wonderfull to be related befell him averring and confirming the truth thereof by many sufficient testimonials viz that when he lodg'd at Neapolis with his kinsman and acquaintance at mid-night I heard one crying and calling for help when I had lighted a candle I ran to him to know what the matter was and there I beheld the Devill and one of his Furies laying violent hands upon a youth in the road-way crying out and strugling with them he poor man run to him when he came neer him and gat good hold on his doublet and hand and along time pulling and tugging with them to no purpose at last he cal'd upon God for help with much ado he set him at liberty When he had entertained this young man at his home which was much troubled in mind he had not power to go from him For he was so timerous and horribly affrighted that he knew not what he did believing alwaies he saw that spectral before him In fine when he came to himself he told the whole story from the begining how it was He was one of a perverse and wicked conversation a despiser of God and disobedient to his Parents whom he had at that time reviled railed against and contumeliously reproached When they blessed him he went from them most direfully cursing THomas Monachus a good man of whose honesty and fidelity I have large experience told me seriously when he was in a Monastery and Cloysters in the Mountain of Lucania he discoursed with many and after many hard speeches and brablings being troubled in mind he went alone by himself through the woods where he met one in the shape of a man of a grim look an ugly and cruel aspect a black beard a long coat Who being asked why he stragled alone out of the way answered that he had lost his horse which he used to ride upon and he thought he was strayed into the next fields and when through many windings and turnings they went together to look this horse they came to a River in the Channell whereof were many obscure and dangerous gulphs Whereupon Monachus that he might the better passe over pul'd off his shooes the other was very earnest with him to get upon his shoulders and he would carry him over He yielding his assent gat fast about the others neck that went into the Foord and espying his feet not to be like other mens but of a foul and ugly shape Taking notice thereof he was terribly affrighted and cal'd upon Providence for help which when he heard he said presently that ugly vision vanisht quite away with a querulous noise and so strong a whirl-wind that it blew up an Oak not far from thence by the roots not breaking the boughs but he was in such an amaze that he lay all along a long time as 't were without a Soul and unlesse he had foreseen it he was perswaded that this devill would have cast him headlong into the deepest gulphs of this River BUt of all that ever I heard or saw that was the most remarkable which of late most certainly happened at Rome when amongst the Gabii a certain desperate youth of mean descent ill-bred and of a wicked life had upbraided taunted and defamed his father and being therefore tost and troubled with these furies he calls on the Devill to whom he had devoted himself and thinks to go to Rome to plot some wicked design against his father In his journey he meets the Devill like some sowre lookt fellow of an uncompt beard and locks and an old decayed vesture who keeping him company demands of him the cause of his sadnesse and trouble he replyed that his father and he had some words but he had resolved a wicked design on him To whom the Devill answered that he should have the same fortune and he would proceed to vindicate his quarrels Night approaching they come to a City they turn into the first Inne they come at and together they lay the one being fast asleep the other awake was saying his prayers Whereupon that most ugly Diabolicall fury brake forth the chamber with such might noise and violence that he pul'd down the rafters top of the house and brake all the Tyles This young man being affrighted and almost kill'd at this sight repented him of his forepast life and vitious course endewed now with another spirit leading the remainder of his life afar off and was a good example Haec ille WHen Alexander the Lawyer of the City Naples lay sick in his bed at Rome he saw plainly before him as he was awake the species of a woman of an excellent beauty which when he looked upon a long while musing saying nothing and bethinking himself he might be deceived But when he perceived his senses to be fresh and lively and that the shape never stirred from him askt her who she was she smiling a little and answering what he had said as though she intended to mock him having a long time beheld him went away Alexander lib. 2. cap. 9. THe spirits which go to and fro in houses are either harmlesse or fierce and cruel ones the harmlesse may be termed Lares which at midnight chiefly haunt houses and seem by some kind of noise to do something when as indeed they do nothing Wierus writes that when he was a child those which are called Lares were often heard in the dwellings of his progenitors which the day before they came to them the Merchants buying Hops used to imitate the sound and noise of bags roll'd down the stairs by which trick his father gain'd much it being alwaies a fortunate and true omen To these were like those which the Germans call Guteli from the good they do especially to them that watch and look to cattle seldome appearing to any other And not differing from those they call Trullae who in a counterfeit habit as well womans as mans in many other nations but chiefly among the Suionae Now they which are cruell and tormenting spirits are called Larvae which every way affright and disturb the whole Family IN the mettal-mines both kinds are to be found Teste Georgio Agricola libro de animantibus subterraneis And the fierce ones indeed or they which are terrible to look upon most commonly molest and are obnoxious to the mettal-men Such an one was Annaebergius that Hobgoblin which killed twelve labourers or more at a blast in the Cave that is called Corona Rosacea left by that name although it abounded with Silver this puffe came forth by opening his mouth when he appeared like a horse having a long neck and horrible eyes Such another was also Schnecbergius that Ghost clad in a black hood who in the Mine named Georgian scituated one of the workmen which he took from the ground in the top of that concavity which heretofore was fertile of silver crushing together his body Judaeus was by one of these spirits forc't from a very commodious Mine among the Turcae which
Aeacides assists the Greeks fighting against Xerxes at Salamin 54 A naked child placed before an army in battle aray 55 Two unknown young men assisted the Locrensians against the people of Sibaris leading their army upon milk-white Horses and subduing their Enemies 56 Mercury when a youth leading some striplings chased the Eubaeans 57 Castor and Pollux appeared champions for the Roman party 58 Mars was propitious to the Romans 59 Bacchus's feasts solemnized at Empusa or Oâ—acle an evill Ghost sent by Hecate to them that are in distresse 60 In Lybia shapes of several living creatures 61 The Orthomei their report of a Goblin 62 Parnassus a Hill in Boeotia 63 Gellus his maid who dying young her Ghost walks at Lesbos 64 Temissaeus his Ghost 65 The Isle of Aega troubled with Phantasms 66 Spirits appeared at the death of Caligula 67 Nero after murthering his Mother troubled with her Ghost 68 Otho the Emperour troubled with Galba his Ghost 69 A Diabolicall spirit appearing in the likenesse of a wild Boar. 70 Hobgoblins driven away from haunting of a place by the Sacrament and prayers 71 The Devill appearing in the shape of an Angell to a Monk 72 A demoniall spirit driven away by devout Prayers and holy-water 73 Prodigious and wonderfull sights of divers kinds 74 At New-Castle in the coasts of Finlandia one in the night appears playing upon an Harp before the death of any Souldier 75 In Ilandia an Island under the Artick Pole a promontory like the Hill Aetna 76 Night-Ghosts representing an Army in a hostile manner 77 In Cracoviensis a spatious lake disturbed by Evill spirits 78 A Priest troubled with the Incubus or Mare 79 Alexander his dead friend came to bed to him 80 Gordian and his comrades saw fearfull sights as they went to the City Arezzo 81 A Devill seized upon one who had been a despiser of God and disobedient to his Parents but was driven from him by calling upon God 82 The Devils appearing to Thomas Monachus in the shape of a Man 83 The Devill appeared to a wicked young fellow who upbraided defamed and taunted his father 84 A spectrall in the form of a beautiful Woman 85 The harmlesse spirits called Lares the cruel Larvae 86 Mettal-mines frequented with both kinds of spirits 87 A tall Woman of a most dreadfull countenance seen in the Ayre before a Massacre at Antioch 88 A Prisoner agreed with the Devill to be delivered out of Prison and view Hell 89 One in form of a child breaking out of the ground spoke as wisely as a Senatour to a Ploughman 90 The Devill in the shape of a tall Woman appeared to Drusus made Consull and warring by the name of Augustus Caesar 91 An Hobgoblin leaping and skipping before Dunstan an English Abbot 92 The overthrow of the Sicilians made known to shepheards by the speaking of Spirits to one another in the night 93 An Hermophrodite born at Aetolia 94 Pompeius Galienus the stoutest man of Caesars army 95 Castor and Pollux appear in the shape of two young gallants 96 The Devill transformed into an Angel of light appeared to Rathbodus commander of Frisia 97 Valentinius the Arrian Bishop his dead Corps dragged out of the Temple by evill spirits 98 A Monk adjures by vertue of the holy and undivided Trinity spirits appearing like troops of armed men to tell what they were 99 A Ghost appeared to Cicero his Nurse 100 The Prognosticks of the death of the Emperour Annius Tacitus 101 Constantius the Emperour his strange visions 102 Marcellus the Bishop by earnest prayer repelled the Magick of the Devill 103 An innumerable company of spectralls amongst the Pilappii 104 A noble Gentleman of Bavaria grieved for the death of his Wife she appeared to him 105 Bruno Bishop of Herbipolis his Vision before his sudden death 106 The Devill in shape of a Monk walks in the Mountains of Bohemia 107 A Fisherman taking a Sea-Monster of the shape of a beautifull woman married her and had a child by her 108 A Satanical phantasm by the Devil in form of an Hare in the sight of Luther 109 Martin Luther his tale at a Supper 110 The bodies of dead men entred by Devils 111 An innocent Fool brought an Infant safe out of the company of a multitude of Devils 112 A Bird melodiously singing adjured in the name of Christ confesseth herself a spirit 113 Two noble men long before dead appeared to Nicolaus Amsdorffius Bishop of Ciz when he was a Priest at Maidenburg 114 In the year 1545. an evill spirit stragled about the City Rotwill 115 The Devill comes in shape of a man desiring a Priest to take his confession 116 The Devill appearing to a good old man upon his death-bed was driven away by a Text of Scripture 117 A Doctour of Divinity of Lower-Germany caught up by the Devill on horsback then into the Ayre whence he was cast down 118 In the lower Germany a Monster of the bignesse of a man formed like a Dog 119 The Devill in form of a servant waits upon a nobleman who lived by plundering 120 Luther's relation of certain Monks their imploying the Devill in the Kitchin of their Monastery 121 Crescentius the Popes Nuncio in the Councill of Trent his Vision 122 Spectralls after the death of a rich Epicure at Haberstade 123 In the year 1559. in Marhia appeared spirits in form of men without heads reaping corn 124 A notable Vision near Spira in the year 1530 on the 18th 19th and 20th of July 125 Magdalena Crucia Hispania of the chief City of all Corduba Boetica married her self to the Devill whereby she performed wonders 127 The Devill appeared to a Clown to help him perform his Lords unreasonable command 128 The dead Husband of a Kins-woman to Phillip Melancthon appeared to her 129 In the year 1555. a Spectrum appeared at Brunsviga in the Village of Gehern 130 Stephen Hubener a rich Citizen of Trawtenaw in Bohemia his body after death entred into by the Devill 131 The Devill in likenesse of a man enticing many children stole them away from Hammel 132 The Devill appearing pretending himself the spirit of a deceased man 133 The Devill appearing in form of a dead man and his appearing to a maid seeking commerce with her 134 A maid possessed by the devill Prophesyeth 135 A man troubled with the Worms spoke Dutch a language utterly unknown to him whereof being cured by a Physitian he was not able to speak a word of that language 136 Exorcisms for the dispossessing of the devill 137 The devill speaks in a Maid possest 138 In the Wildernesse of Tingut the voyces of devils are heard 139 The devill speaks out of a Crow 140 The devil disputed with Hieronymus Cardanus 141 The devill out of a Crow predicted things to come 142 A most certain argument to detect one possessed 143 In the time of Agyropolis Emperour of Rome a miserable dolefull noise was heard at the bottome of the Fountain Curena 144 Calligraphus
Jesus and their utter rout and ruine thereby Then the Conjurer reproved Julianus for being so timorous But Julianus highly admiring the power and vertue of the Crosse clear'd his mind of the conceit of running after wisards by this consideration That the Devils would never have fled at the sign of the Crosse did they not perfectly hate that action Theodoretus lib. 3. c. 3. Sozomenus lib. 5. cap. 2. A Certain Mediolanensian Boor as he returned homewards from his labour about three hours within night saw a Goblin or Spirit follow him and when he endeavoured to out-run it make he what use he could of his heels the spectral fetch 't him up and at last threw him to the ground when he endeavoured to cry out but could not At length when he had lain long on the Earth all roll'd in mud and dirt he was found by some who passed by that way and carried home half dead and at the end of eight dayes gave up the Ghost Cardanus de Subtilitate A Certain Lacedemonian having brought the Philosopher Plato out of Sicily sold him off to Aegina by the command of the Tyrant Dionysius But in regard it was a capital crime for an Athenian to come to Aegina he was called in question for his life by one Comandrus but the necessity of the matter being taken into consideration he was sold away for twenty pounds to one Aniceris of Cyrenia and by him afterwards made free Afterwards the City was taken by Cabria and this Comandrus drowned in the Hellespont who was told before his death by an apparition that this hard fortune befel him for the hard measure the Philosopher had received Laertius lib. 3. SOzomenus in the 28th chap. of his 6th Book tells us that one Apelles a Monk about Achoris in some of the Monasteries of Egypt did many strange things and whilst upon a certain time he was busie at some Smithy-work he had in hand there appeared to him a most beautiful and adorned lady tempting him to lust whereat he snatch't a hot Iron from the fire and ran it into the face of the lustfull Succubus who vanished with a hideous cry at the hurt he had given her DAtius Bishop of Mediolana when for the profession of his Faith he was put from his place as he went towards Constantinople he put in at Corinth and there for want of better accommodation he was forc't to take up with lodgings haunted with evill spirits and at midnight when the Devils began to bray bleat houl and roar about the house like Lions and other beasts the Good Bishop rose and thus expostulated with those fiends or their head Most wicked Pluto thou who saidst I will establish my seat in the North and will become like unto the most High behold for thy pride thou art become like unto Swine and Asses because thou deniedst obedience to thy Maker The Devils at his speech were so confounded they left haunting that house for the future Gregor Turonensis lib. 3. Dialog cap. 4. PHlegon Trallianus a Manumisse of the Emperour Adrian in his Book de Mirabilibus et Longaevis i. e. of Wonders and Antiquities relates a History which if you will take his private authority he avers he was well-acquainted with it being in a certain City where he was The Story is this Philinnium the daughter of Damostrates the Inn-keeper and Charitus fell in Love with one Machates one of her Fathers lodgers which her Parents very much misliking she broak her heart with grief and was buried with publick solemnity Six Moneths after when Machates was come thither again Philinnium came to him and lay with him received a gilded Cup and an Iron Ring which he gave her and likewise bestowed a Gold Ring and a Breast-cloth upon Machates and so departed The Nurse saw the Spectral and declared the businesse to her Parents who the next day came and found their daughter with their Guest whom they embraced with most passionate acclamations whilst she spake to them in this manner O Father and Mother how unjustly do you envy me the happinesse of being two or three dayes in your house with this your Guest without doing any evill at all ah you will again bewail your curiosity in your choice for me when I am gone from him to my appointed station for alas I am here but by permission and the special licence of the Gods When she had thus uttered her mind she was instantly a dead corps again and when they had carried her publickly to be seen they declared the whole story to all that came flocking into the Theater The grave was found open and nothing therein but the Iron Ring and the gilded Cup. The Corps by the advice of Hillus the South-sayer was buried beyond the lines of the City Machates through grief became the actor of his own Trajedy HIeronymus in his lives of the Fathers tells of a certain Monk who was enticed to most foul and lustfull embraces by a Devill in the shape of a most amiable Woman who when to propagate their lust she bended forward her members towards him seemed like a Mare or Mule or some bruit creature And when he endeavoured to accomplish carnall copulation she making an ugly howling noise like a spirit as she was and a Phantasm vanish't from between his hands as he embraced her and left him wretched man miserably deluded Vierus l. 2. c. 46. De Praestigiis Daemonum IT is storied by Vincentius in the third Book of his Histories that there was in Sicily under the King Rogerius a young man of good courage and very skilfull in swimming who about twilight in a Moon-shine evening was washing himself in the Sea and a woman swimming after him caught him by the hair as if it had been some of his fellowes that intended to drown him He spake to her but could not get a word from her whereupon he took her under his cloak and brought her home and afterward married her On a time one of his fellows upbraiding him told him he had hugg'd a phantasm he being horribly affrighted drew his sword and threatned his Wife that he would murther his son which he had by her if she would not speak and make her originall known Alas poor wretch saith she thou undoest a commodious Wife in forcing me to speak I should have continued with thee and should have been beneficiall to thee if thou hadst let me alone with my commanded silence But now thou shalt never see me more And immediately she vanish'd But the Child grew up and much frequented the Sea In fine on a certain day this phantasm meeting him in those waters carried him away in the presence of many people IN a Country called Marra there was a very gallant and handsome young Lady that had refused many in marriage and most wickedly kept company with an evil spirit by the Greeks termed Cacodaemon who being with child by him and by her Parents severity constrained to tell the father
endeavoured to raise up Jupiter Elicius was struck with lightning when the Palace took fire Tussia a vestall Virgin being accused of incest at Rome that she might be cleared of it and her innocency and chastity might be discovered by her prayers she drew water with a sieve in the 609 year after the City was burnt Plinius lib. 28. cap. 2. ARmiplus an Egyptian Magitian in that War which the Romans had with the Quadi when there was a cruell skirmish and battel and the victory hanging in Aequilibrio they did not know who should get the battle by his magical Arts and Inchantments called upon that Mercury who dwells in the Airy Region and other spirits and begged of these a great deal of pouring rain and thereby did so affright the Quadi that the Romans got the Victory Dion Niceus in Antonino Suidas Some attribute this to Julian the Chaldean THere was in old times a Northern people called Finni that in times past did sell winds to Merchants offering them three knots twisted by magicall cunning the first knot being opened they should have gentle winds and soft gales the second bâ—ing untwined they were to have somewhat more vehement winds and the third knot being loosed they should have tempestuous winds and storms Olaus lib. 3. cap. 16. ex Sax. Grammat IN the year of our Lord 1462. Ferdinand the King of the Neapolitans did besiege very closely the Marcos Town being subjected under the Tower or Castle of the Draconian Mountain scituated near the entrance of the Massick Mountains and by reason of the scarcity and want of water he almost compell'd them to yield and surrender themselves When the wicked Priests durst by their conjurations cause great showers for there were found in the Townesmen who were besieged who in the night-time deceiving the Castles Watches thievously stole to the shore through rough and hard rocks bringing with them the Image of Christ crucified on the Crosse first with imprecations cursing it and prosecuting it with Magicall Verses afterwards they fall into a frenzy calling upon Heaven Earth and Sea for a Tempest At what time these Priests the wickedest and blasphemousest of all mankind studied by their prophane arts to please the Souldiers persisting in their wicked rites and ceremonies by which means as it is reported they procured rain and an Asse being set before the dores of their house and they sung an Elegy as though he were troubled in mind Afterward the Sacrament was thrown into his mouth the Asse making great moan and lamenting as though with funeral songs at length they buried him quick before the dores of the Temple But the rite or ceremony being scarce finished the Sky began to be clouded and the Sea was begun also to be tempestuous and the splendour of the noon-day was eclipsed with darknesse and now the Heavens began to shine with their flashing fiery lightning then all other light was obscured Heaven and Earth trembled with thunder and Earthquakes the poles of the Earth were aguish the Trees that were eradicated and plucked up by the roots they were blown about in the whirl-winds the rocks that were cloven with lightning filled the Ayre with clamorous noises and there came such a deluge by this rain and storms that the Cisterns and Conduits were not able to contain it but the parched stones and scorched Rocks did diffuse and spread about every where those showers torrents and Rivers which the storm brought so that the King whose onely hope was to get the Town by want of rain was frustrated of his purpose and returned to his old Castles at Savonta Pontanus lib. 9. belli Neapolitani NEar Elton Pagum a little mile from Embrica placed in the Dutchesse of Clivensis near the high way about forty two years since there was a spirit that vexed travellers after divers fashions beating them throwing them from their horses and overthrowing Waggons neither was there ever any thing seen but the picture of a hand they called it Eckerken the Neighbours thereabout did attribute this wickednesse to the conjuration of a Witch Wherefore a hand was sacrificed to a Sybill Woman named Puiscops who by right was a servant to the Earl of Montensis and at the last the hand being burnt the grievance ceased Vierius lib. 5. cap. 2. de praestig Daemon PElopsin an Olympick charriotter got some spell or inchantment of Amphion that the horses in that very plain might alwayes be troubled with an unaccustomed fury and terrour Pausanias lib. 6. PYthagoras called a very cruel savage Bear of a great bignesse who struck those that looked on him with fear and fed and nourished him with himself he once with a low voice as though he were Conjuring in muttering and whispering words he charged him that he should hurt no living creatures after that the Bear going away went into the Woods and gathering her Whelps together and with much faithfulnesse she which is very rare in men did perform that she was sworn to Perhaps from hence said Augustine came Pythagoricall nercomancy by the numbers of Letters and by the Moon And it is certainly reported that Pythagoras saw an Oxe near Tarentum spoiling the Fabacian Corn with his eating as also by the trampling of his feet as the Neatherd told him he counselled the Oxe to spare the Corn. The Neatherds wife laughing I saith she have not learnt Oxe-language but thou seemest to be verst in that kind of learning and therefore take my place presently Pythagoras bending himself to its ears whispered some Magical words into them and that which is to be admired at the most obedient Oxe being willing to be taught of oâ—e that was wiser then himself not onely gave over tearing the Corn then but abstained from eating corn of that sort afterwards and also was freed from his Neatherd and was turned from a country rustical swain to a Citizen-peripatetick and waxed old at Tarentum and was fed by mens hands Caelius lib. 19. cap. 1. A. L. Plutarchus in vita Numae The same Pythagoras as Aristotle saith killed a Serpent in Etruria by biting who destroyed others by biting Apollonius in Mirabil Historiis APollonius Tyaneus going from Rome to Byazntium by the Citizens leave did expell out of that City a great company of Serpents and Scorpions lest they should hurt any one and did quell and represse the intemperate neighing of horses at the Randevouz of Princes The same thing was requested of him when he came to Antioch for when the Antiochians were vexed by Scorpions and gnats he made a brazen Serpent and put it upon a pillar erected on the earth he commanded the people to carry reeds in their hands and run about the City striking and lashing with their reeds and to cry out Let the City be free from gnats And by that means the Serpents and gnats were driven out of the City Cedrenus IN the bigger India there is a Province called Maabas famous for pretious stones and pearls for that Sea being very
of it answered that she knew not where she was that a very fair young man did oftentimes meet her by night and sometimes by day Her parents though giving small credence to their daughter yet earnestly desiring to know the truth who it was that had perswaded and enticed their daughter to this lewdnesse within three dayes after the damosel having given them notice thereof that he which ravish'd her was with her having therefore unlock'd the doors and set up a great light coming into the Chamber they saw an ugly foul Monster of such a fearfull hue as no man can believe in their daughters arms Very many that were sent for came in all haste to this unseemly object Among whom a Priest of an approved life and well disciplin'd all the rest being scared away and amaz'd when repeating the beginning of St. John's Gospel he came to that place The Word was made Flesh the evil Genius with an horrible outery goes away carrying the roof of the house away with him and set all the furniture on fire The woman being preserved from peril was 3. dayes after brought to bed of a most deformed Monster such as no man as they say ever saw which the Midwives to prevent the infamy and disgrace of that family heaping up a great pile of wood did instantly burn to ashes Hector Boethus libr. 8. hist Scotorum THe same Boethus relates another story in the same place In the year of our Lord God 1536. as they were sailing from an arm of the Sea called Phortea to traffique into Flanders there arose such a violent wind that the sayls mast tacklings and all were broken and the ship also was toss'd up and down the swelling waves that every body concluded they must certainly perish The master of the ship admiring at that season so huge and unaccustomed churlishnesse of the Heavens for it was about the Summer-Solstice when with loud cryes they did not attribute it to the Stars but to the wiles of some evil Devils they heard a voyce from the lower part of the ship of a woman miserably complaining of her self that some hee-Devil in the form of a man with whom she had many years accompanied with was at that time with her and forc'd her she would therefore yield her to the mercy of the Sea that if she perished who was the cause of so great and imminent danger all the rest by the goodnesse of God might escape safe A Priest coming to the woman bewailing her self to counsel her for her own salvation and them that were with her did piously exhort her now openly confessing and acknowledging her fault earnestly detesting that abominable wickednesse and repenting the fact from the bottom of her heart with sighs expressing the same that nothing should be wanting on her part and he knew God would be propitious to her c. In the midst of the Priests exhortation when the perplexed woman with many sighs and groans was deploring that hainous crime she had committed all that were by saw a black Cloud come forth out from the pump of the Ship and with a great noise fire smoak and ill savour descended into the Sea Then was it fair weather and the Sea calm and the Merchants went to their desired haven with their Ship and nothing lost FRanciscus Mirandula makes mention in his writings that he knew one Berna call'd Benedictus a Priest 75. years old who had lain above 40. years with a familiar spirit for his Bed-fellow in the shape of a woman it came into the market with him he conversed with it insomuch that all the standers by seeing nothing took him for a Fool. He called her Hermelina as if she were a woman I knew also saith he another whose name was Pinnetus who was above 80 years old he did use the sports of Venus more then 40 years with another spirit which appear'd like a woman and call'd her name Florina Utramque historiam Cardanus recitat lib. 15. cap. 80. de varietate rerum JAcobus Ruffus writes in the fifth Book the sixt Chapter of the conception of men that in our time Magdalena a Citizens Maid-servant was ravished by a foul spirit and then took her leave on her repenting by the order of the Ministers of the Church after which she felt such cruel torments and pangs in her belly that she thought every hour almost that she should be delivered of a child then came forth out of her womb iron nails wood pieces of glasse hair wooll stones bones iron and many such like A Certain Merchants Wife about 6 or 7. miles from Wittemberg in the way to Silesia when her husband was away by reason of his merchandizing abroad was wont to entertain one Concubine or another It so fell out that her husband going forth one of her Paramouts came in the night time and when he had made himself spruce and satisfied his lust as it seemed in the morning like a Magpie sitting on the buttery he bade his Concubine farewell in these words This was your Lover and before he had done speaking he vanished out of sight and never came more BEnedictus the 8th by his Country a Thuscane by the Magick of Theophylact his Nephew who had been the Scholer of Sylvester the second long since Pope came to be Pope He was head of the Church 11. years After his death he appear'd to a Bishop which he in his life-time commonly made use of sitting upon a black horse much lamenting and complaining of the torments of the damned and charging me to warn his Brother John the 11th to bestow that gold on the poor which he had formerly buried under ground whereby he was in hopes to be freed THeophylact Nephew by his Brother Aldericus of the two Popes Benedict and John came to that dignity by his Magick wherein he was alway accounted famous He call'd himself Benedict the 9th He continued so by times ten years He was at last strangled in a Wood by one of those spirits with whose familiar he was wont to converse Benno Historians report among whom are Martinus Polonus and Petrus Damianus that Benedict was by a Hermite seen near the Mill of a terrible shape for in his body he was like a Bear in his head and tayl like an Asse And when he was asked How he came to be so metamorphosed 't is reported he made this answer I wander up and down in this shape now because when I was Pope I lived as void of reason and conscience without law and without God and have defiled the chair of Rome with all manner of vilenesse ST Martin Bishop of Yours in France when hard by his Monastery an unknown Martyr's bones were by the vulgar superstitiously worshipped that he might not by his authority corroborate their superstition took one day with him some of his brethren and to the place he goes where calling upon God he supplicates him to manifest and clear the truth thereof unto him On his left hand
confessed that he was haunted with his Mother's ghost and beaten with furies The Magicians preparing a sacrifice he attempted to call upon and intreat the Gods In the pilgrimage to Greece he did not dare to appear at the solemnities of the Eleusinians because at the beginning of them the wicked and prophane were summoned by the call of the Cryen Suetonius OTho the Emperour when Galba was slain beginning his reign with tortures and terrours the first night was so troublesome and grievous to him that not sleeping on a sudden being horribly affrighted he groaned heavily and was found by them which went to his chamber lying on the floor Whereupon he endeavoured to pacifie and asswage Galba his ghosts by whom he thought he was troubled and disturbed The next day devising what to do a great tempest arose he falling down ever and anon mutter'd and mumbled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Suetonius ZOnaras relateth out of Thracesius Isaacius Comnenus the Empeâ—our hunting about Neapolis saw a wild boar of a fearfull aspect which loosening his horses reins he follow'd as fast as he could plunging into the Sea it vanished some judged it not to be a Boar but some Diabolical spirit In this interim a sudden brightnesse like lightning so dazled the Emperour that striking his horse for fear and foaming at the mouth he was laid all along on the ground in an amaze and from thence was carried in a fishers boat into the Kings Palace he afterwards betook himself to a Monastery Zonaras IT is reported by Augustinus that the Tribune Hesperius had a plat of ground in the territory Fusalensis which was sorely haunted by evill spirits so that the servants and brute beasts were grievously tormented being therefore necessitated by this Domestick misery he went to the Elders of the Church and requested that some of them would vouchsafe to read prayers there One of them went his way thither and prayed fervently and zealously he also administred the Lords Supper there and immediately that vexatious crew of hobgoblins gave over coming Libro de civitate Dei vigesimo 2. capite 8. SEverus Sulpitius writes in the life of Martin his first book and likewise in Clemens his life That a certain Monk an hermit whose father lived hard by him who not loving his son carryed a hatchet with him wherewith he cut down trees to carry home as he returned Upon which the Devill in the shape of an Angell appeared to this Monk then in the form of his Father he was coming to him with a hatchet to kill him telling him and averring he came to that end and purpose an Hermit advising him to prevent his intent and resolution and rather first to kill him then be killed by him Thinking therefore his father comming towards him and saluting him to be the Devill presently killed him and on the other side the Devill instantly throtles the Monk UNder the Emperour Ludovicus the 3d the City Moguntia was miserably haunted with a daemoniall spirit There is in Germany and in the third part of Gallia a little from the town Bingus where the River Navas and Rhene meet a country town commonly called by the name of Camontus quasi caput montium the highest mountain There in the year 858. a stragling fugitive spirit did many strange miracles and plaid many jugling tricks so that he was a great vexation and trouble to the Inhabitants First he was a deadly dangerous ghost which none could see throwing stones at men and knocking at their dores Anon in the shape of a most pestilent and wicked genius lying lurking in corners and Prophecying discovering robberies most infamously branding all manner of delicts and stirring up strife and contention among them By degrees he burnt down their barns and small cottages to one he was more vexatious haunting him wheresoever he went and at last set his house on fire And that he might incense all the neighbourhood against this innocent man to put him to death this abominable forger of lies bragg'd up and down 'T was for his impieties that this place was so infamous and execrable He was made to stand all night in the cold for their night hobgoblin by force kept this good man from his house He to satisfie his neighbours carried a hot Iron in his hand and receiving no hurt thereby he approved himself guiltlesse yet neverthelesse his corn being cock't up in the fields This wicked and forlorn creature burnt down his dwelling house And when he persisted daily more and more spightfull the Townesmen bring the cause before their Governour or Bishop The Priests were to purifie and expiate their fields and Town with holy and devout prayers and holy water This wicked and disturbed spirit at first was opposite and stubborn wounding some with stones but being inchanted with divine hymnes and by prevalent prayers conjured was at last bush't and was never after seen When these were gone came another turbulent Ghost and saith While those bald Priests mumbled over and over I know not what I hid my self under one of their surplisses and heard him by name to take notice of him who the night before through my perswasion lay with his hosts daughter When this relation was done making a great howling the Ghost departed from those quarters and vanished up into the Ayre Sigerbertus Chron. Hirsaug Antoninus Aâ—entinus lib. 4. IN the Northern parts there were night-walkers that used to enclose and strangely to disturb the field-keepers looking to their charge with prodigious and wonderfull sights of divers kinds the inhabitants thereabouts cal'd this nightly sports of Monsters The Elves-daunce of whom this is their opinion that their Souls who were inclin'd to carnall pleasures and delights being once parted from the body rove up and down the world Amongst the number of which they reckon them to be which yet in this our age do apply themselves in mans shape to the services of men taking pains by night and looking to their horses and flocks you may see the footsteps verily sometimes in the grasse in a dewy morning but sometimes they are utterly consumed Olaus Magnus libro 3. cap. 11. Septentrional gentium THere is a Castle in the coasts of Finlandia under the same dominion of Suâ—cia 't is called the New-Castle because built with admirable and rare workmanship insomuch that 't is doubted whether by Nature or Art For 't is scituated on a round mountain having onely one ingresse and another egresse on the West This by a great piece of Timber fastned with great Iron chains which by strong labour every day by the help of some pulleys by reason of the impetuous waters is in the night time attracted by the keepers to one side of the river By this castle runs an immense and vast River of an unknown profundity coming out from a white pool which is caused by a piece of ground of a black colour especially in the mote about this Tower that hath and engenders fishes all black and yet of
often appeared to them like a Goat having Golden horns But some of the Germans and likewise the Greeks call the quiet and gentle spirits Cobalos in that they are imitatours of men for they shew themselves merry they laugh and seem to do many things when they are doing nothing at all Others call them Small men of the mountains because they appear as dwarfs 3. spans long They seem to be drowsy dotards habited like the mettal-men These are inoffensive to them although sometimes perhaps they may provoke the workmen with throwing gravell but they never hurt them unlesse by jeering or railing they provoke them They are chiefly seen to work or haunt those Caves out of which mettals may be digged or at least-wise they hope so Therefore these labourers are not frighted from their work but hereby promising themselves good successe they are more chearfull and work more eagerly wishing for them THeodosius the Emperour having spent and exhausted his treasure by continual Wars imposed a new subsidy upon his Cities onely the city Antioch refused to make paiment of it and not onely so but having made a mutiny the people in a contumelious manner drew up and down the City the Image of Placella the Empresse though already dead fitting and fastning a rope to her feet Which villanous act the Emperour as well he might took so hainously that unlesse being perswaded by the intreaties of D. Flavianus the Bishop and the authority of D. Ambrosius he had bin bound by oath to determine nothing against offenders till the 13th day was over he had made there also a great Massacre among them as he had done at Thessalonica Nicephorus lib. 12. cap. 42. 'T is reported that night before this mutiny a tall woman was seen in the Ayre huge and very great of a most dreadfull and fearfull countenance which running through the streets of the City in the Ayre beat the Ayre with her fan making such a noise as they used to do which in dark places excite beasts to rage Idem lib. 9. cap. 42. AMong the Italians there was a Governour of a City which most proudly and covetously domineer'd over his Citizens and by his high words and fierce deeds was wont to punish his subjects in a slavish manner though they did those things he commanded and performed them well yet for small causes did he torment or fine them By chance a good honest fellow though of small substance poor and despicable did so beat his Lord and Masters greyhound whereof he was wonderfully carefull that he thought for it he should be put to death When the Governour understood it being very angry and with a stern and menacing countenance grievously chiding him commanded him to be cast into a most base prison and there being fast bound was kept in a miserable custody After some dayes came they who were willing to observe his commands as they used to do the prison dore being fast and as well the dores as every passage made close that he could not get forth they could find him no where within the Prison who searching a long time and he appeared not neither was there any step or symptome of his escape to be seen they brought the news to their Governour which seeming to him incredible he was strangely amazed Within three dayes the same dores being strongly barr'd that very same he which of late was deputed to prison every one being ignorant thereof was again forc't and thrust into the same Prison and like to one in an amaze requested that he might with all speed be admitted to his Lord for he had somewhat of consequence to tell him in all haste which was not to be delayed And when he was presently brought to him he told him he was released by some of the infernall crew that since he could not endure the uglinesse of the Prison he was grown desperate and being afraid of his doom not knowing what to do he call'd to an evill spirit that he would be helpfull to him and release him out of that ill-favoured dungeon A little while after the Devill appeared to him in the same Prison of a deformed shape and terrible countenance and that he had agreed with him that he should free him from thence and all Iron bolts and locks and should cast him into the infernall places great depths and the lowest part of the Earth there he might view and behold all things the torments of the wicked and their ungodly places their eternal darknesse and miseries loathsome and horrible corners their Kings and chief Rulers were tortured covered as 't were with thick darknesse and tormented with the burning lights of furies he saw also the Bishops with their mitres and robes richly adorn'd and beautified with gems and many other wretched effigies of all sorts ages and ranks afflicted in severall habits lying along in profound and deep gulphs punish'd in eternall torments and their damned wickednesses everlastingly tormented with grief and wo amongst whom he had noted many which he knew in their life-time and especially an intimate and familiar friend of his who while he was living was his companion and he said to him speaking unto him he knew him very well and calmly required of him what businesse he had there and what he expected there He making answer that his country was by hard duties and rigid government entâ—ralled was charged to tell the Governour and bid him have a care that he did so no more and that he should not oppresse his subjects by burthensome taxes and unjust toll-money for he foretold him that there was a place which he saw not far off lefr for him And that he might not doubt his promise he saith that he should call to mind their private consultation and mutuall agreement which they made when they were Souldiers together whereof no body knew which when he had readily declared and recited not onely what was said and covenanted but every word and their promises whereby they were both obliged to each other the governour hearing these things in order being more serious and attentive was wonderfully amazed and great trembling fell upon him when he considered how those things which were disclos'd to him alone and never to any other that dull pate and blockish fellow as 't were inspired with some deity should know them and repeat them with an undaunted look To this miracle also is added That he asked him with whom he was talking with in Hell who appeared in handsome and neat habit and attire whether they were any wayes punish't that went in rich apparell and vestments of Gold he replyed with everlasting burning and amongst the greatest torments they were with continuall wo oppressed and tormented and that which before glittered with Gold and Purple was now all flame and fire He willing to make triall thereof put his hand nearer to the Purple being warned by him not to touch it and yet it could not be but by the blast of heat the palm of his
hand which he put forth to the Purple was on fire For it was almost wasted with blisters and vile Ulcers as with some poyson St. Anthonies fire or some other mischief that seemed to spread it self further and further Moreover they which went unto him relate that he after he was got from Hell was sore troubled in mind and his senses of hearing and seeing were very much stupefied that he was alway musing seldome spake a word though oftentimes ask't But he came home with so stern an aspect and so deformed a countenance that whom his wife and children very well knew after he came from thence he was so much altered in his face and all parts of his body that they could hardly believe he was the same man and oftentimes his acquaintance and kindred spake to him weeping for his uglinesse and the mans Idea so deformedly altered he had scarce time to dispose of his substance and to give good counsell to his children before his death Alexander libro 6. cap. 21. Genial Dier A Certain Hetrurian ploughing in the fields belonging to the Tarquinii his Plough going too deep into the ground one named Tages as the story goes brake forth in stature like a child but in Wisedome a grave and discreet Senatour and spake to him that held the Plough he being affrighted cry'd out At the noise whereof at the first there was a great concourse of neighbours then by little and little the rumour being farther spread abroad within few dayes all Hetruria was assembled into that field All hearing this child that he spake many things his words were carefully observed and written down from which by long experience came all their divination yet so that if it spread to any other Nations the Hetrurians made most and chief account thereof Franciscus Petrarcha DRusus made Consull and warring with Germany by the name of Caesar Augustus and having subdued the greatest part thereof resolved to go forward a very great woman met with him and seemed to say to him Whither goest thou insatiable Dâ—usus Is it not in the power of the fates to see all these things but go thy wayes for now the end both of thy life and works is at hand Then going home he fell into a disease whereof he died Leonaras DUnstan an English Abbot when by the scurrilous gestures of an Hobgoblin leaping and skipping before him he understood that Edmund King of England was dead he hastned to the Kings Court and in the middle of his journey he was better certified concerning the Kings death Vincentius lib. 24. cap. 71. ADrianus Patricius being sent from Basilius the Emperour against the Carthagenians had in Peloponesus some Ships in their station On a certain night the shepheards heard those spirits that haunt thereabouts speaking one to another and saying That the day before the Sicilians or Syracusae were taken and destroyed This rumour went up and down from one to another and at last it came to Adrian who calling the shepheards to him and examining them finds the report which was brought to him confirmed by their words that he might also by his own ears approve the truth of the news the shepheards bring them to the place where making enquiry of the spirits and what they were doing he heard them say that the Syracusae were taken Cedrenus ONe Polycritus an Aetolian made by the people chief governour of Aetolia for three years married Locrides for her vertue sake with whom he slept three nights In the fourth he died The woman continued a widow at home And when her time to be brought to bed was at hand she was delivered of an Hermophrodite a wonderfull strange monster The neighbours being affrighted at this chance brought forth the young child into the market and calling an assembly and gathering together the Priests and inspectors of Monsters they consulted about it Some of them said it did foretell some discord between the Aetolians and the Locrensians For the young one was divided part was of the Mother Locrides and part of the father Aetolus Others were of opinion that the Mother should with her young one be carried out of Aetolia and burnt While they are advising on these things on a sudden Polycritus which lately died was among the rabble clad in a black vestment he spake to the Citizens which were amazed at this spectrall and at first by intreaties then by threatnings demanded the Infant to be restored to him Some denying others not consenting Polycritus being very angry snatch't up the Infant and making many of them run away as if he was mad he mangled and tore it in pieces The multitude cryed out and began to stone him But he being insensible of their blows and hitting him devoured the whole body of the child laying aside his head and presently he vanished Which fact the Aetolians taking unhandsomely and being very anxious what to do they would send to Apollo his Oracle the childs head lying on the ground began to speak and in a long discourse foretold the Citizens that great misery and destruction was hanging over their heads When they heard this Oracle they exposed their wives children and old people to shift for themselves they stayed at home expecting what was to come It happened that in the next year there was a battel between the Aetolians and the Acarnanians and on either side a great destruction Plegon Trallianus de Mirabilibus et longaevis ex Hierone IN the war by Sicily which was between Octavius Caesar and Sex Pompeius Gaâ—ienus the stoutest man of Caesar his Army being taken by Pompey his forces lay on the shore with his neck slasht and scarce hanging together a whole day and when it began to grow darker and darker a great company of the vulgar being met together with groanings and intreaties he desired them to bid Pompey come to him as soon as he could for he was lately set loose from the infernall places and had somewhat to tell him Pompey sent many of his familiar friends to whom Gabien said that Pompey his causes pleased the Gods below and his devout parties were an argument of Truth that he would undertake to pacify them if he did what he was commanded and so it fell out Plinius lib. 7. cap. 52. But the event it self discovered Satan's mock Caesar with the Gods above being victour sent Pompey to his underneath TWo brave and excellent young men who came new out of the fields told the news of the victory concerning the Tarquinii which warred with their associates the Romans They were thought to be Castor and Pollux L. Domitius who first called them in the market when then were rubbing and cherishing their horses which were all of muck sweat admired the newes Suetonius faith that they meeting him as he came home out of the countrey bad him declare the victory A while after 't is reported that they smiling on him handled his beard and it was of a black colour presently made a red beard I
and perplexing and troubling the old Man in that agony demanded of him to tell him in order all the faults which he had committed in his life and he having in a readinesse paper and ink would set them all down But when the old Man by Gods Word mightily opposed the Devil's demands and yet he would not desist from his importunity at last saith the old Man Since you presse it so upon me that I should particularly declare to you my faults Write then First of all beginning thus The seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents head Which he hearing threw down his paper and ink upon the ground and leaving behind him an ill favour vanished away The good old Man not long after departed in peace Doctor Willerus et Manlius in collectaneis THere was at Heidelberg a Doctor of Divinity a favourer of the Gospel whose servant was born in Lower Germany when having visited his Father and was returning to Heidelberg not far from the City he met an horseman sitting upon a great horse by whom he was violently caught up upon the horse when he perceived himself to be on horseback that he might take heed of falling the other horseman straightway vanished but he was snatch'd off the horse into the ayr aloft and from â—ence thrown down with great force near the City hard by the Bridge where for some time deprived of his senses he lay as if he were dead at last when he had recovered some strength he apprehended that he was nigh to the City he rose up and going into his Inne he lay there half a year before he could be restored to his former health IN the lower Germany they say walks a Monster in the bignesse of a Man but in the form of a dogg that breathed upon them that were to dye as if he smelt on them And 't was seen by many upon whom it breathed not and they did not dye that year They called it the Index of a Funeral They which feared death was coming upon them hastened by Idolatrous Masse to get relief and salvation Thus Satan brought Man to Idolatry NOt far from Torga one born of a noble linage walking over â—he Fields to refresh himself met one in the habit of a Knight or Gentleman but it was the Devill complementing with him he takes him to wait upon him not knowing at that time what he was and commits the care of his horses to him This noble man was very impious and lived chiefly by robbery and pillage for which purpose he had got him a fit servant On a time when he was to go a journey he commended his Horse to him above all things His servant conveighs the Horse up into a very high Tower the Horse out of the Tower knows his Master coming home and putting forth his head out of the Turret-window he neighs aloud his Master greatly wondring asks who it was that carried up his horse thither that good servant answers 't was he that so carefully performed his Masters commands Then were they constrained to let down the Horse again being fastned with Ropes from the Tower It happened moreover that they whom this noble man had plundered pursued him then saith the servant to his Master Master fly and presently he pulls forth a device out of his budget whereby to prevent the Horses of them that followed after and to stop their course At length being cast into Prison he implores his servants assistance The servant makes answer that he was fast bound with fetters and he could not set him free The Master is very urgent till he perswades his servant to do his endeavour herein for him Then saith the servant I will set you at liberty but upon this condition that you stir not with your hands and make no signs for your defence He carries him away being taken from hence with his chains and fetters a great height into the Ayre He being amazed cryes out O Eternall God Whither am I a going and immediately the Devill casts him down into a Moorish place Then making haste home to his Wife bids her go help her Husband that stuck fast in the Fennes and was bound with Fetters CErtain Monks travailing with their Governour or Father as they call him inned with an Host that had one of his Chambers haunted with an evill spirit The Host being glad of the Holy fathers coming to his house entertained them courteously in hopes they could by their enchantments easily cast forth that Ghost and therefore makes a bed for them in that room At night when these Holy men were fast asleep this foul spirit often twitched and pulled them by the hair till they made them bald At length Guardian conjures the spirit and charges him to go from thence into the Monastery This evill spirit does as he is bidden and having changed his Colony was there before the Monks returned home he salutes and welcomes them coming in into the Monastery and proffers them his service The Monks entertain him and point him out his place in the kitchin and give him a hood and a bell hanging by him whereby to know him and they often employed him to carry drink and many other things which they wanted When he went for Beer he would not be cheated of his measure telling them See I give you good Mâ—ney do you likewise give me good Measure Finally he hanged the Cooks servant that often vext and troubled him crosse over a beam throwing sometimes hot water sometimes dirty water upon him But as to his life he did not prejudice it The Monks fearing a sad event hereof made resignation of their office to this their servant Ex colloquiis Lutheri CRescentius the Popes Nuncio in the Councell of Trent in the year 1552. the 25. day of March was very busy in writing Letters to the Pope and continued his employment till night Then arising to refresh himself lo he saw a black Dog of such a bignesse as was not usuall fiery eyes and his ears hanging down to the ground coming in and directly towards him he came and at last he fell down underneath the Table Being stupefied and amazed hereat when he came to himself he calls to his servants that were in a chamber hard by he bids them bring a light and to search out the Dog And when he could in no place be found he took a sad conceit and falling into a disease he died Dying also they say he cryed out to his servant to beat away the Dog that came up to his bed Sleidanus lib. 23. AT Halberstade was there one that abounded in wealth every day living in riot and following his own delight and pleasure that he became so carelesse of Religion Christian piety and eternall salvation that he did not stick to say if he might alwaies live so here upon Earth he would never envy God in the fruition of Heaven Shortly after before he was aware he died After his death every day in the Evening
the sign to the Argonautes that the time was now come of performance of the thing they out of a prospective glasse saw fire and then supposing the King was dead came swiftly demanding the City and going upon the walls and with glittering drawn swords went straightway to the Palace kill'd all the watches that withstood them c. Diodorus lib. 4. cap. 3. JOhannes Teutonicus very famous in old time his Father was a Priest and by reason of the good opinion of learning that was had of him he was preferred to Halberstatensem Parish to which none but Noblemen and true begotten legitimate were to be admitted but he was much despised of his colleagues for his base birth he invited them to a sumptuous Banquet and taking occasion asked them whether or no they would see their own fathers And when they told him that they earnestly desired that he would do so and by his Magicall art he made appear horrid ghastly spectrums representing the shape of Cooks Stable-grooms fools â—usticks whose faces they confessed themselves that they had sometimes seen at their fathers houses But Teutonicus did Conjure up his father in the comeliest beautifullest shape he could with canonicall Priestly habit in a fat Visage The shadows being passed away he asked his guests whose father now they judged to be the nobler they being affrighted as it were Planet-struck and confounded with shame went every one home to their own houses and after they never troubled Johannes who was ennobled by his vertue if not by his extraction or birth Johannes NIcholas Venetus in his Indian History tells of a Pilot of India when the winds did cease invoking his God which he called Muthian and that at length he went to a certain Arabian and that the Man being impulsed by some invisible spirit ran along the Vessel till he came to a Table that for that purpose was fixed to the Mast and devoured certain coals that lay thereby and calling for a Cocks bloud when they had killed one and brought him the bloud of it he drank it off and when he had done askt them what they desired and when the Pilot answered Wind he re-demanded what wind and when he told him an East-wind he promised them for three dayes they should have it at will and admonished them that they would be carefull to improve the opportunity When the Conjuration was past the Arabian remembred nothing of what he had Prophesied done or suffered but to a minute of the time all things fell out accordingly Cardanus de subtilitate libro de Daemonibus S. Jerome writes in the life of Hilarion the Eremite That in a Mart Town of Gaza a young Man languished for the exceeding love he bare to a young maid a neighbour of his who when he could do no good by frequent courtings touchings jestings noddings whisperings and other allureing dalliances the common exordiums of the decay of chastity he went to Memphis that so having made known his condition he might be instructed by the Magitians how to circumvent this young Lady And after he had been disciplined for a years time by the Priests of Aesculapius he returned and hides under the threshold of the young maidens dore certain Magical words and inchanting figures graven in plates of Cyprian brasse Suddenly the maid grows mad and casting by the decent binding of her head tears her hair gnasheth with her teeth calls upon the name of the young man such was the extasy of her love that made her raging mad Her Parents bring her to a Monastery deliver her to an old man immediately the Devill howling confesseth I have suffered violence having been brought hither against my will how bravely did I delude people by Memphian dreams O the crosses and torments that I suffer Thou wouldst have me go out and I am fast bound under the threshold I will not go out unlesse the young man that holdeth me bound dismisse me Then the old man saith Great is thy fortitude who art bound by the drawings out of threds and plates tell why thou wast so bold as to enter into a young maid the servant of God That I might preserve her a Virgin Thou preserve her thou betrayer of chastity Why diddest thou not rather enter into him that sent thee To what purpose should I enter into him who had my colleague the Devill of love The holy man did not command him to seek out the plates or gravings lest the Devill might have seemed to have quitted the inchantments or he to have given credit to the Devills speech affirming the Devills deceitfull and dexterous in dissimulation Moreover having restored the young maid to her former right wits he much blamed the Virgin for committing such faults whereby the Devill should enter her These things Hierome WHen by the severe laws of Pope Hadrian the sixt the pestilence seemed little restrained by the touching of the sick that so increased that many dead corps were to be seen in the streets and crosse wayes and in few dayes that seemed to depopulate the City but that a certain Greek by name Demetrius Spartanus the common people favouring him undertook the work of removing the Plague no man being so bold as to forbid his superstition For a wild Bull the half of whose horn he had cut off putting a Magick verse into his right ear suddenly he made him so tame that casting a small thred about his whole horn leading him which way he pleased he immolated him at the Amphitheater to appease the divine power nor did he wholly deceive the hope of the credulous multitude for by the prosperous offering of that vain sacrifice the sicknesse began to asswage Jovius lib. 21. As his kinsman concerning that matter of observation and worthy animadversion writeth in the year of Christ 1522. a most grievous pestilence invaded Rome There was then a certain Greek who had a long beard with an ugly aspect who professed himself to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is a helper of evil he promised if he should have thirty pieces of Gold to him and his heirs monethly to cause a cessation of the Plague The Romans accept of the condition He commandeth to bring him a black bull and find out a new well in the suburbs of the City in the dead of night he commeth to the bottom of the hill Marius where he found the Bull prepared and the Well he sets upon making a rope and as he was weaving that sometimes with a high and sometimes a low voice I know not what he murmured out in Greek the clamour of his voice was heard by many spectators afterwards he casting a rope about the neck of the Bull they report the Bull being made tame and gentle he led him thrice about the Well then casting the Bull prostrate upon the ground the Bull making three weak or harmlesse kicks presently with little reluctancy suffered him to cut off his horns which done he commanded the Bull to be led by the
December in the year 1558. the Heaven being fair and clear as it is wont to be in Halcyon dayes And we at the same time saw thorough the battlements of the next house that were cast down and the porch broken to the Shop Bodin Daemonomaniae Lib. 3. cap. 3. MElancthon doth bring a History very like to this Ten men were overwhelmed by the ruine of the Tower Magdeburg when they did dig to find treasure which Satan had shewed them Gregorius Agricola in his Book de Spiritibus subterraneis writeth that at Annaeberg in that ruine which is called the Town of Roses there was a spirit in the shape of a Horse that killed twelve men and made them withdraw from the mine full of Silver which Magitians found by the help of Satan I Heard of a certain Lugdunensian in the Temple of the Virgin Mary that there was Campellanus of Lutetia who with his companions revealed the treasure of Arcolius near Lutetia by Magick-Art but when they thought to have the Chest in which it was hidden it was carried away with a Whirl-wind but part of the wall fell upon him by which he was made lame for the whole term of his life And when the Noribergensian Priest had found the treasure by the help of Satan and long ago was about to open the box the house was abolished with a fall I Heard also from a Lugdunensian practitioner in the Law that he with his companions went in the night that they might seek out a treasure by uttering Conjurations and when they began to dig they heard a voice as it were of a man which was put on the wheel most horribly crying to the thieves so they were turned to flight but evill spirits in the very same moment pursuing them slew them even to that house from whence they came and they entered it with so great a noise that the Host thought it had thundered and from that time he swore that he would never seek after treasure Bodin BOdin also proves by an example that sorcerers can bewitch mens eyes and move laughter and make the spectators astonished concerning Triscalanus that Magitian which said of a certain Curat all the Parish Priests being present See ye that Hypocrite who feigning to bring a Register doth bring play-papers Then the Curate willing to shew that he brought a Register he seemed to himself to have play-papers and whosoever were present seemed to themselves to see papers so that the curate cast away his book of account and went away ashamed But others coming a little after gathered up the Register book being freed from that likenesse of Papers by which thing it was manifest that Satan did delude men in many things and also bind fast every ones eyes For those which were not present at the former action when the sorcerer cast his delusions before the eyes of those that were present did see a true book of account when others on the contrary did perceive but an appearance of papers c. THe Germanes being about to search what Witch had made a horse feeble and decaying did draw the bowels of another horse to certain houses and not entring the gates but a Cellar or Cave under ground did burn those bowels Then the Sorceress which had committed that evil feeling the pain of the Collick all within She runneth streightway to the houses where the bowels were burn'd that she might ask for a burning cole and her pain did cease But if the doors were not opened the houses were darkened ringed with horrible thunder and threatned ruine unlesse those that were within would open the door which Sprangerus writeth that he observed and saw in Germany I Heard from D. Antonius Lonanius the King 's general Legate that there was a Sorcerer at Ribemont who having pronounced certain words did discover another by a sieve All the names of those that were suspected were brought and when the name of that man who was in the fault was brought the sieve did move uncessantly and the Magitian accessary to the same fault came which being found the Sorcerer was condemned Bodin lib. 3. cap. 4. I Remember that D. Bodin the King 's general Procurator sometimes related to me When all his cattel remained in a Village at Moldena that it was told his Wife that a certain beast must be slain which here it doth not please me to declare and he ought to hang it with the feet upward under the threshold of the stable with pronouncing certain words which it is not needfull here to insert this being done there did none of his cattel perish Idem ibid. JOhannes Martinus performing his turn of Ruler of Laodunum declared to me that when he was to try a Witch by the Authority of S. Proba for she had tormented a Mason with so great sickness that his head did hang down almost between his legs his body being crooked which evill he did suspect to come to him from the sorceresse the Judg having regarded it well he commanded that word should be brought to the Witch that she by no other means could save her life then by healing the Mason And therefore she commanded a swathing band to be brought home by her daughter she calls upon the Devill casting her countenance on the ground she muttered certain charms before them all and delivering the swathing band to the Mason she gave commandment that he should be washed in a bath and that which was shut in the swathing band should be put into the Bath with these words Get thou gone in the Devills name She said that there was this and no other means of recovery These things being done the Mason was cured But yet before those things were seen in the Bath she being willing to know what was in the swathing band which she had forbidden to be done they found three little corns in it But the Mason while he was in the bath perceived as it were three great fishes in it when he came forth of it although they did seek them very diligently yet neither the fish nor the arm was found The sorceresse was burned alive and remained without repentance Idem lib. 3. cap. 5. WE read in horto Antonii de Tarquamedia lib. 3. of a certain Magitian who said to a rustick man whom he saw bitten by a mad-dogg That he was one that delivered from harm that he might not lose his life And when he prick'd his nose thrice to let forth blood he was cured CAâ—olus Martinus Governour of Laodunum being certified that a poor woman in the valley that was the name of the Laodunensian Suburbs was bewitched by a Sorceress her Neighbour and taking pity of her he threatned death to the Witch unlesse she took away the disease from her Neighbour She fearing promised to heal her and therefore she came to the beds feet looked steadfastly on the Earth joyned her hands called on the greatest Devil with a loud voice afterwards renewed her prayers repeating some unknown words and
and unaccustomed way which when he had related to Interpreters they advised the King to take heed lest he whom he accounted rude a beast and monster being armed with wisdom should drive him out of his Kingdom and that what was shewed him by the Sun portended a change to the people which happened accordingly for Brutus whose brother the King had oppressed and whose wit he but sported and mocked at drove away the King and Kingly Title and the Roman State was so altered that instead of one perpetual King it begun to have yearly two Magistrates Petrarcha de Somniis ex Ciceronis lib. 1. de Natura Deorum Accii Bruto HIppocrates the most valiant Duke of Athens being alone chanced to see at Olympia a sight portending strange things for when he had immolated the host the pots as they were ordered were full of flesh and water and without any fire put to them grew so hot that the water boyled over which portent Chilon the Lacedemonian who by chance came thither beholding first perswaded him that he should not bring his Wife thither being fruitfull Secondly if he had a Wife that he should put her away and if she had born him ever a son he should resign him but Hippocrates not observing the counsel of Chilon but promoting his son Pisistratus he invaded the Tyrant at Athens Herodot l. 1. Sabel l. 6. Ennead 2. AT Thebes in Boetia in the Temple of the Law-giving Ceres the time when by the conduct of Epiminundas the people of Leuctrica overcame the Spartanes the Spiders had woven white webs about the Valleys the Macedonians now by the conduct of Alexander the Great invading the Coasts there presently appeared sights portending ruine and destruction to the City all things were filled with black workmanship Pausanias in Boeoticis This sign was three moneths before Alexander came to Thebes about that time the Statues which stood in the Common Hall were seen to send out of the huge gravings abundance of sweat besides these things it was testified to the Magistrates That the Pond or standing Lake which was at Onchestus sent forth a noyse like to the Lowing of Cattle and that there was in Dirces a certain horrid bloody shape which swimmed upon the water and there were not wanting some of Delphos who said That the top of the house which the Thebans built appeared to the Phocensian people to be full of blood the Prophets said That the Web did portend the gods migration from the City the shape of the Heavenly bow perturbation and various sorts of molestations the sweat sent from the Statues extream losses and moreover the blood which was seen to appear in many places shewed that bloody slaughter would ensue at Thebes Diodor. lib. 17. AT Saguntum before it had suffered the misery which Hannibal afterwards inflicted upon it amongst many and daily monstrous sights which were seen A child which was almost born out of his Mothers belly returned back to the Mothers womb again Which Prodigie the prophets said did foreshew a destructive Warr imminent and fatal destruction so that it was utterly overthrown by slaughter Alex. lib. 2. cap. 31. ARchilaus Tetrarch of Judea and Idumea was sent for being accused of Tyranny by Caesar to Rome who after hearing the accusations of his enemies and his own defence banished him to Vienna in France and taking all his substance from him before he exiled him in the tenth year of his Government before he was sent for to Rome he told to his friends this Dream He saw ten ripe ears of corn full of wheat taken away by Oxen and considering that his dream was worthy to be taken notice of he consulted with interpreters of dreams concerning it who disagreeing concerning the meaning thereof Simon one of the Essaei to wit one that abstained from flesh wine and women as all the Jews of that Order did making an apologie said That this vision did portend change to Archilaus and that to the worse for that Oxen did signifie misery because this kind of creature is under continual labours and furthermore it foreshewed mutation of things because the ground being turn'd by the labour retains neither the same place nor form but those ten ears of corn shew the number of ten years for that they go about by annual turnings and that immediately there would ensue an end of the domination or rule of Archilaus so did this Jew interpret the dream Five dayes after this vision Caesar sends a procurator to Judaea to summon Archilaus before him Joseph l. 17. c. ult AT the Palatine house of Mediolanum seven dayes before the Lievtenant Governour Barnabas was taken by his Cosen Galeacius there was such vehement lightning that the hangings of his Inner Chamber were burnt with a Thunder-bolt and his Ensign being a marble Viper was shattered in pieces A Prophet then a domestick whose sirname was Medicina in the nones of May observed the unhappy conjunction of three Stars he had formerly predicted much and then he endeavoured to retain him whom he saw running precipitately towards his destruction which was thereby threatned but such was the hidden power of his fate that he went on his way being wretchedly infatuated Jovius in Barnaba ZEnon the Emperour hearing of the discomfiture of his Army lees into a little Castle sited upon an hill which the people called Constantinople which considering immediately after his coming thither he with sighing said to his company Poor man Is it the sport of the gods who have thus deluded me for the Prophets did confidently affirm That it behoved me to be at Constantinople in the moneth of July whereupon I thought I should have been in the City but poor wretch as I am I am onely in this little Hill which beareth the like appellation A Certain man called Harold who bragged that he had a familiar spirit told Frederick the second that he should die in the Florentine field Therefore in that his last journey from Thuscia to Apulia he used all possible care to avoid it but falling into a grievous Feaver he was forc't to lye at the Castle of Apulia six miles distant from Luceria which they call Florentinum assoon as he remembred the prediction of Hariolus and the name of Florentinum he perceived that the end of his life was at hand Collenutius l. 4. Historiae regni Neopolitani CErtain Writers affirm Ezelinus a Roman and Albericus brethren bloudy and fierce men to have been the sons of Adebheida a Lady of the Noble bloud of the Tuscans of so high a wit and discretion that beyond belief as well by observing the Heavens and Stars as Magicall Art she foresaw things to come Many Predictions which accordingly fell out were demonstrated to her Husband and Children and especially this one That on the day of her death she pronounced three Verses in manner of an Oracle in which she chaâ—ted forth the might and progresse and the very place of the death of her sonnes and it
did not terrifie him from evill-doing He was wont to tell that he was then carried to Hell and saw those formidable things which formerly he had heard and would not believe and that while he stood as one guilty before the Tribunal of the Judge it was commanded that he should be dismissed and their mistake who had convented him was reprehended for that it was commanded that not he but Stephen the Smith should be led thither The same hour the Smith departing this life caused this to be believed a reall Vision and not reputed an idle dream Marulus lib. 6. cap. 14. WIlliam a boy of fifteen years of age had a Vision in the Night wherein there appeared to him a certain glorious man who led him to a place of torments and seeing men excrutiated after various manners at last was brought to the Devill himself who in his fiery Mansion amidst the flames sate as a Judge in his Tribunal presently a certain ugly spirit leapt up accusing the boy Saith he I have ever suggested evill things to this boy but of those sins which he committed lately he made no mention at all to the Priest at his confession he that led the boy perswaded him to sign himself with the sign of the Cross which done all his fear of damnation was taken away Vincentius lib. 27. cap. 84. IT is reported That in the Sabine Province there was a certain Nunne who strictly observed chastity but defiled her tongue with foolish procacity and when she past her last day being buried in the Church the Priest coming into the Church at midnight saw her distended before the Altar cut through the middle her higher part burnt with fire and her lower part left untouched in the morning therefore telling to his brethren what he saw as he looked upon the place in which he saw her burnt he sheweth to them the marks which he found in the Marble of the scorching fire Gregorius Magnus lib. 4. Dialog cap. 50. The End of the Second Book The Opinions and Arguments of the Sadduces and Epicures by which they would prove that the Angels and Devils do not appear unto Men Confuted MAny there have been at all times and in all Ages which have impugned and stifly denied the Apparitions of Devills Angells and Spirits But some have done it in one sort and some in another For there be some who to ridde themselves altogether from the question and disputation that might be made concerning particular and speciall matters which are often alledged in regard of the Apparition of Specters do bend themselves against them all in generall That so by cutting off the root and undermining the foundation of a Principle well grounded they may the more easily cause the overthrow and downfall of all that which dependeth upon the same They deny therefore that there are any Angells or Devils at all or any Spirits severed and abstracted from a corporall substance or body to the end that by consequence they may infer and conclude that there are not likewise any Specters nor Apparitions of Spirits Such were the Sadduces as we may read in the Acts of the Apostles and the Epicures and the greatest part of the Peripateticks and all sorts of Atheists whatsoever Of which last there are at this day more huge numbers abounding within this our Realm of France then would be tolerated These men would not stick to affirm if they durst and were it not for fear of the Magistrate that it is free for men to abandon themselves to all kind of iniquity impiety and dissolute living for so do they murmure and mumble when they are alone and by themselves that there is not either God or any Spirits at all good or evill nor yet any Hell where the Souls of men should suffer any pains or punishment but that they dye together with the body And that all whatsoever is said or alledged touching Hell-torments is nothing but a vain and superstitious toy and fable onely to make babes and Children afraid and to wrap and tye the greatest persons of the World in certain bonds of a Religious superstition for so are the words of Lucretius in this behalf And I do believe that they do often say in their hearts that which Pythagoras the Samian is alledged in Ovid to have said to the Inhabitants of Crotona in Italy Why stand you thus in fear of Styx and such vain dreamings Of Manes and of Spirits which are nought else but leasings Certainly he that should take upon him to instruct these Athiests should but â—ose his time because they will admit of no reasons no not of those that are meerly naturall For seeing they do not believe him which hath the command and rule of Nature how can they yield any credit or belief unto those reasons that are drawn from nature it self Other persons there are who being more religious and honester men then those former yet have no lesse denyed the essence of Angels Devils and Spirits Howbeit they have been of this opinion that by reason both of the distance between them and us and of the difficulty of appearing in a humane body they cannot possibly present themselves unto us Others also there have been who have referred all that which is spoken of the vision of Spirits unto the naturall and perpetuall depravation of the humane senses Such were the Sceptikes and the Aporreticks who were the followers of the Philosopher Pirrhon as also the second and third Academy who held That the senses were they never so sound could not imagine any thing but falsly and untruly Again some others with more appearance of reason then the Scepticks have affirmed that abundance of Melancholly and Choller adust Frenzy Feavers and the debility or corruption of the senses be it naturally or by accident in any body may make them to imagine many things which are not And they do infer that such as happen to be attainted with these maladies do think that they have seen Devills and other such like Specters They adde moreover that the fear superstition and credulity of many is such that they will most commonly suffer themselves to be drawn into a belief and perswasion of that which is quite contrary to truth To make short Others there be wise enough and fine conceited yet neverthelesse being great mockers and incredulous because they themselves did never happen to see any Vision nor have ever heard or touched any supernaturall thing they have been of this opinion that nothing could appear unto men that exceeded or went beyond the course of nature And of this number Lucian was one who being also as great an Infidell as any could be said I believe no part of all these Apparitions because I onely amongst you all did never see any of them And if I had seen of them assure your selves I would believe them as you do Notwithstanding for all this he opposed himself against all the famous and renowned Philosophers of his time and held
argument against them though as himself confessed they were the chiefest and most excellent in all kind of knowledg and learning And he was not ashamed to stand onely upon his own bare conceit and opinion impudently maintaining without any reason at all against them that were as wise if not more wise then himself and more in number that forsooth nothing at all whatsoever was said or alledged touching Specters ought to be admitted or believed But what reasons I pray you doth he bring to confirm his saying Truly none at all but that onely of his own absolute and uncontrouled authority he will draw to his incredulity all others whom he seeth to be assured and setled in their opinion Notwithstanding that they are certainly resolved of the truth by the exteriour senses with which they have perceived and known that to be true which so constantly they do maintain and defend But how can it possibly be that a man should think without any shew of reason by incredulity and mockery onely to confute and overthrow that which hath been ever of all men and in all ages received and admitted Certainly this is the fashion and guise of mockers and scorners that that which they cannot deny nor yet have a will to confesse they will find the means to put it off with a jest and laughter and so think secretly to insinuate themselves into the minds and conceits of their hearers especially such as look not nor have a regard to the truth and substance of a thing but onely to the outward shadow and grace of words and glorious speeches Such a scorner needeth not any great knowledge because it is sufficient for him to be superficially skilfull in any thing so that he can with a kind of grave and smiling grace shift off the reasons and arguments of those whose knowledge and learning is so exceeding far beyond his as during his whole life he will never attain unto the like Thus did Machiavel carry himself who amongst the learned and men of skill and judgment knew well how to make his profit of his scoffes and pleasant grace in jesting whereby he would many times strike them out of countenance in the sight of them that heard him whereas if he had come to dispute with them by lively reasons and solid Arguments he would at the very first blow have been overthrown and confounded But in the end he discovered himself sufficiently and was reputed of all men no other then a Scoffer and an Atheist as Paulus Jovius testifieth of him But we will cease to speak any further of him of Lucian and of those of their humour and will return to our matter touching Specters the which that we may the better explain now that we have briefly declared the diversity of opinions of those that insist upon the contrary we will answer unto each of them in order as they have been propounded And first as touching the Sadduces the Epicures the Peripateticks we will severally answer their Arguments which they object against us Next we will remove those difficulties which are objected and shew how the Angels and Devils may take upon them a body Afterwards we will shew and discover unto the Scepticks that the humane senses are not so faulty and uncertain as they would make men believe And last of all to the intent we may leave nothing behind we will not forget to shew by what maladies and infirmities the senses may be hurt and troubled and the Imaginative power of man wounded and changed so as all that which is supposed to be seen is meerly false and untrue To come first of all to the Sadduces It is most certain that of all men they were the most grosse and carnall and did not believe that any thing was spirituall but they did Imagine all to be corporall because they said that the Humane Understanding doth alwaies work with the Phantasme and with the thing Imagined And it appeareth that in dreaming of any thing whatsoever we do alwaies imagine it to be corporall whereupon they conclude that all things are corporall and therefore that even God also is a corporal Substance which is the greatest absurdity and Blasphemy that can be imagined in the world For it we should restrain God into a body we must also make him subject to a body so saith Saint John Damascen which in a word is to restrain and shorten the power and omnipotency of God the which being infinitely above all substances both corporall and incorporall is not subject to their Category The reason that moved them to believe that God was corporall was a place of Moses for they did not receive nor admit of any Scriptures but the five Books of Moses as saith Origen wherein it is written That God made Moses to stay in the Cave of a Rock or Mountain and putting his hand upon him did shew him his hinder parts not suffering him to see his face And therefore in regard that Moses attributeth unto God a face a hand and other parts they conclude that God hath a body Of the same opinion also was Tertullian as witnesseth Saint Augustine writing to Optatus and the Bogomiâ—es being certain Heretiques of Bulgary who thought that God was as we are so writeth Enthymus and that from his two eyes out of his brain did issue two beams the one called the Sunne and the other the Holy Spirit which is a most blasphemous and intolerable errour Now the occasion why the Sadduces did so eagerly defend and maintain that God had a body was because they would deny all incorporall substances to which effect they thus argued If God say they have created any substances he created them to his own Image and likenesse and therefore when he made man he said That he made him according to his own Image shewing thereby that he was of a corporall substance because that Man whom he formed to the pattern of his own face is corporall And if God have made nothing but what is corporall It followeth that the Angells and Devills which are said to be Spirits are nothing but meer fables and that there be not any Souls or spirits separated from a corporall substance and by consequence that the Soul of man is mortall as the body and hath no need to be reunited thereunto by the generall resurrection But it is easy to answer them by denying plainly that God is corporall or hath any body For albeit the holy Scripture doth attribute unto God hands feet face eyes and other parts of a body yet this must be understood spiritually and by those corporall and bodily members we must imagine the spirituall vertues of God according as saith S. Gregory as by his eyes we must understand his foresight and his knowledg to the which all things are open and from which nothing is hidden and concealed By his hand is meant his Almighty power and puissance By his face the plenitude and fullnesse of his glory By his hinder parts his
of Alexandria his Vision 145 Hircanus Captain of the Jews had news by Oracle from the high Priest of his Sons victory 146 A strange prodigy 147 Cornelius of Patavia an Augur 148 One and the self-same day a day of Trophies and fame too in places distant 2500. miles 149 Sosipatra of Alexandria wrapt suddenly by a fury 150 An Aegyptian Pilot as he was sailing to Rome heard an unknown voice which called him by his name 151 Monabazus King of the Adiabenians heard a voice as he lay in his Bed 152 A prediction to Nicephorus Phaeus the Emperour 153 A Prodigious voice called aloud to Opicinius Cacia Novaria 154 A confused murmure mixed with laughing heard in the Theatre before Neroes death 155 A voice crying Oh oh oh oh oh in Eupilus Lake 156 Hircanus Captain of the Jews his vision 157 A voice to a vulgar man foretelling the approach of the French against the Tribunitian souldiers 158 A voice rebuking Lycurgus 159 A voice calling to Cassius and others conspiring against Caligula 160 Pertharis King Arithpertus his Son warned by an unknown voice 161 Chostilius Maucius Consull going into Spain heard a voice sounding in his ear stay Maucius 162 The Devil was heard to cry aloud through the Temple I have made this day quarrelsome 163 Constans the Emperour his death divulged by a voice in the Ayre far from the place where he died 164 Alchymists mocked by the Devil 165 The Devil seizeth upon a souldier who defrauded the poor 166 A young man delivered from the Devill who haunted him in form of a Woman by fasting and prayer 167 A melancholly maid fancying her self haunted with a Ghost cured by Physick 168 A Monk of the Abbey Kâ—etchtenstine an upright person tortured with a Ghost 169 One Brugus a woman troubled with an evill Genius 170 Judith driven to Convulsion fits by the Devill 171 Helena in a village called Loes near Audenâ—ovia haunted with a Devill 172 The Nuns of Ventetus in the County of Horn cruelly handled by an evil spirit 173 The Virgins of the Monastery of Nazareth haunted with Devills 174 A virgin of the Nunnery of Saint Bridget being mad was mounted up into the Ayre by the Devill and strangled 175 The Devill playing melodiously upon an Harp at the Nunnery of Neognagus 176 The Devill in shape of a Dog at a Colledge in the Coloniensian Province 177 The Nuns of the Kentorpian Monastery infested by the Devill 178 John Fernelius his relation in his second book of Occult causes 179 The Town of Schiltach in Germany set on fire by a Witch 180 A maid dispossest of the Devill by the prayers of the Church 181 A Fishermans daughter at Urcad in Franckford possest with the Devill 182 A Smiths daughter near Joakims valley possest with the Devill 183 The dead corps of a rich man entred into by the Devill at Trawtenaw in Bohemia 184 A Priests daughter tormented by the Devil 185 Bodinus his relation of Boyes and Girls possessed 186 John Vierus his relation in his fifth Book of a maid possessed with the Devill 187 The Lady Rosse from the eighth year of her age bound with an Evill spirit 188 The Brachman Philosopher of India 189 Families in Africa who bewitch by immoderate praise 190 Wizards at Rhodus 191 Ephesian characters 192 Magicall Women banished to Wildernesses 193 The Northern Botnici Zappi and Finnones Magitians 194 Zoroastes King of the Bactrians thought to have found out the Art of Magick 195 Hecate sprung from Perses her cruelty and immanity 196 Pasetis Farthing a Proverb 197 Pythagoras his magicall whispering 198 Simon Samaritanus his wonderfull arts 199 In Galeotide a man who did wonders 200 Apollonius Tyanaeus the Philosopher 201 Sedetins a Jewish Physitian 202 A Princesse a notable Witch 203 A woman strangled and devoured a boy 204 Iohn Fernelius his strange relation 205 Facius Cardanus had an aeriall devill to his familiar 206 James Jodoci had a ring wherein he thought the devil was tyed by exorcisms 207 Margaret the daughter of Iohn Vemerus of Eslingensis had her belly swelled to an immense greatnesse by her Mothers means being a Witch 208 The devill appearing in the shape of a man calling himself Moses deluded many Iews 209 Archus an Indian Wiseman 210 Apollonius his prediction 211 Iamblicus returning from sacrifices 212 Govarus King of Norvegia skillfull in the Art of divination 213 A relation how Magicians teach Husbands to make their wives hate Adultery 214 Philometor his using Magicall verses 215 Crata Regneri the wife of a Danish Champion a Witch 216 Clerus Sethus enticed a virgin by a Persian Apple 217 Cajanus by Magick could transform himself into the shape of any beast 218 Italian Women lethargized mens minds by some kinds of meat 219 In Prussia Livonia and Lituania a great number of Witches 220 A Witch foretold the issue of the battle 'twixt Uratislaus Prince of Luca and Grecomislaus Prince of Bohemia 221 Apollonius Thioneus his strange cures 222 Magicall Inchantments 223 Witches by the black art afflicted Duffus King of the Scots 224 Utolfus chief Ruler of the Helsingians 225 The Lappones and Finni their manner of revenge 226 Johannes Galleacius by Magick disabled to perform conjugal rights 227 Pythagoras seen at Criton and Metapontus the same hour 228 Apollonius vanished out of the custody he was under 229 Jamblicus praying lift up from the ground 230 Oddo Danicus a Pyrat roved up and down the Sea without a Ship 231 Othnius by Magick brought Hadingus King of Denmark through a great part of the Sea on horseback 232 Thespetion his incantations 233 The Image of Jupiter made by Magick to utter Oracles 234 Appion with the hearb Cynocephalea prevails against all manner of Witchcrafts 236 The ghost of Achilles presents it self to Apolonius Tyanaeus 237 Jamblicus raiseth out of Bathes two in the form of beautifull young men 238 A phantasm wrought by the Devil 239 A notable Prodigie 240 The Bulgari use Magical devices 241 The Hunni use inchantments 242 Aquinus Prince of Norway useth inchantments 243 The Wood Finni or Tores 244 The Magick-Vesture called Indusium 245 An inchanted Ensign 246 Inchanted verses 247 Empedocles the Magitian his verses concerning himself 248 The Magick Idolatry of the Persici 249 Theti Magitians allay tempest by sacrifices 250 Inspired Persians walk upon burning coals 251 A Virgin at Rome accused of incest clears her innocence by prayers 252 Armiplus an Aegyptian Magitian 253 A Northern people called Finni sell winds to Merchants 254 Wicked blasphemous Priests 255 Near Elton Pagum a spirit that vexed travellers 256 Pelopsin an Olympick Charrioter his inchantment 257 Pythagoras made tame a savage Bear 258 Apollonius Tyancus his expelling of Serpents 259 The Abrathimins their Magitians called Brachmans 260 Fishers of Rotterdam deluded by Witchcraft 261 Pasetus by famous for his skill in Magick 262 Numa the Roman King 263 William Earl of Holland made King 264 The Pythagorian sport by a Looking-glasse 265 A Chevalier swallowes
An aequivocal Oracle given to the Messanensians 45 The answer of the Oracle at Delphos to the Phocenses 46 The Lacedemonians consult Pythia 47 Cleomenes King of the Spartans consults the Oracle at Delphos 48 Philomelus having taken the Delphick Oracle compells Pythia to tell him somewhat of future events 49 The Oracle's answer to Croesus at Delphos 50 Arcesilaus being driven from his Kingdome sent to Delphos to consult the Oracle 51 Nero the Emperour warned by Mathematicians that the ruine of the Empire was portended by the Stars 52 Xerxes the son of Darius finds an Urn 53 Silvester the Pope reported to have obtained the Popedome by evils works 54 Whas encouragement the Aeginetians received by the Oracle at Delphos to Warr 55 The wisdom of the Persian Magies 56 An huge beard groweth upon the chin of the Priest of Minerva at Pedesensia upon a sudden immediately before a diverse fortune seizeth upon the people 57 Beleses a Chaldean encourageth Arabes General of the Medes to invade the Babylonians 58 Thales the Milesian discovers the plenty one year and scarcity another by the rising of the seven Stars 59 Boeotius the son of a common cryer his fortune told by a Chaldean 60 The birth-day of the Emperour Augustus observed 61 Scribonius the Mathematitian 62 Tiberius Caesar makes use of Thrasillus a cunning Chaldean 63 Claudius the Emperour predicteth the time of his own death 64 An Astronomer foretold Nero his being Emperour and his killing his Mother at the time of his birth 65 Ascletario a Mathematician foretelleth his own death 66 Domitian the Emperour superstitiously given to Mathematical predictions 67 Hadrian the Emperour an excellent Astronomer 68 Septimius Severus Pertinax a skilfull Mathematician 69 A Midwife of Constantinople at the birth of Ablabius foretells his being Praetor 70 Two Jews Astrologers promise Zira Prince of the Arabians Empire and long life if he would demolish the Christian Temples and Images of Saints 71 The advice of John an Astronomer and Magitian to Lucapenus the Roman Emperour 72 Nicolas son to Guido Earl of Patavia predicted pernition to his Countrey by Jambonus Andreas an Astrologian 73 Guido Bonatus foretold the Earl of Mountferrat that he should receive a wound in his Hip by a salley which he should make the day before the Calends of May 74 Antiochus Tibertus foretells Guidon that he should be killed by his intimate friend upon suspition of Infidelity 75 Petrus Leonius a dextrous Astronomer discovered by his Art that sudden death was portended to him by water 76 Predictions by Bartholomeus Coclecles an excellent Physiognomist 77 An Astrologer foretells Rodulphus the Haspurgensian Earl his being Emperour 78 The Mathematitians predicted Sfortia his high Empire 79 Braccius the Montenensian Duke seeing the body of his Enemy Sfortia drowned praised him with exquisite Encomiums 80 Henry a Bohemian an Astronomer his predictions 81 Basil a Southsayer foretells the death of Alexander Medices Duke of Florence 82 John Liechtenberg his prediction 83 The tenth day of September fatall to Peter Alois 84 Brazen tables wherein was engraven a prediction That the Grecians were to overcome the Persians 85 A wonderful thing in the second Carthaginian War 86 Verses found in a table of stone when the walls of Chalcedon were made equal with the ground 87 A table of stone found in the bank of the River Scirtus with Hierogliphical Egyptian letters written on it 88 Chaldeans foretell Alexander's danger if he went to Babylon 89 What Aretas King of the Persians gathered by Southsayings 90 Apollonius an Egyptian foretold the death of Caius Caligula the Emperour 91 Apollonius foretold Cilix his slaughter 92 Larginus Proclus foretells the death of Domitian the Emperour 93 The death of Constance discovered by a Souldier observing the intrals of beasts and birds 94 Alexander Severus Emperour desiring to begin his speech to his Souldiers with a lucky word Fortune brought him one clean contrary 95 A woman meeting the two Maximines in the Market-place falls dead 96 Dioclesian his being Emperour is foretold by a Woman 97 Marian a most wise Earl his predictions 98 A Soothsayers prediction to Agilulph Duke of the City Taurina 99 Antonine his prediction to his Schollers 100 Remex a Rhodian his prediction 101 An old Proverb in Carthage 102 Spartan guests ravish the daughters of Scedasus 103 The Speech of a Magitian of Egypt to Anthonie 104 The Roman Captains forbid to go with weapons beyond Ctesiphon by reason of an ancient Prophesie 105 Sybill her Prophecie of the destruction of Antichrist 106 The god Ammon answereth the Tementes 107 Sybill foretells the warlike glory of the Macedons 108 A Child having teeth speaketh the same day in which he is born 109 A Child within twenty four hours of its birth spoke and made signs with its hands 110 A Syrian seeing a Ship running with full sayles foretold it should be sunk 111 Phericides foretold an earthquake within three dayes 112 The answer which the Oracle at Delphos gave to Glaucus enquiring counsell concerning unjustly deteyned money 113 Alphonsus King of Arragon besieging Neopolis had the taking thereof foretold him by a man of a reverend aspect 114 Women who guessed at things to come by whirl-pools and noyse of Waters 115 Abaris of Seuthias a divine of the Hyberboreans 116 Aedesius the son of Chrysanthus had a body so nimble that it exceeded humane belief 117 Agias divined unto Lysander that he should conquer the name of the Athenians 118 Philumena a Soothsaying maid 119 Saint Augustine reports of Algibertus that he knew all secrets 120 Basilacius a man of an unaccustomed life a fortune-teller 121 Merlin begotten by a spirit called Incubus and a Brittish Noblewoman foretold many things to come 122 An unclean spirit having possessed Jacoba speaks in her 123 A notable Impostor of Peter Brabantius who as oft as he pleased spoke from the bottome of his belly without moving his lips 124 Amphiarus a soothsayer by the gaping of the earth swallowed up with his Chariot and Horses 125 Actius Navius a shepheard boy a soothsayer 126 Posthumus the Sooth-sayer 127 Spurina foretells to Julius Caesar his danger of being killed 128 A German Prophesyeth to Agrippa thou prisoner his deliverance and future prosperity 129 The Adelittans and Almogonens divine from the flying of Birds and meeting of Wild beasts 130 Alexander the Emperour given to riot and Magick 131 Simeon Duke of the Bulgarians 132 An Idoll built by Mahomet whereunto a legion of Devills are ingaged by Magick to which Christians cannot come without danger 133 The manner how the Biarmians Bothynians Finlanders divine 134 How Jannes the master of Theophilus the Emperour foretold things to come 135 Apollonius the Emperour slain at Rome by Stephen according as Apollonius spoke in an extasy at the instant of his death at Ephesus 136 Stephen the Hagio-Christophorite knew from the Devill by Sethus a Magitian that destruction hanged over the head of Andronicus Comnenus 137 William King of the Romans dying unfortunately and
suddenly was buried in a Tomb in Frisia which had stood long beautifyed without any man buried because it was Prophesyed that a King of the Romans should be laid therein 138 Two brothers not knowing one another kill each other as a soothsayer foretold them 139 Sigthune King of Swethland as he sacrificed understood that by fatall necessity he was to die by Gold 140 Two Snakes found in the bed of Sempronius Gracchus 141 The Soothsayers answer to Marcellinus 142 Agigulph a Soothsayer counsells Antharis King of the Longobards to take Tolinda the Virgin to Wife 143 Batabaces Priest of the great mother Idea fore-shew's a great victory to the people of Rome 144 A Madman from Bellona shews to L. Sylla that he should obtain the palm of conquest 145 The builders of Ephesus consult the Oracle for direction where to erect it 146 The Locrians wooden Dog 147 Melanthus a banished man from his countrey received an Oracle 148 The Oracle Apollo Pythius directs Pausanias where to build Byzantium 149 A Sow that had Pigs made a divination to the Trojans of building a City 150 Tarquinius Superbus his founding the Temple of Jupiter Iuno and Minerva 151 Alexander a Priest of Minerva Prophesies to Alexander that he shall be a Conquerour 152 The interpretation of a divination by Calchas a Prophet 153 Aristander the diviner his interpretation of a Crow's flying when Alexander the Great assaulted Gaza 154 A Magpy sits on the head of Coelius Pontius declaring the Law 155 At Alexander the great his expedition into Asia a Cyprus Tree sweateth 156 The Siracusians besieged perform solemn rights to Hercules 157 Prodigies appear when Lucius Sylla went with an army to the Sociall war 158 The Hilt of P. Scipio Africanus his Sword springs with bloud 159 A Ram with one Horn sprung out of the middle of his forehead brought to Pericles 160 The Chaldean Prophets foretel the translation of the Persian Empire to the Macedonians 161 The Buckler of Maximinus the father set on fire by the Sun and his spear struck by a Thunderbolt 162 A Martin flying amongst a Navy of Ships lighted upon the very top of the Stern of the Ship wherein Dion was 163 An Eagle snatcheth a spear from one of the guard of Dion wherewith sublimely mounting at length she let it fall into the deep 164 The suburbs of Sardis filled with Snakes which the Horse of Croesus King of the Lydians going to Grasse devours 165 The Sacrifices offered by Dionysius the younger to the gods portend great prodigies 166 Tarquinius Superbus his dream 167 Strange sights appear to Hippocrates the most valiant Duke of Athens 168 Statues sweat with divers other formidable prodigies 169 The prodigious return of a child almost born to his Mothers belly again 170 Archelaus Tetrarch of Judaea and Idumea his dream 171 The Ensign of Barnabas Lievtenant-Governour shattered with a Thunderbolt 172 Zeno the Emperour flees to a little Castle upon an Hill called Constantinople 173 Frederick the second told by one who had a familiar spirit That he should die at the Florentine field 174 Adelheida a Lady of the noble blood of the Tuscans of so high a wit by observing the Heavens and Stars that she foresaw things to come 175 A fortune-teller's prediction to Machabaeus King of the Scots 176 Antonius of Leva animates Charls the fifth Emperour to war upon France 177 A Soothsayer's prediction to Amilcarus Duke of the Carthaginians 178 The Velitri consult an Oracle 179 Hadrianus Cornetanus Cardinal conceives hope of obtaining the Papacy by the Oracle of a Fortune-telling woman 180 Demophon's advice to Alexander given from his observations in Augury 181 A certain Syrian whose name was Eunus who delighted in Magical enchantments 182 Megistas Arcanas his Prophecy 183 Domitian the Emperour commands Ascletario to be burnt and Larginus Proclus to be hang'd for that they foretold the day of his death 184 Perusinus the greatest Magitian of al Italy 185 The Table of Dreams Visions Revelations c. The severall heads are to be sound by the figures in the Margin JUpiter sendeth a dream to Agamemnon 1 Cyrus King of Persia his dream 2 Socrates foresaw in his dreams that his Scholler Plato would be an excellent Orator and Philosopher 3 Hippocrates his dream 4 Alexander descended from Hercules by Carinus and from Aeacus on his Mothers side by Neoptolemus his dream 5 Sophocles his dream 6 Aeneas Seneca his dream the night after he undertook the Tutorship of Seneca 7 Fudemus a Cyprian his dream 8 Aspatia the daughter of Hermotimus her dream 9 The Mother of a certain Souldier her dream 10 Aesculapius of Athens his prescription by Oracle to Plutarch an Athenian 11 Themistocles his Vision 12 Lucullus going to Hellespont his Vision 13 Marcorius a Physitian of Augustus Caesar his dream 14 Laodice the Wife of Seleucus her dream 15 Publius Decius Tribune of the Roman Souldiers his dream 16 Gracchus brother of Tyberius his dream 17 Calphurnia Wife of Julius Caesar her vision predicting his death 18 Cornelius his foresight of his death 19 A beholder of Playes his dream 20 Great Sfortia his dream 21 Malgepa an Archer to Galeacius Sfortia his dream 22 Mark-Anthonie Taurell Duke of Guastella his dream 23 Horace Perusine servant of Alexander Medices Duke of the Florentines his dream 24 Baptista Cardanum his Vision with a voyce speaking to him at the instant of his Mothers death she dying far distant from the place where he had this vision 25 Ulysses his contrary dreams 26 â—indarus a Lyrick Poet his dream 27 Phail King of the Phocians his dream 28 Aristomenes King of the Messenians his dream 29 Alexander King of Macedonia understood by a dream that the right hand of Cassandra would prove mortal to him 30 Alcibiades his dream 31 King Croesus his Vision 32 Polycrates daughter of a Tyrant of the Samians her vision 33 Verses presented unto Hipparchus son of Pisistratus in his sleep 34 The like dream had Simon of Athens 35 Socrates his construction of a verse of Homer read unto him 36 Aterius Rufus a Roman Knight his vision 37 Julius Caesar not long before he was murthered seemed to himself in his sleep sometimes to fly above the clouds sometimes to joyn his right hand to Jupiter 38 Helius Cuma one of Caesar's friends his most fearful dream the night before his murther 39 Nero affrighted with dreams and evident signs of things to come 40 Galba the Emperour his dream a little before his death 41 Domitian his dreams immediately before he was slain 42 Anthonie Carocalla Emperour his vision a little before he was murthered 43 Himerea her vision 44 Cicero his vision 45 Quintus Catulus his vision 46 Vespasian the Father his Vision 47 Julian his Vision the night before his being declared Emperour 48 Stipo the Philosopher his vision 49 Hippias the sonne of Pisisttratus his dream 50 The Mother of Dionysius of Syracusa her vision when she conceived him 51 Astyages Cyrus his dreams