to them And being reproved by a Prophet he threatened him with death if he ceased not For which the Lord delivered him up into the hand of the King of Israel who overthrew his Army took him prisoner carried him back to Hierusalem and for the greater reproach before his face brake down part of the City-walls ransacked the Temple and Kings palace carried away all the treasure out of both took his children for hostages to Samaria and after all this his subjects wrought treason against him which made him fly to Lachish yet thither did they pursue him and put him to death 2 Chron. 25. Judas Iscariot who for covetousnesse fell from Christ and betrayed him to the Jewes could afterwards finde no rest nor quiet in his guilty conscience so that being plunged into the bottomlesse pit of despaire he hanged himself burst in twaine and all his bowels fell out Acts 1. 18. Lucian who had made a profession of Religion in the time of Trajan afterwards fell from it and became a railer against it yea against God himselfe whereupon he was sirnamed the Atheist but the Lord inflicted a just judgement upon him for he was torne in pieces and devoured of dogs Suidas Porphyrie after he had received the knowledge of the truth being reproved for his faults by some Christians for very spite and anger apostatized from his profession set himselfe against the Christians published books full of horrible blasphemies against the profession of Christianity But perceiving himselfe to be confuted and loathed for his wickednesse in horrible despaire and torments of soul he died Suid. Ammonius who was Master to Origen was from his childhood brought up in the Christian Religion but afterwards was so affected with the study of Philosophy that he apostatized from Christianity and fell to Heathenisme Ravis Origen who had been all his life-time ambitious of Martyrdom fainted under the seventh Persecution his heart being overcome by feare when he was put to his choice either to offer incense to Idols or to have his body defiled by an ugly blackamoore whereupon he chose the former but thereby he lost the peace of his conscience which he could not recover of a long time after See his Life in my first Part of the Marrow of Ecclesiastical History Under the eighth Persecution a certain Christian denying his faith went up into the Capitol at Rome to abjure Christ and his profession which he had no sooner done but was immediately stricken speechlesse Cypri de Lapsu A Christian woman denying her profession was presently possessed by an evil spirit whereby she fell a tormenting her selfe and bit out her tongue with her own teeth Cyp. An ancient woman who had revolted from the truth and denied her profession yet thrust her selfe into the Assembly of the Faithful and received the Sacrament of the Lords Supper with them but it proved her bane for immediately trembling and stamping she fell down and died Cyp. A man also that had renounced his faith did notwithstanding present himselfe to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper but when he had received the bread into his hand thinking to put it into his mouth it was turned into ashes Cyp. Tamerus a professor of the reformed Religion being seduced by his brother denied his faith and turned Papist but shortly after he fell into despaire and hung himselfe Theat Hist. Anno Christi 1569. One Henry Smith a Lawyer of the middle Temple who made a zealous profession of the truth afterwards by the seducement of one of his friends turned Papist for which being stricken with terrors of conscience he hanged himselfe in his own chamber Act. Mon. Theoderick an Arrian King of the Goths exceedingly affected a certaine Deacon though Orthodox But this Deacon thinking to ingraciate himselfe more with the King and to attaine to great advancement thereby turned Arrian which when Theoderick understood he changed his love into hatred and caused his head to be struck off saying If he kept not his Faith to God what duty in conscience can a man expect from him Euseb. l. 2. Julian the Emperour who was brought up in the Christian Religion afterwards turned Pagan and became a malicious persecutor of Christianity but after a short Reigne in a battel that he fought against the Persians he was wounded with a dart which was never known from whence it came and feeling his strength to faile by reason of his wound he took of his own blood in his hands holding it up and with extream pride cryed out O thou Galilaean thou hast overcome me calling Christ Galilaean in scorn and so he died Simps Nicomachus under one of the first Persecutions being put to extream torments for the profession of Christ shrunk from his profession and cried out that he was no Christian whereupon he was freed from his torments but assoon as he had sacrificed to the Idols he was presently taken with a wicked spirit and thrown down violently to the ground where biting off his tongue with his teeth he presently died Act. Mon. Bolsechus of whom Beza writeth religionem ephemeram habere existimabatur his religion changed like the moon See the Life of Beza in my first Part. Baldwin was a notable turncoat that changed his religion three or four times at least for advantage and at last died of envy that another was preferred before him to be Chaplain to the Duke of Anjou when he went to take possession of the Kingdome of Poland Petrus Caroli an odious Apostate and tronbler of the Church See the life of Calvin in my first Part. The like were Staphylus Spicerus Brisonettus and of late Bertius Tilenus Spalatensis and many Renegado English who in Queen Elizabeths time turned Papists for advantage Bishop Bonner who in King Henry the eighths dayes was a great favourer of the Gospel for which he was advanced to a Bishoprick by the Lord Cromwel yet afterwards proved an Apostate and grievous persecutor of the Church See my English Martyrologie Latomus of Lovaine sometimes a professor of the Gospel but afterwards an Apostate went to Bruxels where he made an Oration before the Emperour Charles the fifth against Luther and his followers but so foolishly and ridiculously that he was laughed to scorn by most of the Courtiers after which returning to Lovaine againe in his publick Lecture he fell into an open frenzie and madnesse uttering such words of desparation and blasphemous impiety that by other Divines present he was carried away raving and shut up in a close chamber from which time to his last breath he continually cried out that he was damned and rejected of God and that there was no hope of salvation for him because that wittingly and against his knowledge he had withstood the manifest truth of the Word of God Senarclaeus in epist. ante hist de morte Diazi Arnold Bomelius a student in the University of Lovaine a man much commended for an excellent wit and ripenesse of learning and for favouring
of the Church then the head of the Empire Amongst the Lacedemonians men were chosen into the Senate and office of Magistracy not for their riches friends beauty strength c. but for their honesty and vertue Plut. Examples of Marshall Discipline A French souldier in Scotland in the beginning of Queen Elizabeths Reigne who first mounted the bulwark of a Fort that was besieged whereupon ensued the gaining of the Fort The French General Mounsier de Thermes first Knighted him for his valour and then hanged him within an hour after because he had done it without command Holman in his book of Ambass Manlius Torquatus the Roman General beheaded his own sonne for fighting with an enemy without leave although he overcame him Isac Chron. p. 147. Defend the poor and fatherlesse Do justice to the afflicted and needy deliver the poor and needy rid them out of the hand of the wicked Psa. 82. 3 4. CHAP. XLVIII Examples of Injustice Bribery The evil of it Psal. 82. 2. Prov. 11. 7. 28. 8. 29. 27. Zeph. 3. 5. Luk. 16. 10. 2 Pet. 2. 9. 1 Cor. 6. 9. Rom. 1. 31. It 's spoken of Psal. 43. 1. Mat. 5. 45. Isa. 26. 10. Rev. 22. 11. Forbidden Deut. 25. 13 14. Lam. 3. 35 36. Amos 5. 7. 8. 5. Exod. 23. 2 6. Deut. 16. 19. 24. 17. Threatened Prov. 28. 8. 29. 7. Deut. 27. 19. Isa. 5. 7. 59. 8 c. Hosea 10. 4. Amos 5. 7. 6. 12. Mich. 3. 9. It 's a great sinne Amos 5. 12. Prov. 25. 14. Eccles 7. 7. It 's the property of the wicked Psal. 26. 10. Prov. 17. 23. 29. 4. It 's threatened Job 15. 34. The godly are free from it Isa. 33. 15. so was Samuel 1 Sam. 12. 3. Prov. 15. 27. Forbidden Exod. 23. 8. Deut. 16. 19. Prov. 17. 8. 18. 16. Scriptural Examples of injustice in Rulers Samuels sonnes 1 Sam. 8. 3. Princes of Judah Isa. 1. 23. Ezek. 22. 12. Mich. 3. 11. 7. 3. Zeph. 3. 3. Judges in Israel Amos 4. 1. Hos. 4. 18. Pilate Matth. 27. 26. Mark 15. 15. Luk. 23. 24. John 19. 16. Felix Act. 24. 25 c. Ananias Acts 23. 2 3. Gallio Acts 〈…〉 Pharisees Matth. 23. 25. the steward Luk. 16. 3 〈…〉 the Judge Luk. 18. 2. Other Examples Cambyses King of Persia having found corruption by reason of bribery in one of his Judges called Sysamâ—â—â— commanded him to be put to death his skin to be pulled off to be spread upon the Judgment-seat and then making his son Judge in his room caused him to sit thereon withall telling him That the same corruption would deserve the same punishment Themistocles in Athens caused Arthemius and all his children anâ— posterity to be noted with a brand of perpetual infamy because he brought gold from the King of Persia to corrupt the Grecians and to divide them amongst themselves Plut. Harpalus that was made Treasurer by Alexander M. at Babylon whil'st he went to conquer India thinking that Alexander would perish in those warres fell to all manner of loosenesse and impurity ravishing Noble Virgins and defiling Matrous but when he heard of Alexanders returne fearing to be called to account for his viâ—â—ainy he stole five thousand talents of silver and so fled to Athens labouring by his money to corrupt the Citizâ—ns to secure him against Alexander and especially he sough to corrupt their Oratours which had most power with the people But Demosthenes exhorted the people to expell him out of their City and not to bring an unnecessary warre upon themselves in defence of â—o unjust a cause yet afterwards being with Harpalus he spred amongst his treasures one of the Kings cups of gold and began highly to commend it for the beauty and curious workmanship and Harpalus perceiving his coveâ—ous minde thereby bade him take the cup in his hand and guesse what it might weigh Demosthenes answered that he could not guesse But saith Harpalus this cup will bring you twenty talents and accordingly at night he carried him the cup with twenty talents in it Hereupon the next morning when the people were met together to debate the cause of Harpalus Demosthenes came to the Pulpit all muffled about his throat and mouth and when he was called upon by the people to speak his minde he told them that he was troubled with a squinancy and could not speak wherewith some merry fellowes made sport saying that Demosthenes had that night gotten a silvernancy and not a squinancy Diod. Sic. Q. Cur. Some Roman Judges having acquitted Clodius a great malefactor as they were going home wel atended with officers were met by Catulus who knowing what they had done said unto them You do well to be so guarded for your safety lest the money be taken away from you which you took so lately for bribes Plut. in vita Cicer. p. 872. There was a law amongst the Romans That if a Judge took a bribe to pervert justice he should die for it And if any bore false witnesse he should be thrown down from the Tarpeian Rock By the Julian law De Ambitu amongst the ancient Romanes it was enacted That if any attained to honour or offices by bribes he should be punished with a great mulct and also for ever be made infamous Severus the Romane Emperour so hated bribery and Iudges which used it that he would vomit when he saw them and was ready with his two fingers to put out their eyes Tacitus used to say That never any man came to an office or high place by bribery or â—inister meanes but he exercised his authority wickedly and unjustly Great presents being sent to Epaminondas though he was poor yet he refused to receive them saying If the thing you desire be good I will do it without any bribe even because it is good If it be not honest I will not do it for all the goods in the world Lanq. Chron. p. 57. Augustines judgement was that not only gold silver and presents are bribes But the guilt of bribery may also be justly imputed to any exorbitant affection which swayes a man aside from an impartial execution of justice As love fear hatred anger Pusillanimity desire of applause c. Cambyses King of Persia intending to make warre against the King of AEthiopia under pretence of sending Ambassadours imployed some to spie out his Countrey and strength to whom the King of AEthiopia said Go tell your Master that he is an unjust man otherwise he would not affect another mans Kingdome but be content with his own not seeking to bring other men into slavery that never wronged him Pez Mel. Hist. He that by unjust gaine encreaseth his substance shall gather it for him that will pity the poor Prov. 28. 8. CHAP. XLIX Examples of Restitution COmmanded in what cases Exod. 22. 1 3 4 5 6 12. Lev. 6. 4 5 24 21 25 27 28. Deut. 22. 2. Job 20 10 18. Prov. 6. 31. Ezek 33. 15.
16. 19. the Jewes Jer. 6. 13. 8. 10. the young man Mat. 19. 22. the Pharisees Luke 16. 14. Nabal 1 Sam. 25. 11. the rich man Luke 16. 21 c. See some examples of the danger of covetousnesse in my first Part of the Marrow of Eccles. History Julius Caesar was of such a covetous disposition that making Warre in Spaine he picked quarrels with divers rich Cities that he might plunder them He brake also into the Temples of the gods and robbed them of their rich gifts which had been bestowed upon them In his first Consulship he robbed the Capitol of three thousand pound weight of gold In his own and Pompey's name he took six thousand Talents from Ptolemy King of Egypt Theat vitae hum Tiberius Caesar was so overcome by covetousnesse that when Cn. Lentulus a worthy Senatour had in his will declared him to be his heire he sent and killed him that so he might have present possession of his goods Also when Vonorais King of Parthia being expelled out of his Kingdome fled to him for refuge he seeing that he had brought a mighty masse of treasure with him killed him that so he might enjoy his riches Theat vitae hum C. Caligula the Emperour having by profusenesse and prodigality wasted the treasure of the Empire fell afterwards to sordid covetousnesse and rapine whereupon he forced many rich men to make tbeir wills and therein to declare him to be their heir and presently after used to poison them scoffing at them and saying that when men had once made their wills it was fit they should die Having by a tribute raised a mighty masse of money stripping himself naked he rolled himself upon it seeking thereby to satisfie his thirst after gold He sold also the servants and houshold-stuffe Jewels and ornaments of his sisters taking the price of them to himself Theat vitae hum Nero that monster of men when by his profusenesse and Luxury he had wasted the Imperial treasures fell to such covetousnesse that he imposed new tributes on his subjects Injuriously seized upon many rich mens estates and often put the owners to death Robbed many Temples and took away the gold and silver Images Theat vitae hum Sergius Galba to satisfie his covetousnesse imposed great fines upon divers Cities in Spaine and France Took away from the Image of Jupiter a crown of gold that weighed fifteen pound weight and having a plentiful supper set before him he sighed at the consideration of the cost Theat vitae hum Vespasian though he be reckoned amongst the good Emperours yet he was extreame covetous Being blamed by his friends for sending such oppressive officers into the Romane Provinces He answered that he used them but as spunges to squeese them when they were full He imposed a taxe upon every family according to the quantity of urine that was made in it which his son Titus being offended at and blaming him for it as dishonourable to so great an Emperour He answered him little for the present but a while after when his Publicans had brought in the tribute he called his son Titus and bad him smell what ill savour that gold had Titus smelling told him that he found no ill savour in it his father laughing told him that it was urine and withal added Dulcis odor lucri ex re â—ualibet The smell of gaine is sweet out of any thing Yea from the principle of covetousnesse he would publickly do such businesse as a private man would be ashamed of Didius Julianus the Emperour was so extreamly covetous that he made himself hateful to the people and being forsaken of all men was at last slaine in his Palace Guido Bitur Constans Tertius the Emperour going to Rome spoiled all places both holy and prophane carrying away more of the riches ornaments of the City then all the Barbarous Nations that had formerly plundered it He also grievously oppressed his Subjects especially the inhabitants of Sicily whereby many parents were forced to sell their own children which made him so hateful to all that his own souldiers rose up against him and slew him Fulgosus Lib. 9. c. 4. Cardinal Angelot was so basely covetous that by a private way he used to go into the stable and steale the oats from his horses so that on a time the Master of his horse going into the stable in the dark and finding him there taking him for a thief beat him soundly he was also so hard towards his servants that his Chamberlaine watching his opportunity slew him Pontanus lib. de Prin. A certain young man in Lacedaemon having bought an house and land at a very under rate the Magistrates hearing of it sent for him and fined him for that he being a yound man had shewed so much covetousnesse seeking to inrich himself by the losse of another AElian Lib. 14. Semiramis caused to be ingraven upon her sepulchre What King soever shall want money let him open this sepulchre and he shall finde as much as he needs Darius long after finding this inscription brake open the sepulchre but instead of money he only found this inscription within Except thou wert a wicked man and basely covetous thou wouldest never have broken open the sepulchres of the dead Stobaeus Anno Christi 1066. Reginherus Bishop of Misnia being at Goslaria after dinner went into his chamber where he had hid his treasures being an extream covetous man and shut himself in as if he would take a little sleep but his servants thinking him long first knocked at the doore and afterwards brake it open and found him dead with his neck broken and his body of an ugly colour lying in a miserable manner upon his money Lamb. Scaffnaburgensis Caratacus a Prince of the Britaine 's being taken prisoner and carried to Rome when he had throughly viewed the stately magnificence of that City What mean you saith he when you have these and such like buildings of your own to covet our small cottages Camb. Brit. p. 957. The Spaniards in the conquest of Peru told Atabalipa the King thereof that they were sent from an Emperour unto whom the Pope had given all that land to convert them to the Christian faith Whereunto Atabalipa answered That he would gladly be friends with the Emperour because he was so great a Monarch but in no case with the Pope because he gave to another that which was none of his own Pur. Pilgrims Vol. 4. p. 1445. Thira a Dane wife to Godwin Earle of Kent used to make Merchandise of Englands beateous Virgins by selling them at a deare rate into Denmark seeking thereby to satisfie her own covetousnesse and the Danes lusts which practice she continued till a just reward of Gods wrath fell upon her by a thunderbolt from heaven whereby she was slaine Speed Nigh unto the City of Lunenberg in Germany there flowed plentifully a salt spring till such time as the rich men ingrossing all the profit to themselves would not suffer
to man at last it came back to Thales again who sent it to Thebes and dedicated it to the Temple of Apollo Plut. Solon was earnestly solicited by the Athenians to take upon him the sovereignty of the City and countrey His friends also much pressed him to it telling him that he was no better then a beast if for fear of the name of a Tyrant he should refuse the Kingdome which is the most just and honourable estate if it be undertaken by an honest man notwithstanding all which importunity he absolutely refused it Plut. Epaminondas the Thebane General that had gotten so many and great victories and thereby had advanced the honour of his countrey above all other countreys in Greece yet withal was so humble that he refused the governments that were proffered to him and saith one Honores ità gessit ut ornamentum non accipere sed dare ipse dignitati videretur Plin. Philopoemen the victorious general of the Megalopolitans was a great contemner of riches and fine apparel and very humble On a time he sent word to a Citizen of Megara that he would come and sup with him the Citizen told his wife and so went into the market to make some provision in the mean time the good wife hearing that she should have so great a man come to her house bustled about to get all things ready when presently came in Philopoemen cloathed in a mean habit whom the good wife looking upon and supposing him to be a servant sent before she bade him to help her to get supper Philopoemen presently obeyed put off his coat took an axe and fell to cleaving of wood presently came in the Citizen and seeing him about such a businesse said What meane you O Philopoemen by this Philopoemen answered Quid aliud nisi deformitatis poenas luo I am well enough served for coming in such mean apparel Polybius Agesilaus King of Sparta was of such an humble disposition that though he excelled in honour power and in the Kingdome whereby he had gained the love of all men yet he was never observed to boast of his merits or to endure that others should praise him Plut When the Thasian people for some great favours received from him had built Temples to the honour of Agesilaus King of Sparta offered sacrifices to him as to a god they sent Ambassadours to him to certifie him thereof But he said unto them Can your countrimen make gods of men to whom they answered that they could Well then said Agesilaus let them first make themselves gods and then I will believe that they can make me one Xenophon Claudius the Romane Emperour was so humble that he would not suffer any to give him divine worship as his predecessour had done When he chose any to publick offices he would not suffer them to returne him thanks in the Senate as had been used but said You owe me no thanks as if ambitiously you had sought these places but I owe them to you for helping me to governe the Common-wealth which if you performe well I will give you greater thanks When Titus had taken Jerusalem he had many Crowns sent him from Syria Egypt and all the neighbouring countreys all giving him the name of Conquerour but he refused them all saying I have not done this for my self but have only lent my hands to God who hath thus declared his wrath against the Jewes Suidas It was a custome amongst the Romanes that when they had gotten any notable victory the General used to send letters decked with Laurel to the Consuls at Rome and to desire them Decernere supplicationes whereby it seems that they thought that they stood in need of Prayers rather then of Praises The humility of Scipio Affricanus was such that after all his great victories against the Carthaginians and triumphs over Hannibal he was content to serve as a Lieutenant in the Warres of Asia under Lucius Scipio his younger brother Plut. William the Conqueror gave a Mannor and certain yard-lands in Buckingam-shire to one upon this condition that the possessour or occupier thereof marke ye proud and dainty ones should finde litter for the Kings bed whensoever he came that way Camb. Brit. The Emperour Frederick after his victory over the Gunzians in Hungary said thus to his souldiers We have done a great work my souldiers but there remains a greater behinde viz. to use it humbly to bridle our avarice and desire of Revenge Look of the H. War Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty before honour is humility Prov. 18. 12. Be ye cloathed with humility for God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble 1 Pet. 5. 5. CHAP. XVIII Examples of Anger Wrath Malice Hatred Revenge Anger is sometimes lawfull yea a duty when a man is angry at his own sinnes or others or at whatsoever hindreth the glory of God this is commanded Eph. 4. 26. 2 Cor. 7. 11. Examples of it Moses Exod. 16. 20. and 11. 8. and 32. 19. Lev. 10. 16. Numb 16. 15. Elijah 1 Kings 19. 14. Nehemiah Nehem. 5. 6. Jeremiah Jer. 6. 11. David 2 Sam. 12. 5. Christ Mat. 16. 23. Mark 3. 5. Peter Act. 5. 3. Jacob Gen. 30. 2. But most commonly it's sinfull and therefore forbidden by God Eccles. 7. 9. Mat. 5. 22. Eph. 4. 26. Col. 3. 8. Tit. 1. 7. The evils of it Prov. 14. 17. and 21. 19. and 22. 24. and 25. 8. 23. and 29. 20 22. and 27. 4. Jam. 1. 26. It 's condemned and threatened Gen. 49. 7. Psal. 37. 8. Eccles. 7. 9. Eph. 4. 31. Col. 3. 8. Rom. 12. 19. Jam. 1. 19. 20. Examples of it out of Scripture Simeon and Levi Gen. 49. 6. Ahashuerus Esther 1. 12. Ahab 1 King 22. 26. Ahaziah 2 King 1. 9. Asa 2 Chron. 16. 10. Absalon 2 Sam. 14. 30. Balaam Num. 22. 27. Balak Num. 24 10. Eliab 1 Sam. 17. 28. Haman Est. 3. 5 c. Jehoram 2 King 6. 31. Cain Gen. 4. 5 c. Naaman 2 King 5. 11. Potiphar Gen 39. 19. Pharaoh Exod. 10. 28. Saul 1 Sam. 18. 8. 20 30. Uzziah 2 Chron. 26. 19. Nebuchadnezzar Dan. 2. 12. 3. 13 19. the elder brother Luk. 15. 28. Examples of godly men that have thus sinned Jacob Gen. 31. 36. David 1 Sam. 25. 21 22. 2 Sam. 6. 8. Elijah 1 King 19. 4. Job Chap. 3. 1 c. Jeremiah Jer. 20. 14 c. Sarai Gen. 16. 5. Rachel Gen. 30. 1. Moses Num. 20. 10. Jonah Chap. 4. 8. Iames and Iohn Luk. 9. 54. Paul and Barnabas Act. 15. â—9 Examples out of other Authors Athenodorus the Philosopher when he went to take his leave of Augustus Caesar left him this rule O Caesar saith he remember that when thou art angry thou neither speakest nor doest ought till thou hast repeated over destinctly the Greek Alphabet Eras. Lib. 4. Apophth Cotys King of Thrace having many curious vessels but very brittle presented to him he gave the man that brought
Asse The Queen-Mother of Scotland having received aid from France forced the Protestants for a while to retire towards the High-lands whereupon she scoffingly said Where is now John Knox his God My God is now stronger then his yea even in Fife but her brags lasted not long For within a few dayes six hundred Protestants beat above four thousand French and Scots c. See Master Knox his Life in my first Part. The same Queen-Mother when some English Scots attempted to take Leith by storme and many of them were slaine by reason that the scaling ladders proved too short beholding it from Edenborough Castle where she was burst out into a great laughter saying Now will I go to Masse and praise God for that which mine eyes have seen And when the French had stripped the slaine and laid the naked bodies along the walls the Queen looking on them said scoffingly Yonder are the fairest Tapestries that ever mine eyes beheld I would that the whole fields which are betwixt Leith and this place were all strewed with the same stuffe But this joy lasted not long For presently after a fire kindled in Leith which burnt up their store-houses and provision for the Army and the Queen-Mother fell sick and died Eodem When Christians complained to Julian the Apostate of the abuse and wrongs which his officers did to them he used scoffingly to answer It 's your part when you are injured to take it patiently for so your God commandeth you See my General Martyrology p. 86. In the late Persecution in Bohemia some godly Martyrs in Prague as they were at supper being to suffer the next day comforted themselves saying that this was their last supper upon earth that to morrow they should feast with Christ in heaven whereupon a great Papist flouted them saying Hath Christ Cooks for you in Heaven Eodem p. 170. Now therefore be no more mockers lest your bands be made strong Isa. 28. 22. CHAP. XXIV Examples of Gods judgements against Perjury SWearing Cursing and Perjury are such God-provoking and Heaven-outfacing sinnes that the Lord doth not only reserve wrath for these his enemies in the world to come but many times also even in this world he takes some of the eminentest of these sinners and as it were hangs them up in Gibbets to be monuments of his heavy wrath and indignation for the terrour of others that they may hear and fear and do no more so wickedly as these ensuing Examples may sufficiently evince It 's a great sinne 1 Tim. 1. 9. 10. Lev. 6. 3. Jer. 23. 10 Hos. 10. 4. Forbidden Lev. 19. 12. Mat. 5. 33. Threatened Jer. 5. 2 and 7. 9. Mal. 3. 5. Zach. 5. 3 4 Hos. 10. 4. Scriptural examples Princes and people Jer. 34 10 11 17. Zedekiah Ezek. 17. 18 19. Saul 2 Sam. 21. 1 2. Agesilaus being sent with a great Army from Sparta into Asia Minor against Tissaphernes the King of Persiu's Leiutenant there Tissaphernes desired to know the reason of his coming Agesilaus answered that it was to let the Grecian Cities free Tissaphernes intreated him to make a truce with him till he had sent to the King of Persia to know his pleasure therein Agesilaus consented and so a truce was made with solemne oaths on both sides but Tissaphernes dealt deceitfully and sent to the King for a great Army which being come to him he sent an Herauld to Agesilaus to command him presently to depart out of Asia Agesilaus being nothing daunted with the newes returned this answer That he gave him no small thanks for that by his perjury he had made the gods angry with the Persians and favourable to the Grecians and accordingly it so fell out for coming to a battel he gave the Persians a great overthrow Xenophon Lysander King of Sparta though otherwise a gallant man yet made no conscience of his oaths using to say that boyes used to be deceived with false dice and men with oaths Plut. Eumenes being made General of an Army against Antigonus by the young King of Macedonia Alexander M. his sonne and his protectour they wrote to the two Colonells of the Argyraspides to adjoyne themselves to him These were Alexanders old souldiers whom when he took them with him into India he made them silver shields and called them Argyraspides These Colonells obeying the command went with him into Asia and after some lesser conflicts the two armies met at last in Media where these silvershields of whom none were under sixty and most of them were seventy years old took in such scorne that their sonnes and boyes should fight against them that they charged them with such fury that after the slaughter of many they made Antigonus his infantry wholly to run away but in the mean time Antigonus his Cavalry had routed the Cavalry of Eumenes and seizing upon their carriges had driven them away the Silver shields hearing of it sent presently to Antigonus desiring him to restore them their carriages againe who answered that if they would deliver up Eumenes bound into his hands he would not only restore their carriages but greatly preferre them also Hereupon most treacherously they ran upon Eumenes took away his sword and bound his hands behinde him so that he could scarce get leave to speake before they carried him away but at last having obtained leave he thus spake O my souldiers ye see the habit and ornaments of your General not imposed upon him by his enemies but you your selves of a Conquerer have made him a Captive You that within one yeares space have bound your selves foure times to me by oath do now to redeem your carriages betray me to mine enemies therefore I desire you rather to kill me your selves for Antigonus desires not to have me living but dead and if you will but herein gratifie me I freely absolve you from all the oaths wherewith you have bound your selves to me or if you will not shew me so much favour then loose one of my bands and give me a sword that I may kill my selfe or if you dare not trust me with a sword cast me to the Elephants to be destroyed by them But when he saw that they would gratifie him in none of these he grew into a passion and said Ye cursed villaines I pray the gods who are the revengers of perjury to send you such ends as ye have brought your Generals unto for I am not the first whom you have thus betrayed c. And so being delivered to Antigonus he was shortly after murthered by him But withal he so hated these perjured Silver shields that he burned one of their Colonells and slew the other the rest of them he sent into remote Countreys and put them upon such desperate services that by degrees they were all cut off and never any one of them returned into his own Countrey againe Plut. King Henry the first of England in the twenty seventh year of his reigne caused the Bishops Abbats and Nobles
to sweare allegiance to his daughter Maud and that she should succeed in his Kingdome they which swore were first William Arch-bishop of Canterbury and the rest of the Bishops and Abbats then David King of Scotland Uncle to Maud now married to the Emperesse of Germany then Stephen Earle of Mortaigne and Bulloigne Nephew to the King c. But so soon as King Henry was dead in Normandy Stephen hasted into England and by the help especially of the Bishops was made King and the Emperesse put by but behold the revenging hand of God following their Perjury Stephen though otherwise a gallant Prince yet found his Crowne to be but a glorious misery Mars and Vulcan never suffering him to be at quiet and as he would not suffer the right heire to inherit so God would not suffer him to have an heire to inherit for his sonne was put by the Crowne which was conferred upon Henry sonne to the Emperesse the rightfull heire Also William Arch-bishop of Canterbury never prospered after his perjury but died within that yeare Roger Bishop of Salisbury fell into displeasure with King Stephen who took him prisoner seized upon his Castles and treasures and so used him that he died for very griefe Alexander Bishop of Lincolne was also taken by the King and led in a rope to the Castle of Newark upon Trent the King swearing that the Bishop should neither eat nor drink till his Castle was surrendered so that there he gat all the Bishops treasure and as for Hugh Bigot he also escaped not long unpunished saith Fabian Rodulph Duke of Sweveh provoked by the Pope rebelled against his Sovereigne the Emperour Henry the fourth but in a battel which he fought against him he lost his right arme whereof he shortly after died acknowledging Gods justice for his disloyalty punishing him in that arme which before was lift up to sweare the oath of allegiance to his Master Act. Mon. Narcissus a godly Bishop of Ierusalem was falsly accused by three men of many foule matters who sealed up with oathes and imprecations their false testimonies But shortly after one of them with his whole family and substance was burnt with fire another of them was stricken with a grievous disease such as in his imprecation he had wished to himselfe the third terrified with the sight of Gods judgements upon the former became very panitent and poured out the griefe of his heart in such aboundance of teares that thereby he became blinde Euseb. The Arians hired a woman to accuse Eustatius a godly Bishop of committing whoredome with her thereby procuring his banishment But shortly after the Lord struck her with a grievous disease whereupon she confessed her perjury the childe being begotten by Eustatius a Smith and not Eustatius the Bishop and so presently after she died Euseb. The Emperour Albert having made a truce with the great Turke and solemnly sworne to the same Pope Eugenius the fourth sent him a dispensation from his oath and excited him to renew the warre against them but in the first battel he was discomfited and slaine to the great shame of Christianity the infidels justly accusing them of Perjury and Covenant breaking sealed by the Name of Christ whom they professe to be their Saviour Turk Hist. Almerick King of Ierusalem having entred into League with the Caliph of Egypt and confirmed the same by an oath afterwards warred upon him contrary to his promise whereupon God raised him up many enemies who miserably wasted the Kingdome of Ierusalem himselfe was beaten out of Egypt and all hopes of succour failing him being wearied with whole volleys of miseries he ended his life of a bloody Flux Hist. holy Warres The Egyptians reputed perjury so capital a crime that whosoever was convinced thereof was punished with death Pausanias noteth this to be one chiefe cause why Philip King of Macedon with all his posterity were so quickly destroyed because he made no account of keeping his oathes but sware and unswere as might stand best with his interest Gregory of Tours makes mention of a wicked varlet in France among the people called Averni that forswearing himselfe in an unjust-cause had his tongue presently so tied that he could not speake but roare till by his inward prayer and repentance the Lord restored him the use of that unruly member Theodor Beza recordeth what befell a perjured person who forswore himselfe to the prejudice of his neighbour He had no sooner made an end of his oath but being suddenly stricken with an Apoplexie he never spake word more till he died Cleomenes King of Lacedemonia making truce with the Argives for seven dayes oppressed them in the third night unawares thinking thereby to avoid perjury But the Argive women their husbands being slaine took up armes like so many Amazones and repelled Cleomenes who afterwards was banished into Egypt where desperately he slew himselfe Plut. Uladislaus King of Hungary having contracted a League with Amurath the great Turke and bound himselfe to it by an oath the Pope sent a Legat to absolve him from his oath and provoke him to warre which he undertaking with a very great Army the victory stood doubtfull a great while together but Amurath seeing a Crucifix in the Christians Ensigne pluckt the writing wherein the late League was contained out of his bosome and with his eyes and hands cast up to heaven said O thou crucified Christ behold this is the League thy Christians in thy Name made with me which they have causelesly violated If thou be a God as they say thou art and as we dream revenge the wrong now done unto thy Name and me and shew thy power upon thy perjured people who in their deeds deny thee their God Immediately afterward the King in the middest of his enemies was slaine and the Christians fled very few ever returning to their own homes but perished miserably Turk Hist. When Harold King of England was ready to joyne in battel with William the Conquerer and his Normans Gyth a younger brother of his advised him that in case he had made promise unto William of the Kingdome he should for his own person withdraw himselfe out of the battel for surely all his forces could not secure him against God and his own conscience who no doubt would require punishment for breach offaith and promise withall assuring him that if he would commit the fortune of that battel into his hands he would not faile to performe the part of a good brother and valiant Captaine but the King contemning this wholesome counsel would needs joyne battel himselfe wherein he lost his Army Kingdome and his own life Camb Brit. p. 149 150. Henry Falmer being accused by his own brother of Heresie as they call it suffered Martyrdome for the same but shortly after his said brother who had borne false witnesse against him was pressed for a Pioner in the voyage to Bulloine where within three dayes as he was exonerating nature a Gun took him and
out of the battel and at night the weather being hot he was extreme thirsty and could get nothing to drink whereupon his Eunuches ran up and down to seeke him some water and at last they met with a poore fellow that had gotten some stinking puddle water in a fiâ—thy vessel this they took and carried to the King who drank it all off and when one of them asked him whether that filthy water did not offend him he swore that he never drank such a sweet draught either of wine or water in his life before and therefore he prayed the gods that if he could not reward the poore man that brought it yet that they would make him both blessed and rich for his labour Plut. Philip King of Macedon in the midst of all his glory when he had conquered divers Kingdomes and was chosen by all Greece Captaine General against the Persians upon a festival day at the marriage of his daughter and the Coronation of his sonne Alexander was suddenly stabbed by Pausanias to whom he had formerly denied Justice Diod. Sic. See more of it in Sodomy Alexander M. having overcome Darius went to Babylon where he had the City and Castle delivered up to him and there in infinite treasures from thence he went to Susa which being also surrendred to him he found there fifty thousand Talents in bullion and such abundance of riches as the Persian Kings had for a long time heaped up together leaving it from father to son all which in one houre came into his hands that never cared for it From thence he went to Persepolis which had in it a farre greater Masse of treasure it being the richest City then under the Sunne there he found one hundred and twenty thousand Talents of money and as much other treasures as twenty thousand Mules and ten thousand Camels could carry away much whereof had been reserved there from Cyrus his time Alexander setting himselfe down in the Kings throne it was so high that his feet could not reach the ground whereupon one brough a little table and set under his feet and one of Darius his Eunuches standing by sighed and weeped grievously which Alexander taking notice of asked him what was the cause of it to whom the Eunuch answered I weep to see that table that was so highly prized by my Master Darius to be now made thy footstoole Q. Cur. This Darius flying out of the battel who a little before was Lord of so many Kingdomes and people of so much treasure and riches and was adored as a god by his Subjects was now taken by some of his own servants put into a base waggon covered with hides of beasts and so carried hither and thither as they pleased and to fill up the measure of his wretchednesse they bound him in golden setters and drave all his attendants from him and when they heard that Alexander pursued and was now come neere to them these villaines Bessus Artabazus and others took Darius wounded him in many places and wounded the beasts that drew him and so fled themselves into Bactria In the mean time the beasts that drew Darius being weary hot and wounded turned out of the way into a certaine valley whither one of Alexanders men called Polystratus coming to seek for water as he was drinking out of his helmet he spied the waggon and mangled beasts and going looking into it he spied a man halfe dead with many wounds Darius lifting up his eyes and seeing him said This comfort I have in my present fortune that I shall breath out my last words to one that can understand them therefore saith he I pray thee tell Alexander that though I never deserved any favour at his hands yet I shall die his debtour giving him many thanks for his kindnesse to my mother wife and children Tell him that as he hath shewed favour to them so on the contrary my servants and kinsmen that received their lives and livelihood from me have basely betrayed and murthered me Tell him that I pray that he may Conquer all the World and desire him to revenge this wickednesse both for his own and for the sake of all Kings it being of evil example that such treachery should go unpunished and so fainting he desired a little water which when he had drunk he said to Polystratus Whosoever thou art that hast shewed me this kindnesse in my extreme misery the gods requite thee for so great a benefit and the gods requite Alexander also for all his humanity and clemency and so he gave up the ghost Quin. Cur. Perseus King of Macedon a brave warriour and one who was a terrour to the Romane Empire yet at last being overcome and taken by AEmilius was led in Triumph with his children into Rome where after some four yeeres imprisonment he died and his eldest sonne was in that want that he was forced to learne the occupation of a Smith to get his living Ursp. Basiliseus Emperour of Constantinople being overcome by Zeno who was formerly deposed for his riotouâ—nesse was together with his wife and children banished into Cappadocia and a strict command given that none should relieve them whereupon they miserably perished for want of food each in others armes Suid. Cyrus King of Persia caused this Motto to be engraven upon his tombe O man whosoever thou art that shalt come hither know that I am great Cyrus that first erected the Persian Monarchy Therefore envy me not this little earth that now covers my body This tombe was afterwards defaced by some of Alexander M. his followers which when Alexander saw he was much troubled at it considering the vicissitude and incertainty of all earthly things Qu. Cur. Alexander M. after all his great conquests returning to Babylon had Ambassadours that came to him almost from all Countreys some to congratulate his victories others to tender their homage all bringing great and rich presents but whil'st in the midst of his glory he was feasting of them he caught a surfeit with inordinate drinking which turned to a mortal feavour and a little before his death being asked by his friends to whom he would leave his Kingdome he answered To the most worthy man and he being asked When they should do Divine honours to him he answered When they themselves were happy which were his last words and so he died having lived not thirty three years nor reigned thirteen and assoon as he was dead his great Captaines sought to enrich themselves by his spoiles and whil'st they were contonding to share the world amongst them his dead body lay many dayes in that hot Countrey unburied stinking above ground a notable Embleme of the vanity of all earthly greatnesse Plut. Qu. Cur. Besides this his vast Empire was divided amongst his great Captaines to Ptolomaeus Lagi was allotted Egypt and Affrica To Laoâ—â—don Syria and Phoenicia To Philotas Cilicia To Python Media To Eumenes Paphlagonia and Cappadocia To Antigonus Pamphilia Lycia and Phrygia the great
amend it She frames a Warrant in the Emperour's name whereby he makes his wife Eudocia handmaid to his sister Pulcheria and brings it to him which he presently sets his hand to and thereupon she perswades Eudocia to come and remain with her for a certain time At last the Emperour sends for his wife Pulcheria resuses to let her go challenging her to be her servant by the Emperour 's own order which he reading repented of his rashnesse and was made more wary Hist. Imp. A stout Souldier under Alexaender M. finding it a very difficult thing to get admission into the King's presence whereby he might make himself known to him put feathers into his nose and eares and danced about the Court in an antick fashion till the strangenesse of the shew brought the King himself to be a spectator Then this Mimmick throwing off his disguise Sir said he I thus at first arrive at your Majesties notice in the fashion of a Fool But can do you service in the place of a wise man if you please to imploy me Holy State A certain Duke of Bavaria each morning before he went to his Diet used to call his servant to bring him water in a Bason in the bottom whereof was stamped in gold the picture of Cato Major that so he might cause the impression of his Image to be fixed in his mind the imitation of whose virtues he had prudently proposed for his practice CHAP. XC Examples of strange Prodigies FOre-runners of Judgement Matth. 24. 29. Scriptural Examples Moses rod turned into a Serpent Exod. 7. 9. and the other wonders which Moses did in Egypt Before the last destruction of Hierusalem which calamity befell the Jewes for crucifying the Lord of life and contemning his Gospel a Comet in the likenesse of a fiery sword hung over the City for a year together Also at the Feast of the Passâ—over a great light appeared about the Altar at midnight which continued half an hour Also a Cow that was led to be sacrificed at the Altar brought forth a Lamb. And the inward gate of the Temple which was made of massie Brasse and used to have twenty men to shut it being fastened with locks and barrs of Iron at the fifth hour of the night opened of its own accord Also a little before Sun-set were seen in the air Iron Chariots and an Army in Battel-array as it were begirting the City At the Feast of Pentecost the Priest going into the Temple felt the place to move and tremble and a voyce was heard saying Let us go hence to Pella Also one Jesus the son of Ananaus eighty years before the warr began went up and down continually crying A voice from the East a voyce against Hierusalem and the Temple A voyce against new married persons A voice against all this people And when the City was besieged by the Romans going upon the Walls about the City he cryed Woe woe to the City Temple and people and at last he said Woe also unto me which words were no sooner uttâ—ced but a stone shot out of an Engine slew him Joseph Hist. Before the Peloponesian or civill warres amongst he Graecians one of their Islands called Delus famous for the Temple of Apollo was wonderfully ruined by an earthquake which foreshewed those wonderful alterations which presently after befell Greece As Pliny observed that there was never any earthquake in Rome but it was the forerunner of some great event Pez Mel. Hist. Also about the same time there was a Comet which continued fifty seven daies together There was also a great Eclipse of the Sun that the stars appeared at noon day Idem Praecedunt poenas nuntia signa graves The same year that Nero was adopted by Claudius there appeared three Suns as if the heavens privy to impendent effects had by their mystical character revealed what a prodigie was in breeding Nero's Life Before the terrible wars between the Britans and Romans in Nero's time the Seas between Britain and France at the full tide did overflow of a bloody colour and at low water the prints of mens bodies were seen upon the bare sand at the mouth of the Thames Tacitus Irene the Emperesse ruling in Constantinople after the murther of her son Constantine the Sun was darkned for seventeen daies together Isac Cron. p. 276. Anno 688. it rained blood seven daies together through all Britain and the milk cheese and butter turned into blood Isac Chron. p. 261. Scotl. In the time of a great Pestilence in Germany Serpents bred in the dead bodies of men and women so that they could hardly be buried Isac Chron. p. 304. In Flanders Anno 1088. was seen a fiery Dragon flying in the air casting out flames from his mouth and shortly after followed the disease called Ignis Sacer. Isac Chron. p. 315. A little before the coming in of the Normans to this Kingdome about the Feast of Easter there was seen for a week together a blazing Star of an hideous and fearful form which turned mens minds to fore-feeling of some dismall events Camb. Brit. p. 147. In the year 1298. there was a great battel fought between the English and Scots wherein many of the Scots were slain the Sun the same day appeared as red as blood so long as the battel continued Camb. Brit. Irel. p. 162. In the year 1299. there was a battel or fight of Dogs in Burgundy at Genelon Castle wherein every one killed another being in number three thousand no Dog escaping alive but one onely Camb. Brit. Irel. p. 162. In the year 1342. the 11th of October when the Moon was eleven daies old there was seen two Moones at Dublin the one according to the course of Nature in the West the other in the East casting but a mean and slender light Camb. Brit. Irel. p. 188. In the year 1106. in the time of the holy Warres there appeared in Judea a Comet for fifty daies decreasing Also three Suns two on each hand of the true but smaller both in quantity and light a great white Circle environing them and in it a Rainbowe of four colours the Bowe towards the Sun and reaching to the other two Suns and shortly after the stars of heaven seemed to rain P. Pilg. Vol. 2. p. 1207. In the year 1509. there was a great and terrible earthquake in Constantinople and the Countries thereabouts by the violence whereof a great part of the Walls of that City with many stately buildings both publick and private were quite overthrown and thirteen thousand people overwhelmed and slain therewith the terrour whereof was so great that Bajazet himself the great Turk and the people generally forsook their houses and lay abroad in the fields it endured for a moneth together with very little intermission after which ensued a great plague whereby the City was for the most part unpeopled Turk Hist. p. 476. The strong City of Strigonium in Hungary being besieged by the Turks about the year 1610. during the siege