ones the daughter of my people is become cruel like Ostriches in the wildernesse Lam. 4. 3. CHAP. XXXII Examples of fond Parents and the miseries that they have brought upon themselves thereby FOrbidden Deut. 13. 8 9. Prov. 19. 18. 13. 24. 29. 17. Scriptural Examples Eli 1 Sam. 2. 22 29. David to Adonijah 1 Kings 1. 6. to Absalom 2 Sam. 18. 33. How severely God punished Eli for his indulgence to his wicked sonnes See it in 1 Sam. 2. 27 c. 3. 11 c. David also who cockered Absalom and Adonijah above all the rest of his children was most afflicted by them one breaking out into open rebellion wherein he died the other usurping the Crowne before his fathers death which cost him his life also 2 Sam. 15. 1 King 1. 5 c. A certaine woman in Flanders contrary to the will of her husband used to feed her two sonnes with money to maintaine their riot yea to furnish them she would rob her husband but presently after her husbands death God plagued her for this her foolish indulgence for from rioting these youngsters fell to robbing for the which one of them was executed by the sword and the other by the halter the mother looking on as a witnesse of their destructions Ludo. Vives A young man in our owne Nation as he was going to the gallows desired to speak with his mother in her eare but when she came instead of whispering he bit of her eare with his teeth exclaiming upon her as the cause of his death because she did not chastise him in his youth for his faults but by her fondnesse so imboldened him in his vices as brought him to this wofull end Seleucus marrying Stratonica the daughter of Demetrius shortly after Antiochus the sonne of Seleucus fell in love with his stepmother and not daring to discover it for feare of the displeasure of his father he pined a way from day to day at last one of his Physicians found out the cause of his disease and acquainted his father therewith who out of indulgence to his sonne calling his Nobles and people together said I have decreed to make Antiochus my sonne King of all my superior Provinces and to give him Stratonica for his wife and Queen and if she scruple the unlawfulnesse of the marriage I desire you that are my friends to perswade her that all things are honest and just that a King shall decree for the publick profit Plut. Andronicus one of the Greek Emperours doted with such extream impotency of partial affection upon his Nephew young Andronicus that in comparison of him he disregarded not only the rest of his Nephews but his own children also being unwilling to spare him out of sight either day or night but when this young man was stept further into yeares besides a world of miseries and molestations created to his Grand-father in the mean time at last he pressed without resistance upon his Palace with purpose to surprise his person though the old Emperout intreated him with much affectionate eloquence that he would reverence those hands which had oftentimes so willingly embraced him and those lips which had so oft lovingly kissed him and that he would spare to spill that blood from which himselfe had taken the fountaine of life yet for all this he caused the old Emperour to be polled shaven and made a Monk and not only so but also the very Anvile of much dunghill-scorne and vilest indignities untill the workmanship of death had finished the sorrowful businesse of a wretched lfie Turk Hist. Austine upon a terrible and dreadfull accident called his people together to a Sermon wherein he relates this dolefull story Our Noble Citizen saith he Cyrillus a man mighty amongst us both in work and word and much beloved had as you know one onely sonne and because but one he loved him immeasurably and above God and so being drunke with immoderate doting he neglected to correct him and gave him liberty to do whatsoever he list Now this very day saith he this same fellow thus long suffered in this dissolute and riotous courses hath in his drunken humour wickedly offered violence to his mother great with childe would have violated his sister hath killed his father and wounded two of his sisters to death Adfrat in Eremo Ser. 33. Chasten thy sonne betimes and let not thy soul spare for his crying Prov. 19. 18. CHAP. XXXIII Examples of Brethrens love each to other THey ought to love one another Prov. 17. 17. 1 Pet. 3. 8. Rom. 12. 10. Heb. 13. 1. It 's an excellent thing Psal 133. 1. Scriptural examples Jobs children Job 1. 13. Lazarus Martha and Mary John 11. 19 c. Joseph Gen. 43. 29 c. 45. 14. Joab and Abishai 2 Sam. 3. 27 30. Judah Gen. 37. 26. In the beginning of the reigne of Darius King of Persia one of his Nobles called Intaphernes conspired against him which being discovered to Darius he caused him and all his kindred to be cast into prison But Intaphernes wife exceedingly weeping and houling Darius gave her leave to choose any one of the prisoners whose life she would have spared whereupon amongst them all she chose her brother and Darius asking her why she â—…se her brother rather then her husband or son she answered Because if God please I may have another husband and children but my Parents being dead I cannot have another brother This so pleased Darius that he granted her the life not only of her brother but of her son too Herod Darius King of Persia being dead left two sons Ariamenes or as some call him Artabazanes and Xerxes these both claimed the Kingdome but brotherly love so prevailed with them that they were contented to stand to the judgement of the Persian Nobles yet in the interim Xerxes being in Persia performed all the offices of a King and Ariaments coming out of Media Xerxes sent great presents to him commanding the messengers to tell him Thy brother Xerxes presents thee with these gifts and if by the consent and suffrage of the Nobles he be declared King he promises thee the chiefest place next unto himself To which Ariamenes returned this answer Truly I willingly accept of these gifts yet claim the Sovereignty to belong to me but will reserve the next place of dignity for my brother Xerxes The Persian Nobles referred the determination of this controversie to their Uncle Artabanus who having heard both sides determined for Xerxes because Ariamenes was borne to Darius whil'st he was a private person Xerxes after he was a King the mother of Ariamenes was the daughter of Gobrias a private woman the mother of Xerxes was Atossa a Queen Ariamenes hearing this judgement without any distemper of spirit rose up worshipped his brother and taking him by the hand placed him in the Kingly throne and ever after was very obsequious to him Plut. Herod And he fell upon his brother Benjamins neck and wept and
then my selfe Mr. Welch a Suffolk Minister weeping as he sate at table was asked the reason of it he answered that it was because he could love Christ no more Mr. Walls None but Christ. Luthers resolution was such that he affirmed Mallem ruere cum Christo quà m regnare cum Caesare I had rather I were ruined with Christ then that I should reigne as a King without him Saint Basil relates a story of 40. Martyrs who being cast out naked all night in the winter and were to be burned the next day they comforted themselves on this wise Sharp is the winter but sweet is Paradise painfull is the frost but joyfull the fruition that followeth it waite but a while and the Patriarchs bosome shall cherish us After one night we shall lay hold upon eternall life Let our feet feel the fire for a season that we may for ever walk arme in arme with the Angels Let our hands fall off that they may for ever be lifted up to praise the Almighty c. A godly Christian being tormented by Infidels with divers paines and ignominious taunts they demanded of him by way of scorne Tell us what miracles thy Christ hath done to whom he answered Even this that you see that I am not moved with all the cruelties and contumelies that you cast upon me It is said of Luther unus homo solus totius orbis impetum sustinuit that he alone opposed all the world When Eudoxia the Emperesse sent a threatning message to Saint Chrysostome Go tell her saith he from me Nil nisi peccatum timeo that I feare nothing but sin Theodosius the great having in Egypt abolished their heathenish sacrifices and worship upon paine of confiscation and death the people fearing that the omission of their accustomed superstitions would make the river Nilus which they honoured as a God keep in his streames and not water their Land as formerly began to mutiny whereupon the President wrote to the Emperour beseeching him for once to gratifie the people by conniving at their superstition to whom he heroically answered that it was better to continue faithfull and constant to God then to preferre the overflowing of Nilus and the fertility of the earth before piety and godlinesse and that he had rather Nilus should never overflow then that they should raise it by sacrifices and inchantments Soz. Saint Basil being sent to by the Emperor to subscribe to the Arian heresie the messenger at first gave him good language and promised him great preferment if he would turne Arian to whom he answered Alas Sir these speeches are fit to catch little children withall that look after such things but we that are nourished and taught by the holy Scriptures are readier to suffer a thousand deaths then to suffer one syllable or tittle of the Scripture to be altered The messenger offended with his boldnesse told him that he was mad to whom he replied Opto me in aeternum sic delirare I wish I were for ever thus mad Theodor. Melancthon being much disquieted in spirit by reason of the great opposition which the German reformation met with Luther thus encourageth him Seeing the businesse is not mans but Almighty Gods laying aside all care you should cast the whole weight of it upon him why do you vex your self If God hath bestowed his Sonne upon us why are we afraid what tremble we at why are we distracted and sadded Is Satan stronger then he why fear we the world which Christ hath conquered If we defend an evil cause why do we not change our purpose If the cause be holy and just why do we not trust Gods promises Certainly there is nothing besides our lives that Satan can snatch from us and though we die yet Christ lives and reignes for ever to defend his own cause c. Sleid Com. l. 7. Chrysostome speaking to the people of Antioch like himself a man of an invincible spirit against the Tyrants of his times saith thus In this should a gracious man differ from a gracelesse man that he should bear his crosses couragiously and as it were with the wings of faith outsoare the height of all humane miseries He should be like a Rock being incorporated into Iesus Christ inexpugnable and unshaken with the most furious incursions of the waves and stormes of worldly troubles pressures and persecutions Ad pop Antioch He that writes the life of Anselme saith thus of him that he feared nothing in the world more then sinne and that if on the one hand he should see corporally the horrour of sin and on the other the paines of hell and must necessarily be plunged into the one he would chuse hell rather then sinne and that he would rather have hell being innocent and free from sinne then polluted with the filth thereof possesse the kingdome of heaven Mr. Woodman Martyr speaks thus of himself When I have been in prison wearing bolts and shackles sometimes lying upon the bare ground sometimes sitting in the stocks sometimes bound with cords that all my body hath been swolne like to be overcome with paine sometimes faine to lie without in the woods and fields wandring to and fro sometimes brought before the Justices Sheriffes Lords Doctors and Bishops sometimes called Dog Devil Heretick Whoremonger Traitor Theefe Deceiver c. yea and they that did eat of my bread and should have been most my friends by nature have betrayed me yet for all this I praise my Lord God that hath separated me from my mothers wombe all this that hath happened to me hath been easie light and most delectable and joyful of any treasure that ever I possessed Act. and Mon. There were five Monks that were studying to finde out the best means to mortifie sinne One said that it was to meditate on death The second to meditate on judgement The third to meditate on the joyes of heaven The fourth to meditate on the torments of hell The fifth to meditate on the love and sufferings of Christ which indeed is the strongest motive of all Hormisdas a Noble man of Persia famous for Piety was deposed from all his honours and offices because he would not forsake Christ and his truth yet at last was by the King restored to them again yet withall was required to renounce his profession of Christianity to which he bravely answered Si propter ista me denegaturum Christum putas ista denuo accipe If you think that I will deny Christ to keep my offices take them all again Julian the Apostate that subtil enemy of the Church of Christ when his Army was to be paid caused an Altar to be set by him and a table with incense on it requiring every souldier as he came to receive his pay to cast some incense into the fire upon the Altar which many of the Christians understanding it to be interpretive and implicit Idolatry refused to do rather choosing to lose their wages whilest others not knowing the depth of this
to marry her but before night he cut off his head and gave her all his possessions Anno Christi 1056. A certain Advocate in Constance extreamly lusted after the wife of the Kings Procurator which Procuratour finding the Advocate and his wife sporting together in a Bath and afterwards in an old womans house hard by he gat him a sharp curry-comb and leaving three men at the doore to see that none should come in he so curried the Advocate that he tore out his eyes and so rent his whole body that he died within three dayes The like he would have done to his wife but that she was with childe In Germany a Gentleman of note solicited a Citizens wife to uncleannesse which her husband being informed of watched them so narrowly that finding them in bed together he first slew the adulterer and then his own wife Luther's Col. Mary of Arragon wife to the Emperour Otho the third was so unchast and lascivious a woman that she could never satisfie her lust carrying about her a young lecher in womans clothes with whom she daily committed filthinesse but this fellow being at last suspected was in the presence of many untired and found to be a man for which he was burnt to death yet did the Emperesse continue in her filthy course falling in love with the Count of Mutina a gallant young Gentleman and because she could not draw him to her lure she accused him to the Emperour for attempting to ravish her whereupon the Emperour caused his head to be cut off But by the meanes of his wife this wickednesse was discovered to the Emperour who enquiring more narrowly into the bufinesse found out his wives wickednesse and for the same caused her to be burnt at a stake Rodoaldus the eighth King of Lombardy being taken in adultery was by the husband of the adulteresse immediately slaine P. Melan. Chron. A Noble man in Thuringia being taken in adultery the husband of the adulteresse took him bound him hand and foot and cast him into prison and to quench his lust he kept him fasting and the more to augment his paine he daily set dishes of hot meat before him that the sight and smell might the more provoke his appetite In this torture the Lecher continued till he gnawed off the flesh from his own shoulders and so the eleventh day after his imprisonment ended his wretched life Luther Sergus a King of Scotland was so addicted to harlots that he neglected his own wife and drave her to such poverty that she was faine to serve another Noble-woman for her living whereupon watching her opportunity she slew her husband in his bed and her self after it Lang. Chron. Kenulphus King of the West-Saxons as he usually frequented the company of a whore that he kept at Merton was slaine by Clito the kinsman of the late King called Sigebert In the County of Fermanah in Ireland is a famous Meere called Logh-Erne stretching out fourty miles concerning which it's a common speech amongst the inhabitants that this Lake was formerly firme ground passing well husbanded with tillage and replenished with inhabitants But suddenly for their abominable Buggery committed with beasts it was overflowed with waters and turned into a Lake Camb. Brit. Irel. p. 106. Attalus who was one of Philip King of Macedonia's Courtiers Favourites Sodomitically defiled one Pausanias a Noble young man and not content therewith at a drunken feast he exposed him to be defiled by his guests also This indignity did so exasperate Pausanias that he complained to King Philip of the wrong who entertained him with scoffs and scornes in stead of punishing the offender Pausanias seeing this was so enraged against the King that on a day when he made a great feast for the Coronation of his son Alexander King of Epyrus and for the marriage of his daughter Cleopatra Pausanius watching his opportunity slew him thereby turning their melody into mourning and their joy into sorrow Diod. Sic. Nero the Emperour kept many Catamites and amongst the rest he caused the genitals of a boy called Sporus to be cut off and endeavoured to transforme him into a woman and causing him to be dressed like a woman he was solemnly married to him whereupon one said merrily That it had been well for the world if his father Domitian had had such a wife Pez Mel. Hist. Anno Christi 1120. Henry the first being King of England his two sonnes William and Richard with many Noble men Knights others coming out of Normandy towards England were shipwracked by the way and drowned all or most of them being polluted with the filthy sinne of Sodomy too rife in those dayes Henry Huntington Let not thine heart decline to the wayes of an whorish woman go not a stray in her paths For she hath cast down many wounded yea many strong men have been slaine by her Her house is the way to hell going down to the Chambers of death Prov. 7. 25 26 27. CHAP. XI Examples of Chastity and Modesty THe way to heaven is up the hill all the way and the uncleane adulterer with his rotten Lungs and wasted Loines cannot climbe up it Virgins which are not defiled with women are they which follow the Lambe in white whithersoever he goes The frequency of the sinne of uncleannesse amongst Christians brings dishonour to God scandal to their profession and a wound to their own souls and many of the Heathen will rise up in judgement in the last day against such as these following Examples will more fully declare Chastity Commended Mat. 19. 12. 1 Thes. 4. 4. 1 Pet. 3. 2. 1 Cor. 7. 37. 1 Tim. 2. 9. Commanded Tit. 2. 5. 1 Pet. 3. 3 c. Scriptural Examples Isaac Gen. 25. 20. Joseph Gen. 39. 8 12. Boaz Ruth 3. 13. Job chap. 31. 1. Tamar 2 Sam. 13. 12. Other Examples Pericles the Athenian being made Admiral of the Athenian Fleet together with Sophocles who was joyned in the commission with him as they were going towards the haven they met a beautiful young boy whom Sophocles earnestly beholding highly commended his beauty to whom Pericles answered Sophocles a Governour must not onely have his hands but also his eyes chaste and clean Plut. Agesilaus King of Sparta was a great lover of chastity and as he was a great conquerer of others so also he conquerred his own lusts In his journey he would never lodge in private houses where he might have the company of women but ever lodged either in the Temples or in the open fields making all men the witnesses of his modesty and chastity Plut. Alexander M. being in the heat of youth shewed an admirable example of chastity when having taken the mother wives and daughters of Darius which were women of admirable beauty yet he neither by word or deed proffered them the least indignity thinking it a greater honour to overcome himself then his adversaries and when he looked upon other captive Ladies that excelled in stature and beauty
One who for twelve or sixteen years together used to sweare by Gods Armes In the end his own arme being hurt with a knife could not be healed by any means but wrankled and festered from day to day and at last so rotted that it fell away peece-meale and himself through anguish and paine thereof died Phil. Stubs I my selfe saith a godly Divine that wrote lately knew two most notorious swearers that brake their necks the one with a fall down a paire of staires the other from his horse Another relates of a swearing Courtier at Mansfield who in the middest of his blasphemous oaths was taken up and carried away by the devil At a Village called Benevides in Spaine two young men being together in the field there suddenly arose a terrible tempest and withal so violent a whirlewinde that it amazed the beholders The two young men seeing the fury of it coming towards them ran as fast as possibly they might but yet it overtook them and they fearing to be hoisted up into the Aire by it fell down flat upon the earth where the Whirlewinde whisked round about them for a pretty while and then passed forwards the one of them arose in such an agony that he was scarce able to stand the other lying still and not stirring some other that stood under an hedge a far off went to see how he did and found him stark dead with his bones so crushed that the joynts of his armes and legges turned every way as though his body had been made of Mosse his tongue also was pulled out by the roots and could never be found which was the more remarkable because he was noted to have been an outragious swearer and blasphemer of Gods holy Name Anth. de Torquem At Tubing in Germany a desperate boy used to invent such new oaths as were not common but the Lord sent a Canker or some worse disease that did eat out his tongue the instrument wherewith he blasphemed Gâ—â—m Hist. A certain man who in his life-time was given exceedingly to the fearful sinne of swearing had his heart on his death-bed so exceedingly filled with enraged greedinesse after it that he desperately desired the standers by to help him with oaths and to sweare for him though himself in the mean time swore as fast and furiously as he could Mr. Bolton Destructorium viâ—iorum tells of an Harlot who had three sonnes and told her husband that only one of them was his whereupon at his death he bequeathed his estate to him that should be found to be his true son Upon this the sons contend the Judges to decide it commanded the fathers dead body to be set up against a tree and that he of the three that could shoot nearest to his heart should be his heire The two bastards shot the third refused and was offended with the other for doing it By which natural love they concluded him to be the natural son and gave him the inheritance Surely they are bastards and no sonnes that wound God at heart and teare him in peeces by oaths c. Charilaus a Pagan being asked why the Images of the gods in Sparta were armed To the end saith he that men may fear to blaspheme the gods knowing that are armed to take vengeance upon their enemies Chrysostome whilest he was at Antioch spent most of his Sermons against swearing that if not the fear of God yet his importunity might make them a weary of that sin Philip King of France ordained that whosoever by swearing blasphemed God though in a Tavern yet he should be straightway drowned Maximilian the Emperour decreed that every vain swearer should pay thirteen shillings and four pence which who so refused to pay and repented not of his wickednesse should lose his head Henry the first King of England appointed the payment of fourty shillings twenty shillings ten shillings and three shillings four pence according to the degree of the swearer to be given to the poore Christiâ—649 â—649 about the end of June there was a souldier at Ware going with some others to wash himself in the river but finding the water shallow he asked if there was no deeper a place for him to swim in Some told him that there was not farre off a deep pit but that it was very dangerous and therefore advised him to take heed how he went into it to whom he answered God damn me if it be as deep as hell I will go into it which accordingly he did but immediately sunk to the bottome never rising again but was there drowned To swear by their Faith was the Romanes greatest oath which they kept inviolably Plut. King Charles the ninth of France entertained into his favour one Albertus Tuâ—â—us an Hucksâ—ers sonne to whom in five years space besides other honoures he gave six hundred thousand crownes though all the good the King gat by him was to learn to swear by the Name of God Camerar med Hist. c. 4. But above all things my brethren swear not neither by heaven neither by the earth neither by any other oath But let your Yea be yea and your Nayâ— nay lest ye fall into condemnation Jam. 5. 12. CHAP. XXVI Examples of Gods judgements upon Cursers IN France a man of good parts and well instructed in Religion yet in his passion cursing and bidding the devil take one of his children the childe was immediately possessed with an evil spirit from which though by the fervent and continual prayers of the Church he was at length released yet ere he had fully recovered his health he died Beza Anno 15â—7 at Forchenum in the Bishoprick of Bamburg a Priest preaching about the Sacrament used these and such like blasphemous speeches O Paul Paul if thy Doctrine touching the receiving of the Sacrament in both kindes be true and if it be a wicked thing to receive it otherwise then let the devil take me and if the Popes Doctrine concerning this point be false then am I the devils bondslave neither do I fear to pawn my soul upon it Presently the devil came indeed in the shape of a tall man black and terrible with a fearful noise and roaring winde took away the old Priest that he was never after heard of Fincelius In Helvetia Anno 1556. a certaine man that earned his living by making cleane foule linnen in his drunkennesse used horrible cursings wishing that the devil might break his neck if he ever went to his old occupation again yet the next day when he was sober he went into the field again about it where the devil attended him in the likenesse of a big swarthy man asking him if he remembred his wish and withal struck him over the shoulders so that his feet and hands presently dried yet the Lord gave not the devil power to do him so much hurt as he wisht to himself Fincelius Henry Earle of Schwartburg used commonly to wish that he might be drowned in a Privy if such and such things
brave Captaines because he had been a familiar friend to Calisthenes and thereupon caused him to be cast naked to a most fierce Lion but when the Lion came roaring upon him Lysimachus wrapped his shirt about his arme and thrusting his hand into the Lions mouth and taking fast hold of his tongue he slew the Lion which Alexander being informed of having his valour in admiration he not only forgave him but esteemed him more highly then ever before Q. Cur. Alexander M. being very swift of foot when he was young some of his followers asked him if he would not runne in the Olympick games Yea truly said he of Kings will contend with me therein Justin. When he heard of any great City that his father had taken he used to be very sorrowfull and to say to his companions My father will take away all occasions from me of atchieving any great matters A gallant horse called Bucephalus being proffered to King Philip and prized at eight thousand seven hundred crownes he refused to give it because he would let none get upon his back Alexander being by and seeing their error in setting him so that their shadow frighted him he would needs lay the price of the horse with his father that he would back him and accordingly turning him on the other side where the horse might not see his shadow he mounted on his back and rode him up and down His father wondering at his Magnanimity when he alighted kissed him and said O my sonne thou must seek out some other Kingdomes for Macedonia is too little for thee Diod. Sic. Q. Cur. Porus an Indian King fighting valiantly against Alexander received many wounds and at last falling into his enemies hands they led him to Alexander who hearing of his coming went forth with some of his friends to meet him and asked him what he would have him to do for him Porus answered Only that thou use me like a King Alexander being taken with his Magnanimity said This I will do for mine one sake but what shall I do for thee for thy sake Porus answered That all was contained in his former demand of Kingly usage This so pleased Alexander that he restored him to his Kingdome and gave him another bigger then his own Q Cur. Demetrius the son of Antigonus fighting against Ptolomaeus King of Egypt was overthrowne in the battel and losing his carriages he lost all his furniture and apparel with them but Ptolomaeus sent him back these together with his friends that were taken prisoners saying That he fought with him only for glory and Empire Demetrius was so affected herewith that he prayed to the gods to give him an opportunity that he might not be long in Ptolomaeus his debt but might requite him with the like courtesie which shortly after fell out for in another battel Demetrius overcame Ptolomy and rejoyced not so much for what he had gotten as that hereby he could retaliate Ptolomies kindnesse which accordingly he did by a free release of all his captives Plut. Julius Caesar was of a most magnanimous resolution insomuch as being forewarned of the conspiracy that was made against him in the Senate he answered Morise quà m timere malle that he had rather die then admit of feare Plut. Subrius Flavius a Tribune of the Praetorian souldiers having with others conspired the death of Nero the conspiracy being discovered Nero asked him why contrary to his oath and duty he had made one against him he stoutly answered Because I hated thee and yet there was not one in thine army more loyal then my selfe all the while thou deservedst love but after thou hadst murthered thy mother and wife and hadst turned Charioteer Stage-player and Boutefeux I could no longer endure thee Suet. Sulpicius Afer a Centurian and another of the conspirators to the like question returned this blunt answer Because saith he there was no other way to help thee but to rid thee out of the world Suet. Mardonius being left with a great Army in Greece after Xerxes his returne into Asia he sent Ambassadors to the Athenians perswading them to make peace with him making many golden promises to them if they would do it the Lacedaemonians hearing of it sent their Ambassadors also to them to disswade them from it shewing how dishonourable it would be to them and dangerous to all Greece and the better to prevaile they sent them word that whereas their houses had been burnt and their harvest spoiled by the Persians they would provide for their wives and children so long as the warre lasted To the Persian Ambassadors the Athenians answered that they scorned so long as the Sunne kept his course to make any friendship with the Persians whom they hoped by the assistance of the gods to drive out of their Countrey To the Lacedaemonians they answered that knowing the valour of the Athenians they marvelled why they should suspect their complying with the Persians assuring them that the greatest promises in the world could not make them unfaithful to their Countrey nor to agree with the Persians whil'st there was any one of them alive and for their proffer to provide for their wives and children they gave them hearty thanks for the same but withall told them that they hoped they should be able to provide for them themselves and therefore would not be burthensome unto others Herod King Porsenna making warre against the Romanes the Consul Publicola â—allied out against him betwixt whom began an hot skirmish neer Tyber and the enemies exceeding in number Publicola fighting valiantly was wounded so dangerously that he was carried away by his souldiers which so discouraged his Army that they fled towards the City the enemies pursuing them to the wooden bridge whereby Rome was in danger to be taken But Horatius Cocles with two other young Noblemen made head upon the bridge against them till the bridge was broken down behinde them then Cocles armed as he was and hurt in the hip with a pike leaped into Tyber and swam to the other side of the river Publicola admiring his valour gave him an annual pension for his life and so much land as he could compasse about in a day with a plough Plut. Whil'st Porsenna besieged Rome a citizen called Mutius devising how he might kill him disguised himselfe and went into his army and speaking the Tuscan language perfectly was admitted into the Kings presence but not knowing him he drew his sword and slew one that was neer him mistaking him for the King hereupon he was apprehended and Porsenna calling for a pan of coales caused his right hand to be held over it till the flesh fried and the sinewes shrunk yet did Mutius all the while look upon the King with an undaunted countenance which Porsenna wondering at caused the fire to be removed and his sword to be restored to him which he taking with his left hand was thence called Scaevola Plut. Aristomenes King of the Messenians was a very gallant
City of Isaurum in Pisidia when the Citizens saw that they could no longer hold out against him they shut up their parents wives and children with all their substance in their houses and so burnt them and then threw themselves down from the walls and brake their own necks Diod. Sic. Ptolomy King of Egypt hearing that Nicocles King of Cyprus did closely hold correspondence with Antigonus he sent some to slay him these coming into Cyprus beset his Palace and demanded him to be delivered up to punishment Nicocles would at fiâ—st have excused the matter but when he saw that it would not serve turn he slew himself Then did Axiothea his wife slay her daughters that were Virgins that they might not come into the enemies power She also perswaded the wives of Nicocles brethren with her to murther themselves their husbands seeing this set fire upon the Palace burning themselves and all together Diod. Sic. Hannibal in his old age flying to Prusias King of Bythinia was demanded by the Romane Ambassadors to be delivered to them but rather than he would come into their hands he drank poison which he alwayes kept for that purpose and so died Aur. Victor Augustus Caesar besieging M. Antony and Cleopatra in Alexandria after a long siege Antony hearing a false rumor that Cleopatra was slain suddenly slew himself and Cleopatra scorning to be carried in triumph by Caesar set a couple of asps to her breasts whereby she presently died Plut. Zimri K. of Israel desperately burned himself in his own Palace 1 King 16. 18. Achitophel hanged himself 2 Sam. 17. 23. Judas hanged himself Act. 1. 18. Saul and his Armor-bearer 1 Sam. 31. 4 5. fell upon their own swords Tomyris Queen of the Massagetes having in a battell overthrown and slain Cyrus King of Persia cut off his head and threw it into a bowl of blood saying Thou hast all thy time thirsted after blood now drink thy fill and satiate thy self therewith When he maketh inquisition for blood he remembreth them He for gets not the cry of the humble Psal. 9. 12. The Admirà ble Discoveries of sundry Murthers Parthenius Treasurer to Theodobert King of France traiterously slew a friend of his called Ausanius together with his wife Papianilla no man knowing or suspecting it but not long after in his sleep he suddenly roared out crying for help or else he perished and being asked what ailed him Between sleep and wake he answered that his friend Ausanius and his wife whom he had slain summoned him to judgement before God for which being apprehended he was stoned to death Greg. of Toures Mr. Arden of Feversham in Kent had a fair but dishonest wife who being in love with one Mosby with him conspired her husbands death hiring a ruffian called Black Will to strangle him with a towel which though for the present was not known yet the woman being pursued with a guilty conscience and by some blood that appeared in the house the murther was discovered the woman was burned at Canterbury Mr. Ardens man who had a hand in the murther was hanged in chains at Feversham Mosby was hanged in Smithfield Black Wil though he fled yet being overtaken was burnt at Flushing in Zealand A souldier of King Pyrrhus being slaine a dog which he had could by no meanes be entised from the dead body but the King coming by he fawned upon him as it were craving help at his hand whereupon the King caused all his Army to march by in order and when the muâ—cherers came the dog flew fiercely upon them and then fawned upon the King the souldiers being hereupon examined confessed the fact and were hanged for their labour â—lut In the Reigne of Edmund King of the East Saxons a Noble Dane called Lothebrocus being driven upon his coast the King entertained him and finding his dexterity in hunting and hawking loved him exceedingly for which the Kings Faulconer bore a great malice to him and watching his opportunity murthered him and threw him into a brook But his dog continued by his masters corps in the wood sometimes coming to the Court and fawning on the King and so running towards the wood againe the King missing his friend of whom he could hear no tidings began to suspect the matter and therefore following the dog found the corps and by some words the Faulconer was suspected and upon examination found guilty whereupon being put alone into a boat he was committed to the mercy of the Sea that carried him to Denmark there to be punished for his fault Two French Merchants travelling through a wood together one rose up against the other and slew him for his money and so buried him and went on his journey But the murthered mans dog filled the wood with his howlings still staying by his Masters grave the inhabitants by this meanes found out the dog and the murther and the Faire being ended they watched the coming back of the Merchants till the murtherer coming by the dog fell upon him with all his might whereupon the people apprehended him who upon examination confessed the fact and was justly executed Blond A Germane called Ibycus travelling fell amongst theeves who being about to murther him behold a flight of crowes to whom Ibycus said O crowes I take you for witnesses and revengers of my death About three dayes after as these theeves were drinking in an Inne a company of crowes came and lighted on the house whereupon they laughed saying See yonder are they which must revenge his death whom we murthered which the Tapster over-hearing informed the Magistrate and he upon strict examination extorted a confession for which they were deservedly hanged Luther Plutarch relates a story of one Bessus who having murthered his father was so pursued with a guilty conscience that he thought the swallowes in their chattering language said one to another Bessus hath killed his father whereupon not being able to conceale his guilt he confessed the fact and received condigne punishment A Merchant of Luca travelling from London to Roan in France was in the way murthered by a French man his servant and thrown amongst the vines As the fact was doing comes by a blinde man led by a dog and hearing one groane asked who it was the murtherer answered that it was a sick man easing himselfe This villaine with his masters money and bills of exchange sets up a shop at Roan In the mean time the Merchant was expected at Luca and when he came not a messenger was dispatched to seek him who after much enquiry heard at an Inne that six moneths before a Lucquois Merchant lodged there and was going towards Paris But the messenger hearing nothing of him there began to suspect that he was murthered and made his complaint to the Parliament of Roan who being directed by Gods providence enquired if any about that time had set up a new shop and finding this man caused him to be arested who upon examination denied the fact till the dead
corps was heard of and the blinde man also came to light who being sent for amongst many others knew the voice of this murtherer who at last confessed the fact and was executed for the same Pasquier Anno Christi 1551. at Paris a young woman as she was going to midnight-Masse was brained with an hammer and her rings and jewels taken from her the hammer was stolne from a Smith hard by which being known the Smith was suspected and so strictly examined by torture that he was lamed and died in misery but about twenty yeares after the murtherer arreigned and condemned for another offence confessed this murther to the clearing of the Smiths innocency and Gods righteous judgement upon him Pasquier Neare Lutterworth in Leicestershire a Miller murthered one in his Mill and buried the corps in the ground and not long after went into another countrey and there dwelt about twenty yeares at the end whereof he returned to his former habitation to visit some friends about which time it pleased God that a Miller who succeeded him digging in that place found the bones of a man whereupon it was suspected that he had been murthered and the inhabitants remembred that about twenty yeares before a neighbour was missed whom they supposed to have died in a strange countrey and so bethinking themselves who was Miller at that time behold God had brought him amongst them who being apprehended and examined confessed the fact and was justly executed for the same In Denmark a traveller was murthered by the way near the City of Itzehow but the murtherer could not be found out whereupon the Magistrates of the City caused one of the hands to be cut off and hanged up in the town-Gaol And about ten yeares after the murtherer accidentally comes into that roome whereupon the drie hand drops blood upon the table which the Gaoler taking notice of carries the man before the Magistrates who being examined confessed the fact and was justly executed Ranzorius in a letter to D. Chytraeus A murtherer at Tubing betrayed himselfe by his deep sighes which was not for griefe of his fact but for his small booty and being but asked the question he confessed the crime and was hanged for it Lonicer In Spaine a murther was committed in a tumult and when all denied the fact the Judge caused all their bosomes to be opened and he whose heart trembled most upon examination confessed the fact and was executed At Isenac a young man to get money slew his host and threw his body into a cellar but by Gods just judgement was so besotted that he could not stirre a foot till he was apprehended so that he was condemned to death Luther and Melancthon being in the town at that time spake with him and brought him to repentance before his death CHAP. XXXVII Examples about Marriage and Conjugal Love MAn and wife are as the two branches in the Prophet Ezekiels hand inclosed in one barke and so closing together that they make but one piece and therefore marriage is rather a fellowship of the dearest amity then disordered love and though before marriage we may endeavour to fit our choice to our minde yet after we must fit our minde to our choice yea though all other contentions betwixt man and wife are unlawful yet may they contend each who should love other most and the more to quicken us hereunto observe these Scriptures and examples following Women married Gen. 20. 12. 24. 67. 25. 1. Deut. 22. 22. Called a meet help Gen. 2. 18. given into mans bosome Gen. 16. 5. Mich. 7. 5. appointed of God for man Gen. 24. 14 44. the desire of his eyes Ezek. 24. 26. his companion Mal. 2. 14. the glory of man 1 Cor. 11. 8. the weaker vessel 1 Pet. 3. 7. They must honour their Husbands Est. 1. 20. Obey them Eph. 5. 22 24. Col. 3. 18. 1 Pet. 3. 1. Tit. 2. 5. Live chastly 1 Pet. 3. 2. Be of meek and quiet spirits ver 4. Do their Husbands good and not evil Prov. 31. 12. Be industrious vers 17 c. See the evil of contention Prov. 19. 13. A good wife is Gods gift Prov. 19. 14. 18. 22. A crowne to her husband Prov. 12. 4. A help Pro. 14. 1. Scriptural examples Sarah 1 Pet. 3. 6 Rebecca The good wife Prov. 31. Cont. Exod. 4. 25. Husbands must love their wives and how Eph. 5. 25 c. Col. 3. 19. Instruct them 1 Cor. 14. 35. Dwell with them according to knowledge 1 Pet. 3. 7. Commend them when they do well Prov. 31. 28. yield them due benevolence 1 Cor 7. 3. Scriptural examples Elkanah 1 Sam. 1. 8. Abraham Gen. 16. 6. Joseph Mat. 1. 19. Other examples Some Trojans that escaped in the sacking of Troy took such Ships as they found in the Haven and putting to sea were driven by the windes to a part of Tuscany near that place where Rome now stands and the men being gone on hunting the women having been very sea-sick the noblest of them called Roma perswaded the other women to set their Ships on fire that so they might go to sea no more the men at their returne finding their Ships burnt were exceeding angry with their wives whereupon to pacifie them they went and kissed them on their mouthes whence that custome was taken up which continues till this day of saluting by a kisse Plut. The Romanes at the first building of their City wanting wives made a great feast and when as the Sabine virgins came to see their pastimes they seized upon them every man catching one for his wife this was the cause of great and long Warres between the Sabines and the Romanes but at last when the two armies were ready to joyn battel these women ran betwixt them some of one side others of the other with lamentations and cries stepping between their weapons and seeking out their fathers and husbands with their babes in their armes and their haire dishevelled they called sometimes upon the Romanes other sometimes upon the Sabines with the movingest expressions they could devise which so melted the enraged hearts of both Armies that they gave back a little Then Hersilia that was married to Romulus and some other of the chiefest women said to the Sabines What offence have we done to you that we should deserve such an heap of evils we were indeed violently and against Law ravished by those who are now our husbands but you left us so long with them that now we are tied to them by the strongest bonds of nature that can be You came not to our rescue when we were Virgins untouched but now you come to take the wives from their husbands and the mothers from their little ones so that the help which you now think to give us doth but grieve us more then your former neglect of us These and such like speeches brought the two Armies to a parley during which the women brought their husbands to their parents and brethren
provided them meat and drink dressed their wounds and carrying them home to their houses shewed them that they were Mistresses there with their husbands highly loved and honoured by them So that in the end a peace was concluded and amongst other Articles of agreement these were some that the Sabine women should remaine with their husbands that they should be exempted from all service and work save spinning of wooll that they should have the upperhand of their husbands that the men should speak no foule nor dishonest words nor discover their nakednesse before them c. Plut. A woman of another Countrey being in talk with Gorgona the wife of Leonidas King of Sparta said to her There be no wives in the world that so much love and commend their husbands as you Lacedemonian wives do the Queen straight replied Neither be there any women but we that bring forth men Plut. Numa enacted a Law amongst the Romanes that when any man died his wife should remaine a widow for the space of ten moneths Augustus Caesar died in the kisses of his wife Livia of whom he took this farewell Livia nostri conjugii memor vive vale She was alwayes exceeding dear to him and being asked how she kept his love so long she answered Quòd diligenter prudenter agens summum adhibuisset studium ut omnia faceret ex animo Augusti nec curiose perquisivisset quidquam eorum quae Augustus faceret Plut. Portia the daughter of Cato was married to M. Brutus who having conspired with some others the death of Iulius Caesar was something melancholy and troubled in minde about the thing his wife Portia observing it and being grieved that her husband should conceale any thing from her she took a rasour and wounded her thigh and losing much blood fell into a feaver Her husband coming home and hearing of the sicknesse of his wife was much grieved and went to visit her She taking the opportunity they being alone said thus unto him My deare husband sit down and let us talke seriously together when I married you I came to your house as a wife not as a friend or harlot and gave up my self unto you not onely at bed and board but as a companion of all your joy and sorrows I am Cato's daughter and I desire that you will take notice of what stock I come What therefore shall I complaine of you truly I cannot do it in other things onely one thing troubles me that you make me not a partaker of your secrets as doubting of my fidelity and taciturnity you cannot dissemble with me I discerne that your minde is full of trouble and there is some great secret that you are about Why do you conceale it from me if you cannot expect help yet expect comfort from me and I will assure you of my silence Do not consider what others of my sex are but remember againe that I am Cato's daughter and Brutus's wife either nature from my father or custome from my husband hath made me valiant and constant so as not to fear any danger What need more words I have made trial of myself by this wound the smart and paine whereof I can easily beare yea assure your self that I can die with Brutus and for my husband Wherefore if thou art about any honest thing that beseemes us both do not conceale it from me Brutus wondring at her courage kissed her and with his hand lift up to heaven he said O ye Celestial gods I pray you make me an husband fit for such a wife and so discloseth the whole matter to her Afterwards when she heard of his death after the battel in the Philippic fields she resolved to die and being for a while hindred by those about her she at last snatched some burning coles out of the fire and putting them into her mouth and throat suffocated herself Lipsius See the Example of Zenobia in Fortitude Licurgus the Lacedemonian Lawgiver enacted that all they should be infamous that would not marry So that on a time Dercillides a Noble Captaine coming into a place there was a young man that refused to rise up and do him reverence for said he Thou hast not gotten a son that may do the like to me in time to come Plut. Solon the Athenian Lawgiver ordeined that no joyntures nor dowries should be given or made to maides at marriage commanding that wives should bring to their husbands no more then three gownes and some other movables of small value Utterly forbidding that they should buy their husbands or make merchandize of marriages as of other trades he willed that men and women should marry together for issue pleasure and love but not for money Plut. Two men being suiters to the daughter of Themistocles he preferred the honester before the richer saying that he had rather have to his sonne in Law a man that wanted goods then goods that wanted a man Plut. A Virgin of Lacaena being poore was demanded what dower she had to bring to an husband and to marry her with she answered That which was left me as an inheritance from mine Ancestors viz. Vertue and Modesty Hist. of women p. 331. It was a custome among the Grecians for the bride to be carried through the streets in a Chariot the Axeltree whereof at her coming home was taken off and burned before the gates of her house to signifie that she must ever after be an houswife and keepe within as a faithful and industrious overseer of their domestick affaires and businesse Hist. of women p. 336. Prince Edward of England whilest he was warring in Palestine against the Turks was stabbed by an Assâ—ssine with a poisoned knife but by the diligence of his Chirurgions and the unparallel'd love of his wife who sucked the poison out of his wounds without doing any hurt to her selfe he quickly recovered so sovereigne a medicine is a womans tongue anointed with the vertue of loving affections Holy Warre The Emperour Conrade besieging the City of Winsperge in Germany and the women perceiving that the Town could not hold out long petitioned the Emperour that they might depart onely with so much as each of them could carry upon her back which the Emperour condescended unto expecting that they would have loaden themselves with silver gold c. but they came all forth with every one her husband on her back whereby the men were all saved and their wives gat immortal credit to themselves Rubenius Celer would needs have it ingraven on his Tombe that he had lived with his wife Ennea fourty three years and eight moneths and yet they never fell out The Lord of Harlem in the Low-countries having by his exactions and cruelty made himself odious to all his people was together with his wife besieged in his Castle by them and so prest for want of victuals that he was compelled to enter into treaty His wife a true mirrour of piety and love towards her husband amongst other Articles
Ptolemy but shortly after his souldiers muâ—ining bound him and delivered him up to Ptolemy who instead of punishing him gave him great gifts for his fidelity and made him one of his chief friends Diod Sic. Fabius Maximus having contracted with Hanibal for the redemption of the Romane Captives sent to Rome for the money but the Senate refused to give it whereupon Fabius sold all his own land that so he might performe his Covenant with his enemies Aurel. Victor Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful in the Land c. Psal. 101. 6. CHAP. XL. Examples of Deceit Craft Guile Hypocrisie DEceit in words usual with the wicked Job 15. 33. Psal. 10. 7. 36. 3. 50. 19. 55. 11. 119. 118. Prov. 12. 5 17 20. 14. 8. 20. 14. 26. 24 26. Jer. 5. 27. 8. 5. 9. 6 8. 14. 14. 23. 26. Hos. 11. 12. Mat. 7. 22. Rom. 1. 29. 3. 13. Psal. 35. 20. Dan. 11. 23. Prov. 11. 18. 14. 25. Ps. 38. 12. Jer. 9. 5. 29. 8. Not so with the godly Job 27. 1. 31. 5. Ps. 101. 7. 72. 14. Isa. 53. 9. 1 Thes. 2. 3. 2 Cor. 4. 2. Deceit in deeds Hos. 12 7. Amos 8. 5. Zeph. 1. 9. Prov. 27. 6. Lev. 6. 2. Lam. 1. 19. God abhorres it Psal. 5. 6. 52. 4. 55. 23. Jer. 43. 10. Mich. 6. 11. Mal. 1. 14. Complained of Ps. 78. 57. 109. 2. Job 6. 15. Ps. 52. 2. Jer. 17. 9. Hos. 7. 16. Mich. 6. 12. Eph. 4. 14. 2 John 7. 2 Tim. 3. 13. Prayed against Psal. 43. 1. 120. 2. Scriptural Examples Satan Gen. 3. 1 2. Rev. 12. 9. 13. 14. 20. 10. Rebekah Gen. 27. 6. Jacob ver 12. Laban Gen. 29. 23. Rachel Gen. 31. 34 35. Jacobs sons Gen. 34. 11. Potiphars wife Gen. 39. 14. Pharaoh Exod. 1. 10. Balak Numb 22. 4 5 6. Moabitish maides Num. 25. 1 2. 31. 16. Thamar Gen. 38. 13 14. Gibeonites Jos. 9. 4 12 23. Saul 1 Sam. 18. 17 21 25. Joab 2 Sam. 3. 27. David 2 Sam. 11. 6 8 13 c. Ionadab 2 Sam. 13. 5. Absalom 2 Sam. 26. 28. 15. 2 3. Zibah 2 Sam. 16. 1 2. the Harlot 1 King 3. 19 20. Jeroboam 1 King 12. 26 c. Iehu 2 King 10. 19. Iesabel 1 King 21. 7 c. Sanballat and others Neh. 4. 8. Davids enemies Psal. 35. 20. 36. 4. 38. 13. 57. 5. Darius's Princes Dan. 6. 5 c. Doeg Psal. 52. 3 4. Herod Mat. 2. 8. Herodians Mat. 22. 17. Mar. 12. 14. Priests Scribes Mat. 26. 4. Spies sent by them Luk. 20. 20. Ananias and Sapphira Act. 5. 1 5. Elimas Acts 13. 10. False Christs and false prophets Mat. 24. 25. Rom. 16. 18. 2 Tim. 3. 13. Iewes Ier. 9. 5. Diviners Ier. 29. 8. False teachers Ier. 14. 14. 23. 26. Tit. 1. 10. 2 Iohn 7. 2 Pet. 2. 13. Rev. 2. 20. Col. 2. 4 8. Eph. 5. 6. 4. 14. Mat. 7. 15. 2 Thes. 2. 9. Acts 15. 5. Rev. 13. 13 14. 19. 20. Hypocrisie Threatened Iob. 8. 13. 13. 16. 17. 8. 20. 5. 36. 13. The evil of it Prov. 11. 9. Forbidden Mat. 6. 2 c. Reproved 1 Kings 18. 21. Mat. 7. 5. and 15. 7. and 23. 13 c. They are double-minded 2 King 10. 31. Iam. 1. 8. Hide iniquity in their bosome bosome Iob. 31. 33. Deceitful Ps. 43. 1. Have hearts not right Psal. 78. 8 37. Mention God but not in truth Isa. 48. 1. Turne not with the whole heart Ier. 3. 10. Cry but not with the heart Hos. 7. 14. Like a deceitful bowe Hos. 7. 16. A heart divided Hos. 10. 2. Barren trees Mat. 21. 19. Whited Sepulchres and Walls Mat 23. 27. Act. 23. 3. A Iew only outwardly Rom. 2. 28. False brethren 2 Cor. 11. 26. Gal. 2. 4. Enemies to Christs crosse Phil. 3. 18. Have onely a forme of godlinesse 2 Tim. 3. 5. Seeme religious Iam. 1. 26. Scriptural Examples Absalom 2 Sam. 15. 2 c. Herod Mat. 2. 8. 14. 9. Scribes and Pharisees Mat. 23. 13. Mark 7. 6. Luk. 12. 56. Judas Mat. 26. 49. Joh. 12. 4 5 6. 18. 28. Ananias and Sapphira Act. 5. 2. Simon Magus Act. 8. 13 21 24. Other Examples The Gaules having besieged the Romane Capitol seven moneths both sides grew weary and upon treaty the Romanes were to give the Gaules a thousand pound weight of gold and so they were to depart which agreement was sworne to on both sides but when they came to weigh the gold the Gaules would hold the scales and used much falshood therein Brennus also their King took off his sword and girdle and put it into the scales and being asked by Sulpitius what he meant by it he answered What can it meane but misery to the vanquished Iust at this time came Camillus to Rome with an Army that he had gathered amongst the confederates and being informed of all that happened he marched in good order to the place where the gold was weighing which he took out of the scales and divided it amongst his souldiers and then falling upon the Gaules he forced them to depart without their money Plut. A little before the Massacre of Paris the Admiral Coligni going to Paris was honourably entertained by the King who called him Father promised to be ruled by his counsel often protested that he loved him c. Yet shortly after he caused him to be basely murthered and insulted over him unworthily after his death See the Life of Gasper Coligni in my English Martyr CHAP. XLI Examples of Friendship A True friend is as a mans own soul Deut. 13. 6. Loves at all times Prov. 17. 17. Sticks closer then a brother Prov. 18. 24. gives hearty counsel Prov. 27. 9. Exhorted to Prov. 27. 10. Their wounds are faithful Prov. 27. 6. The rich have many friends Prov. 14. 20. and 1â— 4 6. Scriptural Examples Hushai 2 Sam. 15. 32 37. Jonathan 1 Sam. 18. 1. and 20. 17. Others 1 Sam. 3. 26. Hiram 1 King 5. 1. Peter Mat. 26. 33. Jobs friends ch 2. 11. Ittai 2 Sam. 15. 21. Ruth ch 1. 16 17. Pauls friends Acts 19. 31. Iohns friends 3 John 14. Feigned friends Dan. 11. 26. Psal. 55. 13 14. 41. 9. 88. 19. Joab 2 Sam. 3. 27 20. 9 10. Hushai 2 Sam. 16. 17 18. Such Jer. 9. 4. Mich. 7. 8. Judas Ioh. 13. 18. Mat. 26. 49. Pilate and Herod Luke 23. 12. Churches friends Lam. 1. 2. Poor mans friends Prov. 19. 7. Such as love for advantage Prov. 14. 20. 19. 4 6. Carnal friends Hiram to Judah Gen. 38. 12 20. Sampsons friends Jud. 14. 20 Amons 2 Sam. 13. 3. Hamans Ester 5. 10. Zedekiahs Ier. 38. 22. Ahuzzah Gen. 26. 26. Such are not to be trusted Mich. 7. 5. Other Examples Cambyses King of Persia making Warre against the Egyptians overthrew them in a great battel and took the regal City Memphis
and therein the King Psammenitus and all his family and Nobles after which he kept him prisoner in the suburbs and then caused the daughters of the Nobles and amongst them Psammenitus daughter clad in base apparel to fetch water in tankards from the river which when their parents saw they all brake forth into grievous weeping only Psammenitus with his eyes fixed upon the ground shewed no signe of sorrow Then did Cambyses cause the Noble-mens sonnes and amongst them Psammenitus his sonne to be led to execution tied together by the necks with ropes and bridles put into their mouths hereupon their fathers again brake forth into lamentations only Psammenitus stood quiet as before But presently after seeing an old man his intimate friend begging in the streets he brake forth into grievous lamentations which Cambyses observing sent to him to know what was the reason that he when he saw his daughter so abused and his son led to death mourned not but now when he saw this poor man that was no kin to him begging he made such heavy mone To whom Psammenitus answered My domestick evils were greater then that I could expresse my sorrow for them but the calamity of my friend deserves my teares for that now in his old age from an high estate he is brought to such extreame poverty Herod Darius having escaped a great danger in his returne out of Scythia by the faithful counsel and assistance of Histiaeus the Milesian he sent for him to his Court and made him one of his privy Councel saying Omnium possessionum pretiosissimam esse amicum fide prudentiâ— praestantem That of all possessions the most precious is a friend excelling in fidelity and prudence Pez Mel. Hist. Cyrus Junior was of that friendly disposition that of those many gifts that were presented to him by his Subjects he reserved none to himself but distributed them amongst his friends according to their several qualities and when he had choice apparel sent him he used to say that his own body could not weare it but he thought himself richly adorned in seeing his friends adorned with it When he had excellent wine he would send his friends most of it saying that he beleeved that they could not get better When he had costly cates at his table he would send them a great part with this message Tell them that Cyrus sends you these things because himself liked them exceeding well Xenophon Agesilaus King of Sparta seeing divers of his friends and kindred in poverty and want he divided halfe his patrimony amongst them esteeming his inheritance to be left him rather thereby to purchase friends then to make himself an object of envy to his enemies Xenophon Damon and Pythias two Pithagorean Phylosophers so intirely loved each other that Dionysius the Tyrant having condemned one of them to death the other offered to die for him wherewith the Tyrant was so affected that he pardoned the condemned party and desired to be admitted a third person in their amity Cicero de Offi. In Queen Elizabeths Reigne in a fight between the Earle of Kildare and the Earl of Tir-oâ—en two of the Earl of Kildares Foster brethren were slain whose death he took so heavily that himself shortly after died for grief For there is no love in the world comparable by many degrees to that of Foster-brethren in Ireland Camb. Brit. Iâ—el p. 116. Darius having opened a Pomegranate that was full of seeds his brother Artabanus asked him of what things he would chiefly desire so great a number Darius answered that he would desire so many Magabysuses as there were graines in that fruit for â—aith he Kings can have no treasure of so great worth as faithful friends Herod Under the seventh Persecution Theodora a godly Virgin for her Religion was condemned to the Stews where her chastity was to be a prey to all commers which sentence being executed many wanton young men were ready to presse into the house but one of the brethren called Didymus putting on a souldiers habit would have the first turne and to going in perâ—waded her to change garments with him and so she in the souldiers habit escaped and Didymus being found a man was carried before the President to whom he confessed the whole matter and so was condemned Theodora hearing of it thinking to excuse him came and presented herself as the guilty party desiring that she might die and the other be excused but the mercilesse Iudge caused them both to be put to death See my Gen. Martyr p. 52. Thine own friend and thy fathers friend forsake not Prov. 27. 10. CHAP. XLII Examples of grosse Ignorance and Folly THere were never any former ages which enjoyed the like meanes of knowledge as we which live at this day do for besides the sacred Scriptures in a known tongue how many volumes of heavenly truths dropping from the mounthes and pens both of ancient and moderne Divines hath that most excellent and exquisite Art of Printing conveyed to us how many burning and shining lights do daily waste and consume themselves to propagate saving knowledge unto others therefore to love darkness or to live in darknesse under so great light will much aggravate our condemnation whence it is that we have great cause to bewaile with teares of blood not only that woful ignorance which is still to be found in those kingdomes wherein the more then Egyptian darknesse of Popery hath overspread their Horizons but which also is too rife frequent amongst our selves both which may in part be discerned by these ensuing Examples Ignorance is a sin Lev. 4. 2 13 22 27. 5. 15 18. Num. 15. 24 c. It 's the cause of much sinne Eph. 4. 18. 1 Pet. 1. 14. Isa. 56. 10. Wilful ignorance aggravates sin 2 Pet. 3. 5. Simple ignorance extenuates sin Deut. 19. 4. 1 Tim. 1. 13. Luk. 12 48. Num. 15. 28. Act. 17. 30. 3. 17. David chargeth himself with it Psal. 73. 22. and Agur Prov. 30. 2 3. The Apostles were accounted such Act 4. 13. How fooles are discovered Prov. 10. 8 23. 12. 16. 13. 16 19. 14. 16. 15. 5. 17. 10. 18. 6 7. and 20. 3. and 27. 3 22. and 29. 11. Eccles. 2. 14. and 4. 5. and 5. 3. and 10. 2 14. Prov. 1. 22. Scriptural examples The rich man Luk. 12. 20. Nabal 1 Sam 25. 15. Some Psal. 49. 13. 2 Tim. 3. 9. The Prophet Ezek. 13. 7. Hos. 9. 7. Galatians Chap. 3. 1 3. The Bishop of Dunkelden in Scotland thanked God that he never knew what the Old and New Testament was affirming that he cared to know no more then his Portuis and Pontifical Act. and Mon. At an Assembly of the States in Germany one Albertus a Bishop lighting by chance upon a Bible as he was reading therein one of the States asked him what book it was I know not said the Bishop but this I finde that whatsoever I read in it is utterly
honestate quà m sol à cursu suo averti potest It's easier to turne the Sun out of his course then Fabricius from his honesty Eutropius Marcus Attilius Regulus a Romane Consull fighting in Affrica against the Carthaginians was at last by subtility taken prisoner Yet was sent to Rome for the exchange of prisoners upon his oath that in case he prevailed not he should return and yield up himself prisoner to them again when he came to Rome he made a speech in the Senate-house to disswade them from accepting of the conditions and so without respecting his wife and children he returned to Carthage where he was grievously tormented in a Little-Ease knocked full of nailes that he could neither leane sit nor lie till he died Cicero When the Corps of Thomas Howard second Duke of Norfolk was carried to be interred in the Abbey of Thetford Anno 1524. No person could demand of him one groat for debt or restitution for any injury done by him Weav Fun. Mon. p. 839. It was said of the famous Lawyer Andreas Taraquillus that singulis annis singulos libros liberos Reipublicae dedit Thuanus Obit Doct. vir anno 1558. In the dayes of Queen Mary Judge Morgan chief Justice of the Common Pleas refusing to admit any witnesse to speak or any other matter to be heard in favour of the adversary her Majesty being party the Queen declared that her pleasure was that whatsoever could be brought in favour of the Subject should be admitted and heard Qui pro veritate est pro Rege est Holinsh. in Q. Mary p. 1112. A certaine Lawyer in France was so much delighted in Law-sport that when Lewis the King offered to ease him of a number of suits he earnestly besought his Highnesse to leave him some twenty or thirty behinde wherewith he might merrily passe away the time we have too many such that love to fish in troubled waters Bassanus King of the Sicambrians was so severe in the execution of his laws that he executed his own sonne for adultery and being reviled by his wife for it he put her away sending her back to her father who was King of the Orcades Isac Chron. p. 152. Henry the fourth King of England when his eldest sonne the Prince of Wales was by the Lord chief Justice committed to prison for affronting him on the bench gave thanks to God for that he had a Judge so impartial in executing justice and a sonne so obedient as to submit to such a punishment Speed A Judge in Germany aggravating the fault of a murtherer that was before him told him that he deserved no favour for that he had killed six men No my Lerd said an Advocate that stood by he killed but one and you are guilty of the blood of the other five because you let him escape upon the murther of the first The Egyptian Kings usually and solemnly presented this oath to their Judges Not to swarve from their consciences no though they should receive a command from themselves to the contrary It 's a principle in moral policy That an ill executor of the Laws is worse in a State then a great breaker of them Pericles a famous Oratour of Greece who for the excellency of his speech and mightinesse of his eloquence was said to thunder and lighten at the Barre from the Principles of nature ever before he pleaded a cause intreated his gods that not a word should fall from him besides his cause An old woman complaining to the Emperour Adrian of some wrong that was done her her he told her that he was not at leasure to heare her suit to whom she plainly replied That then he ought not to be at leasure to be Emperour which came so to the quick that he was ever after more facile to suitours Fulgâ— Lewis the first King of France used three dayes in the week publickly to hear the complaints and grievances of his people and to right their wrongs A Macedonian Gentleman called Pausanias ran at King Philip and slew him because he had refused to do him justice when he complained against a Peer of the Realme Some of the kindred of Tatius King of the Romans robbed and murthered certain Ambassadours that were going to Rome for which their â—â—â—â—olk demanded justice of Tatius but he connâ—ving at the wrong because of his relation to them the kindred of the slaine watched their opportunity and slew him as he was sacrificing to his gods Plut. Lewis called Saint Lewis of France having given a pardon to a Malefactor upon second thoughts revoked it again saying That he would give no pardon where the Law did not pardon For that it was a work of mercy and charity to punish an offendor and not to punish crimes was as much as to commit them A certaine husbandman coming to Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincolne challenged kindred of him and thereupon desired him to preferre him to such an office Cousen quoth the Bishop if your cart be broken I will mend it If your plâ—ugh be old I will give you a new one or seed to sowe your land But an husbandman I found you and an husbandman I will leave you Domitius the Emperour used to say that he had rather seem cruel in punishing then to be dissolute in sparing It was said of Chilperick King of France that he was Titularis non Tutelaris Rex Defuit Reipublicae non praefuit Cambyses King of Persia dying without issue his Nobles agreed that his horse that should first neigh at the place where they appointed to meet the next morning he should be their King Whereupon Ocbares Gentleman of the horse to Darius led his horse over-night to that place and let him there cover a Mare and the next morning when they were all met Darius his horse knowing the place and missing the Mare neighed and so Darius was presently saluted for King Herod l. 5. St. Bernards counsel to Eugenius was that he should so rule the people as that they might prosper and grow rich under him and not he be wealthy by the people It was observed of Varus Governour of Syria that he came poore into the Countrey and found it rich but departed thence rich and left the Countrey poore Ptolomaeus Lagi though a great King yet never had but little of his own and his usual saying was That it was fit for a King rather to make others rich then to be rich himselfe Plut. Tiberius Caesar being solicited by the Governours of his Provinces to lay greater taxes and subsidies upon his people answered That a good shepherd ought to sheare his sheep not flay them St. Lewis King of France on his death-bed advised his sonne never to lay any taxe upon his subjects but when necessity urged him and when there was just cause for it Otherwise saith he you will not be reputed for a King but a Tyrant The Emperour Theodosius was wont to say That he accounted it a greater honour to be a member
he had made himselfe sweat by some labour Stobaeus Anrelianus the Emperour never suffered day to passe over his head wherein he did not exercise himselfe in some hard labour or military imployment Alex. ab Alex. The City of Casan in Parthia is much to be commended for its civil Government for an idle person is not suffered to live amongst them The childe that is but six years old is set to labour no ill rule disorder or riot is suffered there They have a Law amongst them whereby every person is compelled to give in his name to the Magistrates withall declaring by what course he liveth and if any tell untruly he is either soundly beaten on the feet or imployed in publick slavery P. Pil. v. 1. In China the whole Countrey is well husbanded and though the people generally are great spenders yet they first get it by their hard labour Idle persons are much abhorred in this Countrey and such as will not labour must not eat amongst them for there are none that will give almes to the poore If any be blinde they are put to grinde in horse mills If lame impotent bedrid c. the next of their kin is forced to maintaine them If they be not able the King hath Hospitals in every City wherein they are sufficiently provided for P. Pil. v. 3. CHAP. LXII Examples of such as have preferred Christ before all earthly enjoyments Under the eight Persecution there was one Marinus a Nobleman and valiant Captaine in Caesaria who stood for an honourable office that of right fell to him but his Competitor to prevent him accused him to the Judge for being a Christian The Judge examining him of his faith and finding it true gave him three houres time to deliberate with himselfe whether he would lose his Office and Life or renounce Christ and his profession Marinus being much perplexed what to resolve on a godly Bishop took him by the hand led him into the Church laid before him a sword and a New-Testament bidding him freely take his choice which of them he would have whereupon Marinus ranne to the New Testament and chose that and so being encouraged by the Bishop he went boldly to the Judge by whose sentence he was beheaded Dioclesian that bloody Persecutor first laboured to seduce the Christian souldiers in his Camp commanding them either to sacrifice to his gods or to lay down their places offices and armes To whom they resolutely answered That they were not only ready to lay down their honours and weapons but even their lives if he required it rather then to sinne against God and deny Christ. A Noble Virgin in Portugal called Eulalia under the tenth Persecution seeing the cruelty used against Christians for the cause of Christ went to the Judge and thus bespake him What a shame is it for you thus wickedly to seek to kill mens souls and to break their bodies in pieces seeking thereby to withdraw them from Christ Would you know what I am I am a Christian ana an enemy to your devillish sacrifices I spurne your idols under my feet c. Hereupon the Judge being enraged said unto her O fond and sturdy girle I would faine have thee before thou diest revoke thy wickednesse Remember the Honourable House of which thou art come and thy friends teares Wilt thou cast away thy selfe in the flower of thy youth Wilt thou bereave thy selfe of honourable marriage Doth the glittering pomp of the bride-bed nothing prevaile with thee c. Behold if these things will not move thee I have here variety of engins prepared to put thee to a cruel death c. But our Noble Eulalia having her heart ravished with the love of Christ to whom she desired to be married rejected both his flatteries and threats and chose death rather then to forsake Christ. See my General Martyrology p. 77. In the late Bohemian Persecution a noble Lady of the City of Latium leaving all her riches house and friends crept under the walls through the common sewer the gates being guarded that she might enjoy Christ in his Ordinances elsewhere In the Affrican Persecution under the Arians there was a noble man called Saturus eminent for piety and holinesse whom the Tyrant King laboured to withdraw from Christ and his truth to the Arian Heresie telling him that if he consented not presently he should forfeit his house his Lands his goods his honours that his children and servants should be sold that his wife should be given to one of his basest slaves c. But when threats prevailed not he was cast into prison and when his Lady heard her doom she went to him with her garments rent and her hair disheveled her children at her heeles and a sucking infant in her armes and falling down at her husbands feet she took him about the knees saying Have compassion O my sweetest of me thy poor wife and of these thy children look upon them let them not be made slaves let not me be yoaked in so base a marriage consider that which thou art required to do thou doest it not willingly but art constrained thereto and therefore it will not be laid to thy charge c. But this valiant Souldier of Christ answered her in the words of Job Thou speakest like a foolish woman Thou actest the Devils part If thou truly lovedst thy husband thou wouldest never seek to draw him to sin that may separate him from Christ and expose him to the second death Know assuredly that I am resolved as my Saviour Christ commands me to forsake wife children house lands c. that so I may enjoy him which is best of all One Copin a Merchant in France was apprehended and carried before the Bishop of Ast for his bold asserting of the truth to whom the B. said that he must either recant his opinions or be punished But Copin answered that he would maintain them with his life For saith he I have goods a wife and children and yet have I lost those affections which I formerly bore to them neither are they dear to me so I may gain Christ. See more Examples of this kind before in this Book p. 29 30 31. Anno Christi 1620. in that bloody Persecution in the Valtoline a noble Gentleman having for a while hid himself was at last found out by his Popish adversaries whom he requested to spare him for his childrens sake but they told him that this was no time for pity except he would renounce his Religion and embrace Popery whereupon he said God forbid that to save this temporal life I should deny my Lord Jesus Christ who with his precious blood upon the Crosse redeemed me at so dear a rate c. I say God forbid and so they murthered him See my Gen. Martyrologie p. 327. Anno Christi 1507. one Laurence Guest being in prison for the truth in Salisbury the Bishop because he had good friends laboured by all means to draw him to recant but not
countervail this great prosperity and victory some bitter adversity be predestinated for us I then beseech you to spare the City of Rome and this our Army and let it wholly fall upon my person alone Plut. Whilest Codrus was K. of Athens the Peloponesians upon an old grudge came with a great Army against the Athenians and sending to the Oracle to know the event of the War They were answered That they should have good successe if they did not kill the King of Athens Whereupon they charged all their Souldiers to be sure not to hurt Codrus the King when they came to the battell Codrus understanding all this changed his apparel with a common Souldier and with a Snapsack on his back he went to the Peloponesian Army and there picking a quarrel with one of the Souldiers wounded him whereupon the Souldier slew him and after his death being found to be Codrus the Peloponesians returned back expecting no good successe and thus Codrus out of love to his Country voluntarily dyed to deliver it from danger Pez Mel. Hist. Agesilaus King of Sparta did so love and esteem his Countrey that for the profit of it he neither spared his pains nor shunned dangers nor favoured his old age and though by his prudent and upright dealing he had gotten all the power into his own hands yet he studied nothing more then to maintain the Lawes and to shew himself subservient to them and amongst those which raised up dissensions in the Common-Wealth he carried himself as a father to his children chiding those that erred and honouring those that did well Plut. Sylla having overcome Marius in Battel commanded all the Citizens of Praeneste to be slain excepting onely one that was his intimate friend But he hearing the Bloody sentence against the rest stepped forth and said That he scorned to live by his favour who was the destroyer of his Country and so went amongst the rest who were to be slain Fulgos Sertorius the more he prospered and prevailed in his Wars in Spain the more importunate he was with Metellus and Pompey the Captains of his enemies that laying down Armes they would give him leave to return into Italy again professing that he had rather live a private life with the sweet enjoyment of his Countrey then to obtain the Government of many Cities Sabi l. 8. Nescio quâ natale solum dulcedine cunctos Ducit et immemores non sinit esse sui CHAP LXVI Examples concerning Death ALI must die Heb. 9. 27. Psal. 89. 48. It 's called a Bed to rest in Isa. 57. 2. A being with Christ Phil. 1. 23. A changing 1 Cor. 15. 51. A cutting down Job 14. 2. A cutting off Job 6. 9. A depriving of years Isa. 38. 10. A dissolution Phil. 1. 23. A destruction of the body 2 Cor. 5. 1. A day of darknesse Eccles. 12. 7. A departing Luk. 2. 29. A going forth of the breath Psal. 146. 4. An entrance into the way of all the world Joshu 23. 14. An end of all flesh Gen. 6. 13. An end of mans daies 1 Sam. 26. 10. A falling asleep Act. 7. 60. A finishing our course 2 Tim. 4. 7. A fleeting away Job 20. 8. A gathering to the people Gen. 25. 8. A going to the grave Job 5. 26. The way of all the earth 1 King 2. 2. To our fathers Gen. 15. 15. To the dead 2 Sam. 12. 23. To the place of silence Psal. 115. 17. Into the pit Job 33. 24. Home Psal. 39. 13. To the long home Eccles. 12. 5. Into the Land of darknesse Job 10. 21. A hiding in the Grave Job 14 13. A house for the living Job 30. 23. A lying still Job 3. 13. A Land of oblivion Psal. 88. 12. A rest from labour Rev. 14. 13. A returning to the dust Gen. 3. 9. Job 34. 15. A sleep Job 3. 13. 1 Thess. 4. 14. 1 King 1. 21. Job 7. 21. A translation Heb. 11. 15. A vanishing Job 14. 2. A giving up the ghost Gen. 25. 8. Vita citò avolat nec potest retineri Mors quotidie ingruit nec potest resisti Death happy to the godly Psal. 116. 15. 72. 14. Eccles. 7. 1. Rev. 14. 13. 1 Cor. 15. 5 52. Death cursed to the wicked Psal. 37. 9 10 20 22. Job 18. 17. Phil. 3. 19. Qualis vita finis ità Vita vitrea Fumus et umbra sumus Mors ubique nos expectat Solon enacted a Law amongst the Athenians that none should speak evil of the Dead Plut. Xerxes getting upon an hill near to Abydus and beholding the Sea covered over with his Ships and all the Plains filled with his Army which consisted of above a million of men thought himself a very happy man yet withal fell a weeping and being asked the reason of it by Artabanus his Uncle he answered Considering with my self how short the life of man is I cannot but pity this great multitude of gallant men of whom within an hundred years there shall not one be left alive Herod Lycurgus made a Law in Lacedaemon that they should bury their dead round about their Temples that the young men having the graves alwaies in their eyes should mind their own mortality Plut. Agesilaus King of Sparta used to say That they which live virtuously are not yet blessed persons but that they had attained true felicity who dyed virtuously Xenophon When Agesilaus was ready to dye he charged his friends that they should neither make any picture nor statue of him for saith he If I have done any thing that is good that will be my monument but if I have done otherwise all the statues that you can make will not keep my good name alive Idem Democritus the Philosopher as he was travelling abroad in the world came to the Court of Darius King of Persia whom he found overwhelmed with grief for the death of one of his most beautifull wives to whom Democritus promised that he would restore her to life again if he would provide him things necessary for such a businesse Darius much rejoycing at this promise bade him ask for whatsoever he would have Democritus told him that amongst other ingredients he must have the names of three men that had never met with any sorrow in the whole course of their lives The King told him that that was impossible to be done Then said Democritus What a fool art thou which desirest to be freed from that fortune which is common to all men Pez Mel. Hist. Alex. M. being twice wounded in the siege of an Indian City feeling the pain of his wounds said I am called the son of Jupiter but I perceive that I am subject to wounds and death as well as other men Q Cur. Epaminondas finding his Sentinel asleep slew him saying I left him but as I found him Plut. A certain Christian King in Hungary being on a time very sad His brother a jolly Courtier would needs know on him what ailed him O brother said he I have been
Earth-quake wherewith the people were so affrighted that many of them forsook their houses and some houses were so shaken that the Chimnies fell down In January Anno Christi 1648. there was seen a great fiery meteor in the air near Bristow on the South-side of the City for divers nights together in form long with fiery streames shooting out East and West which was the week before the beheading of the late King eye-witnesse Also the day before he was beheaded a great Whale ran himself on shore three miles from Dover where he died He was 66 foot long A thing rarely seen in this Island November the 30th Anno Christi 1650. being St. Andrews day a little before or about Sun-rising the skie opened in a fearful manner in the Southwest over Standish a Town five miles from Gloucester and there appeared a terrible fearful fiery shaking sword with the hilt upwards towards the heavens the point downwards towards the earth the hilt seemed to be blue the Sword was of a great length shaking hither and thither and comming lower towards the earth There was a long flame of fire towards the point sparkling and flaming in a fearful manner to the great astonishment of the Spectators who were many At last the heaven closing the Sword vanished and the fire fell to the earth and ran upon the ground This I had from an eye-witnesse In June Anno Christi 1653. a black cloud was seen over the Town of Pool which a while after was dissolved into a showr of blood that fell warm upon mens hands some green leaves with those drops of blood upon them were sent up to London A little before the Civil broiles between the houses of York and Lancaster wherewith England for a long time was rent in pieces the River Ouse in Bedfordshire stood still and by reason that the waters gave back on both sides men might passe on foot in the very chanel for three miles together not without the astonishment of all that saw it who took it as a presage of the divisions ensuing Camb. Brit. p. 399. Not long before the contention between Galba Otho and Vitellius about the Roman Empire there appeared three Suns as it were pointing out that tripatite contention for the Imperial Diadem April the 7th Anno Christi 1233. there appeared here in England four Suns besides the natural Sun and presently afrer fell out the great contention between our King Henry the third and his Barons and the year after England was wasted with fire snd sword from Wales to Salisbury there ensued also a great drought and Pestilence Stow. Anno Christi 1460. three Suns appeared the very day before the three Earles viz. Edward Earl of March with the Earl of Pembrook and the Earl of Wiltshire fought that great battel in Wales at Mortimer's Crosse where the Earl of March put the other two to flight and slew many of their men Idem Anno Christi 1233. a little before the Warres brake forth between King Henry the third and his Barons there appeared in April in Hereford and VVorcestershire five Suns at once and a certain great circle of a Crystal colour of about two foot in breadth as it were compassing all England Matth. Paris CHAP. XCI Remuneration Retaliation Requital COmmanded sometime by God Gen 9. 6. Exod. 21. 23 c. Lev. 24. 19 c. Matth. 5. 38. Psal. 137. 8. Jer. 50. 15. Rev. 18. 6. Thus God threatens to the enemies of his Church Jer. 30. 16. 48. 26 27. 49. 2. Rev. 13. 10. Jer. 51. 49. Ezek. 35. 5 6. 39. 30. Hab. 2. 8. Joel 3. 6 7 8. 1 Thess. 1. 6. To those that sin in his Church Pit for pit Psal. 7. 15 16. Idolatry for Idolatry Jer. 5. 19. Spoil for spoil Isa. 33. 1. Prov 22. 23. Treachery for treachery Isa. 33. 1. Harlots hire for harlots hire Mich. 1. 7. Not to hear shall not be heard Prov. 1. 28. Zach. 7. 13. Altars for sin with Altars to sin Hos. 8. 11. they that judge shall be judged Matth. 7. 2. Scriptural Examples Pharaoh drowned others and was drowned himself Exod. 1. 22. with 14. 27. 30. Abimelech and the Sechemites Judg. 9. 24 56 57. Adonibezek Judg. 1. 7. Levites Concubine Judg. 19. 2 25. Ahab and Jesabel 1 King 21. 19. with 22. 34 38. 18. 13. 22. 23. 2 King 9. 33 36 37. Kings which were traytors and slew others were slain themselves 2 King 15. 10 14 23 25 30. Agag 1 Sam. 15. 33. Joab 1 King 2. 32. Daniel's enemies Dan. 6. 7 12 15 24. Other Examples Orodes King of Parthia who had overcome and slain Crassus the Roman Consul in his old age fell desperately sick for grief at the losse of his son Pacones slain by Venticius yet his younger son Phraates had not patience to expect his death but gave him poison to accelerate it But behold Gods providence the poison proving a strong purge wrought out not onely it self but the disease too so that Orodes recovered beyond expectation which Phraates seeing strangled him and to settle him the surer in his Kingdome obtained by Parricide he entred into league with the Romans sending back the Ensigns of Crassus and other Presents the Romans to requite him sent him great gifts and amongst the rest a beautiful Italian strumpet by whom he had a son which being grown up by the advice and help of his mother poisoned his father to get his Crown Tulit quae meruit et quae docuit Lipsius Mithridates King of Pontus to get the Crown slew his mother brother and her three sons and as many daughters but in his old age his own son Phanacus slow him for the same cause Lipsius Ptolemaeus one of Alexander's Successours expelling Antigonus seizeth upon Macedonia makes peace with Antiochus enters into league and affinity with Pyrrhus now all things were sure but onelyfor his sister Arsinoe and her sons who had been married to Lysimachus King of Macedonia therefore intending to entrap her he sent Ambassadours to her pretending love promising to marry her to make her partner with him in the Kingdom and her sons his heires protesting that he took up armes for no other end proffering to swear upon the holy Altars when and where she pleased that all this was in good faith The poor Lady deceived hereby sent some of her friends to take his oath before whom he went into the most ancient Temple and there touching the gods and the Altar swears That he sincerely purposed to marry her to make her his Queen and her children his heires otherwise he prayes for vengeance upon himself c. Upon this Arsinoe comes to him is married and crowned Queen of Macedonia then she delivers up to him Cassandrea a most strong City where her children and all her treasures were he having now his desire sends men that slew her children in their mothers lap and drave her into exile but God suffered not this wickednesse to go long unrevenged
prevailing he condemned him yet when he was at the stake he sent his wife and seven children to him hoping by that meanes to work upon him but through Gods grace Religion overcame nature and when his wife intreated him with tears to favour himself he answered Be not a block in my way for I am in a good course and running towards the mark of my salvation and so he patiently suffered Martyrdome In Q Maries daies one Steven Knight Martyr when he came to the stake kneeled down and prayed thus O Lord Jesus Christ for the love of whom I willingly leave this life and rather desire the bitter death of thy Crosse with the losse of all earthly goods then to obey men in breaking thy holy Commandments Thou seest O Lord that whereas I might live in worldly wealth if I would worship a false god I rather choose the torments of my body and losse of my life counting all things but dung and drosse that I might win thee for whose sake death is dearer unto me then thousands of gold and silver c. See my Eng. Martyrologie p. 132. Thomas Watts Martyr when he was at the stake called his wife and six children to him saying Dear wife and my good children I must now leave you and therefore henceforth know I you no more as the Lord gave you unto me so I give you back again to the Lord c. and so kissing them he bade them farewell and went joyfully to the stake Idem p. 143. Nicholas Sheterden Martyr when he was ready to be burned said Lord thou knowest that if I would but seem to please men in things contrary to thy Word I might enjoy the commodities of life as others do as wife children goods and friends But seeing the world will not suffer me to enjoy them except I sin against thy holy Lawes lo I willingly leave all the pleasures of this life for the hopes sake of eternal life c. Idem p. 146. Richard Woodman Martyr when he was brought to his answer the Bishop told him that if he would be reformed he might enjoy his wife and children c. To whom he answered I love my wife and children in the Lord and if I had ten thousand pounds in gold I had rather forgo it all then them but yet I have them as if I had them not and will not for their sakes for sake Christ. Idem p. 185. A poor woman in Cornwall being admonished by the Bishop to remember her husband and children She answered I have them and I have them not whilest I was at liberty I enjoyed them but now seeing I must either forsake Christ or them I am resolved to stick to Christ alone my heavenly Spouse and to renounce the other Idem p. 211. See more in my two parts of Lives I count all things but losse for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the losse of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ and be found in him c. Phil. 3. 8 9. Examples concerning Christ our Mediatour Themistocles being banished Athens was forced to fly to his deadly enemy Admetus King of the Molossians and when he came thither he took the Kings son being a child in his armes and so prostrated himself before the K. and found favour for it was a sacred Law amongst the Molossians that whosoever thus came before the King should have pardon whatsoever his offence was so whosoever goes to God the Father with Christ in his armes shall be sure to speed in his request Claudius Tib. Caesar hearing of the miracles and resurrection of Jesus Christ moved the Senate at Rome that he might be numbred amongst the gods but the Senate refused because he was by some esteemed for a God before the Senate had decreed him one Tert. One in Tamerlanes Army having found a great pot of Gold digged it up and brought it to Tamerlane who asked whether the Gold had his Fathers stamp upon it but when he saw it had the Roman stamp he would not own it So God will own none but such as have the stamp of Christ and his Image upon them CHAP. LXIII Examples of Compassion Sympathy COmmanded 1 Pet. 3. 8. Zach. 7. 8. Such as want it love not God 1 Joh. 3. 17. And are wicked 2 Chron. 36. 17. Scriptural Examples Our Saviour Christ Matt. 9. 36. 14. 14. 15. 32. Mark 1. 41. 6. 34. A Lord Matth. 18. 27. Pharaohs daughter Exod. 2. 6. The Father of the Prodigal Luke 15. 20. Darius his wife being a Captive with Alexander miscarried by reason of a fall and so died which when Alexander heard of he brake forth into weeping and suffered one of her Eunuches to carry Darius word of her death Darius hearing that Alexander wept at the newes of her death conceited that he had been too familiar with her but when the Eunuch by grievous asseverations protested that he had never seen her but once and then never offered the least indignity to her Darius lifting up his hands to heaven prayed the gods that if the Persian Empire were at an end that none might sit in Cyrus his Throne but so just and merciful a Conquerour Q. Cur. When Alexander M. found Darius murthered by his own servants though he was his enemy yet he could not refrain from weeping and putting off his own Coate he covered the body of Darius with it and so clothing of him with Kingly Ornaments he sent him to his mother Sisigambis to be interred amongst his Ancestors in a royall manner Q. Cur. Nero the Emperour in the first five years of his reign was of a very compassionate disposition insomuch as being requested to set his hand to a Writ for the execution of a Malefactor he said Quà m vellem me nescire literas Would I had never learned to write Sâ—ne Camillus with the Roman Army after ten years siege took the City of Veia in Italy by storme and when Camillus from the top of the Castle saw the infinite riches which the Souldiers took by plundering the City he wept for very pitty to see the miseries which were brought upon the inhabitants Plut. The Thebans having given the Lacedemonians a very great overthrow in the Battel of Leuctra they presently sent an Ambassador to Athens to acquaint them with it and to desire them to enter into confederacy with them against the Lacedemonians their old enemies telling them that now was the time when they might be fully revenged of them for all the wrongs which they had received from them but the Athenian Senate was so far from rejoycing at the misery of the Lacedemonians that they did not so much as give lodging the Ambassadour or treat at all with him about a League Plut. Vespasian the Emperour was of such a merciful disposition that he never rejoyced at the death of any though his enemies yea he used to sigh and weep when he
justly condemned any for their faults Suet. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love Rejoyce with them that do rejoyce and weep with them that weep Rom. 12. 10 15. CHAP. LXIIII. Examples of the workings of Conscience A Good Conscience Act. 23. 1. 24. 16. Rom. 9. 1. 2 Cor. 1. 12. 1 Tim. 3. 9. 1. 5 19. 2 Tim. 1. 3. Heb. 10. 2. 22. 1 Pet. 2. 19. Heb. 13. 18. 1 Pet. 3. 16. 21. Bad conscience Joh. 8. 8. 1 Tim. 4. 2. Tit. 1. 15. Prov. 28. 1. Weak conscience 1 Cor. 8. 7. 10 29. Conscience Rom. 2. 15. 13. 5. 1 Cor. 10. 25. 2 Cor. 4. 2. 5. 11. Heb. 9. 9 14 10. 2. Defin. It 's a part of our understanding determining of all our particular actions either with or against them excusing or accusing When the conscience accuseth the tongue confesses the eyes weep the hands wring the heart akes and the voyce cryes no part can be at ease as Juvenal Cur hos evasisse putes quos diri conscientia facti Mens habet attonitos surdo verbere caedit c. How deem'st thou them acquit whom guilty mind of fact so foul doth fright And scourge unseen doth beat with unheard blow Their hangman restlesse conscience biting so Scriptural examples of guilty consciences Adam when he ran from God Gen. 3. 8. Cain for murthering Abel Gen. 4. 15. Josephs brethren Gen. 42. 21. c. Belshazzar Dan. 5 6. Herod for beheading John Luke 9. 7. Judas for betraying Christ Matth. 27. 3. c. the unworthy Guest Matth 22. 12. the Pharises Joh. 8. 9. A wounded spirit who can bear Prov. 18. 14. Examples of a good conscience Abimelech Gen. 20. 4 5. Hezekiah Isa. 38. 3. David Psal. 3. 5 6. 23. 4. Paul Act. 23. 1. 24. 16. Heb. 13. 18. Nero after the murther of his mother Agrippina was so continually haunted with the furies of his conscience that he alwayes thought her ghost haunted him which no incantation nor sacrifices could appease till his own descended so that when he was to leave this life for a worse he cryed out that his mother wife and father willed him to die Nero's life Livius Drusus being to build him a house in the Palace at Rome the chief workman told him that he would so contrive it that none should overlook him nor see what was done in his house to whom Drusus answered Quin tu potiùs si quid in te artis est it à compone domuâ— meaâ— ut quicquid â—gam ab omnibus inspici possit Rather saith he if thou hast any art shew it in so contriving my house that whatsoever I do may be beheld by all Lipsius Nicephorus Phocas the Greek Emperour having a guilty and hellish conscience and fearing heavens Justice for his sins caused his Palace at Constantinople to be made impregnable and then began to cast off his fears But when he thought all safe â— voyce was heard none know from whom or whence taxing his foolish confidence and telling him that though he raised his walls as high as heaven yet as long as wickednesse dwelt within there was no safety to be expected In the reign of Q. Mary there was one Ralph Allerton who coming into the Church of Bently in Essex finding the people idle or ill imployed read a Chapter to them and prayed with them for which being brought before Bonner he by his subtile perswasions and flatteries so prevailed with him that he drew him to a recantation after which this Allerton was brought into such bondage and terrours of conscience and was so cast down that if the Lord had not looked mercifully upon him he had been utterly undone but through Gods goodnesse upon his unseigned repentance he at last recovered comfort and gave his life for the cause of Christ. See my Eng. Manyrologie p. 193. About the same time there was one Mr. Whittle an Essex Minister who being also called before Bonner by the subtile practices of the B. and the advice of some carnal friends set his hand to a recantation but presently after he fell into grievous terrours of conscience whereof himself thus writes After saith he I had done this thing I had little joy of any thing my conscience telling me that I had done very ill by so slight a means to shake off the sweet Crosse of Christ. Yea his terrours of conscience were so great that he could not sleep whereupon he procured the writing and to are out his name After which he thus writes Being condemned to die my conscience and mind I praise God is quiet in Christ and I by his grace am very willing and content to give over this body to death for the testimony of Christs truth and pure religion against Antichrist c. Idem p. 160 161. Before this in the reign of King Henry the 8 th Mr. Thomas Bilney for fear of Death was drawn to an Abjuration after which he fell into such terrours of conscience that he was near the point of utter despaire so that his friends were fain to watch with him night and day endeavouring to comfort him but all in vain In this woful condition he continued for the space of a whole year and was in such anguish that neither eating drinking sleeping nor any thing else did him good yea he thought that all the Word of God was against him and sounded his condemnation But at last resolving through Gods Grace to lay down his life for the truth he began to feel some comfort c. See his Life in my first Part. When Gensericus K. of the Arian Vandals in Africa raised a Persecution against the Orthodox he had such a hellish and guilty conscience that if any Minister in his Sermon did but mention Pharaoh Nebuchadnezzar Herod c. he presently applyed it to himself and thereupon banished him See my Gen. Martyro p. 92. Sr. Con Mac Genis one of the late Irish Rebels after he had murthered one Mr. Trug a Minister was so haunted with the furies of his own conscience that he thought his ghost followed him day and night so that he commanded his Souldiers to slay no more of the Protestants Idim p. 363. The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity but a wounded spirit who can bear Prov. 18. 14. CHAP. LXV Examples of Love to ones Countrey and Countrey-men SCriptural Examples David 2 Sam. 24. 17. Mordecai Esth. 4. 1. Esther c. 4. 16. Nehemiah c. 1. 4. c. The Jewes Psal. 137. 1 5 6. Paul Rom. 9. 2 3. Camillus the Roman General having after ten years siege taken the rich City of Veia one came to him and told him that he was a happy man whereupon lifting up his hands towards heaven he said O mighty Jupiter and ye O gods which see and judge mens works good and bad you know right well that we have not begun this war but justly to be revenged on a City that wronged us But if to