part of Suevia a Country-man walking over his ground to see his Corn in a dry season with a little girle a daughter of his with him wished that it would rain a good shower The Maid hearing her father say so out of her childish simplicity told him She could easily procure that for him The Father wondring at the childs words askt her how could she do such a feat O sayes she I learnt that of my Mother and added That she could easily cause it not onely to rain but hail and raise a great tempest and that her mother learnt it of a Master she converst with and that whensoever and whatsoever she required of him was presently perform'd but that her Mother had strictly charged her to tell no body The father being terrified at these things askt her if she had ever seen this Master The girle answered again that she had seen many come in and go out who her Mother told her were their Masters and Loving Lords Her father again demanded if she could just then raise a shower or storm She reply'd I if she had but a little water He therefore brought her to the River where calling upon this Master she presently caused it to rain in her father's fields alone and not in his neighbours as he had commanded her The man seeing that bid her also make it hail but so as but in one field which he shew'd her this she presently effected And then being fully resolved his wife was a Wiâ—ch he brought her before a Magistrate there convicted her of the crime and burnt her his daughter being put to holy exercises and by sacred means was delivered from the power and wiles of the devil Ibid. IN the Town Fach a Judge commanded his Serjeants to apprehend a Witch and bring him to execution but they were so annoyed with loathsome stincks and struck with such a terrour in the businesse that they utterly despaired of effecting it The Judge his name was Peter insisting more earnestly upon the performance of his command again exhorts them that they would take courage and lay violent hands upon the Witch for now the appointed time was come wherein the detected crimes of this impious person must be punished by which encouragements being animated to repel the fascinations of the devil the VVitch was taken and brought to execution AT another place when a Witch was bound and brought to the Gallows top she spet in the face of the Hangman and he presently fell down dead in like manner she did by a second But the third going about a little more warily was yet so invenom'd by her breath that all his face swelled till he was stark blind with it and a little after he died of it WHat power the Devils have to afflict Brutes Cattle and all other creatures and how they can raise storms and tempests you may find sufficiently laid open in the 14. 15. chapters of the forecited Author the examples are very horrible nor do I think it necessary to commemorate any more of them The History of Job will evidence the same thing what is not onely the power but how extream the malice of that evill Spirit THere were two brothers to whom their Father left a competent estate when he died the one of them took upon him a Monastick life the other married and set up a common Inne and most earnestly gaping after Riches used all means possible to defraud not onely his guests but their beasts by false weights and Measures and conveighing their provender from before them Whilst he thus strove to be rich his estate went to wrack on every side and the more he took care to heap up the more and greater losses he sustained When his brother the Monk came to him to part the estate with him according to his Fathers Will he desired his brother that he would forbear prosecuting him for the division of the goods at present for he was poor and in a very low condition and notwithstanding that he used all means possible for the gaining of an estate yet all the fraud he could use profited him nothing when the Monk heard this he said O my Brother if you order your Family so unjustly 't is no wonder that things go so ill with you For you keep such a guest that consumes all and more than you can possibly gather and if thou wilt see him follow me into the bottom of the Cellar and I will shew thee who consumes thy estate Whither when they were both come the Monk by his adjurations made the Devill that lay hid there shew himself to his brother And presently a beast of an immense bignesse and so fat that without much ado he could not move himself appeard which when the Monk saw he said O what a gainfull Inne dost thou keep and turning to his brother said Behold that beast thou hast pampered by thy fraud for whatsoever thou fraudulently gottest from any man this ugly beast devoured Therefore hearken to me Be faithfull and upright in thy dealing towards all men use an equall measure and defraud no body and after four years I will come again and then divide my Fathers estate with you His Brother follows the Monks counsell and as much as he went backwards in the world before he now came on and in a short time had such experience of divine goodnesse that he was Master of a great estate At four years end came his brother the Monk to see what condition his brother was yet in who received him with great alacrity and told him he had followed his advice desiring to see the beast now again in which the Monk gratified his brother and commanded the beast that lay hid in the Cellar to appear which when he came was so lean his bones would scarce hang together Then sayes the Monk to his brother now it 's time for this guest to get hence and seek another Host But if thou shalt hereafter order thy affairs with the like Justice thou shalt alwayes learn experience of the great blessing of our great and good God NOt long since sayes Bodinus in Vallis which is a name of the Suburbs of Laodunum a certain Witch by her inchantments freed a woman from her disease who was most grievously afflicted and thus she effected it Falling down upon her knees and looking towards the ground she called upon the Devill very often and with a loud voice that he would cure the Woman and pronouncing certain strange words gave her a morsell of bread to eat and by this means the woman recovered Which kind of cure is plainly such as if the sick woman had prayed to the Devill for health than which it were better to indure the most painful death Daemonomaniae lib. 1. cap. 6. I Remember about 20. years ago at Lutetia in a Noblemans house there I saw a young man by often reciting certain French words in the presence of many honest people which I think not good to mention at
to the Magitian when he should effect his promise When night was come both of them went into a Circle designed and prepared by Magicall incantations the Magitian by his charms raised a spirit which appeared in the likenesse of a Man receives the Mandate to bring Frederick home if he did not refuse to follow him Therefore the spirit immediately in the night comes to the Captive Prince saying to him Thy Brother Leopold hath sent me hither to take thee out of Prison Wherefore arise and mount this Horse and I will safely conduct thee to thy Brother To whom Duke Frederick answered Who art thou Ask not who I am saith the spirit but without further delay mount this horse if thou desirest to be delivered out of Prison then great fear and trembling seized not onely upon Frederick but also upon all that were with him but they signing themselves with the sign of the Crosse the spirit vanished away and returned alone to the Magitian In the Chronicle of Hedion book 4. IT is reported that in the year of Christ 1271. one John an Almain a Priest at Halberstadium was so skillfull in the Magick Art that upon Christmas Eve in the morning he said Masse thrice First at Halberstadium Secondly at Moguntia Thirdly at Colonia by the swiftnesse of his Horse which he rode upon which with incredible speed carried him from one of these Towns to the other Many very prodigious things are written which this Priest did by his Magicall Art IN the year of our Lord 1272. came to Cruce natum a Town in Lower Germany a Magitian full of tricks and Legerdemains who cut off his servant's head publickly in the Market place the people being spectators and within half an hour joyned that to his body which lay as it had been dead upon the ground the servant immediately recovering life and becoming as sprightful as ever he was He was seen carried up and down in the Ayre and making a great noise he seemed to be a-hunting to those that beheld him often times He seemed also sometimes to them that stood gazing at him to be an armed man that did greedily devour a Cart or Waggon of Wine or Wood and the Horses too IN the year 1553. two inchantresses were taken which by tempests hail and cold endeavoured to destroy the fruits of the Earth These women stole a Neighbours child which they cut in piecâ—s and put into a pot to boyl It came to passe by providence that the Mother seeking her child came at that instant and saw in the pot the diffected members of her child therefore these two pestilent Witches being taken and examined confessed by tortures that were deservedly inflicted upon them that if the boyling of this child had been perfected they had caused such terrible cold as had destroyed the fruits of the Earth Hedion book 5. IN the year of our Lord 1558. in a neighbour Town of Ahena a certain Magitian cured many mad-men by hearbs which the Devill had shewed him Moreover he had commerce with him and took dayly advice of him for curing of diseases it happened that there was great dissentions twixt him and a neighbour of his a Carpenter in their railings and brawlings the Carpenter did exasperate and vex the mind of the Magitian with some bitter and reproachfull speeches After some Moneths were expired the Carpenter fell into a dangerous disease and as one having forgot all former discontent between him and the Magitian seeketh to him to cure him of his most miserably afflicting sicknesse The Magitian counterfeiting himself appeased and much his friend whilst he promised his utmost indeavours to cure him in the mean time he resolves having this opportunity to revenge the wrongs he conceived and gives him a potion composed of venemous hearbs which as soon as the Carpenter had taken his body was cruciated and tormented with such extream pain that he suddenly gave up the Ghost The wife therefore of the Carpenter with his kindred accuse the Magitian of man-slaughter for which cause he is convented before the Senate at Ahena and being examined by torments he confessed this murder and other impious and most wicked deeds and that he had learned his Magick of a certain old Woman in the neighbourhood which lived at the Wood Hercynia for which most horrible and flagitious arts they caused him to be tyed to a stake and burnt to death Manlius in his Collections MArtin Luther using many words concerning Witches tells that his Mother was many wayes vext by an inchantresse a neighbour insomuch that she was wont for fear to shew her much kindnesse and by intreaties and courtesies used to procure her good will for this Witch did so torment her Infants by inchantments that with continuall crying they expired their lives And when a certain Preacher in his Sermon declaiming against such kind of Witches and alluding to her impiety he was so infested and infected with inchantments that he had no way to escape destruction for by these Witchcrafts the ground so shrinked from his feet as he went that he could not stay himself but was thereby forced into the River being unable to stay himself till he was cast therein And when it was enquired of Luther whether it were possible that such things should happen to the Godly he answered Yes certainly for our mind or Soul is subject to a lye yea our body is obnoxious to death and afflictions and I am perswaded that my sicknesses God permitting infest me by inchantments but God though he suffer his Elect to fall into such calamities yet he delivers them from the same TWo Witches being in an Inne filled two Urns or water-pots with water and set them aside and when in the evening they consulted whether they should destroy the corn or wine by chance the Host hearing their discourse and taking the water-pots he came softly to the bed-side where they lay and cast the water upon the Witches in bed which turning suddenly into Ice the Witches were utterly extinct Whereupon saith Luther the power of Satan greatly appears in these Witches for two wayes doth God shew his power by suffering the Devill to assail men by Witches first to punish the sins of the wicked secondly to try the pious and faithful and for their glorious approbation which they will obtain by their perseverance in faith for without the permission of Almighty God the Devil can hurt no man for the Lord saith He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye And Christ Without the Will of my Father a hair cannot fall from your head ALexander the sixth when he was Cardinal spent his time both day and night in contriving how he might obtain the Popedome and that he might more easily accommodate his desire he set his study upon the Satanical Art of Magick and so far proceeded therein that he promised the Devil diligently to observe him if he would satisfie him in those things he inquired He desired that the Devil
December in the year 1558. the Heaven being fair and clear as it is wont to be in Halcyon dayes And we at the same time saw thorough the battlements of the next house that were cast down and the porch broken to the Shop Bodin Daemonomaniae Lib. 3. cap. 3. MElancthon doth bring a History very like to this Ten men were overwhelmed by the ruine of the Tower Magdeburg when they did dig to find treasure which Satan had shewed them Gregorius Agricola in his Book de Spiritibus subterraneis writeth that at Annaeberg in that ruine which is called the Town of Roses there was a spirit in the shape of a Horse that killed twelve men and made them withdraw from the mine full of Silver which Magitians found by the help of Satan I Heard of a certain Lugdunensian in the Temple of the Virgin Mary that there was Campellanus of Lutetia who with his companions revealed the treasure of Arcolius near Lutetia by Magick-Art but when they thought to have the Chest in which it was hidden it was carried away with a Whirl-wind but part of the wall fell upon him by which he was made lame for the whole term of his life And when the Noribergensian Priest had found the treasure by the help of Satan and long ago was about to open the box the house was abolished with a fall I Heard also from a Lugdunensian practitioner in the Law that he with his companions went in the night that they might seek out a treasure by uttering Conjurations and when they began to dig they heard a voice as it were of a man which was put on the wheel most horribly crying to the thieves so they were turned to flight but evill spirits in the very same moment pursuing them slew them even to that house from whence they came and they entered it with so great a noise that the Host thought it had thundered and from that time he swore that he would never seek after treasure Bodin BOdin also proves by an example that sorcerers can bewitch mens eyes and move laughter and make the spectators astonished concerning Triscalanus that Magitian which said of a certain Curat all the Parish Priests being present See ye that Hypocrite who feigning to bring a Register doth bring play-papers Then the Curate willing to shew that he brought a Register he seemed to himself to have play-papers and whosoever were present seemed to themselves to see papers so that the curate cast away his book of account and went away ashamed But others coming a little after gathered up the Register book being freed from that likenesse of Papers by which thing it was manifest that Satan did delude men in many things and also bind fast every ones eyes For those which were not present at the former action when the sorcerer cast his delusions before the eyes of those that were present did see a true book of account when others on the contrary did perceive but an appearance of papers c. THe Germanes being about to search what Witch had made a horse feeble and decaying did draw the bowels of another horse to certain houses and not entring the gates but a Cellar or Cave under ground did burn those bowels Then the Sorceress which had committed that evil feeling the pain of the Collick all within She runneth streightway to the houses where the bowels were burn'd that she might ask for a burning cole and her pain did cease But if the doors were not opened the houses were darkened ringed with horrible thunder and threatned ruine unlesse those that were within would open the door which Sprangerus writeth that he observed and saw in Germany I Heard from D. Antonius Lonanius the King 's general Legate that there was a Sorcerer at Ribemont who having pronounced certain words did discover another by a sieve All the names of those that were suspected were brought and when the name of that man who was in the fault was brought the sieve did move uncessantly and the Magitian accessary to the same fault came which being found the Sorcerer was condemned Bodin lib. 3. cap. 4. I Remember that D. Bodin the King 's general Procurator sometimes related to me When all his cattel remained in a Village at Moldena that it was told his Wife that a certain beast must be slain which here it doth not please me to declare and he ought to hang it with the feet upward under the threshold of the stable with pronouncing certain words which it is not needfull here to insert this being done there did none of his cattel perish Idem ibid. JOhannes Martinus performing his turn of Ruler of Laodunum declared to me that when he was to try a Witch by the Authority of S. Proba for she had tormented a Mason with so great sickness that his head did hang down almost between his legs his body being crooked which evill he did suspect to come to him from the sorceresse the Judg having regarded it well he commanded that word should be brought to the Witch that she by no other means could save her life then by healing the Mason And therefore she commanded a swathing band to be brought home by her daughter she calls upon the Devill casting her countenance on the ground she muttered certain charms before them all and delivering the swathing band to the Mason she gave commandment that he should be washed in a bath and that which was shut in the swathing band should be put into the Bath with these words Get thou gone in the Devills name She said that there was this and no other means of recovery These things being done the Mason was cured But yet before those things were seen in the Bath she being willing to know what was in the swathing band which she had forbidden to be done they found three little corns in it But the Mason while he was in the bath perceived as it were three great fishes in it when he came forth of it although they did seek them very diligently yet neither the fish nor the arm was found The sorceresse was burned alive and remained without repentance Idem lib. 3. cap. 5. WE read in horto Antonii de Tarquamedia lib. 3. of a certain Magitian who said to a rustick man whom he saw bitten by a mad-dogg That he was one that delivered from harm that he might not lose his life And when he prick'd his nose thrice to let forth blood he was cured CAâ—olus Martinus Governour of Laodunum being certified that a poor woman in the valley that was the name of the Laodunensian Suburbs was bewitched by a Sorceress her Neighbour and taking pity of her he threatned death to the Witch unlesse she took away the disease from her Neighbour She fearing promised to heal her and therefore she came to the beds feet looked steadfastly on the Earth joyned her hands called on the greatest Devil with a loud voice afterwards renewed her prayers repeating some unknown words and
delivered a crust of bread to the sick person which in the same moment began to recover This being done the Governour returning home did appoint that she should be apprehended and be burned as soon as might be but she was not seen in those parts from that time Idem ibid. WE shall bring a fresh example from an honourable man President of Vitriacus Francus who was assigned to all the greatest meetings of Brusis in the year 1577. When we wanted his help I did earnestly sollicite him that we might assist each â—ther in the publick burden lest he should go out of his place before the States were dismissed he answered That he had a certain friend who lay sick to death he was sent for by him and was made his heir he thenceforth was sick five or six years his members failing him and therefore his father being advertised that there was a man in Flanders who could cure his son went hither presently The Sorcerer unfolded the disease of the son which he had never seen to the Father and sent him away into Lusitania to another Magitian whose name he told him living in the King's Court. The Father bearing this patiently went into Lusitania where the Magitian said to the Father before he did onely proffer to speak Friend thy son shall be cured in a short time go into France thou shalt find a certain man named M. Benedictus towards Noviodunum about 20 miles from thy house but there are many of the same name this man shall cure thy son And therefore the Father wondring that he should undertake so great travail that he might seek that afar off which was near took courage and went to M. Benedictus But he said to the Father Thou hast spent very much labour going into Flanders and Lusitania that thy son might be restored Go command him to come to me I am he that will heal him The Father answered to these things Now he hath not gone out of his bed for above these 5 years and hath not truly the least faculty of moving in him But at length with no little trouble the sick person was brought thither and he was eased in part but yet he was not long well Idem ibid. JAcobus Sprangerus the Commissioner to enquire after the crimes of Magitians by the same argument doth write that he saw a Bishop in Germany who being very sick he knew by an old witch that he was sick by witchcraft neither was there any other way to recover his health then that the same witch should perish by enchantment who had cast the charme upon him The Bishop wondring sent with all speed to Rome to the Pope Nicolaus V. that he might get leave to be cured by this meanes The Pope which did love him singularly did grant his request with this small sentence that of two evils he should flye the worst The Letters Patents being brought the Witch said Seeing that it pleaseth the Pope and the Bishop she would perform it So in the middle of the night the Bishop was restored but the Sorceress which had bewitched him fell into the same disease from which he was freed But in the mean time that Sorceress which dyed would never consider but uncessantly committed her self to Satan to recover her health IN the field of Poictiers in France in the year 1571. Charls the eleventh King after dinner commanded that Triscalanus whom he had pardoned that he might disclose the partakers of his fault should be brought to him He confessed before the King and a great assembly of his Nobles the manner by which Sorcerers are conveyed their dancings sacrifices offered to Satan detestable copulations with Devils having shapes of men and women Moreover he added That dust was taken by many with which they killed men cattel and fruit Every one admiring at these his sayings Caspar Collignius Admiral of France for he by chance was present said That a youth was apprehended in the field of Poictiers some moneths before being accused concerning the death of two Noblemen he confessed that he was their servant and he saw them with dust cast into the houses and the corn saying these words A curse on that fruit on that house on that Region And therefore he having gotten this dust took it and cast it into the bed where those two Nobles did lye so both were found dead in the bed but swelling and very black The Judges did discharge the boy Then Triscalanus hearing that discovered also many things of that kind But it may be believed if the King whose body otherwise had the strongest joynts and complexion had commanded this Prince of Magitians and his other followers to be burned together that God would grant a longer and more blessed life to him for these Judgments For the Word of God is alwayes manifest unto him that he who quitteth a man worthy of death doth return his deserved punishment on himself as the Prophet said to King Achab That he because he had shewed favour to a man that did deserve death should dye Ibid. IT is manifest unto all men that the man of Rochell who was wounded to death of whose health all Chirurgions did despair was so ordered by the help of a certain Magitian that he could walk and speak some dayes indeed Satan and not any other did bear him that he might shew his power to the Magitians Ibid. JOachimus Camerarius doth declare in his book de natura Daemonum When by chance a certain Butcher went by a Wood in the night he heard a noise and dancings and therefore having sought the thing diligently coming he saw silver cups which things as soon as the Sorcerers and Devils were separated presently the Butcher took and the day after brought them to the Magistrate so they whose marks were in the Cups did accuse others being summoned to the Court and were all deservedly punished THere is another more excellent example of that execution which was made at Pictavium in the year 1564. the history of which execution I learned as well from many in the same place as also from Salvertus President of the people of Poictiers who was then sent for to hear the Judgment with Daventonius the President of Poictiers with other Judges and all in that region know it Three men with one woman being Sorcerers were condemned to be burned alive together when they were proved guilty of the death of very many men and cattel dust being brought to them as they did confesse by the help of the Devil furnishing them which they hid under the ground of Sheep-cotts and the threshold of houses But they declared That they were wont to go thrice to the greatest meeting whither innumerable Magitians came together to a certain cross-way where Feasts are solemnized which did afford them the use of an Image there was before them a great black hee-Goat speaking to those that were present with humane reason that they should leap all into the circuit of his embracements and then
much glory By which dream the most valiant man most thirsty after glory yet not so much affrighted as encouraged unto the desire of his promised end began to decline no kind of danger and being admonished by friends that he should fight the more warily he opened unto them his dream and purpose Then notwithstanding being beyond thought unhurt he brought the army out safe from the jaws of their enemies But after three years passed between the late truth was brought to sleep For in the Latine War himself being Consull sacrificed himself for the Common-wealth and being brought into the middle of the enemies Armies he dyed with such glory that he stirred up his son unto the like desire of an hereditary death These almost after this manner are both written in the Annals of Rome and related by Tully C. Gracchus saw the shape of his brother Tiberius who was killed in the sedition of the field Law in his sleep saying He might delay as much as he would yet he must perish with the same death by which he had died Which also happened For when after most destructive Lawes published he had possessed the Mount of Aventine with an armed multitude by Lucius Opimius he was slain Cicero in Book 1. Of Divination Plutarch in the life of the Gracchians CAlpurnia the Wife of Julius Caesar saw in her rest that night which was the last he lived on the Earth that he was slain with many wounds laying in her bosome and being exceedingly affrightned through the cruelty of the dream ceased not to intreat him that the next day he would abstain from the Court But he not moved with a Womans dream thought to do that he earnestly desired to go to the Senate in which the hands of Parricides were brought on him where by Brutus and Cassius he was slain Valerius Book 1. chap. 3. L. Cornelius Sylla not onely foresaw his death but also wrote somewhat of it For in the twenty second Commentary of deeds done by him two dayes before he deceased he set to the last hand and saith the Chaldeans foretold him That where he had famously lived he was to depart in the flowr of happiness He telleth also That his son who had dyed a little before Metella was seen in a dream to stand by him in an unusual garment and to have prayed his father that he would lay aside cares and would go forward with him to his Mother Metella there with her to live in rest Plutarch in Sylla A Beholder of Playes who standing in the place of beholding had mused in his sleep that he was slain by a sword-player who seemed to be present by and by he told the sitters by that he had seen the Dream so being killed by him with an Eel-spear he taught by experience the vain dream to be true by a miserable issue Alexander book 3. chap. 26. GReat Sfortias the day before he departed from Orthona against Braccius who besieged the City Aquila in the year 1425 dreamed about the morning That being overwhelmed with a deep heap of waters was conversant in the greatest danger of his life and to have beheld a man in a Gyant-like shape very like to D. Christopher of whom even with a great and often repeated voyce he besought help in vain But he being nothing warned by his dream departing by Orthona in the crosse passage of the small River Aternus which at this day hath its name from the Town Piscaria while he brought help unto a Lad his Armour-bearer being in jeopardy his right hand being stretched forth pitching in the muddy Foord his horse although famous failed in his hinder legs and so his armour weighing him down he was drowned Jovius in his Life MAlpaga an Archer was not an unacceptable servant unto Galeatius Sfortias Duke of Mediolum among his household-servants This man the day before that Galeatius was killed he saw in the night at the time of rest as if himself had been present at the thing him being thrust thorow with wounds made to be put together with his father in the same Coffin That which afterwards he waking beheld to be done Galeatius being dead while a proper coffin was made for him Which sight the same Malpaga before the Duke was killed being through fear astonished had told unto his Earls Fulgosus B. 1. ch 5. Of Examples MArk-Anthony Taurell Earl of Guastella when he warred in the Kingdom of Neapolis in that War which Ferdinand the Elder King of Arragon waged with Renatus King of Andegavia in the standing Camps which he had in the Country of the Brutians arising in the morning from his bed he told those his Souldiers who had stood about him that he saw in his sleep that he was drowned in the water and therefore decreed to abstain from swimming to which he had accustomed himself But when at noon-day after sleep being cloathed with a Souldiers warlike garment naked from above he had come to walk to the neighbouring Lake and saw some of his Souldiers swimming being unmindfull of his night-dream and perchance the destinies so drawing him letting himself down with some others into the Lake to swim according to the dream that he had seen he was drowned when as none of his Souldiers could bring him help Fulgosus book 1. chap. 5. HOrace Perusine servant of the Feasts or Junkers unto Alexander of Medices Duke of the Florentines a little before that he was killed by Lawrence of Medices was vexed with a Feaver from a vapour as is meet to be believed of black choler he had a sight thrice in the night in the which he beheld the Prince to be stabbed by Lawrence Which images of things drave the sick-man that he told it to Paschall the Prince's Physitian to be related to the Prince But Paschall carefully doing duty found the Prince in that mind that he said it was a fable of a dreaming sick man admiring why the whole house had conspired together for hatred of Lawrence The Supply of Sabellicus book 22. out of Jovius BAptista of Cardanum studying at Papia on a certain night as soon as he arose tryed to kindle a sparkle of fire In the mean time he heareth this voyce Go my son go to Rome And he saw a great brightnesse like a bundel of burning chaff He being affrighted his fire-light being laid aside lay hid under the bed untill his chamber-fellows returned out of the University When they returned thinking him to be sick they knock at the door he openeth it Straightway to them enquiring the cause he answereth He thought his Mother to be dead and told what he had seen and heard and also wept They turned the thing into a jest partly laughing at him partly comforting him The day following when as yet he had not received a message concerning his Mothers sicknesse he was certified of her death that she breathed out her soul in that very hour wherein he had perceived these things The Town of Cardanum is
as the custome was with pomp Wherefore their god was angry and infected the privy members oft he men with a grievous disease And enquiring of the Oracle by what means they might be freed from this punishment had this answer that they should receive their god with pomp and honour And so from this they carried through the whole solemnities pikes adorned with green leaves as well publickly as privately Natales Comes lib. 5. cap. 13. THe Captains of the Japigans did take out the Images of the gods out of the Temples who boastingly said it was fit that they should give place to those that are most potent And because of that they were smote with darts and fire from heaven And there did appear Darts afar off which were shot out of the Clouds And all their children unto this day are shaven unto the skin and wear long mourning Gowns and are to all more rare then good men Athenaeus lib. 12. cap. 7. WHen the Aeginetae invaded the Epidaurians and carryed away the Olive-tree Images of Damiae and Auxesiae by reason of which the Epidaurians yearly were constrained to bear the rites to Erictheus at Athens for by that law they had granted the Epidaurians power of their Olive-trees the Epidaurians refused to let go their bargain Therefore the Athenians sent a Cart into Aegina to fetch back the Statues that they might bring the Images as though they had been made of their wood therefore they endeavoured with might and main and ropes cast about to draw the Statues into their Ships But as they drew them the Images fell on their knees and from that time they alwaies remained in that posture Moreover when there was a great Thunder and Earthquake the Rowers were made mad and wounded one another grievously and slew all save one that was the Messenger of this slaughter who betook himself to Phalerus Herodotus Libro 5. ARtabarus a Persian the son of Pharnax who had a comission from Mardonius for the Circuit of 60. miles when he rushed into Neptunes Temple and wickedly and irreligiously upon his Image in the siege of the City he was much troubled with the flux of the Sea and being constrained to raise his siege when he with his Army retreated into Pallenes he lost a great part of it by the overflowing Tides of the Sea Herodot lib. 8. PUb. Scipio Africanus Minor when he had granted leave to his Souldiers to take Carthage a certain Souldier going into the Temple of Apollo did attempt to bereave the Image of the Golden Vestment for which thing Apollo being angry caused that those sacrilegious hands should be found cut off among those fragments of the Clothes and the skirts of the Trunk or body of the Image Valer. Max. lib. 1. cap. 2. THe Grecians convented and met together in Aulis being to sail to Troy Agamemnon going a pretty way from the Army seeing a she-Goat about Dianaes Grove ignorant of Religion which was in that place smote it with a Dart not long after Diana being angry sent the Pestilence into his Army a certain Religious Woman affirmed that Diana was vexed for the death of her she-Goat in which she much delighted and that she would have punishment of the Army for such a sacrilegious fact and that she could not be appeased before he that was the Authour of this wickednesse did sacrifice his eldest daughter c. Dictis lib. 1. PAncrates Arcadicus in inscriptis Marinis operibus declares the fish Pompilus called also Nautillus is not onely in esteem with Neptune but with all the gods in Samothrace When the Golden kind of men as yet lived Epopaeus of the Icarian Island fishing together with his son and seeing that he could catch no other fish but Pompills he did not refrain from eating them but he with his son did eat them all But shortly after he suffered for his villany For a Whale coming to the Ship swallowed up Epopaeus in the sight of his son Moreover Pancrates doth relate that the Pompilus is an enemy to the Dolphin and that they let the Mechi go Scot-free when they have eaten a Pompill for they become unprofitable and being troubled after they have eaten them the water casteth them on the shore where they are food for Cormorants and Gnats Athaeneus lib. 7. cap. 7. THey say that a certain man hid a piece of holy Money which he stole out of the Temple of Apollo at Delphos in that part of Parnassus which is shadowed most with Woods and Trees But a Wolf violently killed him sleeping and afterwards every day he did make the City resound with his howlings When the men of Delphos began to think that it could not be done without some divine providence following the beast they found the Gold which was taken away by sacriledge and for the memory of the thing they dedicated a Brazen Wolf to Apollo Pausanias lib. 10. SAmbicus a certain man of Eleus a City of Thrace together with some other of his companions threw down many Brazen Statues and sold them Afterwards attempting greater things he spoiled the Temple of Diana their Guardian For her Temple was in Elis a City of Achaia which they called the Temple of Aristarchus But he being apprehended presently after when he refused to betray his companions he was torn with new devised torments amongst which he lost his life Plutarch in problemat Graec. PHilomelus who first possessed the Temple of Apollo at Phocis restrained his hand from the holy things which necessity did permit him to take But Onomarchus which succeeded him spent much of the Money in War Phyallus the third the brother of Onomarchus took away a great number of the gifts which were consecrated in the Temple to coyn Money to pay his hired souldiers And truly having received 120. Golden bucklers dedicated by Caesar King of the Lydians which weighed two Talents he cast them aside to make money and likewise three hundred and sixty Golden Cups which weighed twenty pounds and the Golden Images of a Lion and a woman so that all those things were valued at thirty Talents of Gold and all those things which were coyned of the Gold according to the account of Silver did amount to four thousand Talents But all the Captains did spend the summe of above six thousand Talents out of silver things which were consecrated as well by Croesus as others that if the whole value of the Gold and silver were accounted it would amount to more then 10000. Talents But all these were heavily punished for their impiety and contempt of the Deity For Philomelus fighting against the Boeotians the revengers of sacriledge being wounded in many places was shut into a certain sleep place whence he could not easily get out a punishment which sometimes was wont to be inflicted on Captives he being afraid cast himself headlong thence and in the same manner paying a due punishment to the Deity he died Diodorus lib. 16. Onomarchus having his Army vanquished by Philip
answer that the god which was worshipped in Heliopolis being appeased he should look upon the face of a woman which knew no man carnally besides her own Husband so beginning from his own Wife when he had many he found none that was uncorrupted besides the wife of a certain Gardiner whom he took to Wife after he had received his sight but he burned all the rest in a certain Village Which place the Aegyptians afterwards called The holy Turf But he giving thanks to the god of Heliopolis according to the Oracle received he erected two Obelisks of one stone eight foot broad and an hundred high Diodorus lib. 1. cap. 4. WHen a certain woman said to Adrian the Emperour being very sick that she was admonished in her sleep by the gods to exhort him not to kill himself although he seemed to languish under a tedious disease because in a short time he should receive his health The same woman did put out her own eyes because the health of the Prince did not answer in time according to her report Lastly also she was admonished to kisse the knees of Adrian and wash her eyes with the water which was in the Temple and having followed the advice of her dream she presently received her sight In like manner a certain man being come from Pannonia which was blind from his birth having touched Adrian obtained his sight and Adrian was restored to his former good health AMasis King of the Aegyptians married a Wife which some would have to be the daughter of Battus the son of Archesilaus others of Critobulus a very honourable man amongst his people by name Ladices with whom when he lay in bed he could not perform his marriage duty as when he made use of other women When it was so a long time Amasis said to her Thou O Wife hast bewitched me and therefore thou canst not escape by any policy whereby thou mightest not perish by the worst death among all women When Ladices could not appease Amasis by denying it she vowed within her self to Venus that if Amasis might copulate that night with her she would send an Image to her at Cyrena Her wish being granted Amasis copulated with her and afterwards as often as he lay with her he performed his matrimoniall duty and afterwards he loved her dearly And Ladices performed her vow having made a Statue and sent it to Cyrena which remained whole till the time of Herodotus being placed without the Cyrenensian City Herodotus lib. 2. WHen Milo Epirota had cast a spear at Laodamia the daughter of Pyrrhus which fled to the Altar of Diana as to a defence the goddesse revenging her he ran mad whereby he died within the space of 12. dayes WHen a certain sacrifice was performed to Jupiter Ascraeus a herd of Goats belonging to Helicarnassus being brought to the Temple stood and the prayers being ended one of them no body guiding it went forward till he came to the Altar which the Priest taking sacrificed Apollonius de Hist. Mirab IN Boeotia they think that Hercules doth shut and open the Temple of Ceris Micalessia every night Moreover they put all the Apples which Autumn brings forth at the feet of the Image and they remaine very fresh the whole year Pausanias in Boeoticis THere was a Village of the Nyssaenes between Tralles and Nyssa not far from the City by name Achrata where is a place belonging to Pluto encompassed with a sumptuous Grove Also the Temple of Pluto and Juno and the Den of Charon admirable by nature which is above the Grove They report that sick people that desire to be cured by these gods do go thither and tarry in a Village near the Cave with those that are skillfull in the holy things who sleeping receive cures for them in their dreams The Priests calling for the remedies of the gods do oftentimes lead them into the Den where remaining as in a Cave they spend many dayes fasting and sleeping sometimes those that are sick do receive health in their own Dreams by the guiding and advice of the Priests Strabo lib. 14. EPidaurus a City of Peloponesus being ennobled by the famousnesse of Aesculapius who as the ancients write hath cured divers kinds of diseases But the Temple was filled with a multitude of sick people and Tables hanging up in which the diseases that were cured were written In the same manner it was in the Island Coa and likewise in Trica The City was scituated in the innermost Closet of the bosome of Saronicus Strabo lib. 8. The same Strabo writeth that there was a famous Temple of Aesculapius at Tetrapolis which City was inhabited by the Jonians and Carians That Temple was full of an innumerable convention of sick people troubled with divers diseases and the walls were every where covered with painted Tables wherein were written the diseases and names of them which were cured by that god THey record that there is a Temple of Minerva Ilias in which Dogs are nourished to whom it is given naturally as also by some certain knowledge to fawn upon the Graecians when they come but follow the Barbarians with barking wheresoever they shew themselves Coelius lib. 23. cap. 30. Antiq. lect THere is a round Temple of Hercules of admirable structure in the beast-market of Rome into which they relate neither Dogs nor flyes can enter As no bird can enter into the Temple of Achillâ—s before Borysthenes Alexander ab Alexand. lib. 2. cap. 14. THere was a Temple of Pallas at Methon a City of Peloponnesus Diomedes dedicating an Image because before that he received damage by most violent Winds in those parts blowing very unseasonably which presently after ceased when they prayed to the goddesse and afterwards no such calamity came upon the Inhabitants From whence she got the name Minerva Coelius lib. 20. cap. 24. Antiq. lect WHen Greece was troubled with a continuall drought and the rest of Greece was no lesse distracted for want of rain which was without Isthmus than all Peloponnesus they sent to Delphos that they might know by the Oracle the cause and remedy of the calamity There Pythia answered that they must appease Jupiter but they must make use of Aeacus to sue for them so that he is willing to obey Therefore when they had received that answer they sent out of every City to entreat Aeacus to undertake the entreaty He having finished the sacrifices to Jupiter and offered the vows replenished all Greece with abundance of rain For the memory of the thing the Citizens of Argos did erect statues for the Ambassadors Pausanias in Corinthiacis THe Sepulchre of Aristomenes of Messene is worthy to be seen in a Colledge of Messene a City of Achaia in Greece which they say in good earnest is not empty and a monument set up for honour of the body not present For although he being driven from the Spartanes died in banishment yet by the command of Pythius Apollo his bones were carried back
him to do in like manner Not long after Benedict gloriously shining appeared to Edelbertus the Monk and told him that he was translated from Purgatory to Beatitude Odilones and the Monks praying for him he appeared again to Odilones giving him thanks for that he had received so great mercy chiefly by his prayers Idem Ibidem RObertus Gaguinus telleth That John the Anchorite reported to Ansoaldus Bishop of Pictavum That he was raised by a certain reverend old man from his sleep and commanded to pray for the soul of Dogabert King of France the hour of his death which when he had done he saw a company of Devils in the middest of the Sea who carried the soul of the King in a boat hawling him to torments he calling upon Martin Maurice and Dionysius the Martyrs to help him against them and that those three men came to him cloathed in white garments professing they were the men he called on who helped Dogabert and freed the soul of the suppliant King from torments without delay and carried him with them to heaven Sigebertus in Chronico about the year of our Lord 645. telleth to a certain man That the soul of Dagobert coming to Judgment was accused by many Saints for his spoyling of Churches and that evill Angels endeavouring to take him away Dionysius the Parisiensian intervened and freed him onely prescribing that in satisfaction of the wrong he had done he should to the honour of God and the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul whom he had offended build a Church MAurice the Rothamagensian Bishop brought into the Temple after his death having received his soul again said to them that stood about him Mark well the last words of your Pastour I am naturally dead but am revived that I may declare to you what I have seen for I am to retain my soul no longer then I speak to you my conductors whose apparrell and countenance was most fair and lovely to behold and their speech most pleasant promised me going towards the Sun-rising the delectable and wished for enjoyment of Paradise and having finished the adoration of Saints at Jerusalem we went towards Jordan by the Inhabitants whereof our company increasing I was filled with exceeding joy and when I made haste to passe the River my companions reported that our Lord had taught that veniall sins which I had not formerly washed away by confession would be purged by the aspect and fear of the Devil which thereupon I should conceive forthwith there appeared an army of most ugly spirits flourishing and tossing most sharp Spears and vomitting out of their mouthes flames of fire so that the ayr seemed all over filled with Iron and flames at which sight I was miserably filled with horrour That therefore you may consult and provide for your safeties I have assumed this habite to speak to you and presently again he expired Vincentius lib. 25. cap. 4. MAcarius of Alexandria upon a time walking in Scyâ—hiotican solitude looking upon the skull of a dead man lying upon the ground began to obtest it by the name of Jesus and to interrogate it of what Countrey he was when he lived and in what place his soul sometimes his Inhabitant now abode His dry mouth denudated of flesh and nerves burst forth into speech answering he had been a Gentile and an Inhabitant of the next Village and that now his soul was thrust crowded as remotely deep into the Gulph of infernal perdition as Heaven is distant from the Earth but the incredulous Jews were thrown lower then he and Hereticks who endeavoured to pervert with falshood the revealed truth of Divinity lower then they Idem CYrillus Hierosolymitanus reporteth Whilest in great heaviness he was at prayer desiring that he might know the condition of the soul of Ruffus his dead Nephew he first smell 't a most heavy stink intolerable if he had not stopt his nose and presently after he saw Ruffus bound in burning chains vomiting flames out of his mouth mixt with smoak his body all over by reason of the heaâ— he seemed to suffer within sparkling fire and being much affrighted with this sad spectacle he earnestly desired to know for what cause a man who for his integrity of life was beloved of all men should be judged worthy of such punishments No fault was objected against him for ought he could find for which he was so tormented but his playing at dice which he sundry times using thought it a light sin or none at all and therefore neglected to confess it to a Priest Idem A Certain man in the confines of the Province Valeria before the Priest Severus came to him to absolve him of his sinnes finished his course presently the same day the Lord looking upon the pâ—â—â—ers and tears of Severus the young man revived and being asked what became of his soul whilest his body was deprived of it he answered That it was snatched by certain men blacker then Moors who breathed fire out of their mouthes and nostrils who carried him through open and rough places but as he was thus led being met by young men arrayed in white garments shining with a glorious light the Devils were forced to dismiss him and restore him to his body for that they said God had granted this to Severus who had by prayer devoutly desired it Therefore having confessed his sins to the same Priest and done penance he dyed the seventh day again but more happily then before Marulus ex Gregorio IN the time that Rome was repaired after the Goths had wasted it one rather wicked then ignoble being dead revived As his friends were bewailing his death and said Send one to the Church of Lawrence the Martyr to enquire what Tiburtius the Priest doth for I saw him put upon a pile of wood fiercely burning I also saw another pile which with the point of the flame thereof seemed to reach Heaven I heard a voyce breaking out of the flame which shewed for whom this punishment is prepared which having declared he was stricken not with a Planet but death it self and again returneth from whence he came and it appeared Tiburtius at that instant exhaled his wretched soul whom every man almost fore-judged every one detesting his life for though he was a Priest he had nothing belonging to his place besides the figure and name Idem STephen a Roman illustrious in his age going to Constantinople fell sick and dyed and because they who accompanied him had a desire by reason of the respect they owed him to carry his body to his native Countrey they enquired for one to imbalm him by taking out his bowels and applying Spices and ordinary means to keep the body from putrifying in the Journey They could find no imbalmer by all their inquisition they made after one but the next day the dead body was restored to life and lived long after though not so reformedly as he ought Wherefore many rebuked him because what horrid sights he had seen
a sharp dart 266 Philumena the Harlot of Apelles the Heretick 267 Magitians come out of Egypt to Byzantium to shew their art 268 Wonderful tricks shewed by some of them for money by others for ostentation 269 Michael Sicidites Magnus Manuel Comnenus being Emperour would allow no such Sights 270 Gregory the seventh his Miracles 271 In the cave of an Ile belonging to the Ostrogothians strange Inchantments 272 Antonius Heliogabalus his Magicall inchantments 273 The Emperour Atrian when he understood by Magick that one whose name begun with Theta should succeed him in the Empire commanded all to be slain whose names begun with that letter 274 Andronicus Comnenus Tyrannus consulteth a Magitian 275 Euphrosina Wife of Alexius Angelus the Emperour gave up her mind to divinations 276 Theotecnus of Athens an Inchanter and cruel persecutoe of Christians 277 Jason's Enterprize with fifty four more young gallants 278 Johannes Teutonicus by Magicall art causeth Spectrum to appear 279 An Arabian after drinking Cocks-blood conjured an East wind for three dayes 280 A young gallant of the Town of Gaza consulteth Magitians for the obtaining of a Ladies love with whom he was enamoured 281 Demetrius Spartanus deludes the people of Rome by his Magick for which he is worthily punish'd 282 A Maid of sixteen years of age possessed with a Devil 283 Cardanus his Relation out of his fifteenth book of one possessed with a Devill 284 Vierus his strange relation of a Maid bewitched 285 His wonderfull relation of an Husbandman bewitched 286 Fulgosus his miraculous report of a religious man 287 Boccatius a noble Lombard 288 Johannes Baptist Port. Neapolitan his relation of a Witch 289 Jarcka his gift to Apollonius Tyaneus 290 Witches by giving men cheese turn'd them into beasts 291 Witches transforming men into beasts sell them to Merchants 292 Michael Verdunus and Peter Burgottus contract with the Devil 293 An horrible Earthquake in Norway in the year 1348. 294. A Bull charmed with Magical incantations 295 A Virgin of Bononia conversant with men two years after her death 296 A studious young man of Sfordia inamoured of a Virgin 297 Andreas an Italian a notable Satanical jugler 298 A dunghill Cock divines 299 John Faustus carried about with him an evil spirit in shape of a dog 300 The Devil comes to Frederick of Austria being prisoner in a Castle near Naburg offering to set him free but he drives the devil away by the sign of the Cross 301 John an Almain Priest at Haberstadium a Magitian 302 A Magitian who cut off his servants head uniting it to his body again 303 Enchantresses who desired and endeavoured to destroy the fruits of the earth 304 A Magitian of a Neighbour Town of Ahena 305 Martin Luther his tale of his Mothers being vexed with an Inchantress 306 Without the permission of God the Devil can hurt no man 307 Pope Alexander a Magitian 308 Of a Virgin who instead of tears wept drops of blood 309 A Magitian being hanged vanished away and a bundle of straw remained in his stead 310 How to arm our selves against the power of the devil 311 Of the commixtion and commerce of the devil with Witches 312 A Witch useth means to seduce a chaste Virgin to lie with the devil 313 A young Virgin signing her self with the sign of the Cross driveth away devils 314 A woman prostitutes her self to the devil 315 In the Brixiensian Diocess a young Wife bewitched to death 316 A young Noble-man deprived by Witchcraft of natural strength to beget children 317 Devils appear in form of young gallants 318 A Priest who formerly thought there was no Witches bewitched 319 Barrenness in a family by Witchcraft 320 A Mid-wife a Witch 321 A poor Labourer set upon by Gentlewomen Witches in the shape of Cats which he grievously hurt 322 A woman to perpetrate her malice contracteth with the Devil 323 A woman afflicted with a Leprosie by witchcraft 324 A Witch infects an hangman with Leprosie 325 Inchantments hid under the threshold of a door 326 A woman by constant and fervent prayers to Almighty God delivered from Witchcraft 327 Witches devote their Children to the Devil 328 Witches make it rain hail or cause a tempest at their pleasure by the power of the devil 329 A Witch causeth loathsome stinks to the terrour of her apprehenders 330 A Witch being to be hang'd spits upon the face of the hang-man whereupon he fell down dead 331 The History of Job evidenceth the power of the devil 332 They who get unjustly labour for the devil 333 A Witch cures a woman afflicted with sickness by praying to the devil 334 Witchcraft by Spells and using of a sieve 335 Two verses out of the Psalms being pronounced no Butter will be produced by art 336 Ring-Magick by putting a ring upon a bowl of water 337 Rod-magick 338 Amasis King of Egypt so bound by Magick that he could not perform Nuptial rights to his Wife Laodice 339 Witchcraft performed by tying of a knot many wayes 340 A woman accuseth a Witch for binding her Husband that he could not perform marriage rites 341 It passeth the power of the Devil to bind men from eating or drinking by intercepting the power of their stomach 342 Insulanus Lord of the Novallians desirous to know the number of his dayes 343 John Charterius an Historiographer and Guilhelm a Doctor of Sorbon â—emned for Sorcery 344 A â—naus Witchcraft detected by her husband 345 A great Lady of Lugdunum her Witchcraft discovered by her stallion 346 A Nobleman of Maldunum who for curiosities sake went amongst Witches 347 A woman accused of Witchcraft by her Husband 348 A great company of Witches vanished away by a young maids calling upon God who was seduced to their society 346 The devill obligeth witches by an oath to renounce God 350 The devill seated upon a Throne 351 The devill lyeth as men use to do with Women with a Witch 352 Confessions of Witches 353 Witches by their Husbands taken in the manner with the devill 354 A Noblewoman of Spain seduced by a witch had to do with the devil at eighteen years of age 355 A whole family bewitched to madnesse 356 A Woman by Magick cures Feavers 357 A Witch counterfeits holinesse 358 A Witch who had bewitched a man could not cure him again though she earnestly endeavoured it 359 A Witch cureth the Horse of a Nobleman and transfers the Horses disease to a servant 360 A Magitian promised to transfer the disease of the father to his sucking Infant 361 A witch commanded by a Judge to touch a woman whom she had bewitched falls down dead 362 A Magitian bidding a man sick of a Feaver give it his enemy he answering he had not any but transferring it to the Witch he died and the sick man recovered 363 A great number of Witches burned for Witch-craft 364 A disease which comes to a man by a naturall cause and not by witchcraft cannot be cured by Magick 365 A house troubled