Husband brings a Portion to his Wife in the presence of the Friends of both parties which she immediately gives to her Parents for their care and cost in breeding which if they have need the Parents may spend if not they give again to the daughter to give to her Sons or spend at her pleasure So that amongst them he is held to be most rich that hath most daughters Juan Gonçcales Hist de la China p. 44. In the Provinces of China near Tartary they have this remarkable custome Their Law requires all men and women to marry by such an age or else to profess Religion and live single Now those that can match themselves may but for those that cannot they have this Provision The Governour and Viceroy in each Province appoint a certain time and Chief City at which and to which all those who are willing to marry may and do come both men and women where twelve principal men are appointed Judges before whom they present themselves who take their names and qualities of their persons and substance wherewith to endow their Wives and then of the number and if they find more of the one Sex than t e other they cast Lots and the supernumeraries are reserved to be first provided the next year Six of these Judges divide the men into three parts The very Rich the Indifferent the Poor The other six Judges the mean while divide the Maids into the Beautiful the indifferent the unhansome Which done the Judges give the beautiful to the very rich and they give what the Judges appoint to them The indifferent rich to the indifferents hansome who pay nothing for them And the unhansome to the poor men with the money the rich paid divided by equal portions Thus in one day they are all Married though paradventure not all well contented Id. p. 46. The King of China besides his Queen makes choice of thirty Concubines of the most beautiful Ladies in his Kingdom who live in the Royal palace while he lives and when he dies takes this care for them that after his obsequies are past his successor doth cause these thirty Concubines to be most curiously and rich arrayed and then placed in a large Hall so vailed that none may know them or see their faces Which done there enter into the Hall thirty of the Principal Noble men whom the deaâ— King nominated in his Will either according to their age or nomination and each of them takes one of those Ladies so vailed and accâ—utred by the hand and so leads her to his own house and there keeps her for his VViâ—e and highly respects her having a yearly constant allowance out of the Royal Palace for her honourable maintenance Gonçales Hist de la China p 46. Pope Julius the third being in the heat of Summer walking in his â—hamber without his Gown and Robes two Cardinals coming to Visit him drew back but he called them into his Chamber and told them that their Robes must needs be a great burden to them who had walked in the Sun since he could not endure his in the shade and therefore commanded them and compelled them though unwilling to lay aside theirs and to walk with him in Cuerpo Having thus walked a little while the Pope asked them What would our Romans say if they should see us thus walk through the streets of the City They ansvvered They vvould esteem us Rogues and hardly suffer us to pass from them vvithout ignominious usage To whom the Pope replies Behold my Brethren how much we are beholding to our Garments that defend us from Injuries and procure to us so great an esteem of Holiness Melander p. 33. When Tecelius was sent by Pope Leo the tenth with his Indulgences into Germany a certain Saxon Carrier came to him and asked him if he could grant him pardon for not only those sins he had already but those he should commit thereafter and told him if he could he would give him ten Crowns The Monk paused upon it and told him it was a difficult case but yet if he would give thirty his power from Pope Leo did extend to pardon which was done Tecelius rejoycing at the purchase he had made returning with his monies this Carrier way-lays him Robs him and went into the town Tecelius was going to who being come accuseth him to the Magistrate the Carrier pleads that he had his pardon and so produceth the Popes bull that he had from Tecelius The Magistrate gives Credit to it Tecelius hath the worst of it and is laught and hist from the bar with contempt and disgrace Otho Meland Joca seria p. 55. Hemingius a worthy Divine relates this Story of a Woman that being grievously troubled with sore Eyes applies her self to a Scholar for remedy and promiseth him if he could cure her a good reward The Scholar though utterly ignorant yet out of hope of the reward undertakes it He takes a piece of paper and therein writes Characters never before seen or heard of and under them in great Letters The Divel pull out thy Eyes and fill the holes with Dung This Paper fo ded up and sowed in a Cloth he commands the Woman to wear abouâ— her neck she obeys and was cured About a year or two after the Woman had a great desire to see what it was she wore opens the bag causeth the Paper to be read is exceedingly displeased at it throws away the Paper and her distemper in her Eyes again returns Otho Mela. Joca seria p. 91. Jacobus Latomus who had written against Luther being near unto death caused to be called to him some of those they call Magistri Nostri at Paris and said with grief and deep sighs I have therefore call'd you together that I might testifie unto you that the Doctrine of Luther which you so furiously persecute is the true Doctrine of Christ the Apostles and the Church and that which you defend is wicked and divelish and that for writings which against my conscience knowingly and wittingly I have put forth I am a damned wretch When they amazedly beheld him some of the wiser sort advised him not to despair of Gods mercy though he judged he had done amiss He discourses to them concerning the banishments punishments and death that through his means many had suffered adds In vain do you labour to comfort me for I am sure I am damned and with this word ended his wretched life Otho Meland 107. In the year one thousand five hundred twenty six two brethren whose names were Thomas and Leonard Schykers living near a City called Mullegas met on the seventh of February at the House of their Father with other of their Opinions being Anabaptists and having spent the night in Enthusiastical discourses and gestures early in the Morning Thomas commanded his brother Leonard to kneel down before his Father and the rest of the Company who advised him that he would not do any thing unfitting he replyed nothing
thoughts and deeds of the sick man and said unto him Behold thy vertues see what thy examination shall be To whom he answered True Satan but thou hast not set all Thou shouldst have added The Blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin and he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved The Romans where they Conquered any Country they carried away their Captivate gods though of strange Religion and built Temples to them They never differed with any but the Christian Religion and the Reason is that divers Lyes may dwell together Herod and Pilate were made friends but there is no accord between a Lye and the Truth Cajus Caligula though none broke forth into more audacious contempt of the Divine Majesty yet was most dasterdly timorous hiding himself under a Bed when he heard it Thunder It was the custome that when the Emperour of Constantinople was Crowned two Masons came in the sight of all the people bringing in their Hand Marble stones of several Colours saying Let the Emperour command what sort of Marble he will have his Monument made of Peter Martyr perswading the improvement of good examples tells a story of a deformed man married unto an uncomely woman who being desirous of handsome children bought many beautiful pictures and desired his Wife daily to look upon them by means whereof their children were fair and lovely A Maintainer of the Pope out of his detestation to the true Religion doubted not to say and swear That if he thought Calvin was in Heaven he would never come thither to be there with him Nauplius on the Cepharean Rock made shew of a false fire to the Grecian Navy in their return from Troy The Papist doth the like making shew of Miracles amongst those rush Candles that they give us to seek the Church by as the Cynick did his man in the Market place at Mid-day But how poor a matter since infidels work Miracles witness the Egyptian South-sayers and false Prophets Yea Vives himself a learned Papist speaking of their Golden-Legend which is the History of their Miracles saith That he which made it had an Iron Face and a Leaden Heart Christ indeed in the Churches infancy did Miracles But what need Truckles when the Child can go Herbs new set require a watering pot which having once taken root need no such farther labour And therefore as Austin in his 22d Book of the City of God observes He which seeks them now is Prodigium magnum since the Glory of Miracles is not Nota Ecclesiae sed Doctrinae a note of the Church but Doctrine Yet the Protestant Truth and Church though they plead not Miracula yet they want not Mirabilia as 1. Luthers Conquest in Life and Peace in Death 2. The French Protestants flourishing after the Parisian Massacre In Anno 1572. 3. Rochel relieved by Fish never seen in that Coast before 1573. 4. Geneva's preservation in the midst of powerful Enemies 5. Queen Elizabeths long and peaceable Raign and Death 6. Deliverance from Gunpowder Treason But it 's the word of Truth wâ—ich the Protestant rests on and not Miracles which are but false signs The Romans dedicated the first Day of the new Year to a double-faced Idol called Janus The Idol is gone but the Moral is still useful teaching us then to look both backward to what is past and forward to what is to come Which if we do looking backward considering Gods mercies we have reason to say Thou crownest the Year with thy goodness If we look forward considering our own wickedness we have need to cry Lord spare us this year also It was a gallant resolution of Scipio who being procurator Purveyor for the City of Rome in a time of Dearth being to set Sail homeward with Provision it being very turbulent weather the Pilot loth to venture would have perswaded him to stay but he commanded him to set Sail and said Nâ—cesse est ut cam non ut vivam The Persians had a Law that if a man were accused and found guilty he should not straightway be condemned but after a diligent enquiry of his Life and Conversation And if the number of his praise-worthy deeds did countervail the contrary he was fully quit of the trespass Caligula having made a ridiculous expedition entring the â—ea with his Army in Battailara commanded the Souldiers to gather Cockleshells and fill their Hâ—lmets and for this demanded triumph as though he had conquered the Ocean Claudius the Emperour was full of courtesy to his Friends so that when lantius triumph'd he accompanied him and going to the Capitol gave him the preheminence Domitian the Emperâ—ur put to Death Salustius Lucuilus Governor of Brittain for that he called some Launces or Spears he had invented by his own name Lucul ians Lucius King of rittain sending to Pope Eleutherius for the Roman and Imperial laws received this answer from him That he had the old and new Testament and out of them might compose his Laws to govern his people by Julian the â—p stâ—tâ— in despight to Christ sent Alipius to repair Jerusalem but terrible flaines of fire issuing ouâ— of the earth when they laid the foundation enforced them to leave the enterprise The Turks have four Divan or Judgment dayes every week viz. Saturday Sunday Munday Tuesday The Officers meet all by break of day dine in the Judgment-House and give account to the King who many times comes privily to a little Window which looks into the Divan-House to observe secretly what is done The Grand Signior sending forth a Bashaw or Governour of a Province always sends with him a Companion which hath always a free liberty to go in and out and talk to him at his pleasure to spy his Actions and to give the Grand â—ignior intelligence what is done Attendants of the Great Turk all except the Great Aga never speak but standing looking down with their hands cross to â—â—ew and do him reverence Gray Seraglio Turks fear not to buy the Cloaths of those who dye of the Plague and use them as though tâ—e Disease were not infectâ—ous affirming that their end is written in thâ—ir foreheads and a vain thing therefore to think â—o prevent it The Great Turkish Sultanaes or Ladies like those Blackamore Maidens best and give the greatest price for them who are most ill-favoured because they think that on the sight of their Deformities their own Beauties are better regarded Turâ—ish Ladies that are kept for the King never see any men save Blacks except the King And when they are sick the Phâ—sician feels their pulse but never seeth them The Great Turk seldome speaks at his meals but when to grace an Aga or chief Officer standing by him he throweth a Loaf of Bread at him from his own Table and this is held for a singular Grace and Favour There is no paper used by the Turks at their Privies because God and Mahomets names are written in it The Great Turk is Heir to all great ones who
preacht before the Elector of Brandenburgh he should not order his discourse according to the Elector but according to the unlearned If I saith he should regard Philip Melancthon and other Learned Doctors I should do but little good I speak to the simple plainly but when we Learned ones come together we make it so finical that God himself wonders at us Luth. Mens C. p. 285. When thirty Articles of Horrible Vilanies were publickly read against Pope John the twenty third in the Council of Constance on which he was deposed He said Ah! I have offended far above all these in that I departed from Rome and went over the Alpes meaning that he had submitted himself to their censure Idem p. 304. Valentinian Son to Pope Alexander the Sixth being taken in Spain by the King of Castile and about to be Executed desired first to make his confession A Friar being sent in he kill'd the Friar put on his habit and so escaped Idem p. 304. Adrian the Pope caused two Cities to be drawn in one Table viz. The place of his birth with this Motto I have planted and Lovain where he commenced Master of Arts with this Motto I have watered under both Cities The Emperor was pourtraied with this Motto I gave the blessing thereto for he made him Pope Another Writ under Hîc Deus nihil fecit Here God did nothing Luthers Mens Col. p. 305. Five Dutchmen travailing to Rome each of them unknown to each other confest themselves to the same Priest who gave each of them a Leg of that Ass that Christ rod to Jerusalem on but with this injunction to keep it secret till they came into their own Country Now one of them coming to the borders of Germany brag'd of his relique to his four Comrades who had each a Leg. They said vvith great admiration Lord had that Ass five Legs Idem p. 315. Luther compares the exposition of the Scriptures by some of the Fathers and Antients to the straining of Milk through a Coal-Sack which must needs spoil and make the milk black Idem p. 337. Frederick the Emperor inviting a Conjurer to dinner by art Magick produced that the Conjurer got feet like an Oxe and on his hand claws The Conjurer beg'd leave of the Emperour to shew his skill which granted he caused a Tumult to be raised without the VVindow out of which the Emperor looking he had on his Head a mighty pair of Horns grafted so that he could not pull in his Head again Then said the Emperor to the Conjurer Release me thou hast won Idem p. 391. The Emperor Charles the Fifth in the hearing of Luther had these words of Fabius and Ecchius My Brother greatly esteemeth them but doth he think that they should defend the Christian Faith Yea surely the one every day is drunk the other is a haunter of VVhores and is a meer Idiot Idem p. 408. In Italy there was a particular Order of Friars called Fratres Ignorantiae These were forced to take solemn Oaths that they would neither know learn or understand any thing at all but should answer all Questions with Nescio It were well if many others were not worthy of that Title Idem p. 415. In the Year 1526. a Frier in the Pulpit at Hildesheim gave St. Paul the Lye and said that we ought not to believe him because he said Rejoyce with them that rejoyce c. At that instant uttering those words he fell down stark-dead And a Popish Minister at Kunwald on Trinity Sunday was struck to death by Thunder who had made a Vow against the Gospel to oppose the same and said if the Gospel be Gods VVord so should the Thunder destroy him Luthers Col. Mens p. 413. As Persius is fabled to hold and throw Gorgons Head before his Enemies and thereby to get the Victory so Christians may hold and cast Christ before all Satans instigations and thâ—reby shall prevail Idem p. 439. A Gentleman in Germany having buried a fair VVife some few Nights after she appeared to him who asking her what she was she answered I am your Wise he replied she was dead and buried she said true by reason of your Swearing and other Sins I died but if you would take me again and abstain from your Sins and one common Oath you use I will be your VVife again he said I am content whereupon she stayed with him and brought him Children Now it fell out that the Gentâ—emen having Strangers to Supper his VVife being gone up to fetch some Banquetting-stuff and staying somewhat long he swore his accustomed Oath whereupon she vanished that instant They going to see after her found her Gown which she wore half within the Chest and half without and she was never seen afterward Idem p. 386. In Saxony near unto Halberstadt there was a Man that had a Kilcrop so the Saxons call Changelings who sucked the Mother and five other Women dry and besides devoured very much This Man was advised that he should in his Pilgrimage at Halberstadt make a promise of the Kilcrop to the Virgin Mary and should cause him there to be rocked This advice the Man followed and carried the Child thither to be rockt But going over the River being upon the Bridg another Devil that was below in the River called Kilcrop Kilcrop then the Child in the Basket which never before spake one word answered Ho Ho. The Devil in the Water askt farther whither art thou going The Child in the Basket said I am going towards Halberstadt to our Loving Mother to be rocked The Man being much affrighted thereat threw the Child with the Basket into the Water whereupon the two Devils flew away together and cryed ha ha ha tumbling themselves one over another and so vanished Luthers Col. p. 387. Luther compares Carlslad and Erasmus to Hollow Nuts that have no good but being crackt with ones teeth foul the mouth and fill it with dust Idem p. 367. Pope Gregory intending to fish in a deep Pond in Rome near to a Nunnery the Water being let out found more than 6000 Skuls of Children Idem p. 454. Maximilian the Emperor discoursing of the State of the present Government said Things are like to go well when the Spiritual Government is in the hand of a drunken Fool and a nasty Priest meaning Pope Julius and the Tâ—mpâ—ral with a Goat-climer meaning himself who took great delight in hunting VVild Goats Idem p. 457. At the â—iet of Auspurgh certain Princes discoursed of the riches and advantages of their principalites The Prince of Saxony said he had store of Silver Mines that brought him in great Revenues The Prince Palatine of the Rhine extolled his Vineyard and Wine Eberhard Prince of Wittenburgh said Indeed I am but a poor Prince and no way to be compared to you yet in my country I have a rich and precious Jewel namely that if I should ride astray and be left alone yet I could securely sleep in the
bosome of every one of my Subjects who are all ready to venture all for my service Which when the other two Princes heard they answered that in truth it was the most precious Jewel and wealth Luthers Coll. Mens p. 459. Ernestus Prince of Lunenburg complaining to Luther of the immeasurable drinking that was at Courts Luther replying that Princes ought to look thereto Ah Sir said he we that are Princes do so our selves otherwise it would long since have gone down Manent exempla regentum In Vulgus When the Abbot throweth the Dice the whole Convent will play Idem p. 459. Alphonsus King of Aragon besieging Cajeta and being advised to kill the women and children that were turned out of the City answered God preserve me from so doing I would not practise such Tyranny for the whole Kingdom of Naples were it worth ten times more than it is And Frederick Prince of Saxony being perswaded to besiege Erfort and told that the taking of it would not cost the life of five men he answered that the life of one man to be there lost was too much Luther Coll. Mens p. 462. Maximilian the Emperour said of himself that he was King of Kings because his Subjects would obey him no farther than they pleased That the French King was King of Asses the King of England King of men Idem p. 463. When the men of Antwerp caused to be wrought in a fair and rich piece of Arras the battail fought before Pavia in which the French King was taken Prisoner and offered it as a present to the Emperour Charles the fifth he refused to accept of it saying unto them that he rejoyced not at the miseries of other Princes and people Idem p. 465. John Prince of Saxony had six Pages attending on him in his Chamber that every day read to him six hours out of the Bible Idem p. 467. When Charles the Fifth Emperour read the Protestant confession at Auspurgh he openly spake these words I would wish that this Doctrine were taught throughout the world Prince George likewise expressed his liking of it had it come from the Pope but he would not receive it of a run-away Friar Idem p. 468. Luther not long before his death sent a fair Glass to Doctour Justus Jonas and therewith these following Verses Dat vitrum vitro Jonae vitrum ipse Lutherus Se similem ut fragili noscat uterque vitro Idem p. 471. Tamerlain when he laid Siege to a City or Fort first erected a white Flag thereby offering Peace the second time a red to signify blood Thirdly he shewed them a black Ensigne denoting devastation and destruction Idem p. 488. When Darius King of Persia propounded peace to Alexander he refused to accept thereof Then Parmenio his chief Counsellour said If I were Alexander I would accept of it Alexander replied so would I if I were Parmenio intimating that what becometh one doth not another Idem p. 488. Luther relates this Law-case A Miller had an Ass which ran out of his Yard and came to a River side where he went into a Fisherman Boat that was in the River and would drink thereout but the Boat being not tyed swam away with the Ass insomuch that the Miller lost his Ass and the Fisher his Boat The Miller thereupon complained of the Fisher in that he neglected to tye his Boat fast the Fisher accuseth the Miller for not keeping his Ass at home and desired satisfaction for his Boat Now the question is what the Law is Who was in fault Took the Ass the Boat away or the Boat the Ass Luther Coll. Mens p. 496. Demosthenes perswading the Grecians against Philip of Macedon did them harm by this false argument Who hath an evil cause hath no good Fortune since the greater Knave the greater Luck Idem p. 449. The Hebrew tongue is necessary for a Divine for though the New â—estament be written in Greek yet it is full of the Hebrew kind of speaking Hence it is truly said the Hebrews drink out of the Fountains the Grecians out of the Streams the Latines out of Pits Idem p. 502. Luther passing a Censure on himself Erasmus Carlstad and Melancthon thus expresseth himself Res verba Philippus Verba sine re Erasmus Res sine verbis Lutherus Nec res nec verba Carolastadius Idem p. 510. A Jew resolved to be baptized but would first go to Rome Luther disswaded him from going fearing lest he should be scandalized by the wickedness he would see there But the Jew went and when he had sufficiently seen abominable practices he returned and desired to be Baptized For saith he I will willingly serve the God of the Christians whom he said was a patient God that could endure and forbear notwithstanding such wickedness and villany as Rome was full of Idem p. 518. Candia was very much infested with Robbers The Venetian State set forth a Proclamation that they would receive to favour all such that should come in and bring wi h them the Head of ano her by which means one VVretch killed another and he Island was rid of those Vipers Idem p. 524. All things are not every where to be spoken To illustrate which Luther relates this Fable The Lion called into his stinking Den many Beasts and asked them how they liked his Royal Palace The VVolf answered it stinketh the Lion killed him The Ass answered it smelt very well tha â—ion killed him But the Fox being askâ— answered I have got such a Cold I smell nothing Luthers Mens Col. p. 532. John Huss in the year 1415. as he was to be burned at Constance said This day you roast a Goose but a hundred years hence you shall hear a Swan Him you shall not be able to roast nor overcome Huss signifies a Goose and Luther a Swan Now â—uther began to oppose the Pope 1515. and died peaceably in his Bed 1546. Idem p. 534. Publick Persons Magistrates and Ministers should hold their places as Fleta reports it was â—he Honour of the Judges of England about Edward the first 's time Nec prece nec precio nec premio Such as Joshua was to be wise and valiant and to resolve as Luther did to despise while doing their duty all opposition who when news was brought to him that both Pope and Emperor threatned his Ruine answered Contemptus est à me Româ—nus favor fervor Boltons 4 last things Eple When the Memory of the Just is blessed the Name of the VVicked shall rot of whom it may be said what of Pope Boniface the eighth He entred as a Fox he reigned as a Lion and went out as a Dog Mr. Boltons life Mr. Bolton before his Conversion hearing Mr. Perkins whose plain and sound Doctrin meeting in him with a curious Palate and unsanctified Heart quite turned his Stomach against thaâ— good Man and pronounced him a barren empty Fellow and a passing mean Scholer Though Keckerman and Bishop Abbot pronounce him Doctissimum
delights in tormenting and vexing either Beasts or Men as the daughter of Caligula that let her Nailes grow to scratch her companions and play-fellows is of an evil perfidious and untoward nature Idem p. 91. The Indian Brachmans of old if they disliked the Indoles of their children would abandon them in the woods to the wild Beasts and the inhabitants of Magadascur expose all their children that are born upon a Friday Idem p. 94. Precocious Persons though sometimes they verify that Proverb soon ripe soon rotten as Hermogenes the Orator was heard at twelve years old with admiration at 24 with laughter yet not alwayes For many we read that began exceeding timely to appear accomplisht did continue so As Bellarmin Perron Tasso John Picus Mirandula Scaliger Grotius Lipsius Tostatus and many other for Scholars Augustus Caesar at Nineteen and the Great Cosmo Medicus at Seventeen years of age took upon them the management of their affairs and carried them on with honour and success Discourse of Education p. 101. Manutius in his preface to his Paradoxes tells us of one Creighton a Scotchman who at twenty one years of age when he was killed by the order of the Duke of Mantua understood twelve Languages had read over all the Poets and Fathers disputed de omni scibili and answered extempore in Verse Ingenium prodigiosum sed judicium defuit Ibid. p. 102. Men in age make greater progress in learning than children Julius Scaliger began not to learn Greek till forty years old and then mastered it in a very few Moneths as he did French And Gascon in three Peter Damianus learned not to read till Mans estate yet proved an eminent Scholar and Baldus entred so late upon the Law that they told him he meant to be an Advocate in the other world Idem p. 108. Lewis the Eleventh desired his Son might understand no more Latin than Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare it seems he had but one trick in King-craft and that a very mean one More Latin might have taught him and others and not to have needed that so base and so unworthy of a Prince as it did those great Monarchs who were practised in it Julius Augustus and the rest of that Family whereof Nero to his dishonour wars the first that stood in need of borrowed eloquence Seneca makeing his speeches for him Hannibal Caesars great Captains great Scholars Alexander slept with Homer under his Pillow Idem p. 111. Passions moved make men eloquent Seneca relates that he heard a dull Orator declare most eloquently the day his Son dyed Polus the Actor that he might the more vively represent the grief of a Father upon the Body of his deceased Son brought in an Vrn the Ashes of his own Son new dead Facit indignitio versum Archilochus and Hipponan two very bad Poets for spite to be revenged on two persons that injured them invented those Dogrel sorts of verses Iambicks and Scattazons whose force they so well applyed that their adversaries made away themselves so Love transports as a Smith of Antwerp refused by his Sweet-heart turned and proved a most excellent Painter Idem p. 125. Though a great memory seldom accompanieth a great wit and good judgment yet sometimes it doth as in Monsieur Pascall who when a Youth at School could repeat all Ovids Metamorphosis and Justin's History by heart Mr. Oughtred in his old age had Ovid and Virgil fresh in memory Humane learning though a great embellishment and of excellent use yet must give way to the study of Divinity and practice of piety Albertus Magnus five years before his Death desired of God that he might forget all that he had learned in those Studies that he might entirely give himself up to Devotion Monsieur Pascal a man most eminent in all sorts of humane knowledge yet ten years before his Death he distasted them and professed that nothing besides Religion was an object worthy an ingenuous mans study because those studies produced no consolation in time of affliction and therefore though there were some advantage in them as to converse with men yet we might not prize them above their due value And that if it were better to know and undervalue than be ignorant of them yet it were better be ignorant than know and overvalue them Petrarch in his old age left Helicon for mount Olivet and the Cardinal Perron though formerly a great Poet and Oratour yet kept not so much as any Book of humanity in his Library Discourse of Education p. 114. Forraign Education usually perverts Youth and therefore Eteocles would not give Hostages to Antipater of the youth but of grave men And the Persians when wanting a King they sent for some of the Royal family then Hostages at Rome were afterwards displeased and cut them off as not agreeing with the manners and custome of the Country Disc Educ p. 194. The neglect of their Pens have ruined many particularly that great Master of Civility the Author of Galaleo For going to present to the Pope a petition by a mistake he delivered a Copy of Licentious verses writ by himself whereby he lost the Popes favour his own Reputation and all hopes of farther advancement Idem p. 228. Augustus advised Tiberius not to be offended with peoples speaking ill of them It sufficeth saith he that we can secure our selves from their doing us harm When one said he was a Tyrant he answered Were I so he durst not have said it To one calling him dwarfe Well said he then I will get higher Shoes Idem p. 247. It was the observation of a great Prelate that a Courtier at Rome ought to have a Thousand Ducats Rent Two thousand in his purse and be a thousand Miles from his Kindred p. 268. That Courtier is happy that hath opportunity given him of shewing his prudence and valour Sejanus by one action of saving Tiberius Life with the hazard of his own obtained that Reputation that he governed the whole Empire and had almost settled it upon himself through the great confidence Tiberius though otherwise a very jealous Prince had in him Discourse of Education p. 277. Calvins name was so odious to the Papists that they would not name him Hence in their Spanish expurgatory Index p. 204. they give this direction Let the name of Calvin be suppressed and instead of it put studiosus quidam and one of their Proselytes went from Mentz to Rome to change his native Name of Calvinus into the adopted of Baronius Bp. Morton Cath. Appel Ep. dâ—dic It was Stapletons advice to the Duke of Parma when Governor of the Low-Countries in reference to the divisions in point of Religion then on foot to cut all knots of Argument with Alexanders Sword and to beat them down with Hercules Club rather than to labour to appease and moderate them by the Harp of Apollo To repress them by violence rather than moderate them by Judgment Mortons Appeal pref Some Parents and Nurses with their
milk and food of Life do ordinarily transfuse some insensible seed of their own hereditary infirmities which in time grow upon their Children and become both sensible and dangerous unless they are purged out so it must be acknowledged of St. Gregory and Austin whom he sent into England and that together with the substantial Doctrin of the Christian Faith his Scholars and Converts might receive some few of his infirmities and superstitions which like hereditary diseases increasing with time and growing stronger ought not therefore to be still cherished because hereditary Id. p. 5. The Devil appeared unto one Secundello a Deacon in the likeness of our Saviour and said unto him I am Christ Go forth and do Cures and heal Diseases he being seduced with this delusion did so and putting his hand upon the infirm in the name of Christ they were immediately healed and he returned stuff'd with pride and vain glory Mortons appeal p. 18. It 's noted of Caesar that he therefore disclaimed the Title of a King that thereby he might more plausibly and popularly execute all monarchical and Kingly power and Authority The Pope stiles himsejf Servo Servorum The Servant of Servants that thereby he may Lord it over Gods Heritage And notwithstanding this Title of Humility yet the Book of the Pâ—ntifical Ceremonies doth require that all Mortal Men of whatsoever State or Degree when they come first into the Popes presence must kneel thrice and also kiss his feet Idem p. 35. 159. Platina relates that Pâ—pe Sabinian commandded first the lighting of Lamps in the day time in Churches for this reason ut Horae distinguerentur officii gratia that the Houres for Divine Offices might be distinguished and duly observed And so we read in our English Histories that King Aelfrid who divided the natural day into three eight houres viz. One for his bodily refreshment one for his studies and the third for the affaires of his kingdom measured hi time by the burning of Wax-tapers Clocks and Watches and Hour-glasses being not then invented Idem p. 57. Binius relates that some Donatifsts who in contempt threw the Sacramental bread unto Dogs were by those Dogs fallen mad set upon and eat up themselves And in St. Johns Colledg in Cambridg Dr. Whitaker being the Master one Booth a Bachelor of Arts and an excellent Scholar who in contempt had taken the Sacramental bread and thrown it over a Wall not long after threw himself Headlong from the battlements of the Chappel and died within four and twenty hours after Idem p. 132. Pope Alexander in the behalf of Ferdinand King of Portugal thus decrees concerning India Upon our meer Motion and Liberality saith he and from the fulness of our Apostolical Authority we give unto you all the Islands and Lands as well those which are found out as those which shall hereafter be discovered in India from the North-Azores unto the VVest to you and your Heirs for ever And this upon no better Truth or Title than the Devil promised the Kingdomes of the VVorld to our Saviour Bp. Mortons appeal p. 155. The Popish VVriters though confessing some of their Popes as John the twelfth to be sceleratissimos Monstra most Wicked Monsters yet stile them of good and godly Memory Because say they we herein respect not what they did but what became them to have done By which reason like honour of blessed Memory belongeth to Jeroboam among the Kings Balaam among the Prophets and Judas among the Apostles Idem p. 159. The Books of accounts belonging to Christ-Church in Canterbury do testifie that there being three several Offerings in that Church One to Christ another to the Virgin Mary a third to Thomas Becket The Oblation to Thomas Becket communibus annis did amount to eight hundred or a thousand pounds To our Lady two hundred pounds To our Saviour somtimes five Marks somtimes twelve Marks and somtimes Hoc anno nihil This year Nothing Bp. Mortons appeal p 242. The necessity of ministring the Eucharist to Infants was defended by St. Austin and Innocent the first and was practised by the Church almost six hundred years together yet at length was left off and rejected as a fond and unwarrantable custome Idem p. 244. IMMANUEL Historical Collections Century IV. ZEno being asked how a man might be wise answered He must converse vvith the dead viz. by reading understand and know the acts of the Antients Don Pedro Men. Imp. Hist preface The Trophies of Miltiades stirred up Themistocles What Homer wrote of Achilles provoked Alexander and Alexanders History did Julius Caesar to great exploits Ibid. Philosophy Rhetorick Mathematicks and Astrology have been banished Rome and a long time it was e're Physick was admitted Ibid. Sylla having overthrown Marius made himself Dictatour and seised on Rome nevertheless before his death he deposed himself from his Dictatorship and left it at liberty Pompey followed Sylla's faction and Caesar Marius p. 4. The greatest civil warr that ever was in the World was between Pompey and Caesar in which were engaged all the Roman Senators and Souldiers and lasted five years It was waged in Italy France Spain Epirus Thessaly Egypt Asia and Africa The whole Roman Empire not sufficing the ambition of the two Commanders Pompey not enduring an Equal nor Caesar a Superior Imperial History p. 6. Men commonly judg that lawful in themselves which they condemn in others Pompey would not allow Caesar to stand for the Consulship being absent though he himself had it before he was of lawful age Idem p. 7. Caesar coming to the River Rubicon which the Senate commanded him not to pass with his Army is reported to use these words If I forbear it will be the beginning of my disgrace and if I pass it will be to all Men Mortal Yet preferring his own honour before publick good using these Words Jacta est Alea the Lot is Cast past the River and began the Civil VVar. p. 8. Pompey having raised a new raw unexperienced Army his Old Legions being in Spain under Patricius and Afranius two inexpert Captains Caesar being in suspence which to attaque first at last resolved to go into Spain saying Let us go first against the Army that is without a Captain and then against the Captain that is without an Army Caesar disguised with three Servants entred a Brigandine intending to cross the Sea but coming down he River to enter the Sea it was so troublous and tempestuous that the Master not daring to pass farther would have returned Then Caesar discovered his face and said Fear not â—hou carriest Caesar and all his Fortunes p. 12. Pompey worsted Caesar at Dirrachium but prosecuted not his Victory On which â—aesar said to his Friends Of a truth this Day had ended our Wars if our Enemies had had a Captain that had known how to use his Victory p. 13. Caesar commanded his Horse-men fighting with Pompey's Cavalry who were nice and effeminate Gentlemen to strike them no
where but in the face which they not able or willing to endure presently retired and lost the Day to Caesar Pompey flying towards Egypt had his Head smitten off in a Boat by the command of the King of Egypt which Caesar wept at when it was shew'd unto him and put to Death those that did it Imperial History p. 15. Afranius one of Pompeys Captaines and Juba King of Mauritania rather than fall into Caesars Hands determined to dye fighting the one against the other Juba slew Afranius and afterward commanded his own Slave to kill himself and so died desperately p. 18. Caesar returning to Rome had four triumphs granted him one for France the second for Egypt the third for Pontus and King Phraaces which he conquered so quickly that he wrote of it veni vidi vici I came I savv I conquered The fourth for Juba As for his Conquest of Pompey he refused because it was over a Romm Citizen Ibid. p. 18. Caesar being in great danger in his last War in Spain against the younger Pompey was ready to have killed himself but recovering the day he said of it That in other Battels he fought for his Honour but in this for his Life Idem p. 19. When Caesar was counselled to have a Guard alwayes about him He answered he would have none for he would rather dye once than live in perpetual care and fear p. 21. Caesar in the fifty sixth year of his age was slain in the Senate seventy of the chief Senators conspiring his Death he having the Night before when a question was asked what Death was best answered The suddain and not propensed His Wife dreamt that Night that he lay dead in her Lap and Spurina warned him to have heed to the Ides of March and a Note was given to him going to the Senate discovering the conspiracy which he began to read but was interrupted and died with it in his hands p. 23. When Marcus Antonius made the Funeral Oration for Caesar who was slain forty and two yearrs before the Birth of our Saviour he shewed his bloody Robe to the People which so enraged them that they ran with burning-brands from the fire of Caesars burning and set on fire the Houses of Brutus and Caffius two principal Conspirators and slew in their rage one Elius Cinna mistaking him for Cornelius Cinna one of Caesars Murderers though he was his Friend And observable it is that all Caesars Murderers within three years died and not one of them of a natural death Imperial History p. 26. Augustus Caesar shut Janus Temple three times in token of Vniversal peace which had bin but twice shut before from the foundation of Rome and in the forty and second year of his Raign the last time that he shut Janus Temple Christ was born Idem p. 49. Tiberius though most unchast himself yet was a great punisher of unchastity in others In the eighteenth year of whose Raign Christ was Crucified whom Tiberius would have had the Senate admit into the number of the Gods but they refused p 59. When one condemned by Tiberius desired that he might be put to present Death he answered No I am not yet so much your Friend p. 60. Caligula was the best Servant and the worst Lord in the World He made a Bridg three Miles over an Arm of the Sea covered it with Earth and built Houses on it and burnt such an infinite number of Torches in the Night he lay there that the darkness of the Night was expelled whereupon be brag'd that he had made of the Sea Land and of the Night Day He commanded himself to be worshipped as a God yet was so afraid of Thunder that he would creep under a Bed to hide himself He wisht all the Roman People had but one Neck that he might destroy them all at one blow He gathered a great Army and marshalled them on the Sea coast and commanded them to gather Cockle-shells for which he demanded Triumph and was killed by Conspiracy in the year of our Lord God sixty three Imperial History p. 70. Nero though most cruel by Nature yet feigned Clemency insomuch that a warrant being brought him to sign for the putting one to Death He said he would that he could not write p. 85. When Agrippina was told that her Son should be Emperour but that he should kill his Mother She replied Let him have the Empire and then kill her and spare not which he accordingly did and viewed his Mothers Womb in which he lay Idem p. 89. In the days of Nero the City of Laodicea was wholly laid wast and destroyed with an Earth-quake p. 90. In the days of Nero it was more dangerous to be rich than to commit offences Few were punished because of their misdeeds but many lost their lives because of their wealth Idem p. 91. When Nero espoused Sporus whom he castrated as his Wife One hearing of it said It had been well for the VVorld that Nero's Father Domitius had never bad but such a VVife Idem p 94. Nero set Rome on fire and in six Days and seven Nights would not suffer it to be quenched so that of fourteen Parts ten were burned and the while got up into a high Tower where delighted with the sight He sung verses out of Homer concerning the burning of Troy He raised the first persecution against Christians whom he covered with Wild Beasts Skins and then set Dogs at them p. 94. Otho when his Army was discomfited to avoid effusion of more Roman blood slew himself and when he was burned divers slew themselves for love of him Imperial History p. 112. Vitellius coming into the Fields where the dead Bodies that were slain taking part with Otho lay unburied his Souldiers and Captains holding their Noses He reproved them saying that there was not a sweeter smell in the World Than the smell of an Enemy being Dead especially a Citizen He banished Astrologers and Mathematicians because they had foretold he should not raign above a year He was excessive in his prodigality and most bloudy in his cruelty He put to Death two young men only because they had interceeded for their Father whom he had condemned to Death p. 115. Vespasian was made Emperor against his VVill and forced to accept of it with drawn Swords by his Souldiers who threatned otherwise they would immediately kill him He was a good Prince lived seventy nine yeares died in his Bed For his health he used frictions and fasting one day every month without eating any thing Id. p. 117. 129. Titus was called Deliciae humani generis sent none from him discontented One Night having given nothing that day he said to his Friends Heu diem perdidi and when two great men had conspired his Death he freely forgive them without punishment Domitian delighted in catching Flies and though he were evil himself yet he severely punisht evil Governours He commanded himself to be called God and Lord. p. 136. When a Battel
him p. 300. Probus the Emperor having brought the Empire into a quie and peaceable from a troublesome and turbulent posture was heard to say That he vvould speedily take such a course that there should be no more need of any Men of War This Speech was so distasted by the Souldiers that they conspired and procured his death p. 290. Dioclesian being but a common Souldier was told by a VVitch that he should be Emperor vvhen he had slain a Boar. He therefore aftervvards kil'd many but vvas not Emperor till he had slain Aper vvho had treacherously kil'd the Emperor Numinanus Idem p. 296. Dioclesian and his Colleague after they had raigned together tvventy â—ears in one day voluntarily resigned up the Empire and betook themselves to private Lives and vvhen aftervvards Dioclesian vvas importuted to resume the Imperial Diadem He utterly refused it protesting that then he began to Live when he began to Live private Imp. Hist p. 302. Galerius Armentanus was smitten with Lice and slew some of his Physicians for not curing him and being apprehensive that his punishment was for persecuting the Christians He recalled his Edicts against them and desired their prayers for him but died of that disease p. 306. Constantine being ready to fight with Maxentius and in doubt was encouraged by a Vision of a Cross in the Air with this Word spoken in Greek In this sign thou shalt overcome who accordingly having obtained Victory forbad any for hereafter to be put to death on the Cross p. 309. Maxentius intending to entrap Constantine caused a false Bridg to be made over Tyber but being worsted by Constantine fled and perished by the falling of that Bridg into the River p. 309. Licinius being unlearned himself affirmed that Learning was a publick pestilence p. 319. Constantines Wife Fausta being denyed in her unlawful suit by Crispus Constantine's Son by a former Wife accused him to his Father as intending to ravish her on which he put him to death but afterwards understanding his Sons Innocency he justly revenged his Sons death with hers p. 312. Constantine to beautify Bizantium now Constantinople disrobed all the rest of the VVorld of what was precious or stately p. 314. At the Council of Nice wherein were three hundred and eighteen Bishops when divers Bishops accused one the other He concealed their Complaints and perswaded them to Unity Imp. Hist p. 316. Arrius the Author of the Arrian Heresie died on the draught his Entrailes gushing out p. 318. Julian the Apostate intended to extirpate the Christian Religion not by cruelty but policy by gifts And preferments forbidding them Schools and Learning and all advancement except they would forsake their Religion And having promised his Gods to sacrifice Christian blood if he returned Victor over the Persians He was wounded by an Arrow shot from an unknown hand and kil'd and dyed crying out O Galilean thou hast overcome p. 332. In he reign of Valentinianus the first it rained perfect VVool in great abundance Id. p. 339. Jovinianus in Julians time gave up his Offices because he would not deny his faith and being on Julians death chosen Emperour he refused till the whole Army acknowledged themselves Christians He was stifled by the smoak of Charcoale Idem p. 335. Valens the Emperor being a Negromancer enquiring of the Devil who should succeed him was answered One whose name began with a Th. whereupon divers whose names began vvith that Letter vvere put to death by him p. 342. Maximus having usurped the Empire that he might intrap Gratianus caused a report to be spread that Gratianus VVife vvith a good Company of Souldiers vvas come to see her Husband and to go vvith him into Italy and sent a Messenger vvith counterfeit Letters to advertise him of it After this he sent one Andragathius a subtile Captain to the end he should put himself into a Horselitter vvith some chosen Souldiers and go to meet Gratian feigning himself to be the Empress and so to surprise and kill him The cunning Champion performed his business and at Lions in France the Emperor came forth to meet his VVife and coming to the Horse-litter was taken and so kill'd Imperial History p. 344. Theodosius because the Citizens of Thessalonica had in a popular humour slain their Magistrates which he had appointed over them caused his Souldiers to put to Death seven thousand of the common people without making a difference Faulty or Faultless For which act of cruelty St. Ambrose when the Emperor came to Millain and would have entered the Church forbad him and excommunicated him the good Emperor obeyed the excommunication and for eight Months till on his Repentance he was restored forbeared the publick Assemblies and by the Bishops injunction published an edict that none condemned by the Emperor should be put to Death within thirty days after the Sentence passed p. 355. Alaricus marching towards Rome with a purpose to destroy it there came a Monk to him who admonished him that being a Christian he should desist To whom Alaricus answered I let you to understand Man of God that I go not of my own will against Rome But I assure thee that there daily appears unto me a Man that doth urge me and importune me thereunto saying Get thee to Rome and destroy it even to the ground Id. p. 364. Theodosius the second being reproved for giving so many condemned Malefactors their pardon He answered I would to God I could raise again those that I have put to Death Id. p. 385. Pulcheria the daughter of Theodosius the second marrying with Martianus an ancient Captain took security of him that they should both live chast for she was resolved to keep her Virginity inviolable which Martianus accepted of and they both observed Imp. Hist p. 388. Attila King of Hunnes called himself the terror of the World and scourge of God Id. p. 388. Ecius a most valiant Roman that vanquisht Attila King of Hunnes in a Battel in which fought on both sides a Million of Men was by Valentinian suspecting him unjustly slain Valentinian asking Proximus a discreet and noble Courtier whether he had not followed the best counsel in so doing was answered Whether Ecius was slain with reason or without reason I dare not determine but this I can affirm that by killing him thou hast with thy own Left hand cut off thy Right In which he was a true Prophet Id. p. 393. Attila having razed Aquileia and intending for Rome Valentinian the Emperor sent Leo the Pope with many Senators to entreat him to spare the City which he doing and being demanded by his favourites why he did it He answered That he durst not deny the Popes demand For whilst he stood talking with him he thought that he saw two Old Men with unsheathed Swords threatning to kill him if he denied it and therefore he durst do no other In the reign of Anastasius the first who being an Eutichean was slain with a Thunder-bolt One Proclus made a
great many such burning Glasses that being set upon the Wall and Turrets set on fire the Ships and Engines that were in the Harbour p. 415. Anastasius being dead Amantius an Eunuch tampered with the Souldiers to make Theocratinus Emperor and to that end delivered to Justinian who till seventeen years old was a Neat-heard in Thrace a vast sum of money to be distributed amongst the Captaines which he taking dealt with them for himself and so obtained the Imperial dignity Imp. Hist p. 419. Narses a valiant Captain having recovered Italy from the Gothes and having governed it twelve years being calumniated by Justin who succeeded his Grand-father Justinian was commanded home and a Successor sent him and Sophia the Empress added this taunt that she would have him to come home to spin Wool with her Women in Constantinople He enraged with this scorn replied that he would twist her such a Web that she should never untwine and so called in the Longobeards that overcame and possest all Italy p. 442. Albinus King of Lombardy having caused his Wife Queen Rosamond to drink Wine at a publick Banquet out of her Fathers Scull she in Revenge plotted and procured his Death p. 445. Baras Hormisda's General being vanquished by the Romanes Hormisda sent him in disgrace a VVomans Garment Upon vvhich Baras rebelled against him and vvas the occasion that Hormisda vvas deposed and Cosroes set up in his place Idem p. 453. Mauritius slain by Phocas vvho had murdered in his sight tvvo Sons three Daughters and his Empress had foretokens of his Death At noon day in the Market of Constantinople there appeared a Man to the Emperour in the habit of a Monk holding a Sword in his hand and said with a Loud Voice The Emperor Mauritius shall die by the Sword and then vanished He likewise in his sleep dreamt that a Souldier named Phocas had murdered his Wife Children and afterward himself and being troubled he asked his Brother what Phocas was he answered a Coward then said the Emperor he is cruel and a Murderer which accordingly came to pass Mauritius at his death often repeated Just thou art O Lord and righteous is thy Judgments p. 458. Cosroes King of Persia having Conquered Jerusalem carried away thence that part of Christ's Cross vvhich the Empress Helena had left there and kept it fourteen years but it was restored to Heraclius by his Son and Heraclius the Emperor entring Jerusalem carried it with great joy upon his shoulders Imp. Hist 471. Heraclius the Emperor who in his old age degenerated from the vertues of his youth and in whose time Mahomâ—t sprung up is reported to dye of a strange disease called Priapismus p. 471. Rodwaldus King of the Lombards falling in Love with a Noblemans Wife being taken with her was slain by her Husband The Emperor Constans the second having besieged Rimoaldus the Son of Grimoaldus King of Lombardy in Benevent The Son distressed sent to his Father by one that was his Nurse-father for relief who being intercepted by the Emperour was commanded by him to go to the Walls of the City and to tell Rimoaldus that his Father was not able to assist him and therefore he should yield Who being brought bound before the Walls told Rimoaldus that his Father would have him be of good chear for this day he arriveth at the River Satrico and within these three dayes will be here with an infinite Army I can say no more I am in the Enemies hand who begin to Murder me I recommend unto you my VVife and Children Having said these words the Emperors Souldiers kill'd him presently p. 480. Leoncius surprized his Master Justinian the second and cut off his Ears and Nose and banisht him into Pontus and took the government and Imperial Title to himself Anno Dom. 696. Leoncius having reigned three years Tiberius rebelled against him and served him as he had served Justinian He banisht one Philippicus because he had reported that he dreamt an Eagle pitcht upon his Head Justinian recovering dealt so by him and slew both him and Leoncius and as often as he would have wiped his Nose if he had had one he caused some of those that had been followers of Leoncius to be slain and fearing Philippicus because of his dream and intending his destruction he enforced him to stand upon his guard and fighting with him was slain and lost his Kingdom to him Imp. Hist p. 495. Irene Mother to Constantine the sixth being put by her government by her son come to age out of desire to rule surprized her Son and put out his Eyes and took upon her the government of the Empire Leo the Emperor fighting against Cramas King of Bulgaria in a great battel the two Princes happened to meet and the Emperor slew with his own hands the Bulgarian King p. 52â— A Cardinal named Swinesnout Os porci in the daies of Ludovicus Pius Emperor was chosen Pope and because it was a very unseemly name for so High a dignity by a general consent it was changed and he was called Sergius the second Hence arose the custom of the Popes altering their names after their election to the Popedom Imp. Hist p. 538. The Emperor Theophilus of Constantinople fearing a Captain called Theodosius would usurp the Empire after his death but a few hours before he died himself caused that Theodosius his head to be smitten off Lotharias the first having raigned fifty years gave up his Empire and professed himself Monk In his time Pope Joan an English Woman held the Papal dignity two years p. 544. In the raign of Lewis the second Emperor who died Anno dom 878. in the City of Bressia in Lombardy for three days it rained blood so fresh and perfect as if it had been of a Bull or other beast newly killed Basilius Emperor of Constantinople riding on Hunting was killed by a Stagg Imp. Hist. p. 553. The Emperor Arnulph besieging the Duke of Spoleto in Benevent the Dutchess corrupted a Chamberlain to give him a sleeping Potion which the Emperor taking awaked not in three Days and three Nights afterwards finding himself ill he returned home and died of the Lowsy disease p. 558. In the Raign of Otho the fourth Emperor about nine of the Clock in the Morning there appeared in the Element a great Flaming Fire like to a burning Torch which continued a great while and the light being vanished there appeared in the same place the likeness of a Serpent The Emperor was poysoned by a pair of perfumed Gloves given him by the VViddow of Crescentius whom he too familiarly conversed with and whose Husband the Emperor had caused to be put to Death Imp. Hist p. 595. IMMANUEL Historical Collections Century V. HEnry the second Emperor was perswaded against his will to marry the daughter of the County Palatine of Rhine called Amigunda with whom undiscovered and unknown to any till his death he liv'd most chastly both of them observing Voluntary Virginity without
tired and was fetcht off with a Boat Mariana Hist de Esp 2 part p. 94. In one of the Islands of the Canaries called del Hiero there is no other Water but what doth distil and drop from the Leaves of one Tree p. 136. An Infant of eight Months old at the begining of the troubles of Portugal about the year 1385. in Ebora heaved it self up in the Cradle and in a loud voice said three times Don Juan King of Portugal Idem p. 138. Tamerlane besieging Beritus they held â—ut the first day but yielding the second they sent out the young Boyes and Girles clothed in white with green Boughs in their hands who falling down on the ground beg'd mercy but this barbarous Tyrant commanded his Horse-men to ride over them and so kill'd them all A certain Genoâ—ay advised that he should shew mercy and that he was a Mortal man To whom Tamerlane answered Dost thou think I am a man no I am the scourge of God and the plague of Mankinde Idem p. 191. Vincent Ferrer a Dominick Frier of Valencia famous for Miracles converted 8000 Moores and 35000 Jews Who preaching in his vulgar Tongue strangers understood him as if he had spoke to each in his own Language a singular gift and since the Apostles only granted to him Idem p. 195. There were Laws made in Castile that the Moores should wear a piece of blew cloth in form of a Crescent the Jewes a round piece of yellow cloth and Priests Concubines a piece of red cloth whereby they might be known to be such Id. p. 197. About the year 1407. the Pay of a Horse-man by the day was twenty Maravedes and of a Foot-man ten A Maravede is a brass coyne of which six make an English penny Id. 198. Henry King of Castile entring upon the government of his Kingdom found his revenue so extremely exhausted that having been one day in the Field catching of Quailes he returning found nothing prepared for his breake-fast asking his Steward the reason was answered that he had neither money nor credit to buy what was necessary The King marvelled at and commanded him that he should upon a pledge buy him some flesh and dress it with his quailes for his break-fast Which done his steward waiting on him there arose several discourses amongst which one was that his Grandees and courtiers fared otherwise and that the Arch-bishop of Toledo and other chief Courtiers did by turnes feast one the other and that night they were all to Sup at the Arch-bishops The King in a disguise went to see what past where he saw most plentiful provisions and heard their discourses of each ones revenues what of their own and what of the Kings rent The King resolved to remedy these disorders and gave out the next morning that he was sick and intended to make his Will The Courtiers came to the Castle in which the King lay who had given order then when the Courtiers were entred their retinue should be kept forth which was accordingly done The Nobles waited in the Hall a greet space about noon the King comes in Armed with his Sword drawn and sitting down with an angry Countenance turnes to the Arch-bishop and askt him and the rest how many Kings they had known in Castile One answered three others four and who knew most five The King replied and how can this be since I that am so young know Twenty And you are they to the great impoverishment of my Kingdom and dishonour to our Person but I shall take care that your raign shall not be long and that you make no longer a scoff of me and with this calls for the Executioners of Justice with their Instruments and six Hundred Soldiers that were in readiness They being all amazed the Arch-bishop fell on his Knees and begged pardon and so did all the rest and promised amendment The King gave them their lives but not their liberties till they had given up all the Castles they were intrusted with and an account of the Kings rents which they had received A Notable deed that humbled and kept in awe his great Subjects This Princes saying was I more fear the curses of my people than the Armes of my Enemies His Queen was the Daughter of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster by Constance the Daughter of King Pedro the cruel and himself the Grandson of Henry the Bastard Brother of the same King Peter Mariana 2 part p. 200. John King of Castile being dead the whole nobility profered and were very importunate with his Brother Ferdinand to accept the Crown but he refused it and caused his Brothers Son John the second a Child of twenty two Months old to be proclaimed King Idem p. 202. Four Leagues distant from Girona a City in Spain in the year one thousand four hundred and twenty there opened two Mouthes of Fire which burnt those that came within two stones throw of them and near to these issued forth a stream of black Water of a stinking savour which fell into the River kill'd the Fishes and the savour of it was so strong that it reacht to Girona Mariana 2 part p. 239. In the year one thousand four hundred thirty and seven seven men that went forth to the VVoods in Spain near Guadalajar were frozen to death and not long before it snowed forty dayes together Id. p. 291. Alvaro de Luna who had bin thirty years favourite to John King of Castile fell at last into disgrace was condemned and beheaded A Witch had told him that he should dye in Cadahalso Now the King had given him a Country so called which for that reason he would never enter into not minding that Cadahâ—lso signifies a Scaffold on which indeed he ended his days Id. p. 340. About the year one thousand four hundred fifty six a Country called Bojano sunk with an Earth-quake and remaines a standing Lake of VVater in which disaster there perished thirty thousand Persons of all sorts p. 350. And in the year one thousand five hundred forty four there was an Eclipse of the Sun that lasted a whole day Id. p. 741. A great Commander of the Moors in Malaca being killed with many wounds yet bled not till a bracelet of Gold which he wore on his Arm was taken off and then the blood abundantly issued out It 's supposed that the Bracelet had a stone taken out of a Beast called which hath a marvailous Virtue to restrain blood p. 677. At 〈…〉 of Bolongue a part of the Wall 〈…〉 with a mine so that both those 〈…〉 and those without could see under yet fell down again and settled in its own place Id. p 682. The Island of Brittain was the first National Church in the whole World of Christians For though the Gospel was Preached in many other Nations privately long before yet of all Nations it was the first that with publick approbation of Prince and State received the Profession of the Christian Religion under King Lucius about
a hundred and fourscore years after Christ which it retained in great sincerity for the space of a hundred years till the raign of Dioclesian who began his raign Anno Dom. 288. Bp. Godwins lives of the Bishops p. 35. Augustine the first Arch bishop of Canterbury being dead and leaving Laurence a Virtuous man his successor upon the death of Ethelbert a good Prince Eadbald his Son succeeding a Vicious person that married his Fathers Wife and renounced the Christian Religion the Arch-bishop Laurence being hereby discouraged determined to go into France and the night before the day of his intended departure he caused his bed to be made in the Church of his Monastery where after many tears and sighs he recommended to God the miserable estate of his poor Church and so fell a sleep It seemed unto him that St. Peter came to him and first expostulated the matter with him and then reprehended him and lastly whipt his naked body so terribly as when he awaked finding it more than a dream he was all gore blood He went immediately to the King shewing him his wound and related the occasion on which the King being terrified he renounced his Idols put away his Incestuous wife was baptized and built a Church in the Monastery of St. Peter and the Archbishop continued in his pastoral charge till his death which was February 3. Six hundred and nineteen Bp. Godwin p. 50. Honorius the fifth Arch-Bishop of Canterbury was the first that divided his province into Parishes that so he might appoint particular Ministers to particular congregations He died Anno dom 653. Godwin p. 52. Theodore a Graecian born in Tarsus of Cilicia Saint Pauls Country was the seventh Arch bishop of Canterbury a learned man brought great store of books both Greek and Latine with him He erected a School at Greekeslade or Greekes slade in Wiltshire so called of the Graecians his Countrymen that taught and studied there and removing thence are supposed to lay the Foundation of the Vniversity of Oxford He sate Archbishop twenty two years died six hundred and ninety being eighty eight years of age unto which time he would often say that he thought he should live for that in a dream it had been so signified unto him many years before Id. p. 54. Cuthbert the eleventh Arch-bishop of Canterbury was the first that got liberty from the Pope of making Coemeteries or burying places within Townes or Cities for before within the Walls none were buried Id. p. 57. In the time of Athelred who was eighteen years Arch-bishop of Canterbury all the Monasteries of England were destroyed by the Danes so as for the space of ninety years after Monkery ceased throughout England yea in the North-parts there was not seen either Monks or Nuns in two hundred years after till about the middle of the raign of VVilliam the Conqueror Married Priests every where inhabited Monasteries whence a long time after with much ado they were hardly ejected This Athelred died in the year of our Lord eight hundred eighty nine Bp. Godw. p. 60. Odo the two and twentieth Arch-bishop of Canterbury divorced King Edwin from his Queen excommunicated his Concubines and caused one of them whom the King doted most unreasonably on to be fetcht out of the Court by Violence burnt her in the fore-head with a hot Iron and banished her into Ireland After his death which happened in the year nine hundred fifty eight Elsinus Bishop of VVinchester that could never brook him in his life by bribery and corrupt means obtained election and coming thither spurned at his Tomb despightfully using these speeches Now at last saith he thou art dead old Dotard and much against thy will hast left thy place to a man worthier of it than thy self Our stories report that the next night Odo appeared to him in his sleep threatning a speedy and fearful vengeance of this insolency According to which prediction it fell out that travelling to Rome for his Pall upon the Alpes he was so oppressed with cold that he was constrained to put his feet wherewith he had so contumeliously disgraced his predecessor into the bellies of his Horses and yet at last to die with cold Idem p. 63. Dunstan the 23d Archbishop of Canterbury born in Somersetshire brought up in the Abbey of Glastonbury being commended by Athelm his Vncle to the King was entertained at Court till for a Miracle as the Monks call it which was then imputed to Conjuration he was driven thence with much disgrace and applied himself to the service of Elphege Bishop of Winchester who earnestly perswaded him to be a Monk which he could not away with till falling dangerously sick and apprehending it a Judgment for disgracing his Uncles persuasion and then in great hast he professed himself a Monk in Glastonbury where leading a strict life as to outward appearance he grew famous and was called by King Edward to Court where he had a divers reputation sometimes accounted too familiar with fair VVomen sometimes a Conjurer but by most a vertuous person a bitter Enemy of married Clergymâ—n and a great Promoter of Monkery ruled all at his pleasure under King Edmund and Elred but King Edwin could not brook him which Dunstan perceiving got away into France and lived there in Banishment but by Edgar that succeeded was recalled and promoted to the Bishoprick of Worcester then of London and after of Canterbury where he sate twenty seven years enriching Monasteries and persecuting married Priests and dyed May the 19th 988. and was shortly after Canonized for a Saint Bp. Godwyn p. 65. Edwin the Son of King Edmund the day of his Coronation rose from the Feast and went immediately to his Chamber where a beautiful Concubine attended his coming Dunstan that had gotten some inkling of the business that he went about followed him boldly and forced him not only to leave that enterprise for that time but also to forswear the Company of that VVoman for ever Id. p. 64. In the year one thousand and twelve it happened the Danes to be disappointed of certain tribute which they claimed as due unto them for want whereof they spoiled and burnt the City and Church of Canterbury The Monks and People thereof Men VVomen and Children they tithed putting nine to the Sword and letting go a tenth only so that for 804. that were suffered to escape 7236 went to Pot. Elphege then Archbishop they kept in Prison and put him to Death at Greenwich Id. p. 66. Agelnoth the 29th Archbishop of Canterbury going to Rome to fetch his Pall bought an Arm of St. Austin Bishop of Hippo for an hundred Talents of Silver and a Talent of Gold and bestowed it on the Church of Coventry Godw. p 67. Robert sirnamed Gemeticensis a Norman being by the favour of Edward the Confessor made Archbishop of Canterbury and not enduring that any should bear so great Sway as himself at Court fell to devising how he might overthrow Emma the Kings
Mother who only seemed to overtop him He began therefore to beat into the Kings head who was a mild and soft natured Prince how hard a hand his Mother had held upon him when he lived in Normandy how likely it was that his Brother came to his Death by the practice of her and Earl Godwyn and lastly that she used the Company of Alwyn Bishop of VVinchester more familiarly than was for her Honour The King unadvisedly crediting these Tales without debating the matter seised upon all her goods and committed her to Prison in the Nunnery of Warewell banished Earl Godwyn and his Sons and commanded Alwyn upon pain of Death not to come forth of the Gates of Winchester The Queen made the best Friends she could to be called to her answer but the Archbishop so possest the King that other tryal of her Innocency might not be allowed than this She must walk over nine Plow-shares red hot in the midst of the Cathedral Church of VVinchester If either she performed not this kind of purgation or were found any thing at all hurt she and the Bishop should be esteemed guilty if otherwise the Archbishop was content to undergo such punishment as they should have endured This purgation the Queen performed and acquitted her self and the Bishop of the Crimes objected The King greatly bewailed the wrong done to his Mother asked her forgiveness on his knees restored her and the Bishop to their goods and former places and to make some satisfaction for the fault committed would needs be whipped by the Bishops there present and receive three stripes from his Mother who clearly forgave and forgot the wrong done her Emma and Alwin to shew themselves thankful gave each of them to the Monastery of Saint Swithins nine Manours in remembrance of the nine Plow-shares This gift the King Confirmed and gave two of his own The Archbishop doubting the success of this matter under pretence of sickness kept himself at Dover and as soon as he heard how the World went as well knowing England would be too hot for him he got to the Abbey of Gemetica where he was bred up and there shortly died Bp. Godw. p. 70. Upon the flight of Robert Gemeticensis Stigand thrust himself into the Archbishoprick without the usual Ceremonies and with it held VVinchester raised the Kentishmen at Saxons comb who carrying green boughs in their hands VVilliam the Conqueror was in the midst of them before he was aware and easily granted the Kentishmen to be governed by their Ancient Laws but bore a grudg against the Archbishop by whom he would not be Crowned and against whom he underhand procured Legates from Rome who deprived him and he was likewise clapt in the Castle of VVinchester and hardly used even well near famished which usage was to make him confess where his Treasure lay But he protested with Oaths that he had no money yet after his Death a little Key was found about his Neck the lock whereof being carefully sought out shewed a Note or direction of infinite Treasuries hid under ground in divers places He died in the year 1069. Lanfranck descended from Carus the Emperor was born at Papia in Lombardy being brought up in all good Learning till he came to Mans Estate when he determined to travail through France he came into Normandy rob'd by the way he got to Becco where for a maintenance he first read Logick afterward admitted to be Monk and soon Priour when he was called by Duke William to be Abbot of St. Stephens in Care and thence by the said Duke now King of England to be Archbishop of Canterbury unto whom the Pope afforded his Pall with extraordinary Favour For at his first coming he rose up unto him and met him and told him he yielded him that honour not of duty but because he had heard of his excellent Learning He governed for eighteen years laudably save one Action which was this perswading the Conqueror passing by his Eldest Son Robert to settle the Crown of England on William Rufus who afterward though advanced by him banisht him but was recalled and died 1089. Bp. Godwyn Anselm profest himself a Monk in the Abby of Becco in Normandy in which he was Prior and Abbot for seventeen years He came into England upon the invitation and earnest design of Hugh Earl of Chester then very sick and for the fame of his Learning and Piety was entertained with great respect by all King Rufus himself besides many verbal favours offered him the Arch-bishoprick of Canterbury that he had kept voyd four years verily hoping that a man given to contemplation would have refused it But Anselme accepted and the King would have retracted shewing him the burthen of so weighty a calling but Anselme kept his hold and was consecrated the fourth of Decemb. 1093. The King immediately fell out with him and for naming Vrban Pope before the King had acknowledged him charged him with high treason and convened all the Bishops and Abbots of England to Rochingham Castle where the business being proposed by the King they all forsook their Arch-bishop save Gundulphus Bishop of Rochester he was banished and at Dover plundered of all he had went to the Pope at Lions who at first stuck to him till bought by Rufus's Gold he deserted him The Pope dieth and so did Rufus whose death was miraculously signified to Anselm being in France A paper was put into the hand of his Chaplain no man knew how in which was written Gulielmus Rufus occisus est Henry the first recalled him but again banisht him and again recalled him and he died at Canterbury April 21. 1109. Bp. Godw. p. 80. Henry the first having disposed Bishopricks and given investiture and possession by delivery of the staffe and ring Anselm refuseth to consecrate such Bishops or to repute such Bishops who had been consecrated Pope Paschal the second is appealed to who would not yield one jot unto the King For when the Kings Ambassador told him that his Master would as soon lose his Crown as this Priviledge The Pope answered yea let him lose his head if he will while I live he shall never appoint Bishop but I will resist him what I may This contention cost him twice three years banishment but at last by the Importunity of Adela Countess of Bloys the Kings Sister he was not only permited to return but had all his revenues gathered in his absence and his Estate restored to him After which he lived two years and was a bitter Enemy of the married Clergy not only expelling them out of Monasteries but deprived them of their promotions confiscated their goods pronounced them and their Wives Adulterers and forced all that entred into Orders to vow chastity He writ many learned Tracts and was for the Integrity of his life and conversation admirable In Honour of whom the Pope ordained that the Archbishop of Canterburies place in all general Councils should be at his own right Foot using
p. 15. Sir Fancis Drake in two years and ten months went round the world Speeds Maps p. 15. Henry Holland Duke of Excester and who had â—arried King Edward the fourth his Sister was seen to beg his bread in France Main Amber near Pensans in Cornwall is a rock which mounted on others of meaner size hath so equal a poyse that a man may move it with a push of his finger but no strength remove it Id. p. 21. At Dunster in Somersetshire a great Lady obtained of her husband so much pasture ground in common by the townes side for the good and benefit of the Inhabitants as she was able in a whole day to go about bare-footed Id. p. 23. At Calne in Wilâ—shire in the year nine hundred seventy seven a Synod was held by Dunstan against married Priests in an upper room The floor fell down only Dunstans chair stood whereupon the married â—riâ—sts lost the day though it was done by device Id. p. 25. In Salisbury Cathedral there are as many Windows as days cast marble pillars as houres and Gates as months in the year Ibid. Edward the third King of England was born in Windsor Castle and after had at the same time John King of France and David King of Scots Prisoners in it In the Chappel of which Castle lyes interred Henry the sixth and Edward the fourth Kings of England whom living the whole land could not contain At Finchamsteed in Bark-shire in the year one thousand one hundred a Well boyled up with streames of blood and fifteen dayes together continued that spring whose waters made red all other where they came to the great amazement of beholders Speeds Maps p. 27. In the year one thousand five hundred eighty one an Army of Mice so over-run the Marshes in Dengry Hundred in Essex near unto South-Minster that they shore the grass to the very roots and so tainted the same with their venemous teeth that a great Murrain fell on the cattel that grazed on it In Colchester Lucius H lena and Constantine the first Christian King Empress and Emperor in the World was born Id. p. 31. A Fish in all parts like a man was taken near Oxford in Suffolk and for six months was kept in the Castle whence afterwards he escaped and got again into the Sea Id. p. 33. Betwixt Oxford and Aldebrough in the County of Suffolk in the year one thousand five hundred fifty and five in a time of great dearth a Crop of pease grew in the rocks without tillage or sowing so that in August there had been a hundred quarters gathered and so many more left blossoming where never grass before grew or Earth was seen on the hard solid rock Id. p. 33. Between January and July in the year one thousand three hundred forty eight there died in Norwich of the plague fifty seven thousand five hundred and four p. 35. Breakespear an English-man born at Langley in Hâ—rtfordshire known by the name of Pope Hadrian the fourth whose stirrop was held by Frederick the Emperor was killed by a Fly that flew into his mouth p. 39. Before the Civil Wars between Lancaster and York in the year one thousand three hundred ninety and nine the River Owse near Harwood in Bedfordshire stood suddenly still and went not forward so that men passed three miles together on foot in t e depth of the Channel and backward the Vâ—ater swelled to a great height Speeds Map p. 41. King Offa's Leaden Tomb in t e River Owse like some fantastical thing appeareth to them that seek it not but to them that seek it it remaineth invisible Id p. 49. At Askridge in Buchingamshire was grâ—at resort to the blood supposed to floâ— out of Christs side brought out of Germany by Henry the Eldest â—on of Richard Kiâ—g of the Romanes which was afterwards discovered to be clarified Honey coloured with Saffron Id. p. 43. The Lands of Condemned Persons in some parts of Glocestershire fall to the King only for a year and a day and then revert to the right Heirs Id. p 47. In Herefordshire near Richards Castle there is a Well called Bonewell wherein aâ—e continually found little Fishes Bones but not a Finne seen and being wholly cleansed will notwithstanding have again the like whether naturally produced or in Veines thither brought none knowes Id. p 49. Marcley-Hill in Herefordshire in the â—ear one thousand five hundred seventy one moved it self in thre dayes four hundred Yards without any stay overturned Kingston Chappel and turned two wâ—ves near a hundred paces from their usual Paths p. 49. In the year one thousand four hundred sixty one on the day of the urification of the â—irgin there was a great Battel fought by James â—utâ—er Earl of Ormond against Edward Earl of March betwixt Ludlow and little Hereford before which Bâ—ttel on the same daâ— appeared in the Firmament three Suns which after a while united into one Sp. M. p. 49. Tâ—e Citizens of Coventry having offended their first Lord had their Priviledges infringed and themselves oppressed with many heavy tributes Whose Wife the Lady Godiva pittying their Estatâ— incessantly sued to her Husband for their peace which he granted on this condition that she would ride naked through the Streets of the City at Noon day which she accordingly performed letting down her Hair which covered her Body p. 53. At Newingham Regis in Warwickshire there is a Soveraign Spring against the Stone green Wounds Vlcers and Impostumes The VVater of which if drunk i th Salt looseneâ—h if with Sugar bindeth and turneth sticks that fall into it into stone Sp. M. p. 53. If any Nobleman come into the Mannour of Okam in Rutlandshire he forfeiteth one Shoe of the Horse he rideth as an Homage to the Lord Harrington Lord of it Sp. M. 59. King Henry the second at the siege of Bridge-North had been slain with an Arrow aimed at him had not Sir Hubert Sinclere received it by stepping betwixt the shaft and his Soveraign and so lost his own Life to save his Lords Sp. M. p. 71. At Pitchford in Shropshire in a private mans Yard there is a VVell whereon floateth a thick Scum of Liquid Bitumen which being clear off to day will gather the like to Morrow a lively emblem of our in-being corruption Sp. M. p. 71. King Edgar being in Chester nad the Homage of eight other Kings who rowed his Barge from St. Johns to his Palace himself holding the Helme as their Supreme p. 73. Certain Trees are reported to float in Bagmeere in Cheshire only against the death of the Heir of the Breertons and after to sink and disappear till the next like Occasion At Steingrave a little Village in Yorkshire some seventy years since was caught a Fish called a Sea-man that for certain days fed on raw Fishes but espying his opportunity escaped again into his Watry Element p. 81. There are certain Fields near Whitby in Yorkshire over which Geese flying fall down Speeds Maps p. 81.
Maximilian Emperor chose rather to die than to have her Thigh cured which was broken with a fall from a Horse Id. p. 182. Caesar bearing the Office of Quaestorship in Spain and naturally disposed for great affairs was thereto the more invited at the sight of Alexanders Portraicture in the Temple of Hercules at Gades where beholding it he fell into a suddain dislike of himself and as Alexander seeing Achilles his Tomb being filled with an ambitious and honourable emulation sighed and said Hast thou at my years atchieved the Conquest of the whole World my self hitherto having done no memorable act Id. p. 183. Sceva who at the siege of Dyrrachium stood so long to it before Caesar came to his rescue that he had two hundred and thirty Holes made in his Shield was a Brittain p. 184. Caesar having twice suffered Shipwrack on the Brittish Coasts caused his Ships to be drawn on Land Id. p. 186. Caesar in fifty Battels that he fought went away Conqueror in all saving one being laborious couragious industrious in Contriving and quick in dispatch Speeds Hist p. 188. Augustus Caesar in the forty second year of whose raign Christ was born it being the year from the Worlds Creatior 3927. erected an Altar in the Capitol to the Hebrew Child with this Inscription The Altar of the first begotten Son of God And after Christs death Tiberius wrote to the Senate to have him consecrated amongst the Roman Gods but they refused saying that the Doctrin of Salvation should not need the allowance and approbation of men p. 191. Caligula having marshalled his men as to battaile upon the Ocean Shore after the sounding of the Trumpets as to sight commanded them to gather Cockle-shells which he called the spoil of the Ocean and demanded triumph for it Idem p. 192. Caligula wisht that all the people of Rome had but one neck that he might have the glory of giving the bravest blow that ever was given wherein so Infinite multitudes of men might be killed with one stroke Speeds Hist. p. 192. Claudius the Emperor honoured Plautius with his presence in his Triumph for Brittain giving him the right hand ascending the Capitol Christ will do much more for his Soldiers make them like him glorify them with him Sp. Hist p. 194. The Emperor Claudius caused his own death by this speech which fell from him in his wine That it was fatal for him first to hear the Lewdness of his wives and then to punish them which Agrippina hearing to prevent her own death hastened her husbands by giving him poyson in a Mushrom Id. p. 196. Nero set Rome on fire and sung to his Harp verses made on the destruction of Troy and laid the blame of it on the Christians Bodao the Brittish Lady and famous VVarriour making a speech to her Soldiers secretly held a Hare in her lap which having told them that their Enemies would fly like Hares she let go And her Army not knowing the deceit construed it as an Ominous and lucky sign of Victory Speeds Hist p. 199. Nero was an excellent Musician and so prodigal that he never wore one garment twice Astrologers and Star-gazers are a kind of people ever to Princes unfaithful to hopers deceitful and in a Common-wealth always forbidden yet always retained Id. p. 202. Galba while a private man seemed more than a private man and held capable of the Empâ—re if he had not been Emperor p. 202. Chrysanthus Bishop of Constantinople reserved to himself of all his Ecclesiastical revenues but two Loaves of bread every Lords day p. 206. Vitellius dedicated the dagger that Otho his Competitor kill'd himself with unto Mars in his Temple at Coleyn as the lucky instrument of his advanced Estate p. 209. Vitellius the Emperor commended his own Temperance in a set letter to the Senate though they knew him an extream glutton having no less than two thousand dishes of fish and seven thousand dishes of fowls served to his Table at one supper p. 209. The Officers and Soldiers saluted Vespatian Emperor which title when he resolutely gainsayed and refused they with drawn Swords threatned him his death He proved an Excellent Prince and by his touch is reported to cure a lame man and with his Spittle to open the Eyes of the blind p. 211. Titus was an excellent Prince and worthily called Deliciae humani generis was a great enemy to Promoters Pettifoggers and extorturs of penal laws which as Caterpillars to courts of penal Laws which as Caterpillars to Courts of Justice he caused to be whipt out of Rome Titus at his death lifted up his Eyes to Heaven complaining why his Life should be taken from him that except one Offence viz. his murther of Aulus Cinna through jealousie of his familiarity with Berenices his Paramour deserved not to die Speeds Hist p. 212. Agricola having Conquered Scotland sent word of it by Letters to Domitian who received the Newes with a chearful countenance and a grieved heart p. 215. Domitian bought certain Slaves for money and attired them and dressed them as Captives of Germany and Triumphed for them p. 215. Domitian put to death Salustius Lucullus whom he had made Lieutenant of Britain because he had devised and made certain Speares and Launces for service which he caused to be called Lucullians And this Domitian held it a matter of suspicion who thought every memorable act done by another did pluck a feather from his own Plume p. 216. Trajan investing any Praetor in giving him the Sword commanded him to use the same against him if he violated Law or Equity Idem p. 217. Adrian destroâ—ed Jerusalem and built another City not far from it and called it Aelia from whence the Jews were utterly banished and it was forbidden to them to look towards that Soyle or City no not through the Chink of a Doâ—r And upon a Gate that leadeth towards Bethlem he caused a Swine to be engraven a Beast by the Law counted unclean Id. p. 219. Antoninus Pius published an Edict in the favour of the Christians that whosoever should accuse any for such he should suffer the same punishment he intended to have brought upon the accused Id. p. 221. Of Antoninus Pius it is recorded that in his Youth he did not any thing rashly not in his age any thing negligently His usual Speech it was that he had rather save one Subjects Life than kill a thousand Enemies Ibid. The Emperor Aurelius in his Wars against the Quades suffered great extremity for want of Water When upon command given the Christians in his Army prayed unto God and obtained a plenteous shower of Rain which refreshed his Army and Thunder and Lightning which overthrew the Quadeâ— on which the Emperor made favourable Decrees in the behalf of the Christians and called that Legion the Lightning Legion Speeds History p. 221. The Papists make miserable absurd applications of Scriptures to build the Babel of their power by Thus God made a greater and a lesser Light
Id. p. 257. Constantius Chlorus to try his Officers commanded them to offer Sacrifice to the Idol Gods pretending to discourt all such as refused but contrariwise those that obeyed he put from him with this reproof That he that is disloyal to his God will never be true not trusty to his Prince p. 258. Constantine in his Expedition towards Rome being doubtful what God to invocate casting up his Eyes to Heaven had the sign of the Cross presented to him wherein were Stars as Letters so placed that visibly might be read this Sentence in Greek In this Sign thou shalt overcome Speeds Hist p. 259. Maxentius framed a deceitful Bridg over Tybur to intrap Constantine but joyning Battel and overlaid and retiring fled himself over the same Bridg which falling under him he and many more were drowned 260. Constantine intending to build a City at Chalcedon in Asia whilst they were measuring out the Circuit an Eagle scouping at the Line flew with it over the Sea toward Bizantium in Thrace to which place the thing seeming Ominous he transferred his new Foundation and there built Constantinople p. 261. In the famous Library at Constantinople in which there were one hundred and twenty thousand Manuscripts there were the Gutts of a Dragon 120 foot long on which Homers Iliads were written admirably in Letters of Gold p. 261. Julian the Emperor first a Deacon after a Wretched Apostate yet was otherwise highly commended for his many good qualities so temperate that he never had any War with his Belly so chast that after the Death of his VVife he never regarded VVomen and would not see the Persian Captive Ladies nor suffer Cookes or Barbers in his Army as being Ministers of Intemperance As for Stage-Plays he never but once a year permitted them in his Court and then he saith of himself he was similior detestanti quam spectanti Id. p. 265. When Delphidius the Orator inveighed against an innocent denyal saying Nocens esse poterit quisquam si negare sufficeret Who can be guilty if it be enough to deny Julian replied And who can be innocent if it be enough to accuse Id. 265. Julian in despight of the Christians would have rebuilt the Temple at Jerusalem and set men on work to that purpose but was frustrated by terrible Earth-quakes and Fire-balls that hindred his proceedings and forms of Crosses shining as the Sun fell on the Garments of the Jews Ibid. From above the Porch of Entrance into one of the Cities which Julian regained the Wreath of Lawrel reserved as an Ornament of the place fell in a wonderfull manner on his head which fill'd him with hopes of conquering the Persians against whom having vowed a Sacrifice of Christians if he returned going with confidence was slain by a Launce from whose hand none knew and dying cast his blood into the air with these words Vicisti Galilaee His usual saying was Turpe est sapienti cum habeat animam captare laudes ex corpore Speeds Hist p. 266. Valentinian the Son of a Rope-maker in the dayes of Julia laid down his belt that is his Command in the Army rather than he would renounce his faith and was shortly after chosen Emperor in whose dayes St. Jerom reports that it rained Wooll from heaven so perfect and good that no better grew upon the sheep the natural producers of it p. 371. Severa Valentinians wife commending the beauty of Justina to her husband occasioned his marrying of her who taking two wives himself made a Law that others might do so likewise p. 272. Maximus the Usurper seeking the life of Gratianus the Emperor caused letters and reports to be brought to Gratian that his Empress was on her journey to visit him and withall sent forth a Caroch stuff'd with Soldiers and with them a desperate Captain named Andragathius Gratian rejoycing at his wifes approach prepared himself to meet her and opening the letter thinking to embrace his Empress was by the Command of Andragathius treacherously murdered But Andragathius after Maximus was overthrown by Theodosius his state being then desperate cast himself headlong into the Sea and made an end of his wretched life p. 233. Theodosius in a great danger overlaid by Eugenius and Arbogastus upon his earnest prayer God raised a violent tempest which so sorely beat upon his Enemies that he got a glorious Victory One Constantine a common Soldier was elected Emperor only for his names sake p. 280. Theodosius having cruelly destroyed the Thessalonians coming to Millain would have entered the Church to have communicated with other Christians but was resisted and forbid by St. Ambrose in which estate the Emperor stood for eight months and then with great humility and submission acknowledging his offence was absolved and again received into the congregation Speeds Hist p. 275. Theodosius being very passionate and thereby sometimes doing amiss to prevent it enacted a Law that thirty days should pass betwixt the sentence of death and the execution of the Malefactor and to suppress his hasty Choler his usual manner was to recite the Greek Alphabet before he uttered any speech savouring of that humour p. 275. Pelagius was a Brittain whose heretical opinions were these 1. That man without the grace of God was able to fulfil all the Commandments 2. That man in himself had free will 3. That the grace of God was given unto us according to our merits 4. That the Just have no sin 5. That children are free from Original sin 6. That Adam should have died if he had not sinned p. 279. Among the Antient Saxons he that abandoned or lost his shield in battel was debar'd from their publick sacrifices and Assemblies the greatest disgrace that could be for shame of which many destroyed themselves Id. p. 289. The Germanes were a warlike Nation their Maids presented to their Husbands as a dowry at their Nuptials a Tent and a Spear and their Men usually met at their Feasts and Counsels in their armour and for any to return alive from the Battel in which the Prince was slain was a perpetual Infamy p. 289. Women taken in Adultery among the Saxons haing first their Hair cut off vvere turned stark naked out of their Husbands Houses and that in presence of their ovvn kindred then vvere they scourged vvith VVhips through the Tovvn vvithout regard of birth beauty age or wealth and never after could get any other Husbands p. 289. Vodine Bishop of London feared not to tell King Vortigerus that for Marrying Rowena a heathenish Lady Daughter to Hengist he had indangered both his Soul and his Crown Which words were so ill digested that they shortly cost the Bishop his Life Speeds Hist p. 290. Ethelburga the Wife of King Brithrich the West Saxon having poysoned her Husband fled into France where being for her beauty prostered by King Charles the Marriage of himself or his Son she making choice of the Son had neither but was thrust into a Monastery whence committing VVhoredom she was
made such Lamentation for it that his Mother beat him with a Taper of VVax that stood before her and that so sorely that he could never after well endure the sight of a Taper Edmund Ironside and Canute the Danes after many former battels by the Counsel of a Captain put the trial of their quarrel to their own single combat in a little Island called Alney near Glocester where after some trial of their valour they came to an agreement and divided the Kingdom between them p. 401. Duke Edrick after many false and treacherous deeds having contrived Edmund Ironsides death which was effected by thrusting into his body as he retired to a place for natures necessity a sharp Spear and having cut off his Soveraigns head he carried it to Canute with this fawning Salutation All hale thou now sole Monarch of England for here behold the head of thy Copartner which for thy sake I have adventured to cut off Canute though ambitious enough yet grieved at so disloyal a Fact replied and vowed That in reward of that service the bringers own Head should be advanced above all the Peeres of his Kingdom which high Honor while this Wretch expected soon after by the Kings command his Head bad fareâ—el to his Shoulders and was placed on the Highest Gate to overlook London Speeds Hist p. 401. Osbright a Vice-roy of Northumberland forced the Lady of Beorne Bocador a Nobleman related to the King of Denmark who flying to him to revenge his Cause he sent Hungar and Hubba whose Father Lothbroke following his Hawk in a little skiffe was carried into England taken as a Spy carried to King Edmund who preferred him and delighted in him for his skill in Hawking Which the Kings Faulconer Birrick envying at murthered him in a Wood which murder being by Lothbrokes Spaniel discovered Birrick was put in Lothbrokes Boat without Oar or Tackle and driven into Denmark accused King Edmund as the cause of his Murder which enraged Hungar and Hubba to invade England Id. p 398. Canutus established a Law that Women marrying within a year after their Husbands death should lose their Joyntures Id. p. 401. King Canutus gave great Jewels to Winchester Church whereof one is reported to be a Cross worth as much as the whole revenue of England amounted to in a year and unto Coventry he gave the Arm of St. Augustine which he bought at Papia for an hundred Talents of Silver and one of Gold Speeds Hist p. 402. Gormo Father of one Canute slain before Dublin so exceedingly loved him that he swore to kill him that brought him Newes of his Sons death which when Thira his Mother heard of she used this Policy to make it known to him She prepared mourning apparel and laid aside all princely State which the Old man perceiving he concluded his Son dead and with excessive grief ended his own Life p. 403. Hardicanute King of England was a great Epicure caused his Table to be spred with abundance of dainties four times every day which caused in the Common-wealth a riotous looseness Subjects being apt to praise their Soveraigns Vertues but to imitate their Vices Id. p. 406. King Edward the Confessor having married a virtuous and beautiful Lady Egitha Daughter of Earl Godwyn abstained her Bed saying on his own Death-bed That openly she was his Wife but as to secret embracing as his own Sister Which undue neglect of Marriage-right the Simplicity and Superstition of those times Canonized him for p. 411. One Dane made good Stamford-Bridg against all King Harolds Army and with his Axe slew forty of his Men till at last the Danish Souldier was slain with a Dart. Id. p. 415. Tosto and Harold the Sons of Earl Godwyn falling out Tosto secretly hyed himself into the Marches of VVales and near the City Hereford at Portaslith where Harold had a House then in preparing to entertain the King he slew all his Brothers Servants and cutting them peice-meal into Gobbets some of their Limbs he Salted and cast the rest into the Vessels of Meath and Wine sending his Brother word that he had furnished him vvith powdred Meats against the Kings coming thither Speeds Hist p. 413. Pope Alexander the 20. to encourage William the Conqueror to invade England sent him a consecrated Banner an Agnus Dei and one of the Haires of St. Peter and cursed all those that should oppose against him by which he was so encouraged that Landing his men in England to cut off all hope and occasion of return he fired all the Fleet. p. 415. VVilliam the Conqueror at his arrivage from Sea in England his feet chanced to slip so that he fell into the mud and bemired his hands which accident was presently construed as a lucky presage one of his Captains presently saying as Caesar did on the like occasion landing in Africk that now he had taken possession of the Land of which he should shortlâ— become King As accordingly it came to pass after he had slain Harold at Battle Abbey for mangling whose dead body he cashiered a common Souldier out of his wars and wages for ever unto which Abbey erected in memory of his conquest he granted large privileges and amongst others this that Malefactors flying thither should be secured harmless and if the Abbot chanced to come by any place where any Malefactor was to be Executed he might deliver him Speeds Hist 416. 18 33. Lewes King of France having procured the death of William Longspee Duke of Normandy was intercepted by the Normans and detained Prisoner till he had agreed to these Articles viz. That young Richard should succeed his Father in that Dukedom and that thenceforth when the King and Duke should confer together the Duke should be girt with a Sword and the King disabled either of Sword or Knife To which King Lewes bound himself by Oath Speeds Hist p. 423. Robert Duke of Normandy Father to William the Conqueror going to Hierusalem on pilgrimage and falling sick by the way was born in a litter on the Saracens shoulders when he desired a Christian Pilgrim whom he met to report what he saw which was That he was born to heaven on the Divels back p. 423. VVilliam the Conqueror at first held a hard hand on the Englishmen He instituted the ringing of the curfue Bell at eight of the Clock at night when he commanded all the English to put out the fire as a means to keep them in greater subjection Yea the Natives themselves became as strangers shaving their beards and rounding their hair and in garments behaviour and diet fashioned themselves to imitate the Normans It being a shame in those days even amongst Englishmen to be an English man Id. p. 427. William the Conqueror demanding how it came to pass that he should conquer England in one day when the Danes were so many years about it Fretherick Abbot of St. Albans answered That long peace had converted the riches of the land which should have maintained Soldiers
to the revenues of the Church whereby the land was weakened The Conqueror replied That since the Clergy is so rich that thereby the land is enfeebled out of thine own mouth will I condemn thee and begin with thee first and immediately took all the land that lay between Barnet and London-stone from him Id. p. 429. The Monks of Ely being to pay seven hundred Marks by way of composition to the Conqueror when they came to pay there wanted a groat upon which he made them pay a thousand Marks more for their peace Speeds Hist p. 429. William the Conqueror in Normandy being sick of some disease in his belly and keeping his bed more than he was used Philip King of France hearing of it said Oh what a number of Candles must I offer when our Cousin goes to Church I think a Million will not suffice The Conqueror being told of it said Our Cousin of France shall be at no such charge but after this my Child-bed I will find him Candles and light them my self and immediately entred France and Fired all before him and burnt the City of Naunts in whose walls was enclosed an Anchoret who might but would not escape holding it a breach of his religions vow to forsake his Cell in that distress p. 432. IMMANUEL Historical Collections Century VIII RObert Duke of Normandy in a battel encountred his own Father William the Conqueror and unhorsed him but knowing him by his voice humbled himself and secured his Father from further danger Speeds Hist p. 430. VVilliam the Conqueror imprisoning his brother Odo who was both an Earl and Bishop of Bayeux said he did it not as his Brother was a Bishop but as he enjoyed a secular honour William the Conqueror dying hearing the great Bell ring Prime to our Lady lifting up his hands said I commend my self to that Blessed Lady Mary Mother of God that she by her holy prayers may reconcile me to her most dear Son our Lord Jesus Christ and with these words yielded up the Ghost p. 434. William the Conqueror no sooner dead but was forsaken and left naked by all his followers none taking care to bury him till a poor Country Knight one Harluins undertook to carry him to Cane where fire happening at his entrance all left the Herse and being about to be interred one Asceline Fits Arthur forbad him burial in that place which he alledged was sometimes his Fathers House till compounded with and when he was put into the grave his body breaking drove all away with the intolerable stench Speeds Hist p. 434. Rufus besieging Rochester commanded that every man should repair to the siege that would not be counted a Niding a word of such disgrace and so distastful to the English that multitudes seemed rather to fly than to run to it p. 438. Henry the youngest Son of William the Conqueror being besieged by his two Brothers Robert and William in great want of water sent to Duke Robert who courteously supplied him at which when Rufus was displeased Robert replied Dost thou esteem of water more than of a Brother having no more than him and me In which dissension Henry escaped Id. 439. Malcolme King of Scots besieging Alnwick Castle an English Knight unarmed only having a light Spear in his hand on the top of which he bare the Keyes of the Castle came riding into the Camp where being brought to the King couching his Spear as though he intended to present him with the Keyes ran him into his left Eye left him dead and through the swiftness of his Horse escaped Hence some say came the name Percy p. 440. Rufus having notice by a messenger of the siege of Main a City in Normandy the King answered he would take advice what to do but thy subjects said the messenger are in distress and cannot be delaied whereat the King sware his wonted Oath by St. Lukes face that if they could not they should not and that he would not turn his back till he were with them and thereupon commanded to break down that Wall that he might go forth the next way to the Sea leaving his Commission to his Nobles to follow but the Seas and Winds being rough his Pilate misdoubting hazard desired him to stay till the Sea and Elements were calmer he replied Hast thou ever heard that any King hath been drowned therefore hoyse up thy Sails I charge thee and be gon Speeds Hist p. 441. Rufus his Chamberlain bringing him a pair of new Hose and he demanding the price was answered that they cost three shillings Away base fellow quoth â—e are tâ—ese beseeming a King bring me of a Mark price His Servant went and brought a pair of no greater cost but told him tâ—ey were of the rate appointed with which the King was well pleased p. 442. Two rich Monkes outvying one another for an Abbacy another poor sober Monk standing by Rufus asked him what he would give to be made Abbot he replied nothing for I entred my profession to be Poor And on him the King conferr'd it as most worthy of it Id. p. 442. In the last year of King Rufus Earl Godwyns Lands were drowned by the Sea now called Godwyn Sands and a Well of Blood rose up out of the ground at Finchamsteade near Abington in Barkeshire Id. p. 443. Rufus dream'd that the Veins of his Armes were broken and abundance of Blood lay on the Floor And a Monk dream'd that the Crucifix spurned the King to the ground of whom Rufus said Well a Monk he is and can dream as Monkes use to do for gain give him a hundred shilling lest he should think that he dreamed bootless Ibid. Rufus hunting in the new Forrest which his Father had depopulated was accidently shot by Sir Walter Tyrrel and being slain was layed in a Colliers Cart drawn with one Horse which Cart broke in a dirty way and there lay the Spectacle of earthly Glory pitifully begoared and filthily bemired Id. p. 443. Henry Beauclerke after he was King his first work was to reform his Court and Houshold cashiering all nice and effeminate Wantons and enacting a Decree against his Courtiers Rapines Adulteries and Robberies punished their Thefts with death and their Lechery with the loss of their Eyes and other parts peccant Speeds Hist p. 445. Robert Duke of Normandy being chosen King of Hierusalem hearing of the death of Rufus refused that in hopes to have England for which his neglect of divine appointment it is said God never prospered him after for his Brother Henry Beauclerk conquered Normandy from him on Saturday the Vigil of St. Michael being the same day forty years that William the Conqueror set foot on English ground for his Conquest God so disposing that Normandy should be subjected to England that very day wherein England was subjected to Normandy He likewise put out his Eyes and kept him Prisoner in Cardiff Castle twenty six years where for grief conceived at the putting on of a fair new
Robe too little for the King and therefore sent in kindness to the Duke to wear grew weary of his life as disdaining to be mocked with his Brothers cast cloths and cursing the time of his unfortunate Nativity refused thenceforth to take any sustenance and so pined himself to death Sp. p. 445. 447. 452. It is reported of Henry Beauclerk that detaining the Kingdom from his brother Robert against his conscience that he stood more in fear of men whose favours he cunningly laboured to keep than of God whom he meant to please as he thought in building an Abbey for his satisfaction p. 447. Robert de Beliasme delighted in cruelty an example whereof he shewed on his own Son who being but a child and playing with him the Father for a pastime put his Thumbs in his childs Eyes and put out the balls thereof Id. p. 448. Guimundus the Kings Chaplain grieving that the Beauclerk bestowed his preferment on unworthy persons being on Rogation day to read that lesson of St. James It rained not on the earth III years and VI months it he purposely read it rained not one one one year and five one months All men laughing and wondring the King chid him and asked the reason Marry quoth he I see you bestow your preferment only on such as can read so which the King considering preferred him and was after more careful in his other Choices Speeds Hist 448. Prince William Son to the Beauclerk Richard his base Brother his Sister the Countess of Perch with many others to the number of one hundred and sixty persons perisht by ship-wrack coming from Normandy Of whom a writer speaks that God suffered not those unnatural wantons being Sodomiticâ labe fere omnes infecti to have Christian burial but were swallowed up by the Seas when her waves were most calm the Mariners in their drink striving to out-sail the Kings Ship dasht against a rock Id. p. 449. Beauclerk and the Pope at Gisory had an enterview where two youths of the Kings company Sons of the Earl of Mellent gravelled the Cardinals in disputing who had nothing to say but that there was more learning in the VVestern parts than they had thought Id. p. 449. Henry Beauclerk died at St. Dennis and was thence conveighed to Roan where he was emboweled salted and wrapped up in a Bulls hide to avoide the stench which was so intolerable that the Physitian who took out his brains was poisoned therewith and presently died whereupon it was observed that other Kings killed men in their lives but this when he was dead p. 452. Henry Fits Empress razed and cast down one thousand one hundred and fifteen Castles raised in the time of King Stephen 452. Maud the Empress to escape her enemies hands was laid in a Coffin as dead bound fast with Cords and so carried in a Horse-litter from the Devizes to Glocester and after being close girt in Oxford by King Stephen she clothed her self and her followers all in White and so in the Snow deceived the Sentinels and got safe to Wallingford Speeds Hist p. 461. King Lewes of France cast the Popes Bull whereby he required the Fruits of Vacancies of all Cathedral Churches in France into the fire saying That he had rather the Popes Bull should rost in the fire than his own soul fry in Hell p. 463. Eustace the Son of King Stephen having plundered the Monkes of Bury of their Corn and provision being set at Dinner the first bit he put into his mouth drove him into a Frenzy whereof he shortly after died p. 465. Henry the second besieging Bridgenorth had been slain with an arrow had not Hubert St. Clare cast himself between death and the King taking the arrow in his own bosome to preserve his Soveraign As Sejanus bare the ruins of a banqueting house with the peril of his life from the Emperor Tiberius p. 466. Henry de Essex Standard-bearer to Henry the second abandoning the Royal standard was challenged for it by Robert de Montford and in single battel at Reding vanquished was thereon shorn a Monk and shortly after died Id. p. 465. King Henry the second and Queen Elianor being Crowned at Worcester laid their Diadems on the high Altar as Godfry of Bulloigne would not wear a Crown of Gold at Hierusalem where Christ wore a Crown of Thorns 466. Henry the Second crowning in his life-time his Eldest Son and at the feast carrying the first dish The Arch-bishop of York saying in pleasaunce to the young King Rejoyce my fair Son for there is no Prince in the world hath such a Servitor attending on his Table as you The unnatural young man answered why wonder you at this My Father knows that he doth nothing that misbecomes him that his Father was royal born but of one side but our self are Royal born both by one side and other p. 470. Henry the second for the death of Becket submitted voluntarily to this Pennance he went three miles bare-foot so that much blood issued from his feet and received by way of discipline 80 lashes at the hands of Bishops and Monks on his bare flesh Speeds Hist p. 476. Henry the Son of Henry the second who had often rebelled against his Father when on his death-bed the Father fearing danger to himself would not come to see him but sent his ring in token of reconciliation he keeping the ring with many tears and confessing his fault at the approach of his death would needs be drawn out of his bed and laid upon another strewed with Ashes where he departed in a most penitent manner p. 478. When Hierusalem was first recovered by the Christians and when it was after fourscore years lost from the Christians a Frederick was Emperor and Vrban was Pope and Heraclius was Patriarch p. 479. When Henry the Second by the opposition of his Son Richard was fain to abandon Ments in Main he uttered these words against his Son That since he had taken from him that day the thing that he most loved in the world he would requite him for after that day he would deprive him of that thing in him which should best please a child viz. his heart and finding his Son John in the Catalogue of the Conspirators against him he bitterly cursed the hour of his birth laying Gods curse and his own upon his Sons which he would never recal for any perswasions of the Bishops and others p. 479. Henry the second being dead all his attendants fell to spoiling and left him naked of whom one saith Surely these Flies sought Honey these Wolves a Carcass They followed not the man but the spoil And when King Richard met his Fathers Corps the Corps fell fresh a bleeding p. 480. Hugh Bishop of Lincoln Visiting the Nunnery of Godstow finding a fair Herse-cloth over Rosamunds Tomb thought the Herse of a Harlot no fit spectacle for a Quire of Virgins to contemplate and therefore he caused her bones to be cast out of the Church
it was to Crown the Scottish King in her Brothers absence had stolen from her Husband with all his light Horses to set the Crown on Bruces head being taken by Edward the second was set in a wooden Cage made Crown-wise on the Walls of Barwick Castle for all to wonder at 561. The Scots at Bancksborn obtained a famous Victory over the English under Edward the second by this stratagem Before their Battalions they digged certain Trenches three foot deep and three foot broad which having fixed sharp stakes in them with their points upwards they covered so with hurdles that foot men treading warily might pass but not Horse in which King Edward's Cavalry were intrapped and so miserably slain and the battel lost King Edward the second having put to death Thomas Earl of Lancaster a Courtier of mean birth being condemned many potent Favorites pressed the King on his behalf The King brake forth into these most vehement words A Plague upon you for cursed whisperers malicious backbiters wicked Counsellors Intreat you for the life of a most notorious Knave who the longer he lives the more Villanies will he commit and would not speak a word for the life of my near kinsman the noble Earl Thomas He shall therefore dye the death he hath deserved Id. p. 569. When Queen Isabel rose in rebellion against King Edward the second her husband Adam de Olton Bishop of Hereford her bosome Counsellor at Oxford chose this Text My head my head aketh 2 King 4.19 On which he delivered to them the reason of the Queens coming with an Army concluding more like a Butcher than a Divine That an aking and sick head of a Kingdom was of necessity to be taken off and not to be tampered with by any other Physick Speeds Hist p. 574. The Commission sent to put Edward the second to death was a witty but wicked Amphibology being written and left uncomma'd in these words Edvardum occidere nolite timere bonum est which being comma'd after Timere was a command after Nolite was a prohibition and so occasioned the death of the King and the Ruine of those that did it p. 579. Edmund Earl of Kent by the practice of his Enemies was condemned to death for endeavouring to set at liberty his brother King Edward the second who was dead before and had his head stricken off at Winchester Castle Gate having stood from noon till five at night and none found to behead him till a base wretch of the Marshalsea was sent and did it p. 579. Edward the third in his Minority being over-ruled by Mortimer things went much to wrack on which was made this Rime Long beards heartless painted Hoods witless Gay Coates graceless make England thriftless When the Sea forces of Edward the third had spoiled the Abbey of St. Colmes in Scotland the whole Fleet as a punishment for that sacrilege was battered with a tempest and some of them perisht At another time the like sacrilege being perpetrated the ship in which the sacrilegious goods were sunk into the bottom without any Tempest Id. p. 581. When Edward the third and Philip of Valois had brought two mighty Armies of an hundred thousand men apiece into the Field to face one another by the mediation of Jane of Valois Sister to Philip and Mother in Law to Edward they withdrew and struck not a stroak Speeds H. p. 585. Small matters many times occasion great effects Edward the third King of England dancing with the beautiful Lady Joan Countess of Salisbury her Garter falling off the King took it up at which the Nobles smiling the King seriously said it should not be long before there should be Soveraign honour done to that Silken Tie whereupon he instituted the honor of the Garter whose Motto is Honi soit qui mal y pense p. 588. The black Prince at the battel of Cressy being overpressed and in danger the Lords that were with him sent to his Father to come and succour him Who made this answer Let them send no more to me for any adventure that may befall while my Son is alive But let him either vanquish or dye because the honor of this brave day shall be his if God suffer him to live p. 590. King Edward the third besieging Callis the Enemy turned forth fifteen hundred of the poorer sort whom the good King turned not back but relieved them with victuals and money and suffered them safely to pass through his Camp Speeds Hist 591. Henry Earl of Lancaster at the taking of the Town of Brigerack by assault had permitted every Souldier to seize any House and to convert the same and what was in it to his own proper use A certain Souldier named Reeth having broken into a House where the Moneyors had stowed all the Moneys of the Country not thinking that the Generals pleasure was that so great a Treasure should be converted to a private use He acquainted the General with it who answered That the House and all therein was his according as he had first proclaimed let them be worth what they would And when the Souldier again told him of the great Treasure there found He replied What tellest thou me of the greatness of the Treasure Go take enjoy For to give then to take it back again is childs play I have once said and my word being once passed cannot with honor be revoked Speeds Hist p. 592. It is observed of King Edward the third that he had alwayes fair weather in his passage into Erance and foul weather in his return p. 593. Henry Pecard Lord Mayor of London at one time feasted four Kings viz. of England Scotland France and Cyprus p. 594. A terrible tempest that destroyed many horse and men in Edward the third's Army occasioned him to encline to agreements of peace which before he was utterly averse to p. 595. Edward Son to the Earl of Cambridge married the daughter of the King of Portugal but afterwards neither would the Earl leave his Son behind as suspecting the Portugals Faith nor the other entrust his daughter to the Earl so that they remained disjoyned in body however united in Ceremony Wat Tylers Companions in an holy outrage burning the Savoy threw one of their felâ—ows into the flames because he had thrusts piece of stollen plaâ—â— into his bosome p. 607. When Richarâ— the second entered Scotland the Scâ—ts had so retired thâ—mselves and all their goods that when the English came they could see no quick then left but Owles 611. A Monk bestows this Epitaph on Wicklif The Divels Instrument Churches Enemy Peoples Confusion Hereticks Idol Hypocrites mirrour Schismes broacher Hatreds sower Lies Forger Flatteries sink who at his death despaired like Cain and stricken by the horrible judgment of God breathed forth his wicked Soul to the dark mansions of the black Divel Whereby Gods children may learn not to regard while they live the malice nor to expect after their death ought else but the
slanderous rancour of the wicked Speeds Hist p. 622. A Galthrop or engine with three sharp points was hid in Henry the fourths bed but he espied it and so prevented the danger 627. A Frier Minor being asked that he would do if King Richard were alive and present he confidently answered that he would fight for him till death against any whatsoever which cost him his life being drawn and hanged in his Friers weeds Id. 627. IMMANUEL Historical Collections Century IX AT Danbury Church in Essex the Divel appeared in the habit of a Minorite to the incredible astonishment of the Parishioners For at that time there was such a terrible tempest with lightnings and thunder and great fire-balls that the vault of the Church broke and half the Chancel was carried away Speeds Hist p. 628. Between Bedford and Bickleswade in the year one thousand four hundred and three sundry Monsters of divers colours in the shapes of armed men were often seen to issue out of the woods at Morning and at Noon which to suchs as stood far off seemed to encounter one another in most terrible manner but when they drew near nothing was to be found p. 629. Nero though generally hated while he was alive yet twenty years after his death an obscure fellow feigning himself Nero was so backt and countenanced by the Parthians and others that not without much difficulty the Romans could get him into their hands Speeds Hist. p. 629. Henry the fifth supposing his Father dead took the Crown that stood by him his Father reviving enquired for it which when he brought the Father said Oh Son with what right I got it God knows who forgive me the sin Howsoever it was got said the Prince I mean to keep it and defend it with my Sword as you by Sword obtained it p. 631. Henry the fifth though while Prince was wild and Companion of riotous persons yet coming to the Crown the first thing he did was the banishment of all such his old Companions ten miles from his presence Speeds Hist p. 637. Archbishop Arundel having in a synod condemned Oldcastle Lord Cobham for an Heretick and enacted that the holy Scripture should not be translated into the English tongue shortly after his tongue grew so big in his mouth that he could not speak or swallow but in horror lay languishing till he was starved to death p. 638. The Dolphin of France understanding that Henry the fifth intended to invade France sent him in scorn a Tun of Tennis Balls But the King returned answer that the Balls he should play the Gates of Paris should not be rackets strong enough to beat back and afterwards most gallantly made good his words p. 640. Ziska that famous Bohemian Protestant commanded that when dead his skin should be made the cover of a Drum to terrifie his Enemies Speeds Hist 645. Henry the fifth having vanquished the French at Azincourt returning thanks to God at Pauls in London would not have his broken Crown nor bruised Armour bore before him p. 646. Lewes the eleventh of France being perswaded to demolish the Tomb of the Duke of Bedford who had been Regent in France and was buried at Roan answered That it vvould be dishonourable to disturb him dead vvho when alive made all France tremble p. 676. Walter Earl of Athol conspired the murther of James the first King of Scotland in hopes of the Crown and Crowned he was as his Sorcerers had foretold him he should be but not with the Crown of the Kingdom but of Red hot Iron clapt upon his head being one of the tortures by which he ended at once his wicked daies and designs p. 672. Whilst the controversy between Henry the sixth and Richard Duke of York was debating in the Parliament a Crown which hung for garnishment in the middle of the roof where the Knights and Burgesses met as likewise a Crown which for the like Cause stood upon the highest Tower of Dover Castle fell down which was vulgarly construed to portend the translation of the Crown from the Lancastrian to the Yorkest which soon after came to pass p. 683. On Candlemas day in the year one thousand four hundred sixty one immediately before the Battel at Mortimers Cross where Edward Earl of March afterwards King Edw. the fourth was victorious there appeared in the Firmament three Suns which suddainly joyned in One Which occasioned to use as his device The Sun in his brightness Speeds Hist p. 684. One Walker a London Grocer for words spoken concerning his own Son to encourage him to learn his Book that he would make him Heir of the Crown meaning his own House having that sign was therefore in the eighth day of Edward the fourths Raign beheaded in Smithfield p. 684. Edward the fourth being ready to joyn battel caused Proclamation to be made That he that feared to fight might forthwith depart but if any Souldier abiding should seek to fly or turn back he should be slain by his next fellow and the slayer to receive a great reward besides the stipend of a double pay p. 687. Sir Ralph Percy being slain taking part with Henry the sixth died with these words I have saved the bird in his breast meaning his Oath made to King Henry p. 687. Richard Nevil Earl of VVarwick spent in his house in London six Oxen every day p. 689. Henry the sixth when certain Ladies presented themselves before him in a Mask with their hair loose and their breasts uncovered He then a Bachelor and able of Marriage immediately rose up and departed the presence saying Fie Fie forsooth you are to blame p. 689. When Henry the sixth lay Prisoner in the Tower a Ruffian intending his death wounded him in the side with a Sword whom being restored to his Estate he freely forgave and another striking him in the face he punished only with this reprehension Forsooth you are to blame to strike me your anointed King Sp. p. 697. Henry Holland Duke of Excester and brother in Law to Edward the fourth was driven by him out of England into Burgundy where Comines writes that he saw him running bare-legged after Burgundies train begging his bread for Gods sake And the Countess of Oxford had nothing to maintain her but the Charity of others and her own needle Speeds Hist p. 968. Edward the fourth hunting in Arrow Park belonging to Thomas Burdet Esquire among other game kill'd a white Buck that Burdet highly valued whereupon Burdet wished the Hornes in his belly that wished the King to kill it For which his words being interpreted as though he wisht them in the Kings belly he was condemned and beheaded at Tiburne p. 700. An old Prophecy that a G. should raign after an E. occasioned the death of George Duke of Clarence who on pretended Articles of Treason was condemned in Parliament and by his own choyce drowned in a But of Malmsey p. 701. The Lord Chamberlain Hastings having been of Counsel to imprison and behead the Lord
Flux saw that he should die he caused his Armor to be put upon him and so Armed and sitting in a Chair said Thus it becometh a Knight or man of honor to die and not lying in his bed as another mean man Grafton p. 181. Edward the Confessor was the first King of England that used by his touch to cure the Kings evil William the Conqueror had three Horses killed under him at Battel Abbey Field Id. p. 191. An Hide of Land containeth five yards and every yard containeth four Acres An Acre containeth forty perches in length and four in breadth And a Knights fee con aineth eight Hides which amount to one hundred and sixty Acres and is accompted a Plough Land Grafton 2. Vol. p. 16. Leofricus Duke of Mercia in the time of Edward the Confessor adorned the Church of Coventry with great riches of Gold Silver and Jewels insomuch that Robert William the Conquerors Chaplain being made Bishop thereof took from one beam in his Church the value of five hundred Marks A Tempest in the year one thousand and ninety in the raign of William Rufus blew down six hundred houses in London p. 23. William Rufus warring in Normandy when by his command an Army of twenty thousand men were gathered together at Hastings in Sussex ready to be transported he sent then word that every man paying ten shillings might return home as meaning to corrupt therewith Philip the French King to desert his brother Robert which accordingly was done and thereon Robert was fain to sue for Terms of Peace Id. p. 25. In the time of Rufus Bishopricks were bought and sold in England as other Merchandises also Priests used bushed and braided-heads and blazing clothes shining and Golden Girdles and gilt Spurs and many other enormities uncontrouled Grafton 2. Vol. p. 28. In the year one thousand one hundred and sixty were seen in England two Moons on Maunday Thursday the one in the East the other in the West and in the year one thousand one hundred and fifty six were seen two Suns and in the Moon a Red Cross about which time in Italy appeared three Suns by the space of three hours in the West and in the year following three Moons whereof the middle had a Red Cross overthwart noted as a token of the schisme among the Cardinals about the election of Alexander the third that endured twenty years As also in December in the year one thousand and two hundred in the raign of King John were seen in the Element about ten at night within the Province of York five Moons One in the East another in the West a third in the South another in the North and a fifth in the middle Hail fell as big as Hens Eggs and Spirits were seen flying in the Air like Birds with fire in their bills setting houses on fire as they flew And the last of October one thousand three hundred twenty and one the Sun for six hours together appeared as red as blood And in the year one thousand two hundred sixty and one in the raign of Henry the third the Thames was frozen so hard that men rode over on horse-back Grafton 2. Vol. p. 36. 51. 92. 98 138. 201. All Becket's Kinred both men and women were banished for his offence by Henry the second p. 68. Becket on Christmas day did excommunicate Robert de Brocke for cutting off the tail of one of his Horses the day before p. 71. When Pope Alexander trod upon the Emperor Fredericks neck the Quire blasphemously sung this verse Thou shalt walk upon the adder and the Basilisk and shall tread down the Lion and the Dragon p. 79. IMMANUEL Historical Collections Century X. HEnry the second King of England never laid any Tax or tribute on his Subjects in all his raign and yet when he died left nine hundred thousand pounds in his Treasury Grafton Vol. 2. p 81. Robin Hood and little John who is reported to be fourteen foot high two Famous Thieves lived in the time of King Richard the first p. 85. Four hundred Jews at York in the time of Richard the first cut their Master veines and bled themselves to death p. 87. In the year one thousand two hundred twenty one the men of Cathness in Scotland burnt their Bishop because he cursed them for not paying Tithes for which cause the King of Scots hanged four hundred of the chief doers gelded their children and disinherited the Earl of that Country Id. p. 119. A Jew falling into a Privy at Tewksbury on Saturday for reverence of the day which is their Sabbath would not be taken forth The Earl of Glocester hearing of it commanded that he should not be taken out on the Lords day for reverence of the Christian Sabbath and on Munday morning he was found dead Grafton Vol. 2. p. 119. When Isabel Edward the seconds Wife was returning with an Army into England had they not been driven by a Tempest to a contrary Harbour they had all miscarried their Enemies waiting at the Port they intended to land at p. 20. Edward the third tempted the Chastity of the beautiful Countess of Salisbury and had an honorable repulse p. 214. King Edward the third having streightned Calice by a Twelve-months siege proffered mercy to all except six which should come forth with Halters about their necks and be left wholly to his dispose they coming he commanded them to be beheaded but upon the earnest intercession of his Queen and Nobles he forgave them who had all voluntarily proffered themselves to that danger to save their people p. 286. King Edward the third took Sir Eustace of Richmond Prisoner with his own hand and for his valiant behaviour in the encounter he set him at liberty and gave him a rich Chapelet of Pearls to were in remembrance of him Grafton Vol. 2. p. 291. Sir James Audely having behaved himself valiantly at the battel of Poytiers the Black Prince gave him five hundred Marks a year which he presently gave his four Esquires the Prince hearing of it confirmed his gift and gave him six hundred Marks more for himself p. 299. John King of France and Edw. the 3d King of England being together at Mass when the Pax was profered to be kissed both refused to kiss first and so instead of kissing the Pax they kissed each other p. 316. In the year one thousand four hundred and eleven the Thames flowed three times in one day of which Grafton gives the reason to be great Winds Rains and Frost p. 441. At the Council of Constance was assembled of Bishops Abbots and Doctors three hundred forty six of Noble men five hundred sixty four of Knights and Esq sixteen thousand besides Servants which not accounting the Townsmen were reckoned forty five thousand persons Id. 444. In the raign of Henry the fiftâ— there was a Bill put up in the Parliament at Leicester against the Temporalties of the Clergy That that which was devoutly given and disordinately spent might
be imployed to better purposes But the Clergy by moving the King to the Conquest of France waved the force of the bill so that it was laid asleep Id. p. 445. In the year one thousand four hundred and fifteen the twenty fifth of October being Fryday was fought the battel of Agincourt where the French had six times the number of the English and were so confident before hand that they had in their thoughts divided the spoil but received a most terrible overthrow through Gods assistance and the English Valour and the Policy of sharp stakes pitched in the ground before the Archers to break the force of the Horse-men Grafton Vol. 2. 454. When King Henry the fifth being in France heard that his Son afterwards Henry the sixth was born at Windsor not fancying the place he spake these prophetical words I Henry born at Monmouth shall small time raign and get much but Henry born at Windsor shall long raign and lose all But as God will so be it p. 490. Lewes Duke of Orleance was owner of the Castle of Coucy His Constable was the Lord of Cawny whose wife the Dukes Paramour had a child not certain which was the Father Whereon Cawny and his wife being dead a Controversy arose the next of Kin to Cawny claiming the Inheritance which was four thousand Crowns per annum This controversy depending in the Parliament of Paris the child then eight years old though instructed by his Mothers Friends both to save his Mothers credit and to enjoy so ample an Inheritance to own himself as Cawnies child yet being asked answered openly before the Judges My heart giveth me and my noble courage telleth me that I am the Son of the noble Duke of Orleance more glad I am to be his bastard with a mean living than to be the lawful Son of that Coward Cuckold Cawny with his four thousand Crowns Inheritance The next of Kin had the Estate and the young Duke of Orleance took him into his Family who after proved a most Valiant and fortunate Warrier against the English in the days of Henry the sixth and is commonly called the Bastard of Orleance p. 530. Henry Beauford Bastard Son of John of Gaunt and Bishop of Winchester was made Cardinal and by his Bulls Legantine gathered so much treasure that he was truly called the rich Cardinal but not the learned Bishop or vertuous Priest Grafton Vol. 2. p. 524. Margaret daughter to James the Fourth King of Scotland married to Lewes Dolphin of France was of so nasty a complexion and stinking breath that her husband after the first night loathed her company for grief of which she soon after died p. 575. When Francis Duke of Brittain was in treaty of Marriage with Isabel daughter of James the fourth King of Scots his counsel advised him against it because she had little Wit or Womanhood He answered being enamoured on her fair face that it was enough for a Woman to judge the difference between the Doublet and Shirt of her husband and to know him in the dark from another man p. 575. A man that counterfeitâ—d himself blind came to St. Albans and gave out that at that Martyrs shrine he had his sight restored to him Humphrey the good Duke of Glocester being there sent for him who reasoning with him asked him what colour his Gown was The blind man readily answered not only to that but to many other colours in the Room Away Fellow saith the Duke thou wast never born blind that canst presently distinguish betâ—een colours and commanded him to be set openly in the Stocks Grafton Vol. 2. p. 598. When Cardinal Beauford Bishop of Winchester lay dying he used these words Why should I die having so much riches If the whole realm would save my life I am able either by Policy to get it or riches to buy it Fie will not death be hired will Money do nothing I had hope to have worn a Triple Crown but I see the world faileth me and I am deceived I pray you all to pray for me Id. p. 599. When the stout Earl of VVarwick heard that his Bastard brother and some others were slain in the beginning of a Battel and some began to fly he came to King Edward the fourth and alighting off his Horse slew him with his Sword saying Let him fly that will for surely I will tarry with those that will tarry with me Grafton Vol. 2. p. 654. When Henry Earl of Richmond was presented being but ten years old to King Henry the sixth He observing his Towardliness said to those that were about him Lo surely this is he to whom both we and our Adversary leaving the possession of all things shall hereafter give room and place 692. Henry the sixth that good but unfortunate Prince was the same day that he rode triumphantly thorough London apparelled in a Gown of blue Velvet taken by Edward the fourth and committed to Prison p. 702. King Edward the fourth called before him an aged Widdow which was wealthy and pleasantly demanded of her what she would give him towards his great charges By my troth said she for thy lovely Countenance thou shalt even have twenty pounds The King looking scarcely for half the sum thanked her and lovingly kist her Whether the Flavor of his breath did so comfort her stomach or she esteemed the kisses of a King so pretious a Jewel she swore incontinently he should have twenty pounds more which she with the same Will paid that she offered it Id. p. 719. One Banister that had been Servant to the Duke of Buckingham betraied his Master the Duke to Richard the third whether for fear or covetousness uncertain but sure it is that shortly after his Son and heir waxed mad and died in a boar-sty His eldest daughter before of excellent beauty was stricken with a Leprosy His second Son miserably deformed and lame in his limbs His younger Son drowned in a puddle And he himself in his extream old age found gulty of a Murther and saved by his Clergy and never had one farthing of the thousand pounds King Richard promised King Richard saying That he that would be untrue to so good a Master would be false to all others p. 825. Tâ—e Lord Cordes a French Commander so sore longed to gain Calice from the English that he would commonly say that he would gladly lie seven years in Hell so that Calice were in the possession of the French p. 882. In the year one thousand four hundred twenty and seven the English Merchants that had been before restrained were received in the City of Antwerp with general procession so glad was the Town of their returning by whom they had much gain Grafton Vol. 2 p. 922. Some Frenchmen taken before Calice in the raign of King Henry the eighth of England were sold in open Market A Cooper of Calice bought one of Bulloigne and had of his Prisoner a hundred Crowns for his Ransome When the money was paid the
Moguntinensis Treverensis Coloniensis Quilibet Imperii sit Cancellarius horum * Rhenis * Saxoniae Et Palatinus * dapifer Dux * portitor ensis * Brandeburgensis Marchio * Praepositus Camerae Pincerna Bohemus Hi statuunt dominum per omnia saecula summum Id. part 6. P. 7. Calixtus chosen Pope having taken Pope Benedict his opposer caused him to ride before him through the City of Rome on a Mule with his face towards the tail and holding it in his hand as a bridle and after cast him into Prison Id. part 6. R. 6. Epitaphium Henrici filii H. 5. Imperatoris Omnis honoris honos decor decus urbis orbis Militiae splendor gloria lumen apex Julius ingenio virtutibus Hector Achilles Viribus Augustus moribus ore Paris Fruct Temp. part 7. S. 3. Pope Gregory when Legate convented a Bishop before him that was suspected of Simony and said openly before all the people since the Bishop denied it and none could prove it Let mans Judgment cease for it's deceivable and let God dispose of it For certain it is that the Dignity of a Bishop is the gift of the Holy Ghost and whosoever buâ—es a Bishoprick sins against the Holy Ghost Then if thou Bishop didst not sin against the Holy Ghost say openly before all people Gloria patri filio Spiritui sancto And many times he began to say it but could never speak Spiritui sancto He was deposed from his Bishoprick and afterwards could speak it well enough Id. part 7. R. 3. John Comin was slain by Robert Bruise King of Scots before the Altar at Dunfrees whose blood in the stones cannot be washt away Id. part 7. X. 3. Boniface the eighth Pope entred as a Fox lived as Lion died like a Dog Fructus Temp. part 7. X. 6. The Emperor Henry the seventh was poisoned by a Frier in the Sacrament Id. part 7. Z. 3. When Sir Roger Mortimer was Prisoner in the Tower he made a great Feast to the Lieutenant apd all his Officers at which he gave them in their drink a sleepy potion that they slept two days and two nights and in the mean time he made his escape Id. part 7. Z. 3. At Halidon hill besides Berwick there were slain in one battel of the Scots thirty five thousand seven hundred and twelve and of the English but fourteen Id. part 7. A. 5. In the time of King Edward the third there reigned a great pestilence over most part of the World and from that time all that ever have been born have two cheeks teeth less than they had before Id. part 7. B. 4. King Richard the second in the year of his raign out of his displeasure against London removed the Courts and Terms from Midsummer till Christmas unto York Fructus Temp. part 7. E. 2. Eleven persons were pressed to death on London bridge by the throng of people that came from meeting King Richard the second in his return from France Id. part 7. E. 4. Thomas of Woodstock the good Duke of Glocester was smothered to death at Calice by the command of Richard the second between two feather-beds Id. part 7. E 4. In the year one thousand four hundred thirty four appeared three Suns at one time and anon followed the three-fold government of the Church The Pope The Council The Neutral and an Holy maid in Holland called Lidwith lived only by miracle not eating any meat Id. part 7. H. 8. The nine Orders of Angels are thus reckoned Angels Archangels Principates Potestates Virtues Dominations Thrones Cherubim Seraphim Polychronicon fol. 3. The Caspian hills are seven thousand paces in length but in breadth little more than a Cart-way Id. f. 8. In India the men have many wives and when the husband dieth the fairest and best beloved is buried with him which they esteem as the highest honour and preferment Id. f. 10. In the dead Sea a Lanthorn with a candle lighted swimmeth and floateth but if the light be quenched it sinketh nothing that hath life will sink as was tried by Vespasian who threw in two men bound together and yet they swam King Alexander intending to make War upon the Amazons they writ to him that they much wondred at him For if he were vanquished he should have great shame and if he were Conquerer he should have no Credit With which letter he was so convinced that he forbore to meddle with them sent for the Queen kept her as his Concubine forty dayes and sent her back with child by him Polycrhonicon fol. 17. The Shadow of Mount Athos reacheth seventy miles in length Id. f. 20. Bellerophons Image with his Horse made of Iron weighing fifteen thousand pound weight hung in the midst of a Temple in the air without chains or supporters only by the strength of Adamant or Loadstones that were in the Vaults and Arches that drew the Iron so every way that it might not move upwards nor downward nor sidewards but hang always in the middle Id f. 23. The Albestone when once set on fire can never be quencht or diminisht f. 23. In the North of Ireland is the land of Life where none die till they are carried out Id f. 35. In the Isle of Thule the six Summer months it's day and the six Winter months it's night Polycron f. 41. The Isle of Man was Judged to Brittain from Ireland because Venomous creatures are found therein Id f. 44. In Bohemia there is a beast called Boaz that hath no Horns but hath a large bag under his Chin wherein he gathereth water and in running heateth scalding hot and spouteth out on the Hunters and Hounds that pursue him and scaldeth them full sore A Maid the same day she was to be married turned into a Man and shortly after married a wife Id. f. 49. In the time of William the Conqueror there were in England forty five thousand and two Parish Churches Id. Ibid. What Hannibal said of the Romans that Ranulph of Chester saith of Englishmen that they could not be overcome but in their own Country Idem f. 56. The space between the hands stretched out which we call a Fathom is the just length of the body Polycronicon f. 57. In Africa there are some men that if they praise any thing it withereth and decayeth Id. f. 58. Trevisa tells of one Roger Bagge a very old man in Wotton Underhedge in Glocestershire that never spat or coughed in all his life f. 58. When there was War between the men of Thessaly and Athens an Oracle was given that the party whose Duke should be slain should have the better Codrus King of Athens disguised himself and went into the midst of his Enemies and so willingly occasioned his own death to get the Victory to his people f. 85. On Sardanapalus tomb by his own appointment was written So much I had as I eat and drank Id. f. 86. Licurgus having established his Laws bound the Lacedemonians by an Oath not to alter them till
of France having taken Cramyris his Eldest Son in battel who had rose in Rebellion against him as an example to all disobedient Children he enclosed him and his wife and Children in a House set it on fire and burned them in it Id. p. 91. Fredigund wife to King Chilperick resting on her bed her husband passing by with a little wand struck her upon the back the Queen not looking up and supposing the King gone a hunâ—ing said Landry why strikest thou me thus the King hearing these words made semblance as though he had not heard them but she perceiving it was the King for fear coâ—trived and procured his death the same day as he came from Hunting Id. p. 109. Brunchild the wife to Segebert the fourth Son of Lotharius the first King of France having been a great stickler in the French affairs and the death of no less than ten Princes was at last by the King and Peers of France condemned to be tied to a Wild Horse-tail by the hair of her head and so to be drawn till she was dead which accordingly was done Id. p. 131. Clodoveus Son of Dagobert King of France in a great dearth caused the Church of St. Dennis which his Father had covered with Plates of Silver to be covered with lead and the Silver given to the relief of the poor Id. p. 151. Aelfrid King of the VVest Saxons being naturally inclined to Incontinency praied that God would send him such a disease that might hinder his lust but not unfit him for the managing he affairs of his Kingdom And he accordingly had the disease called Ficus Fabian Hist 1. part p. 216. A noble man named Hebert having invited Charles the simple King of France to his Castle there treacherously murthered him Lewes the fifth his Son long time after attaining the Crown intends revenge Having convened his Nobles amongst which Hebert was one a Messenger brought him a letter which while he read and smiled his Nobles asked what that letter imported he told them that a Kinsman of his in England had acquainted him that a husbandman inviting his Lord to dinner treacherously slew him and desired to know of him what such a one deserved and since they were thus met he desired their opinion They all and Hebert amongst them adjudged him to a shameful death The King turning to Hebert told him Thou art the man who hast treacherously slain my Father and therefore I Judge thee out of thy own mouth and accordingly he was immediately executed Id. p. 237. King Edward Son of Edgar being slain by his step-mothers command and buried in VVimborn she intending to Visit him by way of Pilgrimage could not by any means make the Horse she rid on come nigh the place of his burial Fabian Hist 1. part p. 255. Robert Duke of Normandy being chosen King of Jerusalem hearing of the death of his Brother VVilliam Rufus King of England minding to succeed him refused Jerusalem but as Authors say for that refusal of providence never prospered after Id. 319. Philip the Eldest Son of Lewes Son of Philip King of France being a youth riding through the streets of Paris for his disport a Hog suddainly started up which frighted his Horse so that he threw him off with so great Violence that he died that night Id. p. 332. Emanuel Emperor of Constantinople when the VVestern Princes about the year one thousand one hundred and fifty went against the Saracens sold them Meal mingled with lime whereof many of the Christian Army perisht 341. King Henry the second returning out of Ireland when on VVhitsunday he was taking horse suddainly appeared unto him a Man of pale and wan colour barefoot in a white Kirtyl and said Sir King Christ greeteth thee well and commandeth thee strictly that no Market or servile work be holden upon the Sunday in the lands of thy Lordship out take what belongeth to the dressing of meat and if thou so dost all shall prosper with thee The King bad the Knight that held his Horse ask him whether he had dreamed this The man replied whether I have dreamed or no take thou heed of my saying that if thou mend not thy life thou shalt shortly hear such things as shall make thee sorry to thy lives end This spoken the man suddainly vanisht and the King not amending himself was unfortunate ever after Fabian Hist p. 349. Epitaphium H. 2. Regis Angli Sufficit hic tumulus cui non suffecerit Orbis Res brevis est ampla cui fuit ampla brevis Rex Henricus eram mihi plurima regna subegi Multiplicique modo Duxque Comesque fui Cui satis ad Votum non â—ssent omnia terrae Climata Terra modo sufficit octo pedum Qui legis haec pensa discrimina mortis in me Humanae speculum conditionis habe Quod potes instanter operare bonuÌ„ quia mundus Transit incautos mors inopina rapit Id. p. 356. Epitaphium Frederici Imper. Si probitas sensus Virtutis gratia census Nobilitas ortûs possent resistere morti Non foret extinctus Fredericus qui jacet intus Fabian Hist 2. Vol. p. 53. In the year of our Lord one thousand two hundred seventy two at Greenwich near London a Lamb was yeaned having two perfect bodies with all their members but one head Id p. 99. In the yeâ—r of our Lord one thousand two hundred eighty six a Woman in Switzerland was delivered of a Child that from the Navâ—l upwards had two compleat bodies and downward was but one and another woman bore a Child whose head and face was like a Man and all the rest of the body like a Lion Boniface the eighth minding to get the Popedom hired one of the Chamberlains to Coelestine the fifth who was a good and holy but simple man in the dead of the night to speak in a reed and say Coelestine if thou wilt be saved renounce this Pomp of the VVorld and serve me as thou didst before He having often heard the voyce took it for a Divine warning resigned the Popedom and would have retired into the VVilderness But Boniface fearing his restauration held him Prisoner and so used him that he shortly after died Id 158. The three wives of the three Sons of Philip the fair King of France which wives were Sisters Daughters to the Duke of Burgoigne were at one time accused of Spouse-breach the two eldest convict and the youngest was cleared the two wives put in Prison and the two paramours hanged The youngest vvas restored to her husband Charles after King of France but from him aftervvards divorced because her Mother vvas Godmother to her husband Fabian Vol. 2. p. 163. 189. In the third year of the raign of Philip the fifth of France the Provost of Paris having in his Prison a Picard a man of great riches vvhich vvas judged to be hanged The said Provost being hired thereunto vvith great Sums of Money took another Innocent Man and put
him to death instead of the said Picard Which being after made knovvn to the Kings Council the Provost vvas put to the like death Id. p. 188. In the year of our Lord one thousand three hundred sixty one were seen two Castles in the Air one in the East the other in the West Out of which at Noon-tide appeared two Hosts of men to issue forth what came from the East appeared White the other Black which encountred each other and the White that seemed at first to be Victorious at last was worsted and so it disappeared Id. p. 245. In the year of our Lord One thousand three hundred ninety six upon the death of Gregory the Eleventh were chosen two Popes Urban the Sixth by the Italians and Clement the Seventh by the French Which double Head of the Romish Synagogue continued by several Elections thirty nine years Fabian p. 262. At the Siege of the Rock of Arnan in Brittaine kept by the English the Commander of the French hung a Purse and fifty Scutes of Gold on a Speares End with promise that who first entered the Town should have the said fifty Scutes of Gold which so encouraged the Souldiers that within four hours they entred and took it Id. p. 277. In a Parliament held in England in the twelfth year of Edward the Third and in the year of our Lord one thousand three hundred thirty seven it was Enacted that no man should wear any manner of Silk in Gown Coat or Doublet which could not spend of good Rents an hundred pound by the year Id. p. 214. When John King of France was Prisoner in England the three Estates of Languedock ordained that no man should wear any Furres of any great price and that women should leave their rich Attire off their heads and wear neither Pearl nor Gold upon them nor Silver upon their Girdles so long as the King remained Prisoner and also that all manner of Minstrells for that season should be put to silence Fabian p. 284. Charles King of Navar being a man of great Age and very feeble was by Counsel of Physicians sowed in a sheet washed with Aqua-Vitae to revive heat in him He that sowed the sheet taking a Candle to burn off the end of the thread suddainly the Aqua-Vitae inflamâ—d and so burnt his flesh that he shortly after died with it p. 361. Certain Noblemen disguising themselves in Linnen clothes glued to their bodies with Pitch and coloured with Oyl entred into the presence of Charles the seventh of France to make him disport by Torch-light which Garments suddenly took fire and the disguisers after much torment with great difficulty by running into waters saved themselves Fabian p. 363. Henry the fourth doing his devotions at St. Edwards Shrine vvas suddenly taken sick and so carried into the Abbots Lodging where enquiring what the Chamber in which he lay was call'd it being answered Jerusalem He presently replied I know I shall now die it being foretold him that he should die in Jerusalem and so he did p. 389. William Mandevil a Weaver of Abington having raised a Commotion against King Henry the sixth give out in a vaunting manner that he would make Priests-heads as cheap as Sheeps-heads and sell three for a penny but was himself taken Hang'd Drawn and Quarter'd Id. p. 422. IMMANUEL Historical Collections Century XII THe English and French fighting one named Bonsapriest a French Knight for fear fled and hid himself in a Covert of Bushes till the fight was ended two English men their party having the worst fled into the same Covâ—rt by whom the Knight perceiving that the French had the better he became so Couragious that he forced the said Englishmen to become his Prisoners and with them entred the French Host and bare a Countenance as if he had won them in the aforesaid fight but when his demeanour was known he was had in great derision and by the chief Captain deprived of his Prisoners Fabian p. 429. In the year of our Lord one thousand four kindred thirty six all the Lions in the Tower died which had continued a long season there Id. p. 454. In the year of our Lord one thousand four hundred and thirty nine died Sir Robert Chichley who had been twice Lord Mayor of London who by his Will appointed that on his mind day a good dinner should be provided for two thousand four hundred poor men and two pence a piece to be bestowed on them Id. p. 436. Charles the eighth of France having concluded a Marriage between his daughter Magdaline and Ladislaus King of Bohemia while the Bride with great Pomp was conveighed toward her intended Husband he was taken suddainly with sickness and died Id. p. 478. Lewes the eleventh King of France Warring against Charles Duke of Burgoigne committed the charge of his Army to John Balna Priest and Cardinal whereat the Temporal Lords disdaining the Earl of Damptmartin in their name said to the King Most Soveraign Lord it hath pleased your Highness to commit to a Spiritual man the charge of this Host and he not fearing God hath taken it upon him to the effusion of Christian blood wherefore may it like your most noble Grace to send me a Temporal man to visit his Diocess and to take the charge of his Flock which is as fit for me as the other is for him Of the which the King made game but did as to him seemed best Fabian p. 486. Charles the eighth of France being troubled with the Leprosy he commanded to be brought before him all the cunning Musicians that by their Melody he might be eased but when he had assembled a hundred and twenty yet a few Shepherds Pipes vvere to him more solace than all the other and therefore commanded them every day at a certain distance from the place he lay to play to him Fab. p. 491. One Mr. Dominick Physician to King Edward the fourth assured him that the Queen was conceived of a Son This Physician when the Queen vvas in travail vvaited in the second chamber that he might be the first that might bring tidings to the King of the birth of the Prince And when he heard the child cry he called secretly at the Chamber door to know what the Queen had To whom it was answered by one of the Ladies Whatsoever the Queens Grace hath here within sure it is that a Fool standeth there without And so confused with that answer he departed without seeing the King for that time Fab. p. 496. One William Colingborn Esquire being condemned for making this Rime on King Richard the third The Cat the Rat and Lovel our Dog Rule all England under the Hog vvas put to a most cruel death for being hanged and cut down alive his bowels ript out and cast into the fire when the Executioner put his hand into the bulk of the body he said Lord Jesus yet more trouble and so died to the geat sorrow of much people Id. p. 519. In the
year of our Lord one thousand four hundred ninety and six the body of Richard Hakendies wife was taken up in Saint Mary Hill Church London whole and entire that had lain in the ground more than one hundred and twenty years Fabian p. 530. In the year of our Lord one thousand five hundred fifty two a child was born at Middleston with two bodies two heads four Arms and hands one belly and one Navil on the one side two legs and two feet on the other one leg made of twain and a foot with nine toes It lived four daies and the one part died before the other Id. p. 556. The Images of Emrods and Mice we read of 1 Sam. 6.5 were made by the Astrologers directions and were Telesmatical signes of the efficacy of which Hali gives an experiment practised upon a Saracens Servant who having been stung with a Scorpion was cured by his Master with a stone of this kind engraven with the figure of a Scorpion The mightiest of this sort of Operators was Apollonius Tyaneus who got himself a great name by travailing about and making Telesmes who coming to Antioch made one against the Northern Wind and set it upon the East gate of the City and caused an Image of a Scorpion to be molten in brass and set upon a pillar in the midst of the City and the Scorpions vanished out of all their coast A like to which was set up in Henopos a City of Syria Apamia And when in the upper region of Grand Cairo the Crocodiles were mischievous the Talismans cast a leaden Crocodile which written upon with an Aegyptian charm they buried in the foundation of the Temple this for a long time defended the people but when that leaden Image was melted the Crocodiles returned to their own malice And the Fortune of Byzantium stood with one foot in a ship of Brass a Telesme erected against the dangers of that Tempestuous Sea and while it stood entire stilled the rage But some parts thereof being broken off and conveighed away the Sea begun to be as unruly as before the cause thereof being curiously enquired into and discovered the broken pieces were sollicitously searched found out and put together again and forthwith the Winds and Seas obeyed and that it might be certainly knovvn that this indeed vvas the cause vvhy the Ships could not safely arrive the pieces of the brass vvere again taken avvay and thenceforth vvhatsoever Vessels toucht upon the coast vvere driven back by the Violence of the Winds they therefore made the Ship to be most carefully repaired These Consecrations for so they are also called vvere more usually but not only practised in the East For Gregory of Tours reports that at the repairing of a bridge in Paris there was found the Images of a Serpent and Dormouse in Brass and that at the taking away of these the Serpents and Mice came up in great numbers Such were the Serpentina Columna and the Statua Equestris ahenea in Constantinople the destruction whereof hath been followed with most fearful and periodical mortalities So that these Telesmes were the Ancient rite of Averruncation That in case a City or Country should be infested with any plague either of disease or noxious creature the Talismans were consulted and desired to erect an Image of the plague under a certain influence of Celestial Configurations And this was the cause why the Philistin Astrologers gave counsel that Golden Images should be made of the Hemorrhoids and Mice that marred the land to give glory to the God of Israel The Astrologers had perceived that God had been pleased with the brazen Serpent which Moses the Talisman so they would account him set up upon a Pole in the Wilderness against the Fiery Serpents which was the first occasion not given but taken of all these Telesmatical practices And the God of Ekron was called Beelzebub a God of Flies not because it was the priviledge of the Jewish Sacrifices above the Heathen that never any Flie was seen in the slaughter-house of the Temple but because the Ekronites being pestered with noysome Flies to avert this Nusance the Astrologers set up the Image of a Flie Telesmatically endued The people finding the benefit of this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made it a God The Israelites themselves did as much to the brazen Serpent Rowland Judicial Astrol condemn'd p. 130. An Astrologer calculated the Nativities of two Twin brethren and told their Parents that they should both be fortunate because he perceived they were born under a Fortunate Planet which proved contrary For these grown men and wanting means betook themselves to Robbing on the High ways who for so doing were both taken committed to Prison the next Assize brought to their Trial convicted condemned and judged to be hanged All this while their fortunes were equal but contrary to the prediction of the Astrologer unfortunate but when they were brought to Execution and ready to be turned off a Reprieve saved the youngest who had his pardon and afterwards became an Honest man The eldest with the loss of his life satisfied the Law Id. p. 186. An Astrologer foretold that one Donello Forobosco a notorious Thief should be hanged Who came something nigh in his prediction for he being a notorious Robber was condemned to be hanged and coming to the Gallows when the Executioner came to put the noose about his neck he flung Ginny Pepper in his Eyes leapt off the Ladder made towards the Sea which was nigh the place of Execution and endeavouring to swim to save himself the Cramp took him and he was unfortunately drowned Rowland Jud. Astr cond p. 186. An Astrologer made a prediction of King Henry the sevenths death that it should happen such a year The King hearing of it sent for him and askt him if he were an Astrologer and could tell Fortunes To whom he answered Yes The King again askt him if he never did forsee by his Art that there was eminent danger that much about that time should hang over his head meaning the Astrologer to whom he answered No. The King replied Thou art a foolish figure-caster for I am more skilful than thou art for as soon as I saw thee I instantly prophesied thou shouldst be in Prison before night which thou shalt find true and sent him thither but he had not been long in custody but the King sent for him again to know if he could cast a Figure to know how long he should be in Prison To whom he still ansâ—ered No. Then the King said Thou art an Illiterate fellow that canst not foretel either good or bad that shall befall thy self therefore I will conclude thou canst not tell of mine and so set him at liberty giving him many disgraceful words Rowland Jud. Astr condemn'd p. 18â— Zonaras declareth that the day in which Julian the Apostate died a certain man lying the night in a solitary place by himself saw a heap of Stars in the Element which he
Antiochus had slain his Uncle Menelaus and given the Priest-hood to Alcimus who was not of the race of the Priests and so transferred this honour into another family fled unto Ptolaemaus King of Egypt where he obtained a place in the Heltopolitan Scignory and in it built a Temple like unto that which was at Jerusalem In the mean time Alcimus the intruder intending to beat down an old wall in the Temple was suddenly stricken lost his speech fell to the ground and after enduring many tormentâ— died miserably having enjoyed the Priest-hood four years Id. 313. 315. 3 2. In Judaea there were three Sects 1. Pharisees who affirm some things not all things directed by Destiny 2. Essenes that affirm all things so governed 3. Sadduces that deny destiny and affirm all things to be governed by mans own dispose Id. p. 329. Tryphon being a private man flattered the people and made shew of moderation and by such allurements drew the Army to make him King But having the Kingdom he shewed his wicked and malicious nature Id. 339. Hircanus opening Davids Monument drew three thousand Talents out of it and destroyed the Temple at Garizim which Samballat by Alexanders permission built in favour to his Son in law Manasses brother to the high Priest Jaddus He heard a voyce in the Temple that signified to him that his two Sons had at that instant vanquisht Antiochus He left the Pharisees who brought in their traditions to be observed and joyned with the Sadduces who allow nothing but what was written raigned honorably thirty one years and was honoured by God with three great gifts of Government Priest-hood and prophecies Id 335. 36. 39. Ptolemy Luthurus obtaining a Victory in Judaea commanded his Soldiers where they quartered to kill men and women and to chop them into pieces to boyl their flesh and eat it that thereby they might be more terrible to their Enemies Id. p. 342. Pompey having taken Jerusalem entered into the Sanctum Sanctorum and although he found a Table of Gold and a sacred Candlestick and other Vessels and odoriferous drugs in great quantity and two thousand Talents of Silver yet he touched nothing thereof through reverence that he bore to God and caused the Temple to be purged and commanded the Sacrifices to be offered according to Law But Crassus dealt otherwise who shortly after took away eight thousand Talents of Gold from the Temple and a Wedge of solid Gold that weighed three hundred pound which was enclosed in a Woodenbeam and none knew of but Eleazar a Priest who gave it him upon his Oath which he falsified to redeem the rest and the ornaments of the Temple Crassus was suddainly after slain in Persia Joseph p. 355. 356. Herod the great was the Son of Antipater in Idumean and was made Governor of Galilee when he was but fifteen years old and being accused before Hircanus he appears with such a train that the Sanhedrim durst not question him but acquitted him He won Cassius favour by money and is made by him Governour of Coelo-Syria and is promised the Kingdom of Judaea marrieth Hircanus grand child Mariamne by his daughter Doris is made Tetrarch by Antonius accused by a hundred Jews to Antonius who were slain for their labour His brothâ—r Phaselus being taken prisoner by Antigonus to avoid his hands dasht his brains out against a Stone Herod goeth to Rome and by Caesar Augustus and Antonius means is by the Senate declared King when he intended to have demanded it for his wives brother Alexander whom he after put to death After his return to Judaea the house wherein he had solemnly feasted immediately after the Guests were gone out fell down doing none any harm His brother Joseph was slain by Antigonus Herod takes Jerusalem and bribes An ony to put Antigonus to death in whom ended the Asmonean Family which had continued in rule one hundred and twenty six years He honoured the Pharisees because when condemned to die by the Counciâ— one Pollio a Pharisee foretold that he should escape and punish them all Herod makes Ananel high priest and afterwards displaceth â—im and puts in Aristobulus in his pâ—ace and afterward causeth him to be drowned and restoreth Ananel and counterfeits great sorrow for his death Alexandra certifieth Cleopatra of it who accuseth him to Antonins â—erod going to clear himself commanded one Ioseph whom he lest his deputy that if he miscarried he should put Mariamne to death Joseph lets Mariamne know this charge which put her into a Sullen that cost Joseph his life presently and afterwards her own Hircanus his wives Grand-father is by Herods command put to death Upon Antonius his defeat he repairs o Caesar acknowledgeth his Friendship and assistance to Antony gives him eight hundred Talents and is approved and confirmed in his government by him Before he went he gave his brother Pheroras the like charge about Mariamne which he likewise discovers to her to the encrease of her discontent and hastening her ruine who was put to death by her husband Herod who immediately after falls little better than mad and desperately sick He putteth his Mother in law Alexandra to death buildeth two Castles in Jerusalem makes money of all his Silver and Gold Vessels and buyeth Corn with it and relieves the poor removeth Jesus from his Priest-hood and placeth Simon in his room builds the Palace in Jerusalem and Caesarea and in it erects a Theater and Amphitheater sendeth his Sons Alexander and Aristobulus to Rome to Caesar buildeth a Temple at Panica and buildeth anew the Temple at Jerusalem during the building of which Temple it is reported that it never rained by day but by night that the work might not be interrupted Herod sailes to Rome brings home his Sons by Mariamne and by Salomes procurement hates them marrieth them accuseth them before Caesar who reconciles them He builds Antipatris and a lofty wall about Jericho and called it after his Mothers name Cyprea and a watch-tower and called it by his brothers name Phaselus as likewise the Temple of Apollo at Rhodes through greediness of honour He was cruel to his own people that he might be liberal to strangers He was always fortunate abroad but most unhappy at home in the intestine differences in his own family In hope of a great purchase he opens Davids Sepulcher but found no money and took thence precious attires and ornaments of Gold and sent two men into the inner part of the Sepulcher where Davids and Solomons bodies lay who were lost fire coming forth and consuming them After which time his house began to decay Antipater his Son practising against Mariamnes Children Caesar is offended at Herod but is again reconciled to him and gives him leave to try his Sons Which he did in a Council at Beritum where they were condemned to die and were strangled at Sebasti Herod had nine wives by a Samaritan he had Archelaus that succeeded him and by Cleopatra a Woman of Jerusalem he
had Herod and Philip the Tetrarchs Herod would have compelled the Pharisees to swear obedience to him who would not but Phaeroras his wife payeth their fine hoping by their means to obtain the Kingdom for her Sons whereupon he cast off his houshold Servants that were of the Pharisees faction and requireth Phaeroras to put away his wife Antipater whom Herod had joyned with him in the government conspires against his Father is accused condemned and cast into Prison who was convinced to have prepared poyson for his Father which being given as a Tryal to a condemned Malefactor presently kill'd him Herod fell sick of a terrible painful burning sickness in his intrails with a Canine appetite an vlcer in his bowels a furious Collick His members rotted and were full of crawling wormes a perpetual Priapisme with an intolerable stench a violent convulsion of his Nerves and shortness of breath Apprehending his death he sent for the Nobles of the Jews upon pain of death to come to him shuâ— them up in the Hippodrome and commanded his Sister Salome and his brother Alenas that at his death the Soldiers should kill them that so he might not die without Lamentation but Salome and Alenas discharged them and sent them home unhurt Six daies before he died he caused his Son Antipater to be slain He raigned after the Romans appointed him King thirty and seven years He died after Christs birth one year and lived sixty and left his Kingdom to Archelaus Joseph Antiq. from p. 370. to 450. When Herod assaulted certain Thieves who had betaken themselves unto their Caves there was an old man amongst them with his wife and seven Sons who being required by them that he would suffer them to go and submit themselves took up the entry of the Cave and as his Sons advanced themselves to issue out he slew them so that having massacred them all and afterwards his wife and cast their dead bodies down the Rock he reviled Herod to his face refused his proffered pardon and threw himself down head-long after them preferring death before servitude Ioseph Antiq. p. 377. At such time as Caesar and Anthony made Trial of their Titles in the Actian Warr and in the seventh year of the raign of King Herod there happened such an earth quake in the Country of Judaea that divers beasts were slain and many men over-whelm'd with the ruine of their Houses and perished to the number of ten thousand Id. 391. At that time viz. when Pontius Pilate was governour was Jesus a Wise-man if it be lawful to call him a man For he was the performer of divers admirable works and the instructor of those who willingly entertain the truth He drew unto him divers Jews and Greeks to be his followers This was Christ who being accused by the Princes of our nation before Pilate was condemned by him to the Cross yet did not those that followed him forbear to love him notwithstanding the ignominy of his death For he appeared unto them alive the third day after according as the Divine prophets had before testified and divers wonderful things were done by him and from that time the race of the Christians who have derived their name from him have never ceased Id. 466. Decius Mundus a Roman Knight profered six thousand pounds to Paulina a beautiful but chaste Lady for one nights free enjoying her but was refused She afterwards by the contrivance of I le the Priest of Isis who pretended to her that their God Anubis desired familiarity with her was prevailed with to take her lodging in the Temple and there entertained Mundus instead of Anubis which he bragging of to her she informes her husband who complained to the Emperor Tiberius of the abuse who hang'd the Priest destroyed the Temple and threw Anubis Statue into Tiber and banished Mundus Id. p. 468. Four Jews dwelling in Rome and expounding the Law had prevailed with Fulvia a noble Lady and wife to Saturnine to become a Proselyte and to send Purple and Gold to the Temple at Jerusalem which they received and converted to their own use This being discovered and complaint made to Tiberius he commanded all the Jews to depart ouâ— of Rome so that Multitudes suffered for the offence of four Joseph Jews Antiq. p. 4 8. Vitellius shewed the Jews great favour came to Jerusalem restored to them the custody of the Priestly Vestments sent Pontius Pilate to Rome and removed Caiaphas from his Priest-hood and advanced Jonathan the Son of Ananus to that dignity Id. p. 463. Philip the Tetrarch Reigned thirty seven years and behaved himself very peaceably he made his ordinary abode within his own Dominions He walked being accompanied with a small number of his chosen servants and had that seat carried after him wherein he was accustomed to sit and do justice And therein sate he to the end that if any one presented himself and required his assistance he might without delay do him right for on the first motion the seat was placed in that path wherein the Plantiff met him and being seated thereon he examined the cause punished the guilty and absolved the innocent Id. p. 471. Herod the second having put away the Daughter of Aretas King of Arabia his lawful wife and taken Herodias who was his Brother Aristobulus Daughter and his Brother Philip's wife Philip yet living was discomfited by Aretas Souldiers and his Army quite overthrown divers of the Jews were of the opinion that God justly punish'd him for the death of John the Baptist whom Josephus commends for his vertue and ascribes his death to Herods fear lest his Subjects being allured by his Doctrines and perswasions should be drawn to revolt Id. p. 471. Herod's progeny is related by Josephus that we may know that neither the number of Children nor any other humane force can be available without the fear of God considering that within the space of one hundred years all Herods Line which was very numerous was extinguisht a very few excepted Joseph p. 471. Agrippa the Great the Son of Aristobulus who was Herods Son by Mariamne married Cypros the Daughter of Salamso the Daughter of Mariamne by Herod which Salamso was the wife of Phaseolus the Son of Phaseolus Herod's Brother Agrippa had by his wife Cypros three Daughter Bernice Mariamne and Drusilla and two Sons Drasis that died young and Agrippa so that Agrippa the Great and his wife were both the Grandchildren of Herod the Great Id p. 471. Agrippa the Great riding with Cajus Caligula wisht the death of Tiberius his Uncle and Cajus his Succession and was complained of by his Coachman to Tiberius who kept him six months in chains in Prison he was told by a German conjecturing from the sight of an Owl which sat over his head of his future prosperity and death within five days he should again see that Bird. When Cajus came to the Empire he released him from Prison and created him King of Judaea and had the Tetrarchy of
to death because he had escaped his Enemies but cashiered him as unworthy to be a Roman Soldier who had suffered himself to be taken Id. p. 741. There were ninety seven thousand Jews taken prisoners and eleven hundred thousand perished in the siege and destruction of Jerusalem which had been five times since it came into Davids hand spoiled before and then was utterly ruined Id. p. 744. Between Arias and Raphanias two Cities in the Kingdom of Agrippa in Syria there runs a River that is called Sabbaticus because that when it floweth it is full of Water and runneth with a swift stream yet having flowed six daies on the seventh day it is so dry that you may see the bottom Id. p. 749. The Castle of Massada being built by Herod the great was a most impregnable Fort and furnished with provision for many years having VVine and Oyl and Dates that had continued good and sweet for one hundred years having within it nine thousand and sixty men besides vvomen and Children vvas besieged and so distressed by the Romans that they had no hope of escape and therefore by an unanimous consent there vvere chosen ten men vvho should kill all the rest vvho having dispatched them they cast Lots vvhose turn it should be to dispach his surviving fellovvs The man on vvhom the Loâ— fell having killed them fired the palace and killed himself Only tvvo vvomen and five Children that hid themselves in a vault escaped and gave the Romans an account of vvhat had happened Joseph p. 761. All Writings among the Greeks are modern there being no writer among them before Homer vvho did not write himself but left his verses to be sung by rote vvhence there comes to be so many contradictions in them But the Egyptians Chaldaeans and Phaenicians are truly venerable Yea so ignorant vvere the Greeks of strange affairs that Ephorus a chief writer among them concludes the Spaniards to be inhabitants only of one City Id. 765. 768. The lake of Gennesaret is thirty furlongs broad and an hundred long the vvater sweet and good and very cold the River Jordan passing through the midst of it and ends in Asphaltites vvhich water is salt and steril in vvhich vvhat 's vveighty swimâ— It is five hundred and eighty furlongs long and one hundred and fifty broad full of Bâ—tumen In it stood Sodom and by the banks fruits grow which to the eye seem as other fruit but if you handle them they fall into ashes â—nd smoak Id. p. 689. Appion gives this Ridiculous reason from â—hâ—nce he saith the name of Sabbath was derived for saith he When the Israelites had â—ravailed for the space of six daies there grew certain inflammations in their groins by reason whereof they rested on the seventh day being â—â—fely arrived in Judaea they call the seventh â—ay Sabbath because the Aegyptians call Sabaâ—osis an Vlcer that groweth about the groin Joseph against Appion p. 783. When Appion charged the â—ews that they placed an Asses head in their Temple and worshipped it most religiously Josephus replies That were that true which he reporteth yet an Aegyptian as Appion was should not have spoken against them for it seeing an Ass his head is of no less worth than a Goat and other brute beasts which they honour for Gods Id p. â—8â— Moses was the Antientest Law-maker long before Lycurgus Solon or Saleucus and the Greeks confess that in time past they wanted the name of Law This Homer can wiâ—ness who in all his works never nameth this word Law for the people of those times were not governed by Laws but by Indefinite sentences and the Princes pleasure using customes but not written and altering and changing them as occasion served Id. p. 791. Divine Plato a man of most vertuous life yet is almost continually scoft at by his Country-men and brought in as a Vice in a Comedy Of which I suppose this may be one Reason That Plato knowing that Players and Poets brought in the multitude of Gods affirmeth that Poets are not to be admitted in a Common-wealth and sendeth Homer away lest by his â—ables he should destroy and deprave the true opinion of God p. 796. Josephus affirmeth the Jews to have been always jealous and wary against any innovation in their Laws of Religions which as warrantably done by them he justifies by the instance of others Plato commandeth his Citizens not to admit any strangers or forraign custome into their City and the Athenians most severely punisht any that should speak the least word against their Gods and Socrates was put to death for sâ—earing by a strange Oath which he said a Daemon taught him His accusers alledging that he corrupted young men and contemned the Laws and Religion of his Country And they put to death Anaxagoras for saying the Sun which they worshipped was a Fiery stone and would have given a Talent to have Diagoras kill'd who derided their mysteries And the Scythians slew Anacharsis for attributing too much to the Grecian Gods p. 797. Apollonius Captain of Syria coming to Jerusalem with an Army and entring the Temple with a design to rob the Treasury there appeared certain Angels on Horse-back with weapons in their hands and shining with firy flames which so daunted the Heathen that he fell down astonished and on his recovery acknowledged his sin and craved the Prayers of the Hebrews for his restoring which was by Oneas the high Priest readily granted whereby his life was preserved p. 802. Thomas Becket born in London the first Englishman since the Conquest that was Arch-Bishop vvas brought up in the Vniversity of Oxford Paris and Bononia perferr'd by Theobald to be Arch-Deacon of Canterbury and by him so effectually commended to King Henry the second that he first made him Chancellor of England for four years at what time he lived like a Courtier not like a Clergyman The Arch-Bishop dying the King prefers him to be Arch Bishop by the choice of the whole Convocation of the Clergy no man gainsaying save Gilbert Foliot Bishop of London he was consecrated on Whitsunday 1 6â— being not fully forty years of age he immeâ—iately alters his course of life became grave and austere and in outward shew devout resigns the Chancellor ship and told the King he could not serve the Court and the Church He was a vigorous challenger of the Land belonging to his See and a most strenuous defender of the privileges of the Clergy in opposition to the Customs of England set down by Henry the Kings Grandfather To which notwithstanding he and the rest of the Bishops met at Clarendon sware observation but disliking what he had done the Arch-Bishop procured the Pope to absolve them of this Oath but fearing the Kings displeasure he endeavored to escape beyond Sea but was taken carried prisoner to Northampton trâ—ed for Treason appealed to the Pope yet sentenced by his own suffragan Bishops but the night after makes an escape gets to the Pope who placed him in
hundred and nineteen one Bernard Calvert of Andover rode from St. Georges Church in Southwark to Dover from thence passed by Barge to Calice in France and from thence returned back to St. Georges Church in the same day setting out about three of the Clock in the morning and returned about eight of the Clock in the evening fresh and lusty Sr. R. Baker p. 605. Sr. Francis Michel a chief assistant to Sr. George Montpesson was degraded and made to ride with his face to the Horse Tayl through the City of London in the year one thousand six hundred twenty and one Id. p. 605. When King Charles the first went into Spain Gondamer lying here Embassador received three hundred pounds of one Lady to be Groom of the Stool when the Princess should come and of another a round sum to be Mother of the Maids and of divers others the like for other places p. 605. George Abbot Arch-Bishop of Canterbury shooting at a Deer the Arrow glancing kill'd a man Id. 615. In the fifth year of Queen Mary within a mile of Notingham so great a Thunder happened that it beat down all the Houses and Churches thereabouts many were hurt and five or six men were slain and yet their flesh and skin not perished and Hail-stones fell fifteen inches about Id. p. 466. In the second year of the Raign of King James a strange Accident hapned to the terror of all Murderers which was this One Anne VVaters enticed by a lover of hers consented to have her Husband strangled whom they buried secretly under a Dunghil in the Cow-House whereupon the man being mist by his Neighbours and his wife making shew of wondering what was become of him it pleased God that â—ne of the Inhabitants of the Town Dreamed â—hat his Neighbour Waters was strangled and â—uried under the Dunghil in the Cow-House and upon declaring of his Dream search being made the dead body was found The wife was apprehended confessed the Fact and was burned Id. p. 614. In the year one thousand six hundred and thirteen on the seventeenth of April in the Parish of Standish in Lancaster a Maiden Child was born having four Legs four Arms two Bellies joyned to one Back one Head with two Faces the one before the other behind like the Picture of Janus Sr. R. Baker p. 615. In the year one thousand six hundred and thirteen on the twenty sixt day of June in the Parish of Christs Church in Hamptshire one John Hitckil a Carpenter lying in bed with his wife and a young child was himself and his child both burned to death with a sudden Lightning no fire appearing outwardly upon him and yet lay burning for the space almost of three days till he was quite consumed to ashes p. 615. In the year one thousand six hundred and seven the Sea broke into Somersetshire and Glocestershire and drowned eighty Persons and did twenty thousand pounds worth of hurt at which stoud Hares Foxes Dogs and other several Beasts of several kinds and natures getting up to the top of the Hills in the midst of the waters were peaceable together p. 611. The twenty seventh day of May one thousand five hundred eighty two a rich Merchants Daughter of Antwerp came to a most fearful and lamentable End she being invited to a wedding and inending to shew her self in her greatest gallantry sent for two Landresses to dress her Ruffs then greatly in Fashion who bringing them home as well drest as possibly they could yet not to the satisfaction of her foolish curiosity she in great rage began to swear curse and ban and t rowing the Ruffs on the ground wished the Devil might take her when she wore any of them again In which time by Gods permission the Devil in the shape of a Gallant Suitor came to her and questioning the cause of her rage she told him how she was abused in setting her Ruffs He undertook to please her drest them who liking them put them on and looking in the Glass was very well pleased but while she was so doing the Divel kist her and writhing her neck kill'd her Great preparations were made for her Burial and when four men went to move the Coffin they could not then six tried but could not they opened the Coffin and instead of the body which was gone there was seen sitting therein a black Cat very lean and deformed setting of great Ruffs and frizling of Hair to the great fear and wonder of all the beholders and inâ—tance of Goâ—s displeasure against Pride and fantastical Curiosity Peter Stubs Anatomy of Abuses p. 44. The eighth day of February one thousand five hundred seventy eight eight Citizens of Swaben whose names were Adam Giebens George Kepel c. being the Lords day would needs go to a Tavern and so came to the house of one Anthony Hage a pious person early in the morning and called for store of all sorts of Wine The Host told them they should have none till Divine Service were past and counselled them to go to Church But they all except Adam Giebens told him they loathed that exercise And when the good Host would give them none and commanded his Servants they should not he went to Sermon They fell to Swearing and Cursing and wishing the Divel should break their necks if they went thence till they had Wine straightway the Divel in the shape of a young man appeared bringing in his hand a Flagon of Wine and demanding why they caroused not and drank to them saying Good Fellows be merry ye shall have Wine enough for you seem lusty lads and I hope you will pay me well who inconsiderately answered they would pay him or else they would gage their necks yea their bodies and Souls Thus they continued swilling till they could hardly see one another At last the Divel their Host told them they must pay the Shot whereat their hearts waxed cold But the Divel comforting them said Be of good Cheer for now you must drink boyling Lead Pitch and Brimstone with me in the pit of Hell for evermore Hereupon he made their Eyes like Flames of Fire and as broad as Saucers Then began they to call for mercy but it was too late and e're they could speak again the Divel prevented them brake their necks and threw horrible Flames of Fire out of their meâ—â—â—â— Thus all these except Adam Giebens who counselled them to hear the Sermon and gave an account of the whole passage miserably perished and are thus recorded as a terrible instance of Gods severe displeasure against prophane drunkards Stubs Anatomy p. 78. The fourth day of July one thousand five hundred and eighty two drunken Varlets called at an Inn and sate swilling so long in the Town of Nakershofew in Almain till they were as drunk as Swâ—aes Then one of them pouring forth Wine carowsed to his Fellow the other pledging him asked to whom he should drink quoth this Varlet drink to God This done he
could be done there but what was the Will of the heavenly Father and suddainly drawing one his Sword cut off his Brothers head which done while the company astonished were lamenting he ran forth into the street and cried The day of the Lord is at hand and that great things were done that Morning and the will of the heavenly Father was done The fact being divulged he was apprehended condemned and therefore justly executed Id. p. 124. A certain aged Inn keeper of a considerable estate who had only one child and that a daughter entertained a stranger into his service who was poor but industrious and having obtained the good VVill of his Masters daughter but being poor though otherwise respected by his Master could not gain her Fathers consent The Host wife and daughter going to the Baths left the administration of his House to him It happened the first night to come a Merchant whom he kill'd buried in the Stable sold his Horse and cloths and took all he had no one living besides himself conscious to it The Master returning found all things to his good content Not long after he shews his Master a Letter which he pretended was sent from his Friends which acquainted him that his Father was dead and they had sent him eighty Crowns to furnish him with Horse and other things for his Journey to look after what estate was left him He dâ—sired leave to go and tell his Master that he would not buy a Horse nor carry so much money with him but left it with his Master and said he would rather live in that City than any where else He goes returns and feigning things concerning what was left him he puts the rest of his stollen money into his Masters hands who hereby was perswaded to graâ—ifie his daughters desire and gave way for her to marry him and his Father in Law dying enjoyed all his goods and living in good repute for many years and arrived to the chiefest Magistracy in that City but being perpetually tormented with the terror of his own conscience being one day sitting amongst his brethren the Magistrates in judgement on a Murderer he having given his Sentence to the Condemnation of him he arose acquainted them with his Murder and Theft and desired the same Sentence to be passed against him They supposed him distempered with Melancholy but he replied That though they judged him innocent and as to other gross offences he was faultless yet of this he was guilty and if they would send they should find the bâ—nes of the Merchant in the Stable They sent found him so and condemned him who went most willingly to his Execution where with the other he was beheaded Otho Meland p. 128. A Silesian Noble man having inviâ—ed guests and the hour of Dinner come his provisions ready his Guests excused themselves at which being provoked to passion he brake forth into these Words Let all the Divels come if no man will This spoken he went to Church and heard the Preachers Sermon But being there behold the Guests he wisht for came in monstrous and strange shapes on Horse-back and bid a Servant of the Noble mans go tell his Master that his guests were come The Servant full of consternation goes to the Church acquaints his Master who consults the Minister and by his advice all his Family went forth of the House and forgot a Childe lying in the Cradle which they brought not with them The Divels began to keep revel-rout to look out of the VVindows in the shapes of Bears and VVolves of cats and men to hold forth the Cups of VVine and dishes of meats These when the neighbours and Minister and others saw Oh said the Father where is my poor infant Immediately one of the Divels took up the Childe in his Armes brought him to the VVindow and shewed it to them The amazed Noble man being sollicitous for the Child had a Servant that feared God whom he askt what he should doe the good Servant replied I will commit my life into Gods hand and in the name of God go in and by his help bring forth the child His Master bad him go and God go with thee and help thee and confirm thy courage The Minister and people praying to him the Servant went in and coming before the Chamber in which the Devils were he fell upon his knees and commended himself to God and opened the door and saw the Devils in horrible shapes sitting standing walking creeping and all running towards him cryed out Ho ho fellow what dost thou here He notwithstanding being encouraged by Divine assistance thus bespake the Devil that had the Child in his Armes Deliver me the Child To whom he answered No by no means the Child is mine bid thy Master come and fetch it himself To whom the Servant said I discharge the duty of my place in which God hath set me and know that what I do in my office will be acceptable to God And therefore by vertue of my office and by the help and in the name and power of Jesus Christ I take from thee this Infant and restore it to his Father and so took the Child and carried it from him They answered nothing but crying our Oh Knave Oh Knave leave the Child or we will tear thee in pieces he not regarding their threats came away and brought the Child safe to his Father The Devils after a few dayes disappeared and the whole family returned quietly into the House Otho Mel. p. 129. ex Sel. in Genesin When Tecelius came into Mesnia with the Popes Indulgences preaching in the Morning he promised his Auditors that in the afternoon he would shew them a most excellent and rare Relique to wiâ— a Quill of the Angel Michaels Wing which the Devil in the contest with him mentioned Rev. 12. pulled out The School-master of the place hearing this Impudent lye and dining with Tecelius at the Ministers House who having laid his case in which his Quill was in the VVindow the School-master took it out privily and filled the case with Coles Tecelius returning to Preach and magnificently speaking of his relique when he opened the case found the Quill gone and Coles in the Room The Devil helpt him at this loss to invent this lye Friends saith he I promised you to shew the Quill of St. Michaels wing but have mistaken the case and instead thereof have brought that in which are some of the Coles with which that glorious and blessed Martyr Saint Lawrence was broiled to death on a Gridiron Otho Melander Joca seria p. 184. About one hundred and thirty years since tâ—ere was in Hatzfeld in Hassia a bold and daring Taylor that having kill'd a Priest was excommunicated and forced to flee his Country he going to Rome for absolution from the Pope feigned that he had kill'd two and paying the price obtained the Popes letters of pardon for the murdering two Priests Returning with these home he made his