followers and by his meaner servants he was dispoiled of Armour Vessels Apparel and all Princely furniture and his naked body left upon the floore his Funeral wholly neglected till one Harluins a poore countrey Knight undertook the carriage of his Corps to Caen in Normandy to Saint Stevens Church which this dead King had formerly founded At his entrance into Caen the Covent of Monks came forth to meet him but at the same instant there happened a great fire so that as his Corps before so now his Hearse was of all men forsaken every one running to quench the fire which done his body being at last carried to the Church and the Funeral Sermon ended and the stone Coffin set into the earth in the Chancel as the body was ready to be laid therein one Ascelinus Fitz-Arthur stood up and forbâ—de the burial alleadging that that very place was the floore of his fathers house which this dead Duke violently took from him to build this Church upon Therefore saith he I challenge this ground and in the Name of God forbid that the body of this dispoiler be covered in my earth so that they were enforced to compound with him for one hundred pounds But when the body came to be laid in the Tombe it proved too little for it so that being pressed the belly not bowelled brake and with an intolerable stench so annoyed the by-standers that all their Gums and spices â—uming in their Censers could not relieve them whereupon all with great amazement hasting away left the Monks only to shuffle up the burial which they did in haste and so gat them to their Cells Speeds Chron. William Rufus King of England as he was hunting in the new Forrest was by the glance of an arrow against a tree shot in the breast he hastily taking hold of so much of the arrow as stuck out of his body brake it off and with one only groane fell down and died whereupon most of his followers hasted away and those few which remained laid his body basely into a Colliers cart which being drawn with one silly lean beast in a very foul and filthy way the cart brake where lay the spectacle of wordly glory both pitifully goared and filthily bemired till being conveyed to Winchester he was buried under a plain Marble-stone Sp. Chron. page 449. Pithias pined away for lack of bread who formerly was able to entertain and feast Xerxes and his whole Army Bajazet the Great Turke being overcome and taken prisoner by Tamerlane was carried about in an Iron Cage and fed with scraps from Tamerlanes Table Sir Edward de Sancto Mauro commonly Seimor being advanced by King Edward the sixth was most powerfull honourable and loaden with titles being Duke of Summerset Earle of Hartford Vicount Beauchamp Baron Seimor Uncle to the King Governour of the King Protector of his Realmes Dominions and Subjects Leiutenant of all his Forces by Land and Sea Lord High Treasurer and Marshal of England Captaine of the Isles of Garnsey and Jarsey c. Yet this great man was suddenly overwhelmed and for a small crime and that upon a nice point subtilly devised and packed by his enemies was bereaved both of his dignities and life also Camb. Brit. p. 240. Henry Holland Duke of Exeter and Earle of Huntington who married the sister of King Edward the fourth was driven to such want that Philip Comines saith that he saw him runne on foot bare-legged after the Duke of Burgundies traine begging his bread for Gods sake concealing himselfe but afterwards being known what he was Burgundy gave him a small pension to maintaine his estate The Duke of Buckingham who had been a chief instrument of advancing Richard the third to the Crown and the chiefest man of power in the Kingdome falling into the displeasure of the King and forced to hide himselfe at a servants house of his called Humphrey Banister was betrayed by him and apprehended disguised like a poor countrey-man and digging in a grove near to Banisters house and being carried to Salisbury where the King was without arraignment or judgement there lost his head Speed Chron. page 927. Queen Elizabeth in the life of her sister Mary being kept prisoner at Woodstock chanced to see a maid milking of Kine in the Parke and singing merrily over her paile which struck this pensive prisoner into a deep meditation preferring the maides fortunes farre above her own heartily wishing that her selfe were a Milk-maide Sp. Chron. p. 1120. Vanity of vanities saith the Preacher vanity of vanities all is vanitie Eccles. 1. 2. CHAP. LIII Examples of Gratitude Tanksgiving WHat we are to give thanks to God for For deliverances 2 Sam. 22. 50. 1 Chron. 16. 35. Ps. 35. 17 18. 18. 49. 30. 4 11 12. 105. 1 5. 106. 1. 107. 1. For willingnesse to do good 1 Chron. 29. 13 14. For wisdome Dan. 2. 23. For Gods grace to others Rom. 1. 8. 16. 4. 1 Cor. 1. 4. Phil. 1. 3 5. Eph. 1. 16. For deliverance from sinne Rom. 7. 25. 1 Cor. 15. 57. For the free passage of the Gospel 1 Thes. 2. 13. for being made able Ministers 1 Tim. 1. 12. For Christ. Luk. 2. 38. For health Luk. 17. 16. For food Acts 27. 35. For Gods Ministers deliverances 2 Cor. 1. 11. For blessing upon the Ministery 2 Cor. 2. 14. For Gods grace on others 2 Cor. 9. 15. For fitting us for Heaven Col. 1. 12. For all things Eph. 5. 20. 1 Thes. 5. 18. As all good comes from him Jam. 1. 17. So all praise is due to him Thanks also is due to men for kindnesse received by remembring it publishing it and remunerating it Scriptural Examples of thankfulnesse to God The Priests Ezra 3. 11. Moses Exod 15. Hannah 1 Sam. 2. 1 c. David 2 Sam. 22. Psal. 69. 30. 116. 17. Mary Luke 1. 46. Zachary Luke 1. 68. The Sheepherds Luke 2. 20. Simeon Luke 2. 28. The Leper Luke 17. 16. Paul Acts 27. 35. 1 Cor. 15. 57 2 Cor. 2. 14. Of thankfulnesse to man Ahashuerus to Mordicai Est. 6. 3. David to Abigail by marrying her for her good advice 1 Sam. 25. King of Sodom by proffering Abraham all the goods taken Gen. 14. Naaman to Elisha by proffering a reward for his clensing 2 Kin. 5. 15. One siphorus by Ministering unto Paul 2 Tim. 1. 16 17. Gaoler to Paul and Barnabas Acts 16. 33. and Lydia Acts 16. 15. Pharaoh by advancing Joseph Gen. 41. 39 c. and Paul by praying for him 2 Tim. 1. 16 17. Other Examples Darius Hystaspis whilst he was a Captaine under Cambyses seeing one Siloson to have a very curious vesture desired to buy it of him but Siloson told him that he was resolved not to sell but yet he would freely give it him afterwards Darius being King Siloson came to salute him and Danius remembring his former kindenesse entertained him curteously and told him that in consideration of that garment he would give him
came the Owle as before still looking steadfastly upon the Pope whereupon he was more ashamed saying that he could no longer abide the sight of her and commanded her to be driven away with bats and shoutings but by no means could she be removed till with the blowes of the sticks thrown at her at length she fell down dead amongst them Then shall that wicked one be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightnesse of his coming 2 Thes. 2. 8. Non male sunt Monachis grata indita nomina Patrum Cùm numerent natos hic ubique suos CHAP. VI. Examples of most inhumane cruelties THe corrupt nature of man since the fall of Adam containeth in it the seed and spawn of all manner of impieties so that if the Lord do but let loose the reines of his restraining spirit and leave man to himself there is not the most abhorred villainy that was ever perpetrated by any damned reprobate but he is prone to fall into the same yea to rush on into sinne as the horse into the battel whence it is that Solomon long since told us that The tender mercies of the wicked are cruelty as will most manifestly appear by these ensuing Examples Bellisarius a worthy and famous Captaine under the Emperour Justinian having by Gods assistance with great successe fought many battels against the Persians Goths and Vandals in his old age by the malice and cruelty of the Emperesse who was a favourer of Eutyches the Heretick had his eyes put out and fell into such want that he was forced to begge by the high-wayes Date obolum Bellisario For Gods sake give an halfe peny to Bellisarius See Justinians Life in my second Part. William Prince of Nassaw a pious and prudent Prince was most cruelly and traiterously murthered in his lodging at the end of dinner by Baltazar Gerrard a papist being hired thereunto by the Prince of Parmas Counsel He was shot from the left side to the right through the stomack and the vital parts saying onely O my God take pity on my soul I am sore wounded take pitty upon my soul and of this poor people and so he died Hist. of the Netherl In a town of Italy called Montallo many godly Christians being secretly met together to hear the Word of God were most inhumanely butchered by the appointment of Pope Pius the fourth being one after another drawn out of the house and their throats cut with a knife yet not one of all that number for fear of death would forsake the true faith of Christ Act. Mon. In Deventer one Henry Achtrevelt a Papist cruelly murthered Master Schorickmans a godly Minister in that Towne after his Sermon thrusting him into the â—eck with a two-edged knife cleane through the throat whereof he immediately died The murtherer professed that he did it in zeal to the Catholique religion which the said Minister used to preach against Hist of the Netherl Abundance of French inhabiting in the Island of Sicily being hated by the natives upon a signe given by the ringing of a bell were all in one hour murthered yea it â—as performed with such cruelty that they ript up their own Countrey-women that were with childe by the French to the end that no French blood should remaine amongst them Simps Hence grew the Proverb Sicuâ—â— vesperae The Duke de Alva was of that cruel and bloody disposition that he counted it no paine for men to die except they died in extreme paine witnesse Anthony 〈◊〉 whom he caused to be tyed to a stake with a chaine 〈◊〉 â—russels compassing him about with a great fire but not touching him turning him round about like a poor beast who was forced to live in that great torment and extremity roasting before the fire so long untill the Halbâ—rdiers themselves having compassion on him thrust him through with their halberds contrary to the minde both of the Duke and the Popish Priests â—rimst Hist Netherl p. 4â—1 Also when the City of Harlem surrendred themselves to him upon conditions to have their lives he suffered some of the souldiers and Burgers to be starved to death saying that though he promised to give them their lives yet he did not promise to finde them meat Eodem A Vice-admirall to the Arch Duke having taken 15. or 16. fishing ships of Holland and Zealand nailed all the Mariners and Fishermen under Hatches and then making holes in the keel of the Ships drowned them all like Mice in a trap Hist. of the Netherl In the warres against the Albingenses the Popish Army having taken the great and populous Citie of Beziers put to the sword above sixty thousand persons amongst whom were many of their own Catholicks Arnoldus the Popes Legate being present who commanded the Captaines Souldiers saying Caedite eos omnes novit enim Deus qui sunt ejus Kill them all Catholicks or Hereticks for the Lord knoweth who are his Act. and Mon. Simon Earle of Montfort having surprised a Castle of the Albingenses most inhumanely caused the eyes of above an hundred of them to be put out and their noses to be cut off and left onely one man with one eye to conduct them all to another place Act. and Mon. The Duke de Alva being sent with a great Army by the King of Spaine into the Netherlands to root out the Prosessors of the Gospel there exercised most unparallel'd cruelty against all sorts of persons both of the Nobilitie and Commons permitting his Souldiers to ravish honest Matrons and Virgins yea oftentimes compelling their husbands to stand by and behold the same This Duke on a time boasted at his owne table that he had been diligent to root out heresie for that besides those which were slaine in war and secret Massacres he had put into the hand of the hangman eighteen thousand in the space of six yeares Hist. of the Netherl St. Jerome reports that when he was a very youth while Julian as it seems was Emperour he saw in Gaul the Atticots a Brittish Nation feed on mans flesh who when they found in the Forrests herds of Swine flocks of neat and other Cattell were wont to cut off the buttocks of the herd-men and keepers the Duggs also and paps of women accounting the same the onely dainties in the world Camb. Brit. p. 127. Aelfrich to make way for her own son Etheldred to the Crown of England when Edward her son in Law then King came to visit her in Corf-Castle from his disport or hunting set some villaines and hacksters to murder him and like a most wicked and cruell step-dame fed her eyes with beholding his blood Camb. Brit. p. 211. Machanides a Tyrant of Lacedaemon made an Image 〈…〉 Engine rather like unto his wife Apega apparelled in such like attire also His manner was to call unto him rich men demanding great sums of money of them which if by faire meanes he could not obtaine
good meat Others fed upon old leather and some women boiled their own children and did eat them Many thinking to save their lives by flying to the Romans were slit in pieces to search for gold and Jewels in their guts two thousand dyed thus miserably in one night 97000 were taken prisoners at the taking of the City by Titus eleven hundred thousand were slain As for the prisoners some of them were carried to Rome in triumph Others were slain in sundry places at the Conquerers will Some were torn in pieces and devoured by wild beasts Others were compelled to march in Troops against their fellowes and to kill one another to make the spectators sport The reliques of these wretched people were dispersed into all Nations under heaven having no Magistrates of their own to protect them but were and still are altogether at the will and discretion of the Lords of those Countries where they sojourn so that no Nation in the world is so vile and contemptible as the Jewes In the time of Julian the Apostate he gave leave to the Jewes to re-build the Temple at Jerusalem but so soon as they had laid the foundations thereof all was overthrown by an earthquake many thousands of them being overwhelmed with the mines and those which were left were slain and scattered by a tempest and thunder The Jewes at Imnester near Antioch celebrating their accustomed Playes and Feasts in the middest of their jollity according to their custome they reviled Christ and in contempt to him gat a Christian's child and hung him upon a Crosse and after many mocks and taunts whipt him to death So also they served a boy called Simeon Anno Christi 1476. And another in Fretulium five years after At another time they took a Carpenters sonne in Hungary in contempt of Christ whom they called the son of a Carpenter and cutting all his veines sucked out all his blood with quills And being apprehended and tortured they confessed that they had done the like at Thirna four years before and that they could not be without Christian blood for that therewith they anointed their Priests But at all these times their wickednesse being discovered they suffered just punishment by hanging burning or some other cruel death Anno Christi 1492. one Eleazar a Jew bought the holy Host of a Popish Priest and most despightfully thrust it through with his knife for which he was burned and the like have others of them done at several times Fincel Anno Christi 1407. a Jew stole the picture of Christ out of a Church and chrust it in contempt many times thorow with his sword out of which when blood miraculously issued the caitiffe would have burned it but being taken in the manner by some Christians they stoned him to death Gasp. AEdio l. 3. c. 6. The Jewes whilest they were suffered to live here in England used every year to steal some Christian's child and on Good-Priday to crucifie him in despite of Christ and the Christian Religion Thus they served a child at Lincoln Anno Christi 1255. under the Reign of King Henry the third And another at Norwich having first circumcised him and kept him a whole year For which being apprehended thirty two of them were put to death at Lincoln and twenty at Norwich Others of them being besieged at York when they could hold out no longer cut their own throats whereby fifteen hundred of them perished at that time At Northhampton many of them were burnt for attempting to set the City on fire with wildfire And at last for their many wicked practices they were utterly banished the Kingdome of England by King Edward the first Anno Christi 1291. for which the Commons gave the King a Fifteenth Judea hath now onely some few parcels of rich ground found in it that men may guesse the goodnesse of the cloth by the finenesse of the shreads wherein the Word of God is fulfilled Psal. 107. 34. He turneth a fruitful Land into barrennesse for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein In the Reign of Adrianus the Emperour he sent Severus his General against the Jewes who by reason of their multitudes would not try it out in a set battel but proceeding more warily and taking his opportunitie he by degrees took fifty of their fortified Castles rased nine hundred and fourscore of their best Townes and slew five hundred and eighty thousand of their men besides innumerable multitudes which perished by famine sicknesse and fire so that almost all Judaea was left destitute and Adrian by an Edict prohibited the Jewes from coming neer to Hierusalem or once from any high place to look towards the same or the Region adjoyning Dion Salmanticensis saith that there was a decree made at Rome that no Jew should ever enter Cyprus the place where their rebellion began and that Adrian destroyed twice as many Jewes as Moses brought out of Egypt He rased Hierusalem and not far from it built another City the now Hierusalem and called it after his own name AElia And over the gate of this City he placed the Statues of swine which were faithful Porters to prohibit the superstitious Iewes from entrance This was about the year 135. St. Hierom tells us that in his time on that day wherein Hierusalem was taken by the Romans you may see decrepit women and old ragged men and many wretched people but pitied of none with blubbered cheeks black armes dishevelled hair howling and lamenting for the ruines of their Sanctuary in their bodies and habits bearing and wearing â—he sad characters of Divine vengeance of whom the Souldiers also exact their fee for liberty of further weeping so that they which formerly sold the blood of Christ are now fain to buy their own teares In the Reign of Trajan Adrian's predecessour the Jewes rebelled in Egypt and Cyrene where they slew many Greeks and Romans did eat their flesh girt themselves with their guts imbrewed themselves with their blood and clothed themselves with their skins many they sawed in sunder from the Crown downwards many they cast to the Beasts c. Hereupon Trajan sent against them Martius Turbo who destroved many thousands of them and fearing lest the Jewes in Mesopotamia should break out into the like outrages he commanded Lucius Quietus to destroy them utterly who so diligently executed his will that the Emperour to recompence his service made him President of Judea Dion In Creet there arose amongst them a false Prophet that affirmed himself to be Moses that led the Israelites through the Red-sea telling them that he was come to lead them through the Sea into the holy Land Thus for a whole year he went from City to City amongst them perswading them to leave their riches to any that would take them and to follow him and at a day appointed he went before them to a Promontorie of the Sea and there bidsthem leap in which many doing perished in the waves and more would have done but that some
second having raised a great Army against the French as he was going out of Rome with it he took his keys and threw them into the River Tibur saying That for as much as the keys of Saint Peter would not serve him to his purpose he would be take himselfe to the sword of Saint Paul Of which Pope it is observed that partly by warre partly by cursings he was the cause of the death of two hundred thousand Christians in the space of seven yeares Act. Mon. Pope Nicolas the first prohibited marriage to the Clergy saying That it was more honest to have to do with many women privately then openly to take one wife Insomuch that a Priest of Placâ—ntia being accused to have a wife and children was deprived of his benefice but proving the same woman to be wife to another man and but his Concubine he was restored againe Iohn the twenty fourth was accused before the Councel of Constance for heresie Simony murther poisonings cousenings Adulteries and Sodomy which being proved against him he was deposed and imprisoned whereupon through vexation and griefe he ended his wretched life A certain Cardinal in Rome much blamed a Painter for colouring the visages of Peter Paul too red to whom he tartly replied That he painted them so as blushing at the lives of those who stiled themselves their successors Pope Honorius the second sent one Iohn Cremensis his Legate into England to disswade the Clergy from marriage who having called a Convocation the Legate made a very accurate speech in the praise of a single life and how fit it was that Ministers should live sequestred from the cares of the world but the night following he himselfe was taken in the very act of adultery Mat. Paris Pope Iulius called for his Pork flesh which was forbidden him by his Physicians and said that he would have it Al despito de Dio in dispite of God And having appointed a cold Peacock to be reserved for him when he missed it the next meale he grew into a great rage and being requested not to be so angry for such a trifle he answered That if God was so angry for an Apple why might not he be as angry for his Peacock Act. Mon. Doctor Cranmer with the Earle of Wiltshire and some others being sent by King Henry the eighth to the Pope about his divorce from Queen Katherin when the day of hearing was come and the Pope sitting in his Pontificalibus put forth his foot to be kissed of the Ambassadors an unmannerly Spaniell of the Earles ran and caught his great Toe in his teeth so that the Ambassadors disdaining to kisse where the Dog had taken an assay let the Pope draw back his foot and so they lost the espicial favour offered unto them Speed Chron. 10. 12. Pope Paul the third when his sonne Farnesis had committed an unspeakable violence on the body of Cosmus Chaerius Bishop of Fanum and then poisoned him held himselfe sufficiently excused that he could say Haec vitia me non commonstratore didicit He never learned this of me Pope Pius Quintus spake thus of himselfe Cùm essem Religiosus sperabam bene de salute animae meae Cardinalis factus extimui Pontifex creatus penè despero When I was first in orders without any other Ecclesiastical dignity I had some good hope of my salvation when I became a Cardinal I had lesse since I was made a Pope least of all Corn. è Lapi Before the Pope is set in his chair and puts on his tripple Crown a piece of Towe or Wadd of straw is set on fire before him and one is appointed to say Sic transit gloria munda The glory of the world is but a blaze Also one day in the yeare the Popes Almoner rides before him casting abroad to the poor some pieces of brasse and lead profanely abusing that Scripture saying Silver and Gold have I none but such as I have I give unto you Pope Adrian the sixth having built a faire Colledge at Lovain caused this inscription to be written upon the gates thereof in letters of Gold Trajectum plantavit Lovanium rigavit Caesar dedit incrementum Utrecht planted me there he was born Lovaine watered me there he was bred up in learning and Caefar gave the encrease for the Emperour had preferred him One to meet with his folly and forgetfulnesse wrote underneath Hic Deus nihil fecit Here God did nothing The Popes have a book called Taxa Camerae Apostolicae wherein men may know the rate of any sinne upon what termes a man may keep a whore be a Sodomite murther his father c. When the Emperour Henry the seventh having pacified Germany went into Italy to reforme the many and great abuses there A certain Monk to gratifie the Pope mixed poison with the bread of the Eucharist and gave it him whereof he died Simps Ec. Hist. King John of England having broken with the Pope was afterwards no good friend to him and his clergy especially to their loose and licentious lives whereupon as the King in his progresse rested himself for two dayes at Swinstead-Abby not far from Lincolne a Monk of that house went to his Abbat and told him that he had a purpose to poison the King saying It 's better that one man should die then that all the people should perish The Abbat wept for joy and absolved the Monk from all his sinnes Then did this varlot mixe the poison of a filthy toade with a cup of excellent wine and brought it to the King saying My Liege here is such a cup of wine as you never drank a better in all your life I trust this wassail shall make all England glad and therewithal began a good draught to him and the King pledging him shortly after died Anno Christi 1605. when the powder-plot was in agitation Catesby one of the Plotters repaired to Garnet a Popish Priest with this case of conscience Whether it was lawful in some cases to destroy the innocent with the wicked This good father so soon as he perceived the conspirators to be in good earnest peremptorily resolved that without all doubt it was when the good coming by it might make compensation for the losse of their lives Pope John the twenty third calling a Councel at Rome against the godly Christians in Bohemia when the Councel was set the Masse of the holy Ghost sung and the Pope placed in his chair there came flying in amongst them an ugly Owle with an ill-fauoured hooting and set her self upon a crosse beam just over against the Pope casting her staring eyes upon him whereupon the whole company began to marvel and whispering each to other said Behold the Spirit is come in the likenesse of an Owle The Pope himself blushed at the matter and began to sweat fret and fume and so being in great distraction dissolved the Councel for the present yet afterwards calling another Sessions when they were met in
he would take them by the hand and tell them that perhaps his wife which sate in a roome by could perswade them more effectually unto whom he would lead them When they approached the Image would rise up open her armes and imbrace them which armes and her breasts also were full of sharpe â—ron nailes wherewith she griped the poore wretch till she had killed him and then the Tyrant seised on his goods Philip King of Spaine out of an unnaturall and bloody zeale suffered his eldest son Charles to be murthered by the cruell Inquisition because he favoured the Protestants Religion which when the Pope heard of he abused that Scripture He spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us Act. and Mon. Mahomet the great a most cruell and mercilesse Tyrant is said in his life-time to have been the cause of the death of eight hundred thousand men Turk Hist. Fernesius as he was going out of Italy towards Germany made this feral and bloody boast That he would make his horse swim in the blood of the German Lutherans A Frier Augustine of Antwerp openly in the Pulpit whilst he was preaching to the people wished that Luther was there that he might bite out his throat with his teeth and said that so doing he would nothing doubt to resort to the Altar with the same bloody teeth and receive the body of Christ. Eras. Epist. Tarquinius Superbius entering the Senate-house in Rome in royall Ornaments laid claime to the Kingdome but was opposed by his father-in-Law Servius whereupon he wounded him and forced him to depart which Tullia Tarquins wife hearing of came to the Senate-house and saluted her husband King causing him to send some after her father Servius who killed him leaving his body in so narrow a street that when Tullia returned that way the Charioter stayed lest he should drive over the the corps but she threw the seat of the Chariot at his head and forced him to drive over her fathers body since which time that street hath been called the wicked street Dioâ— Solyman the great Turk having obtained a victory against the Germans finding amongst the Captives a Bavarian Souldier of an exceeding high stature delivered him to a little dwarfe to be slaine whose head was scarce so high as the others knees that goodly tall man was mangled about the legs a long time by the apâ—sh dwarf with his little Scimeter till falling down with many feeble blowes he was at length slaine the Prince beholding it with great sport Turk Hist. p. â—09 The Spaniards when they had taken Heidelberg in the Palatinate took an ancient Minister a man of God called Monsieur Mileus and having abused his daughter before his face they tied a small cord about his head which with their truncheons they twisted about till they had squeezed out his braines Looking-glasse of the holy war In the reign of Saint Edward King of England two Earles that were brethren Harrould and Tosto fell out in the Kings Court at Windsor from words falling to blowes and Tosto having the worst secretly hied him to the Marches of Wales to his brother Harroulds house which was then in preparing to entertaine the King where he slew all his brothers servants and cutting them peece meale into gobbets salted some of their limbs and cast the rest into vessels of Meath and wine sending his brother word that he had furnished him with poudered meats against the Kings coming thither but this barbarous act caused his name to be so odious amongst his Northumbrians where he was Earle that at last it was repayed with his own death Speeds Chron. pag. 402. A rich Merchant in Paris jesting at the Franciscan Fiers was by their meanes apprehended accused and condemned to be hanged but he thinking to save his life made a publick and solemne recantation which when the Friers were informed of they commended him saying That if he so continued he should undoubtedly be saved and withall called upon the officers to haste him to the Gallows to hang him whilest he was in so good a minde which was accordingly done Act. Mon. In the persecution of the Saints of God in Calabria Anno 1560. fourscore godly persons being all thrust up in one house together like sheep for the slaughter the executioner comes in and taking forth one blindefolds him with a mufler about his eyes and so leades him forth to a large place where coâ—…ding him to kneele down he cuts his threat and so leaving him halfe dead and taking his Butchers knife and mufler all goare blood comes back to the râ—â—t and so leading them forth one after another he dispatched them all All the elder went to the slaughter more cheerfully the younger more timerously I tremble and quake saith a Romane Catholick out of whose letter to his Lord this is transcribed even to remember how the executioner held his bloody knife between his teeth with the bloody mufler in his hand and his armes all goare blood up to the elbowes going to the fold and taking every one of them one after another by the hand and so dispatching them all no otherwise then a Butcher doth his Calves or Sheep In the Spanish Inquisition if any Protestant be secretly conveyed into it they bring him not unto a legal trial but make him away secretly For as Hoffeus the Jesuite was wont to brag they hold it a good peece of Piety instantly to condemne him to the fire Ut anima ejus in curru igneo ad inferos trahatur that his soul might forthwith be carried to hell in a fiery Chariot The poore Spaniards are kept in such aw by the Lords Inquisitors that one of those Inquisitors desiring to eat some peares that grew in a poor mans Orchard not farre from him sent for the man to come and speak with him This message put the poore man into such a fright that he fell sick and kept his bed But being informed that his peares were the cause of his sending for he caused his tree to be cut down and withall the peares on it to be sent to the Inquisitor and being afterwards by him demanded the reason of that unhusbandly action he protested that he would not keep that thing about him which should give an occasion to aâ—…f their Lordships to send for him any more The Numantines being assaulted by the Romanes made solemne vowes amongst themselves no day to break their fast but with the flesh of a Romane nor to drink before they had tasted the blood of an enemy Guevara Ep. In the Massacre of Paris which was the most abhorred prodigious villainy that ever the Sunne saw till the late Irish rebellion there were murthered in divers places of France threescore thousand Protestants so that the streets ran with blood and Rivers were died red with the same Besides there were three hundred faithful servants of Christ burnt to ashes in that Kingdom within lesse then five yeares space and in their late
warer despoiled the Temple of the riches which had been bestowed upon it All men hated and cried out of this sacriledge but none went about to revenge it save Philip King of Macedon who at this time was weak and scarce taken notice of in the world when they came to the battel the Phocians were easily overthrown and Philip carried away a glorious victory whereby he laid the foundations of that greatnesse which himselfe and his sonne Alexander afterwards attained Lipsius This is somewhat larger before William the Conquerer took away land both from God and men to dedicate the same to wild beasts and dogs game for in the space of thirty miles in compasse he threw down thirty six mother-Churches and drave all the people thereto belonging quire away which place is now called the New Forrest in Hantshire But Gods just judgement not long after followed this Sacrilegious act of the King for Richard his second sonne as he was hunting in this Forrest was blasted with a pestilent aire whereof he died William Rufus another of his sonnes as he was hunting in it was by chance shot through and slaine with an arrow by Walter Tirrel Likewise Henry his grand-childe by Robert his eldest sonne whil'st he hotly pursued his game in this Chase was hanged amongst the boughs and so died Camb. Brit. p. 259. See in my General Martirolygie p. 7 8. Gods judgement on Antiochus Epiphanes for his Sacriledge amongst his other sinnes Myconius a godly divine being sent over into England by the Germane Princes in King Henry the eights dayes when he saw him seize upon and sell the Abbey-lands abhorring such Sacriledge he returned home and would have no hand in making peace with so wicked a Prince Calvin when he saw the Senate of Geneva imploying part of the revenues belonging formerly to the Monasteries to civil uses told them in his Sermon that he could not endure such Sacriledge which he knew God in the end would punish most severely What then will become of our late purchasers of the Church-revenues which were given to a sacred not to a superstitious use as the former and what will become of those that yet think the Church not bare enough till they have stripped her of all her revenues Lodwick Count of Oeting sending for Andreas an eminent Divine to assist him in reforming his Churches when Andreas went to take leave of his own Prince Christopher of Wittenberg he charged him and gave it him in writing that if Count Lodwick set upon the Reformation that under pretence of Religion he might rob the Church by seizing upon the revenues of the Monasteries turn them to his own use that he should presently leave him as a Sacrilegious person and come back again Thou that abhorrest Idols committest thou Sacriledge Rom. 2. 22. Will a man rob God yet ye have robbed me But ye say Wherein have we robbed thee In tithes and in offerings Ye are accursed with a curse c. Mal. 3. 8 9. CHAP. XVI Examples of Pride and Arrogance Ambition and vain-glory Many men when they grow great in the world are so puft up with pride that they scarce know themselves which is as if the silly Ant the higher that she gets upon her hill the bigger she should conceit her selfe to be It is the devils last stratagem if he cannot beat us down to sinne he will labour to blow us up with pride and yet there is nothing that the Lord doth more hate for he beholds the proud afar off as if he were not fit to be touched with a paire of tongs Besides men by pride do but hasten their own ruine Tolluntur in altum Ut lapsu graviore ruant Solomon assuring us that Pride goeth before destruction and an high minde before a fall as these Examples following will further manifest Forbidden by God Gal. 5. 26. Phil. 2. 3. Dan. 4. 37. Mark 7. 22. 1 Tim. 3. 6. 1 Joh. 2. 16. The evils of it Job 35. 12. Psal. 10. 2 4. and 59. 12. and 73. 6. Prov. 8. 13. and 11. 2. and 13. 10. and 14. 3. and 16. 18. and 29. 23. Threatened by God Levit. 26. 19. Isa. 9. 9. and 16. 6 c. and 23. 9 10. and 25. 11. and 28. 1 3. Jer. 13. 9. and 48. 29. Ezek. 30. 6. Zeph. 2. 10. and 3. 11. Zach. 9. 6. and 10. 11. and 11. 3. Mourned for 2 Chron. 32. 26. Ier. 13. 17. Prayed against Psal. 31. 20. and 36. 11. Complained of Jer. 49. 16. Ezek. 7. 10. Ezek. 16. 19 49 56. Dan. 5. 20. Hos. 5. 5. Obad. 3. Scriptural examples Eve Gen. 3. 6. Hezekiah Esa. 39. 2. Baruch Ier. 45. 5. Christs Deciples Mark 9. 34. the lapsed Angels Iud. 6. Babylon Ier. 50. 29 32. Senacharib Esa. 10. 8 c. Abimeleck Absalom Adoniah Athaliah for their ambition were slaine Belshazzer Dan. 5. 1. c. Babilon Esa. 47. 7. Nimrod Gen. 11. 4. Balaam Numb 22. 17 c. Nabal 1 Sam. 25. 10. Oreb c. Psal. 83. 12. The two Captaines 2. Kings 1. 9 11. Edom Ier 49. 7 16. Obad. 3. Hagar Gen. 16. 4 Haman Est. 3. 5 c. Herod Acts 12. 21. Israel Esa 9. 9 c. Rabshakeh 2 Kings 18. 33 c. Rehoboam 1 Kings 12. 14. Tyrus Ezek. 28. 2 c. Korah Numb 16. 3. Nebuchadnezzer Dan. 3. 15. and 4. 30. the Pharisee Luke 18. 11. c. Zebedees sonnes Mat. 20. 21. Other examples Sethos King of Egypt growing mighty grew so proud withal that he made his tributary Kings to draw his Chariot by turnes till on a time he espied one of the Kings to look earnestly on the wheel and demanding the reason thereof was answered by him That with much comfort he beheld the lowest spokes turn uppermost by course whereupon apprehending the moral he left off that proud and barbarous custome Isac Chron. p. 61. Maximus dying the last day of his Consulship Caninius petitioned Caesar for that part of the day that remained that he might be Consull which made Tully jeer him saying O vigilant Consull who never sawest sleep all the time of thy office Pharaoh Ophra called also Apryes used to boast that he cared not either for God or man that should seek to take away his Kingdome but not long after he was taken by Amasis his own officer and strangled Herod Caesar Borgia emulating and imitating Iulius Caesar used to say Aut Caesar aut nullus but not long after he was slaine in the Kingdome of Navarre Alexander the Great was so puffed up with his victories that he would needs be accounted the sonne of Iupiter Hammon and be worshiped for a god which Calisthenes the Philosopher a special friend of his speaking against he could never endure him afterwards and at last caused him to be slaine Val. Max. Menecrates the Physician because he had cured some dangerous and desperate diseases assumed to himselfe the name of Iupiter the chiefest of the gods AElian Lib. 12. Empedocles the Philosopher having cured
persons in so little a time Plut. Daemaratus the Lacedemonian being at the King of Persia's Court and in favour with him the King bid him ask what he would of him Daemaratus desired him to give him leave to go up and down the City of Sardis with his Royal hat on his head as the Kings of Persia used But Mithropaustes the Kings cozen taking him by the hand said If the King should grant thy request the hat on thy head would cover but a little wit Plut. Camillus the Romane General having after ten years siege taken the strong and rich City of Veia grew very proud upon his successe and was more puffed up by reason of the praises of the people so that he rode through Rome in a triumphant Chariot drawn by four white horses which was judged a solemnity only meet for the father and chief of the gods Plut. Some Germane Ambassadours coming to Alexander M. to make peace with him he seeing them to be men of such great bodies asked them What it was that the Germanes stood in most fear of supposing that they would have said of him But they answered that the onely thing that they feared was lest the heavens should fall upon their heads Diod. Sic. Darius King of Persia hearing that Alexander M. was come over into Asia with an Army to make a conquest of it wrote to his Lieutenants wherein he stiled himself King of kings and Kinseman to the gods calling Alexander his slave and commanding them to take that Grecian boy and whip him with rods and to put a purple garment upon him and send him in chaines to him and then to drown all his ships and mariners and to transport all his souldiers beyond the red-sea Diod. Sic. Q. Curtius Alexander M. going out of Egypt to the Temple of Jupiter Hammon at his coming thither the Priest being suborned thereunto saluted him as the son of Jupiter which so puffed him up with pride that he commanded himself to be worshipped with divine honours and to be called Jupiters son Q. Cur. Darius King of Persia being overcome in a second battel by Alexander M. sent Ambassadours to him wherin he gave him thanks for his courtesie to his mother wives and children proffered him the greatest part of his dominions if he would marry his daughter and one thousand Talents for the ransome of the other Captives Parmenio told Alexander that if he were Alexander he would accept of those termes And I said Alexander if I were Parmenio would rather have the money then glory But now said he I am secure from poverty and must remember that I am a King and not a Merchant and so he returned this proud answer Tell faith he Darius that it 's superfluous to returne thanks to his enemy and wherein I have dealt mildly and liberally with his family it proceeds from my good nature and not to curry favour with him I would do what he desires if he would be my inferiour but not if he would be my equal for as the world cannot have two Suns neither can it containe two Emperors therfore let him either yield up himself to me to day or expect the fortune of Warre to morrow Q. Cur. Plut. See the example of S. Tullius in Parricide John Cappadox Bishop of Constantinople and John sirnamed Jeninator out of their ambition obtained that they should be stiled vniversal Bishops which Gregory the Great earnestly opposed Theat vitae hum Julius Caesar earnestly affecting the office of High Priest wherein he had Quintus Catulus a worthy man for his competitour said unto his mother when they were going to the choice O mother this day you shall have your son either High Priest or an exile Plut. Pompey the Great being sent with a great Navy against the Pirats and hearing that Metellus Praetor of Crete had begun the Warre against them he with his Navy assisted them against Metullus so ambitious he was that he would endure no competitour in conquering those Pirates Fulgos. Lib. 8. Phidias that made a curious shield for Minerva was so ambitiously desirous of glory thereby that he so wrought in his own name that it could not be defaced without spoiling the shield Val. Max. Themistocles was so ambitious of honour as that he could not sleep in the night and being asked the reason of it he answered Because the Trophies of Miltiades run so in my head that they will not suffer me to rest And being asked in the Theater whose voice pleased him best he answered Of them that most sing my praise Plut. Cicero Alexander the Great when he was young hearing his Master Democritus affirming that there were many worlds cried out Heu me miserum quod ne uno quidem adhuc potitus sum Wo is me that have not yet gotten the dominion of one of them Val. Max. Xerxes having made a bridge of boats over the Helespont for the transportation of his huge Army out of Asia into Europe there arose a great tempest which brake his bridge in sunder wherewith he was so enraged that he caused his men to give the sea three hundred stripes and to throw fetters into it to binde it to its good behaviour his officers performing his command cried O unruly water thy Lord hath appointed thee this punishment for that thou hast wronged him that deserved it not from thee but whether thou wilt or no he is resolved to passe over thee Herod Themistocles was exceeding ambitious of popular applause and for that end he gat all the names of the Citizens of Athens by heart that when he met them he might salute them by name And after his great victories against the Persians he went to the Oympick Games where all the people gave over beholding the sports that they might look upon him which so pleased his ambitious humour that he said to his friends That now he reaped the fruit of all the dangers and labours that he had gone throw for the safety of Greece Also after the great overthrow given to the Persians by sea he with one of his friends walking by the sea-side and seeing many dead bodies cast up he shewed his friend the bracelets and chaines of gold which they had upon them saying to him Ea tibi accipe tu enim non es Themistocles Take thou those things for thou art not Themistocles Plut. Pericles the Athenian a little before his death in an oration which he made to the people tolde them that he was second to none in knowing and speaking those things which were necessary to be known and spoken and that he so loved his countrey that he would never suffer himself to be corrupted with money to speak or do any thing to the prejudice of it Plut. King Henry the second of England AnnoChristi 1170. in his life-time caused his son young Henry to be crowned King and on his Coronation-day for honours sake placed the first dish upon the table himself Whereupon the Arch-bishop of York
them a great reward and presently brake all the vessels in pieces and being asked the reason of it he answered Because knowing that I am soon angry I may prevent being angry with those that might hereafter break them Eras. Lib. 5. Adag Alexander Magnus being of a cholerick disposition obscured three of his greatest victories with the death of three of his friends causing Lysimachus to be cast to a Lion Clitus to be slaine with a speare and Calisthenes to be put to death Theat vitae hum King Perses being overcome by Paulus AEmilius grew into such a passion that he slew two of his Nobles which came to comfort him which so provoked the rest that they all forsooke him Theat vitae hum L. Sylla who in his anger had spilt the blood of many at last in his fury raging and crying out against one that had broken promise with him thereby brake a veine within him vomiting out his blood soul and anger together Val. Max. lib. 9. Amilcar the Carthaginian did so extreamly hate the Romanes that having four sons he used to say that he bred up those foure Lions whelps for the destruction of the Romane Empire Probus in vita Semiramis as she was dressing her head newes being brought that Babylon rebelled against her she was so incensed that in that habit her haire halfe tied up and half hanging loose she hastened to reduce it and never dressed up her head till she had subdued that great City Polyb. Tomyris Queen of Scythia having overcome and taken Cyrus King of Persia caused his head to be cut off and thrown into a bowle of blood bidding him to drink his fill for that he had so much thirsted after blood and had slaine her sonne in the Warres Val. Max. Lysander the Lacedemonian was noted to be of such an implacable disposition tbat nothing could appease his malice but the death of the person with whom he was angry whereupon it grew to a proverb That Greece could not bear two Lysanders Pez Mel. Hist. Alexander M in a drunken feast that he made after his conquest of Persia began to boast of his great victories and atchievments to the distaste of his own Captaines insomuch as one of them called Clitus speaking to another said He boasts of those victories which were purchased with other mens blood Alexander suspecting that he spake against him asked what he said and when all were silent Clitus spake of the great victories which Philip his father had gotten in Greece preferring them before these which so incensed Alexander that he bade him be gone out of his presence and when Clitus hastened not but multiplied words the King rose up in a great fury and snatching a lance out of his Squires hand therewith he thrust Clitus thorow and killed him This Clitus had formerly saved the Kings life in the battel against Darius He was an old souldier of King Philips and had performed many excellent exploits Besides his mother had nursed Alexander and he was brought up with him as his foster-brother So that Alexander when the heat of his anger was over was so enraged against himselfe for this murther that he was about with the same lance to have murthered himself if he had not been violently restrained by his servants Q. Cur. Caius Caligula was of a most malicious disposition for which end he kept two books which he called his sword and dagger wherein he wrote the names of all such as he had appointed to death He had such a chest of all sorts of the most exquisite poisons that when afterwards it was thrown into the sea by his successor Claudius it poisoned a great multitude of fishes Sueto Amilcar the Carthaginian at what time he did sacrifice being ready to take his journey into Spaine called his young son Hannibal being then but nine years old and caused him to lay his hand upon the Altar and to sweare that being come to mans estate he should pursue the Romanes with immortal hatred and work them all the mischief that possibly he could Sir W. Raw. King Edward the first of England going against Bruce King of Scotland caused his eldest sonne and all his Nobles to swear that if he died in his journey they should carry his corps about Scotland with them and not suffer it to be interred till they had vanquished the Scots and subdued the whole Kingdom Sed ira mortalium debet esse mortalis saith Lactantius Darius being offended with the Athenians for assisting his enemies he called for a bowe wherewith he shot up an arrow towards heaven saying O Jupiter grant that I may be revenged upon the Athenians He appointed also one of his servants every night when he was at supper to say to him Here memento Atheniensium Master remember the Athenians Pez Mel. Hist. Camillus a Noble Romane after many great services done for the Common-wealth was at the instigation of a wicked detractor condemned by the common people to pay a greater summe of money then he was able But he scorning such an open shame resolved to go into voluntary exile and so taking leave of his wife children and friends he went out of the City-gate but then turning again and lifting up his hands towards the Capitol he said O ye gods if it be of spite and malice that the common people thus drive me away then let them have quickly cause to repent and stand in need of me Put. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart Leviticus 19. 17. Cursed be their anger for it was fierce and their wrath for it was cruel Gen. 49. 7. CHAP. XIX Examples of Patience Moderation and Meeknesse SOme of the Heathens have attained to a great eminencie in this vertue of Patience but Christians are to adde it to the number of their graces 2 Pet. 1. 6. And indeed it is that that gives a great lustre to all the rest Humility is the root whence it springs and the fruit of it is both amiable and profitable It puts and keeps a man in possession of his soul Luk. 21. 19. It makes all burthens light and is much improved by exercise Rom. 5. 3. Moses his meeknesse and Jobs patience are exemplary and so held forth in the Scripture And these which follow also may be useful to quicken us to an earnest pursuit after this so excellent a vertue Commanded Luke 21. 19. Col. 1. 11. Rom 12. 12. 1 Thes. 5. 14. Jam. 5. 7 8. c. 1 Tim. 6. 11. Heb. 10. 36. 12. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 6. 1 Pet. 2. 20. Mat. 11. 29. Commanded Eccles. 7. 8. 2 Cor. 6. 4. 12. 12. 1 Tim. 3. 3. 2 Tim. 2. 24. 2 Thes. 1 4. Tit. 2. 2. Heb. 6. 12. Jam. 1 3 4. Rev. 2. 2 3 19 13. 10. 14. 12. Psal. 22. 26. 25. 9. 37. 11. 76. 9. 147. 6. 149 4. Isa. 29. 19. Mat. 5. 5. 1 Pet. 3. 4. Scriptural examples Paul 2 Cor. 6. 4. Moses Num. 12. 3.
the cause of the Gospel but afterwards Apostatizing to Poperie he began to be much troubled in minde and from thence fell into despaire against which he wrestled a great while but at length being wholly overcome by it as he was drawn to walk into the fields with some scholars his familiar friends he feigned wearinesse and so sat down by a springs side and his friends being gone a little before he drew out a dagger and stabbed himself into the breast his friends seeing him shrinking down and the water discoloured with his blood ran to him took him up searched his wound and carried him to the next house but whilest they were busie about him he espied a knife by one of their sides whereupon he plucked it forth and suddenly stobbed himself to the heart whereby he died miserably Act. Mon. Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester cried out on his death-bed that he had denied his Master with Peter but not repented with Peter and so stinking above ground ended his wretched life See my English Martyrolgy Master West Chaplaine to Bishop Ridley and a Preacher and Professour of the truth in King Edward the sixths dayes afterwards in Queen Maries time he turned Papist forsook his Master and said Masse though it were against his conscience For which he fell into such torment of conscience that he pined away and so died Act. Mon. Of Hardings Apostacie See in my second Part in the Life of the Lady Jane Gray As also divers other examples in my Martyrologies Theoderick an Arian King of the Vandals did exceedingly affect and love a certaine Orthodox Deacon but the Deacon thinking farther to ingratiate himself and to get greater preferment Apostatized from the truth and turned Arian which when the Emperour understood he turned his love into hatred and commanded his head to be struck off saying That if he proved false and unfaithful to his God how could he expect any good or faithful service from him Adam Neucerus sometimes a professour of the truth and Pastour of a Church in Heidleberg afterwards plaid the Apostate upon some discontent and turned Turk But not long after he died miserably in Constantinople Mel. Adam in vit Gerl. See the History of Francis Spira A Treasurer of Julians to please his Lord and Master Apostatized from the faith and coming into a Church where he saw the holy vessels scoffingly said Behold with what vessels they minister to the Son of Mary but shortly after he vomited all the blood in his body out at his mouth whereby he died miserablis Theod. L. 3. During the Heptarchy of the Saxons in England there were in Northumberland two Kings Ostrich and Eaufride who before their coming to the Crown had been instructed and trained up in the Christian Religion by Paulinus a worthy and godly Bishop But after they came to their Kingly dignities they renounced Christ and returned to the service of their filthy Idols Whereupon as they forsook Christ he forsook them and within one yeares space both of them were slaine by Cedwalla King of the Britanes Beda Cardinal Poole whilest he was in Italy was informed of the truth and was a savourer of it as you may see in Peter Martyrs Life in my first Part but afterwards he became a cruel Persecutor of it here in England in Queen Maries dayes but it pleased God that about two dayes after the Queens death he died in horrible fear and terrour Peter Castellan Bishop of Maston who sometimes had been a forward professour of the truth but afterwards turning to Popery in a Sermon at Orleance he enveighed bitterly against the profession and professors of the true Religion whereupon it pleased God to strike him with a strange and terrible disease unknown to Physicians for one halfe of his body burned like fire and the other halfe was as cold as ice and in this torment with horrible cries and groans he ended his wretched life A Gray Frier called Picard who sometimes made a Profession of the truth afterwards fell away and preached against it adding infinite blasphemies against the truth But presently after God struck him speechlesse and so being carried to his bed half dead he presently after died without the least signe of Repentance Lambespine a Counsellor in the Parliament of Grenoble had formerly been a professour of the Reformed Religion but falling from the truth he became a Persecutour of the godly in Valence of Daulphine and amongst others of two godly Ministers which suffered Martyrdome But shortly after he fell passionately in love with a young maide whom shamefully he followed up and down whithersoever she went and seeing his love and labour despised he pined away with grief and being regardlesse of himself multitudes of lice bred and fed upon him yea they issued out abundantly from every part of his body So that feeling Gods heavy vengeance upon him he began to despaire of mercy and resolved to pine himself which purpose the lice seemed to further for they clustered so many in his throat as almost choaked him and when some of his friends pittying his condition set open his mouth with a gag to poure in broth the lice went down with it and choaked him so that as he had gagged the godly Ministers at their death himself died with a gag in his mouth King Henry the fourth of France who had all his life-time before been a Protestant shortly after he came to the Crown of France when he had almost subdued all his enemies which opposed him thereâ—n suddenly turned Papist Not long after as he was taking his leave of his Nobles to begin his Progresse one John Castile suborded by the Jesuites intended to have stabbed him into the body with a knife but the King at the same instant stooping to take up one of his Lords who was on his knees before him the blow fell upon his right upper jaw cutting out one of his teeth and somewhat wounding his tongue It is reported that in his progresse a Protestant Minister in private conference said unto him You have denied God with your tongue and have received a wound in the same take heed of denying him with your heart lest you receive a wound in that also which indeed proved a prophecie for riding abroad in his Coach to refresh himself one Ravilliac watched his opportunity and stabbed him first into the left pap and with a second blow struck him between the fifth and sixth rib cutting asunder the veine leading to the heart the knife entering into the vena cava of which wound he died French Hâ—st Read also the history of Francis Spira lately printed and observe Gods severe judgements upon him for his Apostasie In the year 1287 the King of Hungary forsaking the Christian saith became an Apostata and when he had called fraudulently to a Parliament the great Potentates of his land Meramomelius a puissant Saracene came upon them with twenty thousand souldiers carrying away with him the King with all the
to sweare allegiance to his daughter Maud and that she should succeed in his Kingdome they which swore were first William Arch-bishop of Canterbury and the rest of the Bishops and Abbats then David King of Scotland Uncle to Maud now married to the Emperesse of Germany then Stephen Earle of Mortaigne and Bulloigne Nephew to the King c. But so soon as King Henry was dead in Normandy Stephen hasted into England and by the help especially of the Bishops was made King and the Emperesse put by but behold the revenging hand of God following their Perjury Stephen though otherwise a gallant Prince yet found his Crowne to be but a glorious misery Mars and Vulcan never suffering him to be at quiet and as he would not suffer the right heire to inherit so God would not suffer him to have an heire to inherit for his sonne was put by the Crowne which was conferred upon Henry sonne to the Emperesse the rightfull heire Also William Arch-bishop of Canterbury never prospered after his perjury but died within that yeare Roger Bishop of Salisbury fell into displeasure with King Stephen who took him prisoner seized upon his Castles and treasures and so used him that he died for very griefe Alexander Bishop of Lincolne was also taken by the King and led in a rope to the Castle of Newark upon Trent the King swearing that the Bishop should neither eat nor drink till his Castle was surrendered so that there he gat all the Bishops treasure and as for Hugh Bigot he also escaped not long unpunished saith Fabian Rodulph Duke of Sweveh provoked by the Pope rebelled against his Sovereigne the Emperour Henry the fourth but in a battel which he fought against him he lost his right arme whereof he shortly after died acknowledging Gods justice for his disloyalty punishing him in that arme which before was lift up to sweare the oath of allegiance to his Master Act. Mon. Narcissus a godly Bishop of Ierusalem was falsly accused by three men of many foule matters who sealed up with oathes and imprecations their false testimonies But shortly after one of them with his whole family and substance was burnt with fire another of them was stricken with a grievous disease such as in his imprecation he had wished to himselfe the third terrified with the sight of Gods judgements upon the former became very panitent and poured out the griefe of his heart in such aboundance of teares that thereby he became blinde Euseb. The Arians hired a woman to accuse Eustatius a godly Bishop of committing whoredome with her thereby procuring his banishment But shortly after the Lord struck her with a grievous disease whereupon she confessed her perjury the childe being begotten by Eustatius a Smith and not Eustatius the Bishop and so presently after she died Euseb. The Emperour Albert having made a truce with the great Turke and solemnly sworne to the same Pope Eugenius the fourth sent him a dispensation from his oath and excited him to renew the warre against them but in the first battel he was discomfited and slaine to the great shame of Christianity the infidels justly accusing them of Perjury and Covenant breaking sealed by the Name of Christ whom they professe to be their Saviour Turk Hist. Almerick King of Ierusalem having entred into League with the Caliph of Egypt and confirmed the same by an oath afterwards warred upon him contrary to his promise whereupon God raised him up many enemies who miserably wasted the Kingdome of Ierusalem himselfe was beaten out of Egypt and all hopes of succour failing him being wearied with whole volleys of miseries he ended his life of a bloody Flux Hist. holy Warres The Egyptians reputed perjury so capital a crime that whosoever was convinced thereof was punished with death Pausanias noteth this to be one chiefe cause why Philip King of Macedon with all his posterity were so quickly destroyed because he made no account of keeping his oathes but sware and unswere as might stand best with his interest Gregory of Tours makes mention of a wicked varlet in France among the people called Averni that forswearing himselfe in an unjust-cause had his tongue presently so tied that he could not speake but roare till by his inward prayer and repentance the Lord restored him the use of that unruly member Theodor Beza recordeth what befell a perjured person who forswore himselfe to the prejudice of his neighbour He had no sooner made an end of his oath but being suddenly stricken with an Apoplexie he never spake word more till he died Cleomenes King of Lacedemonia making truce with the Argives for seven dayes oppressed them in the third night unawares thinking thereby to avoid perjury But the Argive women their husbands being slaine took up armes like so many Amazones and repelled Cleomenes who afterwards was banished into Egypt where desperately he slew himselfe Plut. Uladislaus King of Hungary having contracted a League with Amurath the great Turke and bound himselfe to it by an oath the Pope sent a Legat to absolve him from his oath and provoke him to warre which he undertaking with a very great Army the victory stood doubtfull a great while together but Amurath seeing a Crucifix in the Christians Ensigne pluckt the writing wherein the late League was contained out of his bosome and with his eyes and hands cast up to heaven said O thou crucified Christ behold this is the League thy Christians in thy Name made with me which they have causelesly violated If thou be a God as they say thou art and as we dream revenge the wrong now done unto thy Name and me and shew thy power upon thy perjured people who in their deeds deny thee their God Immediately afterward the King in the middest of his enemies was slaine and the Christians fled very few ever returning to their own homes but perished miserably Turk Hist. When Harold King of England was ready to joyne in battel with William the Conquerer and his Normans Gyth a younger brother of his advised him that in case he had made promise unto William of the Kingdome he should for his own person withdraw himselfe out of the battel for surely all his forces could not secure him against God and his own conscience who no doubt would require punishment for breach offaith and promise withall assuring him that if he would commit the fortune of that battel into his hands he would not faile to performe the part of a good brother and valiant Captaine but the King contemning this wholesome counsel would needs joyne battel himselfe wherein he lost his Army Kingdome and his own life Camb Brit. p. 149 150. Henry Falmer being accused by his own brother of Heresie as they call it suffered Martyrdome for the same but shortly after his said brother who had borne false witnesse against him was pressed for a Pioner in the voyage to Bulloine where within three dayes as he was exonerating nature a Gun took him and
Greg. of Tour. lib. 4. Anno Christi 1461. there was in Juchi neere Cambray an unnatural son that in a fury threw his mother out of his doores thrice in one day telling her that he had rather see his house on fire and burned to coles then that she should remaine in it one day longer and accordingly the very same day his house was fired and wholly burned down with all that was in it none knowing how or by what meanes the fire came Enguer de Monst v. 2. The Emperor Henry the fifth being provoked thereto by the Pope rose up in rebellion and made cruel War against his father Henry the fourth not ceasing till he had despoiled him of his Empire But the Lord presently after plagued him for it making him and his Army a prey to his enemies the Saxons stirring up the Pope to be as grievous a scourge to him also as he had been to his father P. Melanct. Chron. l. 4. Manlius relateth a story of an old man crooked with age very poore and almost pined with hunger who having a rich and wealthy sonne went to him only for some food for his belly clothes for his back but this proud young man thinking that it would be a dishonour to him to be borne of such parents drave him away denying not only to give him sustenance but disclaiming him from being his father giving him bitter and reproachful speeches which made the poore old man to go away with an heavy heart and teares flowing from his eyes which the Lord beholding struck his unnatural son with madnesse of which he could never be cured till his death The same author relates another story of another man that kept his father in his old age but used him very currishly as if he had been his slave thinking every thing too good for him and on a time coming in found a good dish set on the table for his father which he took away and set courser meat in the roome but a while after sending his servant to fetch out that dish for himself he found the meat turned into snakes and the sauce into serpents one of which leaping up caught this unnatural sonne by his lip from which it could never be pulled to his dying day so that he could never feed himselfe but he must feed the serpent also At Millane there was a wicked and dissolute young man who when he was admonished by his mother of some fault which he had committed made a wry mouth and pointed at her with his finger in scorne and derision whereupon his mother being angry wished that he might make such a mouth upon the Gallowes which not long after came to passe for being apprehended for felony and condemned to be hanged being upon the ladder he was observed to writhe his mouth in grief as he had formerly done to his mother in derision Theat hist. Henry the second King of England son to Jeffery Plantaginet and Maud the Emperesse after he had reigned twenty yeares made his young son Henry who had married Margaret the French Kings daughter King in his life-time but like an unnatural son he sought to dispossesse his father of the whole and by the instigation of the King of France and some others he took Armes and fought often with his father who still put him to the worst So that this rebellious son at last was fain to stoop and ask forgivenesse of his father which he gently granted and forgave his offence Howbeit the Lord plagued him for his disobedience striking him with sicknesse in the flower of his youth whereof he died six years before his father Speed Anno Christi 1071. Diogenes Romanus Emperour of the Greekes having led an Army against the Turkes as far as the River Euphrates where he was like to have prevailed but by the treason of his Son in Law Andronicus his Army was routed and himself taken prisoner yet the Turkes used him honourably and after a while sent him home But in the mean season they of Constantinople had chosen Michael Ducas for their Emperour who hearing of Diogenes his returne sent Andronicus to meet him who unnaturally plucked out his fathers eyes and applying no medecines thereto wormes bred in the holes which eating into his braines killed him Zonaras Adolf son of Arnold Duke of Guelders repining at his fathers long life one night as he was going to bed came upon him suddenly and took him prisoner and bare-legged as he was made him go on foot in a cold season five Germane leagues and then shut him up a close prisoner for six months in a dark dungeon but the Lord suffered not such disobedience and cruelty to go long unpunished For shortly after the son was apprehended and long inprisoned and after his release was slaine in a sight against the French History of the Netherlands One Garret a Frenchman and a Protestant by profession but given to all manner of vices was by his father cast off for his wickednesse yet found entertainment in a Gentlemans house of good note in whose family he became sworn brother to a young Gentleman that was a Protestant But afterwards coming to his estate he turned Papist of whose constancy because the Papists could hardly be assured he promised his Confessor to prove himself an undoubted Catholick by setting a sure seal to his profession whereupon he plotted the death of his dearest Protestant friends and thus effected it He invited his Father Monsieur Seamats his sworn brother and six other Genlemen of his acquaintance to dinner and all dinner time intertained them with protestations of his great obligements to them But the bloody Catastrophe was this dinner being ended sixteen armed men came up into the roome and laid hold on all the guests and this wicked Parricide laid hold on his Father willing the rest to hold his hands till he had dispatched him he stabbed the old Gentleman crying to the Lord for mercy foure times to the heart the young Gentleman his sworne brother he dragged to a window and there caused him to sing which he could dovery sweetly though then no doubt he did it with a very heavy heart and towards the end of the Ditty he stabbed him first into the throat and then to the heart and so with his Poiniard stabbed all the rest but three who were dispatched by those armed Ruffians at their first entrance and so they flung all the dead bodies out at a window into a ditch Oubig Hist. France The base son of Scipio Africanus the Conquerour of Hannibal and Africk so ill imitated his father that for his viciousnesse he received many disgracefull repulses from the people of Rome the fragrant smell of his fathers memory making him to stinke the more in their nostriles yea they forced him to pluck off from his finger a signet-ring wherin the face of his father was engraven as counting him unworthy to wear his picture whose vertue he would not imitate Val. Maxi. Tarpeia the
fear their crying children withall He fought five times upon one day with them and five times foiled and put them to slight He killed that valiant Viceroy of Asia Mefites Bassa with his sonne and twenty thousand Turks moe At that famous battel of Vascape with fifteen thousand souldiers he overthrew Abedin Bassa with fourescore thousand fighting men Car. Lib. 5. In the Reigne of King John of England a controversie arising betwixt him and the King of France about a Seigniory and certain Castles the King of France offered a Champion to fight for his right whereupon King John chose John Cursy Earle of Ulster but when the French Champion heard of his exceeding great feeding and mighty strength he refused the combate Then the King of France desired to see a stroak given by the hand of Iohn Cursy and he set a strong and doughty good morion or head-piece full of maile upon a great block and taking his skeine or sword he smote the morion through from the crest downward and his sword stuck so fast in the wood that no other man but himselfe could pull it out yet he himselfe did it with much facility Camb. Brit. Ire p. 154. Ulâ—zales and Caracoza great Captaines amongst the Turks landing their men in the Island of Curzola Anthonius Contarenus the Governour of the chiefe Towne â—led out in the night with the Townsmen also into the rocks for safety so that there was not left in the Towne above twenty men and eighty women who with weapons in their hands came to the walls desiring rather to die then to fall into the hands of the Turks and as the Turks approached to the walls the women with stones fire and such weapons beat them off with greater courage then could have been expected in their weake sexe which whil'st they were doing it pleased God that a great storme arose suddenly which so outragiously tossed the Gallies that the Turks were glad to give over the assault and to hie away to a place of more safety Turk Hist. p. 869. Scanderbeg was such a mirrour of manhood and so terrible to the Turks that nine years after his death as they passed through Lyssa where his body lay buried they digged up his bones with great devotion reckoning it some part of their happinesse if they might but see or touch the same and such as could get any part thereof were it never so little caused the same to be set some in silver some in gold to hang about their necks thinking that it would animate their spirits with extraordinary vigour Paulus Jovius Illust. virorum A brave and valiant Captaine who had long with incredible courage withstood Dionysius the elder in defence of a City at length falling into his hands the Tyrant told him that the day before he had caused his sonne and all his kinsfolke to be drowned To whom the brave Captaine stoutly outstaring him answered nothing but that they were more happy then himselfe by the space of one day afterwards he caused him to be stripped and by his executioner to be dragged through the City most ignominiously cruelly whipping him and contumeliously scoffing at him but he as no whit dismayed ever shewed a constant and resolute heart And with a chearfull and bold countenance went on still boldly recounting the honourable and glorious cause of his death which was that he would never consent to yield his country into the hands of a cruel Tyrant Bolton Pompey in the time of a great dearth at Rome was transporting corne thither but finding the sea rough and dangerous some would have disswaded him from adventuring himselfe in such weather to whom he gallantly answered It 's necessary that corne should be carried to Rome but not that I should live Antigonus hearing some of his souldiers reckoning how many their enemies were to prevent their feares steps in suddenly amongst them saying And how many do you reckon me for Valour of Women Zenobia the wife of Odenate King of the Palmyrenians accustomed her selfe to all those many imployments which her husband used both in peace and warre She loved her husband exceedingly but having once conceived by him she would lie with him no more till after her delivery she was very expert in the Orientall Histories which she wrote and left them for the use of posterity She was very beautiful and black sparkling eyes and her teeth to white that they seemed rather to be pearles then teeth her husband being treacherously murthered she took upon her the government and having been formerly accustomed to the Warres she fought often with the Romanes Subdued Egypt and drave out thence Probus the Romane president At last she rather by compact yielded to then by conquest was overcome by Aurelian the Emperour whose sonne married her daughter and many of her stock flourished in Rome long after Lipsius Valour of Women Semiranus was of so manlike a disposition that she waged warre with great felicity she had in her Army three millions of foot and fifty thousand horse and about a thousand Chariots As she was dressing her self hearing of the defection of Babylon in the same posture with one part of her haire bound up and the other loose she presently went against it and never dressed up her head till she had brought it into subjection Pez Mel. Hist. Tomyris Queen of the Masigetes was a woman of an heroical disposition When Cyrus King of Persia came with an huge Army against her the pretending fear retired into certaine mountaines into the stacts whereof when Cyrus followed her she set upon him and after a bloody â—ight slew two hundred thousand of his men and himselfe also after which she caused his head to be cut off and threw it into a bowle of blood saying Satia te sanguine quâ—m sitivisti cujusque semper insatiabilis fuisti Glut they selfe with blood which thou hast alwayes thirsted after and with which thou could'st never be satisfied Justin. Cowardize Timerousnesse Fearfulnesse In a great battel that was fought between Philip King of Macedon and the Athenians at Cheronaea wherein the liberty of Greece lay at the stake Demosthenes the Athenian Orator before there was any just cause for it most cowardly ranne away forgetting the inscription upon his shield in golden letters which was Quod foelix faustúmque sit whereupon one meeting him in scorne said to him He that runnes away may fight afterwards Diod. Sic. And it was told the house of David saying Syria is confederate with Ephraim and his heart was moved and the heart of his people as the trees of the wood are moved with the winde Isa. 7. 2. Thy servant slew both the Lion and the Beare and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them 1 Sam. 17. 36. Five of you shall chase an hundred and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword Levit. 26. â— CHAP. XXXV Examples of Gods judgements upon
by his own sonne that he might seize upon his riches but whil'st he was stooping down to draw forth bags full of gold out of a Chest the same person caused his braines to be beaten out French History Selimus a cruel and bloody Emperour of the Turks intending to turne all his powers against the Christians was suddenly attached by the hand of God being struck in the reines of the back with a Cancer which contemning all cure did by little and little so eate and corrupt his body that he became loathsome both to himselfe and others and so rotting above ground died miserably Turk Hist. Agathocles a bloody Tyrant of Syracuse after many most horrible murthers committed by him lived to see most of his family slaine and himselfe devested of his Kingdome After which he was taken with a grievous sicknesse wherein his whole body rotted which spread it selfe through all his veines and sinews wherewith in short time he ended his accursed life Robert Erle of Fife in Scotland being advanced by his brother King Robert the third to be the first Duke of Albany afterwards ungratefull person that he was pricked on with the spirit of Ambition famished to death David his said brothers son who was heir to the Crown but the punishment due for this fact which himself by the long sufferance of God felt not His son Mordac the second Duke of Albany suffered most grievously being condemned for treason and beheaded when he had seen his two sons the day before executed in the same manner Camb. Brit. Scot. p. 39. King Richard the third of England who caused his two Nephews most unnaturally to be murthered in the Tower and shed much other innocent blood by Gods just judgement had his onely son taken away by death and himself was slain in Bosworth-field his carrion carcasse being found naked among the slain filthily polluted with blood and dirt was cast upon an horse behinde a pursuivant at Armes his head and armes hanging down on the one side of the horse and his legs on the other like a Calfe and so was interred at Leicester with as base a Funerall as he formerly bestowed upon his Nephews in the Tower Eng. Hist. Iames Tyrell Iohn Dighton and Miles Forrest who were procured by this King Richard to murther the two young Princes entering into their Chamber about midnight so bewrapped them among the clothes keeping down the Feather-bed and Pillows hard unto their mouths that within a while they were smothered but these Murtherers escaped not long the vengeance of God for Miles Forrest by peecemeale rotted away Dighton lived at Calis so disdained and hated that he was pointed at of all men and there died in much misery and Sir Iames Tyrell was beheaded on Tower-Hill for Treason Act. Mon. Senercleus relateth the just hand of God upon that villainous parricide Alphonsus Diazius a Popish Spaniard who after he had like another Cain murthered his own naturall brother Iohn Diazius meerly because he had renounced Popery and became a Professor of the reformed Religion and was not onely not punished but highly commended of the Romanists for his heroical atchievement as they called it being haunted and hunted by the furies of his own conscience desperately hanged himself at Trent about the neck of his own Mule Some bloody villains basely murthered Theodorick B. of Trever But Gods just judgments overtook all the murtherers For Conrade the chief author died suddenly A souldier that helped to throw him down the rock was chok'd as he was at supper and two other servants that assisted desperately slew themselves Marti The Cardinall of Winchester commonly called the rich Cardinall who procured the death of the good Duke of Glocester in the reign of King Henry the sixth was shortly after struck with an incurable disease who understanding by his Physicians that he could not live murmuring and repining thereat he cried out Fie will not death be hired will money do nothing must I die that have so great riches If the whole realme would save my life I am able either by policy to get it or by riches to buy it But yet all would not prevail but that he died of the same disease Sp. Chr. See the Example of Scedasus's daughters in Rapes Olympias the mother of Alex M. being a woman of a proud and revengefull disposition having gotten Eurydice Queen of Macedonia into her hands sent her a sword an halter and a cup of poison giving her leave to choose with which of them she would kill her self Eurydice seeing them prayed to the gods that she that sent her those presents might her self partake of the like and so hanged her self But shortly after the Divine â—ustice met with Olympias who by the appointment of Cassander one of her sons Captains was murthered Diod. Sic. Justin This Cassander murthered also the two wives of Alex. and their sons and thereby seized upon the Kingdome of Macedonia but shortly after God plagued him with a filthy disease in his body whereby wormes were bred that devoured him his eldest son Philip died of a consumption Antipater his second son slew his own mother Thessalonica and was himself slain by his father in law Lysimachus and Alexander the youngest son was treacherously slain by Demetrius and so the whole family of Cassander was rooted out Plut. Examples of selfe Murther Calanus an Indian Philosopher followed Alexander M. when he returned out of India who having lived seventy three years without any disease was at last taken with a dysenterie and fearing that his former felicity should be overclouded with a lingring disease he asked leave of Alexander that he might burn himself the King laboured to disswade him from his unnaturall purpose but when he could not prevail by arguments he gave his consent whereupon Calanus caused a pile of wood to be made and riding to it he made his prayers to his Countrey gods and so with a cheerfull countenance he ascended the pile and causing the fire to be put to it he sate with a fixt and unmovable body till he was burned to ashes Q. Cur. Alex. M. besieging one of the Indian Cities the inhabitants seeing that they could hold out no longer shut up themselves their wives and children in their houses and set fire on them Alexanders men breaking in laboured to quench the fire and the others laboured as much to encrease it so that it was a strange thing to see the fight that was betwixt one to destroy themselves the other to save their enemies Quin. Cur. Demosthenes the Athenian Orator for standing for the liberty of Greece was hated by Antipater the Governour of Macedonia who sent some to kill him under Captain Archia whereupon Demosthenes took sanctuary in Neptunes Temple But Archia sent to him to come out of the Temple so that Demosthenes perceiving that they were resolved to have his life he took some poison which he had ready for the purpose and so presently died Plut. Perdiccas besieging the
them for succour they sent some to meet him to charge him that he should not come neere their coasts for that they had made a decree that no King should come into Athens Plut. Justin. Caius Caligula the Romane Emperour was of such an inconstant nature that none knew how to carry themselves towards him Sometimes he delighted in multitude of society other sometimes in solitarinesse Sometimes he used to be angry when any thing was begged of him other times because nothing Many wicked men he suffered to go unpunished when in the meane time he was extreme cruel to the good and innocent To his enemies he would be merciful and to his friends inexorable c. Sueto Ratholdus Captaine of the Frisons being converted to the knowledge of the truth by the Ministery of Wolfranius Bistop of Seanes was contented to be baptized by him But when he had one foot in the Font He asked the Bishop where his ancestors were whether in heaven or hell the Bishop answered that no doubt they were in hell for that none of them had the knowledge of Christ Hereupon Wolfranius pulled his foot out of the Font saying I also will then go to hell where my predecessors are choosing rather to be in that place where are most then where are fewest Fulgos. Tertullian who had been famous both for his life and learning and had written many things excellently in defence of the truth At the last being disgraced by some of the Romane Clergy took such offence at it that he forsook the truth and imbraced the Heresie of Montanus and wrote against the truth See his life in my first Part. See the example of Pendleton in my English Martyrology And of Doctor Perne Pausanias King of the Lacedemonians fought many succesful battels in Asia against Xerxes yet at last through inconstancy degenerated into the Asian luxury and proffered to deliver up the government of Sparta into Xerxes his hands if he would give him his daughter in marriage Val. Max. M. Otho the Emperour in his younger dayes was given to all manner of loosenesse and licentiousnesse But when he was made Governour of Lusitania he ruled it with admirable justice which made all men to wonder at him But afterwards being chosen Emperour he returned to his former debauchery yet before his death reformed it again Fulgos. Seneca that wrote so excellently in the commendation of moral virtues yet himself allowed his Scholar Nero to commit incest with his own mother Agrippina And when he wrote against Tyranny himselfe was Schoolmaster to a Tyrant And when he reproved others for frequenting the Emperours Court himself was scarce ever out of it And when he reproached flatterers himself practised it in a shameful manner towards the Queens and Freedmen whilst he inveighed against riches and rich men he heaped together infinite riches by usury and unjust dealings And whilst he condemned Luxury in others himself had five hundred costly chaires made of Cedar their feet of Ivory and all other things answerable Xiphil in vita Neromis CHAP. LIX Examples of such as have been hard Students SOcrates used to stand many times plodding upon points of Philosophy in the same posture of body for divers houres together being all that while unsensible of any thing that was done about him Chrysippus was sometimes so transported at his study that he had perished with hunger if his maide had not thrust meat into his mouth Alphonsus King of Spaine and Naples was wont to bewaile the case of Kings for that hearing with other mens eares they could seldome heare the truth and therefore he held himselfe happy in his Muti Magistri his Books especially his Bible which he read over fourteen times with Lyra's and other mens notes upon the Text. Archimedes a famous Mathematician of Syracuse in the Isle of Sicily when the City was besieged by the Romanes by his rare Engins annoyed the Romanes more then all the men in the City yet at last through treachery the Romanes entred and Archimedes being drawing Mathematical Figures in his study heard not the noise yea his study was broken open by a rude souldier yet he heeded it not so that the souldier thinking that he slighted him ran him through with his sword This Archimedes was he that said If you would give him a place whereon to fix it he could make an Engin that would remove the whole earth Theodosius the Emperour wrote out the whole New Testament with his own hand accounted it a great Jewell and read part of it every day Henry the first King of England was bread up in learning and such a prizer of it that he often said that he esteemed an unlearned King but as a crowned Asse Speed Themistocles from his child-hood much affected learning and was so studious that when his fellows were at play he would never be idle but was alwayes either making or conning Orations either to defend or accuse some of his companions which his Master observing used to say That he was borne either to do some great good or some extreme mischief to the Common-wealth Plut. Alexander the Great was by his father Philip placed under Aristotle to be brought up in learning who carefully instructed him in most of the liberal sciences in the study whereof Alexander took such delight that he used to say that he had rather have knowledge then to excell in power He so prized Homers Iliads that during all his Wars he alwayes carried it in his pocket and laid it under his pillow anights He loved his Master Aristotle as if he had been his father and used to say that as we have our being from our Parents so we have our well being from our School-masters Just. Q. Curtius Solon a very wise man and great Scholar amongst the Athenians used to say I grow old learning still Plut. Vespasian the Romane Emperour was a great friend to learning and learned men giving them large pensions out of his Exchequer besides other favours and notable rewards â—mp Hist. Nicostratus the Athenian Painrer standing with admiration whilst he beheld the picture of Helena drawn by Zeuxis one asked him the cause of his wondring To whom he answered Friend if you had mine eyes you would not have asked me this question but rather have admired it as I do Plin. Endymion was so affected with the study of Astronomy that he spent whole nights upon rocks and mountaines in contemplating the motions of the stars whence the Poets feigned that the Moon was in love with c. Atlas the Lybian was so delighted with observing the motions of the heavens that leaving the society of men he went and lived upon the highest mountaine of Affrica whence that mountaine was called by his name and for his singular knowledge in Astronomy the Poets feigned that he bore up the heavens with his shoulders The Indian Gymnosophists used to stand upon the hot sands from the rising to the setting of the Sunne sometimes upon one leg
past I denied it to your Father and therefore it would not be just to grant that to the son which I refused to the father Imp. Hist. Apollonius being asked as to entrap him what he thought of Nero's singing fearlesly answered the bloody Tigellinus Nero's favourite I think said he far better then you for you repute him worthy to sing but I to hold his peace And so truly it was for his voice was but weak and hollow and therefore to help it he used to lie on his back with a leaden plate on his breast and to fast certain daies in every moneth with nothing but oyl Plinie At the Battel of Newport the Prince of Orange having the Spanish Army before him and the Sea behind him spake thus to his Souldiers If you will live you must either eat up these Spaniards or drink up this Sea When Luther first appeared against the Pope Albertus Crantzius a Bishop that approved of his project but thought it impossible to be brought to passe wrote thus unto him Frater Frater Abi in Cellam dic Miserere mei Deus Frier Frier go into thy Cloister and follow thy beads This businesse is too hard for thee to undertake When amongst many Articles exhibited to our King Henry the 7th by the Irish against the Earl of Kildare the last was Finally all Ireland cannot rule this Earl Then quoth the King this Earl shall rule all Ireland and so made him Deputy thereof Camb. Remaines p. 271. King John of England being perswaded by one of his Courtiers to untomb the bones of one who whilest he lived had been his great enemy O no quoth the King would to God that all mine enemies were as honourably buried A little before the Spanish Invasion in eighty eight the Spanish Ambassadour after a large recital of his Masters demands to Queen Elizabeth summed up the effect of it in this Tetrastich Te veto ne pergas bello defendere Belgas Quae Dracus eripuit nunc restituantur oportet Quas Pater evertit jubeo te Condere cellas Religio Papae fac restituatur ad unguem i. e. These to you are our Commands Send no help to th'Netherlands Of the Treasure took by Drake Restitution you must make And those Abbies build anew Which your fathers overthrew If for any Peace you hope In all points restore the Pope The Queen smiling at these demands returned this sudden answer Ad Graecas bone Rex fient mandata Calendas Worthy King know this your will At latter Lammas wee 'l fulfill See her Life in my second Part. John Duke of Bedford being entombed in the chief Church of Roan afterwards a foolish Courtier perswaded Charles the eighth King of France to deface his Monument to whom the King answered God defend that I should wrong him dead whom whilest he was living all the force of France could not resist Queen Elizabeth coming into a Free-School had an Oration made to her by one of the boyes whom afterwards she jestingly asked How often his Master had whipped him To whom he readily and wittily answered with the words of AEneas to Queen Dido Infandum Regina jubes renovare dolorem At another time having an Oration made to her by a poor boy she understanding his quality said merrily to him Pauper ubique jacet But the boy as confidently and wittily answered In thalamis regina tuis hac nocte jacerem Si verum hoc esset Pauper ubique jacet CHAP. LXXXIII Poverty Poor NOt to be oppressed Exod. 22. 25. Deut. 24. 14. Prov. 22. 16 22. 28. 3 15. 14. 31. 30. 14. Eccles. 5. 8. Isa. 3. 14 15. 10. 2. 11. 4 32. 7. 58. 7. Jer. 2. 32. Ezek. 18. 12. Amos 2. 6. 4. 1. Job 31. 16 c. Psal. 10. 2 c. 12. 5. To be relieved Exod. 23. 11. Lev. 19. 20. 23. 22. 25. 25 35 c. Deut. 15. 7 c. 24. 12. Job 30. 25. Prov. 14. 21. 22. 9. 28. 27. 31. 20. Dan. 4. 27. Mar. 14. 7. Matth. 19. 21. Rom. 15. 26. Gal. 2. 10. Luk. 19. 8. 2 Cor. 9. 9. What brings Poverty Prov. 6. 11. 11. 24. 13. 18. 20. 13. 23. 21. 24. 34. 28. 19 22. Alexander the Great having taken the Kingdome of Sidon gave it to Hephaestion to dispose of it to whom he pleased Hephaestion to shew his gratitude proffered it to his host with whom he quartered but he not being of the Kingly family refused it saying It is not our Countrey fashion that any one should be King but such as are of the King's line and such an one saith he lives hard by a good and a wise man but very poor and one that lives by his hard labour then Hephaestion taking Kingly apparrel with him went to this poor man and saluted him King bidding him wash off his dirt and put off his rags and put on that Kingly apparel the poor mans name was Abdolonimus who thought he had been in a dream but being by the standers by washed and adorned Hephaestion led him into the Palace saying When thou sittest on thy Throne and hast power over the lives of all thy Subjects forget not thy former condition Alexander hearing of it sent for him and asked him with what patience he being of such a noble extraction could bear his former poverty To whom Abdolonimus answered I pray God that I may bear the Kingdome with the same mind for said he these hands provided for my necessity and as I had nothing so I wanted nothing Just. Cur. Diod. Sic. CHAP. LXXXIV Peace Peace makers GOd is the God of Peace Heb. 13. 20. Christ the Prince of Peace Isa. 9. 6. Gods Word the glad tydings of Peace Rom. 10 15. Isa. 52. 7. Gods children are Peace-makers Matth. 5. 9. the Angels singers of Peace Luk 2. 13. Good men are Counsellors of Peace Prov. 12. 20. Gods Kingdome the Kingdome of Peace Rom. 14. 17. Church-Officers Officers of Peace Isa. 60. 17. Hierusalem the City of Peace Psal. 122. 3 7. It 's to be sought after Heb. 14. 14. Rom. 14. 19. 1 Cor. 7. 15. Phil. 4. 7. Psal. 34. 14. Jer. 29. 7. Mar. 5. 50. Ephes. 4. 3. 1 Thess. 5. 13. We must pray for Peace Psal. 122. 6. No peace to the wicked Isa. 48. 22. Scriptural Examples Abraham for peace sake yielded to Lot Gen. 13. 8. Abimelech covenants with Isaac Gen. 26. 28 c. Joseph commands it to his Brethren Gen. 45. 24. Melchisedeck and Salomon were Kings of peace Jacob and his sons Gen. 34. 21. the Primitive Christians Act. 4. 32. David Psal. 120. 7. Numa Pompilius instituted the Priests called Feciales whose office was to preserve peace between the Romans and their neighbouring Nations and if any quarrels did arise they were to pacifie them by reason and not suffer them to come to violence till all hope of peace was past and if the Feciales did not consent
Earth-quake wherewith the people were so affrighted that many of them forsook their houses and some houses were so shaken that the Chimnies fell down In January Anno Christi 1648. there was seen a great fiery meteor in the air near Bristow on the South-side of the City for divers nights together in form long with fiery streames shooting out East and West which was the week before the beheading of the late King eye-witnesse Also the day before he was beheaded a great Whale ran himself on shore three miles from Dover where he died He was 66 foot long A thing rarely seen in this Island November the 30th Anno Christi 1650. being St. Andrews day a little before or about Sun-rising the skie opened in a fearful manner in the Southwest over Standish a Town five miles from Gloucester and there appeared a terrible fearful fiery shaking sword with the hilt upwards towards the heavens the point downwards towards the earth the hilt seemed to be blue the Sword was of a great length shaking hither and thither and comming lower towards the earth There was a long flame of fire towards the point sparkling and flaming in a fearful manner to the great astonishment of the Spectators who were many At last the heaven closing the Sword vanished and the fire fell to the earth and ran upon the ground This I had from an eye-witnesse In June Anno Christi 1653. a black cloud was seen over the Town of Pool which a while after was dissolved into a showr of blood that fell warm upon mens hands some green leaves with those drops of blood upon them were sent up to London A little before the Civil broiles between the houses of York and Lancaster wherewith England for a long time was rent in pieces the River Ouse in Bedfordshire stood still and by reason that the waters gave back on both sides men might passe on foot in the very chanel for three miles together not without the astonishment of all that saw it who took it as a presage of the divisions ensuing Camb. Brit. p. 399. Not long before the contention between Galba Otho and Vitellius about the Roman Empire there appeared three Suns as it were pointing out that tripatite contention for the Imperial Diadem April the 7th Anno Christi 1233. there appeared here in England four Suns besides the natural Sun and presently afrer fell out the great contention between our King Henry the third and his Barons and the year after England was wasted with fire snd sword from Wales to Salisbury there ensued also a great drought and Pestilence Stow. Anno Christi 1460. three Suns appeared the very day before the three Earles viz. Edward Earl of March with the Earl of Pembrook and the Earl of Wiltshire fought that great battel in Wales at Mortimer's Crosse where the Earl of March put the other two to flight and slew many of their men Idem Anno Christi 1233. a little before the Warres brake forth between King Henry the third and his Barons there appeared in April in Hereford and VVorcestershire five Suns at once and a certain great circle of a Crystal colour of about two foot in breadth as it were compassing all England Matth. Paris CHAP. XCI Remuneration Retaliation Requital COmmanded sometime by God Gen 9. 6. Exod. 21. 23 c. Lev. 24. 19 c. Matth. 5. 38. Psal. 137. 8. Jer. 50. 15. Rev. 18. 6. Thus God threatens to the enemies of his Church Jer. 30. 16. 48. 26 27. 49. 2. Rev. 13. 10. Jer. 51. 49. Ezek. 35. 5 6. 39. 30. Hab. 2. 8. Joel 3. 6 7 8. 1 Thess. 1. 6. To those that sin in his Church Pit for pit Psal. 7. 15 16. Idolatry for Idolatry Jer. 5. 19. Spoil for spoil Isa. 33. 1. Prov 22. 23. Treachery for treachery Isa. 33. 1. Harlots hire for harlots hire Mich. 1. 7. Not to hear shall not be heard Prov. 1. 28. Zach. 7. 13. Altars for sin with Altars to sin Hos. 8. 11. they that judge shall be judged Matth. 7. 2. Scriptural Examples Pharaoh drowned others and was drowned himself Exod. 1. 22. with 14. 27. 30. Abimelech and the Sechemites Judg. 9. 24 56 57. Adonibezek Judg. 1. 7. Levites Concubine Judg. 19. 2 25. Ahab and Jesabel 1 King 21. 19. with 22. 34 38. 18. 13. 22. 23. 2 King 9. 33 36 37. Kings which were traytors and slew others were slain themselves 2 King 15. 10 14 23 25 30. Agag 1 Sam. 15. 33. Joab 1 King 2. 32. Daniel's enemies Dan. 6. 7 12 15 24. Other Examples Orodes King of Parthia who had overcome and slain Crassus the Roman Consul in his old age fell desperately sick for grief at the losse of his son Pacones slain by Venticius yet his younger son Phraates had not patience to expect his death but gave him poison to accelerate it But behold Gods providence the poison proving a strong purge wrought out not onely it self but the disease too so that Orodes recovered beyond expectation which Phraates seeing strangled him and to settle him the surer in his Kingdome obtained by Parricide he entred into league with the Romans sending back the Ensigns of Crassus and other Presents the Romans to requite him sent him great gifts and amongst the rest a beautiful Italian strumpet by whom he had a son which being grown up by the advice and help of his mother poisoned his father to get his Crown Tulit quae meruit et quae docuit Lipsius Mithridates King of Pontus to get the Crown slew his mother brother and her three sons and as many daughters but in his old age his own son Phanacus slow him for the same cause Lipsius Ptolemaeus one of Alexander's Successours expelling Antigonus seizeth upon Macedonia makes peace with Antiochus enters into league and affinity with Pyrrhus now all things were sure but onelyfor his sister Arsinoe and her sons who had been married to Lysimachus King of Macedonia therefore intending to entrap her he sent Ambassadours to her pretending love promising to marry her to make her partner with him in the Kingdom and her sons his heires protesting that he took up armes for no other end proffering to swear upon the holy Altars when and where she pleased that all this was in good faith The poor Lady deceived hereby sent some of her friends to take his oath before whom he went into the most ancient Temple and there touching the gods and the Altar swears That he sincerely purposed to marry her to make her his Queen and her children his heires otherwise he prayes for vengeance upon himself c. Upon this Arsinoe comes to him is married and crowned Queen of Macedonia then she delivers up to him Cassandrea a most strong City where her children and all her treasures were he having now his desire sends men that slew her children in their mothers lap and drave her into exile but God suffered not this wickednesse to go long unrevenged
had wont to be called the best stable of woodden Horses because of their potency in shipping though now the English have out-shot them in their own Bowe England was wont to be accounted the Popes Pack-horse for indeed she seldome rested in the stable when any work was to be done The Italians are said to be wise before-hand The Germans in the action and the French after it is done Mr. Aschâ—m thanks God that he was but nine daies in Italy where in one City Venice he saw more liberty co sin then in London he ever heard of in nine years Preface to his School The Neaepolitane Gentry are observed to stand so much upon the puntilio's of their honour that they prefer robbery before industry and will rather suffer their daughter to make merchandise of her chastity then marry the richest Merchant Sr. W. Segar in his honors The earth in Italy yields five harvests in a year 1. In June that of Silks 2. In July of divers Fruits 3. In August that of Corn which afterwards they sowe with Millio Rice Turkey Wheat or the like grain and within two moneths have another Crop 4. In September that of their Wines 5. In October that of Oyl Englands Priviledges The first Christian King that ever was in the world was Lucius King of the Britans that built Peter's Church in Cornhill London The first Christian Emperour that was in the world was Constantine the Great born in England of Helena an English woman The first King that shook off subjection to Antichrist was our King Henry the eighth And the first Christian King that ever wrote that the Pope was Antichrist was our King James CHAP. CII Examples of the wonders of Gods works in Nature IN Cornwal near unto a place called Pen sans is that famous stone called Main-Amber which is a great Rock advanced upon some other of meaner size with so equal a counterpoize that a man may stir it with the push of his finger but to remove it quite out of his place a great number of men are not able Camb. Brit. p. 188. The like is in the Countrey of Stratherne in Scotland In the year 1581. in the Countie of Essex an Army of Mice so overran the Marshes in Dengey hundred near unto South-minster that they shore the grasse to the very roots and so tainted the same with their venemous teeth that a great murrain fell upon the Cattel which grased thereon Speeds Essex In the year 1555. when by reason of unseasonable weather there was a great Dearth in the Land there sprang up upon the Rocks without tillage or sowing in the Countie of Essex betwixt Orford and Adlebrough such a Crop of pease that in August there was gathered above an hundred Quarters and in blossoming there remained as many more where never grasse grew nor earth was ever seen but hard solid Rock for three yards deep under their Roots Speed in Suffolk In the Countie of Devon not far from Lidford the river Lid at a Bridge is gathered into a strait and pent in between rocks whereon it runneth down amaine and the ground daily waxing more and more deep his water is not seen onely a roaring noise is heard to the great wonder of those that pass by Camb. Brit. p. 199. In Warwickshire at Neuenham Regis three fountains walme out of the ground strained through a veine of Allum the water whereof carrying the colour and taste of milk cureth the stone provoketh urine abundantly green wounds it quickly closeth up and healeth being drunk with salt it looseth and with sugar it bindeth the belly Camh. Brit. p. 562. In Summersetshire near unto Glastenbury in Wiral-Pâ—rk there is an Hawthorne tree which upon Christmas-day sprouteth forth as well as in May. Camb. Brit. p. 227. Also in the same Shire near unto Cainsham are found in Stone-quarries stones resembling Serpents winding round in manner of a wreath the head bearing up in the Circumference and the end of the taile taking up the centre within but most of them are headlesse Camb. Brit. p. 236. In Herefordshire a little beneath Richards Castle Nature who no where disporteth her self more in shewing wonders then in waters hath brought forth a pretty Well which is alwaies full of little fish bones although they be from time to time quite drawn out of it whence it 's called commonly Bone-well Camb. Brit. p. 619. In Gloucestershire upon the hills near Alderly are found certain stones resembling Cockles Periwinckles and Oisters which seem to be the garmsome works of Nature or such shells turned into stone Camb. Brit. p. 363. In Yorkshire about Whitby are found certain stones fashioned like Serpents foulded and wrapped round as in a wreath so that a man would verily think that they had been sometimes Serpents turned into stone Camb. Brit. p. 718. Also in the same County at Huntly Nabb there lie scattering here and there amongst the rocks stones of divers bignesse so Artificially by nature shaped round in manner of a Globe that one would take them to be big Bullets made by the Turners hand for shot to be discharged out of great Ordnance In which if you break them are found stony Serpents enwrapped round like a wreath but most of them are headlesse Camb. Brit. p. 721. In the County of Cornwal near unto St. Neots there are a number of good great rocks heaped up together and under them one stone of lesser size fashioned naturally in the form of a Cheese lying in presse whereupon it 's named Wring-cheese Camb. Brit. p. 192. In Yorkshire upon the Sea-shore by Sken-grave when the winds are laid and that upon still weather the Sea is most Calme and the water lies level and plain without any noise there is heard here many times on a sudden a great way off as it were an horrible and a fearful groaning which affrights the fishermen at those times from launching forth into the Sea Camb. Brit. p. 720. In Richmondshire amongst the ragged rocks are found stones like unto Periwinckles Cockles and other shell fish Camb. Brit. p. 727. In the County of Hereford a hill which they call Marcley-hill in the year 1571. as though it had wakened on a sudden out of a deep sleep roused it self up and for the space of three dayes together moving and shewing it self as mighty and huge an heape as it was with roaring noise in a fearful sort and overturning all things that stood in the way advanced it self foreward to the wondrous astonishment of the beholders Camb. Brit. p. 620. In Glamorganshire in a rock or cliffe by the Sea-side there appeareth a very little chink unto which if you lay your ear you shall hear a noise as if it were of Smiths at work one while the blowing of bellows another while the striking of the sledge and hammer sometimes the sound of the grindstone and iron tooles rubbing against it the hissing sparks also of steel gads within holes as they are beaten and the puffing
Asse The Queen-Mother of Scotland having received aid from France forced the Protestants for a while to retire towards the High-lands whereupon she scoffingly said Where is now John Knox his God My God is now stronger then his yea even in Fife but her brags lasted not long For within a few dayes six hundred Protestants beat above four thousand French and Scots c. See Master Knox his Life in my first Part. The same Queen-Mother when some English Scots attempted to take Leith by storme and many of them were slaine by reason that the scaling ladders proved too short beholding it from Edenborough Castle where she was burst out into a great laughter saying Now will I go to Masse and praise God for that which mine eyes have seen And when the French had stripped the slaine and laid the naked bodies along the walls the Queen looking on them said scoffingly Yonder are the fairest Tapestries that ever mine eyes beheld I would that the whole fields which are betwixt Leith and this place were all strewed with the same stuffe But this joy lasted not long For presently after a fire kindled in Leith which burnt up their store-houses and provision for the Army and the Queen-Mother fell sick and died Eodem When Christians complained to Julian the Apostate of the abuse and wrongs which his officers did to them he used scoffingly to answer It 's your part when you are injured to take it patiently for so your God commandeth you See my General Martyrology p. 86. In the late Persecution in Bohemia some godly Martyrs in Prague as they were at supper being to suffer the next day comforted themselves saying that this was their last supper upon earth that to morrow they should feast with Christ in heaven whereupon a great Papist flouted them saying Hath Christ Cooks for you in Heaven Eodem p. 170. Now therefore be no more mockers lest your bands be made strong Isa. 28. 22. CHAP. XXIV Examples of Gods judgements against Perjury SWearing Cursing and Perjury are such God-provoking and Heaven-outfacing sinnes that the Lord doth not only reserve wrath for these his enemies in the world to come but many times also even in this world he takes some of the eminentest of these sinners and as it were hangs them up in Gibbets to be monuments of his heavy wrath and indignation for the terrour of others that they may hear and fear and do no more so wickedly as these ensuing Examples may sufficiently evince It 's a great sinne 1 Tim. 1. 9. 10. Lev. 6. 3. Jer. 23. 10 Hos. 10. 4. Forbidden Lev. 19. 12. Mat. 5. 33. Threatened Jer. 5. 2 and 7. 9. Mal. 3. 5. Zach. 5. 3 4 Hos. 10. 4. Scriptural examples Princes and people Jer. 34 10 11 17. Zedekiah Ezek. 17. 18 19. Saul 2 Sam. 21. 1 2. Agesilaus being sent with a great Army from Sparta into Asia Minor against Tissaphernes the King of Persiu's Leiutenant there Tissaphernes desired to know the reason of his coming Agesilaus answered that it was to let the Grecian Cities free Tissaphernes intreated him to make a truce with him till he had sent to the King of Persia to know his pleasure therein Agesilaus consented and so a truce was made with solemne oaths on both sides but Tissaphernes dealt deceitfully and sent to the King for a great Army which being come to him he sent an Herauld to Agesilaus to command him presently to depart out of Asia Agesilaus being nothing daunted with the newes returned this answer That he gave him no small thanks for that by his perjury he had made the gods angry with the Persians and favourable to the Grecians and accordingly it so fell out for coming to a battel he gave the Persians a great overthrow Xenophon Lysander King of Sparta though otherwise a gallant man yet made no conscience of his oaths using to say that boyes used to be deceived with false dice and men with oaths Plut. Eumenes being made General of an Army against Antigonus by the young King of Macedonia Alexander M. his sonne and his protectour they wrote to the two Colonells of the Argyraspides to adjoyne themselves to him These were Alexanders old souldiers whom when he took them with him into India he made them silver shields and called them Argyraspides These Colonells obeying the command went with him into Asia and after some lesser conflicts the two armies met at last in Media where these silvershields of whom none were under sixty and most of them were seventy years old took in such scorne that their sonnes and boyes should fight against them that they charged them with such fury that after the slaughter of many they made Antigonus his infantry wholly to run away but in the mean time Antigonus his Cavalry had routed the Cavalry of Eumenes and seizing upon their carriges had driven them away the Silver shields hearing of it sent presently to Antigonus desiring him to restore them their carriages againe who answered that if they would deliver up Eumenes bound into his hands he would not only restore their carriages but greatly preferre them also Hereupon most treacherously they ran upon Eumenes took away his sword and bound his hands behinde him so that he could scarce get leave to speake before they carried him away but at last having obtained leave he thus spake O my souldiers ye see the habit and ornaments of your General not imposed upon him by his enemies but you your selves of a Conquerer have made him a Captive You that within one yeares space have bound your selves foure times to me by oath do now to redeem your carriages betray me to mine enemies therefore I desire you rather to kill me your selves for Antigonus desires not to have me living but dead and if you will but herein gratifie me I freely absolve you from all the oaths wherewith you have bound your selves to me or if you will not shew me so much favour then loose one of my bands and give me a sword that I may kill my selfe or if you dare not trust me with a sword cast me to the Elephants to be destroyed by them But when he saw that they would gratifie him in none of these he grew into a passion and said Ye cursed villaines I pray the gods who are the revengers of perjury to send you such ends as ye have brought your Generals unto for I am not the first whom you have thus betrayed c. And so being delivered to Antigonus he was shortly after murthered by him But withal he so hated these perjured Silver shields that he burned one of their Colonells and slew the other the rest of them he sent into remote Countreys and put them upon such desperate services that by degrees they were all cut off and never any one of them returned into his own Countrey againe Plut. King Henry the first of England in the twenty seventh year of his reigne caused the Bishops Abbats and Nobles