that City and all its Inhabitants and was more exactly obeyed in all his orders and commands than ever Monarch had the glory to be in his own Kingdom This most astonishing revolution in the City of Naples began upon Sunday the seventh of Iuly An. 1647. and ended with the death of Masaniello which was upon Iuly the 16. 1647 the tenth day from its beginning 3. The Lord Cromwel was born at Putney a Village in Surrey near the Thames-side Son to a Smith after whose decease his Mother was married to a Sheer-man This young Cromwel for the pregnancy of his wit was first entertained by Cardinal Wolsey and by him employed in many great Affairs The Cardinal falling the King that was Henry the Eighth took him to his service and finding his great abilities advanced him by degrees to these Dignities Master of the Kings Jewel-house and of the Kings Privy Council Secretary to the King and Master of the Rolls Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal made Lord Cromwel and Vicar General under the King over all the Spirituality created Earl of Essex and at last Lord High Chancellor of England 4. In the Reign of King Henry the Second one Nicholas Breakspear born at St. Albans or as others write at Langley in Hartfordshire being a Bond-man of that Abbey and therefore not allowed to be a Monk there went beyond Sea where he so profited in Learning that the Pope made him first Bishop of Alba and afterwards Cardinal and sent him as his Legate to the Norways where he reduced that Nation from Paganism to Christianity and returning back to Rome was chosen Pope by the name of Adrian the Fourth 5. The War betwixt the Chineses and Tartars began in the year 1206. which lasting 77 years at last the Tartars in the year 1288. having totally subdued all that mighty Empire extinguished the Imperial Family of the Sunga's and erected a new Royal Family which they called Iuena of which Tartarian Race nine Emperours by descent ruled the Kingdom of China for the space of 70 years in peace and quietness In this tract of time the Tartars declining from their ancient vigor and having their warlike Spirits softned by the pleasures and delights of the Country there was a contemptible person called Chu he was Servant to one of those that were deputed to offer Sacrifice to their Idols a Native of China and this man presumed to rebel against them At the first he acted the part of a Thief or High way man and being of a generous nature bold quick of hand and wit he gathered such a multitude in a short time that they made up the body of a great Army then deposing the person of a Thief he became a General set upon the Tartars and fought many Battels with them with such fortune and success that in the year 1368. he drove them quite out of the Empire of China receiving for so illustrious an action the whole Empire of China as a worthy reward of his Heroical Exploits It was he that first erected the Imperial Family of the Taminges and was the first Emperour of that Race stiling himself by the name of Hunguuâ— which is the famous Warriour He placed his Court at Nanking near the great River of Kiang and having speedily ordered and established that Empire he made an irruption into Tartary it self and so followed the course of his Victories that he defeated them several times wasted their Territories and finally brought the Oriental Tartars to such streights as he forced them to lay down their Arms to pay Tribute and to beg an inglorious Peace 6. Sinan that great Bassa in the Court of Selymus the First was born of base Parentage as he being a child was sleeping in the shade he had his Genitals bitten off by a Sow The Turkish Officers which usually provided young Boys for the service of the Grand Signior being in Epirus for that was Sinans Country and hearing of this so extraordinary an Eunuch took him amongst others with them to the Court where under Mahomet the Great Bajazet the Second and his Son Selymus he so exceedingly thrived that he was made the chief Bassa of the Court and so well deserved it that he was accounted Selymus his right hand and was indeed the man to whose Valour especially the Turks owe their Kingdom of Egypt in which Kingdom then not fully setled he was also slain 7. Eumenes being a poor Carriers Son attained to such an ability in the Art of War that after the death of Alexander the Great under whom he served he seised on the Provinces of Cappadoâ—ia and Paphlagonia and siding though a Stranger to Macedon with Olympias and the Blood Royal against the Greek Captains he vanquished and slew Craterus and divers times drove Antigonus afterwards Lord of Asia out of the field but being by his own Souldiers betrayed he was by them delivered to Antigonus and by him slain 8. When Alexander the Great had taken the City of Tyre he permitted Ephestion his chief Favourite to chuse whom he would to be King there Ephestion proffered it to him with whom he had lodged a rich and honourable person but he refused it as not touching the blood of their Kings in any degree Then being asked by Ephestion if he knew any of the Royal Lineage yet living he told him there was a wise and honest man remaining but that he was in extremity of poverty Ephestion went to him forthwith with the Royal Robes and sound him in a Garden lading water out of a pit for a little money and in ragged apparel Ephestion tells him the intent of his coming cloaths him in all the Royal Ornaments and brings him into the Forum where the people were convented and delivers him the Soveraignty over them The people chearfully accepted of a person that was so accidentally and wonderfully found out to rule over them His name was Abdolonymus or as others Ballonymus 9. Licungzus at first a common Thief then a Captain of a Troop of Robbers by degrees arrived to that force and power in China that he took all the Province of Honan subjected the Province of Xensi and gave Sigan the Metropolis of it as a prey to his Souldiers These and many other his fortunate Exploits caused him to take the name of King with the addition of Xungvan which sounds as much as Licungzus the prosperous and at last thinking himself secure of the Empire he took the name of Emperour upon him and stiled the Family wherein he thought to establish this Dignity Thienxunam as much as to say obedient to Heaven By which he endeavoured to perswade the Souldiers and people that it was by the disposition of the Heavens that he should reign He besieged Peking the Metropolis of all China and with his victorious Army he entred and took it An. 1644. and coming into the Palace sate him down in the Imperial Throne though it was observed in this first act
in the judgment of himself and all his Citizens He made a solemn Feast upon his Birth-day and having invited all his friends setteth himself to the displaying of all his prosperity which himself magnifieth admireth and extolleth above the clouds and at last comes to this he asks one of his inward friends if there wanted any thing to make up his felicity compleat who considering what little stay there is in worldly matters and how they roll and flye away in a moment or rather inspired from above made this answer Certainly the wrath of God cannot be long from this thy so great prosperity Well the Forces of the Guelphs beginning to decay the Gibbellines run to Arms beset the house of this prosperous Hugolin break down the Gates kill one of his Sons and a Grandchild that opposed their entrance lay hold on Hugolin himself imprison him with two other of his Sons and three Granchildren in a Tower shut all the Gates upon them and throw the keys into the River of Arne that ran hard by Here Hugolin saw those goodly Youths of his dying between his arms himself also at deaths door He cryed and besought his enemies to be content that he might endure some humane punishment and to grant that he might be confessed and communicate e're he dyed But their hearts were all flint and all he requested with tears they denied with derision so he dyed pitifully together with his Sons and Grandchildren that were inclosed with him So sudden and oftentimes so tragical are the revolutions of that life which seems most to promise a continuance of prosperity 15. Amongst all those that have been advanced by the favour of mighty Princes there was never so great a Minion nor a more happy man in his life until his death than was Ibraim Bassa chief Vizier to Solyman the Great Turk This Bassa finding himself thus highly caressed by his Lord and Master he besought him on a day as he talked with him with great familiarity that he would forbear to make so much of him lest being elevated too high and flourishing beyond measure it should occasion his Lord to look a scance upon him and plucking him from the top of Fortunes wheel to hurl him into the lowest of misery Solyman then swore unto him that while he lived he would never take a way his life But afterwards moved against him by the ill success of the Persian War by him perswaded and some suspicion of Treachery yet feeling himself tyed by his oath he forbore to put him to death till being perswaded and informed by a Talisman or Turkish Priest that a man asleep cannot be counted amongst the living in regard the whole life of man is a perpetual watch Solyman sent one night an Eunuch who with a sharp razor cut his throat as he was quietly sâ—eeping upon a Pallet in the Court. And thus this great Favourite had not so much as the favour to be acquainted with his Masters displeasure but was sent out of the world at unawares his dead body was reviled and curst by Solyman after which a weight was tyed to it and it cast into the Sea 16. George Villiers was the third Son of Sir George Villiers Knight was first sworn Servant to King Iames then his Cupâ—bearer at large the Summer following admitted in ordinary the next St. Georges day he was Knighted and made Gentleman of the Kings Bedâ—chamber and the same day had an annual pension of a thousand pound given him out of the Court of Wards At New-years tide following the King chose him Master of the Horse After this he was installed of the most noble Order of the Garter In the next August he created him Baron of Whaddon and Viscount Villiers In Ianuary of the same year he was advanced Earl of Buckingham and sworn of his Majesties Privy Council The March ensuing he attended the King into Scotland and was likewise â—worn a Councellor in that Kingdom At New-years Tide after he was created Marquess of Buckingham and made Lord Admiral of England Chief Justice in Eyre of all the Parks and Forests on the South-side of Trent Master of the Kings Bench Office head Steward of Westminster and Constable of Windsor Castle chosen by the King the chief Concomitant of the Heir apparent in his Journey into Spain then made Duke of Buckingham and his Patent sent him thither After his return from whence he was made Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports and Steward of the Mannor of Hampton-Court But in the midst of all these Honours of the Duke upon Saturday the 23. of August at Portsmouth when after break-fast he came out of the room into a kind of Lobby somewhat darker and which led to another Chamber where divers waited with Sir Thomas Fryer close at his ear in the moment as the said Knight withdrew himself from the Duke one Iohn Felton a younger Brother of mean fortunes in Suffolk gave him with a back blow a deep wound into his left side leaving the knife in his body which the Duke himself pulling out on a sudden effusion of spirits he sunk down under the table in the next room and immediately expired One thing in this enormous accident is I must confess to me beyond all wonder as I received it from a Gentleman of judicious and diligent observation and one whom the Duke well favoured that within the space of not many minutes after the fall of the body and removal thereof into the first room there was not a living creature in either of the Chambers with the body no more than if it had lain in the Sands of Ethiopia whereas commonly in such cases you shall note every where a great and sudden conâ—lux of people unto the place to hearken and see but it seems the horrour of the Fact stupisied all curiosity Thus dyed this great Peer in the thirty sixth year of his age compleat and three days over in a time of great recourse unto him and dependence upon him The House and Town full of Servants and Suitors his Dutchess in an upper room scarce yet out of her bed and the Court at this time not above six or nine miles from him which had been the Stage of his Greatness 17. Charles the Gross the twenty ninth King of France and Emperour of the West began to reign in the year 885. the eyes of the French were fixed upon him as the man that should restore their Estate after many disorders and confusions He went into Italy and expelled the Saracens that threatned Rome being returned he found the Normans dispersed in divers Coasts of his Realm Charles marches with his Army against them but at the first encounter was overthrown this check though the loss was small struck a great terrour and at last caused an apparent impossibility to succour Neustria and recover it from so great Forces He was therefore advised to treat with them to make them of enemies friends and to leave them that which
himself a Subject to the King of Spain he was executed at Tyburn where being cut down half dead after his privy members were cut off he rushed on the Executioner and gave him a blow on the ear to the wonder of the by-standers 5. It is said of Crassus Grandfather to that Crassus who was slain in the Parthian War that he was never known to laugh all his life time and thereupon was called Agelastus or the man that never laught 6. Antonia the Wife of Drusus as it is well known never spit and Pomponius the Poet one that had sometimes been Consul never belched 7. It is memorable which is recorded of a King named Wazmund and was the Founder of Warwick Town that he had a Son named Offa tall of stature and of a good constitution of body but blind till he was seven years old and then saw and dumb till he was thirty years old and then spake 8. In the first year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth died Sir Thomas Cheney Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports of whom it is reported for a certain that his pulse did beat more than three quarters of an hour after he was dead as strongly as if he had been still alive 9. George Nevil fourth Son of Richard Nevil Earl of Salisbury was consecrated Bishop of Exeter when he was not as yet twenty years of age at twenty five he was made Lord Chancellor of England and discharged it to his great commendation his ability supplying the luck of age in him 10. When I was in Italy that Paradise of the World the outward skin of a Lady of Verona though lightly touched did manifestly sparkle with fire This spectacle so worthy of the research of the inquisitive and curious is faithfully exposed to the World by the publick Script of Petrus à Castro the learned Physician of Verona in his Book de Igne lambente whom I shall follow in the relation of this story The illustrious Lady Catherina Buri the Wife of the noble Io. Franciscus Rambaldus a Patritian of Verona of a middle age indifferent habit of body her universal temper hot and moist her liver hot and dry and so abounding with bilious and black blood with its innate fervour and an age fit for adustion increased by vehement grief This noble Lady the Creator endued with so stupendous a Dignity and Prerogative of Nature that as oft as her body was but lightly touched with linen sparks flew out plentifully from her limbs apparent to her domestick Servants as if they had been struck out of a flint accompanied also with a noise that was to be heard by all Oftentimes when she rubbed her hands upon the sleeve of her smock that contained the sparkles within it she observed a flame with a tailed ray running about as fired exhalations are wont to do insomuch that her Maids were oftentimes deluded supposing they had left fire in the bed after warming of it in Winter in which time also fire is most discernible This fire was not to be seen but in the dark or in the night nor did it burn without it self though combustible matter was applied to it nor lastly as other fire did it cease within a certain time but with the same manner of appearance of light it shewed it self after my departure out of Italy 11. I have read saith Rossâ— of one who had a horn grew upon his heel a foot long which being cut off grew again and would doubtless have still renewed if the tough and viscous matter had not been diverted and evacuated by Issues Purges and Phlebotomy 12. Fernelius saith he saw a Girl that lived in near neighbourhood to him the ligaments of whose joynts were so very loose that you might bend and turn any of them this or that way at your pleasure and that it was so with her from the time of her birth 13. Sir Iohn Mason born at Abington bred at All souls in Oxford died 1566. and lies buried in the Quire of St. Pauls I remember this Distick of his long Epitaph Tempore quinque suo regnantes ordine vidit Horum à Consiliis quatuor ille fuit He saw five Princes which the Scepter bore Of them was Privy Counsellor to four That is to Henry the Eighth Edward the Sixth Q. Mary and Q. Elizabeth 14. Thomas Bourchier successively Bishop of Worcester Ely and Archbishop of Canterbury and Cardinal by the Title of St. Cyriacus in the Baths being consecrated Bishop of Worcester An. 1435. the fourteenth of Henry the Sixth he died Archbishop of Canterbury 1486. the second of King Henry the Seventh whereby it appears that he wore a Miter full fifty one years a term not to be parallel'd in any other person he saw the Civil Wars of York begun and ended having the honour to marry King Henry the Seventh to the Daughter of King Edward the Fourth Nor is it the least of wonders that he lost not himself in the Laâ—yrinth of such intricate times 15. Sir Thomas Frowick was made Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in the eighteenth year of the Reign of King Henry the Seventh four years he sate in his place accounted the Oracle of the Law in his Age though one of the youngest men that ever enjoyed that Office He 〈◊〉 reported to have died floridâ juventute before full forty years old so that he was Chief Justice at thirty five he died 1506. Octob. 17. 16. That was great and excellent in Socrates that whatever fell out of joy or otherwise he returned with the same countenance he went forth with and was never seen to be more merry or melancholy than at other times in any alteration of times or affairs 17. In the Reign of King Iames in the year 1613. on the 26. of Iune in the Parish of Christ-Church in Hampshire one Iohn Hitchel a Carpenter lying in bed with a young child by him was himself and the child burnt to death with a sudden Lightning no fire appearing outwardly upon him and yet lay burning for the space of almost three days till he was quite consumed to ashes 18. Lucius Fulvius being Consul of the Tusculani who at that time rebelled he deserted them and was thereupon made Consul at Rome and so it fell out that in one and the same year in which he was an Enemy to Rome he triumphed at Rome and a Consul over those to whom he had been Consul 19. It is said of Charles Earl of Valois that he was the Son of a King Brother to a King Uncle to a King and Father to a King and yet no King himself 20. There was amongst the Magnesians one Protophanes who in one and the same day won the Prize in the Olympick Games both at Wrastling and other Games when he was dead certain Thieves opened his Sepulchre and went into it hoping to have found something to prey upon after which
to say to those that were in his company Which of you dares to take a piece of flesh out of this Lyon's throat when he is angry None daring to take it in hand You shall see added the Polonian the proof of my Speech All that day following the Lyon had not any meat given him the next day they threw him the fore Quarters of a Sheep the Lyon begins to grunt to couch down at his Prey and to eat greedily Herewith the Polonian enters and loâ—king the Lyon betwixt his legs gives him a blow with his fist upon the Jaw crying hah you Dog give me the flesh The Lyon amazed at such a bold voice let go his hold shewing no other Countenance but casting his eye after the Polonian that carried the flesh away 5. The City of Rome being taken by the Gauls and those that fled to the Capitol besieged in this distress some of the Romans that were fled to Veientum brought that same Camillus whom before they had ungratefully forced into Exile to take upon him the Supreme Command He answered that while those in the Capitol were safe he took them for his Country and should obey their Commands with all readiness but should not obtrude himself upon them against their will But all the difficulty was to send to them that were inclosed in the Capitol by the way of the City it was impossible as being full of Enemies But amongst the young men of Ardaea where Camillus then was there was one Pontius Cominius of a mean Birth but desirous of Glory and Honour who offered himself to this piece of service He took no Letters to them lest being taken the design should be betrayed to the Enemy But in meat habit and pieces of Cork under it he performed part of his journey by day-light as soon as it grew dark being near the City because the Bridge was kept by the Enemy he could not that way pass the River with his light Garment therefore bound about his head and bearing up himself upon his Cork he swam over the River and perceiving by the fire and noise that the Guards were awake he shunn'd them and came to the Carmental Gate there all was silent and the Capitoline Hill was most steep and hard to ascend By this way he climbs up and at last came to the Sentinels that watched upon the Walls he salutes them and tells them who he was He was taken up led to the Magistrates acquaints them with all his business They presently create Camillus Dictator and by the same way dismiss Pontius who with the same wonderful difficulty escaped the Enemy as before and came safe to Camillus and Camillus to the safety of his Countrey 6. In the Reign of Tham King of China there was a Colao an Officer not unlike that of our Duke who having been Tutor to the King was very powerful with him and to preserve himself in his Grace and Favour studied more to speak what would please the King then to tell him the truth for the good of his Estate The Chineses forbare not to speak of it amongst themselves and to tax the flattery of this Coloa once some Captains of the Guard were discoursing this Point at the Palace when one of them being a little warmed with the Discourse secretly withdrew himself went into the Hall where the King was and kneeling down upon his knees before him the King asked what he would have Leave said he to cut off the head of a flattering Subject And who is that said the King Such a one who stands there replied the other The King in a rage What said he against my Master darest thou to propound this and in my Presence too Take him away and strike off his head When they began to lay hands upon him he caught hold of a wooden balanster and as there were many pulling of him and he holding with a great deal of strength it brake by this time the King's heat was over he commands they should let him go and gave order that the balanster should be mended and that they should not make a new one that it might remain a witness of the Fact and a memorial of a Subject that was not afraid to advise his King what he ought to do 7. Phocion the Athenian was a man that stood with unmoveable constancy against the Multitude the Nobles Fortune and Death it self There was once an Oracle recited at Athens viz. that there was amongst them one single man that ever dissented from the agreeing opinions of all the rest All the people were enraged and enquired after that man Now pray said Phocion surcease your enquiry I am the man you seek for for not one thing of all that you do did ever please me 8. In a Parliament at Salisbury in the twenty fifth year of King Edward the First the King requires certain of his Lords to go to the Wars in Gascoigne which needed a present Supply by reason of the death of his Brother Edmund but all the Lords made excuses each for themselves Whereupon the King in great rage threatned they should either go or he would give their Lands to others that would Upon this Humphry Bohune Earl of Hereford High Constable and Robert Bigod Earl of Norfolk Marshal of England made their Declaration that if the King went in Person they would attend him otherwise not which Answer offended the King more and being urged again the Earl Marshal protested he would willingly go thither with the King and march before him in the Van-guard as by right of Inheritance he ought to do But the King told him plainly he should go with any other though he went not himself in person I am not so bound said the Earl neither will I take that Iourney without you The King swore By God Sir Earl you shall go or hang. And I swear by the same Oath said the Earl that I will neither go nor hang and so departed without leave 9. Avidius being General of the Army when a part of the Auxiliaries without his privity had slain three thousand of the Sarmatians upon the Banks of the Danubius and returned with a mighty Spoil the Centurions expecting mighty Rewards for that with so small Forces they had overthrown so great a number but he commanded them to be seized and crucifyed For said he it might have fallen out that by a sudden eruption of the Enemy from some Ambush the whole Army might have been hazarded But upon this Order of his a Sedition arose in the Army when he straight goes forth into the midst of the Mutineers unarmed and without any Life-Guard where unappalled he spake in this manner Kill me if you dare and give a glorious instance of your corrupted Discipline When they saw his undaunted boldness they all grew quiet and willingly submâ—tted themselves to Discipline which thing not only preserved the Romans themselves in obedience but struck such an awe into
about with a stony bark CHAP. IV. Of such persons as have made their entrance into the World in a different manner from the rest of mankind MIlle modis morimur uno tantum nascimur saith Tully we die a thousand ways but we are born but one But certainly as there is a marvellous diversity of accidents through which Man arrives to his last end So also curious Nature hath in a various manner sported her self in the birth of some And howsoever she brings most of us into the World as it were in a common Road yet hath she also her by-paths and ever and anon singles out some whom she will have to be her Heteroclites and so many exceptions from the general rule 1. Zoroastres was the only Man that ever we could hear of that laughed the same day wherein he was born his brain also did so evidently pant and beat that it would bear up their hands that laid them upon his head An evident presage saith Pliny of the great Learning which he afterwards attained unto 2. M. Tullius Cicero is said to have been brought into the World by his Mother Helvia upon the third of the Nones of Ianuary without any of those pains that are usual in child-bearing 3. Such as were born into the World with their feet forward the Latines were wont to call Agrippae and Agripina saith Pliny hath left in writing that her Son Nero the late Emperour who all the time of his Reign was a very enemy to mankind was born with his feet forwards 4. Some children are born into the World with Teeth as M. Curius who thereupon was sirnamed Dentatus and Cn. Papyrius Carbo both of them great Men and right honourable Personages In Women it was look'd upon as of ill presage especially in the days of the Kings of Rome for when Valeria was born toothed the Soothsayers being consulted answered that look into what City she was carried to Nurse she should be the cause of the ruine and subversion of it Whereupon she was conveyed to Suessa Pomeria a City at that time most flourishing in Wealth and Riches and it proved most true in the end for that City was utterly destroyed 5. Some are cut out of their Mothers Womb such was Scipio Affricanus the former so also the first of those who had the sirname of Caesar thus saith Schenckius was that Manilius born who entred Carthage with an Army and so saith Heylen was that Mackduffe Earl of Fife who slew Mackbeth the usurping King of Scotlaâ—d and so Edward the Sixth of England 6. Anno 959. Buchardus Earl of Lintzgow Buchorn and Monfort a person of great bounty to the Poor chosen Abbot of Sangal and confirmed therein by Otho the Great was vulgarly call'd unborn because he was cut out of his Mothers Womb. 7. Gebhardus the Son of Otho Earl of Bregentz was cut out of his Mothers Womb and was consecrated Bishop of Conslantia Anno 1001. 8. I saw saith Horatius Augenius a poor Woman of a â—leshy and good habit of body who for nine months had an exulceration of the Ventricle and for twenty days space vomited up again all that she eat or drank as soon as she had taken it of this Disease she died and dissecting her womb we took out thence a living boy who by my direction had the name of Fortunatus given him at his Baptism and he is yet alive 9. I my self saith Cornelius Gemma have cut out of the Womb six living Children from six several persons 10. Amongst many strange examples appearing upon record in Chronicles we read of a Child in Saguntum that very year wherein it was forced and razed by Hanibal which so soon as it was come forth of the Mothers Womb presently returned into it again 11. Iohannes Dubravius hath observ'd of Lewis the Second King of Hungary and Bohemia that there were four things wherein he was over hasty That he became great in a very small time that he had a beard too soon that he had white hairs before he was past seventeen years of age and that he was over forward in his birth for he came into the World without any of that skin which is call'd Epidermis which yet he soon after got the Physiâ—ians lending their assistance to that which Nature had not time to finish he died in the 21. of his Age Anno 1526. August the 29. 12. When Spinola besieg'd the City of Bergopsoma a Woman who was near her count going out to draw water was taken off in the middle by a Cannon-bullet so that the lower part of her feâ—l into the water such as were by and beheld that misfortune ran to her and saw there a child moving it self in the bowels of the Mother they drew it forth and carried it into the Tents of Don Cordua kept it with all care being afterwards brought thence to Antwerp the Infanta Isabella caused it to be baptiz'd and gave it the name of Albertuâ— Ambrosius one of her Father's Captains 13. Anno 1647. Iacobus Egh in the City of Sarda in Bâ—lgia had a Bull which he fed tying him in a Close near his house but provok'd by the boys he brake his bonds and ran to the Cows the Herdsman endeavoured with his staff to return him to his former place the bull being incens'd with his blows ran upon him and with his horns bore him to the ground his Wife being now in the last month of her count seeing the danger of her Husband ran in to his assistance the bull with his horns hoisted her up into the Air the height of one story and tore the belly of the woman from the wound in her belly forthwith came the birth with its secundine and was thrown at some distance upon a soft place was carried home diligently look'd after by a Midwife and upon the first of September baptiz'd had his Fathers name given him and is yet alive the Man liv'd 36. hours the woman but 4. the bull was slain the day after by the command of the Magistrates 14. Gorgias a gallant Man of Epirus slipt from the Womb in the Funerals of his Mother and by his unexpected crying caused them to stand who carried the Bier affording thereby a new spectaâ—le to his Country having his birth and cradle in the Cossin of his Parent In one and the same moment a dead woman was deliver'd and the other was carried to the Grave before he was born 15. Fnâ—cho Arista the first King of Navarr being dead Garsias his Son succeeded who being one day in the Village of Larumbe was surprized â—y some Moorish Robbers assaulted and slain they wounded Vrracha his Queen in the Belly with a Lance the Thieves put to flight the Queen at the wound was deliver'd of a Son and died the child to all Mens wonder was safe and was nam'd Sancius Garsia he was well educated by a noble person prov'd a gallant Man and
the saddle and left a wound upon the back of the Horse The Mahometans observing that terrible blow provoked him no farther but departed as they came The Almain without mending his pace came up safely to the rest of the Army 26. Iohn Courcy Baron of Stoke Courcy in Somersetshire the first Englishman that subdued Vlster in Ireland and deservedly was made Earl of it he was afterwards surprised by Hugh Lacy corrivaâ— to his title sent over into England and by King Iohn imprisoned in the Tower of London A French Castle being in controversie was to have the title thereof tryed by combat the Kings of England and France beholding it Courcy being a lean lank body with staring eyes is sent for out of the Tower to undertake the Frenchman and because enfeebled with long durance a large bill of Fare was allowed him to recruit his strength The Monsieur hearing how much he had eat and drank and guessing his courage by his stomach or rather stomach by his appetite took him for a Cannibal who would devour him at the last course and so he declined the Combat Afterwards the two Kings desirous to see some proof of Courcy's strength caused a steel Helmet to be laid on a block before him Courcy looking about him with a grim countenance as if he intended to cut with his eyes as well as with his arms sundred the Helmet at one blow striking his Sword so deep into the wood that none but himself could pull it out again Being demanded the cause why he looked so sternly Had I said he fail'd of my design I would have killed the Kings and all in the place Words well spoken because well taken all persons present being then highly in good humour He died in France anno Dom. 1210. 27. Polydamus the Son of Nicias born at Scotussa in Thessalia was the tallest and greatest man of that age his strength was accordingly for he slew a Lion in the Mount Olympus though unarm'd he singled out the biggest and fiercest Bull from a whole Herd took hold of him by one of his hinder feet and notwithstanding all his struggling to get from him he held him with that strength that he left his hoof in his hand being afterwards in a Cave under a Rock the earth above began to fall and when all the rest of his company fled for fear he alone there remain'd as supposing he was able with his Arms to support all those ruines which were coming upon him but this his presumption cost him his life for he was there crush'd to death 28. Ericus the second King of Denmark was a person of huge Stature and equal strength he would throw a Stone or a Javelin as he sate down with much greater force than another that stood as he sate he would struggle with two men and catching one betwixt his knees would there hold him till he had drawn the other to him and then he would hold them both till he had bound them He also would take a rope by both the ends of it and holding it thus in his hands sitting he gave the other part of it to four strong men to pull against him but while they could not move him from his seat he would give them such girds now with the right and then with the left hand that either they were forced to relinquish their hold or else notwithstanding all they could do to the contrary he would draw them all to the feat where he sate 29. The Emperour Tiberius had the joynts of his Fingers so â—irm and strongly compacted that he could thrust his Finger through a green and unripe Apple and could give a â—illip with that force that thereby he would break the head of a lusty man CHAP. XXV Of the marvelous fruitfulness of some and what number of their descendants they have liv'd to see also of superfoetation IN the front of this Discourse it will not be amiss to revive the memory of a Roman Matron in whom there were so many wonders concentred that it would almost be no less to forget her Ausonius calls her Callicrate and thus Epitapheth for her as in her own person Viginti atque novem genitrici Callicrateae Nullius Sexus mors mihi visa fuit Sed centum quinque explevi bene messibus annos Intremulam baculo non subeunte manum Twenty nine birth 's Callicrate I told And of both Sexes saw none sent to grave I was an hundred and five Summers old Yet stay from staff my hand did never crave A rare instance which yet in the two former respects you will find surpass'd in what follows 1. There lyes a Woman bury'd in the Church at Dunstable who as her Epitaph testifies bore at three several times three Children at a Birth and five at a Birth two other times 2. Elionora Salviata the Wife of Bartholomew Frescobald a Citizen of Florence was delivered of fifty and two Children never less than three at a Birth 3. One of the Maid-servants of Augustus the Emperour was delivered of five Children at a Birth the Mother together with her Children were bury'd in the Laurentine way with an Inscription upon them by the order of Augustus relating the same 4. Also Serapia a Woman of Alexandria brought forth five Children at one Birth saith Coelius 5. Anno 1553. The Wife of Iohn Gissinger a Tigurine was delivered of Twins and before the year was out brought at once five more three Sons and two Daughters 6. Here is at Bononia one Iulius Seutinarius yet living and is also a fruitful Citizen himself he came in the World with six Births and was himself the seventh his Mother was the Sister of D. Florianus de Dulphis my Kinsman saith Carpus 7. Thomas Fazel writes that Iane Pancica who in his time was marryed to Bernard a Sicilian of the City of Agrigentum was so fruitful that in thirty Childbirths she was delivered of seventy and three Children which saith he should not seem incredible seeing Aristotle affirms that one Woman at four Births brought forth twenty Children at every one â—ive 8. There is a famous story of the beginning of the Noble Race of the Welfs which is this Irmentrudes the Wife of Isenbard Earl of Altorf had unadvisedly accus'd of Adultery a Woman that had three Children at one Birth being not able to believe that one man could at one time get so many Children adding with all that she deserv'd to be sow'd up in a Sack and thrown into the River and accusing her in that regard to the Earl her Husband It hapned that the next year the Countess felt her self with Child and the Earl being from home she was brought to Bed of twelve Male-children but all of them very little She fearing the reproach of Adultery whereof yet she was not guilty commanded that eleven of them should be taken and cast into a River not far from the House
with Arrows Those of his Company having almost reached the top of the Wall were slain with Stones or wounded and carried into the Camp 27. The Romans having won the Tower Antonia the Jews â—led into the Inner Temple and there maintained sight from the ninth hour of the night to the seventh hour of the day at which time the Romans had the worst of it This was observed by Iulian a Centurion born in Bithinia who at that time stood by Titus in Antonia he therefore presently leaped down thence and all alone pursued the Jews who had the Victory in the Inner Temple And the whole multitude â—led deeming him by his force and tourage not to have been a man in the midst of them he slew all he lighted upon whilst for haste the one overturned the othe This deed seemed admirable to Caesar and terrible to his Enemies Yet did the destiny befal him which no man can escape for having his Shooes full of sharp Nails as other Soldiers have running upon the Pavement he slipped and fell down his Armour in the fall making a great noise whereat his Enemies who before fled now turned again upon him Then the Romans in Antonia fearing his life cryed out but the Jews many at once strook him with Swords and Spears He defended many blows with his Shield and many times attempting to rise they strook him down again yet as he say he wounded many neither was he quickly slain because the nobler parts of his body were all armed and he shrunk in his neck a long time till other parts of his body being cut off and no man helping him his strength failed Caesar sorrowed to see a man of that force and fortitude slain in the sight of such a multitude The Jews took his dead body and did beat back the Romans and shut them in Antonia only the brave Iulian left behind him a renowned memory not only amongst the Romans and Caesar but also amongst his Enemies CHAP. XXXVII Of the fearless Boldness of some Men and their desperateâ— solutions SOme men have within them a Spirit so daring and adventurous that the presence and more than probability of any disaster whatsoever is not able to conjure down To desperate Diseases they apply as desperate Remedies and therein Fortune sometimes so befriends them that they come off as successfully with their Presumptions and Temerities as others who mannage their Counsels with the greatest care and conduct they are able 1. A Dutch Sea man being condemned to death his Punishment was changed and he was ordered to be left at St. Hellen's Island This unhappy person representing to himself the horrour of that Solitude fell upon a resolution to attempt the strangest action that ever was heard of There had that day been interred in the same Island an Officer of the Ship The Sea-man took up the body out of the Coffin and having made a kind of Rudder of the upper board ventured himself to Sea in it It happened fortunately to him to be so great a Calm that the Ship lay immoveable within a League and half of the Island when his Companions seeing so strange a Boat â—loat upon the Waters imagined they saw a Spectre and were not a little startled at the resolution of the man who durst hazard himself upon that Element in three boards slightly nailed together though he had no confidence to find or be received by those who had so lately sentenced him to death Accordingly it was put to the question whether he should be received or not some would have the Sentence put in execution but at last mercy prevailed and he was taken aboard and came afterwards to Holland where he lived in the Town of Horn and related to many how miraculously God had delivered him 2. The French King Charles the Eighth through the weakness of Peter de Medices in his Government had reduced the City of Florence unto such hard terms that he had the Gates of it set open to him he entred it not professing himself friend or foe to the Estate in a triumphant manner himself and his Horse armed with his Lance upon his thigh Many Insolences were committed by the French so that the Citizens were driven to prepare to fight for their Liberty Charles propounds intolerable Conditions demanding high summs of money and the absolute Rule of the State as by right of Conquest he having entred armed into it But Peter Caponi a principal Citizen catching these Articles from the King's Secretary and tearing them before his face bad him sound his Trumpets and they would ring their Bells Which bold and resolute words made the French better to bethink themselves and came readily to this Agreement that for forty thousand pounds and not half that money to be paid in hand Charles should not only depart in peace but restore whatever he had of their Dominion and continue their assured friend 3. Henry Earl of Holsatia sirnamed Iron because of his strength being gotten into great favour with Edward the Third King of England by reason of his Valour was envied by the Courtiers who one day in the absence of the King counselled the Queen that for as much as the Earl was preferred before all the English Nobility she would make tryal whether he was so nobly born as he gave out by causing a Lyon to be let loose upon him saying that the Lyon would not so much as touch Henry if he was Noble indeed They got leave of the Queen to make this Tryal upon the Earl He was used to rise before day and to walk in the base Court of the Castle to take the fresh Air of the morning The Lyon was let loose in the night and the Earl having a night Gown cast over his Shirt with his Girdle and Sword and so coming down the Stairs into the Court met there with the Lyon bristling his hair and roaring he nothing astonished said with a stout voice Stand stand you Dog At these words the Lyon couched at his feet to the great amazement of the Courtiers who looked out of their holes to behold the issue of this business The Earl laid hold of the Lyon and shut him within his Cage he left his Night-cap upon the Lyon's back and so came forth without so much as looking behind him Now said the Earl calling to them that looked out at the Windows let him amongst you all that standeth most upon his Pedigree go and fetch my Night-cap but they ashamed withdrew themselves 4. In the Court of Matthias King of Hungary there was a Polonian Soldier in the King's Pay who boasted much of his valour and who in a bravado would often challenge the Hungarians to wrastle or skirmish with the Sword or Pike wherein he had always the better One day as he stood by a great Iron Cage in which a Lyon was kept the greatest and fiercest that had been seen of a long time he began
they were that were his Confederates Zeno named not one of them but all such as were of most credit with the Tyrant these he rendred suspected to him and reproching the Citizens with their fear and cowardise he excited them to so suddain and vehement impulse of mind that they stoned the Tyrant Phalaris in the place 12. Theodorus a wise and excellent person wearied the hands of all the Tormentors that Hieronymus the Tyrant exposed him to the severity of his Scourges the Racks he was stretched upon the Burning Irons he was tortured with could never be able to extort from him a confession of the names of them that were with him in the Conspiracy or to betray the Secret he was intrusted with but instead of this in the extremity of his sufferings he impeached the principal Favourite of the Tyrant and that person he most relyed upon in the Government and thereby deprived him of one that was most faithful to him CHAP. XLVIII Of such who in their raised Fortunes have been mindful of their low Beginnings AT the Coronation of the Emperors of Constantinople it was customary to present them with several sorts of Marbles and of different colours by the hand of a Mason who was then to bespeak the new Emperor to this purpose Chuse mighty Sir under which of these Stones Your pleasure is that we should lay your bones They brought him Patterns for his Grave-stone that the prospect of death might contain his thoughts within the due bounds of modesty and moderation in the midst of his new Honours And it was doubtless to keep them humble that the following persons were so mindful of their obscure beginnings 1. Pope Benedict the Eleventh was born of mean Parentage nor was he unmindful of his primitive poverty when advanced to this high degree of honour While he was in the Monastery his Mother was a Laundress to the Monks and being now made Pope he sent for her to come to him she came and the great Ladies supposing it unfit to present her to his Holiness in her homely Attire had furnished her in such manner that she now appeared almost another woman Being thus brought into the presence of her Son the Popâ— dissembled his knowledge of her And what mean you said he bring me my Mother as for this Lady I know her not â—s my Mother is a Laundress and it is with her that I desire to speak They therefore withdrew her from the Presence stripp'd her of all her costly Ornaments and having dressed her up in her old rags they again returned with her then the Pope embraced her In this habit said he did I leave my Mother in this I know her and in this I receive her The Emperors of China elect their Wives out of their own Subjects and provided they are otherwise accomplished as in Beauty and inclinations to Vertue they regard not her Estate or Condition in so much that for the most part they are the Daughters of Artizans One of these was the Daughter of a Mason and when she was Queen kept ever by her an iron Trowel when the Prince her Son upon any occasion behaved himself more haughtily than became him she sent to shew him that instrument with which his Grand-father used to lay Stones for his Living by which means she reduced him to better temper 3. Aâ—athocles who from the Son of a Potter came to be King of all Sicily would yet never wear Diadem nor have any Guard about him He also caused his name to be engraven in Greek letters upon Vessels of Earth these Vessels he disposed amongst the richest of his Pots of Silver and Gold that he might be thereby imminded from whence he descended 4. Willegis Arch-Bishop of Mentz from a base condition ascended to the highest Dignities yet would he leave behind him a perpetual mark of his humility and a remembrance of his mean Quality to his Successors Being of a poor House and Son to a Carter he caused these words following to be written in great letters in his lodging Chamber Willegis Willegis recole unde veneris Willegis Willegis remember whence thou camest He caused also the Wheels and other Instruments of a Cart to be there hung up in remembrance of his Pedigree Lesâ— the Second of that name of a base Descent was for his Vertues chosen King of Polonia Anno 780. But he ruled as a Prince descended from ancient Kings and all his life time upon solemn days when he was to appear in his Royal Robes he caused a Garment of course Cloth which he had worn before to be cast over them thereby to keep in remembrance his former life 6. When Libussa Princess of Bohemia had first ennobled and then married Primislaus the third of that name who before was a plain Husbandman In remembrance of his â—irst condition he brought with him at such time as he was to receive the Royalties a pair of wooden Shooes and being asked the cause he answered that he brought them to that end that they might be set up for a Monument in the Castle of Visegrade and shewed to his Successors that all might know that the first Prince of Bohemia of that Race was called from the Cart to that high Dignity and that he himself who from a Clown was brought to wear a Crown might remember he had nothing whereof to be proud These Shooes are still kept in Bohemia as a precious Relick and the Priests of Visegrade carry them about in Procession upon every Coronation day This Prince having encreased his Kingdom built the City of Prague and walled it about did long reign happily and left a numerous Posterity 7. Iphicrates that noble General of the Athenians in the midst of his Triumphs cryed out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from what to what from how great misery and baseness to how great blessedness and glory are we exalted 8. Thomas Cromwel was born at Putney in Sussex his Father was a Black-smith and though he could do little to his Education by reason of his Poverty yet such was the pregnancy of the Son that through various Fortunes and Accidents he was first knighted by King Henry the Eighth then made Master of his Jewel house then one of the Privy Council then Master of the Rolls then Knight of the Garter and lastly Earl of Essex Great Chamberlain of England and the King's Vicegerent to represent his own Person Now whereas men advanced from mean and base degree to high Dignity usually grow proud forgetting what they were and whence they came and casting off their old friends who were formerly beneficial to them it was sar otherwise with this noble Earl as appears by sundry examples Riding in his Coach with Arch-Bishop Cranmer through Cheapside he spyed a poor woman of Hounslow to whom he was indebted for several old Reckonings to the value of forty shillings he caused her to be called unto him asked her whether he
of her Friends to receive the Kings Oath which he immediately gave them in an ancient Temple touching the Altar and Images of the gods cursing himself with horrid and utmost execrations if he did not sincerely desire the marriage of his Sister if he did not make her his Queen and her Children his Heirs and no other Arsinoe now full of hopes comes to an enterview and conference with him who in his countenance and eyes carried nothing but love he marries her sets the Diadem upon her head in sight of the People and Souldiery and calls her Queen Arsinoe overjoyed went before to Cassandrea a well fortified City where her Treasures and her Chilren were this was the only thing he sought she brings in her Husband to receive and feast him there the Wayes Temples and Houses were adorned sacrifices offered her Son Lysimachus of sixteen and Philip of thirteen years old were commanded to go meet their Unkle whom he met and greedily embraced without the Gates and brought along with him Being entred the Gate and Castle he layes aside his Mask and resumes his own countenance and affections having brought in his Souldiers he immediately commands the Royal youths to be slain and that in the lap of their Mother whither they had fled she the more miserable in this that she might not dye with them having in vain interposed her self betwixt them and the Swords of their Executioners was driven into exile with the allowance only of two Maids to attend her there But Ptolomy did not long triumph in his victory for an inundation of Gauls breaking into Macedonia overcame and took him cut off his head and fixing it at the end of a Spear carried it about to strike terrour into others 6. In the raign of Queen Elizabeth there was in the City of London one Ann Averies Widow who forswore her self for a little mony that she should have paid for six pound of Flax at a shop in Woodstreet upon which she was suddenly surprised with the justice of God and fell down immediately speechless casting up at her mouth what nature had ordained to pass another way and in this agony died 7. Mclech Bahamen a King that commanded many Hills and Dales in Gelack and Taurus was looked upon by the Covetous and ambitious eye of Shaw Abbas King of Persia he sent therefore Methicuculi Beg with an Army of Cooselbashawes to perfect his designs upon him commanding his General not to descend thence without victory Bahaman having intelligence hereof after he had like an experienced Souldier performed all other things requisite put Himself his Queen two Sons and ten thousand able men in a large and impregnable Castle victualled for many years not fearing any thing the Persian could attempt against him Methicuculi having viewed this inaccessible Fortress and finding force not valuable turns Politician summons them to a Parlee which granted he assaults them with protestations of truce and friendship entreating the King to descend and taste a Banquet swearing by Mortis Alli the head of Shaw Abbas by Paradise by eight Transparent Orbes he should have Royal quarter come and go as pleased him By these Paynim attestations and rich presents he so allured the peaceful King that was unused to deceit that at last he trained the King and his two Sons to his treacherous Banquet whereat upon a sign given three Cooselbashes standing by at one instant with their slicing Scimitars whipt off their heads e're this villany was spred abroad by vertue of their Seals he caused the men above to descend and yield up the Castle unto him some receiving mercy others destruction By this detested policy he yoked in slavery this late thought indomitable Nation 8. Stigand thrust himself into the Archbishoprick of Canterbury and with it held Winchester he raised the Kentish men against William the Conqueror who thereupon bore a grudge against him underhand procured Legates from Rome to deprive him and he was likewise clapt up in the Castle of Winchester and hardly used even well near famished which usage was to make him confess where his treasure lay But he protested with Oaths that he had no mony yet after his death a little Key was found about his neck the lock whereof being carefully sought out shewed a note or direction of infinite treasures hid under ground in divers places he dyed in the year 1069. 9. Elfrid a Noble man intending to have put out the eyes of King Ethelstan his treason being known was apprehended and sent to Rome where at the Altar of St. Peter and before Pope Iohn the tenth he abjured the fact and thereupon immediately fell down to the earth so that his Servants bore him to the English School where within three dayes after he dyed the Pope denying him Christian buryal till he knew King Ethelstan's pleasure 10. From Basham in Sussex Earle Harold for his pleasure putting to Sea in a small Boat was driven upon the Coast of Normandy where by Duke William he was detained till he had sworn to make him King of England after Edward the Confessors death he afterwards without any regard to his oath placed himself in the Throne Duke William thereupon arrived at Pensey and with his Sword revenged the perjury of Harold at Battel in the same County and with such severity that there fell that day King Harold himself with sixty seven thousand nine hundred seventy and four English men the Conquerour thereby putting himself into full possession 11. Ludovicus King of Burgundy made war upon the Emperour and being taken prisoner by him the Emperour gave him his liberty having first made him swear that he should never more make war upon him Ludovicus was no sooner free in his person but as if he had been free of his oath too he came upon the Emperour with greater preparations and a stronger Army than before But he was overcome the second time and lost all his eyes also were plucked out and upon his forehead from ear to ear were these words imprinted with a hot Iron This man was saved by Clemency and lost by Perjury 12. In the reign of the Emperour Ludovicus the Son of Arnulphus Adelbert Palatine of the Oriental France was accused of having slain the Emperours Son and thereupon was closely besieged by the Emperour in the Castle of Aldenburg near Pabeberg but the Castle was so well fortified both by Art and Nature that the Emperour despaired of forcing it or prevailing with the defenders of it to surrender themselves Hatto the Bishop of Mentz goes to Adelbert who was his near Kinsman and therefore the more liable to be overreached by his fraud and invites him to treat with the Emperour and that if things should not prove to his own mind he swore to him that he would see him safe returned into his Castle of Strength Adelbert accepts of the motion the Bishop and he went out of the Gates when the Bishop looking upon the Sun
Iohn Thornborough preferred by Queen Elizabeth Dean of York and Bishop of Lymbrick in Ireland where he received a most remarkable deliverance in manner following Lodging in an old Castle in Ireland in a large room partitioned but with Sheets or Curtains his Wife Children and Servants in effect a whole Family these all lying upon the ground on Mats or such like in the dead time of the night the floor over head being earth and plaster as in many places is used and over-charged with weight fell wholly down together and crushing all to pieces that was above two foot high as Cupboards Table-forms Stools rested at last on certain Chests as God would have it and hurt no living creature In the first of King Iames 1603. he was consecrated Bishop of Bristol and from thence was translated to Worcester 16. In the Massacre of Paris one Merlin a Minister fled and hid himself in a Hay-mow where he was strangely nourished and preserved for all the time he lay there which was a fort-night together a Hen came constantâ—y and every day laid an Egg by him by which he was sustained 17. Chingius Chan first Emperour of the Tartarians slying from a Battel where he had unprosperously fought hid himself amongst bryers and shrubs to escape the pursuit of the Enemy An Owl sate upon the bush whereinto he had crept to preserve himself The Enemy passing that way and seeing an Owl to sit upon the bush declined the search of that place as supposing no man was there where a bird had pearched so securely and by this means Chingius escaped From that time forth an Owl was in great honour amongst the Tartars they looking upon it as a bird of fortunate presage and carrying the feathers of them in their Caps with great devotion 18. Leo Son to the Emperour Basilius Macedo was accused by Theodorus Sandabarenus a Monk as having designed upon the life of his Father and was thereupon cast into prison and was freed thence by these strange means The Emperour on a time feasted divers of the greatest Lords in his Court they were all sate when a Parrot that was hung up in a Cage in the Hall in a mournful tone cryed Alas alas poor Prince Leo it is like he had frequently heard Courtiers passing to and fro bewailing the Princes hard fortune in those terms and when he had often spoke these words the Lords at the Table were seised with such a sudden sadness that all of them neglected their meat the Emperour observed it and called to them to eat inquiring the reason why they did not When one of them with tears in his eyes replied How should we eat Sir being thus reproached by this bird of our want of duty to your Family the brute Creature is mindful of his Lord and we that have reason have neglected to supplicate your Majesty in the behalf of the Prince whom we all believe to be innocent and to suffer under calumny The Emperor moved with these words commanded to fetch Leo out of prison admitted him to his presence and restored him first to his favour and then to his former Dignity of Caesar. 19. Guy Earl of Burgoigne Grandchild to Richard the Second Duke of Normandy grew sensible of his Right to the Dukedom of Normandy and joyning with Viscount Neele and the Earl Bessin two powerful Normans conspired the death of Duke William who afterward conquered England and they had effected it if a certain Fool about him had not stoln away in the night to the place where the Duke was and never left knocking and crying at the Gate till he was admitted to his presence willing him to flye for his life instantly or he would be murdered The Duke considering that being related by a Fool it was like to be the more probable and that there might be danger in staying none in going rode instantly away all alone toward Falais his principal Castle But missing his way he happened to pass where a Gentleman was standing at his door of whom he asked the way and was by him as knowing him directed Which he had no sooner done but the Conspirators came presently inquiring if such a one had not passed that way which the Gentleman affirmed and undertook to be their Guide to overtake him but leading them on purpose a contrary way the Duke by this means came safely to Falais From thence he journies to the King of France complains of his injuries who so aided him that he made him greater than he was before 20. Mr. Lermouth alias Williamson Chaplain to the Lady Anne of Cleve a Scotch man being cast into prison for the Truths sake as he was on a time meditating he heard a voice probably of an Angel saying to him Arise and go thy ways whereunto when he gave no great heed at the first he heard the same voice a second time Upon this he fell to prayer and about half an hour after he heard a voice the third time speaking the same words whereupon rising up immediately part of the prison-wall fell down and as the Officers came in at the outward gate of the prison he went out at the breach leaped over the prisonditch and in his way meeting a Beggar he changed his Coat with him and coming to the Sea-shore he found a Vessel ready to set sail into which he entred and escaped 21. The people of Sicily being oppressed by divers Tyrants craved assistance of the Corinthians who sent them for their succour a Captain of theirs called Timoleon a man famous for military Discipline and for moral Vertues Timoleon in a short time had such success that the Tyrants despairing either to overcome him or to defend themselves by force one of them called Icetes suborned a couple of desperate Villains to assassinate him who perswading themselves they might best perform it as he should be sacrificing to his Gods and wholly attentive to his devotions watched an opportunity for that purpose They found him one day in the Temple ready to sacrifice and drew near him to execute their design but as they were ready to strike him one of the standers by who suspected nothing of their intention upon a sudden gave one of the Conspirators such a mortal wound that he fell dead in the place The other seeing his Fellow killed and thinking the Conspiracy was discovered fled to the Altar took hold thereof craved pardon of the Gods and of Timoleon and promised that if he would save his life he would discover all the practice In the mean time he thaâ— killed the other Conspirator being â—led was taken and brought back calling God and man to witness that he had done nothing but a most just and lawful act in killing him that had killed his Father which being known to some that were present and testified by them to be true filled all the assistants with admiration of the divine Providence which by such an accident had not only
wherein we have any understanding it can never be suâ—ficiently wondred at that it should be so very little that we are able to comprehend with any certainty concerning the Soul it self The most learned amongst men are at a loss as often as they would speak distinctly touching its nature manner of working the way of its conjunction with the body and principal place of its residence and so are they also for the manner of its retreat and the place of its retirement in such cases as are propounded in this Chapter 1. William Withers born at Walsham in Sussex being a child of eleven years of age did An. 1581. lye in a trance ten days without any sustenance and at last coming to himself uttered to the standers by many strange speeches against pride and covetousness coldness of charity and other outragious sins 2. Hermotimus the Clazomenian seemed frequently to have his body deserted of the soul and as if it had wandred about in the World at the return of it he would relate such things at a distance performed that none could tell of but such as were present by which means he was long the admiration of such as he dwelt amongst At last being in one of these trances his enemies seised upon his body and burnt it by which means the returning soul was disappointed of its usual place of residence and retreat Plin. lib. 7. cap. 52. pag. 184. 3. Iohannes Scotus the same who hath treated with such subtilty concerning divine matters is also said to have been in frequent raptures in such manner that he hath been observed to sit sometimes for the space of a whole day and more immoveable with his mind and senses bound up or at least wandring far off from the body In which condition at length he was taken up by some such as were unacquainted with him and so buried alive 4. Restitutus a Presbyter could at his pleasure deprive himself of all sense and would do it as oft as he was asked which many did as desirous to be the eye-witnesses of so admirable a thing At the imitation of some notes and the tone of lamenting persons he would lie as one that was dead altogether sensless of his being pulled or pricked nay once being burnt with fire he had no apprehension or feeling at all of it for the present only the wound was painful to him at his return to himself In these his trances he did not breathe at all only he would say that the voices of men only if they spake louder than ordinary were heard by him as if they were at some great distance from him 5. Thomas Aquinas by his daily and constant contemplations had so accustomed himself that frequently falling into an Ecstasie of the mind he seemed to all that were present to be dead yet in the mean time he gained the knowledge of the abstruser Mysteries in Divinity and being returned to himself he imparted to others the fruits of this his philosophick death both in his Writings and Converse 6. Hieronymus Cardanus of Millain writes of himself that he could pass as oft as he would into such an Ecstasie as only to have a soft hearing of the words of such as discoursed by him but not any understanding of them at all he felt not any pullings or pinches of him nor was at such times in the least manner sensible of the pains of the Gout or any other thing but only such things as were without him The beginnings of this were first in the head especially from the brain diffusing it self thence all along to the back bone At first he could perceive a kind of separation from the heart as if the soul were departing and this was communicated to the whole body as if a door did open He adds that he saw all that he desired with his eyes not by any force of the mind and that those images of things did perpetually move as Woods Mountains living Creatures and what else he pleased He imputes all this to the vigour of his fancy and the subtilty of his sight 7. The Father of Prestantius saith St. Augustine was often in such an Ecstasie that upon the return of his spirit he would affirm that he had been transformed into a Horse and that he with other Horses had carried relief and forrage into the Camp whereas his body lay then at his own house in the manner of a dead Corps 8. The English Histories relate that Elizabeth Burton a Maid of Canterbury had contracted a custom of entrancing her self and taking away her senses which first came upon her by reason of a disease which she had upon her CHAP. XIX Of extraordinary things in the Bodies Fortunes Death c. of divers persons TRavellers that have determined to pass through divers Countries lightly touch those common occurrences that present themselves to every mans eye but if they meet with any thing extraordinary these they set a special and particular remark upon as matter wherewith mens knowledge may be improved and their curiosity gratified If I have staid the longer upon this Chapter it is possibly for some such reason as this that the Reader may have something if not so profitable as he could wish yet not altogether unpleasant in the perusal 1. Antonius Cianfius a Book-seller at Pisa some few years since putting off a shirt which was made straiter to his body than usual flames were seen to issue from his back and arms and that also with a crackling noise to the affrightment of the whole family The truth of this is attested as well as the History related by Fortunius Licetus that great Philosopher of this Age in the second Book and 28. Chapter of his Commentary of the Causes of Monsters 2. That is strange which is recorded of M. Furius Camillus that though he had gained many important Victories was often General in the head of an Army was Censor was five times created Dictator and at four several times had triumphed and was also called the second Founder of Rome yet was he never chosen Consul 3. Nicholas Wotton was termed a Center of Remarkables so many met in his person he was Dean of the two Metropolitan Churches of Canterbury and York he was the first Dean of those Cathedrals he was Privy Counsellor to four successive Soveraigns King Henry the Eighth King Edward the Sixth Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth he was employed thirteen several times in Embassies to foreign Princes and which is not the least remarkable in the first of Queen Elizabeth he was offered the Archbishoprick of Canterbury and refused it he died 1566. 4. Iohn Story Doctor of Law a cruel Persecutor in the days of Queen Mary fled afterwards into Brabant being trained into the Ship of Mr. Parker an English man the Master hoised Sail and over was this Tyrant and Traitor brought into England where refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy and professing