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that the Soldiers commissioned to kill his Master were come to his House at Reatina changed cloths with him and having put his Masters Ring upon his Finger he sent him out at a postern door but went himself to the Chamber and threw himself upon the Bed where he was slain in his Masters stead Panopion by this means escaped and afterwards when the times would permit it erected a Noble Monument with a due inscription in memory of the true Fidelity of so good a Servant Lipsius Monitor p. 332. L. The Hungarians had conspired against Sigismund King of Hungary and Bohemia but the Plot being discovered the principal persons were all taken brought to Buda and there beheaded Stephanus Contius was the chief of these Conspirators who having thereupon lost his Head Chioka his Esquire lamented the death of his Lord with such outcries that the King took notice of him and said unto him I am now become thy Lord and Master and it is in my power to do thee much more good than can be expected from that headless Trunk To whom the young man replied I will never be the Servant of a Bohemian Hog I had rather be torn into a thousand pieces than to desert a Master of so great Magnanimity as all the Bohemians together are not able to equal And thereupon he voluntarily laid down his Head on the block and had it severed from his Shoulders that he might no longer survive his Master Zuinglius Theat p. 215. LI. Grimoaldus Duke of Benevento was invited by Gondibert King of the Lombards to assist him against Partharis his Brother he came accordingly and having thrown out the one he slew the other Brother he came to defend and so made himself King of Lombardy and when he knew that Partharis was retreated to Calanus Duke of Bavaria he wrought so that he was expelled from thence Partharis not knowing whither to betake himself in safety comes as a suppliant and commits himself to the faith of Grimoaldus but he observing that numbers of his Subjects flocked daily to visit him and fearing lest by the favour of the People he should some time or other recover the Kingdom not regarding his Oath he resolved to make him away and that he might perform it with less noise and tumult he intended first to make him drunk and then send his Guards to cut his Throat while he lay buried in Wine and sleep This Counsel of his was not so privately carried but that it came to the ear of Partharis he therefore commands his Cup-bearer to give him Water constantly instead of Wine lest his troubled head should prove unmindful of the danger he was in nor could he abstain altogether from drinking lest Grimoaldus his Spies should discover that he had intimation of his Intentions the better therefore to colour the matter after large drinking he caused himself to be carried by his Servants into his Chamber as if to sleep out his debauch there he consults with Hunulphus his most faithful Servant who thought it not safe to go forth since the Servants of Grimoaldus stood watching at the Gate but in regard necessity compelled and that there was no other way of escape he orders it thus he covers his Head and Shoulders with the skin of a Bear which was there by chance after the manner of a Country Clown and lays upon his back a Mattress as if he was a Porter to carry it away and then with good blows of a Cudgel drove him out of the Chamber by this Contrivance he passed unknown through the Guards and accompanied with one Servant got safe into France about midnight the Guards came to kill Partharis but were opposed by Hunulphus who besought them not to disturb the rest of his Master now sleeping but to suffer him to sleep out the large drinking he had that night twice they were thus put back but the third time they broke by force into the Chamber and not finding Partharis whom they had determined to kill they inquire of Hunulphus what was become of him who told them plainly he was fled and confessed that himself was the contriver of his flight Grimoaldus admiring his fidelity who to save his Master had cast himself into such manifest danger of his life freed him from that punishment that all cried he was worthy of and with many promises allured him that from thenceforth he would change Masters and serve him with the like fidelity as he had done the former Dinoth Memorab p. 301. LII There was a Citizen of Rome condemned by the Sentence of the Triumvirate who for fear of his life fled and hid himself in a Cave of the Earth one of his Servants observed the approach of them that came to murther him and having thereupon advised him to retire to the lowest and most secret part of the Cave he himself put on his Masters Gown pretending to the Pursuers that he was the Person they sought after being desirous to save the life of his Patron with the loss of his own but one of his fellow Servants betrayed him in this officious Design so that the Master was fetched out of his hiding place and slain when this was known to the People of Rome they would not be satisfied till the betrayer of his Master was Crucified and he that attempted to save him was set at liberty Dinoth p. 293. LIII The Tyrians having maintained long Wars against the Persians were much weakned thereby which occasioned their slaves being many in number to rise against their Masters whom they put all to the Sword together with their Children and then seized upon their Houses together with their Wives whom they Married only one of these slaves being more merciful than the rest spared his Master Straton and his Son and hid them the slaves having thus got possession of all consulted together to chuse a King and concluded that he who could first discern the Sun at his rising should be King whereupon the forementioned slave consulted with his Master about the business who advised him when others looked into the East that he should look into the West for which he was well scoffed at by his Companions but presently he espied the Sun-beams shining upon the high Towers and Chimnies in the City and so challenged the Kingdom his Companions would needs know who taught him his wit at last he told them whereupon fetching out old Straton they gave him not only his life but elected him their King who having once been a Master and free born they thought was fittest to rule all the rest that were slaves Justin Hist lib. 18. LIV. Menenius was in the number of those that were condemned by the Triumvirate and when a Servant of his perceived that his Masters House was inclosed with a company of Soldiers that came to kill him he caused himself to be put into a Litter wherein his Master used to be carried and ordered some of his fellow Servants to carry him forth in it the
himself yet he rated the Bassa with sharp language What saies he dost thou think it handsome to complain thus grievously of my Son Knowest thou not that both thy self and this Wife of thine are my Slaves and accordingly at my dispose If therefore my Son has imbraced her and followed the inclinations of his mind he has but imbraced a Slave of mine and having my approbation he hath committed no fault at all think of this and go thy way and leave the rest to my self This he said in defence of his absolute Empire but being unsatisfied in his mind and vexed at the thing he first sends for his Son examines him touching the Fact and he having confessed it he dismissed him with outragious Language and threatnings three days after when paternal love to his Son and Justice had striven in his Breast love to Justice having gained the Superiority and Victory he commanded his Mutes to strangle his Son Mustapha with a Bowstring that by his death he might make amends to injured and violated Chastity Turkish Hist p. 411. LXXXIV King Henry the second of France commanded that an Italian Lacky should be put into Prison without telling why whereupon the Judges set him at liberty having first delivered their opinion to the King who again commanded that he should be put to death having as he said taken him faulty in a foul and heinous Crime which he would not have to be divulged yet the Judges for all this would not condemn him but set open the Prison doors to let him go forth it is true that the King caused him to be taken afterwards and thrown into the River Seine and drowned without any form of Law to avoid Tumult but the Judges would not condemn a Person where no proof was made that he was guilty Camerarius Medit. p. 472. LXXXV Otho the first Emperor of Germany being upon a Military expedition a Woman threw her self at his feet beseeching a just revenge according to the Laws upon a Person who had committed a Rape upon her the Emperor being in hast referred the hearing of the cause till his return But who then replied the Woman shall recall unto your Majesties mind the horrid injury that hath been done to me The Emperor looking up to a Church there by This Church saith he shall be a witness betwixt me and thee that I will do thee Justice and so dismissing her he with his retinue set forward at his return seeing the Church he called to mind the Complaint and caused the Woman to be summoned before him who at her appearance thus bespake him Dread Soveraign the man of whom I heretofore complained is now my Husband I have since had a Child by him and have forgiven him the injury not so said the Emperor by the head of Otho he shall suffer for it for a collusion among your selves doth not make void the Laws And so he caused his head to be struck off Lonic Theat p. 475. LXXXVI Chabot was Admiral to King Francis the first of France a man most nobly descended of great Valour and in high favour with his Prince but as in other men the Passion of love grows cold and wears out by time so the Kings affection being changed toward the Admiral had charged him with some Offences which he had formerly committed The Admiral presuming upon the great good Services he had done the King in Piemont and in the defence of Marseilles against the Emperor gave the King other language than became him and desired nothing so much as a publick Tryal hereupon the King gave commission to the Chancellor Poyet as President and other Judges upon an information of the Kings Advocate to question the Admirals life the Chancellor being an ambitious man and of a large conscience hoping to please the King wrought so cunningly upon some of the Judges threatned others so severely and drew in the rest with fair promises that though nothing could be proved against the Admiral worthy of the Kings displeasure yet the Chancellor subscribed and got others to subscribe to the forfeiture of his Estate Offices and Liberty though not able to prevail against his Life But the King hating Falshood and though to any that should bewail the Admirals Calamity it might have been answered that he was tryed according to his own desire by the Laws of his Country and the Judges of Parliament yet I say the King made his Justice surmount his other Passions and gave back the Admiral his Honour his Offices his Estate his Liberty and caused the wicked Poyet his Chancellor to be Indicted Arraigned Degraded and Condemned Rawleighs Hist World p. 471. LXXXVII Totilas King of the Goths was complained to by a Calabrian that one of his Lifeguard had ravished his Daughter upon which the accused was immediately sent to Prison the King resolving to punish him as the Fact deserved but the Soldiers came about him desiring that their Fellow-Soldier a man of known Valour might be delivered back to them Upon which Totilas sharply reproved them What would you have said he know you not that without Justice neither any Civil nor Military Government is able to subsist do not you remember what slaughters and Calamities the Nation of the Goths underwent through the injustice of Theodahadas I am now your King and in the maintenance of Justice we have regained our ancient Fortune and Glory would you now lose all for the sake of one Villain Look to your selves ye Soldiers but for my part I proclaim it aloud being careless of what shall happen thereupon that I will not suffer it and if you are resolved to do so then first strike at me behold a Body and a Breast ready for your stroke The Soldiers were so moved at this Speech that they deserted their Client the King sent for the man from Prison condemned him to death and gave his Estate to the injured and violated Woman Lipsius Monit p. 250. LXXXVIII In the Reign of King James 1612. June 25. the Lord Sanquer a Nobleman of Scotland having upon private revenge suborned Robert Carlile to murther John Turner a Fencing Master thought by his greatness to have carried it off but the King respecting nothing so much as Justice would not suffer Nobility to be a shelter to Villany but according to the Law upon June 29. the said Lord Sanquer having been Arraigned and Condemned by the name of John Creighton Esquire was executed before Westminster-Hall Gate where he died very penitent Bakers Chronicle p. 464. LXXXIX The Chronicle of Alexandria relateth an admirable passage of Theodorick King of the Romans Juvenilis a Widow made her complaint that a Suit of hers in Court was drawn out for the space of 3 years which might have been dispatched in few days The King demanded who were her Judges she named them they were sent unto and commanded to give all the speedy expedition that was possible to this Womans Cause which they did and in two days determined it
Succours or Victuals John Lord of Vienna who there commanded 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 the Third King of England who by the space of eleven months had straitly besieged it he being exceedingly inraged 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 he was so far from accepting their Petition that contrariwise he resolved to put them all to the Sword had he not been diverted from that Resolution by some grave Counsellors then about him who told him That for having been faithful and Loyal Subjects to their Soveraign they deserved not to be so sharply dealt with Whereupon King Edward changed his first parpose into some more clemency promising to receive them to mercy upon condition That six of the principle Townsmen should present him the Keys of the Town bare-headed and bare-footed and with Halters about their Necks and to leave their lives to his mercy Hereof the Governor having notice he presently goes into the Market-place commanding the Bell to be tolled for assembling the People who being met he acquainted them 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 a sudden there rises up one of their own Company called Stephen Petre one of the richest and most sufficient Men of the Town who thus spake aloud to the Governour 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-Citizens above my own At the hearing of which Speech and sight of his forwardness one John Daire and four others after him made the like offers not without abundance of Prayers and Tears from the common People who saw them so freely and readily sacrifice their Lives for the publick good and instantly without more ado they address themselves to the King of England with the Keys of the Town with no other apprehension but to be put to death to which though they held themselves assured thereof they went as cheerfully as if they had been going to a Wedding yet it pleased God to turn the heart of the English King and at the request of the Queen and some of the Lords they were all sent back again safe and sound Daniels Hist Engl. p. 240. XCVII When Charles the Seventh King of France marched toward Naples they of the City of Florence set open their Gates to him as supposing they should thereupon receive the less damage by him in their City and Territories adjoining but the King being entred with his Army demanded the Government of the City and a sum of Money to secure their Liberties and Estates in this strait four of the principal Citizens were apppointed to transact and manage this affair with the Kings Ministers amongst these was Petre Caponis who having heard the rigorous terms of their composition recited and read by the Kings principal Secretary he was so moved that in the sight and presence of the King he snatched the Paper out of his hands and tore it in pieces crying out Now sound you your Trumpets and we will ring our Bells Charles astonished at the resolution of the man desisted from his design and thereupon it became a Proverb Gallum a Cock or a Frenchman a Capo victum fuisse The French Cock was overcome by a Capon Zuinglius Theat p. 256. XCVIII The Tartars in their invasion of China were prosperous on all sides and had set themselves down before the Walls of the renowned and vast City of Hunchen the Metropolis of the Province of Chekiang where the Emperor Lovangus was inclosed 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 was upon this occasion that his heart not able to bear such a desolation of the City and Subjects as he foresaw he gave such an illustrious example of his humanity and tenderness to his People as Europe scarce ever saw for he mounted upon the City Walls and calling to the Tartarian General upon his Knees he begged the life of his People Spare not me said he I shall willingly be a Sacrifice for my Subjects And having said this he presently went out to the Tartars Army and was by them taken by which means this noble City was preserved though with the destruction of the mutinous Army for the Tartars caused the City to shut the Gates against them till they had cut in pieces all that were without and then entred triumphantly into it not using any force or violence to any Martinius Hist China p. 281. XCIX In the year 393. from the building of Rome whether by an Earthquake or other means it is uncertain but the Forum or Market-place of Rome was opened and almost half of it was fallen in to a very strange depth great quantities of Earth were thrown into it but in vain for it could not be filled 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 and gave up his own life for the safety of his Country and so armed on Horseback and his Horse well accoutred he rode into the gaping Gulf which soon after closed itself upon him Livys Hist p. 122. C. When the Graecians of Doris 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 A thenian King living Codrus the then King of Athens by some intelligence being informed of this answer withdrew himself from his own Forces and putting on the habit of a common Soldier he 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 Rawleigh's Hist World p. 420. CI. Cleomenes King of Sparta being distressed by his Enemy Antigonus King of Macedon sent to Ptolomy King of Aegypt for help who promised it upon condition to have his Mother and Child in pledg of his Fidelity Cleomenes was a long time ashamed to acquaint his Mother with these conditions and though he went oftentimes on purpose to let her understand it yet when he came he had not the heart to discover it to her which she
Child that we are Baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity let us not lose the Garment of our Salvation lest it be said cast them into utter darkness where is weeping and wailing and gnashing of Teeth for that pain is to be dreaded that never endeth and that life to be desired that always lasteth The Youth was so incouraged hereby that he persevered patient in all his sufferings till in the midst of his Torments he gave up the Ghost and many by this Ladies Exhortations and Example were converted to Christianity and animated in their sufferings Not long after Cyrillus the Arrian Bishop of Carthage stirred up Hunrick the Tyrant against the Christians telling him That he could never expect to enjoy his Kingdom in peace so long as he suffered any of them to live hereupon he sent for seven eminent Christians to Carthage whom he first assaulted with flattery and large promises of Honour Riches c. if they would imbrace his Faith but these Servants of Christ rejected all his offers crying out One Lord one Faith one Baptism saying also do with our Bodies what you please torment them at your will it is better for us to suffer these momentary pains than to indure everlasting Torments Before this Hunrick sent his Commissioners to impose the following Oath upon them under the utmost penalty You shall swear that after the death of our Lord the King his Son Hilderick shall succeed him in the Kingdom whereupon some cryed out we are all Christians and hold the Apostolical and only True Faith and seeing further into the subtlety of this Oath refused it other well meaning men offered to take it whereupon they were divided asunder and committed to custody the names of both Parties and of what Cities they were being taken in writing and soon after the King sent them this Message As for you that would have taken the Oath because you contrary to the rule of the Gospel which saith swear not at all would have sworr the Kings Will is that you shall never see your Churches nor Houses more but be banished into the Wilderness and there shall till the ground But to the refusers of the Oath he said Because you desire not the Reign of our Lord the Kings Son you shall therefore be immediately sent away to the Isle of Corse there to hew Timber for the Ships Clarks Martyr XXXII In the eighth Primitive Persecution under Valerianus Sixtus Bishop of Rome with his six Deacons were accused for being Christians whereupon being brought to the place of Execution they were all beheaded St. Lawrence also another Deacon following Sixtus as he went to Execution complained that he might not suffer with him but that he was secluded as the Son from the Father to whom the Bishop answered That within three days he should follow him bidding him in the mean time to go home and if he had any Treasures to distribute them among the Poor the Judge hearing mention of Treasures supposing that Lawrence had great store in his Custody commanded him to bring the same to him Lawrence craved three days respite promising then to declare where the Treasure might be had in the mean time he caused a great number of poor Christians to be gathered together and when the day of his answer was come the Persecutor strictly charged him to make good his promise but valiant Lawrence stretching out his Arms over the poor said These are the precious Treasures of the Church these are the Treasures indeed in which Christ hath his Mansion But O what Tongue is able to express the fury and madness of the Tyrants Heart how he stamped stared raved like one out of his wits his Eyes glowed like Fire his Mouth foamed like a Boar he grindeth his Teeth like an Hell-hound and then he bellows out Kindle the fire make no spare of Wood hath this Villain deluded the Emperor Away with him whip him with Scourges jerk him with Rods buffet him with Fists brain him with Clubs what doth the Traytor jest with the Emperor Pinch him with fiery Tongs gird him with burning Plates bring out the strongest Chains and Pireforks and the grate of Iron set it on the fire bind the Rebel hand and foot and when the grate is red hot on with him rost him broyl him toss him turn him upon pain of our high displeasure do every man his Office O ye Tormentors Immediately his command was obeyed and after many cruel Tortures this meek Lamb was laid I will not say upon a Bed of fiery Iron but on a soft down Bed so mightily did God work for his Servant and so miraculously did he temper this Element of Fire that it was not a Bed of consuming pain but of nourishing rest unto Lawrence so that the Emperor and not Lawrence seemed to be tormented the one broyling in the flesh the other burning in his heart when this Triumphant Martyr had been pressed down with Fire-forks for a great while in the mighty Spirit of God he spake thus to the Tyrant This side is now roasted enough Turn up O Tyrant Great And try whether roasted or raw Thou thinkst it's better meat By the couragious Confession of this worthy and valiant Deacon a Roman Soldier was converted to the same Faith and desired to be Baptized whereupon he was called before the Judge Scourged and afterward be headed Acts and Mon. XXXIII In the Arrian Persecution in Africa there was one Saturus a Nobleman eminent for Piety whom the Tyrant much laboured to withdraw from the Christian Profession but he refusing the King told him that if he presently consented not he should forfeit his House his Lands his Goods and his Honours that his Children and Servants should be sold and his Wife should be given to his Camel-driver or one of the basest of his Slaves but when threats prevailed not he was cast into Prison and when his Lady heard her doom she went to her Husband as he was praying with her Garments rent and her hair dishevel'd her Children at her heels and a sucking Infant in her Arms and falling down at her Husbands feet she took him about the Knees saying Have compassion O my sweetest of me thy poor Wife and of these thy Children look upon them let them not be made Slaves let not me be yoaked in so base a Marriage consider that what thou art required to do thou dost it not willingly but art constrain'd thereunto and therefore it will not be laid to thy charge But this valiant Soldier of Christ answered her in the words of Job Thou speakest like a foolish Woman thou actest the Devils part If thou truly lovedst thy Husband thou wouldst never seek to draw him to sin that may separate him from Christ and expose him to the second death know assuredly that I am resolved as my Saviour Christ commands me to forsake Wife Children House Lands c. that so I may enjoy him and be his Disciple And accordingly he was
dwells Tranquillity and hope of life in an infernal Cave I have joy of Soul where others weep I rejoice where others tremble there I find strength and boldness all these things the sweet hand of the Almighty doth minister unto me behold he that was once far from me whom I could scarce feel before I now see apparently whom I once saw afar off I behold now near at hand whom once I hungred for he now approaches and reaches his hand to me He doth comfort me and fills me with gladness he drives away all sorrow strengthens incourages heals refreshes and advances me O how good is the Lord who suffers not his Servants to be tempted above their strength O how easy and sweet is this yoak Learn therefore how amiable and merciful the Lord is who visiteth his Servants in temptation and disdains not to keep them company in such vile and stinking Dungeons And in conclusion he subscribes his Letter From the delectable Orchard of the Leonine Prison Clarks Martyr p. 270. XLVI Henry Voes and John Esch who had been sometimes Augustine Fryers being converted they were condemned for the Protestant Religion for which they gave thanks to God their Heavenly Father who of his great goodness had delivered them from the false and abominable Religion making them Priests to himself and receiving them to himself as a Sacrifice of a sweet savour they went joyfully to the place of execution protesting that they died for the glory of God and the Doctrine of the Gospel as true Christians and that it was the day which they had long desired they joyfully imbraced the stake and endured patiently the Torments of the fire singing Psalms and rehearsing the Creed in Testimony of their Faith when the fire was kindled at their Feet one of them said Methinks you do strew Roses under my feet Clarks Martyr p. 279. XLVII Peter Spengler a pious and learned Minister in Germany being condemned to death as he was going to Execution said I shall be an acceptable Sacrifice to my Saviour Jesus Christ who hath given me a quiet conscience as knowing my self innocent from the Crimes objected against me as for my death it is all one to me whether I die thus or no for if you had let me alone I must shortly have forsaken this skin which already scarcely hangs to my Bones I know that I am a mortal and corruptible Worm I have long desired my last day and have oft prayed that I might be delivered out of this mortal body to be joined to my Saviour Jesus Christ Another Godly Martyr in that Country feeling the violence of the flames said O what a small pain is this if compared with the Glory to come One Audebert a French Protestant being condemned to be burnt when she was brought forth to Execution and had a Rope put about her she called it her Wedding Girdle wherewith she would be Married unto Christ and being to be burned upon a Saturday she said On a Saturday I was first Married and on a Saturday I shall be Married again She much rejoyced when she was put into the Dung-cart and shewed such patience constancy in the fire as made all the Spectators to wonder at it Clarks Martyr p. 320. XLVIII Mr. John Rogers the first Martyr in Queen Maries days the Lords day before his death drank to Mr. Hooper who lay in a Chamber beneath him bidding the Messenger to commend him to him and tell him That there was never little Fellow would better stick to a Man than he would to him supposing that they should be both burned together though it fell out otherwise Clarks Martyr p. 489. XLIX Mr. Lawrence Saunders whilst he was in Prison writ thus to his Wife I am merry and trust through Gods mercy I shall be merry in spight of all the Devils in Hell Riches I have none to endow you with but the Treasure of tasting how sweet Christ is to hungry Consciences whereof I do thank my Christ I feel my part this I bequeath unto you and to the rest of my beloved in Christ And again Oh what worthy thanks can be given to our gracious God for his unmeasurable mercies so powerfully poured out upon us and I most unworthy wretch cannot but bewail my great Ingratitude toward so gracious a God and so loving a Father I beseech you all as for my other sins so especially for my sins of unthankfulness to crave pardon for me in your earnest prayers to number Gods mercies in particular were to number the drops of Water in the Sea the Sands on the shore and the Stars in Heaven O my dear Wife and Friends rejoice with me I say rejoyce with Thanksgiving for this my present promotion in that I am made worthy to magnify my God not only in my life by my slow mouth and uncircumcised lips bearing witness to his Truth but also by my blood to seal the same to the glory of my God and to the confirming of his True Church I do profess to you that the comforts of my sweet Christ do drive from me the fears of death Clarks Martyr p. 509. L. When Dr. Rowland Taylor was brought before Stephen Gardiner Lord Chancellor he said to him Art thou come thou Villain How darest thou look me in the face for shame Knowest thou not who I am To whom Dr. Taylor answered with Courage How dare you for shame look any Christian man in the face seeing you have forsaken the Truth denied our Saviour Christ and his Word and done contrary to your Oath and Writing And if I should be afraid of your Lordly looks why fear you not God the Lord of us all As he was going to Hadly to be burnt when he came within two miles of it he desired to alight and when he was down he leapt and fetcht a frisk or two saying God be praised I am now almost at my home and have not above two stiles to go over and then I am even at my Fathers House Clarks Martyr p. 509. LI. Bishop Ridly in a Letter to Mr. Bradford writes thus Sir blessed be God notwithstanding our hard restraint and the evil report raised of us we are merry in God and all our care is and by Gods Grace shall be to please and serve him from whom we expect after these temporary and momentary miseries to have eternal joy and perpetual felicity with Abraham Isaac and Jacob c. The night before he suffered he said Though my breakfast will be somewhat sharp and painful yet I am sure my supper shall be more pleasant and sweet Clarks Martyr p. 521. LII Mr. Bradford said I thank God more for this Prison and dark Dungeon than for any Pardon yea than for any pleasure that ever I had for in it I find God my most sweet God alwaies He also told a friend that lay with him in the same Bed in Prison that even in the time of his Examination before Stephen Gardiner he was wonderfully
too great a freedom and liberty coming once to the House of Omulus his Friend and beholding there at his entrance divers Pillars of Porphry he inquired whence they were brought Omulus told him That it became him that set his foot into another mans House to be both deaf and dumb He meant he should not be curious and inquisitive The Emperor was delighted with this freedom so far was he from resenting it in such a manner as some others would have done Wanly Hist Man p. 204. XLVIII Such has been the invincible patience of some men that the incredible strength of their minds hath not only prevailed over the weakness of their flesh but reduced it to a temper capable of induring as much as if it had been of Brass or something that if possible is yet more insensible Of such a temper Janus Auceps a wicked Person seem'd to be who dwelt in a lone house by the highway side without the East-gate of the City of Copenhagen in Denmark this man in the night had murdered divers Persons and knocked them on the head with an Ax at last he was discovered taken and condemned to a terrible death he was drawn upon a sledge through the City he had pieces of flesh plucked off from his Body with burning Pincers his Legs and Arms were broken his Tongue was pulled out of his Mouth thongs of his skin were cut out of his back his breast was opened by the speedy hand of the Executioner his heart was pulled out and thrown at his face all this the stout-hearted man bore with an invincible courage and when his heart lay panting by his side in the midst of such torments as he yet underwent he moved his head and looked upon the By-standers with a frowning aspect and seemed with curiosity to contemplate his own heart till such time as his Head was cut off Bartholin Anat. XLIX William Collingborn Esq being condemned for making this Rhime on King Richard the Third The Cat the Rat and Lovel the Dog Rule all England under a Hog Alluding to Catesby Ratcliff and Lovel the three great Favourites of Richard in whose arms there was pictured a Hog the poor Gentleman was put to a most cruel death for being hanged and cut down alive his bowels ript out and cast into the fire when the Executioner put his hand into the bulk of his body to pull out his heart he said Lord Jesus yet more trouble and so died to the great sorrow of much people Fabians Chro. p. 519. L. When we were come within sight of Buda in Hungary saith Busbequius there came by the command of the Turkish Bassa some of his Family to meet us with divers great Officers but in the first place a Troop of young men on Horseback made us turn our Eyes to them because of the Novelty of their Equipage which was thus upon their bare heads most of which were shaven they had cut a long line in the skin in which wound they had stuck Feathers of all kinds and they were dewed with drops of blood yet dissembling the pain they rid with as much mirth and cheerfulness as if they had been void of all sense just before me there walked some on foot one of these went with his naked arms on his side in each of which he carried a Knife which he had thrust through his Arms just above the Elbow another walked naked from his Navel upward with the skin of both his Loins so cut above and below that he carried a Club which stuck therein as if it had hung at his Girdle another had fastened a Horse-shoe with divers nails upon the crown of his Head but that was done a long while the nails being so grown in the flesh that the Shoe was made fast in this pomp we entred Buda and were brought into the Bassa's Pallace in the Court of which stood these generous contemners of Pain as I chanced to cast my Eye that way What think you of these men said the Bassa Well enough said I but that they use their flesh in such a manner as I would not use my Cloths being desirous to keep them whole The Bassa smiled at this answer and dismissed us Busbequius Epist p. 226. LI. There is a notable example of tolerance which happened in our times in a certain Burgundian who was the Murderer of the Prince of Orange this man though he was scourged with rods of Iron though his flesh was torn off with red hot and burning Pincers yet he gave not so much as a single sigh or groan nay further when part of a broken Scaffold fell upon the head of one that stood by as a Spectator this burned Villain in the midst of all his Torments laughed at the Accident although not long before the same man had wept when he saw the curls of his hair cut off Wanly Hist Man p. 206. LII It was also an Example of great patience in this kind which Strabo mentions in his Geography that Zarmonochaga the Ambassadour from the Indian King having finished his negotiation with Augustus Caesar according to his own mind and having sent an account thereof to his Master because he would have no further trouble for the remaining part of his life after the manner of the Indians he burnt himself alive preserving all the while the countenance of a man that smiled Fulgosus Ex. p. 348. LIII Most eminent was the example of Hieronimus Olgiatus a Citizen of Millain who was one of those four that did assassinate Galeacius Sforza Duke of Millain being taken he was thrust into Prison and put to bitter Tortures now although he was not above two and twenty years of Age and of such a delicacy and softness in his habit of body that was more like to that of a Virgin than a man though he was never accustomed to the bearing of Arms by which it is usual for men to acquire vigour and strength yet being fastened to that Rope upon which he was tormented he seemed as if he sate upon some Tribunal and free from any expression of grief with a clear voice and an undaunted mind he commended the Exploit of himself and his Companions nor did he ever shew the least sign of Repentance in the times of the intermissions of his Torments both in Prose and Verse he celebrated the Praises of his Confederates being at last brought to the place of Execution beholding Carolus and Francion two of his Associates to stand as if they were almost dead for fear he exhorted them to be couragious and requested the Executioners that they would begin with him that his Fellow-sufferers might learn patience by his Example being therefore laid naked and at full length upon the Hurdle and his Feet and Arms fast bound down to it when others that stood by were terrified with the shew and horrour of that death that was prepared for him he with specious words and assured voice extolled the gallantry of their Action and appeared
the mistake of a Servant he his Father were both poysoned by deadly Wine prepared for the Guests and so he was rewarded for his Ambition and intent of Murther both at once Clarks Mirrour IX Staveren in Holland was the chief Town of all Friezland rich and abounding in all wealth the only staple for all Merchandize whither Ships came from all parts The Inhabitants thereof through ease knew not what to do nor desire but shewed themselves in all things excessive and licentious not only in their Apparel but also in the furniture of their Houses gilding the Seats before their Lodgings c. So that they were commonly called The debauched Children of Staveren but observe the just punishment of this their Pride There was in this Town a Widow who knew no end of her wealth which made her proud and insolent she freighted out a Ship for Dantzick giving the Master charge to return her in exchange of her Merchandize the farest stuft he could find The Master of the Ship finding no better Commodity than good wheat freighted his Ship therewith and so returned to Staveren this did so discontent this foolish glorious Widow that she said to the Master That if he had laden the Corn on the Starboard side of the Ship he should cast it into the Sea on the Larboard which was presently done and all the wheat poured into the Sea but the whole Town yea all the Province smanted for this one Womans errour for presently in the same place where the Marriners had thrown the Corn there grew a great Bar or Bank of Sand wherewith the Haven was so stopt that no great Ship could enter and at this day the smallest Vessels that will anchor there must be very careful least they strike against this flat or Sand bank which ever since hath been called Vrawelandt that is the Womans Sand hereby the Town losing its Traffick in a little time declined the Inhabitants also by reason of their Wealth and Pride grew intellerable to the Nobility who in sumptuousness could not endure to be brayed by them so that this Town is now become one of the poorest of that Province though it hath the greatest Privitedges of all the Hanse Towns Hist Netherlands X Deminicus Sylvius Duke of Venice Married a Gentlewoman of Constantinople she was plunged into sensuality with so much prosusion that she could not endure to lodge but in Chambers full of delicious persurnes of the Fast she would not wash her self but in the dews of Heaven whell must be preserved for her with much skill her Garments were so pompous that nothing remained but to seek for new Sâ—…s in Heaven for she had exhausted the Treasures of the Earth her Viands so dainty that all the mouths of Kings tasted none so exquisite nor would she touch her meat but with Golden Forks and precious Stones God to punish this cursed pride and superfluity cast her on a Bed and assailed her with a malady so hideous so stinking and frightful that all her nearest Kindred were forced to forsake her none staid about her but a poor old Woman throughly accustomed to stench and death this delicate Lady was poysoned with her own perfumes in such a manner that from all her body there began to drop a most stinking humor and a kind of matter so filthy to behold so noysom to the â—…ell that every many ainly perceived that her dissolute excessive Pride and daintiness had caused this Infection in her which brought her to such a miserable and tragical end Causins Hely Court FINIS There are lately published Seven very useful pleasant and necessary Books which are all sold by Nath Crouch at his Shop at the Sign of the Bell in the Poultry near Cheapside I SVrprising Miracles of Nature and Art in two parts Containing 1. The Miracles of Natre or the wonderful signs and prodigious Aspects and Appearances in the Heavens Earth and Sea With an account of the most famous Comets and other prodigies since the Birth of our blessed Saviour particularly the dreadful Apparitions before the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple The terrible Presages during the Wars and Desolations in Germany as several Suns appearing at once the water in Ponds and Conduits turned to blood and blood rained from Heaven Armies of Crows Dogs and other Creatures fighting and destroying each other Intermixt with Remarks on the Life of the renowned Gustavus Adolphus K. of Sweden Also a particular Description of the 5 Blazing Stars seen in England since 1663. A Relation of the burning of Mount Aetna with the horrid River of Fire and Brimstone which issued thence in 1669. burning near 20 Towns and Villages with abundance of other unaccountable Accidents and Productions of all kinds to 1682. Likewise a true account of the Groaning Board II. The Miracles of Art describing the most Magnificent Buildings and other curious Inventions in all Ages as the Seven wonders of the world and many other excellent Structures and Rarities throughout the Earth Beautified with Sculptures Price One Shilling EXtraordinary Adventures of several Famous Men with the strange Events and many signal Mutations and Changes in the Fortunes of many Illustrious Places and Persons in all Ages Being an account of a multitude of stupendious Revolutions Accidents and observable Matters in many Kingdoms States and Provinces throughout the whole World Namely the Adventures of Christ Columbus and the manner of his Discovery of America or the New World the Cruelties used by the Turks upon the Christians at Argiers their manner of selling Slaves c. The dreadful Mutiny in the City of Naples about their Priviledges in 1647. and how Messanello a Fisher-Boy ruled there for 10 days with greater Power than any King or Emperour An Account of several Nations destroyed or driven from their Habitations by Gnats Moles Pismires Sparrows Locusts Hares Conies Fleas Frogs Mice Grashoppers Serpents Worms and other inconsiderable Creatures The Tragical Deaths of John and Cornelius de Wit at the Hague in Holland Remarks on the Life and Death of Sir W. Rawleigh with his last Speech and behaviour on the Scaffold with Pictures Price One Shilling III. Admirable Curiosities Rarities and Wonders in England Scotland and Ireland Or an Account of many remarkable persons and places and likewise of the Battles Sieges prodigious Earthquakes Tempests Inundations Thunders Lightnings Fives Murders and other considerable occurrences and accidents for many Hundred years past and among others the Battle of Bosworth and the miserable Death of Crookbackt Richard The beheading of the Lord Cromwel and the Earl of Essex with their last Speeches the Rebellion of the Papists in Cornwal c. against the Common-Prayer in King Edward 6 time and the Kings Letter to them The Rebellion under Ket the Tanner and his Laws and Ordinances in the Oak of Reformation near Norwich The Association in Qu. Elizabeth's time The proceedings against Mary Queen of Scots Mother to K. James with her last words on the Scaffold