who had been less guilty were forced to run the Gantlet Twenty more who had no great inclination yet had been seduced to those hellish Enterprises because they were very young were condemned to be lashed with Rods upon their Hands for three Sundays together at the Church-door and the afore-said six and thirty were also doom'd to be lashed this way once a Week for a whole Year together The number of the seduced Children was about three Hundred On the 25th of August Execution was done upon the notoriously Guilty the Day being Bright and Glorious and the Sun shining and some Thousands of People being present at the Spectacle The Order and Method observed in the Examination was thus First The Commissioners and the neighbouring Justices went to Prayer this done the Witches who had most of them Children with them which they either had seduced or attempted to seduce from four Years of Age to sixteen were set before them some of the Children complained lamentably of the Misery and Mischief they were forced sometime to suffer of the Witches The Children being asked whether they were sure they were at any time carried away by the Devil they all declared they were begging of the Commissioners that they might be freed from that intollerable Slavery Hereupon the Witches themselves were asked whether the confessions of these Children were true and admonished to confess the Truth that they might turn away from the Devil unto the Living God At first most of them did very stifly and without shedding the least Tear deny it though much against their Will and Inclination After this the Children were examined every one by themselves to see whether their Confession did agree or no and the Commissioners found that all of them except some very little ones who could not tell all the Circumstances did punctually agree in the Confession of Particulars In the mean while the Commissioners that were of the Clergy examined the Witches but could not bring them to any Confession all continuing stedfast in their denials till at last some of them burst out into Tears and their Confession agreed with what the Children had said And these expressed their abhorrency of the Fact and begged Pardon adding that the Devil whom they called Loeyta had stopp'd the Mouths of some of them and stopp'd the Ears of others and being now gone from them they could no longer conceal it for they now perceived his Treachery Glanvil's Sadduc Triumph p. 579 580 c. I am unwilling to leave this Chapter 'till I have represented the Murderous Nature of Satan and displayed the Devil in his own Colours And this I will endeavour to do in a few Instances which shall be irrefragable beyond all Exceptions and Confutation as I think these before Recorded are enough to make the Atheist bite his Nails and our Witch-Advocates scratch their Heads to find out an Evasion or Scape-hole for themselves to shelter in 7. In 1618. happened a very sad Tragedy in the Family of the Right Honourable the Earl of Rutland whose Children were Bewitched and one Murthered by the Devilish Malice of Joan Flower and her two Daughters Margaret and Philip who dwelt near Belvoir-Castle in Rutland-shire the Residence of that Noble Earl and where they were not only relieved but entertained as Cheerwomen After which Margaret was admitted to live in the Castle as a Servant-maid 'till at length the Countess had Information of some Misdemeanours they were guilty of having Notice that the Mother was a very malicious Woman and much given to Swearing Cursing and Atheistical Imprecations and that of late Days her Countenance was strangely altered her Eyes fiery and hollow her Speech fierce and envious and her whole Demeanour strange and ridiculous being much alone and having divers other Symptoms of a notorious Witch and her Neighbours reported she had Familiar Spirits and terrified 'em all with her Curses and Threats of Revenge upon the least Displeasure was done her She likewise heard That her Daughter Margaret often carried such great Quantities of Provision from the Castle to her Mother as was unfit for a Servant to purloyn and at such unseasonable Hours that it was believed they could never maintain their extraordinary Riot and Expence without robbing their Lady to maintain several debauched Fellows who frequented her Mother's House for the Love of her youngest Daughter Philip who was likewise leudly transported with the Love of one Thomas Symson insomuch as he was heard to say she had Bewitched him for he had no power to leave her though he found himself much altered both in Body and Mind since he kept her Company Such Discourses passed concerning them several Years before they were Apprehended or Convicted of which the Earl and Countess took little Notice by reason of their cunning Observance and modest Carriage toward them At length my Lord had some suspition of the Mother and estranged himself from that Familiarity and Discourse which he used to have with her for one Peak having wronged her she complained to the Earl whom she found unwilling to encourage Clamours and malicious Informations And the Countess discovering some Incivilities in her Daughter's Life and her Neglect of Business discharged her for â—â—ing any more in the Castle yet gave her Forty Shillings a Bolster and a Bed commanding her 〈◊〉 â—ome Upon this the Mother being upbraided by her Neighbours and told that her Daughtâ—◠〈◊〉 â—â—urned out of Doors she cursed all that were the Cause of it and studied to Revenge herself upon that Honourable Family The Devil perceiving the malicious Temper of this Wretch and that she and her Daughter were fit Instruments to enlarge his Kingdom offered them his Service and that in such a manner as should no way terrifie them nor could thâ—â— be suspected to be concerned appearing in the shape of a Dog Cat or Rat telling them That if they would make a Contract with him they should have their Will upon their Enemies and do them what Damage they pleased The Thoughts of doing Mischief to their Ill-willers easily induced them all to agree to his damnable Proposals and they consented to be his Body and Soul confirming their Agreement with abominable Kisses and an odious Sacrifice of Blood with certain Charms and Conjurations wherewith the Devil deceived them After this these Three Women became Devils Incarnate and grew proud in the Power they had got to do Mischief by several Spells and Incantations whereby they first killed what Cattel they pleased which so encouraged them that they now threaten the Earl and his Family who soon after fell sick with his Countess and were subject to strange and extraordinary Convulsions which they judging only to proceed from the Hand of God had not the least Jealousie of any evil Practice against them At last as Malice increased in them so the Earl's Family felt the smart of their Revenge for Henry Lord Ross his Eldest Son fell sick of a very unusual Disease and soon after died His
Second Son the Lord Francis was likewise miserably tortured by their wicked Contrivances and his Daughter the Lady Catherine was oft in great danger of her Life by their barbarous Dealings with strange Fits c. The Honourable Parents bore all these Afflictions with Christian Magnanimity little suspecting they proceeded from Witchcraft 'till it pleased God to discover the Villanous Practices of these Women whom the Devil now left to fall into the Hands of Justice for Murdering the Innocent and to remain notorious Examples of God's Judgment to future Ages They were apprehended about Christmas in 1618. and after Examination before divers Justices of Peace who wondred at their audacious Wickedness were all Three ordered to be carried to Lincoln-Jail Joan Flower the Mother it is said called for Bread and Butter by the way and wished it might never go through her if she were guilty of that which was charged upon her and so mumbling it in her Mouth she never spake a word more but fell down and died with horrible Torture both of Soul and Body before she got to the Jail The two Daughters were Examined before Sir William Pelbam and Mr. Butler Justices of Peace Feb. 4. 1618 where Philip the youngest made the following Confession That her Mother and Sister were very malicious against the Earl of Rutland his Countess and their Children because Margaret was turned out of the Lady's Service whereupon her Sister by her Mother's Order brought from the Castle the Right-hand Glove of the Lord Henry Ross who presently rubbed it on the Back of her Spirit called Rutterkin and then put it into boyling Water after which she prickt it very often and then buried it in the Yard wishing the Lord Ross might never thrive And so her Sister Margaret continued with her Mother and she often saw her Imp Rutterkin leap on her Shoulder and suck her Neck She confest also That she often heard her Mother curse the Earl and his Lady and would thereupon boyl Blood and Feathers together using many Devilish Speeches and strange Gestures She likewise acknowledg'd That she herself had a Spirit sucking her Left-breast in the form of a White Rat which it had done for three or four Years past and that when it came first to her she gave her Soul to it who promised to do her good and to force Tho. Symson to love her if she would suffer it to suck her which she agreed to and that it had suckt her two Nights before Margaret her Sister being Examined agreed in the Confession that Philip had made of their Malice to the Earl and about the young Lord's Glove which for other Circumstances for brevity's sake I here omit 12. About the same time Joan Wilmot of Goadby a Witch was Examined by Sir Henry Hastings and Dr. Fleming Justices in Leicester-shire about the Murther of Henry Lord Ross who declared That Joan Flower told her the Earl of Rutland had dealt badly by her and had put away her Daughter and though she could not have her Will of my Lord himself yet she had sped my Lord's Son and had stricken him to the Heart c. 13. Another Witch called Ellen Green of Stathorn in Leicester-shire was Examined about that time by the same Justices who confessed That Joan Wilmot above-named came to her about six Years since and perswaded her to forsake God and betake herself to the Devil to which she consented who then called two Spirits one like a young Cat which she named Puss and the other in the shape of a Mole which she called Hiff Hiff who instantly came and Wilmot going away left them with her after which they leapt on her Shoulder the Kitling sucking her Neck under her Right-ear and the Mole under her Left in the same place after which she sent the Kitling to a Baker in the Town who had called her Witch and struck her bidding it go and Bewitch him to Death And the Mole she sent to Anne Daws of the same Town upon the same Errand because she had called her Witch Whore and Jade and within a Fortnight after they both died After which she sent them to destroy two Husbandmen named Willison and Williman who died both in ten Days these four she murâ—hered while she dwelt at Waltham When she removed to Stathorn where she now dwelt upon a Difference between her and one Patchet's Wife a Yeoman there Joan Wilmot called her to go and touch Patchet's Wife and Child which she did touching the Woman in Bed and the Child in the Midwife's Arms and then sent her Spirits to Bewitch them to Death the Woman languished a Month before she died but the Child lived only 'till next Day after she had touched it adding that Joan Wilmot had a Spirit sucking on her like a little White Dog which she saw and that she gave her Soul to the Devil to have these Spirits at Command for any mischievous purpose and suffered them to suck her constantly about the Change and Full-Moon 14. One Anne Baker a Witch was likewise Apprehâ—â—◠〈◊〉 and Examined about the same time who confessed before Sir George Mannors and Dr. Fleming 〈◊〉 of Peace That she had a Spirit like a White Dog which she called a good Spirit and that one Peak and one Dennis's Wife of Belvoir told her That the young Lord Henry was dead and that his Glove was buried in the Ground which as it wasted and rotted in like manner did the Lord's Liver rot and waste likewise 15. Margaret and Philip Flower were arraigned at the Assizes at Lincoln before Sir Henry Hobart and Sir Edward Bromley Judges whereupon their confessing themselves Actors in the Destruction of Henry Lord Ross with other damnable Practices they were Condemned and Executed at Lincoln March 11. And the rest questionless suffered according to their Deserts History of Daemons p. 140 141 c. Discov of Witchcraft c. 16. Anno Dom. 1645. There was a notable Discovery of several Witches in Essex and among others one Elizabeth Clark was accused of this horrid Crime and Informations taken against her before Sir Harbottle Grimstone and Sir Thomas Bowes Justices of Peace for that Country John Rivet of Mannintree deposed That about Christmass his Wife was taken sick and lame with such violent Fits that he verily believed her Distemper was more than natural who thereupon went to one Hovey at Hadly in Suffolk who was reckoned a cunning Woman she told him That his Wife was Cursed or Bewitcht by two Women who were her near Neighbours and that she believed she was Bewitcht by Elizabeth Clark alias Bedingfield who lived near their House and that her Mother and some of her Kindred had formerly suffered as Witches and Murtherers At the same time Matthew Hopkins of Mannintree declared upon Oath That this suspected Witch being ordered by the Justices to be watched several Nights for Discovering her wicked Practices he coming into the Room where she was with one Mr. Sterne intending not to
times sooner than Old Jude will forgive us once But Sam was of another Mind goes to Jude's House confesseth the Injury offers the Money Jude Pardons him but would take no Money This grieved him more upon which he goes to his Spiritual Father Mr. Ward opens to him the whole state of his Soul who in great tenderness poured Wine and Oyl into his Wounds See his Life See the Story of the Fire at Brightling in the last Chapter as also of the Staffordshire man that stole a Bible in the Chapter of Cursing c. 6. Rich. Rogers of Middle near Salop had a Bible stollen out of his Seat in the Church and a while after his Daughter one Morning found another thrown by the House Door which he made publick Proclamation of at Church and no body own'd or claim'd it From his own Mouth 7. Mr. Mackerness in the Narrative which himself hath publish'd of his own Life confesseth his stealing a Duck near Oxford and eating it and with great trouble of Spirit professeth himself willing to make four-fold Restitution if he knew to whom CHAP. CXVI Divine Judgments upon Sacrilege Simony SAcrilege is the Diversion of Holy and Ecclesiastick things to Profane and Secular use As Simeon and Levi so Theft and Sacrilege be evil Brethren saith Sir H. Spelman Theft robs our Neighbour Sacrilege God God himself hath told us That Lands and Houses may be sanctified to the Lord but things devoted are most Holy to the Lord Lev. 27.28 and not redeemable And the Charters of our Foundations of Monasteries and Abbies were generally in these words Concessi Deo Ecclesiae Offero Deo confirmavi Deo Ecclesiae c. Cook Magn. Chart. fol. 2.1.6 c. Simony is the Purchasing of what is Sacred and Spiritual with things of Secular Nature and Consideration Both which sins God hath appeared plainly against as may be made appear to any one that is acquainted with the History of the Church Uzzah died because be did but touch the Ark to save it He that prosaned the Sabbath was stoned Corah and his Company who medled with the things of the Priesthood wire swallowed up quick Ananias died Simon Magus was accursed 1. When Heliodorus was present in the Temple with his Soldiers ready to seize upon the Treasury by the Prayers of the People of Jerusalem the Lord of all Spirits and power shewed so great a Vision that he fell suddenly into an extream fear and trembling For there appeared unto him an Horse with a terrible Man sitting upon him most richly trapped which came fiercely and smote at him with his fore-feet Moreover there appeared two Young Men notable in Strength excellent in Beauty and comely in Apparel which stood by him on either side and scourged him with many stripes so that Heliodorus that came in with so great a company of Soldiers and Attendants was stricken dumb and carried out in a Litter upon means shoulders for his strength was so abated that he could not help himself but lay destitute of all hopes of Recovery so heavy was the Hand of God upon him until by the Prayers of Onias the High-Priest he was restored then he confessed that he which dwelt in Heaven had his Eyes on that Place and defended it from all those that came to hurt and spoil it Josephus 2. Sir Henry Spelman instanceth in these Examples following 1. William the Conqueror fires St. Peter's Church in York rifles the Monasteries destroyed Thirty Six Mother-Churches in Hampshire to make his New-Forest takes all their Plate Treasure Chalices c. Afterwards Robert his own Son rebels beats his Father and wounds both his Person and Honour Richard his beloved Son is killed in his Father's New-Forest by the goring of a Stag as Speed saith by ill Air as Cambden After which he burns the City of Manuts and Church of St. Mary's with two Anchorites upon which his Horse gives him a fall breaks his Belly his Body is forsaken by his Nobles and Servants but by the Courtesie of a Country Gentleman brought after three days to Caen in Normandy but there a Fire happening an Interruption is made again and afterwards Burial denyed by one that claimed the Ground At last a Composition being made he is Interred but the Town being afterwards taken by an Enemy his Bones are digged up and scattered as Chaff before the Wind. 2. His Son Henry Hunting in the New-Forest is Struck through the Jaws with the bough of a Tree 3. His Grandchild William second Son to Robert Eârl of Flanders in a War against his Uncle Henry the First received a small Wound in his Hand and died of it 4. Robert of Normandy the Conqueror's Eldest Son is disinherited by his Father imprison'd by his Brother Henry the First for 26 Years hath both his Eyes put out and is starved in Cardaff Gaol 5. William Rufus stores his Treasury by the Sale of Chalices and Church-Jewels and is afterwards killed by Sir Walter Tyrrel shooting at a Deer in New-Forest in the same place where a Church stood His Funeral was interrupted as his Fathers his Corpse brought by a â—iâ—â—y lean Beast to Winchester the Cart breaks by the way he is buried unlamented and his Bones after taken up and laid in a Coffin with Canutus his Bones c. 6. Hugh Earl of Shrewsbury 11th kennell'd his Dogs in the Church of S. Frydame where in the Morning they were found mad and himself afterwards fighting with the Enemy was shot dead in the Eye 7. King John rifled the Abbeys of Peterborough and Croyland and carrying his Sacrilegious Wealth to Lincoln the Earth swallows up Carts Carriages Horses and all his Church-Spoil and all the Church-spoilers the King passing the Washes in another place receives the News together with his own Sickness whereof he died 8. William Marshal Earl of Pembroke in the Irish War takes from the Bishop of Furnes two Mannors belonging to his Church is Excommunicated dies and is buried in the Temple-Church at London The Bishop sues to the King to return the Lands the King requires the Bishop to Absolve the Earl Both King and Bishop go to the Earl's Grave the Bishop is obstinate the Earl's Son is obstinate too the Bishop tells the King Sir what I have said stands immutable the Punishment of Malefactors is from the Lord and the Curse written in the Psalms will fall heavy upon Earl William in the next Generation shall his Name be forgot and his Sons shall not share the Blessing of Increase and Multiply and some of them shall die miserable Deaths and the Inheritance of all be dispersed and scattered and all this my Lord O King you shall see even in your Days With what Spirit soever the Bishop spake it in the space of Twenty Five Years all the Earl's five Sons inherited successively all die Childless particularly one in Prison and another by a fall from his Horse 9. Cardinal Woolsey while free from Sacrilege was the Catalogue of Humane
upon his Head and a Charter in his Hand They are stiled by the King Consanguinii nostri our Cousins and may use the Stile of Nos but so may Viscounts too All Earls are Local except the Earl-Marshal of England who is also Officiary and the Earl Rivers who is denominated not from the Place but Family 4. Viscounts are so made by Patent 5. Barons so called from Baron or Varon Vir in Spanish are made by Writ and called thereby to sit in the Higher House of Parliament but most usually by Patent The Earls Palatines and Earls Marches of England had anciently their Barons under them and in Cheshire there are still such Barons But these not holding immediately from the King as the Bishop of Man under the Earl of Darby are no Peers The Head of the Barony is some Castle or chief Seat of the Noble Man which is not to be divided amongst Daughters if there be no Son but must defcend to the eldest Daughter All the Lords of England are Feudatories to the King swearing Fealty and doing Homage to him Their several Titles are thus A Duke hath the Title of Grace and may be stiled Most High Potent and Noble Prince a Marquess Most Potent and Noble Lord But so may Earls and Viscounts also A Baron Right Noble Lord. Their Coronets differ thus A Baron hath six Pearls upon the Circle A Viscount hath the Circle of Pearls without number An Earl's Contronet hath the Pearls raised upon Points and Leaves low between The Marquess a Pearl and a Strawberry-leaf round of equal height And a Duke's Coronet only Leaves without Pearls Note That the Dukes of the Blood-Royal bear a Coronet of Crosses and Flower-de-luce which is the same with that of the Prince of Wales and his is the same with the Kings the Arches Globe and Cross on the top of the King's Crown Their Parliamentary Robes are thus distinguished A Baron hath but two Guards on him Mantlet or short Cloak a Viscount two and a half an Earl three a Marquess three and a half and a Duke four Also the Mantle of a Duke Marquess and Earl is faced with Ermin that of a Viscount and Baron with plain white Fur. Their Marks of State are thus A Duke may have in all places out of the King's Presence a Cloth of Estate hanging down within half a Yard of the Ground so may his Dutchess and her Train born up by a Baroness and no Earl to wash with a Duke without the Duke's Pleasure A Marquess may have a Cloth of Estate reaching within a Yard of the Ground and that in all Places out of the Presence or the King or a Duke and his Marchioness to have her Train borne by a Knight's Wife and no Viscount to wash with a Marquess but at his Pleasure An Earl also may have a Cloth of Estate without Pendants but only Fring and a Countess may have her Train borne up by a Gentlewoman out of the Presence of her Superiors and in her Presence by a Gentleman A Viscount may have a Cover of Assay holden under his Cup while he drinks but no Assay taken as Dukes Marquesses and Earls may have and have a Travers in his own House and a Viscountess may have her Gown borne up by a Woman out of the Presence of her Superiours and in their Presence by a man A Baron may have the Cover of his Cup holden underneath whilst he drinketh and a Baroness may have her Gown borne up by a Man in the Presence of a Viscountess All Dukes eldest Sons are born as Marquesses and the younger as Lords with the addition of their Names as Lord Thomas Lord John c. A Marquess's eldest Son is called Lord of a Place and the younger Sons as Lord Thomas Lord John c. And Earl's eldest Son is born as a Viscount and shall go as a Viscount and shall have as many Powderings as a Viscount so their younger Sons are said to be born as Barons but shall go after all Barons and before all Baronets An Earl's eldest Son is called Lord of a place and all his Daughters Ladies but his youngest Sons are not Lords A Viscount's eldest Son is no Lord nor his Daughters Ladies and therefore the eldest Sons and the eldest Daughter of the first Viscount of England is said to be the first Gentleman and Gentlewoman without Title in England yet a Viscount's eldest Son is said to be born a Baron 6. The next Degree to Barons are Baronets which is the lowest Degree of Hoour that is Hereditary An Honour first instituted by King James An. 16 11. given by Patent to a Man and his Heir Males of his Body lawfully begotten for which each one is obliged to pay in the Exchecquer so much oney as will for three Years at Eight Pence per Diem pay 30 Foot Soldiers to serve in the Province of Vlster in Ireland which Sum amounts to 1095 l. which with Fees doth commonly arise tp 1200 l. Baronets have Precedence before all Knights except Knights of the Garter Knights who are Privy-Counsellors and Knights Banorets made under the King's Banner or Standard displayed in an Army Royal in open War and the King personally present or the Prince of Wales Baronets have the Priviledge to bear a Canton of their Coat of Arms or in a whole Scutcheon the Arms of Vlster viz. In a Field Argent a Hand Gules Also in the King's Armies to have place in the Gross near the King's Standard with some other particular for their Funerals The whole Number of Baronets are not to exceed 200 at one and the same time after which Number compleated as any one for want of Heirs come to be extinct the Number shall not be made up by new Creations but be suffered to diminish as appears by their Patent No Honour is ever to be created between Baronets and Barons The word Knight is derived from the German word Knecht signifying Originally a lusty Servitor The Germans by publick Authority bestowed on their young Men able to manage Arms a Shield and a Javelin as fit for Martial Service and to be a Member of the Commonwealth accounted befoe but a part of a Family and such a young Man publickly allow'd they call'd Knetcht from whence we had our Institution of Knighthood The thing Knight is at this Day signified in Latin French Spanish Italian and also in High and Low-Dutch Tongues by a word that properly signifies an Horseman because they were wont to serve in War on Horseback and were sometimes in England called Radenhyts id est Riding Soldiers the Latine Milites according to the common Law 1. Knights of the Garter so call'd because the Garter is an Emblem of Concord or Combination to prevent all Sinister Interpretation whereof the King commanded that Motto or Impress to be wrought on the Garter Honi Scit qui Maly Pence This Honourable Company was anciently a College or Corporation of 25 Companions called Knights of the Garter 14 secular
was at some pains to enquire into the truth of it and found the means to get the present Lord Duffus's opinion thereof which shortly is That there has been and is such a Tradition 20. The following Account I received November last from Mr. Alexander Mowat a Person of great Integrity and Judgment who being Minister at the Church at Lesly in the Shire of Aberdene was turned out for refusing the Oath of Test Anno. 1681. He informs That he heard the late Earl of Cathnes who was Married to a Daughter of the late Marquess of Argyle tell the following Story Viz. That upon a time when a Vessel which his Lordship kept for bringing home Wine and other Provisions for his House was at Sea a common Fellow who was reputed to have the Second-sight being occasionally at his House the Earl enquired of him where his Men meaning those in the Ship were at that present time The Fellow replied at such a place by Name within four Hours Sailing of the Harbour which was not far from the place of his Lordship's Residence The Earl asked what Evidence he could give for that The other replied that he had lately been at the place and had brought away with him one of the Sea-mens Caps which he delivered to his Lordship At the four Hours end the Earl went down himself to the Harbour where he found the Ship newly arrived and in it one of the Seamen without his Cap who being questioned how he came to lose his Cap Answered that at such a place the same the Second-sighted Man had Named before there arose a Whirl-wind which endangered the Ship and carried away his Cap The Earl asked if he would know his Cap when he saw it He said he would whereupon the Earl produced the Cap and the Seaman owned it for that which was taken from him This is all the Information which I can give at present concerning Transportation by an Invisible Power 21. One Instance I had of one Allen Miller being in Company with some Gentlemen having gotten a little more than ordinary of that strong Liquor they were Drinking began to tell Stories and strange Passages he had been at But the said Allen was suddenly removed to the farther end of the House and was there almost strangled recovering a little and coming to the place where he was before they asked him What it was that troubled him so He Answered he durst not tell for he had told too much already 22. The Devil appeared to a Dying Man and shewed him a Parchment very long Written on every side with the Sins both of words thoughts and deeds of the Sick Man and said unto him Behold thy vertues See what thy Examination shall be To whom he Answered True Satan but thou hast not set all Thou shouldst have added The Blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all Sin And he that believeth and is Baptized shall be saved Chetwinds Hist Collect. 23. Luther relates of himself that being at Prayer contemplating how Christ hung on the Cross and suffered for his Sins there appeared suddenly on the Wall a bright shining Vision and therein appeared also a glorious form of our Saviour Christ with his five wounds stedfastly looking upon him as if it had been Christ himself corporally Now at the first sight he thought it had been some good Revelation yet presently recollected himself and apprehending it some jugling of the Devil For Christ appeareth unto us in his word and in a meaner and more humble form like as he was humbled on the Cross for us Therefore said he I spake to the Vision in this manner Away thou confounded Devil I know no other Christ than he that was Crucified and who in his word is Pictured and Preached to me Whereupon the Image Vanished which was the very Devil himself And in like manner said Luther further A Gentlewoman a Virgin not far from my House at Wittenburg lay very sick to whom also appeared a Vision after this sort following She beheld as she thought a Glorious form of our Saviour which she was ready to have Worshipped and fall down before but I being sent for presently repaired to her and saw the Vision also as in the form of Christ I admonished her seriously that she should not suffer her self to be deluded by the Devil whereupon upon she raised up her self and spit upon the Face of the Image and instantly the Image was changed into a great ugly Snake which slid to the Gentlewomans Bed and bit her by the Ear so there stood drops of Blood upon the Ear which trickled down and thereupon the Snake vanished This I beheld with mine Eyes said Luther with divers others that stood by Luther's Coll. p. 144. 24. There was in Scotland one an Obsessus carried in the Air several times in the view of several Persons his Fellow-Soldiers Major Henton hath seen him carried away from the Guard in Scotland sometimes a Mile or two Sundry Persons are living now 1671 that can attest this Story I had it from sir Robert Harley the Son who Marryed Major Henton's VVidow as also from E. T. D. D. 25. A Gentleman of my Acquaintance Mr. M. was in Portugal Anno 1655 when one was Burnt by the Inquisition for being brought thither from Goa in East-India in the Air in an incredible short time CHAP. IV. Concerning the Existence and Appearance of Separate Souls THat the Souls of Men do not expire with the Breath and Vital Vnion or fall into a deep Sleep never to be awaked till the General Resurrection according to the Opinions of some Drowsy People whose Reasons at present are asleep in their Bodies is a Truth I think easily evincible out of the Topicks of all Religions that make any Noise and Figure in the World out of the clear Text of Sacred Scripture and from the very nature of our Souls as they now are and act in the Body whilst in union with it Mr. Stevens in his late Sermons upon the Parable of Dives and Lazarus tells us that one of the Fathers calls the Good Angels Enocatores Animarum the Callers forth of Souls and such as shew them Paraturam Diversonii the preparation of those Mansions they are going to Hence says he we observe when good Men are dying they are often in silent Raptures and express a kind of impatience till they are dissolved And why because they spiritually see what they cannot utter as did St. Paul when he was wrapt up into the Third Heaven There is a kind of a Draught presented to them by their Guardian Angels of those Transcendent Joys they are almost ready to enter in possession of and therefore long and pine till they are conveyed into that place of unspeakable Felicity These Heavenly Spirits succour and support them under their Pain and Sickness and when their Souls are stormed out of their Bodies they encompass and embrace them soaring through the Regions of Evil Angels into Heaven 'T is said that Lazarus
was safely carried by the Angels into Abraham 's Bosom so that 't is plain that the Angels are employed to convey the Souls of true Believers into a fixed State of blessedness But because Men are very apt to be incredulous in these Cases my Design is to enquire in their Chapter what knowledge we can pick up concerning the Existence of particular Souls after their Separation out of Antient and Modern Histories and I believe it will appear by what follows that the Soul is really alive and active and concerned after Death I Insist not on the Parable to the Rich Man and Lazarus mention'd by our Saviour nor any particular Instances out of Sacred Writ Read the following Stories and if all of them are not credibly and rightly interpreted and applied if Satan may in some be concerned on purpose to put Tricks upon poor Incredulous shall I say or Credulous Souls yet 't is strange if they are all untrue 1. A Narrative of an Apparition which a Gentleman in Boston had of his Brother just then Murthered in London It was on the Second of May in the Year 1687 that a most ingenious accomplished and well-disposed Gentleman Mr. Joseph Beacon by Name about Five a Clock in the Morning as he lay whether Sleeping or Waking he could not say but judged the latter of them had a View of his Brother then at London altho he was now himself at our Boston distanced from him a Thousand Leagues This his Brother appeared to him in the Morning about five a Clock at Boston having on him a Bengal Gown which he usually wore with a Napkin tied about his Head his Countenance was very Pale Gastly Deadly and he had a Bloody Wound on one side of his Forehead Brother says the affrighted Joseph Brother answered the Apparition Said Joseph What 's the matter Brother How came you here The Apparition replied Brother I have been most barbarously and injuriously Butcher'd by a Debauch'd drunken Fellow to whom I never did any wrong in my Life Whereupon he gave a particular Description of the Murderer adding Brother This Fellow changing his Name is attempting to go over unto New England in Foy or Wild I would pray you on the first Arrival of either of these to get an Order from the Governour to Seize the Person whom I have now described and then do you Indict him for the Murder of me your Brother I 'll stand by you and prove the Indictment And so he vanished Mr. Beacon was extreamly astonished at what he had seen and heard and the People of the Family not only observed an extraordinary Alteration upon him for the Week following but have also given me under their Hands a full Testimony that he then gave them an Account of this Apparition All this while Mr. Beacon had no Advice of any thing amiss attending his Brother then in England but about the latter end of June following he understood by the common ways of Communication that the April before his Brother going in haste by Night to call a Coach for a Lady met a Fellow then in Drink with his Doxy in his Hand Some way or other the Fellow thought himself affronted with the hasty passage of this Beacon and immediately ran into the Fire-side of a Neighbouring Tavern from whence he fetch'd out a Fire-fork wherewith he grievously wounded Beacon in the Skull even in that very part where the Apparition show'd his Wound Of this Wound he Languished until he Died on the Second of May about Five of the Clock in the Morning at London The Murderer it seems was endeavouring to Escape as the Apparition affirmed but the Friends of the Deceased Beacon seized him and prosecuting him at Law he found the help of such Friends as brought him off without the loss of his Life since which there has no more been heard of the Business This History I received of Mr. Joseph Beacon himself who a little before his own pious and hopeful Death which follow'd not long after gave me the Story written and signed with his own Hand and attested with the Circumstances I have already mentioned See Mr. Cotton Mather's Wonders of the Invisible World 2. In the City of Athens there was a goodly Lodging which yet was out of Request as a Place very dangerous for in the Night there was a Spirit that walked in it drawing a Chain and making a Noise and seemed as if he came afar off and then would suddenly be hard by After that there would appear a great Old Man his Flesh all worn away having a Long Beard his Hair standing an end and all tangled Fetters on his Feet a Chain at his Hands which he would always be shaking They that dwelt in the house could never rest in the Night but would grow heavy and pensive and so fall sick and dye For in the very day time though they saw not the Spirit yet they would think he always was in their sight and that the ringing of his Chain did always beat in their Ears Upon this the Lodging stood empty though it was by Bills exposed to sale After some time Athenodorus the Philosopher came to Athens lacked a House and purchasing this at a small Rate the first Night put his Servants into the back-part of it to lodge chose for himself the forepart where he had a Bed placed his VVriting-Tables brought and a Lamp well lighted Here he betook to Read VVrite and Study very earnestly And late in the Night the Spirit came with his old Noise Chain and Fetters the Philosopher continuing still earnest at his Business 'Till at last the Spirit shaking his Chain over his Head made a Sign to him as if he desired the Philosopher to follow him Upon which he obeyed taking a Light in his Hand and following till such time as the Ghost vanished away in the Street Athenodours marked the Place with some Grass and Leaves which he laid upon it and the next Day went to the Council of the City desired the Place might be searched which being done they found a Dead body all rothen nothing left but Bones and Chains which they took up and buried elsewhere After which the House was no more Haunted Camerar Hist Med. l. 4. ex Plen. 2d Epist l. 3. 3. The Elder Countess of Donagal a Lady Pious Discreet and Credible told me That one of her Husband's Tennants near Belfast or Carickfergus where he was Lord agreed with him for to put his Son's Life with his own Life in a renew'd Lease of a Farm and he paid part of the Money and dy'd before the Lease was made and seal'd His Wife marry'd another Man and paid the rest of the Money out of her second Husband's Purse and therefore put in his Son's Life instead of her Son by the former Husband into the Lease The Earl of Donagal going into England and being then in the West a Servant of his in Ireland his Porter a stout lusty Man was haunted with the
Apparition of the Womans first Husband telling him That he must go to his Wife and tell her That she should have no rest till his Sons Life were put in the altered Lease He askt why he spake to him and what he had to do to meddle in it It answered him Thou art a Man fit for it and thou shalt have no rest till thou do it The Man delayed and was still haunted with this Apparition He went to the Minister of the Town and told him of it who counselled him to tell the Woman She told him That she took it to be Just that her Husband that paid most of the Money should have the benefit of the Lease and perhaps not believing the Man delayed This Apparition came to the Porter again and said That she may believe thee go tell her of such and such Discourse and Actions that were between her and me in secret which none else knoweth of The Man went and told her all that he was bid She confessed that it was all true and secret between them but still delayed till some trouble I remember not what molested her self In short the Porter and she had no rest till she had drawn a new Lease with the Name of the first Husbands Son and sent it into England to the Earl of Donagal who Sealed it Historical Discourse of Apparitions and Witches p. 40. 4. St. Augustine relates a memorable Story which fell out at Milan where a certain Citizen being dead there came a Creditor to whom he had been indebted and unjustly demanded the Money of his Son the Son knew the Debt was satisfied by the Father but having no Acquittance to shew his Father appear'd to him in his Sleep and shew'd him where the Acquittance lay Aug. in lib. de curâ pro mortuis agendâ 5. It is a thing both known and frequent That the Inhabitants of the Scotish Isles when their Friends are dying come to them and request them that upon such or such a day after their Death and in such a place they wou'd meet them which the Dead accordingly do at the time and place agreed upon and have sometimes discourse with them See Flavel on the Soul 6. Marsilius Ficinus having made a solemn Vow with Michael Mercatus after they had been pretty warmly disputing of the Immortality of the Soul out of the Principles of their Master Plato that whether of them two died first should appear to his Friend and give him certain Information of that Truth Ficinus Died quickly after Mercatus being early in the Morning very intent on his Studies heard a Horse Riding by with all speed and of served that he stopt at his VVindow and therewith heard the Voice of his Friend Ficinus crying out aloud O Michael Michael vera vera sunt illa i.e. O Michael Michael those things are true VVhereupon he suddenly opened his VVindow and espying Marsilius upon a white steed called after him but he Vanished out of his sight he sent therefore presently to Florence to know how Marsilius did and understood that he died about that hour he called at his VVindow Flavel out of Dr. More who cites it out of Baronius 7. Much to the same purpose is that so Famous and well attested Story of the Apparition of Major George Sydenham to Capt William Dyke both of Somersetshire attested by the worthy and Learned Dr. Thomas Dyke and by Mr. Douch to whom both the Major and Captain were intimately known The summ is this The Major and Captain had many disputes about the being of a God and the Immortality of the Soul in which points they could never be resolved tho they much sought for and desired it and therefore it was at last fully agreed betwixt them that he that died first should the third Night after his Funeral come betwixt the hours of twelve and one to the little House in the Garden adjoyning to Major Sydenham's House at Dulverton in Somersetshire The Major died first The Captain awaited at the time and place appointed for his Major but no Appearance About six Weeks after the Captain and Dr. Dyke went to Eaton and lay again in the same Inn but not the same Chamber as before at Dulverton The morning before they went thence the Captain staid longer than was usual in his Chamber and at length came into the Doctors Chamber but in a Visage and Form much differing from himself with his Hair and Eyes staring and his whole body shaking and trembling whereat the Doctor wondering demanded the cause The Captain Answered I have seen my Major if ever I saw him in my Life I saw him but now This morning said he after it was light some one came to my Bed-side and suddenly drawing back the Curtains call'd Cap Cap the Term of Familiarity used by the Major To which he added I could not come at the time appointed but I am now come to tell you that there is a God and a very just and terrible one and if you do not turn over a new leaf you will find it so The Cap. eat little and seemed to have these words sounding in his Ears frequently during the remainder of his Life and often related it but with Trepidation and Horror Flavel ex Sadducismo Triumphato 2d part p. 183. 8. Thomas Goddard of Marlborough in the County of Wilts Weaver A. 1674. Nov. 23. Saith that on Monday the Ninth of this Instant as he was going to Ogborn at a Style on the High way near Mr. Goddard's Ground about Nine in the Morning he met the Apparition of his Father-in-Law one Edward Avon of this Town Glover who Died in May last having on to his Appearance the same Cloaths Hat Stockings and Shoes he did usually wear when he was Living standing by and leaning over that Style Which when he came near the Apparition spake to him with an audible Voice these Words Are you afraid To which he Answered I am thinking on one who is Dead and Buried whom you are like To which the Apparition replyed with the like Voice I am he that you were thinking on I am Edward Avon your Father-in-Law come near to me I will do you no harm To which Goddard Answered I trust in him who hath bought my Soul with his precious Blood you shall do me no harm Then the Apparition said How stands Cases at home Goddard askt What Cases Then it askt him How do William and Mary Meaning as he conceived his Son William Avon a Shooemaker here and Mary his Daughter the said Goddard's Wife Then it said What! Taylor is dead meaning as he thought one Taylor of London who married his Daughter Sarah which Taylor died about Michaelmas last Then the Apparition held out its Hand and in it as Goddard conceived Twenty or Thirty Shillings in Silver and then spake with a loud Voice Take this Money and send it to Sarah for I shut up my Bowels of Compassion towards her in the time of my Life and now here
pass by an Instance I have from a very honest Man in the next Parish who told me it himself That his Wife being big with Child near her Delivery he buys half a Dozen of Boards to make her a Bed against the time she lay in The Boards lying at the Door of his House there comes an old Fisher-woman yet alive and asked him whose were those Boards He told her they were his own She asked him again For what use he had them He replied For a Bed She again said Intend them for what you please she saw a dead Corps lying on them and that they would be a Coffin which struck the honest Man to the Heart fearing the death of his Wife But when the old Woman went off he calls presently for a Carpenter to make the Bed which was accordingly done but shortly after the honest Man had a Child died whose Coffin was made of the ends of those Boards 27. I shall tell you what I have had from one of the Masters of our College here a North-Country-man both by Birth and Education in his younger Years who made a Journey in the Harvest-time into the Shire of Ross and at my Desire made some Enquiry there concerning the Second-sight He reports That there they told him many Instances of this Knowledge which he had forgotten except two The first one of his Sisters a young Gentlewoman staying with a Friend at some 30 Miles distance from her Father's House and the ordinary place of her Residence One who had the Second-sight in the Family where she was saw a young Man attending her as she went up and down the House and this was about Three Months before her Marriage The second is a Woman in that Country who is reputed to have the Second-sight and declared that eight Days before the Death of a Gentleman there she saw a Bier or Coffin cover'd with a Cloth she knew carried as it were to the place of Burial and attended with a great Company one of which told her it was the Corps of such a Person naming that Gentleman who died Eight Days after Those that have this Faculty of the Second-sight see only things to come which are to happen shortly thereafter and sometimes foretel things which fall out Three or Four Years after For instance 28. One told his Master that he saw an Arrow in such a Man thorough his Body and yet no Blood came out His Master told him that it was impossible an Arrow should stick in a Man's body and no blood come out and if that came to pass he would be deem'd an Impostor But about five or six Years after the Man died and being brought to his Burial-place there arose a Debate anent his Grave and it came to such a height that they drew Arms and bended their Bows and one letting off an Arrow shot thro' the dead Body upon the Bier-trees and so no Blood could issue out at a dead Man's Wound Part of a Letter written to Mr. Aubrey by a Gentleman's Son in Straths-pey being a Student in Divinity Sir I am more willing than able to satisfie your Desire As for Instances I could furnish many I shall only insert some few attested by several of good Credit yet alive 29. And first Andrew Mackpherson of Clunie in Badenoch being in sute of the Laird of Gareloch's Daughter as he was upon a day going to Garloch the Lady Garloch was going somewhere from her House within kenning to the Road which Clunie was coming the Lady perceiving him said to her Attendants that yonder was Clunie going to see his Mistress One in her Company replied and said If you be he unless he marry within six Months he 'll never marry The Lady asked how did he know that He said very well for I see him saith he all inclosed in his Winding-Sheet except his Nostrils and his Mouth which will also close up within Six Months which happened even as he foretold within the said space he died and his Brother Duncan Mackpherson this present Clunic succeeded I have heard of a Gentleman whose Son had gone abroad and being Anxious to know how he was he went to consult one who told him that that same day 5 a Clock in the Afternoon his Son had married a Woman in France with whom he had got so many Thousand Crowns and within Two Years he should come to see Eather and Friends leaving his Wife with Child of a Daughter and a Son of six Months of Age behind him which accordingly was true About the same time two Years he came home and verified all that was soretold 30. One Archibald Mackeanyers alias Mackdonald living in Ardinmurch within 10 or 20 Miles or thereby of Glencoe and I was present my self where he foretold something which accordingly fell out In 1683 this Man being in Strathspey in John Mackdonald of Glencoe his Company told in Balachastell before the Laird of Grant his Lady and several others and also in my Father's House that Argyle few or none knew then where he was or at least there was no word of him then here should within two Twelvemonths thereafter come to the West-Highlands and raie a Rebellious Faction wh ich would be divided among themselves and disperse and he unfortunately be taken and Beheaded at Edinburgh and his Head set upon the Talbooth where his Father's Head was before him Which proved as true as he foretold it in 1685. thereafter 31. There as a young Lady of great Birth whom a Rich Knight fancied and came in sute of the Lady but she could not endure to fancy him being a harsh and unpleasant Man But her Friends importuning her daily she turned melancholy and lean Fasting and Weeping continually A common Fellow about the House meeting her one Day in the Fields asked her saying Mrs. Kate What is that that troubles you and makes you look so ill She replied That the Cause is known to many for my Friends would have me marry such a Man by Name but I cannot fancy him Nay says the Fellow give over these Niceties for he will be your first Husband and will not live long and besure he will leave you a rich Dowry which will procure you a great Match for I see a Lord upon each Shoulder of you All which came to pass in every Circumstance as Eye and Ear can witness 32. Near 40 Years ago Macklend and his Lady Sister to my Lord Seaforth were walking about their own House and in their Return both came into the Nurses Chamber where their young Child as on the Breast At their coming in the Nurse falls a weeping they asked the cause dreading the Child was sick or that she was scarce of Milk The Nurse replied the Child was well and she had abundance of Milk yet she still wept and being pressed to tell what ailed her she at last said Macklend would die and the Lady would shortly marry another Man Being enquired how she knew that Event she told
before him And if any of the Servants had been ill employed and they had heard him coming they would say Let us cease or be gone Mr. Studly is coming After a years time his Father waits upon the Lady to enquire of his Sons carriage She not being instructed to personate any thing Answered only as it was That she was glad she had seen his Sons Face he had wrought a mighty reformation in her Family She that had formerly been troubled with unruly Servants by his prudent carriage was now as quiet in her House as if she had lived in a private Family in the Countrey After this the Father stormed What will he make Puritans in White-Hall Told the Lady that was no place for him he would take him with him which to her trouble he did When he had him at home in Kent as his last refuge he thought of Marrying him And to that end found out a Match which he thought fit for his Ends to Stifle that work of Religion in his Son He bad him one Night put on his best Cloaths in the Morning and ordered his Servant to make ready their Horses in the Morning and himself to wait upon them When they were riding on the way he bad the Man ride before and spake to his Son to this purpose Son you have been matter of great grief to me and having used much means to reclaim you from this way you are in to no purpose I have one more remedy to apply in which if you comply with me I shall settle my Estate upon you else you shall never enjoy a groat of it I am riding to such a Gentlemans House to whose Daughter I intend to marry you The Son said little knowing that Family to be profane but went with his Father who before had made way there They were entertained Nobly he had a sight of the Young Lady a great Beauty and the Young Man much in Love with her When they had taken their leaves on the way his Father askt him what he thought of her He Answered no Man living but must be taken with such an one he feared she would not like him The Father was glad it had taken bid him take no care for that The Wooing was not long At Three Weeks End they both came to London to buy Things for the Wedding The Father had charged That in the Time of Wooing in that Gentleman's House there should be no Swearing or Debauchery lest his Son should be discouraged Wedding Cloaths were bought and the Day come the Young Couple were married At the Wedding-Dinner at her Father's House the Mask was taken off they fell to drinking Healths and Swearing among their Cups and amongst others the Bride Swore an Oath At which the Bridegroom as a man amazed took occasion to rise from Table stept forth and went to the Stable took an Horse none observing all were busie within he mounted and Rode away not knowing what to do He bewailed himself as he Rode along as undone and deservedly for that he had been so taken in Love and the business so hurried on in design He said he had at that time restrained Prayer and slackened his Communion with God when as in that Grand Affair of his Life he should have been doubly and trebly serious and so might thank himself that he was utterly undone He sometimes thought of riding quite away At last being among the Woods he led his Horse into a Solitary place tied him to a Treâ— in his distress and betook himself to his Prayers and Tears in which he spent the Afternoon The Providence of God had altered his Argument of Prayer which was now for the Conversion of his New Married Wife or he was undone This he pressed with Prayers and Tears a great part of that Afternoon and did not rise from Prayer without good hope of being heard At the Bride-House was hurry enough Horse and Man after they missed the Bridegroom sent every way No News of him He was wrestling as Jacob once at Peniel In the Evening he returned home and enquiring where his Bride was went up to her and found her in her Chamber pensive enough She askt him if he had done well to expose her to scorn and derision all the day He intreated her to sit down upon a Couch there by him and he would give her an Account of his doing what he had then done and tell her the Story of his whole Life and what the Lord through Grace had done for him He went over the Story here above-mention'd with many Beautiful Particulars no question here omitted not without great Affection and Tears the Flood-Gates of which had been opened in the Wood. And ever and anon in the discourse would say Through grace God did so and so for me When he had told her his Story over And by the way this was the Apostle Pauls method by which many were converted to tell over the Story of his Conversion she askt him what he meant by that word so often used in the Relation of his Life Through Grace so ignorantly had she been Educated And askt him if he thought there were No grace in God for her who was so wretched a stranger to God Yes my Dear saith he there is grace for thee and that I have been Praying for this day in the Wood and God hath heard my Prayer and seen my Tears and let us now go together to him about it Then did they kneel down by the Couch side and he Prayed and such Weeping and Supplication there was on both sides that when they were called down to Supper they had hardly Eyes to see with so swell'd were they with Weeping At Supper the Brides Father according to his custom Swore The Bride immediately said Father I beseech you Swear not At which the Bridegroom's Father in a great Rage rose from Table What says he is the Devil in him Hath he made his Wife a Puritan already And swore bitterly He would rather set fire with his own hands to the Four Conrers of his fair built House than ever he should enjoy it And accordingly he acted made his Will gave his Son when he should die Ten Pounds to cut off his Claim and gave the Estate to some others of whom Dr. Reeves was one And not long after Died. Dr. Reeves sent for the Gentleman paid him his Ten Pounds told him he had been a Rebellious Son and disobliged his Father and might thank himself He received the Ten Pounds and meekly departed His Wife the Match was so huddled up in a design had no Portion promised at least that the Young Man knew of who relied on his Father So that she was also deserted by her Friends And having Two Hundred Pounds in her own hand that hand that had been given her by a Grand-Mother with that they took and stock'd a Farm in Sussex where Mr. Knight hath often been and seen her who had been highly bred in her red Wastcoat
visited the Dungeons attended the Places of Execution studied the Languages profited much in the Hebrew taught first a Grammar-School then the Catechist-School at Alexandria reading daily Lectures scarce allowing him Rest at Night but for a very few Hours and that not on a Bed but the bare Ground often Fasting going Barefoot abstaining from Wine making himself an Eunuch c. never affecting Wealth tho' having many and great Friends continuing above Fifty two Years in Teaching Writing Confuting Exhorting and Expounding the Scriptures Ibid. One saith of him Origeni nullae pars aetatis periit à studiis And another Origenis ingenium sufficiebat ad omnia pardiscenda Ibid. 3. Isidore Bishop of Sevil was very painful and so macerated his Body with Labours and enriched his Soul with Divine Learning and Contemplations that he seemed to live an Angel's Life upon Earth Ibid. p. 99. 4. Mr. Gregory of Christ-Church studied Sixteen Hours a Day constantly scarce allowing himself sufficient time for Sleep little for Meals none for Society or Recreation In his Life He arose every Morning at Four a Clock and seldom went to Bed before Ten. 5. Sir Edward Coke Author of the Institutes and Chief-Justice in King James's Days was very regular in his Hours especially of going to Bed at Nine a Clock and rising at Three in the Morning insomuch that when a Messenger came from the King to his House at One a Clock in the Night to give Orders for the Issuing out a Writ for the Seizing the then Earl of Somerset for the Murder of Sir Thomas Overbury his Son told the Messenger If he came from Ten Kings he could not disturb his Father 'till Three a Clock and so Inviting the Messenger in to Drink a Glass of Wine with Mr. Coke and his Company at Three a little Bell was rung to call up the Servants upon which Sir Edward arose Detection of the Court and State of England 6. Bishop Latimer rose Summer and Winter ordinarily at Two a Clock in the Morning to his Studies Fox's Martyrology 7. Mr. Julius Palmer a Martyr in Queen Mary's Reign was so indefatigable in Study that the arose ordinarily every Morning at Four a Clock and went not ordinarily to Bed 'till Ten. Fox's Martyrology 8. Bishop Jewel was so industrious that he hid himself the greatest part of the Day in his Studies and so much recalled his Senses from exteriour Objects that Chrysippus-like he had need of a Melissa to put him in mind of his Meat In his Life 9. Mr. Bradford slept not commonly above Four Hours in the Night and in his Bed 'till Sleep came his Book went not out of his Hand Ibid. 10. Erasmus in a Letter to Paracelsus professeth that for some Days he had not been at leisure either to take Physick or be Sick or Die he was so overwhelmed with the Toyls of Study 11. Our late Queen Mary of Sacred Memory usually rose at Six a Clock in the Morning and even whilst she was a dressing had some good Books read over to her at least afterwards betook to her Study and Devotions where she continued often 'till Publick Prayers or other Important Business called her away 12. Renatus Deschartes was Educated and Taught in the Schools of Flexia and had run through the whole Course and Race of his Study at Seventeen Years of Age. He was for Three Years a Voluntier in the Dangers of War twice present at the Siege of Breda and in the Battle of Prague from whence he visited Italy discoursed with Galileus c. came back to the Siege of Capha and so to France again to the Siege of Rochel Afterwards to Holland and then into Denmark Tyrol Venice Amsterdam Paris c. Whilst he followed the War in the Winter he employed his vacant Hours in Philosophical Contemplations he studied Twenty five Years in a Desart in Holland He was slenderly stored with Books because he understood they were not true the Mathematical only excepted wherefore being ask'd by a Friend Whether he had a Library and desired to shew it lifting up the Cloth he discovered to him a Calf dissected See his Life by Borellus p. 14 15 c. 13. Hen. Zebertus Th. D. testifies That Delrius in the Adversaria which he publish'd for the Illustration of Seneca he had quoted One hundred thousand divers Authors in divers Sciences and Languages with very great Labour and Judgment and all this at Nineteen Years of Age. Drexel Aurisod He read over more than once with close Reading all the Fifteen Volumes of Tostatus Ibid. 14. Thuanus tells of a Country-man of his Franc. Victa who was so bent upon his Studies that sometimes for Three Days together he would sit close at it without Meat or Sleep more than what for meer necessity of Nature he took leaning on his Elbow without moving out of his place Wanley's Wonders c. l. 3. c. 41. 15 St. Augustine sitting one time in a solitary place meditating upon the Trinity a poor Woman coming to Advise with him about a weighty Matter presented her self before him but he took no Notice of her she spake to him but neither yet did he observe her upon which the poor Woman went away angry with the Bishop and her self supposing her Poverty to be the occasion of the neglect Afterwards being at Church where he Preached she was wrapt up in Spirit and in a kind of Trance thought she heard St. Austine discoursing concerning the Trinity and was informed by a private Voice that she was not neglected as she thought by the humble Bishop but was observed by him upon which she goes again and was resolv'd in her Doubt Idem ex Sabell ex l. 2. c. 6. 16. Dr. Reynolds when the Heads of the University of Oxford came to Visit him in his Sickness which he had contracted meerly by his exceeding Pains in Studies whereby he brought his withered Body to be a very Skeleton they earnestly perswaded him that he would not Perdere substantiam propter accidentia Lose his Life for Learning he with a smile answered out of the Poet Nec propter Vitam vivendi perde causas Nor to save Life lose that for which I live Clark's Marr. c. 82. p. 358. 17. Thomas Aquinas sitting at Dinner with Philip or as Campanus saith with Lewis King of France was on a sudden so transported in his Mind that he struck the Board with his Hand and cried out Adversus Manichoeos conclusum est The Manichees are confuted At which when the King admired Thomas blushing besought his Pardon saying That an Argument was just then come into his Mind by which he could utterly overthrow the Opinion of the Manichees Zuing. Theatr. Vol. 1. L. 1. p. 23. Fulgos L. 8. C. 2. p. 1044. And again he was so very intent upon his Meditations and in his Reading that he saw not such as stood before him heard not the Voices of those that spoke to him so that the Corporeal Senses seemed to have relinquished
Tongue before he learned Latin and as his years encreased so he much improved in all sorts of Learning to her great Joy so that she committed to his care the Government of her whole House And afterwards when he had retired into a Monastery under Faustus she impatiently running to the Bishop cried out Restore the Son to his Mother the Master to his Servants and Houshold it becomes you to comfort such disconsolate Widows not to destroy my forlorn House Filling the Air with her Exclamations ever calling upon the Name of Fulgentius Ibid. p. 90 91. 3. Monica the Mother of S. Augustine was very sollicitous for the Conversion and Reformation of her Son admonishing him and spending many Prayers and Tears upon that score consulting with S. Ambrose about him who told her it was impossible a Child of so many Prayers and Tears should miscarry And afterwards when he was converted rejoycing at it she desired to be dissolved as being satisfied mightily in her Mind as to that which she desired most in this World the Conversion of her Son and according within a few days she fell sick and died August Confess 4. Ant. Wallaeus and his Wife were both careful in the Education of their Children and their first care was to train them up in Piety and good Manners for which end their Father read to them daily some Chapters and made some Application thereof unto them His next care was to bring them up in Learning neither would he wholly trust their Masters therein but many times examined them himself to see their Proficiency nor did he train them up to Science only but also to Prudence for which cause when they were come to Years of Discretion he used to impart to them the Affairs of Church and State asking their Judgments therein He sought not to advance his Children to high places knowing the danger thereof but rather desired a middle and competent Estate for them wherein they might live honestly and comfortably and according to his desire he lived to see his eldest Son John a Doctor of Physick and Professor thereof and employed by the States into France to fetch that Miracle of Learning Salmasius to Leyden his Daughter Margaret married to John of Breda Doctor of Both Laws his Daughter Katherine married to Anthony Clement a Learned and Pious Divine his Son Anthony a Lawyer his Son Baldwin a Student in Divinity only his youngest Daughter Susan remained at home to be a Comfort to her aged Mother Clark's Eccl. Hist p. 489. 5. It was a Saying of Ignatius that Parents ought to afford these three Things to their Children Correction Admonition and Instruction both in Humane Arts and God's Word all which preserve them from Idleness and Folly give them Wisdom and learn them Subjection and Obedience to their Superious Clark 's Examples p. 495. 6. In the Reign of Queen Mary there was one William Hunter a young Man of Brentwood in Essex who being condemned by Bishop Bonner to the Fire for his Religion and was sent down to Brentwood to be burnt there His Father and Mother came to him desiring heartily of God that he might continue constant to the end in that good way which he had begun His Mother added That she thought her self happy that she had born such a Child who could fine in his Heart to lose his Life for Christ's sake William answered For the little Pain that I shall have which is but for a moment Christ hath promised me a Crown of everlasting Joy His Mother kneeling down said I pray God to strengthen thee my Son to the end I think thee as well bestowed as any Child that ever I bore Ibid. 7. If I can but once find the Fear of God in those about me said Reverend Claviger Satis habeo satisque mihi Vxori filiis filiabus prospexi I shall have enough for my Self Wife and Children they will be all cared for Sel. CHAP. LVI Good Servants Remarkable THE Faithfulness of Abraham 's Servant is recorded to his everlasting Praise and so is Joseph 's Fidelity to his Master and the Apostles have laid down their Offices so expresly that now under the Evangelical Oeconomy a sincere discharging the Duties of that Relation is accounted an honourable Badge to the Person Good nature hath prevailed far with some but Grace with more only this is to be said by way of Apology for them of this lower Orb that they who take upon them to write Histories for the Benefit of future Ages are too apt to overlook this lower Class of People and pass them over in a careless Silence But God will not be forgetful 1. Publius Catienus Philosimus was left by his Master the Heir of his Estate yet did he resolve to die with him and therefore cast himself alive into that Funeral Fire which was prepared to burn the dead Body of his Master Sabellic l. 3. c. 8. p. 161. 2. M. Antonius an excellent Orator being accused of Incest his Servant the Witness deposing that he carried the Lanthorn before his Master when he went to commit this Villany was apprehended and to extort a Confession from him he was torn with Scourges set upon the Rack burnt with hot Irons all which notwithstanding he would not let fall a word whereby he might injure the Fame or Life of his Master although he knew him guilty Val. Max. l. 6. c. 8. p. 169. Lips Monit l. 2. c. 13. p. 331. 3. The Servant of Vrbinius Panopion knowing that the Soldiers commissioned to kill his Master were come to his House in Reatina changed Cloaths with him and having put his Ring upon his Finger he sent him out of a Postern-door but went himself to the Chamber and threw himself upon the Bed where he was slain in his Master's stead Panopion by that means escaped and afterward 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 Val. Max. L. 6. C. 8. p. 180. Lips Monit L. 2. C. 131 332. Dinoth L. 4. p. 300. 4. Antistius Restio was Proscribed by the Triumvirate and while all his domestick Servants were busied about the Plunder and Pillage of his House he conveyed himself away in the midst of the Night with what privacy he could his Departure was observed by a Servant of his whom not long before he had cast into Bonds and branded his Face with infamous Characters this Man traced his Wandring Footsteps with such Diligence that he overtook him and bare him Company in his Flight and at such time as the other were Scrambling for his Goods all his Care was to save his Life by whom he had been so severely used and though it might seem enough that he should forget what had passed he used all his Art to preserve his Patron for having heard that Pursuers were at hand he conveyed away his Master and having erected a Funeral Pile and set Fire to it he slew
stretching out her Fingers to the full length used to swear by these Ten Bloody Bones This Woman had a Son called Stephen Maurice who was born with two Thumbs upon a Hand and he likewise marrying had several Children born in like manner with two Thumbs a-piece upon each Hand all which supernumerary Thumbs she in a bloody manner with her own Hand cut off This Woman assisted my Mother as Midwife when she brought me into the World W. T. 6. Sir Roger Mosson of Mosson in Flint-shire had a Coal-pit sunk pretty deep by some Workmen who discovered a good Mine of Coal but meeting with a Fire-damp were so affrighted that they deserted the Work At last a bold Fellow that was a notorious Swearer came and undertook to go on with it He with two or three more Men goes down into the Pit leaving the other Men near the Eye thereof whilst himself with a Candle lighted goes forward but presently was so attacked with the Fire-damp that the other Men were struck down with it in great amazement and had much adoe to recover themselves and an Engine of a vast bulk and weight that stood near the Eye of the Pit was carried up into the Air as high as the tops of some Trees that grew upon a Hill near adjoyning and the Man himself that went foremost with the Candle miserably and irrecoverably perished This I had out of the Philosophical Transactions printed some Years ago but in what Year particularly I remember not having not the Pamphlet by me at present 7. Anno Christi 1649. about the end of June there was a Soldier at Ware going with some others to wash himself in the River but finding the Water shallow he asked if there was no deeper a Place for him to swim in Some told him that there was not far off a deep Pit but that it was very dangerous and therefore advised him to take heed how he went into it To whom he answered God damn me if it be as deep as Hell I will go into it which accordingly he did but immediately sunk to the bottom never rising again but was there drowned Attested by good Witnesses Clark's Mirr c. 129. 8. One Mr. Barrington a great Swearer going forth a Hunting or Hawking on a Lord's-Day or a Festival and not speeding to his Mind came to an Ale-house at Puckrych Five Miles from Ware in the way to Cambridge and called for Drink beginning to swear after his unhappy Custom saying By God's Blood this is an unlucky Day and presently after he bled at the Nose which so vexed him that he began to rail and blaspheme the Name of God swearing Passion Wounds Flesh Nails Blood and Body c. till at last he proceeded farther to bleed at the Ears Eyes Wrists joynts of his Hands and of all his Body at the Navil and Fundament in a wonderful great Quantity and Streams of Blood blaring out his Tongue in a fearful manner as black as Pitch so that no Person durst come near him This continued faith my Author till the Devil and Death made an end of him Next day the Body was laid on a Cart carried to Stondâ—n and buried in the High-way Mr. Batman in his Doom warning to the Judgment p. 418. Who saith he had it from Mr. Barrington's wife afterward married to Mr. Carington in Cambridge CHAP. CVII Divine Judgments upon Sabbath-breakers AS God requires us to Remember the Sabbath-Day so as to keep it Holy so himself Remembers them that dare to Profane it The Child that gathered Sticks on that Day among the Israelites in the early Times of the Mosaick Oeconomy was by the Order of God himself stoned to Death And as he began to shew his Severity betimes in the Punishing of this Sin so he hath continued to the present Age to shew his great Displeasure against it insomuch that I think King James was much in the right when he caused his Declaration for Sports upon that Day to be torn out of his printed Volume of Writings where it is not now to be seen 1. A certain Nobleman profaning the Sabbath usually in Hunting had a Child by his Wife with a Head like a Dog and with Ears and Chaps crying like a Hound 2. Stratford upon Avon was twice on the same Day Twelve month being the Lord's-Day almost consumed with Fire chiefly for Profaning the Lord's-Day and Contemning his Word in the Mouth of his Faithful Minister 3. Feverton in Devonshire whose Remembrance makes my Heart bleed was oftentimes admonished by her Godly Preachers that God would bring some heavy Judgment on the Town for their horrible Profanation of the Lord's-Day occasioned chiefly by the Market on the Day following Not long after his Death on the 3d. of April Anno Dom. 1598. God in less than half an Hour consumed with a sudden and fearful Fire the whole Town except only the Church the Court-House and the Alms-Houses or a few poor Peoples Dwellings where a Man might have seen Four Hundred Dwelling-Houses all at once on fire and above Fifty Persons consumed by the Flame Not many Years after this a Misfortune of the like nature befell the Town again for on the Fifth Day of August 1612. Fourteen Years since the former Fire it was again fired and all consumed except some Thirty Houses of poor People with the School-House and Alms-Houses They are blind which see not in this the Finger of God God grant them Grace when it is next built to change their Market-Day and to remove all Occasions of Profaning the Lord s-Day Let other Towns remember the Tower of Siloe Luke 13.4 and take Warning by their Neighbours Chastisements Fear God's Threatnings Jerem. 17.27 And believe God's Prophets if they will prosper 1 Chron. 20.20 Thus far Dr. Bread in his Theatre of God s Judgments p. 419 420. 4. Mr. Smythyes Curate of St. Giles's Cripplegate in the Confession and Discovery of a Condemned Prisoner executed May the 25th 1687 for Theft saith that it was his Earnest Desire That all young Men especially should take care not to mispend the Lord's-day And I do now know saith he that ever I observed any Repentance in a Condemned Malefactor who did not bitterly lament his Neglect of his Duty to God on that Day 5. Edmund Kirk Vintner executed at Tyburn July 11. 1684. for murdering his Wife in his Confession acknowledged himself frequently guilty of Profaning the Lord's-Day Vpon which Holy Day saith he I committed the hainous Sin of murdering my poor Wife Thus Sin was punished with Sin a Less with a Greater and the Greater with the Gallows and that Greater committed near the same Gallows And himself confessed That he had to his Wife asking whilst she passed by what Place that was told it was Tyburn where John Gower was lately hanged for killing his Wife O Lord how dear to me thy Counsels are but how just and terrible are thy Judgments 6. Famous and memorable also is that Example which happened at
the Horse threw him and broke his Neck and some of his Issue came to untimely ends And it is observed that a Curse hath remained upon the Estate ever since Mr. Thomas Tregoss Minister was so sensible of it that it cost him many fervent Prayers to God for the removal of that dreadful Curse as himself assured a Bosom Friend See his Life 5. Solyman the Turkish Emperor contrary to his Promise commanded the Traitors of Buda to be put to Death 6. The same Solyman promised his Daughter for a Reward to him that would betray the Island Rhodes but when this Christian Traytor challenged his Promise with a large Portion for Matrimony the Emperor brought his Daughter in very costly attired with a Vides me stetisse promissis You see I have stood to my Promise but withal commanded him to be flea'd and put on a Bed of Salt or his Daughter would not be a fit Match except for a Musselman whose Skin was circumeised and clean from Baptism Camerarius CHAP. CXVIII Divine Judgments upon Unfaithful Husbands GOD that hath Ordained the Nuptial Knot for a Band of Vnion intended it not only to tye the Handâ— but the Hearts of the married couple together also and therefore cannot be supposed to wink at the Fault of Vnkindness and Vnfaithfulness in either Party But especially he expects that the Man should excel in Prudence and Patience and give a good Example as well as Arguments and Instructions to his Wife 1. Anno Christi 1652. There was living in the Isle of Thanet in Kent one Adam Sprackling Esquire in the Parish of St. Lawrence who about Twenty Years before had married Katharine the Daughter of Sir Robert Leukner of Kent This Sprackling had a fair Estate but was exceeding Proud and Profane he frequented Taverns and Ale-houses where he used to Rant and Roar and Game and Swear exceedingly and upon small Occasions to Quaarel and draw his Weapon c. He regarded not the Sabbath nor the publick Worship of God By which dissolute Courses and God's Judgment upon him he exhausted his Estate and brought others into Bond for him whom he left to Imprisonment and Ruine and had at last Executions out against him and Bailiffs waiting to Arrest him Whereupon he was forced to keep home and make his House his Prison so that he could not domineer abroad as formerly This filled him full of Rage and made him extream Hasty and Cholerick so that his Wife was constrained to lock up her self from him being a Woman of many excellent Parts and Vertues But upon Saturday Night December the 11th 1652. this Sprackling as it seems resolved to do her a Mischief and being in his Kitchen had one Lamming a Neighbour of his with him and sent for one Knowles a Seaman to hinm but it being Ten a Clock at Night he desired to be excused being in Bed Then did he send for one Martin a poor old Man and his Tenant who tho' in Bed durst not but arise and come to him and when he came Lamming went his ways so that there remained only this Sprackling and his Wife and Martin and one Ewel his Man Then did Sprackling command Martin to bind Ewel's Legs which the one did and the other suffered thinking that it had been only a ranting Humour of their Master Then began he to rage against his Wife who sate quietly by though she gave him none but loving and sweet Speeches yet did he draw his Dagger and struck her over the Face with it hurting her Jaw which she bore patiently saying little to him but he still continued to rage against her and when at last the Gentlewoman being weary and in great fear rose up and went to the Door her Husband followed he rwith a Chopping-knife in his Hand with which he struck at her Wrist and cut the Bone in sunder so that her Hand hung down only by the Sinews and Skin No help was near Ewel was bound and Martin being old and weak and fearing his own Life durst not interpose only he prayed his Mistress to stay and be quiet hoping all would be well and so getting a Napkin bound up her Hand with it After this towards Morning Sprackling still raging and railing at his Wife dashed her on the Forehead with the Iron Cleever whereupon she fell down bleeding but recovering her self on her Knees she cried and prayed unto God for the Pardon of her own Sins and her Husbands But as sh was thus praying her bloody Husband chopp'd her Head in the midst into the very Brains so that she fell down and died immediately Then did he kill six Dogs four of which he threw by his Wife and then chopped her twice into the Leg compelling Martin to wash Ewal's Face with her Blood himself also dipping Linnen in her Blood washed Martin's Face and he bloodied his own Face with it also For all which being apprehended and carried to Sandwich Gaol at the Sessions following which was April the 22d 1653. he was arraigned condemned and hanged on the 27th Day dying very desperately and not suffering any to come near him neither godly Ministers nor Gentlemen who desired to speak with him after his Condemnation This is moe largely published in Print by one that lived near the Place and was present at this Sprackling's Tryal 2. King Henry the VIII puts away Queen Katharine by Divorce after Twenty Years enjoyment of her and being desirous of Sons marries the Lady Ann Bullen and after she had brought him a Daughter the Lady Elizabeth and a Son born dead beheads her His next Wife dies in Child-bed some say she was ripp'd open by the King's Order He is divorced from his next Queen Ann of Cleve His next the Lady Katharine Howard is beheaded for Treason His last Wife was the Lady Katharine Parr His Three last are Childless and the Children of the Two first declared Illegitimate And tho' afterwards all his Three Children swayed the Scepter successively yet they all died Childless And as for himself his Name and Memory hath a Stench with it to this Day It were easie to add more Examples on this Subject CHAP. CXIX Divine Judgments upon Unfaithful Wives GOD hath not imposed upon Wives the Duty of Subjection and Obedience in vain but takes notice whether they observe it or not and accordingly executes his Judgments upon them that make no Conscience thereof And indeed the Sin it self leads naturally to its own Punishment in part by provoking the Husband to Displeasure teaching the Children to Disobey and precuring Shame and Contempt in the World as well as the Wrath of God and the Disfavour of his Providence 1. Cicero put away his Wife Terentia because she had made but small account of him in the Time of the Wars which were betwixt Caesar and Pompey So that when he went from Rome to Pompey she provided no fit Accommodations for his Journey and when he came back again into Italy she never shewed any spark of
knew a Neighbour-Minister of mine Mr. Walter Adams Nephew to Alderman Will. Adams and in part his Heir who when he lay a dying caused all his Sermon Notes to be burnt before his Face What his Reason was I know not but after his Uncle's Death he left off Preaching and with his two Brothers Co-heirs with him came down to spend the remainder of their Lives together in a pleasant and easie way of Living which they did and dispatch'd it in a short time CHAP. CXXXII Divine Judgments upon Litigiousness STrife and Contention are so contrary to the Rules of Charity and Peace prescribed us by our Christian Religion that no better fruits can be expected from them than as the Apostle saith Confusion and every evil work And the end proposed by the litigious Man is always pretended to be good and sometimes appears very plausible viz. the recovering of what is his Right or maintaining what is Just and Lawful yet it will certainly be found at long run that we had better in many cases recede from our own Rights for Peace sake than enter into Contention about them I have ever found saith Bishop Hall that to strive with my Superiours is furious with my Equals doubtful with my Inferiours sordid and base 1. Epiphanius tells a sad Story of two Bishops Milesius and Peter Bishop of Alexandria both Professors and fellow-sufferers for the Christian Faith These two Men being condemned and sent to Work in the Metal-Mines for a small Difference fell into so great a Schism that they drew a Partition-Wall between each other in the Mine and would not hold Communion each with other in the Service of Christ for which they both were Sufferers Which Dissention of theirs caused such a Rent in the Church that it did more hurt than open Persecution from the Enemy Clark's Mirr Vol. 1. c. 31. p. 108. 2. Empedocles was of such a contentious Disposition that every Day he would quarrel with some Body or other and prosecute his Contentions with much Violence As he lived in the Fire of Contention so his End was to be burnt in the Fire of Mount Aetna 3. Pope Hildebrande attaining to his Papacy by unlawful Means set the whole Christian World into a Combustion As he rose out of his Seat to Excommunicate the Emperor Henry the IV. it being newly made of great Timber rent and shiver'd in pieces Afterwards he hired one to knock the Emperor on the Head as he was at Prayers and enquiring of the Host for an Answer against the Emperor because it would not speak he threw it into the Fire and burnt it And after many such outragious Villainies he was Deposed and Banished After which he wandred as a Vagabond without Comfort without Help without Hope in a pitiful estate yet pitied of no Man travelling under the unsupportable Burthen of a restless Conscience and at last died for Grief Simps Clark's Mirr p. 68. 4. About the Year 1623. there fell out a hot Contention between Dr. Bugs Minister in Coventry and Master Gardiner Minister of Anstey but Lecturer in Coventry against which the Lord was pleased to witness from Heaven his Dislike hereof by this Remarkable Judgment The People being assembled together to hear the Lecture upon a Wednesday Morning in in St. Michael's Church in the same City there fell out a terrible Tempest of Thunder and Lightning whilst the Minister was in his Sermon at which time the Lightning fell upon the Steeple of the Church making a crack and a hole in it and thence descended into the Belfry with a Flame of Fire about the bigness of a Sheet which being a pretty way distant from the Pews where the People fate at first amazed the Beholders but not staying there it moved slowly towards the People which so astonished them that some swooned others were exceedingly distracted not knowing which way to fly Hereupon the Mayor spoke to the Minister to give over his Sermon and to go to Prayer which accordingly he did and when the Fire came very near unto the Place where the People were it pleased God that it wheeled about on the one hand and so went out of the Church I presume there are many living that were Eye-witnesses hereof 5. A Gentleman of my Acquaintance formerly and I suppose still living and therefore shall be nameless in familiar Discourse with me upon occasion of some differences between him and others bespoke me thus Sir I will deal freely with you and make you my Confessor perhaps I ought in point of Duty so to do When I consider with my self how first of all all the Gentlemen of the Countrey have of late joined their Heads together against me and sued me at Law and put me out of Commission for the Peace and protested never to enter my Doors as long as I live when all my Tenants have joined their Heads and Purses together and engaged me now for several Years in a long and tedious Law-suit yea those very Persons with whom I never exchanged three Words in my Life are my avowed Adversaries when my own Family and Relations my Wife Children and all are unfaithful to me Good Lord think I what a wicked Wretch am I thus to provoke all the World against me 'T is a Wonder the Earth doth not open under my Feet and swallow me up But when I consider what the Reason is of all this Enmity and Ill-will and find upon sober deliberation with my self that I am Plaintiff in no Cause but only defend my own Rights I take comfort in my own Innocency and I thank God I can eat as well drink as well and sleep as well as any Man in England only this I will not lose a Penny of my Right for never a Man in England not the Great Man himself His Wife hath sent for me some time to pray with her being over-whelmed with Melancholy one of his Servants broke his Neck one of his Sons was married to a Countess of Ireland the Estate encumbred and most of it lost by Law whilst he and his Countess were at Daggers-drawing in the Countrey the other Son who had a Parsonage of 5 or 600 Pound per Annum died in Gaol a third succeeded him in Gaol and died likewise of two Daughters one died a Virgin the other grew Distracted The old Gentleman sold his Mannor with all the other Appendants to it as the perpetual Advowson to the Parsonage c. only reserving to himself a Farm of about 80 or 100 Pound per Annum CHAP. CXXXIII Divine Judgments upon Carnal Confidence THE Sacred Scripture hath pronounced those Accursed who put their Trust in Man or in an Arm of Flesh or a Bow of Steel and hath given us several Examples of such who have been remarkably punished for their carnal Confidence as the Builders of Babal the proud Pharaoh Sennacherib Belshazzar c. And who that believes the Divine Providence can believe otherwise but that God must needs take it ill to see
With much more which would be too tedious to relate in this place See the Narrative At last with a chearful and smiling Countenance embracing Dr. Sibbalds he said Truly Sir I do take you in mine Arms and truly I bless God for it I do not fear I have an Assurance that is grounded here laying his hand upon his Heart now that gives me more true Joy than ever I had I pass out of a Miserable World to go into an Eternal and Glorious Kingdom and Sir though I have been a most sinful Creature yet God's Mercy I know is infinite and I bless my God for it I go with so clear a Conscience that I know not the Man I have Personally injured Then Embracing those his Servants which were there present he said to each of them You have been very Faithful to me and the Lord bless you And so turning himself to the Executioner he said I shall say a very short Prayer unto my God while I lie down there and when I stretch out my Hand my Right-hand then Sir do your Duty and I do freely forgive you and so I do all the World Then the Earl of Cambridge said to the Executioner Must I lie all along He answered Yes and 't please your Lordship Then he said When I stretch out my hands but I will fit my Head first tell me if I be right and how you would have me lie And being told he must lie a little lower he said Well stay then till I give you the Figure And so having lain a short space devoutly Praying to himself he stretch'd out his Right-hand whereupon the Executioner at one blow severed his Head from his Body which was received by two of his Servants then kneeling by him into a Crimson Taffaty Scarff and that with the Body immediately put into a Coffin brought upon the Scaffold for that purpose and from thence conveyed to the House that was Sir John Hamilton's at the Mews 116. The Speech of the Earl of Holland upon the Scaffold IT is to no purpose I think to speak any thing here which way must I speak And then being directed to the Front of the Scaffold he leaning over the Rail said I think it is fit to say something since God hath called me to this Place The first thing which I must profess is what concerns my Religion and my Breeding which hath been in a good Family that hath been ever Faithful to the True Protestant Religion in the which I have been bred in the which I have lived and in the which by God's Grace and Mercy I shall die I have not lived according to that Education I had in that Family where I was born and bred I hope God will forgive me my sins since I conceive that it is very much his Pleasure to bring me to this Place for the sins that I have committed The cause that hath brought me hither I believe by many hath been much mistaken They have conceived that I have had ill Designs to the State and to the Kingdom truly I look upon it as a Judgment and a just Judgment of God not that I have offended so much the State and the Kingdom and the Parliament as that I have had an extream Vanity in Serving them very extraordinarily For those Actions that I have done I think it is known they have been very Faithful to the Publick and particularly to the Parliament my Affections have been ever exprest truly and clearly to them The disposition of Affairs now have put things in another posture than they were when I was engaged with the Parliament I have never gone off from those Principles that ever I have profest I have lived in them and by God's Grace will die in them c At last the Earl turning to the Executioner said Here my Friend let my Cloaths and my Body alone there is Ten Pounds for thee that is better than my Cloaths I am sure of it Execut. Will your Lordship please to give me a sign when I shall strike And his Lordship said You have room enough here have you not Execut. Yes Then the Earl of Holland turning to the Executioner said Friend do you hear me if you take up my Head do not take off my Cap. Then turning to his Servants he said to one Fare you well thou art an honest Fellow and to another God be with thee thou art an honest Man And then said Stay I will kneel down and ask God forgiveness and then prayed for a pretty space with seeming earnestness Then speaking to the Executioner he said Which is the way of lying which they shewed him and then going to the Front of the Scaffold he said to the People God bless you all and God deliver you from any such Act as may bring you to any such Death as is violent either by War or by those Accidents but that there may be Peace among you and you may find that the Accidents that have happened to us may be the last that may happen in this Kingdom it is that I desire it is that I beg of God next the saving of my Soul I pray God give all Happiness to this Kingdom to this People and this Nation And then turning to the Executioner he said how must I lie I know not Execut. Lie down flat upon your Belly Whereupon after he had prayed with much Affection for a short space the Executioner upon the sign given at one blow severed his Head from his Body 117. The Lord Capel after a brave Speech made upon the Scaffold wherein he prayed for his Enemies taxed the Illegality and Injustice of the Proceedings against him lamented the Consent he gave to the Sentence of Death passed upon the Earl of Strafford as an Act of Cowardice commended the King Charles for a Vertuous and sufficient Prince prayed for the Prince his Son commended the Case of the Nation to the Grace and Mercy of God prayed for all the People and humbly beg'd that God would stanch that Issue of Blood and lastly for himself at last he submitted his Neck to the stroke of the Executioner 118. Mr. Love's Speech on the Scaffold on Tower-Hill August 22. 1651. BEloved Christians I am this Day made a Spectacle to God Angels and Men a Grief to the Godly a Laughing-stock to the Wicked and a Gazing-stock to all yet blessed be my God not a Terror to my self tho' there be but a little between me and Death yet this bears up my Heart there is but a little between me and Heaven It comforted Dr. Tallour the Martyr when going to Execution that there were but two Stiles between him and his Father's House There 's a lesser way between me and my Father's House but two steps between me and Glory it is but lying down upon the Block and I shall ascend upon a Throne I am this day Sailing towards an Ocean of Eternity through a rough Passage to my Haven of Rest through a Red-Sea to
read a Paper in which was a good rational Confession of his Faith then comes to the Occasion of his Death for which he says He neither blames the Judges Jury nor Council but only some Men that in reality were deeper concern'd than he who combin'd together to swear him out of his LIfe to save their own and that they might do it effectually contriv'd an Untruth c. He forgives the World and the Witnesses gives his Friends Advice to be more Prudent than he had been prays that his may be the last Blood spilt on the Account wishes the King wou'd be merciful to others says he knew nothing of Ireland and concludes with praying God to have Mercy upon him He had then some Discourse with Cartwright wherein he tells him That he was not for contriving the Death of the King nor to have had a Hand in 't and being urg'd with some Matters of Controversie tells him He did not come thither to dispute about Religion but to die Religiously 7. Mr. ROVSE ROuse comes next gives an Account of his Faith professing to die of the Church of England tells his former Employment and Manner of Life acknowledges he heard of Clubs and Designs but was never at 'em and a perfect Stranger to any thing of that Nature Gives a Relation of what past between him and his Majesty on his Apprehension Talks somewhat of Sir Thomas Player the Earl of Shaftsbury and accommodating the King's Son as he calls it tho' not while the King reign'd Then falls upon Lee and the Discourse they had together who as he says swore against him on the Trial those very Words he himself had used in pressing him to undertake the Design Speaks of a Silver Ball which he proposed to be thrown up on Black-Heath and after some Discourse with the Ordinary gives the Spectators some good Counsel They they all Three singly prayed and then the Sentence was executed upon them 8. ALGERNOON SIDNEY Esq THe next Victim to Popish Cruelty and Malice was Colonel Algernoon Sidney of the ancient and noble Name and Family of the Sidneys deservedly famous to the utmost Bounds of Europe who as the ingenious Mr. Hawles observes was meerly talk'd to Death under the Notion of a Commonwealth's Man and found Guilty by a Jury who were not much more proper Judges of the Case than they wou'd have been had he writ in Greek or Arabick He was arraign'd for a Brnach of this Plot at Westminster the 17th of November 1683. where tho' it cannot be said the Grand Jury knew not what they did when they found the Bill against him since no doubt they were well instructed what to do yet it must that they found it almost before they knew what 't was being so well resolv'd on the Case and agreed on their Verdict that had he been Indicted for Breaking-up an House or Robbing on the High-way 't was doom'd to have been Billa vera as much as 't was now An Abstract of the Paper delivered to the Sheriffs on the Scaffold on Tower-Hill December 7. 1683. by Algernoon Sidney Esquire before his Execution FIrst having excused his not speaking as well because it was an Age that made Truth pass for Treason for the Proof of which he instances his Trial and Condemnation and that the Ears of some present were too tender to hear it as because of the Rigour of the Season and his Infirmities c. Then after a short Reflection upon the little said against him by other Witnesses and the little Value that was to be put on the Lord Howard's Testimony whom he charges with an infamous Life and many palpable Perjuries and to have been byassed only by the Promise of Pardon c. and makes even tho' he had been liable to no Exceptions to have been but a single Witness He proceeds to answer the Charge against him from the Writings found in his Closet by the King's Officers which were pretended but not Lawfully evidenced to be his and pretends to prove that had they been his they contained no condemnable matter but principles more safe both to Princes and People too than the pretended high-flown Plea for Absolute Monarchy composed by Filmer against which they seemed to be levelled and which he says all intelligent Men thought were founded on wicked Principles and such as were destructive both to Magistrates and People too Which he attempts to make out after this manner First says he if Filmer might publish to the World That Men were born under a necessary indispensible Subjection to an Absolute King who could be restrained by no Oath c. whether be came to it by Creation Inheritance c. nay or even by Usurpation why might he not publish his Opinion to the contrary without the breach of any known Law Which Opinion he professes consisted in the following Particulars 1. That God had left Nations at the liberty of Modelling their own Governments 2. That Magistrates were instituted for Nations and not E contra 3. That the Right and Power of Magistrates was fixed by the standing Laws of each Country 4. That those Laws sworn to on both sides were the matter of a Contract between the Magistrate and People and could not be broken without the Danger of dissolving the whole Government 5. The Vsurpation could give no Right and that King had no greater Enemies than those who asserted that or were for stretching their Power beyond its Limits 6. That such Vsurpations commonly effecting the Slaughter of the Reigning Person c. the worst of Crimes was thereby most gloriously Rewarded 7. That such Doctrines are more proper to stir up Men to destroy Princes than all the Passions that ever yet swayed the worst of them and that no Prince could be safe if his Murderers may hope such Rewards and that few Men would be so gentle as to spare the best Kings if by their Destruction a wild Vsurper could become God's Anointed which he says was the scope of that whole Treatise and asserts to be the Doctrine of the best Authors of all Nations Times and Religions and of the Scripture and so owned by the best and wisest Princes and particuarly by Lewis XIV of France in his Declaration against Spain Anno 1667. and by King James of England in his Speech to the Parliament 1603. and adds that if the Writer had been mistaken he should have been fairly refuted but that no Man was ever otherwise punished for such Matters or any such things referred to a Jury c. That the Book was never finished c. nor ever seen by them whom he was charged to have endeavoured by it to draw into a Conspiracy That nothing in it was particularly or maliciously applied to Time Place or Person but distorted to such a sense by Innuendo's as the Discourses of the Expulsion of Tarquin c. and particularly of the Translation made of the Crown of France from one Race to another had been applied by the then Lawyers
in it than that which is contrary thereto so now I see no Cause to repent of it nor to recede from it not questioning but God will own it at the last Judgment-day If no more had been required after the late King's Restauration to qualifie Ministers for Publick Preaching than was after the first Restauration from the time of Charles the First probably I might have satisfied my self therewith and not scrupled Conformity thereto but the Terms and Conditions thereof by a particular Law made in 1662. being not only new but so strict and severe that I could never have satisfaction in my own Conscience after all Endeavours used for a Complyance therewith and a Conformity thereto To say nothing of the Covenant which I never took but the giving my Assent and Consent have been too difficult and hard for me to comply with And I very well remember that about Fourteen Years ago entring into a Discourse with Mr. Patrick Heldâ—re an Irish-man who was contemporary with me in Dublin concerning Conformity which he much endeavoured to perswade me to I urged the severity of the fore-mentioned Conditions against it and after some Debates and Reasons with him I told him I did believe they were contrived and designed on purpose to prevent our Publick Preaching and to keep us out of the Church To which he ingenuously reply'd He judged it was so For said he a Bishop in Ireland whose Name I have forgot told me the very same But though I could not wade through and conquer this Difficulty yet I censure not those that did it and I believe after all the hottest Disputes and most vehement Debates and violent Contests between Conformist and Nonconformist there are of both Parties will be glorified in Heaven hereafterâ— According to the 29th Article of the Church of England a visible Church is a Congregation 〈◊〉 Faithful Men in the which the pure Word of God is preached the Sacraments of the Lord duly administred according to Christ's Ordinance and all those things that of necessity are requisite and necessary to Salvation so with such a Church have I held the most intimate Communion and with such did I live could hold it I would not therefore be so incorporated with any Church as to exclude me from and render me uncapable of holding Communion was other Churches I was never strongly bound up to any Form of Ecclesiastical Government but that under which a pure and undefiled Religion doth flourish and that which contains and really practises Holiness and advances the Kingdom of God in the World that can I approve of and willingly live under were I to live I did approve of the ancient and present Form of Civil Government English Monarchy I am fully satisfied with and do also declare That it is not warrantable for any Subject to take up Arms against and resist their Lawful Soveraigns and Rightful Princes And therefore had I not been convinced by several things that I have read and heard to believe that the late Duke of Monmouth was the Legitimate Son of his Father Charles the Second I had never gone into his Army judging that without this I could not be freed from the guilt of Rebellion which I always resolved to keep my self clear from And though his Father deny'd he was marry'd to his Mother I thought it might be answer'd with this That Kings and Princes for State-Reasons often cannot be fathomed by their Subjects affirming and denying things which otherwise they would not do and make even their Natural Affections to truckle and stoop thereto I exhort all to abhor all Treasonable Plots and Pretences of all Rebellion with the highest Detestation and to take the plain Text of Sacred Scripture to walk by in honouring and obeying and living in subjection to Rightful Kings and not readily to receive or suddenly to be impress'd with evil Reports and Defamations of them also not rashly to be Propagators of the same I desire God to forgive all mine Enemies and to give me an heart to forgive them which are many some mighty and all most malicious Particularly Barter of Lisael who betrayed me and proved such a Traytor to James Duke of Monmouth his old and intimate Friend I am grievously afflicted that I should prove the occasion of the great Sufferings of so many Persons and Families But this hath fallen under the Just and Wise ordering of Divine Providence as David's going to Abimelech when he proved the occasion of the Death of all the Persons Men Women and Children in the City But who shall say unto God What doest thou The care of my most dear Wife and a great many Children I cast upon God who I hope will be better than the best of Husbands unto her and the best of Fathers unto them God knows how Just and Legal Right my Wife hath unto her Estate to him therefore I commit her to defend her from the Violence and Oppression of Men particularly from a most inhumane and unnatural Brother But no wonder if he will lay violent hands upon his Sister's Estate that hath so often laid them on his own Father I die a deeply humbled self-judging and self-condemning Sinner loathing and abhorring my many and great Iniquities and my self for them earnestly desiring full Redemption from the Bonds of Corruption under which I have groaned so many Years long for a most perfect Conformity to the most holy and glorious God the only infinite pure Being thirsting for a perfect diffusion of his Grace through all the Powers and Faculties of my Soul panting after perfect Spiritual Life and Liberty and a consummate Love to my dearest Jesus who is an All comprehensive Good and to be satisfied with his Love for ever A vigorous and vehement Zeal for the Protestant Religion with a Belief I had of the Duke's Legitimacy hath involved me in this ignominious Death yet blessed be God that by sincere Repentance and true Faith in the Blood of Jesus there is passage from it to a Glorious Eternal Life and from these bitter Sorrows to the fulness of sweetest Joys that are in his Presence and from these sharp bodily Pains to those most pure Pleasures that are at his Right-hand for evermore And blessed be God that such a Death as this cannot prevent and hinder Christ's changing of my vile Body and fashioning it like his Glorious Body in the general Resurrection-day I am now going into that World where many dark things shall be made perfectly manifest and clear and many doubtful things fully resolved and a plenary satisfaction given concerning them all Disputes and Mistakes concerning Treason Rebellion and Schism shall be at an end and cease for ever Many things that are innocent lawful and laudable which have foul Marks and black Characters stampt and fix'd upon 'em here they shall be perfectly purified and fully cleansed from there where at one view more shall be known of them than by all wrangling Debates and eager Disputes or by reading all
first brought forth pregnant of another Nat. Hist Oxfordsh p. 189. 5. An. 1633. David Spilinbergerus Physician of Leutschovia tells us of a Cow in Hungary that brought forth a Calf with a great Belly wherein was found another Calf with all its Limbs perfect ibid. Bartholin tells us of a Female still-born Child pregnant with another Female duly plac'd in the Womb about a span in length ibid. The same Author met with an Egg at Witney containing another imperfect one in it like that Ovum in Ovo of Doctor Harvey's or that kept in the King of Denmarks Repository or the other Bartholin saw 1669 or which Schastin Jungius saw 1671. ibid. CHAP. IV. Examples of the Fruitfulness of some Women HE whose Wife is as a Fruitful Vine by the sides of his House and his Children like Olive Plants round about his Table is by the Psalmist pronounced a happy Man supposing that he be withal one that fears the Lord Let Goodness and Fruitfulness go together and they will Terminate in Blessedness every Vertuous Child being a Crown of Glory and a particular Comfort to his Parents But Ill Fruit is certainly a Curse and the more in number the more Reproachful and Burthensome however they prove when he that carries the Keys of the Womb opens so wide and pours out so plentifully let none Fault the Supreme Governor for his Dispensations but attend diligently his own Office in the Nurture and Education 1. One of the Maid-servants of Augustus the Emperor was delivered of five Children at a Birth the Mother together with her Children were buried in the Laurentine-way with an Inscription upon them by the Order of Augustus relating the same Gell. Noct. Attic. l. 1 c. c. 3. p. 249. 2. Also Serapia a Woman of Alexandria brought forth five Children at one Birth Cael. Rhod. Antiq. lect l. 4. c. 23. p. 180. 3. Doctor Fuller out of Ausonius speaks of a Roman Matron called Callicrate and thus Translateth her Epitaph as speaking in her own Person Twenty Nine Births 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 Hands did never crave A rare instance which yet in the former respects you will find surpassed in what follows Fullers Worth p. 138. 4. A Woman of Dunstable who as her Epitaph in the Church testifies bore at three several times three Children at a Birth and five at a Birth two other times Haker Ap. p. 224. 5. Elionera Salviata the Wife of Frescobald a Citizen of Florence was delivered of 52 Children never less then three at a Birth Fullers Worth p. 119. 6. Anno 1553. The Wife of John Gissinger a Tigurine was delivered of Twins and before the Year was out brought at once five more three Sons and two Daughters Schenck Ob. 1 p. 563. 7. Julius Sentinarius of Bononia came into the World with six Births and was himself the seventh Schenck Obs. 1. p. 563. 8. Jane Pancica Wife to Bernard a Sicilian of Agrigentum was so fruitful that in 30 Births she was delivered of 73 Children Camer Hor. Subcis Cent. 2. c. 66. p. 273. 9. The famous Story of the Welfs is this Irmentrudes the Wife of Isenbbard Earl of Altorf had unadvisedly accused of Adultery a Woman that had three Children at a Birth being not able to believe that one Man could at one time get so many Children adding that she deserved to be sowed up in a Sack and thrown into the River and accusing her to her Husband the Earl It happened that the next Year the Countess felt her self with Child and the Earl being from Home she was brought to Bed of 12 Male Children but all of them very little She fearing the reproach of Adultery whereof yet she was not Guilty commanded that 11 of them should be taken and cast into a River not far from the House and one only brought up it so fell out that Isenbard met the Woman that was carrying the little Infants to their Death and asking her whither she went with her Pail she reply'd she was going to drown a few Whelps in the River of Scherk The Earl came to her and in despite of her resistance would see what was there and discovering the Children pressed her in such wise that she told him all the matter He caused them to be secretly Educated and so soon as they were grown great and brought home to him he set them in the Hall by him whom his Wife had brought up Being thus by their Faces all known to be Brethren their Mother mov'd in Conscience confessed the Fact and obtained Pardon for her Fault in remembrance whereof the Honourable Race of Wolfs that is Whelps got their Name Camer ibid. p. 274. 10. John Francis Earl of Mirandula tells of one Dorothy who at two several Births brought forth 20 Sons 9 at the one and 11 at the other while she went with this burthen by reason of the mighty weight she was wont to tie a swathing-band about her Neck and Shoulders and with that to bear up her swolen Belly which fell down to her very Knees Schenck Obs. Med. l. 4. Obs. 1. p. 563. 11. Matthias Golancevius Bishop of Vladislavia in Poland it is said of his Mother that she was delivered of 12 Sons at once and that of all these he only lived the rest dying as soon as they were born ibid. 12. Alexander de Campo Fregosa Bishop of Ventimilium attested upon his Faith that at Lamaia a Noble-woman brought forth 16 Humane Births of the bigness of a Man's Palm all which had motion and that besides these 16 which had Humane likeness she brought forth at the same time a Creature in the likeness of a Horse which had all motion all the 17 were wrap'd in one and the same Secondine which is monstrous ibid. p. 164. 13. Anno 1217. Upon the 20th of January the Lady Margaret Wife to the Earl Virloslaus was in the Country of Cracovia brought to Bed of 30 living bodies all at once ibid. 14. Matilda some say Margaret Wife to Count Herman of Henneberg did see a poor Widow Woman begging her Bread for God's sake having in either Arm a Child which she had at one Birth this poor Woman craving her Alms the Countess rejected her saying That it was against Nature for a Woman that was Honest to conceive by her Husband two Children of one birth the poor Woman prayed to God that in Vindication of her Innocency he would send the Lady at one burden so many Children as there are Days in a Year a while after the Lady was brought to bed on the Friday before Palm-Sunday Anno 1276 and was delivered of 365 Children half Sons and half Daughters the odd one found to be a Hermophradite These were laid in two Basons and Baptized by Guido Suffragan Bishop of Utrict the Sons Named John and the Daughters Elizabeth who presently died Heylins Cosmogr p. 384. Grimstons Hist Nethel l.
1. p. 52. Camerar Hor. Subcis cent 2. c. 66. CHAP. V. Examples of the Numerous Issue of some Persons BE Fruitful and Multiply was a Blessing bestowed not only upon the rest of the Animal World at the Creation but upon Mankind especially and afterwards upon the Jewish Church more then others and 't is certain the more excellent any Being is the more desirable is its Increase and the Multiplication of its Species We are pleased with profitable Cattle and love to see our Orchards and Fields of Corn Fruitful Is it the glory of Man and Woman only to be barren Or should we not have some Zeal to fill up the vacant spaces in the Church of God Militant first and Triumphant afterwards And then happy they who produce most Fruit for Heaven 1. In the History of the Acts of Augustus Caesar it is Recorded that in his 12th Consulship upon the 11th day of April C. Crispinus Hilarius a Gentleman of Fesule came with a solemn Pomp into the Capitol attended upon with his 9 Children 7 Sons and two Daughters with 27 Grand-Children that were the Sons of his Children and 39 more who were his great Grand-Children the Sons of his Sons Sons and besides these with 12 Females that were his Childrens Daughters and with all these he solemnly Sacrificed Plin. l. 7. p. 162. 2. There was a Noble Lady of the Family of the Dalburges who saw of her own Race even to the sixth degree whereof the Germans have made this Distict Mater ait Natae dic Natae Filia Natam Vt moneat Natae plangere Filiolam Thus Englished by Hakwell Apolog. l. 3. c. 5. p. 224. The Aged Mother to her Daughter spake Daughter said she arise Thy Daughter to thy Daughter take Whose Daughter 's Daughter Cries 3. Vives speaks of a Village in Spain that had above a Hundred Houses whereof all the Inhabitants were issu'd from one certain Old Man who then liv'd when as that Village was so Peopled The Name of Propinquity how the youngest should call him could not be given for the Spanish affords not a Name above the great Grand-Fathers Father Vives in comment Sup. lib. de Civit. Dei l. 1. 8. c. 15. 4. In the Burrough of Leicester in the Church of St. Martins is a very remarkable Epitaph viz. Here lyeth the Body of John Heyrick of this Parish who departed this Life the second of April 1589 being about the Age of 76 years he did Marry Mary the Daughter of John Bond of Wardend in the County of Warwick Esq he lived with the said Mary in one House full 52 years and in all that time never buried Man Woman nor Child though they were sometimes 20 in Houshold He had Issue by the said Mary 5 Sons and 7 Daughters the said John was Mayor of the Town 1559. and again Anno 1572 the said Mary lived to 97 years and departed the 8th of December 1611. She did see before her departure of her Children and Childrens Children and their Children to the number of One Hundred Forty and two ibid. 5. In St. Innocents Church-yard in the City of Paris is to be seen the Epitaph of Yeoland Baily which doth shew that she had lived 84 years and might have seen 288 Verstegan saith 295 of her Children and Childrens Children she died on the 17th of April 1514. Hakewel ibid. p. 234. Versteg Restit decay'd Int. 1. p. 3. 6. In Markshal-Church in Essex on Mrs. Honywoods Tomb is this Inscription Here lieth the body of Mary Waters the Daughter and Co-heir of Robert Waters of Lenham in Kent Esq Wife of Robert Honywood of Charing in Kent Esq her only Husband who had at her decease lawfully descended from her 367 16 of her own body 114 Grand-Children 228 in the third Generation and 9 in the fourth She liv'd a most Pious Life and in a most Christian manner died here at Markshall in the 93 year of her Age and in the 44th of her Widowhood May 11th 1620. Wanly Hist of Man p. 41. 7. Dame Ester Temple Daughter to Miles Sands Esq was born at Latmos in Buckinghamshire and was marryed to Sir Thomas Temple of Stow Baronet she had 4 Sons and 9 Daughters which liv'd to be marry'd and so exceedingly multiplied that this Lady saw 700 extracted from her Body Doctor Fuller saith he bought the Truth hereof by a Wager he lost besides there was a new Generation of Marriageable Females just at her Death Had the Off-spring of this Lady been contracted into one place they were enough to have peopled a City of a competent proportion The Lady Temple died Anno 1656. Fullers Worthies p. 138. Buckinghamshire 8. We read saith Mr. Ricaut that the Eastern Parts of the World have abounded with Children of diver Mothers and but one Father and that ordinarily as great Personage in Egypt hath been attended with 100 lusty Sons in the Field proceeding from his own Loins well Armed and daring in all Attempts of Was. Paul Ricaut Esq present State of the Ottoman Empire p. 292. A Woman in Delph three several days voided three Worms out of her Navel and not long after was delivered of a Boy and then seven days after that of another Forest 17. Obs. 35. 10. I have heard the Reverend dr Annesley has had 25 Children for Dr. Manton baptizing one of them was asked how many children the Doctor had to whom he return'd this Answer That he was not certain how many but believ'd 't was Two Dozen or a Quarter of an Hundred CHAP. VI. Children crying in the Womb. 'T IS common for Infants at their first Exit out of their Mothers Womb to give some Significations of their resentment of the Change but to do it before they come into the common Air of this World is more rare and strange one would think it time enough for them to Cry when they are born and arrived at the brink of Troubles but some whether through the Strength of Nature or some premature Eruption of the Amnion or other Accident in the Womb or an extraordinary Sagacity in provident Nature and foresight of the Evils to come Anticipate their time and are heard to Cry before either the Mother or Midwife go about to disturb them in their little Mansions 1. At Heyford Purcel there was a Child that Cyred very Audibly in its Mothers Womb sometime before the Birth The People being frighted with it and expecting some Calamity should soon attend such a Prodigy pernicious forsooth not only to the place where heard but to the state it self whereas the Learned Bartholin more rightly Notes that the Ruin of Kingdoms depends rather upon the Wickedness of People than any such Vagitus Dr. Plot. Nat. Hist Oxf. p. 192. 2. Anno 1648. There was a Woman the Wife of a Seaman near to the Church of Holmiana who had been big for 8 Months she was of a good habit of body and nor Old this Woman upon the Eve of Christmas-day upon the Calends in the year following
Operations which ought to attract our Thoughts to particular Disquisitions and Meditations especially in Cases where we our selves are more nearly concerned 1. Zoroastres Laughed the same day wherein he was Born his Brain also did pant and beat that it would bear up their Hands that laid them on his Head Solinus cap. p. 181. 2. M. Tullius Cicero is said to have been Born without any of those Pangs usual in Child-bearing Plut. par in Cicerone 3. Nero was Born with his Feet forwards Plin. Nat. Hist l. 7. c. 8. p. 160. 4. M. Curius Dentatus and Cnâ— Papyrius Carbo were Born with Teeth in their Mouths Ibid. 5. Scipio Affricanus was cut out of his Mother's Womb So was Julius Caesar Thus saith Schenck was that Manlius Born who entred Cartbage with an Army And so was that Mackduff Earl of Fife who slew Mackbeth the Usurper of Scotland Edward VI. of England is said by Baker to be so but that 's doubtful Also Buchardus Earl of Lintsgow c. Anno 959. Also Gebbardus Son of Otho Earl of Brigentz Anno 1001. Cornelius Gemma saith He hath cut out of the Womb six living Children Schenck Obs Med. p. 580. 6. I saw saith Horatius Augonius a poor Woman of a fleshy and good habit of Body who for nine months had an Exulceration of the Ventricle and for twenty days together Vomited up all she took and so Died a living Boy being taken out of her Womb afterwards Ibid. 7. When Spinola Besieged Bergopsoma a Woman near her Reckoning going forth to draw Water was taken off in the middle by a Cannon Bullet so that the lower part of her fell into the Water those that were by ran to her and saw there a Child moving it self in the Bowels of the Mother which was afterwards Baptized by the Infanta Isabella at Antwerp by the name of Alb. Ambrosius one of her Fathers Captains Barth Hist Anat. Cer. 2. Hist 8. p. 159. 8. Lewis the 9th King of Hungary c. was Born without a Skin Crown'd in his second year Married a Wife at nine took upon him the Government at ten had a Beard before his time was Grey before eighteen and Slain at twenty Anno 1526. Camerar Hor. Subscis Cen. 1. c. 55. p. 241. 9. Anno. 1647. Jacob Egh in the City of Sarda in Belgia had a Bull which he fed tying him in a Close near his House but provoked by the Boys he brake his Bonds and ran to the Cows the Herdsman endeavoured with his Staff to return him to his former place The Bull â—ing incens'd with his blows ran upon him and with his Horns born him to the ground His 〈◊〉 being now in the last month of her Count seeing the danger of her Husband ran into his assistance The Bull with his Horns hoisted her up into the Air the heighth of one Story and tore the Belly of the Woman From the Wound in her Belly forthwith came the Birth with its Secondine and was thrown at some distance upon a soft place was carried home diligently lookt after by a Midwife and was Baptized and lived to be a Man Bartholin Ibid. Cent. 2. Hist 8. p. 157. 9. Gorgias a Gallant Man of Epirus is said to be Born in the Coffin while his Mother was carrying to the Grace Val. Max. l. 1. c. 8. p. 20. 10. Carsias King of Navarre being with Vrracha his Queen at Larumbe was surprized by Moors and Slain they wounded the Queen in the Belly with a Lance who being put to flight The Queen at the wound was delivered of a Son and Died the Child to all Men's wonder was safe and was named Sasias Garsia who succeeded his Father in the Kingdom Anno 918. Zuing. Theat vol. 2. l. 1. p. 270. 11. Schenckius speaks of a Woman that voided a Child a Finger long at her Mouth CHAP. XXVII Monstrous Animals I Do not pretend here to give a new Edition of Aldrovandus nor write a large Voluminous Treatise of of all the Monsters within ken of a well-read Historian but to give a few of the latest Instances of the greatest Errors of Nature in this kind that I could meet with just enough to awaken and put a man's Brains into Fermentation and dispose him to some Gravity and Seriousness and Sublimity of Thought 1. At Rome in the River of Tyber a Monster was found with a Man's Body an Ass's Head one of whole Hands was like a Mans but the other like an Elephants Foot one of his Feet was as the foot of an Eagle the other resembled another Beast He had a Womans Belly trimly set out with Breasts and his Body was covered all over with Scales except his Belly and Breast having in his hinder parts an old Man's Head bearded and another besides spitting out Flames like a Dragon Doom's Warning to Judgment p. 288. This happened Anno 1496. 2. Anno 1530. in January a Monstrous Serpent with seven Crowned Heads like a Dragon was brought out of Turkey to Venice and afterwards given to Francis the French King and for the rareness was valued at 6000 Ducats Batmans Doom p. 312. 3. A Butcher having killed a Cow at Limington in Hampshire found she was big with a Calf which began to be hairy its hind Legs had no joints and its feet were divided like the Claws of a Dog his Tongue was tripple and after the manner that Cerberus's is described one in the middle of its Mouth and two others on the sides Between the fore and hind Feet there was a great Stone upon which it was laid This Stone weighed 20 pound and a half its colour was greyish like to a cut Stone which is commonly called the Grison the Superficies thereof was unequal and full of little Cavilia's When it was broken they perceived small Grains of Stone of an Oval Figure and its colour was mixed with yellow and black Veins which are all over it Dr. Haughton of Salisbury keeps this Stone of which he hath sent a part to Mr. Boyle who communicated it together with a Letter to the Royal Society The Young Students Library p. 210. 4. At Burdham near Chichester in Sussex about 23 years ago there was a Monster found upon the Common having the Form and Figure of a Man in the fore-part having two Arms and Hands and a human visage with only one Eye in the middle of the Forehead the hinder part was like a Lamb. A young Man of the Neighbourhood was supposed to have Generated this Monster by a Bestial Copulation and that the rather because he was afterwards found in the like Beastly Act with a Mare upon discovery whereof he fled out of the Country This young Monster was nailed up in the Church-Porch of the said Parish and exposed to publick view a long time as a Monument of Divine Judgment Attested by Henry Read of Barnham an Eye witness 5. Anno 1511. At Ravena a Monster was Born with a Horn on his Head He had Wings no Arms one Foot as a
Lord Bacon casts up her Age to be 140 at least adding withal that she recovered her Teeth after casting them 3 several times Rawleigh Hist World l. 1. c. 5. p. 166. Fuller p. 310 13. Garsius Aretinus lived to 194 years in good state of Health and deceased without being seized with any apparent Disease only perceiving this Strength somewhat weakned Thus writes Petranch of him to whom Garsias was great Grandfather by the Fathers side Fulgos. l. 8. c. 14. p. 1096. 14. Thomas Parre Son of John Parre born at Alderbury in the Parish of Winninton in Shropshire he was born in the Reign of King Edward IV. Anno 1483. at 80 years he marryed his first Wife Jane and in the space of 32 years had but two Children by her both of them short lived the one lived but a Month the other but a few years being Aged 120 he fell in Love with Katherine Milton and got her with Child He lived to above 150 years two Months before his Death he was brought up by thomas Earl of Arundel to Westminster he slept away most of his time and is thus Characterised by an Eye Witness of him From Head to Heel his body had all over A Quick set Thick set Natural Hairy Cover change of Air and Dyet are conceived to Accelerate his Death which happened November 15 Anno 1634 and was buried in the Abby Church at Westminster Fullers Worthies p. 11. Shropshire 15. John of Times was Armour-bearer to Charles the Great by whom he was also made Knight being a Man of great Temperance Sobriety and Contentment of Mind in his Condition of Life lived unto the 9th year of the Emperor Conrade and died at the Age of 361 years Anno 1128. 1146 saith Fulgosus Bakers Chron. p. 73. 16. Guido Bonatus a Man of great Learning saith he saw a Man whose name was Richard Anno 1223 who told him that he was a Soldier under Charlemain and that he had now lived to the 400th year of his Age. Fulgos. l. 8. c. 14. p. 1098. CHAP. XXXIII Examples of a Vegete and Healthful Old Age. I have often look'd upon Old Age as the very Dregs of Life the Sediment of our Natural Humour 's a Complex of Infirmities but the following Instances would tempt one to love Temperance for Lifes sake and Life for it self for no doubt but the Sweetness of Life consists much in the Healthful and Vegete Temper of our Bodies and a Virtuous course of Life and due Abstinence Conduceth much thereto when the Debauch'd Sensualist lies down under the Burden of his Carelesness and the Sins of his Youth never able to retrieve the Damages of his former Lusts 1. Sir Walter Rawleigh in his Discovery of Guiana reports of the King of Aromaia being 110 years Old came in a Morning on foot to him from his House which was 14 English Miles and returned on foot the same day Hakew. Apolog. l. 3. c. 1. p. 166. 2. Buchanan in his Scottish History speaks of one Lawrence who dwelling in one of the Orcades marryed a Wife after he was 100 years of Age and more and that when he was 140 years old he doubted not to go a Fishing alone in his little Boat though in a rough and Tempestuous Sea Camor Hor Subs. c. 2. cap. 68. p. 277. 3. Sigismemd Polcastrus a Physician and Philosopher of Padua Read there 50 years in his Old Age he buried 4 Sons in a short time at 70 years of Age he married again and by his second Wife he had 3 Sons the eldest of which called Anronius he saw dignified with a Degree in both Laws Jerome another of his Sons had his Cap set upon his Head by his Aged Father who Trembled and Wept for Joy not long after which the Old Man died Aged 94 years Schenck p. 539. 4. Platerus tells of Thomas Platerus His Father upon the Death of his first Wife Anno 1572. and the 73 year of his Age married a second time within the compass of 10 years he had 6 Children by her 2 Sons and 4 Daughters the youngest of his Daughters was born in the 81 year of his Age two years before he died J Foelix was born Anno 1536 and my Brother Thomas 1574 the distance between us being 38 years and yet my Brother is all Gray and seems Elder then my self possibly because he was gotten when my Father was stricken in years Pl. Obs. p. 275. 5. M. Valerllus Corvinus attained to the fulfilling of 100 years betwixt whose first and sixth Consulship there was the distance of 47 years yet was he sufficient in respect of the entireness of his bodily Strength not only for the most important Matters of the Common-wealth but also for the exactest Culture of his Fields a Memorable Example Val. Max. l. 8. c. 13. p. 236. 6. Metellus equalled the length of his Life and in extream Age was created Pontiffe for 22 years he had the ordering of the Ceremonies in all which time his Tongue never faultred in Solemn Prayers nor did his Hand tremble in the Offering of the Sacrifices Val. Max. ibid. p. 238. 7. Nicholaut Leonicenus was in the 96 year of his Age when Langius heard him at Ferrara where he had Taught more then 70 years he used to say that he enjoyed a Green and Vegete Age because he had delivered up his Youth chast unto Man's Estate Melch. Adam in Vit. Germ. Med. p. 141. 8. Massanissa was the King of Numidia for 60 years together and excelled all other Men in respect of Strength and of an admirable Old Age that for no Rein or Cold he would be induced to cover his Head they say of him that when he was on Horseback he would lead his Army for the most part both a compleat day and the whole Night also nor would he in extream Age omit any thing of that which he had accustomed to do when young and after the 86th year of his Age he begat a Son and whereas his Land was was waste and desert he left it fruitful by his continual Endeavours in the Cultivation of it he lived till he was above 90 years of Age. Val. M. p. 236. 9. Cornarus the Venetian was in his Youth of a Sickly body began to eat and drink first by measure to a certain weight thereby to recover his Health this Cure turned by use into a Diet that Diet into an extraordinary long Life even of 100 years and better without any decay of his Senses and with a constant enjoyment of Health Verulam's Hist of Life and Death p. 134. 10. Appius Claudius Coecus was blind for the space of very many years yet notwithstanding he was burden'd with this mischance he govern'd 4 Sons and five Daughters very many Dependants upon him yea and the Common-wealth it self with abundance of Prudence and Magnanimity when he had lived so long that he was even tired with living caused himself to be carried to the Senate for no other purpose then to perswade them
Canons or Priests 26 poor Knights who had an Allowance for their Prayers to God and St. George of Cappadocia and a Soveraign Cuardian viz. the Kings a Prelate a Prelate of the Garter and a Chancellor viz. the Bishops of Winchester and Salisbury a Register of late the Dean of Windsor a King at Arms an Usher a College in the Castle of Windsor and the Chapel of St. George Their Garter is Blue deck'd with Gold Pearl and Precious Stones and a Buckle of Gold to be worn daily on the left Leg upon pain of forfeiting 10 Shillings their Habit is a Surcoat a Mantle a high Black Velvet Cap a Gold Collar composed of Roses enamelled Red within a Garter enamelled Blue when they wear not their Robes they are to wear an Escutchion of the Arms of St. George viz. A Cross with a Garter and a Star Eight Emperors have been of this Order 27 Foreign King c. None convict of Heresie Treason or Cowardise can be of this Order 2ly Knights of the Bath for we pass over Knights Baronets as absolute are so called from their Bathing used before they were created The first of this sort were made by Henry IV. A. 1399. They are now commonly made at the Coronation of a King or Queen or Creation of a Prince of Wales They wear a Scarlet Ribbond Belt-wise They are still made with much Ceremony too long here to be described 3ly Knights Batchelors Quasi Bas Chevaliers Equites Aurati from the Gilt Spurs usually put upon them Knights of low degree These were antiently made by Jirding with a Sword and Gilt Spurs and was bestowed only upon Sword Men for their Military Services and was reputed an Excellent and Glorious Degree and a noble Reward for Couragious Persons but of late being made more common and bestowed upon Gown-men contrary to the nature of the thing it is become of less Reputation They are made thus The Person kneels down the King with a drawn Sword toucheth him on the Shoulder saying Sois Chevalier au Nom de Dieu and the Advance Chevalier A Knight being to suffer Death is first ungirt his Sword taken away his Spurs cut off his Gantlet pluckt off and his Coat of Arms reversed 4ly Esquires in French Escuyers Scutigeri Armigeri so called because either they boâ—â— a Shield before the King or some of the Nobles in War or else because they bear a Coat of Arms or both and they are 1. All younger Sons of Viscounts and Barons all Sons of Earls Marquesses and Dukes 2. Esquires of the King s Body 3. Eldest Sons of younger Sons of Barons c. 4. Esquiâ—es Created by putting about their Necks a Collar of sses and bestowing on them a pair of Silver Spurs 5. Persons in Superiour Public Office are reputed Esquires viz. Serjeants at Law Justices Mayors Councellors Batchelors of Divinity Law or Physick High Sheriffs c. 5ly Gentlemen are such whose Parents have always carried Coat of Arms c. CHAP. IX Improvements in the Military Art THAT we may not leave any considerable Art untouch'd we shall say a little of the Advancement made in the Art of destroying Peoples Lives not by secret Plots or Villainous Poysons or Devillish Witchcraft the Sciences of Hell and the Phylosophy of Devils but in a Military Open and Hostile manner by the Art of a Public and Lawful War And this likewise seems to have received much Addition and Improvement by the Ingenioso's of the last Ages Tho' perhaps in Fire-darts the Ancients were as ingenious as we as I shall take notice afterwards 1. Frier Bacon is supposed to be the first Inventer of Gunpowder as is gather'd out of his Epistle ad Parisiensen where speaking of the secret Works of Nature and Art he hath these Words In omnem distantiam quam volumus Possumus artificialiter componere Ignem combruentem ex sale Petrae aliis which alia as Dr. Wallis saw it in a Manuscript Copy of the said Roger Bacon in the Hands of Dr. Langbain late Provost of Queen's College were Sulphur and Carbonum Pulvis concerning which after a while he further adds Praeter hac sunt alia stupendia Nature c. that is of Salt-Petre and other Matters viz. Sulphur and the Dust of Coal he could make Fire that should burn at what distance he pleased and further that with the same Matter he could make Sounds like Thunder and Corruscations in the Air more dreadful than those made by Nature For says he a little of this Matter rightly fitted tho not bigger than ones Thumb makes a horrible Noise and shews a violent Corruscation which may be ordered many ways whereby a City or Army may be destroyed the Fire breaking forth with an unspeakable Noise which are wonderful things if a Man knew exactly how to use it in due Quantity and Matter Whence 't is plain he either invented or knew Gunpowder and in all Probability it was invented here at Oxford where he made the rest of his affrighting Experiments And that out of his Works Constantine Ancklitzen of Friburg or Bertholdus Swartz and the rest of the Improvers in all likelihood might have their pretended Inventions Dr. Plot 's Nat. Hist. of Oxfordshire c. 9. Par. 40. c. 2. Thucidides saith that those that besieged the Platenensis when Engines would do no good they fell to Fireworks for casting about the Wall Bundles of Stuff and throwing in Fire Brimstone and Pitch they burnt the Wall whence arose such a Flame that until that time no Man ever saw the like Heron teacheth that in burning of the Walls after you have made a hole thorow you must put Wood of the Pinetree under and anoint them with dry Pitch and powdered Brimstone together with Tar or Oyl and set this on Fire And elsewhere he teacheth to burn with a Pot take an earthen Pitcher and bind it about with Plates of Iron on the outside and let it be full of Small-coal let there be a hole about the bottom to put in the Bellows for when the coals take Fire by sprinkling on ov Vinegar Piss or any other sharp Matter the Walls are broken Vegetius teacheth what combustible Matter must be used and he useth burning Oyl Hards Brimstone Bitumen Burnign Arrows are shot in Cross-bows into the Enemies Ships and these being smear'd over with Wax Pitch and Resin they quickly fire the Decks with so many things that afford Fuel to the Fire 3. Ammianus Marcellinus described Fire-Darts a king of Weapon made after such a fashion It is an Arrow of Cane joyn'd with many Irons between the Shaft and the Head and they are made hollow after the fashion of a Woman's Distaff in the midst of it it hath many small holes and in the very hollow of it is put Fire with some combustible Matter and so it is easily shot forth of a weak Bow for a Bow that is strong puts out the Fire and there is no means to put it out but by casting on
Heaven O might my Days be lengthned so that I Might sing of thy great deeds before I die See how all things do their Joy and Gladness shew For that Age which is ready to ensue The Thracian Orpheus should not me o'recome Nor Linus though his Parents heard the Son If Pan Arcadia Judging strive with me Pan should Arcadia Judging Conquered be CHAP. XIII Of Prophets WE have frequent mention made of Prophets and Prophecying in the New as well as the Old Testament by which Divines do generally understand Preachers and Preaching and I believe they are partly in the right But I Query if or no the common Notion be deep and extensive enough For with an humble Deference to my Superiors and Betters I am of Opinion that Preachers cannot otherwise with any Propriety of Speech be call'd Prophets than as they are Authorized and Enabled by God Almighty to foretel their respective Flocks and particular Members of the Church they are concerned with what is like to be their future Doom in this partly but especially in the other World And this from their deep Contemplations of God's revealed Decrees their Study of Sacred Scriptures and the Refinedness and Soundness of their Judgments and withal if Men of a Sincere Piety and Devotion from the especial Communications of the Spirit of Grace And if there be any Probability in this 't is no wonder if we find Prophecying not quite ceased amongst us 1. Valentine the Emperor being slain in France and Eugenius nominated Emperor in his room Theodosius the Elder being very sorry and considering how dangerous a War lay before him yet thinking it a great Dishonour to suffer such an Action to go unpunished he muster'd up his Army and with all possible Speed marched against the Conspirators but as a good and holy Christian he first betook himself to Fasting and Prayer seeking unto God the Giver of Victory for Success in his Enterprize requesting the Prayers of other Holy Men also whereof one oâ— them sent him Word that he should have the Victory but should die in Italy and never return again to Constantinople He obtained the Victory fixed himself afterwards at Millain where he lived for some Years and there died Clark in his Life 2. Anno Christi 1279. there lived in Scotland one Thomas Lermouth a Man very greatly admired for his foretelling of Things to come He may justly be wondred at for foretelling so many Ages before the Union of the Kingdom of England and Scotland in the Ninth Degree of Bruce's Blood with the Succession of Bruce himself to the Crown being yet a Child and many other things which the Event hath made good The day before the Death of King Alexander he told the Earl of March that before the next Day at Noon such a Tempest should blow as Scotland had not felt many Years before The next morning proving a clear day the Earl challenged Thomas as an Imposter he replied That Noon was not yet past about which time a Post came to inform the Earl of the King 's sudden Death and then said Thomas This is the Tempest I foretold and so it shall prove to Scotland as indeed it did Spotwood's Hist of Ch. of Scotland l. 2. p. 47. Clark's Mir. c. 101. p. 467. 3. Duncan King of Scots had two principal Men whom he employ'd in all Matters of Importance Mackbeth and Banquho these two travelling together thro' a Forest were met by three Witches Weirds as the Scots call them whereof the first making Obeysance unto Mackbeth saluted him Thane that is Earl of Glammis the second Thane of Cander and the third King of Scotland This is unequal Dealing said Banquho to give my Friend all the Honour and none unto me to which one of the Weirds made answer That he indeed should not be King but out of his Loyns should come a Race of Kings that should for ever rule the Scots And having thus said they all vanished Upon their Arrival to the Court Mackbeth was immediately created Thane of Glammis and not long after some new Service requiring new Recompence he was honour'd with the Title of Thane of Cander Seeing then how happily the Prediction of the three Weirds fell out in the two formea he resolved not to be wanting to himself in fulfilling the third He therefore first killed the King and after by reason of his Command amongst the Soldiers he succeeded in his Throne Being scarce warm in his Seat he called to Mind the Prediction given to his Companion Banquho whom hereupon suspecting as his Supplanter he caused to be killed together with his whole Posterity only Fleance one of his Sons escaping with no small difficulty into Wales freed as he thought of all Feat of Banquho and his Issue he built Dunsinan Castle and made it his ordinary Seat afterwards on some new Fears consulting with his Wizzards concerning his future Estate he was told by one of them that he should never be overcome till Bernane-Wood being some Miles distant came to Dunsinan-Castle and by another that he should never be slain by any Man which was born of a Woman Secure then as he thought from all future Dangers he omitted no kind of Libidinous Cruelty for the space of eighteen Years for so long he tyranniz'd over Scotland But having then made up the Measure of his Iniquities Mackduffe the Governour of Fife with some other good Patriots privily met one Evening at Bernane-Wood and taking every one a Bough in his Hand the better to keep them from Discovery marched early in the Morning towards Dunsinan-Castle which they took by Storm Mackbeth escaping was pursued by Mackduffe who having overtaken him urged him to the Combat to whom the Tyrant half in Scorn returned That in vain he attempted to kill him it being his Destiny never to be slain by any that was born of a Woman Now then said Mackduffe is the fatal end drawn fast upon thee for I was never born of a Woman but violently cut out of my Mother's Belly which so daunted the Tyrant tho' otherwise a Valiant Man that he was easily slain In the mean time Fleance so prosper'd in Wales that he gain'd the Affection of the Prince's Daughter of the Country and by her had a Son call'd Walter who flying Wales return'd into Scotland where his Descent known he was restored to the Honours and Lands of his House and preferr'd to be Steward of the House of Edgar the Son of Malcoline the Third sirnamed Conmer King of Scotland the name of Stewart growing hence hereditary unto his Posterity From this Walter descended that Robert Stewart who succeeded David Bruce in the Kingdom of Scotland the Progenitor of nine Kings of the Name of Stewart which have reigned successively in the Kingdom Heylin's Cosmogr pag. 336. 4. Walter Devereux Earl of Essex having wasted his Spirits with Grief fell into a Dysentery whereof he died after he had requested of such as stood by him that they would admonish
his Son who was then scarce ten Years of age that he should always propound and set before him the Thirty-sixth year of his Life as the utmost he should ever attain unto which neither he nor his Father had gone beyond and his Son never reach'd unto for Robert Devereux his Son and also Earl of Essex was beheaded in the Thirty-fourth year of his age So that his dying Father seemed not in vain to have Admonished him as he did but to speak by Divine Inspiration and Suggestion Cambd. Annal. rer Angl. Part 2. p. 277. 5. Philip de Mornay L. du Plessis was in Paris upon black St. Bartholomew's-Day when News was brought him that the Admiral was slain he leaped out of his Bed and whilst he was putting on his Cloaths he felt an extraordinary Motion in himself which caused him to say God will deliver me out of this danger and I shall live to see it revenged On the contrary Monsieur Rameny his Tutor presently answer'd And I shall die in it both which came to pass Clark's Examples Vol. 2. p. 552. 6. Mr. John Carter sometimes Minister of Belstead in Suffolk having long studied the Book of the Revelations some of his Friends ask'd him what he thought of the Future Estate of our Church here in England You shall not said he need to fear Fire and Faggot any more but such dreadful Divisions will be amongst God's People and Professors as will equalize the greatest Persecution Herein we have found him a true Prophet Ibid. 7. It may seem happily incredible to some to relate how many Years agon Dr. Vsher L. Primate of Ireland confidently foretold the Changes which since are come to pass both in Ireland and in England both in Church and State and of the Poverty which himself should fall into which he oft spoke of in his greatest Prosperity Some took much notice of the Text on which he preached in St. Maries in Cambridge Anno Christi 1625. Upon the late Coronation-Day out of 1 Sam. 12.25 If you still do wickedly you shall be consumed both you and your King Others of the last Text he preached on at Court immediately before his Return into Ireland on 1 Cor. 14.33 God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace as in all the Churches of the Saints IN his application he spake of the Confusions and Divisions which he was confident were then at the Doors Ibid. 8. A. C. 1624. He spake before many Witnesses and oft repeated it afterwards that he was perswaded that the greatest stroke to the Reformed Churches was yet to come And that the time of the utter Ruin of the Roman Antichrist should be when he thought himself most secure according to that Text Rev. 18.7 When she shall say I sit as a Queen and shall see no Sorrow c. Ibid. 9. When in the Reign of Queen Mary Dr. Sands was forced to fly out of England he was oonvey'd to the House of one Mower a Master of a Ship at Milton-Shoarâ— and and when the Wind served he took his leave of his Landlord and Landlady who had been married eight Years and had no Child and when he took his Leave of the Woman he thank'd her kindly for his Entertainment and gave her his Handkercheif with an old Royal of Gold in it saying Be of good Comfort e're an Year be past God will give you a Son and it came to pass according For when there lacked but one day of a Twelvemonth she was brought to Bed of a fair Son Ibid. 10. A. C. 1601. Popery much increasing in Ireland and there being too much connivance at them Dr. Vsher preaching before the State at Christ-Church in Dublin gave them his Sence about that Toleration boldly applying that Passage in the Vision of Ezek. ch 4.6 Where the Prophet by lying on his Side was to bear the Iniquity of Judah Forty Days each Day being appointed for a Year signifying the time of Forty Years to the Destruction of Jerusalem whereupon he added From this Year will I reckon the Sin of Ireland that those whom you now embrace shall be your Ruin and you shall bear this Iniquity which accordingly came to pass at the end of the Forty Years viz. A. C. 1641. in the late Rebellion and Massacre in Ireland affected by those Papists that were then connived at See his Life in Dr. Bernard 11. About the Year 1544. There was in Scotland one Mr. George Wiseheart a Man of Admirable Graces and singularly Learned who first Preached in Ross then in Dundee where to the great Admiration of his hearers he went over the Epistle to the Romans till at the Instigation of the Cardinal one Robert Misle a chief Man in that Town inhibited him from Preaching and required that he should trouble their Town no more for he would not suffer it And this was spoken in the Publick Congregation Whereupon Mr. Whiseheart musing a space with his Eyes lift up to Heaven after a while looking sorrowfully upon the Speaker and People he said God is my Witness that I minded never your trouble but your comsort Yea your trouble is to me more dolorous than it is to your selves But I am assured that to refuse Gods word and to chase from you his Messenger shall not preserve you from trouble but shall bring you into it For God shall send unto you Ministers that shall neither fear Burning nor Banishment I have offered you the Word of Salvation with the hazard of my Life And now ye your selves refuse me and I must leave mine innocency to be declared by my God If it be long prosperous with you I am not led by the Spirit of Truth but if unlooked for troubles come upon you acknowledge the cause and turn to God who is Gracious and Merciful and if you turn not at the first warning he will visit you with Fire and Sword And so he came down from the Pulpit and went out of the Town And whilst he was Preaching up and down in the Countreys News was brought him that the Plague was broken out in Dundee which begun in four days after he was prohibited Preaching there and raged so extreamly that it 's almost beyond credit how many dyed in twenty four hours space c. The Cardinal very eagerly sought Mr. Wisehearts Death and for that end caused a Letter to be sent unto him as if it had been from his familiar Friend the Laird of Kinnur desiring him with all possible speed to come unto him for that he was taken with a sudden Sickness In the mean time he had provided Sixty Men Armed to lye in wait by the way to Murther him The Letter being brought unto him by a Boy who also brought him an Horse to ride on Accompanied with some honest Men his Friends he set forwards on his Journey But as he was riding stopping on a sudden and musing a while he turned back and said to his Friends I will not go I am forbidden of