him because he deferred to bring War on Greece The thing being talked of with Artabanus he constrained Artabanus cloathed with the King's garments to take a sleep in the King's Throne The same resemblance was also presented before the eyes of Artabanus Therefore he incensed Xerxes unto the Warr of Greece with no less diligence than before he had withstood indeed the evil fate of Xerxes so urging it that the most proud King might pay the punishments of his rashness and pride The same Xerxes seemed to himself to be crowned with an Olive-grass with the boughs of which Olive the whole Earth was overwhelmed and presently the Crown tyed fast about his head vanished This dream was more famous and sure than the former Xerxes had affrighted the world with Warlike preparation and now seemed to triumph over Greece Athens being taken when as he was by the diligence of Themistocles broken he was forced by a shamefull flight to shift for his life Herodotus book 7. THe Spartans Callicratidas being Captain were to fight at Arginusa in a Sea-battell with the Athenians the diviners on both sides disswading them For the head of a sacrificed beast lying on the shore dispersed the Lacedemonians being drawn through the rage of a wave the Soothsayers shewed all these things betokened that the Pretor of the Navy was to perish in that combat Which thing being heard they say Callicratidas answered he should withdraw nothing from the Spartane worthinesse if by fighting he should fall But unto Thrasibulus the Athenian who being then Pretor led the Navy and to whom that day the top of Royall Authority had come by lot by night this dream appeared It seemed to him together with six other Praetors to act the Tragedy of Euripides whose title is inscribed Phoenissas in the common Theatre But it seemed his adversaries acting the Tragedy whose name is Supplices the Cadmean Victory to have happened to them and all to have perished by imitating the Captains who had pitched their Tents for the assaulting of Thebes These things being heard a Prophet being called to interpret they so expounded it that seven Captains were to fall in that battell But the holy things otherwise openly promising Victory he bade the Captains that it may be shewed unto their companions alone concerning every ones death but that they divulge a Victory betokened by those very holy things throughout the whole Army A battell being joyned Callicratidas some Ships of the Enemies being first overcharged dyed the conquest remained in the power of the Athenians 25. Ships being lost 77. of the Enemies sunk They fought on both sides with little lesse then four hundred Ships and that battel is mentioned to be the greatest of all which indeed Greeks with Greeks ever fought Diodore in Book 13. UNto Pyrrhus King of the Epirots besieging Sparta such a dream was offered All Lacedemon being stricken with a Thunderbolt seemed to him thereby to be set on fire and he thereupon to leap for joy He being stirred up with gladnesse commands his Captains that they set the Souldiers in order and expoundeth the dream to his friends as if he was to vanquish the City Unto which thing when as others wonderfully agreed the sight pleased not Lysimachus He saith he feared least as the places that were blasted with Thunderbolt remain inaccessible so the god signified to Pyrrhus that he was not to enter the City When as Pyrrhus answered this man Those were meer delusions and full of uncertainty but that every man holding weapons in his hands ought to bring into his remembrance Optimum id augurium pro Pyrrho exponere vitam Of Divination that 's the chief For Pyrrhus to adventure life In the first of the morning he sets upon the City But the Lacedemonians not sluggishly and beyond their strength defending themselves he was constrained to loose the siege Plutarch in Pyrrhus CN Pompey having followed King Mithridates unto Euphrates fell by night At which time it is blazed by report that Mithridates saw a resemblance in his sleep which foreshewed him things to come It seemed to him to sail in the Pontick Sea with a prosperous wind and now to foresee Bosphorus and courteously to speak to those that were carried together with him as who rejoyceth in his sure and undoubted safety but suddenly he was found forsaken by all and tossed in a small broken piece of a Ship His friends standing by stirred him up being busied with those troubles and Images shewing that Pompey was at hand A fight therefore instead of a bulwark being begun he was overcome Far more then ten thousand were slain and the Camps were taken Mithridates himself with a draught of eight hundred Horsemen with him brake through the Romans By and by the rest sliding away he is left alone with three among whom was the Harlot Hipsicratia who had alway been of a manly boldnesse Wherefore the King called her Hispicratia But then she being cloathed with a man's Persian garment and carried on a Horse neither seemed she to be weary in body from the tediousnesse of the flight neither the Kings body and horse being taken care of was he tired untill they came unto the Towre or Castle Inor where the Kings Money and Treasures were heaped up Thence Mithridates took his pretious stones which he distributed unto those that assembled unto him out of the flight Moreover he gave a deadly poyson to a certain friend of his to be carried with him lest any one should come into the enemies hands From thence he strives to go into Armenia to Tigranes Which thing when he forbade him and had pronounced a hundred talents on his head the Springs of Euphrates being passed by he bends his flight through Colchis Plutarch in Pompey BEfore the Pharsalian fight it seemed to Cn. Pompey by night in his sleep he entering into the Theatre the people to applaud him and that he adorned the Temple of Venus the Conqueresse with many spoils This sight partly raised him up partly made him carefull fearing somewhat least Grace and famousnesse should come from him unto Caesars family chanting on Venus and some Panick fears awakened him out of sleep In the fourth watch over Caesars Camps where all things were quiet a great light shined out A flaming Torch kindled thereby was brought into Pompey's Camps Caesar himself said he saw this while he went about the Watches The same Author in the same place HEcuba being great with young she seemed to bring forth a burning Torch which burned Asia and Europe She not long after brought forth Paris by whose unchast loves the country of Troy being destroyed their forces being wasted Greece was consumed by a long war and undone Sabellicus book 1. ch 1. Volatteran book 18. Anthropol CAmbyses King of Persians saw Smerdes in his sleep sitting in the Kings Throne to touch the Heaven with his Crown He for that thing fearing lest his Brother Smerdes should possesse the kingdome sent Prexaspes to kill
very long beard and hair and blacker then any Crow so that he might seem to be Vulcan himself had he been lame He without any more complement askt the Factor Whether he met his Workmen He answered That indeed he saw certain Men who said they were going to build at Aetna but whether they were his Workmen or no he knew not but if they were he would be glad to know what moved him to undertake so strange a piece of Work as to build in a Mountain so high and so deep in Snow that it is hard for the ablest Traveller to passe there Then said this unknown Architect Although you little credit my words you shall shortly know and your eyes shall bear you witnesse that I am able to perform this and much more if I please And with these words he vanished out of his sight At this the man became so terrified that he had like to have dyed in the place but with much ado he got back to the Town full of horrour and according to the custome procured a Priest was confest declared his vision and the same evening departed this life The beginning of the night following the 23. of March there was a great Earthquake and exceeding great flames of fire burst out of the top of the Mountain Aetna on the East side and were violently carried toward the Sun-rising insomuch that the Clergy and people of Catana were so struck with terrour that they all ran to the Church of St. Agatha to implore divine assistance from whence the voyce of their prayers and excessive weeping with their dolefull ditties and unanimous cry for mercy the bells all the while ringing mournfully came to the Church dedicated to the Purification of the Blessed Virgin And O wonderful event before their prayers were ended the fire began to decrease and in a short time became utterly extinct Gilbert Cognat libro octavo narrationum DAmascius Syrus Simplicius and some other learned men came out of Sicilie together and went into Persia to see King Cosroes of whose fame and vertue they had heard great report In their coming home as they returned they found the body of a man in the field unburied They abhorring the inhumanity of the Persians buried it In the night time the shape or Ghost of an old honourable person seem'd to haunt one of the retinue saying Do not interre that unburried corps let the Dogs tear it in pieces The Earth is the Mother of us all it admits not of that man who depraves his Mother When he was awake he told his vision to the rest Wherefore going back again in the morning into the field they saw the naked corps lay in the open field Agathius lib. 2. seems to speak of it among his Greek Epigrams 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let this unburied Corps no buriall have Our Mother Earth to Mother-wrongers lends no grave EDward the third King of England when on a time the Collectors of the Tribute-money which was impos'd on the people had brought before him a huge heap of money given out of that tribute to make him merry he suddenly thought he saw the Devill sporting and playing about the money and therefore abhorring money of this nature as a detestable thing they say he presently commanded it to be taken out of his sight and to be restored to the people Polydor. lib. 8. WHen Thyana a City of Asia which had rebelled was taken Aurelianus the Emperour being in his Pavilion all alone very angry thinking how to destroy it he saw with great terror Apollonius Thyaneas the Philosopher appearing to him which was dead long since and advising him Aurelianus if thou desirest to be a Conquerour think not to slay my Citizens Aurelianus if thou wilt be a Ruler shed no innocent blood Aurelianus be mild and gentle if thou wilt be a Victor Calius lib. 17. cap. 13. ex Fl. Vopisco ST Martin the Bishop of Yours in France was greatly tempted by the Devil On a time the Devil appeared to him all in purple and with a Diadem in the person of Christ Martin seeing this was amaz'd the Devil saith unto him Know Martin whom thou adorest I am Christ I am going to the Earth I would first make my self known to thee Here when Martin replyed not he saith again Martin why doest thou doubt to believe in me seeing thou seest me I am Christ Then he being taught in Gods Word by the Holy Ghost saith My Christ was crucified and wounded but I see you in no such habit neither put I my belief in you At this word he vanished Marulus ex Severo Sulpitio WE read in the Life of S. German a Bishop that on a night when the cloth was laid in an Inne after Supper he much wondring at it was inquisitive for whom that Supper was provided and answer was made For good Men and Women which straggle up and down in the night Whereupon the holy man intended to watch them And lo a great company of men and women came to the Table whom he charging not to go away the whole houshold lookt if they knew any of them They saying they were all neighbours every bodies house being searcht he found them all in their beds Whereupon he presently put them all to their oaths who acknowledged that they were evil spirits or Devils MEnippus the Scholer of the Philosopher Demetrius a very handsome young man when he went to Cenchraea by Corinth he met the shape of a strange Maid beautifull and rich which said that she was in love with him Thereupon she invited him to go to her house He being loveâ—smitten oftentimes kept her company there and did think to marry her She had a house furnished like a Princess Apollonius Thyaneus considering all things in that house cry'd out that she was one of the Fairies whom some call Hagges others walking Ghosts Philostratus in vita Apollonii JAmblicus that famous Magician when a certain Egyptian whilst he was making his challenge had an apparition to the great terrour of all the standers by bad them be of good cheer and not wonder at it for he knew it to be the Ghost of a certain Fencer who was then lately slain in a single Combat Eunapius in Aedesio WHen Constantine the Great made Gallus Governour of the East Julianus being in great hope of compassing the Empire himself sought throughout all Greece for Southsayers and Wisards and consulted all he could meet with about the successe of his designes At last he met with one who promised him great satisfaction in the foretelling of what future events he should propose And having led him into a room beset with Images the Magician began to call upon his Devills and they presently appeared but as they are wont in an ugly black hue and shape insomuch that Julianus being sore afraid signed his forehead with the sign of the Crosse whereat the Devils suddenly vanished as minded of the victory of our Lord
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
stands an ugly ghost he makes his name known and confesses the truth of the crime saying That he was a common thief and was put to death for his villanies and by the common peoples ignorance was honour'd for a Martyr Then Martin makes an Edict That the Altar should out of hand be taken away and by this means delivered the people from their superstition Severus Sulpitius in ejus vita WHen Simonides Cous supp'd at Scopas his house in Thessaly and had sung that song which he had made on him wherein many things for ornament sake as the Poets use to do were written on Castor and Pollux Scopas told him he would give him half according to their agreement for that song but the other half he must demand of Castor and Pollux whom he had equally commended with him A little while after comes in a Messenger to Simonides and tells him there were two Men at the gate calling for him very earnestly Up he arose and went forth but saw no body In this very interim of time down falls that very room where Scopas was feasting and crusht to death him and all his company Cicero in lib. de Oratore IN the year of our Lord 654. In the eleventh year of the reign of Constans it rained ashes so that Constantinople was in great fear fire fell from Heaven and a most grievous plague mightily increas'd for the 3 hot moneths A good and bad Angel were seen by every body to go in the night time about the City and as often as by the good Angels command the bad Angel did smite any ones door with a javelin which he had in his hand so many dyed out of that house the next day Sigebertus in Chronicis et Paulus Diaconus lib. 19. rerum Romanarum IN the sixth year of Constantinus Copronymus in the month of January about 4 of the clock there was an earthquake round about Palaestine and all Syria which destroyed many Churches and Monasteries And a Plague beginning in Sicily and Calabria goes quite through Monobasia and Hellades and through the neighbouring Isles and at last it comes to Constantinople Many perplext in mind thought they saw some strange men of a stern look following them and speaking unto them and to enter their houses and either to wound them there or cast them forth out of dores and so it was indeed in the event For that infection made houses which were full empty and there was such a multitude that died that all the Sepulchres in the City and Suburbs being fill'd Vaults Lakes Vineyards and Gardens were made places to bury in Anno Dom. 748. juxta Sigebertum IT was a strange and almost prodigious kind of death that Theodoricus King of the Ostrogoths died For in a while after that he had slain Symmachus and Boethius when a great fish's head was set before him on the table at supper he imagined he saw Symmachus his head in it biting his nether lip in as if he threatned him as he himself afterwards told his Physitian Elpidius With which representation he was so affrighted that at that time going to bed he was alway saying as long as he lived That image amazed him THe Castrobians report that Aristeus Proconnesius the Poet going into a Fullers shop in the Isle called Marmora died there and the Fuller shutting up his shop went away to acquaint his neighbours that such an one was dead this rumour being spread quite through the City that Aristeus was dead suddenly there came one whose name was Cyzycenus a Philosopher of Athens from the City Artace who said that he was in Company with Aristeus at a place called Cyzicus and spake with him Whilst he endeavoured to confirm it all the neighbours were in a readinesse having all things convenient to carry men forth The house being open'd Aristeus appeared neither living nor yet quite dead and 7. years after he was seen in Proconnesus when he composed those Verses which at this time are called by the Greeks Arimaspei which when they were made he again vanished The inhabitants of Metapontis in Italy say that Aristeus was seen in those quarters 300 and 40. years after and charged that Apolloes Altar should be erected and called by the name of Aristeus Proconnesius c. Herodotus lib. 4. ONe Leonard at Basill about the year of Christ 1520. one of no ingenuity and who stammer'd in his speech he was commonly called Lienimannus He I know not by what skill entring that vault which opens to the City Basill and going further then ever any yet could tells of strange and wonderfull sights One going down into the Cave with a lighted Taper in his hand said that he must first passe by an Iron gate then out of one Vault into another and then into fair and flourishing Gardens In the middle was a Hall to be seen most richly beautified and a very handsome Virgin to the middle with a Golden Diadem round about her head downwards she was like an ugly Serpent she would lead me by the hand to the Iron chest Upon that lay two black Mastiffe Dogs who with their horrible barking scar'd away all that came near them But the maid restrained them Then untying the bundle of keyes about her she opend the chest and took out all kind of moneys Gold Silver and Brasse whereof by the Virgins bounty he said he brought much out of the Vault with him He said moreover that the Virgin used to say that she was by direfull imprecations long since devoted hither and transformed into such a Monster but she was sprung from a royall stem and thought there was no other way to recover her safety then if she received 3. kisses from a pure and undefiled young man For then her own form would return to her and she would give her whole treasure otherwise called her Dower which was hid in that place to him that freed her He averred also that he kissed twice and twice took notice of her deportment so terrible for over-much joy of her hoped for liberty that he was afraid that she would tear him in pieces alive In this intervall of time it so fell out that his Nephews bringing him to a baudy-house he accompanied with an Harlor With which foul crime being contaminated he could never after find the way to the vault nor enter it Whereof poor Soul he often with weeping tears made complaint Who sees not that this was a Diabolicall phantasm but yet verily that antient Romane coin which he brought out of the Cave and made sale of to many of our City do plainly shew that some treasure was hid in that hollow place which some covetous Devill hath in custody just as the evill spirits to their own great perill do in Golden mines Lest any should think these things fabulous there are some witnesses yet alive that heard Lienimannus make relation of all things After him a Citizen of Basill in a very great dearth and scarcity that he might the
a good and savoury rellish But at last passing by Viburgus it makes the Lake to be black At this River strange sights are now and then to be seen and when the governours of the Castle or any Souldiers are near death there appears one in the night-time playing upon an Harp in the midst of the waters you may also hear him Olaus lib. 20. cap. 19 20. IN Ilandia an Island under the Artick Pole there is a Promontory which like the hill Aetna is continually burning and there is thought to be the place either to punish and torture or discharge all wretched Souls For there the Visions of all which suffer a violent death do appear so manifest and apparent to any they meet of their own acquaintance as if they were alive they take them by their right hand not knowing they are dead neither do they apprehend themselves to be in an errour till their spirits vanish away The inhabitants of the place do much prognosticate the destiny of their Rulers and Governours and whatsoever is done in the farthest part of the World by the revelations of these appearances Idem lib. 2. cap. 2. ULadislaus the first King of the Polonians besieged Naclus the strong Castle of the Pomerans There in a Moon-shiny night the watches often saw troops as 't were of armed men riding up out of their open camps and rushing upon the camps of the Polonians When they often did thus the Polonians were angry and seem'd to be disquieted but dare not all come forth into open battell On a night when news were brought them that the enemies were come again they came forth on a heap out of their camp all in a rage and running to and fro assaulted them a great way to no purpose They which were besieged fearing of the Polonian riot and having prepared a way for their excursion suddenly brake out upon them and threw wild fire among their works and Cottages which were covered with straw and reed which quickly dispersing it self in many places and few remaining in the Castle to defend it easily burnt their works with a great part of the Castle They affirm that the night-Ghosts representing an Army in a hostile manner were they which by Gods permission vext and perplext the Polonians Being thus worsted the Polonians because Winter was very sharp in those Regions and now at hand and their houses were lost and gone without which they were not able to endure the violence and injury of the winter weather by these affrights likewise and sudden alterations they were made religious but the Nacli went from thence not being able to compasse their design Cromerus lib. 3. Histor Polon IN the Countrey named Cracoviensis at a very spacious Lake by reason of the disturbance of some evill spirits neither fit for fishing nor any other use of Man being very hard frozen in the Winter they say that in the year 1278. the neighbours and Priests came together bringing with them their Colours Crucifixes and some other holy and consecrated things wherewith to force and expell them thence that they might more freely and securely recreate themselves in fishing but throwing in their Net at the first draught the fishermen being at strife one with another they drew forth but three small fishes onely the one of them an ill-shap'd terrible Monster with a Goats head and eyes flaming like fire At which all being in an amaze and running away That spectrall plunged himself under the Ice and running to and fro in the Lake made a terrible noise and outcry and breathing on some of the company they were miserably ulcerated Cromerus lib. 9. JAson Pratensis in his 29th Chapter tells us a story of a distemper'd brain of a Priest which was troubled with the disease called by some Incubus or the Mare and imagined he saw a Woman of his acquaintance coming to him which laying upon him whether he would or no did most grievously afflict and torment him ALexander in his second book of his Merry dayes writes of Alexander that he had an intimate friend of an undoubted credit that took upon him the care of his friends funerall and as he was going from thence to Rome from whence he came night drawing on he turn'd into the next Inne in the road and there being very weary he went to bed And being all alone and not as yet setled to sleep he said he saw on a sudden the similitude or likenesse of his friend which lately died comming â—owards him very pale and lean just like him in the mouth as he last parted from him when he lay sick whom looking wishly upon for very fear that he was in he was not himself he asked him who he was But he answering nothing pull'd off his clothes and wâ—nt as it seems into the same bed where he lay and came close to him as if he would hug him The other almost half dead for fear went to the bed side and would not let him come nigh him he seeing that he was rejected looks upon him with a stern and unusuall aspect and taking up his clothes presently rose out of bed and putting them on and his shooes went away and was never seen again This good man being thus affrighted was deadly sick and even at death's dore To that which hath been already spoken he said likewise that when he was strugling with him in bed he felt his bare foot so cold as no Ice could be colder GOrdian my friend saith the same Alexander a man of an approved trust related to me when with his comrade he went to the City Arezzo in his journey as it fell our they wandred far out of the way by reason of many turnings and by-places so that they saw no plough'd or Arable ground but onely Woods Groves and inaccessible places were in their sight and solitude it self was enough to terrifie them the Sun therefore approaching the Western circuit being weary by their hard travell they sate down together and within a while they thought they heard a mans tongue which going after on the next hill they espy'd three men of a huge wild and terrible form not of the fashion of men in black long Cloaks in a sad and mourning habit their beard and hair hanging down to the ground who calling and making signes to them had almost perswaded and enticed them to them but in that interim greater then these appeared of an immense bulk and stature of body far exceeding mans and another also appeared of the same shape stark naked leaping and skipping up and down most strangely with other unseemly deportments at which sight they being clearly discouraged fled away and passing that rugged and perilous way could scarce find again that homely Inne where they lodg'd THe same Alexander mentions stories of the same nature in his 4th book and 9th chapter in these words A very good friend of mine lately of a good disposition and excellent repute told me what a strange thing and
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
signifies a Boar. Which thing being brought to light the Souldiers chose Dioclesian the revenger and with one accord salute him Emperour He therefore after an assembly had whereby he might fulfill the saying of Druys thrusts Aper thorow with his own hand adding that of Maro Aeneae manu dextrâ cadis Thou fall'st thou dost not stand By great Aeneas his right hand Cuspinian ZEno Emperour of Constantinople asked some secrets of Marian a most wise Earl Who should succeed him in the Empire He answered One of the Silentiaries shall take thy Empire and Wife but me thou shalt unjustly kill Both of these the end proved in its time AGilulph Duke of the City Taurina when as he brought unto Authar King of the Longobards his Bride Theodelinda the daughter of the King of Boiaria had a Sooth sayer with him who by the stroak of a Thunder bolt foretold unto him that a little after he should enjoy the Bride her self and the Kingdom and that thing the issue proved to be true For Authar being killed in War Agilulph succeeded him in his Kingdom and wedlock Paul Deacon of the deeds of the Longobards chap. 14. ANtonine the son of Sosipater and Eustathius the Cappadocian had a school at Canobicum the door of Nilus He foretold to his Schollars that after his death the Temples of Serapis a god of the Egyptians should be overthrown The event confirmed the prophesie under Theodosius the Emperour Eunapius in Aedesio REmex a certain Rhodian being estranged or angry in his mind began to witness with a loud voyce that before the thirtieth day there should be very great slaughters and robberies at Dyrrhachium in Greece and fire and flight but the Navy it self to return home When Cn. Pompey who being Pretor was chief over the Navy had heard that and had told it unto three men Cicero Varro and Cato all being moved also some of them are said to be exceedingly affrighted But the space of a few dayes coming between Labienus fleeing out of the battel in Thessaly brought news of the overthrow of the Legions and that the Army of Pompey was scattered in a great battel by and by the publique corn was snatched out of the barns and scattered abroad through the whole City they that were there having departed with a headlong flight were both forsaken by the Rhodians and being unwilling to follow the ships were burnt PRocopius in his third book of the Vandall-war sheweth that there was wont to be an old Proverb tossed up and down in Carthage by the children that Gamma should sometimes persecute Beta and again Beta Gamma I think the childrens sport to have looked hitherto that between neighbours there might oftentimes rise discord But this childish saying was wrested unto the event of things because Genserick King of the Vandalls had expelled Boniface Afterwards Belisarius Gilimer The Proverb arose not from what happened but was a Riddle of the Carthagenian Children as an Oracle of that which happened afterwards Erasmus in his adagies THere stood Tombs in the Leuctrian field of the daughters of Scedasus which they call Leuctrides from the place For by chance when they were by force ravished by the Spartan-guests they had been buried in that place That so cruell and wicked act being committed their father having wished for curses on the Spartans when he could nor by request obtain revenge from Lacedemon stabbed himself upon their Sepulchres From thence the Prophesies and Oracles daily foretold the Spartans they should avoid and turn away the Leuctrian revenge by the gods But that thing many did not so understand but doubted of the place because also a little Town placed on the shore of Laconia is named Leuctron Besides there is a neighbouring place of that name in Megalopola of Arcadia At length the Lacedemonians being in the Leuctrian field of Baeotia over come with a most cruell slaughter by the Thebanes lost their rule Plutarch in the life of Pelopidas THere was with M. Anthony the triumvir or one of the three chief men of Rome a certain Magitian of Aegypt who had often moved Anthony that he might withdraw himself from Octavius Thy fortune saith he O Anthony is of it self famous and large but when it cleaves to Octavius it is continually blunted Thy daemon or spirit feareth his Genius or Angell and when as it is of it self high and chearfull yet at the approach of this it is made low and fearfull He the more easily gave him credit because whether by lots or pairs of Cocks and Hens or Quails committed to hand Anthony was alwaies inferiour to Octavius He therefore being stirred with these things going with Octavia from whom he had already begotten a little daughter out of Italy sailed unto Athens Sabellicus in his ninth book Ennead 6. MOst antient Prophets had sung It was wickednesse for Romane weapons to go beyond Ctesiphon a Town and the Captains that dared to do it were to receive punishment They think M. Crassus purposing that thing to have perished with his Army M. Ulpius having attempted to go beyond Trajanum recovered not Italy and to have lost five Provinces on the other side Tygris presently and he had been better not to have undertaken the journey he wasted and almost consumed his legions of Souldiers with long pains And although the Conquerour drew out his bounds farther yet he profited not much desiring to go beyond Ctesiphon Tygris being overcome Valerian was taken by Sapor King of the Persians But Odenatus Palmyrene a conquerour of Romane Majesty came beyond Tygrim even to Ctesiphon Carus Emperour led the Army of Probus a large conquerour from the Sarmaâ—ian Warr into Persia he wasted the Enemies Kingdom he vanquished Seleucia compassed about with Euphrates the which Aelius the true Antonine had in times past taken And then he requiring or assaulting Ctesiphon and willing to proceed farther either a disease or the stroak of a thunder-bolt in a troublesome and lightning heaven took him away Cuspinian SYbill prophesied of the destruction of Antichrist 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Again he then an evill time shall see When his own Net will his destruction bee Some understand by the snare or net the place wherein Antichrist is to be choaked Theodore Bibliander a most learned man of the Art of Printing whose matter is flax steeped and glewed together to wit paper with this flax Antichrist shall be dispatched because it is that in which the holy Gospel of Christ and all the Prophets being written together are contained by whose authority as it were by the breath of Christ's mouth the three-headed Beast shall be brought to destruction PSammeticus took away Tementes King of Aegypt The god Ammon had answered Tementes asking counsel of the Oracle concerning the Kingdom That he should beware of the Cocks Psammeticus using familiarly Pigritatus a Carian when he had known from him that the first or chief Carians put Cocks on the top of their heads he understood the mind of the Oracle and hired
found with a numerous company of young which she had brought forth in the night to have confirmed the truth of the Oracle The Tomb therefore was fenced with work done in haste in which afterward Ascanius who succeeded his Father Aeneas built the City Alba that is white so called from the colour of a Sow Sabellicus Book 7. Of the first Ennead TArquinius Superbus or the proud King of the Romans began to found the Temple of Jupiter Juno and Minerva vowed by his grandfather in the Sabine Warr in the high and rocky part of the Tarpeian hill the roughnesse of the place being first corrected But when he had determined to consecrate the floor according to the custome and the compass of this space had embraced certain Chappels of most ancient work which because they were to be unhallowed that the workmen all fear of Religion being taken away might demolish they say that then there were mockings of evil Daemons or devils that other power had yielded up their divination to Jupiter and the Goddesses onely Terminus some add also Juventa could not be moved from their seat And that thing being taken for a token of a stable and remaining Empire A chappel to have afterwards remained unmoved in the middle part of the Temple There is also a certain greater wonder offered to the workmen A man's head was found with a fresh gore by those who wrought in the lowest part Tarquine for none thought not that to be wonderful asketh counsel of houshold-prophets These referring all the praise of that kind of learning unto the Hetruscians brought tydings to the King that he should send into Hetruria to enquire The Hetruscian Prophet answered It would be that the Tower of the Empire and the head of affairs should be there where that wonder had appeared and now from thence the place began from Tarpeium to be called the Capitol Sabellicus book 5. Ennead 2. ALexander the Great moving his Camps from Troas came to the Temple of Minerva There is a Priest Alexander by name when he had seen before the house of Ariobarzan who was President of Phrygia an Image struck down on the ground and other strange sights of no small moment he came to the King and in a great horse-exercise confirmed That he should be a Conquerour especially if he did joyn his companies in battel about Phrygia He added thereto also That he should kill the Captain of his enemies with his own hands But all those things were shewn to him by the gods themselves and chiefly from Minerva which was to be an help to him for the performing things prosperously Alexander received the foretelling of this Priest with a joyfull mind and presently honoured Minerva with most large sacrifice and dedicated his bucklet unto her and by and by brought out another that was most firm for him With which he being armed entred the first fight where he carried away a famous victory Diodore book 17. WHen the Grecians had gathered Ships together in Aulis a Haven of Eubaea to go to Troy and an Altar being built they sacrificed under a Plain Tree a Serpent of a wonderful bignesse creeping under the Altar went up into the top of the Plain-Tree and inclosing a Sparrow's nest hanging on an outmost bough he devoured eight young ones and the mother her self taken by the wing and presently himself stiffned into a stone Calchas a Prophet interpreted the divination The Greeks should besiege Troy nine years in vain at length in the tenth year to take and overthrow it the glory of such a deed to remain for ever Ulysses in Homer Iliad 2. repeats the History ALexander the Great assaulting Gaza a Crow flying over a certain turf or lump of earth being let down from on high smote the shoulder of Alexander and then sitting on a Towr besmeared with slime she being infolded by the tough matter was taken by the wings Plutarch saith she sate in an Engine and there being ensnared in a knot of ropes to have stuck fast Aristander the deviner beholding that thing said it would be that the City would be in a short time taken but it is a danger lest some wound the King would receive that day And both indeed happened Sabellicus book 4. Ennead 4. COelius Pontius when a Pye had sate on his head declaring the law and the Soothsayers had answered the Bird being let go there would be a victory of the enemies but she being killed of the Commonwealth yet he who had oppressed it should dye he presently killed that bird From which it fell out that Coelius himself with fourty others was slain Volatteran book 14. chap. 2. Anthro pol. ALexander the Great an Expedition into Asia being undertaken after he moved to the Warr both other wonders of the gods were shewn and also a sign of Orpheus at the hill Libethrum there was a Cyprus Tree which issued forth about that season with a plentiful sweat All being affrighted with that wondrous sign Aristander bade him be of good courage he should carry on thing never to be blotted out and famous which should afford much sweat and pains to Poets and Musitians singing them forth Plutarch in Alexander The same Alexander besieged Tyre now the seventh moneth and while he refresheth almost the whole Army from their former labours but brings a few to the walls that his enemies might not have respite Aristander the diviner sacrifices being slain when he lookt into the intrails he confidently affirmed by the Crow That that City was without doubt to be vanquished Which receiving his saying with a mock and laughter because it was the last day the King seeing him troubled and favouring alwayes his Prophesies forbade hereafter that to be numbred the thirtieth day but the twenty eighth of the moneth and a sign of the Trumpet being given he set upon the wall more sharply than from the beginning he had begun to do When the City was not sloathfully assaulted neither those that were in the Camps were at rest but ran together to bring help the Tyrians were broken and Alexander took the City that day Plutarch in Alexander THe Syracusans being besieged by Nicias went up to the Temple of Hercules because they had not a long time performed solemn rites to Hercules and they offered sacrifice The Priests being Soothsayers declared unto the Syracusans joyfull intrails and victory if they did not begin the conflict but beat back their force For Hercules in defending himself being first forced overcame all And so going forward they made a very great and sharp Sea-battel in the very Harbour and overcame the Athenians Plutarch in Nicias L. Sylla when he was sent with an Army to the Sociall War at Laverna a tempest lighted into a great bosome of earth and out of it a great fire brake and lifted up a light flame to Heaven But the fortune-tellers told That an excellent man and excelling in beauty and famous was to let loose the City unto present storms when he
at the doors of the Capitol and Jupiter to have delivered unto him a whip And then suddenly Augustus being seen whom as yet unknown to most his Uncle Caesar had brought to sacrifice he affirmed him to be he whose likenesse at the time of sleep was presented before him Suetonius IT is agreed amongst all That Vespasian the Emperour was so sure alwayes of the off-spring of him and his that after daily conspiracies against him he dared to affirm to the Senate Either his sons were to succeed him or none It is said also that he saw a certain ballance at rest placed in the middle part of the Porch of the Palatine-house with an equall beam when as in the one scale Claudius and Nero stood in the other he and his sons Neither did the thing deceive when as both commanded so many years and with the like space of time They say Nero in his sleep was in his last dayes put in mind that he should bring forth the Chariot to the most excellent great Jupiter out of the Vestry into the house of Vespasian and into the Circle ADrian the day before he was ordained Emperour saw at Antioch of Syria in his sleep a fire to fall from Heaven on the left part to his neck or throat straightway to creep on the right with which fire â—e seemed to himself to be neither sore afraid nor hurt Dion of Nicaea Xiphiline in Adrian ALexander while he assaulteth the City of Tyre for 7. moneths with Bullwarks Engines and two hundred oar-gallies on the Sea side saw Hercules at his rest stretching out his hand to him from the wall and inviting him Apollo seemed to say to many of the Tyrians in the dreams that they should passe over unto Alexander for neither should those things which should be done in the City be effected by them But they as traytors of the wickedness found out bound the Image of Apollo with chains and fastned him to the foot of a pillar with nails calling him a favourer of Alexander Another shape was set before Alexander in the night A Satyre was offered to him The which when he endeavoured quickly to take it withdrew it self at length after many intreaties and runnings about of his it came into his hand The diviner the name being divided asunder not absurdly answered SaTuros Tyre shall be thine because Sa with the Greeks signifieth thine They shew a spring at which next after sleep he saw the Satyre Plutarch Alexander EUmenes when he thought Neoptolemus and Crater to move against him and provided to move by night by and by being overcharged with sleep a wonderful Vision was offered to him He seemed to see two Alexanders at a battle joyned between themselves and both to lead all the wings hence to the one came Minerva to the other Ceres for help A sharp conflict being begun that being scattered for whom Minerva stood Ceres ears of corn being divided asunder weaved a crown for the Conquerour This being seen he conjectured it was the second to him who for a very good field and at that time having a famous ear of Corn in the knop of a Rose did fight For it was full of sown seed and pease yielded a bright shew the fields having long grass in great plenty He was now more raised up after that he understood Minerva and Alexander to be a sign of battle to the enemies He therefore gave also Ceres and Alexander a sign to his Souldiers that they should redeem their head and weapons with the Crown made of ears of Corn. A battel being joyned he slew Neoptolemus and Crater Plutarch in Eumenes TImoleon chief Commander of the Corinthians a Navy being prepared for help of the Sicilians against Dionysius the Tyrant and all things being delivered or supplyed which an Army had need of the Priests of Proserpina seemed to see Ceres and Proserpinae to go far from home adorning themselves and with Timoleon saying They were to sayl into Sicily Wherefore they provided an holy Galley with oars of Corinth named Drabus He had seven Corinthian ships The Leucadians afforded the tenth when he looseth from these parts when it was late in the night and he was carried with a prosperous wind on a sudden the Heaven seemed to him to be cleft and a plentiful and clear flame to have been powred forth upon the ship From thence a Torch lifted up that was proper to the mysticall or hidden things and accompanying and holding the same course what part of Italy the Governours most especially desired it was brought into that The Prophets affirmed this shew to agree with the Dreams of the Priests and that the goddesses were at hand in this voyage and to shine before them with this shining brightnesse For Sicily was holy to Proserpina for there they fable she was allured and that this Island was given her for a nuptial gift And truly after this manner was the Navy confirmed Plutarch in Timoleon AS the Dream of Hannibal Captain of the Carthaginians was detestable to the Roman bloud so of a certain foretelling whose not onely wakings but also very sleep was ominous unto the Roman Empire For he drew forth an Image agreeeble to his purpose and desires and he thought a young man more noble than in a mortal shape to be sent unto him from Jupiter By whose warning at first his eyes following his steps into no part straightway a ready will of keeping an humane wit being feared looking behind him he perceiveth a Serpent of a huge greatnesse with a stirred force treading every thing whatsoever he had met with under feet and after him showres breaking forth with a great noyse of heaven and the light rolled up within very obscure darkness And then being astonished he asked What that Monster was what it might betoken This is a Captain thou seest saith he the desolation of Italy therefore be silent and leave other things unto silent destinies Valer. Max. in book 1. chap. 7. AMandatus is a servant from Mardonius unto the Oracle of Amphiaraus to enquire about those things which they should execute But he thought in his sleep a servant of the god was standing by him at first indeed to drive him back by word as if the god had been absent but straightway as lesse obeying to thrust him also with his hand Last of all to him stubbornly abiding to have dashed a great stone in his head 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is But these things were misâ—sounds of things to come For Mardonius was overcome at Plataea in a great battel and being smitten with a stone was slain Caelius book 19. chap. 15. out of Plutarch XErxes the son of Darius King of the Persians was about to bring war on the Greeks Artabanus son of Hystaspes the Uncle of Xerxes exceedingly withstood it Xerxes although fretting yet he had purposed to obey Artabanus But the destinies urging him he had the same dream twice He saw a man in a noble likenesse chiding
him Neither yet could he avoid even this by his brother-killing Murther whereby Smerdes the Magitian who feigned himself to be the true Smerdes Son of Cyrus should the lesse invade the Kingdome Cambyses going up to horse being wounded in the Thigh with a Sword died Herodotus Book 3. DArius had moved out of Susa against Alexander being supported with a multitude of Armies for he had six hundred thousand Souldiers under his Ensigns trusting to a certain dream the which the Magitians flattering him had interpreted more than according to the likenesse of truth The troop of the Macedonians seemed to shine together with a great brightnesse of fire But Alexander to wait on him in the habit wherewith he had been cloathed when he was Ascandes that is a Messenger or Ascantes that is Chamberlain to the King And when he had entred into the Temple of Belus to have been withdrawn from before his eyes By these things in my opinion God foreshewed that the Macedonians were to carry on honourable and famous matters and Alexander to obtain Asia as Darius had enjoyed it being of a Messenger or Chamberlain made King but in a short time to lay down his life with his glory Plutarch in Alexander Curtius hath delivered that the King imagined the Camps to shine with a great brightnesse Sabellicus Book 4. Ennead 4. THey report Domitian to have dreamed that a bunch sprang out from him behind a Golden neck and to have had it for certain that a more blessed and joyfull condition of the Common-wealth was foreshewn to be after him As indeed it so fell out in a short time through the abstinence and moderation of following Princes Sueton. EZeline surnamed Monk a bloudy and most cruel Tyrant at his rest saw the fortune of his sons that night in which he first came together with his wife who was by name Adela a Tuscian of the stock of the ancient Earls of Montaion For he seemed to himself to see a little hill in which a Roman Town was in the Patavine field placed the which he commanded and was thence called Romanus or a Roman so to be carried up and exalted that it touched heaven with its top and the same a little after to be melted as Snow and so to be let down that it could no more stand up The chances of his sons brought this effect For the elder Son and he Ezeline by name possessed the rule of Verona Patavium Vincentia Feltrium and Cividal and Marchia But the younger Alberick entred on the Kingdom of Tarvisium and other places But afterwards fortune changing in the two hundred fifty and sixth year above the thousandth of salvation when as the Pope and the Guelphians together had moved war against Ezeline his son he lost Patavium with the whole land But when he trusted that he should possesse the City of Mediolum by craft and for that thing had passed over the River Abdua being besieged by his enemies overcome in battell a wound being received being taken nigh to Soncinum in that very same place he died and was buried His brother Alberick being strucken with fear by this chance when as he distrusted that he could keep Tarvisium he betook himself into the Castle of Saint Zeno. Where in the year of Salvation 1200. being betrayed by his own Souldiers he came into the power of his enemies There having beheld six sons to be killed before him and his wife Margaret with two young maids to be burnt he himself being cut through all his limbs by piece-meal he saw as his father had in his dreams his Roman stock or nation to be ended Fulgosus book 1. chap. 5. THe Mother of Phalaris saw Mercury whose Image holding a goblet in his hand she worshipped at her own house among the shapes of gods in her dreams to sprinkle bloud on the ground out of that goblet and being dashed on the pavement to bubble back untill by little and little it overflowed all the house up to the top That which was seen in one the bloudy cruelty of her son made true in many houses Ponticus Heraclidus is the Author of this Vision a learned man as saith Tully and Scholler of Plato Petrarcha AMilcar Captain of the Carthaginians besieging Syracusa seemed to hear in his sleep that the next day after he should sup within the walls of the besieged City By that thing being turned to a hope of Conquest he being chearfull set the Army in order in the morning to besiege the City Unto him considering and attempting such enterprises as often comes to passe a great uproar arose in the Camps the Carthagenians and Sicilians disagreeing among themselves The Townes-men laying hold of the occasion come suddenly forth of the Gates and their enemies being scattered the Conquerours take their Captain desiring to succour their ranks being disturbed and therefore neglecting himself And so being brought into the City supping in fetters he understood what a false expounder of the dream he had been Valer. Max. Book 1. chap. 7. and Cicero Book 1. Of Divination Artemidore writeth a shew was presented to a certain one in his sleep as that he should sup with Saturn and it so happened that the day following he was cast into Prison Caelius Book 13. chap. 21. Of Book of Antiq. JUpiter commanded T. Latinus a man of the common people in his sleep that he should tell the Consulls that he was not pleased with the neighbouring Circean playes of the leaders of the dance which thing unlesse being heeded it were satisfied by the renewing of sports no small danger of the City was to follow He fearing least with some disprofit unto his Religion he should extoll the highest command kept silence And straightway his Son being taken with the sudden force of a disease died He also at the time of sleep being asked by the same whether he had sufficiently weighed the great punishment of his royall command neglected continuing in his purpose was recompenced with a weaknesse of his body And then at length by the counsell of his friends being brought in a horse-litter unto the Consuls Judgment-seat and from thence to the Senate the order of his whole chance being explained with the great admiration of all the strength of his members being recovered he returned home on his feet Valerius in book 1. chap. 7. Cicero in book 1. Of Divination And Livy book 2. Decad. 1. THe Tartars inhabit beyond the Mountain Belgia the Sea lying between Changius or their fiâ—st Emperour saw again a white horseman who had foretold unto him the Empire in his sleep that it was the will of the immortal god That in the Mountain Belgia being passed over they should go forward into the West and subdue all Kingdoms But as soon as they had come to the Mountain Belgia in that part which the Sea floweth on the Mountain that they should go down and their faces being turned toward the East they with nine bowings of the knee worship the
Sponges to Eudon Duke of Aquitane 90 A Monk leaving his Religion marrieth a Wife 91 One carrieth the Body of our Lord at a Paschal Feast whole with him in his mouth 92 The Sacrament put into a chest by a woman turns into the shape of flesh and blood 93 The reason of the building the Temple entituled The Body of Christ 94 Abundance of blood flowes from the blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist being torn in pieces by Jews 95 Pope Vigilius institutes That Mass for the dead should be performed in an holy place with holy garments and a low voyce 96 An head cast forth of the grave bleedeth 97 Clodoveus King of France falls mad for his irreligious handling the body of St. Dionysius 98 A woman loseth her sight for carrying away the shoes of holy Genovepha 99 A woman struck barren for kicking the Tomb of a Saint 100 A â—oâ—â—er comes to the Tomb of Wenceslaus the fourth Honourable King of Bohemia 101 The Judgment of God upon one for throwing a stone at the Image of the blessed Virgin Mary 102 The Judgment of God upon one who pulled out the eye of an Image 103 A Jew smites the Image of the blessed Virgin with a punniard out of which blood flowes 104 Blood flowing from the Image of the blessed Virgin proves a remedy to many sick people 105 A Souldier seeking to lay hold on an Image it turns towards him and he falls mad 106 Two gamesters one whereof plaid in the Name of God the other in the name of the Devil 107 Divine vengeance seizeth on Schelkrop for slashing and thrusting through the Image of Christ and his Saints 108 The Miracles acknowledged but thought by some to be done by the power of the devill 109 The Image of Christ abused by the Jews bleedeth 110 The Judgment of God upon a Jew for abusing the Image of Christ 111 The Image of Christ shot with an Arrow bleedeth 112 A golden key of St. Peters 113 A sacrilegious person struck with a Palsie in the acting of his sacriledg 114 An Hermite his vision at the death of Pandulph Prince of Capua 115 The Judgment of God upon a sacrilegious person 116 Church-cloathes plundered when they came to be used by prophane hands appear bloody 117 A man's house by divine vengeance set on fire for profaning an holy-day 118 A man's head turned backwards in a fearful manner for working upon an holy-day 119 A Jew's cruelty to the Host and the miraculous issue thereof 120 The tongue of a prejudiced man â—yed 121 St. John Baptist relieves the brother of Boleslaus invoking him 122 Comnenus the Emperour being sick is restored by the Image of our Saviour 123 Ptolemey seeks for the Cross 124 St. Bernard cures a man mortally wounded by giving him consecrated bread 125 Miracles wrought by the bones of Saint Remachus 126 One dispossessed of a devil by part of the straw whereon St. Martin lay 127 A Noble-woman ignorantly translates the bones of St. Stephen from Jerusalem to Constantinople 128 A Noble-man belonging to Otho the Emperour dispossest of a devil by a chain which had bound St. Peter 129 Several cured of Feavers by the herbs strewed about the Tomb of Nicetius 130 The Pestilence at Rome ceaseth upon the building up of the Altar of St. Sebastian in the Church of St. Peter 131 Constantine the Great his vision after his refusing to be cured by the blood of Children 132 St. Nicolas delivers Lotharingus at Constantinople invocating him 133 Bituricus Arch-deacon of Leons recocovers his sight by fasting and prayers at the Church of Martin upon his Feast-day 134 Pambulis a Priest restored to sight at the Image of Albinus in the Church of St. Peter 135 One sick of the Palsie restored to health by St. Martin and St. Alban 136 One sick of the Palsie restored to health at the Tomb of St. Dunstan 137 Cosroe's invocating Sergius obtains the defence of his Countrey and foecundity of his barren Wife 138 A man falleth sick of the head-ach by driving a nail into St. Peter's picture 139 Frenchmen about to translate the body of S. Benedict are struck blind 140 St. Michael the Arch-Angel appears to St. Lawrence 141 Three Saints appear to a Fisherman 142 Stephen King of Hungary Canonized 143 Udislaus King of Hungary Canonized 144 Cosroes seeking to take the silver Urn wherein Sergius the Martyr was laid was driven away by an heavenly Host 145 Saints defend the Isaurians from the Sarazens 146 A Martyr leadeth the Roman Army 147 The Cratonensians use a linnen garment of the Virgin Mary for a flag 148 Amiarus a Saint assists Godfrey of Bolleign in the Syriac Expedition 149 St. George S. Lawrence and S. Adrian assist Henry the second Emperor 150 The Romans carrying before them the Holy Lance instead of an Ensign obtain a great victory 151 S. Ambrose the Mediolanensian Guardian Saint 152 James the Apostle assists the Christian Army 153 The Fathers of the Nicene Council consult Musonius and Crisanthus 154 Christ appeared in the Sacrament to Plergilis a Priest in that body which the Virgin Mary bore 155 The vision which a Souldier of Rome who extinct by the Plague reviving at large he declareth 156 A noble child dead for seven dayes reviveth 157 Vincentius his relation of Tundalus 158 Vincentius his relation of one who being led by the Angel Gabriel after death was restored to life 159 Genovepha a virgin of Paris in an extasie 160 Erasmus Bishop and Martyr 161 Ursinus sees S. Peter and S. Paul at his death 162 Ezekiel and Daniel appâ—â—â— to a Religious man 163 The vision of Merulus a religious Monk at Rome 164 St. Peter the Apostle appears to a Virgin of Christ called Galla at Rome 165 The Mother of God with a company of Virgins appears to a Maid 166 Juvenal and Eleutherius the Martyrs appear to Probus Reatinus the Bishop 167 The body of St. Jerome when he had given up his soul was surrounded with a suddain glorious light 168 A Monk wrapt in spirit sees St. Augustine 169 St. Francis Assiatus his soul departs in form of a Star out of his body 170 Devils contend with an Angel for the soul of a Monk 171 Mass celebrated before a dead Monk 172 A soul dragged towards Hell by the devil is freed by S. Benedict 173 Saints speak out of their Tombs 174 Paschasius a Deacon of the Apostolical Seat 175 The spirit of a dead man waits at the bathes 176 Benedict the tenth chief Bishop appearing after his death to John the Portuensian Bishop confesseth That he was kept from eternal death by Odilones his prayer 177 John the Anchorite his vision 178 Maurice the Rothamagensian Bishop brought into the Temple after his death having received his soul speaks to them about him 179 Marcius of Alexandria obtesting the skull of a dead man in the name of Jesus causeth it to speak 180 Cyrillus Hierosolymitanus his vision as he was praying 181 A young man restored to life by the prayers and tears of Severus 182 A man dead revives relates his vision and 〈◊〉 183 Stephen a Roman going to Rome falls sick and dyes and revives again and relateth his vision during the time his soul was separated from his body 184 William a boy of fifteen years of age his vision 185 In the Sabine Province a Nun strictly observed chastity but by procacity defiles her tongue as appears by a vision after her death is condignly punished 186 The Sadduces and Epicures confuted from page 343 to page 358. The Arguments of those who deny that Angels and Devils can take to them a body confuted from page 359 to the end FINIS 4
deliverance Hence was it called the shirt of necessity because it was put on in the greatest necessities Thus it was made On Christmas day at night maids of most known chastity did in the Devils name spin yarn out of the mud weaved the same and sewed it together In the breast of it there were two heads sewed of which that on the right side had a long beard covered as it were with a helmet but that on the left side was grim crowned and like the Devil on either side was a crosse made in length it wrought from the neck down to the middle part of a Man being compleat with sleeves c. Vierus writes in his fourth book and 15. c. of the sleights of the Devils That he saw one of them in the Possession of a very Noble person left him by his Grandfather a Souldier and a most stout man and that they were very commonly used in times past by Kings and Emperours THe Polonians in a battle they had with them at Legnicia in the year of our Lord 1240. bore very hard upon the Tartars and when they gave ground prosecuted the pursuit There was in the very rear of the Tartarians an Ensign whose Motto was onely the letter X and upon the spear of it there was the image of an ugly black long-bearded man When as the Ensign-bearer did very much shake and waver this colour it raised a very thick and black smoak This cloud did not onely obscure the Tartars from the sight of the Polonians but killed many of the Polonians with the stink of it The Tartarians did this by some incantations they used which as well as many other ariolations and divinations they very much practise as well in war as upon other occasions and do often make conjectures of future events by the entrals of men The Barbarians when they saw the Enemy in a fear rallying and encouraging one another they made a great impression upon them and having disordered their ranks made no small slaughter in which Pompo the leader of the Christians with many of his valiant associates died There was so great a massacre of the Christians that day that the Barbarians having cut off all their ear-rings filled nine great sacks therewith Cromerus libro 8. A Cruel Warr happening between the Kings of the Danes and Suesia in the year 1563. It is written out of the Danes Castles That the Suecian King when he was in his pomp and prosperity carried four old Witches about with him which by their enchanted verses did procure all the Victories to the Danes that he could not do any hurt to his Enemy And those which were besieged by the Suesian King were debilitated and made weak and unfit for War so that they were glad to yield themselves captives And although at first there was no credit given to the report yet afterward one of these Witches was taken captive by a Souldier of Mounsieur Comitis a Schwarzenburg Guntheri of the Duke's Army and those things which she confessed to him are written down Afterwards there was found about the Wells Springs and Fenny grounds a long thred extended out a great length upon which were many woodden crosses and pictures with strange characters described on them Vierus saith That they grievously offend against the manifest Commands of God that they require such unlawfull means or helps from the Suesians and the Danes they are afraid of those magical delusions and divellish deceits and mockeries Lib. 2. cap. 33. de Praestigiis Daemon EMpedocles Agrigentinus the Magitian writes these things of himself Medicamenta quae et mala et senectutem propulsant Audies tibi enim soli ego ista omnia conficiam Et sedabis indefessorum ventorum vires qui in terram Ruentes flatibus rura corrumpunt Et vicissim si voles reduces ventos adduces Et efficies ex imbre nigro tempestivam siccitatem Hominibus et efficies ex aestiva siccitate Flumina foecunda quaeque in aestate spirant Et reduces ex Orco defuncti animam viri Ope now the labyrinth of thy mare-like ear And then strange Cures and Medicines thou shalt hear That will all evils and old age repell To thee alone I will this mystery tell And thou shalt hush the rumors of the wind Destruction's beesom when thou dost it find To sweep the Country with its poysonous breath And Dragon-like doth storm many to death And if thou wilt that Aeolus should bluster 'T is in thy power all the winds to muster If black big-belly'd Clouds appear again As though they would nothing afford but rain Then thou shalt cause in them a barrennesse And a great drought and bring a great distresse Upon poor mortals and when th' Earth is dry It shall be sleckt by tears of weeping eyes But when it 's parcht with Summers sultry weather The foaming floods shall then all flow together And quench its thirst yea from black Pluto's den With Orpheus thus thou'lt fetch thy friend agen When for a certain while the winds did so vehemently blow and bluster at Etesia that they hurt the grain he gave order that Asses should be excoriated or their skins should be pluckt off and make bottles and to be so far extended in the Promontory that they might receive the wind And he being asleep was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if one should say The stayer of the Winds Suidas THere are a certain people amongst the Lydians who are called Persici their Cities being Hierocaesaria and Hippaepae and in each City there are Temples very large and Vaults in them with Altars upon these are ashes of a far different colour then our ashes are A Magitian entring in here covers his head with a gallant attire where the wood is laid upon the Altar and calls upon the name of his god whosoever he be but reciting a heathenish verse out of a book where he hath prayed there shines forth a pure flame out of the wood the fire being not stirr'd Pausanias lib. 5. saith he saw this himself HErodotus testifies lib. 7. of Xerxes's Governours that in a tempest of three dayes they lost four hundred Ships untill the fourth day that their Magitians Thety and the Nereidians did allay the tempestuous winds by their sacrifices CAstabilis is the Phane of the Persians Diana where they say religious women go upon hot coals barefoot and are not burnt Strabo lib. 12. Under the Mountain of Soracte there is a City called Feronia it is called by that name from a goddesse they had which the bordering people thereabout worship very much In the same place there stands a Temple having a wonderfull kind of sacrifice For they that are inspired with the Deity do walk upon burning coals with their naked feet And therefore there comes a great multitude every year as well by reason of the solemnity and celebration as to see the sight Idem lib. 5. TUllius Hostilius the Roman King in the imitation of Numa Pompilius whilest he
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
delivered a crust of bread to the sick person which in the same moment began to recover This being done the Governour returning home did appoint that she should be apprehended and be burned as soon as might be but she was not seen in those parts from that time Idem ibid. WE shall bring a fresh example from an honourable man President of Vitriacus Francus who was assigned to all the greatest meetings of Brusis in the year 1577. When we wanted his help I did earnestly sollicite him that we might assist each â—ther in the publick burden lest he should go out of his place before the States were dismissed he answered That he had a certain friend who lay sick to death he was sent for by him and was made his heir he thenceforth was sick five or six years his members failing him and therefore his father being advertised that there was a man in Flanders who could cure his son went hither presently The Sorcerer unfolded the disease of the son which he had never seen to the Father and sent him away into Lusitania to another Magitian whose name he told him living in the King's Court. The Father bearing this patiently went into Lusitania where the Magitian said to the Father before he did onely proffer to speak Friend thy son shall be cured in a short time go into France thou shalt find a certain man named M. Benedictus towards Noviodunum about 20 miles from thy house but there are many of the same name this man shall cure thy son And therefore the Father wondring that he should undertake so great travail that he might seek that afar off which was near took courage and went to M. Benedictus But he said to the Father Thou hast spent very much labour going into Flanders and Lusitania that thy son might be restored Go command him to come to me I am he that will heal him The Father answered to these things Now he hath not gone out of his bed for above these 5 years and hath not truly the least faculty of moving in him But at length with no little trouble the sick person was brought thither and he was eased in part but yet he was not long well Idem ibid. JAcobus Sprangerus the Commissioner to enquire after the crimes of Magitians by the same argument doth write that he saw a Bishop in Germany who being very sick he knew by an old witch that he was sick by witchcraft neither was there any other way to recover his health then that the same witch should perish by enchantment who had cast the charme upon him The Bishop wondring sent with all speed to Rome to the Pope Nicolaus V. that he might get leave to be cured by this meanes The Pope which did love him singularly did grant his request with this small sentence that of two evils he should flye the worst The Letters Patents being brought the Witch said Seeing that it pleaseth the Pope and the Bishop she would perform it So in the middle of the night the Bishop was restored but the Sorceress which had bewitched him fell into the same disease from which he was freed But in the mean time that Sorceress which dyed would never consider but uncessantly committed her self to Satan to recover her health IN the field of Poictiers in France in the year 1571. Charls the eleventh King after dinner commanded that Triscalanus whom he had pardoned that he might disclose the partakers of his fault should be brought to him He confessed before the King and a great assembly of his Nobles the manner by which Sorcerers are conveyed their dancings sacrifices offered to Satan detestable copulations with Devils having shapes of men and women Moreover he added That dust was taken by many with which they killed men cattel and fruit Every one admiring at these his sayings Caspar Collignius Admiral of France for he by chance was present said That a youth was apprehended in the field of Poictiers some moneths before being accused concerning the death of two Noblemen he confessed that he was their servant and he saw them with dust cast into the houses and the corn saying these words A curse on that fruit on that house on that Region And therefore he having gotten this dust took it and cast it into the bed where those two Nobles did lye so both were found dead in the bed but swelling and very black The Judges did discharge the boy Then Triscalanus hearing that discovered also many things of that kind But it may be believed if the King whose body otherwise had the strongest joynts and complexion had commanded this Prince of Magitians and his other followers to be burned together that God would grant a longer and more blessed life to him for these Judgments For the Word of God is alwayes manifest unto him that he who quitteth a man worthy of death doth return his deserved punishment on himself as the Prophet said to King Achab That he because he had shewed favour to a man that did deserve death should dye Ibid. IT is manifest unto all men that the man of Rochell who was wounded to death of whose health all Chirurgions did despair was so ordered by the help of a certain Magitian that he could walk and speak some dayes indeed Satan and not any other did bear him that he might shew his power to the Magitians Ibid. JOachimus Camerarius doth declare in his book de natura Daemonum When by chance a certain Butcher went by a Wood in the night he heard a noise and dancings and therefore having sought the thing diligently coming he saw silver cups which things as soon as the Sorcerers and Devils were separated presently the Butcher took and the day after brought them to the Magistrate so they whose marks were in the Cups did accuse others being summoned to the Court and were all deservedly punished THere is another more excellent example of that execution which was made at Pictavium in the year 1564. the history of which execution I learned as well from many in the same place as also from Salvertus President of the people of Poictiers who was then sent for to hear the Judgment with Daventonius the President of Poictiers with other Judges and all in that region know it Three men with one woman being Sorcerers were condemned to be burned alive together when they were proved guilty of the death of very many men and cattel dust being brought to them as they did confesse by the help of the Devil furnishing them which they hid under the ground of Sheep-cotts and the threshold of houses But they declared That they were wont to go thrice to the greatest meeting whither innumerable Magitians came together to a certain cross-way where Feasts are solemnized which did afford them the use of an Image there was before them a great black hee-Goat speaking to those that were present with humane reason that they should leap all into the circuit of his embracements and then
every one with a burning candle kiss his hinder-parts This being done the Goat was consumed with fire of whose ashes every one took that therewith they might kill the Ox of an enemy this man's Sheep that man's Horse that they might torment this man with feeblenesse that man with death Last of all the Devil with a terrible voice did thunder out these words Revenge your selves or slay So every one did return by the help of the Devil the same way that they came The President Salvertus a most vertuous man said moreover that it did appear from antient acts for Magitians were condemned for the same cause 100 years before and by the like confessions and that it was done in the same place at the same cross Two of these did repent and two dyed in their obstinacy I Read also a Judgment against the Sorcerers of Potezana which Adrianus Ferreus the King 's general Vicar imparted to me at Laodunum In it their confession is after this manner That they near Lognium at the Trenquisanian prison certain words being uttered were carried away with brooms and there found others furnished with brooms ready at hand and with them six Devils whose names are kept After that they had forsaken God they being kissed adored the Devils in humane shape but yet having very bad countenances and danced having them in their hands afterwards the Devils had to do with the women but they required the dust to kill cattel Lastly it was appointed that they should meet in the same place eight dayes after on Monday at the begining of night and when they had tarried there three hours they were carried back BOvinus the Ruler of Gulick being sent Ambassador to Biturgium by name among the Blesensians affirmed that there was a Witch burned he being Judge whom her daughter accused because her Mother had brought her to the meeting and gave her to be instructed by the Devil She among other wickednesse confessed that she danced in the circuit of the Goat and at length she related the several gestures of the multitude at the last time and in what manner they made use of the dust This man saith that he had a child killed by her another a horse and he a tree But one being found to have done nothing from that time received many strokes on the soles of the feet and was derided by all others She also added That it did behove them to have fresh powder often Bodin lib. 2. cap. 4. A Thing like to this is that which we read in the Judgment of another Sorceress who confessed That she could not rest unless she did commit some evil daily at leastwise she should break a little vessel but when her Mistris caught her breaking her earthen vessel of purpose then she confessed the matter and was adjudged to dye because she said she could by no means rest unless she had killed a man or committed a mischievous act I Remember saith the same Bodin That Turnerius a Learned man an Aâ—reliensian Counsellour told me That there was a speech all abroad and found out true that the convention of Witches was kept at the Cleriacus and that Devils declared there whatsoever was done in divers Nations because they do reduce the several deeds of men as it were into a brief History of all person's actions and this is the manner of divination which Sorcerers use But that Sorceress whom we mentioned would not stirr from the sentence given saying She did prefer death before so great torments of the Devil from which she could not be quiet even for a moment BUt this is to be observed in the first place That there is no meeting wherein there is no dancing So the Witches of Languiana did sing when they were dancing Har har Devil Devil leap hither leap thither play here play there others said Sabbath Sabbath that is a quiet holy day having their hands and brooms lifted upwards that then they might certainly testifie with how great cheerfulnesse of mind and diligence they did worship and adore the Devil as also that they might represent the worship which is due to God THere is a fresh History of Naturall Witchcraft by a Neapolitane who doth declare a thing which he tryed in a woman-Witch who after she had anointed her self naked swounding and void of sense fell down and being returned after three hours space into her body she related many things from divers Countries which were afterwards found true I Heard from the Turettanian President that he saw in Delphiratus a Witch which was to be burned alive therefore she lying down in the fire saying Remain ye at home with my body she was taken away in a trance and because she understood nothing her Master smote her with very heavy strokes of a rod and then also that they might see whether she had departed this life or no the fire overcame the parts which are most sensible neither did they any further watch her and therefore lying esteemed by her Master and Mistris dead she was left there she was found lying in her bed the next morning Which when her Master admiring enquired what had happened to her She crying out said in her own language Ah Master How have you beaten me Her Master manifesting this to the neighbours a certain man said It is a Witch and therefore her Master did not desist till she acknowledging the thing did make manifest that she had heard the meeting of Magitians in her mind So moreover she confessed other offences which she had committed and she was delivered to the fire Bodin in Daemonomaniae lib. 2. cap. 4. JAcobus Sprangerus the Quaestor who did examine many Witches doth write that they did confesse when they seemed to be taken away by the spirit yet it might seem otherwise in the body We have had another example in our memory at Burdeaux in the year 1571. when persecution was instituted against the Magitians of France A certain old woman at Burdeaux being a Witch confessed to the Judges that she was carried with others every week where a great Hee-Goat was adored by which author they did deny God and did promise that they would serve the Devill every one did kisse his privy parts and after they had danced each one did receive the dust Then D. Belotus master of the Bills containing supplications when the sorceresse said that she could do nothing except she was brought out of the Prison being willing to try the truth of the thing did command her to be brought forth and when she had anointed her self being naked she fell down as if she were dead and void of sense afterwards coming to her sense and rising after five hours she declared many things which were found to be so as she had said in divers places A certain Earl of the order of men of arms did relate this History to me who doth live yet and was present at that experience Olaus doth testify that it is frequent in the Northern