surmise With causeless grief bedew Calphurnias Eyes Yet though he seemed to slight these Prodigies they had such influence upon him that he had once some thoughts of staying at home that day But D. Brutus coming and perswading him not to disappoint the Senate now it was full and had long attended him he went about Eleven a Clock By the way he was presented by a Person he met with a Paper discovering the whole Conspiracy but he put it among his Papers in his left hand as if he would read it anon Having then Sacrificed to the Gods and succeeding in none in defiance of all these ill Omens he entred the Senate laughing at Spurinna for a false Prophet seeing the Ides Ides of March were come without any disaster to which he replied They are come indeed but not past As soon as he was set the Conspirators placed themselves about him pretending to do him honour and immediately Cimber Tullius who had ingaged to begin addrest himself to him as if to demand something but Casar seeming to put him off to another time Cimber catcht hold of his Gown by both Shoulders and Caesar crying on t that This was violence one of the Cassii came and stab'd him under the Throat Caesar laying hold of his Arm struck it through with his Dagger and endeavouring to rise was stopt by another wound when Brutus assaulted him he cryed out And art thou amongst them too my Son Brutus but seeing several Swords presented to his Breast he covered his head with his Gown and in this manner received twenty three wounds and died without speaking a word or fetching so much as a sigh Which the Poet thus expresses Hopeless he hides his Face and fixed stands T' indure the fury of revenging hands Suppressing groans or words as loth to shame His former life or dying stain the Fame Of those great deeds throughout the World exprest These silent thoughts revolving in his Breast Yet has not Fortune changed nor given the power Of Coesars head to any Conqueror By no Superiors proud command I dye But by subjected Romes Conspiracy Who to the World confesses by her fears My Power and Strength to be too great for hers And from Earths highest Throne sends me to be By after Ages made a Deity Being dead all the Conspirators fled and he was carried home in a Litter They once resolved to have drawn his Body into Tyber to have confiscated his Estate and make void all his Acts but were afraid of M. Antonius the Consul He was afterward buried with very great Magnificence and Pomp and instead of a Funeral Oration M. Antonius the Consul published an Act of the Senate by which they decreed him all Honour both Humane and Divine and likewise caused an Oath to be read whereby they obliged themselves in the defence of a single Person The Funerals being over the people ran in multitudes with Firebrands in their hands to set the Houses of Brutus and Cassius on Fire Some thought that his sickness made him desire to live no longer all agree he died according to his own desire for reading how Cyrus being under the extremity of a Disease gave directions for his Funeral abhorring so tedious a death he wisht when he died it might be of a sudden and the day before his death being at Supper with Lepidus a question arising which was the best death he declared In his Judgment a sudden and unexpected He died in the 56 year of his Age and was Cannoniz'd among the Gods not only by those who made the Decree but by the perswasion of the People Of his Murtherers scarce any out-lived him three years or died a natural death All stood Condemned and fell by divers Accidents some drowned at Sea others killed in Fight and some flew themselves with the same Dagger wherewith they had Murdered Caesar He lived in the year of the World 3901. and before the Birth of Christ 47 years The Hist of Joshua Capt. General and Leader of Israel into Canaan The Fourth Worthy of the World. Joshua's much Woâ—thâ—â— than the Three before They False Gods he the True God did adore By whose Great Pow'r and over-ruling hand The Sun and Moon he caused still to stand And made a longer day than e're was known Whereby Gods Enemies might be overthrown He thirty Kings subdu'd in Canaan And setled Israel in their Conquer'd Land At length beâ—â—â—â— full of Years and Victories He leaves to Israel this last advice That they should serve the Lord and him obey And then God from the Earth takes him away WHO can see the Sun and not remember Joshua and the great Commerce that this valorous Captain had with the King of Stars All the world lift up their Eyes to it but none but he hath lifted up his voice so far as it to make himself be heard and obeyed The Stars knew Joshua or Jesus because he bore the name of him that formed them It is he that gave us the foretasts of the name of Jesus at which the Heaven the Earth and Hell do bend the knee Moses knowing that by Gods appointment he was to die and not enter into the Land of Canaan When they came upon the Borders he called the Israelites together and spake to them to this purpose Seeing saith he I go to my Ancestors and God hath prefixed this day for my departure it is very just that while I am alive and stand in your presence I should give him thanks for the care and providence he hath hitherto had of your Affairs not only in delivering you from so many evils but also in largely imparting his blessings to you and because he hath also assisted me with his savour whilst with my utmost I endenvoured to make you as happy as possible for it is he only who hath begun and accomplisht all those great things that have been done for you and who hath made me his Minister and Servant in all the good which you have received For all which blessings I have thought it requisite in departing from you to praise the goodness of that God who in time to come shall have the care and charge over you and to acquit my self of that debt I leave you this remembrance That you ought to serve and honour the Lord and reverence the Ordinances which he hath given you whereby he may continue his favour toward you and may give you grace to preserve and keep his Excellent Commands Surely a Law-giver that were no more than a man would be much displeased with those who should violate his Ordinances and set them at nought Do not you therefore tempt God who is provoked to anger when those Laws which he himself hath established and given you shall be contemned and neglected Whilst Moses pronounced these his last words and foretold to the Tribes their several Destinies and wished them all manner of blessings the whole multitude brake out into Tears and the Women beating their breasts shewed their sorrow
instead of continuing in all ill opinion of us we desire that for the future you would never suspect us conscious of such a crime whereof none of Abrahams Posterity can he guilty without deserving to lose his life Having heard this modest reply and praised their Constancy Phinehas returned and gave Joshua an Account thereof in the presence of the People who rejoicing that there was no cause of Bloudshed Offered Sacrifices of Thansgiving to God and dissolving the Assembly each man returned nome A â—r twenty years Joshiea being extream old called to him the Princes Magistrates and Elders to whom he uttered his dying words to this Effect That they should call to remembrance the many benefits God had bestowed upon them whereby from a very mean and afflicted condition they had attained to great Riches and Glory He then earnestly exhorted them Religiously to observe Gods Commandments that so he might continue his merciful hand over them since he assured them that they could obtain his favour by no other way but Obedience Which he thought himself obliged to admonish them of before his departure out of this Life That he was certain was now just at hand As he ended these words he gave up the Ghost and died in the hundred and tenth year of his Age whereof he spent forty as Minister under Moses their Chief Magistrate and after his death he Governed the Common-wealth twenty five years A man of incomparable Prudence and Eloquence Wise and Diligent in matters of Government and equally capable of the most important Affairs in Peace and War in a word the Most Excellent Captain General of his time whose only presence was worth hundreds or others whose Souldiers thought nothing impossible under him and by whom his Enemies esteemed themselves vanquished as soon as seen But let us remember while we speak of Joshua that God hath covered him with the Rays of Glory so that we are constrained to cover his brave Acts in silence He died in the year from the Creation of the World 2560 and about 1500 years before the Birth of Jesus Christ The History of David King of Israel The Fifth Worthy of the World. DAvid a Man was after Gods own heart Who wondrous blessings did to him impart By whose assistance in his youth he kill'd The Great Goliah and so won the Field But though he made this mighty Monster fall A greater rose The jealousy of Saul Yet Saul at length in battle overthrown David obtains the Kingdom and the Crown A Worthies name he justly doth deserve Whom many Worthies did obey and serve He reigned forty lived seventy years And then Death put an end to all his Cars THE Life of David is a mixture of Good and Evil of Joy and Grief of Contempts and Glories of Vices and Virtues of Actions and Passions of unthought of Successes and of strange Accidents and Marvels We will consider him in a twofold state of a Servant and of a Master and will observe with what Wisdom he preserved himself in the one and with what Majesty he behaved himself in the other He comes first to Court under the quality of a Musician there he makes himself known for a good Souldier admired as a Commander of an Army and crowned as a Conqueror Saul was tormented with an Evil Spirit which was maintained by his melancholy humor and nourished by his passion They seek out for him a fair Young man who withal was skilful in playing on the Harp to make him merry one of his Servants said That David the Son of Jesse was fit for that Imployment He is sent for in the Kings name he comes he pleaseth while he played on his Instruments but Saul is displeased when he handleth his Weapons whose envy caused his Valour to be reputed a fault This young Shepherd who in his Apprenticeship had learned to fight with Lions and Bears would go to the War as well as his Brethren who blame his Curiosity and despise his Person There must be usually some famous Exploit to put a man at first in great credit at Court and the Combate of Goliah was that which Heaven had prepared to raise David One man alone who affrighted the whole Army nine foot high and armed with five hundred pound weight of Iron continues for forty days his proud Bravado's challenging the stoutest of the Israelites to combate All their hearts were frozen at the sound of his terrible voice and none dares come forth against him The King propounds great Riches and his Daughter in marriage to him who would take away this blemish from the People of God printed on the whole face of the Army by this Philistine David hereupon presents himself and gets forth to fight with him not with the guilded Arms of Saul but only with a Sling The Giant scoffs at him and finding him sufficiently armed to defend himself from Dogs but not fit to set upon Men he designs Davids little body as a fit prey for some Bird of rapine But this Champion of the Lord of Hosts reads first a Lesson to him of Religion before he shews his skill in fighting Thou comest to me saith he with a Spear a Sword and a Buckler but I come to thee in the Name of the God of Armies of the God of the Hosts of Israel at which thou this day hast scoffed with so great insolence It is written in Heaven that this great God will deliver thee into mine hands and that I shall take away thine head from off thy shoulders and that I shall make a great Feast for all the Beasts of prey with the flesh of this thy monstrous Body whereby thou shalt know there is a God in Israel He saith it he doth it he strikes his Adversary with a blow of the Sling in the midst of his Forehead makes this mighty Tower of flesh to fall in a moment cutting off the head of this terrible Giant with his own Sword which put the whole Army of the Philistims to confusion and raised up the glory of the chosen People to an incomparable height Yet this is the fountain of all the great Evils that David after suffered the Great ones admire him the People applaud him he is the Subject of the Songs of the Daughters of Jerusalem which set him above Saul It is this Musick that enraged Sauls evil Spirit and would not give him any rest David must be destroyed because he saved the Nation He must be put to death because he restored the people to life He must be dishonoured for having recovered the honour of the King He is sufficiently faulty because he is too virtuous Saul resolved to be rid of David yet thought it dangerous to attempt his life openly who was so high in the peoples esteem and therefore under pretence of honour bestows on him a chief place in the Army believing his Courage would carry him into danger and so his death would be imputed to chance or destiny But when he saw
our dearest bloud and life In the mean time the Kings Commissioners pressing every one to declare himself one of the Jews whether induced by terror or reward steps forth from among the people to sacrifice according to the command of the King wherewith Matthias inflamed with Zeal was so displeased that he and his Sons fell upon him and hewed him in pieces they also slew Apollos the Kings Captain and other Souldiers who withstood them Then he overthrew the Altar and with a loud voice said All that are affected to the Laws of their Fathers and the Service of God let them follow me Whereupon many of them retired with their Wives and Children into the Desarts and Caves but were soon pursued and overtaken by the Kings Captains who again renewed their perswasions to them to offer Sacrifice to the Idols which the Jews absolutely refusing and resolving rather to die than commit such Impiety these bloudy Persecutors assaulted them on the Sabbath day and burnt them in their Caves who neither resisted nor defended themselves lest they should prophane the Sabbath Some thousands of Men Women and Children were there destroyed yet divers escaped who joyned themselves with Matthias and chose him for their Captain who then inform'd them that they might lawfully fight on the Sabbath if they were assaulted else they were guilty of their own deaths And having assembled a sufficient number he destroyed the Heathen Altars and slew those who had forsaken their Religion commanding them to circumcise their Children and driving from every place those whom Antiochus had appointed to see the Laws executed Having thus governed one year he fell sick and perceiving his death to approach he sent for his five Sons John Simeon Judas Maccabeus Eleazer and Jonathan whom he earnestly exhorted to follow his steps its maintaining the Law of God and fighting for their Countrey assuring them of the divine assistance which never fails those who love and fear God but taking pleasure in their virtues will grant them favour to recover their former liberty and peace And saith he God will establish you in the possession of your ancient Laws and though our bodies are mortal and subject to death yet the memory of our virtuous actions will remain to eternity never doubt therefore to venture your lives in so good a Cause but above all I exhort you to love and concord and whatever you find any one most apt and fitted for let him prosecute the same without contradiction from the rest I charge you to obey your brother Simeon a politick and valiant man in what ever he shall Counsel you but make Judas Maccabeus your Captain who is couragious and strong for he shall revenge the injuries and outrages that have been done to our Nation and shall put your Enemies to flight Assist him therefore like men of valour and such as fear God and thereby you shall be sure to prevail Soon after Matthias gave up the Ghost and Judas Maccabâ—us was made General who by the assistance of his Brethren and other Jews drove the Enemy out of the Country and cleansed the Land of Idolatry Which when Apollonius the General of Antiochus in Samaria heard he invaded Judea Against whom Maccabeus went forth and in a terrible Battle overthrew and killed Apollonius taking his Camp and therein a very rich Booty together with his Sword. After this Seron Governour of Coelosyria with the assistance of many Apostate Jews marcht against Judas to Bâ—thoron who observing his Souldiers discouraged by their great numbers and because they had fasted so long and were thereby disabled he incouraged them saying That Victory did not consist in numbers of men but in their Devotion toward God who had so assisted their Forefathers that with small Forces they had often defeated many thousands of their Enemies They were hereby so prevail'd upon that without sear of their multitude they ran all upon Sevon routed his Army and slew him together with eight hundred of the Syrians the rest escaping by flight Antiochus inraged at this defeat commanded Lysias the Governour of Egypt to go with a very strong Army and conquer Judea and then to sell the Inhabitants for Slaves to those that would give most and utterly to destroy and ruine Jerusalem Lysias having this command sent Prolomy Nicanor and Gorgias men of great Authority about the King with Forty thousand Foot and Seven thousand Horse to invade Judea who marching to the City of Emaus greatly increased their Forces Judas having viewed the Camp and number of his Enemies exhorted his Souldiers to repose their confidence and hope of Victory in God alone appointing likewise a Fast to humble themselves before God by supplications and prayers in such a time of extream danger and assuring them that God would have compassion on them and strengthen them to put their Adversaries to shamâ— Next day he mustered his Army discharging all who were newly married or had lately bought Possessions according to the Law and then spake thus to the rest Countrymen and Companions we had never more occasion to express our Courage and contemn Dangers than at this present For if you now fight valiantly you may in this one Battle recover your Liberties whereby you will have opportunity again to serve the True God and live a happy life But if you prove Cowards in this Encounter you will be branded with perpetual Infamy and indanger the utter extirpation of your Nation Consider therefore that if you fight not you must die and on the contrary assure your selves that in fighting for your Religion Laws and Liberties you shall obtain Immortal Glory Be ready Theerfore in the morning to give your mortal Enemies Battle Immediately news was brought him that a strong party of Horse and Foot were design'd to falâ— on him that night whereupon Maccabeus suddenly resolved to break into the Enemies Army the same night while they were so divided Having therefore refreshed himself and his Army and leaving many Fires in his Camp to deceive the Enemy he marcht all night to seek them out Gorgias finding the Jews had forsaken their Camp imagined that they were fled to the Mountains for fear and deligently pursued them But in the morning Judas with only three thousand men ill armed shewed himself to the Enemy at Emaus and having observed their posture he perswaded his men To fight Valiantly since he was certain God would deliver their Enemies into their hands and thereupon causing his Trumpets to sound he fell upon them with such fury and resolution that being absolutely affrighted and surprized they instantly gave ground and having slain such as resisted he pursued the rest to the Plains of Idumea In this fight three thousand of the Enemy were Killed yet would he not suffer his Souldiers to take the spoil telling them that they were still to fight with Gorgias and his Army whom when by Gods help they had beaten they should then securely inrich themselves with the booty Gorgias and his
to keep as it were a Parliament of the whole World some Magicians advised him not to enter that City affirming it would be fatal to him therefore declining it he turn'd aside to Bersia a City heretofore unpeopled on the other side Euphrates where he was importuned by Anaxarchus the Philosopher to despise the Presages of the Magicians as false and uncertain and if proceeding from Destiny or Nature not to be prevented Going therefore to Babylon after a while he again prepared a Solemn Feast which he had for some time intermitted where he devoted himself absolutely to mirth both day and night After which Thessalus his Physician invited him and his Companions to another debauch where taking the Cup into his hand in the middle of his draught he groaned as if he had been struck through with a Sword and his Body became so extream tender that he complained if but touched as though he had been wounded His Friends said his disease was occasioned by excess of Wine though it were really Treason the infamy whereof the power of his Successors did suppress The Author of this Treason was Antipater who when he beheld his dearest friends commanded to death his Son in law slain and himself who had performed such considerable Service in Greece disrespected and accused by his Mother Olympias of many insolencies and likewise considered his late severity to his Lieutenants and expected the same treatment to make sure work with the King he suborned his son Cassender with his Brother Philip and Jolla who used to minister to him to poison him So great was the strength of the Poyson that it could not be contained in Iron Brass nor any thing but a Horses hoof Cassander was bid to intrust none but Thestalus so that when the Feast was in his house after Philip hast tasted the Kings Cup having the poyson ready in cold Water they put it into the Wine Four days after Alexander finding Death certainly approaching said He believed it was the fate of his Family to dye about thirty years Old. After which he pacified his Souldiers who were ready to mutiny suspecting he perisht by Treason being therefore brought into the highest place of the City he admitted all into his presence and gave them his right hand to kiss and when all wept he appear'd without the least trouble comforting those who impatiently lamented his courage being now as invincible against death as formerly against his Enemies The Souldiers departing he askt his Friends about him If they thought they should have another King like him When all holding their Peace he confidently presaged as if he had seen it with his Eyes That Macedon should lose much bloud in his quarrel and many Thousand Lives would be sacrificed at his Funeral He then commanded his Body to be buried in the Temple of Jupiter Hammon and then fainting away his Attendants demanded whom he would constitute heir of his Empire he only answered To the most Worthy So great was the vigor of his mind that though he left behind him his Son Hercules his Brother Arideus and his Wife Roxane big with Child yet forgetting those Obligations he only nominated The most Worthy to be his Heir as if it were unreasonable that any but a valiant man should succeed a Conqueror With these words as if the Spirit of Discord had been sent among them his chief Captains instantly grew jealous of each other and privately sought to gain the favour of the Soldiers to themselves On the sixth day being Speechless he gave his Ring off his Finger to Perdâ—ccas which for the present pacified the growing dissentions for though by voice he was not nominated Heir yet by choice he seemed to be so Alexander deceased being Thirty three years and one mouth Old a man endewed with a mighty Spirit above other men whose Mother Olympias dream't when he was conceived that she had commerce with a God and by his Actions he after seemed to be above the condition of Mortal men There appeared also many Presages of his future greatness on his Birth-day for two Eagles flying all that day round about the Palace setled at last upon the battlements of his Fathers Court seeming to prognosticate to him the two Empires of Europe and Asia and on the same day his Father received the glad tydings of two Victories one in Illyria and another in the Olympick race whither he sent some Charlots drawn with four Horses which portended to the Infant the Victory over all the World. He was of admirable apprehension and learning and was educated under Aristotle the most famous Philosopher Being invested in his Fathers kingdom he commanded himself to be called King of all Countreys and Lord of the World So great a confidence had his Souldiers in his good fortune that he being present they scared not though unarmed the force of any Enemy He never encountred any Adversary whom he did not overcome nor besieged any City which he did not take nor invaded any Nation over whom he did not Triumph and therefore deservedly gain'd the name of Alexander the Great and one of the Worthies of the World. Yet was this Great Conqueror at length destroyed not by the valour of his Enemies but the Villany and Treason of his own Friends and Subjects He lived in the Year of the World 3611 before Christ 337 years The History of Julius Caesar first Emperor of Rome The Third Worthy of the World. GReat Julius Caesar next attain'd the Name Of the Third Worthy Whose immortal Fame Remains still fresh in the Records of time He to the Empire of the World did clime And what he Conquer'd by his Sword in Fight He with his Pen did elegantly write At length through many wounds his Soul hence fled And he who ner'e before was Conquered In War He who with slaughter strew'd So many Lands With his own bloud imbru'd The Seat of wronged Justice And fell down A Sacrifice t' appease the incensed Gown Julius Caesar of the Noble Family of the Juliâ— so called as some think from Julus Ascanius the Son of Aeneas from whom they were ambitious to have descended and Caesar because it is said he was cut out of his Mothers Womb though others derive it a Caeso Elephanto from his Grandfathers killing an Elephant He was but Sixteen years old when his Father died and yet was designed the next year to be High-Priest of Jupiter and having divorced himself from his first wife whose birth was not so eminent as his Fortune he married Cornelia daughter of Cinna who had been four times Consul by whom he had his daughter Julia Sylla used all possible arguments to have separated him from her but not prevailing he pursued him as an Enemy and designed to arrest him At length by the intercession of the Vestal Virgins and some of his kinsmen he obtained pardon though Sylla then cryed out by way of prediction Take him then since you will needs have him but know the person for whom
for his Death The Children likewise lamented because in their tender years they had understood the virtue and samous Acts of Moses Who beholding their affection could not restrain himself from Tears Afterward he walked toward the place where he was to die and they all followed him weeping when beckoning to them to stand still and not afflict him any longer with their griefs having appointed Joshua to be his Successor to head the Armies against the Canaanites according to the Command of God and laid his hands on him he went accompanied only with him and Eleazer the High Priest up to the Mount Abarim which is very high and from whence he could discover the greatest part of the Land of Canaan where taking his last leave of Joshua and Eleazer with many endearing imbraces on a sudden a Cloud incompassed him and he was carried into a certain Valley where he died and was buried The whole time of his Life was a hundred and twenty years the third part whereof he spent in governing this great People In Counsel and Judgment he had no equal In Eloquence he was incomparable His skill in War made him renowned amongst the greatest Captains and no man had the gift of Prophecy in so great a degree for his words seemed as so many Oracles and as if inspired by God himself The People mourned for him thirty days with real grief and trouble In short he left behind him a great estimation among all who were acquainted with his Virtues and Graces After Moses was taken from among men and the time of mourning past Joshua a man in whom was the Spirit of wisdom commanded the People to prepare and march forward to battel Sending spies to Jericho to sound their minds and discover their Forces and then raising his Camp he proceeded toward the River Jordan And the Princes of the Tribes of Reuben and Gad and of the half Tribe of Manasses to whom the Countrey of the Amorites which was the Seventh part of Canaan was given for an habitation having furnished him with Fifty â—housand men he proceeded toward the Enemy At which time the Spies returning and having surveyed Jericho gave an Account thereof and likewise how narrowly they escaped having been hid by Rahab the Harlot under some packs of Linnen who being thus delivered from danger by her means she desired them to swear That when they should take Jericho and kill all the Inhabitants with the Sword as she knew that God had commanded they would save her life and the lives of her family as she had saved theirs Which they accordingly agreed to advising her that when she should perceive the City ready to be taken she should bring all that she would have spared into her own house and then hang a red Cloth over her door that the General observing the sign might forbid the Soldiers from plundring or destroying her or hers After this she let them down with a rope from the Wall whereby they escaped back again Joshua having this account seemed somewhat concerned how they should pass over the River Jordan because it was deep and without Bridges But God promised him they should have a safe passage over Joshua therefore waited with his Army two days and then passed over the River the Priests going first with the Ark who as soon as they had set their feet in the Water which was then very high it being in harvest the Waters from above rose up in an heap and the Priests stood on dry ground in the midst of Jordan till all the People passed quite over and then according to Gods command they took out of the middle of the River Twelve Stones wherewith to build an Altar for a Memorial to after-ages of this wonderful deliverance And all things being finisht the Priests came out of the River which instantly after flowed with as much violence as before Whilst the Israelites did all this the Canaanites never sallied out upon them but dismayed with fear kept themselves within the Walls of Jericho which Joshua resolved to besiege with all his Forces But God commanded him that on the first day of the feast the Priests leaving the Ark and guarded on every side with Troops of armed men should draw near Jericho sound-Seven Rams horns and at night to return to their Camp This they performed six days together but on the Seventh Joshua assembled the People early and caused them to incompass the City seven times that day and the Trumpets sounding with great force the Walls by the power of God without any violence used by the Hebrews fell down flat to the ground so that entring the City over the ruines they put all within it to the Sword the Enemy through the sudden astonishment that fell upon them being unable to resist and so great was the slaughter that they neither spared Women nor Children but filled the City with dead Carcases which at length being set on fire served for a funeral flame to consume them Only Rahab and her houshold were saved by the Spies and Joshua bestowed an Inheritance upon her and ever after held her in great honour Then Joshua denounced Curses on those who should endeavour to rebuild this City foretelling That he should lay the foundation thereof in the days of his Eldest Son and should lose his youngest ere it was finished There was much Spoil taken both of Gold Silver and Brass in this City and Joshua having before commanded that all the Gold and Silver should be brought to one place to offer to God as the first fruits for his assistance none of them but only one man kept any thing to himself all being delivered to the Priests to be laid up in the Treasury but Achan the Son of Zebedias of the Tribe of Judah having got the Kings Coat imbroidered with Gold and a Wedge of Gold of two hundred Shekels in weight and thinking it unjust that what he had got with the hazard of his Life should be taken from him he digged a Pit in his Tent and buried his Spoils therein designing to defraud God as well as his Companions At this time the Israelites Tenâ—s were pitched in Gilgal which signifies Liberty because being delivered from Egyptian bondage and the wants of the wilderness they now thought they had nothing more to fear A few days after the distruction of Jericho Joshua sent out three thousand armed men against Ai a City hard by who encountring with their adversarys the Israelites were put to flight and lost thirty six men The news of this disaster being brought to the Camp they were much astonished not only for the men they had lost but dispairing of future success since they perswaded themselves they were already Masters of the Feild and that their Army should be always Victorious according to the promise of God and that this advantage would much incourage their Enemies So that cloathing themselves in Sackcloth they spent three days in tears and lamentations without taking any meat
hand of God his mortal Enemy was now delivered into his power by whose death he might put an end tâ— all his Calamities But David by a strong inspiration from God resolved in his heart never to lay his hands upon Gods Anointed and contenting himself with only cutting off the Skirts of his Garment he went out of the Cave after Saul and cryed after him with a loud voice saying Behold my Lord my Father and my King the innocence of my hands and be no more filled with vain and false suspitions of poor David you cannot be ignorant that God at this time had put me into your power and that I could have taken away your life to have saved my own but God by his grace hath preserved me from such ill thoughts and hath secured you from all danger I had never yet any intent to hurt you though you cease not to persecute and torment my life with a thousand afflictions Alas my Lord what is it you desire Against whom are you come forth with so great a strength of Arms and Horses against a poor dead Dog a miserable little Beast I beseech the living God to be Judge between us and to make you sensible of the goodness of my cause Saul was so amazed with this action that he ran to him and imbracing him weeping said This O David is a sure sign whereby I know for certain thou shall reign after me so great a goodness not being able to be rewarded but by an Empire I only beseech and intreat you to have pity on my poor Children after my death and not to revenge upon them the injuries I have offered you Hereupon he swore to deal peaceably with him for the future But the Spirit of Saul was unequal and oft departed from reason for a long season Whereupon David resolved to go out of the Kingdom to Achish King of the Philistines a Sworn Enemy to Israel since he could not besecure any where else yet did he never bear arms against the people of God At last the fatal day of Saul drew near and he saw the Philistines came upon him with their utmost strength and being troubled in mind in the confusions of a disturbed Spirit he sought to the Divine Oracles to learn his destiny in this pressing necessity but this unhappy Prince sought after the dead in vain having trod under feet the admonitions of the Living and therefore he applies himself to the Witch of Endor who by Samuels appearance foretold the routing of his Army his own death and likewise his Childrens sad Fate at which he was so affrighted that he fell into a Swound Being recovered he went to his Army and the next morning perceived the Philistines wonderfully increased and resolv'd to fight And his own people exceedingly weakened and seeming to carry misfortune in their faces The Enemies gave the onset with very great violence and overthrew the foremost of the Israelites wherein Jonathan with his two Brethren sealed the last proofs of their valour with their bloud and death in the sight of their miserable Father who seeing he could not dye so soon as he desired suffered himself to fail upon his own Sword vomiting forth his Soul and bloud with ragings and griefs unspeakable While this unhappy Battel was fought David was pursuing the Amalakites who in his absence had sackt the Town of Ziglag the place of his retiring whom he overtook loaden with their prey and regained his two Wives Ahinoam and Abigail whom they had taken away As he came from this Battle a young Amalekite presents himself and brings him the news of the death of Saul and Jonathan and his other Sons affirming that he himself had stood by at the death of the King and had helped him to die by his own command Whereat David moved with extream grief tore his garments wept fasted and made a funeral Lamentation over Saul and Jonathan Causing likewise the Amalekite to die who by his own confession was accessary to the death of the King And though David at this time might have taken possessesion of the Kingdom yet upon prudent deliberation he thought it not convenient to be too hasty Whereupon Abner a chief Captain without losing time seeing there yet remained a Son of Saul alive named Ishbosheth aged forty years though of little courage and less understanding he made him presently come into the Camp and caused him to be proclaimed the true and lawful Successor of Saul not so much for the love he bore him or the esteem of his sufficiency as intending to reign by him and over him All the People swore Allegiance to Ishbosheth except the Tribe of Judah from whom David sprung which joyning together in favour of him crowned him King in Hebron where he reigned seven years before he possest the whole Kingdom of Israel Afterward Abner laying aside his war-like humor fell in love with a Concubine of Sauls named Rispah whereat Ishbosheth being offended Abner for one poor word spoken in a very mild manner entred into a rage against the King and said It was to use him as a Dog to quarrel with him for a woman after so great Services as he had done for the Crown and from whom he held both his Life and Kingdom The poor Prince held his peace and durst not answer a word to this bold Fellow and was pitifully devoured by his own Servant Abner grew so hot with anger that he dispatcht Messengers to David to desire his friendship and promiseth to bring the whole Kingdom of Ishbosheth into his hands David answered That he was willing to make peace with him if he would cause his Wife Michol to be restored to him whom they had married to another after his departure which was readily agreed to and performed Mean time Abner powerfully sollicites the people of Israel to betake themselves to David since God had committed their safety and rest into his hands who would unite all the Tribes under one Monarchy which would make him a happiness to his people helpful to his friends and terrible to his Enemies This Discourse prevail'd very much on the Principal ones of the Nation who saw small hopes of Ishbosheth he being disparaged both by Nature and Fortune Soon after Abner meets David at Hebron who made him a Feast hearkned to his Propositions and conducted him back with honour Joab who was at that time absent soon understood the coming of Abner and being jealous that the Friendship of a man who seem'd to draw a whole Kingdom after him might much prejudice his interest he enters roughly into the Kings Chamber telling him that Abner was but a deceiver who came to spy out his secrets and that he ought to have secured him when under his power And since David seeing him in such a rage answered nothing Joab without Authority sends a message to Abner to return to Hebron under colour of treating more fully with David He lightly believed it and came back the same way when
After this the Jews had some rest But Alcimus the High Priest intending to beat down the old Wall of the Sanctuary was suddenly strucken by God became speechless and fell to the ground and having suffered grievous torments many days he died miserably Whereupon the People by general consent chose Judas Maccabeus High Priest who hearing of the great power and Victorys of the Romans sent two Persons to Rome to make them his Allies and Confederates and to write to Demetrius to give over his Wars against the Jews These Ambassadors coming to Rome were entertained by the Senate and an Alliance was concluded upon these conditions That none under the Romans should War against the Jews nor furnish their Enemies with Victuals Ships nor Silver That if any made War on the Romans the Jews should assist them That the Jews should neither add nor diminiâ—â— from this Association without the general consent of 〈◊〉 Romans and that what was thus concluded should contitâ— forever The death of Nicanor and the loss of his Army being reported to Demetrius he sent another undeâ— Bacchides who coming into Judea and hearing thaâ— Judas was incamped at Bethzeth he marched againâ—â— him with twenty thousand Foot and two thousanâ— Horse Judas had not in all above two thousand meâ—â— who seeing the vast number of their Foes were mucâ— afraid so that many forsaking the Camp fled away anâ— there remained with Judas only eight hundred meâ— and his Enemies pressed so hard on him that he lâ—â— no time to re-assemble his Forces yet he resolved 〈◊〉 fight with that small handful exhorting them to behavâ— themselves valiantly Who answering That they we not able to make head against so great an Army adviseâ— him to retire and stand on his guard till he had reâ—â— inforced himself Judas replied God forbid that the 〈◊〉 should see me turn my back upon mine Enemies though die and spend my last Bloud in this Battel yet will I neveâ— blemish my former Worthy actions by an ignominious flight And having again encouraged his Souldiers he commanded them to use their utmost courage againâ— the Enemy without any apprehension of danger Bacchides marshalled his Army in Battalia and caâ—â—sing the Trumpets to sound and his Souldiers to make 〈◊〉 great Shout he charged his enemies Judas did the like and encountred Bacchides upon which there ensued a most bloudy Fight which continued till Sun-set Judaâ—â— perceiving that Bacchides and the flower of his Army fought in the right wing drew his most resolute Souldierâ— thither who brake in upon them and forcing them to fly pursued them to Mount Aza But the left wing followed Judas and inclosed him on the back part so that finding himself in much danger he with his Followers resolved to sell their lives dearly and fight it out to the last He slew a great number of his Enemies â—ill at length he was so wearied with killing that he â—ell to the ground and was there slain upon which his â—ew remaining companions betook themselves to flight Simeon and Jonathan his Brothers recovered his Body and buried it at Modin all the people weeping and making great lamentation for the death of so valiant 〈◊〉 Commander for whatsoever Virtue hath of great whatsoever valour hath of generous met in the person of Judas Maccabeus to make a Marvel of his life and give â—mmortal memory to his Name In the space of six years be sustained the great and prodigious Forces of three Kings of Asia as you have heard opposing himself with a little flying Camp against Armies of forty sixty an hundred thousand men which he put into disorder and confusion He defeated nine Generals of the Infidels in ranged battles and combates killing some with his own hands and carrying away their Spoils so that of all his great Qualities Valour always held the upper rank and worthily entitled him to the name of a Worthy The History of Arthur King of Brittain The Seventh Worthy of the World. Arthur the Great and Worthy Brittish King Glory and Victory to his Realm did bring He th' Heathen Saxons often overcame Inducing them to own the Christian Name He while he lived upheld the Sinking State And Conquest seem'd upon him still to wait His Subjects Love he thereby doth attain And he must chuse one after him to Reign The Pictish King this Choice doth much resent As if to wrong him of his Rights they meant Both Kings ingage in Fight where both Kings dy'd With Thousands of their Subjects on each side THe Brittish Writers have related such Strange and Miraculous Actions and Adventures of this Worâ—hy Prince that many Intelligent Men have been apt to think that all which hath been written of his Heroicks deeds is meer Fiction and Invention yea some are of opinion that there never was any such Person but though Historians disagree about times and places some writing carelesly and others superstitiously yet they all agree upon the Predecessors and Successors of this Noble King but as it is most execrable Infidelity to doubt that there was a Joshua Wicked Atheism to question if there were a David and unreasonable to deny the being of Judas Maccabcus As it may be judged folly to affirm there was never any Alexander Julius Caesar Godfrey of Bullen or Charlemagne so we may be thought guilty of incredulity and ingratitude to deny or doubt the honourable Acts of our Victorious Arthur This is premised in vindication of our Hero and his immortal name and fame whereby he justly gained the Title of the Seventh Worthy of the World. Now to his History After this Kingdom had for above four hundred and eighty years been subject to the Romans which began by the Conquest that Julius Caesar made here in the Reign of Cassibelan King of the Brittains seventeen years before the birth of our Blessed Saviour and ended in the time of the Emperor Gratianus three hundred seventy six years after Christ Vortigern of the bloud Royal of the Brittish Kings by usurpation and the Murther of Constance the Son of Constantius seized upon the Crown who growing odious and hateful to his Subjects both for his wicked life and ill got Soveraignty he was forced to send to Germany for the Saxons to aid and support him The Saxons at this time possest the third part of Germany holding all the Countreys between the River Rhine and Elbe bounded on the North by the Baltick Sea and the Ocean and governed by twelve Princes who elected a Soveraign Leader and General in time of War This being so sparious populous and near a Countrey well furnisht with Shipping which the Brittains wanted yielded always plentiful supplies to the undertakers of this action who were first Two brothers Hengist and Horsa After they had continued here a while as hired Souldiers and observed the weakness both of Prince and People their number dayly increased At first they had only the Isle of Thanet allowed them to inhabit but soon after the whole County of Kent
happened between them and the Saxons thereabout but Winter â—oming on they gave up themselves to drinking banuetring and other voluptuous pleasures so that when they harcht into the Field next Summer they were unable to â—ndure the labours and Fatigues of War and for several ears performed very little Service At length Arthur concluded a League with Loth King of â—icts whereby it was agreed That Arthur during his life â—ould be King of Brittain and after his discease the Kingâ—on should descend to Mordred the eldest son of Loth and his â—eirs That the Picts should at all times assist the Brittains against the Saxons and should freely possess all such Lands as â—bey recovered from them beyond the River Humber â—hat they should duly observe the League which was maâ—â— between them and the Scots That Mordred should marry the Daughter of Gawolan a Noble Brittain and next to Arthur himself That the Children of this marriage should be brought up by their Grand-father in Brittain till they came to years of discretion That Gawan the Brother of Mordred should serve King Arthur in his Wars for which he should receive large possessions and rewards Arthur having concluded this League and being desirous to purge this Island of the Heathenish Saxons he sent to the Kings of Scotland and Pictland requiring them That for the advancement of Christs Religion which they professed and owned they should forthwith assemblâ— their Forces and meet him at Tynmouth at a day appointed that so they might join together and march against their commoâ— Enemies the Saxons These two Kings presently consented to this so reasonable request and in a few days meeting with the Brittains they presently marcht altogether against the Saxons whom they understood were already in the Feild under Occa their General ready to receive them Both Armies approaching each other Colgern Duke 〈◊〉 Northumberland rid up to the very Front of the Picts Army where he severely reproached Loth and his Nobility 〈◊〉 their breach of Friendship with the Saxons and told theâ— he did not doubt but suddenly to see some just judgmenâ— fall upon them for their Treachery and Falshood 〈◊〉 thus joining with their former Enemies against theâ— most trusty Friends and constant Allies The Pictish King being mayed hereat commandeâ— his Standards to advance neither were the Saxons idâ—â— so that the Skirmish began which Arthur perceiving commanded the Brittans to ingage so that there immediately followed a terrible slaughter The Scots in thâ— right wing killing Childrick an eminent Saxon Captain quickly discomfited them on that side Colgern earnesly desiring to be revenged of King Loth rushed in up him with such violence that at the first encounter threw him to the ground but instantly two Pictish Heremen coming on one side of Colgern ran him quite throuâ—â— the body Loth soon recovered himself but Colgern beâ— dead his men were so disheartned that they presenâ— ran away Arthur perceiving the main battel of 〈◊〉 Saxons was now left naked pressed â—n so violently up Ocea that having received a desperate wound 〈◊〉 escaped out of the battle but being at length brought to the Sea side he got into a Ship and escaped into Germany This Victory being thus obtained the Saxons were forc'd to submit themselves to King Arthur who offered them pardon as to life and goods if they would turn Christians and never hereafter ingage against their Neighbours the Brittains Scots and Picts which if they would not consent to he commanded them that leaving their Arms and goods behind they should upon pain of death depart the Kingdom within fourteen days Hereupon many Saxons went over to Germany others pretending to be Christians still remained hoping for better fortune Several who continued after the time appointed and refused to be baptized were put to death according to the proclamation so that very few were thought to profess he Christian Faith sincerely All things thus quieted in Northumberland Arthur repaired several Churches in York and other places which had been ruined and defaced by the barbarous Infidels Next year he had notice that the Saxons who inhabited the Isle of Wight joining with those in Kent had fallen upon the Brittains on that side the Thames killing and destroying a great number of them whereat being much moved he hasted toward Lonaon with his Forces resolving utterly to root out the East and South Saxons since his Subjects could never be secure so long as that wicked generation remained amongst them In pursuance of the League he had Twenty Thousand Picts and Scots in this expedition Eugenius Nephew to King Congal and Mordred Son of King Loth being their General Then marching forward he incamped in the Field near the Thames and himself with some of his Nobility going to London caused prayers to be made to Almighty God three days together for their good success against the Saxons on the fourth day Divine Service being celebrated by the Bishop of London and a Sermon preached in the Market place he committed himself and his whole Army to the tuition and protection of Jesus Christ and then issuing out of the City he exhorted his Souldiers to be of good courage since they were to fight in a just quarrel against Pagans and the implacable enemies of the Christian Faith. Morderd and Gawolan his Father in Law marched in the front with five thousand Horse and being come within five miles of the Saxons Camp there came Ambassadors to King Arthur desiring him not to proceed any further since if he pleased they were willing to depart the Land with their goods and substance without further molesting the Brittains ever hereafter But Arthur would not consent hereto neither would so much as allow them a Truce for three days which they earnestly desired only he told them that he would not march above two miles that day so that if they came again next morning he would in the mean time consult with his Nobility and Captains what answer to give to their request Whilst the Brittains were busied about the news these Ambassadors brought the Saxons suddenly marching out of their Camp fell with much violence upon the Forces of Mordred and Gawolan of whom they killed a great number in that surprize though by their exhortations their men made the utmost resistance so small a company could against the multitude of their Enemies by whom being at length opprest they were forced to fly not resting till they came to the rest of the Army Mordred and Gawolan by the help of fresh Horses made their escape without hurt though many of their followers were killed in the Fight and Chase The Saxon Ambassadors being not yet gone out of the Camp were hereupon secured till next morning and then sent back with this answer That the Brittains were resolved for the future never to treat with any Messengers free the Saxons about Peace since it is apparent they designed nothing but treachery and falshood having contrary to the Laws of Arâ—â— unworthily fallen upon the
Shinbone reached above the knee of a very tall man his skull was so large that the place between his eyes was a span broad in which there appeared some signs of wounds and bruises The Body of his wife Gynever was likewise buried with him the Hair of her head was curiously plaited and shin'd like burnisht Gold but being toucht instantly fell to dust The Abbot who by the Kings command searched for the Grave removed both their Bones to the great Church and there buried them in a sair double Tomb of Marble laying the Body of the King at the head thereof and the Queen 's at the feet above six hundred years after they were first buried and in the year of our Lord. 1191. I shall conclude the life of this Worthy Prince with an Ephitaph written in me â—â—ry of him by John Leland a Monk in Latin and translated into English many years since by Nicholas Roscock which you shall have in the Poetry of those times Saxonicas toties qui fudit Marte cruento Turmas peperit spoliis sibi nomen opimis c. Who vanquished the Saxon Troops With Battles bloudy broils And purchas 't to himself a name With Warlike Wealthy Spoils Who with his shivering shining Sword The Picts so oft dismayed And an unweildy servile Yoke On Necks of Scots hath laid Who Frenchmen puft with pride and who The Germans fierce in fight Discomfited and beat the Danes With strong and martial might Who of that murdering Mordred did The Vital breath expel That horrid cruel Monster great That bloudy Tyrant fell Here liveless Arthur lies intomb'd Within this stately Hearse Famous for Strength and Chivalry And ' gainst his Enemies fierce Whose glorious Acts and Victories Through all the World do fly And whose most worthy Fame and Name Doth reach the very Sky Therefore you Noble Progeny Of Brittish Line and Race Never forget your Emperor Great Of thrice renowned Grace But place upon his sacred Tomb Your Rosie Garlands gay Whose fragrant smell may witness well Your duties you display Grass and He◠〈…〉 Near Camelon 〈…〉 The Hist of Charles the Great K. of France and Emp. of Germany The Eight Worthy of the World. HE well deserv'd the name of Charlemagne That to such mighty Glory did attain Who all his Enemies having overcome Was own'd and Crown'd Great Emperor of Rome Virtue and Valour he still mixt so well 'T was hard to say in which he did excell The Christian Faith he always did defend And against Saracens did oft contend The Huns and Pagans too he conquered His name alone fill'd them with fear and dread Yet all his fury he layd by if they Would Idols leave and the True God obey THE Ancient French Historians relate that the original Habitation of this now Potent Nation was in that part of Germany which lay nearest Gaul now called France and having together with the Romans obtained a great victory against the Alans Enemies to the Empire in the Reign oâ— Valentinian they got possâ—ssion of a great part of Gaul as a fruit of their Conquest which they held by their Sword not doing any homage for it but to their own valour Pharamond laid the first Stone in the Building of this great Monarchy Clodion prosecuted this design Merovee made it appear above ground Clovis adding the profession of Christ to his own and Predecessors valour so won the Hearts of the Gauls the Natives of this Countrey who were generally Christians that he procured voluntary obedience from them and an assured possession of his new Conquests uniting both Nations into one and giving Law to the Conquered with such wisdom and discretion that the name of France was generally received in Gaul The race of Pharamond continued successively in France during the Reign of one and Twenty Kings for about one hundred and twenty years At which time nine or ten Idle Kings as the French History calls them succeeding each other the Kingdom was thereby reduced to a multitude of dangers and inconveniences which gave occasion to Charles Martel to lay the Foundation of a new race of Kings from his own Posterity who being first Mayor or Governor of the Pallace was chosen Prince of the French and upon this account is reckoned the 22 King of France He was a man of great wisdom and courage and managed all Aâ—â—â—rs of War and State during the Reigns of the three last Kings In the time of Thierry the Second the Saracens or Turks issuing out of Asia into Africa and Spain possest themselves of many mighty Kingdoms and Provinces under the command of Abderamen their King and afterward invaded France with an Army of four hundred thousand men but by the admirable conduct and valour of Martel this vast multitude was utterly vanquished three hundred seventy five thousand Barbarians being slain in the Field and their King found dead in a heap of Carcasses not wounded but smothered by the multitude that fled the French lost fifteen hundred and among them many of their Nobility and Gentry The Care and Toil of great Affairs together with his Age having much broken Martel and the weakness of Childerick the last King of the first Race giving him incouragement he resolves so to dispose of things as to leave the Kingdom to his Children and therefore observing that Childerick loved no man neither any man him and that Pepin Ins own Son was beloved of all both for his own and Martels sake as the Protector of their Liberty whereas Childerick did not regard the common good but spent his time in folly and voluptuousness Martel therefore at his death left France to the Government of Pepin whom he knew to be stout and of a great Spirit After his death the Friends of Pepin proclaimed his merits in all places but Religion and the Reverence and Devotion the French Nation naturally bear to Kings seemed to be insuperable difficulties to his advancement to the Crown Childerick had already Reigned nine years only in appearance under Martel and four more under Pepin who to remove the last scruple represented to the People that their Allegiance was vowed to true Kings and not to Kings in imagination and disguise that they were sworn to maintain a Religious Just Merciful Diligent and Active King able to withstand their Enemies to punish the wicked to defend the good and to protect the Christian Law according to the express words thâ— French Kings are Sworn to in their Coronation-Oath Why then should they think themselves bound to a vicious King who was negligent and careless of himself and his Subjects since the Conâ—â—ct between them was limited and the French were only obliged to obey him who being endued with many Royal Virtues persorms the Office of a true King. These reasons were plain and easily received by all men as absolutely necessary for the common good though most of thera who seemed thus convinced had an Eye to their particular advantage by the favour of Pepin As to the
scruple of Religion how they could be dispensed from their Oath of Allegiance Pepin assuring himself of good Friends at Rome sends thither two Bishops to Pope Zachary to represent to him the present State of France who being truly informed of the weakness of Childerick who was hated and contemned of all men and of the general resolution of the French to receive Pepin but chiefly moved with hopes of great Assistance from him against the Lombards his Capital Enemies He discharged the French from their Oath of Obedience to Childerick and all his Race Being thus freed from their Allegiance they Assemble the General Estates where it was concluded That to avoyd that Confusion in the Realm which was apparently grown by the negligence of former Kings Childerick should be rejected and Pepin chosen The one unworthy to reign by reason of his Vices and the other most worthy to be K. for his Royal Virtues But lest the Fundamental Law of Succession should be directly infringed and broken they derive the race of Pepin from Clovis the great King of France to whom he was acknowledged next Heir both by Succession and Virtue The Assembly hereupon commanded Boniface Archbishop of Mentz to declare to Pepin That in regard of his Virtues and their future hope of his worthy Goverment the French had by a free and gener al consent elected him King. And in prosecution of this Decree Pepin was instantly Crowned by the said Archbishop and then being raised upon a Target or Shield he was carried about the Assembly according to an ancient Ceremony of the French And by Virtue of the same Decree Childerick was deposed as unworthy of the Crown and afterward degraded shaven and confined to a Monastery there to pass the remainders of his days This Pepin called the Short the Twenty third King of France having reigned eighteen years with much glory and the great love and affection of his Subjects the strongest Foundation upon which a Prince can build his Authority died in the year 768. After his death the Estates of France being assembled concluded to divide the Realm between his two Sons Charles or Charlemagn the Elder and Caroloman the Younger Charles being Crowned at Worms and Caroloman at Soissons Writers have not set down the bounds of their Dominions since three years after their Fathers death the whole Kingdom came to Charles Brothers they were of different humors who by equality of power endangered the ruin of the Monarchy had not divine Providence united it in the Person of this great Prince Charles He was indued with excellent gifts both of body and mind of a Virtuous conversation and above all carefully educated in the Christian Religion for which he had much reverence all his life Charity Temperance Equity and Justice in relieving his People Fidelity to all and Modesty in using Victorles were the admirable effects of his knowledge and as remarkable in him as in any Prince whatever He naturally loved Learning and Learned men having been instructed in the Greek and Latin Tongues and likewise in Philosophy and the Mathematicks which Sciences he term'd his Pastimes and the Companions of his Sword wherewith he oft diverted himself He took delight in Poetry as some of his writings witness but especially in Histories wherein he was exceeding well read In Arms his Father Pepin was his School-master under whom he had great Commands which he discharg'd with such reputation that he well deserv'd the name of Great both for his Valour and Virtue There appeared in his Countenance a grave sweet Majesty in Personage he was Tall Strong and Patient of labour of a clear Spirit a sound Apprehension Memory and Judgment which never failed him in difficulties terrible to some and pleasing to others according to the occasion These Virtues gain'd him so much Repute that he was Beloved Respected and Obeyed of all men and having received a great Kingdom from his Father he inlarged it with wonderful success Charles â—â—rtel Pepin and this Great Charles seeming to have been raised up after each other to preserve the Christian name amidst the deluge of barbarous Nations and the ruin of the Roman Empire Caroloman was exceeding jealous of his Brothers greatness whom with grief he saw honour'd obey'd and belov'd by all the French which caused him to endeavour as much as possible to countermine his designs who had his eye upon Italy as the most proper Theater for his valour For after the death of Pepin the Church of Rome fell into great confusions by the practices of Didier King of Lombardy who having corrupted some of the Clergy caused Constantine brother to the Duke of Nepezo his creature and trusty friend to be chosen Pope and Phillipicus already elected to be violently deposed The other party resolving not to be imposed on by Didier by common consent chuse Stephen the Third a Sicilian to the Popedom who resolves to call in the King of France to his assistance upon which Charles first sends twelve Prelates to Rome to strengthen his party who unanimously confirm the Election of Stephen and depose Constantine raised by force and disorder Though Didier resolved not to be controlled yet cunningly dissembling his thoughts he sends to congratulate the Election of Stephen and renounces Constantine and pretending to desire the continuance of friendship proposes to come to Rome and confer with him in private The Pope who only made use of the French for necessity was easily perswaded by Didier to consent thereto who coming makes many Protestations of Obedience Paul Ephialte a Graecian was then Governor at Rome for the Emperor whom Didier so corrupted that having the Execution of Justice in his hands he causeth him to seize upon Christopher and Sergius the Popes two Secretaries in the presence of Stephen whom accusing of supposed crimes he infamously hanged their greatest offence being for favouring the French yea he proceeded to banish all the Citizens of Rome who were noted to be of the French Faction resolving to be Master of Rome in sâ—â—ght of the Pope Stephen observing the falshood of the Lombards flies again to Charlemagne for help who resolving to assist him Didier had so wrought with Caroloman his Brother that he found means to hinder him by raising a dangerous War in Guienne Though the County of Guienne depended on the Crown of France yet many Rebellions happened by the practices of the Noblemen who abusing the bounty of the French Kings that allowed them their ancient Priviledges were ambitious to be absolute Soveraigns themselves to cast off their dependance upon France Hunalt at this time was the principal Person in this Countrey whom Caroloman finding to be very desirous of being a Duke or Prince resolves to imploy him against his brother Charles Hunalt not doubting but to have credit enough with the People to make himself absolute if he were favoured by one of the Kings of France against the other Guienne was part of Charlemagnes Territories against whom Hunalt
own Quarter and unable to endure this insolence of a Barbarian with a well placed Arrow shot him through the very Heart and tumbled him dead into the Ditch Thus the bravest man of the Turks seem'd to stay to receive an honourable death from the hand of the gallantest of the Christians Soon after Solyman having made another fruitless attempt to relieve them the Besieged delivered up the City by Treaty to the Christians The Princes not to lose the season of the year marched immediately from thence toward Syria and for convenience of Forrage they separated into two Bodies that part under the Earl of Flanders and the Duke Normandy taking the left and Godfrey the right hand but yet without distancing the Armies above two miles asunder The Duke of Normandy had not marched far when they had notice that Solyman with three hundred and sixty thousand Turks and Persians all Horse with an infinite number of Arabians intended to surprize and surround the Christians the next morning Who instantly sent to advertise Duke Godfrey of their danger who again joining the Army the Princes incouraged their Souldiers telling them That they were the same Enemies they had oft before vanquished at Nice and that in sighting valiantly against those wicked Insidels if they died they might be certain of eternal happiness And then drawing their Swords they cryed out It is the will of God which words the whole Army repeated with such a terrible Harmony the Vallies Rocks and Mountains shook with the dreadful Eccho and thereupon presently engaging by the Conduct of Godfrey and Reymond who ran full speed upon the Turks with their European Lances which they had neither Shields nor Breast-plates to oppose they were overthrown horse and man and the Arabs not enduring a charge hand to hand fearing to be surrounded began to betake themselves to slight which caused such fear and disorder in the whole Army that it put them in a moment to general rout and the Christians obtained a compleat Victory with a Prodigious quantity of booty and plunder which they found in the Turkish Camp and then marching forward toward Syria they arrived about Antioch in Pisidia which surrendred to them without ressistance as did most of the other Cities in their passage Whilst the Army refresht themselves in Pisidia after such Toyls and hardships Prince Godfrey had like to have been lost by a strange accident which however redounded in conclusion much to the honour of this Prince advancing his Reputation Courage and Nobleness which appeared even to admiration upon this dangerous occasion For one day entring alone on Horseback into a Wood he heard the voice of a man who cryed out for help with all his power and advancing to the place from whence the noise came he perceived it was a poor Souldier who coming to cut Wood was running almost quite cut of breath round a great Tree to save himself from the merciless Jaws of a monstrous and furious Bear which was just ready to seize upon him Godfrey transported with Courage and Charity spurred on his Horse with his sword in his hand toward the cruel Beast who forsaking the Souldier with inflamed eyes gaping Jaws and the terrible Claws of her two fore Paws advanced toward him and raising her self upon her hinder feet to throw her self upon the Horse she was affrighted with the Sword and to avoyd the blow fell sideling but so that Horse and man fell over her and she catchâ— hold of the Dukes Coat to draw him toward her but Godfrey nimbly recovering his fall and seizing on her left paw which she thrust out to lay hold of him he ran his Sword up to the hilt in the belly of this monstrous enemy when one of his Gentlemen coming in at the noise dispatcht the Beast already overthrown with the terrible blow she had received But Godfrey in drawing his Sword from between his legs after his fall having given himself a cruel wound in his Thigh which during the heat of the combate he did not perceive he had lost so much bloud that after he began to cool he suddenly sunk down in a Swoon This accident though it proved not dangerous spread a mighty Consternation through the whole Army as if all had been lost so much confidence and authority they placed in his Valor and Judgment especially since the last battle where he gained the Christians a glorious Victory out of the hands of the Insidels who were just ready to ruine them The Christians having conquered Cilicia and great part of Armenia they next besieged the City of Antioch and having lain some time before it two Fleets from Genoa and Pisa arrived very fortunately at the Port of St. Simeon with all sorts of Provisions which were very welcom after a five months Seige the news whereof no sooner arrived at the Camp but the Souldiers ran thither in Shoals to furnish themselves with what they wanted The Turks who continually watched for all advantages laid an Ambuscade of four thousand men that secretly sallied out of the Town who meeting with the Souldiers in their return without Order or Arms but only their Swords and loaden with Provisions they fell upon them and obliged them to fly to the Mountains leaving all their Provisions and a thousand of their Companions dead upon the place Godfrey soon advertized of this disaster took a strong Party resolving immediately to charge the Tarks whom he doubted not to find in sufficient disorder upon Joy of their Victory The Governor of Antich having from one of the Towers of his Castle observed this motion of the Christians was in much pain for the safe return of his men and therefore commanded the greatest part of his Army to sally out of the City for their relief Godfrey marched on slowly having notice that the Conquerors having joined the Troops of the Town drew near loaden with their booty then drawing his Sword and turning to his men after he had lookt fiercely toward the Enemy he cryed Follow me it is the will of Godâ— Ordering them only to use their Swords without either Lances or Arrows so that with their Swords drawn and their Bucklers they made a kind of Penthouse against the Arrows of the Turks who being thereby put out of their usual way of fighting the Service of their Bows being taken from them they presently recoiled upon their assistants and being incumbred with Spoils the Christians fell into the midst of them and on all hands made a most horrible slaughter of these miserable wretches so that they were totally routed some flying to the mountains others toward the City not dreaming that the Gate was shut against them Godfrey to prevent their return into the Town flew like lightning among his enemies there was no blow of his terrible Sword which drew not a dreadful death with it so that he filled all with Horror Lloud and Terror which way soever he turned himself and the other Princes finding the Enemies stopt by