Tyler who was slain by the Lord Mayor in Smithfield and the Speech of Jack Straw at his Execution The Murder of King Hen. 6. and likewise of Edward 5. and his Brother by Richard 3. called Crook-back The Insurrection in London in King Henry 8. time and how 411 Men and Women went through the City in their shifts and ropes about their Necks to Westminster-Hall where they were pardoned by the King with several other Remarks to this Year 1681. and a discription of the manner of the Trial of the late Lord. Stafford in Westminster-Hall Illustrated with Pictures with the Arms of the 65 Companies of London and the time of their Incorporating Price One Shilling VI. The Fourth Edition of the Wars in England Scotland and Ireland being near a third part enlarged with very considerable Additions containing an impartial Account of all the Battles Seiges and other remarkable Transactions Revolutions and Accidents which have happened from the beginning of the Reign of King Charles the First 1625. to His Majesties happy Restauration 1660. And among other particulars the Debates and Proceedings of the Fourforst Parliaments of King Charles The Murder of the Duke of Buckingham by Felton The Tumults at Edenburgh in Scotland upon the reading the Common-Prayer The Insurrection of the Apprentices and Seamen and their assaulting of A. B Laud's House at Lambeth Remarks on the Trial of the E. of Strafford and his last Speech The horrid and bloody Rebellion of the Papists in Ireland and their murdering above 200000 Profestants in 1641. The Death of Arch-Bishop Land Duke Hamilton Lord Capel Mr. Love Dr. Hewet and others The illegal Trial of King Charles 1. at large with his last Speech at his Suffering And the most considerable matters which happened till 1660. with Pictures of several remarkable Accidents Price One Shilling VII THe Young mans Calling or the whole Duty of Youth in a serious and compassionate Address to all young Persons to remember their Creator in the days of their Youth Together with Rmarks upon the Lives of several excellent young Persons of both Sexes as well ancient as modern who have been famous for Virtue and Piety in their Generations namely on the Lives of Isaac and Joseph in their Youth On the Martyrdom of seven Sons and their Mother and of Romanus a young Nobleman with the invincible courage of a Child of seven years old who was martyred On the Martyrdom of divers holy Virgins and Martyrs On the Life of that blessed Prince King Edw. 6. with his earnest Zeal for the Protestant Religion and his ingenious Letters to his Godfather A. B. Cranmer when but 8 years old with his last words and Prayer against Popery On the Life and Death of Queen Jane as her learned Dispute with Fecknam a Priest about the Sacrament her Letters to her Father the Duke of Suffolk to her Sister and to Harding an Apostate Protestant On the Life of Queen Elizabeth in her Youth with her many Sufferings and Dangers from bloody Bonner and Gardiner and her joiful Reception to the Crown On the Religious Life and Death of the most Noble and Heroick Prince Henry eldest Son to King James And also of the Young Lord Harrington c. With Twelve curious Pictures Illustrating the several Histories Price Eighteen Pence All sold by Nath Crouch at his shop at the sign of the Bell in the Poultry near Cheapside 1683. FINIS