day there appeared the Form of this Epicure sitting with a great many Guests drinking carousing and making good Cheer the Table being furnished seemingly with all manner of Delicacies and attended on by many Persons together with Fidlers Trumpeters and the like so that whatever he delighted in while he was alive was there daily to be seen God permitting Satan to deceive mens sight by such Appearances to deter others from living in such a course of Atheism and Impiety Theat Hist VIII At a Village called Benarides in Spain two young men one whereof was noted to be an outragious Swearer and Blasphemer of God's Holy Name being together in the Fields on a sudden there arose a terrible Tempest of Rain and Wind accompanied with so impetuous a Whirlwind that it amazed all that beheld it the two young men seeing it furiously coming toward them to avoid the danger ran away as fast as they could possible but notwithstanding their haste it overtook them and for fear it should carry them up into the Air they fell flat down upon the ground where the Whirlwind whilked about them for some time and then passed forward one of them arose so affrighted and in such an Agony that he was scarce able to stand on his feet the other lying still without motion some that stood under an hedge hard by came to see how he did and found him to be stark dead not without some wonderful symptoms of Divine Justice for all his bones were so crushed that the Joynts of his Legs and Arms were to be turned every way as though his whole Body had been made of Moss and besides his Tongue was pluckt out by the roots and could not by any means be found though it was diligently sought for and this was the miserable end of this wretched youth who was made an Example to the World of God's Vengeance against Swearers and Blasphemers Beards Theatre IX Mirtiques Governour of Brittany in France in the War against the Protestants persuaded them to yield to the King since their strong God had now forsaken them and scoffingly said It was time for them to sing Help us now O Lord for it is time but he soon found that their strong God was able to defend them and to confound the Proud he himself being presently after slain in the Siege Acts Mon. Remarkable is the Relation of one Libanius who was a Sophistical Atheist he being at Antioch demanded blasphemously of a Learned and Religious Shoolmaster What the Carpenters Son did and how he employed himself To whom the Schoolmaster full of the Divine Spirit replyed The Creator of the World whom thou disdainfully callest the Carpenters Son is making a Coffin for thee to carry thee to thy Grave at which the Sophister laughing went away and within few daies after died and was buried in a Coffin according to the Prophecy of that Holy Man Beards Theatre In the 〈…〉 an Arrian Bishop called Olympius being in the Baths of Carthage openly scoffed and blasphemed the Holy and Sacred Trinity but Lightning fell down from Heaven upon him three times wherewith he was burnt and consumed to Ashes There was also in the time of Alphonsus King of Arragon and Sicily in an Isle toward Africa a certain prophane Hermite called Antonius who impudently and impiously belched out blasphemous speeches against our Blessed Saviour and the Virgin Mary his Mother but he was struck with a most grievous and tormenting Disease so that he was eaten and gnawn to pieces with Worms till he died Aeneas Sylvius X. Neither hath Divine Vengeance left itself without witness against Cursers and those who by denying God give themselves to the Devil as may plainly appear â—y the following dreadful Examples A Souldier travelling through Marcia a Country of Almaign and finding himself not well went to an Inn where he lay to recover his health and delivered to his Hostess a certain sum of money which he had about him A while after being recovered of his Sickness he demanded his money again but the Woman upon consultation with her Husband denied the receipt of any and accused him of wronging her in demanding what she never received On the other side the Souldier was much enraged accusing her of cheating him when the Man of the House heard the noise though he was privy to all before yet he dissembling the matter took his Wife's part and thrust the Souldier out of doors who seeing himself thus abused drew his Sword and ran against the door with the point thereof whereat the Host began to cry out Thieves Thieves affirming that he would have entred his House by force and have robbed him whereupon the poor Souldier was taken and cast into Prison and by process of Law was ready to be condemned to death but the very day wherein this heavy Sentence was to be pronounced and Executed the Devil entred into the Prison and told the Souldier That he was condemned 〈…〉 dye nevertheless if he would give himself Body and Soul to him he would promise to deliver him out of their hands The Prisoner replyed That he had rather dye being innocent and without cause than to be delivered upon that account The Devil then represented to him the great danger of death wherein he was and used all manner of craft to delude him but finding all his Arguments uneffectual he at length left his suit but yet promised him both assistance and revenge upon his Enemies for nothing advising him when he came to his Tryal he should plead not guilty and declare his innocence and the wrong which he suffered and to entreat the Judge to grant him the favour That one in a Blew Cap who was in the Court might make his Defence for him now this one in the Blew Cap was the Devil himself The Souldier accepted his offer and being called to the Bar and Indicted of Felony he presently desired to have his Attorney who was there present to plead his Cause which being granted him this witty crafty Lawyer began very cunningly to defend his Client affirming him To have been falsly accused and consequently would be unjustly condemned and that his Host did withhold the money and had offered him violence and to demonstrate the Truth of what he asserted he reckoned up every Circumstance of the whole Action yea the very place where they had hid they money The Host on the other side very impudently denied all wishing withal That the Devil might take him Body and Soul if he had This subtil Attorney in the Blew Cap finding now the advantage which he had hitherto looked for left off his pleading and immediately seizing upon the Host carryed him out of the Sessions-House and hoisted him into the Air so high that he was never after seen nor heard of And thus was the Souldier wonderfully delivered from death to the astonishment of all the Beholders who were Eye-witnesses of this terrible Judgment upon this perjured cursing Host Wierus of Spirits lib. 3. XI
his own Fingers in the madness of his Distemper Arnoldus likewise who was accessary hereunto was assaulted in a Monastery butchered and his Carcass thrown into the Town-Ditch Chetwind Hist Collect. 1 part p. 21. XVI One Philibert Hamlin a Popish Priest in France was in the year 1557. Converted to the Protestant Religion and thereupon went to Geneva where he exercised the Art of Printing and published many Books After which he was made a Minister of the Reformed Religion and Preached with good success at the Town of Aleuart and other places At last he with his Host a Priest whom he had Instructed in the Protestant Profession were apprehended and cast into Prison at Burdeaux and whilst they lay there in came a Priest with all his Accoutrements to say Mass But Philibert inflamed with Zeal against such ridiculous Fopperies went and pluckt the Garments from his back and overthrew the Chalice and Candlesticks saying Is it not enough for you to blaspheme God in the Churches but you must also pollute the Prison with your Idolatry The Jaylor seeing this fell upon him and beat him with his Staff and also removed him into a Dungeon loading him with Irons which made his Leggs to swell where he lay eight daies The Priest his Host terrified with the Prison and fear of Death renounced his Profession and was set at Liberty whereupon Philibert said to him O unhappy and more than miserable man is it possible that you should be so foolish as for to save your life a few daies you should so start away from and deny the Truth know you therefore that although you have hereby avoided the Corporal Fire yet your life shall be never the longer for you shall die before me and yet shall not have the honour to die for the Cause of God and you shall be an Example to all Apostates Having ended his Speech and the Priest going out of Prison he was presently slain by two Gentlemen who formerly had a quarrel against him Philibert hearing of it protested seriously That he knew â—f no such thing before but spoke as it pleased God to guide 〈◊〉 Tongue Philibert being condemned and carryed to 〈…〉 they endeavoured to drown his voice by sounding of Trumpets and so in the midst of the Flames praying and exhorting the People to Constancy in the Truth he rendred up his Soul unto God Clarks Martyrol p. 228. XVII When by the counsel and persuasion of Philip the Fair King of France Pope Clement the Fifth had condemned the whole Order of the Knights Templars and in divers places had put many of them to death there was a Neopolitan Knight brought to suffer in like manner who espying the Pope and the K. of France looking out at a window he with a loud voice spake to them as followeth Clement Thou cruel Tyrant seeing there is none now left among Mortals unto whom I may make my Appeal as to that grievous Death whereunto thou hast most unjustly condemned me I do therefore appeal unto the Just Judge Christ our Redeemer unto whose Tribunal I cite thee together with King Philip that you both may make your Appearance there within a year and a day where I will then open and defend my cause Pope Clement died within the time and King Philip soon after him in 1214. Lipsius Mon. l. 2. XVIII A Master of the Tâ—â—tonick Order whose name saith our Author I forbear to mention proposed a Match between a young Merchant and a Woman of a doubtful Fame in respect of her Chastity the young Man refused the overture and the rather because he that persuaded the Marriage was supposed to be no hater of the Woman the Master resented this refusal so ill that he determined the life of the refuser should pay for it he therefore contrived that the young Man should be accused of Theft for which being condemned he commanded he should be hanged prayers and tears were of no avail and therefore the innocent had recourse to the safest Sanctuary of innocency and as he was led to Execution said with a loud voice I suffer unjustly and therefore appeal to the supream Lord of Life and Death to whom he that hath so unjustly condemned me shall render an account thirteen days after this very day The Master scoffed at this but upon that same thirteenth day being taken with a sudden sickness he cryed out Miserable Man that I am behold I must dye and this day must I appear before the All-seeing Judge and so died presently after Wanly Hist Man XIX A poor Labourer at Calice who had been an hearer of Mr. Adam Damlip a famous Protestant Preacher at Calice when it was in the hands of the English said among some Company That he would never believe the Priest could make the Lords Body at his pleasure whereupon he was accused and condemned by one Harvey a Commissary there who also with opprobrious and abusive words railed upon him calling him Heretick and saying He should die a vile death the poor Man answered That he was no Heretick but one that held the True Faith of Christ and whereas thou sayest said he that I shall die a vile death thou thy self shalt die a vile death and that shortly The poor Man was burnt and Harvey within half an year after was hanged drawn and quartered for Treason Clarks Martyr p. 427. XX. In Sweden Johannes Turso gave Sentence upon a certain Man that he should lose his head who when all other defence was denied him fell down on his knees and with great earnestness spake as followeth Behold I die unjustly and I cite thee unjust Judge to Gods Tribunal there to answer for my head within this hour These were looked upon as frivolous words but scarce was the Man beheaded by the Executioner when the Judge himself fell down dead from his Horse Delrio Disquisit l. 4. Otho the first Emperor of Rome being freely reprehended by his Son William who was then Bishop of Mentz for his Marriage with Adelaida the Emperor was so offended that he sent his Son to Prison whereupon the Bishop cited his Father Otho to the Tribunal of Christ And said he upon Whitsunday both of us shall appear before the Lord Christ where by Divine Judgment it shall appear who hath transgressed the limits of his duty In pursuance of this appeal the Emperor Otho died upon Whitsunday suddenly in Saxony his Son the Bishop deceasing some short time before Drevel Op. XXI Rodulphus Duke of Ausiria being grievously offended with a certain Knight caused him to be apprehended and being bound hand and foot and thrust into a Sack to be thrown into the River the Knight being in the Sack and it as yet not sown up espying the Duke looking out at a Window where he stood to behold that spectacle cryed out to him with a loud voice Duke Rodulph I summon thee to appear at the dreadful Tribunal of Almighty God within the compass of one year there to shew cause
and stabbed himself into the breast his Friends observing him to shrink down and the water discoloured with his blood ran to him took him up carried him to the next house and searched his wound but whil'st they were busie about him he espied a knife by one of their sides whereupon he plucked it forth and suddenly stabbed himself into the heart whereby he miserably died Acts Monuments XXI The Chancellor Oliver having against his Conscience renounced the Protestant Religion in France was restored to his former Estate and afterward became a very violent Persecutor shedding much innocent blood but such a fearful Judgment was denounced against him by those innocent Souls whom he condemned as struck him into so great dread and terrour that he presently fell sick and was surprized with such extream melancholy that sobbing out deep sighs and murmurings continually against God he so afflicted his half dead body that he was like a distracted Person yea his fits were so vehement that he would shake the Bed as if he had been young and strong and when a certain Cardinal came to visit him in his extremity he could not abide his sight his pains increasing thereby but cried out That it was the Cardinal who brought them all to damnation When he had been long tormented in this manner at last in extream anguish and terrour he gave up the Ghost Beards Theatre XXII King Henry the Fourth of France who had all his life time before been a Protestant yet after he came to the Crown of France when he had almost subdued all his Enemies which opposed him therein suddenly turned Papist not long after as he was taking his leave of his Nobles to begin his progress one John Castile influenced by the Jesuits intended to have stabbed him into the Body with a Knife but the King at the same instant stooping down to take up one of his Lords who was on his knees before him the blow happened upon his upper Jaw cutting out one of his Teeth and somewhat wounding his Tongue it is reported that in his Progress a Protestant Minister in private conference said unto him Sir you have denied God with your Tongue already and have now received a wound in the same take heed of denying him with your heart lest you receive a wound in that also which afterward proved a true Prophecy for riding abroad in his Coach to refresh himself as he passed through a narrow Street one Ravillack watched 〈…〉 portunity and with a Dagger stabbed him first into the left Pap and with a second blow struck him between the fifth and sixth Rib cutting asunder the vein which leads to the heart of which wound he immediately dyed De Serres Fr. Hist XXIII Among those who were most cruel in persecuting the poor Protestants at Valence in France at the same time when two Ministers of that City suffered Martyrdom there was one Lambespine a Councillor of the Parliament at Grenoble and one Porsennas the Kings Attorney who had formerly been Protestants but were now very active against them but they were both made dreadful Examples of Divine Vengeance for Lambespine falling in Love with a young Woman was so extreamly passionate therein that he left his Estate and Imployment to follow her up and down whithersoever she went and still seeing his love and labour despised and slighted he pined away with grief and grew so neglectful and careless of himself that multitudes of Lice bred and fed upon him so that he could no way be freed from them for they continually increased and issued out from all parts of his Body in such great numbers as Worms upon a rotten Carkass so that seeing his own misery feeling Gods heavy vengeance upon him he began to despair of mercy and was therefore desperately resolved to starve himself to death which purpose the Lice seemed to further for they clustered so thick in his Throat as if they would have choaked him every moment neither could he suffer any sustenance to pass down by reason of them and when some of his Friends being moved with compassion were resolved to force him to eat providing broths to that purpose he refused and strove against them so that they were forced to bind his Arms and put a Gag into his Mouth to keep it open while they poured in the food and being thus Gagged he died like a mad Beast the abundance of Lice that went down his throat choaking him which was so terrible an example that the very Papists themselves said As he had caused the Ministers of Valence to have Gags thrust into their mouths and so to be put to death so likewise he himself died with a Gag in his mouth Hist Fr. Persecut XXIV As for Porsennas commonly called Bourreel who was indeed a very Butcher to the poor Protestants After he had sold his own Estate and likewise his Wives and Friends to raise money to buy his Place hoping soon to get a great deal more by his accursed Office he found himself mightily disappointed whereby he shortly after fell into despair of God's Mercy and likewise into a strange and unknown Disease neither could those whom he had put to death depart out of his mind but he still imagined they presented themselves before him so that as one deprived of his reason he denied and defied the Almighty and called upon the Devil in a most horrible manner which his Clerk hearing he discoursed to him of the Mercies of God out of several places of Scripture to comfort and restore his decayed senses but instead of Returning to God by Repentance and Prayer he continued more obstinate and called to his Clerk saying Stephen Stephen Thou art black so I am and it please you quoth he but I am neither Turk nor Moor but a Gascoigne with red Hair No no said he not so but thou art black with sin That is true quoth he but I hope in the bountiful mercy of God that for the Love of Christ who died for me my black sins shall not be imputed to me Upon which he being more inraged called his Clerk Lutheran Hugonot Villain c. desiring his Friends who rushed in at the noise that Stephen should presently have bolts clapt on his Legs and be burnt for an Heretick In brief his Rage and Fury increased so much that in a short time he died a fearful death with horrible howlings and outcryes his Creditors scarce giving time to draw his Carcass out of his Bed before they seized upon all his Goods not leaving his poor Wife and Children so much as a Bed of Straw to lye on so grievous was the Curse of God upon him and his House Hist Persecut XXV A Smith in King Edward the Sixth's Time called Richard Denson was a zealous Professor of Religion and by his Christian Instructions the happy Instrument of converting a Young Man to the Faith Afterward in the Reign of Queen Mary this Young Man was cast into Prison for his Religion
done yet the Gate of Mercy is not quite shut heap not sin upon sin lest thou repentest when it is too late Now was Spira in a Maze not knowing which way to turn and when he came home he acquainted his Friends with what he had done at Venice and what he had promised to do there and how the terrours of God on the one side and the terrours of the World on the other did continually torment him they without more ado advised and by divers Arguments persuaded him to do what he had promised whereupon going to the Mayor he offered to do what was enjoyned him by the Legate but all that night the miserable Man was vexed with restless cares without a minute of sleep yet the next morning he gets up and desperately went into the publick Congregation and in the presence of the whole Assembly he recited his infamous abjuration of the Protestant Profession after which he was fined thirty pieces of Gold and so restored to his Dignities Goods Wife and Children As soon as he was departed he thought he heard this dreadful Sentence Thou wicked wretch thou hast denied me thou hast renounced the Covenant of thine Obedience thou hast broken thy Vow hence Apostate bear with thee the Sentence of thine Eternal Damnation Spira trembling and quaking afflicted in body and mind fell down in a swound and from that time forward he never found any ease or peace in his mind but professed That he was captivated under the revenging hand of the Almighty God that he continually heard the Sentence of Christ the just Judge against him when his Friends brought him able Physicians he said Alas poor men how far are you wide it is neither Plaister nor Drugs that can cure a wounded Soul cast down with the sense of Sin and the Wrath of God it 's Christ only that must be the Physician and the Gospel the sole Antidote he was about fifty years of Age his understanding active quick of apprehension witty in discourse above his ordinary manner he refused nourishment which his Friends forcing upon him he was very angry crying out You strive to make me tire out this misery I would fain be at an end O that I were gone from hence that some body would let out this weary Soul One asked what he conceived to be the cause of his disease upon which he brake out into a lamentable discourse of the passages formerly related and that with such passionate expressions as made many weep and most tremble his Friends minded him of several promises out of the Scripture and of many examples of Gods Mercy My Sins saith he are greater than the Mercy of God for I am one of those damned Reprobates whom God would not have to be saved since I willingly and against my knowledge denied Christ and I feel that he hardens me and will not suffer me to hope one time seeing a knife on the Table he snatched it up to have mischieved himself had not his Friends prevented it whereupon he said I would I were above God for I know that he will have no mercy upon me in this condition he lay about eight weeks in a continual burning neither desiring nor receiving any thing but by force and that without digestion was like an Anatomy vehemently raging for drink ever pining and yet fearful to live long dreadful of Hell yet coveting Death in a continual Torment yet his own Tormentor and thus consuming himself with Grief and Horrour Impatience and Despair like a living Man in Hell he represented an extraordinary example of Gods Justice and Power and thus he ended his miserable life Clarks Mirrour XXXI It is observable that most or all of those Roman Emperors who raised those ten horrid Persecutions against the Christians came to very untimely ends neither hath Divine Justice spared others since who have set themselves to destroy poor innocent Christians meerly upon the account of their Religion of which Histories give many remarkable instances and among the rest these that follow A Councillor of the Parliament of Provence in France was so furious against the poor Protestants that the sooner to dispatch them to the fire he usually staid in the Judgment Hall from morning till night causing his meat and drink to be brought him thither but whilst he was thus wickedly industrious in these Affairs there began a little sore to rise upon his Foot which at first was no more than if a Wasp had stung the place yet increased so extreamly the first day with redness and pain that his whole foot was inflamed therewith so that it was judged incurable unless he would cut off his foot and thereby save the rest of his Body which he not yielding to the next day his whole leg was infected the third day his thigh and the fourth his whole body was inflamed of which he presently died his Corps being all parched as if rosted by a Fire thus he that was so hot in burning poor Christians was himself by the secret flame of Gods Wrath burnt and consumed to death as if it had been by a fierce and tormenting fire Hist France lib. 2. XXXII John Mesnier Lord of Oppede was another chief instrument against the Protestants in France and led his murthering Army against them where they committed such horrid Cruelties and Barbarities as the most outragious Heathens in the world would have blushed at insomuch that abundance of complaints were made against him and he accordingly summoned to appear personally before the Parliament at Paris there to answer those Murders Extortions Robberies and other Villanies laid to his Charge but being Convicted and found Guilty thereof he was not only released but restored to his former Estate but though he escaped the hands of Men yet he was overtaken by the hand of God for when he was in the height of worldly prosperity and busier than ever in persecuting the distressed Protestants even then a flux of blood came through his privy parts which engendred a carnosity and thickness of flesh therein and thereby hindered his Urine so that with horrible outcries and raving speeches he gave up the Ghost feeling as it were a burning fire broyling his Intrails from his Navil upwards and an extream infection putrifying his lower parts and beginning to tast even in this life as it were that vengeance of Eternal Fire both in Soul and Body which is prepared for the Devil and his Angels Hist France XXXIII The Cardinal of Lorrain a Principal Pillar of the House of Guise in France and a crafty and cruel Persecutor of the Protestants as he was coming from Rome with a design to stir up the Kings of France and Poland utterly to root them out of their Dominions it pleased God for the deliverance of the Christians to strike him stark mad at Avignion by the way where he died in the flower of his youth at the instant of whose death there happened such an horrible Tempest that all the People
without Justice or Reason among others he caused a Nobleman to be fasâ—ned to a Stake and beaten almost to death with Clubs which monstrous Cruelty so incensed the People against him that there wanted not hands to take part with this abused Nobleman against this Tyrant his Enemy whereupon they laid wait for him as he came one day from hunting and killed him together with his Wife great with Child no man either daring or being willing to defend him Beards Theatre XXII John Cameron Bishop of Glasgow was much given to violence and oppression and committed many deeds full of Cruelty and Covetousness especially upon his own Tenants Vassals is reported to have made a fearful and unhappy end for in the year 1446. the night before Christmas day as he lay asleep in his House about seven miles from the City of Glasgow he seemed to hear a voice summoning him to appear before the Tribunal of Christ thereupon he awaked and being greatly terrified called to his Servants to bring lights and fit by him he himself took a Book in his hand and began to read but the voice being again heard struck all the Servants with amazement the same voice calling the third time far louder and more fearfully the Bishop after an heavy groan was found dead in the Bed his Tongue hanging out of his mouth this is reported by Buchanan almost in the same words which I thought good to remember as a notable example of Gods Judgment against the crying sin of Oppression Spotswoods Ch. Hist XXIII To conclude Diomedes the Thracian King fed his Horses with Mans flesh as with provender but was made at last provender himself for his own Horses by Hercules Clephes the Second King of the Lumbards for his savage Cruelties toward his Subjects was slaughtered by one of his Friends Damasippus that Massacred so many Citizens of Rome was cut off by Scylla Ecelinus that played the Tyrant at Taurisium gelding Boys deflouring Virgins cutting off Womens Breasts ripping Children out of their Mothers Wombs and killing twelve hundred Patavians at once who were his Friends was himself at last killed in a Battle in a word if we read and consult the Histories of all Countries and times we shall feldom or never find any notorious Tyrant or Oppressor of his Subjects that came to any good end but generally some notable and fearful Judgment fell upon them Beards Tâ—eatre XXIV In the aforementioned examples we have given an Account of the flagitious actions and ends of Murderers and Tyrants by whole-sale as being Persons of great power and without restraint whereby they had opportunity to do the greater mischief to mankind but Divine Justice has not spared those of meaner quality but hath both wonderfully discovered and revenged those crying sins of Murder and Cruelty as the following instances do fully demonstrate XXV Bothwell who was the chief contriver and actor of the Murther of King Henry of Scotland Father to our King James fled into Denmark where being discovered he was apprehended and imprisoned by the King and disparing of recovering his liberty he fell mad and ended his life most miserably the Archbishop of St. Andrews also who had a hand in the murther of that King being taken in the Castle of Dumbarton was carried to Sterling and hanged publickly on a Gibbet erected for that purpose In the year 1584. Whilst our King James was in Scotland there were two Gentlemen of good credit the one called John Cuningham and the other Malcolm Douglas who was much feared for his valour and manhood these two were falsly accused by some about the King and one Robert Hamilton was suborned to swear against them when the Indictment of Douglas was read he denied all and fully cleared himself by the unlikelyhood of the accusation so that all that heard him did in their minds believe him innocent yet were they both condemned and hanged at Edenburgh these Gentlemen were much pitied especially Douglas Hamilton the false Accuser lived ever after this in continual fear and abhorred of all men but at last he was slain by one James Johnston who had vowed to revenge the death of Douglas Spotswoods Hist Scotland XXVI Sir James Tyrril John Dighton and Miles Forrest who were procured by Richard the Third called Crack-back to murder King Edward the Fifth and his Brother in the Tower by entring their Chamber about midnight and wrapping them up in the cloths keeping down the Feather-beds and Pillows hard upon their mouths till they were smothered These three Murderers did not long escape the Vengeance of God for Miles Forrest rotted away by piecemeal Dighton lived at Calais so disdained and hated of all men that he died there in much misery And Sir James Tyrril was beheaded on Tower Hill for Treason Act. Mo. The Cardinal of Winch. commonly called the Rich Cardinal who procured the death of the good Duke of Glocester in King Henry the Sixth's Time was shortly after struck with an incurable Disease who understanding by his Physicians that he could not live murmuring and repining thereat he cryed out Fie Will not Death be hired Will Money do nothing Must I die that have so great Riches If the whole Realm would save my life I am able either by Policy to get it or by Riches to buy it But all would not prevail for he died miserably soon after Speeds Chron. XXVII The Duke of Suffolk also did not long escape unpunished for in a Parliament holden soon after he was accused as a Traitor to the Kingdom a Murderer of the Duke of Glocester and a Robber of the King's Treasury for all which he was banished for five years he took Shipping in Suffolk intending for France but by the way being encountred by a Man of War that belonged to the Tower he was taken and carryed into Dover Road where on the side of a Ship-boat one cut off his head 1450. Speeds Chron. XXVIII In 1618. there lived a man at Perin in Cornwall who was blessed with ample Possessions and a fruitful Issue unhappy only in a younger Son who growing Extravagant went to Sea in a small Vessel with several like himself where they made Prize of all that they could master and at last venturing into the Streights they set upon a Turks Man of War which they took and got great booty but their Pouder by chance taking fire blew up the Ship and our Gallant being a skilful Swimmer got to shoar upon the Isle of Rhodes with the best of his Jewels where offering some to sale to a Jew he knew them to be the Governours of Algiers whereupon he was seized and condemned to the Gallys for a Pyrate among other Christians whose miserable Slavery made them use their wits to recover their Liberty and watching their opportunity they effected it by killing some of their Officers After which this Young Man got aboard an English Ship and came safe to London where his former misery and some skill he had gotten
that notwithstanding all the help of Chirurgery he died soon after and that in a very sad condition for he cursed and blasphemed to the last gasp and his last breath passed out of his body with an horrid Oath to the terrour of all that beheld him and herein did the Divine Justice remarkably appear in that his own hand which had written those Blasphemies was made an Instrument to punish that head and brain which had wickedly devised them Beards Theatre III. In the year 1527. A young Italian esteemed a man very brave and valiant in Arms was to fight with another young man who because he was melancholy and spake very little was called Forchebene they went together with a great company to the Place appointed which was without the Port of St. Gall whither being come a friend to the former went to him and said God give you the Victory the proud young man adding blasphemy to his Temerity answered How shall he chuse but give it me They came to use their weapons and after many blows given and taken both by the one and the other Forchebene being become as the Minister and Instrument of God gave him a thrust in the mouth with such force that having fastened his Tongue to the Poll of his Neck where the Sword went thorow above the length of a Span he made him 〈…〉 the Sword remaining in his Mouth to the end that the Tongue which had so grievously offended might even in this world endure punishment for so horrible a sin L. Remys Consid c. 59. IV. Another of our own Nation is not to be overpassed who for Atheism may be compared to the former and for God's severe Judgment upon him may give place to none It was a Gentleman in Bark-shire whose Name I forbear to mention This man had a great Estate but was an open Scoffer and Contemner of all Religion a profest Atheist and a Scorner of the Word and Sacraments insomuch that I have heard it very credibly reported that being Witness to the Baptizing of a Child he would needs have it named Beelzebub He was likewise given to all manner of Debauchery keeping several notorious Strumpets openly in his House without shame He was so accustomed to Swearing that he could scarce speak without an Oath This miserable Man or rather Brute having continued long in this damnable course of life at last Divine Vengeance found him out for going one day a hunting with one of his Companions As they were discoursing of divers Idle Stories it pleased Almighty God to strike him with sudden death for falling suddenly on the Crupper of his Horse backward he was taken off stark dead with his Tongue hanging out of his Mouth in a very fearful manner and became a terrible Example of God's Justice against all wicked Atheists Beards Theatre V. Cluverius an Author worthy of credit who professeth that he had this Relation not only by hear-say but from Eye-witnesses who saw it gives this wonderful Account That in the Month of March 1632 there lived in the Borders of Muscovia a Noble-man by Office a gatherer of Tribute or Taxes by name Albertus Periâ—scius his manner was when poor men could not presently pay their Taxes to distrain upon their Cattle and drive them to his own home Now it came to pass that this Noble-man being from home lost all his unjust gains in one 〈…〉 for all his Cattle both those he had taken by Violence and what he had bought with his Money suddenly dyed This wretched man coming home was told â— his Wife and Servants what a fearful Judgment from God was befallen him whereat he began to rage and rave extreamly and taking his Musquet shot it up against Heaven breaking forth into these blasphemous speeches Let him that killed my attle devour them If thou wouldest not let me eat them eat them thy self Upon these furious barkings against God there fell some drops of blood and this wicked man was turned into a black Dog and howling he raâ— to the dead Cattle and began to feed upon them and for ought I know saith mine Author who wrote this story presently after is yet feeding upon them His Wife great with Child being astonished and terrified with the strangeness of God's Judgments shortly after died Clark's Exam. 1 Part. VI. Simon Churmay in 1201. having most subtilly and acutely disputed about the Trinity some of his familiar friends persuaded him to put it into writing that so the memorial of such excellent things might not be lost whereupon he proudly brake forth into this Atheistical speech O Jesule Jesule c. O little Jesus little Jesus how much have I confirmed and advanced thy Law in this Question but if I had a mind to deal crosly I know how with stronger Reasons and Arguments to weaken and disprove the same Which was no sooner spoken but he was strucken dumb and not only so but he became an Ideot and ridiculously foolish and was made a common hissing and mocking-stock to all that saw him Mat. Paris Not much unlike this is that of Michael a blasphemous Jew who as he was banquetting with his Companions fell to blaspheming Christ and his Mother boasting That he had gotten the Victory over the Christians God but as he went down Stairs out of the Room he fell down and brake his Neck Fincelius Miserable was the end of Perieres who writ a blasphemous Book wherein he openly mocked at God and all Religion for he fell into most desperate despair and notwithstanding strict watch was kept about him yet he killed himself 〈…〉 the year 1502. there lived one Hermanus Biswick a Grand Atheist and a notable Instrument of the Devil who affirmed That the World never had a beginning as foolish Moses dreamed and that there were neither Angels nor Devils nor Hell nor future a Life but that the Souls of Men perished with their Bodies and that Jesus Christ was nothing else but a Seducer of the People and that the Faith of Christians and whatever else was contained in the Holy Scriptures was meer vanity These Opinions full of Atheism and Impiety he was so hardened in that he constantly avouched them to the death and was for the same together with his Books deservedly burnt in Holland Theat Hist VII A certain Rich man at Halterstadt in Germany abounding with all manner of worldly happiness he gave up his whole Soul in delighting therein so that he had no sense of Heaven or Religion yea he was so Atheistical as to say That if he might lead such a life continually upon the Earth he would not envy those that enjoyed Heaven ner desire to exchange his condition with them But soon after it pleased God contrary to his expectation to cut him off by death and so the pleasures which he doated on came to an end But after his death there were seen such Diabolical Apparitions in his House that no man durst inhabit it so that it became desolate For every
Jones being suspected for a Witch was brought before Sir Harbottle Grimstone and Sir Thomas Bows Justices of the Peace for Essex to whom she voluntarily confessed That about 25 years before living with one John Bishop in that County there came one morning to the door a very handsom young Man as she then thought but now she thinks it was the Devil who asked her how she did and desired to see her left wrist and then he took a pin from her sleeve and pricked it twice and there came out a drop of blood which he took upon his finger and departed and going a while after to St. Osyths she met a Man in a ragged Suit with such great Eyes as much affrighted her who came to her and gave her three things like to Moles having four feet apiece but no tails and black and bid her nurse them till he desired them again she asked what she must give them he answered Milk that they would not hurt her but would avenge her on her Enemies and bid her murther some but not too many and he would forgive her and then went away after which she said She sent one of these Imps to kill a Sow of one Benjamin How 's which was done accordingly she then with one Joyce Boanes did send each of them an Impâ— to kill one Thomas Brunstead of Sâ— Osyths who dyed about three weeks after and she believes the two Imps killed him she confest likewise that she sent another of her Imps to Brunsteads house to kill his Wife and that the reason of her offence against them was because they beat a Son of hers upon a small occasion for these and other villanies this woman was arraigned at Chelmsford and upon her own confession condemned and hanged Inform of Witches IV. There was a Conjurer at Saltzburg in Germany who boasted that he could gather together all the Serpents within half a mile round about into a Ditch and feed them and bring them up there and being about the Experiment behold the Old and Grand Serpent came in the while which whilst he thought by the force of his Charms to make enter into the Ditch among the rest he set upon him and inclosed him round about like a Girdle so strongly that he drew him by force into the Ditch with him where he miserably died and so this Jugler was couzened by the Devil who was more cunning than himself Beards Theatre Lamentable was the Death of the Governour of Mascon a Magician whom the Devil snatched up while he was at Dinner and carryed into the Air three times round about the Town of Mascon in the sight of many Spectators to whom he cryed out Help Help my Friends so that the whole Town stood amazed thereat yea the remembrance of this strange Accident continued in the minds of the Inhabitants in and about that Country long after with horrour It was Reported That this wretch had given himself to the Devil and had provided store of Holy Bread as they called it which he alwaies carryed about with him thinking thereby to secure himself from him but it served to little purpose as the sequel declared About the year 1437. Charles the Seventh being King of France Sir Gyles of Brittain High Constable of France was accused for having murdered above an hundred and threescore Infants and Women with Child with whose blood he writ or caused to be written books full of Conjuration hoping by such abominable practices to obtain great perferment but it happened quite contrary to his Expectation for being convicted of these horrible crimes it being the Divine Will that such gross and horrid iniquities should not go unpunished he was condemned to be hanged and burnt to death which was accordingly executed upon him at Nants by the Authority of the Duke of Brittain Beards Theatre Johan Mirandula saith That there was in his Time a Conjurer who promised to present to a curious but no very wise Prince the Siege of Troy and Hector Achilles fighting together as if they were alive upon a Stage but he could not be so good as his word for while he was practising his Hellish Arts to this purpose he was carryed away alive by the Devil and never after heard of It is not long since that there was a man called Coulen living in Lorrain who was given over to this cursed Art of Necromancy and amongst other wonderful feats he would suffer Muskets and Pistols to be shot at him and would catch the Bullets in his hands without receiving any hurt but one time it happened that one of his Servants being angry with him struck him such a blow with a Pistol that notwithstanding all his cunning he was killed therewith Beards Theatre V. There was within the memory of our-Fathers saith Camerarius John Faustus of Cundligon a German who had learned the Black Art at Cracovia in Poland he meeting one day at the Table with some who had heard much of his Magical Tricks was earnestly entreated by the Company to show them some sport and being overcome in the end by the Importunity of his Pot-Companions who were also well armed in the head promised to shew them whatsoever they would have they with a general consent require him to bring into the place a Vine laden with ripe Grapes ready to be gathered for they thought because it was in the month of December Faustus could not show them that which was not yet he condescended to them saying That immediately before they stirred from the Table they should see the Vine they desired but upon this condition that they should not speak a word nor offer to rise from their places but should all tarry till he did them cut the Grapes and that whosoever should do otherwise was in danger to lose his life They having all promised to obey him Fanstus so charmed the Eyes of these drunken Revellers that they saw as it seemed to them a marvellous goodly Vine and upon the same so many bunches of Ripe Grapes extraordinary fair as there were men sitting at the Table who being inflamed with such rare Dainties and very dry with much drinking every man takes his Knife in his hand looking when Faustus would give the word and bid them cut the Cluster but he having held them a while in suspence about this vain piece of Witchcraft behold all the Vine and the Bunches of Grapes were in the turn of a hand quite vanished away and every one of these drunken Companions thinking he had a Cluster of Grapes in his hand ready to lop off was seen to hold his own Nose with one hand and the sharp Knife with the other ready to cut it off so that if any of them had forgot the Conjurers Lesson and had been never so little too forward instead of cutting a Bunch of Grapes he had whipt off his own Nose This wicked wretch is reported to have led about with him an Evil Spirit in the likeness of a Dog and being
at Wittenburg an Order was sent from the Emperour to seize him but by his Magical Delusions he made his escape and afterward being at Diner at Noremburge he was secretly sensible by an extraordinary Sweat which came upon him that he was beset whereupon he suddenly paid his Reckoning and went away but was hardly out of the City Walls ere the Serjeants and other Officers came to apprehend him yet Divine Vengeance followed him for coming into an Inn in a Village of the Dukedom of Wittenburg he sate very sad and his Host demanding the cause thereof he answered That he would not have him saffrighted if he heard great noise and shaking of the House that night which happened according to his own prediction for in the morning he was found dead by his Bed-side with his Neck wrung behind him and the House wherein he lay was beaten down to the ground Wanly Hist Man VI. Fazelus writes that a certain Sicilian called Lyodor a most notorious Magician got himself great repute in the City of Catania by his wonderful Illusions for he seemed by the Extraordinary working of his Charms and Spells to transform Men into brute Beasts and to bestow upon all things else such form and likeness as himself pleased and by general Report he drew to him as soon as easily Persons that were distant from thence many daies Journey as those that were in the same Place he did also many injuries and shameful outrages to the Citizens of Catania so that the common People bewitched with a fearful and false Opinion fell to worshipping of him and when for his wicked deeds he was condemned to die he by virtue of his Charms escaped out of the Hangmans hands causing himself to be carryed in the Air by Devils from Catania to Constantinople and after that brought back again from thence into Sicilia This made him admired of all the People who imagining the Divine Power was laid up in him they ran into an horrible Errour offering him Divine Honour But at last Leo Bishop of Catania inspired with a sudden Zeal laid hands on this Devilish Magician in an open place before all the People and caused him to be cast alive into an hot burning Furnace where he was consumed to Ashes Schotus Phil. Curios VII In the year 1558. in a Village near to Ihena in Germany a certain Magician being instructed by the Devil in the Composition of divers Herbs restored many to their Healths he had daily commerce with Evil Spirits and used their Counsels in the curing of Discases but it happened that there was some difference betwixt him and a Neighbour of his a Carpenter who so exasperated him by some urging words that in few daies after he caused the poor Carpenter by his Magical Arts to fall into a grievous Disease The poor Carpenter sent for this Magician and entreated him to help him in his extremity the Magician under pretence of friendship though with inward design of revenge gave him a Potion composed of such venemous Hearbs and Roots that the man by taking it soon after died whereupon the Carpenters Wife accused the Magician of murdering her Husband and the cause is heard before the Senate of Ihena who upon examination of all circumstances caused him to confess the murder and many other villanies for which he was fastned to a stake and burnt to death Beards Theatre VIII Delrio in his Magicaldiscourses gives this Relation Two Magicians met together in the Queen of Englands Court as I have it from unquestioned witnesses these two agreed that in any one thing they should infallibly obey one another the one therefore commands the other to thrust his head out of the Casem of a Window which he had no sooner done but a large pair of Stags Horns were seen planted on his forehead to the great pleasure of the Spectators who joked upon him with a thousand abuses and mocks he resenting the disgrace and thirsting after revenge when his turn came to be obeyed he with a Charcoal drew the Lineaments of a man upon the wall and then commanded the same Magician to stand under that Picture that the wall should immediately give place to receive him the other apprehensive of the extream danger he was in began to beseech him that he would excuse him but the other absolutely refused being therefore compelled he stands under it and then the wall seemed to open and he being entred therein was never afterward seen more The same Authors sets down another Relation as a matter of undoubted truth a notable Conjurer for a tryal of his great skill had cut off the head of the Inn-keepers Servant where he lodged and when he was about to set it on again he perceived he was hindred by the presence of another Magician that chanced to be by at that time he therefore besought him that he would not oppose him but the other not regarding his request the first Magician caused a Lily to spring out upon the top of the Table and when he had chopped off the head of it together with its Flowers upon the sudden down falls the Magician that had hindered him headless to the ground that done he sets on the head of the Servant again and speedily conveys himself away lest he should be questioned for the murder of his Rival Delrio Disquis Magick IX There was a young man at Friburg in Germany who by the help of a Magician hoped to enjoy a young woman whom he earnestly loved the Devil appeared to him in the likeness of the same Maid and the young man putting forth his hand without the inchanted Circle to imbrace her was presently grasped of the wicked Spirit who crushed him against a wall and made the pieces of him fly every way round about and cast the remainder of the dead body so torn in pieces at the Conjurer who therewith fell down in the place much bruised and not able to stir from thence till some hearing a cry and noise ran to him took him up and carried him away half dead Camerarius Ox. Sul Bladud the Son of Lud King of Brittain now called England who as our late Histories report built the City of Bath and likewise made the Baths therein this King addicted himself so much to the devilish Art of Necromancy that he wrought wonders thereby insomuch that he made himself wings and attempted to fly as it is related of Dedalus but the Devil who was alwaies a deceiver forsook him in his flight so that he fell down and broke his neck Beards Theatre Philip Melancthon reporteth that he had an account from twomen of good credit repute that a certain young Woman of Bottonia two years after her death returned again in humane shape and went up and down the House and sat at meat with them but eat little this young Woman being one time in company among other Virgins a Magician came into the place who being skilful in Diabolical Arts he told the People
that his dream had nothing in it he returns both to his bed and sleep when the same Person appears to him the second time all bloody and requested him earnestly That seeing he had neglected him as to the preservation of his life yet at least â—e would not be wanting to him in the revenge of his death declaring That he was murdered by his Host and that at this very time he was carried out in a Cart toward the Gate of the City covered over with Dung The Man overcome with these intreaties of his Friend immediately runs out to the Gate where he finds the Cart he had seen in his dream which he seizes and searching it finds there the body of his Friend and drags the Inn-keeper to his deserved punishment Dr. More Immortal Soul XII Mr. Morison an English Gentleman in his Travels gives this Relation whil'st I lived at Prague and had sate up very late one night drinking at a Feast early in the morning the Sun-beams glancing on my Face as I lay in my Bed I dreamed that a shadow passing by me told me That my Father was dead at which awaking all in a sweat and affected with this dream I arose and wrote the day and hour and all circumstances thereof in a paper book which book with many other things I put into a barrel and sent it from Prague to Stode thence to be conveyed into England And now being at Newemburgh a Merchant of a Noble Family well acquainted with me and my Relations arrived there who told me that my Father dyed some months past I design not to write any lies but that which I write is as true as strange when I returned into England some four years after I would not open the Barrel I sent from Prague nor look into the paper book in which I had written this dream till I had called my Sisters and some other Friends to be witnesses where my self and they were astonished to see my written dream answer the very day of my Fathers death Morisons Travels p. 1. XIII The night before Heury the Second King of France was slain Queen Margret his Wife dreamed That she saw her Husbands Eye put out there were Justs and Turnaments at that time into which the Queen besought her Husband nor to enter because of her dream but he was resolved and there did great things when all was almost now done he would needs run a tilt with a Knight who refused him his name was Montgomery but the King was bent upon it whereupon they broke their Launces to Shivers in the encounter and a splinter of one of them struck the King so full into the Eye that he thereby received his deadly wound It is observed of this King That one Ann du Bourg a Noble Councellor and a man of singular understanding and knowledge making a Speech before him a little before his Death in defence of the Protestant Religion and against persecuting the Professors thereof he therein rendred thanks to Almighty God for moving the King's heart to be present at the decision of so weighty a Cause as that of Religion was and humbly entreated him to consider thereof it being the Cause of Christ himself which of good Right ought to be maintained by Princes c. But the King instead of hearkning to his good Advice was so far incensed against him that he caused him to be apprehended by the Count of Montgomery Constable of France and to be carryed to Prison protesting to him in these words These Eyes of mine shall see thee burnt and presently after he sent a Commission to the Judges to make his Process In the mean time great Feasts were preparing in the Court for Joy of the Marriages that should be of the King's Daughter and Sister The day whereof being come the King imployed all the Morning in examining the President and other Councellors of the Parliament against Du Bourg and other of his Companions who were charged with the same Doctrins intending to glut his Eyes in seeing his Execution but that very Afternoon he received that fatal blow in his Right Eye which so pierced his head that his brains were perished which wound dispising all means of cure killed him within eleven daies whereby his hope of seeing Du Bourg burned was frustrated Clarks Martyr P. 231. XIV There was one who dreamed that he was bitten to death by a Lion of Marble that was set at the entrance of the Temple and being the next morning to go to that Temple and beholding the Marble Statue of the Lion he jeastingly told his dream to those that went with him and putting his hand into the Lions mouth he said laughing Bite now my valiant Enemy and if thou canst kill me He had scarce spoke the words when he was stung to death with a Scorpion that there lay hid and thereby unexpectedly found the Truth of his dream Crescentius the Popes Legate at the Council of Trent 1552 was busie writing Letters to the Pope till it was late in the night whence arising to refresh himself he saw a black Dog of a vast bigness flaming Eyes and Ears which hung down almost to the ground enter the room which came directly toward him and laid himself down under the Table frighted at the sight he called his Servants in the Antichamber and commanded them to look for the Dog but they could find none The Cardinal hereupon fell Melancholy and afterward sick dying in a short time at Verona crying out on his death-bed Drive away the Dog that leaps upon the Bed Wanly Hist Man XV. In the year 1154. Frederick Aenobardus being Emperour of Germany Henry Archbishop of Mentz a pious and peaceable man but not able to endure the dissolute Manners of the Clergy under him determined to subject them to sharp censure but while he thought of this he himself was by them before-hand accused to Pope Eugenius the Fourth The Archbishop sent Arnoldus his Chamberlain to Rome to make proof of his Innocency but the Traitor deserted his Lord and instead of defending him traduced him there himself The Pope sent two Cardinals as his Legates to Mentz to determine the cause who being bribed by the Canons and Arnoldus deprived Henry of his Bishoprick with great scorn and ignominy and substituted Arnoldus in his stead Henry bore all patiently without appealing to the Pope which he knew would be to no purpose but openly declared That from their unjust Judgment he made Appeal to Christ the Just Judge there said he will I put in my Answer and thither I cite you The Cardinals jeastingly replyed When thou art gone before we will follow thee About a year and an half after the Archbishop Henry died upon the hearing of his death both the Cardinals said Lo he is gone before and we shall follow after But their Jeast proved in earnest for both of them died in one and the same day one in an House of Office and the other gnawing off
wherefore thou hast undeservedly put me to this bitter and unworthy death The Duke received this Summons with laughter and unappalled and unconcerned made answer Well go thou before and I will then present my self the year being almost spent the Duke fell in to a light Feaver and remembring the appeal said to the standers by The time of my death does now appreach and I must go to Judgment and so it happened for he died soon after Dinoth lib. 8. XXII Ferdinand the fourth King of Spain was a great Man both in Peace and War but somewhat rash and rigid in pronouncing Judgment so that he seemed to incline to cruelty About the year 1312. he commanded two Brothers Peter and John of the Noble Family of Carvialii to be thrown headlong from an high Tower as being suspected guilty of the death of Benavidius a noble Person of the first rank and though they with great constancy denyed they were guilty of any such crime yet it was to small purpose when therefore they perceived that the Kings Ear was shut against them they openly cryed out they died innocently and since they found the King had no regard to any Plea or defence they could make they did appeal to the Divine Tribunal and turning themselves to the King bid him Remember to make his Appearance there within the space of thirty days at the furthest Ferdinand at that time made no reckoning of their words but upon the thirtieth day after his servants supposing he was asleep found him dead in his Bed in the flower of his Age for he was but twenty four years and nine months old Wanly Hist Man 34. Lambertus Schasnaburgenss an excellent writer as most in these times tells that Buchardus Bishop of â—aâ—berstadt in the year 1059 had an unjust controversy with the Abbot of Helverdense about some Lands in Saxony which the Bishop by force without Law sought to make his own it was to small purpose to make any resistance against so powerful an Adversary but the injured Abbot some few days before his death sent to Frederick Count Palatine and intreated him to bear these his last words to the Prelate That being too weak to contend though the Law was on his side he gave place and was also departing this life but that God would be the Judge unto whom he made his Appeal that therefore both of them should prepare to order their cause before his Tribunal where favour and power set aside only Justice should prevail In a short time the Abbot died of a Feaver and not long after him the Bishop also for as he was one time mounting his Horse he fell down as one stricken with a Thunderbolt and his last words were That he was hurried away to the Judgment Seat of God there to be Judged Delrio Disquisit l. 4. XXV Francis Duke of Brittain cast his Brother Aegidius into Prison who was one of his Council and falsely accused him of Treason where when Aegidius was almost famished perceiving that his fatal hour approached he spied a Franciscan out of the window of the Prison and calling him to confer with him he made him promise That he would tell his Brother that within fourteen days he should stand before the Judgment Seat of God The Franciscan having found out the Duke in the Confines of Normandy where he then was told him of his Brothers death and of his Appeal to the high Tribunal of God the Duke terrified with this message immediately grew ill and his distemper increasing he expired upon the very day appointed Drixelius Oper. The Genoways sent out their Gallies against the Pyrates and in the way took a small Ship of Sicily together with the Mr. of it whom in contempt of the Sicilians they hanged up the poor man pleaded he suffered unjustly since he had never done any the least injury to them but perceiving all his plaints to be in vain he appealed unto God for Justice and cited the Admiral of the Genoese to make his Appearance at his Bar within six months within which time he that was thus cited died Wanly Hist Man XXVI Master Patrick Hamilton of an Antient and Honourable Family in Scotland left his own Country and went into Germany where he became acquainted with those worthy Men Martin Luther and Philip Melancthon then at the famous University of Wittenburg from thence he went to the University of Marpurg which was then newly erected where he was intimate with other learned Men and by reason of his Learning and Integrity of life he was had in admiration of many however he could not rest till he had returned into his own Country where the Doctrine of the Reformation began then to break forth as well in publick as in private which so disturbed the Popish-Clergy that James Beaton Archbishop of St. Andrews sent for Mr. Patrick Hamilton to St. Andrews where after divers days conference he had his Freedom and Liberty the Bishop seeming to approve his Doctrine acknowledging that in many things there needed a Reformation in the Church but withal searing that their Kingdom of Darkness should be endamaged they persuaded the King who was then young and much led by them to go on Pilgrimage to St. Dothess in Ross that so by reason of his absence no application might be made to him for the saving the life of this innocent Gentleman who not suspecting their malice remained like a Lamb among Wolves the King being gone one night Mr. Hamilton was seized upon by the Bishops Officers and carried to the Castle and the next day was brought forth into Judgment and Condemned to be burnt upon several Articles about Pilgrimages Purgatory Prayers to Saints c. After Dinner the fire was prepared and being tyed to the Stake he cryed out with a loud voice Lord Jesus receive my Spirit how long shall darkness overwhelm this Realm and how long wilt thou suffer the Tyranny of these Men The fire was slow and therefore put him to the greater torment but that which most troubled him was the clamour of some wicked Men set on by the Fryers who continually cryed Turn thou Heretick call upon our Lady say Salve Regina c. To whom he answered Depart from me and trouble me not thou Messenger of Satan and speaking to one Alexander Campbell a Fryer with whom he had conferred about matters of Religion and who had informed against him and was now the Ringleader who roared against him to recant Mr. Patrick with great vehemency said to him Wicked Man thou knowest the contrary and hast confessed the contrary to me I appeal thee before the Tribunal of Jesus Christ After which words he resigned up his Spirit unto God in the year 1527. Campbell was troubled at these words and from that very day was never in his right mind but soon after died mad Clarks Martyr Thus Though the Fool hath said in his heart there is no God and because Justice is not presently inflicted upon Sinners
upon Richard Petto and Justice Brown both cruel Persecutors of George Eagles one Dale a Promoter and Persecutor was eaten up of Lice and dyed Dr. Dunning Chancellor of Norwich a bloody Persecutor in Queen Maries days was suddenly taken sitting in his Chair and dyed Dr Berry Commissary of Norfolk another bloody Persecutor as he was walking with one of his Concubines fell down suddenly with an heavy groan and never stirred after A Persecuting suffragan of Dover having been with Cardinal Pool for his blessing coming out of the Cardinals Chamber fell down stairs and broke his Neck Acts Monu XLIII Bishop Thornton a cruel Persecutor as he was looking upon his Men at Bowls fell suddenly into a Palsy and being carried to his bed and bid to remember the Lord yea so I do said he and my Lord Cardinal too and so he dyed Dr. Jefferies Chancellor of Salisbury a wretched Persecutor having appointed to call before him 90 Persons to examine them by Inquisition the day before looking upon his Buildings fell down dead Sir Thomas More Lord Chancellor of England was a sworn Enemy to the Gospel a profest Persecutor by Fire and Sword of the Protestants and as if he designed thereby to grow famous and get renown he caused a Sumptuous Tomb to be erected whereon to eternize the memory of his Cruelty he caused among other worthy deeds this principally to be Ingraven thereon That with all his might he had persecuted the Lutherans but it fell out contrary to his expectation for being Accused Condemned and Executed for High-Treason his Head was taken off and his Body found no other burial but the Gibbet Beards Theatre These and many more such examples are recorded by Mr. Fox in his Acts Monuments which makes good that of the Psalmist God hath prepared for the Wicked the Instruments of Death he ordaineth his Arrows against the Persecutors Psal 7.13 If the Reader desire to know more of the Cruelties of the Papists in all Countries for above six hundred years past and Gods judgments upon them he may find it at large in a little book called the Protestant Schoolmaster of a shilliog price and sold where this Book is to be had CHAP. V. Fearful Judgments upon Cruel Tyrants Murderers and other notorious and debauched Persons with the wonderful discovery of several Murders c. IT appeareth in History that there have been a multitude of proud cruel and vicious Princes and Governours in former Ages who have thought that their Will ought to be their Law and have gloried in Tyrannizing over their poor Subjects however it hath pleased the Divine Majesty many times to discover his abhorrence and detestation of such practices by his severe Judgments upon the Actors thereof It is likewise as plain that God Almighty as well to declare his detestation of that crimson sin of Murther as to beget and retain in us a horrour thereof hath most vigorously imployed his Providence by strange and miraculous ways to bring to light deeds of darkness and to drag the bloody Authors of them out of their greatest privacies and concealment to condign punishment it were an infinite Labour to trace the several footsteps of Divine Providence in this matter neither hath Lust Revenge and other notorious enormities escaped Gods Justice many times in this world as by the following relations it doth remarkably appear I. Ptolomeus Pisco one of the Kings of Aegypt caused his own Son Memphites whom he had begot of his Wife Sister Cleopatra to be slain and then commanded his Head Hands and Feet to be cut off and to be shut up in a curious Casket made for that purpose and sent them to his Mother as a present upon his Birth-day and when afterward he perceived that by his barbarous Tyranny he was grown odious to all his Subjects to prevent the danger thereof he caused a School where most of the Children of the Nobility and others were educated to be beset and incompassed round with fire and men with drawn Swords and then suddenly assaulted them whereby they were all destroyed not one of them escaping but that which he thought to be his refuge proved his ruine for the People were so extreamly incensed with this cruel Act that with an unanimous consent they fell upon him and tore him to pieces The like if not greater Cruelty was practised by a Woman one Cycenis the Daughter of Diogerides King of Thrace who took great delight in beholding living men cut in the middle and invited Parents to feast upon their own murthered Children cookt and drest several ways but she was afterward deposed from her Government and her Inhumanities were so hateful that none of her Subjects would relieve her whereby she was famisht to death and dyed of hunger Vitaldus Prince of Lithuania studied divers sorts of Tortures and Torments for men whom upon every slight occasion he condemned to death among the rest he would command them to be sowed up in Bear-skins and then made it his sport to behold them torn in pieces with fierce Mastives in all his warlike expeditions he carried continually a Steel-bow ready bent and if any Souldier happened but to step out of his Rank he instantly stroke him dead with an Arrow glorying to himself that he was so good a marks-man but after these and abundance of other Cruelties he that delighted to see men die like Bears was himself in the end torn in pieces with wild Wolves being requited much in the same manner as he had exercised Barbarities upon others Beards Theatre II. The Tyrant Periander usurped the Government over Corinth after he had murdered the Principal men of the City he put to death his own Wife to content and please his Concubine nay he was so execrable as to lye with his own Mother he banished his Natural Son and caused many Children of his Subjects to be guelded Finally he committed all manner of Villanies which he was sensible had made him abhorred of his People and therefore fearing that some miserable and monstrous death would be inflicted on him and that he should not be buried He gave Order to two of his stoutest Souldiers that they should strictly guard a place by him appointed and not to fail to kill the first that came in their way and to bury his body being slain Now the first that met them was himself who offered himself to them without speaking a word and was therefore immediately killed and afterward buried by them These two were soon after encountred by four others whom he had likewise appointed to kill them as they had done him which they performed accordingly Sabellici opera III. In the year 830. Popiel the Second King of Poland careless of matters of State gave himself over to all manner of Dissoluteness and Debauchery so that his Lords and People scorned and despised him He fearing therefore that they would set up one of his Kinsmen in his stead by the advice of his Wife whom
had been born of so beautiful a Mother He then caused her womb to be ript up that he might see the place wherein himself had lain After which horrid fact he was continually tormented with the sting of his own conscience and protested That his Mother often appeared to him with burning Torches lashing him for that cruel Murder yet he still continued his cursed Butcheries He murthered his Aunt Domitia and because Antonia the Daughter of Claudius refused to marry him he caused her to be slain pretending that she went about to make some Innovations in the State He hired Conjurers to lay the Ghost of his Mother He caused Crisoinus his Son-in-law by Poppaea to be drowned as he was fishing He slew many others who by blood affinity were near to him He murthered Aulus Plancus a young man after he had by violence committed Sodomy with him He forced his Master Seneca to murther himself though he had often sworn to him he would not do it and that he would sooner perish himself than do him any hurt and he sent Poison to his other Master Burrhus Divers of his Rich Freed men and other Old men who had helped him to the Empire and favoured him therein he murdered by mixing Poison either in their meat or drink Neither was he less cruel to others especially after two Conspiracies were discovered against him and some of the Conspirators confessed the Fact saying That they knew not how otherwise than by his death to free him from all that wickedness wherewith he had dâ—filed himself And Nero asking Sulpâ—tius Aper a Centurion why he conspired against him he answered Because I knew not how by any other means to do thee a kindness After this he raged more extreâ—mly against all sorts of Persons setting no bounds to his Cruelty but murthering whom he pleased He gave not above an hours space to any of those whom he commanded to kiâ—â— themselves to prepare for dâ—ath and had Chirurgions ready to cut all their veins if they made any delay His Profuseness and Prodigality ansâ—ered his Cruelâ—y for it was without all measure saying often That those who proportioned their Expences to their Incomes were sordid and covetous and that they only who most profusely and prodigally wasted their Estates were magnificent and praise-worthy He never put on the same Apparel twice He was very extravagant in costly Buildings and when his Treasury was exhausted he endeavoured by Rapine and Forgeries to enrich himself He never conferred an Office upon any man but he would say to him Thou knowest what I want let us make it our business that none may have any thing but our selves He took the curious and costly Images of the Heathen Gods of Gold and Silver out of the Temple and sold them and as he spared not men so neither did he spare the City of Rome for being displeased with the Building narrowness and crookedness of the Streets he sent some Villains who made it their business to run up and down and set the City on fire and whilst it was all in a flame he went up to the top of Moecenas his Tower to feed his Eyes with that pleasant sight and in a Players Habit tuned his Harp and sung a song of the burning of Troy and when he afterward heard how ill he was spoken of for this Act he raised a Report that it was done by the Christians and thereupon used all manner of Cruelty toward them and exposed them to the fury of the People who horridly tormented them as if they had been common Burners and Destroyers of Cities and the deadly Enemies of Humane Society Yea Nero himself caused some of them to be cloathed in wild Beasts skins and torn to pieces with Dogs others were crucified some he made Bonfires of to light him in his night sports In brief such exquisite Torments he put them to as caused their Enemies themselves to pity them and whereas Tiberius used to say After my death let the World be destroyed by Fire Pestilence Famine c. Yea said Nero let it be destroyed in my Life time that I may be a spectator of it But Almighty Justice at last overtook him for being adjudged by the Senate to be an Enemy to Mankind it was condemned to be whipt to death through the streets of Rome and all his Armies and Forces forsaking him to avoid this shameful and ignominious death he fled and hid himself among Briers and Thorns and being weary of his life desired some of his Attendants to kill him which they refusing he cryed out I have neither a Friend nor an Enemy miserable man that I am and thereupon threw himself into a Pit four foot deep and there desperately slew himself Sueton. XI Tigellinus one of the Captains of Nero's Guard had been a principal abettor and encourager of him in his Tyrannies and the chief cause of the death of many great Personages in Rome enriching himself with their spoils and the Robberies he committed After the death of Nero whom in his extremity he forsook he plunged himself wallowed in all manner of filthiness and debauchery now though he was worthy of a thousand deaths for his Cruelties toward many worthy Citizens yet by bribing some of the chief Favourites of the succeeding Emperor Galba he escaped being questioned but as soon as Otho was installed in the Empire his destruction soon followed for to gratify the Romans Otho sent to apprehend him who was then in his Banquetting Houses in the Fields rioting and sporting with his Harlots and finding himself thus surprized and that he had no way to make his escape though he had prepared Boats on purpose to carry him away in any danger and not being able to bribe the Messenger sent to take him though he offered him great rewards he intreated only the favour to shave his beard before he went which being granted he took a rasor and instead of shaving cut his own throat Beards Theatre XII Antonius Heliogabalus Emperor of Rome was infamous for Cruelty Gluttony Lust and all manner of wickedness and his death was answerable to his life he had his name from an Idol of the Sun whose Priest he had been in Syria and being exceeding rich by his profuse gifts to his Souldiers he procured himself to be chosen Emperor and sending Messengers thereof to Rome he was by the Senate accepted such was the luxurious pomp of this Beastly Emperor that he used Balm in his Lamps and filled his Fishponds with Rosewater his Garments were of the finest Gold and the most costly â—â—lk his Shoes glistered with precious stones curiously ingraven he was never two days served with one kind of meat nor wore one Garment twice he doted exceedingly upon his Mother with whom he committed Incest and did all by her appointment and was the first that brought a Woman into the Senate causing his Mother to sit in one of the Consuls Seats he erected a Senate of Women wherein many
pretending to affect the Parthian name he sent Ambassadours to Artabanus King of Parthia to give him his Daughter in Marriage Artabanus willingly embracing the motion came to him as to his Son-in-law bringing the Bride and a multitude of unarmed followers crowned with Flowers and whilst they were offering Sacrifice to their Gods giving the watchword to his Army he slew them all the King himself hardly escaping by flight At length the People being wearied by his Ravages and cruelties as he was easing nature Marcinus Prefect of the Pretorian Souldiers stabbed him with a Dagger into his bowels and slew him Sueâ—onius Hist XVI Aulus Vitellius being chosen Emperour by the Army in Germany hastened toward Rome He used no Government either in his Family or among his Souldiers so that all places were filled with violence and rapine which he turned into sport and joking When he came into a Field where a late Battel had been fought and all his followers were offended with the stench of the dead bodies he uttered this detestable speech That of all smells he liked best the smell of a slain Enemy but much more of a slain Citizen When he entred Rome he sacrificed to the Ghost of Nero in Mars his Field to shew what an excellent Pattern he would follow and there prepared a Solemn Feast sending for Musicians to sing Nero's Verses which himself first of all much applauded For the most part he governed the Commonwealth by the advice of the basest Players and Chariot-Drivers and was ready upon every small occasion to deliver men over to death and punishment He spared not Usurers who had formerly called to him for their Debts nor Publicans who â—ad exacted Tribute from him One of them coming to salute him when he came to the Empire he caused him to be slain in his presence saying That he would â—eed his Eyes with his death Two Sons of another coming to intercede for their Father he caused to be killed He â—anisht all Mathematicians out of Rome because they had given out that he was born under unhappy Planets He was suspected to be guilty of his own Mothers death Neither was he only thus cruel but likewise extreamly given to Luxury and Excess He feasted at least thrice and often four times a day after each of them disburthening his stomach by vomiting He used the most curious and costly delicates which could not be had from remote parts atex cessive charges both from Land and Sea insomuch that it was commonly said That if he had lived longer he would have undone the Roman Empire with his Luxury and costly Table He was so extreanâ—ly given to Gluttony that he could not forbear eating while â—e was sacrificing or in a Journey His whole life was spent in Gluttony Drunkenness and Cruelty whereby he grew so hateful that the Army chose Vespasian then in Judea for their Emperour whereupon Vitellius forced Flavius Sabinus Vespasians Brother and the rest of his Family and Kindred to fly into the Capitol for shelter which Vitellius caused to be set on fire and so burned them in it and himself being at a Feast fed his Eyes with that pleasing spectacle for he was resolved to eat and drink well that he might not die without his Dinner and that he might not be afraid of death nor disgrace The day after when news was brought him that Vespasian his Enemey drew near he sought out all private corners wherein to hide himself all men forsaking him but only his Baker and his Cook When his Enemies entred the City they sought for him and some of the Souldiers that knew him not finding him he denied his own name and when others that knew him came he pretended he had something to reveal to Vespasian that concerned his safety but this prevailed not for casting a Halter about his neck they dragged him half naked into the Market-place where he received many scorns and reproaches they then set a Dagger under his chin that he might not hang down his head to hide his face Some threw dirt and dung at him Some reproaching him with one thing and some with another at last carrying him to Tyber they there cut him in pieces and then fastening a hook to his Trunk they threw it into the River Suet. Hist XVII Domitian was the younger Son of Vespasian he behaved himself very wickedly in his Childhood and Youth and when he came to be Emperor he retired himself every day for an hour in secret as if it were to meditate upon some secret Affairs but he spent that time in catching of flies and pricking out their Eyes with a Bodkin so that one asking his Chamberlain whether any body was with the Emperor he wittily answered No not so much as a fly he daily entertained the People with sumptuous and costly Shows wherein himself sat as chief in the habit of one of the Heathen Gods and like Caligula commanded himself to be called Lord and God and in his publick Edicts he used this Phrase Our Lord and God commands this to be done one while he set himself to reform abuses and enacted some good Laws but quickly returned to his former Cruelty causing many Senators and such as had been Consuls to be slain and among them one because he had a Map of the world in his Chamber and because he read the Orations of Kings and Princes recorded by Titus Livius he banished all Philosophers and Mathematicians out of Italy and sought out new ways to enrich his Coffers his Cruelty was not only great but crafty and unexpected for he would send some away merrily and with assurance of safety and presently send men to murther them and that he might the more abuse mens patience he would never pass any hard and unjust Sentence without a Preface to set forth his Clemency his Treasury being exhausted he contrived to recruit it by Rapine and Oppression suborning some to accuse both the living and the dead that he might seize upon their Estates he was extream cruel against the Christians because they would not Worship him as a God or his Idols at least pretending that he was Brother to the Sun and Moon and adorning his Shoes with Gold and precious Stones he commanded the People to kiss his feet he ordered all the Churches of the Christians to be pul'd down and destroyed and the Book of the Holy Scriptures to be burnt which was executed with all the rigour and contempt that could be he then sent forth Edicts for displacing all Christian Magistrates and put all others out of their Offices imprisoning such of the common People as would not abjure Christianity and subscribe to the Heathen Idolatries then were cruel Edicts sent abroad for Imprisoning the Elders and Bishops and constraining them by divers torments to Sacrifice to Idols upon which there followed all manner of Cruelty against the Christians by all kind of tortures among the rest Galerius his General was sent to invade Antioch and to force
which Preacheth Christ must alwaies have a Tongue to be the Minister The Captain at this grew even distracted suspecting that the Hangman had deceived him by some slight of hand and had not cut his Tongue off If you suppose so saith the Executioner open his mouth and you may see the Roots of his Tongue Whereupon the Captain being even confounded at the courage and constancy of the Martyr commanded him to be brought back to Prison and to be strangled where his sorrowful life and pains ended together and he received the Crown of Martyrdom Acts and Monuments 1 Part. About this time one Gordius a Centurion upon professing himself to be a Christian was apprehended and boldly acknowledged That he believed in Christ and valued not what they could inflict on him for this his Profession then did the Sheriff call for Scourges Gibbets and all manner of Torments to whom Gordius said That it would be a loss and damage to him if he did not suffer divers torments and punishments for Christ and his Cause The Sheriff more incensed hereby commanded all those torments to be inflicted on him with which Gordius was nothing disturbed but sung The Lord is my helper I will not fear what Man can do unto me I will fear no evil because thou Lord art with me Then he blamed the Tormentors for favouring of him provoking them to do their utmost the Sheriff not prevailing that way sought by flattery to seduce him promising him Preferment Riches and Honour if he would deny Christ but Gordius derided him as foolishly mad saying That he looked for greater preferment in Heaven than he could give him here on Earth He was then condemned and carryed out of the City to be burnt multitudes followed him and some kissing him intreated him with Tears to pity himself to whom he answered Weep not I pray you for me but weep for the Enemies of God who fight against the Christians weep I say for them who prepare a fire for us purchasing Hell fire thereby for themselves in the day of vengeance and cease I pray you thus to molest my setled and quiet mind for truly for the name of Christ I am ready to suffer a thousand deaths Others persuaded him to deny Christ with his mouth and to keep his conscience to himself My Tongue saith he which by God's goodness I have cannot be brought to deny the Author and giver of the same for with the heart we believe unto Righteousness and with the Tongue we confess unto Salvation And thus persuading and incouraging the People to be willing to die in the like Cause with an unappaled countenance he gave up his body to the Flames Acts and Monuments 1. P. Menas also a Souldier by profession forsook all and went into a Desart where he gave himself to Fasting Prayer Meditation and Reading of the Scriptures at last returning into the City of Cotis when the People were at their pastimes he with a loud voice proclaimed himself to be a Christian and thereupon was carryed before the President and being demanded concerning his Faith he said It is convenient that I confess God in whom is light and no darkness For with the heart we believe to Righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation Then he was tormented with divers Tortures which he regarded not saying There is nothing in my mind that can be compared to the Kingdom of Heaven neither is all the world if it were weâ—ghed in a ballance comparable to the price of one soul And farther said Who can separate us from the Love of Christ Can Tribulation or Auguish c. And again I have learned of my Lord Christ not to fear them that can kill the Body and have no power to kill the Soul Having endured a multitude of Torments he received Sentence of Death and at the place of Execution he said I give thee thanks my Lord God who hast aceepted me to be a partaker of thy precious Death and hast not suffered me to be devoured of my fierce Enemies but hast made me constant in thy True Faith unto the end And so he lost his Head but found a Crown of Glory Acts and Monuments 1. P. Amongst others forty young Gentlemen that were Souldiers freely confessed themselves to be Christians declaring to the Marshal their names who being amazed at their boldness was in doubt what to do he endeavoured with flatteries and promises of preferment to win them persuading them to consider their youth not to change a pleasant life for a painful untimely death But they couragiously replied They neither desired money honour nor life but only the Coelestial Kingdom of Christ for the love of which they were ready to endure the Wheel Cross Fire or any other Torment The Marshal being much offended herewith devised a new Torment for espying a Pond in the Street that lay open to the North-wind it being in the cold Winter time he caused them to be put into it all night but they being joyful comforted one another as they put off their Cloaths saying We put not off now our Old Cloaths but our Old Man corrupted with the deceits of concupiscence for which we bless and praise God for by means of the Serpent we once put on the Old Man but by the means of Jesus Christ we now put him off Then were they brought naked and put into the vehement cold water where they were kept till the morning so that all their Members were stark and stiff therewith and as soon as it was day they having breath yet remaining in them were brought to the fire wherein they were consumed to Ashes which were thrown into the Flood It happened that one of the company being more lively and not so near death as the rest the Executioners pitied him and delivered him to his Mother who stood by to save his life but she led him to the piles of Wood where the other starved creatures lay ready to be burnt admonishing and exhorting him to accomplish the Blessed Journey he had taken in hand which accordingly he did and was burnt with his Companions Acts Monu A noble Virgin also named Eulalia suffered about this time she was not above twelve years of Age and had great offers of Marriage made to her but she observing the courage of the Christians was very desirous to join her self with them for which end she prayed fervently to God for strength and faith to enable her thereunto but her Religious Parents fearing that her zeal might make her guilty of her own death kept her close at their Country house a great way from the City where she continued for a while but at last detesting any delay she went from her Fathers house by night and travelled all alone through by-ways with much danger and weariness toward the City whither she came in the morning and going before the Judge with a loud voice she said What ashame is it for you thus wickedly to
extraordinary business with him the Groom hereupon runs up as if it had been for life and death as indeed it proved and finding his Ladies door open rushes into it wherewith she was so extreamly offended that she flung the Bedstaves at him and would not let him speak In the mean time this wicked Woman calls her Lord and tells him now he may find them together who thereupon runs up to the Room with his Sword drawn and met the Groom just coming out of the door and with his Sword ran him thorow so that without a word he fell down dead in the place He then enters the Chamber and without asking one question or receiving any answer ran his Sword through his Ladies heart as she lay in her Bed and sent her chast Soul into a better place Now as he stood leaning on his Sword so late imbrued in the blood of two Innocents the Author of all this Villany seeing the horrible slaughter she could keep her own devilish counsel no longer but presently burst out into these words Alas my Lord what have I done never was Lady more chast or constant to the Bed and Imbraces of her Husband than She who lyes here weltring in her own Innocent Blood whatsoever I spake of her was false and untrue and meerly suggested by the Devil in revenge of a blow She deservedly gave me I therefore and only I am the only cursed Author of these lamentable disasters which have been more bloody than I expected These words being so mournfully and passionately spoken filled his Soul with distraction so that sometimes casting his Eye upon his honest and faithful Servant and then upon his virtuous and chast Wife it possessed him with a world of disturbance at once so that having first dispatched this wretched creature he then fell upon his own Sword making up the fourth in this dismal Tragedy Beards Theatre XXXIV If you would hear further of Judgments upon this crying Sin of Murder every Assizes and Sessions produce too too many such Presidents I shall therefore add a few Instances more of the wonderful Discovery of Murders though committed never so secretly In the Reign of Christian the Second King of Denmark when about twelve of his Courtiers were making merry in a Parlour of a sudden there happened a quarrel amongst them one of whom was Post-Master to the King and all the Lights being put out one of them was slain with a Dagger when Lights were brought in and the Body found murdered and breathless the King required an Account for his dead Subject the Nobles lay all the guilt upon the Post-Master who was then a great Favourite But the King thinking they spoke out of envy would not believe him guilty on the contrary they alledge That he was the cause of that Meeting and that there had been a former grudge and malice between them and that when the Lights were brought in he was found next to the dead body so that they desired the dead Corps might be laid upon the Table and every one singly to lay his hand upon the naked Breast of the Person murdered with a deep protestation that they were innocent of the Fact which was done accordingly in the Kings presence and all in course laid their hands but no change or alteration was found in the body At last the Post-Master came and first imbracing his feet kissed them with many tears thinking thereby if possible to pacifie his angry Spirit at length coming to lay his hand upon the Breast of the dead Body a double Flux of Blood issued from his Wound and Nostrils by which finding himself discovered he confessed his malicious Act and was by the â—ing deservedly committed to the hand of the Hangman Beards Theatre XXXV Another like this we find in Doctor Otho Melander who relates of a man that through rancour and â—atred had for some time watched his neighbour till at â—st he found him in the Woods and Thickets which he â—udging a place convenient for such a mischief laid vioâ—ent hands upon him and murdered him and afterward â—scaped without being in the least suspected but the â—ody being afterward brought before the Senate and â—he Murderer not to be heard of they commanded one â—f his hands to be cut off and hanged up over the Dining Table in the common Gaol of the Town It happened â—hat the Malefactor some ten years after was commitâ—ed for some small matter to that Prison and brought â—nto the same Room and by accident as he sate at Meat was placed just under the Hand which though it was withered and dried by hanging so many years yet now â—led afresh and dropt upon his Trencher at which all â—he company being amazed the Jaylor went presently â—o inform the Senate thereof who sent for him and exâ—mined him and he being startled in his Conscience by â—hat Divine Prodigy soon acknowledged himself guilty â—f that horrid Murder and according to the Custom of â—hose Countries was broke on the Wheel for the same Beards Theatre XXXVI In the year 1656. A Woman in Westphalia â—eing near the time of her Travel went to the next Vilâ—age to confess her self in her Confession she told the Popish Priest she had newly found a Purse full of Moâ—ey and therefore desired him that he would speak of 〈◊〉 publickly that it might be again restored to the right â—wner the Priest told her it was sent to her from Heaâ—en and what she should reserve it to her self and enjoy â—t the Woman thus informed kept the Purse to her â—elf in her return home she was to pass through a Grove â—nto which she was no sooner entred but the pains of Travel came upon her in the mean time a Noble Person who had lost the Purse rid up to her and demanded if she had not found one she beseeches him for the love of God to ride to the next Village for some Women to assist her in her labour and that she would restorâ— him the Purse he sought for The Nobleman rid as fast as he could to call some Women in which time of his absence came the wicked Priest cuts off the Womans head and seizes upon the Purse the Nobleman returning with the Women are witnesses of this Tragical Spectacle but who had done it was unknown it was a time when the Snow lay thick upon the ground and finding some footsteps he pursued them till he overtook the Priest whom he seized found the Purse about him he tyed him therefore to the tail of his Horse so dragged him to the Magistrate to be punished his Sentence was to be thrown into a Caldron of boyling Oyl which was accordingly executed on him Jan. 20. 1656 Wanlys Hist Man XXXVII Luther gives a Relation of a certain Almaigâ— who in travelling fell among Thieves who being abouâ— to cut his Throat the poor Man espied a flight of Crows and said O Crows I take you for my witnesses and revengers 〈◊〉 my death about 2 or 3
Councellers business and bustle for an Hermits retirement and the whole life I lived in the Pallace for one hours enjoyment of God in the Chappel all things else forsake me beside my God my duty and my prayer Idem p. 153. XVI Mr. Howard afterward the learned E. oâ— Northampton being disturbed with Atheistical suggestions put them all off this way If I could give any account how my self or any thing else had a being without God how there came so uniform and so constant a consent of mankind of all ages tempers and educations differing so much otherwise in their apprehensions about the being of a God the Immortality of the Soul and Religion in which they could not likely either deceive so many or being so many could not be deceived I could then be aâ— Atheist And when it was urged that Religion was only a State Policy to keep men in awe he replved he could not believe it since he was sensible that the greatest Polititians have sooner or later felt the power of Religion in the grievous laâ—hes of their Consciences and the dreâ—dfulness of their apprehensions about that state wherein they must live for ever Idem p. 151. XVII Galeacius Carraciolus Marquess of Vico a Noble Person of a great Estate powerful Relations both in the Emperour of Germany and the Popes Court the last of which was his near Relation notwithstanding the great promises and most endearing Letters of his kindred the bitter cryes and tears of his Parents his wife and children the loss both of his honour and estate yet this worthy Person broke through all these temporalâ— engagements forsook his Country and all that was dear to him to go to Geneva and imbrace a reproached despised and persecuted Gospel chusing rather with Moses to whom he is compared to suffer Afflictions with the People of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of this world because he had a respect to the recompence of reward and endured as seeking him who is invisible He used to say That he should not look upon himself to be worthy â—o see the face of God if he did not prefer one hours communion with Christ before all the riches and pleasures of the world Galeacius's Life XVIII Famous and remarkable is the instance of the late Earl of Râ—chester who though he spent a great part of his life in the height of Atâ—â—iâ—â—ne and all manner of prophaness and debauchery yet upon his dying bed God was graciously pleased to hear the prayers of his nearest Relations and true friends so that he became a most admirable Penitent of which I shall instance some few particulars as they are published by two Reverend Divines He was the Son of the famous Lord Wâ—mot and was a great proficient in learning in the year One thousand six hundred and sixty he went to the University at which time the general joy which over-run the whole Nation upoâ— hâ—s Majesties Restoration was not regulated wiâ—â— that â—oâ—â—â—iâ—ry and tâ—mperance which became a serious gratitude to God for sâ—ch a â—lessing which had some ill effects in him so that he â—â—gaâ— to love those disorders too much for after having travellâ—d â—â—r some time he returned back to the Court where falling into company who loved those excesses he was at length intirely subdued by intempâ—rance so that he confessed for five years together he was continually drunk not all the while under the viâ—ible effects of it but his blood was so inflamed that he was not in all that time cool enough to be perfectly master of himself which led him to do many wild and unaccountable things and being a Person of extraordinary parts his sins were like them so that he seemed to affect something singular in his Impieties as well as writings above the reach of other men taking all manner of pains to pervert others to wickedness nay so confirmed was he in sin that he lived and almost oftentimes dyed a Martyr to it The licenciousness of his temper with the brisknâ—ss of his wit disposed him to love the conversation of those who divided their time between lewd actions and irregular mirth and so he came to bend his wit and direct his studies and endeavours to support and strengthen these ill principles of Atheism and irreligion in himself and others An accident fell out about this time which confirmed him more in these courses for going to Sea in the year 1665 there happened to be in the same ship with him Mr Montague and another Gentleman of Quality these two but especially the last seemed pâ—rswaded That they should never return into England and Mr. Montague said he was sure of it upon which the E. of Rochester entered into an engagement with the other Gentleman not without Ceremonies of Religion Mr. Montague refusing it That if either of them died â—e should appear and give the other notice of the future state if there were any After which in a fight with the Dutch toward the latter end of the Action the Gentleman aforementioned fell on a sudden into such a trembling that he could scarce stand and Mr. Montague going to hold him up as they were in each others arms a Canon Bulleâ— kild him out-right and carried away Mr. Montagues Belly so that he died in an hour after but this Gentleman never appeared to the E. of Rochester afterward which was a great snare to him during the rest of his life after which he went on to commit all iniquity with greediness and yet even this desperate Tinner that one would think had made a Covenant with death and was at an agreement with â—ell and just upon the brink of them born yet even now God to magnifie the riches of his Grace and Mercy was pleased to snatch him out of the fire so that falling into a great fit of sickness he laboured under strange trouble and conflicts of mind his spirit being wounded and his Conscience full of Terrour and saying If that God who dyed for great as well as lesser sinners did not speedily apply his infinite mercies to his poor soul his wound was such as no man could conceive or bear crying out That he was the vilest wretch and Dog that the Sun shined upon or the Earth bore that he now saw his error in not living up to that reason which God endued him with and which he unworthily vilified and contemned wishing he had been a starving Leper crawling in a Ditch that he had been a Link boy or a beggar or for his whole life time confined to a Dungeon rather than to have sinned against his God and acknowledged that all the seeming absurdities of Religion and the Holy Scriptures and the contradictions thereof framed by men of corrupt and reprobate Judgments were now vanished and the excellency and beauty thereof appeared he being now come to receive the truth in the love of it And upon his death bed
gave command to his Reverend Chaplain to preach abroad and to let all men know how severely God had disciplined him for his sins by his afflicting hand that his sufferings were most just tho he had laid ten thousand times more upon him and how God had laid on him one stripe upon another because of his grievous provocations till he had brought him home to himself and declaring that from the bottom of his soul he did detest and abher the whole course of his former wicked life and admired the goodness of God who had given him a true sense of his pernicious opinions and vile practises warning all men in the name of God and as they regard the welfare of their souls no more to deny his Being or his providence or despise his goodness no more to make a mock of sin or contemn the pure and excellent Religion of the ever Blessed Redeemer through whose Merits alone he who was one of the greatest of Sinners did yet hope for mercy and forgiveness and in this Penitent and Religious temper and frame of Spirit he sometime after gave up the Ghost Rechesters Life and Sermon XIX I shall conclude all with some brief remarks out of the Life of that Excellent and Worthy Person the late Lord Chief Justice Hales as lately published by a Reverend Divine This Gentleâ—an was descended rather from a good than a Noble Family and about the Seventeenth year of his Age went to Oxford where he was placed under an able Tutor and was an extraordinary proficient but the Stage-Plays coming thither he was so much corrupted by seeing many Plays that he almost wholly forsook his Studies of which mischief being sensible he at his coming to London resolved â—ver to see a Play again to which he constantly adhered but one â—rruption of the mind draws on another so that he fell into many â—uthful vanities and kept too much ill Company with some vain â—eople till a sad accident drove him from it for he with some other â—oung Persons being invited out of Town to be merry one of the â—ompany called for so much Wine and went on in such excess that though Mr. Hale would have prevented it he fell down as dead â—efore them so that all that were present were not a little affrighted 〈◊〉 it who did what they could to bring him to himself again This â—â—d Particularly affect Mr. Hale who thereupon went into another â—om and shutting the door fell on his knees and prayed earnestly 〈◊〉 God both for his Friend That he might be restored to life again â—nd that himself might be forgiven forgiving such countenance to so â—uch excess and he vowed to God that he would never again keep â—â—mpany in that manner nor Drink allealth while he lived His friend recovered and he most Religiously kept his vow till his â—ying day and though he was afterwards pressed to drink healths â—rticularly the Kings which was set up by too many as a distinâ—uishing mark of Loyalty and drew many into great excess after â—is Majesties happy Restoration but he would never dispence with is Vow though he was roughly treated for this sometimes which â—â—me hot and indiscreet men call obstinacy This wrought such an â—â—tire change on him that now he forsook all vain Company and â—vidâ—d himself between the duties of Religion and the studies of â—s Profession in the former whereof he was so regular that for six â—â—d Thirty years time he never once failed going to Church on the â—â—rds day though he was acquainted with all sorts of Learning â—â—t he seemed to have made the study of Divinity the chiefest of all â—hers He was a very merciâ—ul and upright Judg and would hear no â—auses but in open Court which a great Peer once complained of 〈◊〉 the King But his Majesty bid him content himself that he was no â—rse used and said He verily believed he would have used himself no â—ttâ—r if he had gone to sollicitâ— him in any one of his own Causes He â—ade it as a Rule to himself That in the administration of Justice 〈◊〉 was intrusted for God the King and Countrey and therefore ought 〈◊〉 do it uprightly deliberately and resolutely and yet was much conâ—rned that though it was his duty to serve in the Office he was calâ—â—d to yet was it a great consumer of that little time we have here â—â—ch he thought might be better spent in a piâ—us Contemplative life â—â—d a due provision for Eternity J. Hales Life To conclude The most learned wise and sâ—â—ious Persons in all aâ—es have all concurred in their Judgments as to a future State and â—â—ve thought it to be the greatest wisdom in this world to be truly â—eligious and to work out their Salvation with fear and trembling FINIS There are lately published Three very useful anâ— necessary Books which are sold by Nathâ— Crouch at the Bell next door to the Widow Kemp's Coffee-House in Exchange-Alley over against the Royal-Exchange in Cornhill I. HIstorical Remarques and Observations of the Antient and Present State of London and Westminster shewing the Foundation Walls Gates Towers Bridges Churches Rivers Wards Halls Companies Government Courts Hospitals Schools Inns oâ— Court Charters Franchises and Priviledges thereof with an Account of the most Remarkable Accidents 〈◊〉 to Wars Fires Plagues and other occurrences for above 900 years past in and about these Cities and among other particulars the Poisoning of K. John by 〈◊〉 Monk The Resolution of K. Henry 3. utterly to destroâ— and consume the City of London with Fire for joyning with the Barons against him and his seizing their Charters Liberâ—â—â— and Customs into his hands The Rebellion of Waâ—â—â—yler who was slain by the Lord Mayor iâ— Smithfield and the Speech of Jack Straw at his Execution the deposing of R. Rich. 2. and his mournful Speech at his resigning the Crown with the manner 〈◊〉 his being Murdered The Dâ— of York's coming into thâ— Parliament and claiming the Crown in K. Henry 6. time The Murder of K. Henry 6. and likewise of Edw. 〈◊〉 and his Brother by Rich. 3. called Crook-back Thâ— Execution of Empson and Dudley the Insurrection iâ— London in K. Henry 8. time and how 411 Men and Women went through the City in their Shifts and Ropes about their necks to Westm Hall where they were pardoned by the King The Speeches of Q. Ann Bullen 〈◊〉 Lord Protector and Q. Jane Gray at their several Deaâ—â— upon Tower hill With several other Remarques in all the Kings anâ— Queens Reigns to this Year 1681. And a description 〈◊〉 â—e manner of the Tryal of the late L. Stafford in West Hall â—llustrated with Pictures of the most considerable matters â—uriously Ingraven on Copper Plates with the Arms of the â—5 Companies of London and the time of their Incorâ—orating by Rich. Burton Author of the History of the Wars of England c. Price One Shilling II. The Wars in England Scotland and Ireland Or AN Impartial Account of all