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
England and marryed to David King of the Scots that she was familiarly called Iane make peace both for her earnest and successful endeavours therein 10. In old time the Month of March was the first Month amongst the Romans but afterward they made Ianuary tha first the reason of which is thus rendred by some Romulus being a Martial Prince and one that loved Feats of War and Arms and reputed the Son of Mars he set before all the Months that which carried the Name of his Father But Numa who succeeded him immediately was a man of peace and endeavoured to draw the hearts and minds of his Subjects and Citizens from War to Agriculture so he gave the prerogative of the first place unto Ianuary and honoured Ianus most as one who had been more given to politick and peaceable Government and to the husbandry of Ground than to the exercise of War and Arms. 11. The Lord Treasurer Burleigh was wont to say that he overcame Envy and Evil will more by patience and peaceableness than by pertinacy and stubbornness And his private Estate he so manag'd that he never sued any man neither did ever any man sue him whereby he lived and dyed with glory 12. Numa Pompilius instituted the Priests or Heraulds called Feciales whose office was to preserve peace between the Romans and their Neighbouring Nations and if any quarrels did arise they were to pacifiâ— them by reason and not suffer them to come to violence till all hope of peace was past and if these Feciales did not consent to the Wars neither King nor people had it in their power to undertake them 13. Heraclitus was brought by the earnest prayers and entreaties of his Citizens that he would bring forth some sentence of his concerning Peace Unity and Concord Heraclitus got up into the Desk or Pulpit where he called for a cup of sair water which he sprinkled a little bran or meal upon then he put into it a little Glacon which is a sort of herb and so supped it off This done without speaking one word he departed leaving the more prudent and wiser sort of people to collect from thence that if they would cease from immoderate expences and costly matters and betake themselves to such things as were cheap and easie to be had that this was a sure way wherein the lovers of peace and concord might attain unto their desires 14. Otho the Emperour when he saw that he must either lay down the Empire or else maintain himself in the possession thereof by the blood and slaughter of a number of Citizens he determined with himself to die a voluntary death When his Friends and Soldiers desirâ—d him that he would not so soon begin to despair of the â—vent of the War he replyed That his liâ—e to him was not of that value as to occasion a Civil War for the defâ—nce of it Who can chuse but admire that such a spirit as this should be found in a Heathen Prince and he too not above thirty years of age 15. Alphonsus made use of Ludovicus Podius for the most part as his Embassador in Italy as having found him a person of singular diligence and fidelity when therefore this his Embassador gave him to understand that he might easily extort two hundred thousand Crowns for that peace which he was to grant to the Florentines and Venetians This noble and most generous Prince made him this return That his manner was to give peace and not to sell it 16. Servius Sulpitius was an Heathen Lawyer but an excellent person it is said of him that Ad facilitatem aequitatemque omnia tulit neque constituore litium actiones quam controversias tollere maluit He respected equity and peace in all that he did and always sought rather to compose differences than to multiply Suits of Law 11. Sertorius the more he prospered and prevailed in his Wars in Spain the more importunate he was with Metellas and Pompey the Roman Generals that came against him that laying down Arms they would give him leave to live in peace and to return into Italy again professing he preferred a private life there before the Government of many Cities CHAP. VI. Of the signal Love that some men have shewed to their Country JOhn the Second King of Portugal who for the nobleness of his mind was worthy of a greater Kingdom when he heard there was a Bird called a Peliâ—an that tears and gashes her Breast with her Bill that with her own blood thus shed she might restore her young ones to life that were leâ—t as dead by the bitings of Serpents This excellent Prince took care that the figure of this Bird in this action of hers should be added to other his Royal Devices that he might hereby shew that he was ready upon occasion to part with his own blood for the wellfare and preservation of his people and Country Pity it is to conceal their names whose minds have been in this matter as pious and Princely as his not doubting to redeem the lives of their Fellow-Citizens at the price of their own 1. The Town of Calis during the Reign of Philip de Valois being brought to those straits that now there was no more hope left either of Succours or Victuals Iohn Lord of Vienna who there â—ommanded for the King began to treat about the surrender of it desiring only that they might give it up with the safety of their lives and Goods Which conditions being offered to Edward King of England who by the space of eleven months had straitly besieged it he being exceedingly enraged that so small a Town should alone stand out against him so long and withal calling to mind that they had often galled his Subjects by Sea was so far from accepting their petition that contrariwise he resolv'd to put them all to the Sword had he not been diverted from that resolution by some sage Counsellors then about him who told him that for having been faithful and loyal Subjects to thâ—ir Sovereign they deserved not to be so sharply dealt with Whereupon Edward changing his â—irst purpose into some more clemency promised to receive them to mercy conditionally that six of the principal Townsmen should present him the Keys of the Town bare-headed and bare-footed and with Halters about their Necks their lives being to be left to his disposition whereof the Governour being advertised he presently gets him into the Market place commanding the Bell to be tolled for the conventing of the people whom being assembled he acquainted with the Articles which he had received touching the yielding up of the Town and the assurance of their lives which could not be granted but with the death of six of the chief of them with this news they were exceedingly cast down and perplexed when on the sudden there rises up one of their own company called Stephen S. Peter one of the richest and most sufficient men of the Town
who thus spake aloud Sir I thank God for the Goods he hath bestowed upon me but more that he hath given me this present opportunity to make it known that I prize the lives of my Countrymen and Fellow-Burgesses above mine own At the hearing of which speech and sight of his forwardness one Iohn Daire and four others after him made the like offers not without a great abundance of prayers and tears from the common people who saw them so freely and readily sacrifice all their particular respects for the Weal of the publick And instantly without more ado they address themselves to the King of England with the Keys of the Town with none other hope but of death to which though they held themselves assured thereof they went as chearfully as if they had been going to a Wedding yet it pleasing God to turn the heart of the English King at the instance of the Queen and some of the Lords they were all sent back again safe and sound 2. When the Grecians of Doris a Region between Phocis and the Mountain Oeta sought counsel from the Oracle for their success in the Wars against the Athenians it was answered that then undoubtedly they should prevail and become Lords of that State when they could obtain any victory against them and yet preserve the Athenian King living Codrus the then King of Athens by some intelligence being inform'd of this answer withdrew himself from his own Forces and putting on the habit of a common Soldier entred the Camp of the Dorians and killing the first he encountred was himself forthwith cut in pieces falling a willing sacrifice to preserve the liberty of his Country 3. Cleomenes King of Sparta being distress'd by his Enemy Antigonus King of Macedon sent unto Ptolomey King of Aegypt for help who promised it upon condition to have his Mother and Child in pledge Cleomenes was a long time ashamed to make his Mother acquainted with these conditions went oftentimes on purpose to let her understand it but when he came he had not the heart to break it to her she suspecting asked his Friends if her Son had not something to say to her whereupon he brake the matter with her when she heard it she laughing said How comes it to pass thou hast concealed it so long Come come put me straight into a Ship and send me whether thou wilt that this body of mine may do some good unto my Country before crooked age consume it without profit Cratesiclea for so was her name being ready to depart took Cleomenes into the Temple of Neptune embracing and kissing him and perceiving that his heart yearn'd for sorrow of her departure O King of Sparta said she let no man see for shame when we come out of the Temple that we have wept and dishonoured Sparta Whilest she was with Ptolomey the Achaians sought to make peace with Cleomenes but he durst not because of his pledges which were with King Ptolomey which she hearing of wrote to him that he should not spare to do any thing that might conduce to the honour or safety of his Country though without the consent of King Ptolomey for fear of an old woman and a young boy 4. Sylla having overcome Marius in Battle commanded all the Citizens of Praeneste to be slain excepting one only that was his intimate Friend but he hearing the bloody sentence pronounced against the rest stepped forth and said That he scorn'd to live by his favour who was the destroyer of his Country and so went amongst the rest who were to be slain 5. Theomistocles the Athenian General after his many famous Exploits was banished the Country and sought after to be slain he chose therefore to put himself rather into the power of the Persian King his Enemy than to expose himself to the malice of his Fellow Citizens He was by him received with great joy insomuch that the King in the midst of his sleep was heard to cry out thrice aloud I have with me Themistocles the Athâ—nian He also did him great honour for he allotted him three Cities â—or his Table provisions and two others for the Furniture of his Wardrobe and Bed While he remain'd in that Court with such Splendour and Dignity the Aegyptians rebelled encouraged and also assisted by the Athenians The Grecian Navy was come as far Cyprus and Cilicia and Cimon the Athenian Admiral rode Master at Sea This caused the Persian King to levy Soldiers and appoint Commanders to repress them He also sent Letters to Themistocles then at Magnesia importing that he had given him the supreme command in that affair that he should now be mindful of his promise to him and undertake this War against Greece But Themistocles was no way mov'd with anger against his ungrateful Country-men nor incited to the War with them by the gift of all this honour and power for having sacrificed he called then about him his Friends and having embraced them he drank Bulls blood or as others say a strong poison and so chose rather to shut up his own life than to be an instrument of evil to that Country of his which yet had deserved so ill at his hands Thus died Themistocles in the sixty fiâ—th year of his age most of which time he had spent in the management of the Republick at home or as the chief Commander abroad 6. The Norvegians going out of their own Country upon any account whatsoever as soon as they return and set their first foot upon that earth they fall prostrate upon the ground and signing themselves with the Cross they kiss the earth And O thou more Christian Land cry they than all the rest of the world so highly do they admire their own Country and its worship with a contempt of all others 7. In the year three hundred ninety three from the Building of Rome whether by Earthquake or other mâ—ans is uncertain but the Forum at Rome open'd and almost half of it was fallen in to a very strange depth great quantities of earth was thrown into it but in vain for it could not be fill'd up The Soothsayers therefore were consulted with who pronounced that the Romans should devote unto that place whatsoever it was wherein they most excelled Then Martius Curtius a person of admirable valour affirming that the Romans had nothing besides Arms and Virtue wherein they excelled he devoted himself for the safety of his Country and so arm'd on Horseback and his Horse well accoutred he rode into the gaping Gulph which soon after closed it self upon him 8. The Tartars in their invasion of China were prosperous on all sides and had set down themselves before the Walls of the renowned and vast City of Hangchen the Metropolis of the Province of Chekiang where the Emperour Lovangus was enclosed Lovangus his Soldiers refused to fight till they had received their arrears which yet at this time he was not able to pay them It
drawn thither with his Fleet Being agreed upon the terms the Captains must mutually entertain one another and the â—irst lot fell upon Sextus who received them in his Ship there they supp'd and discoursed with all freedom and mirth when Mâ—nas the freed man of Sextus and Admiral of the Navy came and thus whispered Sextus in the Ear Wilt thou said he that I sâ—all cut the Cables put off the Ship and make thee Lord not only of Sicily and Sardinia but of the whole World it self He said it and it was easie to do it there was only a Bridge which joyn'd the Ship and Shore together and that remov'd the other fell in and who could hinder or oppose the design and upon those two whom he had in his hand all the Roman welfare relyed but Sextus valued his faith given And said he thou Menas perhaps oughtest to have done it and unknown to me But since they are here let us think no more of it for Perjury is none of my property 12. Fabius had agreed with Hannibal for the exchange of Captives and he that had the most in number should receive money for the over-plus Fabius certifies the Senate of this agreement and that Hannibal having two hundred and forty more Captives the money might be sent to reduce them The Senate refused it and withal twitted Fabius that he had not done rightly and orderly nor for the honour of the Republick to endeavour to free those men whose Cowardise had made them the prey of their enemies Fabius took patiently this anger of the Senate but when he had not money and purposed not to deceive Hannibal he sent his Son to Rome with command to sell his Lands and to return with the money to the Camp He did so and speedily came back he sent Hannibal the money and received the Prisoners many of whom would afterwards have repaid him but he freely forgave them 13. Guy Earl of Flanders and his Son were freed from Prison by Philip the fair King of France upon their saith given that in case they could not return the Flemings to their obedience who rebelled and with the English molested Philip that then they should reuurn themselves to their wonted durance They were not able to effect the one and therefore perform'd the other and in that prison Guy shortly after dyed 14. Ferdinand the first King of Spain left three Sons behind him Sanctius Alphonsus and Garcius amongst whom he had also divided his Kingdoms but they lived not long in mutual peace for soon after the death of their Father Sanctius who was of a fierce and violent disposition made war upon his Brother Alphonsus overcame und took him Prisoner and thrust him into a Monastery constrained Religion lasts not long and therefore he privily deserted his Cloyster and in company with Petrus Ansurius an Earl he fled for protection to Almenon King of Toledo He was a Moor and an enemy to the others Religion but there had been friendship and peace betwixt him and Ferdinand the Father of this distressed Prince and upon this account he chose to commit himself unto his faith and was chearfully received by him Long he had not been with him when in the presence of the King the hair of this Prince was observed to stand up an end in such manner that being several times stroked down with the hand they still continued in their upright posture The Moorish Southsayers interpreted this to be a prodigy of evil abodement and told the King that this was the man that should be advanced to the Throne of Toledo and thereupon perswaded to put him to death The King would not do it but preferred his faith given to the fear he might apprehend and thought it sufficient to make him swear that during his life he should not invade his Kingdom A while after King Sanctius was slain by Conspirators at Zamora and his Sister Vrrata being well affected to this her Brother sent him a messenger with letters to invite him to the Kingdom advising him by some craft and with celerity to quit the borders of the Barbarians where he was Alphonsus bearing a grateful mind would not relinquish his Patron in this manner but coming to Almâ—â—on acquainted him with the matter And now said he noble Prince compleat your Royal savours to me by sending me to my Kingdom That as I have hitherto had my liâ—e I may also have my Scepter of your generosity The King embraced him and wished him all happiness But said he you had lost both Life and Crown if with an ungrateful mind you had fled without my privity for I knew of the death of Sanctius and silâ—ntly I awaited whaâ— course you would take and had dispos'd upon the way such as should have return'd you back from your â—light had it been attempted But no more of this all I shall require of you is that during life you shall be a true friend to me and my elder Son Hissemus and so sent him away with money and an honourable retinue This Alphonsus did afterwards take the City and Kingdom of Toledo but it was after the death of Almenon and his Son 15. Iohn the first King of France was overthrown in battle and made prisoner by Edward the black Prince and afterwards brought over into England Here he remained four years and was then suffered to return unto France upon certain conditions which if he could make his Subjects submit to he should be free if otherwise he gave his faith to return He could not prevail to make them accept of the hard terms that were proffered whereupon he returned into England and there dyed 16. Renatus Duke of Berry and Lorrain was taken in Battle by the Soldiers of Philip Duke of Burgundy and was set at liberty upon this condition that as oft as he should be summon'd he should return himself into the power of the Duke while he was thus at liberty it fell out that upon the death of his Brother Lewis King of Naples he was called to succeed him in that Kingdom and at this time it was that the Duke of Burgundy demanded his return according to his oath Renatus well understood that this came to pass by the means of Alphonsus of Arragon who gaped after Naples and he was also proffered by Eugenius the fourth to be dispensed with in his oath notwithstanding all which he determin'd to keep his faith inviolate and so return'd to the Duke by him he was put in safe custody yet at last he was again set at liberty but not before such time as that through this his constrained delay the enemy had secured the Kingdom to himself 17. Antaâ—f King of some part of Ireland warring against King Ethelstan disguised himself like a Harper and came into Ethelstans Tent whence being gone a Soldier that knew him discovered it to the King who being offended with the Soldier for not declaring it sooner the Soldier made this
they were But let it be observed that he was thrust out of his Kingdom made a private man died in infamy and the hatred of all men 7. Iulianus at the first feigned himself to be a Christian and as some say was entred into Orders for Deacon from a worshipper of Christ he afterwards turn'd a great Persecutor and mocker of the Christians and Christianity it self in contempt of which he permitted the Jews to re-edifie that Temple of theirs which had been ruined under Titus and the care of that affair was committed to Antiochenus Philippus but the divine power shew'd forth it self to the terrour of men for so soon as they had laid the Stones in the Foundation of it the earth began to make a horrid noise and exceedingly trembled it cast out the begun Wall sent forth a flame that slew the Workmen and consumed all the Tools and Instruments that were there as well Iron as other This was it that occasioned the work to be laid aside the next night there were divers Crosses found upon the garments of many men and those in such manner set on that they could not be washed or any other way got out thence At last this Iulianus waging War with the Persians by an unknown hand he received a deadly wound betwixt his Ribs when filling his own hands with his own blood and throwing it up towards Heaven he brake out into these words Satisfie thy malice O Galilean so he called Christ for I acknowledge I am overcome by thee 8. Pope Leo the tenth admiring the huge mass of money which by his Indulgences he had rak'd together said most Atheistically to Cardinal Bembus Vide quantum haec fabula de Christo nobis profuit See what a deal of wealth we have gotten by this Fable of Christ And when he lay upon his death-bed the same Cardinal rehearsing a Text of Scripture to comfort him his reply was Apage has nugas de Christo Away with these baubles concerning Christ. 9. Nero the Emperour spoiled Temples and Altars without any difference and thereby shew'd that Religion was not only despised but also hated by him nor did he spare that Syrian Goddess which he worshipped but sprinkled the face of her with urine by these and the like means he became hated both of God and men so that the people of Rome revolted from him whereby he was compell'd to a fearful and miserable slight and fearing they would inflict on him torments worse than death he laid violent hands upon himself 10. Antoninus Commodus had not only abused himself divers other waies but even in the midst of the solemnities of Religion he could not abstain from impiety When he sacrificed to Isis with the Image of that Goddess which himself carried he laid upon the heads of the Priests and enforced them so to pelt one another with Pine Nuts which according to the Rites of their Religion they carryed in their hands that sometimes some of them died upon it With these and other wicked acts of his he was grown into that hatred that he lost his life as he lay in his bed slain by such as were about him to the great rejoycing of the people of Rome his body after it had some time lain unburied was cast into Tyber 11. A Cardinal with great Pomp making his entrance into the City of Paris when the people were more than ordinarily earnest with him for his fatherly Benediction Quandoquidem said he hic populus vult decipi decipiatur in nomine Diaboli Since these people will be fool'd let them be fool'd in the Devils name 12. Iohn King of England having been a little before reconciled to the Pope and then receiving an overthrow in France in great anger cryed out That nothing had prosper'd with him since the time he was reconciled to God and the Pope Being also on a time a Hunting at the opening of a fat Buck See said he how the Deer hath prospered and how fat he is and yet I dare swear he never heard Mass. He is reported in some distress to have sent Thomas Hardington and Raph Fitz-Nichols Knights in Embassage to Miramumalim King of Africk and Morocco with offer of his Kingdom to him upon condition he would come and aid him and that if he prevail'd he would himself become a Mahometan and renounce his Christian Faith The end of him was that he was poysoned by a Monk of Swinstead Abbey in Lincolnshire 13. Theophylact son of the Emperour by the absolute power of the Emperour was seised of the Patriarchate of Constantinople he then became a Merchant of Horses which he so violently affected that besides the prodigious race of two thousand which he ordinarily bred he many times left the Altar where he sacrificed to the living God to hasten to see some Mare of his that had Foaled in the Stable 14. Leo the fourth Emperour of Constantinople thrust on by his covetous desire in shew of jest as another Dionysius took off the Crown from the head of St. Sophia which had been made by former Princes in honour of her not without vast expences he afterwards wore it upon his own head But his impiety passed not without its punishment for instead of Gemms Carbuncles and envenomed Pustules brake out on every part of his head so that he was constrain'd thereby to lay aside his Crown and also to depart the World 15. Paulus Graecus had revolted from Bamba King of the Goths usurped the title of the King of Spain and besides divers other evil actions of his he had taken out of a Temple in the City of Gerunda a Crown which the devout King Bamba had consecrated to St. Foelix not long after he was duly rewarded for it For he was taken by Bamba against whom he had rebelled he was brought from Nemausis a City in France to Toledo in Spain Crown'd with a Diadem of Pitch his eyes put out riding upon a Camel with his face turned towards the tail and followed all along with the reproaches and derision of all that beheld him 16. M. Crassus the Roman General going upon a Military expedition into Parthia as he passed through Iudaea his covetousness put him upon the thoughts of Sacriledge so that he risted the Temple of Ierusalem of the Treasures that were laid up in it but divine vengeance had him in chase for it for not long after he was overcome in Battel by the Parthians where he lost both his fame and life and son together with his ill gotten Goods and being found by his enemies when dead had molten Gold poured into his mouth to upbraid his covetousness 17. Mahomet the second being repulsed by the Inhabitants of Scodra in a furious assault he had made upon that City wished that he had never heard of the name of Scodra and in his choler and frantick rage most horribly blasphem'd against God most wickedly saying That it was enough for
Messenger is come to thee our will and pleasure is that thou send us by him thy head unto Constantinople In vain was it to dispute the command of his Lord and thus the miserble man perished 3. William the Conquerour for his game and the pleasure he took in hunting enforested thirty miles in Hamshire pulled down thirty six Parish Churches and dispeopled all the place chasing the inhabitants from the places of their inheritance But the just hand of God was visible and remarkable upon his posterity for this his grievous oppression for in this very New Forest his two Sons Richard by a pestilent air and King William Rufus by the shot of an Arrow and his Grandson Henry son of Duke Robert by hanging in a bough as Absolom came to their untimely ends 4. Anno Dom. 1570. at Ryâ— in Sussex there was a strange example of Gods judgements upon a covetous oppressive Gentleman and one that desired to grind the faces of the Poor This Gentleman living near the Sea had a Marsh wherein upon poles Fishermen used to dry their Nets for which he received of them yearly a sufficient sum of money but at length not being content with it he caused his servants to pluck up the poles not suffering the Fishermen to come upon his ground any longer except they would compound at a larger rate but it came to pass the same night that the Sea breaking in overwhelmed all his Marsh which saith Hollinshead continueth in that manner to this very day 5. Lucullus the Roman Consul visiting the Cities of Asia found the poor country afflicted and oppressed with so many evils and miseries as no man living could believe nor tongue express for the extream and horrible covetousness of the Farmers Customers and Roman Usurers did not only devour it but kept the people also in such miserable bondage and thraldome that Fathers were forced to sell their goodly Sons and Daughters ready for marriage to pay the interest and use money of that which they had borrowed to pay their fines withall yea they were forced to sell the Tables dedicated to the Temples the statues of their gods and other Ornaments and Jewels of their Temples and yet in the end they themselves were adjudged for bondslaves to their cruel Creditors to wear out their dayes in miserable servitude And yet the worst of all was the pain and torment they put them to before they were so condemned for some they imprisoned and cruelly racked others they tormented upon a little brazen Horse set them in the Stocks made them stand naked in the greatest heat of Summer and on the Ice in the deepest of Winter so that bondage seemed to them a relief of their miseries and a rest from their torments Lucullus found the Cities of Asia full of such oppressions whereof in a short time he exceedingly eased them 6. King Iohn of England was a great oppressour on a time a Jew refusing to lend this King so much mony as he required the King caused every day one of his great teeth to be pulled out by the space of seven dayes and then the poor Jew was content to give the King ten thousand marks of silver that the one tooth which he had left might not be pulled out The same King assaulting the chastity of the Daughter of Robert Fitzwater called Mawd the fair and by her repulsed he is said to send a messenger to give her poyson in a poached Egg whereof she died not long after he himself had but little better fate being poysoned at Swinestead Abbey 7. Luther reports that he being at Rome a great Cardinal died and left behind him great store of mony Before his death he had made his Will and laid it in a Chest where his mony was After his death the Chest was opened and therein by the mony was found written in Parchment Dum potui rapui rapiatis quando potestis I scrap'd together while I could That you should do so too I would 8. Five Brethren of the Marshalls successively Earles of Pembrook dyed issueless Which Mathew Paris attributeth to the judgement of God upon them for their Fathers iniquity who detained from the Bishop of Firning certain Manours which he had violently taken from him 9. Lewis the eleventh King of France having been a great oppressour of his Subjects by excessive Taxes and enforced Contributions when he grew old resolved to redress that and other mischiefs whereby they had been oppressed but was in a short time after this purpose prevented by death 10. Anno Dom. 1234. in the reign of King Henry the third there was a great dearth in England so that many people died for want of victuals At which time Walter Grey Arch-bishop of York had great store of Corn which he had hoarded up for five years together yet in that time of scarcity refused to relieve the poor with it but suspecting lest it might be destroyed with Vermine he commanded it to be delivered to Husband-men that dwelt in his Mannors upon condition to return him as much New Corn after Harvest but behold a terrible judgement of God upon him for his covetousness and unmercifulness to the poor When men came to one of his great Stacks of Corn near to the Town of Rippon there appeared in the sheaves all over the heads of Worms Serpents and Toads so that the Bayliffs were forced to build a high wall round about the Stack of Corn and then to set it on fire lest the venemous creatures should have gone out and poysoned the Corn in other places CHAP. XIII Of the bloody and cruel Massacres in several places and their occasions THe Naturalists tell us of a Serpent who is therefore called Haemorrhois that wheresoever he bites he makes the man all over bloody It seems his poyson hath a particular command over the blood so as to call it all into the outward parts of the body The vulgar rout and headstrong multitude when once it is enraged is such another kind of Serpent wheresoever the scene of its insolency is it makes it all over bloody This unbridled torrent bears all down before it and being transported with its own fury it knows no difference of age sex or degree till it hath converted a flourishing place into an Akeldama or a field of blood In the year 1506. in Lisbon upon the tenth day of April many of the City went to the Church of Saint Dominicks to hear Mass On the left side of this Church there is a Chapel much reverenced by those of the Country and called Iesus Chapel Upon the Altar there stands a Crucifix the wound of whose side is covered over with a piece of Glass Some of those that came thither to do their devotions casting their eyes upon this hole it seemed to them that a certain kind of glimmering light came forth of it Then happy he that could first cry a miracle and every one said that God
he led an Army into Asia where he recovered the Possession of the Realm of Ierusalem At his return again Excommunicated not long after poyson'd 83. Contradus the fourth son of Frederick last Emperour of the House of Schwaben subdu'd his Rebels in Apulia and the Kingdom of Naples but he was soon cut off by his brother Manfred who caused him to be empoysoned after he had Reigned two years 84. Rodolphus the first by the joint consent of the Princes Electors Assembled at Frankfort was chosen Emperour he was the raiser of the Austrian Family had deadly War with Ottocarus King of Bohemia whom he overthrew and slew in Battel he Reigned eighteen years was buried at Spires his Motto was Melius bene imperare quam imperium ampliare 85. Adolphus Count of Nassau was chosen Emperour he was unfortunate in all things he went about and therewith so needy and poor that when he had received money of King Edward the first of England to aid him against the French he spent the money upon his Houshold and had not wherewith to fulfil his promise when time required He was overthrown by Albert Duke of Austria in the Fields of Spire and there slain having Reigned six years his Motto was Animus est qui divites facit 86. Albert son of Rodulphus the Emperour himself being Duke of Austria in his time happened seven things remarkable As 1. The removal of the Papal seat from Rome to Avignion 2. The subversion of the Knights Templars 3. The setling of the Knights of St. Iohn in the Rhodes 4. The Scaligers in Verona 5. Estei in Ferrara 6. The first Jubilee at Rome in the West And 7. The beginning of the Ottomans in the East He Reigned ten years and was slain by his brothers son his Motto was Quod optimum illud jucundissimum 87. Henry the seventh Earl of Luxemburg a pious prudent and valorous Prince having composed matters in Germany he hastened to do the like in Italy where he omitted no opportunity to give all content Yet he was tumultuously driven out of Rome by the Faction of the Vrsini and through hatred of the Florentines poysoned in the Eucharist by one Bernard an hired Monk that passeth for his Motto which he uttered upon the first feeling of the operation of the poyson Calix vitae Calix mortis 88. Lewis the fourth Duke of Bavaria Crown'd at Aix in the wonted manner he was opposed by Frederick Dâ—ke of Austria who was chosen by another Faction cruel Wars were between the Competitours wherein at last Lewis overcame took the other Prisoner then came to this agreement Both to keep the Title of Emperours but Lewis to have the right and power after which he was Excommunicated and the Electors commanded to chuse a new Emperour which they obeyed his Motto was Sola bona quae honesta 89. Charles the fourth son of Iohn King of Bohemia and Grandson to Henry the seventh against him were set up Edward the third of England Frederick of Misui and Gunter of Swartzburg whereof the first waved the dignity with such trouble the second was brib'd off with money the third made away by poyson Charles was Crowned with the Iron Crown at Millaine As he was Learned himself so was he a savourer of Learning Founded the University of Prague was the Author of the Golden Bull called Lex Carolina which requires Emperours to be good Linguists to confer themselves with Embassadours and prescribes the Solemnity of their Election he Reigned thirty two years procured at the hands of the Princes Electors That his son Wenceslaus should be proclaimed King of the Romans in his own life-time his Motto was Optimum est alieâ—â frui insaniâ 90. Wenceslaus granted divers Priviledges to the Norimbergers for a Load of Wine Executed Barthold Swartz for inventing Gunpowder a man very unlike his Father for he was sluggish and careless more inclin'd to riot excessive drinking and voluptuous pleasures than to any Princely vertue In his time Bajazet the Great Turk was enclosed in an Iron Cage by Tamberlain This Emperour for his beastliness was deprived of the Imperial Dignity by the Princes Electors he Reigned twenty two years his Motto was Morosophi moriones pessimi 91. Rupertus Duke of Bavaria and Count Palatine was elected in his place and from him came the four Palatine Families Heidleberg Neuberg Simmeren and Swibrooke He passed into Italy for the recovery of the Dukedom of Millaine sold by Wenceslaus but was well beaten by Iohn Galeazzes and so returned In his time two Popes were deposed by the Council of Pisa his merciful Motto was Miseria res digna misericordiâ he Reigned ten years 92. Iodocus Barbatus Marquess of Moravia and Uncle to Wenceslaus of whom I find so little that by divers he is not so much as mentioned in the Series and Succession of the Emperours 93. Sigismund brother of Wenceslaus King of Hungary and Bohemia and Earl of Luxembourg was Crowned at Rome on Whitsunday 1432. He travelled exceedingly for establishing the Peace of Christendom distracted at that time with three Popes at once a great promoter of the Council of Constance He is reported nine times to have assailed the Turk but never with success for though he was a Prudent Witty Learned Noble Prince yet was he ever unfortunate in his Wars at home and abroad he Reigned twenty seven years his Motto was Cedunt munera fatis 94. Albertus the second Duke of Austria Son-in-law of Sigismund whom he succeeded in all his Estates and Titles excepting only Luxembourg for his liberality justice and manhood in Wars he was greatly renowned he subdued the Bohemians carried a heavy hand over the Jews and Hussites subdued Silesia and the people of Moravia Governed eight years his Motto was Amicus optima vitae possessio 'T is thought he â—urfeited upon Melons and died thereof in his time the Hungarians and other Christians received from the Turks that terrible blow in the Fields of Varna 95. Frederick the third Duke of Austria the son of Ernestus of Austria and next heir of Albert the second he procured the calling of the Council of Basil for the Peace of Christendom travelling for that cause to Rome he was there declared Emperour being a person of agreeable accomplishments to so high a Calling In his time Printing was Invented by Iohn Gutenberg at Mentz the Noble Scanderbeg defended with great valour his Dominions against all the Forces of the Turks Constantinople was taken by Mahomet and made the chief Seat of the Turkish Empire The Emperour Frederick Reigned fifty and three years his Motto was Rerum irrecuperabilium foelix oblivio 96. Maximilian son of Frederick Duke of Austria so great a Scholar that he spake Latine and other Tongues elegantly and in imitation of Iulius Caesar wrote his own Acts. Scaligers testimony of him was That he excelled all his Predecessours great stirs he had with the Venetians whom at last he brought to submit by his marriage with Mary of Burgundy
you forgotten that our Sâ—nate is humane and moderate towards those they treat with But the people are high spirited and desirous of great matters If therefore in the Assembly of the people you shall declare you come with full power they will impose upon you what they please rather deal so with them as if you had not the full power and I for my part will do all I am able in favour of your State and confirm'd it to them with an Oath Next day at the Assembly of the people Alcibiades with great civility demanded of the Embassadours in what quality they came whether as Plenipotentiaries or not They denied what they had said before in the Senate and declared before the people that they had not full power to conclude matters Hereupon Alcibiades immediately cryed out That they were a sort of unfaithful and inconstant men no way to be trusted by this means he so excited both the Senate and People against them that they could do nothing CHAP. VI. Of such as were eminent Sea-men or discoverers of Lands or Passages by Sea formerly unknown WHen Anacharsis was once asked which he thought to be the greatest number of the living or the dead Of which sort said he do you take those to be that Sail upon the Seas He doubted it seems whether they were to be reputed amongst the living who permitted their lives to the pleasure â—f the Winds and Waves Had all others been possessed with the same timerous Sentiments the World had wanted those Noble Spirits who could not rest satisfied till by their own hazards they had brought one Hemisphere to some acquaintance with the other 1. Christopher Columbus born at Nervy in the Signiory of Genoa being a man of great abilities and born to undertake great matters could not perswade himself the motion of the Sun considered but that there was another World to which that glorious Planet did impart both his life and heat when he went from us This World he purposed to seek after and opening his design to the State of Genoa Anno 1486. was by them rejected Upon this repulse he sent his Brother Bartholomew to King Henry the seventh of England who in his way happened unfortunately into the hands of Pirates by whom detain'd a long while at last he was enlarged As soon as he was set at liberty he repaired to the Court of England where his proposition found such a chearful entertainment at the hands of the King that Christopher Columbus was sent for to come thither also But Christopher not knowing of his brothers imprisonment and not hearing from him conceived the offer of his Sâ—rvice to have been neglected and thereupon made his desires known at the Court of Castile where after many delayes and six years attendance on the business he was at last furnished with three Ships only and those not for conquest but discovery With this small strength he sailed on the Ocean more than sixty daies yet could see no Land so that the discontented Spaniards began to mutiny and refused to move a foot forwards just at that time it happened that Columbus did discern the Clouds to carry a clearer colour than they did before and therefore besought them only to expect three daies longer in which space if they saw not Land he promised to return toward the end of the third day One of the company called Roderigo de Triane descried fire an evident token they drew near unto some shore The place discovered was an Island on the Coast of Florida called by Columbus St. Saviours now counted one of the Lucaios Landing his men and causing a Tree to be cut down he made a Cross thereof which he erected near the place where he came on Land and by that ceremony took possession of the New World for the Kings of Spain October 11. 1492. Afterwards he discovered and took possession of Hispaniola and with much Treasure and content returned to Spain and was preferred by the Kings themselves for this good service first to be Admiral of the Indies and in conclusion to the title of the Duke De la Vega in the Isle of Iamaica The next year he was furnished with eighteen ships for more discoveries in this second Voyage he discovered the Islands of Cuba and Iamaica and built the Town of Isabella after called Domingo in Hispaniola from whence for some severities used against the mutinous Spaniards he was sent Prisoner to Castile but very honourably entertained and absolved of all the crimes imputed to him In 1497. he began his third Voyage in which he discovered the Countrys of Pana and Cuâ—â—na on the firm land with the Islands of Cubagna and Margarita and many other Islands Capes and Provinces In 1500. he began his fourth and last Voyage in the Course whereof coming to Hispaniola he was unworthily denyed entrance into the City of Domingo by Nicholas de Ovendo then Governour thereof After which scowring the Sea-Coasts as far as Nombre de Trias but adding little to the fortune of his â—ormer discoveries he returned back to Cuba and Iamaica and from thence to Spain where six years after he dyed and was buried honourably at Sevil Anno 1506. 2. Columbus having led the way was seconded by Americus Vesputius an adventurous Florentine employed therein by Emanuel King of Portugal Anno 1501. on a design of finding out a nearer way to the Molucca's than by the Cape of good Hope who though he passed no further than the Cape of St. Augustines in Brasile yet from him to the great injury and neglect of the first Discoverer the Continent or main Land of this Country hath the name of America by which it is still known and commonly called 3. To him succeeded Iohn Cabott a Venetian the Father of Sebastian Cabott in behalf of Henry the seventh King of England who discovered all the North Out-coasts of America from the Cape of Florida in the South to New-found-land and Terra de Laborador in the North causing the American Roytolets to turn homagers to the King and Crown of England 4. Ferdinandus Cortesius was as I suppose the most famous of all the Spaniards for the discovery of new Lands and People For passing the Promontory of Cuba that points directly to the West and is under the Tropick of Cancer and leaving Iucatana and Colvacana on the left hand he bent his course till he attained the entrance of the great River Panucus where he understood by Interpreters he had in his former Voyage that these were the Shores of the Continent which by a gentle turning was on this side connected with the Shores of Vraban but on the other Northward after a vast tract oâ— Land did conjoyn it self with those Countreys which Seamen call Baccalaurae He also was informed that the large and rich Kingdoms of Mexico were extended from the South to the West these Kingdoms he was desirous to visit as abounding in Gold and all kind of plenty the
for the dead Emperours he was numbred amongst their Gods 28. When the Emperour Iulianus departed out of Antioch to march against the Persians where he lost his life being much displeased with that City for some seditious words and actions that had been amongst them turning himself to the people I will come hither no more said he And when he sacrificed to Mars near the City of Câ—esiphon and perceived that the entrails afforded no sign of prosperity he said he would sacrifice to Mars no more supposing when he spake that both these should remain in his choice but he was deceived they were as prâ—sages that he should be hindred both from the oâ—e and the other by death 29. Clodovaeus King of France when he had determined to wage War in Spain with Alarick King of the Goths before such time as he would begin to march against him he sent Messengers with Presents to the Shrine of St. Martin commanding them that upon their entrance of the Temple they should observe such things as might aâ—â—oâ—d a conjecture touching the event of the suture War Entring therefore the Temple they heard the Monks who were at their Vespers singing those words in the Psalms Thou O Lord hast gâ—rded me with strength to the battel They took this as a presage of felicity to the King and departed who also hereupon full of hope undertook the War and having routed the Enemy compelled him to fly 30. Anibal was commanded back from Italy into Africa to look to the Carthaginian Affairs nearer home which at that time went but ill with them and drawing near the African shore he caused one of the Mariners to ascend the top of the Mast and thence to discover in what manner the Country did appear and what he should first observe therein He tells Anibal that he saw an old ruinated Sepulchre Anibal abominating this answer for that he thought the place ominous to land at turned aside and put his Forces ashore near the Town of Leptis whence sending a Hâ—rald to Scipio the Roman General he demanded a personal Treaty with him in which he offered Conditions of Peace which being refused by Scipio he was constrained to decide the matter by Battel where he was overthrown and the whole Force and Power of the Carthaginians broken with him 31. The Emperour Dominitianus the day before he was slain when some Mushrooms were sent him for a Present he commanded that they should be kept for him till the next day adding if I may have leave to enjoy them then turning to them who stood about him he told them that the day following the Moon would be in Aquarius and that an Action should follow thereupon that should give occasion to the whole World to discourse upon it In like manner when he had scratched a Pustule upon his Forehead till such time as the blood dropt out of it I could wish said he that this is all the blood that shall be shed and that this little might suffice By all these words presaging that his end was not far off whether occasioned by some prediction he had met with or some evil abodement of his own mind or that they all proceeded casually from him 32. Pope Paul the Second upon that very day he had promoted Franciscus Ruvenus to a Cardinalship when by accident he was speaking of it I have this day said he chosen my Successour the event made it appâ—ar that he had spoken the truth For Pope Paul being dead Franciscus Ruverus succeeded him in the Popedom by the name of Sixtus the Fourth 33. Leonardus Ruverus was Cousin to the forementioned Cardinal being his Brothers Son and upon the account of his poverty and mean parts was the mockery of his Country For when any man called him he told them they ought to call him the Count and if in a way of jest any man at any time propounded a Wife to him he would say that he would not marry any other than such a one as was the Kinswoman of a King And the Fortune of his Uncle brought all that to pass which he used to say of himself for being honouâ—ed with the Dukedom and Earldom of the City Sora and especially being raised to the Dignity of the Roman Prefect he afterwards had for his Wife the Niece of Ferdinando King of Naples 34. The day before the Battel of Actium Octavianus Augustus went out of his Tent to take view of the Ships and meeting a Muletter he asked him his name who told him his name was Eutychus or good Fortune and being asked his Asâ—es name it was he said Nicon or Victory Octavianus took it for a good Omen that the names seemed to favour him so much and soon after he had that Victory that made him Lord of the whole Roman Empire without any Competitor able to stand against him 35. Richard the Second King of England being at Flint-Castle and having received in thither Henry the Duke of Lancaster he was by him conveyed thence to Chester Being about to remove they loosed a Grey-hound of the Kings as was usual whensoever the King got on Horse-back which Grey-hound used to leap upon the Kings shoulders and fawn upon him exceedingly Being loosed at this time he leapt upon the Duke of Lancaster and fawned upon him in the same manner as he used to do upon his Master The Duke asked the King what the Dog meant or intended It is an ill and an unhappy Omen to me said the King but a fortunate one to you for he acknowledges thee to be the King and that thou shalt reign in my stead This he said with a presaging mind upon a light occasion which yet in short time came to pass accordingly 36. The Swissers being besieged by the French in Novaria and both parts being intent upon the Battel to be the Sun being now ready to set all the Dogs of the French left their Camp and in a great Body made to Novaria where received by the Swissers they licked their legs shook their tails as if the Swissers were already become their Lords They therefore received it as a good Omen presaging that by an unfortunate Battel the French should lose the Lordship over them as indeed the success was 37. There was a noted Beggar in Paris called Mauritius who used to say he should be a Bishop and although he was never so hungry or in want yet would he not receive an alms at the hands of any man who before-hand as 't is usual to jest went about to make him promise that he would never be a Bishop This man from this abject condition came at last to be Bishop of Paris 38. Dr. Heylin in his Life of William Laâ—d Archbishop of Canterbury mentions these as the sad presages of his fall and death On Friday night the 27. of December 1639. there was raised such a violent tempest that many of the Boats which were drawn to Land
Lord Thomas Seymour Admiral of England the other was the Dutchess of Sommerset Wife to the Lord Protector of England Brother to the Admiral These two Ladies falling at variance for precedence which either of them challenged the one as Queen Dowager the other as Wife to the Protector who then governed the King and all the Realme drew their Husbands into the quarrel and so incensed the one of them against the other that the Protector procured the death of the Admiral his Brother Whereupon also followed his own destruction shortly after For being deprived of the assistance and support of his Brother he was easily overthrown by the Duke of Northumberland who caused him to be convicted of Felony and beheaded 9. A famous and pernicious faction in Italy began by the occasion of a quarrel betwixt two Boys whereof the one gave the other a box on the Ear in revenge whereof the Father of the Boy that was stricken cut off the hand of the other that gave the blow whose Father making thereupon the quarrel his own sought the revenge of the injury done to his Son and began the Faction of the Neri and Bianchi that is to say Black and White which presently spread it self through Italy and was the occasion of spilling much Christian blood 10. A poor distressed wretch upon some business bestowed a long and tedious Pilgrimage from Cabul in India to Asharaff in Hircania where e're he knew how the success would be he rested his weary limbs upon a Field Carpet choosing to refresh himself rather upon the cool Grass than be tormented by those merciless vermine of Gnats and Muskettos within the Town but poor man he fell à malo in pejus from ill to worse for lying asleep upon the way at such time as Sha Abbas the Persian Monarch set forth to hunt and many Nobles with him his pampered Jade winded and startled at him the King examines not the cause but sent an eternal Arrow of sleep into the poor mans heart jesting as Iphicrates did when he slew his sleepy Sentinel I did the man no wrong I found him sleeping and asleep I left him The Courtiers also to applaud his Justice made the poor man their common mark killing him an hundred times over if so many lives could have been forfeiâ—ed 11. Anno 1568. the King of Sian had a white Elephant which when the King of Pegu understood he had an opinion of I know not what holiness that was in the Elephant and accordingly prayed unto it He sent his Ambassadors to the King of Sian offering him whatsoever he would desire if he would send the Elephant unto him but the King of Sian would not part with him either for love mony or any other consideration Whereupon he of Pegu was so moved to wrath that with all the power he could make he invaded the other of Sian Many hundred thousand men were brought into the field and a bloody Battle was fought wherein the King of Sian was overthrown his white Elephant taken and he himself made tributary to the Monarch of Pegu. 12. A needy Souldier under Abbas King of Persia draws up a Catalogue of his good services and closing it in his pressing wants humbly intreats the favour and some stipend from his god of war for such and such his exploits The poor man for his sawciness with many terrible bastinadoes on the soles of his feet was almost drubbed to death Besides Abbas enquires who it was that wrote it the Clerk made his apology but the King quarrelled at his scurvy writing and that he should never write worse makes his hand to be cut off CHAP. XLIII Of such as have been too fearful of death and over desirous of Life A Weak mind complains before it is overtaken with evil and as Birds are affrighted with the noise of the Sling so the infirm soul anticipates its troubles by its own fearful apprehensions and falls under them before they are yet arrived But what greater madness is there than to be tormented with futurities and not so much to reserve our selves to miseries against they come as to invite and hasten them towards us of our own accord The best remedy against this tottering state of the soul is a good and clear Conscience which if a man want he will tremble in the midst of all his armed guards 1. What a miserable life Tyrants have by reason of their continual fears of death we have exemplified in Dionysius the Syracusan who finished his thirty eight years Rule on this manner Removing his Friends he gave the custody of his body to some strangers and Barbarians and being in fear of Barbers he taught his Daughters to shave him and when they were grown up he durst not trust them with a Rasor but taught them how they should burn off his hair and Beard with the white filmes of Wallnut kernels Whereas he had two Wives Aristomache and Doris he came not to them in the night before the place was throughly searched and though he had drawn a large and deep Moat about the Room and had made a passage by a wooden Bridge himself drew it up after him when he went in Not daring to speak to the people out of the common Rostrum or Pulpit for that purpose he used to make Orations to them from the top of a Tower When he played at Ball he used to give his Sword and Cloak to a Boy whom he loved and when one of his familiar Friends had jestingly said You now put your life into his hands and that the Boy smiled he commanded them both to be slain one for shewing the way how he might be killed and the other for approving it with a smile At last overcome in Battle by the Carthaginians he perished by the treason of his own Subjects 2. Heraclides Ponticus writes of one Artemon a very skilful Engineer but withal saith of him that he was of a very timerous disposition and foolishly afraid of his own shadow so that for the most part of his time he never stirred out of his House That he had always two of his men by him that held a Brazen Target over his head for fear lest any thing should fall upon him and if upon any occasion he was forced to go from home he would be carryed in a Litter hanging near to the ground for fear of falling 3. The Cardinal of Winchester Henry Beaufort commonly called the Rich Cardinal who procured the death of the good Duke of Gloucester in the reign of King Henry the sixth was soon after struck with an incurable disease and understanding by his Physicians that he could not live murmuring and repining thereat as Doctor Iohn Baker his Chaplain and Privy-councellor writes he fell into such speeches as these Fye will not death be hired Will mony do nothing Must I dye that have so great Riches If the whole Realm of England would save my life I am able either
in this 1. The Marryed Clergy of England would not hear of being divorced â—rom their Wives the Bishops therefore were fain to call in the aid of the Pope Iohn de Crema an Italian Cardinal jolly with his youthful blood and gallant equipage came over into England with his bigness and bravery to bluster the Clergy out of their Wives He made a most gaudy Oration in the commendation of Virginity as one who in his own person knew well how to value such a Jewel by the loss thereof most true it is that the same night at London he was caught in Bed with an Harlot 2. Didymus the Grammarian wrote so much as no man more it fell out that upon a time when he objected against a story endeavouring to make the vanity thereof appear as a thing utterly false one of his own books was brought to him and the page laid open before him where he had related it as a truth 3. M. Crassus gaping after the Parthian riches was leading against them a gallant Army and passing through Galatia he found Deiotarus the King thereof though in extremity of old age building a New City wondering hereat he thus played upon the King What is this said he that I see the twelfth hour is just upon the stroke with thee and yet thou art about to erect a new City Deiotarus smiling replyed Nor is it over early day with my Lord General as it should seem and yet he is upon an expedition into Parthia Crassus was then in the sixtieth year of his age and by his countenance seemed to be older than indeed he was 4. Seneca that wrote so excellently of moral vertue and the commendation thereof yet himself allowed his Scholar Nero to commit incest with his own Mother Agrippina and when he wrote against Tyranny himself was Tutor to a Tyrant 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 Empress and the Freed-men whilest he inveighed against riches and rich men he heaped together inâ—inite riches by usury and unjust dealings and whilest he condemned luxury in others himself had â—ive hundred costly Chairs made of Cedar the feet of them Ivory and all other Furniture of his House answerable thereunto 5. Pericles the Athenian might do what he pleased in his Country and therefore made a sâ—aw that no mans natural or illegitimate Son should be reputed amongst the number of the Citizens or be admitted to their priviledges it fâ—ll out aâ—terwards that all his own Sons lawâ—ully begotten dyed but he had a bastard who was yet alive him he would have to enjoy the freedom of the City and so was the first violator of that law which himself had made 6. In the reign of Theodosius the Elder Gildo was the Preâ—ect of Africa who upon the death of the Emperour seised upon that Province for his own and sought to bring Massâ—lzeres his Brother into society with him in his disloyalty but he slying the Country the Tyrant slew his Wife and Children whereupon he was sent for by Arcadius and Honorius who succeeded in the Empire to go against Gildo his Brother for the recovery of that Province He went overthrew Gildo in battel having put him to death easily regained all that was lost which he had no sooner done but he fell into the same treasonable disloyalty which he had formerly so much disapproved and he himself rebelled against the Emperour who had employed him 7. C. Licinius sirnamed Hoplomachus petitioned the Pretor that his Father might be interdicted from having to do with his estate as being one that prodigally wasted and consumed it He obtained what he desired but not long after the old man deing dead he himself riotously spent a vast sum of mony and all those large lands that were lest unto him by his Father 8. C. Licinius Stolo by whose means the Plebeians were enabled to sue for the Consulship made a Law that no man should possess more than five hundred Acres of Land after which he himself purchased a thousand and to dissemble his â—ault therein he gave five hundred of them to his Son whereupon he was accused by M. Popilius Laenas and was the first that was condemned by his own Law 9. Henry the Son of Henry the fourth Emperour in the quarrel of the Pope rose against his own Father but when his Father being dead he himself was Emperour he then maintained the same quarrel about investiture of Bishops against the Pope which his Father before did CHAP. XLVI Of such persons as could not endure to be told of their Faults DIseases are sometimes more happily cured by medicines made up with bitter ingredients than they are with such sweet potions as are more delightful to the palate but there are a sort of patients so wilful that they can be wrought upon by no perswasions to take them down A just and home reproof though not very tastfull where it is well digested is of excellent use to remove some maladies from the mind the worst of it is that there are but few to be found especially amongst the great ones who can endure to be administred to in this kind 1. Cambyses King of Persia on a time desired to be truly informed by Prexaspes his beloved favourite what the Persians thought of his conditions who answered That his virtues were followed with abundant praise from all men only it was by many observed that he took more than usual delight in the taste of Wine inflamed with this taxation he made this reply And are the Persians double tongued who also tell me that I have in all things excelled my Father Cyrus Thou Prexaspes shalt then witness whether in this report they have done me right for if at the â—irst shot I pierce thy Sons heart with an Arrow then it is false that hath been spoken but if I miss the mark I am then pleased that the fame be counted true and my Subjects believed he immediately directed an Arrow towards the innocent Child who falling down dead with the stroke Cambyses commanded his body to be opened and his heart being broached upon the Arrow this monstrous Tyrant greatly rejoycing shewed it to the Father with this saying instead of an Epitaph Now Prexaspes thou maist resolve thy self that I have not lost my wits with Wine but the Persians theirs who make such report 2. Yu King of China had a Colao who at the Royal audience would not fail to tell him freely of his faults one day whether the King had given more cause or that the excess was on the Colaos part the Audience being ended the King returned into the Palace very much offended saying he would cut off the head of that impertinent Fellow The Queen asked him the cause of his displeasure the King answered There is an unmannerly Clown that never ceaseth
Bishop he sate thirteen years six months and ten dayes 67. Sabinianus the first the last of the Roman Bishops not having that arrogant title of Universal Bishop or Head of the Church he opposed all that Gregory had done distinguished the hours of Offices and sate one year five months and nine dayes 68. Bonifacius the third obtained of Phocas a murderer of his Lord that Popish Supremacy which to this day is so much stood upon and Volumus Iubemus to be the stile of this Priest he enjoyed his pomp but a while he sate but nine months 69. Bonifacius the fourth he instituted All-hallow day dedicated the Temple of Pantheon to the Virgin Mary made his Fathers House a Monastery and dyed having sate six years eight months and thirteen dayes 70. Deus dedit the first a Roman he loved and enriched the Clergy is said to have cured a Leper with a Kiss ordered that Gossips should not marry he dyed having sate only three years and three and twenty dayes 71. Bonifacius the fifth a Campanian he priviledged Murderers and Thieves that took Sanctuary that the hands of Justice should not pluck them thence he dyed having sate five years and ten dayes 72. Honorius the first he covered the Church of Saint Peter with the Brazen Tiles taken from the Capitol he also instituted the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross and dyed having sate twelve years eleven months and seventeen dayes 73. Severinus the first a Roman in his time Isaacius the Exarch of Italy took away the Laterane treasure to pay his Souldiers for which yet the Pope dared not to excommunicate him he sate one year and two months 74. Iohannes the fourth a Dalmatian with the remainder of the Treasure redeemed some Exiles of his Country-men he busied himself about the celebration of Easter and translation of the bones of Martyrs sate only nine months 75. Theodorus the first a Grecian Son to the Bishop of Ierusalem he deprived Pyrrhus Patriarch of Constantinople for the heresie of the Acephali he dyed having sate six years five months and eighteen dayes 76. Martinus the first an Italian ordained Priests to shave their Polls and to keep themselves single he excommunicated Paulus Patriarch of Constantinople for which he was banished into Pontus he sate six years one month and twenty six dayes 77. Eugenius was less active and sped better he would that Bishops should have Prisons for their Priests to repress their over boldness he sate only one year and nine months 78. Vitalianus the first first brought Organs into the Divine service of the Church of Rome he excommunicated Maurus the Arch-bishop of Ravenna Theodorus and Hadrian were sent by hiâ— into England to introduce the Latine Service he sate fourteen years and six months 79. Adeodatus the first was formerly a Monâ— Earth-quakes Comets and Tempests such â— never were before did amaze men in his time he dyed having sate four years two months anâ— five dayes 80. Donus the first had the Church of Ravena subjected to him by Theodorus the Arch-bâ—shop which before-time pretended equality wiâ—â— that of Rome he adorned the Church Porch â—â— St. Peter with Marble and sate five years 81. Agatho the first a Sicilian ordained that the Popes Sanctions should be as firmly kept â— those of the Apostles He sent Iohn Abbot â—â— St. Martins into England to have our Church service in tune and with other superstitious in junctions he is said to have dyed of the Plague and sate one year six months and fifteen dayes 82. Leo the second a Sicilian skilled in Greek Latine and Musick he ratifyed the sixth Synod to confirm the Mass and restrain the Westerâ— Priests marriages brought in the kissing of thâ— Paxe sate only ten months 83. Benedictus the second a Roman he got to be first stiled the Vicar of Christ and that the Popes should be freely elected by the Clergy without consent of the Exarchs or Emperours this Pope as his Predecessour sate but ten months 84. Iohannes the fifth a Syrian of whom nothing is remarkable but that he was consecrated by the three Bishops of Ostia Portua and Veliternum he dyed in the first year of his Popedom the same manner of his consecration being still observed by his Successors 85. Conon the first a Thracian sent St. Killian the Scot with some others to convert some places of Germany where they were martyred he sickned upon his election and sate only eleven months 86. Sergius the first a Syrian for refusing to receive the Canons of Trullo he was sent for by the Emperour but rescued by the Italians he was taxed with Adultery sate twelve years eight months 87. Iohannes the sixth a Grecian some say he was famous for feeding the Poor in a great famine and that he dyed a Martyr but none tells why or by whom he sate two years three months 88. Iohannes the seventh some say the Son of the former was noted for nothing so much as building some Churches aud erecting Images he sate one year seven months and seventeen dayes 89. Sisinnius the first this man had the Gout both in his hands and feet yet left he provisions and materials for the building and repairs of the City Walls and Temples he sate but three weeks 't is suspected he had foul play 90. Constantinus the first going to Constantinople Iustinian the second kissed his feet in sign of honour which the ambitious succeeding Popes drew first into example at last into custome as it now continueth he sate six years and twenty dayes 91. Gregorius the second a Roman excommunicates Leo Isaurus the Emperour for standing against Images forced Luitprandus King of Italy to confirm the donations of his predecessor Arithpert he sate fifteen years nine months 92. Gregorius the third a Syrian espouses the quarrel about Images Excommunicates the Emperour drives the Greeks out of Italy by the Lombards and afterwards over-tops the Lombards by the French under conduct of Charles Martell he sat nine years eight months 93. Zacharias the first a Grecian deposeth Childerick King of France and by the same high hand turns Rachis King of Lombardy and Caroloman of France from their Thrones to be Monks he held the Chair for ten years and three months 94. Stephanus the second a Roman he wrought so with Pepin of France that he outed Aistulphus of Lombardy and bestowed it on the Pope for freeing him of his Oath for this success he was the first that was carryed upon mens shoulders he sat four years and one month 95. Paulus the first a Roman and brother of Stephen Excommunicated Constantine Copronimus the Emperour upon the old quarrel he was a great honourer of St. Petronilla the daughter of St. Peter he sat nine years one month 96. Stephanus the third a Sicilian he brought in the Worshipping and censing of Images and subjected Millaine to his See he sat three years and five months 97. Adrianus the first the Pope having done Charles the Great a piece of
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